Review: Burning Violet by Kallysten 4 of 5 stars

Burning Violet by Kallysten
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pyromancer Idris has been in a government detention centre for paranormal abilities for the last 5 months. But he decides no more - he will try once again to escape or die trying. Anyone who gets in his way he will set on fire! For phoenix shifter Violet, it was just another mission to help her squad free paras who have been unjustly imprisoned and get them to Sanctuary and safety. But she draws her leaders ire when she realises that one of the prisoners might be her mate where she has to choose between duty and destiny. Idris then has only one thought - revenge against the person who betrayed him to the authorities - he is fine when Violet tags along (after all he has been celibate for months) but when he realises why she is interested in him he can't run away fast enough - danger on his own is preferable to love.

This was a powerful shifter story with drama, danger, passion and love in spades as the story unfolded of how Idris and Violet found each other. I loved the detail of the paranormal skills of both of them and the coolness of what they could achieve. Their coming together was very passionate as they struggled to come to terms with being together as mates as well as the danger they were finding themselves in. Well written and very enjoyable.

Buy from Amazon

Review: Lucas by Dale Mayer 4 of 5 stars

Lucas by Dale Mayer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A retiring K9 Tophat was accidentally sent to Canada in a batch of rescue dogs and Lucas agrees to look for him during a visit to his sister (who leaves near to his ex-fiancee too). However, he finds that he was handed over to a trainer who deals with aggressive dogs and when he arrives at the property he finds himself in the brutal world of dogfighting. Tanya used to share her flat with her two best friends but one has been killed in a hit-and-run and one is badly injured and in a coma. As part of re-evaluating her life, she realised how much she had missed - including Lucas. So seeing him there again has completely flipped her world. As Lucas tries to find Tophat the dogfighting world starts to protect their own.

This was both a heartbreaking story with all the danger and abuse that the dogs were going through but heartwarming as well as Lucas fought to do the best he could for them ensuring they had medical attention and freedom. It was also sweet to see how Lucas and Tanya worked to resolve their differences talking through everything that had happened and trying to keep each other alive in the face of such sustained attacks from the dogfighting world. Well written and very enjoyable it was a charming story with a HEA at the end. You did not have to read the previous books in the series.

Buy from Amazon

Review: Soul Fire by Nazri Noor 5 of 5 stars

Soul Fire by Nazri Noor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Darkling Mage Dustin Graves is in grave danger - the most powerful witch of the century (at least) has awakened, the all-father Odin has promised wrath and once again the Dark Room is open again as an inferno of rage in his heart. The Great Beasts may hold te key to taming his wild magic and ending Agatha Black's reign. Failure would mean the end via fire, shadows or the lingering madness in the corners of the Dark. Can this snarky mage with an inability to keep his mouth shut survive (and can the world survive too)?

This is a story full of danger, drama, intrigue and confusion as Dustin strive to try his best to work out what is going on, how to survive and handle everything that is being thrown at him (and those he loves)? Will the world survive? Can he gain help from the gods and skills to handle everything that is thrown at him? There are so many dramas and dangers as well as encounters with ancient beings as the story progresses still with no sign of a final conclusion. We certainly learn a little more about his purpose even though it is still not completely clear. Well written and very enjoyable, I think it would be far more enjoyable if you have read the previous books in the series first.

Buy from Amazon

Review: Unmasking the Shadow Man by Debbie Herbert 5 of 5 stars

Unmasking the Shadow Man by Debbie Herbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Officer Liam Andrews is secretly working undercover and knows trouble when he sees it - trouble should be Harper Catlett’s middle name with all the mysterious goings-on in the home where Harper’s sister died decades before. Liam is soon roped into Harper’s amateur detective work as she probes Baysville’s sordid secrets. Working together, can the pair solve these long-buried crimes…before they both wind up dead?

This is a great mystery novel that has everything you need - mystery, drama, danger, not knowing who to trust, romance and a HEA. Well written and very enjoyable it was a great read that will keep you hooked and turning the pages as you speed up trying to solve the mystery and reach a satisfactory conclusion. This is a complete book in the one story and a great read which is very much recommended.

Buy from Amazon

Review: The Weariness of Were-Wolves by Chrys Cymri 5 of 5 stars

The Weariness of Were-Wolves by Chrys Cymri
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Penny's life is complicated. The humans who are stuck in Lloegyr are in need of homes, food and jobs, Search dragon Raven is starting to want to know if they have a future together, were-wolf Llewelyn wants them to be more than just partners in the ministry, Clyde has a calling to become a priest (which is not universally accepted) and Penny gains responsibility for a warren of were-rabbits. Is it any wonder she has the occasional glass of whiskey to cope with it all?

Penny was certainly busy in this story. It was great to see her as very human in this one and that she can be just as susceptible as anyone else. Lets of drama and excitement in this one and I feel her relationship with Raven met a turning point at the very end - one that I sincerely hope brings them both happiness in the next book in the series. Well written and very enjoyable, this was a joy for anyone who loves stories set in fantastical worlds with dragons, unicorns, etc. Very much recommended.

Buy from Amazon

Review: The Nest of Nessies by Chrys Cymri 5 of 5 stars

The Nest of Nessies by Chrys Cymri
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After her breakup with Peter can Lloegyr ease her pain? Possibly although Raven is at a monastery fighting the Noble Leader's spirit's influence so not as available as she would like. Then a nest of nessies have a missing UK submarine and the government want her help to get it and the crew back. Then a ded merwoman turns up in a killer whale's pool in a park, the killer whale is not what he seems, the archdruid wants to cash-in on her promise and asks for refuge for a winged unicorn and the vampires in her church would prefer to be naked at meetings. It's enough to put a person over the edge which all comes to a head when it becomes apparent that the submarine commander is very interested in the thin places they travelled through on their journey home. Can Penny make all the right decisions, rescue or return everyone in time, and work through all the problems in her own life?

I loved this story with was full of drama, danger, twists and turns as Penny tried her best to work through the politics and preferences of all the different races and nations she encountered (including her own). Through all of that, Raven stood by her and did everything he could to help her through all of the various problems. Sklar did all she could to help in the church which culminated in her ordination as a priest. I loved the importance of family and the protectiveness Penny had for all creatures and her loved ones which remained steadfast no matter the problems she encountered. Well written and very enjoyable, you really need to start this charing series and lose yourself in this world of fantastical creatures.

Buy from Amazon

Review: Taryn's Hunt: A Gryphon's Story by Chrys Cymri 4 of 5 stars

Taryn's Hunt: A Gryphon's Story by Chrys Cymri
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gryphon and Police Inspector Taryn is very proud of her record which shows that even with her small sie she can capture the most hardened criminals. However, when her Superintendent gives her a human male as her partner, Peter has to prove to her that he is capable of actually being her partner as they look into a series of suspicious deaths. Can they get to the bottom of this mystery?

This is a short story covering how Peter met his working partner Taryn before the Penny White series of books. It was a delightful story showing how there can be doubts between the occupants of the two worlds and how they can be thrown aside as they learn how to trust each other. A good read if you needed an introduction to the world featured in the series.

Buy from Amazon