Review: Edge of Oblivion by J.T. Geissinger

Edge of Oblivion

by J.T. Geissinger

(Night Prowler # 2) 

The second installment in the Night Prowler series , J.T Geissinger has left me of the edge of my seat with this one. Ok so I love a good shifter book like many of you but PANTHERS...YES!! From the first page I was hooked, I read this book in two days, might have been one if I didn't have to work. I swear work gets in the way of my reading time LOL.

I love how Geissinger portrayed her shifters. Each shifter has his or her own unique talent. With just one touch Morgan can persuade anyone to do anything she tells them. Now Xanders talent is COOL, he can turn into vapor. Yes, that's right, vapor! And he can walk through solid objects.

Morgan Montgomery is awaiting her verdict. In the Ikati, an ancient tribe of shape-shifters, law states any member who betrays the pack is sentenced to death. With one chance to prove herself innocent to the tribe Morgan takes it.  If she can track down the headquarters of the Expurgari then she will be allowed to live. The only problem is the Expurgari have been hidden successfully for centuries. With the help of Xander Luna, the tribes most feared enforcer, if Morgan doesn't succeed Xander has to kill her. 

The chemistry between these two characters was HOT, from the first touch you could tell they were hooked on one another.

The secondary characters were interesting as well and I hope that we get to see more of them in the next book. I really enjoyed Edge of Oblivion and I would recommend this book to anyone looking for action, with lots of romance.

*Review copy provided by author

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

Mystic City

by Theo Lawrence

(Mystic City # 1)

I want to start this review with the reason I picked up the book.  And that would be the author.  I was sitting at NY Comic Con last Saturday at a panel called "Myth Mixology: How Urban Fantasists Create the Perfect Cocktail" and to be honest the main reason I sat at the panel to begin with was to be in that room already and get good seats for the next panel "Hocus Pocus: Magic & Monsters in Science Fiction and Fantasy".  So I knew who Allison Pang, Faith Hunter and Nicole Peeler were (panelists for Myth and Mixology) but I've never read ANY of their books.  Have them though.  But through that panel only two jumped out at me that I had to read their books right away: Theo Lawrence and Faith Hunter.  As you can see Theo has been crossed off the to-read list within a week.  Why?

First was the fact that I really thought he was a sweet person, very friendly, making jokes even when a bit intimidated being the new kid on the block, but not scared to jump right in along with the other more known authors.  But then it was how he talked about his book and I'll share with you what sold it for me.   This story is post-apocalyptic, dystopian if you will, and with paranormal elements set in New York if after global warming New York was turned into a place like Venice with canals and gondolas.  There's a corrupt government and a lot of stuff happening but throughout all that there's a love story that the author wanted to draw on from Romeo and Juliet in a way.

So, I'm sold!  That was just too interesting to pass and after finishing this book today I can say it delivered.  I got the audiobook because I know normally I do better listening to stories of teenagers than "reading" them.  The narration was excellent!  Truly brought the characters to life.

But enough of that and lets talk about the story.  Aria Rose, the daughter of one of the rulers of Mystic City, wakes up without memories.  Her family tells her she OD'd and that she is lucky to be alive.  Oh yeah, and she's engaged to marry the son of one of their political enemy.  But things don't feel right and as Aria starts exploring she finds Hunter.  Hunter is a rebel mystic with the special power of walking through walls/floors (I can't even tell you how cool that is!!!) as well as healing.  He lives underground where mystics (people with powers, and they each have different powers) hide so they are not drained of their power by the government.  And with Hunter she feels things she doesn't understand but that feel right.  But Hunter is also not what he seems, and not a simple mystic.

While uncovering what was done to her, regaining her memory, and figuring out who is right and who is wrong, Aria and Hunter will have to go through EVERYTHING to be together.  Like the author said, at the core of this book there is a love story.  And the characters have to work hard to get their HEA.  But it's so worth it in the end.

The twists and turns of the story kept me interested, the world the author created has me enthralled.  Even though this story was a bit slow to start, once things got going they kept a good pace.  The last few chapters were just explosive!  The bad guys are bad, the good guys are strong and amazing.  And others are just not what they seem.  Action packed, heart racing and satisfying!

I am anxiously awaiting the next book!!!

Purchase Links: Amazon

ARC Review: Fury's Kiss by Karen Chance

Fury's Kiss

by Karen Chance

Dorina Basarab #3

 

Dory wakes up in a lab with no idea of who she is or where she is with a red headed vampire crashing in saying he is trying to save her. But that is least of Dory's problems, with the Fey plotting and the vampires scheming Dory may just be facing an enemy she can't defeat.

I have been waiting for this book for so long! The Dorina Basarab series has definitely become one of the my favourite urban fantasy's. Packed full of manic action that gets your adrenal glands pumping, interspersed with funny, romantic and tender moments to soften the frantic pace; it is a rollercoaster of a read.

So much happens in this book; we breach the subject of Dory's vampire side, something that I hope you be explored more in the next book. We also see Dory's relationship with her father, Mircea, developing beautifully, as well as things between her and Louis Cesare really heating up. Dory alse seems to have acquired a vampire servant, Ray, and I doubt if I am alone in saying the hilarious, but sometimes touching, banter between Ray and Dory were some of my favourite parts.

What I really like about this series is that each book builds up from the next one; the relationships between the characters gets more complex and intense; the various factions and plots are getting more intricate and Dory's character has come to vivid life as we get to know her more deeply.

I am now dying to read the next book as Fury's Kiss had some highly unexpected events take place at the end and I can't wait to see what will happen next!   

*ARC provided by publisher

Review: Death's Mistress by Karen Chance

Death's Mistress

by Karen Chance

Dorina Basarab #2

 

It seemed like a relatively simple job for Dory, find the vampire nightclub owner and take him to Mircea for questioning about smuggling from Faerie; so how did she end up protecting a headless body with a hoarde of vampires and fey chasing? Something has been smuggled away from Faerie that every vampire senate member wants their hands on and the Fey want back and Dory is stuck in the middle.

Another thrilling action packed book from Karen Chance! The stakes have been raised in Death's Mistress as Dory unintentionally gets involved in the lethal world of vampire politics.

What I loved about this book was that it gave you a much deeper insight into Dory, Mircea and Louis Cesare's character and their connection. Things were revealed, especially about Louis-Cesare that I have been dying to know since I started the Cassie Palmer series. And not only was Dory's smoking hot relationship with Louis-Cesare progressed in this book but you can see a slow bond forming between her and her father Mircea, which I hope will continue to flourish in the next book.

As well as having soem great character development the story in this was interesting and kept me guessing to almost the end. I liked how she didn't just have a massive information dump at the end; each layer of information was revealed through out the book ratcheting the tension up right to the final page.

A fantastic book that revealed more about Dory and Louis-Cesare and was paired up with a fast moving and fascinating story line as well as a good dose of humour and great writing; I can't wait to start on Fury's Kiss!   



Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Midnight's Daughter by Karen Chance

Midnight's Daughter

by Karen Chance

Dorina Basarab #1

Dorina Basarab is a rare breed; dhampir, half human and half vampire. Hated by vampires but unable to fit in with humans she has carved her self out a niche; hunting rogue vampires, not something that endears her to the vamps. But, when her father come calling needing her help with a family matter; her ruthless and insane uncle the Dracula has escaped from his prison and is once again on the loose and gunning for all those who helped imprison him, with Dory at the top of the list...

What a fantastic read! Karen Chance has started off her new series, an offshoot of her Cassie Palmer series, with a bang. This is a fast paced, action packed and enthralling read.

If you have read the Cassie Palmer series then some of the characters will be very familiar to you and I love how all the people across both the series tie up. Dory is Mircea's daughter, one of the main characters from the Cassie Palmer series, and although he is no doubt a fearsome vampire, a fantastic diplomat and a fabulous lover, his daddy skills require a little work. Raised as an outcast and relying only on herself Dory is one of the tough-as-nails, kick ass heroines who isn't afraid to rush head first into fight, most of the time without thinking through the consequences. I adored her!

As this was a first book there was quite alot of information thrown at you, but as I had read the Cassie Palmer series most it was familiar. But the world that Karen Chance has crafterd over these two series is a cut above the rest, it's interesting and  seems very well thought out.

There was also a little romance and alot of sexual tension between Dory and Louis-Cesare (another familiar face!) the vampire that Dory has been forced to work with to help bring down Dracula. It was contempt on first sight for both of them, but I loved seeing their opnion change as they got to know each other properly and I can't wait to see what happens next between them in Death's Mistress the next book.

Midnight's Daughter had fast paced action, magic and a little bit of romance all the best ingredients to make an unputdownable read.

 

Purchase Links: Amazon