I have loved these books since I read my first Elemental Mysteries novel. I was pulled into those and when the series ended and started again with the Elemental World I was more than happy to continue following. We have many of the characters from the first series showing up and having an active place in these books, which always makes for a good read since you are able to relate to them as you get to know the new characters, though here most have been seen in prior books. The story which was started in earlier novels continues here and is added on to seamlessly as events continue and those in the past are recounted. The characters continue to evolve and become more than just flat actors on the page.
Patrick Murphy is a man who seems to have everything he could want, he runs the immortal side of Dublin with efficiency and a soft touch, he can have any woman he wants immortal or human, but he has regrets that keep him from fully enjoying his life. Anne O’Dea ran away from a relationship after 30 years because she felt her mate was not to be trusted and she had lost herself in their life together,and was no longer who she had been. With the threat of Elixir becoming more and more real for everyone in Ireland these two have to decide what they want before the choice is taken from them.
Murphy is a scoundrel but a lovable guy that you can’t help but root for as he tries to win back the love of his life. Anne is like most intelligent people, she can see the mistakes others make but not her own. The mystery of who is distributing Elixir is still an important part of the story and it is not neglected for the love story. I totally enjoyed this.
“I HATE you,” she told her sister over the speakerphone in her secure wing of Brigid and Carwyn’s house. “No, you don’t.” “I do.” “What did Murphy do?” “Nothing.” Except kiss me in Galway and remind me that I miss him like a lost limb. Stare at me during the opera as if he’d eat me alive in the most pleasurable way possible. Show off his intellect, which has always been the most attractive thing about him. “Patrick Murphy has been a complete gentleman,” she said. “Unerringly polite and respectful. Painfully welcoming.” Anne heard Mary suck on her cigarette and release a breath. “Hateful man. That would irritate the piss out of me.”
― Elizabeth Hunter, The Scarlet Deep
The story takes up where we left off, Baby Tomas had been affected by the botnet. When we ee them again Ven has become catatonic because of the perceived loss of her child. Cassie is with her at the barn they had taken refuge at and found to be lacking. Mike and Kyle have gone to town to a library in order to find a place they can be safe. There are other survivors and they have the good and bad luck to run into them. Things go from bad to worse for our group and there are changes in the dynamic they could not have seen coming.
The zombies are getting more interesting, the story line is expanding, and the characters are starting to gain more depth. Though I have to say that Ven works my nerves a lot, I kind of feel for her anyway. I will be reading more and would suggest them to other zombie lovers.
‘The Girl Who Was Infatuated with Death’ is an Anita Blake short that takes place between Blue Moon and Obsidian Butterfly, which means Anita is still fighting her attraction to Jean-Claude, silly girl. A mother comes to Anita asking for help in finding her daughter before she can be turned and Anita goes to the one person she claims to want to avoid. While the heat level could have been higher I give it 5 stars for just showcasing Jean-Claude, who could have me with a look.
‘ One Word Answer’ is a Sookie Stackhouse short, very short, that does not really give much of anything. Bubba is present as well as Bill but this is about a cousin who is mentioned only briefly and does not really affect things one way or the other. The Queen of Louisiana sends two of her men to inform Sookie that her cousin is dead and has left her a legacy. This was a bit bland with nothing to really make it a true part of the overall story. I gave this 4 stars for at least having vampires in it.
‘Biting in Plain Sight’ is a Queen Betsy story. I really like these shorts with the dippy Queen, you always get to meet some of her more interesting subjects. Dr. Sophie is a veterinarian in Embarrass, Minnesota and has been for the past 40 years, not that anyone mentions it. It seems that one of her clients has had a crush on her since he was a little boy and now he is ready to act on it. The only problem is she is going to need to see the Queen because a vampire is being bad. I gave this 4.5 stars, it has a good story along with a little lusting going on. There are some laugh out loud moments as well.
‘Galahad’, is a great story and I am glad to have found this author who I have never read before. Caroline has only recently been turned into a witch and transported to Avalon, which is in another dimension. She starts having visions which show her fighting beside a very handsome vampire which she cannot ignore even though she would like to. This was a story that had everything as advertised, hot vampires, sex, and action. I gave this 5 stars and will be looking for more in the Mageverse.
‘Blood Lust’ is another story with an author I have not read before but will in the future based on this. Daniel Hart is a scientist who has been working on synthetic blood in order to benefit mankind. He gets backing from a man who turns out not to be what he seemed and who steals all his research leaving him broken and battered. When he is healed he goes looking for revenge and finds much more than he expected. This got 4.5 stars because it had just the right mix of romance and vampire intrigue.
I would definitely recommend this book to vampire lovers.
Another nice entry in the Orbs saga leading us to what is behind the invasion and what we can do to win.
Jeff and David are traveling to White Sands with their step-mother Paula for Jeff’s birthday. Their father Michael is stationed there working for the NTC. When the aliens come and start to wreak havoc, life becomes terrifying for the boys and their father as they try to survive.
Definitely a must read if you want more on the people who populate the later novels.
If you love this series then you must have this entry!
Though it is a short story it is a fully realized one that gives a great story with characters not seen before who are very interesting. It also sets up the next book in the series with a character who has been elusive for several books but who you know has been orchestrating from the shadows. A must read!
* I just finished listening to this book on 9/10/15. Listening was even better than when I read it. The narrator gives such life to all the characters, though the women do sound like a man doing a woman, he still gives it a great try. This can be enjoyed both ways very easily.
I have loved the Immortals of New Orleans since the first book and things just keep getting better and better. There is a lot more complexity to the relationships of the characters than was first shown and it makes them more interesting as they are revealed. Characters who have not been completely explored still can have an impact on you because they still have enough substance to make you care. The story naturally flows without bogging down at all and keeps you reading well after you should have stopped for the night. The banter between the characters is priceless and always one of the things I enjoy the most.
Dimitri has gone to San Diego, California in order to get away after his trip into hell world with Léopold to save Ava. Since he came out something has been wrong with his wolf and he has not been able to shift. He has gone off alone to try to find out if things can get better or if he may have to step down as Beta. Gillian was lured to San Diego by the area Alpha in order to force a mating on her. She is special and the Alpha wants her gifts for himself whether she is willing or not. Gilly escapes but brings down a pack of trouble on our Beta who cannot handle it at the moment.
There are a lot of things going on in this story, some of them happy, some of them sad, and some just plain wrong. There is always a good deal of heat involved when these supernaturals get together for any amount of time. You must enjoy menage, exhibitionism, and unconventional sex.
“When the music stopped, the curtains to their booth flew open. Jax, the devastatingly handsome Nordic wolf, leered down on the lovers, who smiled up at him in amusement. “I said pretend to be her mate. At any point, did you hear me say, ‘Come up to New York and fuck my sister in public…during one of my company events?’ Did I say that? I really don’t recall saying that.” Jax scrubbed his fingers over his tightly cropped hair. He moved to the balcony, overlooking the patrons who were shuffling into the lobby for the intermission. “Sorry.” Dimitri laughed. He knew that they should have been slightly less conspicuous but the draw of his mate had been too much to resist. “Sorry? Really? That’s all you’ve got?” He turned to Gillian, who scrambled up to her feet, adjusting her dress. “And you? What’s your excuse, little sister? Seriously, every shifter in the room could hear you.” “Um, well, yeah, sorry about that. But technically this is your fault. I mean, what did you expect? You asked Dimitri to come here…to pretend to be my mate.” Gillian reasoned that her comeback sounded solid, inexperienced in dealing with her Alpha brother.”
― Kym Grosso, Dimitri
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