Within the Darkest Hollows ( The Demons Hunters series book2) by D.A. Roach

Hello to all,

                    i'm still trying to be ready on time for christmas card exchange and i'm not giving up but i must say i was glad to take a break with a good book as well.
Being part of the read along for the Demons Hunters series by DA Roach it was time to read book 2 and it'sz as good as book 1 so don't hesitate if you read fast you can still join as we will be starting book 3 soon.

Happy Reading!

Publisher: Limitless Publishing LLC

Publication: 2016

Genre: YA; urban fantasy

Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 16+

Description from goodreads :

 Cassidy and her mystical ring are stuck in the middle of a battle between the Demon World and the Mortal Realm…

A conflict with the demons has left Killian, head of the Demon Hunters, injured and stripped of his powerful Demon Hunter tattoo. Cassidy is tasked with caring for him in the Human Realm until he is well enough to cross back into the Demon Realm. But soon she notices he is acting strangely and begins to suspect something is wrong.

She seeks help from Serena, a retired Demon Hunter, but it’s too late…

Cassidy returns home to find Killian has gone missing. Tyler, a friend with his own set of mystical powers, shows up to tell her that Killian is at his house demanding a meeting with the Demon Queen Rya. She and Serena have to work fast to find a way to heal Killian and get Cassidy’s ring away from him before Rya is involved. Meanwhile, Tyler and his dad have their own plan to make a deal with the Queen.

The Queen has a decision to make, but not before securing her leverage…

Rya wants time to consider the offer presented by Tyler’s dad, and takes Cassidy to the Demon Realm as collateral. The Demon Queen must choose between Tyler, the mate she was promised, and the mystical ring that was forged for her years ago.

Tyler is forced to face the inner demon he has worked so hard to restrain. Will he succeed, or will he be lost to the darkness, leaving Cassidy to be sacrificed by the demons?

As both sides gain alliances, the tension between the realms grows and the time for action draws near…

My opinion:

          Good, this second instalment takes place just where first one ended and even better we get several point of view as the action takes place in each realms so we can follow what happen to the hunters compound, in the human realm and in the demons one.

Killian has an hard time to cope with everything but loosing Cassidy is the worse so he is willing to work with Tyler even if he is part demon to save her. In the meantime he is searching for allies to rebuild his clan compound and get ready for the war to come. When an angel comes to help it's great but sadly not enough either.

In this book we get to see another side of Killian too he can be really patient and tender.

Cassidy is confronted to things she never expected and it does impact her deeply but since book 1 we know she is strong so seeing her in such a state in moving. Her courage and determination are really showing as despite everything she still think of others.

Tyler learns more about himself but also meet potential allies in Farron and Siobhan...not a friendship but a gesture of faith in a sense and we will get to see if his mind is as strong as we could believe as he has a lot to face from now on.

Really i enjoyed that the quality of writing stayed the same and to see what happen in the demons realm was really interesting. There were moving moments, lot of actions . We do learn a lot but the author also put the elements needed for the war to come answering questions and adding more  as well.

The ending is a bit hard as cliffhanger so i can't wait to jump in book 3

Score:  4/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and i voluntary reviewed this book

Magic Bound ( The Peacesmith series 2) by Carly Hansen

Hello to all!!!!


Today i'm sharing with you my opinion on a book that will release tomorrow " Magic Bound" by Carly Hansen. I décided to share it early because to celebrate the release of book 2 she is offering for a few days only the first book "Magic reborn" on amazon for free and i didn't want you to miss this opportunity so  if you haven't gotten book 1 yes you can get it here but hurry because it won't last.

Now it's time that i share with you my opinion on book two before a new storm start again and cut internet ( that's the week for that it seems)

Happy reading!

Publisher: Fortem Books

Publication: 2017

ASIN:  B071V7LRHX

ISBN: 0995069255

Genre: Ya, Urban fantasy
Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 16+

Source: eARC

Short description from goodreads :

 When Fenix is flooded by psychic visions of a baby being kidnapped and prepared as a sacrifice, she goes on a desperate hunt to find him. The search takes her through a portal into the dangerous world of the Fae. Fearsome new and old enemies lurk around every corner, intent on stopping her. With the time left to save the child running out, will Fenix succeed when her newfound magical powers are seemingly stifled by the strange Faeland? If you like fast-paced action, a strong female lead, and a dreamy love interest, you will love this second installment of The Peacesmith Series.

My opinion:

          The first book was surprising, this one keeps the excellent quality of the story! We find Fenix and her friends just a few weeks after the events in book 1 and there is a lot of tension brewing. Fenix still need to adjust to her new role and she has a lot to learn while trying to keep it a secret from anyone else.

Alda is a b**** since she lost her treasured motorcycle and is making anyone crazy with strange demands but in fact the situation is deeper than that as Fenix will know.

Fenix is really an heroine we love to follow, she is true to her heart and always protect others, she isn't telling her secret not because she doesn't need understanding but because in that universe where magic is illegal knowing someone has some is already a crime. So she stays silent to protect them.

Gaïus is her mentor but we can see he was still in training...he isn't bad but he is too centered on the peacesmith thing and doesn't realise that it could take different forms...i don't like him a lot not that he is bad but often he is more a burden than a help or at least he feels like it.

On a trip to try to calm Alda, Fenix touches a damaged car and has the vision of a baby....immediately she is decided to save him, no matter the risk and that leads her directly to fayland...not and peaceful place and more dangerous, a place where her magic is bound. So it's without magic and only her courage and the helps of her allies that she will try the impossible.

The rhythm is quick as, the time is running and we keep turning the page to see more so the investigation is good with some twists and it's a great story.

We see how being a peacesmith is natural to Fenix, in fact and she is doing the job....i guess i only regret she didn't speak to Petunia but then it's only the romantic part of me that would have thought that to be a great bonus.

It's a  series i do want to continue as we still have a lot to discover.

Score:  4/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and i voluntary reviewed this book. I received an eARC and voluntary choose to review this book

Walk on the Striped Side ( Big Bad Bite 2) by Jessie Lane

Hello to all!!!


             I didn't plan to make you wait so long between two post but time flew and since i'm deep in search for some papers, and running between administrative appointments, i didn't see where the time went.

Still with two new release next week you should have enough review to make it up for the delay. Today we continue with the series by Jessie Lane " Big Bad Bite" and the second book " Walk on the Striped Side) while waiting for the novella 2.5 that release on the 28th so enoug time for you to read both first books if you haven't started yet.


Happy reading

Publisher: Whiskey Girls Publishing

Publication: 2014

ISBN:  0373277210

Genre: paranormal romance
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: steamy
Public: 18+

Source: earc
 

Short description from goodreads :

 Does he have his claws in her for good? Or is she just yanking his tail?

Elena Demos’s life has been turned upside down. Her mother has passed away, leaving Elena and her two half-sisters to deal with their mother’s will and the crazy stipulations it contains. For the three sisters to inherit the substantial amount of money left behind, they have to go to work with two aunts they’ve never met, in the family business they’ve known nothing about, Amazons Inc. If that isn’t bad enough, she runs into the man who once broke her heart, and it’s only their first day on the job.

Gage Ivanov is a stupid beast. He let the woman who should be his mate go because she couldn't be told of his Other identity. Now, Elena’s back, but she refuses to give in to his demands for her to be his mate. The timing for all of this couldn’t be worse, either, because Gage and his circle of friends are trying to subdue a rogue pack of wolf shifters in Germany who threaten to out the Others to the world of humans. Will he be able to juggle the oncoming conflict and win back his mate?

Claws, love bites and handcuffs - OH MY!

My opinion:

          I wanted more of the tigers and i sure got it. This book is my favourite in the series so far, i laughed, smiled sometimes was torn on whose side to support but i really loved this book!

Gage is a tiger so full of himself and so, so feline. He is the alpha and doesn't take a no for answer, he fights with or without claws but never give up however he is also capable of a lot of tenderness and even better admit that he is wrong^^. Also like our real cat he can be patient when we wants and very demanding the next second^^.

Elena is a strong woman and not only physically but deep inside she has a little heart. Taught  by her mother not have any attachment ( except with her sister), she isn't used to  think about finding a man to settled with so when she comes to term with that idea at the same time she is kind of pushed aside it hurt very badly....leading her to act like a b****, sorry but i can't think of any other term. She was hurt by him but first thought about making him suffer by hurting ( and worse) his sister. At that time she lost point for me but thankfully she found her brain again but not after playing bad kind of joke on a very on edge tiger.

She is a good woman though and didn't hesitate to jump in the adventure of going to save someone abroad just because it was the right thing to do. She is protective of her sisters but not only so she is a character you get attached to.

Between  Gage and Elena  the situation is explosive, sexual tension but not only ...they both crave the other but trust must be built first and it's not easy with their past and a certain  tendency of the tiger to stick to his word meaning attached is attached and not a metaphor. That sure leads so some funny situation and some steamy scene.

So as a resume we do have the part of the story focusing on Gage and Elena and that part is kind of complete ( even if we want more  we can be happy for now) but we also have the main story line moving with the trek to Germany and it's consequences. However that part isn't  finished and we are left to wonder the next step, consequences and it makes us happy to jump into book 3 as soon as possible while we can  wait as it's not a real strong cliffhanger...so it's perfect.

This is a series i sure plan to continue as we have another tiger who revealed a bit of himself making me more intrigued and a demon that sure hid a lot of secret.

Score:  4,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and i voluntary reviewed this book

Ties that Bind (The Spire Chronicles 2 ) by Ashley Meira

Hello to all,


            I do hope you have a better weather than me because here it's storms after storms and not short and small ones either. Thankfully we didn't had any damage  so far but i'm sure hoping for dry weather ( not to warm but dry) for a few days at less.
The advantage of the rain is that it offers me a little more time to read so i did and happily since  i was lucky with what i picked so far.

Today i'm going back to my decision to alternate new series (or new author) with sequel and since the last book was the first in a series, today i'm giving you my opinion on a sequel and in a series i was introduced to very recently  The Spire Chronicles. If you remember i loved book 1 depites some element bothering me and thus i wantedto check book 2 which i don't regret at all as  it's really show improvment in the writing which was already good.

I won't make you wait any longer so Happy reading!!

Publisher: Ashley Meira

Publication: 2016

ASIN:  B01E1J3Y2G

Genre: urban fantasy
Violence: very strong
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 18+

Source: ecopy in exchange for an honest review

Description from goodreads :

 Hunter of all things evil and paranormal, snarky witch Morgan Maxwell knows she needs to get herself back into shape before she continues the hunt for the demon-worshipping vampire that tried to kill her, her friends, and the rest of the world.

Until she receives a summons from her estranged father to help solve the gruesome murders of werewolves and shifters that live in his city's forest.

The last thing Morgan wants to do is see the man who threw her aside when she was a child, but even she can’t let bitterness and resentment keep her from helping put a stop to the murder and mutilation of innocents.

But solving the murders will be the least of her worries. Alex – a man Morgan finds herself getting terrifyingly close to – has a personal stake in this case, one that Morgan fears will tear them apart for good.

Ties That Bind is the second book of The Spire Chronicles urban fantasy series, and is 72,000 words of fast paced action!

Readers who enjoyed The Dresden Files, The Kate Daniels series or just like reading action packed stories about tough, snarky heroines with magic powers will likely enjoy this series.

My opinion:

          I really loved this one as we can see how the writing which was already good improved from book 1 with a deepening of the characters. Morgan finally won me over, she isn't really mature yet, she does have childish antics but she can pull it together when it really matters. She doesn't jump to conclusion too easily either which can't be say from Alex....from having read book 1 we do understand where he comes from and it helps understand his reaction to Morgan's father but he was a little to intrusive to my taste and too single minded.

...loyalty is great, blindness isn't . That being said, you could probably miss book 1 and still enjoy this story a lot as the author managed to remind us the most pertaining info from the first instalment so if it was the big part of sex that prevented you to start this series, give it a try by starting by book 2 it would be good as that part was tamed down.

The red line from the story is there but we focus on several murders, some elements were predictable for me but it didn't make me enjoy this less. i particularly loved to discover more supernatural creature this time ( June sound really funny but i won't tell you what she is^^). We do get that investigation solved as well so it's no cliffhanger story ( a big plus).

The violence is important as we get description of gruesome murders but it's a big element for the story and really well written so put in the flow with the action, suspense and light touch of romance it blends wonderfully

i 'm delighted with this one and i can't wait to see how the story will progress.

Score:  5/5

Disclaimer: Source: a copy in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was received. All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

Ghost Light ( Ivy Granger 2) by EJ Stevens

Hello to all!!!

                        I'm late to post a review this week but it wasn't because i didn't want to i simply had no time at all for me. Wednesday was my birthday and i didn't even got a few minutes to read or nap or even unwrap gift(s) that gives you an idea of how busy this week was.
Honestly if it wasn't for some blogger friends that took the time to write me or send me a little something it would have been a day like any other, nothing special so thank you once again to everyone who thought of me!


What did i decide to give you my opinion on today?  I wanted to focus on two challenges the take control of TBR pile and the read sequel one for that reason and because i enjoyed book 1 i jumped into Ivy Granger book 2....if i had to start again i would do things differently. First, i would like the novella taking place after book 1 and before book 2 " Blood and Mistletoe" ( worse is that i do have it on hand -_-) then i would have left months between reading both books to avoid being bothered by too many repetition.
It's one of the reason i don't reread a book soon, i can wait years without difficulties because if i read it when it's still too fresh in mind it annoys me to no end as it's too repetitive so i tend to skip pages etc. Well better to wait longer and savor the story.

So let see that in more detail with my opinion on Ghost Light by E J. Stevens.

Happy reading

Publisher: Sacred Oaks Press

Publication: 2013

ISBN:  0984247599

Genre: urban fantasy, paranormal
Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Source: won

Description from goodreads :

 Ivy Granger, psychic detective, thought she'd seen it all...until now.

With a vengeful lamia that only she can see on the city streets, reports of specters walking Harborsmouth cemeteries, and an angry mob of faerie clients at her office door, it's bound to be a long night. Add in an offense against the faerie courts and a few foolish bargains and one thing is clear—Ivy Granger is in some seriously deep trouble.

Ivy Granger is back, gathering clues in the darkest shadows of downtown Harborsmouth. With the lives of multiple clients on the line, she's in a race against time. Ivy finally has a lead to the whereabouts of the one person who can help her control her wisp abilities, but will she put the needs of her clients above her own?

If Ivy doesn't find a solution soon, she could wind up a ghost herself.

GHOST LIGHT is the second novel in the bestselling Ivy Granger urban fantasy series by E.J. Stevens.

My opinion:

          For this series i'm thinking that i will appreciate more if i don't read the books back to back, don't take me wrong the main story line, the universe and the separate investigation are good or perhaps even better than that but i have a problem with repetition.

In this book, the author made the story accessible even for those who haven't read the beginning yet  for that reason, i'm guessing, a lot of repetitions were used..not exactly repetition in this book but several whole passage were copied from book 1 either to introduce the universe or explaining the reasoning of Ivy...for me it cut my interest in the book at several occasion as simply it was still too fresh in my mind from book 1...after 2 thirds of the story though those "repetitions" disappear and i was again completely immersed and enjoying the story a lot. However, for those who have read the first instalment "Shadow Sight" first , i think you would do well to read the novella "Blood and Mistletoe" as well before starting this one. Now i haven't read it yet even if own it so i can't be sure it will fill the blank but for example Ivy speak a lot about Jenna and how she helped and trained her etc and that isn't explained in book  1. I'm hoping reading the novella will fill the blank and clear the confusion i felt sometimes.

That being said when the investigation really starts it's really an interesting one and we can see how the path Ivy is taking will be difficult. We learn more about her father and she is starting to remember her past with him better as well , she also dares to look into it. I really appreciated how she was maturing and trying to protect her friends and her lover ( that part was quite sweet)...now it ends with a cliffhanger not hard but still it angered me a little. So this is a good series i plan to continue but not in the near future either.

Score: 3,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

Do you have some series you prefer not to read back to back?

Embrace the Highland Warrior (Connor Clan 2 ) by Anita Clenney

Hello to all,

                  It's a little late in the day to post a review and i had planned to post it yesterday in fact but my mother has been hospitalized in emergency this weekend and not for something to be taken lightly as you can imagine she has become my priority somy reading time has been inexistant since then but thankfully i had finished this one first and just had to put the last touch at teh review. i do hope to read again soon as she is getting better because i did join a reading challenge this month afterall but i can't make any promise all will depent on how she is doing and when she is back home. I'm sure you all understand.

Anyway to make you wait here is my opinion on Embrace the Highland Warrior from Anita Clenney and if you love it the next book just released so no need to wait for book 3 ( there are also some novellas available if you love to read them in order too but only in digital i fear)

Happy Reading

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Publication: 2011

ISBN:  1402251262

Genre: paranormal romance
Violence: strong
Language: mild
sex: mild+
Public: 18+

Source: bought
 

Short description from goodreads :

 They were driven apart by a timeless secret…

Cody MacBain let the woman of his destiny slip away. A member of an ancient clan of Scottish warriors, he grew up beside Shay Logan as her secret protector, but his heart compelled him to become more. Until Shay’s true identity was revealed, and the fated pair’s chance was gone…

But danger will drive them back into each other’s arms…

Shay fell for the boy next door, suspecting nothing of the ancient secrets he guarded. After a stinging betrayal, she’s determined to banish the memories of her first love forever. But the past can’t let go, and the boy she once loved has returned to her a warrior determined to protect her from the unspeakable evil fate has planned…


But with all the Underworld after Shay, Cody will have to call in the entire Connor Clan to keep her safe.

My opinion:

          I love this universe; it has been a long time since I’ve read book 1 but I did fall back into it without problem.  I enjoy how the author links new characters to those we have come to love in precedent book so that we are not at all and even better there is enough information recounting that even if we haven’t read the first book to start we would understand this one perfectly.

 I loved to see the similarity between Cody and Faelan as both are really alpha male with an overprotecting instinct. It was also great to see how Faelan was adapting.

Now to focus on the main couple Cody and Shay, both were cute together and both had a misunderstanding in the past that hurt them more than each one imagined. So trust is a little problem at first when Shay discover that even more secrets have been kept from her but she is also guilty of some and that was the reason I got angry with her. Cody did his best to protect her and she jump to conclusion and try to drive him away ( then get jealous). Still, it was cute to see how deeply in love they both were.

Nina and Mathilda were both great secondary character and I do hope we will see more of them as a couple of women who make big warriors wants to hide is something I can’t get enough of.

I liked Jamie a lot less and I’m a little angry at how he bends the rules and even got against them when he knew Cody feelings….it seems he will be the next one so I do hope I will like him more than I do now.

The plot was well done it’s just the way the story is told that sometimes irks me and I felt lost…. The author sometimes move space and time without a real introduction so we are cut at big revelation for example, we don’t see the reactions of the characters like we would have hoped, and next paragraph we are in another country in another situation not linked to the last one… yes they were supposed to leave but still for me it gave me the sensation that something was missing. That’s the only downside I have with Anita Clenney ‘s writing style because I do love her stories anyway. There is humour, passion and a lot of action interlaced together to keep you on edge and smiling at several passage while biting your nails at others.

 In this book also a lot of other mysteries are announced, or brushed to add some tension like for example: what is Shay? What about her father? What emeralds but also what about Cam, Who is the prisoner and those are only a few among several. I would love to discover more about Ronan for example; yes I want the answers to the others mysteries but Ronan, Cam and the rest has me really intrigued now.

 It’s definitively a series I would recommend if you love paranormal historical romance. One, i do hope I will be able to follow up in its entirety .

Score:  4/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

In Ride Trouble( Black Knights Inc. 2) by Julie Ann Walker

Hello to all,

 Summer hits us ell today and for a few days it will be hot and sunny ( before storms again of course) , the sun really help to make people happy and the fact that yesterday check up for my dog was promising i'm really relieved and i can start to smile again. Oh he got a new round of medecine but next check up in his 3 months because his mouth is finally nearly healed so i have reason to be happy (' aside book^^)

Now on book side, i think i will go back to read some that tempts me greatly to get some motivation because free time is nearly non existent so reading time is few right now .  I need something, some "sure love" after the disappointment  i felt. I was really interested in the Black Knights INC series and book 1 was good not a favourite but a promising debut and i hoped the rest would improve until becoming a favourite... i got the second book syndrome.

 Let see more about it! Happy reading

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  1402267169

Genre: romantic suspense
Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: bought

Short description from goodreads :

Rebel with a Cause

Becky "Rebel" Reichert never actually goes looking for trouble. It just has a tendency to find her. Like the day Frank Knight showed up at her door, wanting to use her motorcycle shop as a cover for his elite special ops team. But Becky prides herself on being able to hang with the big boys-she can weld, drive, and shoot just as well as any of them.

Man with a Mission


Munitions, missiles, and mayhem are Frank's way of life. The last thing the ex-SEAL wants is for one brash blonde to come within fifty feet of anything that goes boom. Yet it's just his rotten luck when she ends up in a hostage situation at sea. Come hell or high water, he will get her back-whether she says she needs him or not

My opinion:

          A complete change…I can’t explain better this book is totally different from the first one.  I enjoyed the first story from the Black Knights Inc series and I was impatient to  follow up but my love has been greatly tampered with by this one.. It’s not that “ In Ride Trouble” is badly written not at all but I wasn’t what I’ve come to expect and I was greatly disappointed.

“Hell on Wheels”, book 1, was an excellent suspense romance. The plot was built to keep us on edge, the romance was slow and linked to the investigation. The action was intense but the humour was also present just at the right doses.  Until the last page, I was surprised and I couldn’t stop turning the pages even if I couldn’t qualified it as a favourite read.

Since it’s a series I hope for the same minus the fact it would be another member of the Black Knights team…but this one is a complete turn over. Yes Frank and Becky knows each other ( it was the same in book 1 the main character weren’t complete strangers even if they didn’t work together like these ones) but  I don’t know some chemistry was missing….their relationship was better in book 1 in my opinion. However what disappointment me even more was the lack of suspense…this time the bigger part is the romance…Yes Becky is taken as hostage but that happen right at the beginning and she is saved nearly immediately…there isn’t any investigation about the culprit or the reason no it’s more a hit and reaction story. The bad guy kidnap, the good ones save, the bad threaten, the good punish….if you see what I mean…there isn’t any real question. Oh the villain has connection and it could become important, perhaps, but in this book the importance isn’t on that at all. We also learn that another villains is against the black Knights but it’s left to ponder later….

Also we hear about Nate ( Aka Ghost) but we don’t see him, same for the rest of the team like Ozzie we hear about where he is and what he is doing but that’s all. We focus only on Frank, Bill and the new one Angel. I don’t know but that chemistry was missing  for me, after having seen more of them interacting together and all…this time it was limit.. I don’t know boring.

I’m not saying I don’t want to give the author another chance because hey, book 1 was one of my favourite, but I can’t really recommend this one…or I would tell you to read this one first  to go from the lesser to the best and read book 1 in second. Objectively, some events in book 1 have an impact in this one since it takes place 3months after so reading them in order is recommended. However the consequences here aren’t showing yet really and the author do made a recapitulation sufficient enough so you wouldn’t feel lost if you start with book 2 . So you only have to see what you are really looking for if it’s a really good romantic suspense better past this one ( or start with it) because Wheels on Heels is more what you are looking for. If you simply want a contemporary romance with some action and a touch of military then book 2 could satisfy you

Score:  2,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

Death’s Mistress ( Dorina Basarab 2) by Karen Chance

Hello!

              only 10days left before halloween, i can't wait to enjoy sometimes for me surrounded by books and candies ( and perhaps chatting with friends since i will go to bed later than usual which help with time difference^^).

 I hope to post a  review every two days until then , if no more, depending if i do read and finish my reviews on time...now i hesitated on which book to review today... until i saw that for Brenda on her Ghoulishly Good Monster Mix Mash Up it was Vampires day....so i had to share my opinion on a book which include vampires ^^ and after the review you will perhaps want to enter the link given to win some vampires books (if US/ CAN) or a book of choice ( this one?) if international^^. Good idea no?

 So when i looked at my TBR pile i saw i had several Karen Chance's books....in both her Cassandra Palmer series and her Dorina Basarab one.... i enjoy both series but since they are linked together there is a precise order to read them so i had to wait until i had everything..... which as you will learn i didn't have at the end ç_ç... You really need to follow the Timeline made by the author to fully enjoy these series. Anyway i picked Dorina Basarab book 2 and i was in for a lot of surprise.

 Happy reading!

Publisher: Onyx

Publication: 2010

ISBN:  0451412761

Genre: urban fantasy
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: bought

Short description from goodreads :

 Dorina Basarab is a dhampir-half-human, half-vampire. Back home in Brooklyn after the demise of her insane Uncle Dracula, Dory's hoping her life is about to calm down. But soon Dory realizes someone is killing vampire Senate members, and if she can't stop the murderer, her friends may be next...

My opinion:

          I was really happy to jump back in the universe created by Karen Chance but i got a little confused i did read book 1 and i loved it, yes it was sometimes ago but still there were part i completely missed. What i mean is that some even with impact in this book i couldn’t recall at all  it wasn’t completely dramatic, you can mostly understand everything but if you are like mean and what’s everything you know something is missing…. And that’s partly one default of this series, it’s strongly linked to the Cassandra Palmer one and thus to get a full view of the universes you need to follow both…and read them accordingly…

 I do read both series and thus i was surprised to feel so at lost not understanding where the fey came from, the relations ally/enemies etc until i remembered the novellas….Karen chance write a lot of novellas that fit in the timeline of the universe, some you can miss without worrying they are simply great bonus, others you shouldn’t, as i just discovered, miss for anything if you don’t want to get really frustrated. It’s partly my fault i do have the free novella and i noted when they needed to be read but i didn’t check the timeline Karen gently did for us and which include all novellas even those not free by in anthology (thankfully print one) and thus i completely missed the existence of “Buying Trouble” in which we discover the elves. I really need to rectify that without delay. (conclusion: Check the timeline here if you plan on following this author!)

So what can i said about this book, definitively part of a series and even a more complex world “Death’s Mistress” show us new side for characters we though to know before and introduce us to new one. Dorina is confronted to the murder of several important vampires and the prime suspect is no other than Louis-Cesare, the vampire who her heart can’t resist.  However being an dhampir, this romance is frowned upon and she isn’t even sure she would want a long lasting relationship because of her dangerous nature.  However vampire are not the only problem Dory has to face because a fey relic has disappeared and they are hard bend to retrieve it that including her fey arch nemesis : AEsubrand , who nearly managed to kill her the last time they met.

On the run , with the body of a master vampire on her side (the head being sometimes there in a duffle bag sometimes in the hands on someone else) She must retrieve the relic to ensure the security of her best friend Claire’ son and discover who is the culprit before Louis-Cesare   loose is how head instead ( or face eternal enslavement)…. Now that’s far from easy when said vampire is determined to find his past mistress Christine and to protect Dory  no matter the risk.

I love how the author manages to balance dramatic part with a lot of humour because that’s something really present in this book like the little checkmate pieces, stinky and his drunken habits and Dory’s usual dry humour and her bickering with Louis-Cesare I couldn’t stop smiling and that really helped to keep me entertained and immersed in the story despite my questions about the fey and what I missed.

I really recommend this universe in a whole however if you do want to enjoy it fully, remember to check the available timeline it will avoid deception and unnecessary questions.

Score:  3/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

And  If you want to get this book, the first in the series or the anthology needed ( or any other vampires romance^^) you get the opportunity to do so by checking Brenda's blog Crazy four books and entering her special giveaway. A book choice for International or several Vampires Diaries books if you are living in the US or in Canada! don't hesitate to have a look and tell her a big Thanks! ( you have until halloween to enter)

Demon Hunting in the Deep South (Demon Hunting 2) by Lexi George

Hello to all!


           New month, so full of promises.... i'm not really fond of Fall or i wasn't until i discovered it means paranormal reads and contest in the blogosphere ^^ it really makes up for the rain and the cold . However this time it's starting great, cold yes but some good days to ( 20°c) and sun! yes we got sunny days so i'm smiling, i'm happy -a lot thanks to Felicia who didn't hesitate to send me a box of books overseas THANK YOU!- and i want to read.

I do hope October will be less busy than september for me but on that side it's not as promising as the weather but i won't give up my reading time and i will put more time in my creative activity too to make up for when i couldn't.

Now back to the reading part, since it's october i will indulge and read mostly what i want since paranormal is my favourite genre. For the monthly paranormal topic: Ghost, i will see if i do read some books that include one ( already started one)but i won't put that as a priority since it worked against my motivation for the dragon, this time will be pleasure reads not must read. I still should read for the sport challenge to and i will if i feel like it if i don't it will just be posponed to next month^^.

 I started my month with a series i discovered a few months ago the Demon hunting one by Lexi George, the first book made me laugh  and i loved it so much that  i did everything to get all the rest already published so i could  read them when i want....that was the plan at least but i managed to forget the existence of a novella that i had more than a lot difficulty to get ( thanks Brenda for saving me!) ...so i read book 2 without reading first the story 1.5 and that was quite a mistake. i will read it now but i can't recommend you enough in this case to read it before book 2... more explanations in my actual review

 Happy reading and Happy October^^

Publisher: Kensington

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  0758263112

Genre: paranormal romance, urban fantasy
Violence: strong
Language: mild
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: won

description from goodreads :

 The warrior and the wallflower . . .

Shy, self-conscious Evie Douglass tries to stay under the radar, especially when her nemesis Meredith Peterson, aka The Death Starr, is anywhere around. Meredith and her bitch posse of skinny girlfriends have tormented Evie since the seventh grade, calling her names like The Whale and Thunder Thighs.

Evie tries to stay invisible, but that’s not an easy thing for a plus-sized gal to do in a small town like Hannah, Alabama. She finds it doubly hard to avoid Meredith’s wrath once she takes a job at the lumber mill. You see, Meredith’s husband is Evie’s new boss. Translation: more torture time for The Death Starr.
Evie thinks things couldn’t get much worse until the morning she finds Meredith’s bloody body sprawled across her desk. Typical Meredith, she gets herself dead mere days after a very public scene in which Meredith accuses Evie of having an affair with her husband. Worse, the murder weapon is found in Evie’s car.

Suddenly, Evie is the Number One suspect in a sensational murder case. But she’s got bigger problems. Hannah is infested with demons—soul sucking, body snatching creatures of evil—and, for some reason, they want Evie. The only thing standing between Evie and death or possible possession is a hunky blond demon slayer named Ansgar.

Ansgar is a Dalvahni warrior, a supernaturally gorgeous race whose sole purpose is to hunt down and capture rogue demons.

Evie could almost swear that Ansgar is interested in more than demons. He seems interested in her. Ridiculous, of course, because he’s sex on two legs and she’s…

Well, she’s Whaley Douglass.

To add to Evie’s troubles, Meredith doesn’t even have the decency to stay dead. She shows back up as a ghost and she’s more of a beyotch than ever. Meredith has deathnesia—she can’t remember who killed her—leaving Evie to solve the mystery herself, or go to jail for a murder she didn’t commit.

My opinion:

          This book was more than good and it would have gotten probably an higher score if I had read the novella that comes just before this one…yes Lexi George did write a novella but she put some allusions to it in this book and thus if you haven’t read it you have questions, and some details are annoying because you see you are missing something… I like novellas in a universe I love but I prefer when they are not a necessarily read, when if you don’t know they exist you don’t feel like you are missing something reading the main books, when they just bonus in a sense…. And this is not the case here.

Now like I said this book was good really and it made me laugh, just I couldn’t dive completely dive into it… You find the same elements that made book one a fabulous read: action, romance, sexy possessive warrior, women who know, humor and funny animals you can only want more of.  From book 1 we see Dooley, unfortunately not as much as I would have loved, fluffy is cited but we don’t see the fairy cat…no this time we get a demon possessed Chihuahua named Frodo, really I don’t want to meet him, which by the way is attracted by the mayor’s opossum….strange combination but love knows no boundaries I guess^^;;

I was really happy to see Evie, or Evangeline to sexy Viking looking warrior, this book take place months after “ Demon hunting in Dixie, and we can observe the result of the events that happened then… thankfully  her best friend Addy and her own Dalvahni kept looking over her because she really needed it. Evie is a gentle soul, too gentle in fact and also quite naïve… persecuted for her physical differences, she is not a skeleton, she has curves since little she believe to be fat and horrible… for her no man can be attracted to her….even if Trey the richer man of the city, after his father, and her boss keep making advances on her.

She is feeling something is missing in her life and something more than the fact she can’t see fairies anymore, though they still make her understand they are there.

I can understand Evie really well, when you hear something all your life it’s hard to think differently and I admire the fact she managed to stay so kind despite all her suffering…. She is a character I would like to have as a friend.

Ansgar left but he returned… staying invisible and trying to make sure Evie was okay without some else noticing his behaviour… he is quite lost and what is happening to him. For millennia he was a warrior with a simple life: hunt and kill..; nothing else but coming to Hannah he met Evie and his life changed drastically.. he can’t think of someone else, he want to touch her, to hear her and at the same time he is feeling so guilty about what happened that he think he doesn’t deserve her….he was so arrogant when that happened to Brand that it’s really funny to see things inversed, brand staying way too kind and polite with his” brother”.

However when she is danger Ansgar act without thinking and come back in her life determined to protect her and perhaps have a new relation with her despite the loss of her memories and for that he treads carefully.

 The investigation is interesting and the culprit is well thought…I loved to see the new sheriff… a kind of shifter, and Meredith is really an annoying ghost… I pity those who can see her… but it was also humorous to see some of her reactions.

 Now what was really interesting in this book was that we learn more about the demonoïd, the children of djerali, .. so far we knew djerali or the demons Dalvahni are fighting and we learned in book 1 that some of them  managed to have children while possessing humans, Hannah being the place were  a huge number of them  regroup. But since it’s the first time it’s heard of, Dalvahni don’t know what to make of them classifying them as “evil” simply because of their ancestor….  We also discover Connall chief of the Dalvahni In this book, Lexi George shows us a more complex situation, with secret revealed, new enemies but also some new allies… and a new range of possibilities and danger to come.. so it promising for the rest of the series even if it also means that the end was an open one, not a cliffhanger.

 So I would recommend this book if you love paranormal romance with a lot of humour in it but if you want to enjoy it to the fullest you should read the series in order and that include the novella ( in so I married a demon slayer) before starting on this one.

Score:  3,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges: