Blood Lines: World of the Lupi Series 3

Blood Lines

(Eileen Wilks)

Teaser: Rule has barely recovered from the severe wounds inflicted in the last ordeal, but regardless the government drafts he and Lily to investigate a serious matter. There is rumor of a group of politicians making deals with the devil to further their influence. This mission is so dangerous that the hard-nosed Cynna and the strange Cullen are also drafted to help.

Short Thought: A great continuation of an exciting paranormal romance series.

Expanded Thoughts: This novel was fun. Pure fun. I was convinced that this series wasn't going anywhere, and that it would just be a collection of WAFF-y Lily and Rule scenes. Boy, was I wrong!

The author really opens up the setting in this novel. We are given a deeper insight into the strained relationships between the Were (Lupi) tribes. I love that the author actually has Rule deal with the hardships of his position as heir. Most books build up a character with a powerful status, but they never have him deal with what comes with it. He has to battle with dissenters, finances of the clan, and etc.

We also get some mystery added with Lily's Grandmother, Cynna, and Cullen. Where do their powers come from? Does this open up a new conflict outside of the Lupi in the US? To the public, there is no magic, but it seems to be all over the globe.

I don't want to give too much away, so I'll just say this: these are the most original and complex paranormal romances I have read. They are impossible to predict, and don't fit into any mold.

Additional Notes: This is the 3rd novel in the World of the Lupi Series by Eileen Wilks.

Additional Notes: This novel does contain scenes of mild violence and sexual situations.

Iron Kissed: Mercy Thompson Series 3

Iron Kissed

(Patricia Briggs)

Teaser: As if Mercy hadn't been through enough already, she voluntarily walks into trouble again when her beloved boss and mentor is suspected of murdering members of the Fae community. She sets out to clear his name and finds herself in the worst trouble of her life.

Short Thought: Nail biting plot, and great main character.

Expanded Thoughts: There is really so much going in this novel that you could get whiplash. Not only is Mercy in constant trouble, Zee is a suspected murderer, Adam is trying desperately to keep the Fae at bay, and the real murderer is still on the loose and is highly dangerous.

The setting is opened up in this book. We are given more details about the struggles of the Fae in whether they want to go public. We are shown a part of the Reservation that a lot of Fae call their home. It creates a underlying tension in the whole novel, because every one has a strong opinion on the issue.

I'm going to keep this one short, because I really don't want to give anything away. Let me just say this, the author takes it up another level in this novel when it comes to Mercy. She drives home the fact that Mercy is human, and not some indestructible heroine. She is flawed, vulnerable, and scarred. I am dying to know how the situation will be treated, because it will never be the same.

Additional Notes: This is the 3rd book in the Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs.

Additional Notes: This novel contains dark themes, violence, and sexual scenes.

Magic Strikes: Kate Daniels Series 3

Magic Strikes

(Ilona Andrews)

Teaser: Kate, a mercenary with a canyon sized chip on her shoulder, has found a steady job contracting for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid. While she is out on a job, she gets called to a scene of a crime involving a murdered werewolf. When she arrives, she finds that the scene has been cleaned and that no one is willing to give up any information on the murder--not even her friends among them.

Short Thought: Mysterious and streetwise Kate, although slightly cliche, is becoming one of my favorite fantasy heroines.

Expanded Thoughts: This series is dark, gritty, and fun of sarcastic goodness. It is also a short and very entertaining read.

This book is by far the best in the series thus far. (Each book is better than the one before it.) We get introduced to more characters, but don't get overwhelmed by it. Kate becomes a deeper character as we begin to learn of her mysterious heritage and the different sides of her character.

My favorite part of the series is the relationship dynamic between Curran and Kate. The reader never really knows what going to happen, and it's glorious. There are too many fantasy (paranormal) novels with bland, predictable relationships. Just for the record, I hope Curran gets his way.

My only complaint is that the 'I'm a strong woman and not gonna listen to anybody and be stupid' thing gets annoying. Yes, it is understood that she is strong-willed and independant. WE GET IT!

Additional Notes: This is the third novel in the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews.

Blood Bound: Mercy Thompson Series 2

Blood Bound

(Patricia Briggs)

Teaser: A dangerous rogue vampire is on the loose, and Stefan has called in his favor to Mercy. Her unique abilities as a walker make her the only one that can potentially stop the powerful and maniacal murderer. Unfortunately, even her abilities don't make facing the vampire any less dangerous. She will find herself in her most dangerous situation yet, and it looks like this may be her last as she faces this real life demon.

Short Thought: Great sequel to the first in the series. More of the back story revealed and built upon.

Expanded Thoughts: Dare I say it? I like these books much better than the super popular Sookie Stackhouse Series. GASP!

So what makes me just love this book? First, this book goes further in the first in introducing more of the 'magical/paranormal' culture around Mercy's neighborhood. We really get an in-depth look into the vampire culture and hierarchy when Mercy has to travel to their lair to speak with their Queen. It is very different from how vampires are portrayed in a lot of the other books on the market. It was also described very well in that I got to experience a little bit of the fear, uncertainty, and anxiety that Mercy felt when she entered. You truly got to see threw her eyes and 'hear' her thoughts. There wasn't a clear friend or foe distinction, and it kept it riveting.

Second, I love the characters. Stefan is an ultra scary vampire that drives a VW psychedelic van, what's better than that? Also, Mercy, although in the middle of a supernatural whirlpool, is actually very normal and very easy to relate to. She owns her own business, and has a very vulnerable side. Sam and Adam are also very interesting characters, but I don't won't to give too much away about this book. One thing that I find awesome is that the author doesn't make her characters invincible, or give them the ability to magically be all better by the next scene. It really keeps you on toes, because something terrible may happen. It was especially tense in this novel because Mercy is put in a terrible situation from which she may not come back.

Lastly, The love story is very complex and interesting. We are not bombarded with gushy filler scenes or forced pairings. It is made more complex in this novel as we are given more back story on the connections between Mercy, Adam, and Sam. Their connections are deeper than revealed in the first novel. The story behind Sam and his connection to Mercy is very interesting and somewhat dark and disturbing. It has your emotions confused as to who to cheer for and what to think about it.

My only gripes are very trivial. I wish the novel was much longer. When I really started to get into it, it was over. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a 9,000 page novel in this series. (I would die! ...of happiness.) Also, though it was great to be able to get inside Mercy's head, sometimes I just wanted her to shut it up. I swear that in some instances her inner dialogue would span several pages and she would be saying the same thing over and over again. It just really got annoying sometimes.

I can't wait for the third novel. This has became my favorite series of this type.

Additional Notes: This is the 2nd book in the Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs.

Magic Burns: Kate Daniels Series 2

Magic Burns

(Illona Andrews)

Teaser: Kate is back with even more attitude, but more importantly with steady employment. She is now a recognized 'friend' to the Pack, a structured gang of shape shifters, and has solid connections to the authorities. Not only does this mean more leverage, but it more importantly means steady money--something Kate is grateful for and lacked until recently.

Kate is given a job by the Pack, or rather returning a favor. She is to track down a group of valuable maps that was stolen. Little did she know that the maps would lead to a butt kicking of epic proportions that she would feel for weeks to come.

Short Thought: Even better than the first of the series. Raised my expectations of the urban fantasy genre.

Expanded Thoughts: This novel was a short step ahead of the first one. I wasn't sure that I was going to continue with it after the first one, but I'm glad that I did.

One of my main complaints with the first novel was that the main character was flat and annoying. She was the stock, bull-headed chick that crumbles to lustful ooze in the presence of an alpha male. It had been done and better. I must say this novel deviated from that quite a bit. We get to see a female character stick to her guns (well swords), get the crap kicked out of her, and not turn into putty at the hands of the one that saved her. I was beyond pleasantly surprised. I had these novels totally pegged as being as predictable as many of the other series in this genre. I dare say, this character has me intrigued in that her whole story isn't revealed yet, and I am craving for more.

Another thing I did enjoy about this novel over many of the others in this genre is that the author doesn't force character relationship or alliances. It is more like real life. People don't trust each other so quickly, nor do they have magic enchantments that make them 'made for one another.' People also don't instantly work together 'just because.'

This one could turn into a real prize, maybe even better than Mercy Thompson and Sookie Stackhouse. All Hail Kate Daniels!

Additional Notes: This novel contains scenes of mild violence.

Additional Notes (2): This is the 2nd novel in the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews.

Mortal Danger: World of the Lupi Series 2

Mortal Danger

(Eileen Wilks)

Teaser: Lily is slowly settling into her new life as the chosen lover of Rule. Unfortunately, there is a evil plotting behind the scenes that has plans to change Lily's and Rule's relationship forever to further their power. Just as Rule has two true natures, so will Lily, and she will need both to survive.

Short Thought: Very entertaining. Makes for great leisure reading when you want to send your brain floating on adventure mode or you want that "lifetime movie" feeling added to your day.

Expanded Thoughts: I do think that this novel was better than the first. I have to apologize for the anemic teaser, but the plot is very simple. If I put any more I would be giving spoilers away, and I try, sometimes unsuccessfully, not to do that.

This novel seemed to be less forced, less predictable, and more complex. The relationship between Lily and Rule is sweet and for what every person would die. It just that deliciously unrealistic, but in a dreamy, girly movie type of way. It puts off WAFF-y waves.

The author opened up a lot of new plot lines that have the reader begging for the next novel. I could go on with a longer review, but for real, if you liked the first one, you need to read this one. It will not disappoint. Wilks has a good formula here, and I look forward to having these as a guilty pleasure on my estrogen-charged days.

Additional Notes: This is the 2nd novel in the World of the Lupi Series by Eileen Wilks.

Additional Notes: This novel contains scenes of violence and mild sexual activity.

Moon Called: Mercy Thompson Series 1

Moon Called

(Patricia Briggs)

Teaser: Mercy is a auto mechanic with a strange heritage--she's a walker. As a walker, she can transform herself into a coyote form with ease. Her heritage in her neighborhood is not so strange in that the house next door houses a werewolf clan's alpha with whom she keeps getting into predicaments and awkward situations.

Short Thought: One of the best books in the paranormal romance genre.

Expanded Thoughts: While waiting for the next Sookie Stackhouse novel, I decided to try the Mercy Thompson novels. (Okay, so I was forced by one of my peers.) I was pleasantly surprised, they're even better than the Sookie books. I look forward to continuing.

My only complaint is that the main character has the annoying bullheaded, loner gene that is in so many other books in the genre. Though, I do applaud Briggs on having a main character that owns her own mechanic shop. That's too awesome. (Especially for me, I can't even check tire pressure without disaster.)

Additional Notes: This is the first novel in the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs.

Tempting Danger: World of the Lupi Series 1

Tempting Danger

(Eileen Wilks)

Teaser: She's a tough-nosed detective, he's a playboy heir to a werewolf compound. Fate would bring them together in a way they could never predict.

Short Thought: Sexy, paranormal romance.

Expanded Thoughts: Ugh, so I'll admit it, I have delved into a tad bit of the romantic fantasy (I watched a Lifetime movie that day too geez). I enjoyed it. The plot was forced, characters predictable, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. A "better than TV" read. I look forward to reading these on my estrogen-charged days.

Additional Note: This is the first novel of the World of the Lupi series by Eileen Wilks.

Magic Bites: Kate Daniels Series 1

Magic Bites

(Ilona Andrews)

Teaser: Kate Daniels is a self-proclaimed hard ass living in an alternate world Atlanta. She doesn't have a soft bone in her body, and it makes her a damn good mercenary. For this first adventure, her guardian is found murdered, and she requests the help of several local supernatural factions to get to the bottom of it. She finds herself entwined not only in a savage murder case, but also in the politics of the local shape shifters.

Short Thought: Wonderful, paranormal adventure suitable for both female and male tastes.

Expanded Thoughts: Well, I could never call this a piece of genius or great literature, but dang was it entertaining. It was like watching one of those fantasy shows on TV. If you look at it just as a entertainment piece and easy read, it succeeds. It is simple. There are no complicated characters or plots lines, and everyone adheres to a stereotype. That being said I think I am going to read the next one. Reads like this are perfect in the morning over coffee, or as a great substitute for TV. I mean I am already caught up in the potential love story (they get me every time dag nabbit).

Additional Note: This is the first book of the Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews.