Review: The Graveyard Shift - Darynda Jones

Guarding a precocious five-year-old who is half-human, half-god, and 100% destined to save the world is no easy feat.

Garrett Swopes was the ultimate skeptic until he met a certain hellion and her husband. They vanished after stopping a catastrophic event and left him, a mere mortal, in charge of protecting their gift to mankind. But when she disappears as well, he needs the help of another breed of hellion. One who can see past the veil of space and time. One who betrayed him.

She will get a truce in the deal, but she will never earn his forgiveness.

Marika Dubois’s son—a warrior in the coming war between heaven and hell—was foreseen long before his birth. But to create a child strong enough to endure the trials that lay ahead, she needed a descendant of powerful magics. She found that in Garrett Swopes and tricked him into fathering her son. A ploy he has never forgiven her for. But when he knocks on her door asking for her help, she sees the fierce attraction he tries to deny rise within him.

And Marika has to decide if she dares risk her heart a second time to help the only man she’s ever loved.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

Charley Davidson Series:
First Grave on the Right
For I Have Sinned (Novella)
Second Grave on the Left
Third Grave Dead Ahead
Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet
Fifth Grave Past the Light
Shimmer (Free Short Story)
Glow (Free Short Story)
Sixth Grave on the Edge
Seventh Grave and No Body
Eighth Grave After Dark
Brighter Than the Sun (Novella)
The Dirt on the Ninth Grave
The Curse of Tenth Grave
A Very Charley Christmas (Free Short Story)
Eleventh Grave in Moonlight
The Trouble with Twelfth Grave
Summoned to Thirteenth Grave
The Graveyard Shift (Novella)

Visit Darynda Jones' website for more information

Review:
Before I start this review I want to give a quick heads up to anyone who hasn't already read the Charley Davidson series. Normally the 1001 Dark Nights novellas are a great way to test out a series or a new to you author but The Graveyard Shift gives MAJOR spoilers for the entire Charley Davidson series and I REALLY wouldn't recommend reading it before Summoned to the Thirteenth Grave. This is a fab series though so if you're new to the world grab yourself a copy of First Grave on the Right ASAP.

Now we've got that out of the way I want to tell Charley Davidson fans that you're going to love this novella. I didn't realise how much I've missed this world until I got the chance to dive right back into it and it was so much fun catching up with characters like Garrett, Cookie, Uncle Bob, Donovan but especially little Beep who is now a five year old ball of energy who likes to keep all her guardians on their toes.

I don't want to give away too much of the plot but Garrett's life gets 100% more complicated when Beep vanishes into thin air and he's forced to go to his ex Marika for help. There is a lot of unfinished business between those two and I'm glad we got to see them resolve things once and for all. I also loved seeing how much Beep takes after her mother and how much chaos one small child can cause considering how many people she has looking out for her. I really can't wait for her to be fully grown so we can start reading her series! Oh and we also got confirmation at the end of this book that we're getting a novella about Amber and Quentin in May 2021 called The Gravedigger's Son which I'm super excited about!

Source: Purchased

Other reviews of this book:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Sin & Surrender - K.F. Breene

The sixth and final book in the #1 internationally bestselling Demigods of San Francisco series!

It's the moment Kieran and Lexi have been preparing for. The Magical Summit.

Ready or not, they will take their assembled team into the belly of the beast. The stakes couldn't be higher. If the powers that be don't approve of Kieran, he will not earn the official title of the Demigod of San Francisco.

The real danger concerns Lexi, however. With Kieran away in meetings, she must brave the treacherous halls of the Summit with just her crew and her wards, fighting for social placement and status, open to attack from all angles.

She could've never expected what comes at her. No one could've.

Prepare yourself for this epic conclusion to the Demigods of San Francisco series!

Demigods of San Francisco Series:
Sin & Chocolate
Sin & Magic
Sin & Salvation
Sin & Spirit
Sin & Lightning
Sin & Surrender

Visit K.F. Breene's website for more information

Review:
The time has come for Alexis and Kieran to face off with the other Demigods at the Magical Summit. Kieran has to prove his worth if he wants to keep his position in San Francisco but with Lexi's magic in high demand the whole team have to prove themselves capable of defending themselves and if they can't they'll be picked off one by one as the other Demigods try to steal them for their own teams. The stakes have never been higher and they only have a limited time to show the world they're not to be messed with.

As sad as I am to reach the end of this series I'm very happy to say it ends on a high note (I still have hopes that we'll get more books in this world though, even if they're about the other members of the crew with Lexi and Kieran no longer the main characters!). It's hard to review a series finale because you want to encourage new readers to start their journey in this world without giving spoilers (don't do that here please, but I'd highly recommend checking out the first book, Sin and Chocolate) but you also want to let series fans know what to expect. To be fair anyone who has read the previous books already knows what they're going to get in this series though and Sin and Surrender won't disappoint. There is action and intrigue, witty banter between the main team, more romance between Leix and Kieran plus we get to see Daisy and Mordecai show the magical elite exactly what they're made of.

It would be too easy to spoil the final story if I go into much more detail than that but trust me, if you enjoyed the rest of the series you're going to love every minute of this book. Although this is a finale of sorts I'm convinced there is more to see in this world and I really, really hope that we're going to get books about the rest of the crew, there are just too many fantastic side characters to let them go to waste!

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Sin & Lightning - K.F. Breene

One thing has become incredibly clear to Alexis and Kieran, if they hope to last in the arena of Demigods, they'll need a more robust defense team.

They must take two incredibly dangerous journeys, seeking the prized talents other Demigods would kill for. Except, there is a reason other Demigods don't have these magical workers--they are as ruthless as they are dangerous, and the last thing they want is to be on a Demigod's team.

If that isn't enough, Alexis has received an invitation from Demigod Lydia, the only Hades Demigod who hasn't openly declared war. She's talking like they could be allies, but those of Hades cannot be trusted. A trap is just as likely as a handshake. Still, it's a chance they must take.

Any one of these trips could be their last, but to back down would be the most dangerous of all.

Demigods of San Francisco Series:
Sin & Chocolate
Sin & Magic
Sin & Salvation
Sin & Spirit
Sin & Lightning
Sin & Surrender

Visit K.F. Breene's website for more information

Review:
This series is honestly just getting better and better with each instalment. With Kieran trying to cement his place as the demigod of San Fransisco he needs to prove that he's powerful enough to hold the territory. He already had a strong team with his six but he still needs other powerful allies and preferably to get at least one of the other demigods on his side if he wants to protect not just the territory but also Lexi and her wards. Lexi has unusual but powerful magic and if Kieran can't prove himself then the other demigods are going to start fighting to steal her from him.

Lexi knows that Kieran needs more powerful magic users on his team and with the help of Bria she is determined to help him recruit some. Of course this involves putting herself in danger but she has a unique way of looking at the magical world that could be key in convincing some people that Kieran is a demigod worth allying themselves with. I actually really enjoyed seeing Lexi tracking down potential team member, she's really good at connecting with people and she will fight to the death for anyone she considers a friend or family member. There are some fab new additions to their team that we get to meet here and I'm really looking forward to learning more about them as the series continues.

However it isn't all plain sailing, and some enemies are very good at hiding their evil intentions. The whole team faces a lot of danger in this instalment and there were some heart stopping moments when it all comes to a head towards the end of the book. Things are definitely ramping up and I think the action is only going to build up even more as the series continues. It's definitely going to be interesting when we get to meet the rest of the demigods and I can't wait to see how much chaos Lexi and Kieran cause at the upcoming meeting. This series has definitely become a favourite and I'm sure fans will love this latest instalment!

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Night of the Dragon - Julie Kagawa

Evil and hope clash and burn in the epic and shocking conclusion to the Shadow of the Fox trilogy.

All is lost.

Kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko has given up the final piece of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, in order to save everyone she loves from imminent death. Now she and her ragtag band of companions must journey to the wild sea cliffs of Iwagoto in a desperate last-chance effort to stop the Master of Demons from calling upon the Great Kami dragon and making the wish that will plunge the empire into destruction and darkness.

But even with their combined skills and powers, this most unlikely team of heroes knows the forces of Evil may be impossible to overcome. And there is another player in the battle for the scroll, a player who has been watching, waiting for the right moment to pull strings that no one even realised existed...until now.

Shadow of the Fox series:
Shadow of the Fox
Soul of the Sword
Night of the Dragon

Visit Julie Kagawa's website for more information.

Review:
I've been a fan of Julie Kagawa's writing for years but I honestly think that the Shadow of the Fox series is her best one yet. I've been caught up in this world from the beginning and I'm really sad that it's now time to say goodbye.

It's so hard to review the final book in a trilogy because I want to encourage everyone who hasn't started this series yet to dive straight in but I don't want to go into too much detail because I don't want to give away spoilers. What I've loved most about these books has been the fantastic Japanese mythology and all of the wonderful yokai & kami creatures that Julie Kagawa has introduced us to along the way. Our band of characters has been through so much since the first book but it all comes to a head in Night of the Dragon and they're facing more danger than ever before.

I'm not going to lie and tell you this is an easy end to their journey, this book prefers to grab you by the throat while it slowly rips your heart out, but what I will say is that I loved every minute of it. There are definitely heartbreaking moments in this book but there are also really sweet and heartwarming ones to balance that out and it was definitely a fitting end to a much loved series.

Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle

Review: Sin & Spirit - K.F. Breene

The fourth book in the Amazon Charts Bestselling series by Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, K.F. Breene.

Kieran has stepped up to take his place as the ruler of magical San Francisco. As his girlfriend I'm in the spotlight, and the Hades Demigods have taken notice. They want me on their team, and they don’t plan on asking nicely.

Kieran and I are both under fire. They will kill him to get to me, and they'll take me by force if necessary. It is essential I learn more of my magic.

With no other options, I do what scares me the most - I summon the last Spirit Walker to help train me. Except, he's a loose cannon with looser morals, and learning spirit is treacherous. I might evade the Demigods only to be lost in spirit forever.

Demigods of San Francisco Series:
Sin & Chocolate
Sin & Magic
Sin & Salvation
Sin & Spirit
Sin & Lightning
Sin & Surrender

Visit K.F. Breene's website for more information

Review:
In the fourth book in K.F. Breene's Demigods of San Francisco series we see Lexi and Kieran facing their most dangerous enemies yet. Killing Valens was only the start of their problems and now that Kieran has taken his place as the ruler of San Francisco he's fully caught the attention of the other Demigods around the world. Not only are they watching to see what kind of ruler Kieran will be but they've also heard rumours about Lexi's Spirit Walker abilities. If any of them is able to capture Lexi and train her they'll have a formidable weapon in their hands, but Lexi and Kieran have other ideas and if she can find someone else to be her guide then they'll be a power couple the other Demigods will have to watch out for.

If you thought the battle in the previous book was intense you haven't seen anything yet. Before they were facing off against one Demigod and it nearly cost them everything, now they have multiple enemies who are all plotting against them and they have no idea where the next attack will come from or which of the other Demigods might be working together against them. This is only the start of their battle to prove themselves and it could all end in disaster at the first hurdle.

I've loved this series since the beginning but each book has only got better along the way. Lexi and Kieran make a great couple but I think one of the things I love the most is the family they've built together with Lexi's wards Daisy and Mordecai as well as the members of Kieran's Six, the men who have been at his side for years and who are more like brothers than bodyguards. Daisy is the only human in the bunch but she has been continuing her training and is able to hold her own against the others by using her brain as well as her physical strength and that is something she's going to need to hold on to more than ever in this book. The danger is off the charts and there were some heart stopping moments but we also get to see Lexi learn even more about her abilities and watch the group really come together to fight against their enemies. The battle is only just beginning and I can't wait to see where the series takes us next.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: The Journals of Octavia Hollows: Books 1-6 - Stacey Rourke

With a touch of her hand, Octavia Hollows can restore life. Yet, she couldn’t save the man she loved from the horrific accident that stole him from her. Octavia thought she could outrun the pain, but ghosts from the past refuse to be silenced. Out of options, she chooses to retrace her wayward journey across the country in search of answers. Surrounded by baffling mysteries of the undead, what she learns about herself along the way might become her greatest weapon.

This six novella series chronicles Octavia's adventures in:
Wake the Dead
Dead Man's Hand
Caught Dead
Drop Dead Gorgeous
Dead Ringer
Dead as a Doornail

"This is Rourke at her finest: sassy and completely unapologetic. Proving again why she's a powerhouse in this industry."
-USA Today Best Selling Author Rue Volley

"This book has it all: a kickass heroine, loads of action... and a pig named Bacon."
-NYT & USA Today Best Selling Author Karen Lynch

The Journals of Octavia Hollows Series:
How the Dead Lie (Prequel novella, this is also part of the Havenwood Falls multi-author series)
Wake the Dead
Dead Man's Hand
Caught Dead
Drop Dead Gorgeous
Dead Ringer
Dead as a Doornail
The Journals of Octavia Hollows: Books 1-6 (Bind Up Collection Containing the first 6 novellas)

Visit Stacey Rourke's website for more information

Review:
This book is actually a collection of the first 6 novellas in the Octavia Hollows series by Stacey Rourke. I listened to the audiobook which narrated by Brenda Scott Wlazlo who I thought did a brilliant job with the different character voices. I often find my mind drifts when I'm listening to audiobooks but she did a great job of holding my attention and I ended up devouring the whole series far faster than I usually listen to audiobooks.

I'll talk about each one separately below but lets start with a brief overview of the series. Octavia is a necromancer with a rather unusual ability. Rather than raising a zombie like creature she is actually able to restore a dead body to its original healthy state and the person she raises is effectively given a whole new chance at life. Her life was turned upside down by the death of her fiancé Elba, that wouldn't usually be a big problem for her but when someone steals his body before she can reanimate him it all goes to hell. Now Octavia's only focus in life is to try and figure out where Elba's body is so that she can bring him back from the dead.

This was a fun and light hearted urban fantasy series that I couldn't read fast enough and I really, really hope that Stacey Rourke decides to write more stories set in this world.

Wake the Dead

This is a great introduction to Octavia and this world. We get to find out about her ability to raise the dead and meet the most adorable sidekick in her pet pig called Bacon. The story starts with Octavia retracing her steps to Seattle looking for clues about Elba's missing body. While there she is asked for help by a desperate family whose children both seem to be dying. Add in a dead nurse, a visit to the morgue and a dangerous curse and Octavia is going to need to keep her wits about her if she wants to survive this adventure.

We only find out a little about Octavia's past here but we start to understand how alone she has been since falling out with the Coven who raised her until she was 16.

Dead Man's Hand

The second story sees Octavia retrace her steps to Las Vegas where she's hoping her old boss might have some answers for her about the man who is stalking her. We get to see Bacon cause chaos on a construction site before Octavia gets herself caught up in a new supernatural case after she reanimates an ex gambler who was burned alive. She's trying to stay under the radar of her Coven, dodge the police and a mob hitman while trying to figure out who is behind the murders so it's probably no surprise that things get a little crazy.

I'm really enjoying getting to know Octavia, she may be on a mission but that never stops her from trying to help others along the way.

Caught Dead

The next stop of Octavia's journey sees her in Galveston, Texas. She's still searching for Elba's body but at the same time she's also trying to find out more about the mysterious stalker who seems to be shadowing her every move. While here she witnesses a body being recovered from a fishing net but he's too far gone even for her magic abilities. Unable to ask the victim directly about his murder she has to do a bit more digging on her own here and soon gets caught up in a tale of sea monsters.

This story gives us a lot more information about Octavia's past as she uncovers things about herself and her family that she'd never heard of before. She was an orphan before the Coven took her in but this gives her a chance to find out about the parents she doesn't even remember. It ends on quite a cliffhanger so I was really pleased that I had the entire series on hand ready to continue!

Drop Dead Gorgeous

After her abduction in the previous story Octavia is still at the mercy of a cold blooded siren who would happily see her dead. With Bacon and her new friend Squidface being held hostage and used against her Octavia didn't have much choice but to agree to travel to meet the rest of the siren pod. The last thing she's expecting is to find them running a travelling beauty pageant where they target pervy old men to feed from but it's actually a pretty perfect way for the sirens to feed without going on a killing spree.

Octavia finds herself caught up in siren politics after stumbling across a double homicide and she'll have to keep her wits about her if she wants to save her friends in time. This ends in another cliffhanger so again I was ready to dive straight into the next story.

Dead Ringer

Knowing that her stalker has abducted her entire coven has put Octavia's hunt for Elba's body on hold. She will do anything to save the women who raised her and her search for them begins in New Orleans. Retracing her steps seems to be working well for her so far so she heads back to the boxing gym she used to work at. When she realises her old boss and one of the new fighters Reid have got themselves in some kind of trouble with an underground fight club she knows she has to step in and help but she's definitely going to end up with more than she bargained for this time.

All the way through this series I've been rooting for Octavia to track down Elba and bring him back to life but for the first time I'm starting to wonder whether that's actually the best option for her. She had some great chemistry going on with Reid so although nothing has really happened there so far I find myself almost hoping that will change in the future. We're definitely getting closer to a resolution one way or the other when it comes to Elba though so I couldn't dive into the final book fast enough.

Dead as a Doornail

Her journey has come full circle and now Octavia is back in Tallahassee, Florida, the place where Elba died and where her stalker is now holding her coven captive. Reid has travelled with her wanting to help her and pay back the debt he feels he owes her but her focus remains on finding Elba's body and rescuing her coven.

I'm not going to say too much about this final instalment because I don't want to give spoilers but I will say I was really happy with the way this series ended (although I'm still hoping for more in the future!). This was an intense part of Octavia's journey, she has to face some terrible choices and is forced to face up to both her past and what she wants from her future.

I had so much fun reading this series, I ended up devouring all 6 novellas in less than 24 hours because they kept me totally hooked from beginning to end. I loved the colourful characters and the humour and while this may have been my first Stacey Rourke series it definitely won't be the last!

Source: Received audiobook for review

Other reviews of this book:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: How the Dead Lie - Stacey Rourke

A necromancer in a butcher shop. What could possibly go wrong?

Haunted by a horrifying past, Octavia Hollows has lived her life on the move. Like all supernatural beings, when she crosses into Havenwood Falls, she sets off the town’s protective wards. Unlike with most, the officials take immediate action, recognizing her as the powerful necromancer who, as a child, raised the dead in a gruesome public spectacle.

Still, they give Octavia a chance. Ninety days probation. No dark magic. Achieve that, and she will be granted residency. They even secure employment for her at Pyntz’s Butcher Shoppe.

A necromancer working in a butcher shop. What could possibly go wrong?

Just when she settles in and begins opening up to the possibility of a forever home, Octavia discovers a dead body stuffed in the shop’s meat freezer. He’s nude. He looks like a cover model. And now, thanks to Octavia momentarily losing control of her abilities, he’s alive … again.

Fearing someone would go so far as to kill to drive her out of Havenwood Falls, Octavia teams up with Willie, the resurrected hottie, to solve the mystery of his murder. They must work fast, though, before more corpses appear. Otherwise, Octavia could find herself booted from town along with an army of raised undead.

_____________________________

Welcome to the secluded mountain town of Havenwood Falls, home to sexy men, strong women, and neighbors who bite. Discover supernatural mystery, thrills, and romance in a place where everyone has a deep, dark, and often deadly secret.

This is a stand-alone paranormal murder mystery in the world of Havenwood Falls, a collaborative series in the fantasy genre featuring a variety of supernatural creatures. Each author writes a stand-alone story, so they can be read in any order.

The Journals of Octavia Hollows Series:
How the Dead Lie (Prequel novella, this is also part of the Havenwood Falls multi-author series)
Wake the Dead
Dead Man's Hand
Caught Dead
Drop Dead Gorgeous
Dead Ringer
Dead as a Doornail
The Journals of Octavia Hollows: Books 1-6 (Bind Up Collection Containing the first 6 novellas)

Visit Stacey Rourke's website for more information

Review:
How the Dead Lie is an introduction to Stacey Rourke's Journals of Octavia Hollows series, if you've already read the other novellas this gives you the chance to see first hand how she met her adorable sidekick Bacon and learn more about her journey started. It's also part of the Havenwood Falls series, I have to admit I've not read any of the other books in that series but as far as I can tell it's a multi-author series linked by a common location. From the characters we meet in this book it seems like Havenwood Falls is populated by a large range of supernatural creatures from werewolves and witches through to goblins and vampires and beyond. I'd actually be interested to try some other books in the series, it seems like a great way to find some new to me authors.

Anyway, I picked this up because I love Octavia Hollows and I spotted this additional story listed on Stacey Rourke's website. Octavia's story is one of those fun, quirky urban fantasy series that has you giggling your way through as Octavia stumbles from one disastrous situation to the next. This introduction to her world is no difference, I mean what else do you expect when you give a necromancer a job in a butchers shop? Hopefully this story will introduce some Havenwood Falls fans to a new series just like it's helped me discover Havenwood Falls.

Source: Purchased

Other reviews of this book:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Shadows - Kristen Proby

From New York Times Bestselling Author, Kristen Proby, comes an all new paranormal romance set in the mystical city of New Orleans…
​
I am never alone. Not even when I am alone.

I see the unquiet dead, the souls that wander through the French Quarter.

They can’t move on, and I can’t stop seeing them.

I wear malachite for protection, and I control what I let in. It’s the only way to stay sane. Everything changes the day Cassian Winslow joins my ghost walking tour and knocks my world off its axis with green eyes the color of the stone around my neck.

An unspeakable evil is loose in New Orleans, taking young women and leaving a bloodbath in his wake. More shadows lurking for me. More unhappy dead. There might be a way to stop it.

Open myself up to Cassian.

If I do, it could spell his death.

But if I don’t, it’s mine.

Bayou Magic Series:
Shadows
Further titles and release dates to be confirmed

Visit Kristen Proby's website for more information

Review:
Brielle and her sisters Millie and Daphne have always had strange abilities but it was only when they were older and able to escape the abusive home that they grew up in that they were able to find another witch to teach them how to use them. Living in New Orleans Brielle's connection to the dead has caused her no end of trouble and she sees the shadows of ghosts wherever she goes. It's only recently that these shadows have started to appear as real people that are able to communicate though and, with a serial killer targeting young women who look just like her, now they're reaching out to Brielle for help.

FBI profiler Cash is only in the city on forced vacation after working a difficult case but he's enjoying spending time with his brother and he finds himself drawn to Brielle from the minute they meet. He's not sure what to make of it when she mentions her abilities but when a young woman they've both met goes missing he agrees to help her liaise with the local police to try and help with their investigation. The two quickly find themselves drawn into a dark and disturbing case and it looks like Brielle may be a target for the killer.

Shadows is my first Kristen Proby book but it won't be the last and I'm already looking forward to getting to know Brielle's sisters better as this series continues. I found all three of them really interesting characters and I loved the different abilities they all have. They had a really tough upbringing but it just brought them closer together and there's a really strong bond between them. Since leaving their home they've built a supportive community around them and found other like minded people to learn from.

Cash was a nice guy and I liked how supportive he was of both Brielle and her sisters but if I have one complaint about this book it was that the connection between them was a little too fast. I found it hard to believe he would be so quick to believe Brielle about her abilities and thought he would have been much more suspicious of her claims, at least in the beginning. I think a slower build on their connection would have made their relationship that bit more believable but I liked the two of them together so that only bothered me in the very beginning.

One thing I will say is that Shadows was far more creepy than I expected it to be. We see parts of the story through the eyes of both the serial killer and his victims so considering how much he loved to torture people that did get quite dark and hard to read in places. I'm not knocking it because it was very interesting to read but I just think you should know going in that this isn't a light and fluffy paranormal romance so you're prepared. The mystery was good and I like the way things were left off ready for the next book in the series, it wasn't a cliffhanger though, more of a winning the battle but still having the rest of the war to fight kind of situation. The rest of this series is definitely on my wish list but I think I'm going to have to check out some of Kristen Proby's other books while I wait for the next one to be released.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Soul of the Sword - Julie Kagawa

THE TIME OF THE WISH APPROACHES…

Yumeko the shapeshifter had one task: take her piece of the ancient and powerful scroll to the Steel Feather temple and prevent the summoning of the great Kami Dragon. But she has a new enemy now. The demon Hakaimono, has escaped and possessed the samurai she thought would protect her, Kage Tatsumi of the Shadow Clan.

Hakaimono has done the unthinkable and joined forces with Genno, the Master of Demons, to break his curse and set himself free. But Genno wishes to overthrow the empire and cover the land in darkness. To do that he needs only one thing, the scroll Yumeko is hiding. As the paths of Yumeko and the possessed Tatsumi cross again the entire empire will be thrown into chaos.

AND CHAOS WILL DARKEN AN EMPIRE.

Return to Julie Kagawa’s beautiful and perilous land of shapeshifters, samurai and demons as Japanese mythology and magic swirl together in the New York Times bestselling author’s brand new adventure.

Shadow of the Fox series:
Shadow of the Fox
Soul of the Sword
Night of the Dragon

Visit Julie Kagawa's website for more information.

Review:
Soul of the Sword is the second book in the Shadow of the Fox series and picks up Yumeko's story almost immediately where the previous book left off. Tatsumi has been possessed by the demon Hakaimono and no longer has control of his own body, instead he is trapped deep inside his own mind and forced to watch as the demon uses his body to do unspeakable things. Yumeko knows she has to protect the remaining piece of the Dragon Scroll at all costs but at the same time she is determined to rescue Tatsumi even if that means putting her own life in danger.

I'm going to be honest and say I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as Shadow of the Fox, I missed Tatsumi's character and I felt there were times when the story lagged a bit, but it's still a strong instalment to the series and it definitely left me eager to get my hands on a copy of the final book asap.

Julie Kagawa really excels with her world building here, I love her use of Japanese mythology and all the different types of creatures she has introduced us to in this series. The different yokai & kami, the sword fights and the magic all combine into a fairly action packed story that kept me turning the pages. While I missed Tatsumi and the relationship he has with Yumeko I did find it interesting to see some of Hakaimono's point of view and I love Okame, Daisuke and the others who add a little light hearted fun to the story. Don't let the fooling around lull you into a false sense of security though, there is danger all around and the ending was a shocker!

Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle

Review: Grave Destiny - Kalayna Price

The thrilling sixth book in the USA Today bestselling Alex Craft series.

Grave witch Alex Craft can speak to the dead, and that makes her a dangerous enemy for anyone with something to hide. . . .

Alex is still trying to come to terms with her changing powers and her growing ties to Faerie when a case she'd rather avoid falls right into her lap. A fae prince desperately needs Alex to investigate a politically sensitive murder. She reluctantly agrees to the case, taking FIB agent Falin Andrews along as her backup.

But as Alex begins to delve into the mystery, she realizes that the intricate web of alliances and intrigue in the Faerie courts is strained to its limits. War is about to break out, one that threatens to spill over into the mortal realm. This murder is tied right to the center of centuries-old arcane unrest, and if Alex isn't careful she may follow the twisting path ahead of her right into her grave end.

Alex Craft Series:
Grave Witch
Grave Dance
Ruby Red (Short Story in the Kicking It anthology)
Grave Memory
Grave Visions
Grave Ransom
Grave Destiny

Visit Kalayna Price's website for more information

Review:
This isn't the first time that Alex has been asked to investigate a murder that happened in Faerie but this time the potential consequences are all out war between two of the courts so the stakes have never been higher. When it appears that a member of the Shadows has murdered a Winter Court noble tensions between the two reach breaking point. Dugan comes to Alex for help as he wants to prevent a war and along with Falin the three begin a difficult investigation, it quickly becomes clear that not all is as it first appears and they need to get to the bottom of the conspiracy fast if they want to prevent any further deaths.

I've been a fan of the Alex Craft series for years now and I really enjoyed learning more about Faerie and Alex's magical planeweaving abilities in this instalment. Alex, Falin and Dugan have to visit multiple Faerie courts during their investigation and this was the first time we really get to find out more about the other rulers and how their courts are run. This story had a lot of action and there were some really great developments for certain characters that are going to have a huge knock on affect as the series continues.

It also looks like we finally have a resolution to the love triangle (or should that be square since Dugan was also a potential suitor?). I'm not sure I love the way it's been resolved, personally I think a certain character's potential was wasted by the way things were handled in the last book which was really disappointing, but I at the same time I was fed up with the dithering so I'll be pleased if Alex has made a decision and sticks to it. I'm not convinced the best man won although his character has grown on me so hopefully I'll come round to the idea eventually.

Completely disregarding my feelings about the romance I'm very happy with the way this series is going, I like that Alex is starting to come into her Fae heritage and learn more about her magical abilities and I really love that she's starting to make a name for herself in Faerie as someone who shouldn't be crossed lightly. I'm desperate to know more about her parents too and hope we'll see more of the different courts in the next book.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Grave Ransom - Kalayna Price

The Grave Witch is about to find herself face-to-face with the walking dead . . .

Grave witch Alex Craft is no stranger to the dead talking. She raises shades, works with ghosts, and is dating Death himself. But the dead walking? That's not supposed to happen. And yet reanimated corpses are committing crimes across Nekros City.

Alex's investigation leads her deep into a web of sinister magic. When Briar Darque of the Magical Crimes Investigation Bureau gets involved, Alex finds herself with an unexpected ally of sorts. But as the dead continue to rise and wreak havoc on the living, can she get to the soul of the matter in time?

Alex Craft Series:
Grave Witch
Grave Dance
Ruby Red (Short Story in the Kicking It anthology)
Grave Memory
Grave Visions
Grave Ransom
Grave Destiny

Visit Kalayna Price's website for more information

Review:
I've been a fan of this series for a long time now so it pains me to say that this book was a bit on the disappointing side. It wasn't awful by any means but it definitely wasn't the high standards I expect from this series. To start with the positives I did really enjoy Alex's latest investigation. Things get really complicated for her when she is a witness to a bank robbery and realises that the robbers are already dead. She's seen a lot of things in her life but walking corpses isn't one of them and it looks like she's facing a dangerous opponent this time.

I always enjoy seeing Alex work a case and previously I've liked Briar from the MCIB but this time I really struggled with her. Briar is totally willing to throw Alex under a bus, she doesn't care how much danger her actions put Alex and her friends in as long as it gets her closer to the bad guy. She can't even be bothered to give Alex a heads up about her plans so that Alex can prepare herself for what's coming. Poor Alex finds herself constantly getting put in harm's way throughout this story and she's also constantly apologising for things that aren't her fault.

I'm also really struggling with the love triangle, I was honestly hoping that by book 5 we'd have more of an idea where the romance was going but so far things are just going from bad to worse. I hate that we still know so little about both Death and Falin, they both have commitments that prevent them from prioritising Alex and that is understandable but it's starting to bore me now. I've never really felt the attraction towards Falin but where I've been totally team Death right from the beginning in this book I ended up feeling ambivalent towards him too which was just sad.

I do still have a lot of love for these characters though so I'm really hoping that this book was just a blip and that the next one will be back to the highs of previous instalments.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Grave Visions - Kalayna Price

The fourth book in the Alex Craft urban fantasy series about a Grave Witch who can talk to the dead. Perfect for fans of Charlaine Harris and Cassandra Clare.

If you want to hear voices from the dead in Nekros City, you call Alex Craft. She's a Grave Witch with reasonable rates and extraordinary powers, who specializes in revealing the secrets of the dead. But now she's the one fighting to keep her own secret. She's not human - and her newly discovered heritage is causing havoc for her both in the human realm and in Faerie.

But her status as an unaffiliated fae also makes her an ideal candidate to investigate a new street drug that has surfaced in several of the spaces between the human and fae worlds. This glamour-infused drug causes hallucinations that turn real - at least for a while and often with deadly consequences. Searching for the source of this drug - and its purpose - lands Alex front and centre in the conflict brewing in Faerie and she must find answers before she's dragged so deep she loses her freedom.

Alex Craft Series:
Grave Witch
Grave Dance
Ruby Red (Short Story in the Kicking It anthology)
Grave Memory
Grave Visions
Grave Ransom
Grave Destiny

Visit Kalayna Price's website for more information

Review:
I think it was the very long break between the release of Grave Visions and the previous book that led to me loosing track of this series the first time I started reading it but I'm really glad I discovered these books again as it's such a fun series to read. Anyway, I'm glad that I reread the previous three books before jumping into this one because there was just so much I'd forgotten about both the world and the main characters.

This story sees Alex working two different cases that are possibly connected in ways she can't even begin to imagine. Firstly she's still dealing with the fallout of learning that she's half fae and the fact that she has to choose a court to belong to. She's desperate to avoid joining the Winter Court but unless she can get the queen to agree to Alex living in her territory as an independent she will be forced to move away from Nekros City. As Alex has rare abilities the Winter Queen is reluctant to lose her skills entirely but she reluctantly agrees to give Alex independent status IF she finds out who killed one of the Queen's handmaidens.

At the same time she's looking into a string of increasingly bizarre deaths in the city, where the victims have injuries that just don't make any sense. When she discovers the cause is a new street drug that causes the victim's hallucinations to become temporarily real she knows it is vital to uncover who is behind the drug and find a way to stop them. But with the Queen giving her a deadline on her murder investigation and her own increasing ill health things are getting really complicated.

I really enjoyed the investigation side of this story, there's a lot going on and it's interesting watching Alex try to come to grips with her newly discovered fae heritage and how that affects her daily life. I am hoping we'll get a resolution in terms of the love triangle soon though. I like Falin and we see a lot more of him in this book but his ties to the Winter Queen, and the fact that he has already betrayed her once because of those ties, make it very hard to trust him. There's a big gulf between them right now and I don't see any way for them to bridge it unless he somehow manages to break away from the Winter Queen and I really don't see that happening. I actually prefer her with Death anyway but her relationship with him is just as impossible, if not even more so. I just wish Alex didn't hold herself at quite such a distance from everyone, her friends included, I want to see her opening up more and letting people in even though I understand why she's so scared of doing that.

The last few paragraphs of this book were hilarious and have definitely left Alex with a lot of explaining to do so I can't wait to see the fallout in the next book.

Source: Received from Berkley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Summoned to Thirteenth Grave - Darynda Jones

It's lucky number thirteen . . . this is the epic finale for our favourite Grim Reaper and her sinfully sexy son-of-the-devil husband, Reyes.

Charley Davidson, Grim Reaper extraordinaire, is pissed. She's been kicked off the earthly plane for eternity - which is exactly the amount of time it takes to make a person stark, raving mad. But someone's looking out for her, and she's allowed to return after a mere hundred years in exile. Is it too much to hope for that not much has changed? Apparently it is. Bummer.

She's missed her daughter. She's missed Reyes. She's missed Cookie and Garrett and Uncle Bob. But now that she's back on earth, it's time to put to rest burning questions that need answers. What happened to her mother? How did she really die? Who killed her? And are cupcakes or coffee the best medicine for a broken heart? It all comes to a head in an epic showdown between good and evil in this final smart and hilarious novel.

It's Charley's last adventure, and the one thing we know for sure is that it's going to be one wild ride . . .

Charley Davidson Series:
First Grave on the Right
For I Have Sinned (Novella)
Second Grave on the Left
Third Grave Dead Ahead
Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet
Fifth Grave Past the Light
Shimmer (Free Short Story)
Glow (Free Short Story)
Sixth Grave on the Edge
Seventh Grave and No Body
Eighth Grave After Dark
Brighter Than the Sun (Novella)
The Dirt on the Ninth Grave
The Curse of Tenth Grave
A Very Charley Christmas (Free Short Story)
Eleventh Grave in Moonlight
The Trouble with Twelfth Grave
Summoned to Thirteenth Grave
The Graveyard Shift (Novella)

Visit Darynda Jones' website for more information

Review:
If you follow me on Goodreads you'll know I binge read the last five books in this series in less than a week, I've been totally hooked on this series and overall I've really enjoyed it. The trouble with final books in popular series though is that it can be hard for authors to live up to fan's high expectations and I think that was the problem with Summoned to Thirteenth Grave.

This book had all the elements I love from this series, the humour, brilliant side characters, madcap plans to save the world and of course the heat from Charley and Reyes' relationship. There has been a lot of build up for this story and I was happy with a lot of events and reveals in this story. I did feel sad about the way a few of the characters stories ended but if you've read the rest of the series you'll probably know not to expect everyone getting a happily ever after.

I think my two biggest issues with this story were one that the major battle was such a tiny part of the story and over far too quickly and easily and two the way things ended for Charley and Reyes. Yes they kind of get a happy ending but it wasn't the ending I was hoping for for them and Beep and it certainly wasn't the ending they deserved. I know we're gearing up for a spin off series about Beep and her future adventures and I'm 99% sure that I'll be reading those books but it makes me sad to think about how things were left at the end of this story and that makes me a little nervous about how things will move forward from here.

You know a series ended well when it leaves you completely satisfied but in this case it actually left me feeling sad and that's disappointing for a series I've had so much fun reading.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Other reviews of this book:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: The Trouble With Twelfth Grave - Darynda Jones

Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the twelfth installment of Darynda Jones’ New York Times bestselling paranormal series.

Ever since Reyes escaped from a hell dimension in which Charley accidently trapped him, the son of Satan has been brimstone-bent on destroying the world his heavenly Brother created. His volatile tendencies have put Charley in a bit of a pickle. But that’s not the only briny vegetable on her plate. While trying to domesticate the feral being that used to be her husband, she also has to deal with her everyday life of annoying all manner of beings—some corporeal, some not so much—as she struggles to right the wrongs of society. Only this time she’s not uncovering a murder. This time she’s covering one up.

Add to that her new occupation of keeping a startup PI venture—the indomitable mystery-solving team of Amber Kowalski and Quentin Rutherford—out of trouble and dealing with the Vatican’s inquiries into her beloved daughter, and Charley is on the brink of throwing in the towel and becoming a professional shopper. Or possibly a live mannequin. But when someone starts attacking humans who are sensitive to the supernatural world, Charley knows it’s time to let loose her razor sharp claws. Then again, her number one suspect is the dark entity she’s loved for centuries. So the question becomes, can she tame the unruly beast before it destroys everything she’s worked so hard to protect?

Charley Davidson Series:
First Grave on the Right
For I Have Sinned (Novella)
Second Grave on the Left
Third Grave Dead Ahead
Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet
Fifth Grave Past the Light
Shimmer (Free Short Story)
Glow (Free Short Story)
Sixth Grave on the Edge
Seventh Grave and No Body
Eighth Grave After Dark
Brighter Than the Sun (Novella)
The Dirt on the Ninth Grave
The Curse of Tenth Grave
A Very Charley Christmas (Free Short Story)
Eleventh Grave in Moonlight
The Trouble with Twelfth Grave
Summoned to Thirteenth Grave

The Graveyard Shift (Novella)

Visit Darynda Jones' website for more information

Review:
After the ending of the previous book I couldn't wait to dive into Twelfth Grave and this was another action packed instalment in the series. Reyes may have escaped from the hell dimension BUT while he was there he regained all his godly memories and now it looks like the Reyes Charlie knows and loves has left the building. In his place is Rey’azikeen, the malevolent god with the power to destroy the world if Charley doesn't manage to get through to him.

This story sees Charley focused on trying to find Rey’azikeen and show him that he doesn't have to be evil. She also has a supernatural serial killer to deal with, one that was also set loose when Reyes escaped from the god glass dimension, and who is currently targeting people who have any kind of ability to see beyond the human plane. As if that wasn't enough she's Amber and Quentin have also decided to open their own private detective agency so Charley and Cookie are mentoring them as they try to solve their first case.

I loved this book, it has all the usual mayhem and madcap antics from Charley and her friends and Reyes is delicious even when he's veering towards the dark side. I think what I loved most was how strong Charley's faith in Reyes is, she knows that despite all the horrendous things he has been through there is good inside him and she's determined to find a way to bring back the man she loves. She won't accept any other option and she refuses to let anyone else sway her mind on that.

This book does end on a killer cliffhanger though, seriously if you thought the last book was bad you haven't seen anything yet! If I'd read this book when it was first published I would be pulling my hair out waiting for the next instalment but luckily Thirteenth Grave is already available and I've already been able to start reading. It isn't often that I binge read a series quite as fast as I have this one and I'm actually pretty sad that it's about to come to an end.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Other reviews of this book:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle: