Category Archives: Urban Fantasy

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Faded Steel Heat

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Faded Steel Heat: A Garrett (Garrett Files, #9)

Faded Steel Heat (Garrett Files #9)

I have always liked Garrett because he reminds me so much of the noir detectives of the 40’s who were tough guys who had a thing for the ladies but also had a soft spot that they had to hide. That is totally the world Garrett lives in, his just also happens to have ogres and elves and dwarves and trolls just to name a few of the nonhuman denizens who live there too. Sometimes the stories are exciting with plenty of action and sometimes they are like this one with a plot you have to follow closely to keep the characters straight.

Things are going downhill in Tunfaire with the Call still on their mission to get all the non-humans out of town by any means necessary. The problem for Garrett is that they seem to want to drag him into the middle of the mess and he would prefer not to have to get involved. When he gets a visit from Tinnie, Alyx, and Nicks asking him to go to work for Max Weider, whose brewery he is on retainer to, has been targeted for ‘protection money’ by men claiming to be from the Call, he has no choice but to get involved. If they are moving into the rackets to fund their racist agenda he wants to find out and stop them.

There are always so many players when it comes to these stories that if you are new to them you can get lost. The stories while not always super exciting are always interesting and make you think because they do mirror our world and what is or has happened in it. I am kind of over the rioting and beating of non-humans though and am ready to move on to something more interesting. Still well worth the time.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
“Relway mused, “Now that it’s happened I’m not so sure I’m happy with the outcome. Spared their racial theories The Call would’ve been good for TunFaire.” He would appreciate their interest in law and order and proper behavior. “Here’s a challenge you still need to meet. Glory Mooncalled. He’s weak now but he’s still out there somewhere. If you don’t get him now he’ll try to put something back together someday. He can’t help himself.” “It’s still great day for TunFaire, Garrett. One of pure triumph.” I don’t know if he meant that or was being sarcastic. You never quite know anything with Relway. And he wants it that way. “I liked the way you put it, Garrett. Faded steel heat.” I’d mentioned that to him the night he’d discovered the tanks in the old Lamp brewery. “But the war goes on.” “The war never ends. Tell you what. Send me a note when you do decide to roast that pigeon. I’ve got dibs on a drumstick.”
― Glen Cook, Faded Steel HeatGlen Cook
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Swordfights and Lullabies

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17833758

Swordfights & Lullabies (A Modern Witch #6.5)

This was short and sweet detailing what happened to Cassie, Morgan, and Marcus as they were on the road. This story takes place directly after the events in A Celtic Witch and just serves to bring closure.
More sweetness, a little fun, and three people who need each other.

“A bachelor curmudgeon, a Celtic witch, and an adorable wee girl with lavender eyes. Join them in the last days of the Swordfights & Lullabies tour – and see what love has wrought.” from the blurb.

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
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A Celtic Witch

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A Celtic Witch (A Modern Witch #6)

This book had everything I have come to expect from Debora Geary and the witching community that she has created. The characters are always interesting and could step right off the page fully realized and start living their lives. The language is never to complicated but makes you feel at ease as you read. The landscapes are so vivid that you can see yourself walking the roads or sitting in someone’s kitchen or parlor.

Cassidy ‘Cassie’ Farrel is a famous Irish (Celtic) fiddle player who has taken three weeks to recharge and find her center before she starts her next set of concert tours. She is told about Fisher’s Cove (by the rocks, as in earth) and decides to take some time in the quiet fishing village not knowing that a large number of the inhabitants are witches. Marcus Buchanan has finally settled into his role as a father to Morgan and a part of the community. He has no desire to share Morgan, any more than he already does, and Cassie makes that very hard for him.

I really loved getting to spend more time in Nova Scotia as opposed to California, though we still have a visit from the Walker clan no matter where things are happening. This is a fun, light, romantic story that will enchant anyone. Enjoy this and the entire series.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
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Storm Front

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13543646

Storm Front (The Dresden Files #1)

by Jim Butcher , James Marsters (Narrator)
I remember the first time I read this book and it sucked me in pretty quickly because it was different from anything else I ever read before. This time was the same even though I knew what to expect this time around. The idea of a real life wizard living and working as a private eye is very cool. The way he is introduced is good because it is not a far fetched story but something that is more or less plausible. The language is perfect and conveys the the feelings, thoughts, and lives of the characters perfectly. The characters take on a life even in this first book where you can see who they are and what they will be later as they evolve.

Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a wizard, but not an old hermit type, but a wizard who lives in the world and has to survive there. He has a P.I. license and also consults for the police department on cases that do not have an obvious cause and seems to have a supernatural component. When he is called in on a case that involves a man and woman having their hearts explode in their chests by means that are not apparent he steps into something that is more than it seems on the surface. As the only known practicing wizard in Chicago Harry falls under suspicion not only with the White Council but by his friend Karrin Murphy who does not understand why he is holding back information from her.

Harry has only two days to find the real killer and stop him from taking even more lives. But when he is targeted can he find the killer before his own time is up. And can he possibly have a life outside of magic and death.

I love Harry now and forever because he is a wizard with a heart and sense of fair play like no other. This introduces you to his world and the people and places that he interacts with the most. This series can be fun but it will always have a dark edge because true magic and magical beings have a tendency to do what they want and it will not always be nice. Go for it!

“I’d made the vampire cry. Great. I felt like a real superhero. Harry Dresden, breaker of monsters’ hearts.”
― Jim Butcher, Storm Front                Jim Butcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
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A Nomadic Witch

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A Nomadic Witch (A Modern Witch #4)

These are quirky stories about a group of witches who keep expanding because of the internet and I really love it. The characters are all strange in one way or another or they have some type quirk you can identify with. The characters are all down to earth types who just happen to have the ability to manipulate the elements.

Marcus lost his brother to the mists over 40 years ago, he was a traveler and never returned to his body, he got lost. Marcus has never forgiven himself for not being able to save him and has become a bitter old man who pushes everyone away. In recent months, since the birth of new babies, and pushing by Moira, he has started to interact with others more. But something happens that could push him back into his shell.

A baby is left on Marcus’s porch and he is not sure why. When he finds out that it was sent to him by his brother, and that the baby is also a traveler, he is ready to give it up. But how can he turn his back on a baby who needs him when she was sent by the brother he still misses and loves?

This is fun, light, and total escapism. I can listen or read this and enjoy myself because I really care about these characters and what is going on in their lives. They always put a smile on my face even as I cry for the sad things that befall them. You cannot help but be charmed by these witches and the love that surrounds them. Give this series a try!

 

My rating: 5 of 5 magical stars

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Cherry Pop

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Cherry Pop (Vampire Cherry 0.5)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I read a short story in an anthology which was good enough to make me want to read more about this character because it sounded like it would be fun. Well, it is still basically good but I think I am going to need to read more to see if it gets better. This was an introduction that was a bit slow and did not really give much of a background on any of the characters that were introduced. The language is fine and is descriptive enough to keep your interest for the most part. This is a novella length book but could have contained so much more.

Cherry is found by a woman who brings her to Los Angeles and places her in porn movies under the name Cherry Stem. She has been a bit player in a few movies but has now been offered a starring role and is very excited about her big break. In order to get her face out there she is sent to a party full of up and coming stars where she meets someone she cannot resist. Cherry wakes up the next morning not exactly herself and finds her life completely altered with no way back.

This is a different kind of vampire story with some old and new myth’s about how vampires interact with the human population as well as how they interact with each other. Cherry is a likable character who could be really fun if she is fleshed out more and given more of a personality. This is a nice diversion when you are in between reads.

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Blood of Angels

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17264134

Blood of Angels (Blood Hunters #2)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While I enjoyed the first book more this one was still enjoyable enough to make me want to continue the series. The characters, some of whom were introduced in the first book, get expanded on so that they take on a new dimension. I was drawn in more quickly this time because I was familiar with who they were and what was going on with the mains. The setting is maybe not exotic but it is very different and makes the players more interesting because of their location. The language works for the vampires and the humans as they banter.

Eighteen months ago István went to the Angel and got on the bad side of its owner Angyalka, who just happens to be a vampire, when he and a group of hunters went there trying to capture Saloman. Not long after this fiasco István was very badly injured in a fight at the hunter library which left him semi paralyzed with little hope. But he and his fellow hunters were saved by Saloman and so began their alliance with the enemy. He has recovered and is now on his feet once again and creating his electronic marvels again.

István returns to the Angel supposedly to research how to store psychic energy. He believes that Angyalka can help him with this even though she is not very old but appears to be very powerful. Angyalka has not forgotten the hunter who humiliated her in front of her patrons and is looking for some payback. What they find is that two people can sometimes come together over their mutual short comings even when they fight it.

I like the idea behind an alliance between vampires and those who have traditionally hunted them. You get to see both sides, those who are for cooperation and those who would like to see a war between them. The two sides are going to be clashing more and more as things progress. This was just a taste of how the sides can get along if they stop seeing each other as so different. The sex is hot but not over the top and appropriate for what is going on. I would recommend.

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Haunted

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7627361

Haunted (Harrison Investigation, #1) (Harrison Investigation #1)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have never read anything by Heather Graham though I had heard a lot of good things. While this book did not Wow me in a big way it did give me something to look forward to because I did enjoy it quite a bit. The writing was straight forward and easily understood. There were no major grammar issues or misuse of words. It was a bit slow to get where it was going but it got there eventually and the journey was nice enough that you can forget that there were patches that made you want to stop. The characters were well imagined because I felt them as real individuals who made me want to know them more, though one or two were a little less vivid they still managed to be interesting. These are modern people who talk like they live in the world of today and act the same.

Matt Stone inherited Melody House on the death of his grandfather and really wishes to keep it in the family and not a part of some historical society. In order to do this he has to open the house to tours in order to pay for the upkeep on such a large estate. His house manager conducts ghosts tours of the manor house even though he does not believe in the supernatural at all. Then a bride runs out of the room she has rented for her honeymoon stark naked and raving about a ghost who was threatening her. Matt has to do something, even though he does not believe in order to convince others that there is no such thing as ghosts.

Darcy Tremayne has worked for Harrison Investigations, a paranormal investigation agency since she graduated from college. Adam Harrison was the father of her best friend from high school and offered to help Darcy any way he could after the death of his son. When Adam is contacted by Matt, the grandson of his old friend to come and prove one way or the other that Melody House is haunted he jumps at the chance. Darcy is sent ahead to assess the situation with her special gifts and runs into opposition even though they were invited. Is there something paranormal happening in the house or is the threat more down to earth?

This has a nice feel of suspense as well as supernatural threat. The mystery of who the entity was haunting the room or if there were more ghosts was definitely good. I did not like Matt to start with because of his hatred of all things supernatural being carried over into how he treated people. There was a romance but it was very dysfunctional at the beginning. Worth reading but do not expect a lot.

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How the White Trash Zombie Got Her Groove Back

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22596109

How the White Trash Zombie Got Her Groove Back (White Trash Zombie #4)

by Diana Rowland (Goodreads Author), Allison McLemore (Narrator)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a good story with twists and turns that made for a good mystery. I was drawn into the story right away and as usual the narration made it a very pleasant listen. The characters continue to grow and spread their wings. The language is what you would expect from characters who live in Louisiana with varying degrees of education.

Angel is back and things start to go wrong from the moment her day starts. The extra’s from the movie that was being made in town are continuing to die from the compound that was given to them by Saberton’s experiments on them. Marcus makes another of his bone head moves and Angel must once again show him she cannot be bossed around by him. Saberton makes a move on Pietro and causes trouble in the ranks of his organization. With a week like this it’s surprising she and her friends manage to survive.

This series is good for a laugh, a cry, and a feeling of romance. There is a lot going on and some of it is actually a little covert.

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Nice Girls Don’t Bite Their Neighbors

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Nice Girls Don’t Bite Their Neighbors (Jane Jameson #4)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This has been a fun and exciting series that has taken us through the ups and downs in the life of a new vampire. The characters have all become more real as the series has progressed and their world has become part of my world. I fell into the rhythm of the story right away and followed it to the end happily, though sad that it was ending.

Jane and Gabriel have moved in together and he is still trying to get her to say yes to his proposal. While at work something happens that changes the lives of Jane and all those around her. Jamie, the boy who delivers to her shop is struck by a car and Jane makes the decision to turn him, with his permission. Now she has the responsibility of raising a newly turned vampire in the same house as her boyfriend and sire.

Things get even worse when the person who ran Jamie down seems to be after Jane as well, or was she the original target?

This is a great ending to one of the most fun series I have read in a long time. Enjoy!