ARC Review: Darkness Hunts by Keri Arthur

Darkness Hunts

(Dark Angels #4)

by Keri Arthur

In the fourth book of the Dark Angels series, Arthur takes a slightly different approach to the storyline. Yes, the keys are needed to make everything right in the world. However, there is a more pressing matter that Risa and Azriel have to attend to. On the astral plane, there is a killer who likes to play games. He claims that it is his duty to rid the world of its evil, so one by one, he is killing off women. To make things even more drastic is the fact that this killer has no face. On the astral plane, his features don’t exist, which makes it even more difficult for Risa to pin him down. Also, he aims to make this a game by contacting Risa and giving her enough incentive to go searching for these victims until their time is up. In a way, Risa is a pawn in a deadly game of chess. But never count Risa out. She has her eyes set on winning.

In the process, Uncle Rhoan is there to guide her and Azriel is there to protect her. But even then, sometimes Risa is too late. More and more people are dying and she is always one step away from saving them. Jak and Lucian have a considerable amount of page time in this book. Risa explores her relationships with both of them and for one of them, the ties are completely severed because of one act that dissolved her trust in him. You need to read the book to find out who and why.

It seems that Risa has chosen one of the guys to be with. Azriel and Risa have had this chemistry from the very beginning so it’s really no spoiler when I say that they have decided that this thing between them in different than what they have with others. However, it’s not all flowery things and happy endings yet. Arthur explores their relationship, both the ups and downs, in a way that keeps readers riveted to the pages. She teases you and coaxes a few smiles because of the sweetness of some scenes, but then there is also heartbreak and sadness as well. Risa and Azriel are learning how to be together. When one person is a celestial being while the other is flesh and bone, having a “normal” relationship has a slightly different meaning to them. With the way Arthur ends this book, she gives those romantic readers some hope that there is a chance to see something good come out of this relationship. But, as is the case with all relationships, it’s about the journey of getting to that happily-ever-after that is part of the ride as well.

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Personal Demon by Susan Sizemore

Personal Demon

by Susan Sizemore

(Laws of the Blood # 6)

Ivy Bailey, vampire hunter, works to keep the streets of Chicago safe from unruly vampires.  Unbeknownst to her, though, she is being hunted as well. Christopher Bell, a vampire himself, shows up at the right place at the right time, and saves Ivy from an awful fate. This then begins a  relationship that is great fun to watch unfold.

Gruesome murders are taking place in the city, and due to various reasons that are discovered much later in the book, Ivy is hand picked to hunt the person, or demon, responsible.  Christopher, a vampire made in England a century prior, is in the city to do some investigating himself.  After saving Ivy, the two are naturally drawn to each other and begin to dream of the other, something that should not be possible.  Ivy tries to fight the attraction, but finds it hard to do.  Christopher is not even what most would consider to be an attractive man, as most vampires are known to be.  His strength and wit, though, draw in both Ivy and the reader.  Christopher and Ivy soon also discover that their dream walking ability also extends to telepathy; again, something that should not be possible.  Some of my favorite dialogue actually takes place during their mind reading.  Ivy
usually thinks of something that she shouldn't be, and then Christopher is right there to remind her that he can "hear" her.  Its often quite comedic.

As Christopher and Ivy start dreaming of and following each other, they finally give into their attraction to each other and get hot and steamy.  I felt like their first time together came kind of out of
nowhere, but hey, what can you do when the hormones take over?  The sex scenes are not overly detailed, drawn out, or too frequent, but Sizemore has a style that works and writes them in such a way that can still get the reader hot under the collar.

In addition to seeing Ivy and Christopher's point of views, we also get the same of the villain and his accomplices.  Without giving too much away about who is the primary bad guy, I will say this:  the main baddie does not work alone.  He has minions to do his bidding, and what I really liked about this is that Sizemore creatively incorporated the use of well known real life sociopaths from the past
century - Jack the Ripper, John Wayne Gacy, and  Ted Bundy - to portray these minions.  While Ivy is hunting the big baddie and his minions, she in turn, is being hunted by them.  It makes for a great
game of cat and mouse, and vice versa.

I think my primary drawback of this book relates to the lack of information we are provided about some issues.  I felt like I finished the book and still had a lot of questions:  Why didn't we learn more
about Christopher's role as an Enforcer?  Can we get more information about Enforcers in general and vampiric law?  How will Christopher and Ivy work as a couple when certain "rules" say they shouldn't? Admittedly, I have not read any other books in this series - yet - so it's possible that this information is provided in previous books, and maybe we'll learn more about Ivy and Christopher as a couple in future books.  I'm definitely interested in finding out.

Overall, Sizemore writes a great tale about vampire and vampire hunter, and draws the reader quickly into the story.  Little is told about either Ivy or Christopher or their lives, and the reader watches
their secrets unfold, even until the very end of the book.  Well done, Sizemore!!

*Review copy provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Iced by Karen Marie Moning

Iced

(Fever #6)

by Karen Marie Moning 

If you haven’t read the first five books of the Fever series, I strongly suggest you reconsider starting with this book. It’s not a spin-off. ICED is book 6 of the series. The events of ICED occur after some events in SHADOWFEVER. In ICED, you will encounter spoilers that will spoil the first five books, so you’ve been warned.

Readers say goodbye to Mac and Barrons (for now) and are introduced to the World of the Mega. Dani O’Malley is her name and don’t you forget it! Since the walls came down, the streets of Dublin are littered with Fae and violence. This is just one of the trubs that Dani is faced with. Dani is juggling a myriad of problems: Her ex best friend, Mac, is out to seek retribution, the Unseelie princes are dead set on killing her and Inspector Jayne has taken her sword, the only protection and weapon she has against the Fae. Like it could get any worse? KMM adds another weight to the Mega’s shoulder. Mysterious happenings are appearing all over Dublin where people are dying as they are frozen in spot, like some creepy version of freeze tag. It’s up to Dani to save what’s left of her city before it becomes too late.

I had the same concerns that I’m sure everyone else had about Dani. She’s young. 14 years old. Where does KMM think she’s going to take this story? But not surprisingly, KMM does a remarkable job of writing Dani’s POV so that it stands out without being too loud or rambunctious. There are times when Dani freaks out like a normal teen. It happens usually when she’s angry or stressed out. But I would rather have a heroine who is reacts rather than just lets things fly over her. KMM straddles the line. ICED is definitely not YA and by no means should be the norm for a young teenage girl. But that’s the thing I think people need to remember. Dani isn’t your average teen. At 14, she has seen and experienced things that have carved her into who she is today. The events from her past make her into a mouthy, independent superhero who doesn’t take shit from anyone. And I love it!

While I was reading this book, someone asked me if I was OK with all the sex that happens in this book, considering how young Dani is. My answer is: Would it really make a huge difference if she was of legal age? I doubt it. KMM’s writing is infused with rich depictions of sex and passion. If she had toned that down simply because of Dani’s age, I think readers would be furious. And if she had made Dani older, we wouldn’t have gotten the true story that KMM planned for Dani. Moning’s writing tends to cause strong reader reaction. Controversy is conflict. Needless to say, sex keeps the series interesting. And Dani’s age doesn’t define her. She has already proven that she can keep her legs closed until she decides she is ready.

Ryodan is the new man of the hour and oh my, he can nod at me anytime! Sleek and sophisticated, Ryodan’s got everything he needs to knock Barrons off that Top Alpha spot! There is so much more to learn about the boss of Chester’s and I’m definitely willing to wait another year just to find out!

I think it’s too soon to decipher who Dani will have her HEA with. But Ryodan, Christian and Dancer are definitely not bad candidates. Naturally, Ryodan gets my vote. I’m already a complete puddle of goo for him. Christian would be a good fit too but with the way he is now, I doubt the story would take the simplest route. Christian already believes that he is in love with her. If Dani suddenly decides that the she wants him, where would the story go? Dancer is like home for Dani. When she is with Dancer, she isn’t Mega the super-fast, super-smart superhero who is going to save Dublin. She’s just Dani. I’m just glad that all three of them know not just how amazing she will be when she is older, but also appreciate who she is now.

ICED just may be my favorite book of the year. Terrifyingly addictive, Karen Marie Moning has ruined me for any other author or book out there. Introducing Dani to an audience who are so passionate about the series was a risk, yet Moning has proven time and again that she is one of the premier authors of Urban Fantasy. ICED is an absolute must read!

Favorite Quote:

"This ain't no fecking campfire and cuddle!"

I was thinking along the same lines as she was. Dani just says what I'm thinking.

Purchase Links: Amazon

ARC Review: Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet by Darynda Jones

Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet

by Darynda Jones

(Charley Davidson # 4)

Darynda is an AMAZING WRITER and I have fallen in love with her and the books she writes…In a non-stalker way of course. Each book in this series has left my jaw on the floor or left me in fetal position, crying that the book had ended. So you can just imagine how I felt when I got my paws on this ARC. As I predicted, Darynda did not disappoint.

Charley, our super funny grim reaper, did not leave book 3 unscathed. Even with her powers, she is not beyond feelings of humanity. The near death experience, battling with demons, almost loosing people she cares about and then betrayed by family has left Charley with serious issues. I don’t blame her.

Darynda took a different route with Charley's story. Yes, she is still spunky, funny, smart mouth. But she is not our usual herione who keeps getting up even after a good emotional or physical beat down. She is suffering from depression and PTSD. It’s weird seeing Charley at a vulnerable state. She avoided everyone. She had flashbacks of her attack, inability to cope or live her daily routine and she shopped QVC until she was broke. It was hilarious that Darynda incorporated an “intervention” on Charley. Uncle Bob, Cookie and her sister Gemma decided to snap her out of her depression by getting together and bribing her with pastries. Okay, it was a serious moment but it was funny on how they went about it.

Luckily, there was a job offer for Charley that she could not refuse. Well, she was running out of money, so she had to take it. Harper is being terrorized and she needed help to solve the mystery. It was somewhat ironic that what got her out of her house, is a client also suffering from PTSD. She automatically connected with Harper as they share a similar childhood experience. I think Darynda did an awesome job making readers experience what Charley and Harper went through. The feelings were realistic, believable and heartbreaking to see.

Of course, Reyes was there too. Initially, he had stayed away from Charley per her request but he was never far. He still kept a close watch on our Reaper. I love that he tried to give her space and waited until she was ready. If you remember, our Son of Satan is out of prison and living his life…in the flesh. Oh yes, Reyes in human form is just as sexy as he was corporeal. Wait until you see what his current occupation is (hawtness) and whom he’s shackin' up with. I swear Reyes can make my blood boil in every way. But no worries, it was only for convenience. We all know his heart belongs to ME *coughs* I mean Charley. He will always continue to protect her. Between their disagreements, it’s still very clear that they're in love with each other.

Talk about love, not only that I have fallen for Darynda, Charley and Reyes…I also have fallen for Garrett and Donavan. Though they made their appearance, I wish there was more. Donavan, Charley's biker friend has been hanging with the wrong crowd and he has gotten himself in some deep kadoodeee. And well, you know Charley, she will always try to save the day. I keep thinking of where Darynda is going with his character because it’s obvious that there is something going on between him and Charley. We all know that relationship is not going anywhere but I feel like there’s more there. Garrett on the other hand, had also made his cameo but very, very brief. I was a bit disappointed because I felt connected with his character and I wanted more of him.. Like Charley, he went through hell (literally) and he’s not quite recovered from it. He’s been out and about but has been doing a lot of research as far as after life goes. I am predicting something bad is brewing in that pretty head of his.

Of course, this book will not be complete without Cookie, Amber, Ubie, Gemma, Elena, and Angel. Oh and Charley has a new friend Margaret. She is silent for the most part but very dangerous. It was of course great to see Artemis. She really took on the role of Charley’s Guardian and did a great job doing it. Charley’s dad was around as well. We already know that they have been having issues. By the end of this book, there will be clarity to his past actions. We will have to see where that goes but I’m hoping for the best.

Overall, Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet is another GREAT addition to this series. I don’t think Darynda can do wrong when it comes to her writing. She is a superb writer with a phenomenal imagination. As always, I am yet again in the mercy of this author, waiting for the next Charley installment.

*ARC provided by publisher

ARC Review: A Trace of Moonlight by Allison Pang

A Trace of Moonlight
(Abby Sinclair #3)
by Allison Pang

I have rated A Brush of Darkness and A Sliver of Shadow 5 stars and now another well deserved 5 stars for A Trace of Moonlight. Ms. Pang has kept me engaged with every twist and turn she had created for this installment. I found myself either covering my mouth with surprise and excitement, or clutching my chest with sorrow from the turn of events.

 This book takes off shortly after the A Sliver of Shadow had ended. Abby had sacrificed herself to save the ones she loves. Isn’t that always the case with her? She is a strong heroine but she seems to put herself on the line each time. Everything she does is for the “otherworld” or her friends or her lovers and never taking any for herself. The result of her sacrifice (this time around), left her with amnesia, separated from her world, gravely injured and married to Talivar. From book one, Abby just keeps getting her ass kicked and always left with heartache or unresolved issues. One thing is for sure, she may not be a kick ass heroine but a strong one indeed.

The love triangle between Abby, Brystion, and Talivar continues however, at the end of this book, it is clear whom she will pick. She may be torn between two lovers, love and lust them equally but her heart, and soul only belongs to one man. These kind of relationships are never easy and no one ever walks away unscathed. I really felt bad for Talivar. I feel like Abby was stringing Talivar along until Ion comes back. Poor guy, my heart ached for him. He loved Abby so much that he is willing to take what he can get no matter how little or much it hurts to see her with another. I’m glad Ms. Pang finally gave this disfigured Prince the long overdue and well deserved recognition.

I have been team Brystion from the start and I still am. He is super sexy, super talented, but he can be selfish and demanding. Now that he finally found love, he thinks he is undeserving of Abby’s love. Oh but he is dead wrong because love is not given because one deserves it, it is freely given because of what one feels for the other. And Abby feels deeply for him. No amnesia or even death can change that.

I am thrilled with how this book ended. Many issues were solved and some uncertainties were revealed. It is clear that Abby, Brystion and Talivar has grown and had began to accept what they are to each other and the world around them. The battle between the Seellie and Unseelie court seems to be ending. However, something tells me this is not the end of this world. Many avenues are left open for possibilities of a spin off or more installments to this series *crossing fingers*

 Ms. Pang has an amazingly vivid imagination and she has me invested in all her characters and the plot of this story. If you have not read the first two books, I highly suggest you do so. There is just so much that you would be robbing yourself of a good read.

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

ARC Review: Out for Blood by Kristen Painter

4.5 Feathers

Out for Blood

by Kristen Painter

(House of Comarré #4)

This has got to be my favorite book in this series!  It was the perfect blend between all the dark, gritty characters and storyline, action, suspense, love, loss and betrayal.  Truly a whirlwind of things that happened and that have been set up for the final episode in this series.

Chrysabelle is dealing with the repercussions of visiting the Aurelian, of having her signum redone using the Ring of Sorrows, which is now a part of her, and having Mal's bad blood flowing through her veins.  It definitely made for a change in her character.  But she's still feisty and fighting for herself this time.  Her mission is now to find her brother.  Nothing more, nothing less.

Mal was so amazing in this book.  His love for Chrysabelle showed through at all times, he's got new powers to flaunt, new possibilities to maybe get rid of his curse, and whole lot of good humor.  He was playful and sexy and....fangy!  Yes, there's a bite involved.  He gave me a small scare for just a bit and then Ms. Painter decided to torture us and there's an unexpected turn of events at the end.

There were a lot of other storylines taking up quality space time which I found were great to move the story along.  I enjoyed the fact that we were not so focused on Tatiana and the different Houses this time around because there are new bad guys in town to watch out for.  And to be found in the most unlikely of places.  No I won't tell you who or what, but they kept the story very interesting.

There are also some new developments with the characters we already love and care about, Fi and Doc have a lot going on.  Creek as well.

Overall, I think the author did a wonderful job with this book to keep things moving along, keep me interested even through the changes of POV and stories, and it all worked well.  But I have to give it to her that she's finally given us more of Chrysabelle and Mal as a couple.  They are so perfect for each other!  And now after that ending, I'm just so anxious to get the next book ASAP!!!

Favorite Quote:

"You really do love me, don't you?"
He answered without opening his eyes. "Enough that it frightens me, too."

*ARC provided by publisher

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