Jasmine Walt: Burned by Magic

In the first in a series, Jasmine Walt takes readers to a world ruled by Mages who only care about power:

Mages rules the city Solantha and shifters are considered second class citizen. Sunaya (Naya) is a panther shifter but also a mage, something that is considered illegal in Solantha. Naya works as an enforcer, but when her mentor is murdered, she wants nothing more than find who killed them. Unfortunately, her boss doesn’t see it that way and when Naya inadvertently uses magic and finds herself at the mercy of the Mage's council.

I'm always down for another Urban Fantasy series and one that features a shifter as a main character. This is the second book that I have read by Walt (but the first one was a duo author) and I really like the concept, world and plot ideas that Walt presented here, but I wish that the book would have been a bit longer to accommodate everything that Walt set out to do in this book. 

The book starts out really strong and I was invested in Sunaya (Naya) as a character and what she goes through, but then, what one would assume would be the major plot aspect of the book, goes by the wayside until the very end. Naya is given next to know time to investigate her mentor and friends death and when she is able to achieve time to investigate it, it all wrapped up and done so quickly that it is didn’t seem to really matter in the grand scheme of the book. The majority of the book was spent in a more political avenue of Iannis trying to figure out what to do with Naya.

I want to know more about the magic system and why it was put in place. Why do the mages control everything and everyone. I feel like Naya is right to question the system, and I want to know what led to the city being like this as it is hinted at that it is not like this everywhere.

Naya is an interesting character who has bounds of loyalty and I hope that her skills and abilities are explored more in future books. I never really felt like i got to know Naya, but the fact that she is a panther shifter is amazing.

This was a good start to a series and I will continue on reading it, I just hope that there is a little more substance to the mystery aspects in the plot and more about Naya.

Enjoy!!!

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Karen Dionne: The Marsh King's Daughter

Karen Dionne shows what a true Cat and Mouse game is when you never know who is the Cat and Who is the Mouse:

When Helan was a child, she did not know that she was the product on a man abducting her mother and forcing her to live in the Marsh. All Helena knew was the Marsh and her mother and father. Helena idolized her father and wanted to learn everything he had to teach her and sometimes those lessons were painful ones. Twenty years later after leaving the Marsh, Helena has a husband and two girls of her own. Her father is spending time in prison for kidnapping her mother and Helena spends her days trying to fit in. When her father manages to escape from prison, Helena knows that he is coming for her. But Helena has not forgotten what her father taught her, how to track, how to hunt. She knows that she is the only person who can catch him and with her family on the line, she will do everything she has to, to protect them.

This is the first book that I have read by Dionne and I really enjoyed it. This book was fast paced and you really get to know the FMC and how she became the woman she is. I would classify this book as a popcorn thriller as it very much is a Cat and Mouse story but also there is more substance there and I find I am still thinking of some aspects of the book. I can understand why it was made into a movie and I want to see if i can watch it to see how the adapted the story.

I loved the alternating timeline as we get to know Helena as a child growing up in the Marsh as well as the woman now and how she struggled at times in both situations. Dionne transfer between the two different timelines seamlessly and the flow of the story does not suffer from doing so. Even if you do not enjoy reading a book with two different timelines Dionne does it so well that this should not deter you from reading this book.

I appreciate that Dionee makes a point to show that Helena loves her father, questions if she should still love him even though what he did to both her and her mother. Growing up Helan did not know she was being raised differently and the fleeting moments where he showed her praise were what she lived for. You feel Helana's struggle in both the past and present. In the past is it is for her father's approval but also wanting more than the Marsh and in the present, it is about fitting in, not knowing the "proper" ways of doing anything and trying to keep her past hidden. Plus, she struggles with how she treated her mother in the Marsh and out of the Marsh even with insight that time brings. I think this insight shows in how much she her children and will protect them at all costs.

Dionne is fairly descriptive in the book from the hunting of animals to the hunt between Helan and her father, there will be blood, but I think that it is fitting that she did not shy away from this. It does make the book darker, but it also is what needs to occur to fully immerse oneself into the story.

This book is very much Hunter/Hunted and you never know who is who throughout the book. This was a great suspenseful read that was well laid out and written. I know I want to read more books by Dionne.

Enjoy!!!

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Erin La Rosa: The Backtrack

Erin La Rose takes readers on a journey of What if a person made a decision to go one way instead of another?

Wonder if you had done something different at a point in time, what your life would be like? Sam left her small hometown of Tybee Island, Georgia to not only pursue her dream of becoming a pilot, but taking her mom's words to heart not to get stuck there. When Sam arrives at her grandma's place her bedroom has not changed from when she was in high school. Walls covered in 2000s nostalgia including mix CDs. When she finds her old Walkman, with a CD she never played she decides to take a listen. The song transports her back to one moment in her life where she has always wondered What if? What if she would have kissed Damon, what if they would have become more than friends? With her magical Walkman Sam is about to find out.

This is the second book that I have read by La Rosa and I like that she keeps it real (I mean as real as one can with a time travelling Walkman) both the people and the relationships that she portrays in her books just feel real. I would not call this a romcom, this book will take a reader through a lot of emotions and not just happy ones, there are quite a few low points in the book, that you can’t help but feel for the characters. For Sam returning home, brings up the all the memories and questions of what could have been.

I'm not sure if I cheered for Sam and Damon in their relationship, in either timeline.

I honestly didn't feel the chemistry between them at all, I really just felt the friendship between them and nothing more. I understand that they love each other but not the same type as a more serious relationship. I like that La Rosa didn’t make it all rainbows and unicorns for the choices Sam and Damon did/didn’t make, there were tough times ahead in both timelines I don’t know if I even liked Sam or Damon in either timeline either as they both made some choices that I see as red flags for their relationship, from only caring about oneself, their own wants/needs to cheating, just added to not liking them or their relationship.

I will admit that I struggled with this book to being with, as it was slower than I thought it would be. However, the farther I got into the book I really wanted to know how each timeline would end up.

This book is a complete trip of nostalgia with all the song choices, the fashion and what was cool in the 2000. I question the song choices as it was supposed to be this big mixed CD that showed how much Damon wanted to be with Sam but a few songs in there were questionable for what Damon wanted to achieve.

Although I struggled at time with this book, overall, I enjoyed it. I may not have been a fan of the relationship between Sam and Damon I love the rawness and realness that La Rosa put in the book, not all relationships are easy.

Enjoy!!!

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S.T. Abby: MindF*ck Series

S.T. Abby, shows what happens when they take too much from one woman:

They took too much from Lana and left her very little and nothing too loose, until she met Logan, someone who has dedicated his life to saving lives, while Lana is determined to end some. Lana needs to collect the debts for what was done to her and her family and she will no stop until the debt is paid or she is no longer breathing to see it through.

This is a complete series review, not something I normally do, but I completely binged this series from start to finish. Honestly, you just want to purchase the book that has all books as the books are quite short and each ends on a cliffhanger so you are just going to pick up the next book anyways, so save yourself the wait and just grab the whole thing.

This book was dark, and terrifying at times and although what was done to Lana as a teenager is given in detail it is not given all at once, that it makes it more bearable to read. Plus what Lana inflicts on her targets is just as disturbing but well done how Abby handles the darkness and gore in this book but not having it happen at a constantly throughout each book. All this said you will cringe a few times in this book as Abby takes is dark.

This book really questions which side would you be on Lana's or the side of the law. I think you cannot blame her for the path that she chose, and throughout the books this series this idea is presented a few times and I think it will be up to the reader whether they would side with Lana or not because of what she has become and what she does.

There is no question that Lana is tough as Fuck, you cannot debate that fact at all. She is bloodthirsty and hungry for revenge but at the same time she just wants someone to accept her for who she is. Logan is a man who lives by the letter of the Law and is pushed to his limit not only with his case 

Was this book spicy, kind of. I mean there are quite a few sex scenes throughout the 5 books but they are never long and almost feel like they were written more how a man would write them, not very detailed, not a lot of foreplay, just clothes off and right to sex (this is not to say all me write like this, this I just the men I have read that write sex scenes). So yes sex scenes in the book, but not as much as some of the covers would suggest

I would recommend this series to those who like the darker side of things, not much mystery as you know who the “bad guy” is throughout the books, but a well laid out story of revenge and how Lana is going to achieve it. And as I said above, do yourself a favour and just buy either all the books at once or the complete series in one book.

Enjoy!!!

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C. J. Cooke: The Lighthouse Witches

C. J. Cooke shows how much of a beacon a lighthouse can be:

Liv Stay is always moving from job to job with her three daughters, and her latest commission is to repaint the inside of a lighthouse on a Northern Scottish Island, The Longing. What Liv did not know was this was going to change everything. The Lighthouse, used to be a place where witches were held below before their trial and it is believed that Dark Magic is still there. Liv, does not believe in any of that but within months of living there, only her daughter Luna is left. Twenty years later, Luna gets the strangest phone call which brings her back to the location where her family went missing and it is up to her to try and figure out what happened.

This is the first book that I have read by Cooke and it will not be the last, this book was beautifully written, very atmospheric and eerie feels throughout the book. I will say that it starts a bit slow as you try to figure out what is going on, but once the story really gets flowing you will not want to put it down. The book also gets darker near the end, and there is one scene where you just feel it (or at least I did).

This book has multiple time lines, so if that is not your thing then you will not enjoy this book. It does take a bit to wrap your head around the multiple timelines and characters for each one as the same character is in more than one timeline. I know that may sound a bit confusing but it’s not, Cooke does a good job of separating them and you know which timeline you are in.

I loved that this book was a mix of witch trials and the idea of wildlings taking the form of children who have gone missing. I think it was really smart how Cooke intertwined this pastime of witch trials as well as the folklore of wildlings. I was not able to figure out the connection, but it was a really interesting idea that Cooke has placed in the book.

With the multiple timelines and characters, one would think this would be a more character drive book but I actually think it was more plot based. We get snips of each character in their perspective timeline that it is hard to from a connection with them. I think that this becomes apparent why the farther you read into the book and you get more information. It did not take away from my enjoyment of the book, more just an observation.

Although, this is the first book I have read by Cooke, it will not be the last. I have noticed that she has a few more books that appear to be witch based and i will be checking them out. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to people who want an atmospheric read, that has a light witch fantast aspect to it.

Enjoy!!!!

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Michelle Chouinard: The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco

In her debut novel (under this name), Michelle Chouinard not only takes on a serial killer but San Francisco:

San Francisco is such a nice city, but boy is it one with a history and no one knows this better than Capri Sanzio who's grandfather was the serial killer known as OverKill Bill, and who now leads serial and crime themed tours around San Francisco. But when an OverKill Bill copycat surfaces, Capri wonders if this is the time to bring out her own family's history and reinvestigate the Overkill Bill murders, as her grandfather said he was innocent till the end. When a Overkill Bill murder happens close to home, Capri finds herself and family the targets of the investigation and now she has two generations of Overkill murders to solve.

I knew as soon as i saw the title of this book i was going to pick it up. Not only did i visit San Francisco for the first time this year, I also did a murder, mayhem and music walking tour while I was there. It was great to revisit San Fransico and actually know a bit of the area that Chouinard was talking about and there was even some cross over with the murder aspect. I mean if you want to talk a history of serial killers and crime you cannot go wrong with choosing San Francisco. I loved the little serial killer facts that Chouinard shares throughout the book and were one of the highlights for me.

Although Chouinard has written novels under a different pen name, I think for the most part this book reads like a debut novel, it was missing a bit of the polish of a more seasoned author by trying to take on a lot in this book. But at the same time, I really enjoyed the approach that Chouinard took with the past and present family drama. I think that Chouinard was able to keep the suspects alive in the book.

Capri is quite a lot in this book, her brain and life are going in so many different directions. She seems like lovely person but man her brain needs a break several times in the book and as a reader I wish I had a break from her every now and then. Do i know which character Chouinard could have given a chapter or two to, No, but I just think there needed to be a break from her.

I liked that Chouinard brought in the white-collar aspect in the book and the nuances of friendships and money with the upper elite. Money and appearance is everything to people in power or people who have money.

I enjoyed this book, Capri is a bit cooky at times, but I enjoyed the twists that Chouinard kept coming even if she tries to do a lot with this book. I would read another book by Chouinard.

Enjoy!!!

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Helen Scheuerer: Blood & Steel

In the first in a series, Helen Scheuerer, one women challenges for her right to be a protector of her realm:

Althea (Thea) has always known the age that she would die, so she has been determined to life her life to it's limit till that time. What Thea has always wanted to be was a warrior, a protector but women are forbidden to wield any blades. For years she has been practicing in secret honing her skills to perfection, until one day she is caught with a blade. The price for wielding a blade is steep but she is able to plead her case to the rulers of the 5 realms. Now Thea must find her place within warriors of Thezmarr as the veil is thinning and monsters are invading the land.

I'm always up for starting a new series, especially one that already has a few books established so I don’t have to wait forever for the next book to come out. I enjoyed this book, I like the medieval feel of the world, as well as Thea as a main character, but this was a bit slower than i thought it was going to be. With the medieval feel, I thought there would be more battles and fights but instead there was more character and relationship building. Even the times they are in lessons did not feel as fleshed out as they could have been.

I really enjoyed Thea as a character and her struggles of who she wants to be as well as her relationship with her sister Wren, who just thinks that she should just accept her position in life as a women. You cannot help but cheer for her in her want to be a warrior and show what she can do. I will say that Thea does come off younger with some of the choices that she makes, more late teens and someone in her 20s, but maybe that is due to the product of her upbringing. I also adored her friendship with Cal and Kipp, they are quite the Trio and it was great to see how much they supported each other.

If you like you a broody MMC then you will enjoy Wilder. Was a bit too broody? Maybe at times, I'm honestly more interested in his fighting ability and what he can do than the tension between him and Thea.

I will say that Scheuerer was able to shock me with one twist coming and wow some betrayal in there as well, was nicely places.

Medieval type world, with the veil coming down between the two worlds, which causes monsters to be released on the human side of the realm. This does lead to some monster fighting, but there is really only one big scene of it. I also do not 100% understand the magic system that is in place here but I feel like it will be explained in the next book (and this is just based upon the events of this one).

Although this as a bit slower than I expected, I was really invested in the characters and even the world that Scheuerer has placed them in. I look forward to continuing on in the series.

Enjoy!!!!

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Stephanie Archer: The Wingman

This is the third book in the series, and the people from previous books do make some appearances in this book (they are a Hockey Team after all) I do think that you could read this as a stand-alone.

Stephanie Archer is back with the next Vancouver Storm player and this time it's all about being a good Wingman, on and off the Ice:

Darcy is just getting out of a long-term relationship and engagement that had been failing for the past years. And what better way than to move on is to move in with her Best Friend Hayden and convince him to be her Wingman as she tries to navigate the dating (and hooking up world). But when out practice flirting and kissing sessions push the bounds of their friendship, Darcy and Hayden are not sure where the other stands. All Hayden knows is he hates seeing Men hit on Darcy and all Darcy knows is that Hayden has always been a playboy who doesn’t do relationships. But Maybe just Maybe this Wingman has been waiting for Darcy all along.

I have really enjoyed the first two installments in this series. I like that Archer writes about adults and more mature relationship but keeps me laughing at the same time and this book is no exception. Hayden and Darcy are so cute together in their interactions that you can’t help but wonder why they do not see it (many of the other Hockey guys do though). I personally do not I like the miscommunication trope, to me I just find to frustrating that people cannot just talk about things. I understand it going on for a bit as two people, who are best friends try to figure out a new dynamic, but I felt like it went on a bit too long in this book.

Honestly, how could you read this book and not love Hayden and Darcy by the end of this book. They are extremely cute together and i cannot get over how supportive they are as each other as well. How Hayden just supports Darcy to be who she wants to be and to be her true self is just swoon worthy. The thing that does set them apart is that they do have history together, one as Best Friends since College but still History. Plus, when Hayden finds out how Kit had been treating Darcy in their relationship, he knew he had to do everything to help her. 

I like how Archer throws out a social more series issue in her books and in this book, it is women in STEM. I love how Archer wove it into the plot so that it makes sense and isn’t just thrown in there to have it.

I did see a few similarities from the first two books in the series in regard to plot points or scenarios. Also, I think the book needed more Garden Gnomes (Yes, I am series about this).

If you enjoy the tropes of Friends to lovers and Roommates, then this book is for you. Throw in some witty banter and jokes and some spiciness later in the book, I'm sure you will enjoy this. 

This is a great addition to this series. I devoured this book and if it was not obvious above, I just adored Hayden and Darcy. Can't wait for the next book in this series. Can’t wait for the next book in this series that is teased quite a bit in this one.

Enjoy!!!

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Stephanie Wrobel: The Hitchcock Hotel

Stephanie Wrobel shows that anything Hitchcock inspired ends with a body: 

Alfred Smettle is not your average Hitchcock fan, he is a fanatic to the point that he decides to open his own Hitchcock inspired Hotel. And what better way to celebrate the hotel being open for 1 year than to invite his old college friends who were part of a Film Club. Never-mind that they have not seen each other since College, Never-mind there is some bad feelings and blood among the group. They will appreciate what he has created here, especially when Hitchcock like events start to happen, including a body.

This is the first book that I have read by Wrobel, so I was not sure what to expect going in. This was a slower pace than I thought it would be and then the ending seems to be a bit of a whirlwind with everything being revealed. I wish things would have progresses a bit faster with some of the backstory and what Zoe kept accussing Alfred of as we are the readers are left in the dark the majority of the book. It is this history that is key to a lot of what is going on in the Hotel and I wish Wrobel would have sprinkled a bit more of the juicy stuff throughout the book instead of having most of it come out in the last third. I think readers would still not see all the twists coming that Wrobel has in this last third but I think that it would ahve help the book's pacing and intrigue level.

If you are looking for and atmophere it book, this book is for you. Wrobel really catches the essence of Hitchcock with the tension and drama that plays out in this book. I could perfectly picture the hotel and the creepiness that it was designed with all in a balck and white scope to make it feel like a hitchcock movie.

You have to be okay with Multiple POV as each character in this books basically gets the same amoutn of page time as others do. I don’t really know if i actually liked any of the characters in this book, they all say some pretty horrible things to each other, especially towards Alfred and it seems to me a lot of them were still stuck in that College/high school frame of mind. Alfred is by far the most interesting character in the book and Wrobel writes him as such a way where you can’t help but think he is diabolical and manipulative in every way. The other characters got more interesting the book went on.

Alright, straightup this book and twists did now go how I thought it would at all. You know at the beginning there is going to be a body but you don’t know who or when in the story it is going to occur. I think that Wrobel did a great job of having basically everyone up for grabs of who was going to end up dead.

This was a good book, but I think the slowness in the beginning really hurts it and I will admit that I was not picking it up as much as I would have if it was a faster paced thriller. I still think that it is one that people will enjoy espically if they are Hitchcock fans and like a more atmosphereic read.

Enjoy!!!!

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Sangu Mandanna: A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

Sangu Mandanna shows that a place can Nowhere House can actually lead somewhere: 

Mika Moon has been taught that she and every other witch, has to hide their magic and not draw attention to herself at all. Mika has been pushing the line on this with making TikTok videos of her making potions. It is these videos that lead to a very unexpected email of some people who are searching for a witch to teach three young witches how to control their magic. This Breaks all the rules but they desperately need her and not going is not an option. Once Mika arrives at Nowhere House, she gets entangled in the lives of all those living there, the girls, an absent archaeologist, a retired actor, two caretakers and the librarian Jamie, who is convinced that Mika is a threat to Nowhere house. As Mika starts to settle in to Nowhere house, the increasing magic in the area is not the only threat that will come knocking on the door. 

This is the first that I have read by Mandanna, so i was not sure what to expect, but I was completely enchanted by the book that Mandanna created. This book was a great comfort read, it is just whole heartly sweet and naive, probably my favourite cozy read so far this year. Mandanna created just a great story of found family that just pulls at your heartstrings throughout the book. 

I loved Mika as a character, and you cannot help but feel for her who is only looking to be loved and a place to belong. Mika has a troubled past, that is not dark, but one of loneliness. Because of the rules that have been created by the head of the Witches Society, that witches need to be alone, Mika has been alone since she was a child. I love how Mika handled magic, what she can do with Magic and how she tries to teach the children it. Mika has so much love, caring and fight within her, that you cannot help but love her.

Even the magic is more magical in a way as appearing as gold dust to those who can see it. I loved that magic was all around, and they had to harness it from nature, or from natural phenomenon. 

The one part I do not understand, or what was not fully dealt with in the book, is the curse that has been places on all witches, that all witch mothers die after they have a witch child. I'm not sure if we are going to get another book in this world and this seems like a big aspect to not clear up. As it is one of the main reasons that Mika is alone.

I really enjoyed my time reading this book. I highly recommended if you want something a bit cozy this spooky season. I’m excited to check out the other book that Mandanna has released.

Enjoy!!!!

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Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti: Zodiac Academy - The Awakening

In the first of a series Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti shows that your fate can always change but may be not for the better:

Twins, Tory and Darcy went from one foster home to another growing up, but now that they are living on their own, they are struggling to keep a roof over their heads. That is until they find out that they are changelings and not only are they Fae but Heirs to the throne. But there are many that do not want Tory and Darcy to return, and at the head of this is the Heirs. The sons of the four power houses, Air, Fire, Water, Earth, and they have plans to rule in their stead. So they have hatched a plan, make Tory and Darcy’s lives a living Hell at school, who comes out on top, it will be whom ever have not only the most power, but the highest Will.

This is the first book a I have read by Peckham and Valenti and I won’t lie I totally picked it up because it was touted as Harry Potter but for adults. And let me tell you I did not want to put this book down. Every moment I would get in to read even a page or two I was. I think this also says something about the writing style, as it was easy to read and follow what was happening.

I don’t think I have read a bully romance before this book, so i was not sure what to expect, or like what level of bullying does it get to. And let me say it gets pretty extreme in both the mental and physical by the end. Is it all a bit heartbreaking and disturbing at times? Yep but it kept me glued to the pages. Also the idea of consent is played with quite a bit in this book, especially when it comes to the Heirs, teachers and other teachers using their powers on Tory and Darcy, as they are easy prey as they don’t know how to use their powers.

I was drawn more to Tory as a character than Darcy. Tory just has the bad girl don’t give a fuck attitude down, was slightly more of the risk taker of the two (though Darcy does try at times) and not one to show her feelings at all. I just found that with Tory’s POV more interesting aspects of the plot seemed to happen to her rather than Darcy’s. I found with Darcy’s POV a lot of it was about Lance and more Lance.

There are ALOT of POV and do we really need all of them? I mean I understand why we need them from Tory and Darcy’s POV as well as Lance but do we need them from all the heirs? They sometimes are just saying the same things but in a different way and for the most part they have the same feelings about Tory and Darcy. It just felt a bit repetitive at times and I struggled a bit to remember who’s who especially at the beginning.

I’m really interested in learning more about the Nymphs and their desire for magic. I feel like there was some sort of betrayal in their history that started this war. I also want to know why their dad was called the Savage King. Like what did he do to really earn that Title? 

I thought it would be spicier that it was, people always say this is a spicy series but I am going to guess that happens at a later in the series.  I also found it a bit predictable at times, like you knew that the Heirs planned a lot of the time, as we have their POV.

I really enjoyed the start of this series and am prepared to keep going on this series. I really need to know what happens after the ending of this book, as wow it was intense. I really look forward to seeing where Peckham and Valenti take the characters and series.

Enjoy!!!

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Jasmine Walt & Rebecca Hamilton: Shadow Born

In the first of the series, Jasmine Walt and Rebecca Hamilton shows you never know who lurks in the shadows in both your present and the past:

Brooke knows that the supernatural exist and while during the day she works as a Chicago PD Detective by night she is a Vampire hunter along with her Fiancé. When her Fiancé dies while tracking down a lead in Salem, she knows that something supernatural is at play. When Brooke arrives in Salem, she is not welcomed with open arms but she is hoping her special talent will help shed some light of Tom's last few days there. What Brooke doesn’t realize is that the darkness that is in and around Salem and her coming there she is going to have to get dirty.

I had not heard of Walt and Hamilton before but I’m always looking for UF series to delve into and hope that the authors are able to do something new and fresh with the series and I think that Walt and Hamilton were able to put some aspects in that I do not normally see in this Genre.

I loved that it was more Fae based, as I haven’t read too many Fae urban fantasy books, they tend take a sideline in UF to other more common creatures, like vampires, which are also featured in this book and not just side characters, you can tell that they are going to play major roles in future books. 

Brooke was a good female character but as a detective she seemed quite reckless at times, and not doing enough questioning as she should be. Almost like just burst in their guns blazing when that is not always the answer. I just don’t understand with all the training she claims to have she uses very little of it. It also seemed like I as the reader knew more than the main character and this annoyed me. I found Brooke's ability to touch objects and see the impressions or last moments on them interesting, but it is something that I have read before.

I did not see one of the twists coming, i was stunned and it was awesome. One of the best aspects on the books, it takes a lot for me to not figure something out beforehand, so I applaud Walt and Hamilton for being able to do this.

I like that the world building was explained, did not drone on and was enough there for me to understand it but not take me out of the overall story.

I really enjoyed the start of this series and I look forward to not only continuing on with this series but seeing what else these authors have written. If you are looking for an Urban Fantasy Series, check this one out. I will say that I hope that Brooke grows on me more in the future books.

Enjoy!!!!

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Abby Jimenez: Yours Truly

Abby Jimenez shows the power of a good old fashioned letter:

Bri's life is not in the best spot; Her divorce is finally coming through, her brother is still searching for a kidney donor and he's getting worse each day and the promotion she thought she was going to get is probably going to a new doctor who just transferred to the hospital. And this new Doctor all the nurses hate and patients seem to be dying on him every which way. Jacob knew it would be hard to transfer to a new hospital, he knew that he may struggle for a bit, but he can tell that the nurses hate him and his patients keep dying, plus a run in with another Doctor here, he is struggling and his anxiety is at a 10. He knows he needs to do something, so he decides to write her a letter. And its a really good letter one that is set to change not only his life but Bri's as well.

This is the first book that I have read by Jimenez and it was really cute and well done. Although this book is part of a series, I did not read the first one but did not feel like I needed to in order to enjoy this book. The friendship between Bri and Alexis is explained with them being best friends. And while there are hints back to the first book it was nothing major that made me put down this book to read that one first.

I really enjoyed the banter between Bri and Jacob and to me it is crazy that they did not realize their soulmate material when they first met. Granted that could have gone better but man they just seemed to click. It was like the truly understood each other from the beginning even when they were mortal enemies for the short period of time.

I loved the letter writing aspect of the book as that is such a lost art. But I really appreciate how Jimenez incorporated it into the novel, with Jacob being a journal writer and that is how he gets his thoughts out, especially with dealing with anxiety.

Jimenez did mental health in a way that felt real and not like she was using it as a butt of a joke or the comedic relief for the story or having it overshadow all of the story. She made it a part of Jacob, part of who he is which is okay, and this was showcased by Bri every time they enter into stressful situations

The Miscommunication trope is not my thing, it makes me want to pull my hair out any time i read a book that one has it and if it goes on too long. For this book i think the miscommunication went on way too long and it was this that also made the book longer than i think it needed to be. 

This book has cemented that I need to try more books by Jimenez, as this was really cute, but it still had some substance to it by tackling harder topics that many shy away from when writing romance books. I look forward to reading more books by Jimenez

Enjoy!!!

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