“Mortal Enchantment spins a unique twist on elemental mythology. This series is not to be missed.” Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New Yor...

A strong bond is formed between Shingo and Shiori Amiga when their fates are separated by force. Orphaned and penniless, Shingo is forced to live as a vigilante outlaw. Shiori, who was abducted and experimented on, now lives with Junishi Abe. During her time with the Goemon Investigations Agency, she received special training. EVERNA Shiori

In a small village in New York lives Jane Doe, a girl with no memory of who she is or where she came from. So when she is working at a di...

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Book Review ARC: Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels #7) by Ilona Andrews -SPOILER FREE

Is there a difference?

Publish Date: February 23, 2016 475 Pages [Kindle edition] Published by Harlequin Teen Synopsis: ONE CHOICE. TWO REALMS. NO SECOND CHANCE. Tenley “Ten” Lockwood is an average seventeen-year-old girl…who has spent the past thirteen months locked inside the Prynne Asylum. The reason? Not her obsession with numbers, but her refusal to let her parents choose where she’ll live—after she dies. There is an eternal truth most of the world has come to accept: Firstlife is merely a dress rehearsal, and real life begins after death. In the Everlife, two realms are in power: Troika and Myriad, longtime enemies and deadly rivals. Both will do anything to recruit Ten, including sending their top Laborers to lure her to their side. Soon, Ten finds herself on the run, caught in a wild tug-of-war between the two realms who will do anything to win the right to her soul. Who can she trust? And what if the realm she’s drawn to isn’t home to the boy she’s falling for? She just has to stay alive long enough to make a decision… My Thoughts: I was gifted an ebook via Netgalley. And this one is officially going to the DNF pile at 40%. I have read Gena Showalter before and I don't remember her writing being like this. Part of me really enjoys the story, but I can't deal with the dialogue and interaction between Tenley and Killian/Archer. Both boys are trying to be that cute annoying stereotypical sexist pig and it's rough, guys. I want to like this book. I want to finish it, but I cannot do it. I have never felt so compelled to highlight passages that I was rolling my eyes at. That were so bad that I wanted to share them. I think a lot of this could have been edited to make it more readable, less eye-rolling. The bones of the book have such potential. Find on Goodreads

Book Review: Recurve (The Elemental Series #1) by Shannon Mayer

Hi guys, I am very excited to show off the cover to BIRTHRIGHT, the fourth full-length novel in the Ivy Granger urban fantasy series by E.J. Stevens! This series is awesome and I can't wait for Birthright to come out. This cover does a fantastic job of displaying Ivy Granger's growing proficiency with knives. It also gives us a sneak peek at the horrors that Ivy must face in Tech Duinn, on her way to Faerie. What do you think of the cover? Birthright (Ivy Granger #4) by E.J. Stevens Being a faerie princess isn't all it's cracked up to be... Ivy must go to Faerie, but the gateway to the Wisp Court is through Tech Duinn, the house of Donn—Celtic god of the dead. Just her luck. Unable to share her secret with Jinx, and with Jenna called away on Hunters' Guild business, Ivy must rely on Ceff and Torn to lead her to Death's door, literally, and back again. As if that wasn't dangerous enough, there's no saying what horrors lay in store within the Faerie realm. Too bad the Wisp Court is the one lead Ivy has in the search for her father—and possible salvation. Maybe hiding away and dodging sidhe assassins isn't so bad after all... Release Date: July 14, 2015 Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy Add to Goodreads. About the Ivy Granger Series The Ivy Granger series is an urban fantasy series written by E.J. Stevens. The series is told in the first-person point of view of Ivy Granger, a psychic detective with ties to the paranormal underworld of Harborsmouth--ties that ensnare Ivy and her friend Jinx in the Machiavellian schemes of the city's teeming population of bloodsucking vampires and psychotic faeries. Books in this series: Shadow Sight (Ivy Granger #1), Blood and Mistletoe (Ivy Granger #1.5), Ghost Light (Ivy Granger #2), Club Nexus (Ivy Granger #2.5), Burning Bright (Ivy Granger #3). About the Author E.J. Stevens is the author of the Spirit Guide young adult series and the bestselling Ivy Granger urban fantasy series. When E.J. isn't at her writing desk she enjoys dancing along seaside cliffs, singing in graveyards, and sleeping in faerie circles. E.J. currently resides in a magical forest on the coast of Maine where she finds daily inspiration for her writing. Connect with E.J. on Twitter, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook, and on her Blog. We are celebrating this cover reveal with a fantastic Birthright giveaway... Cover Reveal Giveaway We are giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card, Birthright mini-poster, and signed Birthright postcard to one lucky winner. To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. Giveaway begins Friday, February 13th and ends Friday, February 27th. a Rafflecopter giveaway Happy Friday the 13th!

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Publish Date: September 24, 2016 418 Pages [Kindle edition] Synopsis: For fans of The Hunger Games and Divergent comes a story like no other... A toxic river divides nineteen-year-old Violet Bates's world by gender. Women rule the East. Men rule the West. Welcome to the lands of Matrus and Patrus. Ever since the disappearance of her beloved younger brother, Violet's life has been consumed by an anger she struggles to control. Already a prisoner to her own nation, now she has been sentenced to death for her crimes. But one decision could save her life. To enter the kingdom of Patrus, where men rule and women submit. Everything about the patriarchy is dangerous for a rebellious girl like Violet. She cannot break the rules if she wishes to stay alive. But abiding by rules has never been Violet's strong suit. When she's thrust into more danger than she could have ever predicted, Violet is forced to sacrifice many things in the forbidden kingdom ... including forbidden love. In a world divided by gender, only the strongest survive... My Thoughts: I was gifted an ebook via Netgalley. But lost it when I got a new Kindle, so I borrowed a finished copy through Kindle Unlimited. DNF @ 11% I can tell that I will not enjoy this book and I don't want to continue to read it. I did check some of the reviews on Goodreads and it seems like I'm not the only person who feels that things were entirely too spelled out. Scenes were explained in a "beat a dead horse" manner. "The wardens led me to the main rectangular gray building and into a reception area where they picked up a set of keys from the woman behind the desk. Then we walked along a hallway before moving down a stairwell, down, down, down, until we reached what had to be the lowermost floor. We arrived at the end of a hallway lined with cells, all empty. They stopped outside the third one on our left and thrust me inside." There is no good reason to put that much detail into a book...but also lack detail at the same time. It's very elementary detail. The other thing is that the MC is highly unlikeable in the short amount of book I have read. It's hard to connect with a story if you don't like the MC and the word salad. Find on Goodreads

Publisher: Roc Series: Jane Yellowrock #8 Format Read: paperback Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review Release Date: October 7, 2014 Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | Barnes & Noble | * affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links. Blurb from goodreads: Jane Yellowrock is a vampire killer for hire—but other creatures of the night still need to watch their backs.... When the Master of the city of New Orleans asks Jane to improve security for a future visit from a delegation of European vampires, she names an exorbitant price—and Leo is willing to pay. That’s because the European vamps want Leo’s territory, and he knows that he needs Jane to prevent a total bloodbath. Leo, however, doesn’t mention how this new job will change Jane’s life or the danger it will bring her and her team. Jane has more to worry about than some greedy vampires. There’s a vicious creature stalking the streets of New Orleans, and its agenda seems to be ripping Leo and her to pieces. Now Jane just has to figure out how to kill something she can’t even see…. Bea's Thoughts: I was not a fan of Bruiser when I first started this series; I thought he was too arrogant and presumptuous. But I've grown to like him as the series has gone and now I really like him. He just might be the perfect man for Jane - he understands exactly what sorts of gifts to give her, is patient with her, thinks she's beautiful, and doesn't think she needs to change. He's practically perfect. But, this isn't a romance and their relationship is but one part of the story. There are lots of changes in this story, people (of all varieties) changing status, dying or almost dying, new supernatural beings, and Jane and Beast becoming more accomplished in their skills. Jane and Beast worked together quite smoothly. The politics were complicated as ever and a lot of time is spent at vamp headquarters or with vamps. Eli and Alex are back but Molly and family are absent as is Rick and detective Jodi makes several nominal appearances. It's really Jane's show this time around. My attention wandered at times, it didn't hold me as strongly as some of the other books but the further in I got, the more engaged I became. I have mixed feelings about the new beings as now the series is wandering into sci fi territory but I did like how Hunter tied it into mythology. I am also hesitant about the powers that Jane/Beast keep acquiring. I don't want to see Jane become all-powerful. Though, the price she pays for her ability should keep that from happening. "Broken Soul" was another solid entry in the Jane Yellowrock series. It moves the story arc forward, gives us growth and development, story, action, and romance. Jax's Thoughts: I've always liked the Jane/Beast pairing, though I have missed a book or two at some point and a few of the developments still have me confused. Not too much, but if you haven't read the rest of the series, I'd highly recommend not jumping in at this point. It's an excellent series, start at the beginning. You won't regret it. That being said, I'm very glad I didn't miss this one. So much going on, and my favorite change is Bruiser! Not only is he man enough to use the word 'woo,' he is man enough to do it well! Tailored to Jane and with welcome understanding of Beast as well. I love Jane's discomfort as she comes to terms with her settling into home and being a 'girl.' I'm also quite happy with how slowly she's regaining memories, that she doesn't have instant access to what Beast knows. Like Bea, the extra powers could be problematic for me over time, but they come with a price that seems to balance things out well for now. It did feel like the majority of the cast has been changed at this point. Many of the "faces" I'm used to at this point were missing, and may have contributed to my disorientation during parts of the book. However, it highlighted that Jane's life is changing, which is not entirely a bad thing. Not only does it give Jane room to grow, it allows the storyline to not get stagnant. I'm trying to find the best way to discuss the next thread without giving too much away, so be warned. This may be a bit spoilerish. I'll try to not give too much away. There is already a great deal of mystical mystery to Jane's life and now there is this...extra dimension added to the story. On the one hand, it ties in well to Jane's struggle to understand her own abilities, and on the other it can very easily push things into the realm of ridiculous. Thankfully, this is a long running series, and I think Hunter is skilled enough to not rush things, and to find a balance on that thin line. All in all, I still say this is one of the better series out there, and Broken Soul has me motivated to find the books I missed as well as hope the next book is out soon. Related articles Review of Death's Rival by Faith Hunter Blog Tour Giveaway, Guest Post, & ARC Review of Black Arts by Faith Hunter Review of Blood Trade by Faith Hunter

Title: Crown of Coral and Pearl Author: Mara Rutherford Genre: Fantasy Source: Inkyard Press via NetGalley Publisher: Inkyard Press Publication Date: August 27th 2019 Summary: For generations, the princes of Ilara have married the most beautiful maidens from the ocean village of Varenia. But though every girl longs to be chosen as the next princess, the cost of becoming royalty is higher than any of them could ever imagine… Nor once dreamed of seeing the wondrous wealth and beauty of Ilara, the kingdom that’s ruled her village for as long as anyone can remember. But when a childhood accident left her with a permanent scar, it became clear that her identical twin sister, Zadie, would likely be chosen to marry the Crown Prince—while Nor remained behind, unable to ever set foot on land. Then Zadie is gravely injured, and Nor is sent to Ilara in her place. To Nor’s dismay, her future husband, Prince Ceren, is as forbidding and cold as his home—a castle carved into a mountain and devoid of sunlight. And as she grows closer to Ceren’s brother, the charming Prince Talin, Nor uncovers startling truths about a failing royal bloodline, a murdered queen… and a plot to destroy the home she was once so eager to leave. In order to save her people, Nor must learn to negotiate the treacherous protocols of a court where lies reign and obsession rules. But discovering her own formidable strength may be the one move that costs her everything: the crown, Varenia and Zadie. I've been working with Mara on an interview for the blog for the past few weeks, so I was super excited when I was approved on NetGalley for Crown of Coral and Pearl. I blew through this book in two sittings, it was a quick read with an intriguing story line that captured me from page one. A Cute Prince. (Enough said, right?) I really loved the bond between Nor and Zadie. Being twins and being groomed to become the next princess of Varenia. Especially how after Nor's accident and how the attention that was split among the both of them was now mostly focused on Zadie. Something that was devastating and had lasting consequences made the bond between the twins even stronger. The story shows how far you will go for the people you love and the sacrifices are willing to make for their happiness. I loved the world building and how we go from a city built on the ocean to land and a castle built into a mountain with no sunlight. The two different settings are a stark contrast of each other and really change the tone of the novel. The idea behind the pearls and the coral were really cool. I wish there was a little more detail into it but we did get enough to get answers that we needed. Overall I really enjoyed Crown of Coral and Pearl and I am crossing my fingers for a sequel. I would love to see where these character's are going to go next and the fall out of the events of the end of the novel. If this does happen to be a stand alone, I've created a happily ever after for all of them. But fingers crossed!!!

About Silver Mirrors As powerful magic comes creeping back, dangerous days are dawning… Criminal Investigation Division inspectors Janus Mikani and Celeste Ritsuko were lucky to make it out of their last mission alive. Since then, strange troubles have plagued the city of steam and shadows, apparently as a result of magic released during the CID inspectors’ desperate interruption of an ancient ritual. The fabric of the world has been unsettled, and the Council has assigned Mikani and Ritsuko to investigate. They soon discover that matters are worse than they imagined. Machines have developed minds of their own, cragger pirates are raiding the seas with relentless aggression, and mad elementals are running amok. As the chaos builds to a crescendo, Mikani and Ritsuko must fight a war on two fronts—and this time, they may not be able to turn the deadly tide…

Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop Book 3 in The Others series The Others freed the cassandra sangue to protect the blood prophets from exploitation, not realizing their actions would have dire consequences. Now the fragile seers are in greater danger than ever before—both from their own weaknesses and from those who seek to control their divinations for wicked purposes. In desperate need of answers, Simon Wolfgard, a shape-shifter leader among the Others, has no choice but to enlist blood prophet Meg Corbyn’s help, regardless of the risks she faces by aiding him. Meg is still deep in the throes of her addiction to the euphoria she feels when she cuts and speaks prophecy. She knows each slice of her blade tempts death. But Others and humans alike need answers, and her visions may be Simon’s only hope of ending the conflict. For the shadows of war are deepening across the Atlantik, and the prejudice of a fanatic faction is threatening to bring the battle right to Meg and Simon’s doorstep… When I was a kid, there was a commercial for margarine with the slogan, “it’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.” I couldn’t help but remember this line while reading this book. That was a humorous tagline, but in this book, it’s serious business messing the Mother. The central conflict in this series is between the Others, terra indigene – the earth natives, and the humans. The humans have the technology and the systems, but the Others have dominion over nature – the natural resources. That is why in the world order, the Others hold power over humans. Humans are considered prey. However, some humans are not comfortable with this status and are looking to fight back. This tension is played out through the characters in and associated with the Lakeside Courtyard. Whereas book one and two are focused on the development of the characters, world-building and establishing the roles of the various characters, this book focuses more on the larger conflict. It’s a game changer. What’s interesting to me is that although the humans are the lower ranked in this world, they are not the underdogs. There is no sympathy for the greater humankind. Through arrogance, humans have polluted and ravaged the Earth impacting all species. Without taking responsibility for the destruction, humans have redirected their focus on a right for “manifest destiny” and freedom from, what they consider, bondage to the Others. The resentment is fueling a Humans First and Last movement. This is pushing the Others to consider unleashing a Noah-and-the-Flood like destruction. This is also a story about alienation, misunderstanding, and the attempts by one small faction to overcome that gap. The Lakeside Courtyard is the crucible of those efforts. Because even within the threat of a pending war, people can choose to understand one another. All of favorite characters are back. Relationships evolve. There is less Simon and Meg than in the other books, but they are still the central part of the story. The rate of their relationship development is still a little slow and frustrating for me. I wasn’t even clear until this book that something else might be developing beyond strong friendship. But given the richness of the story, I’m willing to be patient. This is a perfect middle book. It gives us more of our favorite characters, complicates the relationships and furthers the greater conflict. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to review the book in exchange for an honest review.

The New York Times-bestselling Kate Daniels novels have been hailed as top-notch urban fantasy (Monsters and Critics). Now, Andrews delves deeper into Kates world and reveals its untold stories. Includes the bonus novella Magic Gifts. Original.

We have a guest post from author C.T. Adams. She’s the author of the urban fantasy THE EXILE from Tor books. It’s her debut solo book but not her first novel. Together, she and Cathy Clamp wrote under the nom-de-plume Cat Adams. They wrote the popular Blood Singer series, also published by Tor. In this guest post she tells us about her solo efforts at writing compared to that of working in tandem with another author – the pluses, the minuses and the bits in between. And as an added plus we will have a giveaway live for THE EXILE on March 16th. Just in time for a St. Patrick’s day celebration. So stop on by to enter and possibly win a copy! Let’s welcome C.T.! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Writing with a partner can be very rewarding. You have someone to bounce ideas off of, to discuss things with, someone you trust who can proof what you’re working on and tell you if something just isn’t working. (Not that you ever WANT to hear that, mind you, but you NEED to sometimes.) It can be loads of fun if you work with the right person, as I had the pleasure of doing. It’s also a wonderful thing to have somebody who is always in your corner, always rooting for you, and who has a vested interest in your success. And you get to halve the work. Not just the writing, the promotion, the costs, the travel, the edits, the copyedits, EVERYTHING. If your schedule doesn’t work for something, there’s another person who can step up and cover whatever it is. But working with someone else (ANYONE else) can also be incredibly frustrating because characters you love may not appeal to the other person, and you may have totally different takes on character, and direction for the plot and series. These kind of differences have to be hammered out if you are going to have a coherent vision and keep from frustrating the readers who notice every inconsistency and *hate* it. Writing solo gives you the freedom of not having to hash things out and not having to compromise. BUT you are absolutely working ‘without a net.’ If things go wrong, there’s nobody else to blame, nobody else to fix it, and nobody to shield you from criticisms that can be absolutely brutal at times. And you only have your own ideas and your own schedule to work with. There are only 24 hours in any day, 365 days in any year. Trying to fit everything you have to do with your writing, your life and, in my case, a day job, into those time constraints occasionally requires a shoehorn, Vaseline, and giving up on getting adequate amounts of sleep. Is one path better than the other? No. They’re just different. A partnership is like a marriage—with the right person it is awesome. But I have it on good authority that a partnership (or marriage) with the wrong person is just awful. And breaking up a bad partnership can get very, very ugly. I was very fortunate in that Cathy and I are good friends, and had a good, solid written partnership agreement that addressed what we would do when the partnership drew to a close. So we were able to dissolve our partnership amicably and remain friends. I write solo now, but I had a wonderful experience in the writing partnership. I would recommend it to others, with the caveat of making sure you (1) know your partner well; and (2) have a solid, written partnership agreement that addresses all the “sticky” issues, including what will happen and how assets will be divided if/when the partnership breaks up; IN ADVANCE of putting the first word on paper. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ C. T. Adams was born in Illinois. She spent seventeen years in the Denver metro area and now resides in Texas with a large dog and pet cats. Office work provided a living while she pursued the goal of becoming a novelist. Forming the partnership with Cathy Clamp was the catalyst that led to publication and the two have enjoyed a long and fruitful collaboration, with two series published within the Tor Paranormal Romance line: The Sazi, and the Kate Reilly/Thrall books. In addition they have authored stand-alone novels and participated in several anthologies. Working both as a team with Cathy and individually, C.T. plans to be involved in writing novels for years to come. THE EXILE is C.T. Adams’ first solo novel. Here’s what the publisher says about THE EXILE: An enthralling urban fantasy with a hint of romance, THE EXILE is the first solo novel by C. T. Adams, who is half of USA Today bestselling author Cat Adams. Like the Cat Adams Blood Singer novels, THE EXILE is set in a familiar world where magic is real and contains Adams’s trademark blend of suspense, action, humor, and strongly emotional writing. Brianna Hai, an exiled half-Fae princess, runs an occult shop that sells useless trinkets to tourists—and real magic supplies to witches and warlocks. The magical painting that hangs in Brianna’s apartment is the last portal between the Fae and human worlds, making it difficult for her to stay out of Fae politics. Unfortunately, she becomes swept back up in court intrigue when a shocking magical assault on her home by a rival of her father, High King Liu of the Fae, forces Brianna back into a world she had been desperately trying to avoid. With the help of her gargoyle, Pug, her friend David, and his handsome brother Nick, a police detective who doesn’t believe in magic, Brianna returns to the Fae world to recover what was stolen from her in the attack and in the process becomes an unwilling potential heir to the throne. Fans of Kim Harrison, Jim Butcher, and Faith Hunter will enjoy this thrilling start to a new series! Tor/Macmillan | Trade Paperback | March 10, 2015 | 320 pages

Okay, so I just finished Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch. There is just one thing to say about this book ... I wish I would have read it earlier. It's amazing! I have been holding out for a good book that I just can't seem to put down and, well, this is it. Our hero is 16 year old Meira, one of the few surviving Winterians. 16 years ago, Spring massacred the Kingdom of Winter, destroying their magic and killing their Queen. A handful was able to escape the evil clutches of Spring and now those 8 survivors are the only hope the Winterians have. The orphan Meira has trained her whole life to be a warrior and to protect her best friend and Winters future King, Mather (Love interest #1). With blond hair, blue eyes and a body to kill for, you can't help but love him right from the start. Later in the book we meet Love Interest #2. The Prince of Cordell Theron (my personal favorite, yup that's right. As of book 1 I'm team Theron.) I could go on and on about why I feel this way but I guess you will just have to read it for yourself and find out why he is so amazing. lol After Theron's dad, the King of Cordell turns out to be a real jerk, the fighting begins. A war is fought and Meria is taken prisoner. Thrown into the work camps with the rest of the Winterians, Meira sees what they have gone through for the past 16 years and it's heart breaking. This is where I must stop because I don't want to give spoilers. You just need to read the book! I will say, there is more fighting, kissing and (of course) hot boys ... so run don't walk to the nearest book store and buy this book today! Or sit on Santa's lap and ask him for it ASAP. But hold on ... there is a giveaway as well to go with this book! The picture is to come but here is a hint ... I asked Sara Raasch what her favorite quote was from Snow Like Ashes and the prize has something to do with that. Good Luck! To add to your Goodreads list go to Goodreads To buy, go to Amazon.ca Amazon.com Barnes and Noble a Rafflecopter giveaway

He’s done a deal with Death herself. But unless he can send beasts back to the Otherworld, losing his life will be the least of his worries… PI Bellamy Vale’s near-immortality doesn’t give him a moment to rest. Completely worn down as Death’s supernatural detective, he’s starting to think he got the short-end of his

Warrior of the World Author: Jeffe Kennedy Release Date: January 8, 2019 Publisher: Rebel Base Books The Chronicles of Dasnaria Book #3 ISBN: 1635730457 ISBN13: 9781635730456 Genre: Fantasy Review Copy Source: NetGalley Just beyond the reach of the Twelve Kingdoms, avarice, violence, strategy, and revenge clash around a survivor who could upset the balance of power all across the map . . . Once Ivariel thought elephants were fairy tales to amuse children. But her ice-encased childhood in Dasnaria’s imperial seraglio was lacking in freedom and justice.. With a new name and an assumed identity as a warrior priestess of Danu, the woman once called Princess Jenna is now a fraud and a fugitive. But as she learns the ways of the beasts and hones new uses for her dancer’s strength, she moves one day further from the memory of her brutal husband. Safe in hot, healing Nyambura, Ivariel holds a good man at arm’s length and trains for the day she’ll be hunted again. She knows it’s coming. She’s not truly safe, not when her mind clouds with killing rage at unpredictable moments. Not when patient Ochieng’s dreams of a family frighten her to her bones. But it still comes as a shock to Ivariel when long-peaceful Nyambura comes under attack. Until her new people look to their warrior priestess and her elephants to lead them . . . Jenna/Ivariel has been through quite the journey and seeing her heal and evolve from the sheltered and abused princess she started out as was both heartbreaking and uplifting. I don't have a whole lot to say about WARRIOR OF THE WORLD. I really enjoyed the story and the growth of the characters. Again, I LOVED the relationship between Ivariel and the elephants. In fact, I love the relationship everyone had with the elephants. They are such magical creatures and they really shine in Kennedy's world. I have mixed feelings about the ending. I loved the fast forward look, but I would have really enjoyed seeing the years leading up to it. I loved their story and wanted more. I still felt like their story isn't over and I hope I'm right. I gave it 4/5 stars * This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Dating the Undead V-Date.com #1 Buy Link It’s Bridget Jones with vampires in this fresh and funny paranormal romance from debut author Juliet Lyons When Silver Harris kisses sexy Irish vampire Logan Byrne on New Year's Eve, she knows other humans just won't suffice. Convinced she'll never see him again, she joins the uber-popular vampire dating site, V-Date.com. What Silver doesn't know is that the site is more dangerous than she could ever imagined, and soon she's in over her head. When Logan returns, sparks fly and attraction sizzles, but they'll have to escape some very real demons if they have any chance of lasting forever. 30 Worst/funniest clichéd lines from dating profiles To a vampire slayer: Is that a stake in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me? Human seeks vampire: Must have a sparkling personality. Vampire, social drinker, seeks adventurous mortal with type O neg blood group. You must be exhausted, because you’ve been running through my mind all day. Want to grab a bite? Are you a witch, because I’m pretty sure I’m under your spell. Man, you’re so hot, I’m burning up faster than I would in a midday sun. Your coffin or mine? Get your cloak, Dracula, you’ve pulled. I’d love to take you to dinner… If you’re okay with being the main course… I have to say, you are looking fangtastic tonight. You slay me in every possible sense. I love your outfit. It would look even better on my bedroom floor. If it wasn’t for the fangs, I’d think you were an angel sent from heaven. If I said you had a gorgeous undead body, would you hold it against me? Smoking hot male vampire seeks special someone—mere mortals need not apply. Mortal woman seeks wealthy vampire man. Must live in a castle and travel by horseback. I can’t offer you sunshine, but I can offer you eternity. Vampire seeks female companion for moonlit strolls. Must like bats. Seeking a partner in crime. Literally. Immortals only. Male Vampire seeking a special someone to share his life—or death depending on how you look at it. If anyone asks, we met in a bar. She-vamp searching for her knight in shining armour… I turned this hot dude from the round table a few centuries back and I haven’t heard from him since. No baggage here! My family died in the French Revolution so if you’re down on mother-in-law’s I’m your guy (vampire). I enjoy hanging out with my friends, particularly in bat form. I’m a travel junkie. (If I don’t move on every 10-15 years people start to notice I don’t age). I’m an old-fashioned gent (156 years old) who knows how to treat a lady. Though not on a full moon… obvs. I don’t bite, unless you ask me to. Thank goodness I heal fast, because you are too hot to handle. I’ve heard women like bad boys… With my murderous past I’m just about as bad as they come… Excerpt: I freeze in terror. What a waste of Dad’s money those self-defense classes turned out to be. “Silver, it’s just me,” a lilting Irish voice says at my ear, the hand dropping from my shoulder. I turn around to find myself nose to nose with my vampire from New Year’s Eve, his bright green eyes piercing mine. I’m struck by several conflicting emotions all at once—anger, relief, and in a tiny measure—happiness. Anger wins out. On impulse, I slap him hard across the face, pointing with a white, clenched hand to the garden I’ve just sprinted across. “I thought I was about to be murdered, asshole,” I hiss through my teeth. “I ripped my coat. My heels are ruined. All because you thought it might be fun to follow me home.” He smirks, nonplussed, sliding his hands into the deep pockets of his navy pea coat. “I wasn’t following you,” he says, eyes twinkling. “Oh, that’s right,” I say, voice dripping with sarcasm. “You were just walking me home again. Except this time from fifty yards behind and without me knowing.” Before he has a chance to reply, the front door flies open and my landlady Vera emerges in a long, silky, oriental dressing gown. She is wigless for once, a Pucci scarf twisted into a makeshift turban covering her head. In her right hand, she holds a meat cleaver. “Step away, you rapist bastard!” she yells, holding the large knife shakily aloft. I glare at the vampire, expecting him to either throw his hands in the air or take a step backwards. Instead his brows knit together and his mouth drops open. “Etta Marlow?” he asks, staring at her as if she just walked on water. The meat cleaver lowers a fraction. “What’s it to you?” Vera demands, her voice losing some of its previous menace. I roll my eyes. Of course he remembers her. He’s probably seen all her films. “It is you!” he erupts, wagging a finger in her direction. “You’re Etta Marlow! You played Susie De Sousa in Girl Uptown with Gregor Lane. I love that movie.” The meat cleaver drops, forgotten, to her side as she pats her turban, eyelashes fluttering. “Fancy you recognizing me,” she mutters happily. “Excuse me, Vera,” I interject, “but there’s still a potential rapist on your doorstep here.” Vera looks back to the vampire, who shakes his head, smiling. “A misunderstanding, Etta. I was making sure Silver here made it home safely. She got the wrong end of the stick.” Vera, or Etta as she was once known, glances over at me. “Do you know this charming fellow, dear?” I scowl at them both. “Well, yes, but— “ “Well then, you must come in, dear boy. I could show you my Oscar, if you like?” The Vampire looks as if he’s about to pee himself with excitement. “You mean the one you got for Days Like These with Vic Stevens?” She holds out a thin hand towards him, gold bangles jangling on her wrist. “The very one, dear. Come, come in.” I watch, stunned, as he takes her hand, green eyes lit up in excitement. Before stepping through the door, he hangs back. “Ms. Marlow, I’m afraid it’s only courteous to let you know before I enter that I’m not human. I’m a vampire.” Vera’s tinkly laugh echoes around the street like a bicycle bell. “Oh, you’re so sweet. Didn’t you know I’ve met dozens of vampires? They’re two a penny in Hollywood, darling.” Following her across the threshold, he flashes the cockiest of grins. “Coming, Silver?” My jaw drops in disgust. I’m tempted to sulk off to my basement flat, but instead, I trail after them and slam the door. We follow Vera along an elegant gold and cream hallway into her immaculate, monochrome front room. Even though I’ve been here on numerous occasions, I’m always mesmerized by the sheer extravagance of the place—buttery white leather sofas, cream fur rugs, one wall is painted black and white to resemble piano keys. It should look tacky, but somehow, it works. “You two make yourselves at home whilst I go and make myself presentable.” Vera says. “Then I’ll dig out that old Oscar of mine.” I know, of course, the Oscar will not have to be ‘dug’ out of anywhere. It’s always on display in the den, alongside her film stills and other memorabilia. “I didn’t catch your name,” she croons to the vampire before she leaves. He puts a hand on his chest. “Forgive me, I should have introduced myself. Between the meat cleaver threat and getting slapped by Silver here, I seem to have forgotten my manners. I’m Logan. Logan Byrne.” For strange and unfathomable reasons, my stomach flips. Logan. It suits him. “Charming,” Vera says. “Don’t you go anywhere, Mr. Byrne.” As soon as Vera disappears from the room, Logan collapses into one of the white leather arm chairs and puts his crossed feet onto the cut glass coffee table. I’m still standing, one brow arched, arms folded across my chest. “So, Logan,” I hiss. “What the hell is this?” He grins, dimples putting in their first appearance of the night as he gazes up at me. “Did anyone ever tell you, you’re particularly beautiful when you’re angry?” “Oh, cut the crap,” I say, ignoring the hot flush climbing my neck. “Why did you follow me?” “Like I told Etta, I wanted to make sure you got home safely, that’s all. Though I’m a little confused as to why you have three houses.” He holds up fingers to count. “The one I left you at on New Year’s, the one Nathaniel dropped you at, and now this—cohabiting with an aged 1940’s screen siren.” “It’s none of your business,” I say, chin in the air. “And anyway, how do you know Nathaniel?” He shrugs. “I know most of the vampires in London.” I humpth. “I bet you do.” In the blink of an eye, he is towering over me, face inches from mine. I inhale his clean, masculine scent like a drowning person coming up for air, and as he leans closer, I find myself gravitating towards him—a flower reaching for sunlight. He pulls the collar of my coat aside and peers into the gap. As his fingers brush my jaw, an uncontrollable shiver zings through me. I disguise it by stepping out of reach and batting his hand away. “He did a messy job on your neck,” he says, in a low voice. “What’s it to you?” I snap. Before I realize what’s happening, he closes the gap between us. One hand cupping my cheek, he bends over, lips brushing the place Nathaniel bit me, tongue gently swiping the puncture holes. “That should stop the bleeding,” he says, pulling away. “But you’ll still have a bruise in the morning.” I rub my neck and look at my fingers. No blood. “So, you can heal wounds? Just another of your unique skills along with beating up drunk men and following young women home for kicks?” He sinks back into the armchair. “You’re a sexy girl, Silver. I’m glad we’ve met again.” I snort incredulously, trying, without success, to forget the warmth of his hand on my face. “Well, you certainly made sure we did.” “And of course,” he continues, pretending to examine a photo on the coffee table. “I’m hugely flattered I’ve managed to turn your head towards my kind.” “You didn’t turn anything,” I say tartly. He cocks a brow, gaze burning through my clothes like a laser. I feel a sharp twitch between my legs, as though he’s controlling my private areas by some invisible string. “Are you sure about that?” __________________________________ JULIET LYONS is a paranormal romance author from the UK. She holds a degree in Spanish and Latin American studies and works part-time in a local primary school where she spends far too much time discussing Harry Potter. Since joining global storytelling site Wattpad in 2014, her work has received millions of hits online and gained a legion of fans from all over the world. When she is not writing, Juliet enjoys reading and spending time with her family. Visit: www.julietlyons.co.uk Find Juliet and her books Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook __________________________________ Tour Wide a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author: Jan Edwards Published: July 2020 by Penkhull Press Category: Historical Fiction, Cosy Murder/Mystery, Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ November 1940. The Battle of Britain has only just ended and the h…

UFI welcomes Author C.T. Phipps. Thanks for Joining us!! Dark Urban Fantasy - is it a genre? By. C.T. Phipps Yesterday, while working on my upcoming book Wraith Knight, I was contacted by a friend of mine who'd just finished my newly-released novel, Esoterrorism. The conversation went more or less like this: "Hey Charles, I loved the book! Really dark and plenty of black humor. Good action, too." "Thanks, glad you enjoyed it." "What genre do you call this?" "Uh...urban fantasy?" "Really?" "Is something wrong?" "I dunno, I just kind of thought that was full of girls like Buffy and their vampire boyfriends." "You need to read more." My friend, of course, was confusing the genre of Paranormal Romance with Urban Fantasy due to the considerable overlap between the two readerships. I'm a fan of both genres, having met my wife on the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter forums in the years before the, uh, genre shift of the series from monster-hunting mysteries to porn. Some Paranormal Romance has incredible world-building, plots, mythology, AND manages to tell a convincing romantic story arc in the process. I, particularly, recommend Lindsay J. Pryor's Blackthorn series. Some urban fantasy manages to have incredibly fun female protagonists with supernatural boyfriends who, in fact, have romances. I love Patricia Brigg's Mercy Thompson books, for example, and they're about the plots first and foremost. As my wife mentioned, you could easily also dismiss Esoterrorism as about a sarcastic assassin and his succubus partner. Still, the question weighed on me for a while and I decided it would be a good idea to go over my collection of urban fantasy and see if there were any themes which stood out amongst them. Also, questioning whether or not my friend was perhaps not entirely over the "girls are icky" stage of his development given his seeming aversion to seeing them kiss men alongside stabbing people with swords. What was urban fantasy, after all? It was in the name, fantasy in a city-like environment. I've always loved urban fantasy whether it was light and fluffy like the Dark Swan series by Richelle Meade or serious bleak works like just about everything I've ever written. It's a genre that transcends easy classification now because it covers everything from the trials and tribulations of a certain lightning scarred wizard to the cigarette-smoke filled ruminations of a sleazy magician who pronounces his name "Constan-Tine." Urban fantasy is a genre which has exploded in recent years, as well, moving beyond the easy classifications of yesteryear. Much like the greater genre of fantasy, it has split into various subgenres. In fantasy, you can get a vague idea of what the book is going to be about by looking at what sort of fantasy it used to be. There's high fantasy, low fantasy, sword and sorcery, grimdark, and, of course, urban fantasy. But what are the genres of urban fantasy? Urban Fantasy tells you a place but it doesn't tell you a mood or a theme. As mentioned, you could consider Paranormal Romance to be a genre of urban fantasy but this is stretching the definitions as there's plenty of both groups which fit both as well as books which fit one or the other exclusively. What about the funny, snarky lighthearted works? What about the dark and heavy stories of personal horror with a bit of wonder tied in? Where did my book fit, basically? In the end, I determined that it would be good to create a new subgenre of urban fantasy for it. Because that's not arrogant or anything. I decided, for lack of a better term, to call it the dark urban fantasy subgenre. I'm a little iffy on the title because it sounds like something a fourteen-year-old would come up with but nobody's perfect. Besides, one of my favorite fantasy/sci-fi subgenres is grimdark. So what do I know? But what is dark urban Fantasy? What do the words mean? And how do I put it on a backcover to appeal to the sophisticated amongst us? Dark Urban Fantasy should walk the line between horror and action as well as other genres. It should be the place between terror and triumph for its protagonists. When Jim Butcher created the Dresden Files, he drew very strongly from the early Anita Blakes (Guilty Pleasures to Obsidian Butterfly) which strikes me as still a gold standard to stand by. There are terrible things which go bump in the night which only our hero or heroine (or both) can stand against. A place where there are no moral certainties, only an acknowledgement that if you don't gaze into the abyss, it will probably rip your throat out. Be a monster lest a monster eat you, but not too much of a monster lest death be better. I think for a lot of us, this is a genre we're all familiar with as it's been around a long time. As long as there have been terrifying, spooky, and horrible things that go bump in the night, there have been equally dark and spooky heroes who hit back just as hard. These champions aren't of the light, bringing its brilliance into the shadows, but of the shadows themselves who punch back just as hard. In short, it's a well-traveled road full of anti-heroes, half-demons, half-vampires, bastards, conmen, assassins, and killers. I'm just erecting a signpost and naming the street. Maybe building a house alongside the road with a tavern to the side for travelers. There's a need for us to believe the monsters can be people too. Whether these monsters are government sponsored assassins and wizards like in Esoterrorism or folk like Wesley Snipes' Blade. And strangely, their chief opponent will usually be other monsters with less human qualities. Because we all secretly know good is hard rather than easy. And maybe, sometimes, the heroes aren't good at all. Just very good at getting rid of those who are worse. It's a genre I'm proud to consider Esoterrorism part of. __________________________________ C.T. Phipps is a lifelong student of horror, science fiction, and fantasy. An avid tabletop gamer, he discovered this passion led him to write and turned him into a lifelong geek. He is a regular blogger, reviewer for The Bookie Monster, and recently signed a deal with Ragnarok Publications to produce the urban fantasy series, The Red Room. C.T. Phipps is also the author of The Supervillainy Saga, the first book of which, The Rules of Supervillainy, was released this June. Find C.T. Phipps and his books Website / Goodreads / Twitter __________________________________ Ecoterrorism Amazon There are no good guys in the world of shadows…but maybe some bad men are better than others. Derek Hawthorne was born to be an agent of the Red Room. Literally. Raised in a conspiracy which has protected the world from the supernatural for centuries, he’s never been anything other than a servant of their agenda. Times are changing, though, and it may not be long before their existence is exposed. When a routine mission uncovers the latest plan of the magical terrorist, the Wazir, Derek finds himself saddled with a new partner. Who is the mysterious but deadly Shannon O’Reilly? What is her agenda? Couple this with the discovery the Red Room has a mole seeking to frame Derek for treason and you have a plot which might bring down a millennium-old organization. Can he stop the Wazir’s mission to expose the supernatural? And should he? PRAISE “Phipps blends a menagerie of 007, Hellboy, and Dresden Files into a high-octane mix of intrigue, action, and brash characterization, all topped off with a dose of good old-fashioned monster hunting. Can’t go wrong with that!” —Tim Marquitz, Demon Squad author __________________________________

Hunted by Meagan Spooner Publisher: HarperTeen Publication Date: March 14, 2017 Rating: 4 stars Source: eARC from Edelweiss Summary (from Goodreads): Beauty knows the Beast’s forest in her bones—and in her blood. Though she grew up with the city’s highest aristocrats, far from her father’s old lodge, she knows that the forest holds secrets and that her father is the only hunter who’s ever come close to discovering them. So when her father loses his fortune and moves Yeva and her sisters back to the outskirts of town, Yeva is secretly relieved. Out in the wilderness, there’s no pressure to make idle chatter with vapid baronessas…or to submit to marrying a wealthy gentleman. But Yeva’s father’s misfortune may have cost him his mind, and when he goes missing in the woods, Yeva sets her sights on one prey: the creature he’d been obsessively tracking just before his disappearance. Deaf to her sisters’ protests, Yeva hunts this strange Beast back into his own territory—a cursed valley, a ruined castle, and a world of creatures that Yeva’s only heard about in fairy tales. A world that can bring her ruin or salvation. Who will survive: the Beauty, or the Beast? What I Liked: I've read Spooner's solo books (her debut trilogy), and her co-written books with Amie Kaufman. Her Skylark trilogy was so-so for me, but I loved the Starbound trilogy. When I saw that she would be publishing a new fantasy series, I was definitely intrigued and hopeful - maybe I would love this new solo series of hers. I'm so happy to say that I really enjoyed this new book of hers! Yeva and her family have fallen on hard times, and they move far from town to their old cabin, where Yeva's father will hunt in the forest in order to provide for his three daughters, and make some money back to pay debts. Yeva's two older sisters, Lena and Asenka, are not like Yeva and her father. Yeva loves being in the forest, away from town, being able to hunt at will. But something dangerous lurks in the forest - a Beast who Yeva's father feared, right before he went missing. Yeva hunts the Beast, and what she finds isn't quite what she expected. She hates him, but she begins to understand him. How is it that he is just as trapped as she is? Yeva learns that the world she knows is not the only world that exists - and she is caught up in the magic. Beauty and the Beast retelling, anyone? Perfect timing, given the live-action movie to be premiered soon. Personally, I'll take books over movies any day. This retelling is on its own level! I loved it. I was so curious to see how Spooner would handle the fairy tale, especially with all of the controversial aspects of Beauty and the Beast (Stockholm Syndrome, for one). Yeva is a not an angelic, naive heroine, nor is she a fierce, kickbutt type of heroine. She is sweet and selfless, but also tough and very independent. She likes to hunt in the forest, and enjoys the solitude. She cares for her two older sisters and her father, so much so that she makes different sacrifices when the opportunities present themselves, in order to help her family. When Yeva ends up in the Beast's castle, she is angry but unafraid. I really, really liked Yeva. Arguably, she is one of my favorite Spooner heroines (I liked the ladies in the Starbound trilogy though). She is so selfless, when it comes to her sisters and father, and eventually, the Beast. The Beast... we all know the story of Beauty and the Beast, so I couldn't help but feel pity and remorse for him, from the start. But in the beginning, the author makes readers feel a little angry with him. He is not kind or patient with Yeva, and he seems more animal than human in the beginning. But his humanity comes about more and more, the longer Yeva is with him. The Beast is a character that I knew I would feel for, and my heart broke for him constantly. In this book, Yeva actually gets to know the Beast for a bit before she finds out that he is the Beast, if that makes sense. She believed him to be a fellow prisoner at first, and he brought her food and supplies in the dungeon cell. But then all is revealed that he is actually her captor, and she hates him. It's interesting because Yeva gets to know the Beast before she learns that he is her captor, and then she finds out and hates him, and tries to kill him several times. But she quickly figures out that he is cursed, under a wretched spell, and that he seems to be both human and Beast. I liked this setup, in terms of the story. It sort of accounts for why Yeva might fall for him - she knew him as a "good guy" at first. Furthermore, she tries to keep hating him after she finds out that he is her captor, but he is kinder to her, and not a terrible, abusive captor. Still a captor. The way this story is told, you won't find Stockholm Syndrome here. Yeva recognizes that she probably shouldn't care about her captor, but she also recognizes herself in him (the loneliness, the love of the forest, the desire for more). She talks to a friend about loving a cruel man, but realizes that the Beast is not that type of "cruel man". I think the author handled this aspect of the fairy tale extremely well, and worked around Stockholm Syndrome. The progression of the relationship is extremely slow, and there is no physical aspect of the romance. In fact, it's hard to call the romance a "romance" because while Yeva does fall for the Beast (and vice versa), it's definitely more of a progression of an emotional connection than a physical one. This is kind of obvious, right? I liked the development of this powerful emotional connection, though it's hard to say in my mind that it's a "romance". It definitely becomes one after the spell is broken. There is a good deal of magic in this book! Yeva's father used to tell her tales of magical beasts he used to see while hunting in the forest. Now, Yeva begins to see them herself, like the Firebird. Soon it becomes clear that the only way for Yeva to free the Beast from his spell is to seek out magic, and that is what Yeva decides to do, towards the end of the book. The setting is very Russian-esque, with the snowy scenery, forest, mountains, castles, and the obvious Russian names. I loved the setting and how it added to the magical world-building! Spooner did a beautiful job in crafting this fantasy world. Overall, I really liked this retelling. Beauty and the Beast retellings can be extremely tricky, given the obvious Stockholm Syndrome problem, and bestiality, but I think Spooner rewrote the classic tale extremely well. There is so much more than two people falling for each other, but I'll let you discover that on your own. This is a great story, friends! What I Did Not Like: This is definitely a standalone novel and I absolutely love that it's a standalone novel, but I can't help but want a little more from Yeva (Beauty) and her "Beast", when he becomes human! We only get a few pages of them as a human man and human girl together, and the epilogue is a little on the vague side. Wishful thinking on my part, but I would have loved to get scenes showing the pair together, in the end. Like a more specific epilogue, showing their obvious love and adoration for each other. But still, I'm really satisfied with this book overall. Would I Recommend It: I highly recommend this book if you like fantasy novels, fairy tale retellings, Beauty and the Beast, magical settings, clever heroines, and a romance that isn't a "romance" like you think. Plus, this is a standalone (though I think Spooner is writing more fairy tale retellings, possibly set in the same world but I'm not sure). It's perfect for fans of YA fantasy and fairy tales! Rating: 4 stars. I had some expectations for this book, and I'd say Spooner met them. I'm excited to see what other solo projects she has, though I'm also looking forward to reading more co-written books! Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

*Sometimes I read a book where I just don't have a lot to say about it. Hence the name quick thought review. This will be short and sweet. The Phoenix Illusion Author: Lisa Shearin Release Date: November 6, 2018 Publisher: Murwood Media SPI Files Book #6 ISBN: 1732722609 ISBN13: 9781732722606 Genre: Urban Fantasy Review Copy Source: Author The agents of Supernatural Protection & Investigation (SPI) are used to dealing with the weird and the wacky, but even they are stunned when a building from another world suddenly appears on an empty lot in New York. . . I’m Makenna Fraser, seer for SPI, and it’s just my luck that my birthday party is literally crashed by a building from another planet. And it’s not just any building—it’s my goblin boyfriend’s house from his home world. SPI’s mission, to keep the public clueless about the supernatural, has us scrambling to find who did this and why, not to mention how. The deeper we dig, the more we realize this incident is the opening gambit to a much larger event. Old enemies have combined forces with an even older nemesis to develop the means to kidnap an entire building and everyone in it. But who, or what, is their ultimate target? Finding out and getting to the mark before they do will require all hands on deck, including some extraterrestrial help from the goblin home world. We’re running out of time, and if we can’t get our act together, we’ll have front-row seats for the end of the world as we know it. I'm a fan of the SPI Files series, but THE PHOENIX ILLUSION didn't blow me away. What I liked: I enjoy watching Makenna and Rake's relationship grow. The overall story was interesting. I truly enjoy all the characters in this series. What I didn't like: There was a LOT of explaining of past events and re-introductions of already known characters. I honestly don't know 100% why I didn't totally love THE PHOENIX ILLUSION. It didn't grab me like the previous books in the series and had a different feel to it. Hopefully book 7 will draw me back in. I gave it 3/5 stars * This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Shadow Rites Author: Faith Hunter Release Date: April 5, 2016 Publisher: Roc Jane Yellowrock Book #10 ISBN: 0451465970 ISBN13: 9780451465979 Genre: Urban Fantasy Review Copy Source: NetGalley Jane Yellowrock has her hands full in the latest novel in the New York Times bestselling series that captures “the essence of urban fantasy” (SF Site). Slaying vampires is child’s play for skinwalker Jane Yellowrock. But handling the complicated politics of New Orleans’ supernatural players is another story... Jane is keeping the peace between visiting groups of witches and vamps in the city, but then trouble comes knocking on her doorstep. When her house is magically attacked, the wild chase to find her assailants unearths a mystery that has literally been buried deep. A missing master vampire, presumed long deceased, is found chained in a pit...undead, raving mad, and in the company of two human bodies. Now it’s up to Jane to find out who kept the vampire hidden for so long and why, because the incident could tip already high supernatural tensions to an all-out arcane war. I loved everything about SHADOW RITES from beginning to end. Jane's house is full again when the Youngers come for the witch conclave—which does not go as planned by the way. I love when they visit and the interactions with Angie and Little Evan are getting more entertaining—and a bit scary— as they grow up. On top of that Jane is forced to add yet another member—or three—to her household. She might have been hesitant about her new housemates, but they did a lot of good in SHADOW RITES and I think they will continue to be a good addition to Jane's little family. Speaking of Jane's little family. I love Eli and Alex. They are a great team and I can't imagine her without them now. I enjoyed seeing the progression of Jane and George's relationship. It is really coming along and watching them grow closer makes my heart smile, they make a really great couple. The Jane Yellowrock series never lacks action. Every book is full of bad guys and Jane kicking ass. Her life—and those she loves—are usually in danger and SHADOW RITES is no different. Thankfully everyone makes it through the book intact even though they were a little banged up at times. Will the European vampires finally visit in book 11? Only one way to find out and I will be the first in line to read it. I gave it 5/5 stars * This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.