Sunday, December 5, 2010

Review: Queen of Shadows


Queen of Shadows (A Novel of the Shadow World)Product Description
Meet Miranda Grey-music and magic are in her blood.

Overwhelmed by her uncanny ability to manipulate people's emotions through her music, Miranda Grey comes to the attention of vampire lord David Solomon. Believing he can help bring her magic under control, David discovers that Miranda's powers may affect the vampire world too...

Review:

Welcome to the Shadow World, the hidden world of vampires.  A group of vampires calls the Austin area home, as does Miranda Grey, a talented musician.  The vampire Prime, David Solomon, notices Miranda Grey while he stands in line at the grocery store holding a pint of Ben  & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia (evidently top dog vampires have a sweet tooth too). 
 
Miranda, who also has abilities as an empath and a telepath, hovers on the brink of madness as those abilities threaten to overwhelm her.  She uses those gifts but they take their toll on her, resulting in her shutting herself in her apartment as much as possible when not performing.
 
Shortly after their initial encounter, Miranda undergoes an extremely traumatic event and would have died if not for intervention from David.   He takes her to Haven, the base of operations for vampires in the South.   The story progresses steadily after Miranda goes to Haven.  The love story was believable and dealt with issues in a sensitive, caring manner, spread out over the course of almost a year.
 
The  author writes in a clear, concise style, maintains a good pace and excellent character growth throughout and crafts memorable secondary characters.  If she writes more in this series, I will definitely read them. 
 
Sensuality: a rape scene and a graphic sex scene
 
Rating: 4 stars

Friday, December 3, 2010

Product Review: Kindle update


Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 3G Works Globally, 6" Display - with New E Ink (Pearl) TechnologyAn update:  I did end up ordering the kindle 3 and have had it a few weeks now.  I love it.  It’s even lighter than the kindle 2, has more than double the book storage capability (3500 books!), the battery life is greatly increased (up to a month with wi-fi off!) and the e-ink contrast is dramatically increased, which decreases eye strain even more.  I was unsure if it would be a huge improvement and was very pleasantly surprised.

I ordered the 3G version because I wanted white but I do love the versatility of having 3G available wherever I go.  The wi-fi version only comes in the new graphite color.  If you have wi-fi set up at home or are often in areas that have wi-fi, the wi-fi version will probably be fine for you.

The kindle 3 is a fantastic gift idea for any occasion for yourself or a  loved one.


Cole Haan Hand-Stained Pebble Grain Leather Kindle Cover with Hinge (Fits 6" Display, Latest Generation Kindle), BurgundySince the kindle 3 is lighter, it feels more delicate.  I highly recommend a cover for it for your peace of mind, whichever type suits your needs better.  I bought the Cole Haan leather cover in Burgundy which adds a very luxurious feel to the reading experience, making it feel a great deal like reading a leather-bound book.

Review: Grave Witch


Grave Witch: An Alex Craft NovelProduct Description
Not even death can save her now.
As a grave witch, Alex Craft can speak to the dead-she's even on good terms with Death himself. As a consultant for the police, she's seen a lot of dark magic, but nothing has prepared her for her latest case. When she's raising a "shade" involved in a high profile murder, it attacks her, and then someone makes an attempt on her life. Someone really doesn't want her to know what the dead have to say, and she'll have to work with mysterious homicide detective Falin Andrews to figure out why...

Review:
What a great start to a new series!  I thoroughly enjoyed my introduction to the world of Alex Craft.  Humans, fae, witches, ghosts, soul reapers and shades (no werewolves or vampires here) make up the cast of characters.  Grave Witch has an interesting world, a strong but not perfect female lead, an intriguing male lead(s),  great descriptions, an interesting mystery/plot, good secondary characters, a little romance, and a great deal of room for story expansion. 

Without giving too much away, Alex is a PI with grave-sight, which means she sees one world super-imposed on top of our own world.  The price she pays for her magic use leaves her extremely vulnerable and requires help from her friends until the effects wear off.  Sometimes the effects last beyond the night, depending on how much magic she uses and how long she uses it.   I’m highly interested in where the author take Alex; sadly, the next installment will not be released until summer 2011 but it’s on my must-read list now!

I highly recommend Grave Witch.  It’s a great winter read when you want to hole up at home cuddled under a blanket with an engaging book at your fingertips and a cup of hot chocolate by your side.

Sensuality: one sex scene, semi graphic

Rating: 5 stars

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Review: Double Cross (The Disillusionists Book 2)


Double Cross (The Disillusionists Trilogy: Book 2)Product Description
SOME SECRETS COME BACK TO HAUNT. OTHERS COME TO KILL.

Justine Jones lived her life as a fearful hypochondriac until she was lured into the web of a mysterious mastermind named Packard, who gifts her with extraordinary mental powers—dooming her to fight Midcity’s shadowy war on paranormal crime in order to find the peace she so desperately craves.

But now serial killers with unheard-of skills are terrorizing the most powerful beings in Midcity, including mastermind Packard and his oldest friend and worst enemy, Midcity’s new mayor, who has the ability to bend matter itself to his will. 

As the body count grows, Justine faces a crisis of conscience as she tests the limits of her new powers and faces an impossible choice between two flawed but brilliant men—one on a journey of redemption, the other descending into a pit of moral depravity.

Review:
It must be said:  I seriously wanted to hurt the author at the end of this book for leaving me hanging like that!   However, I will admit the wisdom of the way it ended (to make you come back for the final installment of the trilogy!).   That said, on with the review!
 
Double Cross continues the fascinating world of ordinary people “zinging” their neuroses into other people.  Do not even think about reading this book if you haven’t read the first in the trilogy, Mind Games; there’s too much back story and you will be completely lost.
 
Justine’s main case in Double Cross is disillusioning Ez, a dream invader, who may or may not be guilty of causing people to be sleepwalking cannibals.   She also assists other disillusionists in investigating some highcap murders.  We meet a few new characters and previous characters show nice development.  
 
This book showed definite improvement over the first Disillusionist book, although the writing was still choppy and vague in places.  At times, I could tell a scene was supposed to be particularly horrifying but it felt glossed over, lacking urgency.  The same thing happened with a few other scenes, not the horrifying part, but a pivotal scene evoked the same emotions as a regular scene.  For example, several times, I was reading along and regular stuff regular stuff regular stuff (no spoilers here!) and then boom!  Major Information and I said to  myself “what?!” (reread, oh wow, that was sudden!)   A time or two and it makes for a super-fun surprising read, but it was distracting here.  I enjoyed Double Cross, indeed, I eagerly anticipate reading the final installment of the trilogy, just had to share that quibble.  
 
Sensuality:  a few brief sex scenes
 
Rating: 3.5 stars

Friday, November 26, 2010

Review: Mind Games (The Disillusionists Trilogy: Book 1)

 
Mind Games (The Disillusionists Trilogy: Book 1)Product Description
JUSTINE KNOWS SHE’S GOING TO DIE. ANY SECOND NOW.

Justine Jones has a secret. A hardcore hypochondriac, she’s convinced a blood vessel is about to burst in her brain. Then, out of the blue, a startlingly handsome man named Packard peers into Justine’s soul and invites her to join his private crime-fighting team. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal. With a little of Packard’s hands-on training, Justine can weaponize her neurosis, turning it outward on Midcity’s worst criminals, and finally get the freedom from fear she’s always craved. End of problem.
Or is it? In Midcity, a dashing police chief is fighting a unique breed of outlaw with more than human powers. And while Justine’s first missions, including one against a nymphomaniac husband-killer, are thrilling successes, there is more to Packard than meets the eye. Soon, while battling her attraction to two very different men, Justine is plunging deeper into a world of wizardry, eroticism, and cosmic secrets. With Packard’s help, Justine has freed herself from her madness—only to discover a reality more frightening than anyone’s worst fears.

Review:
Mind Games delves into the fears of Justine, a hypochondriac who yearns for a normal life.  Packard offers to help rid her of the fear that threatens to consume her.   It’s an unusual premise and the author satisfies with an amusing read. 

I enjoyed the story, but felt like the execution was a bit off; clunky sentence structure, flat descriptions, slightly shallow characterizations and an easily  manipulated heroine.  Some of it just felt forced, not a natural flow of events and character development.  That said, I did laugh out loud several times at some of the dialogue and situations in which Justine found herself.

I’d recommend this as a decent read even with the problems previously mentioned.  It’s a fun read with great promise.  I plan on reading all three and have the second ready to go.

Sensuality: several fade to black sex scenes and a few mild sex scenes, not overly descriptive.

Rating: 3 stars

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Review: Blood of the Demon (Kara Gillian Book 2)


Blood of the Demon (Kara Gillian, Book 2)Product Description
BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL, MAN AND DEMON, SHE’S ABOUT TO FACE THE ONE THING SHE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SURVIVE.

Welcome to the world of Kara Gillian, a cop with a gift. Not only does she have the power of “othersight” to see what most people can’t even imagine, but she’s become the exclusive summoner of a demon lord. Or maybe it’s the other way around. The fact is, with two troublesome cases on her docket and a handsome FBI agent under her skin, Kara needs the help of sexy, insatiable Lord Rhyzkahl more than he needs her. Because these two victims, linked by suspicious coincidence, haven’t just been murdered. Something has eaten their souls.

It’s a case with roots in the arcane, but whose evil has flowered among the rich, powerful, and corrupt in Beaulac, Louisiana. And as the killings continue, Kara soon realizes how much there’s still to learn about demons, men, and things that kill in the night—and how little time she has to learn it.

Review:
 
Blood of the Demon begins a month or two after the end of Mark of the Demon with an apparent murder-suicide.   Kara’s chief assigns her the case which adds to her already full plate.  Her aunt, still alive but in a coma, has a library with lots of answers but Kara encounters numerous problems attempting to get the answers. 
 
I really enjoyed Blood of the Demon.  Ms.  Rowland did an exceptional job portraying the life of a police officer as well as describing Kara’s internal struggle between Rhyzkhal and Ryan.  Kara advances quite a bit as a summoner in this installment as she makes an important discovery.  We learn a bit more about Ryan but are left with more questions than answers, pointing us to book 3.  Rhyzkhal is still a bit of a mystery as well; it will be interesting to see what his end-game is.
 
This isn’t a fast-paced hold on to the seat of your pants kind of book, so if that’s what you’re after, you should try Cassie Palmer, but it’s far from boring, has an intriguing mystery, interesting plot, great characters and a truly likeable heroine.  This book should be read after Mark of the Demon as it builds significantly on the previous book.  I’m looking forward to reading the third entry in the series in January 2011: Secrets of the Demon
 
Sensuality:  one brief sex scene, not overly graphic
 
Rating: 4 stars

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Review: Mark of the Demon (Kara Gillian Book 1)


Mark of the Demon (Kara Gillian, Book 1)Product Description
Cop and conjurer of demons, she's a woman in danger of losing control—to a power that could kill....

Why me? Why now? That’s what Beaulac, Louisiana, detective Kara Gillian was asking herself when an angelic creature named Rhyzkahl unexpectedly appeared during a routine summoning. Kara was hoping to use her occult skills to catch a serial killer, but never had she conjured anything like this unearthly beautiful and unspeakably powerful being whose very touch set off exquisite new dimensions of pleasure. But can she enlist his aid in helping her stop a killer who’s already claimed the lives—and souls—of thirteen people? And should she? The Symbol Man is a nightmare that the city thought had ended three years ago. Now he’s back for an encore and leaving every indication on the flesh of his victims that he, too, is well versed in demonic lore.

Kara may be the only cop on Beaulac’s small force able to stop the killer, but it is her first homicide case. Yet with Rhyzkahl haunting her dreams, and a handsome yet disapproving FBI agent dogging her waking footsteps, she may be in way over her head...

 
Review:
When looking for something a little bit different from the more traditional urban fantasy I’ve read, I found this little gem.  The demons described here are not evil, they simply exist on another plane and can be summoned to our world but the summoner pays a price.  The demon is then honor-bound to do what the summoner requires.  It’s an interesting take on demons and the author did well with creating the world.
 
Kara is a fun character to read, seems normal except for  her ability to summon demons.  She grew up with her wacky aunt, who taught her summoning.  Now she’s a police detective, brand new to homicide, who landed a huge serial killer case.  We quickly meet several people on the force, some FBI guys and a demon lord.   The author did a pretty decent job fleshing out the characters and their relationship to Kara but still leaving room for further development.
 
The mystery part was pretty good; I had fun working out whodunit along with Kara.   I’d recommend this book because it’s a great combination of genres: urban fantasy, murder mystery, suspense, with just a hint of a romance in the wings. It probably wouldn’t interest younger teens, but I'm ready to read the next one!
 
Sensuality: one brief sex scene, not excessively graphic, and some sensual dreams
 
Rating: 4 stars

Friday, November 19, 2010

Review: Curse the Dawn

 
Curse the Dawn (Cassandra Palmer, Book 4)Product Description
Cassie Palmer may be the world’s chief clairvoyant, but that doesn’t mean people have stopped trying to kill her. And now, the self-styled god Apollo, the source of Cassie’s power, is on the warpath—leaving her no choice but to face down her creator once and for all.




Review:
 
WOW!  What a wild ride!  This book, like all the others in the series, chains action scenes, chases, magic fights and a few sensual scenes together into a delightful read.  It had many laugh-out-loud moments, usually followed by “oh wow, that did NOT just happen!” moments.
 
Pritkin really shines in this book.  The chemistry between Cassie and him sizzles. Pritkin seems to be Cassie’s only true ally as she tries to learn how to do her job.  He doesn’t coddle her, he tells her the truth and doesn’t manipulate her into doing what he wants.  I sincerely hope Karen Chance pairs them romantically because if she doesn’t she’s going to need to do some work on Mircea because he seems a bit flat; yeah, he’s hot and seductive, but he seems to want to keep Cassie as a pet, which prevents her from doing her job as Pythia not to mention stifles her personally.
 
Ms. Chance introduces us to a few new fun characters, one of whom is a drag queen lounge singer who steals the scenes she is in.   Character development for primary characters is steady but the story is primarily action-based.  A fun read, whole-heartedly recommended.  The only problem is we have to wait for the next installment (due in the summer of 2011).  The series is best read in order: Touch the Dark, Claimed by Shadow, Embrace the Night and Curse the Dawn.
 
Sensuality: kissing, several sensual scenes, one sex scene
 
Rating: 5 stars

Monday, November 15, 2010

Review: Sookie Stackhouse Series


Dead Until Dark (Original MM Art) (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood)Dead Until Dark

Product Description
Sookie Stackhouse is just a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. Until the vampire of her dreams walks into her life-and one of her coworkers checks out....
Maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn't such a bright idea.


Living Dead in Dallas (Original MM Art) (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood)Living Dead in Dallas

Product Description
When a vampire asks Sookie Stackhouse to use her telepathic skills to find another missing vampire, she agrees under one condition: the bloodsuckers must promise to let the humans go unharmed.



Club Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Bk. 3)Club Dead

Product Description
Sookie's boyfriend has been very distant-in another state, distant. Now she's off to Mississippi to mingle with the underworld at Club Dead-a little haunt where the vampire elite go to chill out. But when she finally finds Bill-caught in an act of betrayal-she's not sure whether to save him...or sharpen some stakes.




Dead to the World (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 4)Dead to the World

Product Description
When cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse sees a naked man on the side of the road, she doesn't just drive on by. Turns out the poor thing hasn't a clue who he is, but Sookie does. It's Eric the vampire--but now he's a kinder, gentler Eric. And a scared Eric, because whoever took his memory now wants his life.




Dead as a Doornail (Original MM Art): A Sookie Stackhouse Novel (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood)Dead as a Doornail

Product Description
Small-town cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse has had more than her share of experience with the supernatural—but now it’s really hitting close to home. When Sookie sees her brother Jason’s eyes start to change, she knows he’s about to turn into a were-panther for the first time—a transformation he embraces more readily than most shapeshifters she knows. But her concern becomes cold fear when a sniper sets his deadly sights on the local changeling population, and Jason’s new panther brethren suspect he may be the shooter. Now, Sookie has until the next full moon to find out who’s behind the attacks—unless the killer decides to find her first…


Definitely Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 6)Definitely Dead

Product Description
Sixth in the Anthony Award-winning Southern Vampire series. Spiked with a frothy fusion of romance, mystery, and fantasy, this bestselling series sends the supernaturally gifted cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse to New Orleans, where she has to deal with the legacy of one of her own family and a host of potentially dangerous characters.




All Together Dead (Original MM Art): A Sookie Stackhouse Novel (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood)All Together Dead

Product Description
Betrayed by her longtime vampire love, Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse must now not only deal with a possible new man in her life-the oh-so-handsome shapeshifter Quinn-but also contend with a long-planned vampire summit. With her power base weakened by hurricane damage to New Orleans, the local vampire queen is vulnerable to those hungry for a takeover. Soon, Sookie must decide what side she'll stand with. And her choice may mean the difference between survival and all-out catastrophe.

From Dead to Worse (Original MM Art) (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood)From Dead to Worse

Product Description
After the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina, and the manmade horror of the explosion at the vampire summit, Sookie Stackhouse is safe but dazed, yearning for things to get back to normal. But her boyfriend Quinn is among the missing. And things are changing, whether the weres and vamps in her corner of Louisiana like it or not. In the ensuing battles, Sookie faces danger, death…and once more, betrayal by someone she loves. And when the fur has finished flying and the cold blood ceases flowing, her world will be forever altered.


Dead and Gone: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood)Dead and Gone

Product Description
Now an HBO original series, True Blood-the New York Times bestselling Sookie Stackhouse series continues. Except for Sookie Stackhouse, folks in Bon Temps, Louisiana, know little about vamps-and nothing about weres. Until now. The weres and shifters have finally decided to reveal their existence to the ordinary world. At first all goes well. Then the mutilated body of a were-panther is found near the bar where Sookie works-and she feels compelled to discover who, human or otherwise, did it. But there's a far greater danger threatening Bon Temps. A race of unhuman beings-older, more powerful, and more secretive than vampires or werewolves-is preparing for war. And Sookie finds herself an all-too human pawn in their battle.


Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 10)Dead in the Family

Product Description
The #1 New York Times bestselling Sookie Stackhouse series- the basis for HBO(r)'s True Blood-continues! After enduring torture and the loss of loved ones during the brief but deadly Faery War, Sookie Stackhouse is hurt and she's angry. Just about the only bright spot in her life is the love she thinks she feels for vampire Eric Northman. But he's under scrutiny by the new Vampire King because of their relationship. And as the political implications of the Shifters coming out are beginning to be felt, Sookie's connection to the Shreveport pack draws her into the debate. Worst of all, though the door to Faery has been closed, there are still some Fae on the human side-and one of them is angry at Sookie. Very, very angry...


Series Review:

Sookie Stackhouse is one of my very favorite characters out of all the books I’ve read in the past few years.  She is one tough cookie, as she has learned to be growing up a telepath (I REALLY don’t want to know what people are thinking!).  She’s strong emotionally, thinks fast on her feet (she flashes a bad vampire before she knees him in the groin to get away in one of the books), she is one of the most “normal” heroines (despite the whole telepathy thing), she’s funny, loyal, determined to do the right thing (Miss Manners doesn’t always have the answer for the problems she deals with regularly though to her chagrin) and be a good person in this crazy world. 

The  world and the characters are all exceptionally well-thought out.  Bubba is an excellent addition to the Sookie world, one of my favorites.   Dead to the World is my favorite in the series, but  From Dead to Worse and Dead and Gone are also excellent installments to the series. 

If you like series with “real” heroines you will probably love this series as much as I do.  I wouldn’t recommend for young teens to read the series as some of the sex scenes would  be too much for them, but they are well-done, not overly graphic and they blend in well with the story.   Another reason this series would not be appropriate for younger teens is it deals with some other adult themes.  There’s a lot of violence throughout, torture in one book, supernatural politics and more.  For older teens and adults however, the stories are rich and entertaining, deeply moving at times, and linger in your memories as you await the next Sookie adventure.

Sensuality:  sex scenes in most books, not overly graphic

Rating: 5 stars

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Review: Night Huntress Series


Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 1)Halfway to the Grave

Product Description
Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father—the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership.
In exchange for finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She's amazed she doesn't end up as his dinner—are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her newfound status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side . . . and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.


One Foot in the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 2)One Foot in the Grave

Product Description
You can run from the grave, but you can't hide . . .
Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She's still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind.
Being around him awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline kick of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head—wanted: dead or half-alive—means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard she tries to keep things professional between them, she'll find that desire lasts forever . . . and that Bones won't let her get away again.

At Grave's End (Night Huntress, Book 3)At Grave’s End

Product Description
Some things won't stay buried . . . at grave's end
It should be the best time of half-vampire Cat Crawfield's life. With her undead lover Bones at her side, she's successfully protected mortals from the rogue undead. But though Cat's worn disguise after disguise to keep her true identity a secret from the brazen bloodsuckers, her cover's finally been blown, placing her in terrible danger.
As if that wasn't enough, a woman from Bones' past is determined to bury him once and for all. Caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful vamp, yet determined to help Bones stop a lethal magic from being unleashed, Cat's about to learn the true meaning of bad blood. And the tricks she's learned as a special agent won't help her. She will need to fully embrace her vampire instincts in order to save herself—and Bones—from a fate worse than the grave.

Destined for an Early Grave (Night Huntress, Book 4)Destined for an Early Grave

Product Description
Her deadly dreams leave her in grave danger
Since half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her undead lover Bones met six years ago, they've fought against the rogue undead, battled a vengeful Master vampire, and pledged their devotion with a blood bond. Now it's time for a vacation. But their hopes for a perfect Paris holiday are dashed when Cat awakes one night in terror. She's having visions of a vampire named Gregor who's more powerful than Bones and has ties to her past that even Cat herself didn't know about.
Gregor believes Cat is his and he won't stop until he has her. As the battle begins between the vamp who haunts her nightmares and the one who holds her heart, only Cat can break Gregor's hold over her. She'll need all the power she can summon in order to bring down the baddest bloodsucker she's ever faced . . . even if getting that power will result in an early grave.

Series Review:
Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost is on my must-read list.  Ms. Frost creates a rich world with well-developed characters; Cat and Bones make a great team.  At first, she’s a bit whiny but she grows up fast.   The training sessions in the first book are really good as are the fight scenes throughout.
 
If you like series with a strong female main character, an interesting (and hot) hero, lots of  action, great dialogue, and a couple that works together more often than not, you will probably enjoy this series as much as I did.  Make sure you have the next book in the series as soon as you finish each one so you can start right away on the next adventure!
 
Sensuality: many sex scenes in the series, most graphic
 
Rating: 5 stars

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Book Review: Kate Daniels Magic series



Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1)Magic Bites

Product Description
Mercenary Kate Daniels cleans up urban problems of a paranormal kind. But her latest prey, a pack of undead warriors, presents her greatest challenge.



Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, Book 2)Magic Burns
 
Product Description
As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels knows how waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta's paramilitary clan of shape shifters, she quickly realizes much more is at stake. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug of war between two gods hoping for rebirth, and if Kate can't stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive.

Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, Book 3)Magic Strikes
 
Product Description
Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that’s saying a lot.
But when Kate’s werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet.

Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, Book 4)Magic Bleeds
 
Product Description
Kate Daniels cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to deal with-especially if they involve Atlanta's shapeshifting community.
And now there's a new player in town-a foe that may be too much for even Kate and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, to handle. Because this time, Kate will be taking on family.

Series Review:
 
This is an outstanding series by Ilona Andrews, a husband-wife writing team.  The world-building is incredible.  Set in 2040ish, the world has changed substantially from how we know it.  Tech (electric-based items) and magic take turns working and you have to be prepared for either.   The authors take vampires in a different direction too; they are not the sexy creatures often portrayed today.
 
Kate Daniels, the heroine, is tough physically and mentally; she constantly strives to be a better warrior and magic user.   She’s a loner, afraid to get close to others because of a secret she carries.  The secondary characters are well-developed; as the series progresses, she grows  and learns to accept others in her life, that she can’t do what she needs to do all alone.
 
I saw several lists recommending this series and had it on my to-read list for at least a year before I actually started reading it and kick myself now for waiting!  It’s one of the very best series I’ve read.  Action, humor, solid world and character building all are very strong throughout the series.  Tough, strong heroine with some weaknesses, a little bit of romance, but not a lot.  This definitely falls in the urban fantasy not romance category.  My husband thoroughly enjoyed the series and I would probably let my 14 year old daughter read it.
 
Sensuality:  very small amount, no sex until the 4th book.
 
Rating: 5 stars