Clean Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles 1) by Ilona Andrews

 

 

 Summary

On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast. But Dina is...different: Her broom is a deadly weapon; her Inn is magic and thinks for itself. Meant to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a retired Galactic aristocrat who can’t leave the grounds because she’s responsible for the deaths of millions and someone might shoot her on sight. Under the circumstances, "normal" is a bit of a stretch for Dina.

And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night....Feeling responsible for her neighbors, Dina decides to get involved. Before long, she has to juggle dealing with the annoyingly attractive, ex-military, new neighbor, Sean Evans—an alpha-strain werewolf—and the equally arresting cosmic vampire soldier, Arland, while trying to keep her inn and its guests safe. But the enemy she’s facing is unlike anything she’s ever encountered. It’s smart, vicious, and lethal, and putting herself between this creature and her neighbors might just cost her everything.

 

Review

I've been in a sort of reading slump and so I started diving into my tried and true author's catalogs for something I hadn't read.

Innkeeper Chronicles enters the picture.

I was introduced to the idea of magic, Innkeepers, vampires, werewolves, shifters, etc. Dina is the Innkeeper, a neutral entity that protects her inn and those inside of it. When neighborhood animals are dying to a creature, Dina must step out of her neutral position and help out. That is when she meets and teams up with Sean (the closest werewolf in the area). I didn't know what to expect, but I enjoyed the rapport between Dina, Sean, and the other characters in the book. I definitely enjoyed the author's take on vampires, their clans, the rules, etc. Who thinks to make vampires sensitive to coffee?! :)

Anyway if you love a good murder mystery with action, humor, and a budding attraction between two main characters - you'll love this.  

Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews

Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing my ARC.

First off, I do feel that you need to have read the Hidden Legacy series before starting Catalina Baylor’s story. Based on the previous series, we know that Catalina is the new Prime of the Baylor house (her older sister Nevada has married and joined a new house). She has been classified as a Siren, which is a form of Truthseeking. Catalina is also the new head of the private investigation firm that the Baylor family owns. They have a new case – the death of a previous character’s (a friend who happens to be a modern day Poison Ivy) mother. With an old crush of hers, Alessandro, who is more than he seems they work together to solve the murder while building alliances and learning new things along the way.

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ARC: American Witch by Thea Harrison

American Witch by Thea Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This author created such a well-written story because of the fact that she created likeable and relatable characters as well as unlikeable characters. To be honest, some of the characters were so detestable I wanted their comeuppance in the form of a house falling straight on top of them. Austin I’m looking at you. I am no stranger to Thea Harrison’s works and I am proud to say that this book is just as engaging as her Elder Race series. Molly is a burgeoning witch and just so happens to have a magical outburst during a public altercation between her and her soon to be ex-husband. Little does she know that a powerful warlock is in her vicinity and offers to assist her in learning the magical ropes. He has his own motives and training a new witch definitely isn’t one of them, but power recognizes power. Josiah, and his coven, has plans – dangerous plans. And as such, this story is more than just Molly and Josiah building a foundation and a relationship. There are feelings but they take a backseat to Josiah’s plans, but in the process Molly finds her true calling and taps into an amazing power. These two characters are on two different pathways in life, but these paths intertwine and this is that intertwining story.

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ARC : Spellbinder (Moonshadow #2) by Thea Harrison

Blurb:

Kidnapped while on tour, musician Sidonie Martel is transported to the mystical land of Avalon. A human without magical ability, she is completely vulnerable to the deadly forces surrounding her.

When she defies her captors and refuses to share her music, an act of violent cruelty leaves her broken, her ability to play silenced, maybe forever. Her only hope is a whisper in the dark, gentle hands that offer healing, and a man who refuses to show her his face yet who offers advice she dare not ignore.

One of the most feared and powerful sorcerers in history, Morgan le Fae serves a Queen he despises, Isabeau of the Light Court. Once a famous bard and an advisor to kings, Morgan has been enslaved to Isabeau for hundreds of years, acting as enforcer and the commander of her deadly Hounds.

Sidonie’s music touches Morgan in places he had abandoned centuries ago, and her fiery spirit resurrects feelings he had believed long dead. For Sidonie, trapped in captivity, passion offers a comfort she cannot resist.

But Isabeau holds Morgan bound in magical chains that only Death can break. And in the court of a cruel, jealous Queen, the only thing that burns hotter than love is revenge…
  
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 REVIEW

 Note: Thanks to the author for providing this ARC for an honest review.

Morgan...
The character we were built up to hate.
I remember his character from Pia takes Hollywood as the culprit behind the Fae zombie outbreak. And then in the first Moonshadow book we see he's not a complete a-hole.

SIDE EYE

In this book, we're introduced to Sid an amazingly talented violinist that catches the musical eye of Morgan. Bad move. There are so many people after him they are just itching for a way to take him down. Especially Puck aka Robin.

<spoiler>
From book one we know that Morgan was the one to capture Puck, by Isabeau's order, and as such he bears a huge grudge against him. But as not as much as he does for Isabeau.

To make a long story short,

Puck wants revenge. And he is going to use Sid to get it.

 Train wreck. Commence.

Sid and Morgan fall into - something and before we know it the two are in it to win it.

Sid wants Morgan's freedom just as much as she wants her own. Cue edge of your seat tension. We discover who and what is holding Morgan hostage and we already know who is holding Sid hostage. What we don't know is how to free both of them. Talk about biting your nails pulling your hair out tension. I honestly could barely read fast enough I was so invested in their freedom and getting Isabeau and Modred their comeuppance. The story itself was not predictable and I liked the fact that there weren't characters from previous series books. This book was all about Sid and Morgan. Though, there was a short scene with Cuelebre at the end.

I completely enjoyed this book and am enjoying this new Moonshadow series. I cannot wait to read more.

Meet the Author:

 http://theaharrison.com/

Charles (Darkness #8) by K.F. Breene

The FINAL BOOK in the series!

Charles is a guy that likes to play the field. He's highly sought after in the Mansion, both for his prowess, and his position. He's content to stay the playboy for life, too, steeped in the culture in which he was raised.

That is, until he finds himself on a mission with Ann, trying to figure out why shifters are mysteriously going missing. Suddenly things that were so clear cut, get muddled.

When Ann succumbs to the danger that is plaguing her kind, all bets are off.

Review:

On the edge of my seat….

I love this series and I am so sad to see it go. Though, I do hope that the author will follow through and give Tim his time to shine in his own book.  

If you like action, evil scientists, sexual tension and a good dose of humor - you will love this book. I have read each book in the Darkness series and fallen in love with all of the characters. I was so happy to see that Charles would finally get his day. He is the annoying little brother character, but in actuality he is sexy, buff and deliciously tatted up.

It’s no secret that Charles and Ann (a mountain lion shifter) are going to hook up. The tension between these two has been floating around since Ann’s introduction in this series. I was jazzed to see that the plot of this book had nothing to do with Vampire society. It was strictly shifter drama. I was also jazzed to get a mini reunion with Stefan, Jonas, Sasha, and the rest of the crew. Once again I cannot believe this is [maybe] the end.  In this book you get to see Charles stand on his own without help from Jameson, Sasha or Jonas. In all of the other books you know that Charles can hold his own, being leader of the Watch he had to, but as of yet the reader hasn’t really seen it. Until now.  Charles is a bad ass AND his sexual reputation is definitely deserved. 

UPDATE: Per the author this will be the last of the Darkness series. I am heartbroken because I have fallen in love with characters, their struggles, and the general environment of this series. I understand the need to move on and let characters BE, but in the words of a fangirl teen “BUT I LOVE THEM” :sniffle sniffle: Maybe with a great deal of badgering KFB will give us Tim’s story. 

K.F. Breene Amazon page

K.F. Breene BN.com page

 

Shadow Watcher (Darkness #6) by K.F. Breene

In the wake of ridding their territory of a menace, Sasha has only one pressing duty left: find more human magic workers. And while it is undoubtedly important on some grand scale, the task is, in itself, surprisingly uneventful. That is, until a strange predator takes an interest in her and Charles on their trek home one evening. In the space of twenty-four hours Sasha's life goes from mundane to being stalked and threatened. A new shifter has moved into town, and if the whispered rumors are to be believed, something even more sinister is lurking behind, watching and waiting for the right moment to spring.

But that isn't the only element that turns Sasha's life upside down. She has one hell of a secret that will change her and Stefan's life forever.

 REVIEW


I love the Darkness series! I stumbled upon the series on Facebook when an author posted a “what are you reading” call. I read the synopsis and was hooked. I have read all of the books and could not wait to get ahold of Shadow Watcher. The one and only thing I must say that I found lacking with this book…its length. I wanted a good couple hundred pages to cheese over, but alas it was not meant to be though I can assume the author has great things in store for me. (Can’t say more without posting a spoiler alert) If you’re familiar with the other books in the Darkness series you already know who Sasha and Stefan are. If not, Stefan is the vampire Boss of the area and Sasha is his Mage mate. There is a butt load more behind this, but that’s why you should read Books 1-6.


In my honest opinion this entire series has never been tedious or boring. I never felt as if I read the same thing in a previous book. Sasha is the main focus of all of the books and her personality is amazing. She is so personable and I can see myself in her sometimes. (Great way to get a reader hooked ) The love scenes remain smoking hot and the fights and clashes in Stefan and Sasha’s relationship are incredibly realistic. Stefan’s reactions ring true to someone who has lived hundreds of years and Sasha’s first response is a great representation of someone who grew up the way she did cue the orphan flashbacks. As mentioned before I do wish this book was longer, but I know #7 is going to be chockfull of action, sex, magic, fighting, death, backstabbing, introduction of new characters, power struggles the list goes on. All you really know starting this book is that something even more life changing than usual is about to take place. Trust me, it does not disappoint.

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