Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Audio Book Review: From Gods

From Gods

By:  Mary Ting

Publish Date:  October 17, 2013

Format:  Audiobook - 8 hrs 12 mins
Narrated By:  Emma Lysy

Genre:  Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

Series:  1 in Descendant Prophecies series

First Impression:  A book of Greek Gods children, but oh so much more of a twist and romance to it.

Synopsis:
Did you just see a flash of lightning across the sky on a clear sunny day? It’s not from Mother Nature. It is most likely from Mason Grand, swoon-worthy demigod, one of Zeus’s descendants.

Skylar Rome is supposed to be having the best summer ever before she heads off to college. Little did she know, her whole life was about to change while visiting her cousin. Nearly drowning at the beach due to unknown forces, one of the Grand brothers she’d just met, Mason, saves her life. Cool, collected, mysterious, and dangerously good-looking, Skylar is drawn to him from the start. Though she knows he is the type of guy good girls stayed away from, it seems he is always saving her life, and the attraction was inevitable.

Upon meeting the brothers, strange things begin to happen. When she accidentally kills one of the brothers, it throws her life into turmoil, as they search to find the answers. Implausibly, she gets caught up in a world of the decedents of ancient gods, all who have super powers. Not only is her discovery difficult to accept, evil beings are after her. Running out of time and running for her life, she must unravel a mystery. What do they want from her? Forced into a battle set into motion long before she was born, will she find the answers, or will she die trying?

First Sentence:
I remember it clearly, as if it happened yesterday...the day my dad left and never came home.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles
(Note: This 1st book of the series is FREE at Kindle and Barnes & Nobles.)

*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com, at my request.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Skylar is staying at her Aunt's house for three weeks in the summer as she does each year. The cop that pulled her over, suspiciously off feeling event, and shows up at the Diner she's working with her cousin. Mason has a different name and seems surprised she remembers him. And he did not pull her over. But when their hands brush, or they touch, Skylar feels the shock that warms her. Then when Skylar and her cousin, Kayla, go to a beach bonfire, Skylar has a strange experience. Mason is now curious about Skylar too. He doesn't have time to fall for Skylar or a hurt heart, but when he saves her life he figures he may not have a choice. His heart is already calling to her.

Skylar notices there are other guys that stare at her, at the mall and at the beach party. This sticks out in her mind. And worries Skylar when she sees them again. Even the stares of the older brother of Mason and Nick bothers Skylar. The intensity of it is far to much for her liking.

I listened to this story. Emma, the narrator, has a young sounding voice to go with the young girls and YA feel of the story. Emma doesn't do extra voices for the characters but she reads Skylar and the characters well. She had one section where she repeated 4-6 words, which were missed in editing to remove I'm sure, but that was all.

I was drawn into the story. Mary's story has captivated my attention and I WANT to know what happens, what is the story with Skylar and all the others. Oh, there was a turn of events that I was NOT expecting, and really liked it. Something that happens between Skylar and one of Mason's brothers. Wow, this took the story in a whole new line of thinking for me and my speculations.

We get Skylar's POV. But Mason's too from time to time.

Skylar seems to be relatable. She's the realistic one to see the signs of the "bad boys" or potential unsafe events and trusts her feelings. I like this about her. But she's a great friend above all else. She watches out for her cousin and best friend, Kayla. She talks to Kayla about why they should not do something. Yet Kayla is an adventurous 18 year old. She wants to have fun. I was there once too. I understand Kayla as well. Kayla takes her cousins thoughts and concerns and keeps them in mind but still wants to do things. Skylar goes with her all the same, to help Kayla if she needs it.

Skylar is attracted to Mason, from the first moment she meets him. Mason is, from the mixed signals he sends, attracted to Skylar as well but he's fighting it. He feels he's broken and doesn't want to get close to any girl. But they both are falling. And so are we. *sigh* The flirting of Mason and Skylar... I do think Mason is one of my new favorite book boys. ;) Lots of girls are going to swoon over him.

I would suggest this book for an older teen. Skylar is 18 years old. She feels the heat of desire and faces a potential intimate moment, good and bad.

Oh heavens did I enjoy this story. The tension and attraction between the characters, the suspense to who or what she is, and the action moments. I WANT the next book!

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Sunday Post #89

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share new about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

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The week has gone by in a flash. I like that when it comes to work. ;) What's helping make it faster? Audio Books! Yep. I've been listening to audio books all week at work. I've gotten through two books and half of a third. (which I CAN'T WAIT to get back to.)

BIG NEWS!
I got to listen to CHUCK WENDIG speak last night! Yes! He was at Seton Hill, a local university, speaking to the Writing Popular Fiction students. This was open to the public as well. So I went!

Chuck is as inspiring and funny as he is on his blog. Even better in person listening to him talk. He shared his journey to getting published, his years of writing things that are set aside and buried away. That his journey and everyone's journey for their book is different. He did share a few things that he's tell his younger self though, which was inspiring to hear.

I was thrilled to make this event as I got to meet friends and new people.

The first person I saw is one I've been talking books for many years. I chatted with him long before I started blogging thanks to Barnes & Nobles forums. It's Paul Goat Allen.

Then I meet several people. Authors Todd Moody and Rebecca Drake. Wonderful, kind people.

I also got the pleasure of meeting Jaye Wells. She's a kind woman. I was hoping she'd be there and she was! I took along with me four of my unsigned Sabina Kane books. :) I'm proud to say they are signed now.




I got to talk with Nicole Peeler, who I haven't seen in almost a year. Life has been happening for us both and haven't had time to catch up. So it was wonderful to see her and talk for a bit.

I had a picture taken with Nicole and Jaye. Thank you ladies! And look who the photo bomber is!! Yep, Chuck himself! I think that's one of the best photo bombs I've ever had.

But before that photo bomb I did get to meet Chuck and have him autograph my copy of Blackbirds (where he predicts my demise). He is a great person.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Fit Booker:

Goal:  Workout in any form of exercise (or on Wii Fit) 2x's a week. (to feel better and hope to drop a few pants sizes)

How did I do last week... I got one day of push mowing the grass. (I think this is more than enough for one day of exercise.) And, surprise, surprise! I got on the treadmill for 40 minutes! Woot woot! Two days down. I jogged/fast walked about 2.7 miles. Sweet! And to top it off, I did 20 jack knives too. I feel good about this week.

Zombie Run app:
Season 1 Mission 2:
I was to divert the zombies while they fixed the gates as they were stuck.

It's fun to add this app with my Spotify of workout music. They come in every so often and talk. It's like a little community that I just can't talk to. lol. But when they say to speed up, I do try to speed up (for a minute or two as that's all I can handle, and it's not that much faster). It's something to take my mind off the dreaded jog.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What's Happening in Books:

Current Read:
Dirty Magic: New Orleans edited by Charlie Brown


Current Audiobook:
Chasing the Star Garden by Melanie Karsak


Current Podcast Book Listen:
The Horde by Patrick Scaffido


Finished Last Week: 
Dirty Magic: New Orleans edited by Charlie Brown

Audiobooks from Audible:
From Gods by Mary Ting
The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak

Finished Podcast Book Listen:
I've been listening to Audible books.

~~~~~~~~~~

Last Week on the Blog:


Cover Reveals: (click titles to go to post & learn more)




Posts:



Around the Internet...


Reviews:


Podcast Review:





Mama Bitchstress Reviews:



GIVEAWAYS:



~~~~~~~~~~

This Week to Come on the Blog:

Two reviews are scheduled for next week:
  From Gods
  The Harvesting

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Received Last Weeks:


Review & Review Consideration:


Audio Books Requested for Review:
Chasing the Star Garden by Melanie Karsak
Goodreads Synopsis:
An opium-addicted beauty.
An infamous poet living in self-imposed exile.
An ancient treasure about to fall into the wrong hands.

Melanie Karsak's Chasing the Star Garden takes readers on a thrilling adventure from the gritty opium dens of gaslamp London to the gem-colored waters of the ancient world. Lily Stargazer, a loveable but reckless airship racer with a famous lover and shattered past, reluctantly plunges into a centuries-old mystery in a romantic adventure best described as Dan Brown meets Mary Shelley.

It all begins on one of the worst days of Lily’s life. She just lost the London leg of the 1823 Airship Grand Prix. To top it off, a harlequin fleeing from constables shoved a kaleidoscope down her pants, told her to fly to Venice, then threw himself from her airship tower. What’s a girl to do? For Lily, the answer is easy: drink absinthe and smoke opium. 

Lily’s lover, Lord Byron, encourages her to make the trip to Venice. Lily soon finds herself at the heart of an ancient mystery which has her running from her past and chasing true love and the stars along the way.

*Due to steamy scenes and depictions of drug use, this novel is intended for mature readers.

Purchased/Winnings/Gifts:



Won:




Free Ebooks:
PDF
Midway by Melanie Karsak
Goodreads Synopsis:
Midway: A Harvesting Series Novella (Book 1.5 in The Harvesting Series) is a tie-in novella that compliments The Harvesting, Book I in The Harvesting Series. 

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, for the beginning of the end. 

Carnie. Ride jockey. Roustabout. White trash. Tilt girl. Gypsy. Cricket has been called a lot of things, but she never thought survivor of the zombie apocalypse would be one of them. One day she’s barking on the midway, and the next day, the world is eating itself alive. 

Cricket, along with Vella, a tarot reader, and Puck, Cricket’s mangy mutt, find themselves running for their lives, but where can you hide when mankind has fallen? Cricket will need help if she hopes to survive. 

Luckily for her, we were never really alone, and apparently, magical forces want to keep this tilt girl alive.


(On my Kindle App)


(On my Nook)



Free Audio Books/Stories:


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Reviews to Come:

Soulless by Skyla Dawn Cameron
The Sentinel by Chris Lester
The Muse by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Making the Cut by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Whispers in the Wood by Chris Lester
Danube Waves by Katharina Bordet
Rhune by Michael J. Sullivan
Heartstealer by K.T. Bryski
Lex Talionis by Starla Huchton
7th Son: 7 Days anthology by J.C. Hutchins
House of Grey 6 by Collin Earl
The Secret World Chronicle: World Divided by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
The Secret World Chronicle: Waiting On by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
The Secret World Chronicle: Revolutions by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
Heir to Kale by K.L. Bone
Tales from the Archives Vol. 4: #2 The Mummy of Barnsley
Tales from the Archives Vol. 4: #3 The Black Empress
Into Thin Air by Val Griswold-Ford
The Hidden Institute by Brand Gamblin
Club Nexus by E.J. Stevens (Audiobook)
From Gods by Mary Ting (Audiobook)
The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak (Audiobook)
Dirty Magic: New Orleans edited by Charlie Brown

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Audio Book Review: Witch for Hire

Witch for Hire

By:  N.E. Conneely

Publish Date:  January 11, 2014

Format:  Audiobook - 7 hrs 14 mins
Narrated By:  Jeff Hays

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  1st in Witch's Path series

First Impression:  Magic aware world where a witch works with police to help in magical ways to solve magic cases.

Synopsis:
Most witches don’t work for police departments, but Michelle isn’t your average witch. She’s clanless, looking for a warlock who isn’t offended by her lack of family connections, and in danger of losing her job if she can’t find the escaped trolls before they start eating the local residents.

Trolls, angry police, and misbehaving spells are the least of her problems. Statues attacking homeowners might be problematic for your average witch, but to Michelle it’s another day at the office. Her real concern is the wizard suddenly interested in dating her and an old elf set on pestering her. When her happy family is rocked by a long kept secret her stable life falls apart faster than she can pick up the pieces.

And she still hasn’t found those trolls.

First Sentence:
Phone. That had to be my phone waking me up.

Purchase At:
Amazon 

*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com, at my request.

My Thoughts and Summary:
At her home, and a bed and breakfast run by a brownie couple, Michelle learns a tip that there is someone experimenting with the magical beings of the world. This could explain why Michelle received the three AM phone call from the sheriff's office and had to capture the strange chihuahua type creatures fling around the mayor's house. Michelle sees banners for a group publicly demanding that the trolls need to be free. Trolls that are known for eating all living things.There are even spelled household items that were sold at a family yard sale around causing troubles among people. All this and the frustrating attraction Michelle feels for a beautiful elf staying at the bed and breakfast has her reflecting on questions in her own life. Elron is also struggling with his own life traumas and feels a draw to the young witch.

I listened to this book and was pleasantly surprised with all the voices! I am impressed with the variety of voices to go with each character here. I'm thinking Jeff, the narrator, used a system to modify his voices for different tones and pitch for each character. And I highly approve! Female and male, all sounding different to differentiate between different people (magical or not). This made it fun to listen to.

Hmm. I'm impressed. Nice, quick beginning that had me smiling but then slowed as we got to see into Michelle's history and surroundings, even Elron's too. But when I started to think it was to much into personal life, the story took off with the cases she's running between...the magic she crafts to help the police with, I was taken away with the story as she tried her hardest to track trolls and work tips for other troubles in the areas around her. There are hints of troubles and promises that could be used in future books. I find that I'm curious to read/listen to those stories.

This world is magic filled and all know of the magic and magical "people" that are present in it. There are so many magical beings here. From fey to elves, witches, vampires, brownies, unicorns, dwarfs, and oh so many more.

Michelle lives at a brownies bed and breakfast. It's interesting all the beings that pass through and stay here as it's close to wooded lands and peaceful area. But with others passing through it's a nice way to meet different beings and being a kind home, get tips of things in the supernatural world.

The chapters are primarily divided between two character's POV's. Michelle and Elron. Most of the story is Michelle's POV with short chapters from Elron's POV. Elron is an 1500 year old elf recently trying to find his way in the world again. Though he's not part of the investigations that Michelle works on. He's more a view of a potential suitor and one that wants to see her safe. Michelle is a clanless witch, which is a hidden secret by her mother and the father she's never meet. They were worried that she would be in great danger from the clans. Or something more? I'm looking forward to learning what they are hiding her from and why. She works in different counties for the police helping on different cases with her knowledge of the magical world and how to help solve problems and mysteries with spells.

I found I really enjoyed this story and look forward to the next stories to come. There are many things that could happen in a magical world this big. And I'm curious as to her father and the deal with the clans. Also that nice young man she had coffee with. I'm thinking that this book has given us the ground work for the world and the stories will take off from here.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Audio Book Review: Ghost Light

Ghost Light

By:  E.J. Stevens

Publish Date:  April 29, 2014

Format:  Audiobook - 8 hrs 15 mins
Narrated By:  Traci Odom

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  2nd book in Ivy Granger series; 1st Book ~ Shadow Sight, 1.5 Novella ~ Blood and Mistletoe

First Impression:  Fey detective with a personal agenda too.

Synopsis:
Ivy Granger, psychic detective, thought she'd seen it all...until now.

With a vengeful lamia that only she can see on the city streets, reports of specters walking Harborsmouth cemeteries, and an angry mob of faerie clients at her office door, it's bound to be a long night. Add in an offense against the faerie courts and a few foolish bargains and one thing is clear - Ivy Granger is in some seriously deep trouble.

Ivy Granger is back, gathering clues in the darkest shadows of downtown Harborsmouth. With the lives of multiple clients on the line, she's in a race against time. Ivy finally has a lead to the whereabouts of the one person who can help her control her wisp abilities, but will she put the needs of her clients above her own?

If Ivy doesn't find a solution soon, she could wind up a ghost herself.

Ghost Light is the second novel in the best-selling Ivy Granger urban fantasy series by E. J. Stevens.

First Sentence:
What do the names ghost light, friar's lantern, corpse candle, aleya, hobby lantern, chir batti, faerie fire, min min light, luz mala, spook light, ingus fatuus, orbs, boitata, and hinkypunk have in common?

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

*I offered to listen to the audiobook for an honest review.

My Thoughts and Summary:
On top of Ivy being stressed over her boyfriends crazy wife haunting her, she's got fey parents lined up at her door waiting for her help in finding their children. And there are rumors of ghost sightings by the humans as well (not good). While she's out investigating the missing children, Ivy has to be careful not to let her wisp side show by glowing in front of humans. She could find herself in serious trouble with the fey world if she does. What would help is if she could find her father and ask him to help her.

I listened to the audio version of the book. The narrator is easy to understand and clear speaking. She does slight voice changes for Jinx, Ceff, and others in the story to give the feel of difference in people. She's done well here. She's not over the top excited when reading Ivy.

We start with the familiar introduction to the city of Harborsmouth. A slight ad for the city and Ivy Granger's business. Yet there are warnings that the city is full of supernaturals.

The beginning touches on a few new pieces of information that we learned in the novella Blood and Mistletoe, so you don't have to read it to know what pieces to the world were shared with us. You don't get the feel that you completely missed something. But it's a nice read/listen to see what happened and how.

I like Ivy better in this book. I don't know if it's the narrator's reading of Ivy and didn't make Ivy sound all sugar sweet or if Ivy feels not as innocent as in the first book. Things are not all candy here, and in this story too.

Ivy starts off feeling as a stronger character in this book, even though there are still few things with Ivy's personality that I rolled my eyes at and by the end even more (I think Ivy is one I can listen to one book at a time and take a break from). She has pushed herself to her limits, and still does, which is good in a main character. We see Ceff, the selkie king, through most of this book with Ivy as he's joined her on her jaunt through Harborsmouth to find the fey children. However, he doesn't seem to have much of an importance on the case other than company for Ivy to drool over. He does then have a reason to stay on the mission later, once we find out who's involved though. The plus side, Ivy and Ceff have become closer emotionally in this book.

We get to see many different fey and beings in this world as Ivy visits her friends and clients. This is one world with no end to the fey and beings present. With that, there is great potential of troubles to follow up on.

We even get glimpse of Ivy's parentage. Ivy's blocked memories flutter to the surface and we start to see and learn about her father. We learn that the wisps, Ivy's fey side, have been left without a ruler. Interesting. Ivy even digs further to learn about her father by allying with the Cat Sidhe. Oh the Cat Sidhe... these are a neat addition to the world here, and their leader Lord Torn. I do enjoy them. We also learn about why the fey are drawn to Harborsmouth.

I enjoyed the beginning and the story of the fey children. Then, when the fey children case was solved, I started to feel the story was over. The book starts with and ends with Ivy hunting for her father and I had felt like the last 15 chapters were a whole epilogue or a short story of their own. It felt like the main story, through the book, was the case of the missing children. But I guess, with this ending, Ivy's main point of the book was to find her father, the saving the fey children was a side case that takes up her time and she needs to do, it's her job.

It's a great concept and interesting world. I enjoy what's created here. But, there's always the buts. There are a few holes in the story and inconsistencies that caught my attention. The whole first chapter told me what's to happen, not showing me to bring me close to Ivy and the world. Then the next chapter takes me into backing that with an appearance of Melusine. There are small sections of repeating events started to wear on me by the end of the book.

It sounds like I didn't enjoy the story. That's not true. It just feels the story is on one focus at a time. Which, I guess fits as Ivy does have a job she does and her personal agenda is second seat when she's needed to work.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Sunday Post #88

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share new about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good grief! Where does the time go? I feel like the week is moving ever slow when at work, but the evenings and weekends that are my time, well they fly by. This week was rough on the weather with rain and tornado warnings. Crazy! And we had much to do in the evenings, which cuts from my writing, blogging, and reading time.

Here's hoping the evenings go a bit slower this week...


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The Fit Booker:

Goal:  Workout in any form of exercise (or on Wii Fit) 2x's a week. (to feel better and hope to drop a few pants sizes)

How did I do last week... I only got one day of "exercise" in. I went to play tennis, for the first time in over 20 years, with my son. LOL! Yes it was terrible. But for an hour I did a lot of running around the court and attempting to hit the ball. We did go to the amusement park yesterday as well, so I did do more walking than usual, that might count for a day. ;)

I didn't use Zombie Run app this week so I don't have an update on it for you. Sorry.

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What's Happening in Books:

Current Read:
Dirty Magic: New Orleans edited by Charlie Brown
and
Content work.

Current Audiobook:
Starting one on Monday at work.

Current Podcast Book Listen:
The Horde by Patrick Scaffido


Finished Last Week: 
No read books

Audiobooks from Audible:
Witch for Hire by N.E. Conneely

Finished Podcast Book Listen:
I've been listening to Audible books.

~~~~~~~~~~

Last Week on the Blog:


Cover Reveals: (click titles to go to post & learn more)




Posts:
Audiobook Month, What are you listening to?
Photo Credit: Melissa Hayden


Around the Internet...


Reviews:



GIVEAWAYS:


~~~~~~~~~~

This Week to Come on the Blog:

Audio book Witch for Hire will be published next week along with Ghost Light.

~~~~~~~~~~

Received Last Weeks:


Review & Review Consideration:


Audio Books Requested for Review:
Witch for Hire by N.E. Conneely
Goodreads synopsis:
Most witches don’t work for police departments, but Michelle isn’t your average witch. She’s clanless, looking for a warlock who isn’t offended by her lack of family connections, and in danger of losing her job if she can’t find the escaped trolls before they start eating the local residents. 

Trolls, angry police, and misbehaving spells are the least of her problems. Statues attacking homeowners might be problematic for your average witch, but to Michelle it’s another day at the office. Her real concern is the wizard suddenly interested in dating her and an old elf set on pestering her. When her happy family is rocked by a long kept secret her stable life falls apart faster than she can pick up the pieces. 

And she still hasn’t found those trolls. 

From Gods by Mary Ting
Goodreads Synopsis:
Did you just see a flash of lightning across the sky on a clear sunny day? It’s not from Mother Nature. It is most likely from Mason Grand, swoon-worthy demigod, one of Zeus’s descendants. 

Skylar Rome is supposed to be having the best summer ever before she heads off to college. Little did she know, her whole life was about to change while visiting her cousin. Nearly drowning at the beach due to unknown forces, one of the Grand brothers she’d just met, Mason, saves her life. Cool, collected, mysterious, and dangerously good-looking, Skylar is drawn to him from the start. Though she knows he is the type of guy good girls stayed away from, it seems he is always saving her life, and the attraction was inevitable. 

Upon meeting the brothers, strange things begin to happen. When she accidentally kills one of the brothers, it throws her life into turmoil, as they search to find the answers. Implausibly, she gets caught up in a world of the decedents of ancient gods, all who have super powers. Not only is her discovery difficult to accept, evil beings are after her. Running out of time and running for her life, she must unravel a mystery. What do they want from her? Forced into a battle set into motion long before she was born, will she find the answers, or will she die trying?

The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak
Goodreads Synopsis:
"The world, it seemed, had gone silent. It was something we knew but did not talk about. We were alone."

While Layla Petrovich returns home to rural Hamletville after a desperate call from her psychic grandmother, she never could have anticipated the horror of what Grandma Petrovich has foreseen. The residents of Hamletville will need Layla's cool head, fast blade and itchy trigger finger to survive the undead apocalypse that's upon them. But even that may not be enough. With mankind silenced, it soon becomes apparent that we were never alone. As the beings living on the fringe seek power, Layla must find a way to protect the ones she loves or all humanity may be lost.

It's all fun and games until someone ends up undead!


Purchased/Winnings/Gifts:
My books from my Powell's books Winning have arrived!

The Damnation Affair by Lilith Saintcrow
Goodreads Synopsis:
This novel is set in the same world as the Bannon & Clare novels but is stand alone with different characters.

The West is a wild place, where the poison wind blows and the dead walk. But there is gold, and whiskey, and enough room for a man to forget what he once was--until he can no longer can.

Jack Gabriel's been the sheriff in Damnation almost since the town grew out of the dust and the mud. He keeps the peace--sort of--and rides the circuit every dawn and dusk with the chartermage, making sure the wilderness doesn't seep into their fragile attempt at civilization. Away from the cities clinging to the New World's eastern rim, he doesn't remember what he was. At least, he tries not to. Good enough.

But Damnation is growing, and along comes a schoolmarm. Catherine Barrowe is a right proper Boston miss, and it's a mystery why she would choose this town where everything scandalous and dangerous is probably too much for a quality lady like her. Sometimes the sheriff wonders why she came out West--because everyone who does is running from something. He doesn't realize Cat may be prickly, delicate, and proper, but she is also determined. She's in Damnation to find her wayward older brother Robbie, whose letters were full of dark hints about gold, trouble...and something about a claim.

In a West where charm and charter live alongside clockwork and cold steel, where hot lead kills your enemy but it takes a blessing to make his corpse stay down, Cat will keep digging until she finds her brother. If Jack knew what she was after, he could solve the mystery--because he was the one who killed Robbie.

The thing is, Cat's brother just won't stay dead, and the undead are rising with him...

When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears by Kersten Hamilton
Goodreads Synopsis:
“People will die.”

Locked doors are opening, and uncanny creatures are tumbling through mysterious portals from Mag Mell, the world-between-worlds, into the streets of Chicago. The Dark Man has marked Aiden with a new song that’s scared him badly, and a frightening new group of sídhe is lurking nearby.

Teagan knows this is war, and she must protect her family. She leaves her flesh and bones behind to join Finn in hunting the evil beings across the city. Meanwhile, their relationship is heating up—almost faster than they can control. But he is still bound to fight goblins his entire life . . . and by blood she is one of them now.

Then the gateway to Mag Mell cracks open again, and the Wylltsons find themselves caught in a trap. As her loved ones begin to die, Teagan realizes that she must destroy the Dark Man and his minions once and for all in order to save those who remain . . .

. . . before it is too late.

Horde by Ann Aguirre
Goodreads Synposis:
The epic conclusion to the USA Today bestselling trilogy.

The horde is coming.

Salvation is surrounded, monsters at the gates, and this time, they're not going away. When Deuce, Fade, Stalker and Tegan set out, the odds are against them. But the odds have been stacked against Deuce from the moment she was born. She might not be a Huntress anymore, but she doesn't run. With her knives in hand and her companions at her side, she will not falter, whether fighting for her life or Fade's love.

Ahead, the battle of a lifetime awaits. Freaks are everywhere, attacking settlements, setting up scouts, perimeters, and patrols. There hasn't been a war like this in centuries, and humans have forgotten how to stand and fight. Unless Deuce can lead them.

This time, however, more than the fate of a single enclave or outpost hangs in the balance. This time, Deuce carries the banner for the survival of all humanity.

The Queen Is Dead by Kate Locke
Goodreads Synopsis:
Nothing lasts forever---and immortality isn't all its cracked up to be.

When her brother Val gets in over his head in an investigation of Half-Blood disappearances and goes missing himself, it's up to Xandra, newly crowned Goblin Queen, to get him back and bring the atrocities to light. Xandra must frequent the seediest parts of London, while also coping with what she is, the political factions vying for her favor, and the all too-close scrutiny of Queen Victoria, who wants her head. Add this to being a suspect in a murder investigation, a werewolf boyfriend with demands of his own, and a mother hell bent on destroying the monarchy, and Xandra barely knows which way is up. One thing she does know is that she's already lost one sibling, she's not about to lose another.

Long Live the Queen by Kate Locke
Goodreads Synopsis:
Xandra Vardan thought life would be simpler when she accepted the goblin crown and became their queen, but life has only become more complicated. Everyone -- vampires, werewolves and humans -- wants the goblins on their side, because whoever has the goblins -- wins. 

Queen Victoria wants her head, Alpha wolf Vex wants her heart, and she still doesn't know the identity of the person who wanted her blood. What she does know is that a project from one of the 'secret' aristocrat labs has gotten free and she's the only one who can stop the perfect killing machine -- a sixteen year-old girl. With human zealots intent on ridding the world of anyone with plagued blood and supernatural politics taking Britain to the verge of civil war, Xandra's finding out that being queen isn't all it's cracked up to be, and if she doesn't do something fast, hers will be the shortest reign in history. 
The fantastic conclusion to the series that started with the spectacular undead steampunk debut, God Save the Queen and The Queen is Dead.

A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent by Marie Brennan
Goodreads Synopsis:
You, dear reader, continue at your own risk. It is not for the faint of heart—no more so than the study of dragons itself. But such study offers rewards beyond compare: to stand in a dragon’s presence, even for the briefest of moments—even at the risk of one’s life—is a delight that, once experienced, can never be forgotten. . . .

All the world, from Scirland to the farthest reaches of Eriga, know Isabella, Lady Trent, to be the world’s preeminent dragon naturalist. She is the remarkable woman who brought the study of dragons out of the misty shadows of myth and misunderstanding into the clear light of modern science. But before she became the illustrious figure we know today, there was a bookish young woman whose passion for learning, natural history, and, yes, dragons defied the stifling conventions of her day.

Here at last, in her own words, is the true story of a pioneering spirit who risked her reputation, her prospects, and her fragile flesh and bone to satisfy her scientific curiosity; of how she sought true love and happiness despite her lamentable eccentricities; and of her thrilling expedition to the perilous mountains of Vystrana, where she made the first of many historic discoveries that would change the world forever. 

Marie Brennan introduces an enchanting new world in A Natural History of Dragons.

Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews
Goodreads Synopsis:
Mercenary Kate Daniels narrates a surprising trip with her bite-me humor. The pack of her mate Curran, werelion Beast Lord, need rare medicine from Europe to save children who die from stuck shapeshifting. Europe offers them barrels of the drug if they guard a spoiled princess. Knowing the invite is a trap, of course they sail right in.

Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews
Goodreads Synopsis:
No matter how much the paranormal politics of Atlanta change, one thing always remains the same: if there’s trouble, Kate Daniels will be in the middle of it…

As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers. Since Kate’s connection to Roland has come out into the open, no one is safe—especially those closest to Kate.

As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of the leaders from the various supernatural factions in Atlanta. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered there, apparently at the hands of a shapeshifter, Kate is given only twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war which could destroy everything she holds dear…


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Dawn of War by Tim Marquitz
Goodreads Synopsis:
Book 1 in the Blood War Trilogy.

For hundreds of years, the bestial Grol have clawed at the walls of Lathah without success. Now armed with O'hra, mystical weapons of great power, they have returned, to conquer.

Witness to the Grol advance, Arrin can abide his exile no longer. He returns to Lathah, in defiance of death, with hopes to save his beloved princess and the child born of their illicit affair. He finds her unwilling to abandon her people. At her behest, Arrin searches for a sanctuary for them only to be confronted by the Sha'ree, a powerful race long thought gone from the world. Through them, he learns it is not just the Grol that threaten the land.

Empowered by a magic never before seen, the savage nations spread chaos and ruin across the realm. With Lathah under siege, and the world on the brink of cataclysmic war, Arrin must strike a deal with the Sha'ree to take the fight to the Grol, or forever lose his one true love: his family.

Yesterday's Gone by Sean Platt & David Wright
Goodreads Synopsis:
On October 15 at 2:15 a.m. everyone on Earth vanished.

Well, almost everyone.

A scattered few woke alone in a world where there are no rules other than survival... at any cost.

A journalist wanders the horrible reality of an empty New York in search of his wife and son.

A serial killer must hunt in a land where prey is now an endangered species.

A mother shields her young daughter from danger, though every breath fills her with terror.

A bullied teen is thrilled to find everyone gone. Until the knock at the door.

A fugitive survives a fiery plane crash. Will he be redeemed, or return to what he's best at: the kill?

An eight year old boy sets out on a journey to find his missing family. What he finds will change him forever.

These survivors aren’t alone...
Someone or something is watching them.
And waiting...

Strangers unite.
Sides are chosen.
Will humanity survive what it never saw coming?
The only certainty is that Yesterday’s Gone.

You’ve never read anything like Yesterday’s Gone – the epic, groundbreaking, thrilling new series. Look for a new 100 page episode each month.

(On my Nook)



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Reviews to Come:

Soulless by Skyla Dawn Cameron
The Sentinel by Chris Lester
The Muse by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Making the Cut by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Whispers in the Wood by Chris Lester
Danube Waves by Katharina Bordet
Rhune by Michael J. Sullivan
Heartstealer by K.T. Bryski
Lex Talionis by Starla Huchton
7th Son: 7 Days anthology by J.C. Hutchins
House of Grey 6 by Collin Earl
The Secret World Chronicle: World Divided by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
The Secret World Chronicle: Waiting On by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
The Secret World Chronicle: Revolutions by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
Heir to Kale by K.L. Bone
Tales from the Archives Vol. 4: #2 The Mummy of Barnsley
Tales from the Archives Vol. 4: #3 The Black Empress
Into Thin Air by Val Griswold-Ford
The Hidden Institute by Brand Gamblin
Ghost Light by E.J. Stevens (Audiobook)
Club Nexus by E.J. Stevens (Audiobook)
Witch for Hire by N.E. Conneely (Audiobook)