Review: A Hint of Frost by Hailey Edwards

This is a new author to me and listed at the Literary Escapism blog's New Author Challenge 2013.

A Hint of Frost
by Hailey Edwards
Series: Araneae Nation, book 1
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Published by: Samhain Publishing, 2012
E-book, Purchased
236 pages
Grade:A-
Synopsis: When her mother is murdered in her nest, Lourdes has one choice: she must marry before her own nest is seized. All she needs is a warrior fierce enough to protect her city and safeguard her clansmen. Such a male is Rhys the Cold.

Rhys’s clan is starving, but their taste for the Araneaean flesh makes them unwelcome dinner guests. Yet Lourdes threatens to melt the cold encasing his heart. When her sister is captured, they pursue their enemies, where she will discover if she’s worth her silk or if she’s spun the thread by which her clan will hang.

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I think this is a very imaginative, unique book. It opens in the middle of a battle. We gradually learn that Lourdes' mother and father have been murdered. The Araneidae clan aren't fighters. They're a rich clan of artisans who spin silk. But Lourdes isn't willing to go down without a fight:

I was not a warrior born, but perhaps a warrior made.

...I was half Theridiidae, trained by one of their best strategists, my father....Araneidae spun silk ten times the strength of the strongest metals, and my fingertips tingled where my spinnerets loosed a singled silken thread.

...

I looped my thread behind his head, jerking down hard enough his chin caught my shoulder. While he was stunned, I whirled to his side out of Calum's reach, until I stood at his back and my makeshift garrotte sliced his throat.

Lourdes' father was from the Theridiidae clan and his clan have been the bodyguards for the Araneidaes. Now the Theridiidae have betrayed the Araneidae clan. Lourdes tries to save her clan and her remaining family by asking for aid from a clan more dangerous than the Theridiidae.The Mimetidae clan are known to eat their fellow Araneaeans, but they are fierce fighters and that's what Lourdes needs for her clan.

I'd sent a plea for aid to the one clan cruel enough to stave off the Theridiidae invasion and, I hoped merciful enough I hadn't signed my death warrant by exposing my soft underbelly to them.

Gods, I hoped the Mimetidae weren't hungry.

The Mimetidae do come to the aid of the Araneidae. The maven of the Mimetidae clan, Isolde, was Lourdes' mother's dearest friend, but she demands a price from Lourdes. The Mimetidae clan is one of the poorest clans and making an alliance with the Araneidae is a huge benefit to the Mimetidae. Isolde demands their warriors be outfitted in Araneidae armor spun from Araneidae silk and for Lourdes to wed a Mimetidae. Lourdes is horrified by this, but Isolde promises Lourdes her dearest wish--revenge on her parents' killers. Rhys the Cold is the youngest son of the Mimetidae clan and Isolde's son. He's Isolde's choice for Lourdes. Lourdes is drawn to him, but doesn't trust him especially since he's part of the Mimetidae clan.


Lourdes discovers her sister is missing after the battle. Was she kidnapped or was she involved in the murder of their parents? Either way Lourdes is determined to find her and get her back. Lourdes and Rhys track her sister and her companions (kidnappers?). Following the trail they travel south and not only encounter some of the traitors, but also a mysterious plague which is ravaging the south. I get the feeling this plague will appear in future volumes of the series.

My thoughts: The culture of the Araneae Nation is fascinating. The world building is good and is revealed gradually. I don't like spiders at all, but Ms. Edwards has created a culture based on spiders' characteristics...some have poison to kill their prey, a bite used in lovemaking or spin silk from their fingers. Even though I don't like spiders at all I thought using spiders' characteristics was brilliant.

One quibble I have with this book is the names of the clans...very hard to keep straight and pronounce even in my head. Thank goodness I wasn't reading out loud...lol! The worst names to keep straight were the Araneidae clan and the Araneaeans which is the name for all the clans in this world. That was confusing! Writing this review with all these names was also a challenge! Ms. Edwards has a pronunciation guide on her website. I guess I understand why she used all these words, but when a pronunciation guide is needed maybe you should use easier parts of these words!

The book is a good start to this new series. I also read a short story in the series--A Cast of Shadows. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't quite long enough. I would have enjoyed more time with the characters in that story.

The second book in the series--A Feast of Souls--is already out as an e-book, but I haven't read it yet. It has been buried in my e-reader so I will have to dig it out before the third e-book arrives--A Time of Dying--at the end of July.

Review: Suddenly Royal by Nichole Chase

This is a new author to me and listed at the Literary Escapism blog's New Author Challenge 2013.

Suddenly Royal
by Nichole Chase
Series: The Suddenly series, book 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published by:Createspace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013
E-book, purchased
464 pages
Grade: B-
Synopsis: Samantha Rousseau is used to getting her hands dirty. Working toward a master’s degree in wildlife biology while helping take care of her sick father, she has no time for celebrity gossip, designer clothes, or lazy vacations. So when a duchess from the small country of Lilaria invites her to dinner, Samantha assumes it’s to discuss a donation for the program. The truth will change the course of her life in ways she never dreamed. Alex D’Lynsal is trying to keep his name clean. As crown prince of Lilaria, he’s had his share of scandalous headlines, but the latest pictures have sent him packing to America and forced him to swear off women—especially women in the public eye. That is, until he meets Samantha Rousseau. She’s stubborn, feisty, and incredibly sexy. Not to mention heiress to an estate in his country, which makes her everyone’s front-page news. While Sam tries to navigate the new world of politics and wealth, she will also have to dodge her growing feelings for Alex. Giving in to them means more than just falling in love; it would mean accepting the weight of an entire country on her shoulders.

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This is a contemporary romance about a mythical small European country near France. Samantha (Sam) Rousseau is a typical American girl from Minnesota in a master's degree program in wildlife biology. She suddenly discovers she's the last Rousseau descendent of a royal family from the small country of Lilaria. If she decides to return to Lilaria she will be installed as a duchess. She isn't tempted by the riches, the chance to be part of the nobility or even by Prince Alex! But her stepfather is ill with cancer and the thought she might be able to provide him with better healthcare, tips the balance for her.

She travels to Lilaria with the prince and his aunt and discovers a beautiful country. However, she really dislikes the persistence of the photographers and reporters who constantly follow her whenever she's in public. She has a difficult time getting used to her new life. She's very attracted to Alex, but feels there's no future in a relationship with him. She feels she could fall in love and that would end in heartbreak for her.

I know a lot of people have really loved this book. I thought it was okay, but I admit I was a little bored with the book. This is a character driven romance and I'm really enjoying adventure books and urban fantasy at the moment. I kept expecting demons or at least a kidnapping attempt...lol!

The constant presence of the paparazzi and Sam's discomfort with them is the main conflict in the book. The book keeps mentioning how everyone close to her looks at her with sad eyes...I guess because they all know she can never go back to her old life. She does really enjoy seeing her own lands and living there...wearing her own clothes, not worrying about photographers, not being treated differently.

In the beginning the book is reminding me of a Harlequin romance since it's about a mythical country where an ordinary girl is suddenly a royal. However, usually in a Harlequin romance people are hiding things from each other or blackmailing each other(!) and that doesn't happen in this book. That was a plus for me, but the fact Sam is so unhappy with being famous doesn't seem like a recipe for happiness. I do think it must be reality, however. People who are born in this circumstance may deal with it a little easier, but even for them it can't be easy as shown by Prince Alex's tabloid history and his difficulty trusting anyone.

I liked the romance between Alex and Sam. I did like that Sam is getting a master's degree in wildlife biology and is studying raptors. That's a different career than found in many books. Of course, raptors are special birds in Lilaria and a special love of Alex's. He owns raptors and is head of a charity to ensure raptors don't become extinct. Sam volunteers at this charity when she's in Lilaria.

This was a little above average book for me, but many people like/love this book. I'm not really enjoying contemporary romance right now so I don't think I'm the target audience at the moment...lol!

Kissed by Darkness by Shea MacLeod

Another new author! It's been so much fun reading all these new authors. I'm taking part in the New Author Challenge 2013 hosted by the Literary Escapism blog.

Kissed by Darkness
by Shea MacLeod
Sunwalker Saga, book 1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Published by Montlake Romance, 2012 (Reprint Edition)
E-book, purchased
256 pages
Grade: C-

Synopsis: Three years ago, Morgan Bailey narrowly survived a vampire attack that left her with heightened senses, uncanny speed, and a new calling: supernatural bounty hunter. Since that day, sexy, street-smart Morgan hasn’t met a vampire she couldn’t dust or a demon she couldn’t kill—until she’s hired to hunt down a priceless amulet and the sunwalker who stole it. Sunwalkers—powerful vampires immune to sunlight—are notoriously difficult to find, let alone kill. Still, a job’s a job, and Morgan’s never been one to shy away from a challenge. So bring it on…right?

But the sunwalker ends up tracking her down. And not only that, he turns out to be cunning, charming—and undeniably gorgeous. Nevertheless, she can’t ignore the destruction he is capable of: the sunwalker possesses an ancient secret which, if unleashed, could destroy the human world. 

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This was a forgettable book for me. There was a strange love triangle in the book, but one of the persons bows out during the course of the book. Morgan has been working with the supernatural world for about three years ever since she was attacked by a vampire and lived and didn't turn into a vampire. She's thought to be the only person who didn't die or turn into a vampire after an attack like hers. Before that she didn't know a supernatural world exists, but now she works for Kabita Jones who is also her best friend and a natural-born witch. Morgan is now a vampire hunter and also helps hunt down other dangerous supernatural creatures.

I never got much of a sense of who the characters were. There's a mystery of sorts in the book, but it was so obvious I was sure there must be some twists to it. But no what was obvious was the solution. I only read the book a few days ago, but I'm already having problems remembering anything specific about it.

I did enjoy the setting of the book--Portland, Oregon. I lived there for awhile many years ago and it was fun to read about places I remember.

More books are already available in this series.

Review: Apocalyptic Moon by Eva Gordon

This is another new author I've read this year and as such is part of my New Author Challenge 2013 hosted by the Literary Escapism blog.

Apocalyptic Moon
by Eva Gordon
Series: After the Bane series, book 1
Genre: Zombie Romance
Published by: The Wild Rose Press, 2013
E-book, Purchased
276 pages
Grade: C-

Synopsis: Dr. Dora Adler’s life has been in disarray since the beginning of the zombie apocalypse, but when she gets bitten by one of the undead her whole world is turned upside down. Held captive in a secret underground lab, the tall, muscular hunk in the next cell is her only hope for salvation. Unfortunately, he claims to be a werewolf. Yeah, and she’s supposedly a witch.
 
Dirk Gunderson is an alpha Arbor pack werewolf. Captured and collared, he’s sold to the zombie lab in hopes his blood serum can create a vaccine. He needs to escape, but not without the hot little brunette witch.
 
In the midst of enemy werewolves and the hordes of undead, Dirk and Dora’s sexual tension ignites a blaze hotter than the desert highway. Along their journey, they battle the inevitable: a werewolf must never take a witch as a mate.

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I haven't read any zombie books before and haven't watched any zombie TV programs either. Zombies generally don't interest me in urban fantasy. However, one book I read had a zombie character who was actually a love interest in the book! (Nightshifted by Cassie Alexander...I liked that book a lot, but the book wasn't about zombies. They are just another paranormal character in the book. In this book the zombies are definitely not love interests...they're mindless monsters who just want to bite, kill and eat people.

In Apocalyptic Moon a zombie apocalypse has occurred. Dr. Dora Adler speculates the disease was created and released by someone, but that isn't resolved in this first book. People who are exposed to the zombie virus soon become zombies and this is happening all over the world. Governments have broken down and rumors abound about what has happened to government officials.

Dora works in a hospital and on her 27th birthday she gets bitten by a zombie patient. Dora isn't very surprised this happens because the women in her family die right around their 27th birthday. She's been expecting something to happen.

Anyone bitten by a zombie is whisked away to an underground laboratory from which they are never seen again. This happens to Dora and she waits to become a zombie and die, but it never happens to her. She survives and though she's a doctor she is experimented on again and again...left to be bitten by zombies over and over again with her blood used to see if it is an antidote. She survives, but her blood doesn't help anyone else.

Dora is just biding her time waiting to escape. If the people experimenting on her had approached her as a doctor and scientist she would have helped them, but instead she's just another test subject. The head of the lab is a little crazy so she knows she has to escape or  she's going to die one way or another. Then Dirk Gunderson arrives at the underground lab. He's in chains and put into the cell next to her. He turns out to be a werewolf and tells her she's a witch.

They both escape and the rest of the book is their attempt to make it through the zombie hoards, rescue Dora's brother and niece and get safety at Dirk's werewolf pack. Dirk and Dora are attracted to each other, but apparently werewolves and witches are a bad combination for anything serious. They still have sex on a number of occasions which just seemed strange in the middle of this apocalyptic zombie event. Mankind is being wiped out...but they still find the time and a safe place for sex?

Quite a few things didn't work for me in this book. The world building wasn't very complex and many things aren't explained (though this may change in other books in the series). What really didn't work for me was the romance. It read like many werewolf mate books with the zombies added in to make it a little different since they're popular right now. I don't like zombies so this book wasn't my favorite!

Review: Dead Spots by Melissa F. Olson

Melissa F. Olson is another new author to me. This book is listed at the Literary Escapism blog's New Author Challenge 2013.

Dead Spots
by Melissa F. Olson
Series: Scarlett Bernard, Book 1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: 49North, 2012
E-book, Purchased
293 pages
Grade: B

Synopsis: Scarlett Bernard knows about personal space: step within ten feet of her, and any supernatural spells or demonic forces are instantly defused—vampires and werewolves become human again, and witches can’t get out so much as a “hocus pocus.” This special skill makes her a null and very valuable to Los Angeles’s three most powerful magical communities, who utilize her ability to scrub crime scenes clean of all traces of the paranormal to keep humanity, and the LAPD, in the dark.

But one night Scarlett’s late arrival to a grisly murder scene reveals her agenda and ends with LAPD’s Jesse Cruz tracking her down to strike a deal: he’ll keep quiet about the undead underworld if she helps solve the case. Their pact doesn’t sit well with Dash, the city’s chief bloodsucker, who fears his whole vampire empire is at stake. And when clues start to point to Scarlett, it’ll take more than her unique powers to catch the real killer and clear her name.

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I believe this is the first book published by Ms. Olson. I liked the premise: Scarlett Bernard is a null (magic doesn't work around her) so LA's three most powerful magical communities (vampires, witches and weres) use her to scrub crime scenes clean of any trace of magic to keep "regular" people unaware of magic. However, I did find it odd that when she doesn't get to a crime scene quickly enough to scrub the scene clean that this is the first time this has happened. It seems like there would have to be more times she hadn't made it to the scene before the police. All urban fantasy needs some suspension of disbelief, but the world that is built needs to make sense and that point didn't make sense.

However, overall I did like the book. The world is an interesting one and the mystery is a good one. There are many characters who could be responsible for the murder Scarlett didn't get cleaned up. It's quickly clear that this crime was supposed to frame Scarlett, but because she showed up late it's harder to frame. Dashiell, the head vampire, doesn't care about that--if Scarlett doesn't produce the killer then he will kill Scarlett. And the policeman who tracks her down and finds out about the supernatural world stays alive during the investigation and helps Scarlett with  the investigation as long as he keeps quite about what he's found out about this world. However, he will also be killed if they don't find the killer.

I liked the fact that some of the supernatural characters in the book like being close to Scarlett (becoming human) and others want to stay far away. Dashiell, the head of the vampires, is one who wants her to stay away from him...he's vulnerable when she's close and he doesn't want to age anymore than he already has! Others such as Scarlett's roommate, Molly, (another vampire) wants to grow older and likes to be able to be awake during the daytime.

Before this book begins Olivia who was Scarlett's mentor has died. Olivia had shown up at her parents' funeral and afterward took her in and trained her. During Olivia's illness Scarlett learned things about her life and about Olivia that were a shock to her. During the course of this book she realizes she's been going through the motions since then:

...I had been going through the motions. Clean up crime scenes. Ignore my brother. Watch TV with Molly. Have slightly drunken sex with Eli. Do laundry. Repeat. I might as well have died with Olivia, or with my parents, for all the living I've been doing.... It's so much easier to just think of your life as a giant checklist that has to be worked through. But like it or not, I couldn't sit on the bench anymore.

I enjoyed this book and it ends on a surprising note which I didn't see coming at all...lol, The second book in this series--Trail of Dead--is scheduled to be published on June 4 and I have preordered it!

Review: Sleight of Hand by Mark Henwick

Another new author to me! I'm participating in the New Author Challenge 2013 hosted at the Literary Escapism blog. This blog has been hosting a New Author Challenge since 2009.

Sleight of Hand

by Mark Henwick

Bite Back series, book 1

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published by: Marque, 2012

E-book, Purchased

574 pages

Grade: C

Synopsis: "Vampires are the flickering illusions of Hollywood. They don't exist. We do. We are the Athanate."

For Amber Farrell, post-military life as a PI has it's ups and downs: She's been hit by a truck. She's being sued by a client. Denver's newest drug lord just put out a contract on her. The sinister Athanate want her to come in for a friendly chat. And it's only Tuesday.

Enter Jennifer Kingslund: rich, gorgeous - a tough businesswoman who's known for getting what she wants in the boardroom and the bedroom. Someone's trying to sabotage her new resort and destroy her company - and she wants Amber to find out who.

The answers lead Amber past Were and Adepts, right back to the Athanate - and a centuries-old war that could threaten not just Denver, but the nation Amber swore to protect and serve.

And all sides want to claim her for their own...

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This book was alright. I read it fast and it kept my attention. But it has some things which I don't enjoy in the books I read...I'm not a fan of ancient, secret organizations. Also at the end of the book there are some romance elements which seemed awkward, tacked on and just not very believable when compared to the rest of the book.

Sleight of Hand contains action and the world building is fairly simple, but contains enough information in this book to explain the world Amber is in. She is connected to both the supernatural world and the regular human world which is a good touch.

However, I didn't really connect with Amber or the rest of the characters in the book. The problem for me is that there isn't enough in this book and this world to make me want to come back again. The book and world just weren't unique enough for me. The second book in this series was published in January 2013.

Review: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

Karen Marie Moning is another new author to me. So this book is listed at the Literary Escapism blog's New Author Challenge 2013.

Darkfever
by Karen Marie Moning
Fever series, book 1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Published by: Delacorte Press, 2006
E-book, purchased
382 pages
Grade: B+

Synopsis: MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman.
Or so she thinks... until something extraordinary happens.

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae...

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I've been aware of this series for several years, but I hadn't bought the books or found time to read any of the series. I'm going to fix that and read all the books in the next couple months. I enjoyed this book a lot and want to savor the series. I'm also trying to be very careful not to read too much about the next books...lol

Though certain things are revealed in this book during the course of the book there are many more questions. Mac really doesn't know very much yet. The reader knows a little more because of the prologue in the book. I think I would rather not have had the prologue and discovered the pieces of this world as Mac discovers them.

The book takes place mostly in Ireland although Mac is from a small town in the southern United States, but after her sister is murdered in Ireland Mac travels to Ireland to find her sister's murderer. Mac has no idea she's one of the few humans who's a sidhe-seer--a human who can see the Fae without their glamor.

Even when Mac sees strange sights in Dublin she doesn't let herself believe in anything otherworldly.  She has several narrow escapes and after a strange walk through a deserted and derelict part of Dublin she finds herself at a bookstore. There she meets the bookstore owner--Jericho Barrons--who's much more than he seems. He tells Mac to leave Dublin or she's going to die. Of course, she doesn't do that because she's determined to find her sister's murderer.

She ends up partnering with Jericho and he helps her learn about the Fae. She moves into the the bookstore where Jericho can keep her safe, but he makes it very clear they aren't friends. It takes awhile before Mac believes Jericho about the Fae, but she's finally convinced.

Mac's sister mentioned the Sinsar Dubh on the cell phone message she left for her sister before she died. He's also searching for the Sinsar Dubh. Mac doesn't know that the Sinsar Dubh is an ancient Dark book until Jericho tells her. A number of different people including Jericho are looking for it. Jericho discovers Mac can sense Fae artifacts (they make her feel very sick). Even photocopied pages of the Sinsar Dubh make her feel sick. Jericho decides to use her like a tracking dog to try to find the book and other Fae artifacts. Mac resents this, but goes along with it because she hopes finding the book or that the kind of people who might have the book will lead her to her sister's killer.

I like Mac. She might look (at the beginning of the book) like a dumb blonde, but she's willing to take chances to find her sister. She likes to look good and at the beginning of the book might seem frivolous since she wears carefully matched outfits along with carefully matched makeup and manicures. Jericho certainly assumes she's a lightweight, but during the course of the book as she realizes what the world really is she toughens up and loses the carefully put-together look.

Jericho is very much a mystery. Mac thinks he's a sidhe-seer like her, but he's definitely more than that. My guess is that he's a Seelie Fae, but I have to keep reading to find out. I'm also not sure he's completely trustworthy though he did come through for Mac at the end of this book.

I'm ready to read the next book--Bloodfever--but I'm reading a couple other books in between. I'm thinking about it a lot though!

Ms. Moning had a new book--Iced--come out last fall which is written in the Fever world, but is the first book of a new series--the Dani O'Malley series. I was going to start with that book since I knew there were several books in the Fever series. I thought Iced would be a good place to start...but discovered from another blogger I definitely wanted to start with the first book--Darkfever--and I'm so glad I did. :)

Review: Terms of Enlistment by Marko Kloos

I believe this is the author's first book. So not only a new author to me, but to all his readers!

Update (May 7): I forgot to add this to the Literary Escapism blog's New Author Challenge 2013. I've done so now!

Terms of Enlistment
by Marko Kloos
Series: I hope so
Genre: Military Science Fiction
Published by: Frostbite Publishing, 2013
E-book, Purchased
293 pages
Grade: B+
Synopsis: The year is 2108, and the North American Commonwealth is bursting at the seams. For welfare rats like Andrew Grayson, there are only two ways out of the crime-ridden and filthy welfare tenements, where you're restricted to 2,000 calories of badly flavored soy every day. You can hope to win the lottery and draw a ticket on a colony ship settling off-world, or you can join the service.

Andrew chooses to enlist in the armed forces of the North American Commonwealth, for a shot at real food, a retirement bonus, and maybe a ticket off Earth. But as he starts a career of supposed privilege, he soon learns that the good food and decent health care come at a steep price…and that the settled galaxy holds far greater dangers than military bureaucrats or angry welfare rats with guns.

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This book was recommended to me by fellow blogger Li from Me and My Books. Thank you so much, Li, as Terms of Enlistment is one of my favorite books of the year so far. She recommended it after I read and reviewed another military science fiction--The Scrapyard Incident by Phillip Nolte. I've read military science fiction for years (Robert Heinlein, Elizabeth Moon, Tanya Huff, David Weber) and regular military fiction (mainly books about WWII when I was a teenager). I like adventure stories and military science fiction pretty well guarantees that!

I enjoyed this book very much. It's an exciting adventure story. Written in first person, present tense...gives it an immediacy...it's a bit like a journal or listening in to Andrew's thoughts. The author does a good job with the mechanics of writing this way. I don't imagine it's that easy. The book is self-published, I think, but the editing and writing are first-class.

The book opens with Andrew getting ready to leave the next day for his enlistment in the North American Commonwealth (NAC) military. These opening pages give the reader a flavor of the life he's led in the tenements where he was born and grew up. This is a good backdrop so we know why he's so determined to leave, succeed in the military and get off polluted, overcrowded Earth.

We experience the life of a recruit with Andrew as he learns the discipline and skills required in a military...what thousands of other recruits have learned through the ages. 

It feels strangely liberating to do precisely as instructed. I don't have to worry about displeasing the sergeant as long as I follow his orders exactly. For now, I resolve to not even scratch my nose unless being ordered by someone with chevrons on their collar.

and 

It feels a bit like a college dorm, only with guns and uniforms, and instead of learning trigonometry or North American History, we learn better ways to kill people and blow up their stuff.

This book does a good job of letting the reader discover the world through Andrew's eyes rather than with an omniscient POV. The book has some romance in it, but as happens in military life Andrew and Halley have to go their separate ways after Basic Training. But they continue to correspond with each other. Mr. Kloos also shows the closeness one feels towards comrades when in a unit together. Each person counts on his fellow soldiers. We've seen that comradery in recent years as soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are eager to return to their unit even after terrible injuries. They don't want to let their fellow soldiers down.

Andrew's military career has its ups and downs, doesn't always go the way he wants it to and he's not always sure he's made the right decisions, but he learns a lot during this book and is a different person than the "welfare rat" we see at the first of the book although the seeds were already there...his absolute determination to work toward a goal (leave the tenements and Earth). Much of the book is a real page turner and I hope Mr. Kloos is writing another book about Andrew and that it will soon be available!

Review: Under Wraps by Hannah Jayne

Hannah Jayne is another new author for me! The New Authors Challenge 2013 is hosted by the Literary Escapism blog.



Under Wraps
by Hannah Jayne
Underworld Detection Agency, book 1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Published by:  Kensington, 2011
E-book, purchased
352 pages
Grade: C

Synopsis: As a human immune to magic, Sophie Lawson can help everyone from banshee to zombie transition into normal, everyday San Francisco life. With a handsome werewolf as her UDA boss and a fashionista vampire for a roommate, Sophie knows everything there is to know about the undead, the unseen, and the uncanny. Until a rash of gruesome murders has demons and mortals running for cover, and Sophie finds herself playing sidekick to detective Parker Hayes. 

Dodging ranging bloodsuckers, bad-tempered fairies, and love-struck trolls is one thing. But when Sophie discovers Parker isn't what he seems, she's only got one chance to figure out whom to trust. Because an evil hiding in plain sight is closing in...and about to make one wisecracking human it means to ultimate power.

This wasn't my favorite new author or urban fantasy. It didn't quite work for me. I've read several books recently about the main character who is a null (Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning, for example). In Under Wraps Sophie is immune to magic and the supernatural creatures around her become normal creatures. Sophie works for a secret organization called the Underworld Detection Agency (UDA). It's located 37 floors under the San Francisco Police Department. Sophie describes her agency:

We’re kind of like the DMV for the demon world—long lines, lots of windows, forms up the wazoo. It’s our job to get all the demons registered, documented, and legal and take care of any Underworld disputes. UDA is pretty forward thinking when it comes to demon life. We’ve got job counseling for the demon who has decided to leave the Underworld careers of terrorizing children and hiding under beds and move to something more permanent and substantial—like working the register at the Pottery Barn on Chestnut Street. We even offer a cutting-edge demon-human immersion program. It usually culminates with an exorcism on the part of the human, but still, it’s a start.

Sophie, the only human working for the UDA, is the administrative assistant for Pete Sampson the head of the UDA who is also a werewolf. When a policeman is sent down to the UDA by the police chief to speak with her boss Sophie finds herself in the middle of an investigation. I found this rather odd as she has no experience and given her internal thoughts she's thinking about a lot more than the case:

I looked up into the cop's beautiful blue eyes, and although I had no idea what swooning was, I was pretty sure I was doing it. I started to think of the two of us, hands joined, spinning in a meadow somewhere while the theme to Love Story played in the background.

The book is a light, fluffy read, but tries to also be a mystery. Sophie ends up helping Detective Hayes with the investigation of a murder of a lawyer who had all his blood drained. This is just the first of several murders. Her boss disappears and it looks like he might be guilty of the crimes. The world building is on the light side and I didn't find most of the characters very likeable or memorable. I only read the book a month ago, but have a hard time remembering it.

I'm sure this series works for a lot of people, just not for me!

Review: The Scrapyard Incident by Phillip Nolte

 

Another new author! Another addition to the New Author Challenge 2013. This challenge is hosted by the Literary Escapism blog. 

The Scrapyard Incident
by Phillip Nolte
Junkyard Dogs, book 1
Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera
Published by: Amazon Digital, 2013
E-book, purchased
365 pages
Grade: C+

Synopsis: Ensign Tamara Carlisle, a brilliant, beautiful but decidedly quirky young officer on a remote assignment to obtain information needed to finish her advanced degree in Military History...
Lieutenant Ryan Harris, a talented and experienced engineer who harbors doubts about his ability to command...Engineering Technician Angus Hawkins, a savvy veteran and former Chief Petty Officer busted down in rank for brawling...
 
These three unsuspecting individuals, marooned after a devastating sneak attack on the United Terran Federation Naval Reclamation Center-- a huge, orbiting Junkyard located in a remote corner of Federation space-- are forced to confront their limitations and team up to fight back against unknown, heavily armed foes who threaten their continued survival...
 
......................

This is a self-published book and looks like the first book written by Phillip Nolte. I enjoy space opera and military science fiction and I liked this book. It could have been written tighter and I saw some editing errors, but overall I enjoyed the book.

I thought the idea of the Scrapyard was good. It's a junkyard for spacecraft! The Scrapyard is formally known as the United Terran Federation Naval Reclamation Center--the derelict spacecraft left after a war and additional junked spacecraft brought here. The military has a base here because the parts from the spacecraft can often be sold and used for repairs. The military center is destroyed in a sneak attack and all but three military who are away from the Center in the Scrapyard during the attack are killed.

The three military left after a sneak attack are all engaging characters:

• Ensign Tamara Carlisle...with a tattoo on her face and especially her habit of talking to herself while she was thinking is a well-drawn character. 

She got into the short line that had formed as the newcomers were processed.
"...Reclamation center...checkpoint...credentials...take it easy, Tamara...," she mumbled to herself.
"Pardon? said the man directly in front of her, turning slightly to acknowledge the speaker behind.
"What? Oh, I must've been talking to myself again. Bad habit. My apologies."

I thought this was a clever character trait and made her more human and individual. However, this makes other people think she's odd and she hasn't fit in well with her academy classmates. She is intelligent, but she's an outsider in the military. This book reminded me a little of Elizabeth Moon's book Once a Hero about Lt. Esmay Suiza. Lt. Suiza is also young, very talented and an outsider in the military.

• Lieutenant Ryan Harris is a stereotypical engineer...good at the technical, but not a good people person. During the course of the book he discovers he's a better people person and leader than he thought. 

• The former Chief Petty Officer--now Engineering Technician Angus Hawkins (demoted due to a fight several years ago)--was the quintessential crusty, taciturn, but experienced NCO. Another stereotype...good officers know they should trust their experienced NCO even if he is crusty and has a chip on his shoulder!

While Lt. Harris, Ensign Carlisle and Engineering Tech Hawkins were having their battles with unknown forces their commanding officer and others on a space station are trying to figure out what force has taken over the space station and why. The book moves back and forth between the two locations as each battle for their lives and to try to figure out why the attacks happened.

I especially like that the military stayed true to being military. There is attraction between Lt. Harris and Ensign Carlisle, but during their fight in the Scrapyard he is her commander and he's aware that it's against regulations for them to become romantically involved. Also they were in the middle of life and death battles. It's much more realistic that the attraction was there, but they were too busy fighting for their lives. There is a slight romance by the end of the book (after the battles are over and Lt. Harris is no longer her commander), but they go their separate ways. This is the first book in a series so perhaps they meet again in the next book. I hope so! 

As I stated above I think the book would have benefited from more editing, but I do plan to buy the next book in this series and hope it comes out soon!

Review: Assassin's Gambit by Amy Raby

This is a buddy review I did with nath over at Breezing Through. I had a lot of fun talking with nath about this book, but it did make me realize I'm not a very critical reader. While we discussed the book I had to admit a number of things in the book were problems!

This is also a new author I read so this is another of my New Author Challenge 2013 books. This is hosted by the Literary Escapism blog.

Assassin's Gambit
by Amy Raby
The Hearts and Thrones series, book 1
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Published by: Signet, 2013
E-book, purchased
400 pages
Grade: C+
 
Synopsis:Vitala Salonius, champion of the warlike game of Caturanga, is as deadly as she is beautiful. She’s a trained assassin for the resistance, and her true play is for ultimate power. Using her charm and wit, she plans to seduce her way into the emperor’s bed and deal him one final, fatal blow, sparking a battle of succession that could change the face of the empire.

As the ruler of a country on the brink of war and the son of a deposed emperor, Lucien must constantly be wary of an attempt on his life. But he’s drawn to the stunning Caturanga player visiting the palace. Vitala may be able to distract him from his woes for a while—and fulfill other needs, as well.

Lucien’s quick mind and considerable skills awaken unexpected desires in Vitala, weakening her resolve to finish her mission. An assassin cannot fall for her prey, but Vitala’s gut is telling her to protect this sexy, sensitive man. Now she must decide where her heart and loyalties lie and navigate the dangerous war of politics before her gambit causes her to lose both Lucien and her heart for good.…

The book has a lot of promise so please check out our buddy review, see what nath and I thought and then see what you think!

Review: Monster in My Closet by R. L. Naquin

R. L. Naquin is another new author I've read this year. Thus, this review is listed at the New Author Challenge 2013 hosted by the Literary Escapism blog. I love the fact that I'm finding so many new authors I want to read. Usually I don't read more than a half dozen new authors in a year. For whatever reason (even before I found this challenge) I read five new authors just in January!


Monster in My Closet
by R. L. Naquin
A Monster Haven series, book 1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Published by: Carina Press, 2012
E-book, purchased
209 pages
Grade: B

I stopped believing in monsters long ago. But I knew I wasn’t imagining things when I found one in my kitchen baking muffins. I’d seen him before: lurking in my closet, scaring the crap out of my five-year-old self. Turns out that was a misunderstanding, and now Maurice needs a place to stay. How could I say no?

Ms. Naquin describes her books as urban fantasy with a cheeky edge! That's exactly right. The book is not a gritty urban fantasy, but even though it has a cheeky edge there is also danger in this world.  The cover of the book is cute and seems to indicate a light book, but several people do die in the book and Zoey is certainly in danger, too.

Zoey is human, a wedding planner, who works with her best friend. She's always been an empathic and sympathetic person. She always soothes the brides when they melt down before their wedding. Until Maurice, a closet monster, shows up in her kitchen she doesn't know a paranormal world exists and that she draws them to her, too.

I liked the idea of the closet monster. Zoey had caught a glimpse of him when she was a child, but her Mom calmed her...she thought her Mom was showing her there really wasn't a monster. Her mother was telling the monster he couldn't be in Zoey's closet! Jump ahead 20 years or so and the closet monster is sitting at her kitchen table drinking coffee! Zoey finds out there's a whole world of supernatural creatures she never knew anything about. Her mother had also been a human who drew the supernatural world to her, but she disappeared when Zoey was 8 years old. So Zoey never had a chance to talk to her mother about this hidden world.

I didn't quite understand why when she accepts that the closet monster is real she is suddenly thrown into the supernatural world and comes to the attention of a succubus demon. In this book the demon is a frightening creature and Zoey must figure out how to stop him--from killing her and killing her friends.

There is a bit of romance in this book and I would guess that continues and perhaps deepens in the next book.

I liked this book a lot and bought the next in the series which came out the end of March--Pooka in My Pantry.

Review: Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster

Bec McMaster is another new author I've read this year. Thus, this review is listed at the New Author Challenge 2013 hosted by the Literary Escapism blog.

Kiss of Steel 
by Bec McMaster
London Steampunk Series, Book One
Genre: Steampunk Romance
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca, September 2012
E-book, purchased
448 pages
Grade: B

Synopsis: Honoria Todd has no choice. Only in the dreaded Whitechapel district can she escape the long reach of the Duke of Vickers. But seeking refuge there will put her straight into the hands of Blade, legendary master of the rookeries. No one would dare cross him, but what price would he demand to keep her safe?

Ever since Vickers infected him with the craving, Blade has been quicker, stronger, almost immortal—and terrified of losing control of the monster within. Honoria could be his perfect revenge against the duke…or the salvation he never dared to dream of.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit even though it's more paranormal romance than urban fantasy. Generally, I don't like the paranormal romance genre, because I think the emphasis is usually more on the romance than creating a believable world for the characters. In this case I thought the author did a good job creating the world and creating likeable main characters. Honoria Todd was a strong character trying to save her family. Blade was the scary monster who turns out to be very human. He was my favorite character in the book. He's larger than life and everyone is afraid of him, but he protects what's his.

When Honoria first meets Blade she is overwhelmed and fearful, but knows she has to hide her emotions:

"Living among the Echelon for ten years had taught her the benefit of managing her emotions. One hint of fear and they would turn their pale eyes on her like sharks smelling blood. This man might rule the rookeries with an iron fist, but she had faced down the prince consort himself, with his colorless, red-rimmed eyes and too-pink lips. Blade was dangerous, but she couldn’t afford to let him see how much he frightened her. That wasn’t how the game was played. And the cursed blue bloods liked their games so very much…"

Blade isn't impressed though:

“You’ve been six months in me turf and not paid a visit,” he said. “That ain’t polite, dove. It ain’t wise for a woman to be without protection. You been lucky so far. People been wonderin’ if you and I ’ad struck a deal. Now they’re wonderin’ if I would care if you went missin’.” He flicked the cheroot over a small tray and the ashes crumbled. “Consider this a polite warnin’ and an offer. You won’t be unmolested for long.”

The pistol was a heavy, reassuring weight in her skirt pockets. “Then they shall receive a little surprise if they do. Only a fool walks these streets without protection.”

“That little barker in your pocket and the pig-sticker in your boot?” He laughed, low and husky. “Won’t do you much good when your throat is slit.”

...

There was a blur of movement and something grabbed her from behind. Honoria gasped, the knife a sharp warning against her throat as Blade drew her back against his hard body. Her chin tipped up and she swallowed hard, the edge of the knife hovering directly over her carotid artery. His arm was a steel band about her waist, hugging her close.
His lips brushed her ear. “Still not impressed,” he whispered.

 The book is set in a steampunk Victorian-style London and I enjoyed the setting a lot. The author does a good job of evoking the scene:

"...that familiar hollow feeling pooled in her stomach as she paused in front of the derelict building. The fog eddied away from the roughened brick walls as though something kept it out. A pair of crossed daggers was carved into the wooden sign that hung over the door, the sign that all the Reapers gang wore, proclaiming which gang they ran with."

The next book in this series comes out in May. Heart of Iron is set in the same world, but looks like it has different main characters. I usually like books in a series to continue with the same characters, but I will definitely try the next book!

Review: Wake Me When the Sun Goes Down by Lisa Olsen

I am challenging myself to read new authors this year. Luckily I found a blog which is hosting a new author challenge! This challenge--New Author Challenge 2013--is hosted by the Literary Escapism blog.

Wake Me When the Sun Goes Down
by Lisa Olsen
Forged Bloodlines series, book 1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Published by: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform, 2011
E-book, purchased
260 pages
Grade: B+

Synopsis: Anja Evans wakes up in the morgue with a helluva hangover. She chalks it up to a strange brush with death and gets back to her life as a music student in San Francisco. It takes almost eating her best friend before she figures out… she’s a vampire! When a dark and dangerous vampire shows up at her door asking to see her license and registration, Anja assumes Bishop is a regular cop. But breeding among vampires is strictly controlled, and her unlicensed status makes her an enemy of The Order. Struggling to find a balance between her former life and her undead one, Anja tries to blend school and living up to her new identity, all while searching to find the elusive Viking whose blood gave Anja the strength of a vampire hundreds of years old.

Lisa Olsen's books appears to be self-published. She has written three books in the Forged Bloodlines series now and I've read all three since January! She has also written a number of other books.

Ms. Olsen does a good job in Wake Me When the Sun Goes Down introducing Anja, Bishop and the other characters as well as explaining the world she creates. There is humor in these books which I enjoyed and Anja is a likeable character. It's a fun book to read.

In this world vampires and other paranormal creatures are hidden from humans and intent upon remaining hidden. The Order polices the vampire world and has strict laws about producing new vampires. If the vampire doesn't have a license to create a new vampire both the vampire and human he has turned are killed by the Order.

Bishop, the powerful Order vampire, who shows up at Anja's door after she is turned should kill her, but perhaps because she reminds him of someone in his past he lets her live. This all happens before Anja even realizes she is a vampire. She has no memory of who turned her into a vampire and no one steps forward to confess. Thus, she is pretty clueless about being a vampire. This first book is about her stumbling steps while she tries to figure out the vampire world, who sired her and whether she can still live her old human life.

She was a music student and she continues trying to attend classes with varying degrees of success. On the several occasions Anja has problems figuring out the vampire world Bishop reluctantly helps her. It's evident he's attracted to her, but he has been in the Order for years and takes his duties seriously. He really wants to forget her and get on with his life, but finds he can't.

In the next two books in the series--Meet Me When the Sun Goes Down (B)  and Find Me When the Sun Goes Down (B-)--Anja continues her journey of self-discovery. Each book has a mystery which affects her life, but these books are mostly about Anja and how she tries to fit into her new life without losing her humanity. I liked the first two books better than the third book, but will definitely look for the fourth book in the series.

One criticism I have I also have with some other books, too. All the covers and titles in this series are very similar. It's hard to keep track of them. It's good to have a brand so readers quickly know the book is part of a series, but I would like a little more individuality. After a few months go by it's hard to remember which book I read and if the book I'm seeing is a new book. If I don't have time to investigate further I sometimes put off figuring out which book I've read and which I haven't so I may not get a new book at all.

Review: The Girl With the Cat Tattoo by Theresa Weir

This is the first book I've read by Theresa Weir so I'm adding it to the 2013 New Author Challenge hosted by the Literary Escapism blog. I've said I will try to read 25 new authors this year. I've already read a lot of new authors, but I need to write the reviews. 

The Girl with the Cat Tattoo
by Theresa Weir
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published by: Belfry Press, 2012
E-book, purchased
103 pages
Grade: B+

Synopsis: When a matchmaking cat takes it upon himself to find his young mistress a new mate, he accidentally stirs up memories better left forgotten.
 
Melody's husband was murdered by what seemed a random act of violence. Two years later, the killer hasn't been caught, and Melody is coping in unhealthy ways. During the day she's a mild-mannered children's librarian, but at night she's a party girl, hanging out in bars, drinking with new friends, and often bringing home strange men. Although acquaintances have tried to keep in touch, Melody has cut herself off from most of the people in her old life. Max, her eccentric cat, doesn't approve of her new friends, he's tired of the parade of losers, and he finally takes it upon himself to find Melody a new man.

I had this book for almost a year before I read it and really should have read it sooner. Once I started it I read it in a day. I loved the book, mostly because I loved the Max the cat! He is so much fun to read about.

From the first two sentences this book caught me:

Max had been a cat as long as he could remember, but he was pretty sure he'd been a rock star in one of his previous lives. He just had that kind of cool about him.

Max reminds me so much of one my daughter's cats. He's also black and white and he's also a cool cat...though maybe a little more adventurous than Max. Geronimo would never stay in a backyard
and actually went missing for three days when he slipped out of our house while we were taking care of him. When we finally found him I could see the thoughts slipping through his head about whether he really wanted to wait for me to pick him up. He was definitely thinking about running back into the woods!

Max, on the other hand, isn't sure he wanted to leave his backyard, but was willing to do so for Melanie, Max's mistress. He decided to do some matchmaking after Melanie had a number of one night stands. He wants to help her find someone who would be good for both Melanie and Max. Max's plan actually does work and he brings Joe and Melanie together, but perhaps Joe isn't all he seems to be! Max and Melanie begin to wonder if they made a mistake with Joe. Adventure ensues...even Ellen Degeneres makes an appearance!

I love the cover of the book showing Max wearing a hat. Melanie is a children's librarian and during the course of the book she begins taking Max to her story hour for children. She dresses in costumes so naturally Max also wears costumes. Max suffers through the costumes and the children with fairly good grace. Melanie thinks he likes the children, but, of course, he's not very fond of children!

Max has a great voice and I like the other characters in the book, too. Theresa Weir states on her site  a sequel called The Geek With the Cat Tattoo will be published in 2014. Yay!

Quotes from the book further illustrate Max's voice:

Humans tended to jump into things with no thought, when in truth the most pleasurable part of life came from the anticipation of catnip, not the crazy buzz.

and

A cat, especially a cat like him, had to retain an outward appearance of cool at all times. Upon occasion, he'd had the misfortune of spending time with cats that cried and begged and generally made fools of themselves. He would never be one of those cats.

I definitely recommend this book!

New Author Challenge--Kate Locke

Last year I read lots of historical romance (13 by the end of February); this year it's lots of urban fantasy (11 by the end of February). I've also found a number of new urban fantasy authors which makes me happy! Because I'm finding many new authors to try this year I've joined the New Author Challenge 2013 at the Literary Escapism blog. I've challenged myself to read 25 new authors this year. This is my first new author blog post.

This new-to-me author is Kate Locke who is writing The Immortal Empire series. I'm so glad I found Ms. Locke and it's all because the first book was on sale for $2.99 (the e-book...probably because the second book was coming out in February). I enjoyed the set-up in this first book--the world, the characters and the story.

God Save the Queen 
by Kate Locke
The Immortal Engine, book 1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Published by: Orbit, 2012
E-book, purchased
368 pages
Grade: B+

Synopsis: Blood. Bloomers. Bedlam.
The Victorian Era never ended. It’s 2012 and her Ensanguined Majesty is still on the throne, the vampire ruler of the British Empire. There are werewolves too. And Goblins. All brought about by mutations caused by the plague.
 
Xandra Vardan is a half-blood, the daughter of a vampire and a human courtesan. A member of the Royal Guard, she’s supposed to keep the aristocrats (those of plagued blood) safe, but then her little sister goes missing and Xandra stumbles upon a secret that not only changes her life forever, but just might end it if she’s not careful.
 
And just what’s going on at Bedlam Asylum for the Insane?

I do like the premise of Queen Victoria still on the throne because she's a vampire! This series is a lot of fun to read and the world Kate Locke has built is complex and interesting. The fact that vampires, werewolves and goblins were created because of mutations caused by the plague is interesting. I liked Xandra and her brother and sisters and by the end of this book I was definitely ready for the next book. Because I enjoyed the first book so much I bought the second book as soon as it was available in February!

The Queen is Dead
by Kate Locke
The Immortal Engine, book 2
Grade: B+

Synopsis: Humans are growing restless. Goblins are growing impatient, and the aristocrats are growing…hungry. Disappearances, hormonal human boys and Bubonic Betties — it’s all in a night’s work for Xandra Vardan, reluctant Goblin Queen.
 
Her brother Val has gotten into something way over his head. Someone’s sending not so subtle hints to Xandra (dead rats, anyone?). There’s tension amongst the wolf-pack, and the Human League wants blood. There are rumors of Horror Shows — humans being bled to death for entertainment — and half-bloods are being abducted.
 
Xandra just wants a moment’s peace, but she may have to die to get it.

I liked the second book and am looking forward to the third book (Long Live the Queen) which will be published in November. There is romance in these books, but I don't view it as paranormal romance (which I tend not to like), because the emphasis is on the story, characters and a complete world which is not the case in many paranormal romances.