ARC Review: Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews + GIVEAWAY

Gunmetal Magic

by Ilona Andrews

Kate Daniels #5.5

So...we have to go a year without a Kate Daniel's book. I admit, I cried, I fell to my knees and howled to the moon "whhhhhhhhhhhhhhhyyyyy" in most most despairing tone...but once they let me out the padded room (major over reaction by the way, just because you howl at the moon, it DOES NOT make you crazy!) and ate some chocolate my rational brain smoothered my crazy brain and I started to think. I like Andrea, she is a kick arse female, I wanted to know what would happen with her and Rapheal and Kate and Curran would surely peek in at some point; all is not lost. So I pulled on my big girl panties, went back to work and put the pint of emergency Ben & Jerrys ice cream back in the freezer for another day. And now after reading Gunmetal Magic I am currently eating my celebration tub of Ben & Jerry's (yes, I have a pint for all occassions) quite simply...it kicked "goods" bottom and immediatly upgraded to awesome. As if Andrea would have it any other way.

In all honesty this wasn't actually that much different from a Kate Daniel's book, it had the action packed plot full of freaky imaginative creatures and self obsessed demi-gods set in the backdrop of a wild Atlanta where quite literally anything can happen. It also had that dash of romance as we get to see Andrea and Rapheal play out the mating dance...again only bigger and better this time. This quote really caught my eye and explains thier relationship perfectly:

"If you put up with me, I will put up with whatever you can throw my way," he said. "Bad days, good days, 'I'll cut you if you look at me the wrong way' days. I'll take them all."

But most importantly it had a great female lead character. Andrea. She might not quite have Kate's great mix insanity and sarcasm but Andrea as her own kind of crazy which was just as enthralling to read as she begins to accept parts of herself that she has been trying all her life to ignore. These parts of her though have breasts, furry breasts that the men in this book couldn't seemed to ignore, best recurring joke ever! And Gunmetal Magic does funny really well, although some serious things are happening and Andrea is an intense person. I love that humour is still included, especially when it is between two of my favourite gals:

"If you paste some stars on her butt, you'll be riding My Little Pony." [Kate]
"Bugger off." I patted the mare's neck. "Don't listen to her, Sugar. You are the cutest horsey ever. The correct name for her color is strawberry roan, by the way."
"Strawberry shortcake, more like it. Does Strawberry Shortcake know you stole her horse? She will be berry, berry angry with you."

I must also mention Ascanio, our teeange delinquent Bouda...if I were 10 years younger there would be posters of him all over my wall...okay I have a slight crush on him, it feels wrong, but I can't help it. I can't wait to have a book about him *hint hint* He is charming, lethal, gorgrous, funny and very very wicked:

"Did those nice church ladies come by again?"
He nodded. "I asked them if a man died and then the woman remarried, and the three of them met in heaven, would it be a sin for them to have a threesome, since they were all married in God's eyes. And then they decided they were late to be somewhere else."

This was the right blend of action, humour and romance that has created a fantastic read that I all but devoured and reminded me (not that I would ever forget) why Ilona and Gordon Andrews are my favourite authors. I promise I will never doubt you again!

*opens up a second pint of Celebration Ben & Jerry's* 

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon  

 We have a copy of GUNMETAL MAGIC up for grabs.

US ONLY

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Covers to Covet

Steel's Edge

by Ilona Andrews

(The Edge # 4)

Last installment in the Edge series!

Available

November 27, 2012

Pre-order: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Hunter's Season

by Thea Harrison

(Elder Races # 4.7)

Available

September 18, 2012


One Dom to Love
by Shayla Black, Jenna Jacob and Isabella LaPearl

  Look for this title either late August / early September
This will be the first in a new and very different series!

Review: Hex Appeal (anthology)

Hex Appeal

by Ilona Andrews, Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, Carole Nelson Douglas, P.N. Elrod, Simon R. Green, Lori Handeland, Erica Hayes and Carrie Vaughn

Well the first thing that made me want to read this book was the cover.  Yeah I admit it.  The second thing?  ILONA ANDREWS!  Quite frankly, anthologies can be a good place to find new authors to read or just a collection of stories that are hard to develop because they are so short.  As you can see by the number of authors in this anthology, yes, the stories were short.  But some managed to convey enough of the story where I didn't feel anything was missing.

RETRIBUTION CLAUSE BY ILONA ANDREWS - 4 STARS

This story is set in the Kate Daniels world although there is no Kate or any of the characters we know.  It was actually interesting to see a different setting than Atlanta as this story takes place in Philadelphia.  It also features Saiman's frost giant cousin Adam.  Adam is an insurance adjuster and as such, he will have to enforce the retribution clause in the policy of a client.  What does that mean?  Him and his partner Siroun have to go and kill whoever killed her.  Adam and Siroun are great characters, they work well together and there's a definite attraction as well.  The story was very interesting and kept me hooked!  Another great one by Ilona Andrews.

BIGFOOT ON CAMPUS BY JIM BUTCHER - 4 STARS

I am probably one of the few people that haven't read the Dresden Files.  I've always wondered about the series but didn't get to it yet.  And this small taste of Jim Butcher's writing style and of Harry Dresden himself, well...completely wetted my appetite!  I loved this story, I loved Harry, and I loved Jim's storytelling.  I was sucked in from the beginning.  Harry is hired by Bigfoot to go protect his son, who is away at college.  Catch is Bigfoot has never officially met his son, and his son doesn't know his heritage, nor the danger he is currently in.  Awesome story!

HOLLY'S BALM BY RACHEL CAINE - 3.5 STARS

Having not read any stories by Rachel Caine that this would be even somewhat related to, I had no background for it but it was still a pretty enjoyable story standalone.  Holly is a resurrection witch, and yes that means she can resurrect the dead.  Her powers are used in police investigations sometimes to ask the victims about their death.  She also has an undead (resurrected) boyfriend who, for some reason, hasn't gone away.  Some magic is keeping him alive again and with her.  Holly is now called in to investigate a crime that resembles one she had already investigated.  Turns out the killer found a witch to resurrect his old victims and live his killings all over again, and now Holly has to figure out who is helping him and how to stop them.

SNOW JOB BY CAROLE NELSON DOUGLAS - 2 STARS

Snow is a rock star. Snow goes missing somehow.  Delilah is a paranormal investigator and now has to find a way to rescue Snow, even though she didn't have a good relationship with him.  I was overwhelmed with this story.  Not having read anything by this author or in this series, I was lost and a lot of information was thrown in.  Maybe just not my thing.

OUTSIDE THE BOX BY P.N. ELROD - 2 STARS

Maybe this was just not my thing but I didn't enjoy this story.  It's the first I read from this author (at least that I can remember).  The story is about a witch that works as a to register newly risen vampires.  This one vampire she's dealing with now is just more than she bargained for.

HOW DO YOU FEEL BY SIMON R. GREEN - 3 STARS

I've read other Simon R. Green short stories in anthologies and I think I've come to the realization that his writing is not so much my preference style.  However this story was entertaining, although a bit dark.  It's about Dead Boy.  He's been dead for a long time and just kind of existed all that time, not feeling anything and missing it, never thinking about the mugging that took his life.  Until someone comes up to him and tells him his death wasn't an accident and Dead Boy is looking for revenge.

THERE WILL BE DEMONS BY LORI HANDELAND - 3 STARS

Dhampirs, skinwalkers, fairies and fallen angels... Oh my!  This was a bit unremarkable but not bad.  I did have a hard time finding it interesting at the beginning, but basically Summer is a fairy and along with Jimmy and Sawyer they work for a demon killing organization and will go on a mission together.  There's something about soulmates but it wasn't too clear to me, maybe I just had to read the series to understand it more.

CHERRY KISSES BY ERICA HAYES - 2 STARS

Going to hell takes on a whole new meaning when you actually have to go to hell to recover an amulet.    I really didn't connect with this story.

THE ARCANE ART OF MISDIRECTION BY CARRIE VAUGHN - 4 STARS

Yes, this is part of the Kitty Norville series.  Is Kitty in it? No.  Much in the same way as the Ilona Andrews story, this is set in the world but there's no active participation from the main series characters.  Although we did see Odysseus Grant and the story is set in Vegas, which we visited in one of Kitty's books.  Probably would be enjoyed by someone who hasn't read the series.

*Review copy provided by publisher.

Purchase Links: Amazon

Covers to Covet

Gunmetal Magic

by Ilona Andrews

Kate Daniels # 5.5

Some people have everything figured out — Andrea Nash is not one of those people. After being kicked out of the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea's whole existence is in shambles. All she can do is try to put herself back together, something made easier by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend, Kate Daniels.

When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano — the male alpha of Clan Bouda and Andrea's former lover — die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate ... and must work with Raphael. As her search for the killer leads her into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta, Andrea knows that dealing with her feelings for Raphael might have to take a backseat to saving the world ...

Release Date: July 31st

Review: Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews

 

Magic Gifts

(Kate Daniels # 5.5 )

by Ilona Andrews

Please note that this review is wrote with extreme prejudice, one; because it was free, and who doesn't automatically loooove a free book? And two; this is a Kate Daniel's book and we are complete fangirls! We actually let out an extremely uncool little shriek and did a little dance when we saw this, and the third and perhaps most important thing, Curran's in it. Naked. Nuff said.

Kate and Curran. There are no other two characters I love more.

The Beast Lord takes his mate, Kate to a lovely dinner. All goes well until an incident involving a necklace, two journeymen, some vampires and blood put their romantic dinner date to a grounding halt.

Two journeymen - a man and a woman who are romantically involved have their own dinner together. The man gives his girlfriend a gift. She opens the package to find a necklace. However, when she puts it on, the necklace becomes a noose and strangles her, snapping her head off. Her boyfriend screams and chaos ensues.

Kate and Curran do a little slicing and dicing to get the situation under control. The dead woman’s family marches in demanding to know what has happened, but as soon as her father touches the necklace, her mother steps in and snaps the necklace on to her son, a boy of only seven-years old.

Unsure of the reason why a parent would do that to their son when the same item killed her daughter moments ago, Kate and Curran have their newest case to solve.

On the way they get involved in a brawl with some vikings and encounter some evil undead. All in a day's work for Kate.

This was a great short story, fun and full of adventure and Kate and Curran were at their witty best. Anyone who is a fan of the Kate Daniel's series has got to get their hands on it. It is a quick read but well worth it. And who is this blonde chick with Raphael??? Must we wait so long for the next book? Bring on Gunmetal Magic! I'm so ready!

 

 

 

This book is FREE right now for a LIMITED TIME on Ilona Andrew's site

RUN! Don't walk!

ARC Review: Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews

 

(more like 4.5 feathers!)

Fate's Edge

(The Edge, # 3)

by Ilona Andrews

While FATE’S EDGE is really the third book in The Edge series, it was my first delve into this alternate world of The Weird, the Broken and The Edge. Though I worried that I would be lost entering in the middle of a series, I soon found out that I had no reason to be. The writing team of Ilona Andrews may create a vastly unique and complex world, but they are considerate enough to add in a few details here and there for new readers who would like to try this series out. In the end, I got hooked and found myself reading this book nonstop until I flipped that last page.

FATE’S EDGE is Kaldar Mar’s book. He’s what I would call a smooth criminal. Not above using his charisma and good looks to his advantage, Kaldar can charm anyone into doing what he wants.

“This man was a rogue, not because circumstances forced him to be a criminal but because he was born that way. He was probably conning his mother out of her milk the moment he could grin. He'd charm the clothes off a virgin in twenty minutes. And if the poor took him home, he'd drink her dad under the table, beguile her mother, charm her grandparents, and treat the girl to a night she'd never forget.”

Now a member of the Mirror, Kaldar has the means to exact the revenge he seeks. However, his lines become tangled in Audrey Callahan’s life...

Audrey came from a family of grifters and is very much aware of the consequences of that. When her drug-addicted brother gets into trouble again, her father comes to her seeking assistance on one last heist. Audrey refuses outright, but persistence can be a damned thing and when she and her father agree on one condition, she accepts. If she does this one last job, she will have no ties to her family any more. She has no father, no mother and definitely no brother.

With Audrey’s magical skill in lock picking, the heist goes on smoothly. Except now, Audrey learns that the diffuser bracelets she stole are being sought out by both the Mirror and the Hand. And now, Kaldar needs her help to retrieve them.

First off, I loved the con storyline! It was smart, interesting and created the perfect pathway for the hero and heroine to fall in love. Actually, I found that Kaldar and Audrey were very much the same. They were so in tune with one another that working as a team was a dream. I don’t think Kaldar expected things to run so smoothly because the former rogue really falls hard in this one and it was very enjoyable to read.

The kids, Jack the changeling and George the necromancer, were also great additions to this book. I’m sensing that a book will be in store for them, maybe? The presence of these kids really changed the book. They added humor and heart and they made what was once a bunch of misfits, a team in the end.

So if you’re a fan of urban fantasy romance, then be sure to check out The Edge series. Not only is there a happy ending, but there’s a slick hero –made all the more sexy because he knows it – and an equally quick-witted heroine who keeps him on his toes. As Audrey and Kaldar seek to retrieve the stolen item, they find love in each other in the process as well.

*ARC provided by publisher

 

Purchase Links: Amazon

Interview and Giveaway with Ilona Andrews!

Today for UTC After Dark, we have one of our favorite authors were today with us! Ilona Andrews is at UTC! Everyone scream! Creating alternate worlds that take us by storm, Ilona Andrews rocks our socks off with both their Kate Daniels series and The Edge series. For more information on these books, check our their website here. Now let's get to the good stuff!

We are extremely excited to have you here with us today at Under The Covers! 
 Thanks, we are happy to be here.

We are eagerly anticipating your next Kate Daniel's book which is going to be about Andrea, can you give us any hints? Do Rafe and Andrea make up?
We are maybe half way into it and so far they have not. I don't know if I am allowed to give that away. I am pulling for Roman.

We are also big fans of your Edge series, what gave you the idea for the world of the Edge, the Weird and the Broken?
I think we both wanted there to be more to the world than there is. When you are little you believe in magic, than you grow up and you don't. But what if there was another world, parallel to ours, and another that was completely different? Where would you live, in the mundane broken with all the modern conveniences, or in a realm ruled by magic? I think Ilona and I would live in the Edge, we would want to have it both ways. In my mind, the Edge is another frontier, filled with pioneering folk and those who reject the norms and laws of society, it is lawless and wild, but also a place to be free, we find that appealing.

While writing an ongoing series, do you find yourself planning ahead? Do you find yourself changing ideas as you go along?
We usually have a plan and a plot for every book before we start and yes we also frequently change it as we go along. Sometimes, we turn a book in to our
editor and then beg her to let us re-write it. We are trying to do that less often.

How would you say Kate Daniels has grown over the course of the series so far?
Kate was very much a loner, she actively avoided responsibility and relationships. Over the course of the books she changed and started forming friendships, for instance Andrea, and is now not only a surrogate parent to Julie, she is mated to Curran and responsible for the well being of every shapershifter in Atlanta. She has also, unwittingly cultivated an inner circle of loyal misfits, Derek, Barabbas, Ascanio, Naeemah, Jezabel. At one point in the next book, Curran will make a remark about this that will catch her completely off guard, she does not plan it, it just happens.

When you started writing, did you ever expect the success that has come with your books?
Never, if you had told us three or four years ago that would be making a living from writing we would have laughed. It is amazing to me that we get to stay home and hangout pretty much every day. We sit next to each other and make up stories, and people pay us for it. That is crazy.

How easy is it to write with your significant other? 
 Totally easy. We have been married for 16 years. I think of us as kids when we met and we have grown up together and now have kids of our own. Working together is like being married, you play off of each other's strengths and hopefully we are better together. Also, important are compromise & understanding. I don't know how non couples can co-write something, I don't think we could do it.

You have a novella released in the Angels of Darkness anthology. Can you tell us a bit about it?
 Well, we wanted to do something dark and less funny. Our editor knew we had the story, and asked if we would consider finishing it and submitting it for the anthology. Since we are huge fans of Nalini and Meljean, we were flattered. I don't know how to describe the story without it sounding kinda creepy. A nice lady and her daughter are attacked by freaks, then rescued by other monsters, they save her in exchange for letting one of the Alphas, Lucas, feed on her. Somehow that does not sound romantic. I think we knew that people were going to love or hate it, but we still would not change it, we are stubborn like that.

Are you planning on continuing this as a series?
Glad you liked the story, we have got a mixed reaction from it. Yeah, we would like to re-boot the series and maybe self publish it, or maybe with a different house. We honestly had to compromise a bit with our editor to get it accepted. It would have been even darker and grittier otherwise.

Curran is currently my favorite hero! Why do you think readers find the Beast Lord so desirable?
He is very masculine, he is strong but not cruel, violent but also intelligent, he lives by a code. He will not for instance harm a child or force himself on a woman. He demands absolute loyalty from his followers but would die protecting them. He can be arrogant and vain, but also funny sometimes. However, his best quality or trait is that he loves Kate unconditionally, he knows who she is and what she can do, but does not care. We all deserve that I think.

Fun questions! When Jeaniene Frost stopped by for a chat last month, she told us that Kate Daniels and her heroine, Catherine Crawfield would make good friends. If given the day to do as they please, what do you think they would do together?
First, I must disclose the fact that Jeaniene is Ilona's BFF. They talk on the phone for all the time and hang out together at Cons. Cat and Kate would most likely kill something and then go have a drink at the bar. That is what J and Ilona would do, well the bar part anyway. J just told me on the phone that Bones and Curran would have "great sexual chemistry."

If you could cast Kate and Curran for TV or Film, who would be your ideal person to play them?
For me Eva Green of Casino Royale, would be a great Kate, for Curran I like Daniel Craig but Ilona is more for Chris Hemsworth who was Thor. He would be great I have to admit.

Ilona Andrews is graciously giving away TWO SIGNED copies of Fate's Edge to one International reader and one US reader.

Audrey Callahan left behind her life in the Edge, and she's determined to stay on the straight and narrow. But when her brother gets into hot water, the former thief takes on one last heist and finds herself matching wits with a jack of all trades...

Kaldar Mar-a gambler, lawyer, thief, and spy-expects his latest assignment tracking down a stolen item to be a piece of cake, until Audrey shows up. But when the item falls into the hands of a lethal criminal, Kaldar realizes that in order to finish the job, he's going to need Audrey's help...

CHECK OUT THE WAR OF THE BEASTS: BARRONS VS CURRAN

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War of the Beasts: Barrons vs Curran

WARNING: This post contains bitchiness, Barrons burning & Curran slapping. But it is all for fun and Jen and Suzanne love both series!

Welcome to War of the Beasts where we have decided to pit two of the biggest, baddest babes in Urban Fantasy against each other in a series of categories to see who comes out on top.

In one corner Jen from Red Hot Books will be defending the mysterious Jericho Barrons from Karen Marie Moning's Fever series. In the the other corner our very own Suzanne will be defending Atlanta's Beast Lord, Curran from Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniels series.

*ding ding*
 Let the battle commence

When you're an Alpha hero, your heroine has got to know you can kick some arse.So between Barrons and Curran, who would win in a fight?

Suzanne on Team Curran:

Curran. He is the King of the Jungle. He would use not only his shifter strength, dagger-like claws and mighty fangs but also his wiles. Curran is clever and patient and would stalk his prey, tease out their weaknesses until he is ready to pounce, then BAM - buh bye Barrons! I am not saying Barrons is useless.  If I ever needed a spider removed or a lid unscrewed from a particularly stubborn jar, I would call him. Well, maybe if Curran wasn't around.

He gave an impression of coiled power, a contained violence that if released, would explode with terrifying intensity.

Jen on Team Barrons:

As a man, Jericho Barrons uses whatever is at his disposal to get what he wants. His mind, his experience, and his body: all weapons - to intimidate... to dominate... or to dessimate at will. Skilled in the Druid arts, he can bend your mind to his control. He may carry a thin veil of civilitity, but it doesn't hide what lurks underneath. And believe me, the monster hiding beneath the face of a man, terrifies beasts far more powerful than a mere lion.

"Electric, wild, one foot in the swamp. Never going to crawl all the way out."

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

So now your Alpha has won the fight. He can defend your honour - not that you need it, you are a UF heroine after all - but how good will your Alpha look on your arm?  Which Beast is a sexy beast?

Jen on Team Barrons

If you're in the market for a Ken doll, with a pretty face and golden locks, Curran is your man. I think Mac put it best when she said, "I'd never been turned on by the Ken doll—even before I looked down his pants and saw what was missing."

But Barrons is dark, exotic, and dangerous. 6'2 with dark hair, golden skin and dark eyes. Strong, chisled features. As for conversation, who needs laughs, when a man can make you lose your breath just with the promise of sex in his voice?

"When he comes, he makes a noise deep in his throat that is so raw and animal and sexual that I think if he merely looked at me and made that noise, I might explode in an orgasm.”

Suzanne on Team Curran:

Oh Curran, you smexy studmuffin with your gorgeous golden mane of hair and amber eyes and body that makes my body go all a-quiver! Curran is definitely the sexiest-  his rugged masculity; his aura of leashed violence; his wittiness and sense of honour he makes my girly parts sit up and beg.

"...you expect me to fall on my back with my legs spread."
"Not necessarily. ... You can fall on your hands and knees if you prefer. Or against the wall. Or on the kitchen counter. I suppose I might let you be on top, if you make it worth my while."

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Your sexy beast has emerged victorious in a fight, but how alpha is he? How Alpha is your Alpha?

Suzanne on Team Curran:

The Beast Lord of Atlanta, or Your Majesty for short, has been the big bad in the shapeshifter world since the age of 15. Ruling all the shifters in Atlanta from rats to bears, his Alphaness is the only thing preventing a legion of shifters becoming cannibalistic killing machines, does it get more alpha than that?

"Curran is the Beast Lord. Tremble."

Jen on Team Barrons:

Tremble, huh? Barrons doesn't need a pretentious title. Mac may call him her beast, but his underlying animal is so primal, so visceral, there isn't even a name for it. He does what he pleases. If it doesn't interest him, he ignores it. Otherwise, he'll kill it, eat it, or fuck it until he has his fill.

He once told Mac, "In the Serengeti, Ms. Lane, I would be the cheetah. I’m stronger, smarter, faster, and hungrier than everything else out there. And I don’t apologize to the gazelle when I take it down.”

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Your Beast has shed his human skin, what fearsome creature lies beneath? Who has the best beast form?

Suzanne on Team Curran

Why have one shifter form when you can have two? Both of which are mightyly fierce!  We have the maginificent form of a prehistroic lion - powerful, lethal, he is death tied up in a beautiful package. Then there is the warrior form, half human and half lion, the strength and claw of his lion with a grotesque human twist.

"Half-man, half-beast, all nightmare. The shapeshifter warrior form."

Jen on Team Barrons:

In his beast form, Barrons can terrify even the most vile and wild things. His scent alone makes them run in fear. Nine feet tall, massively muscled, with horns and talons. Against a mere lion? Please.

"The thing was a natural born predator. It was at the top of its game. Powerful, uncomplicated animal. It had few purposes in life. It had been born and bred to kill, conquer, reproduce, and survive."

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Behind every great man there is a woman. So how does your hero compare in the heroine department? Which Beast has the best Beastess?

Jen on Team Barrons

Mac had a lot of growing up to do when she first crossed paths with Barrons. But through hardships, torture, trauma, and loss, she became a stronger, better version of herself. She comes back from things no one ever has. She risks her life to give our world a future. She ends up a fierce and powerful force in her own right. One that even Barrons cannot resist.

"Nobody looks good in their darkest hours. But it's those hours that make us what we are." In the end, Mac's actions define her.

Suzanne on Team Curran

A man is only as good as the woman he feels for and Kate feels fantastic! She possess all the great aspects of a heroine: sarcasm and a sword, with the skills to back up both. And as an added bonus she makes the Beast Lord crazy with love, lust and a healthy dose of angry. Curran's choice of mate is impeccable.

“What kind of woman greets the Beast Lord with 'here, kitty, kitty'?”

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

The Last Word...

Suzanne on Team Curran

There is no doubt in my mind the Curran in the King of the Beasts. He transforms into a primal monster that was terrifying our ancestors in the depths of time and hasn't ever been tamed.  Curran is King.

Jen on Team Barrons

There is something so appealing about a man who carries within him a beast which seethes just beneath the surface. Barrons' thin veneer of civility and sex appeal is just the icing on the rich and delicious cake of the barely restrained alpha predator within.

He is sex. He is violence. He is undeniable. He's Barrons.

Disclaimer: All words in this post are meant to be taken lightly. Both Jen and Suzanne love each series dearly and for the purpose of this post only, they have brought the claws out. Special thanks to Jen at Red Hot Books for being such a good sport! We love you! No beasts were harmed in the making of this battle.

TIME TO VOTE!!!



Ilona Andrews is graciously giving away TWO SIGNED copies of Fate's Edge to one International reader and one US reader.

Audrey Callahan left behind her life in the Edge, and she's determined to stay on the straight and narrow. But when her brother gets into hot water, the former thief takes on one last heist and finds herself matching wits with a jack of all trades...

Kaldar Mar-a gambler, lawyer, thief, and spy-expects his latest assignment tracking down a stolen item to be a piece of cake, until Audrey shows up. But when the item falls into the hands of a lethal criminal, Kaldar realizes that in order to finish the job, he's going to need Audrey's help...

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1. Be a follower
2. Fill out the form below

Review: Angels of Darkness by Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Sharon Shinn and Meljean Brook

Angels of Darkness

by Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews,

Sharon Shinn & Meljean Brook

(Guild Hunter # 4.5) (Alpha Prequel)

(Samaria #1.5) (The Guardians # 7.5)

Urban Fantasy

This book is one of the few anthologies that I've read in which I've actually liked every story. Some definitely more than others, but they are all good! I'll review them individually.

Angel's Wolf by Nalini Singh - 4.5 Feathers
Noel, a vampire who used to work at the Tower for Raphael, and who was one of the victims in a previous Guild Hunter book, is sent to New Orleans to serve Nimra. At first he thought he was being cast out because of his weakness. He is still dealing with the emotional aftermath of his past, he feels almost dead inside. But then he realizes Raphael sent him here to help and protect Nimra. Someone close to her wants her dead. It's his job to make sure they don't succeed and to figure out who is responsible. But Nimra somehow manages to wake him from the state he's been in.

The story, as always, is amazing. Nalini Singh can weave an intricate web perfectly. Even for a short story there's so much going on it felt like a complete story. All the characters were pretty well developed, the relationships between all of them was very real, and the chemistry between Noel and Nimra was amazing. Excellent story!

Alpha: Origins - 4 Feathers
We are introduced to a brand new world where there's a long going on, a bit sci-fi, with a splash of paranormal. A group of genetically modified species, "people" with special abilities, separate realities or levels or worlds. I'm still a bit confused as to how everything works and what everything means, but it usually takes me a while to understand an Andrews world. Seems like the beginning to a really interesting series. A lot of action, some sexual tension.

Kate, along with her daughter and a group of kids on a field trip make the wrong pit stop for bathroom and stumble upon a group of supernatural creatures. She's taken as a slave for Lucas, part man part beast. He needs to feed on her regularly to fight the venom in his own body. There's a bit of Stockholm Syndrome going on, which I didn't necessarily like, but Lucas actually likes Kate, and even though he wants her, he respects her. I am very curious to see where this story will go from here.

Nocturne by Sharon Shinn - 3.5 Feathers
My rating on this might be a bit because I wasn't too familiar with the series (Samaria) or maybe just because it got a bit boring half way through, or just that it was slow to get started. But in general I actually enjoyed this story and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author. A bit of angel politics at work, one sexy, brooding and blind angel; the daughter of an angel with a human who has been running away from angels for over 4 years. Corban was blinded by lightning and has been living secluded from everyone. Until Moriah shows up, and actually stands up for herself, confronts him about not facing his demons, and helps him to fly again.

Ascension by Meljean Brook - 4 Feathers
I've only read one book in The Guardians series, but I have to say I really like this world. There was one thing mentioned in this story which was a bit of a spoiler for me (has to do with Michael!) but other than that it was a very enjoyable read. And I mean, how could you NOT like a book about two guardians, one hot male who has been in love with the same girl since his training days and the guardian he's in love with has indigo blue skin, dark black hair to her butt, gold claws and dresses with scarfs tied around her body. I thought she was pretty smoking hot! LOL

Marc is in the middle of nowhere Illinois investigating what might be a demon wreaking havoc in the town. He hasn't spoken to Radha for 140 years, and all of a sudden she shows up and offers to help him. I liked that they didn't beat around the bush with their feelings for each other. After years of miscommunication, they laid out all their issues and cleared any misunderstandings. Sparks were flying right away. 

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