Bookathonic: Sentinel Lost - Book 5 Mind Sweeper Series from A E Jones

Sentinel Lost by A.E. Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this series from A E Jones: plenty of action, great support characters with good repartee and a bit of loving that nearly made it to love triangle status, but tactfully escaped by the skin of the teeth. Excellent.

The first half of the series was slow but managed to pick up pace just before it it took a flying leap to the 'finish later ' shelf.

The story continues on with the tumultuous life of Kyle and, which ever way you see it, could be considered good or bad. Nevertheless the story soldiers on with epiphanies and new resolutions.

What makes this novel stand out for me, aside from the excellent storytelling, is the fine grasp of both hip colloquialisms and flowing dialogue. The ultimate appeal and success, is that by the end the author injects both new characters and new material that causes the reader want to keep going and launch into the next book.

And wait for it no cliffhanger! For solid lover's of Chloe Neill, Karen Chance, Laurell K Hamilton and Charlaine Harris.

Sex quotient: absolutely no problem with commuter worthiness.

Soundtrack:

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Reviewathonic: Eternal Bloodthirst 1. Blood Moon series from S J Blackrose

Eternal Bloodthirst by S.J. Blackrose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

FREE on Kindle Unlimited or 99c. Check out more paranormal romance at https://www.facebook.com/ParanormalBo...

This story is also available for FREE from SJ’s website http://www.sjblackroseauthor.com/

This is one of those finds where you pat yourself on the back and think FREE too! Excellent! This book also hits my 'hot & steamy' shelf , so if you don't feel like getting high on sex today, you might want to put it down for later. There’s plenty of action that isn’t horizontal, or upright sharing legs.

This novel is mainly set through two POVs. I'm not generally a fan of this, I found it's often done in a jerky manner, and as a whole, I simply don't like them. This does not mean I don’t like books written in the first person, but I hate the vacillating thing. Now I’ll get to the point, I feel this novel hits the mark and that this is done with finesse and never leaving me bereft thinking, ‘Hey, I was reading that, where are you going’?

This is a contemporary novel with the main points of view stemming from Vadym and Elyzeveta, and don’t worry, the novel doesn’t go for the corny: oooh, I’m from Transylvania. There’s a good love story here with plenty of romance and star crossed lovers.

What I particularly appreciated is that the novel continues to elaborate on other characters included in the novel and this injects a level of freshness that keeps up a consistent pace.
The juicy part, aside from juicy sex, comes not only from the lovers, but also from a superbly tied up ending. And then BAM we’re suddenly hit with a good twist from left field. And, it’s not the one you were expecting.

This series has certainly grabbed me and yes, I’m waiting on the next novel.



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Bookathonic: Midnight Falls Book 3 Skylar Brooks series from author McKenzie Hunter

Midnight Falls by McKenzie Hunter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really love this series from McKenzie Hunter . Our woman of the moment, despite all her abilities, is so very human, and it is ultimately her humanity that drives her to make some really unpopular decisions with alarming regularity.

The series launches with Skylar’s evolution from her background as a werewolf hidden in a contemporary world by her adoptive mother, through to the discovery of her magical abilities which seem to of dubious origins. It is through this facet of Skylar’s life that thrusts her into a position she doesn’t want to be in. Life doesn’t offer her any positive choices and she becomes a victim to be constantly manipulated by others.

Let’s face it, Skylar seems really good at putting her foot in it. Putting her foot in her proverbial mouth as she once again she trips over her tongue. It is these choices which push Skylar in directions beyond her control, and her youth rears its ugly head. Others claim she makes bad and dangerous choices which are considered to poorly reflect on the wellbeing of the Midwest Pack . Her choices are so often taken from her by others as she is manipulated once again.

The enigmatic and mysterious Quell takes a step back when things about Skylar don’t go according to the image he has of her character and from there, things keep getting more complicated. And need I mention Ethan, as his motives and interest remain a confusing issue for her. His own background and abilities become more obvious in this third novel, and draws the readers interest in the series as a whole to wonder where his involvement takes us next. His past lover Chris, continues to keep her life in their word as secretive as ever, and her vast amount of how-to and amazing insights into the magical world still prove to be boundless.

The witches have become a particular bane in Skylar’s life, as the quest for power amongst the magical community turns into a vicious race for the ultimate weapon. This is where the book develops and introduces more characters keeping the readers thirst for knowledge of Skylar’s world, as the book injects new material.

I’m trying to keep all hints of spoilers from this review, whilst succinctly hinting at the secrets within Skylar’s world. Enter if you dare and share her confusion…


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Rockathonic: Vintage Fashionista

Love vintage fashion? Love to dance? This one starts out a bit dullsville, but gets itself up to some rockin' stuff. Stick with it, I think it's superb!

100 years evolution of fashion in 90 seconds! Incredible :)Sent in by Joshua Porter

Posted by Meetville on Saturday, 20 June 2015

Bookathonic Tour: Crushed by Kasi Blake

CRUSHED by Kasi Blake

Clean Teen Publishing has a new release! 

CRUSHED by Kasi Blake is the first book in a young adult paranormal romance series 

called— The Witch Games. 

We currently have a release day deal on CRUSHED by Kasi Blake. 

Readers can save $1 on the digital version of CRUSHED.

NOW AVAILABLE!

 

AMAZON / iBOOKS / BARNES and NOBLE / MORE

The Noah girls have beauty, powers, and brains.

They use all three to play their games.

They blow the dust,

the boys are crushed,

and no one is ever the same.

Each year the Noah girls play a secret game― Crushed. The rules are simple.

1. Use wisdom to pick your target. The boy can't be too weak or too strong-willed. 

2. Blow the enchanted dust into your target's face to enchant (Crush) him. 

3. Give verbal commands and assign them tasks to perform throughout the year. The more tasks completed, the stronger the witch's power grows. 

4. At the end of the year, the witch with the most power wins cold, hard cash. 

As if being a witch in high school isn't complicated enough, Kristen picks the wrong boy to Crush. Zach is tall, handsome, and a little scary. Her Crush spell isn't working on him like it has with the others. In fact, he is behaving the opposite of every other boy she's Crushed, hating her instead of adoring her. Something is definitely wrong. After someone attempts to kill her, Kristen realizes there is more at risk than a few hundred dollars. She may be betting with her life.

WATCH THE TRAILER:

GET CRUSHED TODAY! 
AMAZON / iBOOKS / BARNES and NOBLE / MORE

When Kasi Blake was in the third grade, she found out that a good story could get her out of trouble. Okay, some people call it a lie, but she didn't see anything wrong with using every skill available to her to avoid being grounded. Over the years, that didn't change. Her stories just grew more elaborate. When she was 12, she began to write them down, starting with a six-page tale about a boy from the wrong side of the tracks and the good girl that secretly wanted him. Kasi went on to write for Harlequin for a few years. Then, she published a vampire series on her own, and now she is publishing with Clean Teen. 

Get ready for an exciting series on witches using their powers to play dangerous games at school. The first is Crushed. You can find her on Twitter @kasiblake, on FB, and she has a website under her name.

Kasi lives on a farm in the Midwest with tons of animals including cows, ducks, chickens, a dog, and cats.

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Bookathonic Review: Sink 2. Cold Mark by Scarlett Dawn

Sink by Scarlett Dawn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm a hardcore fan and I need to mainline. I think I'm in love with Scarlett Dawn - definitely with her writing anyway.

This 2nd episode in the Cold Mark serial is a great feed-on from the 1st. The storyline continues to unfold with tidbits and extras that lead off into new paths keeping the guessing going and the tale fresh.

As usual I can't wait for the next one....

Bookathonic Review: Fall 1. Cold Mark Series by Scarlett Dawn

Fall by Scarlett Dawn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is absolutely superb. I love the world that Scarlett has created, together with the imagination and reflection of culture versus relationships.
The characters are individual and varied, together with that their unique personalities are also likable.

A bit of a cliffhanger here, and I'm holding my breath for the next novel.
Scarlett is definitely keeping a tight grip on her title as an excellent story craftsman, with a good grip on the high standard left by Kings Hall.

The only thing I will say for this one, is that I wish it were longer.
Still, if I don't have to keep waiting too long for the next novel - I can hang in there.

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Bookathonic: Twiceborn 1. The Proving by Marina Finlayson 4.5 Stars out of 5 Stars

Twiceborn by Marina Finlayson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series FREE on Indle Unlimited Check out Paranormal Book Feast for more cheap reads.

4.5* This was excellent and in my opinion a great find. The characters were credible, the writing good, and a great story leading into a great series. Plus no cliffhanger.

The main character, Kate, is likable and easy to identify with. She's gone through some really difficult times in her life, although this could have easily bogged down the novel to a depressing pile of mush, it revealed more of Kate's character and strength setting moods that cushion and evolve points leading up to her actions. This was well done and good background material.

Don't think from the blurb that this is a boring mother focused book, because it's not. Kate is a savvy person and very contemporary. Her relationships in the story are hip and her love life sets up a modern girl and gives the reader a good dose of romance and crap ex action where we all want to see him get what he deserves. Which is possibly death, depending on how much you really hate him.

The book shoots into the supernatural aspect that supplies really good variety from he-man werewolves to bitchy sisters and an overbearing queen. Lot's of shifters and some good magic. This is where the books pops in some good action sequences and sets us up for the next novel.

I've got the next book and will get onto it pretty soon. I'm saving it up.


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Bookathonic: The Rock & Roll Queen of Bedlam: A Wise Cracking Tale of Secrets, Peril and Murder! by Marilee Brothers

The Rock & Roll Queen of Bedlam: A Wise-Cracking Tale of Secrets, Peril, and Murder!
by Marilee Brothers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Book Blurb

REVIEW:

This gives a good mix of snappy romance and mystery.

The romantic style is of the 'he drives me crazy' style with lots of denial going on. The mystery part is what drives the story along, becoming more twisted and full of intrigue as it progresses.

The supporting roles are good comic relief including the sincere nephew, the social aunt and the wacky grandmother with an embarrassing job and embarrassing 'male callers', that is a fine example of family members that drive you to distraction.

The romance angle comes from the direction of the police detective who is maddeningly overbearing, pretty damn nice for a copper, and not bad on the eyes.

The heroine of the day is a school teacher, of the good kind (obviously), so we don't have to hate her. Outside of school, she's ditzy, unpredictable, and a bit of a wild card. This keeps the novel light and fun.

If you want a light hearted, fun romance, with a good contemporary background story, then go for it.
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Bookathonic Book Blurb: Rock & Roll Queen of Bedlam: A Wise Cracking Tale of Secrets, Peril and Murdery by Marilee Brothers

Leggy, karaoke-singing Allegra Thome spends her days teaching dysfunctional teens and her nights with a wealthy new boyfriend. Her life is grand until she finds herself in the middle of a drug bust and meets Sloan, a rough-around-the-edges DEA agent. Soon after a student from her class disappears, things quickly head south, and their search becomes a race against time with dead bodies piling up and her own life in peril.

Bookathonic: Review Moon Tortured Book 1 Sky Brooks Series by McKenzie Hunter

Moon Tortured by McKenzie Hunter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Free on Kindle Unlimited. Find more cheap paranormal books at Paranormal Book Feast
Book Blurb
This is a great new find, and currently book 2 has only recently been released.

The main character keeps up a good level of maturity and sensibility which I find refreshing, considering the quantity of people that are regularly as thick as a whale omelette. I'm not saying she never makes a stupid move, but when she does it tends to be a knee jerk reaction that she believes she can live with.

There's a good cast of character with a diverse crew of shifters. In this book, so far, the vampires are definitely the evil that walks the earth, and the werewolves are hard and tough. That's not to say they aren't attractive. Yep, we're going tough and sexy.

There's a hint of romance, but it doesn't go much further than suggestion, and I expect this is going to move onwards and upwards (yes, I am very funny) in future novels. There's loads of areas where this book has room to branch out, vampires, shifters and magic, with lots of inner political wrangling.

I would recommend this to readers of the solid werewolf/vampire novels with a good bit of action, and a sensitive down to earth heroine.

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Bookathonic: Moon Tortured Book 1 Sky Brooks Series by McKenzie Hunter

Skylar’s death came not at the end, after a long fulfilling existence, not in the middle, as a result of an untimely tragic event—but at the beginning, with her birth.

As a final effort to save her dying unborn child, Skylar’s pregnant mother, a witch, sacrificed herself by invoking a powerful spirit shade to inhabit Skylar’s body, imbuing her with life. For twenty-three years, Skylar lived a life of oblivion, content with her simple job, loving adoptive mother and the monthly inconvenience of a full moon hangover after being sedated and caged when she changed into a wolf. It wasn’t exciting but it was her life until one night, she woke up in a strange room in the middle of rural Illinois—bruised and with jumbled memories of her mother’s death from a vampire attack. The Midwest pack comes to her rescue. Known for being more ruthless than altruistic she doesn’t know if she can trust them.

But after an assassination attempt by a necromancer, an abduction attempt by a mercenary, and more aggressive and violent attacks by the vampires, she has no other choice but to accept their help. The Midwest pack quickly discover that Skylar is the host to a spirit shade, who gives her magical abilities, that make her as much of a danger as an asset and that she is the key to the vampires’ plan to perform a ritual that will give them unrestricted power. Tension rises as the pack become divided between those who think her life is worth protecting as a potential ally and those who believe she is too dangerous to live. In the end, Skylar finds herself fighting for her life—a life that may be tragically taken too soon.

Bookathonic: Review Darkness Unchaned Book 2 of Sky Brooks Series by McKenzie Hunter

Darkness Unchained by McKenzie Hunter
My rating: 4.7 of 5 stars
FREE on Kindle Unlimited. Find more cheap paranormal books at Paranormal Book Feast
Book Blurb
A 4.7* I can't make up my mind if this book is better than the first. This book injected with quite a lot of new material giving insight while maintaining freshness in the novel. "O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive!"

I also have to add that I love the way this author writes, both the sentence structure and excellent vocabulary. The novel also manages to jump upon the reader with some real surprises, leaving me thinking 'wow, I didn't see that one coming'.

This book brings a whole new level of intrigue to this series, with the reader being left curious and curiouser. It comes up with some real surprises, and leaves the reader somewhat shocked about actions, reactions and responsibility.

A lot more material is focused on Chris and I was hesitant about her at first, but it definitely adds more depth to her character and as a result of that, the novel as a whole.

Of course, it is debatable whether or not the reader finds her merely tolerable, her actions understandable, or if we all hate her even more. In many ways, she is not a likable person, whether you're able to empathise with her or not.

The reader also finds out more about the enigmatic Quell. He's different to all the other characters and this adds something extra to the novel. I definitely want to see where things go with Quell, and where his relationships with the people surrounding him go.

Yep, the vampires are still particularly evil, and the shifters still seem to, overall, maintain a dodgy spot in Skylar's life.

This novel completely keeps the reader's interest which is paramount to maintaining a successful series, and I believe this is done with verve and great finesse.

I'm completely loving these, and I understand book three is out in August. Yehh!


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Bookathonic: Blurb for Darkness Unchained Book 2 Sky Brooks Series by McKenzie Hunter

Just try to survive. That had been Skylar’s goal since she discovered that she had died at birth and become a host to a very powerful spirit shade. She was a werewolf with the ability to manipulate magic, and that made Skylar an enigma that most viewed as either an asset or a danger. Being an anomaly in the otherworld was a hazard, and last year she had barely survived. After declining membership in the Midwest Pack, Skylar naively thought she could return to a normal life and fade into obscurity. She was wrong.  

After saving the life of a pack member who was brutally attacked, Skylar finds herself pulled back into the otherworld to help the Northern Seethe and Midwest Pack find the person responsible for the recent attacks on their people. The situation is further complicated when the Seethe hires Chris, a hunter and the pack’s Beta’s ex. With her connections and extensive knowledge of the otherworld she should have been a welcomed asset; but her turbulent history with the pack, complicated relationship with the Master of the Northern Seethe, and the lingering feelings between her and the Beta create conflict between the enemies-turned-allies.

Once again, Skylar must negotiate the lies, secrets and strange politics that govern the otherworld while struggling not to draw attention to her abilities. It falls apart when she inadvertently changes a peculiar vampire and Chris discovers the link between Skylar and the culprit responsible for the attacks on the vampires and were-animals.

Now Skylar wonders if she will be able to survive the otherworld this time.

Remove cat before flight

Bookathonic: Review Top 10 Banned Books

Bookathonic Review 5 out of 5 stars: The Graveyard Shift #1 (Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc)

 Author Angela Roquet

Blurb:

The Inferno has Evolved… Lana Harvey is a reaper, and a lousy one at that. She resides in Limbo City, the modern capital of the collective afterlives, where she likes to stick it to the man (the legendary Grim Reaper himself) by harvesting the bare minimum of souls required of her. She’d much rather be hanging out with Gabriel, her favorite archangel, at Purgatory Lounge. But when a shocking promotion falls in her lap, Lana learns something that could unravel the very fabric of Eternity. If the job isn’t completed, there could be some real hell to pay.

Review:

This was a fabulous novel which I absolutely loooved. It was sooo funny, I enjoyed every moment. Yep, lots of overuse there, but I’m finding this a convincing expression for the moment.
Our leading lady is compassionate, dry, droll and dizzying all at once. She has some great kick-ass moves and doesn’t get on with her boss, who by the way is none other than Grim himself. And yep, office politics continue to play a difficult part in life (or afterlife?). The support characters are engaging and provide a great juxtaposition to our winning heroine.

This story has amongst the best creativity I have read in a long time. The use of more than one type of the many religions and their accompanying deities & gods is done with verve and sublime humour. Don’t take any of this to heart, the book does not use religion for any particular standing point nor as a subject in itself for some grand slamming and posturing. It’s all part of the comic charm of the novel itself and is merely utilized as background humour and comic content. Everyone and everything is included, for example, archangel Gabriel (and I shan’t give away is place in the novel, he plays a fine part and his character is essential to the book’s humour), Horus, Shiva, Lucifer and Apollo. And let’s not forget the adorable Hell Hounds.

The beginning gives the reader a good launching point, and carries on with a consistent pace. All the many environments are described without becoming too detailed to bog any of the novel down, but create a positive atmosphere that is constantly changing and never a dull moment. The book morphs through sexy men, annoying people contentious gods and deities with much political maneuvering and conspiring events. And yes, politics is still a messy business wherever you are.
Another fine point to make about this novel, is it is the first book in a series that is up to book 5 so readers can keep on keeping on.

Blitzathonic: Paranormal Book Blitz for 25 May 2015

Fabulous authors available on Amazon for $0.00 to 99c

Stephanie Rowe - Shadows of Darkness (Order of the Blade)

Haunted by a tormented past that has come to reclaim him, a former assassin must choose between saving the world, or protecting the one woman who can touch his heart and redeem his soul.

Robyn Peterman - Fashionably Hotter Than Hell

What does a Vampyre do when the woman he’s chased for two hundred years is still trying to get away? He plays dirty.
Welcome to my own personal Hell.
Where life is steamy and the sex is sizzling.
Damn it, I thought the chase was difficult…keeping the girl alive might prove to be my undoing.

Victoria Danann - Wolf Lover: Konuchur

In the middle of a war with dragon shifters, a human widow of a werewolf may get another chance at love, but feelings of guilt threaten a blossoming attraction to the one wolf everyone thought was untamable.

Kym Grosso - Lost Embrace

Dominant vampire leader, Kade Issacson, is devastated when his fiancée, Sydney Willows, is nearly killed by a demon and her transition into the supernatural tests the limits of their bond.  Deep in the heart of New Orleans, they struggle to keep her alive while searching for an escaped killer who promises to end Sydney’s life once and for all.

Dakota Cassidy - What Not to Were

A cute werewolf, a hot warlock cowboy, an iguana, whacky seniors, and some magic. What could go wrong? How about pretty much everything...

Claudy Conn - Harley-Awakening

Harley has everything a vampire-white witch hybrid could want: wonderful
parents, a hunky sort-of boyfriend, and a clan of loving friends. When
that life is taken away from her, Harley doesn't want to serve revenge
up cold. She wants to serve it up now, and she wants to serve it up HOT.

Teresa Gabelman - Forbidden Hunger

A shifter without a pack, Janna Lawson goes in search of the man who her mother died trying to protect. What she finds is Garrett Foster, a man who has the power to decide her fate and causes a hunger inside her that is forbidden to them both.

Melanie James - Gertie's Paranormal Plantation

When you run a shelter for paranormal creatures, you can’t afford to let your guard down. When carefree and quite naïve witch, Gertie O’Leary, welcomes an enchanting new guest to the plantation, she finds herself caught up in an ancient struggle. Marie Laveau and the gang will have to pull together once again to save Gertie’s love life. Love, lust and laughs await on the Paranormal Plantation.

Gena D. Lutz - Sonnet Vale: Paranormal Hunter

Paranormal hunter, Sonnet Vale, has the unique ability to hunt and kill vampires. But a chance encounter with a handsome stranger is about to change everything, teaching Sonnet what it's like to be hunted and possessed.

D'Elen McClain - Fang Chronicles: Tyboll

A grumpy bear shifter, a stubborn she-bear shifter, and more growls than a bear clan can possibly handle. Will the two kill each other or discover they make the perfect mated pair?

Julia Mills - Her Dragon's Heart

What do you get when you combine one head-strong dragon shifter with a young woman whose past won’t stay hidden, add a coven of demon-raising wizards and a Fate that will not be denied? The perfect recipe for sizzling romance, spine-tingling intrigue, sword swinging action and swoon-worthy love. Enter the world of the Dragon Guard…Forever be changed.

Brandy L. Rivers -  Seductive Solutions

When Toryn’s trusted friend begins failing, he’ll search for a way to free him of the destructive bond. Isa might have a solution for Scotty’s problem, if Toryn can help her find the courage.

Cynthia St. Aubin - From Hell to Breakfast

He's a supernatural bounty hunter with a broken heart and a loose zipper. She's a succubus with a smart mouth and a long rap sheet. When her crimes become his problem, they're in for one hell of a ride.

Huge Ass Robotic Elephant in Nantes, France

Beastathonic: Maybe Homo sapiens aren't all bad

Bookathonic: Spirits, Stilettos and a Silver Bustier (Pyper Rayne) by Deanna Chase

Spirits, Stilettos and a Silver Bustier by Deanna Chase

Blurb:
From New York Times bestselling author Deanna Chase, the first book in the Pyper Rayne series (a spin-off of the Jade Calhoun Series).

All Pyper Rayne—medium and coffee shop owner—wanted was the perfect vintage dress. What she got was a dead shop owner and a sexy ghost who’s suddenly everywhere—at her shop, in her car, and even lounging in her bedroom. But he’s not just any ghost. He’s a witch and able to appear in solid form…sometimes. If only he'd stop disappearing on her.

And Pyper needs his help. When she becomes target numero uno and the prime suspect in the shop owner’s death, it appears her ghost holds the key to solving the murder. In between stolen kisses, Pyper will need to get to the bottom of all of his secrets if she wants to stay alive and out of jail…and maybe finally get that date he keeps promising her.

Review:

I have read Deanna Chase before and really enjoyed her Jade Calhoun series which started off with the first book Haunting on Bourbon Street. New Orleans is the setting for these series, and is a great place to combine the contemporary and the arcane history of the place in all its forms, both of which, of course, New Orleans is renowned for. 


This series is a spin-off from the Jade Calhoun books, and retains a good balance of the mystique paranormal world of witches, voodoo and magic, with the modern day retail world of a pastry shop, next door to a night club.



The focus is set on Pyper, who has the unfortunate gift of liaising with ghosts, surrounded by her closest friends Jade a witch, and Kane a sensitive and astute hipster and savvy businessman. Objectify these images with strong personalities and crazy events, and the reader is left focused on a good mystery murder as the book morphs into a fine esoteric novel.

Pyper buys a ‘new’ dress for her art opening event, and the scene is set for a novel that quickly reaches plenty of action shooting out from multiple directions. Nothing is simple, too many doorways open and close in on Pyper leaving her in terror and fear for her friends, her favourite ghost whom she's scandalously in love with, and we won't even mention that the police department hates her.

Whoever said life was a walk in the park? Gardens are scary too.

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Bookathonic Review: Chase the Dark (Steel & Stone 1) by Annette Marie

Chase the Dark by Annette Marie

Blurb:

Piper Griffiths wants one thing in life: To become a Consul, a keeper of the peace between humans and daemons. There are precisely three obstacles in her way.

The first is Lyre. Incubus. Hotter than hell and with a wicked streak to match. His greatest mission in life is to get Piper into bed and otherwise annoy the crap out of her. The second is Ash. Draconian. Powerful. Dangerous. He knows too much and reveals nothing. Also, disturbingly attractive — and scary. Did she mention scary?

The third is the Sahar Stone. Top secret magical weapon of mass destruction. Previously hidden in her Consulate until thieves broke in, went on a murder spree, and disappeared with the weapon.

And they left Piper to take the fall for their crimes.

Now she’s on the run, her dreams of becoming a Consul shattered and every daemon in the city gunning to kill her. She’s dead on her own, but there’s no one she can trust — no one except two entirely untrustworthy daemons... See problems one and two.

Review:

I saw this one had mixed reviews and this is why I persevered when I normally might have thrown this one to the wayside. The story started out truly wishy washy, and it wasn’t until just about half way through that it ramped up into some good story telling that gave the book some meat. It’s for this duality which leaves the book as a whole somewhat lacking, that I’ll stick with a score of 3.5/5 for this one.

The characters include a gormless chick, a smoldering daemon tall, dark and handsome, the cutie incubus who is really a great guy, and the truly nasty demonic incubus who is a true dickwad. So of course there’s a romantic angle here, let’s hope it doesn’t turn into a tiresome love triangle in future books.

The book is based around Piper (or Piperel to her father) who is the head honcho’s daughter, and overlooked because of her inability to chuck spells around the room. Ahh, the ‘not good enough’ child syndrome runs rampant here.  This girl can be really annoying: she asks stupid questions and jumps to premature stupid conclusions. Her saving grace is her devotion to her close family, and through adversity, her new friends. In the book, this is all that saves her from being too stupid to live.

I will read on to the next book, which curiously, I am looking forward to.

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