Fantasy Review

Cheyenne McCray: Forbidden Magic

2009-01-03T12:56:00.000-05:00

It Should be Forbidden to Miss this Magical Read

Silver Ashcroft is a D’Anu Witch and sworn only to use white magic, but Silver’s sensibilities run a little more on the grey side. She has been using grey magic to fight a powerful coven of witches using human sacrifice to power their magic. Now, that same coven has called forth an ancient and powerful enemy. Silver will need to use grey magic to summon the only warriors known to have defeated them, the Tuatha D’Danann. However, there is a problem. The more Silver uses her grey magic the stronger the she feels the pull to dark magic.

Hawk is a Tuatha D’Danann warrior who understands the need to save the earth realm, even if the elders do not. He also understands the pull a man feels for a woman. Something he feels intensely for the witch named Silver Ashcroft. Yet, he must constantly remind himself that duty always comes before personal desires. There are tragic consequences if one forgets duty.

In her first book in the Magic Series, Cheyenne McCray weaves a story of honor, danger, magic and love. Forbidden Magic illustrates how things, even love, are rarely black or white, but are continually changing shades of grey. But if you don’t care about shades of black and white then the one thing you should definitely know is that Forbidden Magic is a terrific read.

Yasmine Galenorn: Witchling

2008-12-28T14:19:00.000-05:00

A Witch of a Good Time

The D’Artigo sisters are half-human and half-Faerie and each has their own little eccentricities. Camille is a witch whose spells go bad as often as the go good. Delilah is a shapeshifter who changes into a housecat - not a jungle cat. And Menolly has been turned into a vampire. Together they work for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency and have been posted to Earth to protect the humans.

The posting has been pretty cushy and the sisters suspect they were placed in the human realm so they would be out of the way. And then all hell breaks loose – literally. Camille, Delilah and Menolly must save Earth and Otherworld from demons that have broken through from the Subterranean Realms. Will the D’Artigo sisters be able to save the day or will their ‘special’ powers only get in the way?

Witchling is a fun story with just the right amount of action, comedy and romance. Yasmine Galenorn has brought together an effective and amusing cast of characters that enhance her story and leave the reader waiting for more. As the first book in the Sisters of the Moon series, Witchling sets a promising tone for the stories to come.

Adrian Phoenix: In The Blood

2008-12-20T17:37:00.000-05:00

In The Blood Delivers A Rush

After being apart for months, Dante Baptiste and Heather Wallace find themselves together again in Heather’s hometown of Seattle, with their enemies right behind them. But while fighting the forces determined to control Dante, each of them must also fight their own internal battles.

Heather must decide if it is safer remaining with the FBI or get out before they decide she is a loose end that needs tying up. She also knows she must finally decide which emotion is stronger, her love for Dante or her fear.

Dante still can’t remember his past. His migraine attacks have gotten worse and more frequent, and now he also suffers from seizures. While his love for Heather pulls him to her, it also tells him she is safer without him. And Dante isn’t ready to deal with the betrayal he feels from Lucien, someone he considered to be his most trusted friend.

Yet, through it all, Lucien is determined to keep Dante hidden and safe. He is willing to sacrifice everything for Dante. Even their relationship and his own life.

In The Blood is even more gripping than Adrian Phoenix’s first novel, A Rush of Wings. As the second book in The Maker’s Song series, In The Blood provides the reader with a more in depth look at the characters, their relationships, and their past. All the while, Ms. Phoenix’s talent weaves the underlying themes of family and hope seamlessly into the story, giving the reader a sense of familiarity and belonging. Even through the fantastical elements the reader can identify with the heroes and heroines, elevating the story to one of the best in the genre. Start off the New Year right and get yourself a copy of In The Blood, available December 30, 2008.

Ilona Andrews: Magic Bites

2008-12-13T10:14:00.000-05:00

A Book with Bite that Won’t Let Go

Kate Daniels has found herself in a precarious situation. She is a magical gun for hire in a world where magic is unpredictable. To find the killer of her guardian she must work with an organization she openly distrusts. And, at the heart of her investigation, she discovers someone is trying to start a war between the Pack, the shapeshifter society of the south, and the People, necromancers who control mindless vampires.

Kate must find a way to sort through the mess while keeping herself alive if she wants to find the killer. But once the killer is found, she is willing to risk everything, including her own life, to stop them.

Magic Bites is the first novel in the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. It brings the reader into a creative new world full of danger and deception. But even more promising, is the dynamic heroine who rebels against clichés, is complex but not overwhelming, and who will risk everything for what is right. Magic Bites is an absorbing read in the captivating arena of urban fantasy.

T.A. Pratt: Poison Sleep

2008-12-06T15:13:00.001-05:00

You May Not Be Able to Rest Until this Book is Finished

Marla Mason is the leader among equals of the sorcerers in the city of Felport. It’s her job to protect the city and keep the other sorcerers in line - something that is not so easy to do when one of the sorcerers has hired an assassin to kill her and another has escaped from a mental institution and is wreaking havoc across the city. Then, to top it all off, Marla has found love, which means all her attentions may not be where they should be.

Even with help from her faithful partner, Rondeau, her competent consigliere, Hamil, and her new personal assistant, Ted, Marla can’t seem to get a handle on the situation. But she’ll have to find a way to stop the madness soon or lose her city and herself forever.

T.A. Pratt’s second instalment of her Marla Mason series proves to be even more enchanting and enthralling than her first. Poison Sleep shows another side of Marla and gives the reader better insight into her quirks, powers, and love of her city. The reader also learns more about the varying degrees of magic and personalities that create Marla’s allies and adversaries. And the action never stops.

If you’re looking for an intriguing look at the world of sorcerers and their trials and tribulations then you need to read Poison Sleep.

Lilith Saintcrow: Working for the Devil

2008-12-02T10:48:00.001-05:00

A Devil of a Good Read

Dante Valentine is really good at what she does. In fact, there are some that say she is the best necromance and bounty hunter in Saint City. Apparently the Devil thinks so too.

When Lucifer sends his personal assassin, Tierce Japhrimel, to fetch Dante for a job, she knows she’s in trouble. The Devil wants her to track down and kill an escaped demon named Santino. The problem is Lucifer granted Santino immunity from being killed by any man or demon, so to level the playing field he gives her a familiar to protect her – the assassin sent to fetch her. If Dante thought people didn’t like her before, travelling with a demon wasn’t going to help.

Now Dante must find Santino and find a way to kill him before everything goes to hell.

Lilith Saintcrow has created a strong, yet vulnerable, heroine who demands loyalty and is willing to sacrifice herself to show the same in return. Her writing is fast-paced and in many ways her world resembles the one we live in, only with a magical twist, giving the reader a sense of connection. Working for the Devil is an amazing start to what promises to be an action packed, unbelievable series.

Patricia Briggs: Cry Wolf

2008-11-30T20:11:00.001-05:00

Charles Cornick has been a werewolf for a very long time and he has never needed anyone or anything other than his family and his pack. His life, until this point, has been about being the enforcer for the Marrok, leader of the North American werewolves. As a powerful alpha he has never had a problem completing any of the jobs the Marrok, who also happens to be his father, has assigned him. At least until Anna.

Anna Latham is one of the rarest of werewolves, an Omega. She is neither dominant nor submissive but rides the line between both, able to soothe both man and beast. She was turned against her will at the order of the Chicago pack Alpha and for three years she endured a version of her own personal hell. When the Marrok began to suspect something was wrong in Chicago he sent Charles to investigate. Charles cleaned up the mess and brought Anna home as his mate, but not without a price.

Back home in Montana, humans are dying by apparent werewolf attacks and the Marrok needs his top enforcer on the case. But Charles is still recovering from injuries received in Chicago and he isn’t ready to let his new mate out of his sight. And Anna is still adapting to life in a healthy pack and learning what it means to have a mate and be an Omega. Yet, they are the only ones who can stop the threat to the pack. They must rely on each other, trust each other and discover their new path in life together.

Patricia Briggs’s new Alpha and Omega series, set in the same world as her Mercy Thompson series, promises to be an enjoyable and entertaining addition. Cry Wolf is another example of the strong characters and enticing story lines we have come to expect from Ms. Briggs.

The story is an original and fast-paced adventure while simultaneously exploring an exciting romance. The insight into the Cornick family will be a big hit with fans and newcomers alike. Don’t miss out on the first book in this new and extraordinary series.

Caitlin Kittredge: Night Life

2008-11-04T14:13:00.001-05:00

Unleash Your Inner Wolf

There are a couple things about Nocturne City everyone should know.

1. If you aren’t of the blood or don’t have a pack then stay out of Ghosttown.
2. If you are a serial killer then stay out of the way of Detective Luna Wilder.

Being a packless Insoli werewolf in a city full of prejudice doesn’t make Detective Wilder’s job any easier. And when Luna has to go into Ghosttown, to question a suspect, she knows there will be trouble, but she has no idea her entire life is about to change.

Dmitri Sandovsky is her prime suspect in the string of murders of young women. But he is also the very handsome Alpha of a local pack. And he knows how to push all of Luna’s buttons – good and bad. Can Luna fight through her turbulent emotions and ever stronger call of the phase in time to stop the killer?

Night Life, by Caitlin Kittredge, is the fast paced debut novel in the Nocturne City series. It’s dark and seductive atmosphere captures the reader almost as much as the strong and provocative characters. This distinctive new world provides a refreshing twist on current urban fantasy mythology. And readers will discover that when the action really heats up they’ll find it hard to put this book down. Grab it here.

Jenna Black: Watchers in the Night

2008-10-26T21:01:00.000-04:00

The past three years have not been easy for Carolyn Mathers. Her fiancé disappeared days before their wedding and her refusal to give up on the search got her kicked off the police force.

Gray James has also had a particularly hard three years. The night of his bachelor party he was attacked by a vampire and now lives a solitary life trying to forget about his love for Carolyn. And to top it all off, he is watched every second of his waking hours by vampires known as Guardians, those who protect their city from vampires who feed off humans and want to intimidate Gray to ensure he doesn’t become one of the Killers.

Carolyn’s and Gray’s paths cross once again thanks to a vampire serial rapist and killer. Carolyn’s life has been threatened and the Guardians prime suspect for the murders is Gray. Together they must find the Killer before the Killer finds them or the Guardians decide to take matters into their own hands.

Watchers in the Night, by Jenna Black, is a captivating start to what promises to be an exciting series. Her take on the vampire mythology has many avenues that leave a lot of room for many unique and creative stories to come.

For those who have not yet had the chance to read Watchers in the Night you can buy a copy here.

Michele Bardsley: Because Your Vampire Said So

2008-10-23T18:30:00.001-04:00

Your Vampire Says Read This Book

Patsy Donahue is one of the Broken Heart Eleven - single parents from the same town all recently turned into vampires. Now, not only does she have to worry about her rebellious teenage son and her struggling hair salon business, but she also has to worry about getting her butt in bed before sunrise. And much to her dismay, Patsy’s destiny has even more in store for her.

When a gorgeous rogue werewolf comes to town and protects her from a fanatical vampire and their servant demon, Patsy can’t seem to keep her mind to herself, let alone her hands. And with the rogue’s help she will have to find a way to save the town, save her friends, and save her relationship with her son.

Patsy’s starting to realize that a vampire’s work is never done.

Michele Bardsley’s senses of humour, writing style and unique perspective on the vampire and lycan mythologies have made the Broken Heart series hard to resist and, as book three, Because Your Vampire Said So is no exception. Readers will find themselves identifying with Patsy and cheering her on while laughing out loud to her smart wit and sarcastic sense of humour.

If you want a new twist on the vampire and werewolf stories that will put a smile on your face then pick up your copy of Because Your Vampire Said So here.

Christine Feehan: Turbulent Sea

2008-10-22T15:05:00.000-04:00

Can two magical souls find love through the turbulence?

What happens when two magical powers collide … Joley Drake and Ilya Prakenskii were about to find out the hard way.

Joley is from a loving family of seven sisters where everyone looks out for each other. And each sister has their own magical power.

Ilya is a Russian orphan who has been tortured and trained for violence from a very young age and has never known love or family. And he has powers of his own.

Joley is a world famous singer on tour who has been receiving more than her share of threats.

Ilya is the bodyguard for a Russian mobster who is fascinated with Joley and is following the tour.

Joley is terrified of the feelings that Ilya can evoke from her and the rumours about him being a hit man cause her run in the other direction. But the feelings he stirs up and the passion she feels with him keep bringing her back, even at possible risk to herself.

Ilya is possessed by Joley. He can’t stop thinking about her. After several attempts on her life he vows to always keep her safe, even if Joley insists she doesn’t want him around.

Together they must find the threat to Joley and stop it if they want to know what fate truly has in store for the two of them.

Turbulent Sea by Christine Feehan is a musical journey through the world of enchantment and love. Book six in the Drake Sisters Series does not disappoint, bringing together magic and romance intertwined with the devotion of family.

Pick up your copy today.

Karen Chance: Embrace the Night

2008-10-21T20:14:00.004-04:00

Embrace the Adventures of Cassie Palmer

Cassandra Palmer – Cassie to her friends and Pythia to everyone else – can’t seem to find her way out of trouble.

A spell, placed on Cassie as a child, has gone horribly wrong and is causing havoc in her here and now. She needs to find the counter spell before it’s too late. Unfortunately, the spell resides in a book that most claim is a myth. And those who believe it is real would kill Cassie to stop her from finding it. And to top it all off, her allies consist of a ghost, an insane vampire, and a traitorous war mage.

Mircea is the master vampire who had the spell placed on Cassie as a child. It was supposed to be a spell to ensure her safety. However, the spell is tied to both Mircea and Cassie, and now that it has gone haywire it is driving him insane.

Pritkin is a war mage who is now being hunted by his brethren for desertion. His orders were to kill Cassie but when she became Pythia he had a change of heart. Now he insists he only wants to train and protect her. The problem is Pritkin holds so many secrets Cassie doesn’t know who or what to believe.

One thing is certain, unless they find a way to lift the spell, Cassie and Mircea may not live to see the next full moon. And through it all Cassie must learn to use her new powers while fighting off the war mages, vampires, and demons set on killing her.

Karen Chance has written another thrilling story in the third instalment of the Cassie Palmer series. Embrace the Night delivers frenzied action, energetic intrigue and a delightful dose of romance.

You can buy Embrace The Night here.

Kelley Armstrong: Personal Demon

2008-10-20T09:21:00.004-04:00

Hope Adams is a half-demon who craves chaos; nevertheless, her greatest fear is letting down someone she loves after being swept up in a wave of anarchy. She hasn’t learned, nor does she have the confidence, to control her chaos impulses yet. Unfortunately, she owes a debt to Benicio Cortez, head of the most powerful Cabal in the supernatural world.

When Benicio calls in his marker, Hope decides the assignment may even help her learn to control her hunger. She must infiltrate a gang of young discontented supernaturals and discover what they are planning against the cabal. What Hope doesn’t count on is making new friends in this young gang and thriving on the chaos they create.

And what happens when the prodigal son returns home?

Lucas Cortez has very different ideologies than his father Benicio and the rest of the Cortez family. But, as husband to the Head of the Interracial Council, Paige Winterbourne, and friend of Hope Adams, he returns to Miami to help Hope unravel the mystery of the young gang and its members. Unfortunately, he finds everything he feared coming true as he is caught up in Cabal business and investigations of murder.

Yet, at the root of Personal Demon are stories of love - the love of family, friends, brothers, and the love between a man and a woman and how each can influence your decisions and guide your life, for the better and for the worse.

Kelley Armstrong is a master at highlighting the diverse facets of relationships and entwining them into supernatural stories of suspense and intrigue. Personal Demon is no exception. The characters are relatable and evoke a myriad of emotions from the reader. The story is exciting and keeps the reader engaged and wanting more. Kelley Armstrong wrote another winner with Personal Demon. Get your copy here.

Adrian Phoenix: A Rush of Wings

2008-10-19T21:46:00.002-04:00

Vampires, angels and psychopathic serial killers are the new reality for FBI Special Agent Heather Wallace - and they aren’t mutually exclusive.

A three-year man hunt to catch the Cross Country Killer has led Special Agent Wallace to New Orleans. While trying to give a voice to the victims left behind she finds her destiny. Here, in the Big Easy, she meets Dante - an angry young man who has lost his ties to the past. And who may not have a future, if the Cross Country Killer has a say.

Adrian Phoenix has created a unique world with diverse and complex characters that keep her story moving forward at an exhilarating pace. Her debut novel provides a distinctive perspective on some of the worlds most famous myths and leaves the reader craving to discover more.

A Rush of Wings is like a wild song of despair, pain, and anger intertwined with an innocent melody of love and hope. Get your copy today.