Review: Magic in the Blood by Devon Monk

 

Magic in the Blood (Allie Beckstorm #2)

By Devon Monk

Published May 5th 2009 by Roc

Genre Urban Fantasy

Received from library

 

About taken from Goodreads:

Working as a Hound-tracing illegal spells back to their casters-has taken its toll on Allison Beckstrom. But even though magic has given her migraines and stolen her recent memory, Allie isn't about to quit. Then the police's magic enforcement division asks her to consult on a missing persons case. But what seems to be a straightforward job turns out to be anything but, as Allie finds herself drawn into the underworld of criminals, ghosts, and blood magic.

This book starts right in where Magic to the Bone leaves off. I like that no time has past and it's just like turning a page and I don't feel like I have missed any part of Allie's life.
I really liked this book, but I was a little disappointed that there was not much Zayvion and Allie. We do see a few moments between them but having lost her memory of their relationship, Allie is still unsure about him. Zayvion pops in here and there but we really don't see much of him til the end. We do however find out a little more about Zayvion and who he works for. :)
As Allie takes a Hound job(identifying a spell and it's castor)with the police's magic enforcement division she is once again thrown in over her head and faced with death. She continues to learn more about magic and what is capable of. Allie is also brought into the circle of Hounds, a support group of sorts, and we meet other fun characters.

Magic In the Blood sucks you in and leaves you wanting more! Can't wait to start the next #3, Magic in the Shadows

Enchanted
by Alethea Kontis

Published May 8th 2012 by Harcourt Children's Books
Genre YA
Received from library

About taken from Goodreads:
It isn't easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday’s only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true.

When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland—and a man Sunday’s family despises.

The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction for this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past - and hers?


This is a very cute and fun read! We find a little from many of our favorite fairy tales: the prince and the frog, house with looks of a shoe, fairy godmothers, a beanstalk, giant and many more. Yet Ms. Kontis has made them all her own. Lastly we have what we all love in fairy tales, a happily ever after. If you like to read fairy tales, then you must read this book and follow Sunday's adventurous story. I am excited to learn the stories will continue on to the other sisters. Next up will be Saturday Woodcutter. I also hope to read the story of Velius Morana, Duke of Cauchemar. Hope you enjoy this story as much as I have!

Hero (Woodcutter sisters #2) Expected publication: October 1st 2013 by Harcourt Books

Review: Perfect Strangers by Rebecca Sinclair

Title: Perfect Strangers
Author: Rebecca Sinclair
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: ebook, 286 pages
Published:  June 9th 2011 by ePublishing Works
Source: Received for review
Buy It: Amazon

From Goodreads:
Gabrielle Carelton is one of Queen Elizabeth's most devoted ladies-in-waiting. But her loyalty is put to the test when Her Majesty commands her to marry Scotsman Collin Douglas. When Gabrielle is kidnapped by Collin's twin brother, not even Good Queen Bess can save her. Dubbed the Black Douglas, devilishly handsome Connor is known throughout the land for his magnificent feats of strength and cunning. But now he is in need of an heir. An English bride will bring peace to the warring nations and give him the son he craves. What he doesn't expect is a woman as passionate as she is proud and a desire that knows no boundaries. Set against the pageantry and savage splendor of 16th-century England and Scotland, here is the story of a man and a woman who begin as enemies and strangers and find a love that will triumph against all odds.

Queen Elizabeth of England has asked Gabrielle to marry the Scotsman, Colin Douglas, in order to help end an on going feud. Once Gabrielle has accepted her fate, she decides to just be glad she is not marring Colin's twin brother, Conner Douglas, aka the Black Douglas. 

On the other side of things, Conner has decided to steal his brother's bride. Mostly to get back at Colin for the past, but also in effort to make peace with the warring Maxwell clan and benefit with an heir in the process.

This book had adventure, kidnapping, love and love scenes. Gabrielle had low self-esteem and did not view herself very highly, mostly due to the Queen's put downs.  I liked how Connor builds her up and once he gets to know her, he becomes attracted to her for her kindness and passion. Ella is the stubborn, determined cousin and I wish the book would have had more about how her life continues in the closing but maybe we will see a book about her. I also felt the second love scene dragged on and I found myself skimming parts of it. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and I plan to read more books by Rebecca Sinclair. I give this book 4 of  5 stars!

You can find out more about Rebecca Sinclair and her books by visiting her website at: http://www.rebeccasinclair.com

Review: The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood

Title: The Ideal Man
Author: Julie Garwood
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Hardcover, 322 pages
Published:  August 9th 2011 by Dutton Adult
Source: Library
Buy It: Amazon

From Goodreads: Dr. Ellie Sullivan has just completed her residency at a large urban hospital. While jogging in a park nearby, she witnesses the shooting of an FBI agent in pursuit of wanted criminals, a couple identified as the Landrys. The only person to see the shooter's face, Ellie is suddenly at the center of a criminal investigation. Agent Max Daniels takes over the Landry case. A no-nonsense lawman, he's definitely not the ideal man that Ellie has always imagined, yet she's attracted to him in a way she can't explain. Ellie heads home to Winston Falls, South Carolina, to attend her sister's wedding. Shortly after she arrives, though, she receives a surprise visitor: Max Daniels. The Landrys have been captured, and she'll be called to testify. But they've been captured before, and each time the witnesses are scared into silence-or disappear before they can take the stand. Max vows to be Ellie's shadow until the trial, and it isn't long before sparks fly.

I am a big Julie Garwood fan. I love her books and even though her historical's are my favorite, I still enjoy her contemporary novels. When I first found her books I could not stop until I had read them all. Since I have not picked up one of her books in a while I was excited when I saw this was coming out and put myself on the waiting list at the library.

Ellie Sullivan is a very intelligent women and the best at her job. Ellie has lived a hard life being separated by her family due to a violent stalker in grade school so her parents sent her to live with another family for her protection. She has always lived looking over her shoulder and now she has become a witness in a dangerous investigation when she sees a FBI agent shot. She unwilling returns home at attend her sister's wedding who just happens to be marring Ellie's ex-fiance. When she arrives things go from bad to worse when Ellie discovers that her stalker has been released and no one knows his location.

Max Daniels is the noncommittal type, but when he meets Ellie he starts to notice more than just her good looks.  Max is a caring and understanding guy and I loved how close he is to his own family. It does not take long for the sparks fly. When he starts to see how much danger she could be in he becomes protective and joins her for the family wedding. With a hired killer and violent stalker after Ellie, there is no slack on the action.

The romance between Max and Ellie is sweet and I enjoyed seeing them fall in love. Ellie reactions to everything that goes on is very believable and she is written as a strong woman. I was very annoyed with her family. Ellie's sister, Ava is a snob and so selfish, I just wanted to put my hands through the pages to slap and ring her neck. The worst part is Ava never sees the light and sees no wrong with her attitude toward Ellie and the rest of the family puts up with it never saying anything. Ava is constantly telling Ellie how everything is her fault and she's trying ruin the wedding. The mother just kind of goes with flow trying not to step on anyone's toes. Most of the time Ellie and her other sister Anne just laugh and joke about it. I was a little sad that Ellie felt she was inconveniencing her family by being there when danger could come knocking at the door.

Overall I enjoyed the book, although I will say this not one of Julie Garwood's best. I enjoyed the little secondary story with Ellie's sister Anne. I was glad to see things resolved but it felt a little rushed at the end.  I give this book 3.5 stars, I liked it and it was worth the read.

Review: Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels #4)

Author: Ilona Andrews (click for author's website)

Format: paperback, 349 pages

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published: June 2010 by Ace Books

Source: Library

Buy It: Amazon

Taken from back of book:

Kate Daniels works for the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, officially as a liaison with the mercenary guild. Unofficially, she cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to handle—especially if they involve Atlanta’s shapeshifting community.

When she’s called in to investigate a fight at the Steel Horse, a bar midway between the territories of the shapeshifters and the necromancers, Kate quickly discovers there’s a new player in town. One who’s been around for thousands of years—and rode to war at the side of Kate’s father.

This foe may be too much even for Kate and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, to handle. Because this time, Kate will be taking on family…

Kate is called by the order to investigate a fight at a bar called, Steel Horse.  She arrives to find a shapshifter hung to a post by a crowbar with a live magic disease. After containing it and questioning witnesses, Kate concludes that a mysterious guy in a cloak comes in and starts the fight, others join in but they are not sure why just that they suddenly became angry. The other shapeshifters who were at the bar left when the fight broke out. The mysterious guy can spread and induce disease. Kate ends up walking away from the scene on high alert due to the disease spreading Mary on the loose that could reek havoc on city and unanswered questions. She ends up with a killer poodle as evidence that may end up as her pet. As Kate continues to investigate more of the mystery starts to unfold. She once again has to work with the People, Shapshifters and Samian. Curran and Kate are at it again, but things will be resolved just not easily. We finally get to see if they will be mated (you will need that to hold onto after you read the prologue). ;) More is revealed about Kate and the magic she possess as she comes to her biggest battle yet.....family.

This is definitely the best in the series so far, you will not be disappointed. Each book in this series keeps getting better and better. You could start with this book, the author does a good job of reviewing but not over doing it. But you will lose the build up of Kate and Curran's relationship, happenings with other characters and progression in revealing Kate's magic. It took me a while to sort out this new world on Magic vs Tech and book one and two were good for that, so I could really enjoy the others. Here are the other books in this series (click to see my review): Magic Bites, Magic Burns and Magic Strikes. I give this book 5 stars!

                  

This book contains adult language and sexual content.

Review: First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

Title: First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson #1)

Author: Darynda Jones

Format: paperback, 310 pages

Genre: Paranormal Suspense

Published: June 7th 2011 by St. Martin's Griffin

Source: Personal Shelf

Buy It: Amazon

From Book: Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Meaning, she sees dead people. Really. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (like murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. But what does he want with Charley? And why can't she seem to resist him? And what does she have to lose by giving in?


I first saw this book on another blog I follow. When I read it was about a grim reaper I was a little skeptical, but JR Ward labeled it as a must read so I knew I had to give it a try. I pictured a grim reaper as a black-cloaked, scythe-wielding personification of death, but it turns out Charley Davidson is not the typical grim reaper.

Charley has been able to see dead people since the day she was born. She does not wear a black cloak or carry a scythe, but there is someone in the book who does. ;) Instead she wears a Scorpions hockey jersey and boxers to sleep in and uses a Bugs Bunny comforter. Charley works with her Uncle Bob, who is a detective for the police department, to help solve cases. She thinks it's easy when all you have to do is ask the dead person who killed them. 


The book starts out with Charley waking up from a sexual dream, to a phone call from Uncle Bob aka Ubie, with a dead guy in her bedroom and none of this is unusual. She gets to the crime scene, with dead guy and learns that there are three murder victims. They are all lawyers at the same firm. Not only will Charley have to solve the lawyer's murders, but she wants to find out who is in her dreams and what exactly is "The Big Bad" that shows up in her time of need but scares her half to death. Charley has the help of Cookie, who is her neighbor-slash-best-friend-slash-receptionist. Angel is also a "dead" employee who helps solve her cases involving the already departed. The demon child is one Charley tries to avoid. Through out the book we learn more and more of what Charley is and what she does for the dead, as more of them show up to pass through her to the other side.

One of the things I love about this book are the funny sayings found at the beginning of each chapter that come from Charley herself, a t-shirt, bumper sticker or somewhere else. I love the humor, it did give me a few laughs. First Grave on the Right is full of action, humor, romance and mystery, what more could one ask for in a book? Once I finished the book, I started really looking forward to book 2, Second Grave on the Left (published Aug. 16,2011). Book 3, Third Grave Dead Ahead publish date is Feb. 12, 2012.

 

 This book contains adult language and sexy scenes

Review: Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Title: Waterfall

Author: Lisa T. Bergren

Format: Ebook, 277 pages

Genre: YA

Published: 2011 by David C Cook

Source: Personal Shelf

Buy It: Amazon

From Goodreads: Lisa Tawn Bergren's new YA series, River of Time, is romantic, historical fiction in which the plucky heroine doesn't have to fear a vampire's bite but must still fight for her life.

In Waterfall, American teenager Gabi Betarrini accidently finds herself in Fourteenth-Century Italy . . . Knights. Swords. Horses. Armor. And Italian hotties. Most American teens want an Italian vacation, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives there with their archaeologist parents. Stuck on yet another hot, dusty dig, they are bored out of their minds... until they place their hands atop handprints in an ancient tomb and find themselves catapulted into the Fourteenth Century and in the middle of a fierce battle between knights bent on killing one another.

Waterfall starts out with two sisters, Gabi and Lia who have recently lost their father. Once again they are are following their mother, who is an archeologist, to find another dig site that has been a dream of their parents. They decide to explore the ancient tomb and Gabi finds herself  thrown back in time to medieval Italy. Not only does she arrive during a battle, but her sister is no where to be found. Gabi is seen by the men and the battle comes to end while Gabi hopes she her instinct is right in who the good guys are. She makes up with a believable story of how she came to be there. When Gabi finds a safe haven at Castello Forelli she starts the mission of trying to find her sister. 

  

The man who comes to Gabi's rescue is Marcello, youngest son of Lord Forelli. He was betrothed at birth to Lady Rossi (called Miss fancypants by Gabi and a viper by staff), in order to strengthen an alliance. Marcello starts to take notice of Gabi as she is prone to usual actions for his time, like wearing her hair down and riding a horse bareback. There are also other talents Gabi brings into the past that makes this book exciting to read. 

Gabi battles to find her sister, with her feelings for Marcello and her feelings to return home. Marcello battles between what he feels is his duty to his family and his feelings for Gabi. This book is exciting, clean and full of adventure. One of my favorite characters is Luca, Marcello's cousin and captain. He is kind, easy going and after a given description of Lia he really wants to help Gabi find her. :) I also found myself giving a little laugh at Gabi's thoughts.

I wish this series would have been around while I was in my teens, I know it would be one of my favorites and one my mom would approve of. I am so glad Mrs. Bergren has written this series and I will recommend to anyone who reads YA. I look forward to the next book, Cascade where I hope to find answers to the questions left open in Waterfall, I recommend having it on hand because you will want to start right into it.  This is a must read for every young adult fan!

                               

A little warning for the "younger" young adult readers: there is a little scene of attempted rape, he ties her hands and starts to lift dress but nothing else is carried out.

Review: The Kate Daniel Series by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Bites (Kate Daniels series, Book #1)

Author: Ilona Andrews, author website

My Rating: 2 1/2 stars
Format: Ebook, 205 pages

Genre: Urban Fantacy

Source: Library

Published: Ace Books, 2007

Buy It: From Amazon

From author's website: Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren’t for magic… One moment magic dominates, and cars stall and guns fail. The next, technology takes over and the defensive spells no longer protect your house from monsters. Here skyscrapers topple under onslaught of magic; werebears and werehyenas prowl through the ruined streets; and the Masters of the Dead, necromancers driven by their thirst of knowledge and wealth, pilot blood-crazed vampires with their minds. In this world lives Kate Daniels. Kate likes her sword a little too much and has a hard time controlling her mouth. The magic in her blood makes her a target, and she spent most of her life hiding in plain sight. But when Kate’s guardian is murdered, she must choose to do nothing and remain safe or to pursue his preternatural killer. Hiding is easy, but the right choice is rarely easy…

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Title: Magic Burns (Kate Daniels series, Book #2)

Author: Ilona Andrews

My Rating: 3 stars
Format: Ebook, 270 pages

Source: Library

Published: Ace Books, 2008

Buy It: From Amazon

From author's website: Down in Atlanta, tempers – and temperatures – are about to flare…As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, 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. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one. When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest – and battle for power. 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…

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Title: Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels series, Book #3)

Author: Ilona Andrews

My Rating: 4 stars
Format: Ebook, 268 pages

Source: Library

Published: Ace Books, 2009

Buy It: From Amazon

From author's website:

Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with these days. 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. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games – an invitation only, no holds barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament – she and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta’s shapeshifting community…

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 My Review:

Since starting a book blog, I have seen these book around and read some good things about this series, so I thought I would give them a try.

Kate Daniels is a magic-touting mercenary that lives in Atlanta, in a world that fluctuates between magic and technology. This world is a hard one to explain, it took me well into book two to get an understanding of how things work or don't work.  When in a magic wave all the modern technology stops working, everything from the phones to cars. If you don't own a magic fueled vehicle you ride a horse or walk, and you better know how to use a sword because the guns don't fire either. Most everyone in this world uses some kind of magic, and when the magic is high it puts more power behind whatever is done. This is when the paranormal happens. If you like to read about vampires, I will warn you that they are very different in this world. Here they are seen as good fighters but ugly mindless creatures that only have a lust for blood. They lose their human features with age and they are controlled/piloted by another person.           

 

Each book consists of a different job Kate is working on for either the Mercenary Guild or the Order. With each case she finds herself having to work with Curran, the Beast Lord of all the Shapshifters in Atlanta. They both annoy each other and there is humor in their back and forth banter. Each time Kate and Curran meet there are always threats and Kate wonders at times if she could really beat him in a fight.  With each book their relationship develops and new people start to enter Kate's life. I will say that I expected more romance, I understand that in a series  you have to keep your readers coming back and these authors give you just enough. I would have like to have seen more in each book.

I really like Kate, she is one tough chick. She is a good fighter and uses magic but bleeds and gets hurt like anyone else. I like it that even through she is one of the best out there, she still gets hurt and it does not make her seem weak just more real. The authors do a good job at developing her character, and with each book you learn more about who she is. She's had a rough past and she's the only one left in her family, that she cares to claim anyway. She hides the secret of who she really is and the magic that she is capable of. Kate is easily becoming one of my favorite female characters.

Magic Bites, book #1 starts out slow, I was well into 80 pages before I started really getting into it. They spend so much time building the fantasy world, I found myself skimming at times. Each book gets better and better and of the three, Magic Strikes is my favorite. The authors give you enough in each book that you might be able to start anywhere in the series, but each book builds on the other and refers back to her previous cases. If you want to follow Kate and Curran's relationship and see how she meets the other characters, you will want to start at the beginning with Magic Bites. If you are an urban fantasy fan then give this series a try.

   Contains adult language