ARC Review: Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep

Dark Heart of Magic
by Jennifer Estep
Book 2 in the Black Blade series

Something Wicked This Way Comes...

As a thief, I stick to the shadows as much as possible. But when the head of the Sinclair Family picks me to compete in the Tournament of Blades, there's no escaping the spotlight—or the danger.

Even though he's my competition, Devon Sinclair thinks I have the best shot at winning what's supposed to be a friendly contest. But when the competitors start having mysterious "accidents," it looks like someone will do anything to win—no matter who they hurt.

As if I didn't have enough to worry about, mobster Victor Draconi is plotting against Devon and the rest of my friends, and someone's going around Cloudburst Falls murdering monsters. One thing's for sure. Sometimes, humans can be more monstrous than anything else...

Something is afoot in Cloudburst Falls that goes beyond the paranormal creatures that live here.  This town is inhabited by a variety of supernatural characters.  There is a tenuous balance between the ruling families but they all come together during the Tournament of Blades. Although she has only been a member of the Sinclair family for a short time, Lila Merriweather has been chosen to represent the family along with the favored son, Devon. 

When I read about the upcoming tournament, I was thrilled.  Tournaments present the perfect opportunity for all kinds of shenanigans and conspiracies.  You have all the major players involved and you never know where the next trapdoor will open.  Delicious!  This is the exciting part of the story as Jennifer Estep expertly choreographs the pitfalls and triumphs of our characters to a satisfying end.  

Over the years, I have read less and less Young Adult books.  I’m not as attracted to the traditional YA themes and have very little tolerance for love triangles.  However, I adore this series, mostly, because it doesn’t read like a YA book to me. For me, I can imagine Lila being a relative of Gin Blanco (the main character in the author’s Elemental Assassin story). It has a similar emotional draw and I really love the vivid characters created by Ms. Estep.  

Imagine if you were a teenager who lived in the periphery all you life and then one day you save the life of the most popular guy in school.  Can you imagine the insecurity you might feel? Even after be reassured of your new place in this new family, you might wait for the school to drop.  

Lila Merriweather is now a member of the Sinclair family.  She guards over the Family Bruiser and favored son, Devon.  Even as she settles in, she is still weary about letting down her guard; even through she feels a thrilling attraction to Devon.  She is in conflict between being independent and not trusting people and feeling a sense of fidelity and loyalty to her new friends.  I like that she is battling her instinct verses her values. Her choices will truly tested in the upcoming book. This story sets the groundwork for an epic battle, one that is so highly anticipated that I’m rubbing my hands with glee.  Oh, I just cannot wait. 

This middle book does its job – Making us care for what happens to our characters and setting us up for an epic next book. 

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. 

ARC REVIEW: "Cold Burn of Magic" by Jennifer Estep

Cold Burn of Magic 

by Jennifer Estep

Book 1 in the Black Blade series

There Be Monsters Here. . .

It's not as great as you'd think, living in a tourist town that's known as "the most magical place in America." Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power. 

I try to keep out of it. I've got my mom's bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick. 

But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend's pawn shop, and I have to make a call--get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn't. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I'm stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I'm going to end up just like her.

After reading this book, I know one thing for sure; Jennifer Estep knows how to build a darn good magical world with just the right amount of Southern charm. 

In Cold Burn of Magic, book one in Ms. Estep’s new Black Blade series, we are introduced to the charming town of Cloudburst Fall, West Virginia – where the magical creatures are the focal point of tourism.  Underneath the pretty Disneyland-like façade is the dark and dangerous world of family dynasties and rivalries that put the mafia to shame – the Sopranos have nothing on these families.   

Lila Merriweather is a teenager that has been on her own, escaping the foster care system after her mother died.  She is a high school student currently living in a storage room at the local library. She survives by committing petty crimes and helping out her “Uncle” Mo, a friend of her mother and sometimes guardian.  Mo sends her out on “missions” to steal or reposes items from the rich.  Lila also has a secret. Although not obvious from the outside, Lila has special and unique powers that could make her a target for exploitation. 

Lila soon gets involved with the Sinclair family when she saves the favored son, Devon’s, life.  Through circumstances, she then becomes his bodyguard, following in her mother’s footsteps.  

I enjoy this new set of characters.  Lila is a survivor.  She is scrappy, living on the streets because she has to.  She reminds me of a young Gin Blanco from Ms. Estep’s other series, Elemental Assassin.  (I guess the comparison is inevitable, right?).  On the outside she is aloof, tough and thick-skinned. On the inside, she wants to see the good in people and situations.  She has skills, but more importantly, she has a huge capacity to care.  This is not a new type of character in the urban fantasy genre, but Lila’s is really developed well. 

Devon is a standout from one of the ruling families.  Despite the questionable behaviors of his family’s business, he has been able to maintain his goodness.  However, rival families target him because of his special gift. This is a risk that Lila and Devon share. 

There are great fight scenes, highly dramatic revelations, and just a wee bit of angst – enough to make the story interesting, but not too much to turn people off if you are not a YA reader. 

This story takes place in the Elemental Assassin universe.  There is mention of Ashland – home of The Spider, Gin Blanco.  This will, of course, invite comparisons.  But I found that it also helped me rediscover and appreciate Jennifer Estep’s creative and imaginative writing.  With a long running series like Elemental Assassins, where the context is familiar, it is easy to forget how difficult it is to continue to create something new and fresh.  That is what Ms. Estep does here.  She balances elements that are familiar with a fresh new set of characters and storylines that are attractive and engaging.  After I finished, two words flashed in my head, “Gimme more!”

IN A NUTSHELL:
Where you are a long time fan of the author or someone new to her work, this is a fantastic start to a new series. 

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Jennifer Estep is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

Jennifer writes the Elemental Assassin adult urban fantasy series for Pocket. Books in the series are SPIDER'S BITE, WEB OF LIES, VENOM, TANGLED THREADS, SPIDER'S REVENGE, BY A THREAD, and WIDOW'S WEB. THREAD OF DEATH, an e-novella, is also available. 

HAINTS AND HOBWEBS: AN ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN SHORT STORY can be found in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF GHOST ROMANCE.

DEADLY STING, the eighth book, is set to be released on March 26, 2013.

Jennifer also writes the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series for Kensington. 

Books in the series are TOUCH OF FROST, KISS OF FROST, and DARK FROST. CRIMSON FROST, the fourth book, is set to be released on Dec. 24, 2012.

FIRST FROST, a prequel e-story to the series, is available as a download. HALLOWEEN FROST, an e-short story, is available in the ENTANGLED e-anthology.


Jennifer is also the author of the Bigtime paranormal romance series. Books in the superhero-themed series are KARMA GIRL, HOT MAMA, JINX, and NIGHTINGALE. A KARMA GIRL CHRISTMAS, an e-story, is also available.

ARC REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY: "The Secret" by Elizabeth Hunter

The Secret 

by Elizabeth Hunter

Book 3, Irin Chronicles 

For thousands of years, the scribes and singers of the Irin race have existed to protect humanity and guard the gifts of the Forgiven. They have lived in the shadows. They have kept their secrets.

But the Irin aren’t the only race with secrets.

Ava and Malachi have found each other, but wounds as deep as theirs don’t heal overnight. While the Irin world struggles to correct the power imbalance left by the Rending of the Irina, Malachi and Ava struggle to connect their past with their present.

The Fallen may scheme, but Ava has found her power and refuses to be an angel’s pawn. And while Malachi may have forgotten his history, the scribe’s relentless search for answers leads both him and his mate to the heart of the Irin power structure in Vienna, where knowledge is guarded more closely than gold and those with power will do anything to keep it.

Malachi and Ava have survived the darkness, but will they ever discover its secrets? A powerful cabal of the Fallen may hold the answers, but to surrender them, it wants the Irin race to finally face their enemies. Both those coming from the outside, and those raging within.

THE SECRET is the third book in the contemporary fantasy series, the Irin Chronicles, and the conclusion of Ava and Malachi’s journey.

This is an impossibly beautiful story. I could never have imagined the series taking this kind of turn.  I relished every moment. Of course, there is the beautiful love story between Ava and Malachi. It brings an ache to my heart. However, I’m also taken in by the larger story arc featuring the Forgiven, the Forgotten, and the Gregori.  This narrative is about redemption and grace and I’m in awe of how Elizabeth Hunter put it all together.

Even before the Irin and the Gregori, there were the angels.  They came to earth to do God’s work.  Angels do not feel; they are not emotional.  However, they are fascinated and seduced by human emotion.  The angels went against God by mating and having children.  Those that accepted God’s forgiveness left their children and returned back to Heaven after leaving the children their history and legacy.  These angels are the Forgiven and the children are the Irin.   Those angels that stayed are the Forgotten and their children, the Gregori. Lines are established between enemies and for a millennia or more, they battle for human lives. But what do they know about each other? How much longer will they continue to battle?  What is going on between the Forgotten arch angels behind the scenes?

In my opinion, few people can write a sense of longing like Elizabeth Hunter.  She superbly captures the pain, ache, desire, and yearning of loss.  This is what drew me to this series, and what keeps me coming back for more.  The love story between Ava and Malachi continues and it is precious.  Even though they love one another, after her devastating loss and his memory gaps, they have learn to live in love again.  We are again reminded that this is something special: “Their union was a reflectin of the peace he’d seen.  Holy and wholly.”

This story is complex filled with political maneuvering, redrawn lines of friends and enemies, and an epic battle that is so devastating that it leaves a haunting impression on the reader.  There isn’t much more I can say without giving too much away.  You just have to experience it yourself.

IN A NUTSHELL:

A complex tapestry, this story inspires deep emotions and is breath-taking. The perfect end to this trilogy, Elizabeth Hunter truly out does herself with this one.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. 

If you haven't started the series (and even if you have), here's your chance to win a signed copy of the book that started it all, The Scribe.  U.S. Residents Only.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SUNNY - BOOK REVIEW: Twisted Miracles by A.J. Larrieu

SUMMARY:
Cass Weatherfield’s powers come with a deadly price.

Cass knows it was her telekinetic gift that killed a college classmate five years back, even if no one else believes her. She’s lived in hiding from her fellow shadowminds ever since, plagued by guilt and suppressing her abilities with sedatives. Until the night her past walks back into her life in the form of sexy Shane Tanner, the ex-boyfriend who trained her…and the one she left without saying goodbye.

When Shane tells her that his twin sister, Mina—Cass’s childhood friend—is missing, Cass vows to help, which means returning to New Orleans to use her dangerous skills in the search. But finding Mina only leads to darker questions. As Cass and Shane race to learn who is targeting shadowminds, they find themselves drawn to each other, body and soul. Just as their powerful intimacy reignites, events take a terrifying turn, and Cass realizes that to save the people she loves, she must embrace the powers that ruined her life

Urban Fantasy is one of my favorite genres to read.  I enjoy complex, well-written world-building - mostly because it requires a kind of imagination that I just don't have.  I want strong, interesting supporting characters. I want suspense and I want at least a dash of romance (okay, usually more than a dash).  I'm pleased to say that Twisted Miracles gives me all of that and then some.

A.J. Larrieu brings us into the world of the shadowminds where there are healers, guardians, and enforcer all gifted with supernatural powers. And like in all parts of society, there is good and evil in their kind. 

Cass Weatherfield is a telekinetic.  She can move objects in her sleep, she can transport and most unusually of all, she can pull energy from life around her to enhance her powers.  Without having any of this knowledge as a child, she grew up alienated from the world, moved from foster home to foster home until she meets Shane, another shadowmind and future boyfriend.  From Shane and his Uncle Lionel, Cass learns more about this hidden world, but it doesn’t help when she is involved in a tragic accident.  An incident that makes her run from her adoptive family. It is only the disappearance of Shane’s sister (and Cass’s best friend) Mina that brings her back to New Orleans and involves her in a deeper mystery with a serial killer.

I'm biased toward stories that are based in the South.  Having now visited New Orleans, I can imagine the places about which the author writes.  But more than that, stories in the South seem more sultry - the warm winds, the humidity, the exotic scents. Characters seem to have extra flavor as well.  The author offers up a good crew of side characters that enhance the story:  Lionel, another shadowmind and father figure to the kids; Bruce, a normal human with the superpower of optimism; Mina, bereft of her powers, must now learn to cope; and Jackson, another shadowmind living in San Francisco, who helps Cass discover and start to harness her special strengths. 

I also took note of a subtle, but not often included, element in this story.  Shane and Cass are an inter-racial couple.  The focus of this book is not about their inter-racial relationship or about race and racism, but it acknowledges that Shane is of mixed race and the author chooses to make that relevant.  A.J. Larrieu chooses to acknowledge their diverse experience.  I believe that in order to normalize diversity, we must acknowledge varying experiences, not ignore them.  So, when Cass's foster mother, Kate, meets Shane for the first time, Cass can hear the subtext of what she is saying: 

"It hadn't taken her long to forbid me from seeing him.  'Think of your children, Cass,' she said.  'Would you want them to got through life like that?' Like that was Kate-code for black."  

This is done with a subtle hand, but to me a significant inclusion and one I truly appreciated.

My one small critique is that I would have like to learn more about Shane.  We know he’s protective, brave and passionate, but his story starts with Cass.  I’d like to learn more about his story and his point of view.  Maybe an novella from his perspective?

IN A NUTSHELL:  If you are interested in checking out a fresh voice in the Urban Fantasy genre, or if you just want a darn good story, don’t miss out on this book.

SUNNY: BLOG TOUR, REVIEW, and GIVEAWAY "Shine" by Dannika Dark

 Shine

(Mageri Series, Bk #5)
By Dannika Dark

BLURB"
Love is infinite.
Hate is absolute.

In the short span of a year, Silver has gone from becoming a Mage to discovering the truth about her unique genetics. Logan Cross went from her mortal enemy to her immortal lover, but a threat is fast approaching like an inevitable storm. Attacks are underway against the Mageri and one man is behind it—an elusive foe who is an unstoppable force. Nero is not Silver’s only concern as someone close to her is arrested for treason. In the midst of chaos, Silver discovers she cannot protect everyone from the wrath of fate, including her own Ghuardian.

Justus finally opens his heart, but an unexpected turn of events could darken his soul forever. Secrets are revealed that will leave you reeling from one twist after the next. Would you sacrifice everything for love?

Destiny has set sail and once she alters her course, no one’s life will ever be the same in this explosive conclusion to the Mageri Series.

Available for purchase at 

         

EXCERPT:

A deep vibration rose from his chest. Logan backed me up and the next thing I knew, I was lying on the hood of Justus’s sleek Porsche. What was once a vast collection of exquisite cars was now a collection of three, aside from the Ducati, which he rarely drove.

Logan’s ravenous tongue found a sensitive spot on my neck that made me crave his skin against mine. I slipped my hands beneath his shirt, scratching at his strong back. I loved the way his body felt. The taut muscles along his abs, the baby-fine hair on his arms and legs, the masculine cut of his jaw, and especially right now, the thick press between my legs. The hood of the car dented from our weight and Logan’s heated breath stirred a voice within me that wanted to say “to hell with it” and have sex right on top of my Ghuardian’s one-hundred-thousand-dollar Porsche.

“Wait, Logan. We’re going to mess up his car.”

When his tongue entered my mouth, the complaint was forgotten.

Until the garage door lifted up.

REVIEW (Mild spoiler ahead):
As I finished this book, I took a moment to pause and think about how far we have come with Zoe/Silver.  It has been quite the journey which has taken us to some difficult places but with creativity and imagination always.  

The strength of this series is the storytelling and it is no different for this final installment of the Mageri series.  I can tell that Dannika Dark is a romantic at heart.  Every relationship that we have come to love is strengthened.  The story is not always happy and there are some moments that my heart feels heavy, but this story does have a happily ever after.  You will find all your favorites back: Logan, Justus, Paige, Simon, Christian, Finn, Sunny, Novis, Adam, and all the Cross brothers.  In some ways, this is one of the weaknesses of the story.  By bringing back all the characters from the previous stories, I am reminded that there is still so much to learn about, especially the Cross brothers.  We are also introduced to a new, important character, but there is not enough of her to really get an attachment.  Still others get a nice sense of closure - especially Silver, Justus, and Adam.  To me, Adam's story has a nice resolution - one that left me satisfied (except for his interactions with Sadie.  Please, Dannika, say there will be more to this story).  

Dannika Dark's writing is very straightforward.  There is little ambiguity and subtlety.  It is both her strength and weakness. Her direct writing allows for a strong narrative.  She knows the story she wants to tell and takes us along in the journey and it is a joy. However, sometimes that forthrightness has a scent of being preachy. It is not distracting to the storyline, but I wonder if the story could be a little more nuanced.   

IN A NUTSHELL:
Dannika Dark shows her affection for her characters by giving them a wonderful story to end this series.  What began as a buddy reads on Goodreads has reached a satisfying end. So happy to be a part of this journey. 
 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

This is the segment where you learn a little more about who I am, so here's what I can tell you:  I drink copious amounts of vitamin water placed precariously close to my laptop while writing. These are two healthy habits I have no intention of breaking. I'm a transplant living in the south, but I was born in the 70's to a military dad who moved us around the world.

When I'm not writing (which is all the time), I'm hunting down Indie music, watching movies, reading, eating Tex-Mex, discovering new ways to humiliate myself bowling, and burning up my laptop battery on the Internet. I have a relaxed, easy-going personality and don't like drama. I live with a cat who thinks she is a dog, or a goat (she eats plastic, so I'm not sure which).

Throughout my life, I've had insomnia. Counting sheep never worked and eventually I would imagine those sheep were the sole source of food after an apocalyptic battle where only thousands survived. I made up stories in a futile attempt to bore myself to sleep. The problem was, I got so wrapped up in my "head stories" that I would continue them through the following nights, changing it up each time to make it more exciting. Eventually, I started writing my ideas down - creating short stories, and then I discovered my love for poetry.

It's almost embarrassing how many spiral notebooks and stacks of paper I have of poetry and lyrics.

Another passion: digital art. I design all my book covers, marketing, and series art. I'm a very visual person and pursued photography as an avid hobby for many years.

I am not a YA author (I feel like I have to state this only because I've had a few people ask), but I think it's wonderful there are so many books available to teens in Urban Fantasy and Paranormal.

I am finally doing what I have always wanted to do: giving my characters a pulse through writing full time. I focus on adult urban fantasy romance, but I don't like labels and I enjoy blending genres to break out of the confines of predictability.

But it's what I love to do.

Danni

Find Dannika here: 

            

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Presented By