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):  

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):