A Hex for Danger by Esme Addison

Aleksandra Daniels is slowly settling into the family business and learning to wield her hidden magic. Her happy life is threatened when a travelling artist is murdered and one of her small circle of friends is the prime suspect. While Alex's investigation is hampered by her boyfriend being the lead detective, it is further complicated by industrial espionage and magical interference. Has Alex cast her last spell?

I found this mystery well put together, with enough clues that it fitted together and enough red herrings to keep me guessing. The solution was clever and well written! Unfortunately, the ongoing story arc totally spoiled the first book (victim, murderer, motive), so heads up for that, this series should not be read out of order. The paranormal added an interesting twist but some of it felt a little confused; it’s definitely building up an ongoing story arc. 

The lead character really frustrated me - mostly on how her detective boyfriend sets down clear and sensible boundaries (both for her safety and his job) and she steps all over them, along with violating her family’s ethics, and doesn’t face any consequences in this book. It also annoyed me that everyone assumed Celeste's guilt over what seemed like very circumstantial evidence - which is fine for the town gossips, but I'd expect the police to look for actual evidence, especially with an incorrect arrest in recent memory.

Overall this was a good read and a well written mystery but there were a few things that bothered me and I'd suggest starting at the first book.

A Hex for Danger is available now in ebook or hard copy.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own

Calculated Risks by Seanan McGuire

Y'all. I made a mistake.

I've been really good at going to bed recently. I'd hit the sack between ten and eleven o'clock, maybe closer to midnight if I'm going a bit late. But for this book? I started reading and didn't get off the couch until I was done, somewhere after two am.

As a quick note, Calculated Risks is not a good place to start this series. The best place to start would be at the beginning with Discount Armageddon, or perhaps with one of the many short stories on Seanan's website. Calculated Risks picks up directly where Imaginary Numbers left off, stranded in an alien dimension by semi-sentient math.

Trust me, it makes sense in context.

Sarah is a delight to read because she's so aware that's she's different - non-human, raised as a Price - and circumstances have her viewing her own family from the outside. They're as weird and scary as you would expect from a paranoid set of cryptozoologists. We get more understanding of Sarah and her species, and we get to explore a whole new world. Seanan manages to weave together the familiar and the fantastical into a cohesive if sometime confusing whole, and I loved it.

This book had me riveted to the very end and immediately after finishing I wanted to go back and read it again, so this makes this an easy five stars.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

Blog Tour: Escaping Demons by Killian Wolf (with giveaway!)

One phone call landed me the perfect job. Too bad it didn’t come with life insurance.

I didn’t think this job would be anything special. Sure, the first phone call was weird, and yeah, maybe it wasn’t the smartest idea to come to someone’s house before I met them in person, but Dax seemed nice. All he wanted was a caretaker for his sick father.

Oh, and an exorcist for the spirits haunting his family’s estate. Now he’s left me alone with his father, and the ghosts know my name. Caring for an old man with dementia, I can do. Fighting evil spirits? That’s way above my pay grade.

But Dax has disappeared so I have to learn on my own or both Orlando and I might not live to see tomorrow...

Purchase Links
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B089QWK9MZ
US- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089QWK9MZ

Review

Addison desperately needs a job so when a job offer as a live-in nurse comes out of the blue. Too bad the beautiful old house is almost certainly haunted. There's a room full of creepy dolls, a mysterious voice keeps calling her name, and she's pretty sure that was a demon she saw upstairs.

Diving deep into the magickal and the supernatural, this book had a lot of twists I didn't see coming. It quickly takes a turn into horror, it's a wonder that Addie didn't turn tail and run two nights in. I certainly would have! It all culminates in a reveal had me flipping back to see what I missed. To be fair, I missed quite a lot. There's so much going on, important clues and meaningful asides are mixed in with the seriously creepy.

I especially enjoyed the chapters from the point of view of Ambrose, once I understood who and what he was. (From the looks of it, there's a prequel story that might give context). Ambrose is delightfully new at being human(ish) which is both charming and entertaining.

The first person present tense narration may put some off - it does take a while to get used to and naturally lends itself to a bit more stream of consciousness. The limited point of view keeps the reader just as confused as poor Addie, though perhaps I would've appreciated a bit more around the 'rules' of this world (as Addie perceives them) and maybe a bit less Santeria (which kinda came out of nowhere to muddy the waters).

There's a lot in this book - ghosts, demons, eternal politics, magick, Santeria - but if you're looking for horror-lite/paranormal that's a bit more out of the ordinary, give this one a go.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own.

Author Bio 

Killian Wolf is a Miami, FL native who enjoys pirates, rum, and skulls as much as she loves writing about dark magick and sorcerers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cultural Anthropology and Sociology and a Master of Science in Environmental Archaeology and Palaeoeconomy.

Killian writes books about obtaining magickal powers, and stepping into other dimensions. She lives in England with her husband, a tornado of a cat, and the most timid snake you'd ever meet.

When she isn't writing, you might find her at an Archaeological dig, rock climbing, or sipping on dark spiced rum while working on a painting.

Social Media Links
FB: https://www.facebook.com/killianwolfauthor/
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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/killianwolf
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEQvyqjMZxhQ6U_N-iS4L5w?view_as=subscriber

Giveaway to Win a £25/ $25 Amazon Gift Card (Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea by Kerrelyn Sparks

Raised on the magic-seeped Isle of Moon, Maeve is used to unusual powers--and the way they fuel the politics of her world. But when she discovers an ability to shape-shift at will, she knows who she wants to share it with first. Brody, the enigmatic, infuriating shifter-spy has always made time for Maeve. But it's been almost two months since she's seen him. And though no one else believes Brody is in danger, Maeve is more than ready to rescue him herself.

The rumors Brody's investigating are terrifying: a secret army of magic-users, in the service of the cruel Circle of Five. But when he uncovers the identity of one of the Five, the mission becomes personal. Cursed as a boy by the Sea Witch, Brody can spend only two hours a day in his human form, a restriction that limits his future and muzzles his heart. Plus Maeve teases him for being such a pretty doggy instead of appreciating his manly charms. To win his freedom, he must take on a terrible disguise. And when Maeve finds out, she'll unleash a tempest like no other . . .

Review

It's been quite a while since I've read a book by Kerrelyn Sparks and none of those were from this series. This is the fifth book in this series and it really shows - all Maeve's sisters are happily married (all to kings no less!) and Maeve is the baby sister left behind.

The author does a great job of sketching out the family relationships and pressures that drive both Maeve and Brody. As a fantasy romance this was a great light read with a good balance of plot and  romance. It does suffer a bit for being so far along in a series that I felt like I needed both a map and a character list to keep track of all the names, and having come in at this late stage, I was less invested in the character moments from previous books. I enjoyed this book, but I definitely think I would've enjoyed it more if I had read the previous books.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley; all opinions are my own.

Warping Minds and Other Misdemeanors by Annette Marie

Some time this year, I stumbled across Annette Marie. The audiobooks of her Guild Codex novels got me through many an evening in lockdown. They're all about relatable, likeable characters caught up in a world of magic and danger. I have now caught up and eagerly await each new release.

Also, her release schedule is incredible. They're almost one a month at the moment, though September is release-free and October has two series finales to make up for it. Her books are funny, engaging, and extremely entertaining. Not only that, but she sets up situations that leave me on edge but never lets my fears come to pass - I'm not sure exactly what I'm dreading, second-hand humiliation perhaps, but it doesn't happen. It's wonderful.

Her latest Guild Codex book is the first in a new subseries - Warped - and her first with a co-writer. Despite many other books to read and review, I couldn't resist picking this one up.

If you’re looking at this, odds are that you've read other Guild Codex books. If you have, you'll love another side to the mythic world and how it fits into the stories we've already seen (after Three Mages, if you're wondering)

If you haven't read the other series, this is a great place to start, as Kit is an engaging and sympathetic POV with a lot to learn. You will encounter minor spoilers for Three Mages and a Margarita (Spellbound #1) but nothing too serious.

I really enjoyed this book and I think you will too! Can't wait to see what Kit does next...

Blog Tour: A Good Demon is Hard to Find by Kate Moseman

Sometimes, a date from hell is just what you need...

When Erin thoughtlessly lays a curse on Mark, her cheating ex-husband, she doesn’t expect a well-dressed Great Earl of Hell to show up in her kitchen to fulfill the curse (and make damn good coffee while he’s at it).

Andromalius specializes in wickedness and revenge. He’s ready, willing, and able to rain down hell on Erin’s ex—but when Mark announces a hasty new marriage, Erin needs more than just revenge.
She needs a date to the wedding.

Fans of Good Omens, Lucifer, and The Good Place will love this wickedly funny paranormal romantic comedy!

Purchase Link http://mybook.to/agooddemon

Review

At last, a rom-com that is actually funny! I have a friend who is often (rightly) upset at books billed as rom-coms with a mere smattering of humour. Happily, this is not one of those. This is an irreverent laugh-out-loud light read about a woman who accidentally summons a demon.

Erin's awful ex-husband wants her to stop going to the church he still attends with his new partner - which, if there was any justice, HE would be politely asked to move on from. Fed up beyond belief, Erin curses him and ends up with a demon in her kitchen. Andromalius (Andy for short) is witty, handsome, and very bored after millenia of doing pretty much nothing. A spot of light revenge seems like just the thing.

I definitely enjoyed reading this book and seeing Erin get back on her feet. There was a ton of banter and some nice female friendship. I do however feel it wrapped up very quickly once feelings were realised which came off as almost abrupt. While I appreciate the lack of angst, there were a few problems that were mentioned, glossed over, and quickly forgotten in favour of a happy ending, things that might be a teeny bit important to that ending, like 'gender', and 'immortality'.

Yeah.

There was a fun subplot between two of the supporting characters that is probably leading to another book. I'm keen to read it, but would like that one to be a bit longer and answer a few of those questions that were left hanging, instead of rushing to the end.

Four stars

I received a copy of this book from Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

Author Bio
Kate Moseman is a writer, photographer, and recipe developer who lives in Florida with her family and enjoys going to theme parks as frequently as possible.
 
Social Media Links
https://www.katemoseman.com
https://www.facebook.com/katemosemanauthor/
https://twitter.com/KateMoseman
https://www.instagram.com/katemoseman/
https://www.pinterest.com/katemosemanauthor/

Blog Tour: Death in the Sound by Rhen Garland

Death in the Sound; The Versipellis Mystery Series Book Two.
The year is 1900, responding to a desperate plea from an old friend, Elliott, Giselle, and Thorne, accompanied by Veronique the Labrador, travel from England to New Zealand to unravel a new and complex mystery.
For his daughter’s twenty first birthday, Millionaire philanthropist Octavius Damant orchestrates a weekend party aboard the Taniwha, a luxurious paddle steamer moored in the primordial and isolated landscape of Milford Sound.
Several high society guests are invited to their remote home for the celebrations; Sir Wesley Eade, society lawyer and his beautiful but icy mistress Lady Leonora Carlton-Cayce, Dona Carla Riva, a flamboyant Brazilian dancer, and Carolyn Nolloth, O.D’s estranged sister-in-law who has a great love of other people’s money.
But O.D is the subject of persecution; a series of anonymous letters accuse him of past crimes and threaten the life of his daughter unless he gives in to their creator’s poisonous demands.
Elliott, Giselle, and Thorne discover the odds stacked against them when an unforeseen murder is committed, and they find themselves trapped aboard the Taniwha with a killer who will seemingly stop at nothing to achieve their ends.
As the body count rises, they must unravel the clues and piece together a devilish jigsaw that includes blackmail, extortion, desire, and the reappearance of the fabulous Larkspur Diamond, a gemstone with a past as murky and blood soaked as that of the relentless killer on board.
Set in the late Victorian era, with a touch of the odd, and a twist of the macabre, “Death in the Sound” continues the crime solving, paranormal escapades of Elliott Caine, Giselle Du’Lac, and Abernathy Thorne.
Book One, “A Portrait of Death” was released in 2018.
Review:
This is the second book in the Versipellis series of Victorian era mysteries, classic whodunnits with a paranormal twist. Death in the Sound finds us on a boat in Milford Sound in the South Island of New Zealand, where blackmail and betrayal disrupt the twenty-first birthday of a sheltered young woman.
Our merry band of protagonists are on board to investigate threatening letters to the host, but are quickly drawn in as the body count rises.
This is a delightfully twisty mystery with false leads and little clues, so that as one puzzle becomes clear, another presents itself for solving. I enjoyed the clever way that everything fitted together and was gradually revealed, as well as the little touches of local colour and Victorian society.
The main place where this interesting plot falls down is the editing. It really needed a good copy-editor who could point out the difference between Gaelic (Irish) and Gallic (French), the correct spelling of discreet, and who could chop up the run-on sentences that sometimes took over entire paragraphs. Once the plot gets going, it is easier to ignore these errors, but I found them distracting.
I also found the paranormal side of the mystery surfaced in a rather expositional way. While it adds something different to the mystery, it also slowed down the plot. There were also a few loose ends to extrenuous storylines that could've well been cut.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would like to read more in the series, but sincerely hope the author engages a good editor and cuts back on the exposition.
Three stars.
Purchase Links:
Kindle https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B082Q39R3H
Paperback https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1674868367
Amazon.com - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082Q39R3H
Author Bio:
Rhen Garland lives in Somerset, England with her folk-singing, book-illustrating husband, approximately 4000 books, an equal number of ancient movies, and a large collection of passive-aggressive Tomtes.
She enjoys the countryside, peace, and Prosecco and the works of Ngaio Marsh, Glady Mitchell, John Dickson Carr/Carter Dickson, Agatha Christie, Simon R Green, and Terry Pratchett.
"I watch far too many old school murder mystery films, TV series, and 1980s action movies for it to be considered healthy."
"Death in the Sound" is a murder mystery thriller with paranormal touches set in late Victorian England and is the second book in the Versipellis Mysteries Series, book one “A Portrait of Death” was released in 2018.
Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/RhenGarlandMysteries
https://www.instagram.com/rhen_garland/
https://twitter.com/RhenWitch
https://rhengarlandkdp.wixsite.com/rhengarland
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rhen-garland
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18718625.Rhen_Garland

Ocean Light by Nalini Singh

Some long-running series feel like the author is just ringing it in. Swap out the names, fuzz some of the details, publish.

This is not one of those series. This might be book #17, but it is a valuable and enjoyable continuation of a story that started way back at book #1. The characters are unique, the romance is sweet, and the overarching story arc never feels stale. Do both characters feel almost too perfect to be true? Maybe. There's not a huge amount of growing for each to do - the conflict is more external than internal, but it all makes sense in context.

It's not a great place to start the series - try book #1 Slave to Sensation or book #16 Silver Silence (if you want to skip 15 books of delicious romance, your loss) - but anyone who has been following the Psy-Changeling series must read this book.

Four stars.

Siren's Calling by Piper J Drake

Title: Siren’s Calling

Author: Piper J. Drake

Series: The Sea King’s Daughters

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: September 18, 2018

Publisher: Independent

Print Length: 22,000 words

ASIN: B07FWSWV5T

Amae Waters will never live up to her father's expectations--she's not a leader and she's not a soldier. Rather than live with his disappointment, she's left his realm and built a life for herself in Seattle, a mermaid blending in with humankind. Her mission? To prepare the oceans for the return of her people. But she's not sure she's cut out to accomplish that either.

A new predator has entered the waters of the Puget Sound, ravaging orcas and leaving their carcasses to wash ashore for humans to find. Whatever is killing them is beyond human understanding and Amae must find it before it irrevocably damages the complex balance of the ocean ecosystems.

But a greater danger lurks in the deep. Amae is done evading traps. She'll defend her territory and prove she needn't be a soldier to be a warrior or become the sacrifice used to end her people.

Look for other stories in this exciting Urban Fantasy series from Philippa Ballantine, Stacia D. Kelly, Lauren Harris, Katee Robert, and Asa Maria Bradley.

Get More information at: Goodreads   Amazon

Review:

The fourth in a series of novellas about mermaids, Siren's Calling still manages to stand on its own. Perhaps it uses a bit too much exposition to get there - Amae sure does like to ruminate on herself - but no matter. The story is fast paced and the two main characters are interesting in their own rights. I can't say too much without spoiling the story, but if you're looking for urban fantasy that isn't vampires or werewolves, this is a great place to dip your toes.

Three and a half stars

I received an ARC from Barclay Publicity; all opinions are my own.

Siren's Curse by Katee Robert

Title: Siren’s Curse

Author: Katee Robert

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: August 13, 2018

Publisher: Indie

Series: The Sea King’s Daughters

Page Count: 76 pages

Format: Digital

ASIN: B07DJK2HQR

Synopsis:

Lorelei Fischer is cursed. A mermaid who can’t shapeshift, can’t create portals, and is no longer fully who she was meant to be. Too ashamed to admit how badly she failed to her sisters, she takes refuge in a small town in northern California and opens a used bookstore. With no way to regain what she’s lost, she resigns herself to a life half-lived.

After nearly drowning under the dark of the new moon, there’s no escaping the truth. She’s being hunted, and this enemy will stop at nothing to take her.

Lorelei must find a way to reclaim her birthright and her abilities before it's too late. Because the sea holds more monsters than she could have dreamed—and one of them wants her dead.

Look for other stories in this exciting Urban Fantasy series from Philippa Ballantine, Stacia D. Kelly, Lauren Harris, and Asa Maria Bradley.

Available at:  

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2syiT2e

Review:

For such a short read, Katee Robert sure does know how to pack a lot in! The prose is tight and descriptive, the action is non-stop, and every character had its place. I only wish it was a little longer.

While this is third in a multi-author series about mermaids, I didn't feel like I was missing out by starting here. Instead, my interest was piqued and now I'm interested in reading the other books.

There's a new wave on urban fantasy on the shores of Booktopia and I recommend giving this one a go.

Four salty stars.

I received an ARC from Barclay publicity.

Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh

Dark and exhilarating as two prickly souls find each other

Wow-ee. I feel like I just scoffed down a dark chocolate cake – a really rich one with ganache and maybe a bit of raspberry. I wanted more of it just so I could glory in its beauty. This is book 10 in Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series and it’s a cracker.

Venom and Holly have great chemistry. They’ve been striking sparks off each other for a few books and their constant banter is a delight to read. The entire book is a delight to read, come to think of it. I loved the growing feelings between the two; the scene where we finally get under Venom’s skin? Amazing. Nalini has taken one of the more reserved, unreadable characters and shown the heart he’s been hiding for so long.

The pain and beauty of this series lie in the evaluation of time – what you do with it and what happens when you have more of it than the people you love. Once again, this book hits those themes right in the feels.

For some background: this series is a combination of romance and fantasy, so some books introduce new couples while others return to the main couple. This book introduces a new couple, though the characters have both appeared previously. As such, it’s one of the better entry points to the series – there are a lot of characters to keep track of, but the plot is relatively self contained. I’d still recommend starting at the beginning, but it that’s not available, this one’s good, as long as you don’t mind some spoilers. My only complaint is the amount of exposition at the start. I felt like we didn’t need to know all that detail and it seemed a little heavy-handed – contrast Honor’s story for background drama that didn’t require infodumps.

I loved this book and cannot wait to read more in this series, particularly about Illium and Aodhan, though their time is yet to come. I also want a meet-the-parents scene, because that got teased a couple of times and I think that’d be delightful.

Five poisonous stars (because between these two, poison is totally a compliment)

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

Sexy paranormal mystery with colourful characters

Charley Davidson sees dead people. It’s gotten her into trouble more than a few times, so she’s learnt to keep her mouth shut and feed anonymous tips to her police detective uncle. She also sees a mysterious dark figure who has saved her life a few times and might be entering her dreams – and she’s definitely not telling her uncle about those.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a madcap whirl as Charley juggled several cases, survived on coffee, and generally failed to avoid getting beaten up. The plot was all over the place, full of twists and turns that in the end, mattered less than those precious moments between characters as Charley helps the dead find peace. She’s smart-mouthed and terrible at self-preservation, but she’s so upfront about it, you can’t help but love her anyway. The supporting cast is great as well, my particular favourites being her best friend Cookie and Cookie’s adorable daughter Amber. It did feel like it was setting Charley up for a series, introducing heaps of characters and dropping dark hints, so I’ll have to track down the next ones.

If you like your paranormal romance with a side of ass-kicking mystery, take Charley Davidson for a ride.

Four ‘grim’ stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Silver Silence by Nalini Singh

Sometimes I feel like my rating system is broken. I found myself drawn into this book and thoroughly enjoyed reading it, but as I measure it against the others in this fantastic series, I rated it four stars when there are five-star books I did not like nearly as much.

Anyway, I found this a great romance as usual. The characters are unique and interesting; the bears delightful. The backing plot felt a little weak in this one - perhaps a result of so many happy couples working together, thwarting the bad guys at every turn - but there are some tantalising hints about what might turn up in the future and I eagerly await whatever comes next.

Four (or should that be five?) fantastic stars

Donn's Hill by Caryn Larrinaga

Cosy mystery with a side of creepy 

It's an old story - the new person in town seeking a fresh start, a murder that casts everything into question. The twist in this particular tale is Mac’s psychic powers and they add a delightfully creepy edge, especially at the beginning. 

Aside from that, the book is well written, the supporting cast varied and interesting, the mystery fast paced, the answer not easily obvious, and the overall effect extremely promising. 

Five psychic stars

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author via ReadingAlley in return for an honest review

Swords & Stilettos by Kristen D. Van Risseghem

Sturgeon’s Law states that 90% of everything is crud. Too often, I’ve picked up a YA book with high hopes, only to find myself reading the same old tired tropes and bored out of my head. I was delighted to find Swords & Stilettos bucks the trend falls solidly into the good 10%. It’s full of tropes, chock-a-block with clichés – and it all works.

There’s a love triangle, mean girls, werewolves and fairies, angels and demons locked in a cosmic war, and one seemingly normal girl caught in the middle. In a different book, this could all be a mess of tortured tropes, but in this one, it’s a blast to read.

Apart from the mean girls (whose mean motivation is hinted at, but never fully revealed), there’s no sense of “not like other girls” that haunts too many YA novels. Zoe enjoys shopping and fashion and spending time with her girl friends. In fact, I would’ve liked to see her interacting with them some more, especially at the beginning, as their friendships seems a little more informed than realistic.

Otherwise, her relationships are sweet and believable, especially Kieran struggling with but accepting his love is unrequited. I’m sick of the love triangle taking over a story and am so glad it is used and then discarded. Zoe does dip into TSTL sometimes, but that’s more an offshoot of her protective streak than thoughtlessness.

My only disappointment is that title is Swords & Stilettos, but while the former played a significant part, the latter were rather lacking. I would personally have liked more ass kicking in high heels, but that’s probably just me.

If you want realistic, walk on by, but if you are looking for a solidly well-written story with likeable characters, pick this book up and enjoy. I’m certainly looking forward to the next one.

Five troperiffic stars.

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My Maker's Keeper by Tiffany Current

At first glance, this book starts like a Twilight knock-off: teenager starts high school in a new town, supported by a caring single parent, with a twist: she’s the vampire. BUT if you can get past the knee-jerk reaction to the actual story, it’s well worth your time.

Hannah is an eminently sympathetic main character: she wants nothing more than a normal life and only slowly does she realise how much vampirism has changed her and the future ahead of her. Beyond the thirst for blood, super senses, and mesmerism, there’s a part of her that craves more. The arrival of her Maker Lucas and his sister Vivian tips her new life on its side and that’s when the plot kicks off for real. It’s sexy, action-packed, and ends with a bang.

I’m not a fan of the love triangle (or quadrangle, really) that the author has set up but it seems semi-resolved by the end of the book. I hope that it will not be a recurring plot point when there are so many more threads to continue. I want to know how far this conspiracy reaches, where will Hannah go to college, and what is up with Jackson!?

If a teenage paranormal romance is what you’re looking for and you don’t mind things getting steamy, give this book a try. It’s an entertaining and engaging high school romance with a bloody twist.

Four bloody stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through ReadingAlley in exchange for an honest review.

The Haunting of Hotel LaBelle by Sharon Buchbinder

Tallulah sees dead people. No, really. Her mother was institutionalised for her visions so Tallulah’s medicine woman grandmother cautioned her against revealing her talents. Instead, she is a hotel inspector, travelling the country with her pet pug Franny. When she step into the Hotel LaBelle, she has no idea that she will meet a not-quite-ghost who will turn her life upside down.

This was a fun read – the plot was fast-paced, the dialogue witty, and the research into and portrayal of the Native Americans was fantastic. The book pulled no punches when it came to the effect of colonisation which I really appreciated. It also highlighted some moral discrepancies between Lucius (born 100 years ago) and Tallulah (an independent woman, thank you very much). He starts off rather annoying and pushy, but they learn to get along and there is a spectacular declaration of love at the end.

My main criticism is that it bounces around genres a bit too much for my liking. It starts off as a paranormal romance and blitzes through crime, legal thriller, and back to romance. Each part has its own mini-conflict to resolve and this made it a bit disjointed. The romance tied it together but the instant attraction felt a little forced and the miscommunication was repetitive at times.

If you are looking for a whirlwind romance with fantasy and echoes of the Wild West, give this book a try!

Four fast-paced stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through ReadingAlley in exchange for an honest review.