Book Review: Dating the Undead (V-Date.com) by Juliet Lyons

Dating the Undead is the first book in the V-Date.com series by 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.

Dating the Undead is a paranormal romance with a couple fun twists. I liked Silver's spunk, but found the convenience of some of the coincidences that moved the story forward a bit too much. However, the ride was still entertaining. I liked the pairing between Logan and Silver, and their banter. However I found Silver's eagerness to get people in bed a little offputting. I get the idea of a liberated woman, but there is still safety and common sense- which she is lacking much of the time. I liked much of the set up and world building and character interactions. I enjoyed the read and loved some of its parts, but did not love the book as a whole.

Dating the Undead is a fun and exciting romance, with a nice blend of emotional and physical conflicts. It was not amazing, but satisfying for a quick read.

Book Review: Midnight Curse (Disrupted Magic) by Melissa F. Olson

Midnight Curse is the first book in the Disrupted Magic series by Melissa F. Olson, which is a follow up to the Scarlet Bernard book, so you could think of it as the fourth book in that series if you would like. It also has some characters from the Boundary Magic series. I think I would recommend reading the other series first, before jumping in here. Since I adore the books, I think it would be a pleasure rather than a task. However, if you want to just dive in, there is enough groundwork and explanation in the book that I think newcomers could catch up quickly. 

Scarlett Bernard is used to cleaning up messes. As a human who cancels out any magic around her, Scarlett’s job is to keep the supernatural world hidden—at any cost. But on the eve of the Vampire Trials, a two-day tribunal that allows the otherworldly community to air their grievances, Scarlett receives a blood-soaked message from Molly, her estranged former roommate. Molly, a vampire, had been living with twelve human college students…and in one terrible night, she slaughtered them all. Scarlett believes Molly’s been set up, but no one else in the Old World agrees with her. Meanwhile, the true perpetrator is determined to make sure Molly goes on trial for the massacre—and the penalty is death. With less than two days to prove her friend’s innocence, Scarlett calls on former LAPD detective Jesse Cruz to help her dig into Molly’s past. But no one—Molly included—wants Scarlett and Jesse to bring the terrible truth to light.

Midnight Curse is exactly what fans of Olson are looking for. The first chapter was spent playing catch up and remembering what I had read already, but I think that is the case for more series or related books with good backstories. I think there is a good amount of information so that newer readers to the world will catch up, but I still recommend reading the books in order to get a fuller understanding of the larger relationships and politics involved. I really enjoyed the growth that Scarlet shows, and the realistic personal and interpersonal reactions and feelings. I thought the danger and mystery were well done and pretty perfectly paced. I liked that not everything, and everyone, was perfectly good or bad- but that Olson continued to show how most everyone comes in shades of grey.

I was glad to see Molly back into Scarlet's life- although not in the way anyone was really hoping for. I also like that the book wrapped up the mystery and struggle of the particular story while still leaving plenty of open avenues for future books that will not be a reach or stretch. I was glad to see Jesse back as well, and think this is going to be a great series with the majority of my favorite characters. A must read for fans, and good motivation for urban fantasy fans that have yet to read her work to start from the beginning and become a fan.

Midnight Curse is another great book from Olson. I was disappointed that I took this long to get around to reading this book, but so glad I did. To those that like audiobooks, I highly recommend listening to the series. I binge listened to ALL the previous books from Olson via my library overdrive offerings and Audible. The reader is wonderful, and actually reading this book rather than listening, I still heard the narrator I was used to in my read as I read.

Book Review: Shadow Born (Shadows of Salem) by Jasmine Walt, Rebecca Hamilton

Shadow Born is the first book in the Shadows of Salem series by Jasmine Walt and Rebecca Hamilton. Brooke is no stranger to the supernatural. In Chicago, vampires are just as prevalent as drug lords, and infinitely more bloodthirsty. So when her partner and fiancé dies in a mysterious fire while chasing down a lead in Salem, she suspects something dark and otherworldly is at play. Blessed with the ability to see into the past by touching inanimate objects, Brooke transfers to the Salem PD, hoping her talent will help her get to the bottom of things. Between dodging assassination attempts and being stonewalled at every turn, the going is tough. Add in a mysterious fae club owner with secrets of his own and a personal grudge against her, and it becomes nearly impossible. If Brooke wants to play in the supernatural sandbox, she’s going to have to roll up her sleeves and get dirty. But how many people will have to die for Brooke to discover the truth about her fiance? And is she even ready to know?

Shadow Born is an urban fantasy that combines the fae and paranormal worlds that I thought I knew and makes it new. The reveal of who and what Brooke is a slow and sometimes frustrating journey, much for her search for what happened to her fiance. There are plenty of twists and turn, and just when I thought I had it all figured out there was another twist or new player in the game. I thought that Brooke had a good balance of strong, capable female lead with a touch of vulnerability and heart. THe balance is well done, and one that is often attempted but not often matched. I liked Maddock's character, and arrogant but ultimately helpful role he plays certainly kept me on my toes. I never really knew who's side he was on, and still think he might have more up his sleeve. This was a read that kept me guessing and interested through the entire book. I just might pick up the next book, Shadow Marked,  but only when I have enough time to read it uninterrupted. 

Shadow Born is a good start to an urban fantasy series. Enough questions are answered to satisfy the reader, while there are enough possibilities for the future that you want to pick up the next book just to see what happens next. A good balance, and I am glad I picked this one up.

Early Book Review: Frightlopedia: An Encyclopedia of Everything Scary, Creepy, and Spine-Chilling, from Arachnids to Zombies by Julie Winterborn

Frightlopedia: An Encyclopedia of Everything Scary, Creepy, and Spine-Chilling, from Arachnids to Zombies by Julie Winterborn is scheduled for release on August 23 2016. It combines fact, fiction, and hands-on activities together to scare and entertain readers  with some of the world’s most frightening places, scariest stories, and gruesomest creatures, both real and imagined. Discover Borneo’s Gomantong Cave, where literally millions of bats, cockroaches, spiders, and rats coexist in pitch darkness. Learn about mythical creatures like the Mongolian Death Worm—and scarily real ones like killer bees, which were accidentally created by scientists in the 1950s. Visit New Orleans’s Beauregard-Keyes house, where Civil War soldiers are said to still clash in the front hall. Plus ghost stories from around the world, a cross-cultural study of vampires, and how to transform into a zombie with makeup. Each entry includes a “Fright Meter” measurement from 1 to 3, because while being scared is fun, everyone has their limit.

Frightlopedia is a fun and sometimes frightening read that will appeal too many readers. I like that the book is well organized, so readers looking for information on a certain type of monster or scary story can find the wanted information quickly. I think the scare-o-meter is a great aspect as well, since it forwards readers just how scary some of the stories might be for them. The variety of urban legends, well known stories and monsters, and those less known is nice. The inclusion of real creatures that some find scary, like spiders that eat birds and other sizable critters, rounded out the collection well. I even learned a few new bits of certain legends that I had not heard of before. I think readers that love all things masters or creepy will enjoy this book for multiple reads.

Frightlopedia is a great read for those that like scary stories and monsters, and not just to be scared. I liked the fright-o-meter so the least and most stalwart of readers can still enjoy the book and skip over bits that might not be conducive to bedtime. 

Book Review: Boundary Born by Melissa F. Olson

Boundary Born is the third book in the Boundary Magic series by Melissa F. Olson. Something wicked is at work in Colorado’s supernatural community. Vampires are being paralyzed or killed with poison, a weapon favored by witches. This offense threatens to break apart the already-fractured alliance between witches and the undead. The state’s cardinal vampire, Maven, summons boundary witch Allison “Lex” Luther to stop the killing before it ignites a war. Lex has barely started investigating when she gets another surprise: the biological father she’s never met arrives on her doorstep. He has answers to all of Lex’s questions about her bloodline, but getting those answers could mean betraying the life she’s already built. Then the next vampire is poisoned—and this time it’s Maven herself. The new evil that hunts Lex is powerful and ruthless enough to stop the strongest supernatural creature in the state. In order to find such a killer, Lex will have to face down her own birthright and call on every ally—both living and dead.

Boundary Born is another winner from Olson, with a near perfect combination of character development, drama, and action. While reading I never knew if Lex was going to have a revelation, a big bad was going to pop up, or if a comic moment might be next. The constant surprises and highly developed characters kept me reading eagerly. Lex is a woman with some serious history and issues, and is well aware of that. I like that she is a complex character, and that even those that should be simple are more complicated than really needed to the story. No one is completely what they seem- no one is all good or bad. They characters are like real people, with shadows in light changing their perception and coloring their actions even when they do not seem aware of it. I like that we got to see more of Maven’s history and glimpses of Lex’s ancestry. I also like that while there is a romantic aspect to Lex’s life- it takes a back seat to more practical and immediately dangerous aspects of the day. 

Boundary Born is another wonderful book from Olson. I am a huge fan, after playing catch up on her previous series, and am looking forward to where ever these stories take us. If you are a fan, this book will keep you happy and eager for more. If you have not read anything from the author I highly recommend either starting from the beginning of this series, or starting at the very beginning with the Scarlet Bernard series. Trust me- they are all fantastic.

Book Review: Grave Illusions (Jess Vandermire, Vampire Hunter #1) by Lina Gardiner

Grave Illusions is the first book in the Jess Vandermire, Vampire Hunter series by Lina Gardiner.  Lieutenant Jess Vandermire, New York City police officer, is uniquely specialized to recognize and fight an unseen threat. It's her job to forge a black ops team, an assortment of men and women who wouldn't be considered for the job under normal circumstances. For her, it's all about retribution until ex-cop John Brittain is recruited to her team. Suddenly, her priorities aren't quite so easily definable. John Brittain has a chip on his shoulder and is as tough as they come. But is he ready for the whole truth? When Jess tells him the truth about herself, will he stay and fight or will he turn against her and not only threaten their lives but destroy the fragile relationship developing between them?

Grave Illusions is an urban fantasy with a solid show or world and character building, and a good pacing. John is a well built character that kept my interest. I like that neither Jess nor John are perfect characters, or so completely flawed that redemption seems unlikely. The dangers they face, and the team they put together, and very well written and capture the attention and imagination. They face large challenges, but deal with them head on, forthe most part. My only problem with the book is that it felt like there might have been a prequel or relate series before it (none of which seem to exist) since some of the characters had such complex back stories and interconnected relationships which readers only get a glimpse of. However, I still greatly enjoyed the complex reveals of some of those pieces, and the depths of the characters and larger story arch.

Grave Illusions is a solid start to a urban fantasy series. The characters are story are intriguing, with some new twists to the well explored ideas about vampires and the law. I have added this series to my to be read list, and look forward to reading on. 

Book Review: Burkheart Witch Saga Box Set Books 1-3 by Christine Sutton, Julia Whelan

Burkheart Witch Saga Box Set Books 1-3 is an urban fantasy series by Christine Sutton, the audiobook is read by Julia Whelan. The women of the Burkheart family are special. As witches, they have magical abilities.These witches serve the side of good as they battle werewolves, vampires, evil witches and all manner of fairy tale creatures. Follow their family as each generation fights to survive in a world of fairytale magic.Will the Burkheart line survive or will the forces of evil win out in the end?

Red Snow, Book 1: When Kayla embarks on a drive from Washington to Texas, she is just doing her job. When the black 1967 Impala starts showing up at every turn, she starts to think it might be more than coincidence. When the mysterious driver leaves her a note, she is engulfed in a race for her life. Kayla is tasked with defeating vampires, werewolves, and evil witches that threaten to destroy her happiness and her very life! Will she get her happily ever after, or will she fall victim to the evil that courses through her veins? Red Snow is an urban retelling of a classic fairy tale.

Let Me In, Book 2: Kayla has returned home to find that the fairy tale continues. She finds out some facts about her family history that may be her ultimate undoing. With the help of a coven of witches, Kayla is tasked with defeating vampires, werewolves, and evil witches that threaten to destroy her happiness and her very life! Will she get her happily ever after, or will she fall victim to the evil that courses through her veins? This novella will take you through a whirlwind as you join Kayla on another fairy tale adventure.

One Wish, Book 3: Little Grace is all grown up with a baby of her own on the way, but the fairy tale magic that follows her family is not done with them yet! A devastating loss has hit the Burkhearts, shaking the entire family to its very core. There is little time to grieve before evil witches, werewolves, vampires, and a force that Grace can't even imagine try to ruin the family. Can Grace make everything right? Can the family band together and defeat the evil that threatens to destroy them? Listen to this third installment in the series and see if everything can be righted with just one wish.

Burkheart Witch Saga starts off pretty good. Kayla is just trying to get away from her leads than pleasant mother and make a life for herself when she finds herself dragged into a world of witches, werewolves, vampires and more through no fault of her own. I liked Kayla's spunk and willingness to fight for herself and those she cared about, and to do the right thing even when it hurt. Grace has the same spark and determination in the next book, and I liked that David occasionally gets to step out of the background and help out. Later other background and side characters get a chance to step up as well. However, most of the time the majority of the characters were a little flat, and while the fairy tale connection was clear, they felt uninteresting and predictable. Since I listened to the audiobook I found the fact that the chapters did not reset after each book to be confusing. There was more that one point in which I wondered if I was listening to an epilogue to one section or a prologue or first chapter of the next. Frankly by the end I only kept listening because I had already invested so many hours into the book that I had to hear the final resolution. Then the book ends with a tease for the fourth book!

There was nothing particularly wrong with the book, I just started to loose interest after a bit, and it started to feel repetitive even when the big bad and heroine changed. I think if I took it one book, or part, at a time with other reading in between I would have felt a little differently. 

Early Book Review: The Good, the Bad, and the Vampire by Sara Humphreys

The Good, the Bad, and the Vampire is part of the Dead in the City series by Sara Humphreys. It is currently scheduled for release on January 5 2016. I have read other paranormal romance from Humphreys, but have not read this series in order or completely, and feel that the book can stand on its own.

Trixie LaRoux is a pink-haired, punk rock, vampire with serious bartending skills. Everyone in the coven think she's as tough as nails, but only her maker knows the truth; that underneath the sultry eye makeup and neon hair is a woman haunted by a past full of troubled relationships. Dakota Shelton is a vampire with deadly skills, but he is a good old Southern boy at heart. Thrown together by mutual friends in New York City, Trixie has no idea what to do with Dakota's old-fashioned chivalry. But after her tumultuous dating history, Trixie just may be ready for the one man she never expected.

The Good, the Bad, and the Vampire is more complicated than the blurb suggests. Trixie has a history of bad relationships, addiction, and rejection. She paints herself as tough and punk rock, but all of that is just to cover up her insecurities. Trixie has secrets and emotions to hide, and wants to keep them to herself. She is thankful no one but her maker knows the truth, but it is not long before Dakota sees through the act as well. Dakota has been on a secret mission hunting gargoyles since he was turned. As a recent transplant to the big city he feels off center and less than comfortable. However, Trixie intrigues him and make he feel even less centered, but somehow more focused. When their pasts make fighting their mutual attraction even harder by throwing them even closer together the real trouble begins. Deception, emotion, and family ties are at the heart of the story and keep the reader at the edge of their seat. I did expect some of the big reveals, but it was still a well told story.

The Good, the Bad, and the Vampire is an action packed and quick paced story that I enjoyed. Those that enjoy Humphrey's writing in general will enjoy this one as well. 

Book Review: Tall, Dark, and Immortal by Cat Devon

Tall, Dark, and Immortal is part of the Entity series by Cat  Devon. I do not think I have read from this series before. but I found that this book can stand well on its own, although I did find myself interested in some of the secondary character's back stories. I might just go back and read from the back list.

Alex Sanchez is more than just an ordinary detective. He is also a vampire. Alex uses his unique gifts to police the mean streets of Chicago like a natural predator. But when he learns that local blood banks are being robbed, he's not sure what rattles him more: the bizarre crime wave or the stunningly beautiful journalist who is asking him questions. Keira Turner is dedicated to her job, and determined to uncover the truth. Dangerously, out-of-this-world handsome Detective Sanchez might not have a clue who's stealing blood, but he's sure that Keira is no mere mortal. She's descended from a long line of vampire hunters. And if they try to solve this case together, he'll have to fight the urge to kiss her, or kill her.

Tall, Dark, and Immortal is good urban fantasy or paranormal romance. Alex is a vampire with the need to protect and do right after what he sees as a less than stellar past. He works hard to protect his clan of vampires, and the humans in his jurisdiction. Keira is a reporter that does not think that the police are taking a rash of blood thefts seriously enough. After losing her mother and reading her late grandfather's journal she discovers some hard truths about the world around her. These two characters are both smart, independent, and determined to protect the people the care about- all while doing the right thing. I liked the dynamics between them and how they each work to achieve the best possible outcome for everyone. The banter and Keira's  I did find myself wondering if some of the 'bad stuff' Alex worries about having done in the past is in the previous books of the series, because it was never really explained in this book. I just cannot see Alex doing necessarily bad, at least when there are other options. 

Tall, Dark, and Immortal is a satisfying read with well developed characters and fun banter. I liked the connection and banter between characters as well as the quick pacing.