Review: The Defector: A Bridge & Sword Prequel #0.3 by JC Andrijeski 5 of 5 stars

The Defector: A Bridge & Sword Prequel #0.3 by JC Andrijeski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Revik used to be a Rook and even though he has defected the shadow hangs over him. He has been hidden away in monastic caves he has no idea who he is anymore let alone what his life means. So he was surprised when an Adhipan delegation arrives asking for his help. His initial instinct is to say no to the holy warriors but when he hears that Kali needs his help he feels he has to help - especially as she helped him by rescuing him from his former dark existence when no one else would. So he agrees to fly in order to face off against his old Rook friends and as part of that, he sees his ex-partner Terian who definitely holds a grudge about his defection. As they come after him (to kill or bring him back to them) he has to face new temptations and old demons. It all comes down to how much is he willing to give up to become the man he wants to be? He might think he has nothing left to lose by he is wrong about that.

This was definitely a great story that filled in lots of blanks in the main series as well as giving another viewpoint of some of the events in the Terian prequel. It was great to understand more about some of the relationships that Revik was involved in which gave me new insight into some of the events in the main series, and so I know I'll need to go and reread some of it in order to experience this new perspective. Well written and very enjoyable, I could feel and appreciate the thoughts and emotions of the characters in this story.

*** Please note this story includes the suggestion of M/M sexual action.

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Review: Secrets In Blood by L.S. O'Dea 4 of 5 stars

Secrets In Blood by L.S. O'Dea
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Trinity had a plan but it's all gone wrong and now she needs to flee to save herself. Almighty Hugh Truent having learnt of Trinity's parentage is determined to study her and make the discovery of a lifetime - however, there are others who would kill her to hide the truth. The combination of Trinity's struggle to survive and Hugh'd determination will lead to a collision between the classes that could shatter the very foundation of their world as they know it. How will it all end up?

I enjoyed this story with took the story of Trinity and the other classes in their society further. There was plenty of drama, excitement, danger, betrayal and even tragedy. I could definitely feel some of the emotions involved in some of the events in this book - especially the celebration dinner which showed what happens if you are not careful and check things carefully. Wondering how the story is going to develop further and what will happen next.

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Review: The Voodoo Dolls Boxed Set (Books 0-3): An Urban Fantasy Adventure by J.L. Hendricks 5 of 5 stars

The Voodoo Dolls Boxed Set (Books 0-3): An Urban Fantasy Adventure by J.L. Hendricks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Addictive and great series that I really enjoyed.

#1 New Orleans Magic 5*

The Voodoo Dolls are a punk-rock band based in New Orleans who also runs a tourist shop selling voodoo dolls and love potions/fudge. They don't actually have any magic themselves but two of their old school-friends ask for their help finding their missing triplet sister so they introduce them to their wolf shifter friends who they know can help.

Great story with lots of drama and a host of different paranormal races involved in the story. Everything was well written and clear to understand. I liked the link between a female punk-rock band, New Orleans and the host of different paranormal races as they fit together very well. They all had personalities and talents that were in keeping to what they are. There was a burgeoning romance which I hope develops in the series as it continues.

#2 Hurricane of Magic 5*

Whilst Jenna and the other Dolls prepare for Hurricane Gerttie, some vampires are preparing for something completely different which becomes apparent when 8 freshman students go missing from the local university. It must be very concerning as even the local witches council give Jenna and the Dolls help a wolf shifter pack with getting the girls back from the vampires.

A great second book in the series with the girls getting involved in another paranormal emergency involving vampires. There were drama and suspense in spades in this book. Just when you thought surely they would have some time for a rest and to get back to normal, something else happened. The story was well written and everything was clear and easy to feel the thoughts and emotions involved. It seems that everything is developing in this story and I can tell that the next instalment in the story is going to be full of drama again.

#3 Council of Magic 4*

Kat Deveroix is a member of the Voodoo Dolls and recently found out she is a part shifter. Problem is she can't shift and shifter DNA is dominant so there has to be another reason. In their shop, a woman talks to Kat and Jenna about a problem with her boyfriend but it soon becomes apparent that there is a much bigger problem and it is one that the shifter pack thought they had removed some time ago. As part of working out the new monster problem, Kat has to decide between Ivan and her new man. Strap in as we find out so much more about who Kat is.

A great story explaining who Kat is, how she became that way, and the developments afterwards. Finally some romance for some of the Dolls which was long overdue. Well written and everything was clear and easy to feel and experience for the characters. The ending was a little rushed and the last sentence needed details as I think we all wanted it to be horrible/painful for that character. However - I am GUTTED/ANNOYED/pick your word that this is the end of the trilogy when there are still so MANY things for the characters to achieve. No proper HEA for each of the Dolls, and I have questions floating around in my head.

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Review: Escape by L.S. O'Dea 4 of 5 stars

Escape by L.S. O'Dea
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On Earth in the future all animals over a weight of 20 pounds are extinct and humans are not completely human. The population are segregated by class and the lowest class (a Producer) has the job of producing food for all of the other classes with the ultimate being making something called the Harvest List. Producer Trinity knows she won't be chosen to stay and breed as she has some hidden differences to the others due to being a mixed breed - namely claws, fangs and the ability to see in the dark - something she has had to hide her whole life. She is determined to find out where the teenagers who don't make the list go before they come for her and so in the last week before she is taken decides to have one more try to find out what happens by sneaking into the woods. She discovers the horrifying fate that awaits - and so vows to try and return to the camp to try and save everyone else.

I loved the concept of this story and the way the different classes mirrored in many ways real life. I could definitely feel her horror when she discovered the fate of those that were taken away from the camp and understand why she was so compelled to go and try to save the others (even though they had mostly ignored her). It seems that it also mirrored real life in the way that there were some who were profiting from others misery and I only hope that we experience more of those characters and hope that they receive some kind of just deserts for the behaviour towards some of the others. Well written it was well described and I could imagine the world at the way that the characters in the story lived. Looking forward to knowing what happens next - there are some folks can hopefully get some kind of punishment in the future.

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Review: Interview for the End of the World: A Children of Titan Universe Short Story by Rhett C. Bruno 4 of 5 stars

Interview for the End of the World: A Children of Titan Universe Short Story by Rhett C. Bruno
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Billionaire-scientist Darien Trass faces a situation when an asteroid is hurtling towards Earth of selecting who will join him on the voyage on his spaceships to escape the impending apocalypse and start a new human civilisation on another world. Is he up to the task and is he himself worth saving?

I loved this prequel to the Titan Universe series written by the author. This book looked at the challenges involved in selecting people to save as well as the repercussions of not selecting people. It was nice to see him struggle with the responsibility and the humanity involved in some of the decisions he makes at the end. A great introduction to the series as well as a good story to help fill a hole in knowledge from reading the series in isolation from this book. Well written and very enjoyable.

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Review: NIGHT VISION: An Oupire Romance by Caroline Davis 5 of 5 stars

NIGHT VISION: An Oupire Romance by Caroline Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Artist Lily Schmidt is an oupire and while in a local museum meets a century-old vampire. The encounter scares her to death as there is a history of mistrust between the two undead races. Vampire Carl Eckhart explains that he is only interested in the pottery as it was made by his late wife. Disarming Lily's fear she agrees to see him again. Rapidly Lily decides to leave her home town and go spend some time with Carl where they start a passionate affair. However, everything is threatened when rumours at Lily's home town start about a mysterious vampire spy putting Lily, Carl and even Lily's sire Dave Rosenstein into danger. Then Carl discovers Lily’s family might be linked to an unsolved 1913 vampire murder and Lily's suddenly feels she has started a dreadful chain of events. So when Dave disappears Lily feels responsible - as threats appear from multiple directions it seems that the only thing to save them is a vampire-oupire alliance. Can that work between these old foes?

Wow - this was a great story that started off a little slow but then began to move at a quicker and quicker pace as the passion, mystery and threats increased around their relationship. I loved the focus on the two races, the history and differences between them. There are so many modern day equivalents that could be found between this book and the real world. I loved the way that the differences between oupires and vampires were explained and how it related to the situation between Carl and Lily. There were a lot of details that made the story seem much more real to me and it made it much more enjoyable. I loved the way the story ended and would like to think that there was peace between the races going forward. I'd love to read more in the world between the oupires, vampires and what Lily and Carl become involved in next.

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Review: A Vampire's Thirst: A Lethal Masquerade by Elaine Barris 5 of 5 stars

A Vampire's Thirst: A Lethal Masquerade by Elaine Barris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After vampires meet their Bloodmates there is to be a Masquerade Ball - however an acient Vampire has decided he wants them all dead. This story focuses on Gunner and his Bloodmate Imogen. In a previous book in the series he had rescued her from a madman who had kidnapped her so they are both rightly nervous about travelling to the gather but when they receive a surprise invitation from Victor Strong Imogen asked to attend to meet the others. However as they are leaving for the vacation an attempt is made to attack Imogen which they have to handle as it seems they are determined and are not keen to give in.

I loved this book which was a lovely story with contained both drama and danger, but also emotions as they handled the attacks to try to capture or kill Imogen. It was lovely to encounter some of the characters from previous books and to look at this from the point of view of a Vampire who was having to fight much harder to protect his Bloodmate than in some of the other books. Well written and very enjoyable. This book can be read standalone.

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