Elaine Reads . . . constantly!

Purchased

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.

Purchased

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.

Purchased

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!

Purchased

When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more is at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest – and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug-of-war between two gods hoping for rebirth. And if Kate can’t stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city man not survive… (from Goodreads)

This is turning into one of my favorite series.  I have already contacted the author to find out when book five, Magic Slays, is due out.  Unfortunately, there is no release date yet.

The relationship, if you can call it that, between Kate and Curran continues to develop, but they still seem more interested in sniping at each other than becoming lovers.  Of course, due to her raising Kate has real issues with any type of relationship, whether friend or lover.  Her friends all seem to die on her and this one may not be the exception.

This book really fleshes out some of the other characters in the book.  There are some that I thought were okay at first, but now I really despise and others that I thought were “ewwww” who turn out to be okay.  Who knows what book three will bring?