Review: Magic in the Shadows by Devon Monk

Description:

Magic is Allison Beckstrom's blessing and curse. As a Hound, she uses her gifts to track down practitioners who abuse their power and stop them from inflicting harm on unsuspecting innocents. Unfortunately, her spells have taken their toll on her, physically marking her and erasing her memories—including those of the man she supposedly loves.

But lost memories aren't the only things preying on Allie’s thoughts. Her late father, the prominent businessman—and sorcerer—Daniel Beckstrom, has somehow channeled himself into her very mind. With the help of The Authority, a secret organization of magic users, she hopes to gain better control over her own abilities—and find a way to deal with her father…

(Author’s website)

Review:
This is the third book in the Allie Beckstrom series and it’s the best so far. I started the book and after a few pages I had the urge to mark a page because it was of the most hilarious scenes I ever read. *Please take note that I don’t usually put post-its in my books.Sometimes I have 2-3 post-its tops in one but only in my all-time favorites.* Considering this fact please take a look at the picture of my copy---> yep, there are many post-its. To be exact, there are 10! So yes, I really enjoyed this one.

After the last book I was a bit afraid what kind of direction the story would take but all my worries were blown away. I was afraid that the relationship between Allie and Zayvion would suffer but luckily everything is fine in this book. *whew*

I loved the characters and I don’t mean only Allie and Zayvion. This book is full of wonderful new side characters which immediately stole my heart.

I totally adore Shamus aka Shame. He has his nickname for a reason but I’m luckily not easy ashamed of someone. *wink* He is Zayvion’s best friend and these two are the perfect opposite to each other. Loved the interactions of those two.

Quote:

Zayvion to Shamus: “Remind me why I keep you around?”

”My good looks, quick wit, and, best of all, my connections,” Shamus said.” Need I say more?”
“No,” Zayvion said. “You need say less. Much, much less.”

The second character is Stone and OMG is this one is cute. He’s a gargoyle and loves to bring chaos in Allie’s cupboards or her bathroom. This quote from Allie sums him up:

“Stone, the toilet whisperer.”

He is one of the loveliest characters ever written.

Sure I loved Allie too. She’s a real tough girl and has great priorities in life, Zayvion Jones and fresh Coffee. Nah, just kidding. Sure, she’s vulnerable but at the same times she so strong and willful that she just amazed me. She tries to do everything right but we all know that’s not as easy as it sounds. She doesn’t give up easily and tries to reach her goals on her own way despite all the voices, perhaps it’s just one, telling her what to do.

In this book we finally learn more about Mr. Mysterious- Zayvion Jones. We get to know his past and what his job as a closer really means. All this made me love him even more. He’s not always Mr. Zen and that’s kind of comforting that he loses his cool sometimes too.
This book made the impossible possible- I felt sorry for Allie’s dad. Yep, really I did and not only “Oh, the poor guy!”. I nearly cried for him. Ok, I admit nearly means I had ONE tear in my eyes but please don’t tell.

The overall plot in this book was gripping and took me by surprise at each turn the story made. At the end I guessed right about what will happen next but that didn’t make it any less good or bad in that case. That sounds confusing even in my ears. I mean bad for characters in book and good for my reading pleasure. Yep evil me!
I adore this book and can’t wait to get the next one, Magic in the Storm.

To learn more about Devon Monk and her books please visit her website here. The Allie Beckstrom Series:
1. Magic to the Bone: my review, reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon
1. Magic in the Blood: my review, reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon
1. Magic in the Shadows: reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon
1. Magic on the Storm (relese May 2010)

I bought this book on my own. The amazon links are affiliate links.

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Review: Indiscreet by Carolyn Jewel

Description:

Edward, Marquess of Foye, would have been happy to continue his life as an unmarried gentleman rake. His brother's death changed everything. As the last of his line, Edward must now marry. Heart already broken by a capricious young girl, he vows to find an older woman-seasoned, mature. . .and no threat to his feelings.
Falling in love can be dangerous. . .
Sabine Godard was educated by an Oxford don beyond what was proper. Her studies became her salvation after her past left her unwilling to accept the touch of any man. Though she never intended to fall in love, when she and Edward meet, passion defies logic. Together they explore temptation and sensuality, healing old wounds. . .until events require them to risk everything for their love.

(by goodreads.com )

Review:

This was the first historical I ever read and I’m a bit at a loss of words about losing my virginity in this category.

If you ask yourself why did you start a historical now? here’s my answer: The first time I saw this book I wanted to own it. Look at this wonderful cover, it distracted me mores than once from reading. Sure, I also read so many great reviews about it so I had really no other choice as to try it.

I enjoyed reading this book but I have to admit the language confused me a bit at first. After a few pages I kind of read into it and didn’t mind it. I think this will be typical for historicals so I hopefully won’t be surprised the next time I read one.

The plot is nice developed and I loved the way Ms. Jewel described Turkey. This totally sucked me in I couldn’t put the book down. I saw everything, the country and the people and felt like being in the middle of the action.

Sabine is a wonderfully kind and smart character. I loved that she is schooled and has her own opinion about nearly everything. She knows what she wants and what not. She was raised by her uncle and feels now bound to stay with him and help him the best way she can. I loved that she cares so much for him that she ignores her own longings just to make sure he is all right.

Lord Foye is a strong character, not willing to let something happen to Sabine. He knows he wants her and treasures her more than he wants to admit at first. He knows her past and doesn’t care about it. He notices from the start that Sabine is very intellectual and that she is trying to avoid falling in love. That is one thing he cannot accept so he does everything to convince her. He’s very canny and knows his way around in life. He is a real hero and won my heart real quick.

This two are a perfect couple. Their conversations are wonderful and their connection grows with every word spoken. I loved how their relationship developed and how they got to know each other- body ;) and soul.

The story was gripping, full of suspicion, treachery and lies. The whole world seems to be against our couple. The end was a bit over the top in my opinion but perhaps I’m a little skeptical there. I enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read another one of Ms. Jewel’s books.

To learn more about Carolyn Jewel and her books please visit her website here.

To read other reviews take a look @goodreads
You can buy the book @amazon.

I bought this book on my own.

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Review: Wanderlust by Ann Aguirre

Description:

Sirantha Jax doesn’t take chances…she jumps at them…
Sirantha Jax is a “Jumper,” a woman who possesses the unique genetic makeup needed to navigate faster than light ships through grimspace. Jax has worked for the Farwan Corporation her entire career. But now the word’s out that the Corp deliberately crashed a passenger ship, and their stranglehold on intergalactic commerce has crumbled—which means that Jax is out of a job.

She’s also broke, due to being declared dead a little prematurely. So when the government asks her to head up a vital diplomatic mission, Jax takes it. Her mandate: journey to the planet Ithiss-Tor and convince them to join the Conglomerate.

But Jax’s payday is light years away. First, she’ll have to contend with Syndicate criminals, a stormy relationship with her pilot, man-eating aliens, and her own grimspace-weakened body. She’ll be lucky just to make it to Ithiss-Tor alive…

(Book Blurb)

Review:
This book was so sad that I really don’t know how to say what I thought about this book. It’s really good but it kind of really hit home for me. Made me into a total crybaby. But I should start at the beginning.

Jax life is crumbling down. The Corp is history, she is totally broke, her mother is in deep shit with the syndicate and her health is decreasing more and more. She has to do something about this and stumbles- Jax-style from one catastrophe to the next on her way. Jax is lucky to have March because he’s always pulling her back from her destructive thoughts. March isn’t taking that with ease, he suffers from her doubts and destructive thoughts. The situation changes dramatically and that pulled the rug out from under Jax and my feet. One of the saddest thing I ever read was the moment March made this decision. After this moment Jax has to stand on her own feet and has to find someone else to rely on.

The side characters in this book are as great as ever. They all have developed over time and got a real depth on the way. We learn more about all of them and also meet a few new ones.

This book has one of the most disturbing and disgusting monsters I read about in a long time. OMG these were really icky. The bad guys are really canny and hard to identify. A good surprise waits for you at the end.

The book was as great as the first one. Perhaps a little too sad for my taste but perhaps that was just the stress I had in the last month. I enjoyed this book and can’t wait to finish Doubleblind.

To learn more about Ann Aguirre and her books please visit her website here.

Sirantha Jax Series:
1. Grimspace:my review, reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon

2. Wanderlust: reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon
3. Doubleblind:

reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon

4. Killbox (release October 2010)
I bought this book on my own.

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Review: Grimspace by Ann Aguirre

Description:

By all accounts, Sirantha Jax should have burned out years ago…
As the carrier of a rare gene, Jax has the ability to jump ships through grimspace—a talent which cuts into her life expectancy, but makes her a highly prized navigator for the Corp. But then the ship she’s navigating crash-lands, and she’s accused of killing everyone on board. It’s hard for Jax to defend herself: she has no memory of the crash.

Now imprisoned and the subject of a ruthless interrogation, Jax is on the verge of madness. Then a mysterious man breaks into her cell, offering her freedom—for a price. March needs Jax to help his small band of rogue fighters break the Corp monopoly on interstellar travel—and establish a new breed of jumper.

Jax is only good at one thing—grimspace—and it will eventually kill her. So she may as well have some fun in the meantime…

(Book Blurb)

Review:
I so love science fiction and this book gets an extra point for being such a great book in this genre. The created world is developed in such great detail and with so much love that it sucked me in from the beginning. The concept of the J-Gene is thoughtful and gives the whole story a ethical and moral aspect. Ann Aguirre’s writing flows and she knows how to give each character just the right words to say. Every person in this book is an individual and talks like one too.

Jax is a real kick-ass heroine. She always says what she thinks and is one of the truest and most candid characters I ever met or read about. She doesn’t care if her opinion is hurtful or if it will cause her trouble. She can’t shut up and sometimes that's the worst character trait imaginable. She has to earn the trust of the crew and before she can even think about that she has to clear herself off all the prejudices the crew has. She’s not the perfect heroine, she makes mistakes and shows a few not so good character traits but this only made her more real in my eyes.

The side characters are mostly hostile in the beginning. They all have lost something or suffered in the attempt to rescue Jax. This makes the getting to know each other really complicated. They don’t want to give her a chance but they realize soon that not everything is like they thought it is. I really loved the Doc who’s the only one to be without prejudice against Jax. March is difficult in the beginning and needs a few talks and fights with Jax till these two warm up. The bonding of the characters (not only between Jax and March) is well described and we learn to love them on the way. The bunch of people becomes a group while the story is told and you can feel how they start to respect each other.

The story is complex, full of moral questions and has a few bloody and disturbing scenes too. The bad ”guys” are disturbingly frightening and the solution of the conflicts isn’t a walk in the park. Loved the plot, loved the genre, loved the characters, loved the romance- perfect book.

To learn more about Ann Aguirre and her books please visit her website here.

The Sirantha Jax Series:
1. Grimspace:

reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon

2. Wanderlust: reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon
3. Doubleblind:

reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon

4. Killbox (release October 2010)

I bought this book on my own.

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Review: Beloved Vampire by Joey W. Hill

Description:
After escaping the depraved servitude of a vampire master she killed, Jessica has found her way, with three nomadic guides, to the sun-baked desolation of the Sahara-only to slowly perish. Then she hears the tale of Farida, an enigmatic beauty lost as well to the Sahara three centuries ago, whose ancient desire for the legendary vampire Lord Mason is stirring the same desires in Jessica. But the more Jessica's fatal curiosity reveals of Farida, the closer she gets to Lord Mason's irresistible and forbidden secret.
(by goodreads.com)

Review:
This is the fourth book in the Vampire Queen series but I have to admit I haven’t read the previous books. I won this one at a contest at the Knight Agency’s Blog and started directly with this one because it’s written to be read as a stand alone.

The first thing I noticed was the wonderful way Joey W. Hill writes. Her writing is like listening to music and her voice is just unique. I loved the way she jumps between different narrators. Okay, at the beginning that was a little confusing but I loved it more and more while reading this book. Her characters seem to be alive and real so I had to remind myself that this whole story is really just a story.

Jessica is one of the strongest characters I ever read about. No, she’s not one of these kick-ass chicks but she is so strong from within that I had to admire her. She lived through 5 years of brutal torture and multiple abuse and rape by a vampire master and his cronies. She is broken inside, no wonder after these years, but with the help of Lord Mason she discovers her will again and tries to fight these memories which still haunt her. She has throwbacks in her progress but this only made her more believable and real in my eyes.

Lord Mason is one of those tortured with the past heroes. He still can’t let go of his one great love although she died 300 years ago. He loved her and he thinks the guilt for her death lies with him. He sees in Jessica a way to safe her soul and perhaps redeem his own. He’s a real master, not only in the vampire world but also in the bedroom. He wants her submission but how to get it without reminding her of her past?

He has to find ways to show her that not all vampires are bad and that submitting is not the same as surrender after being brutalized.

The relationship between these two is developing really slow but this was the only possible way for it to be in this kind of situation. Jessica needs time to develop a foundation of trust and her past with vampires is a great burden for this goal. They both take only small steps but they won my heart with this.

In this book you have to wait long to get to the smex. Do you remember the books where the hero teases the heroine so long that she feel like bursting from being aroused more than mankind can imagine? You will so know what that means after reading this book. It’s not like nothing happens in the first 350 pages but the real smex is exclusive in the last hundred pages. That isn’t bad at all but at some points I could have screamed: “Now!!!!! Please!”

The overall plot was a bit lacking in my opinion. But perhaps I just couldn’t grip it because I haven’t read the first books. Some things were solved too easily and others felt like being a bit magnified. Luckily the emotional development between Mason and Jessica was so great that I didn’t mind the not so good main plot, not at all. Joey W. Hill is a great writer and I enjoyed this book and will buy all the others in this series ASAP.


To learn more about Joey W. Hill and her books please visit her website here.

The Vampire Queen Series:

1. Vampire Queen’s Servant:

reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon

2. The Mark of the Vampire Queen:

reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon

3. A Vampire’s Claim:

reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon

4. Beloved Vampire:

reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon

5. Vampire Mistress (release May 2010)

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