Category Archives: Paranormal

Obsidian Prey (Harmony, #6) by Jayne Castle

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Amber tuner and independent prospector Lyra Dore lost her heart-and her discovery of a rare amethyst ruin-to cutthroat businessman Cruz Sweetwater. At least she had her artistically talented dust-bunny to comfort her…

But the ruin’s mysterious power has put everyone involved with the project in danger. And only by trusting their psychic instincts will Cruz and Lyra survive- and surrender to the desire that binds them. (from Goodreads)

The types of amber keep expanding in this series.  The more esoteric ones have been kept secret, but that’s the Guild for you.  Now that I know she is bringing the Arcane Society into this series, I can see more and more hints of what is to come.

The next books in the series, sort of, are actually Arcane.  They lead into the next Harmony book.

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Filed under Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction

Dark Light (Harmony, #5) by Jayne Castle

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Reporter Sierra McIntyre’s stories on Crystal City’s ghost hunters—and their mysterious guild—have earned her tabloid a bit of respect. And they’ve allowed her to clothe her dust bunny companion Elvis in rock-and-roll style. It helps that she has mega-rez intuition to fall back on…

Especially when she interviews Ghost Hunter Guild Boss John Fontana about the disappearances of retired, homeless hunters. She doesn’t want to trust the physically and psychically powerful man, but her senses—and Elvis—give her the green light. To uncover the conspiracy within his own organization, Fontana proposes…marriage. And though it’s purely a business arrangement, there is nothing pure about the attraction that sizzles between them… (from Goodreads)

Okay, this might be the best dust bunny yet.  Elvis even wears a cape and sunglasses AND has his own dressing room.  Not to give anything away, but he may even have groupies.

One of the things I like about JAK’s books is that quite often it is the woman who is holding back in the relationship.  The men know what they want and go after it.  Although the women are just as committed as the men, they don’t jump right into the relationship, although they may jump into bed.

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Filed under Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction

Silver Master (Harmony, #4) by Jayne Castle

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Fleeing a lurid scandal, matchmaker Celinda Ingram arrived in Cadence City desperate for a new start. Known for her strong para-resonator abilities, she is able to match up clients by reading their psi waves. It’s this talent that sets her body tingling when security specialist Davis Oakes shows up at her office.

A formidable psychic himself, Davis is trying to track down a powerful relic that Celinda supposedly bought as a toy for her pet dust bunny. Trying to wrest the ruby red object from the suspicious duo nearly drains Davis of the energy he’ll need to keep his growing desire for Celinda in check – and to keep her safe from those who will do anything to possess the relic… (from Goodreads)

What can I say?  I love this author.  I love science fiction and romance combinations.  AND, I love the dust bunnies.  Their personalities develop more and more with each book.

It amazes me that JAK keeps the storylines straight throughout her series and across series.  I can’t keep what I am doing from day-to-day straight and her work covers years!  Thank goodness for her organizational abilities.

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Filed under Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction

Waking the Witch (Women of the Otherworld, #11) by Kelley Armstrong

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The orphaned daughter of a sorcerer and a half-demon, Savannah is a terrifyingly powerful young witch who has never been able to resist the chance to throw her magical weight around. But at 21 she knows she needs to grow up and prove to her guardians, Paige and Lucas, that she can be a responsible member of their supernatural detective agency. So she jumps at the chance to fly solo, investigating the mysterious deaths of three young women in a nearby factory town as a favor to one of the agency’s associates. At first glance, the murders look garden-variety human, but on closer inspection signs point to otherworldly stakes.

I have been reading this series since Bitten was originally published.  It was probably one of the first paranormal romances I started following.  Due to this, I have watched Savannah grow up.  It’s amazing  how invested I can become in a character and begin to think of them as real people.  I don’t believe this story would be nearly as good to someone who did not know her as a child.

This is definitely a series that needs a re-read from the beginning.  Unfortunately, there are so many short stories interspersed as either part of the series or side stories, I am not quite sure what order they should be read.  I expect I could get some help on Goodreads or LibraryThing though.

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Filed under Mystery, Paranormal, Romance

The Perils of Effrijim (Aisling Gray) by Katie MacAlister in Death’s Excellent Vacation anthology

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I love the Aisling Gray series, if for no reason than the character Jim (Effrijim).  Jim is a minor demon in the “magnificent” form of a Newfoundland dog.  In this story, Jim is supposed to stay with his girlfriend Celeste while Aisling and Drake are on vacation.  Unfortunately, things don’t work out as planned.

I bought this book for the Sookie Stackhouse story (see previous post).  I had no idea an Aisling Gray story was included.  I am not crazy about anthologies because normally I only read one story from the entire book.  It is wonderful to find others by authors that I follow.  Sometimes when I start reading a new (to me) author, I will discover I already have some of their works in previously purchased anthologies.  Always a nice surprise.

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Filed under Humor, Paranormal, Romance

Two Blondes (Sookie Stackhouse) by Charlaine Harris in Death’s Excellent Vacation anthology

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Pam and Sookie go on “vacation” to run an errand for Eric.  In the process, they end up having to work briefly as exotic dancers.  I don’t really have a problem seeing Pam doing that, but Sookie has so little self-confidence, I am surprised at how easily she took to it.

This story involves just Sookie and Pam.  It would make absolutely no sense to someone who was not following the series already, but I have a feeling it is going to be important to the story line later.

I have mixed feelings about short stories as part of a series.  I am thrilled to get anything new to read while waiting for the next book, but I find it hard to keep track of the in-between stories.  I can’t really shelve them with the series because they contain stories by a number of authors.  How do I number them, so I know there is something in between two books?  I use half numbering now (3.5 for example), but if the books are not shelved together that does not really help.

I think Charlaine Harris recently released a collection of all the stories, but that means I am buying everything twice . . . not to mention, it is already out of date with the release of this new books.  Problems, problems, problems.

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Filed under Fantasy, Paranormal, Ramblings, Romance

Hunting Season (The Gathering, #1) by Shelly Laurenston

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Stubborn, lethal, and from Jersey…what more could a Viking warrior want from his woman?

Neecy Lawrence, winged warrior for a Viking goddess and second-in-command of the fierce Crows, doesn’t know what to do with a nice guy. As it is, making up for a past she’d sooner forget leaves her barely polite most days. But Raven leader and loyal Odin warrior, Will Yager, isn’t just nice. He’s gorgeous, hot, and a distraction she simply can’t afford.

Yager has wanted Neecy in his life—and in his bed—for a long time. Not just for a night, but forever. And, like any self-respecting Viking, he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. So what if she’s the most difficult, complex, never-gives-him-a-break woman he’s ever known? She’s more than worth the effort. In fact, she’s worth everything. (from Goodreads)

I love Shelly Laurenston’s books.  It doesn’t matter if they are under this name or G. A. Aiken, they are hysterically funny.  Hunting Season is the first in a new series and I can already see story lines developing.  I have a small familiarity with Norse mythology, but I have not heard of the Ravens and Crows.  I don’t know if they were created for the book or actually based on mythology.  I guess it is a compliment to the author that she made me care enough to want to find out.

Although I did not like this book as much as some of her earlier ones (I adore her bears and wild dogs), I cannot wait for the sequel.  Of course, I never want to wait for a new book by this author!

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Filed under Erotica, Paranormal, Romance

Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, #4) by Ilona Andrews

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

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

I have fallen behind in my reviews yet again and realized it is because I have started writing for an audience instead of myself.  My original plan for this blog was to keep track of the books I had read for myself, so I am going back to that.

I loved this book.  This series has actually become a favorite of mine and I contacted the author to find out about the release of book five, Magic Slays. It will be at least late Summer, 2011.

I love the relationship between Kate and Curran, even when I want to know their heads together.  I can’t wait to see how things work out with the pack.

I really like the fact that although their is a continual storyline each book still has a solid ending.  I am really tired of books with cliffhanger endings.

I feel certain that when book five is released, I will want to re-read the entire series.  Hopefully, it will be in the summertime.

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Filed under Paranormal, Romance

Magic Mourns (Kate Daniels, #3.5) by Ilona Andrews in Must Love Hellhounds anthology

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Find out why the giant three-headed dog that guards the gates of Hades has left the underworld for the real world-and whose scent he’s following . . .

This novella is actually one of four in the book Must Love Hellhounds. I am saving the others for later.

As I said in the last review, the relationship between Raphael and Andrea is heating up.  This is their book.  Something has stolen Raphael’s stepfather’s body and Cerebrus is preventing him from getting it back.

Although Andrea has been avoiding Raphael for six months, she is the only one available to help him.  Above all else, she is loyal to the Order and will not let her personal feelings interfere with her job.

Kate has a minor role in this book, but it is still part of the storyline.  References are made to the third book and the story continues from this novella into the fourth book, Magic Bleeds.

I am a firm believer in reading a series in order and this one is no exception.  The character development alone makes it necessary.

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Filed under Paranormal, Romance

Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, #3) by Ilona Andrews

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Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with these days.  Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with these days. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that’s saying a lot.

But when Kate’s werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games—an invitation only, no holds barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament—she and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta’s shapeshifting community… (from Goodreads)

These books just keep getting better and better.  The character development is ongoing and Saiman has definitely gone from one of the okay characters to how quick can he die.  I hope Kate takes care of that for me.

An entirely different type of creature is introduced who are connected in some way to Kate’s real father.  Needless to say, they are the big, bad guys.

And the relationship between Andrea and Raphael is heating up!

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Filed under Paranormal, Romance