Book Review: Burn for Me

Burn for Me

By:  Ilona Andrews

Publish Date:  October 28, 2014

Format:  400 pgs

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  1st book in Hidden Legacy series

First Impression:  Strong magic world with family oriented character, and a new "friend".

Synopsis:
Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile case. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.

Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run or surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.

Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world.

First Sentence:
In 1863, in a world much like or own, European scientists discovered the Osiris serum, a concoction which brought out one's magic talents.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository 

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I read this book for my own enjoyment.

I love that Nevada has a great family. There are 2 sisters, 2 cousins, her mom, and her grandma all living together. They have strong and different personalities. But they are also the reason Nevada takes the job she does. She wants to take care of them all, being the oldest child... and maybe some guilt in there too. But she loves them and wants they cared for as best as possible.

Hahaha. Nevada and Mad Rogan. I love the banter between these two. Of course he gets off on a bad footing when they first meet, but Nevada won't take any of his crap. I love this as she's a strong personality. Mad Rogan has gotten under her skin though. She finds his eyes, and maybe other parts, attention holding.

Then there's the sexy yet "guilty" party that Nevada's to bring in. Adam Pierce. Oh he is a hoot. He's so full of himself. Then there's Mad Rogan. Oh my. He is a man to dream about. And what his magic can do... Well, it's dangerous. He's definitely got a few other issues though. But that makes him a good contrast for Nevada. It's like she's teaching him to be a human being as the story goes. I love how Nevada's view on these two different men are written and perceived from Nevada's eyes. This influences how we feel about them, though I do still smile at Adam's flirting as Grandma just loves him.

I enjoyed the story and the strong personality interaction with Nevada and Mad Rogan, after I let the kidnapping go in my mind. The kidnapping... ugh. It was rough, but it ended well. I *guess* Mad Rogan isn't as bad a guy as thought. But once I was past this, I can see why women are attracted to Rogan.

The book had a few great points to make that felt to hit the heart. Nevada is a strong willed woman. She sees things and points them out. Like the woman that still fall over Mad Rogan because of who he is, looks like, and can do even after he's cruel to them. Seriously. Nevada even points out the response to his mean actions and woman are better than that. That the woman should care more about herself and he doesn't need to act like that. Even family points, loving each other and caring for each other. Nevada's sisters and cousins are still in school (of some sort). It's great at advice that's given at times when those characters are in the scene. I love the family aspect.

The magic system is complex and we get to learn it as we go. This author team gives us the pieces we need of the system with each scene so we can learn it through the characters and world instead of dropping it all in our laps. This works better for me as a reader. And I know there's more to learn, which will come with each book.

The beginning felt like the story wasn't going anywhere. No, not that. It felt as the case Nevada was put on was going to go nowhere. There were no leads, no tips, nothing to work with. Nevada has contacts and makes things happen though. We still didn't get the whole picture of what's going on. We get a solution to Nevada's one purpose on the case, but we are left holding the bag wanting to know the BIG picture. The ending felt really fast for me. I'll have to reread the epilogue and last chapter again and pull it apart.

Am I excited for the next book? Absolutely! I enjoyed Nevada and her life adventures. I'm curious as to what the bigger picture is and what troubles will be in the near future. I'll be picking the next book up.



****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon. Thank you!

Throwback Thursday (147)

I found this picture of Trinity College Library, and thought it would work for this meme with a little play with lighting and adding the words.

Let's talk about those books already on the shelves, yours or the stores.

I have a post for books I'm looking forward to coming out;

Looking Forward To...

But what about all those wonderful books that are ALREADY on the shelves.

Whether it be on your shelf waiting to be read or on the shelves in the stores waiting for you to give it a good home.

So, I thought I would share a book a week that is just waiting for me to travel through it's world.

Now... where do I start? Lets go by Published Date on the books...

This Week:

Aaah, yes. I loved reading their Kate Daniels series and loved the sci fi shorts they did, so HAD to pick this up. It's a short 42 pages, but I've not slipped it in yet. Hmm, it is ONLY 42 pages. I'm going to have to get that in soon. I really look forward to this.

Goodreads Synopsis:
Old hatreds die hard. Old love dies harder.

On Meli Galdes' home planet, the struggle for power is a bloody, full-contact sport--in business and on the battlefield. For years her lethal skills have been a valuable asset in advancing her family's interests. She's more than earned her right to retire, but her kinsmen have one last favor to ask.

Kill the man who ruined her life.

Celino Carvanna's razor-sharp business acumen--and skills with a blade--won him the freedom to do as he pleases. There's only one thing he can't seem to control--his reaction to the mysterious woman who tantalizes his senses. Her eyes alone set his blood simmering, stirring ridiculous adolescent fantasies about breasts and honey. With a few words she dissects his soul. Who is she? And how does she slide so easily under his well-guarded skin?

It's almost too easy to draw Celino within the kill zone. Meli plans to revel in him. Drink him in. Wring every drop of pleasure out of every moment.

And when she's sure he belongs to her, she will finally repay a decade's worth of pain--in a single, brutal dose of reality.

I've heard back from a few bloggers that they would like to join in this meme post, so I'm adding a Linky for you to join in.  Grab the picture above, and join in.  All I ask, is if you can acknowledge my blog in the post so others know where to come back to.

Throwback Thursday (146)

I found this picture of Trinity College Library, and thought it would work for this meme with a little play with lighting and adding the words.

Let's talk about those books already on the shelves, yours or the stores.

I have a post for books I'm looking forward to coming out;

Looking Forward To...

But what about all those wonderful books that are ALREADY on the shelves.

Whether it be on your shelf waiting to be read or on the shelves in the stores waiting for you to give it a good home.

So, I thought I would share a book a week that is just waiting for me to travel through it's world.

Now... where do I start? Lets go by Published Date on the books...

This Week:

I love my anthologies and this one was on the top of my list to get. I've not read Charlaine Harris or Nalini Singh or the series Meljean Brook's short is for. But Ilona Andrews - OF COURSE! This anthology has a taste of them all for me.  Ilona Andrews story is the main reason I picked this up. And I'd forgotten I had it until now!

Goodreads Synopsis:
In these hound-eat-hound worlds, anything goes... and everything bites.

Follow paranormal bodyguards Clovache and Batanya into Lucifer's realm, where they encounter his fearsome four-legged pets, in Charlaine Harris's The Britlingens Go to Hell. 

Seek out a traitor in the midst of a guild of non- lethal vampire trackers, one that intends to eradicate the entire species of bloodsuckers, in Nalini Singh's Angels' Judgment.

Find out why the giant three-headed dog that guards the gates of Hades has left the underworld for the real world-and whose scent he's following-in Ilona Andrews's Magic Mourns. 

Embark on a perilous search for the kidnapped niece of a powerful vampire alongside her blind- and damn sexy-companion and a hellhound in Meljean Brook's Blind Spot.

These four novellas by today's hottest paranormal authors will have hellhound lovers everywhere howling.

I've heard back from a few bloggers that they would like to join in this meme post, so I'm adding a Linky for you to join in.  Grab the picture above, and join in.  All I ask, is if you can acknowledge my blog in the post so others know where to come back to.

Book Review: Magic Rises

Magic Rises

By:  Ilona Andrews

Publisher:  Ace

Publish Date:  July 30, 2013

Format:  ebook, 337pgs

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  6th in Kate Daniels Novels; 1st Book ~ Magic Bites, 2nd Book ~ Magic Burns, 3rd Book ~ Magic Strikes, 4th Book ~ Magic Bleeds, 5th Book ~ Magic Slays, Short Stories ~ Curran POV 1 & 2, Curran POV 3 & 4

Recommendation:  OF COURSE!!! Really, Curran, KATE! and over seas. Oh yes, we see Hugh too!  Get moving!!

Synopsis:
Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems.  Kate Daniels will fight to solve them -- no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis.  Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack's shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood.  While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there's little available in Atlanta.

Kate can't bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful.  The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute -- and they'll pay him in medicine.  With the young people's survival and the Pack's future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer -- but they have little doubt that they're heading straight into a trap...

First Sentence:
I spun the spear. "One more argument and I'll ground you."

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

**I read this book for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Julie's best friend and her twin sister go loup. Using the last dose of panacea, split between the twins, Curran call all loupism related terminations to stop and sedate them. Curran is up to something because their contact for the paste was found dead with his murderers shipped away before Curran could get to them. Packs in Europe are having troubles with a pregnant shifter - between her father and the two men she's pregnant too. Curran's history with the father has brought him to the forefront and asked with the payment of panacea to be the neutral party to guard and prove witness to the first born child. It stinks of a trap, but they need the medicine and seeing it so close to home, they want it.

To the high seas we go!! With Magic! Pirates, weredolphins, Haha! The weredolphins are dangerous but so cool. And ancient creatures. So great to see these! And I love the myths and mythical creatures built on in this world as they surface. Oh yes, there are always thing surfacing in this magic fluxed world.

No frets! We have our full crew of favorite characters traveling with us. I was worried at first, but how can I be? It's Ilona and Gordon. They wouldn't do that to us and leave out all that we love. Although...there maybe a few who don't make it home...

A whole regime of emotions felt while reading this one. Hope, jealousy, worry, tears for loss, confusion, and stunned for actions of one I never thought to be kind then paranoid wondering what his plan and game really is. Happy for life, yet there's sadness that one will never fit in, always an outsider. My heart drops at the thought that no matter what they'll never part of the pack.

This is one that we see another side of Kate. One that Curran brings out in her. Well...maybe a few sides of Kate. Curran. Such a shocker! Thoughts that ran through my head - Curran better not!! He's got a plan. He HAS TOO. Ooooo, then we have a special treat. I reeeeally liked our surprise guest, or host, we get to see. *giggle* Oh he's well played out here. So much great information about Kate and her history too!

An Ill-Advised Rescue
We get a bonus story in the back!

Saiman is kidnapped. The Guild gets the note. The Guild also gets a nice profit for rescuing kidnapped victims. The Guild calls Kate, now she has ownership over the Guild and being it's Saiman.

I love watching Kate at work. Even when she is amazing at tormenting Saiman too.

Talking Kate Daniels...

The wonderful and kind Mihir from Fantasy Book Critic asked me to join in on a fun interview. I was thrilled to accept. What was the interview on? Well, from the title of this post I'm sure you know. ;) Why the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews.

Mihir had some great questions for four of us who have loved the series. I hope you stop by to check out the questions and answers.

I'm sure you know of the others that joined in as well.

   Kristen of Fantasy Cafe

   Maja of The Nocturnal Library Book Blog

   Bastard of Bastard Books

So, hope you take a moment to stop by and enjoy the comments we all made. You can learn about which book is our favorite of the series and what are favorite scene was. All great things for an amazing series!

Who? What? Where? (123)

Who are you with? Where are you at? What's happening?

Share with us just a little bit of what is happening in the book you are reading, right where you are now.

Just a tiny taste of what's happening, remember try to not give spoilers of the book.

his is a new meme I'm going to try and will tweak as I go. And please don't laugh at my lame attempt at drawing. ;D )


Since my husband had me digging a ditch and building a wall all weekend, I'm still in the same book from last week.

This Week:

I'm with Kate and several shifters, as she lays on the floor of Dr. Doolittle's bedroom in this castle overseas. Once again getting wounds cleaned up. This attack was bigger, and was directed at someone who had information. Then there is one that helped save a life. One very unexpected and never thought he'd save a life of one he did.  What's he up too? Maybe Curran and others will catch the wounded one that escaped.

Magic Rises
By:  Ilona Andrews

Others have shown interest in joining in this post, and linking up.  So I've created a linky for that.
My only requests; copy the picture to use, and link back to My World...in words and pages.
Please visit any joining in.
Thank you!

Teaser Tuesday (172)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

This Week:

Melissa's Read:

The blackberry bushes at the edge of the clearing tore, and the woods spat a beast into the open.  It stood about five feet tall, half-upright like a gorilla or a kangaroo, resting the full weight of its body on two massive hind legs.

Magic Rises
By:  Ilona Andrews
154pg




I'm only around a quarter way in, and it's picked up the heat already! Fighting, and stressful situations. Love the banter!

Looking Forward To.. (125)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down. Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

It's been a while since I've done one of these Friday Looking Forward posts.  And I miss doing them.

Next Book Is...

Magic Rises
Kate Daniels #6

By:  Ilona Andrews

Due Out:  July 30, 2013

So who's not looking forward to this one, right.  Yes, I WANT this world.  So glad I was guilt-ed into reading it. ;)

Goodreads Synopsis:

Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…

Book Review: Gunmetal Magic

Gunmetal Magic

By:  Ilona Andrews

Publisher:  Ace

Publish Date:  August 2012

Format:  Paperback 326pgs, pocketbook size

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  1st in Kate Daniels World, affiliated with Kate Daniels series; 1st Book ~ Magic Bites, 2nd Book ~ Magic Burns, 3rd Book ~ Magic Strikes, 4th Book ~ Magic Bleeds, 5th Book ~ Magic Slays, Curran POV's; Short Stories ~ Curran POV 1 & 2 (Fathers and Sons), Curran POV 3 & 4

Recommendation:  Yes, go in looking for an Andrea story and her life, prior and now, not a Kate story and you will be pleased with the action and story you find.

Book Synopsis:
Some people have everything figured out - Andrea Nash is not one of those people.  After being kicked out of the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea's whole existance is in shambles.  All she can do is try to put herself back together, something made easier by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend, Kate Daniels.

When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano - the male alpha of Clan Bouda as well as Adnrea's former lover - die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate...and must work with Raphael.  As her search for the killer leads her into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta, Andrea knows that dealing with her feelings for Raphael might have to take a backseat to saving the world...

First Sentence:
Thud!
My head hit the sidewalk.

Purchase At:

Amazon   /   Barnes & Nobles

My Thoughts and Summary:
Andrea's harsh past is resurfacing in her sleep, dreams or nightmares.  Andrea's neighbor knocks early asking her help as Darin was missing from taking their dog out and Andrea notices the white residue on the walls.  Andrea's day starts with magical creatures creating havoc at home and on the streets.  Jim calls Andrea at the office of Cutting Edge Investigations, with troubles at one of the Pack's businesses being hit during the night and four pack members are dead.  However, the business is run by Andrea's ex-mate, Raphael Medrano - Medrano Reclamation.  The relationship seems to have ended on a sour note, and Andrea tries to figure out who she is in relation to her shifter side and human side.  Andrea will be strong, as she always is, and carry through with the case for the Pack.  She will solve this case on her own, and with a few friends along, even if it kills her in the end.

Gods, snakes, and all sorts of magical creatures are present in this twisting tale while Andrea learns who she is and what position in the world she wants.

Wow!  We learn of the harsh past Andrea lived through and when she grew up how she cured those troubles, or most of them, with a gun.  We all know by this point, Andrea is the guns specialist, and amazing at what she does whether with knowledge or aiming.  This past is haunting Andrea, always has but recently getting worse.

You could read this one without reading the others in Kate Daniels series.  There is mention of Kate and whats happening but not enough to spoil Kate's story.  Maybe even make you curious more than anything of her happenings.  We see why Andrea doesn't trust shifters.  We also see she loves Raphael deeply and misses him, but that fight they had about not leaving the Order to help Pack was ugly for them.  And what he does to torment her is cruel, leaving a rift in Andrea's heart.  Andrea's world is the one and only place that Kate also resides in, but we see her neighbors and familiar parts and new parts of the city, and Andrea's ways of dealing with things.  A shifters way, and a shifter with a gun.

Everyone we've meet with Kate is here.  Ascanio, the teen bouda working for Kate at Cutting Edge as an intern, is present for much of the first half of the book.  He kind of becomes an assistant to Andrea for a short time.  Jim, Curran's head of security, makes an appearance as well.  Andrea also has Aunt B hassling her to join clan Bouda, sending people her way while trying to get through a strainous and dangerous investigation along with Aunt B's son driving Andrea insane.  Andrea goes Beast!!  Yes, the one thing you don't expect her to do, she does early on.

My only little complaint about the book, I felt in the first half of the book Andrea and the characters around her were another version of Kate and her top secondary characters.  Almost a Kate equation here.  But in the second half of the book Andrea became her own person, and took on her own personality 100%.

Kate does make an appearance, along with Curran, that is brief.  We get to see her through Andrea's eyes and it's interesting to hear her first thoughts on Kate.

This book did bring one secondary character into a brighter light for me.  I do believe I love Roman!  The volko.  Even though he's of the dark and death, he's opposite in personality.  The volko is a job to him, but he's full of life and fun.  He has a soft spot I really enjoy and a sense of humor.  He's a good man with a crappy job and full of powerful magic.

~~~~~~~~~~

Magic Gifts

By:  Ilona Andrews

Publisher:  Ilona Andrews, limited edition

Publish Date:  December 24, 2011

Format:  Novella, print in back of Gunmetal Magic, 108pgs

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  5.4 novella in Kate Daniels series; 1st Book ~ Magic Bites, 2nd Book ~ Magic Burns, 3rd Book ~ Magic Strikes, 4th Book ~ Magic Bleeds, 5th Book ~ Magic Slays, Curran POV's; Short Stories ~ Curran POV 1 & 2 (Fathers and Sons), Curran POV 3 & 4

Recommendation:  Oh my YESSS!!  It's great to see Kate and Curran working together solving a mystery.

Book Synopsis:
Available as FREE download from Ilona Andrews Website for 2 weeks from Christmas Day (2011), this novella takes place at the same time as Andrea's book, right after Magic Slays, and the two stories intersect.

A dinner date after a hard day at work sounds heavenly.  Of course, when that date is between the Beast Lord and Kate Daniels, things don't go as planned.  Before you know it, undead are running amok, heads are being chopped off, lawyers are deployed and used with extreme prejudice, and drunk vikings are calling people out.

Read at your own risk.

First Sentence:
I was ten feet from the office door of Cutting Edge Investigations when I heard the phone ring inside.

Purchase At:
At this time I'm not finding this one outside of the back of Gunmetal Magic.  It was only free for that Christmas mentioned in the synopsis.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Curran takes Kate out to eat after her long day chasing a large jellyfish.  When they get to the restaurant Curran has in mind, there are two vampires chained outside, their owners inside eating.  While on their date the male necromancer gives the female jewelry, a gold necklace...that kills her, unleashing her vampire and her date going into shock looses control of his.  When all is calmed and the dead girls mother arrives, she removes the necklace from her daughter and places it on her son more curiosity stirs.  Curran and Kate take the now necklaced boy to the Keep curious how to get it safely removed.  The mom lets the boy go, and Gahsket want's the necklace because it killed his journey-woman.

This short story has so much happening!  Not only is the story about the necklace now slowly strangling the boy, but we have the Guild still divided into two groups trying to decide which should rule.  This is still happening from the fall from an earlier book.  Jim wants Kate to vote, the Guild wants Kate to make the deciding vote, but Kate doesn't want involved.  Eventually, she'll have to being in the position she's in how with the Pack.

We see Kate and Curran as a couple working together.  I know, hard to believe.  They have their disagreements or different views still and the fun banter, now all is flirty too.  But when they start their fun comments as a TEAM on others, oh do watch out!

This story does coincide with Andrea's story in time.  It explains a few things as to where Kate's been and why there, which is briefly mention in Andrea's book.  And the connection from Andrea's book like wise relates here.  Will it spoil to read this first?  No way.  This is it's own story with Kate and Curran.  And do love seeing so much Curran!




I read this book for my own enjoyment.

Cover Reveal: Magic Rises

So, thanks to many for showing me the error of my ways and introducing me into reading this AMAZING series (yes, I still don't know why it took me so long, but I'm here and LOOOOVING it.)

I'm sure many shared this cover yesterday, as it's outstanding!  But I'm sharing it today, a day late because I got sidetracked with real life yesterday.

Ready?

Here we go...

Magic Rises

By:  Ilona Andrews

Kate Daniels series #6

This cover is mind-blowing to me!  All that fire!  Oh my.  Something is seriously going down...or up in flames?  But dang.  Amazing.  Curran, there in the upper corner, looks peeved to the T.  Spells fight for me.  And Kate.  Oh Kate.  To me this model fits the image for me, I've liked all the models as they have that pull in their eyes that screams Kate.  I just keep thinking of the outfit Saiman sent to Kate for their 'not-a-date' to the Midnight Games.  I seem to have something in mind in way of a description from Saiman.  I don't think he said it, but I just think that outfit fits her wondrously.   I can see that description in this model easily, I think it's in the eyebrows.  And Kate looks ready to cut her way through a lot of mess.

Also... Did you see the new look to Ilona & Gordon's site?  W-O-W.  Really!  Kate looks like one tough chick and she has gone through hell.  Flames, blood, and one ticked off strong Kate.  Damn do I want this book!!


What do you think?  Screams action!  And Fight!!! LOL. (I do loOove a great fight)  Oh, and side note, if you aren't happy, I'm sorry but please don't ruin my wonder and love of this cover.  I'm totally syked about the series as I'm thrilled to have been shown the light.  I'm loving the cover and the new look of the site.  So much to look forward to!

Book Review: Curran POV 1 & 2

 Curran POV Vol 1

By:  Gordon Andrews

Publisher:  Gordon & Ilona Andrews

Publish Date:  October 9, 2010

Format:  eNovella of short collections

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  1st of Curran POV, and Kate Daniels Series: Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes, Magic Bleeds, Magic Slays; Curran POV 3 & 4

Recommendation:  OH GODS YES!!

My Thoughts and Summary:
Oh it's wonderful reading Curran's view.  He's such a perfect match for Kate it's unreal.  I love Curran's banter with Kate.  He has me constant smiling while reading them again, and from Curran's POV, just as brilliant.

This is definitely a collection to read AFTER the books.  It's wonderful to go back and read these and remember.  Actually, it makes me want to go back and re-read the series as I loved it that much.

Each book has a Curran view here:
Magic Bites:
When Curran first meets Kate in Unicorn Lane.  He knew some of Kate from Jim, as Jim works with her and strange as he's a cat and works alone or with a few from Pack.

I still full smile at the "Kitty, kitty, kitty" call from Kate.  And Curran's reaction! LOL!  This is the Beast Lords first impression of Kate.

Magic Burns:
When Curran brought Kate to the South East office to be healed, from slashes on her back and the poison.

Curran seems to realize his feelings and knows Exactly what he was doing with the soup.  These two are a pair!

Magic Strikes:
Curran pieces together why key members of his pack have gone rogue and who's at the lead while in the Loupe cage.

Oh what Curran calls Kate!  LOLOL!  He always has choice words in his mind about his love.  But we get to see Curran's chat with Julie before she lets him out.  Gods that girl is quick, smart and so good.  I do love her.  Curran sees the alpha in Kate and notes it to himself here.

Magic Bleeds:
The meeting of Alphas and The People when Curran sees Kate all dolled up...and with Saiman.

Oh, oh, oh!  I was hoping for this POV from Curran.  That is all I can say.  But this is the thoughts running through his head at that moment, before he gets called back to the meeting.

Then there is a teaser of the first chapter for Magic Strikes here as well.

##########

Curran POV Vol 2
Fathers and Sons

By:  Gordon Andrews

Publisher:  Gordon & Ilona Andrews

Publish Date:  May 19, 2011

Format:  eNovella

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  2nd in Curran POV, and Kate Daniels Series: Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes, Magic Bleeds, Magic Slays; Curran POV 3 & 4

Recommendation:  OH HELL! Read it.  And learn what happens between Curran and Mohan.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Curran wakes from his two week coma to Kate at his side and to hear another has come to challenge her.  He has other plans and goes to the Alpha Pack Council meeting.  Then Curran tells Mohan, his adoptive father, to stay.  Curran knows this is it, they need to have this out about Kate now.

This is why Curran is THE Beast Lord.  Right up front.  This is not the banter and fun witted man we see with Kate.  This is the Beast Lord taking control of the Pack and the way things will go, his way.

In this one we get more.  We get Curran and Mahon.  I always wondered where he disappeared too after being known he didn't much care for Kate as Curran's mate.  This will settle that.

There is fun, but The Beast Lord makes his presence known, and there is fighting to please all.



You can find both these ebooks for free on Ilona Andrews site.



**I read these for my own enjoyment.

UF Blog Chat (32) Final Stop!

We have come to the end of Gunmetal Magic and finished the novella in the end; Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews.  A novel in Kate's world along with a few days in Kate's crazy life.

I hope those of you who have read this one will join Robyn and I as Robyn hosts the chat this week.

I'm curious as to your thoughts on this book, Andrea, Raphael, and ROMAN!! lol.

So please join us: Final Chat on Gunmetal Magic.

***Warning: There will be SPOILERS at Robyn's blog in the comments, and potentially in the questions.

Who? What? Where? (88)

Who are you with? Where are you at? What's happening?

Share with us just a little bit of what is happening in the book you are reading, right where you are now.

Just a tiny taste of what's happening, remember try to not give spoilers of the book.

(This is a new meme I'm going to try and will tweak as I go. And please don't laugh at my lame attempt at drawing. ;D )

This Week:

I'm standing with Kate by the stone wall of the Keep, watching.  Watching as Curran fights a challenge by a crazy drunk Viking who has a magical specialty of his own.  But Kate needs him for his knowledge too, so he can't hurt him and needs to win.  Listening to Kate, I think she's enjoying this.

Magic Gifts
By:  Ilona Andrews


Others have shown interest in joining in this post, and linking up.  So I've created a linky for that.
My only requests; copy the picture to use, and link back to My World...in words and pages.
Please visit any joining in.
Thank you!

Teaser Tuesday (140)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

This Week:

To the left, Curran thrust his claws through the flesh under his vamp's chin.  The bloody tips of the talons emerged from the back of the bloodsucker's neck.

Magic Gifts
By:  Ilona Andrews

Novella in back of Gunmetal Magic, 340pg

UF Book Chat (32) 1st Stop

We have come to the half-way point of Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews.  Nice to see Andrea on her own here.

Alright, the chat is on!  We will talk about things in the first half of the book and what we thinks to come.

***WARNING:  There will be SPOILERS in the comments, and possibly in questions as well.

Robyn and I have a few quick questions to get us started.  If you have anything else, please comment and we'll chat about it.

Robyn's Questions:
1.)  How do you think is responsible for the deaths?  Could it be Anapa?
2.)  What about Raphael?  It's obvious they are meant to be together?  But how far will he go to make her his?  Will he ever have competition?  I thought it was interesting to see Roman flirt.  I wondered what what would happen if Raphael heard about that?
3.)  Do you like this new view of the magic world?

Melissa's Questions:
1.)  What is with the artifacts and the knife?  What do you think they are connected to?
2.)  Did Anapa sniff Andrea?  What do you make of him?
3.)  What is up with the prophecy with the Oracle that Roman is researching?  Will we learn more here or in the future with another novel?
4.)  Who do you think the backer was for the closed reclamation company?
5.)  What about Ascanio?  Andrea's new sidekick?
6.)  Will we learn about whatever was at Andrea's apartment, in the basement?  Is it related as well?

Who? What? Where (87)

Who are you with? Where are you at? What's happening?

Share with us just a little bit of what is happening in the book you are reading, right where you are now.

Just a tiny taste of what's happening, remember try to not give spoilers of the book.

(This is a new meme I'm going to try and will tweak as I go. And please don't laugh at my lame attempt at drawing. ;D )

This Week:

I'm sleeping in a tree on a branch in Sibley Forest with Andrea.  After last night; fighting that magic filled creature and learning what we did from Raphael... well to relax in nature feels good and relaxing.  Like everything should be this simple.  I have a feeling our backs are going to hurt from this branch, and who knows what creatures lurk here.

Gunmetal Magic
By:  Ilona Andrews


Others have shown interest in joining in this post, and linking up.  So I've created a linky for that.
My only requests; copy the picture to use, and link back to My World...in words and pages.
Please visit any joining in.
Thank you!

Teaser Tuesday (139)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

This Week:

The jackhammer shuddered in my hands.  I dug my foot claws into the beast's back and plunged the jackhammer deep into the behemoth's flesh.

Gunmetal Magic
By:  Ilona Andrews
73pg

UF Book Chat (32) Schedule

Our next book is part of a series we've already been reading.  It's a spin off, but I'm excited to keep up in this world.  And this character has caught my eye more and more with each book of the originating series.

Who, or what, is it you ask...

Gunmetal Magic
By:  Ilona Andrews
Description:
Includes a free bonus: a Kate Daniels novella, "Magic Gifts" 
The "New York Times "bestselling Kate Daniels novels have been hailed as "top-notch urban fantasy" ("Monsters and Critics"). Now, Ilona Andrews delves deeper into Kate's world, and reveals its untold stories... 

After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea's whole existence is in shambles. She tries to put herself back together by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend. When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano--the male alpha of the Clan Bouda, and Andrea's former lover--die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate. Now she must work with Raphael as her search for the killer leads into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta. And dealing with her feelings for him might have to take a back seat to saving the world... 

Schedule:
October 18, 2013 ~ 169pg ~ End of Chapter 9
October 25, 2013 ~ End of Gunmetal Magic, and including Magic Gifts

Book Review: Magic Slays

Magic Slays

By:  Ilona Andrews

Publisher:  Ace Books

Publish Date:  June 2011

Format:  Paperback 308pgs, pocketbook size

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  5th in Kate Daniels series; 1st Book ~ Magic Bites, 2nd Book ~ Magic Burns, 3rd Book ~ Magic Strikes, 4th Book ~ Magic Bleeds, Short Stories ~ Curran POV 3 & 4

Recommendation:  Oh Yes!  This book has so many balls flying through the air, and more for us to learn about them all.

Book Synopsis:
Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly.  Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job.

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, but she's still knee-deep in paranormal problems.  Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her.  Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be - now that the Order is disparaging her good name.  Plus, many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate's mate.

So when Atlanta's premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work.  But it turns out that this is not an isolated incident.  Kate needs to get to the bottom of it - and fast, or the city and everyone dear to her may pay the ultimate price...

First Sentence:
The ringing of the phone jerked me from my sleep.

My Thoughts and Summary:
It's been two months since Kate's Aunt attack on the city.  Before the crack of dawn Kate receives a phone call from Julie's school.  She's run away, again, and now they agree since she doesn't want to be there they won't take her back, for her own safety.  Curran believes Julie will be safe staying with them and with three hundred shafters ready to protect her, Kate has agreed but teaches Julie a little lesson in the way she comes home.  Kate has opened Cutting Edge Investigations, only a month ago and no ones called to hire her thanks to The Order has been bad mouthed her name, just bills piling up.  Even through the Pack is paying the bills, for a short time, she wants to stand on her own two feet.  Her first call, Ghastek with a lose vampire heading her direction, the journeyman had fainted while navigating.  Finally when the vampire is under control and Ghastek shows, he passes out himself, of all people to lose control.  Something is up.  Kate's second call, is Rene from the Red Guard, she was the woman at the guard of Midnight Games, wants to hire her to find her charge and his magical device that was taken from her protection.  Even though no useful information is available to find this man, the twenty grand and an endorsement for Cutting Edge Investigation from the Red Guard convinces Kate to take the job.  This man and his device could end up being very dangerous to Kate, all her friends and family, and even the whole magical city.

Even though this is two months later, I feel as we are right where we left off from Magic Bleeds.  This book makes me smile on the first page, and so happy to see the fun jabs between Curran and Kate are not lost with the love they share.

Kate's family heritage is growing.  She learns more of her mother through others here.  I found it interesting what Kate learns from the witches.

Andrea is ever present in this book as well, and with her own personal issues.  Andrea had left with Grendel, Kate's attack poodle which was in Andrea's care, after the fight with Kate's Aunt.  But she's back, and been through a mess with The Order.  Saiman is present for a scene as well.  We get to see him in his true form, again, and learn of what Curran inflicted upon him after what happened in Magic Bleeds.  Oh I am really enjoying Saiman, and his true form.   Oh Julie...I love this girl.  Kate is raising her to be one strong woman, and had taught her to fight.  We get to see Julie and enjoy her humor for a few before we worry greatly for her.

This book didn't hit me as hard as Magic Bleeds.  Magic Bleeds was one that hit me all at once with a high point that ran full throttle to the end, and I couldn't stop.  Magic Slays was one that kept going.  There was so many great scenes and so many different people being affected.  Each scene was non-stop.  This book was the high hit all the way through.  No low.  I eat up the action, the happenings, and worries like crazy.  All from Andrea to Julie to Kate and Curran, the magic, death, the pack, family, and so many more!

This book has so many balls flying through the air and none are falling flat.  One amazing read from the start to the finish.


I read this book for my own enjoyment.
Please remember this review is of my personal thoughts and opinions.

Looking Forward Too...(100)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down. Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

Next Book Is...

Gunmetal Magic

#5.5 Kate Daniels world, Andrea's book

By:  Ilona Andrews

Due Out:  July 31, 2012

So I'm a late bloomer to this series, I just recently finished Magic Slays and right there with you all waiting for the next moments of books, stories, and anthologies.  I've become a book stoker of this series, author, you name it.  And I hold my head high, proud of it.  LOL!

This book is a story through Andrea.  I will say she has been a growing character to me and after Magic Slays, she sooooo deserves her own story!

Goodreads Synopsis:

Some people have everything figured out — Andrea Nash is not one of those people. After being kicked out of the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea's whole existence is in shambles. All she can do is try to put herself back together, something made easier by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend, Kate Daniels.

When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano — the male alpha of Clan Bouda and Andrea's former lover — die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate ... and must work with Raphael. As her search for the killer leads her into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta, Andrea knows that dealing with her feelings for Raphael might have to take a backseat to saving the world ...