Cover Reveal - Archangel's Touch by Karen Swart

 

 

Title: Archangel’s Touch - Series: Archangels’ Series # 2 - Author: Karen Swart - Genre: Paranormal Romance

Audience: 18 + Adults - Formats: E-book and Paperback - Publisher: Karen Swart - Cover By: Jasmyn Designs - Editor: Jasmin Petricola (Blue Butterfly Editing) - Published Date: Dec 2016

Gabriel is the Archangel that sounded the first Horn for the End of Days. He battles to recompose himself and continue with his duties. He searches for a missing part of himself but cannot find it. What he finds instead is his former enemy and lover, who is embarking on a dangerous mission to stop the prophecy of The End of Days. Certain that she would return to her old ways and betray them, Gabriel joins the mission to protect his brethren and destroy her.

Alexia, former Princess Demon of Hell, is thrown into a mission she wanted nothing to do with. With her knowledge of the demon world, she must act as a guide for a Fallen female and test a fable about a ring that might destroy Lucifer. Her new life as a human has been humiliating, her past haunts her, and her former lover hates her. Why fight for something you can never have?

Thrown together for this mission, Alexia and Gabriel will be tested. Will they destroy each other? Or will their love be strong enough to save them both, and the world?

She was his poison and antidote all wrapped into one.

Goodreads

Available on Amazon for 99c/99p from Nov 26 to Dec 3, 2016.

 

Title: Archangel’s Desire

Series: Archangels’ Series # 1

Author: Karen Swart

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Audience: 18 +

Formats: E-book and Paperback

Publisher: Karen Swart

Cover By: Jasmyn Designs

Editor: Jasmin Petricola (Blue Butterfly Editing)

Published Date: April 30, 2015

 

Raven Black is no martyr, but she has a secret she deems worth protecting. Placed into the care of Zadkiel, the Archangel of Mercy, Raven Black tries with all her might and main to hide her deadly secret. It’s difficult to know who to trust or who to confide in, but Raven knows she’s unwilling to be exploited to get the Archangels’ greatest enemy. She seals her lips, refusing to speak and enduring the ensuing torture in silence.

After centuries of nothing but duty, Zadkiel is tormented by the hellhound Raven. The closer he gets to her, the more he discovers about this lethal beauty. With each passing moment an uncontrollable desire is awakened, and with it an ancient evil is provoked.

When he discovers her secret, Zadkiel must choose between all of mankind and the woman he has come to love. Can he save her in time, or will his failure bring forth the end of days?

He would awaken a desire that would burn through hell.

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The door opened and Zadkiel marched into the room. He looked around and found me sitting on a few flour bags where I was trying to remain hidden from the world. I was beyond angry with him. How dare he take my picture! He had no right!

“Raven.” He walked over to me.

“Go to hell, Zadkiel,” I sneered at him.

“Well, actually that is where I am going. But first, I need to make sure that you will be alright while I am gone.” His words had me finally looking at him.

“You are going into hell?” He seemed determined enough.

“Yes, I need to find the other female and try and get more information. Her sister is lost about her research and is unable to make out what we are supposed to know.” He didn’t even flinch when he replied.

So, why did I?

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, we have no choice.” He seemed way too nonchalant for a guy taking a trip down to hell.

I wished I had the courage to tell him I would go with him, but I was scared shitless of the place and what lay within it. “How long will you be gone?” I asked instead.

“I am hoping to find her in a day or two. But I am concerned about you.” He turned his back to me, and I couldn’t see his eyes. A strange combination of sensations took hold of me with his words. First I was delighted, and then I was just plain devastated. How the hell would I be able to stay awake? Shit! I am not going to be able to and then…

“I will be back before each nightfall to help you sleep, of course. Then I will return to the hunt the next morning,” he interjected, as if reading my thoughts. My heart leapt with gratitude. “Would you be able to help the others in the gym while I am searching?” He finally looked at me.

“It’s difficult,” I replied. Kasadya was always bugging me and then the others would soon be here bugging me too.

“Please, for me.” His pleading had my heart jumping.

“Okay, I’ll try, but if they start bugging me, I am out of here.” My eyes roamed over his huge frame, his soft hair begging for my fingers to rub it.

“Fair enough, but please stay here. Try to assist them as much as you can. I don’t know if I will be able to find the other female, and we need your assistance.” He bent down and cupped my face in his hand, his eyes roaming over me.

“Why didn’t you just give the picture to them?” I breathed.

“Some things are personal and don’t need to be shared with everyone. I will not share what I have seen, Raven. I know trust is difficult for you, but I would like nothing more than to earn that trust.” His thumb rubbed over my lower lip, his eyes fixed on the action.

 

Karen Swart is the bestselling author of the spellbinding young adult series - The Kasadya Hellhound Series. Her novels have won awards in the Best YA Paranormal and Best YA Fantasy categories of Book Junkies Choice Awards.

Born and raised South African, Karen spends her time with her family and writing her next novel. You can learn more about Karen, her love of books and all her upcoming books at www.authorkarenswart.com

or http://facebook.com/authorkarenswart

Sign up for her newsletter and receive exclusive content and giveaways - http://eepurl.com/bh0dmz

 

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Teasing on a Monday - Heap House

'They'll put you to work in the heaps at the slightest thing,' she said.
'Well, they can go to hell, can't they.'

(page 93, Heap House by Edward Carey)

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===

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Edge of the Blade - Early Book Review

The Edge of the Blade (The Uncharted Realms #2)
by Jeffe Kennedy

What is it about:
A HAWK S PLEDGE
"The Twelve Kingdoms rest uneasy under their new High Queen, reeling from civil war and unchecked magics. Few remember that other powers once tested their borders until a troop of foreign warriors emerges with a challenge..."
Jepp has been the heart of the queen s elite guard, her Hawks, since long before war split her homeland. But the ease and grace that come to her naturally in fighting leathers disappears when battles turn to politics. When a scouting party arrives from far-away Dasnaria, bearing veiled threats and subtle bluffs, Jepp is happy to let her queen puzzle them out while she samples the pleasures of their prince s bed.
But the cultural norms allow that a Dasnarian woman may be wife or bed-slave, never her own leader and Jepp s light use of Prince Kral has sparked a diplomatic crisis. Banished from court, she soon becomes the only envoy to Kral s strange and dangerous country, with little to rely on but her wits, her knives and the smolder of anger and attraction that burns between her and him...

What did I think of it:
As some if you may know I'm a total fanpiggy of Jeffe and her books, so it may not come as a surprise when I tell you I LOVE this book.

But there is so much to love about this book! And not just for fanpiggies like me.

Jepp is a wonderful heroine. She is confident, knows her strengths and weaknesses, and doesn't mince her words. Kral has been raised to think of women as creatures who should be cared for and sheltered (to the point of slavery). He's the perfect hero to spar with the freedom loving Jepp. and spar they do. The banter (and romance) between Jepp and Kral is fun and delicious.

I also loved seeing Dasnaria and learning more about the land and the culture. Most of the time spend in Dasnaria Jepp and Kral are in one place, but still you learn a lot about how the Dasnarians think.

New characters are introduced and some are so intriguing I hope they get their own book. Others are vile and/or dangerous and made that I worried for Jepp. At times the odds are high and it was only the knowledge that this is a Fantasy Romance that I didn't get too nervous. Jeffe sure knows how to tell an awesome romance while also giving you a very suspenseful story - both keeping you reading to find out what happens next.

The ending had quite a punch, and while I was satisfied it also made me hungry for more books in this wonderful world. Luckily it looks like there will be at least one more book, if not more.

Why should you read it:
It's an awesome Fantasy Romance read.


Find buy links here

Paperback Release Alert - Nerve

I posted about this book being on my wishlist on May 9th, 2013.
It was only available in hardback and too expensive for me, so I kept checking back to see if maybe they released the book in paperback, but it seemed that day might never come. I kept checking though, although the times in between checking got longer and longer.

Imagine my excitement when I checked last weekend and saw it was finally released in paperback last August! (And it seems they made a movie out of the book as well). you bet I bought this pearl and will be reading it soon (finally).


Nerve
by Jeanne Ryan

A high-stakes online game of dares turns deadly

When Vee is picked to be a player in NERVE, an anonymous game of dares broadcast live online, she discovers that the game knows her. They tempt her with prizes taken from her ThisIsMe page and team her up with the perfect boy, sizzling-hot Ian. At first it's exhilarating--Vee and Ian's fans cheer them on to riskier dares with higher stakes. But the game takes a twisted turn when they're directed to a secret location with five other players for the Grand Prize round. Suddenly they're playing all or nothing, with their lives on the line. Just how far will Vee go before she loses NERVE?


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Demon Thief - Book Review

Demon Thief (The Demonata #2)
by Darren Shan

What is it about:
Kernel Fleck has always known he's weird. He sees lights. Strange, multi-colored patches of light, swirling through the air. But it's not until a window opens into a demon world, with horrific consequences, that Kernel discovers his powers. As a Disciple, his mission is to hunt vicious, powerful demons to the death...

What did I think of it:
I had some trouble getting into the first book in this series, but this one was a lot better in my opinion.

The plot is simple and the big reveal for Kernel was something everyone could see coming from miles away, but the story is fun and full of action. I liked Kernel and he picks up some interesting characters on his quest through demon-filled territory.

At times the action almost overshadowed the (already flimsy) plot, but it was well written and entertaining, so I didn't mind.

I still think the Zom-B series is Shan's best work so far, but I'm a zombie addict. I will most certainly pick up the next book in this series soon.

Why should you read it:
It's a very entertaining read filled with demons.


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The Crown of the Queen - Book Review (repost)

The Crown of the Queen is releasing on its own today, so I thought I'd repost my review for those who haven't gotten their hands on this pearl yet.


The Crown of the Queen - A Twelve Kingdoms Novella
by Jeffe Kennedy

What is it about:
Dafne Mailloux, librarian and temporary babysitter to the heirs to the High Throne of the Twelve – now Thirteen – Kingdoms, finds it difficult to leave the paradise of Annfwn behind. Particularly that trove of rare books in temptingly unfamiliar languages. But duty calls, and hers is to the crown. It’s not like her heart belongs elsewhere. But how can she crown a queen who hesitates to take the throne?

What did I think of it:
Voodoo Bride and I are big fans of Jeffe Kennedy, so we were very happy to get a review copy of this novella.

And this is a great novella.

It serves as a bridge between The Talon of the Hawk and the upcoming The Pages of the Mind, filling in details of some events too big to put as an epilogue in the first of those two books, and with not enough impact on the second to start The Pages of the Mind with.

Still there are things happening that fans of the series want to know about. This novella gives us the events surrounding the coronation of Ursula, and gives us a glimpse into Dafne's mind. There are answers to questions readers of The Talon of the Hawk might have had, and exciting glimpses of what might come next.

Having read all the books and novellas in this series, I am not the best person to tell you if this can be read as a standalone, but honestly: Don't! Just read all the books. They're so good!!

All in all this is a delightful novella, that gave me extra information and fluff about lead characters from previous books, and that makes me eager to read The Pages of the Mind to find out what will happen next for Dafne.

Why should you read it:
It's a wonderful Fantasy Romance read.


============

Find buy links here

Zombies, Run! - Book Review

Zombies, Run!
Keeping Fit and Living Well in the Current Zombie Emergency
by Naomi Alderman and Six to Start

What is it about:
'OUR FIRST JOB IS SURVIVAL. IF WE SURVIVE, WE LEARN, WHEN WE LEARN, WE MAKE TOMORROW BETTER THAN TODAY. THAT'S WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN: WE JUST HAVE TO KEEP ON GOING'

The zombie apocalypse is here. We have all lost a lot, but we are surviving. Together we will overcome the outbreak but we need every man, women and child to do their bit. This is an informational guide to help you stay fit and healthy in both body and mind during the crisis. It includes:

- Indoor activities that build the strength, stamina and flexibility you need to survive contact with the zombie hordes
- Expertly-designed running, cycling and swimming programmes to build up your distance safely when venturing out for supplies
- Advice on nutritious meals when resources are sparse and treats need to be rationed
- Tips on building and maintaining a community and remaining fit of mind when humanity is pushed to the brink

The advice within the pages of ZOMBIES, RUN! will prove the difference between life and death in the coming days, weeks and months. Humans are wondrous beings; this is not the end of us.

WE CAN BECOME STRONGER. WE CAN BECOME FITTER. AND TOGETHER WE WILL SURVIVE.

What did I think of it:
I have my owner training to run with the Zombies, Run! app, so when the zombies come, she'll be able to run me to safety. So when I saw this book I had to get my trotters on it.

And this is a really cool book.

It gives lots of great tips for runners and other people who want to stay fit, as well as tips for staying safe during the zombie apocalypse, making this the perfect read for both me and my owner. We had as much fun with reading the book as with trying out some of the exercises (both doing the Dead Bug exercise as watching someone do it, is highly entertaining I can tell you).

The book is written as if it's a manual send to you by what's left of the government and next to information, exercises, recipes, and other helpful tips there are testimonials by people who are busy surviving the zombie outbreak. For fans of the Zombies, Run! app there are a few familiar names among those testimonials (Sam!).

All in all I think this book is great for those who love the Zombies, Run! running app, as well for people who love zombies and zombie survival guides in general.

Why should you read it:
It's a great guide for runners and for those people who want to survive a zombie apocalypse.


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Prisoner - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Prisoner (Criminals & Captives #1)
by Annika Martin and Skye Warren

What is it about:
He seethes with raw power the first time I see him—pure menace and rippling muscles in shackles. He’s dangerous. He’s wild. He’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

So I hide behind my prim glasses and my book like I always do, because I have secrets too. Then he shows up in the prison writing class I have to teach, and he blows me away with his honesty. He tells me secrets in his stories, and it’s getting harder to hide mine. I shiver when he gets too close, with only the cuffs and the bars and the guards holding him back. At night I can’t stop thinking about him in his cell.

But that’s the thing about an animal in a cage—you never know when he’ll bite. He might use you to escape. He might even pull you into a forest and hold a hand over your mouth so you can’t call for the cops. He might make you come so hard, you can’t think.

And you might crave him more than your next breath.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I've known for a long time that Carolyn Crane also writes as Annika Martin, but I thought she only wrote books that have menages in them. As I like my romances one on one I didn't pay much attention to the books she wrote as Annika Martin.

Imagine my surprise when I saw this book mentioned in her newsletter. It sounded like the perfect sexy read for me, so I impulse bought it right away.

And what a delicious read!

It's dark, sexy and so good.

I will warn that this book is not for people who do not like non-con or dub-con. Abigail gets abducted by Grayson and there are scenes that will pull triggers for some people. Grayson is someone with a dark past and it made him into someone who is dangerous and who takes what he wants. It's Abigail who makes him realize things can be different.

For me the story stays well within the lines of things I can handle in my romances. I was warned it was edgy and controversial, and I will confess that I thought the story would be a lot darker than it is.

The book is at its best when Abigail and Grayson are out on the run. The tension between them makes you hunger for a release, and I loved seeing them slowly open up towards each other. Near the end of the book other things happen and more characters are introduced, making for a finale that leaves you both satisfied where it comes to Abigail and Grayson, and hungry for more in this setting. Of the characters that have been introduced I already have a favorite who I hope will get his own book.

And you bet I will try Annika Martin's Dangerous Royals series, because as far as I can tell that's menage free as well.

Why should you read it:
It's a deliciously dark Romance read.


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On McPig's Radar - Wytchcraft

I'm so going to get my trotters on this book next time I'm on a book shopping spree.


Wytchcraft (Matilda Kavanagh #1)
by Shauna Granger

Matilda Kavanagh – Witch For Hire. No spell, charm, or potion too difficult.

Supernaturals are out of the closet, living alongside humans in a tenuous relationship. Most are just trying to live life like nothing’s changed, others would use magic for their own gain.

When Mattie creates a charm to help a half-troll catch a fairy, she sets herself up for the worst possible thing: she is now in debt to the fairy court. If she can’t find the fae prince and bring him home alive, it’ll be her head on the chopping block.


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Earth - Book Review

Earth (Elemental #1)
by Shauna Granger

What is it about:
Shayna and her two best friends have the abilities to manipulate and control the four elements, earth, air, water and fire. While learning to hone their growing powers, they discover a new and malicious presence in their sleepy beach town. Someone is performing blood magic and threatens to expose their small magical community. So far only small animals have been slaughtered, but then the nightmares start.

Shayna suffers nightmares of being chased and sacrificed only to wake up bloodied and bruised. She thinks her magical blood is the ultimate target for the final blood rite. When an innocent girl, Tracy, is kidnapped Shayna knows it's only a ploy to draw her out; she can't let someone die because of her.

What did I think of it:
I absolutely love Granger's Ash and Ruin series, so I had to give one of her other series a try.

And this is a really cool read.

I liked Shayna and her friends. They care for each other and for the people close to them. I also liked that they were comfortable with their powers. They might not know everything yet, but they aren't bumbling through this story. They get things done, and when they don't, they look for help or information. There are of course a few moments when Shayna thinks she can handle stuff on her own, but she gets called out on it by her friends.

I also liked how the paranormal elements are all based on occult and Wiccan theories and beliefs you'd be able to track down yourself in books if you searched for it. It made the magic and the things that happened feel real.

If there's one thing I can grumble about it's that I had wanted to see a bit more scenes that included other people besides Shayna and her friends. Because they interact with only a few other people, it's pretty clear where to look for the culprit. That small grumble aside I very much enjoyed this read, and I will most certainly pick up the next book in this series.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool Paranormal YA read.


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Teaser Tuesdays - Conspiracy of Ravens

"You were alive, but we didn't know if you were you or if you'd gone full animal. When you jumped out of that cave, I..." She pressed a hand to her chest and smiled. "It doesn't matter. I have your things."

(page 56, Conspiracy of Ravens by Lila Bowen)


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===

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Consort - Book Review

The Consort: A Fae Hunters Novella (The Fae Hunters Book 1)
by Suzanne Johnson

What is it about:
Summoned to the Royal Palace of Faerie, Liandra arrives full of hope—only to learn that Florian, the Summer Prince, has purchased her as his annual consort. The price charged by her father? A horse.

Fleeing through the veil into the human world, Liandra knows she must not only escape the prince but also the fabled Fae Hunters, ruthless faery warriors whose job it was to track escaped members of the fae and return them to Faerie dead or alive.

Falconer, eldest son of Autumn, gave up his seat on the throne of the Autumn Court to become Captain of the Fae Hunters. Setting up his base in New Orleans, Faulkner—as he now calls himself—runs The Hunt Club, a fantasy nightclub that makes the most of the fae’s illusion magic and serves as a hangout for off-duty Hunters. All is going well…until Prince Florian stalks in, demanding the return of his lost consort.

Faulk takes the case, but soon finds his duty at odds with his heart when he’s ordered to capture Liandra, the grown-up version of a shy, awkward girl he remembers from his youth. Can Faulk turn Lia over to a certain death at the hands of the prince, or will he risk a war with Faerie in order to save her?

From the author of the award-winning Sentinels of New Orleans urban fantasy and Penton Legacy paranormal romance series comes the first in a new novella series, The Fae Hunters.

What did I think of it:
After finishing Belle Chasse I wanted more, so I picked up the novella The Consort.

And I can tell you it's a fun read.

I loved learning more about the fae, both those living in Faerie and those who live in New Orleans.

The story is less dark than I expected, but very enjoyable. I really liked Liandra, and cheered her on while she tries to make sense of the world outside of Faerie. Faulk is the perfect hero for this story and his hunters are cool as well. I'm already curious who the lead character will be in the next novella.

All in all this is a really fun and entertaining novella that will delight fans of the Sentinel series and will make a great introduction for those unfamiliar with Johnson's writing.

Why should you read it:
It's an very enjoyable Paranormal Romance read.


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Belle Chasse - Book Review

Belle Chasse (Sentinels of New Orleans #5)
by Suzanne Johnsone

What is it about:
With the wizard-elven treaty on the verge of collapse, the preternatural world stands on the brink of war. Unless former wizard sentinel DJ Jaco manages to keep the elven leader, Quince Randolph, focused on peace and not personal matters.

With no one on the throne, Faerie is in chaos, with rival princes battling for power. The still-undead pirate, Jean Lafitte, is building his own army of misfits, and DJ—stripped of her job and hiding in the Beyond to avoid the death sentence handed down by the wizard Council of Elders—can’t get anywhere near her beloved New Orleans or her significant something-or-other, Alex.

It's time to choose sides. Friends will become enemies, enemies will become allies, and not everyone will survive. DJ and her friends will learn a hard lesson: sometimes, even the ultimate sacrifice isn’t enough.

What did I think of it:
This series just keeps on being awesome!

DJ is in trouble and the hits just keep coming,

I couldn't put this book down. I had to keep reading to find out if DJ and her friends manage to find a way out of the mess they're in.

It was interesting to learn more about Fairy and the fae, they're a weird and creepy bunch. I liked one of the princes, but still wasn't sure if I should root for him. I also loved seeing a bit more of the Otherworld/Old Orleans where the historical undead live, and to learn more of the magic there. The world building and the characters in this series are amazing, I can tell you!

Rene again was our favorite character, and Voodoo Bride thinks DJ should ditch pirates, shifters and all, and run off into the sunset with this cool merman. But if this is not in DJ's future she'll settle for Alex. That pirate might have gained some bonus points in the last two books, he's still too smarmy in Voodoo Bride's opinion.

I will confess I didn't agree with DJ on her opinion on Rand at times. There are some things that can't be forgiven and that should result in the termination of all contact, no matter the circumstances. But then again: I'm a very unforgiving piggy.

The overall story is once again awesome. There's lots of action and intrigue and the book ends with some shocking developments that make me eager for the next book. I'll be keeping my out for it for sure!

Why should you read it:
It's a really cool and awesome Urban Fantasy read.


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Pirate's Alley - Book Review (repost)

Pirate's Alley (Sentinels of New Orleans #4)
by Suzanne Johnson

What is it about:
Wizard sentinel DJ Jaco thought she had gotten used to the chaos of her life in post-Katrina New Orleans, but a new threat is looming, one that will test every relationship she holds dear.

Caught in the middle of a rising struggle between the major powers in the supernatural world—the Wizards, Elves, Vampires and the Fae—DJ finds her loyalties torn and her mettle tested in matters both professional and personal.

Her relationship with enforcer Alex Warin is shaky, her non-husband, Quince Randolph, is growing more powerful, and her best friend, Eugenie, has a bombshell that could blow everything to Elfheim and back. And that's before the French pirate, Jean Lafitte, newly revived from his latest "death," returns to New Orleans with vengeance on his mind. DJ's assignment? Keep the sexy leader of the historical undead out of trouble. Good luck with that.

Duty clashes with love, loyalty with deception, and friendship with responsibility as DJ navigates passion and politics in the murky waters of a New Orleans caught in the grips of a brutal winter that might have nothing to do with Mother Nature.

War could be brewing, and DJ will be forced to take a stand. But choosing sides won't be that easy.

What did I think of it:
I love this series, but the fact that this book was only available in hard cover made that I had to wait until I had the money to spare to get my trotters on it. (Yes: I could have bought the ebook, but then I would have had to buy it twice, because I just knew I'd want the book in print.)

And this book is well worth the 20+ Euro I spent on it.

DJ is in trouble. Several people want and expect things from her, and she has to choose if she sticks to her duty to the wizards or if she stands with her friends. Her choices might have an impact not only on the politics of the supernatural world, but also on her relationship with Alex.

With odds like these you can understand there's lots of suspense. I was rooting for DJ from the start and if it had been possible I'd have finished this book in one sitting. There was so much going on, and so much cool action that I was totally engrossed.

My favorite character besides DJ is still Rene, but after distrusting Jean for three books, I have to confess I started to warm up to him a bit. He's still someone who will steal your grandmother if you're not looking, but I'm starting to understand how he thinks.

The Fae are really intriguing as well I must say, and I expect them to play a major part in the next book. And after the way this book ended I'm more than eager to find out what's next for DJ.

Why should you read it:
It's an amazing Urban Fantasy Read.


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Elysian Fields - Book Review (repost)

Elysian Fields (Sentinels of New Orleans #3)
by Suzanne Johnson

What is it about:
An undead serial killer comes for DJ in this thrilling third installment of Suzanne Johnson’s Sentinels of New Orleans series

The mer feud has been settled, but life in South Louisiana still has more twists and turns than the muddy Mississippi.

New Orleanians are under attack from a copycat killer mimicking the crimes of a 1918 serial murderer known as the Axeman of New Orleans. Thanks to a tip from the undead pirate Jean Lafitte, DJ Jaco knows the attacks aren’t random—an unknown necromancer has resurrected the original Axeman of New Orleans, and his ultimate target is a certain blonde wizard. Namely, DJ.

Combatting an undead serial killer as troubles pile up around her isn’t easy. Jake Warin’s loup-garou nature is spiraling downward, enigmatic neighbor Quince Randolph is acting weirder than ever, the Elders are insisting on lessons in elven magic from the world’s most annoying wizard, and former partner Alex Warin just turned up on DJ’s to-do list. Not to mention big maneuvers are afoot in the halls of preternatural power.

Suddenly, moving to the Beyond as Jean Lafitte’s pirate wench could be DJ’s best option.

What did I think of it:
This series just keeps getting better and better with each book.

I thought River Road was an intense read, but Elysian Fields blew me away. DJ is taking hit after hit, with almost no time to catch her breath. I was on the edge of my seat and couldn't put this book down until I finished it. It's an intense and emotional read. Again there are plenty of twists and turns and this time it wasn't so easy to figure out what was going on and why.

I loved how things that happened in River Road and that made no sense to me at the time now suddenly started making sense and how things fell together. I also was happy to see Rene return. I absolutely love him and want a best friend like that! I'm hoping he will get even more screen time in the next couple of books.

DJ makes some choices in this book that have me worried about her future I can tell you, even though I can understand why she makes them. I know I'll be rereading this series while impatiently waiting for the next book to see if my fears will become reality.

Why should you read it:
It's a very intense Urban Fantasy read.


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River Road - Book Review (repost)

River Road (Sentinels of New Orleans #2)
by Suzanne Johnson

What is it about:
Hurricane Katrina is long gone, but the preternatural storm rages on in New Orleans. New species from the Beyond moved into Louisiana after the hurricane destroyed the borders between worlds, and it falls to wizard sentinel Drusilla Jaco and her partner, Alex Warin, to keep the preternaturals peaceful and the humans unaware. But a war is brewing between two clans of Cajun merpeople in Plaquemines Parish, and down in the swamp, DJ learns, there’s more stirring than angry mermen and the threat of a were-gator.

Wizards are dying, and something—or someone—from the Beyond is poisoning the waters of the mighty Mississippi, threatening the humans who live and work along the river. DJ and Alex must figure out what unearthly source is contaminating the water and who—or what—is killing the wizards. Is it a malcontented merman, the naughty nymph, or some other critter altogether? After all, DJ’s undead suitor, the pirate Jean Lafitte, knows his way around a body or two.

It’s anything but smooth sailing on the bayou as the Sentinels of New Orleans series continues.

What did I think of it:
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but it took me until the release of the third book in this series to continue reading it and to pick up the second book River Road.

And it's even better than Royal Street!

This book has it all: cool characters, fun situations, scary moments, intense emotions and lots of action. There were some things that I thought were easy to figure out, but mostly this is a suspenseful story with lots of twists and turns.

I loved the mermen, especially Rene, and it was cool to learn about them and other supernatural creatures. The men in DJ's life didn't make things easy for her in this book. Jake and Alex are both complex characters and each of them has his own agenda where it comes to DJ. Jean Lafitte is his usual rakish self, which includes trying to seduce DJ of course.

There were some events that didn't get a conclusion in this book, but hinted at things to come, but in a way that had me eager for the next book instead of annoying me.

All in all I devoured this book in practically one sitting and I was glad I had the next book Elysian Fields ready, because I wanted, no: needed more!

Why should you read it:
It's a really cool Urban Fantasy read.


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Royal Street - Book Review (repost)

Tomorrow it's the release day of Belle Chasse - book 5 in the Sentinels of New Orleans series by Suzanne Johnson. To celebrate I'll be reposting all my reviews of the earlier books this week, and I'll be posting my review of Belle Chasse on Friday.

Royal Street (Sentinels of New Orleans #1)
by Suzanne Johnson

What is it about:
As the junior wizard sentinel for New Orleans, Drusilla Jaco’s job involves a lot more potion-mixing and pixie-retrieval than sniffing out supernatural bad guys like rogue vampires and lethal were-creatures. DJ's boss and mentor, Gerald St. Simon, is the wizard tasked with protecting the city from anyone or anything that might slip over from the preternatural beyond.

Then Hurricane Katrina hammers New Orleans’ fragile levees, unleashing more than just dangerous flood waters.

While winds howled and Lake Pontchartrain surged, the borders between the modern city and the Otherworld crumbled. Now, the undead and the restless are roaming the Big Easy, and a serial killer with ties to voodoo is murdering the soldiers sent to help the city recover.

To make it worse, Gerry has gone missing, the wizards’ Elders have assigned a grenade-toting assassin as DJ’s new partner, and undead pirate Jean Lafitte wants to make her walk his plank. The search for Gerry and for the serial killer turns personal when DJ learns the hard way that loyalty requires sacrifice, allies come from the unlikeliest places, and duty mixed with love creates one bitter gumbo.

What did I think of it:
I really enjoyed this book.

Johnson creates an intruiging world with a unique and cool magic system. I really like how she uses New Orleans in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina as a setting while still showing respect for what happened there.

DJ is a likeable heroine although her mixed feelings for the men in her life (yes: love triangle!) made me want to kick her from time to time. The inclusion of famous characters from New Orleans' history was fun and there were a couple of characters that I wouldn't mind seeing again in future books.

The writing is pleasant and all in all this book is a delightful read full of action and suspense.

I'm looking forward to the next book in this series, because this book made me hungry for more.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool Urban Fantasy set in New Orleans.

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Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 2 - Review

Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 2
(Dragon Age Universe)

What is it about:
BioWare's newest game Dragon Age: Inquisition will expand the universe of their epic series in profound ways. This comprehensive book of lore features exclusive art and information, exploring every corner of this dark fantasy masterpiece!
Newcomers will appreciate how this volume covers everything they need to know about the world and characters of these smash-hit games! Dedicated fans will revel in the abundance of never-before-revealed secrets, the perfect companion to Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 1! From heroes to villains, to songs and food, and everything in between, this book puts the breath and depth of this inimitable fantasy at your fingertips.

What did I think of it:
This is yet another really cool companion to the Dragon Age games.

The book gives information on characters and events of all three games, but I like how it doesn't give a canon version of events. It leaves things open enough that you as a player can hold on to your gameplay and the choices you made.

Next to that there's lots of cool artwork, recipes, songs and stories, etc.

It's the perfect book for fans of the games to drool over when they're not playing ;-)

All in all a book that I'll treasure and reread from time to time.

Why should you read it:
If you're a Dragon Age addict like me, you need this book.


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On McPig's Radar - The Furies' Bog

This sounds like it's a cool SF read!


The Furies' Bog (The Silent Gene Book #1)
by Deborah Jackson

A bog may be Earth’s undoing, but it will be a gift to Mars.

Digging up bog bodies and analyzing corpses are the last things archaeology graduate student Felicity Cratchett wants to do. And when unusual mummies are discovered in the subpolar region of Polar Bear Provincial Park, it’s the last place she wants to go. But since her faculty advisor insists that she log more hours in fieldwork, she has little choice. In a remote bog with a small team of scientists, Felicity unearths the greatest secret of our time—a secret with ties to ancient Rome, roots in Botswana, and a link to the first people to exercise abstract thought. This revelation will challenge the conventional theory of human origins and human evolution.

Meanwhile, astronaut Lucas Wilson, a man tormented with a deep-seated anger, is terraforming Mars. He reluctantly descends to the Red Planet’s surface with his fellow astronauts, preparing to direct their exploration. Mars, in its birth pangs, will challenge every step he takes, with gas explosions and raging rivers, with damaged fuel processors and limited oxygen supplies. In the midst of these disasters, Lucas must keep his companions from discovering a feat of genetic engineering that will transform Mars like nothing has in over a billion years. The double helix of this masterwork twists all the way back to Earth and Felicity’s mummies. But if he fails, Lucas must decide whether to take up Mars’s sword, or to cast the weapon into a bog.

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Read the first chapter and find buy links here

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Mortality - Book Review (repost)

Mortality (The Hitchhiker Strain #1)
by Kellie Sheridan

What is it about:
After surviving a deadly plague outbreak, sixteen-year-old Savannah thought she had lived through the very worst of human history. There was no way to know that the miracle vaccine would put everyone at risk for a fate worse than un-death.

Now, two very different kinds of infected walk the Earth, intent on nothing but feeding and destroying what little remains of civilization. When the inoculated are bitten, infection means watching on in silent horror as self-control disappears and the idea of feasting on loved ones becomes increasingly hard to ignore.

Starving and forced to live inside of the abandoned high school, all Savannah wants is the chance to fight back. When a strange boy arrives with a plan to set everything right, she gets her chance. Meeting Cole changes everything. Mere survival will never be enough.

What did I think of it:
This is a really great read.

It alternates bwtween telling the story of Savannah and that of Zarah, both teenagers who see their whole world change by the plague.

Savannah's story is told in past tense, but Zarah's story is in present tense. Usually I don't like present tense, but Sheridan writes so engaging that in this case I didn't mind. Once I got into the story I barely noticed the present tense and I couldn't put this book down until I finished it.

Both girls get caught up in events that lead them into danger. There's plenty of action: zombie attacks, encounters with people who have evil intentions and much more. I really like how Sheridan made two kinds of zombies and has a solid background story to make them believable.

I liked both Savannah and Zarah, although I have to confess I wanted to kick Zarah a couple of times, she really didn't think at times. Savannah frustrated me on ocassion as well. She really needed to learn how to stand up for herself in my opinion. But overall I could really relate to both girls and I cheered them on from the start.

The ending was really something and left me wondering what will happen next. I can tell you I will most certainly read the next book in this series.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool YA with zombies

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Orphan Update

I did try to read an Orphaned book in October, but it ended up being a DNF

Dark Light of Day had been on my shelves since November 2012.

How did your challenges go?