Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Grave Dance

Grave Dance (Alex Craft, #2)Grave Dance by Kalayna Price

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the second book in the Alex Craft series and great addition to the story arc. A wonderful book full of action and intrigue from start to finish.

Alex is a grave witch; she raises the dead (shades) from bodies to get more information about the death or for loved ones to say their last goodbye. She has also recently learned of other unusual talents that are rare for a grave witch, a relationship with Death, seeing other worlds or realms and talking to ghosts. Alex is what is called a planeweaver which is rare and apparently advantageous to any Fae court which is a complication Alex does not need.

Alex often works with the police to help solve murders. She has recently been employed to find out why several feet have floated down the river with no other body parts being discovered. Alex believes Fae may be involved with the disappearance of bodies and the appearance of deadly constructs that are creating tears in the world. As she investigates she is learning more and more about Fae and the part she may play in their world.

With the help of her friends, Tamara, Holly and Caleb along with John from the police she tries to solve the mystery and we enjoy a fun journey with several twists and turns as the story deepens. The mysterious Falin reappears after being gone for a month and is badly injured but tries to help or maybe just creates emotional havoc for them both as there are more questions about Falin than answers.

The pace from the beginning is fast and the story is intriguing. I enjoyed the tale, as it is a gripping thriller to the end. We find a conclusion to the story however it continues with many mysteries to unfold about what Alex really is capable of with her powers and what roles both Falin and Death will play in her future.




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Friday, July 22, 2011

Ghost Soldiers

Ghost SoldiersGhost Soldiers by Keith Melton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a great urban fantasy story that I thoroughly enjoyed.



The second in the Nightfall Syndicate series.



The book starts off with a bang and never lets up. Karl is in Romania working for the Order of the Throne as an assassin. Lady Mackensie impressed upon him that he had to do this mission to protect those he loves. Helping him with the mission is a handler named Bailey Fletcher who works for the Order. The job is to find and kill Sorin Cojocan who is building an army of slave-paranormal beings. Cojocan uses strong magic and slave collars to control the beings and in turn the slaves feed him back energy for his magic. Romania is considered the badlands of the paranormal world so the Order hires Karl, as in their eyes he is expendable. Bailey and Karl find Cojocan by following a trail of death and try to kill him but he sends powerful magic toward them and Bailey takes the brunt of it. The Order is unwilling to save her since they believe Bailey disobeyed them, so she begs Karl to turn her before she dies. He does under duress because she gives him the information to contact Maria. When Bailey wakes up she finds she is an unusual vampire as she has a wolf familiar whom she names Smoke.



Meanwhile Maria has her hands full trying to head her father’s company since the war ended and her father was killed. There are those around her that do not want her in that position and try to take her out using ghost solders (Sicilian assassins). She confronts John Passerini and takes an unwanted position within the business to keep it in the family. Karl’s handler Xiesha stays near Maria to help keep her safe while Karl is gone.



Bailey and Karl make it back to Boston and meet up with Maria and Xiesha knowing that both Cojocan and the Order are following them. The books concludes with an epic battle in which we end up about where we started with Karl in trouble and the women who care about him planning to save his life.



This is a thrilling story from beginning to end about trust, love, loyalty and friendship. I am looking forward to the next book.





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Thursday, July 21, 2011

Savor the Danger

Savor the DangerSavor the Danger by Lori Foster

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Savor the Danger is the third book in the series and it is so good.



This is Alani and Jackson's story and it is wonderful. Alani is the sister of Trace (Trace of Fever - book 2) and we first met her in book 1 (When you Dare) where she is rescued from human traffickers in Mexico. She has been sheltered by her brother most of her life and the kidnapping experience has left her a little skittish about things, however she is a very strong women and we know that with time she will become the person she was before. We met Jackson in the second book as the mysterious man that works with Dare and Trace and as that story ends we find out that he feels something for Alani.



Savor the Danger starts on a fast pace when we find Alani and Jackson together one morning, however Jackson is a little fuzzy about the whole night. We discover that Jackson has been drugged but do not know why and if the trouble is just following him or if Alani is also in danger. As the team tries to find the answers, Alani and Jackson become closer and the chemistry between them just sizzles. Jackson is the one person that is bringing her back to herself from her awful experience in the past year.



The story has many twists and turns, secrets are revealed, the plot is intriguing, new characters are introduced and the romance is exciting.



Wonderful - and I can't wait until the next book to revisit our friends and meet new ones.





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Monday, July 18, 2011

Make Mind a Bad Boy

Make Mine a Bad Boy (Deep in the Heart of Texas, #2)Make Mine a Bad Boy by Katie Lane

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed this book. This is a new to me author who will be on my list of books to buy in the future.



Make Mine a Bad Boy is the second book in the Deep in the Heart of Texas series and it was a wonderful romance. I love small town romance stories, they are filled with quirky and fun characters and when the town actually becomes part of the story, it makes it all the better. Brambel Texas is just that kind of place.



This is Hope's story, which picks up at the wedding of her long lost twin sister (Faith) and Hope's "backup plan" husband Slate. While trying to put up a brave face the town bad boy (Colt) returns to Brambel.



Colt's past is well known and while he has changed and has several secrets he is not telling, he does not try to change anyones perception of him, especially Hope's. Colt's sister Shirlene is Hope's best friend and helps "stir the pot" throughout the story.



Hope and Colt have many shared memories from growing up and a current secret that will have the town talking. I love their chemistry and you can't help but feel the attraction to each other. A great story and I will be waiting impatiently for the next story in the series.











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Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Black Heart Loa

Black Heart Loa (Hoodoo, #2)Black Heart Loa by Adrian Phoenix

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Great Book!!

Black Heart Loa begins immediately after Black Dust Mambo ends and it starts with a bang.

Kallie is at her aunt Divinity’s place in the bayou with her best friend and the women Divinity stole the identity from (Gabrielle), when the action begins and it does not stop until the end.

Kallie is still looking for her cousin Jackson who has been missing since the first book and two men (Cash and Kerry - love those names) come bursting into the house to find things they believe Jackson stole. Kallie and the gals disarm the two thugs just as magic begins to fail and spells backfire around the area. Not wanting to waste more time, Kallie and Belladonna take off to find Jackson who may be buried alive.

There are several stories that come together during this wonderful book. What is going on with Jackson and who is helping him, what has happened to the nomad Layne and who is the extra being inhabiting him other than Augustine and what about Kallie, is she the reason for magic failing and the deadly hurricane heading straight for the coast?

It all comes together after a thrilling ride. I am looking forward to other adventures with Kallie and her friends - including a new friend that may have left his mark.






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Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy Independence Day

Fourth of July has always been a fun summer holiday filled with friends and family. This year is it a little different for me. My son is over in Iraq helping preserve the freedom we enjoy every day. I feel both worry and pride that he decided to do this.

All his life I knew that he wanted to do this. He talked about it from the time he started playing as a kid. While his dad and I tried to steer him in other directions (college after school - come ON!) he was set on joining some type of military. We wanted to be very supportive and when he decided on the National Guard (Army) we were happy for him. He has been over in Iraq for a year and will return in September - he has celebrated many holidays over there, Christmas, Memorial Day he will even celebrate his 21st birthday there (in 4 days) - no drinking - LOL...however I think on the fact that he is there on this celebrated day and hope we all think about our sons and daughters protecting our wonderful country.

Happy 4th everyone!!

Trace of Fever

Trace of Fever (Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor, #2)Trace of Fever by Lori Foster

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Trace of Fever is the second book in this wonderful alpha male trilogy. And what a great addition to the series.



Trace is one of the "operatives" that work with Dare (from When You Dare) and is on a mission to rid the world of human traffickers. His sister was recently rescued from this type of evil and although the ones responsible for Alani's kidnapping are dead, Trace knows there are others and wants them destroyed.



While working undercover as a bodyguard to the wealthy businessman Murray Coburn whom Trace believes is a human cargo mover he meets a feisty women that is claiming to be Coburn's daughter. Priscilla (Pris) is up to something but Trace is not sure what - however the fact that she has many hidden secrets does not sit well with him. He is immediately protective of her which works well when Coburn wants Trace to keep an eye on her.



Trace and Pris are working toward the same goal however without trust between them the path is rocky. The chemistry between them is wonderful and the intrigue and suspense surrounding them while the story unfolds makes this a great read. We get to see previous characters and meet new ones that we enjoy. This story has it all, suspense, mystery, chemistry, fun and an enjoyable outcome. Can't wait for the next book.



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When You Dare

When You Dare (Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor, #1)When You Dare by Lori Foster

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


When You Dare was exactly what I was looking for in a alpha male book. I loved it from the first.



This is the first in a trilogy about three wonderful alpha males protecting the innocent. This is Dare's book. His best friend Trace asks him for help rescue his sister in Mexico from human traffickers. Of course (since he is that kind of person) he rescues all the women that are being held and brings them back to the US. When they are in a safe place the women scatter to friends and family - all except one that is too drugged and banged up to run off.



Molly was different than the other women, a little older and not the type that would bring a large price on the market. She was also held apart and roughed up more than the others. Dare's protective side comes out and now that Trace's sister is safe, finding the reason Molly was kidnapped becomes the most important thing. We find out that Molly comes from a broken family and that she has made a very successful life for herself despite a disapproving father.



The story takes off with mystery, intrigue and some sizzling chemistry between Dare and Molly.



A great start to a series that looks to be smart, edgy and intriguing. I loved the characters and it is great to see the arc of a story span several books where you get to see the characters you have come to love again and again.







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