Tag Archives: urban fantasy

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Day Shift

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The story continues seamlessly a few months after Manfred has taken up residence in Midnight and he is more a member of the community. The characters are already well established and I like them all, even Olivia. The town seems to be changing in subtle ways that the residents cannot do anything about. Several stories are going on in this book that relate to individuals and then come back to the group. This is an ensemble that works well apart but even better when they come together to help each other.

People say there is no such thing as bad publicity but in Midnight where the residents value their solitude it can be deadly. Olivia Charity is an anomaly in a town of secretive people. No one really knows what she does for a living, only that she is beautiful and dangerous.

While in Dallas on a working weekend, Manfred finds out just how dangerous Olivia really is when a couple she is seen in their hotel winds up dead at the end of the evening. Things take a turn for the worse when one of Manfred’s regulars dies during their reading, and her son makes claims that could put Manfred in jail as well as bring the eyes of the world to Midnight, Texas. Olivia is told to help Manfred get rid of his problem and she reluctantly agrees.

Sookie gets a mention here and a character from Dallas who hasn’t been seen in a long time. Things get a little more mysterious in some instances and we get some explanations for other things. I enjoyed this a great deal and think anyone else would too. This is a three-book series and should be read in order.

My rating: ✺✺✺✺

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Crane

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This was one of those books that it took me a while to get into. I liked the idea of the book and after reading the blurb I was prepared to totally like it but it did not click right away. I think it partially had to do with the main character, I had a hard time warming up to her. She was actually rather dull at the beginning though I had decided I liked her by the time we were getting to the end. The fact that the story was two-pronged both helped and hurt me. I understood that it was a matter of telling the story of Ichabod Crane as well as bringing it into the present it was not bad and I liked the way that his story was handled, the present just didn’t flow as well. I also liked that Washington Irving and Rip Van Winkle were prominent parts of his story.

Ichabod Crane and his friends go to Sleepy Hollow where he has been retained as the Schoolmaster. After the war, they are all just wanting to find work and live out their lives as peacefully as possible. But they have come to the wrong place to find that peace because Sleepy Hollow is under a curse that seems to be pulling them in. Ichabod has fallen in love with a girl who has been promised to another. Rip is making a reputation for himself under Ichabod’s name and Irving is just being himself. When the Horseman rides and seems to be coming for his beloved Ichabod makes the ultimate sacrifice.

Ireland Crane is looking to make a fresh start in Sleepy Hollow after a bad breakup that has left her mistrustful of men. She has no idea that bearing her name in that town is not the best of ideas. She comes there as a guidance counselor to the local High School and proceeds to fall into the role it seems she was always meant to play. When the Horseman seems to reappear and she becomes a prime suspect things could not seem worse. Then she finds a squatter in her basement who turns out to be Rip Van Winkle and he tells her that she is cursed.

With bodies dropping and no knowledge of why or how she seems to be involved Ireland must try to believe something so fantastic it could only be a movie. But to break the curse she will help someone she has never believed existed.

The story is a good one but it took a while for me to connect, this does not mean it would be the same for anyone else. Once it gets going well the story takes on a life of its own and draws you in. I am debating on reading the remaining books in the series but may just see where things go after she takes charge.

I would recommend it to anyone who likes the retelling of old myths and legends.

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟

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When Darkness Comes

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I am just lucking into good authors all over the place these days. I guess I have been missing out on some great reads because I get so stuck on my favorites. I think this may just be another of my favorites. I liked the characters and the way that things progressed in the story. It was a little bit of instalove but it could be forgiven since they at least had been around each other more than a few days. I could however have done without the term ‘lover’ being used as an endearment from start to finish, it really did not resonate with me at all. Most of the dialogue was smooth and seemed to fit the characters but every once in a while things would come off a little stiff.

Abby Barlow ends up having one hell of a day. There is an explosion, she watches her employer die, has a bizarre dream, and finds herself on the run with Dante a man she both fears and desires. Dante was guardian to Abby’s employer for 341 years against his will. But now as the spirit which he has protected falls on Abby, he finds it not the burden it had been in the past. As Dante tries to protect Abby from the dark forces gathering to kill her they find that things are worse than either could have ever imagined.

I liked both Dante and Abby because I could identify with both of them as people. Abby had a horrible childhood but still managed to be a fairly positive person. I would have liked to get some more background on Dante since it was pretty sparse as far as getting to know him.

I like the action and romance of the story. I would recommend it to anyone who has a thing for vampire romance.

My Rating: ✯✯✯✯

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First Contact

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First Contact by Kat Green

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is my first read by this author and I am glad that I took the time to try it out. The idea behind what the character does for a living is interesting and different from anything I have seen before. The setting is current and therefore makes it easier to relate to the surroundings. The characters themselves are fairly well defined and fleshed out giving you a good idea of who they are and what their motivations are. I was pretty much drawn into the story immediately, even though I had taken a bit of a dislike for the main character right away.

Sloane Osborne is a paranormal realtor, which basically means that she sells haunted houses once she can authenticate there is a haunting. Sloane’s real reason for doing this is to try and contact her dead fiance, Michael, who always said to wait or try things for a year and a day. Sloane has been looking and it has gotten to day 366 and she is hoping beyond hope it will happen.

Sloane has gone to a job in Wisconsin which she has found on her own in the hopes that it will be the one that allows her to make contact and gain her gift/curse of being able to speak with the dead. The house has a feel to it and the person employing her has not met with her. She investigates further in order to see who or what might be in the house. This places her in danger she could not have seen coming.

I did finally warm up to Sloane even if I felt like she was a weak individual in the beginning she showed me she could step up. I ended this really liking the story enough to want to read the next book in the series. There is a total creep factor and some great atmosphere. Not a lot of scares but it has a heavy feel that pulls you in and makes you a part of the hurt and betrayal of the story. Great for a Halloween read or just if you like a good ghost story.

Recommended!



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The Protected

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I always enjoy the exploits of the psychics attached to the FBI unit because they are not simply suits. These agents have backgrounds and stories that are in some instances heartbreaking but that only makes them more interesting to read about. The characters whether good guys or bad guys are going to be nothing short f great because you are going to get someone who is either going to make you like them or creep you out and make you dislike them, both very good things while reading.

Agent Vaughnne MacMeans would do anything to avoid going back to Orlando after the last assignment in that city. Her new assignment, keeping an eye on a psychic kid who may or may not be in danger forces her right back to the city where her sister was murdered. As an added bonus she finds herself attracted to the kids’ guardians in a big way.

Gus does not understand Alex’s gift but he knows that some people would kill to have it. And he is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep the boy safe from anything. His first inclination is to run when the beautiful woman moves into the house across the street from his, but figures getting to know her first might not hurt. When danger does show Vaughnne may be the only person standing between them and death.

Things start a little slowly but pick up swiftly and things start happening that keep you wondering. There are a number of people who come into play some known and some new. The tension builds perfectly and keeps you waiting for the next event. There is also a romance that develops which you want to see grow and hopefully work. I would definitely recommend this!

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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The Alchemical Detective

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The Alchemical Detective by Kirsten Weiss

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The second book gives you a little more of the characters and brings them more personality and presence. You get more of a feeling for who they are and how they are going to grow in the future. Because we move to a new location you do not really get anything from that. The location descriptions are pretty generic and you never really get a feeling for the area. The story is interesting but they keep referring to a past event that has never been explained in a way that would make it very relevant to any situation.

Riga has lost her magic and has gone to Lake Tahoe to hopefully get it back and spend some quality time with her new love, Donovan Mosse. Donovan owns a Casino that is being run by his cousin Reuben who is not happy to have Donovan back on the premises.

When a psychic is murdered the police seek out Riga, they believe she may be a suspect though they know she has consulted for the police in the past. Things go from bad to worse as a film crew hires Riga who uses them as a stepping stone to investigate what seems to be murders related to her past. Can she avoid being a victim herself?

Decent enough to keep the story moving forward but would really like to have some details on this past.



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alchemy was first a method of transforming spiritual lead into gold, of dissolving the alchemist herself, removing impurities, and unifying her disparate spiritual and psychological pieces.  It was also really complicated, which was why Riga had never gone further than an academic knowledge of the subject.

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Skin Game

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Skin Game by Jim Butcher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is Dresden and I have loved him since the first time I opened a book and found this wizard who is flawed but tries to do the right thing no matter the consequences. I expect a great story with characters that are believable and more than meets the eye, and that is just what I got. The story is pure Dresden and true to who the characters have come to be as this tale has continued. The few new characters who were introduced fit very well with those we know so well. Everyone is evolving and becoming more than they originally were whether for better or worse, and everyone is surprising in how they react to Dresden.

When Harry became the Winter Knight he thought he would be able to deal with it and maybe find his way out as he has so many times in the past. What he didn’t expect were all the complications that kept him working for Mab even though he wishes he had made better choices. Because of the parasite growing in his head, he has been living Mab has kept him isolated and is wearing down his humanity.

Nicodemus Archleone, a Knight of the Blackened Denarius, is back and Mab has a debt to pay off to him. That is where Dresden comes in, Mab is loaning Harry to a man he hates and has defeated in the past, to help. Lucky for Harry he is given some say in how things will work and enlists the help of Karrin Murphy, ex-cop and good friend, to go on this particular adventure with him. The goal, to stay alive and thwart Nicodemus at all costs.

It may be just me but I have not found a Dresden novel that did not make me very happy to have read. As that is the case I will recommend this to any fans of Harry Dresden who have not already read it. If you want to start a really good series, then start with Storm Front and work your way up, they do need to be read in order as reference is made to early incidents.

** I listened to it for my second time around because I have fallen under the spell of James Marsters who I could listen to all day and be very happy. He is Harry and don’t let anyone tell you any different. I hope he will narrate all the books as they come out because I would not do audio without him. Enjoy this book both ways!

There’s power in the touch of another person’s hand. We acknowledge it in little ways, all the time. There’s a reason human beings shake hands, hold hands, slap hands, bump hands.





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Angels of Bourbon Street

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Angels of Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I enjoy these books and I like most of the characters because they have been able to grow as the series has moved forward, then there are some I could do without sometimes. Being set in New Orleans makes this work perfectly for the way things seem to go for everyone here. I have never been but every time I read one of these books I can imagine that I am visiting the French Quarter or the Garden District because of the vivid descriptions of the locales. I chose to listen and read because it does make it so much easier to keep the story going when I am on the go. I can listen in my office at work while still being productive and relaxed.

Jade has been left with only half her soul because of circumstances beyond her control, even though she was doing the right thing. But she decides that nothing is going to stop her from marrying the man of her dreams, Kane. Well, things never go smoothly for Jade no matter how much she wants it to.

Jade is possessed by the ghost residing in Kane’s family home while making arrangements for her wedding. Though they are able to save her once it becomes clear that in her weakened state she is easy prey. Now she will have to live with the person who has the other half of her soul in order to keep her safe, but that does not help her friends.

The narrator, Traci Odom, does a great job of bringing the characters to life, both male and female. If you have enjoyed the first three books in this series then you will enjoy the continued adventures of this new to her craft witch.


“Everyone in this room knows I’m going to say yes, but I’m not willing to let the realm have complete control over us. If we were to become slaves to you, our lives would hardly be worth living anyway. So my offer to you is this: the pair of us will accept your condition of becoming shadowwalkers, but we want to be compensated as a low-level angel would. We also want all the benefits and rights that they have under your laws. There will be no exceptions because we are humans.”
― Deanna Chase, Angels of Bourbon Street


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Dresden: Dog Men

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My rating: 🌠🌠🌠

The start of this story stopped me in my tracks for a minute before I realized what was going on. Probably at the same time Dresden figured it out. This is a tale fit for Dresden but set outside his hometown which always makes things tenser since he is working with people who may not believe in the paranormal. You get to see a character who has not made an appearance since around the fifth novel or so though he has been mentioned in passing.

Harry is feeling angry and anxious after his battle with Puck which makes him fear for his friends. But just as he is about to sink into it he gets a visit from someone totally unexpected. Harry is asked to help a family that has lost four members to something which may turn out to be supernatural. So he takes off for Mississippi and another chance to protect innocents, which he does best.

Slow start but it’s a Dresden story so things will likely pick up quickly. This is for the fans who always need more of Harry. But should be tried by anyone who likes urban fantasy or comics.

My rating: 🌠🌠🌠🌠

No need for an in-depth breakdown of things. This is Harry Dresden and I love Harry Dresden. If he were to step off the pages he would be mine even if he protested. Things are gearing up to get a bit complicated for him, Listens, and Mouse as they try to keep people from dying.

Of course, I recommend this.

My rating: 🌠🌠🌠🌠

My rating: 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠

Harry is fighting more than one enemy this time around. He must figure out how to destroy the bad guys without taking himself as well as innocents out too.

This is classic Dresden and it just keeps getting better.

My rating: 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠

I really enjoy these mini-stories that give us a look at cases Harry is working on before we get back to the main event. The action has ramped up and there will be a great payoff in the end. Though it is not a novel, it is a way to be able to keep his legacy alive. Even if it is totally detached from the world as it is in the novels.

My rating: 🌠🌠🌠🌠

This was a decent end to the story but I would have been happy with a little more action. Still, Dresden, so I will be happy with at least getting something.

Still well worth the price of admission.

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Crimson Death

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I still love the Anita Blake series because I have come to really like and appreciate the characters. Yes, I know how they will react in some situations, just I know how my own family will react to certain things. This just makes it more a part of me. If I did not feel this way then I would not have stayed with it this long because 25 books is a lot. There are the characters who are well known and and though they may not change in major ways they have subtle changes in the way they think and do things. Then there are always new characters both alive, dead, and shifter who sometimes are interesting and sometimes bland, but most will not be seen again.

Damian, Anita’s vampire servant is in a state that she nor anyone else has seen for hundreds of years. He is not dying as the sun comes up but falls into a sleep that results in his having nightmares and waking to blood sweats so bad he seems to have bled out. Then a call comes from Edward/Ted from Ireland about vampire attacks. The thing is there are supposedly no vampires in Ireland, or at least none have been seen.

There is not a lot Anita can do when she is not wanted in Ireland, but if she goes she is planning to take Damian back into the sphere of She Who Made Him. That could be the worst idea she has ever had.

I know there are people who have read the series in the past and are now extremely critical because they don’t like the direction it took. I would say to those people, Do Not Read It, and then you cannot be disappointed. For those who still enjoy the series as it has progressed I would say that you will likely enjoy this just as much. For me things continue to move in a way that works for me and seems right for the characters. That is all I want, plus it entertains and draws me away for a time. Not to mention that I would not hate being in Anita’s place one bit.

My rating: ✮✮✮✮✮ of 5