Audio Book Review: Secrets of the Sword 2 by Lindsay Buroker

Secrets of the Sword II by Lindsay Buroker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dimitri's art is causing trouble? A detective (human) is investigating one of his door knockers....that breath a burst of fire. Val is trying to track down a half dwarf thief that's stealing magical artifacts. And to find a dwarf that can help her learn more of Chopper, her dragon slaying sword. All while planning a wedding, which Zav has great plans for his dragon family (if they agree to come) and everyone he meets is invited.

Val has her plate full!

In visiting the Dwarf world, Zav and Val learn that all the dwarves have gone to ground, and haven't surfaced. While there, Val learns that there's more going on here than they knew. There's a lich, dragon? That doesn't seem possible...

Val finds her half dwarf thief, to learn that she may be the one heir of Chopper. What will Val do if she really is of the family that made the sword... will she give it back?

I like seeing Val and Zav together. Their relationship is fun. They trust each other in battle and fight on. That's the best part for me. Yes, Zav wants his mate safe, and knows that fighting dragons is dangerous for half humans, but he's proud of her abilities. And she fights! Val doesn't back down. I love this with Urban Fantasy. There's adventure and battles.

They may be in a relationship, but it doesn't distract from what's really happening in the world. We get the events as Val does work. I do enjoy that their relationship if fun with their quick clips. Val still teases Zav with things he's starting to learn. Also, Zav starts to tease Val back.

Dimitri and Nin have their own case to see about learning more. That would be a fun novella to see them, or Nin, out to learn more on what happened with one of Dimitri's customers and a deadly door knocker. This does get resolved in this book.

Val comes face to face with someone that's similar to her. She gets to thinking on being a half human and another magical heritage.

Things conclude with the arc of this book, but we have one more book to listen to. And the wedding of the century to see. :)

Can't wait.

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Book Review: Guardian of Defiance by Michelle Manus

Guardian of Defiance: A Nyx Fortuna Novel by Michelle Manus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Where are my TRUE Urban Fantasy fans?
The ones looking for gritty fantasy in a modern setting. Not the ones looking for romance (that may happen as a side but NOT the focus of the story).

Yes, you. I'm talking to you.

I've read so many Urban Fantasy books where the evil badie pulls their punches. So much potential and promises that do NOT follow through, weakening their standing in the world.

Well, I'm thrilled to say, Michelle has earned my respect with this book and events that come to pass. Michelle doesn't pull her punches to win hearts. She plays it straight as her characters are, leaning full into their personalities as authors should do. Michelle does the tough and gritty, as expected in fantasy. Her bad guys do what they say they'll do, even though I don't want it to happen. They can kill, have killed, and will kill.

We learn more about the Harvester. Oh so neat. I have a feeling this is going to come in handy! There's more to the Stations creation and I need to know all the things about it. The promise Nyx has with the Station is important, so I'm looking forward to seeing how this will come to pass. I have a feeling it's going to be a big arc with a few other things, and can't wait to see how it all works and comes together.

I'm convinced the printing press blurred the last pages of this book on purpose. (I'm not crying, you are!) Yes, my heart is hurting. But the writing of all of this, just wow how the author works it all. To make me feel such emotions is powerful, and Michelle did it. She made me love, care, and want and to see what happens...there's going to be a lot to work out. And I know Michelle will do it. Every word Michelle uses is powerful.

Nyx has a new relationship budding. No. It's not romantic. Remember, I'm not looking for romance, because there ARE other types of relationships that mean the world to us.

It's great to see Nyx with Jevryn. The clashing yet similarities. And I want to learn more of what Jevryn knows - so, so much knowledge there! And his ability!

Nyx has a lot to work through personally after this book. I'm looking forward to how this will happen and work out. And, I may be a little interested in how the bad guy is taken care of. Because I totally want him taken care of. lol

So much to see and learn. I can't wait for more Nyx and carrying out her promises.

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Audio Book Review: Secrets of the Sword 1 by Lindsay Buroker

Secrets of the Sword I by Lindsay Buroker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Val's not one to be...gentle about how she handles things. Especially a strange artifact that's poisoning wildlife at a farm. The magic from the artifact turns Chopper into a beacon for any and all magical beings in this world and others to come take it.

Val is great at fighting, and crowing stronger with her magic usage but there's only so many attacks at one time a person can defend against. Zav will help. Either scare them off or fight them off.

Seeing Zav and Val together, fighting and interacting, is fun. Their relationship is growing and their banter is fun as Zav is still learning sayings and things in the human world. However, there are still men that hit on his mate. Zav doesn't like it. He can't figure out why humans don't see the magical mark he's put on Val.

Willard points out that there's a way to show men that Val's taken. Put a ring on her finger...Marriage is the human way. Now, Zav is determined to find the perfect ring for Val. One with magic. However, Val doesn't think she's ready for marriage. Not yet...

Val has someone after her in all of this!

I like seeing how Val is starting to control her Elven magic and use it. She's gaining the ability to defend and even starting to learn something that could be offensive too. We also see that Val is growing in her personal relationships! We see her with her daughter and those who have become close friends. She still has moments where people are in danger because of their connection to Val, but it doesn't feel to be as personal as when the series started. These people know the risks and accept them. Heck, they even dive in to the risks to help Val.

It's so fun that people think she's weird. Val has her own way about things, and she's found the perfect person, erm dragon, that fits her. What she likes to do and say, they fit as a pair.

In spending all this time together, and then what Zav does for her, Val will start to see what she truly feels of their relationship... will she be ready to get married?

Val also starts to see Chopper, her dragon slaying sword, in a new light. Finding out more about this sword would be a great idea...

I'm loving these books. I'll be on to the next soon!

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Audio Book Review: Storm Forged by Lindsay Buroker

Storm Forged by Lindsay Buroker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Val comes face to face with more of Zav's family problems. Politics mostly. Dragons are all about politics among the Dragon Court for power. And Val is just a tiny mongrel in the mix.

Val is moved into her new home with her new roommates... Dimitri, Freysha, and the vampire in the basement, Zoltan. As she feared, the house is full of mold. And Val's lungs aren't dealing well with the mold. She doesn't want anyone to know she has a weakness as Zav and others are seeing her as a warrior. And if Zav knew....would he still want her at his side?

At their first "family" dinner, where Val's ex-husband and daughter come along with others, things go sideways when a gnome rushes into the back yard and collapses.

Darn. Val really didn't want the supernatural world to know where she lived...

The trolls and dragons find her shortly after.

And a Dragon that's sent to mate with Zav. By his mother.
Val's potential love life might be over before it even gets started. If this mate can help Zav and his family with their standing on the Dragon Court...it might be for the best for his family. And he's an honorable guy like that. Right?

This book felt slightly slower for me. We learn more about Zav's family and their history, Val's father when here, and a few other details on gnomes and Nin's grandfather. Lots of great information about everything, and we need it.

I do love that Lindsay is blending details and people from previous books into this book. Nothing is forgotten and is helpful along the way.

I'm breezing right through these audio books and I'm ready to dive into the next.

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Audio Book Review: False Security by Lindsay Buroker

False Security by Lindsay Buroker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Val is her own person and has bills to pay, like the jeep that was totaled months ago when that black dragon *cough* Zav *cough* threw it in the trees when they first met. So she takes a job as a body guard when approached. The pay was such that she couldn't pass it up.

However, Zav is not too happy about it. First, he wants to take Val to learn her magic so no one can compel her to do things, like kill him. Second, he doesn't trust that male.

Val... wins yet doesn't win. lol.

Val also is growing closer to the group of friends she's created.... Dimitri, Nin, Zoltan (if you want to call him a friend as a vampire that wants to taste her blood with dragon aura), and the group is growing.

Dimitri wants to open his own store with Zoltan and asks Nin for help. Val thinks about joining in too! All until Dimitri goes missing while looking for Zoltan who's missing too. There's a connection here, and Val is determined to find her friend(s) and stop the attacks that are happening. All while working as a bodyguard and going to another world to learn her elven magic.

Val is really coming around to helping other magical beings. She's seeing they aren't all evil. Though she may have some trust issues, she's open with those she talks to and shares that. And learns to trust or start to trust those around her.

I'm hooked on these books and love seeing Val come around from a solo personality to starting to like having others around her. She's come out of her shell so much with these people. She's not the best at conversations. Val brings things up in a snarky way that her friends know well and then the conversations evolve and the important topics are discussed.

A great corky group of people that fit together.

As for the love relationship with Val and Zav.... still waiting. Some steamy kisses but that's about it for this book and so far in the series. I'm good with that. I'm here for the kick butt action and snark of Val with her friends and Zav.

The narrator is the same through the series thus far and I'm glad. She's got different voices for each of the characters which helps me differentiate between them. Always great listening.

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Audio Book Review: Elven Doom by Lindsay Buroker

Elven Doom by Lindsay Buroker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lindsay is building upon her world and characters with each book. She mentions something, and it will come up in how things are done soon enough. It may be in the previous book or current book, but it's all building and growing on itself. I love seeing authors do this. They are using the growing information about magic, world, characters, and more to keep the momentum of the story going while being grounded to the world.

Val is working hard to over come her worry for others, especially when the others are telling her they are going in with their eyes open and know the consequences. They are consenting adults.

That's what's important to remember as Willard and a crew of magical soldiers go with Val on a mission in this book. And there could be casualties, but they are aware and willing. It's NOT because of Val.

Val is trying to deal with Zav's sister that's come to check Val out as she's convinced her brother is doing the wrong thing with mating with a human, half elf. Remember that last instance.... Zav's sister is going to nose into parts of Val's life that she's not going to be happy about. Along with making Zav realize there's trouble with having Val.

I feel like the tables are turned on Val here slightly. Zav is the one who now fears he'll bring danger to Val that she can't protect herself from by claiming her. Val is a strong person but dragons are significantly stronger and could be a danger to her. Val sees that in just the few dragons that she's met already. And is Zav's sister any different?

But maybe, just maybe. Val is a weak link against Zav....

This book was one to learn a little more about dragons and see about Zav and Val looking at if they really want a relationship. They will go through a tough time in figuring this out, and maybe more to come.

We see Val fighting on her own with Sindari and Willard and others that are brought in. Maybe these could be new friends for Val in the future? And we see Zav fight as well.

There are simple reasons for Zav to leave the world or to be skittish with Val regarding trust. But they feel to fit well with the characters especially after events happen.

I'll be onto the next audio book soon! I'm having fun listening to Vivienne narrate these stories.

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Audio Book Review: Tangled Truths by Lindsay Buroker

Tangled Truths by Lindsay Buroker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Not all are dangerous. There are a few that are, but that doesn't mean all the beings are.

Val is trying so hard to give other beings a chance in a world that sees them all as dangerous.

I love how much Val is growing. She talks about things with everyone that she wouldn't have done before. And I don't think she knows she's doing it. This is with her mom and Zav. Her relationships are growing! All relationships.

I love her interactions with them and her snark that pops up. They are getting to know her and know what the snark means, which can lead to great personal conversations. Even with Willard, her boss. Willard and Val can snark back and forth and it's funny. They even laugh at each other.

This book is wonderful seeing Val out of her comfort zone of going in and killing. She's on a different mission, that happens to be where her ex husband and daughter and mother are vacationing. Oh boy. And Zav demands her attention, and help. lol.

Val is to see what's happening at this little vacation town and report to Willard so they can work from there. On her way, yet another dragon shows up. This one is determined to get information out of her mind on what happened to his son. Zav returns in time to protect Val, but he has a mission to find the Dark Elves so can't be here to protect her... But this new dragon is determined and Val worries he'll drag her daughter into this to get to her.

Zav and Val's relationship is different and fun. I'm starting to think only a dragon is perfect for Val. lol.

Even though we are on a mission to HELP, and Val who's struggling with how to help is doing great, we still have our battles. And Val takes on a number of dragons!

I'm having fun with this series. I'm loving the characters personalities and interactions. And fighting along with that is great for me. :)

The narrator does a great job at voicing the characters differently for us too. Thank you!

Onward to the next book I go. :)

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