Tag Archives: paranormal

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison (Book Review)

US Cover 
Foreign Editions’ Covers
Source: Kim Harrison’s Website
 

All the creatures of the night gather in “the Hollows” of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party … and to feed.

Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining — and it’s Rachel Morgan’s job to keep that world civilized.

A bounty hunter and witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she’ll bring ’em back alive, dead … or undead.

 


This is the first full-length novel I’ve read by Kim. I picked it up at the store because the back cover intrigued me and I wanted a new author to read. 
 
Did I like it the story? Well, that’s a hard question to answer. I didn’t think it was overly bad, just slow and drawn-out. 
 
For me, I can usually finish a 400 page book in a couple days. This one I finished in five. That’s how I knew I wasn’t “into” it. 
 
However, I did like one aspect of this novel or should I say one “being” – Jenks. 
 
The pixy was absolutely the show stealer!!!!
 
Heart rating system:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤ (because of Jenks) 
 
 
 

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The L.O.S.T. Trilogy by R.S. Collins and S.R. Vaught (Multi-Book Review)

 

Seventeen-year-old Brenden McAllister can’t wait to prove himself to his overprotective parents—and enjoy the beach! Despite problems related to his ADHD, he’s finally on his own, allowed to borrow his mom’s truck and travel to his best friend’s house in California. It’s great. In fact, it’s perfect until he makes a pit stop in a tiny desert town called Live Oak Springs Township.

Something’s off in L.O.S.T., like that witchy girl in the general store, and a greasy guy that gives him an ominous warning. Weird, for sure. Maybe even a little frightening. Bren plans to take care of business and get back on the road.

Except, somebody stole his mom’s truck. And that witchy girl, she’s starting to change into something with glowing eyes and sparkling fingernails. And what’s with the bats and finger joints for sale in that creepy store? Before Bren can even yell, “Foul ball!” he’s trapped in a world of mysterious magic and terrible danger—maybe forever—unless he can find the power in his blood, become a champion of prophecy, and defeat the most evil being who ever lived.

No pressure, right?

Jasmina Corey knows Bren may be the solution to her biggest problem. He has a warrior’s heart and the strongest spark of magic she’s ever found. As Queen of the Witches, it’s up to her to save her people from the vicious, murdering Shadowmaster, and Bren might be strong enough to fight beside her. Too bad he can’t pay attention. Too bad he’s so impulsive. And he knows nothing about magic, he hates her guts, and he doesn’t want anything to do with his destiny.

He’ll get over being kidnapped. Sure he will! She can teach him what he needs to know. Sure she can!

Bren strains her optimism to the breaking point, but Jasmina’s out of choices and out of time. She has to find a way to reach Bren, and to work with him to take out the Shadowmaster for good. The fate of the witching world—of the whole world—rests squarely on her nervous shoulders.

No pressure. Right. No pressure at all…

 
 
 
 
 

The day Jazz Corey died, Bren McAllister lost a piece of himself. He knows he’ll never be whole again, and this King of the Witches gig—not his style. But he’s trying. He knows that’s the only way to honor the girl he loved, the girl he still loves, the girl he’ll always love. With the help of his father and brother, not to mention Jazz’s grumpy advisors, he’s rebuilding Live Oak Springs Township, and restoring the Path to its full glory. He’s able to keep his mind on his new royal job until the moment he realizes Jazz might be alive . . . sort of. She might be waiting for him to come get her. And if he doesn’t hurry, it might be too late.

It’s simple. All he has to do is turn his back on everyone who believes in him, find a passage no one has ever seen, unlock it with a key no one understands, defeat an evil monster no one can name, cross through some gate that doesn’t exist, and die without dying.

No big deal, right?

Jasmina Corey knows death shouldn’t be like this. It’s dark and cold, and everything hurts, and Shadows keep chasing her. Shadows and big stinky things with wings. Worse than that, a know-it-all peacock is stalking her, and the stupid bird won’t shut up. Where is she, really? How is she supposed to get out?

Jazz knows she’s losing herself, and she has to get out of . . . wherever she is. And get back to . . . who was that handsome boy with brown eyes? Was she a witch before, or is that just another dream, like the fanged monster breathing down her neck while the peacock screams?

She’s smart. She can figure this out. She knows that just as sure as she knows that she’s the daughter of . . .

Never mind.

Jazz has to hold on to her fading mind and find Bren, because something’s coming for her. It’s huge, and it’s evil, and it wants what’s left of her soul.

Nothing to fear but fear itself? Right. Whoever said that never tried to walk out of death—or run.

 
 
 
 
 

King of the Witches. Queen of the Witches. Bren and Jazz are finally together, and finally safe. They should have it made, right?

Except for Bren’s terrifying vision of the Shadowmaster escaping her prison, Jazz’s nightmares and growing jealousy, mysterious girls with special abilities showing up at random, and old witch factions going to war with peaceful refugees…

Safety turns to desperate danger when a shapeshifting dwarf kidnaps Bren’s brother, the sanctuaries erupt in riots and bloodshed, and Bren and Jazz face a crisis of trust that threatens to tear apart their relationship—and the witching world. It’s obvious something dreadful has descended upon L.O.S.T., but what? Bren and Jazz must find a way to stand together, or watch everything they have built tear itself apart.

 
 
 
 
 
 
~Overall Review and Star Rating~ 
❤❤❤1/2
 
When I purchased this series, I had no clue it was generated towards the young adult crowd. It was suggested to me from a fellow author through a newsletter and since the book summaries sounded intriguing, I decided to give it a shot. 
 
All in all, I liked the series and I think it will be a hit with the younger folks. Heck, I could see 30+ readers enjoying it as well. It has witches, hags, elves, harpies, and many more mystical/magical beings. 
 
Parents, as far as intimate moments, only kissing occurs in the story. Again I want to stress, the lead roles are played by teenagers. 
 

 

 
 

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Burning Dawn by Gena Showalter (Book Review)

A tormented past has left Thane with an insatiable need for violence, making him the most dangerous assassin in the skies. He lives by a single code: no mercy. And as he unleashes his fury on his most recent captor, he learns no battle could have prepared him for the slave he rescues from his enemy’s clutches–a beauty who stokes the fires of his darkest desires.

Elin Vale has her own deep-rooted scars, and her attraction to the exquisite warrior who freed her challenges her every boundary. But Thane’s unwavering determination to protect her means she must have her greatest fears–and enter a world in which passion is power, and victory means breathtaking surrender.

 

 

I loved the camaraderie/bromance between Thane, Xerxes, and Bjorn. Those three had me rolling more than Bianka, Kaia, and Anya. 
 
Speaking of those vivaciously lovely women, they have a couple fabulous scenes in this story. Lucien, too. 
 
And if you love Gena’s wicked sense of humor, you won’t be disappointed with this tale. It is jammed pack full of hilarity!  
 
Heart rating system
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤


Print * Kindle

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Dances with Demons by Lori Handeland (Book Review)

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When a demon comes calling Megan Murphy’s bar blows sky-high, and she’s suddenly on the run with her klutzy day shift bartender, the exceedingly gorgeous Quinn Fitzpatrick.

Quinn has been in love with Megan from the moment he saw her. Too bad he’s living a lie. He isn’t as klutzy as he makes out, nor as human as she believes. Quinn was sent to protect Megan from anything that slithers.

But there’s danger afoot, and the best place for them both is one that’s far, far away. A place Quinn Fitzpatrick once called home. Ireland–land of fairies and gargoyles, shape-shifters, dragons and more.

There they will dance with demons, and Megan will uncover every secret Quinn has.

 
 
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It’s rare that the hero in the story is a virgin. That, I found refreshing. 
He was also a shifter, but was also something more. What else…..yeah, I’m not telling you. You’ll have to buy the novella and discover that secret for yourself. *grins*
 
I was thrilled to see Liz back in the series. She was “missing” in the last short story and it wasn’t the same. Now if only Sawyer would return. He’s one of my favorite characters and I know his story isn’t over. Can’t be. 
 
 
Heart rating system – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤1/2

 

Purchase Links: Amazon – Print / Kindle

 

 

MORE STORIES IN THE SERIES

ANY GIVEN DOOMSDAY -11/08
DOOMSDAY CAN WAIT -4/09
APOCALYPSE HAPPENS -11/09

CHAOS BITES -5/10 
IN THE BEGINNING (A FREE Phoenix Chronicles Short Story)
Click here to download. (PDF Format)

HEX APPEAL – 6/12 (an anthology containing “There Will be Demons,” a Phoenix Chronicles)

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Blood & Lilies by Lyn Croft (Book Review)

 

First in the Bloodlines Series Once cast from Heaven, Zillah has vowed to destroy God and overtake his kingdom. But a key is needed to open the gates between the two realms. The Key to the gate walks the earth in the form of a woman…young, innocent and completely unaware of her importance in the battle between good and evil. Once her blood is shed, Zillah can open the portal to release her father…Lucifer himself. Cara, a college sophomore, is quickly thrown into the world of the supernatural, as well as learning of her true ancestry. Vampires, werewolves and the Nephilim are now a part of her reality. As the beings struggle to protect her, she fights to keep her sanity as her mortal realm is crushed. Secrets are revealed that could shatter Cara’s new found love, as well as lead to her ultimate death. A family is torn apart as the battle to save the key leads them down a road of betrayal and heartache. Loved ones are lost, lines are crossed, and nothing is as it seems. Lies and truths twist and turn, leaving us with only one question… Could you sacrifice the one you love to save the world?

~~ Review ~~
 
Last month, I had the pleasure and privilege of meeting Lyn and promoted this very book here for a generous giveaway. Unfortunately, I could not enter the giveaway due to hosting it. However, after reading the summary on it, I decided to buy my own copy AND I’m thankful I did.
 
I am highly impressed on Lyn’s gift of creating vivid and engaging fight scenes. It was like watching a 3D movie but in print. Yeah folks, she did that good of a job! 
 
Now for my favorite characters – the twins. I shouldn’t like the bad guys but I found them comical and very likable. 
 
I wish I could speak more on them or on the others players in the book but I don’t want to ruin the story for those who haven’t read it. 
 
With that said, GET THE BOOK so we can dish about it. 
 
 
Heart rating system – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤❤

 

Purchase links: Kindle / Paperback

 

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