White trash zombie unchained - Diana Rowland

Angel Crawford has finally pulled herself together (literally!) after her disastrous dismemberment on Mardi Gras. She’s putting the pieces of her life back in order and is ready to tackle whatever the future holds.

Too bad the future is a nasty bitch. There’s a new kind of zombie in town: mindless shamblers, infectious and ravenous.

With the threat of a full-blown shambler pandemic looming, and a loved one stricken, Angel and the “real” zombies scramble to find a cure. Yet when Angel uncovers the true reason the plague is spreading so quickly, she adds “no-holds-barred revenge” to her to-do list. 

Angel is busting her ass dealing with shambling hordes, zombie gators, government jerks, and way too many mosquitos, but this white trash chick ain’t giving up.

Good thing, since the fate of the world is resting on her undead shoulders.

My thoughts:

I think it was book 4 I had issues with and was all maybe I should not read more. But then I did. And here we are again, again with issues. It was just dull and felt phoned in. This time I will let it be forgotten and not put the next one on my wishlist.

Angel is...doing stuff.

Her dad was playing videogames.

There are gators that like her.

That evil doc is back.

There is a zombie virus

Yawn.

People are running around like headless chickens and there was no joy left in reading it. 

It had semi good parts, but alas, this only gets an ok and a farewell from me. When you do not care what happens it is time to let it go.

Cover

But these always rock!

Mass Market Paperback, 354 pages

Published September 5th 2017 by DAW

White Trash Zombie #6

UF

Own

Legacy of the demon - Diana Rowland

Sidelined demon summoner Kara Gillian has her hands full when dimensional rifts allow demons to cause widespread panic and destruction on Earth. These aren't the human-tolerant summonables she's known before, but demons from the far reaches of the demon realm. 

Add three demonic lords with conflicting ambitions to the mix, and Kara has the perfect recipe for global disaster. 

My thoughts:

Arghh, how to even review this? I am torn. It feels like the only reason I will give this a 3 is cos I like this world and these characters, but my brain realises it is only a 2. If this had been any other series it had been a 2 and I would not have read more. SIGH.

From what I remember I had the same issues with the previous books. She just talked and talked and talked, they went from place to place, but nothing happened. If I had been the editor I would have cut half the book cos 500 pages of this was yawn worthy.

It had its moments, like when 8 books of secrets got told...I mean brace yourself. We do not need everything at once.

I had forgotten who she had hooked up with...I do not feel it.

I did not remember Pellini.

The whole book felt like I had missed one in between.

Gods, listen to your brain! But I do not want to!

Fine, I will rate it 2 because it was only ok.

*Sad face*

Mass Market Paperback, 453 pages
Published October 4th 2016 by DAW
Kara Gillian #8
Urban fantasy
Own

White trash zombie gone wild - Diana Rowland

Angel Crawford has buried her loser past and is cruising along in undead high gear--that is, until a murder-by-decapitation sends her on a hazardous detour. As Angel hunts for the killer, she uncovers a scheme that would expose zombies to the public and destroy the life she's built, and she's determined not to rest until she finds out who's behind it.

Soon she's neck-deep in lies, redneck intrigue, zombie hunters, and rot-sniffing cadaver dogs. It's up to her to unravel the truth and snuff out the conspiracy before the existence of zombies makes headline news and she's outed as a monster.

But Angel hasn't quite escaped the pill-popping ghosts of her past--not with an illicit zombie pharmaceutical at her fingertips. Good thing she's absolutely sure she can handle the drug's unpredictable side effects and still take down the bad guys...or maybe she's only one bad choice away from being dead meat--for real this time.

My thoughts:

I should check the review of book 4, but I remember being disappointed (with book 3 too?) I just remember this feeling of maybe calling it quits. But here Angel is back on top and being awesome!

Zombiefest is coming to town! Time to party. 

She has her hands full as always. With school, with her job at the coroner's office, with her other job at the secret lab for zombies (where she got addicted to a new drug). That last being bad. Oh and there is a murder to solve. And are zombies about to get exposed?

Marcus seems to be out of the picture. Why is she hanging out with her looser ex? I like that her dad is nice again though. 

Conclusion:

Action, a bit of rotting and zombie drama. I enjoyed it.

Cover

Cool

Mass Market Paperback, 325 pages
Published October 6th 2015 by DAW
White Trash Zombie #5
Urban fantasy
Own

Vengeance of the Demon - Diana Rowland

Demon summoner Kara Gillian is on the wrong side of the law, and there's evidence to prove it. Too bad the courts don't accept "fighting demonic forces" as justification for murder and mayhem.

Yet Kara has problems that go way beyond her legal woes. When the enemy demonic lords spur their human accomplices into high gear, master summoner Katashi aggressively pursues their goal to establish a permanent gate between Earth and the demon realm. To hell with the consequences for humanity.

The line between ally and enemy blurs as Kara gathers the remnants of her posse to prevent a devastating demonic incursion, but a shattered trust may cost them the war and put Kara behind bars. With treachery rife, and her loved ones in danger, Kara must call upon the essence of who she truly is in order to rally back from a crushing loss.

And if she can't, the world is going straight to hell. 

My thoughts:

This one felt like another filler. Sure, it was still good, just, filler. The only thing happened is that Jill gives birth, no surprise there. After all there is a baby on the cover.

The bad peeps are still bad.

The good peeps are still good.

Kara is in trouble after the last book. Someone saw her and that is not good so she is under investigation.

Zach is hiding. Jill is soon to pop. Ryan is avoiding her. And I am all, hey where did all the man candy go? Suddenly she had no love life at all. Pooh!

But yes filler. Stuff happened. But nothing big truly happened. There are still a lot of questions. I still want soooo many answers. And I do look forward to the next book. I just hope, it will not be another filler.

Cover

awesome

Mass Market Paperback, 405 pages
Published April 7th 2015 by DAW
Kara Gillian #7
UF
Own

How the white trash zombie got her groove back - Diana Rowland /Cold Blooded - Amanda Carlson

It’s zombie versus zombie as the Saberton Corporation declares war against the Zombie Mafia, kidnapping several of their party. It falls to Angel to lead the remnants of her gang halfway across the country to claw their way through corporate intrigue, zombie drugs, and undead trafficking to rescue her friends—and expose the traitor responsible for their abduction...

My thoughts:

I know I should not let silly stuff bug me, but omg the text was tiny. I do have the attention span to finish a book in a sitting, but that is cos at least I turn the page a lot. Here it took a while and I was all booored. I got issues.

But that was not all that made this one not as awesome. I just do not know. It felt a bit like the air has gone out of the balloon, it used to be  hilarious. Now it's more, ok, she is funny again. Whatever. I mean I can't blame it all on the tiny text can I?

Sure Angel is still cool, but, I am tired of the Saberton company. The zombie struggle. I still liked the book, it was good. I just fear it will go downhill from here. Like, the next book is only ok 0_0 Aye that would make me sad.

Cover

Cool and icky

Paperback, 336 pages
Published July 1st 2014 by DAW
White Trash Zombie #4
Urban fantasy
Own

Jessica arrives back in town to find her best friend missing and the most powerful witch in the country is blaming her for it. But before they can move to save her, the group is attacked.

On the run, Jessica and Rourke head to the mountains. Several surprises await them, but in order to save her father they are forced to leave for New Orleans early. Arriving on the Vampire Queen's doorstep unexpectedly, and bringing trouble on their heels, the Sects are thrown into an all out war. The vicious skirmish ends up forcing the vamps and Jessica to fight on the same team. The Vamp Queen ends up owing Jessica, but what Jessica doesn't realize is just how soon she'll have to cash it in...

My thoughts:

I did enjoy it, it was good, but at the same time it left me a bit cold and it feels like I am still going after how cool book 1 was.

I think my biggest problem is that a lot happens, but at the same nothing happens cos most of the book took place in like 5 minutes (not really but hear me out). Everything happened fast, boom, then another thing, boom, tiny fight, boom, another tiny fight, the end. Just too fast and way too easy. She met a lot of friendly people that helped her and she is over cos uber-strong and perfect and I get these Mary Sue vibes.

But it was good action, getting close to Roarke. Interesting turn of events. I do want more. I only hope that book 4 will be awesome again cos if not (book 2 was not awesome either), then I might just give up. Some series I can read even if they never hit awesome status. Some, eh.  I just wanted more.

Cover

eh

Paperback, 336 pages
Published October 8th 2013 by Orbit (first published January 1st 2012)
Jessica McClain #3
Urban fantasy
Own

Touch of the Demon / Fury of the Demon - Diana Rowland

Kara Gillian is in some seriously deep trouble. She’s used to summoning supernatural creatures from the demon realm to our world, but now the tables have been turned and she’s the one who’s been summoned. Kara is the prisoner of yet another demonic lord, but she quickly discovers that she’s far more than a mere hostage. Yet waiting for rescue has never been her style, and Kara has no intention of being a pawn in someone else’s game.

There’s intrigue to spare as she digs into the origin of the demonic lords and discovers the machinations of humans and demons alike. Kara is shocked to discover that she has her own history in the demon realm, and that the ties between her and the demonic lords Rhyzkahl and Szerain go back farther than she could have ever imagined. But treachery runs rampant among all the lords, and she’s going to have to stay sharp in order to keep from being used to further their own agendas. The lords have a secret that dates back to earth’s ancient history, and it could have devastating repercussions for both worlds.

Yet more than anything else, Kara’s abilities as a homicide detective will be put to the test—because this time the murder she has to solve is her own.

My thoughts:

I think I have reached that point where I have said everything, yes the book is awesome, she is cool etc etc. Can't I just say the book is good and that you should read it? I should say more? Oh well.

Omg the ending of the last book had my nerves exploding in my brain and I had to buy the next book at once. Kara was summoned to the Demon Lands and has now met a new Demon Lord. And there is where I stop. I honestly can't say one word more than that. Spoilers darling, spoilers.

But it will be intense, crazy and heartbreaking. We will finally learn more about another demon lord and wtf happened there. Still many things have yet to unfold and I need more. This series is just so good!

Conclusion:

So duh, of course I recommend this series to everyone. You must try it!

cover

cool

Paperback, 440 pages
Published December 31st 2012 by DAW
Kara Gillian #5
Urban fantasy
own

Who can Kara Gillian trust? That’s what she’d like to know. Demon summoner and now a consultant for the FBI, Kara Gillian has spent the past several months in the demon realm training while recovering from the treachery of the demonic lord Rhyzkahl. Yet though the torment and betrayal she suffered at his hands continues to plague her, she’s not about to let that slow her down.

Kara returns to Earth to search for a fellow summoner being held by allies of Rhyzkahl. Aiding in the hunt are Kara’s friends, FBI agents Ryan Kristoff and Zack Garner. However, Kara and Zack know Ryan’s true identity—though he himself does not—and questions of loyalty threaten to tear apart their previously close-knit group. Rhyzkahl’s machinations run deeper than they could have ever imagined, and the search for the missing summoner takes on a desperate edge while dangers from ancient demon oaths loom and enemies increase in power and numbers.

Armed with her skills, wit, and attitude, it is up to Kara to save her friends and her world. The price of failure will be her soul.

My thoughts:

I do love this series, but if I have to be fair, then this one was not as awesome as previous book. It felt like a filler, who am I kidding it was a filler! Nothing happened for the first 300 pages. Then something happened fast and then it was all talk and plans again. So yes 500 pages = too many.

Does something happen? Eh, not really. Kara is slipping cos of what R did. They need to get Idris back. Much talking and planning. She thinks about her demon lover. She thinks about Ryan not being Ryan in the end. yes a lot of thinking going on.

I still love this series and crave the next book. Because she learns something at the end, what does that exactly mean?

Conclusion;

So I hope the next one will be action packed again, cos this was, too much talking

Cover 

Good

Mass Market Paperback, 484 pages
Published January 7th 2014 by DAW
Kara Gillian #6
Urban fantasy
own

Sins of the Demon - Diana Rowland

Louisiana homicide detective Kara Gillian is doing her best to cope with everything that's happened to her over the past year, all while s continuing to hone her skills as a demon summoner. But lately she's beginning to wonder if there's a little too much demon in her world. She has a demon for a roommate, the demonic lord Rhyzkahl is still interested in her for reasons she can't fathom, and now someone in the demon realm is trying to summon her. And there's no way that can end well.

Meanwhile, people who've hurt Kara in the past are dropping dead. Kara is desperate to find the reasons for the deaths to clear her own name, but when she realizes there's an arcane pattern to the deaths, she knows that both the human and the demon worlds may be at risk unless she finds out who's behind it all. She's in a race against the clock and in a battle for her life that just may take her to hell and back.

My thoughts:

Omg, omg, omg, omg, omg! There I said it...I have to say more? But I already said it, omg!!! I raced through the whole book and then the end. I kicked myself for not having the next book, and then I ordered it at once. Now I have to wait DAYS!  DAYS I tell you for it to arrive. I am dying here. I am dying for that ending was brutal. BRUTAL. If I was not a fangirl of Rowland I certainly became one now. And Kara Gillian turned into one of my fav UF series around.

Ok here is where I tell you something about the story line. But I have not really gotten over the ending yet. Now that was a cliffhanger, pure evil and good. It made me want the next book like crazy, it made me love the series. It made me come to some conclusions (I do not know if I am right but if, eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!)

Story *thinks about the end again*. I can't, the end! Ok, pull it together girl! People are dying and the only connection is Kara. She needs to figure it out. We learn things. Someone is after Kara. There *thinks about the ending again*.

Conclusion:

Ok just READ this book. Start this series now.

Cover

good

Mass Market Paperback, 311 pages
Published January 3rd 2012 by DAW
Kara Gillian #4
Urban fantasy
own

Secrets of the Demon - Diana Rowland

Homicide detective Kara Gillian has a special talent: she can sense the "arcane" in our world, and there's quite a bit of it, even in Beaulac, Louisiana. She's also a summoner of demons, and works on a task force that deals with supernatural crimes. Her partners are attractive and smart FBI agents, but they're not summoners, and they're not telling Kara why they are on this special force with her.

To complicate things even more, Kara has pledged herself to one of the most powerful of demons—Demon Lord Rhyzkahl—who helped save her partner's life, but now expects things in return. Meanwhile, she's trying to solve a string of murders that are somehow tied together by money, sex, rock music and...mud. But how can she concentrate on the case when she's not even sure who—or what—her partners are? 

 My thoughts:

Yay, I am so glad this series continues to be good. It was good all way through and then at the end, it was not a cliffie. BUT, she made me go all NEED book 4! I do have book 4, so that is a relief, I am just afraid book 4 will make me feel the same way and then I do not have book 5, drama.

Kara is cool. She is good at her job, she is witty, she has mindblowing sex with a demon lord. Awww yes he is, yum. But I do wonder what he has planned. Then there is Jill (cool too), Zach (we get to know stuff about him, yay), and of course Ryan. Ryan Ryan, what is he hiding? I get closer to those secrets and then the book ends and I need to know. I am way too curious. Ryan has also truly grown on me.

In this book she has to solve why a few musicians are being targeted. And it's never simple when it comes to her cases. And then something else starts happening too, intriguing.

Conclusion:

Like I said, I need book 4 now!

Recommended series.

Cover

ok

Paperback, 310 pages
Published January 4th 2011 by DAW (first published November 11th 2010)
Kara Gillian #3
Urban fantasy
Own

I am over at Melliane's blog today with a review of The Wurms of Bleurmouth. Stop by :D

Blood of the Demon - Diana Rowland

Welcome to the world of Kara Gillian, a cop with a gift. Not only does she have the power of “othersight” to see what most people can’t even imagine, but she’s become the exclusive summoner of a demon lord. Or maybe it’s the other way around. The fact is, with two troublesome cases on her docket and a handsome FBI agent under her skin, Kara needs the help of sexy, insatiable Lord Rhyzkahl more than he needs her. Because these two victims, linked by suspicious coincidence, haven’t just been murdered. Something has eaten their souls.

It’s a case with roots in the arcane, but whose evil has flowered among the rich, powerful, and corrupt in Beaulac, Louisiana. And as the killings continue, Kara soon realizes how much there’s still to learn about demons, men, and things that kill in the night and how little time she has to learn it.

My thoughts:

I need to know things! Yes, a good book should leave you wanting more and this one sure left me wanting more.

What's up with Ryan? And my fav Demon Lord? Awww the questions. Ok I got one big question, not a lot but I just want to know what will happen to Kara...many more books to come! Luckily I do have 2 more waiting.

The book then. Murders to be solved and it was quite the hunt. All while dealing with the aftermath that left her aunt half dead. And then there is that sexy demon lord she summoned by accident too ;)

I do not have a lot to say, I just want to read book 3 at once. It did not end with a cliffie but I still crave more.

Conclusion:

So yes of course I recommend this one

Cover 

Eh

Mass Market Paperback, 369 pages
Published February 23rd 2010 by Bantam (first published January 1st 2010)
Kara Gillian #2
Urban fantasy
Own

White trash Zombie apocalypse - Diana Rowland

Our favorite white trash zombie, Angel Crawford, has enough problems of her own, what with dealing with her alcoholic, deadbeat dad, issues with her not-quite boyfriend, the zombie mafia, industrial espionage and evil corporations. Oh, and it’s raining, and won’t let up.

But things get even crazier when a zombie movie starts filming in town, and Angel begins to suspect that it’s not just the plot of the movie that's rotten. Soon she's fighting her way through mud, blood, bullets and intrigue, even as zombies, both real and fake, prowl the streets.

Angel’s been through more than her share of crap, but this time she’s in way over her head. She’ll need plenty of brainpower to fit all the pieces—and body parts—together in order to save herself, her town, and quite possibly the human race.

My thoughts:

Honestly, this series is weird, but so is any series with a zombie as the lead character. A zombie that will rot and start eating people's brain if she does not get her supply of brains. Pretty gross actually.

But Angel is so nice, she wants to turn her life around. She has a nice boyfriend. She is a bit too curious but overall she is pretty great.

Why go on and on, I can make this short. Movie being filmed about zombies. Angel is in trouble. ZOmbie mafia vs the evil ones. Smooching. Brain smoothies.

Conclusion:

A fun series that I would recommend. 

Cover

Cool and gross

Mass Market Paperback, 320 pages
Published July 2nd 2013 by DAW
White Trash Zombie #3
Urban fantasy
own

Even white trash zombies get the blues - Diana Rowland

Angel Crawford is finally starting to get used to life as a brain-eating zombie, but her problems are far from over. Her felony record is coming back to haunt her, more zombie hunters are popping up, and she’s beginning to wonder if her hunky cop-boyfriend is involved with the zombie mafia. Yeah, that’s right--the zombie mafia.

Throw in a secret lab and a lot of conspiracy, and Angel’s going to need all of her brainpower--and maybe a brain smoothie as well--in order to get through it without falling apart.

My thoughts:

Honestly zombies...I mean she has no future, if she does not get brains she rots. Still it is a darn amusing story.

The zombie hunter is gone so our dear zombie named Angel is moving on with her undead life. Picking up dead bodies, drinking brain smoothies, smooching with her equally dead boyfriend. Pure bliss.

If it wasn't for her boyfriend's zombie mafia ties, weird shit going on and her probation officer being on her case. Angel does not have it easy at all.

Zombies, I mean I have to say it again. The book is about zombies. How can this series possible end well? Oh well I guess if there is a good supply she will just go on and drink brains for eternity. 

Conclusion:

It's a fun and weird series and I look forward to book 3

Cover

cool

Mass Market Paperback, 1st Edition, 312 pages
Published July 3rd 2012 by DAW (first published July 1st 2012)
White Trash Zombie #2
Urban fantasy
own

Mark of the Demon - Diana Rowland

"Why me? Why now?" That's what Beaulac, Louisiana, detective Kara Gillian was asking herself when an angelic creature named Rhyzkahl unexpectedly appeared during a routine summoning. Kara was hoping to use her occult skills to catch a serial killer, but never had she conjured anything like this unearthly beautiful and unspeakably powerful being whose very touch set off exquisite new dimensions of pleasure. But can she enlist his aid in helping her stop a killer who's already claimed the lives--and souls--of thirteen people? And should she? The Symbol Man is a nightmare that the city thought had ended three years ago. Now he's back for an encore and leaving every indication on the flesh of his victims that he, too, is well versed in demonic lore. 

Kara may be the only cop on Beaulac's small force able to stop the killer, but it is her first homicide case. Yet with Rhyzkahl haunting her dreams, and a handsome yet disapproving FBI agent dogging her waking footsteps, she may be in way over her head...

My thoughts:

Yay another UF series to enjoy :D And one that already has a few books out so that means no waiting...ok it does mean waiting for me to get them. But not years I hope.

On to the story. It's the old but awesome story of a detective trying to solve a case. But Kara is also a summoner and summons demons in her basement. So she is cool.

The case in hand is a serial killer that leaves strange markings, so it's up her alley. To her help she has a handsome Fed, and well....a super sexy Demon messing with her. I do like a being that I do not know if he is good or bad or just...everything at once.

Police work, demon business, a nasty killer and just a good book to read. I love a book i can finish in a day (being sick works ;)

Conclusion:

Yay, I want more.

cover

eh

Paperback, 370 pages
Published June 23rd 2009 by Bantam (first published January 1st 2009)
Kara Gillian #1
Urban fantasy
Own

Review: My Life as a White Trash Zombie - Diana Rowland

Angel Crawford is a loser. Living with her alcoholic deadbeat dad in the swamps of southern Louisiana, she's a high school dropout with a pill habit and a criminal record who's been fired from more crap jobs than she can count. Now on probation for a felony, it seems that Angel will never pull herself out of the downward spiral her life has taken.

That is, until the day she wakes up in the ER after overdosing on painkillers. Angel remembers being in an horrible car crash, but she doesn't have a mark on her. To add to the weirdness, she receives an anonymous letter telling her there's a job waiting for her at the parish morgue—and that it's an offer she doesn't dare refuse.

Before she knows it she's dealing with a huge crush on a certain hunky deputy and a brand new addiction: an overpowering craving for brains. Plus, her morgue is filling up with the victims of a serial killer who decapitates his prey—just when she's hungriest!

My thoughts:

This and the trailer for an upcoming movie gave me zombie nightmares, scary ones! But luckily the book wasn't scary ;) No, it was funny and utterly weird.

Angel is a zombie, well she does not know it yet. And yes zombies eat brains, and they rot. Awww the sweet life. Angel was sure a different kind of heroine, street smart, white trash and living with her abusive alcoholic dad. Then she dies and her life turns around...sort of. It worked. I was not sure when I started how it possibly could work, but it does. There are zombies among us, and they crave that juicy grey matter.

The book is about her and her new job. And why a serial killer is hunting people in her town. Romance, well, she has a stupid one and off boyfriend whose ass should be dumped, but I am only giving you all the beginning. More came.

Conclusion:

A funny book. Still zombies are totally gross and I want more.

Cover

Dos Santos!

White trash Zombie #1
Mass Market Paperback, 310 pages
Published July 5th 2011 by DAW
Own Urban Fantasy