By: Ann Aguirre
Publisher: ROC Fantasy
Publish Date: April 2011
Format: Paperback, 311pgs; pocketbook size
Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
Series: 3rd in A Corine Solomon Novel series: Book 1 ~ Blue Diablo, Book 2 ~ Hell Fire
Recommendation: OH YES!!! Did you enjoy book 1? Well, this one is just added to it!
Book Synopsis:
I'd spent my whole life settling, trying not to attract attention, doing what it took to keep other people happy. I didn't want to do that again. Not when I was finally comfortable in my own skin. Sure, there were challenges, like a drug lord who wanted me dead, and the fact that I owed a demon a debt that he could call due at any moment. But everybody's got problems, right?
When Corine Solomon touches an object, she knows its history. But her own future concerns her more and more. Now back in Mexico, she's running her pawnshop and trying to get a handle on her strange new powers, for she might need them. And soon.
Then former ally Kel Ferguson walks through her door. Muscled and tattooed, Kel looks like a convict but calls himself a holy warrior. He carries a warning for Corine: The Montoya cartel is coming for her - but they don't pack just automatic weapons. The Montoya's use warlocks, shamans, voodoo priests - anything to terminate trouble. And Corine has become enemy number one...
First Sentence:
Lust sizzled through me.
My Thoughts and Summary:
**I'm trying to keep this short and sweet to not ruin the mystery of the book here.**
Corine is back home in Mexico with Shannon and things seem to be going well until she receives a salt and pepper shaker set. Just as Corine goes to pick up one of the set a tall mysterious man walks into her shop, one that Corine quickly recognizes ~ Kel Ferguson. Kel has been assigned as Corine's guardian as she will be important in the future and is in deadly danger now, and the salt and pepper shaker set is part of her starting troubles. Corine and Kel are on their way to learn about the magic cast on the shaker set and learn of the man who's after Corine, Montoya. Corine pairs up with Kel and an unlikely ally to try and save her life. What will it cast Corine and her friends in the end?
Ann is quick to bring us right back into Corines life at the beginning of this book. We get a taste of Corine's "touch" gift at the very beginning to bring us right back to her abilities strengths. And there is more she can now do, but not sure who to trust the new abilities with. As the book goes we see some new developments in Corine's powers and abilities. I love how she slowly starts to grow in her strength and as a character.
The action! Wow. Ann is amazing at keeping the story on fast forward. Just when I think it's starting to calm down and Corine might be able to get a nights sleep, all heck breaks loss once again. I enjoy this constant movement in a book. It's one to make me wonder what will happen to the characters and where will we go.
Corine even makes a few choices in this book. She picks a man. She learns more about herself. And about others as well... Yes, we learn more about another character ~ Kel. I have to say for a character I liked where Ann took Kel as being a mysterious bad guy (with potential as maybe being a good guy for who he worked for) to being a character I loved. This was a great manifestation here!
I'm looking forward to see how strong Corine grows with her powers and to what extent she will be able to use them. Along with a few other questions... the men! And her future!?! I can't wait for more of Corine Solomon!
I purchased this book for my own enjoyment.
This book qualifies for the Speculative Fiction Challenge hosted by Floor to Ceiling Books, and Horror & Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge hosted by Book Chick City.
I love that first sentence. Instantly evocative and sets the sexy tone of the book.
ReplyDeleteOoo, you have me so excited about this book! I loved the first two books with Corine so I've had it on pre-order for ages, but it's not released in the UK until June. :-(
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping Amazon send it out early! ;-)
I have this book on my TBR pile but I was bad and read the last few pages of the book (I wanted to know who she choose: Jesse or Chance) and it spoiled everything, so now I'm not sure if I want to read the whole book.
ReplyDeleteOn the positive side, I'm never ever reading first the last pages of a book again!
I have only read book 1 and that was 2 years ago, but I did enjoy it :)=
ReplyDeleteI was so disappointed with book 2 that I wasn't going to bother with the third one but you review makes me think that I might enjoy it, especially if it's more like Blue Diablo. You don't make any mention of her ex-boyfriend though. Does that mean he's out of the running? I hope not, I liked him.
ReplyDeleteStephanieD - Glad you like the sounds of the first sentence! :) It is a heavy one. Thank you for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteMel - Oh. Well June isn't far away. :) And now I'm glad I tried to keep the review limited for you. :) Hope you love this one, as I think you will.
Spav - I can't believe you did that! Oh my! This book in particular too. lol. But you didn't get to learn all about Kel! And that is one of the best parts of the book. ;) Now you have to read it, at least the parts with Kel... hint hint. lol.
Blodeuedd - Oh, you would enjoy this one, and you just might enjoy book two too. :)
Simcha - I think you might enjoy this one. It reminds me more of Blue Diablo. Chance and Jesse are here, but in limited form. BUT you learn loads more on Kel. I think there might be a part there with Kel you might think her crazy, but it is a good read. No ghost thing here. Well, we have Shannon and her ability gets used once or twice, but its not really a ghost story here. I think you might like this one better than Hell Fire. Hope you give it a try some day. :)