The Nevernight Chronicle (Jay Kristoff)

* * * * * * * *     8/10   10

Volume 1 Book The Nevernight Chronicle (Jay Kristoff): Nevernight (2016)
In a land where three suns almost never set, a
fledgling killer joins a school of assassins, seeking vengeance against the powers who destroyed her family. Daughter of an executed traitor, Mia Corvere is barely able to escape her father’s failed rebellion with her life. Alone and friendless, she hides in a city built from the bones of a dead god, hunted by the Senate and her father’s former comrades. But her gift for speaking with the shadows leads her to the door of a retired killer, and a future she never imagined. Now, Mia is apprenticed to the deadliest flock of assassins in the entire Republic the Red Church. If she bests her fellow students in contests of steel, poison and the subtle arts, she’ll be inducted among the Blades of the Lady of Blessed Murder, and one step closer to the vengeance she desires. But a killer is loose within the Church’s halls, the bloody secrets of Mia’s past return to haunt her, and a plot to bring down the entire congregation is unfolding in the shadows she so loves. Will she even survive to initiation, let alone have her revenge?

Reviews of Nevernight 

"Finally, Nevernight was brutal and violent.  I should have known going in, since it’s about assassins, but for some reason I expected something tamer.  Maybe .."
https://birdiebookwormblog.com/2017/10/13/review-nevernight-by-jay-kristoff/

"So, even though I LOVED portions of this book, I felt like I was slogging through parts of it – it left me feeling quite conflicted! That’s why, in the end, I.."
https://feedyourfictionaddiction.com/2016/08/nevernight-jay-kristoff-conflicted-review.html

"I have seen some negative comments online regarding the overly descriptive and metaphorical language used, but I guess that’s a matter of taste. You’ll defini.."
https://www.pendoramagazine.com/book-reviews/2017/9/4/book-review-nevernight-by-jay-kristoff

"I am late to the Nevernight train (despite my friends’ frustration), but I knew I would like it if I just read it. From the beginning, I already loved the wri.."
https://yasminereads.wordpress.com/2017/10/12/book-review-nevernight-by-jay-kristoff/

"I say, if the synopsis hooks you, disregard the complexity! Pick it up and see if you can follow. This is one heck of a phenomenal read, the type of book that.."
https://www.inwonderlandbookblog.com/2016/10/review-nevernight-by-jay-kristoff.html

Volume 2 Book The Nevernight Chronicle (Jay Kristoff): Godsgrave (2017)
A ruthless young assassin continues her journey for revenge in this new epic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Jay Kristoff. Assassin Mia Corvere has found her place among the Blades of Our Lady of Blessed Murder, but many in the Red Church ministry think she’s far from earned it. Plying her bloody trade in a backwater of the Republic, she’s no closer to ending Consul Scaeva and Cardinal Duomo, or avenging her familia. And after a deadly confrontation with an old enemy, Mia begins to suspect the motives of the Red Church itself. When it’s announced that Scaeva and Duomo will be making a rare public appearance at the conclusion of the grand games in Godsgrave, Mia defies the Church and sells herself to a gladiatorial collegium for a chance to finally end them. Upon the sands of the arena, Mia finds new allies, bitter rivals, and more questions about her strange affinity for the shadows. But as conspiracies unfold within the collegium walls, and the body count rises, Mia will be forced to choose between loyalty and revenge, and uncover a secret that could change the very face of her world.

Reviews of Godsgrave:
 "As far as “second in a series books” go, Godsgrave held its own and then some. Kristoff wisely leads his characters away from the setting of Nevernight, the R.."
http://booksbonesbuffy.com/2017/09/05/godsgrave-by-jay-kristoff-review/

"At the beginning chapter, we’re blessed by Jay Kristoff’s magnificent introduction to the distinct smell of corpses, like starting from the very first sentenc.."
https://bibliophilicmedstudent.wordpress.com/2017/12/03/godsgrave/

"To be honest, I haven’t the faintest idea where to start. I am actually in proper shock, for so many reasons; but this book was nothing short of phenomenal an.."
https://brooklynthebookworm.wordpress.com/2017/11/12/book-review-godsgrave-by-jay-kristoff/

"And while it was, there was still that hint of disappointment because I felt like I had already been through this story. Granted, there were no chariot matche.."
http://www.mangamaniaccafe.com/?p=13514

"I found this sequel easier to get into than the first book. The refresher included at the beginning was a clever tool. It proved to be a big help in jogging m.."
http://bookcatpin.blogspot.com/2017/09/review-godsgrave-nevernight-chronicle-2.html

The Master Thief Series (Ben Hale)

* * * * * * *     7/10   10

Volume 1 Book The Master Thief (Ben Hale): Jack of Thieves (2016)
The Thieves Guild is renowned for their ability to steal anything. Its elite members have robbed nobles of wealth, reputation, and even their honor. The Guildmaster rules them with brutality and fear, yet his name and past are a mystery. From the depths of the Evermist swamp he seeks a master thief, one who can help him reclaim his lost power. Young and brash, Jack Myst has drawn the Guildmaster’s attention. His feats mark his potential, but his audacity and cunning make him dangerous. After years of preparation an invitation from the guild is exactly what he desires. When he gets it his hunt begins, and there is nothing he cannot steal.  Even the Guildmaster’s secret.

Volume 2 Book The Master Thief (Ben Hale): Thief in the Myst (2016)
Jack Myst infiltrated the Thieves Guild to avenge his mother’s murder, but never expected to find a home. Now a master thief, he grapples with his new identity as he unravels the secrets of the fallen Guildmaster. The trail of questions will lead to a shocking truth, that his foe is a remnant of an ancient race, the very devil of Lumineia. Skorn.  Seething with hatred and cast out by the thieves, Skorn is not without allies. Forcing an assassin into service, he journeys to the forgotten fortress of Margauth, where a cult worships him as a god. With such an army at his command he seeks a return to power, and two keys that unlock a legendary vault.  The Vault of the Eternals.

Volume 3 Book The Master Thief (Ben Hale): The God Thief (2016)
Now infamous for his exploits, Jack Myst is a master thief. As a member of the Thieves Guild he has fought assassins, reavers, and even a devil but now he faces his greatest challenge yet, the rank of guildmaster. Ascending to the office after defeating Skorn at Margauth, he launches a daring plan, one to steal what cannot be stolen.  A god.  But Skorn has retrieved the fragments of an ancient artifact, and has begun construction on the Necrolith, the beacon of ending. He issues a king’s bounty on Jack’s head, turning governments and guilds against him. Hounded by soldiers and hunted by assassins, it will require all of Jack’s skill to triumph over Skorn.  He couldn’t be more excited.

First pages / excerpts and first chapters of Jack of Thieves / The Master Thief Series  1 (Ben Hale:  

Echoes of Empire Series (Mark T. Barnes)

* * * * * * *     7/10   10

Volume 1 Book Echoes of Empire (Mark T. Barnes): The Garden of Stones (2013)
An uneasy peace has existed since the fall of the Awakened Empire centuries ago. Now the hybrid Avān share the land with the people they once conquered: the star born humans; the spectral, undead Nomads; and what remains of the Elemental Masters. With the Empress in shadows an estranged ghost, it is the ancient dynasties of the Great Houses and the Hundred Families that rule. But now civil war threatens to draw all of Shrīan into a vicious struggle sparked by one man’s lust for power, and his drive to cheat death. Visions have foretold that Corajidin, dying ruler of House Erebus, will not only survive, but rise to rule his people. The wily nobleman seeks to make his destiny certain by plundering the ruins of his civilization’s past for the arcane science needed to ensure his survival, and by mercilessly eliminating his rivals. But mercenary warrior mage Indris, scion of the rival House Näsarat, stands most powerfully in the usurper’s bloody path. For it is Indris who reluctantly accepts the task of finding a missing man, the only one able to steer the teetering nation towards peace.

Reviews of The Garden of Stones:
"From the very first page of this epic, Mr. Barnes immerses his first time reader in a world filled with vivid cultures, unusual species, ancient mysteries, an.."
https://bookwraiths.com/2014/01/27/the-garden-of-stones-by-mark-t-barnes/

"The Garden of Stones is a grab-bag of what’s cool – airships, large swords, brightly-hued armor, lost cities, ancient civilizations, epic artifacts, Machiavel.."
http://www.adventuresinscifipublishing.com/2013/11/book-review-the-garden-of-stones-by-mark-t-barnes/

"In the competition between paper and audio, I really do think The Garden of Stones would probably work better in paper, though it’s definitely enjoyable in au.."
http://www.sffaudio.com/review-of-the-garden-of-stones-by-mark-t-barnes/

"The beginning is where my first critique comes in. It’s very confusing. From what I’ve gathered, people are comparing it to the jarring start of Erikson’s Mal.."
https://acerbicwriting.wordpress.com/2013/08/15/the-garden-of-stones-by-mark-t-barnes/

Volume 2 Book Echoes of Empire (Mark T. Barnes): The Obsidian Heart (2013)
A plot to overthrow the Shrīanese Federation has been quashed, but the bloody rebellion is far from over...and the struggle to survive is just beginning. Warrior mage Indris grows weary in his failed attempts to thwart the political machinations of Corajidin, and faces the possibility of imprisonment upon his return to his homeland. Moreover, Indris’s desire for Corajidin’s daughter, Mari, is strong. Can he choose between his duty and his desire…and at what cost? Left alienated from her House, Mari is torn between the opposing forces of her family and her country especially now that she’s been offered the position of Knight Colonel of the Feyassin, the elite royal guards whose legacy reaches back to the days of the Awakened Empire. As the tensions rise, she must decide if her future is with Indris, with her family, or in a direction not yet foreseen.
As he awaits trial for his crimes, Corajidin confronts the good and evil within himself. Does he seek redemption for his cruel deeds, or does he indebt himself further to the enigmatic forces that have promised him success, and granted him a reprieve from death? What is more important: his ambition, regaining the love stolen from him, or his soul?

Reviews of The Obsidian Heart
"Even though The Obsidian Heart begins with a recap of previous events from the first book, the story as a whole owes some of its intense immersiveness to the .."
https://www.readingreality.net/2014/02/review-the-obsidian-heart-by-mark-t-barnes/

"And it is. Where The Garden of Stones created a world and set the table for an epic adventure The Obsidian Heart delivers on that promise in spectacular style.."
https://bookwraiths.com/2014/05/12/the-obsidian-heart-by-mark-t-barnes/

Volume 3 Book Echoes of Empire (Mark T. Barnes): The Pillars of Sand (2014)
Prophecy declared that corrupt politician Corajidin would rule the Shrīanese Federation, even become its new Emperor and sinister magic has helped him defy death in order to do it. But his victory is not assured, thanks to clashing rival factions that hinder any attempts to unify the nation. Though he has taken increasingly brutal measures to eliminate all obstacles in his path, the dark forces supporting him grow dangerously impatient. And the harder they press, the more drastic Corajidin’s actions become. Soon, only his most powerful adversaries will stand in his way: Indris, the peerless swordsman and sorcerer who has long fought to end the Federation’s bloody turmoil; and the warrior poet Mari, Corajidin’s own daughter and the woman Indris loves. Fate has torn them apart, forcing them into terrifying personal trials. But if Indris can bring to bear the devastating knowledge of the Pillars of Sand, and Mari can rise up as a rebel leader, Corajidin’s enemies will rally and the decisive battle for the soul and future of the Shrīanese will begin.


Reviews of The Pillars of Sand :
"I spent my time savoring each word, each drop of philosophy soon rolling into a river of eurekas. Blinding flashes of vivid storytelling I cannot fully compre.."
https://acerbicwriting.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/the-pillars-of-sand-by-mark-t-barnes/

"I received this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank both of them for allowing me to receive this.."
https://bookwraiths.com/2014/05/19/the-pillars-of-sand-by-mark-t-barnes/
First pages / excerpts and first chapters of The Garden of Stones / Echoes of Empire Series  1 (Mark T. Barnes):  

Sentinels of New Orleans Series (Suzanne Johnson)

* * * * *     5/10   10

Volume 1 Book Sentinels of New Orleans (Suzanne Johnson): Royal Street (2012)
As the junior wizard sentinel for New Orleans, Drusilla Jaco’s job involves a lot more potion mixing and pixie retrieval than sniffing out supernatural bad guys like rogue vampires and lethal werecreatures. DJ's boss and mentor, Gerald St. Simon, is the wizard tasked with protecting the city from anyone or anything that might slip over from the preternatural beyond. Then Hurricane Katrina hammers New Orleans’ fragile levees, unleashing more than just dangerous flood waters. While winds howled and Lake Pontchartrain surged, the borders between the modern city and the Otherworld crumbled. Now, the undead and the restless are roaming the Big Easy, and a serial killer with ties to voodoo is murdering the soldiers sent to help the city recover. To make it worse, Gerry has gone missing, the wizards’ Elders have assigned a grenade toting assassin as DJ’s new partner, and undead pirate Jean Lafitte wants to make her walk his plank. The search for Gerry and for the serial killer turns personal when DJ learns the hard way that loyalty requires sacrifice, allies come from the unlikeliest places, and duty mixed with love creates one bitter gumbo.

Review of Royal Street:
"So if you enough UF books featuring a heroine that can weld magic while throwing smart one liners at people then you should try Suzanne Johnson’s Royal Street."
http://thebooknympho.com/2012/12/review-royal-street-by-suzanne-johnson/

"I highly recommend Royal Street to fans of urban fantasy. Fans of New Orleans and its history will also find this tale delightful. Royal Street will be publis.."
https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2012/03/royal-street-sentinels-of-new-orleans-1-by-suzanne-johnson.html

"What is going to be very interesting will be to see whether any of the possible romantic entanglements develop. There are potentially three men in her life; A.."
https://www.readingreality.net/2013/04/review-royal-street-by-suzanne-johnson/

"Royal Street is a novel that sticks with you even after you put it down. I struggled to stop reading last night and woke up early to finish it this morning. I.."
http://katlatham.com/2012/05/review-royal-street-by-suzanne-johnson/

"Certain scenes within the book showed great promise in bringing humor, depth, and a greater understanding of the plot and Dj herself, yet they fall flat as Ms.."
http://smexybooks.com/2012/04/review-royal-street-by-suzanne-johnson.html

"Therein lies my problem with this book. There really is a lot going on. There are so many different types of supernatural creatures: werewolves, shifters, vam.."
http://badassbookreviews.com/arc-review-royal-street-by-suzanne-johnson/

Volume 2 Book Sentinels of New Orleans (Suzanne Johnson): River Road (2012)
Hurricane Katrina is long gone, but the preternatural storm rages on in New Orleans. New species from the Beyond moved into Louisiana after the hurricane destroyed the borders between worlds, and it falls to wizard sentinel Drusilla Jaco and her partner, Alex Warin, to keep the preternaturals peaceful and the humans unaware. But a war is brewing between two clans of Cajun merpeople in Plaquemines Parish, and down in the swamp, DJ learns, there’s more stirring than angry mermen and the threat of a weregator. Wizards are dying, and something or someone from the Beyond is poisoning the waters of the mighty Mississippi, threatening the humans who live and work along the river. DJ and Alex must figure out what unearthly source is contaminating the water and who or what is killing the wizards. Is it a malcontented merman, the naughty nymph, or some other critter altogether? After all, DJ’s undead suitor, the pirate Jean Lafitte, knows his way around a body or two. It’s anything but smooth sailing on the bayou as the Sentinels of New Orleans series continues.


Review of River Road:
"The world building is one of the things I love most about this series. Johnson has chosen the perfect backdrop to this series with New Orleans. Mix in superna.."
https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2012/11/river-road-by-suzanne-johnson-release-day-review.html

"If you haven’t read this series yet, I would recommend picking it up. I will be keeping this author on my buy list. I loved it, and if you pick this series up.."
https://littlereadridinghood.com/review-river-road-by-suzanne-johnson/

"The main plot is a delicious mixture of mystery, suspense, intrigue, and humor. Strong and well written, I laughed throughout this book. Ms. Johnson writes so.."
http://smexybooks.com/2012/11/review-river-road-by-suzanne-johnson.html

"The series reminds me of great UF series like the Rachel Morgan series and Kate Daniels. More Rachel though, DJ is not as tough as some other crazy UF charact.."
http://www.parajunkee.com/blog/2012/12/03/review-river-road-by-suzanne-johnson/

"I really enjoyed the developments throughout, it had the same action, humour, romance etc as the first, even the pacing was great and I like it a lot. As I sa.."
http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-review-for-river-road-sentinels-of.html

Volume 3 Book Sentinels of New Orleans (Suzanne Johnson): Elysian Fields (2013)
The mer feud has been settled, but life in South Louisiana still has more twists and turns than the muddy Mississippi.  New Orleanians are under attack from a copycat killer mimicking the crimes of a 1918 serial murderer known as the Axeman of New Orleans. Thanks to a tip from the undead pirate Jean Lafitte, DJ Jaco knows the attacks aren’t random an unknown necromancer has resurrected the original Axeman of New Orleans, and his ultimate target is a certain blonde wizard. Namely, DJ. Combatting an undead serial killer as troubles pile up around her isn’t easy. Jake Warin’s loupgarou nature is spiraling downward, enigmatic neighbor Quince Randolph is acting weirder than ever, the Elders are insisting on lessons in elven magic from the world’s most annoying wizard, and former partner Alex Warin just turned up on DJ’s to do list. Not to mention big maneuvers are afoot in the halls of preternatural power. Suddenly, moving to the Beyond as Jean Lafitte’s pirate wench could be DJ’s best option.

Reviews of Elysian:
"But the plot of Elysian Fields has to do with magical power and the control of political power, as well as how closely intertwined those two are. Also a huge,.."
https://www.readingreality.net/2013/09/review-elysian-fields-by-suzanne-johnson/

"New Orleans is such a great setting for Elysian Fields and Johnson brings it life from the streets to the Beyond. This could be read as a standalone as each b.."
https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2013/08/elysian-fields-by-suzanne-johnson.html

"My one minor quibble was the indecision that she struggles through the majority of the book as to who she truly cares for, and part of this I can get. We all .."
http://darkfaerietales.com/review-elysian-fields-suzanne-johnson.html

"The Axeman serial killer was a very creepy and effective villain.  His scenes were tense and gory and definitely increased the creepiness factor of this serie.."
http://badassbookreviews.com/new-release-review-elysian-fields-by-suzanne-johnson/

"Overall I thought Elysian Fields was an enjoyable read, although I must admit that I enjoyed the second half a lot more than the first. Drusilla Jaco still pr.."
http://www.addicted2heroines.com/2013/08/review-elysian-fields-sentinels-of-new.html

Volume 4 Book Sentinels of New Orleans (Suzanne Johnson): Pirate's Alley (2015)
Wizard sentinel DJ Jaco thought she had gotten used to the chaos of her life in postKatrina New Orleans, but a new threat is looming, one that will test every relationship she holds dear. Caught in the middle of a rising struggle between the major powers in the supernatural world the Wizards, Elves, Vampires and the Fae DJ finds her loyalties torn and her mettle tested in matters both professional and personal. Her relationship with enforcer Alex Warin is shaky, her non husband, Quince Randolph, is growing more powerful, and her best friend, Eugenie, has a bombshell that could blow everything to Elfheim and back. And that's before the French pirate, Jean Lafitte, newly revived from his latest "death," returns to New Orleans with vengeance on his mind. DJ's assignment? Keep the sexy leader of the historical undead out of trouble. Good luck with that. Duty clashes with love, loyalty with deception, and friendship with responsibility as DJ navigates passion and politics in the murky waters of a New Orleans caught in the grips of a brutal winter that might have nothing to do with Mother Nature. War could be brewing, and DJ will be forced to take a stand. But choosing sides won't be that easy.

Reviews of Pirate's Alley:
"This novel is a page-turner. It’s chock-full of political intrigue, as you can expect from the formation of an inter-species council made up of delegates who .."
http://www.willreadforfeels.com/reviews/pirates-alley-suzanne-johnson-review/

"Political backstabbing and alliances take center stage in Pirate’s Alley the fourth book in Suzanne Johnson’s  Sentinel of New Orleans series. Bizarre weather.."
https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2015/04/pirates-alley-by-suzanne-johnson.html

"As much as I loved this one, I will say that the politics are starting to get extremely convoluted. I hope that book 5 comes with a guide or cheat sheet or dr.."
https://www.readingreality.net/2015/05/review-pirates-alley-by-suzanne-johnson/

"This book needs a stronger narrative drive to keep readers engaged. Still, the world and characters are appealing, and fans of the series will find enough of .."
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/suzanne-johnson/pirates-alley/

"I have so much damn fun with this series. I feel like I have been waiting forever for book 4! And Pirate’s Alley really did deliver. So much crap is changing..."
https://badbirdreads.com/review-pirates-alley-by-suzanne-johnson-blog-tour-giveaway/

Volume 5 Book Sentinels of New Orleans (Suzanne Johnson): Belle Chasse (2016)
With the wizard elven treaty on the verge of collapse, the preternatural world stands on the brink of war. Unless former wizard sentinel DJ Jaco manages to keep the elven leader, Quince Randolph, focused on peace and not personal matters. With no one on the throne, Faerie is in chaos, with rival princes battling for power. The still undead pirate, Jean Lafitte, is building his own army of misfits, and DJ stripped of her job and hiding in the Beyond to avoid the death sentence handed down by the wizard Council of Elders can’t get anywhere near her beloved New Orleans or her significant something or other, Alex. It's time to choose sides. Friends will become enemies, enemies will become allies, and not everyone will survive. DJ and her friends will learn a hard lesson: sometimes, even the ultimate sacrifice isn’t enough.


Reviews of Belle Chasse:
"My really big problem with Belle Chasse is that nothing really happens. It feels like a fill-in. Oh, DJ and Jake are still on the run from that idiot, Zrakovi.."
https://www.booksmoviesreviewsohmy.com/book-review-belle-chasse-by-suzanne-johnson/

"Of course, we face loss and setbacks that upset me, but Johnson still managed to weave in humor. I freaking loved the bit with Rene and the shopping he did. N.."
https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2016/11/belle-chasse-by-suzanne-johnson.html

"The action in this series has always been good, and while this one was not quite as fast-paced as earlier installments, it still moved along at a steady clip .."
http://bambi-unbridled.blogspot.com/2016/11/arc-review-belle-chasse-by-suzanne.html

"Like the book before it, Belle Chasse is more about the overall and continuing story arc surrounding the rising tensions between the different preternatural s.."
http://twimom227.com/2016/11/review-giveaway-belle-chasse-by-suzanne-johnson.html




 
First pages / excerpts and first chapters of Belle Chasse / New Orleans Series  5 (Suzanne Johnson):  

Wolf Pack Series (Toby Neighbors)

* * * * * * *     7/10   10 for Wolf Pack Series Books (Toby Neigbors)

Volume 1 Book Wolf Pack (Toby Neighbors): We Are The Wolf (2017)
Off World Force Recon, the first in the fight, the tip of the spear. With human colonies on 45 worlds and space stations in over a hundred different systems, serving with the elite Force Recon branch of the Extra Solar Defense Force is the most prestigious career anyone could hope for. Warfare is almost exclusively the domain of remotely operated drones, but when things go wrong, in space or on a colony world, the Off World Recon gets the call and they always come prepared.  Dean is a young man with plenty of prospects ahead of him, but when he gets selected for the most coveted job in the world, he jumps at the chance. Little does he know the rigors of training to become an elite Force Recon specialist or the dangers waiting for him in off world tours of duty that sometimes last for years on end, but it’s always been his dream to charge into the unknown with a band of brothers, facing any threat to humanity’s expansion across the galaxy and etching his name into the annals of history. The only question is does he have what it takes to stand between the threats of the galaxy and the rest of the human race?

Volume 2 Book Wolf Pack (Toby Neighbors): Welcome To The Wolfpack (2017)
Everything has changed…  A new threat has emerged…  The fate of mankind hangs in the balance…  Dean Blaze is now a Captain in the infamous Off World Force Recon division of EsDef. His heroics on the Valkyrie have made him a celebrity, but all he wants is another platoon and a fresh assignment doing what he does best. The publicity tour is over, and it’s up to Dean to build another platoon of hungry Specialists ready to charge into the most dangerous conflicts across the galaxy. Welcome to the Wolfpack, first in the fight, the tip of the spear!

Volume 3 Book Wolf Pack (Toby Neighbors): Embracing Oblivion (2017)
Humanity has a new enemy. The threat is no longer in doubt Three questions remain: When will they come? How will they attack us? Can we survive? The Kroll are real, but very little is known about humanity’s strange new enemy. Dean and his platoon of Off World Force Recon Specialists have seen these creatures and lived the tell the tale, but how long can their luck hold out? There are enemies in the dark, distant reaches of outer space, and enemies standing just behind him. If Dean has any hope of surviving, he’ll have to face his own fears, trust the right people, and stand strong in the face of constant threats to his career. No one said commanding a Recon Platoon in the Extra Solar Defense Force would be easy, or safe. They’re the Wolfpack, first in the fight, the tip of the spear.


 
First pages / excerpts and first chapters of Embracing Oblivion / Wolf Pack Series  3 (Toby Neighbors):  

Lark Nation Series (Clara Coulson)

* * * * * *     6/10   10

Volume 1 Book Lark Nation (Clara Coulson): Speaker of the Lost (2017)
In a sleepy town in coastal Maine, a dangerous storm is brewing…  Stella Newport is the new kid on the block in the FBI’s Paranormal Squad. With three training missions left to ace and enough drive to nail them blindfolded, she’s well on her way to securing her place among the ranks of the elite agents known as “Larks.”  And then…Aurora, Michigan.  After magic practitioners brazenly destroy a massive convention center, supernatural crime rates surge across the United States. With the regional paranormal crime fighting group DSI overtaxed, and the Paranormal Squad woefully short on manpower, Stella is pulled out of training early and shoved on a plane to a small New England town.  Her mission? To assist the infamously moody Oswald Bolton, known as the “Great and Terrible Oz,” with a complex murder investigation. In the town of Bismuth, Maine, an ancient creature has come calling, and it’s up to Stella and Oz to unravel the myriad secrets of a tight knit (and tight lipped) community…before another head goes rolling and another body falls.

Reviews of Speaker of the Lost:
"I was close enough to the end that I finished the book, but neither Oz nor the story were redeemable for me. There was so much potential in the first chapters.."
http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/reviews/speaker-lost-clara-coulson/

First pages / excerpts and first chapters of Speaker of the Lost / Lark Nation Series  2 (Clara Coulson):  

Anomaly Series Books (Sandy Williams)

* * * * * *     6/10   10

Volume 1 Book Anomaly (Sandy Williams): Shades of Treason (2015)
Ash would have given her life to save her teammates. Instead, they gave their lives to save hers. Lieutenant Ramie Ashdyn is an anomaly, a person whose genetic makeup makes her stronger and smarter than the average human. She’s pledged her life to protect the Coalition, an alliance of thirteen planetary systems, but when a top secret operation turns bloody, she’s charged with treason and the brutal executions of her teammates. The Coalition needs the information Ash’s team stole on their last mission, so they send in Commander Rhys “Rest in Peace” Rykus to get it. He’s the man who’s responsible for turning Ash into an elite soldier… and he’s a man who isn’t, never was, and never will be in love with the woman he trained. Or so he tells himself. Ash wants nothing more than to clear her name and be the woman her former instructor wants her to be, but the enemy who killed her teammates did more than frame her for treason and murder: they telepathically silenced her mind, preventing her from saying anything that might point to the truth about what happened. Now Ash is trapped and set to be executed, the truth dying with her. Unless she can prove her innocence. But taking that path could destroy the Coalition she’s sworn to preserve and protect…

Reviews of Shades of Treason:
"I highly recommend this start to the new Anomaly series! I was totally absorbed in Shades of Treason the entire time I was reading it. I look forward to what .."
http://goldiloxandthethreeweres.blogspot.com/2015/07/review-and-giveaway-shades-of-treason.html

"Shades of Treason pulls the reader straight into the action without preamble, and I loved that! My first meeting with Ash was realizing she was imprisoned for.."
https://unconventionalbookviews.com/blogtour-review-shades-of-treason-sandy-williams/

"Shades of Treason is a very good start to the Anomaly series. Sandy Williams has given us another wonderful heroine in Ash, and a romance that we hope will co.."
http://www.thereadingcafe.com/tag/shades-of-treason/

"This novel by Sandy Williams gets good to great reviews on Goodreads. Quite honestly, it took me a while to get through it, but I finally finished. The plot b.."
https://pilarsavage.wordpress.com/2016/07/20/shades-of-treason/

"The world Sandy Williams built is fascinating in its futuristic setting. Space ships, foreign planets, new levels of brain washing. The plot is fast paced and.."
https://www.lynforester.com/single-post/2016/09/03/Shades-of-Treason

Volume 2 Book Anomaly (Sandy Williams): Shades of Honor (2016)
She won her freedom. Can she win a war? Commander Rhys Rykus is facing court martial. With his career on the line, he’s ordered to keep his distance from the brainwashed Ash and protect her from afar, but sinister elements threaten her safety. He accepts a new mission that puts them on the same warship, knowing it will take all his self control to fight his feelings for her. Lieutenant Ramie Ashdyn is no stranger to fighting for her life. Still under the influence of the Coalition’s brainwashing, she cares little for her own safety. She merely wants to protect the Coalition… and reconnect with Rykus. Rykus knows how important Ash is to keeping all of them alive, but the target on her back is enormous. Will the growing threat to the Coalition take down Ash and Rip’s only shot at love?

Review of Shades of Honor:
"Sandy Williams does a fantastic job in continuing the flow of this complex world , and she has created some great characters.  Most of all, I love Ash, and he.."
http://www.thereadingcafe.com/shades-of-honor-by-sandy-williams-a-review/

"There's a good underlying mystery, a lot of action, and metric ton of sexual tension. Shades of Honor is a compelling read with a solid sci-fi base and an add.."
http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=61612

First pages / excerpts and first chapters of Shades of Honor / Anomaly Series  2 (Sandy Williams):  

Wind and Shadow Series(Casey Matthews)

* * * * *     5/10   10

Volume 1 Wind and Shadow (Casey Matthews): The One Who Eats Monsters (2017)
Long ago, before history broke in half, elder gods exiled the vengeful deity Erynis to a far corner of Earth. When Ryn is found weakened after saving the life of an innocent villager, the U.S. military mistakes the battered immortal for a feral teenager and places her in New Petersburg, a decaying city full of monsters. In her clash with the city’s demons, Ryn is confused by her intense emotional connection with Naomi Bradford, a senator’s daughter she has sworn to protect. But while her claws can kill anything that dies (and a few things that cannot), she must also contend with the human race. They lie, they speak in riddles, and to protect her friend, the immortal must navigate the senseless rules of their flawed civilization. Worse, they are fragile and giving her heart to one makes Ryn afraid for the first time in her eternal life.

Review of The One Who Eats Monsters

First pages / excerpts and first chapters of The One Who Eats Monsters / Wind and Shadow  1 (Casey Matthews):  

Avalon Rising Series(Sonya Bateman)

* * * * * *     6/10   10

Volume 1 Avalon Rising (Sonya Bateman): The Cursing Stones (2017)
Home is where the monsters are...  Rhiannon 'Rain' Finlay sucks at being a druid. Her gift of communicating with animals works just fine, but she doesn't know a Thurisaz rune from a Wunjo, and she can't even cast a circle of protection without a cheat sheet. That's why she decided to leave her tiny village on the Isle of Parthas, North Sea, for a normal non magical life halfway around the world. But when her beloved grandfather disappears along with a handful of villagers, she's forced to return home and use her gift and her crappy druid magic to help them. Unfortunately, she's not exactly prepared to face the very real monsters that are popping up all over, from mutant spiders to banshees, black dogs and worse. That's when she learns all the crazy stories her father told her growing up, about the old deserted castle on the island having belonged to King Arthur, might not be so crazy after all.  The legends are real. They're returning to Parthas.  And they have unfinished business with Rain Finlay.

Reviews of The Cursing Stones:


First pages / excerpts and first chapters of The Cursing Stones / Avalon Rising  1 (Sonya Bateman):  

The Orphan Queen Series (Jodi Meadows)

* * * * * *     6/10   10

Volume 1 Orphan Queen (Jodi Meadows): The Orphan Queen (2015)
Wilhelmina has a hundred identities. She is a princess. When the Indigo Kingdom conquered her homeland, Wilhelmina and other orphaned children of nobility were taken to Skyvale, the Indigo Kingdom’s capital. Ten years later, they are the Ospreys, experts at stealth and theft. With them, Wilhelmina means to take back her throne. She is a spy. Wil and her best friend, Melanie, infiltrate Skyvale Palace to study their foes. They assume the identities of nobles from a wraith fallen kingdom, but enemies fill the palace, and Melanie’s behavior grows suspicious. With Osprey missions becoming increasingly dangerous and their leader more unstable, Wil can’t trust anyone. She is a threat. Wraith is the toxic by product of magic, and for a century using magic has been forbidden. Still the wraith pours across the continent, reshaping the land and animals into fresh horrors. Soon it will reach the Indigo Kingdom. Wilhelmina’s magic might be the key to stopping the wraith, but if the vigilante Black Knife discovers Wil’s magic, she will vanish like all the others.

Reviews of The Orphan Queen:
"So, if you enjoy YA Fantasy, then you should definitely read this book – it will not disappoint! I was happy to see that the series is just a duology (with so.."
https://feedyourfictionaddiction.com/2015/07/the-orphan-queen-by-jodi-meadows-review.html

"I purchased my copy of The Orphan Queen with great trepidation. I don’t usually just buy Hardbacks without having read the ARC first, so I was breaking a card.."
http://cuddlebuggery.com/blog/2015/05/01/review-the-orphan-queen-by-jodi-meadows/

"Though I must say, The Orphan Queen was a predictable YA fantasy but I guess it worked because I liked some elements of the story, like Black Knife. Who would.."
https://bookevin.wordpress.com/2016/05/31/review-the-orphan-queen-by-jodi-meadows/

"For the most part, this book wasn’t overly predictable. There were some plot twists (mainly the ending) that I didn’t see coming so I liked that. It has me on.."
http://seriesousbookreviews.com/2015/11/27/orphan-queen-jodi-meadows

"Im usually pretty strict about getting to bed on time but I kept saying “just one more chapter” like 10 times before I finally could pry myself away from it (a.."
http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2015/03/the-orphan-queen-by-jodi-meadows.html

Volume 2 Orphan Queen (Jodi Meadows): The Mirror King (2016)  
Wilhelmina has a hundred enemies. Her friends have turned. After her identity is revealed during the Inundation, Princess Wilhelmina is kept prisoner by the Indigo Kingdom, with the Ospreys lost somewhere in the devastated city. When the Ospreys’ leader emerges at the worst possible moment, leaving Wil’s biggest ally on his deathbed, she must become Black Knife to set things right. Her magic is uncontrollable Wil’s power is to animate, not to give true life, but in the wraithland she commanded a cloud of wraith mist to save herself, and later ordered it solid. Now there is a living boy made of wraith estructive and deadly, and willing to do anything for her. Her Heart is torn. Though she’s ready for her crown, declaring herself queen means war. Caught between what she wants and what is right, Wilhelmina realizes the throne might not even matter. Everyone thought the wraith was years off, but already it’s destroying Indigo Kingdom villages. If she can’t protect both kingdoms, soon there won’t be a land to rule.

Reviews of The Mirror King:
"The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows is EVERYTHING I want in a sequel and probably the most compelling argument for why duologies are the greatest that I can find..."
http://goodbooksandgoodwine.com/2016/03/mirror-king-jodi-meadows-book-review.html

"I managed to finish this 500+ pages of book in a little over two days! Sleep deprivation is real, folks. The baby likes early mornings, and I just don't under.."
http://ufbooks.blogspot.com/2017/06/book-review-mirror-king-by-jodi-meadows.html

"If you liked the mix of romance, magic, adventure and intrigue in The Orphan Queen, you're sure to like the character-focused journeys for Wil and Tobiah in T.."
http://christinareadsya.blogspot.com/2016/01/review-mirror-king-jodi-meadows.html

"I’m so in love with this duology. I’m in love with the fact that it is a duology instead of a trilogy. I’m in love with the way the loose ends are tied up at .."
https://booklovingnut.com/2016/03/25/ya-review-mirror-king-jodi-meadows/

"The politics in this book are hella complicated. The unpredictable thoughts of the crowds, the sides they take, what they choose to believe and not, lies, dec.."
https://joannelumiere.wordpress.com/2017/04/26/book-review-the-mirror-king-jodi-meadows/





First pages / excerpts and first chapters of The Mirror King / The Orphan Queen 2 (Jodi Meadows):  

Books released October 2018

October

Volume 6 Alex Craft Series (Kalayna Price)

Alex Craft Series (Kalayna Price)

* * * * * * * *     8/10   10

Volume 1 Alex Craft (Kalayna Price): Grave Witch (2010)
Grave witch Alex Craft can speak to the dead, but that doesn’t mean she likes what they have to say. As a private investigator and consultant for the police, Alex Craft has seen a lot of dark magic. But even though she’s on good terms with Death himself who happens to look fantastic in a pair of jeans nothing has prepared her for her latest case. Alex is investigating a high profile murder when she’s attacked by the ‘shade’ she’s raising, which should be impossible. To top off her day, someone makes a serious attempt on her life, but Death saves her. Guess he likes having her around... To solve this case Alex will have to team up with tough homicide detective Falin Andrews. Falin seems to be hiding something though it’s certainly not his dislike of Alex but Alex knows she needs his help to navigate the tangled webs of mortal and paranormal politics, and to track down a killer wielding a magic so malevolent, it may cost Alex her life...and her soul.

Reviews of Grave Witch:
"What Grave Witch lacks in originality it makes up for with well paced writing and a suspenseful plot. Fans of the urban fantasy genre shouldn’t be disappointe.."
http://www.lovevampires.com/kpgravewitch.html

"A great easy flowing read that made me want to pick up her newest installment of Alex, death and detective Falin. If you haven't met Alex, please pick up this.."
http://www.ismellsheep.com/2016/01/book-review-grave-witch-alex-craft-1-by.html

"This book is dark at times, but not overly so. It moves quickly. And it has just enough sexy times to satisfy.  The Fae are the prevailing supernaturals of th.."
http://redhotbooks.com/2015/03/review-grave-witch.html

"Death shows up throughout the book, sharing a very sexy cup of coffee with Alex and I would have loved to have seen more of him. We barely skim the surface of.."
http://smexybooks.com/2010/10/review-grave-witch-by-kalayna-price.html

"I love this series, I loved this book just as much as the first time I read it. Alex Craft is so unique and I still love her relationship with Death and Falin.."
http://darkfaerietales.com/review-grave-witch-kalayna-price-2.html

Volume 2 Alex Craft (Kalayna Price): Grave Dance (2011)
After a month spent recovering from a vicious fight with a sorcerer, grave witch Alex Craft is ready to get back to solving murders by raising the dead. With her love life in turmoil thanks to the disappearance of Fae Investigation Bureau agent Falin Andrews and a shocking “L” word confession from Death himself, Alex is eager for the distractions of work. But her new case turns out to be a deadly challenge.The police hire Alex to consult on a particularly strange investigation in the nature preserve south of Nekros City. The strange part: There are no corpses, only fragments of them. A serial killer is potentially on the loose, and Alex has no way to raise a shade without a body, so she’ll have to rely on the magic of others to find leads. But as she begins investigating, a creature born of the darkest magic comes after her. Someone very powerful wants to make sure the only thing she finds is a dead end her own.

Reviews of Grave Dance:
"Although it may seem by now that I didn’t enjoy the book, that wouldn’t be accurate. I really enjoyed learning more about her connection to Faerie and the new.."
http://fictionvixen.com/review-grave-dance-by-kalayna-price/

"As for the characters, they were pretty much the same as last time. Alex is doing what she does best with seeing the worlds of the living and dead. Falin is s.."
http://novelknight.com/2017/03/review-grave-dance-kalayna-price/

"I admit that I just love this series and all the characters. I love the mysteries that are always interesting and yet tie back in with everything. I usually h.."
http://darkfaerietales.com/review-grave-dance-kalayna-price.html

"Grave Dance is a solid sequel in an urban fantasy series that I’m quickly becoming a fan of. The fourth book just came out and the fifth is scheduled, so now .."
http://www.onstarshipsanddragonwings.com/grave-dance-by-kalayna-price/

"Now, because I'm awesome and because I enjoy these books so much, I want to share the love with all of you. Therefore, I am giving away a copy of both Grave W.."
http://royallybitchy.blogspot.com/2011/06/early-review-of-grave-dance-by-kalayna.html

Volume 3 Alex Craft (Kalayna Price): Grave Memory (2012)
As a Grave Witch, Alex solves murders by raising the dead an ability that comes at a cost, and after her last few cases, that cost is compounding. But her magic isn’t the only thing causing havoc in her life. While she’s always been on friendly terms with Death himself, things have recently become a whole lot more close and personal. Then there’s her sometime partner, agent Falin Andrews, who is under the glamour of the Winter Queen. To top everything off, her best friend has been forever changed by her time spent captive in Faerie. But the personal takes a backseat to the professional when a mysterious suicide occurs in Nekros City and Alex is hired to investigate. The shade she raises has no memory of the days leading up to his brutal ending, so despite the very public apparent suicide, this is murder. But what kind of magic can overcome the human will to survive? And why does the shade lack the memory of his death? Searching for the answer might mean Alex won’t have a life to remember at all…

Reviews of Grave Memory:
"Re-reading this series makes me wish the newest book was out already, because I am dying to read more. I only have one more to review for the site, but I want.."
http://darkfaerietales.com/review-grave-memory-kalayna-price.html

"The suspense portion of the plot was a nice change of pace. The villian’s abilities were creepy and frustrating to pin down. I liked seeing Alex struggle to f.."
http://fictionvixen.com/review-grave-memory-by-kalayna-price/

"Can we just focus on the world and the case? I guess. I think the relationship that fascinates me most if the one between Alex and her father. It is chockfull.."
https://thebookwurrm.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/grave-memory-kalayna-price-review/

"As any good romantic triangle will teach us, frustration is a real thing. Oh yes. I have to be honest and say that although I enjoy a well written triangle, a.."
http://royallybitchy.blogspot.com/2012/09/review-grave-memory-by-kalayna-price.html

"Grave Memory is a great addition to a series that is fast becoming one of my favorites.  Alex is tough and not afraid to make the hard decisions when it comes .."
http://michellesramblins.blogspot.com/2012/07/review-grave-memory-by-kalayna-price.html

Volume 4 Alex Craft (Kalayna Price): Grave Visions (2016)
 If you want to hear voices from the dead in Nekros City, you call Alex Craft. She's a Grave Witch with reasonable rates and extraordinary powers, who specializes in revealing the secrets of the dead. But now she's the one fighting to keep her own secret. She's not human and her newly discovered heritage is causing havoc for her both in the human realm and in Faerie. But her status as an unaffiliated fae also makes her an ideal candidate to investigate a new street drug that has surfaced in several of the spaces between the human and fae worlds. This glamour infused drug causes hallucinations that turn real at least for a while and often with deadly consequences. Searching for the source of this drug and its purpose lands Alex front and center in the conflict brewing in Faerie and she must find answers before she's dragged so deep she loses her freedom.


Reviews of Grave Visions:
"I think this is the book that kind of completely sways me to Falin, although I still don’t hate either man. Although sadly most of the romance in this one is .."
http://darkfaerietales.com/review-grave-visions-kalayna-price.html

"There is some drama in the romance part of this book. There were issues with Alex’s current lover, Death, in the previous book. Falin is trying really hard to.."
http://www.hotlistens.com/grave-visions-audiobook-by-kalayna-price-review/

"And I am so glad that there is more to come. Hopefully, the next wait will be shorter, but however long it is, I have a feeling it will be worth it..."
http://redhotbooks.com/2016/02/review-grave-visions.html

"Twists and turns galore makes this a fabulous read. I waited a long time for book 3 and I have to say it was definitely worth the wait. I’m really glad I didn.."
http://www.ismellsheep.com/2016/02/book-review-grave-visions-alex-craft.html

"The reason that Grave Visions still worked for me at all was because of the characters.  I really like Alex and think her wyrd magic is completely intriguing..."
http://badassbookreviews.com/new-release-review-grave-visions-by-kalayna-price/

Volume 5 Alex Craft (Kalayna Price): Grave Ransom (2017)
Grave witch Alex Craft is no stranger to the dead talking. She raises shades, works with ghosts, and is dating Death himself. But the dead walking? That’s not supposed to happen. And yet, reanimated corpses are committing crimes across Nekros City. Alex’s investigation leads her deep into a web of sinister magic. When Briar Darque of the Magical Crimes Investigation Bureau gets involved, Alex finds herself with an unexpected ally of sorts. But as the dead continue to rise and wreak havoc on the living, can Alex get to the soul of the matter in time?

Reviews of Grave Ransom:
"Overall, we enjoyed Grave Ransom and we eagerly look forward to the next novel in the Alex Craft series.  If you want something a little different, check out .."
http://twimom227.com/2017/07/review-grave-ransom-by-kalayna-price.html

"Not to worry though, there’s still plenty of fun and snark to be found here despite the more somber tone. There are some really great characters here, like Al.."
http://fineprintblog.com/review-grave-ransom-by-kalayna-price/

"I appreciate that Grave Ransom is all about doing the right thing, of loyalty, in spite of a number of betrayals. And yet I’m annoyed with Grave Ransom, and n.."
http://www.booksmoviesreviewsohmy.com/book-review-grave-ransom-by-kalayna-price/

"This series has my absolute favorite combination of mystery and fantasy! There is nothing that I love to read more. Kalayna writes wonderful characters, provi.."
http://kingsriverlife.com/09/16/grave-ransom-by-kalayna-price/

"This is a complicated review, as it would require giving spoilers.  Grave Ransom was an exciting, interesting and wild adventure, as Alex tries to solve this .."
http://www.thereadingcafe.com/grave-ransom-by-kalayna-price-review-excerpt-giveaway/

"This was a fantastic, detailed and exciting urban fantasy read building on the standalone story but also on the world-building and character struggles of the .."
http://thelinseyverse.blogspot.com/2017/07/review-grave-ransom-by-kalayna-price.html

Volume 6 Alex Craft (Kalayna Price): ? (2018)




First pages / excerpts and first chapters of Grave Ransom / Alex Craft 5 (Kalayna Price):