BLOOD AND GUITARS - Heather Jensen

When Aurora meets Trey, a famous singer and musician, she’s only hoping to get her fill of human blood for the week. The last thing Aurora expects is for Trey to make her feel alive for the first time since she was, well, alive. It begins with a casual painting lesson at her art studio, The Waking Moon, and quickly turns into a forbidden romance. Aurora is forced to hide her true identity from Trey, while keeping her relationship with the human a secret from other vampires in her Brood. Trey’s band is recording a new album and with Aurora as his muse, Trey is writing songs like never before. After being hired by their record label to paint the cover of the new album, Aurora has a legitimate reason for spending so much time with Trey and his band mates. Aurora can’t deny the unexpected connection she has with Trey, which is fueled by glimpses into his emotions every time they share a kiss. Caught between two worlds, Aurora must attend celebrity award shows and vampire rituals, find time to feed, and protect Trey from the dangers of the night, all while preserving her secrets.

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YUMMY!! I love a book that makes me wish I could jump into the story and hang with the characters. Aurora has a cool vibe and more than just her low body temp. And Trey...well, Trey just sounds fab and dreamy. Both are mellow in how they handle their talent and abilities. I like how they find each other at the club. It's like every fan-girl's dream of having the rock star of their yen in need of rescue and being able to do so in a superb fashion with some HEA possible.

I've seen this book compared to the Twilight schtuff because of the vampire and the human diggin' each other....but I don't want to read any of the Twilight schtuff after the first one and I do want to read more of Aurora's and Trey's story. Heather, please say there's more!

Visit Heather at her blog: http://heatherjensen.info/heathers-blog/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BloodandGuitars?ref=ts

Five please say there's more beans.....

A KARMA GIRL CHRISTMAS - Jennifer Estep

From the back of the book: It's Christmas time in Bigtime, New York, but society reporter Carmen Cole isn't in the mood to celebrate since her husband, Sam, has to go on a business trip and might not make it home for the holiday. But Carmen has plenty to keep her busy, since she moonlights as Karma Girl, a member of the Fearless Five superhero team. On Christmas Eve, Carmen, as Karma Girl, is assigned to guard toys, clothes, food, and more that are intended for needy children and their families. But an ubervillain also has his eye on the toys and plans to steal and then sell them to the highest bidder. Carmen will have to use all her empathic powers just to stay alive, not to mention make sure Christmas is a happy one for all the kids who are counting on her. It's all in a night's work for a superhero ...

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I have this series somewhere on Mt Git'r'Read and will definitely be on the lookout for it ASAP. This is a fun addition, or introduction for me, to the series.

There are superheroes and ubervillains and it's a campy tale. I liked the names of all of the characters and how they got the names, when Jennifer shared it.

Having a superhero guard the presents for the deserving kids who have little was looked at by Carmen/Karma Girl as a good cause, but wanted to know when she was going to be considered not the new-girl-on-the-superhero-block. This was a job for a rookie, not a bonafide, proven superhero like herself.

That all changed when the bad guys showed. Excellent kick butt action, kicky dialogue, fun story. I look forward to reading more in the series, especially once I find the books on Mt Git'r'Read.

Four kicky superhero beans......

THE DEMON TRAPPER'S DAUGHTER - Jana Oliver

From the back of the book: Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself – and that’s exactly what the demons are counting on…
Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps. The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta’s local Trappers’ Guild needs all the help they can get – even from a girl. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils – Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life’s about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen.
But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers’ Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart – and her life?

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YA paranormal can walk a fine line with story content and characters. It can go over the top or sound preachy or condescending. Or it can be one of the well-written versions and hit all cylinders.

DEMON TRAPPER'S DAUGHTER is one of those that has the coolest premise and hits all power cylinders.

Riley lives in the open world of paranormal creatures. Everyone knows about them. Necromancers raise the dead to work for the living and Riley's dad's grave has to be guarded after his death at the hands of demons. Demons who are working together, something that no one has ever seen before and no one believes has happened. But Riley saw it and needs to prove it.

She also has to keep her apprenticeship for the Demon Hunters Guild and that is in jeopardy now that her father is dead.

She guards her father's grave by night and hunts demons in the day as well as go to school as often as she can even though school is now held wherever it can in old Starbucks stores or grocery shops.

I loved this book and cannot wait to read the follow on in the series, SOUL THIEF.

Five can't wait to read the next one beans.....

FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT - Darynda Jones

From the back of the book:
This whole grim reaper thing should have come with a manual. Or a diagram of some kind. A flow chart would have been nice.....

Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Meaning, she sees dead people. Really. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (like murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an entity who has been following her all her life…and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. But what does he want with Charley? And why can’t she seem to resist him? And what does she have to lose by giving in?

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A funny, full of thrills book is this! I love Charley Davidson's character and how she handles the ups and downs of being a reaper. There are the dead she helps cross over, some are ready and some not so much. Three need her help with the why so they can move on.

Luckily, Charley is a PI as well as the reaper, so she has the mad skills to git'r'done.

There's a next door neighbor who is her bud, ghosts a plenty not ready to move on and love to mess with her.

There's also a mysterious entity who is invading her dreams and life.

I cannot wait to read the next in the series, SECOND GRAVE ON THE LEFT, to find out what's going to happen next.

Five sparkly I-want-those-shoes-on-the-cover diamonds.....

THE HOUR OF DUST AND ASHES - Kelly Gay

From the back of the book: To save her sister, she must stop a silent killer......

Protecting Atlanta from the off-world criminals of Underground is tough enough, but now Detective Charlie Madigan and her siren partner, Hank, learn that the addicts of the off-world drug 'ash' have begun taking their own lives. 'Ash' makes humans the perfect vessels for possession, and something or someone is leading them to their deaths. Charlie is desperate to save her addicted sister, Bryn, from a similar fate. As New Year's Eve approaches and time runs out, Charlie makes a deadly bargain with an ancient race of beings and embarks on a dangerous journey into hellish Charbydon with Hank and the Revenant Rex to save Bryn and make it back before it's too late. Only, for one of them, coming home means facing a fate worse than death....
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This is one of my favorite UF series. It has grit, action, chemistry between the characters, fae world, Hell and Heaven creatures, just about everything for the perfect story.

THE HOUR OF DUST AND ASHES had me claustrophobic, tense, happy, sad, a super mix of emotions that had me turning the pages in the need to find out what was going to happen next with Kelly Gay's excellent pacing.

I know the story was mostly about Bryn's addiciton to 'ash', the off-world drug, and Charlie trying to get her off of the drug and keeping her safe, but the fascinating aspect of the book for me was learning more about Hank, Charlie's partner. He's always been easy-going, hottie, funny and action-oriented in the first two books and the reader gets more of Hank's background and it is fascinating. And now I can't wait to read book four in the series, whenever it comes out.

Visit Kelly at http://www.kellygay.com/

Five c'mon Kelly write faster please beans.....

FIRST DROP OF CRIMSON: A Night Huntress World Novel - Jeaniene Frost

From the back of the book: From the New York Times bestselling author of the Night Huntress series comes a breathtaking new journey to the dark side of desire.

The night is not safe for mortals. Denise MacGregor knows all too well what lurks in the shadows---her best friend is half-vampire Cat Crawfield---and she has already lost more than the average human could bear. But her family's past is wrapped in secrets and shrouded in darkness---and a demon shapeshifter has marked Denise as prey. Now her survival depends on an immortal who lusts for a taste of her.

He is Spade, a powerful, mysterious vampire who has walked the earth for centuries and is now duty-bound to protect this endangered, alluring human----even if it means destroying his own kind. Denise may arouse his deepest hungers, but Spade knows he must fight his urge to have her as they face the nightmare together...

Because once the first drop of crimson falls, they will both be lost.

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I was so into reading about Cat and Bones, that I grabbed up this one from Mt Git'r'Read after finishing AT GRAVE'S END and started in. Another one that was a quick read-in-one-sitting story. A little more of the hottie action between the sheets than on the streets, but still good. And I kind of figured that would be the case from the 'come bite me, you hottie hunka glowy-eyed creature of the night' cover.

I really liked Denise's spitfire demeanor. Her husband was killed in a supernatural fight, her family is under attack from a demon and she is demon-marked to keep her in line while she searches for an ancestor who escaped the demon.

Through all of this, Denise fights back. She enlists the aid of Spade, who she remembers from the supernatural fight a year ago. She doesn't know that Spade remembers her rather fondly too and is willing to help out however he can.

The chemistry is pretty fiery and interesting to watch. They work well together, even while fighting the attraction.

I'll keep reading this series as well as the Night Huntress series since Jeaniene Frost mixes it up with characters, dialogue and action (street and sheet).

Five fiery beans......

AT GRAVE'S END: A Night Huntress Novel - Jeaniene Frost

From the back of the book: Some things won't stay buried....at grave's end...

It should be the best time of half-vampire Cat Crawfield's life. With her undead lover Bones at her side, she's successfully protected mortals from the rogue undead. But though Cat's worn disguise after disguise to keep her true identity a secret from the brazen bloodsuckers, her cover's finally been blown, placing her in terrible danger.

As if that wasn't enough, a woman from Bones's past is determined to bury him once and for all. Caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful vamp, yet determined to help Bones stop a lethal magic from being unleashed, Cat's about to learn the true meaning of bad blood. And the tricks she's learned as a special agent won't help her. She will need to fully embrace her vampire instincts in order to save herself---and Bones---from a fate worse than the grave.

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Usually I run in the other direction when I see anything in the back cover description "..with her undead lover...", but I make exceptions when it comes to Bones and Cat as written by Jeaniene Frost. This series is more urban fantasy than paranormal romance, so more action on the streets and only some between the sheets.

Cat is working on her hybrid half human/half vampire and working with the government's paranormal unit. She also has a friend who wishes for more even though said friend knows Cat's with Bones.

And, yummy, the reader gets to hang with Spade, Mencheres and Ian, part of Bones's past. Everyone works together to beat back the big bad, each in their own way. Some are serious, some are smartass, all get the job done.

I dig when I remember why I loved a series in the beginning after finding one on the back of Mt Git'r'Read and getting the chance to read it in practically one sitting since it's just so damned good. Night Huntress series is one of those for me.

Five damned good beans.....

Jaye Wells Has Declared October is International Urban Fantasy Month!!!

Huzzah!! Jaye Wells has declared that October is International Urban Fantasy Month!!! One can write a love letter to UF or an ode or why one loves UF on their blog. Or you can go to Jaye's websitehttp://jayewells.com/2011/10/18/urban-fantasy-month-contest/ and let her know in the comments.

There are fabu prizes out the ying-yang, of course. A buncha buncha books from various and sundry UF authors.

So get thee over there and make your UF mark.

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My love letter to UF:

I cannot think how long it's been that I have enjoyed the many flavors of Urban Fantasy. Some of it is grim, some humorous, main characters are vampire, shifter, witch, wizard or just plain ol' have a calling that is a legacy of ass-kicking.

One day I will have to make a list of authors and books of all of the Urban Fantasy I have read and loved.

Authors from the top of my cranium:

Devon Monk http://www.devonmonk.com/

Caitlin Kittredgehttp://www.caitlinkittredge.com/

Jim Butcher http://www.jim-butcher.com/

Jaye Wells http://jayewells.com/

Jeri Smith-Ready http://www.jerismithready.com/

Kat Richardson http://katrichardson.com/

Kevin Hearne http://www.kevinhearne.com/

Kelley Armstrong http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/

Kalayna Price http://www.kalayna.com/

Richelle Mead http://www.richellemead.com/

Charlaine Harris http://www.charlaineharris.com/

Rachel Caine http://www.rachelcaine.com

BLOOD PRICE - Tanya Huff

From the back of the book: Night Stalker....It began with blood and death amid the streets of late-night Toronto. Vicki Nelson, formerly of Toronto's homicide detail, now a private investigator, witnessed the first attack by the force of dark magic that would soon werak its reign of terror on the unsuspecting city. And as death followed unspeakable death, Vicki became more and more deeply enmeshed in an investigation which would see her renewing her stormy relationship with her former police partner, Mike Celucci, even as she teamed up with writer Henry Fitzroy in a desperate attempt to track down the source of the seemingly unstoppable attacks. For Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of Henry VIII, had knowledge of realms beyond the mortal acquired over the centuries during which he'd mastered his own insatiable need---the life-from-death cravings of a vampire.

Henry Fitzroy had long since learned to survive without killing, learned the skills needed to blend in with the human race. But unless he, Vicki, and Mike cold find the key to conquering the magic-raised menace stalking the streets of Toronto, Fitzroy's true identity might soon be exposed and his life might prove forfeit to the uncontrollable fears of humankind. And without Henry Fitzroy, mere mortals like Vicki and Mike would not long survive against the ancient force of chaos that had been loosed on their world.....

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Another of those books that sat in the closet section of Mt Git'r'Read for some time and not sure why it took me so long to exhume it. It was excellent and a fast read.

Vicki Nelson is off of the police force due to health issues, but still can and will investigate where she can. And after seeing the remains of an attack victim, she knows she has to find out who would do this. She finds out it's more a 'what' instead of 'who' and delves into the world of supernatural.

I always like seeing how an author is going to work with the vampire legend. Henry Fitzroy has been around for a long while since he's the illegitimate son of Henry VIII and was turned as a young man. He's seen enough in his unlife and keeps to himself, writing historic romance bodice rippers for a living. The life of a writer lets him sleep all day and write all night.

Then Vicki Nelson and the murders enter his life.

I look forward to finding the rest of this series and anything else Tanya Huffhttp://andpuff.livejournal.com/ writes http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/h/tanya-huff/

Five blood and vampires in Toronto beans....

SMALL FAVOR: Dresden Files #10 - Jim Butcher

From the back of the book: Wizard Harry Dresden's life finally seems to be calming down. The White Council's war with the vampiric Red Court is easing up, no one's tried to kill him lately, and his eager apprentice is starting to learn real magic. For once, the future looks fairly bright.

But the past casts one hell of a long shadow.

Mab, monarch of the Winter Court of the Sidhe, calls in an old favor from Harry. Just one small favor he can't refuse----one that will trap Harry Dresden between a nightmarish foe and an equally deadly ally and strain his skills and loyalties to their very limits.

And everything was going so well for once......

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Lately I've been listening to the series as BOCDs from Recorded Books. The narrator is James Marsters (Spike from 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Angel') and that only enhances the enjoyment don'tcha know.

I had SMALL FAVOR on the shelf and it's not available on Recorded Books yet and I was in the mood for some Dresden, so off the shelf and onto the nightstand it went.

I always wonder how Dresden does it. He always seems in the thick of things, very focused, even while getting the crap beat out of him.

Mab, Queen of the Winter Court, is one of those who likes Dresden to take care of her business and one of the reasons Dresden is in the middle of getting the crap beat out of him. She needs him to find out what's the what and it seems easy enough to solve....yeah...not so much....

My absolute favorite series or at least in the top three. It is the perfect mixture of paranormal, mystery and humor. It's also a plus that this is one of the series I share a love for with my dad and my sister. It's also the only UF series my dad completely digs.

And hopefully it's okay that I have a crush on Harry. He makes me grin, the best aphrodisiac...oh...maybe TMI...

Five sparkly gumshoe wizard diamonds....

EVIL WAYS: A Morris and Chastain Investigation - Justin Gustainis

From the back of the book: Supernatural investigator Quincey Morris and his partner, "white witch" Libby Chastain, are each in pursuit of a vicious killer. One is murdering small children for their bodily organs; the other is hunting down white witches----and Libby may be next. Along a trail that leads from Iraq to Turkey, to the US, all clues point to crazed billionaire Walter Grobius, a man obsessed with harnessing the ultimate evil. Morris and Chastain, teamed with the deadly Hannah Widmark, must fight desperately to stop a midnight rendezvous between forces so powerful that the fate of the world may be at stake. And the clock is ticking.....

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EVIL WAYS is a fab mixture of grim and humor, just the way I like my UF. A little snark, a lotta magical mayhem. And the good guys to step in and stomp on Evil after proving to the nonbelievers that Evil, magical Evil, exists and it needs eradicating.

I had a difficult time with an aspect of the story, the child mutilations and murders. It was handled as well as could be expected and I kind of skimmed those.

This is one of the best UF series out there. Justin Gustainis adds these neat little touches thoughout the book. Like the mention of Harry Dresden when Morris and Chastain reach Chicago as well as meeting in Mac's pub that Harry likes to frequent.

Or that news reporter in Chicago, Carl, is mentioned. A reporter who investigates supernatural stories when his boss isnt' sending him out to cover flower shows. Could this be Kolchak?

Black witch, Christine Abernathy, mentioned....she died of snake poison, but no snakes anywhere....from BLACK MAGIC WOMAN. *shudder*

I do love this series and can't wait to read the third, SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL. As well as really anything that Justin writes. http://www.justingustainis.com/ to keep up with his goin's on.

Five Evil stompin' beans.....

BLACK WINGS: Black Wings Book One - Christina Henry

From the back of the book: As an Agent of Death, Madeline Black is responsible for escorting the souls of the dearly departed to the afterlife. It's a 24/7 job with a lousy benefits package.
Maddy's position may come with magical powers and an impressive wingspan, but it doesn't pay the bills. And then there are her infuriating boss, tenant woes, and a cranky, popcorn-loving gargoyle to contend with.
Things start looking up, though, when tall, dark, and handsome Gabriel Angeloscuro agrees to rent the empty apartment in Maddy's building. It's probably just a coincidence that as soon as he moves in demons appear on the front lawn. But when an unholy monster is unleashed upon the streets of Chicago, Maddy discovers powers she never knew she possessed. Powers linked to a family legacy of tarnished halos.
Powers that place her directly between the light of Heaven and the fires of Hell...

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BLACK WINGS has been on the WWBL since I read the first glowing review on Dark Faerie Tales (http://darkfaerietales.com/review-black-wings-christina-henry.html)

Then many more glowing reviews after that confirmed that I needed to highlight it as a soonest get. But I didn't get it until a few weeks ago at the now defunct Orchard Books (dadgum economy)

I made up for my slow pace of purchasing it by mowing through it pretty much as soon as it got home with me.

What I love about urban fantasy is the myriad of premises that are out there to explore and BLACK WINGS series has to be one of the coolest storyline and set of characters.

Madeline's career path took a swerve when she inherited her position as an escort for souls of the newly deceased to the Door, which apparently leads to the Afterlife.

One of the funny (to me) aspects of Maddy's life as an Agent of Death was that Death as an organization is as red-tapey as any other bureaucracy. There's paperwork to file, a Hall of Records to keep track of departed souls and their decision to either go through the Door or be stubborn for whatever reason and remain on Earth as a ghost. There are Agents and Supervisors with quotas to fill. See? Red-tapey like other bureaucracies.

Maddy's buddy, Beezle, is a gargoyle after my own heart. His two favorite foods are popcorn and chocolate. He's ornery, a wee bit grumpy, and cares for Maddy. I want a gargoyle like Beezle.

There are quite a few twists and turns and holey crappe moments throughout the story. Read this highly recommended book and find out for yourself. And I really can't wait to read the next in series, BLACK NIGHT. I feel a shopping trip coming on.....

Five sparkly Agent of Death diamonds.....

DARKEST EDGE OF DAWN: Charlie Madigan Book Two - Kelly Gay

From the back of the book: It takes a strong woman to keep the peace in a city of endless night....

Deep beneath Underground, a cunning bid for power and revenge has begun---one that threatens to make Atlanta the new battleground in the ultimate confrontation between good and evil. The posers of hellish Charbydon have the upper hand after plunging the city into primordial night. And under the cover of darkness, a serial killer targets the most powerful Elysians in the city, the angelic Adonai. For Detective Charlie madigan and her siren partner Hank, tracking deadly predators is all in a day's work.....but this case will test the limits of their strength and friendship as it draws them into a deadly world of power plays, ancient myths, explosive secrets, and a race against time that risks all that Charlie holds dear.

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I admire Charlie Madigan. Career women with a family is hard enought, but Charlie is a single mother with a tough job as an Atlanta Police Homicide Detective. This in a world that has humans and beings from the worlds of Charbydon and Elysian. All living in a city that is in full on darkness. Charlie is smart and has the best stubborn desire to make everything right.

This is urban fantasy at its finest, with fab world building of above and below ground Atlanta, believable creatures and beings, good and evil and all that falls in between.

I absolutely loved the first in the series, THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS, http://iyamvixenbooks.blogspot.com/2010/04/better-part-of-darkness-kelly-gay.html

and cannot wait to read THE HOUR OF DUST AND ASHES that comes out on 30 Aug 2011. My copy is pre-ordered!

Five sparkly UF at its finest diamonds......

NIGHT RISING: Vampire Babylon Book One - Chris Marie Green

From the back of the book: Stuntwoman Dawn Madison is a girl with a lot of attitude. And a lot of issues, mostly about living up to the legacy of her mother, a world-famous movie star and sex symbol, whose untimely death left Dawn to be raised by her dad, Frank---nobody's notion of single-father-of-the-year.

Still, he is her dad. So when he vanishes while investigating the bizarre sighting of a supposedly long-dead child star, she comes home to Tinseltown to join the search for him---only to discover and erotic and bloody underground society made up of creatures she thought existed only on the screen.

They are devious. They are deadly. And some of them are dangerously attractive.....

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WOOF! This was a pretty exciting start of a series and I highly look forward to reading the rest of it.

That said, it took me a bit to like the main character, Dawn. Her daddy and mommy issues bugged me at first, but I realized I couldn't really hold that against her and I moved on. Glad I did.

The premise of the story, especially the vampire lore, was unique. It's part of why I love reading paranormal/supernatural books. Each one has a new bead on the lore.

The grit and grime of Hollywood added to the story. Everyone seemingly wanting to stay in the spotlight, remain desirable by the public and what they are willing to do to obtain it.

I don't typically dig on erotica/romance in my paranormal and I had to get past my *er* factor, but they are well written scenes and the action was more on the street (or under them) than between the sheets, so I was fine.

Favorite character had to be Kiko, one of the investigators at Limpet & Associates. My favorite kind, Smartass funny.

Four WOOF sparkly diamonds.....

PURE BLOOD: A Nocturne City Novel - Caitlin Kittredge

From the back of the book: In the shadows of Nocturne City, witches lurk and demons prowl, and homicide detective Luna Wilder must keep the peace---while living life as a werewolf. Now bodies are turning up all over town, the brutal murders linked by a cryptic message: We see with empty eyes.....

To make matters worse for Luna, she can't get wolfishly handsome Dmitri Sandovsky out of her mind. The last time he helped her with a case Dmitri suffered a demon bite that infected him with a mysterious illness...and now his pack elders have forbidden him from associating with Luna. But she'll need his help when high-level witches start turning up slaughtered. Because a war is brewing between rival clans of blood witches and caster witches---a magical gang war with the power to burn Nocturne City to the ground.

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Luna took care of business in book one, got the guy and all should be better. Not so much. Her cousin, Sunny, a caster witch has returned home to their grandmother's and away from Luna's influence.

And the guy, Dmitri, is back in Ukraine with the elders of the Redback clan. So the house is empty feeling and Luna throws herself into her work. There's a clan war between the witches and it's brutal.

Luna is a strong character, keeps moving forward through heartache, brutality on the job, dark magic. I look forward to reading the rest of the series, SECOND SKIN, WITCH CRAFT, and DAEMON'S MARK.

Five magical beans.....

NIGHT LIFE: A Nocturne City Novel - Caitlin Kittredge

From the back of the book: The first book in a thrilling, addictive new series by a talented new voice in dark fantasy. Welcome to Nocturne City, where werewolves, black magicians, and witches prowl the streets at night.....

Among them is Luna Wilder, a tough-as-nails police officer whose job is to keep the peace. As an Insoli werewolf, Luna travels without a pack and must rely on instinct alone. And she's just been assigned to find the ruthless killer behind a string of ritualistic murders---a killer with ties to an escaped demon found only in legend....until now.

But when she investigates prime suspect Dmitri Sandovsky, she can't resist his wolfish charms. Pack leader of a dangerous clan of Redbacks, Dmitri sends her animal instincts into overdrive and threatens her fiercely guarded independence. But Luna and Dmitri will need to rely on each other as they're plunged into an ancient demon underworld and pitted against an expert black magician with the power to enslave them for eternity.....

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Caitlin Kittredge is no longer a 'new voice' in dark fantasy. She has Nocturne City series, Icarus Project (with Jackie Kessler), Black London and Iron Codex. All highly excellent either from the reviews or actual books I've read.

I won the first two books of the Nocturne City series from Bitten By Bookshttp://www.bittenbybooks.com/ a couple of years ago and, for whatever reason, the two books sat in the third drawer of chest of drawers number one since. I started my campaign of clearing the drawers and shelves before buying more books...at least in theory...and found the two waiting for me. I pulled the two of them and brought them to work since it's been so quiet. And read them in quick succession.

Luna Wilder is indeed tough. She has to be since she's a lone werewolf in a world that knows supernatural beings exist and not everyone is happy about it.

She and Dmitri don't exactly get off to a good start since Luna is positive that Dmitri is the prime suspect in the deaths of women all around Nocturne City and Dmitri is all alpha pack leader macho which rubs Luna the wrong way to say the least...as much as she's drawn to him. Makes her nuts.

I don't like paranormal romance and this could read that way, but it's more action on the streets than in between the sheets.

Five action on the streets beans.....

SUMMER KNIGHT: Book Four of the Dresden Files - Jim Butcher

From the back of the book: Harry Dresden - Wizard. Lost items found. Paranormal investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or Other Entertainment.

Ever since his girlfriend left town to deal with her newly acquired taste for blood, Harry Dresden has been down and out in Chicago. He can't pay his rent. He's alienating his friends. He can't even recall the last time he took a shower.

The only professional wizard in the phone book has become a desperate man.

And just when it seems things can't get any worse, in saunters the Winter Queen of Faerie. She has an offer Harry can't refuse if he wants to free himself of the supernatural hold his faerie godmother has over him---and hopefully end his run of bad luck. All he has to do is find out who murdered the Summer Queen's right-hand man, the Summer Knight, and clear the Winter Queen's name.

It seems simple enought, but Harry knows better than to get caught in the middle of faerie politics. Until he finds out that the fate of the entire world rests on his solving this case. No pressure or anything....

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I've been listening to James Marsters narrate Harry Dresden's files since finding out that Recorded Books carried most of the series and that James Marsters (*sigh* James Marsters). I can highly recommend this series as a fab one to listen to, especially for long distance roadtrips.

That said, I found SUMMER KNIGHT in one of the ten drawers full of books in my room after coming back from Spa Week last June and DH mentioning that he'd tidied my room....and found my stash of books in the two chest of drawers....

So I decided I'd best start clearing some of these books and SUMMER KNIGHT was one of those. It didn't hurt that I already love this series as does my sister and, amazingly, my dad. He loves the private investigator aspect more than the wizard part, but he doesn't mind the magic. I figured I could add this to the stack of books to trade with Dad for his visit next month.

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Poor Harry. I don't know how he keeps going on when everything gets thrown at him and he's low on sleep and funds and patience. He keeps pushing forward, with a little help from his friends. This time it's the werewolves and teeny pixies who love pizza and Harry's faerie godmother and, of course, Murphy, Harry's Chicago PD detective bud.

I enjoy reading this series to learn more about Harry and his supernatural world. The mixture of wizardry and investigation is seamlessly blended. Harry's humor keeps me coming back for more, too. It is entirely possible I have a crush on Harry.

Five sparkly crushin' on Harry diamonds.....

SIXTY-ONE NAILS: The Courts of the Feyre Vol I - Mike Shevdon

THERE IS A SECRET WAR GROWING BENEATH THE STREETS OF LONDON.
A dark magic will be unleashed by the Untainted...Unless a new hero can be found.
The immense Sixty-One Nails follows Niall Petersen, victim of a suspected heart attack on the London Underground, into the hidden world of the Feyre, an uncanny place of legend that lurks just beyond the surface of everyday life. The Untainted, the darkest of the Seven Courts, have made their play for power, and unless Niall can recreate the ritual of the Sixty-One Nails, their dark dominion will enslave all of the Feyre, and all of humankind too.

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Another book I found thanks to Becky at NoMoreGrumpyBookseller
http://nomoregrumpybookseller.blogspot.com/
(sorry, can't seem to embed links any more)

The story weighs in at 524 pages, but it's a smokin' fast 524 pages. Following Niall as he discovers existence after a life-altering heart attack in the London Underground. He is saved by a woman named Blackbird who also becomes his guide and mentor. Niall is one of the rare forms of the Tainted, half-human and half-fey. The Untainted are purebloods who want the half-breeds eradicated and are well on their way to getting this accomplished.

It's up to Niall, with Blackbird's help, to ensure that this does not happen.

I was told that since NEVERWHERE is one of my absolute favorite books in the world, that I would definitely dig SIXTY-ONE NAILS....and Becky was ab-so-tively correct!!

Five sparkly the Feyre in London diamonds...

MIDNIGHT RIOT - Ben Aaronovitch

From the back of the book: Probationary Constable Peter Grant dreams of being a detective in London's Metropolitan Police. Too bad his superior plans to assign him to the Case Progression Unit, where the biggest threat he'll face is a paper cut. But Peter's prospects change in the aftermath of a puzzling murder, when he gains exclusive information from an eyewitness who happens to be a ghost. Peter's ability to speak with the lingering dead brings him to the attention of Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, who investigates crimes involving magic and other manifestations of the uncanny. Now, as a wave of brutal and bizarre murders engulfs the city, Peter is plunged into a world where gods and goddesses mingle with mortals and a long-dead evil is making a comeback on a rising tide of magic.

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Urban fantasy at its finest!! Peter Grant dives right into the world of the supernatural after finding out he can talk to ghosts and then finds out there's a whole lot more out there. He is especially happy that he won't be a paper pusher with Case Progression Unit. He will, instead, apprentice with DCI Nightingale and learn all that there is to know in the supernatural world as a wizard.

MIDNIGHT RIOT has grit, snort laugh humor, and very excellent look at London above and below.

Off to buy MOON OVER SOHO. I really have to see what Peter and DCI Nightingale are going to get up to next.

Five sparling wizards and ghosts diamonds.....

HEXED - Ilona Andrews, Yasmine Galenorn, Allyson James, Jeanne C Stein

From the back of the book: Four of the bestselling names in romance and fantasy come together in this collection of thrilling novellas featuring powerful women who know how to handle a hex or two...

New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews spins "Magic Dreams". Shapeshifting tigress Dali Harimau finds herself in deep waters when she must challenge a dark being to a battle of wits or risk losing the man for whom she secretly longs.

In "Ice Shards", New York Times bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn returns to the Otherworld as Iris Kuusi, a Finnish house sprite, journeys to the frozen Northlands to confront the crazed shadow of her former lover and break the curse that is keeping her from marrying the man she loves.

National bestselling author Allyson James takes you to Magellan, Arizona, where Stormwalker Jane Begay and her friends are trapped by a powerful curse. It will take every bit of magic simmering beneath her skin for the Stormwalker to survive being "Double Hexed".

From national bestselling author Jeanne C. Stein comes "Blood Debt", in which bounty-hunter-turned-vampire Anna Strong is visited by three witches who ask her to right an old wrong. Anna will have to live up to her last name to make it through alive.

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For me, historically, an anthology is one strong story, one reasonably good and the rest rather weak filler.

I was highly pleased to find that HEXED happily underexceeded my historical expectations....each and every novella smoked!

I was introduced to two new-to-me authors, in that I've heard of them, but not read as yet, Allyson James and Ilona Andrews. I have added their books to the WWBL because of their novellas in this book. Each one kept me up way past my bedtime so I could see what else was going to happen to the characters. Especially in Allyson James story, 'Double Hexed'. A multiple of supernatural characters working together to figure out who or what was keeping them trapped inside their hotel.

I've read Yasmine Galenorn's Sisters of the Moon series in the past, but meandered away for some reason. I will be going back after reading 'Ice Shards'. I like how Yasmine draws other characters into the main story, not just the sisters. I've been fascinated with Iris' place in the household and her backstory is uniquely told.

And I absolutely adore Anna Strong's story as written by Jeanne Stein. She's tough, family oriented, and trying to learn her place in the world as a vampire and as The Chosen. I am highly intrigued to read what is going to happen next since it looks like Anna might have a new love interest. YAY!

Thank you, Jeanne Stein, for giving me this signed ARC to enjoy and have on the keeper shelf to dig into again. HEXED comes out 7 Jun. Go get this highly excellent anthology!!

Five sparkly smokin' diamonds......