Angels Blood

Angels Blood by Nalini Singh;

Book 1 of the Guild Hunter Series

I read several reviews of this book in Goodreads, and it was recommended to me. I was curious as most of the reviews were very positive, plus angels and archangels were a new subject to me.

As I was going into hospital for the day I had a quick read at the beginning of several books in order to find one I felt would capture me enough to take my mind off the situation, and found once I started this book I had to keep going.

I loved the characters, the action, the writing, the romance. This is one of those series where I started with a ‘real’ book, but tempted to change now to Kindle for the speed as I want more!! And I want it now!

The basic story is that a vampire hunter, Elena, is given a job by the Guild. She is agitated as the job is with the Archangel of New York, and his reputation goes before him, for cruelty and lack of concern for humans. As the summons asks for her specifically, neither she nor the Guild can turn it down. Elena is confused as he wants  her to track an archangel, and she has no experience in this only vampires. They work together and their relationship evolves and changes as their quest brings them together.

There is (to me anyway) a whole new bio for vampires and angels, which was interesting to me and gave the book an added twist. I mean angels are lovely loving creatures - aren't they? 

If this is your style, paranormal / supernatural with action and romance, please give it a try, well worth it.

Two Evils by P J Tracy

This is book 6 in the Monkeewrench series. I have read all the series and enjoyed them, but somehow this one is not up to standard, for me.

It felt thin, short, not enough about the individuals in Monkeewrench crew, nor Detective Magozzi & Gino. The story was good, I enjoyed reading it, but just not enough. If I hadn’t read the previous books, this might have put me off, as it is , I will just write it off as a blip, and wait for book 7.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

I had downloaded this book quite some time ago, and it kind of got lost in the initial influx of downloads in my new Kindle. Realising that some of my earlier downloads were being passed over and forgotten about, I decided to create a new group on my Kindle – ‘Books I am eager to read’ and trawled through all the other groups and organised them. Then I discovered this one again.

I sat down one day and started reading it and by the end of page one, knew I would enjoy the writing, and by the end of chapter one, knew I would love it. I was aghast that I had missed it for so long - yet excited because I still had it to read – I was now at last on the journey.

I do enjoy a good story with Witches, Vampire and Demons, and any other supernatural creatures you care to include, but the added extra with this book is that they are not teens or at school, they were adults, thank goodness, The premise of the book is that there is an ancient book which these people know exists and believe it tells the story of their origins. The book begins in the UK where Diane is researching in Oxford University, she is in the library as is her habit, and has delivered to her the ancient books she has requested. One of the books, as soon as she touches it, makes her fingers tingle and she knows immediately there is magic around. Although she manages to open the book it is difficult to read as the letters are moving and there are layers of writing. As it isn’t relevant to her studies and she knows there is magic, she puts the book aside and returns it to the staff.

Diane is from a long and distinguished line of witches, but from childhood has avoided using/leaning about her powers mainly because her parents were killed, and the fact that they were both witches made her avoid the art. Part of being a witch, however is that she can sense when there is another witch or any other supernatural being around, and there have always been a few, and there is a group of local witches who have been trying to get her to join with them, but she has steered clear. After the morning she handled the book, she is conscious that there appears to more around than usual.

We soon meet the enigmatic Matthew – a vampire – and their confusing and uncomfortable relationship begins, which adds to the tension in Oxford. He begins to always appear to be around her, as well as the many more and every day increasing numbers of witches who are acting towards her in a threatening manner. She learns through Matthew, eventually that the book is very important to each of the supernatural classes, as they believe it contains very ancient information as to how they all began, and had been sealed using magic, which she had managed to overcome and open the book. She is effectively now in danger, as each group want her and the book to be the ones with the vital information.

There is a council made up of these supernatural creatures who decreed the their sort do not mix with each other, as they are desperate the Humans do not learn of their existence, so there is added danger as their evolving relationship is cause for concern to the council.

I loved this book, and could not put it down. The only reason it took me a while to read was finding the time, and the fact that it is a big book! I quickly checked and was delighted to find it is the first of a trilogy with book 2 already released (and in my Kindle) ‘Shadow of Night’.

If like me you enjoy these types of stories and yearn for a more adult story I would highly recommend this book.

Thorn in my Side by Sheila Quigley

D I Mike Yorke has been in London working undercover and returns home to the North East and Holy Island, bringing a couple of waifs and strays with him. He has barely drawn breath when he is called to a very bizarre case of a body found which had been flayed.

The characters are at once familiar and comfortable, as is Sheila’s writing style. I downloaded this book onto my Kindle, and I have to admit to carrying it around with me so I could read a few pages whenever I had the chance. The action is fast, there are twists and turns, there is an element of …. No  I won’t say anymore to spoil this story.

My only HUGE disappointment was that the second book in the trilogy, Nowhere man, is not yet on Kindle! I was all set to download so I could continue on. I am told is will be on Kindle shortly, so I will have to be patient.

If you have read her books previously, you will not be disappointed, if you haven’t, I would suggest you do so now.

A Deeper Darkness by J T Ellison

Like other fans of J T Ellison, I was nervous about reading a book with a new main character. Sam has been around of course, but not alone as the main character. Well I needn't have worried I really enjoyed the book, in fact almost read it in one go, only extreme fatigue prevented it.

I liked Sam, I liked the story, I liked the pace of it, I liked the characters. 

Sam goes off to help out the mother of an old boyfriend who has been murdered, by carrying out a second autopsy. She is drawn into the investigation as she too is unhappy with what has gone on so far. She works with the detectives in DC, as they begin to peel back the layers of her ex's life and military career to reach an understanding of what was really going on as more and more of his ex-military colleagues are murdered.

If you are already a fan, you will enjoy this book, if not - give it a go, you won't regret it!(less)

Depth Perception by Linda Castillo

I have enjoyed Linda Castillo's books, but this was not one of the Kate Burkholder series, so was to be a new subject matter.

Nat woke after being in a coma for 3 years after her husband and child were horribly murdered. She decided to go home, once she was recovered, to investigate as no one had been charged with their murder, but many people believed it was her. Although she was viciously hurt, it was had been initially believed she did it to herself, all in order to received a large insurance payout. Although the case against her had been thrown out, people still felt she had been responsible

When she returns home, she found the memories in the small Southern town, were as strong as ever and she faced a lot of open dislike and hostility. She looks up Nick Bastille, who has just been released from jail, and had returned home to the same town, as he too had a child who had died. She did not believe it had been an accident but that he had been another victim of the same man who had destroyed her family. Eventually they combine forces to hunt for the murderer who may be responsible for several other child murders over the years. 

The core of the story is that Nat has been 'different' since she woke from the coma, she believes is in receipt of messages from her dead son. This, not being the easiest thing to make others believe in, makes her job to try and help other children who may in danger, very difficult. However with Nick at her side, and their growing attraction, they form a strong bond.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was a little bit obvious in parts, but that did not spoil it for me, I have read it in one sitting, and would recommend it.

Sleight of Hand by Mark Henwick

I started reading this book thinking it would be distracting, as I was unwell, plus building work at home was stressful. It did that very well.

I found the book so easy to read, the characters real, and I quickly felt at ease with it. In fact I carried my kindle round constantly so I could read it anytime. 

It is, as the description indicates, a vampire story, but a different story from the usual. There are also werewolves, though they don't really have too big a part in this story. The book moves quickly as you learn about Amber and her story - her background - and how she has ended up in the position she is in. Why she is a private investigator, and we get to know the various people involved in her life.

I grew to love so many of the characters, I was so disappointed that book 2 is not yet out so I will have to wait, impatiently, for it. However, as I can see so many areas where this series can grow and develop......I am very excited about book 2!

If you are a fan of this genre, and are maybe looking for other than 17 year old heroines, I would urge you to give it a go.

Enemy of the fae, by India Drummond

 Caledonian Fae #3 

I have been waiting impatiently for this third adventure with the Fae and Druids in Scotland, and boy was it worth the wait!

I am always filled with a mix of excitement and dread when you get a new book in a series you have loved. Excited to meet up with old friends and ready to go on with them in their next adventure, and dread in case they are not the same or the next adventure is a let down. Don’t worry, it’s all good! Still fresh, still exciting, still new situations, surprises, excitement and disappointment when the book comes to an end and the wait for book 4 begins.

The book starts where book 3 leaves off and we find ourselves right in the middle of intrigue in the Faery realm, there are misleading situations to confuse you, there are all the thrills and escapades you have come to expect, and some surprising developments for the Druids in particular.

In fact this book is mainly about the druids, one way and another, we see Munro learning to live with his position, and yet evolve even more as he learns of the history of his race and the possible affect this might have on his queen and the fae. We have the other druids who are having a less pleasant time adjusting to their situation, on in particular who has become close to a young Fae, with heart-breaking  consequences, and yet another who was caught up in a terrifying situation.

There was plenty of action and intrigue, and yet again the book finishes on a note of aaarrrggghhh, as we have to wait for book 4 to learn the decision made and how this will affect them all.

I loved this book as much as I loved the rest of the series, highly recommended.

The exciting Caledonia Fae #2 - Azuri Fae

While desperately looking to see if any sign of book 3, I realised I had not reviewed book2!

I loved book 1, as an avid reader of supernatural books, and a Scot I had to read it. Then there was the wait for book 2. Would it be as good, would the standards drop, would it hold my interest? Well yes, no and yes! It was every bit as good as book 1, the standards did not drop and it certainly held my interest.

I was lucky enough to be able to read the book in a couple of sittings, so no infuriating real life disturbing me too much till I read it all. There is no point in simply telling the story, if you loved book 1 you will love book 2, it takes you on another journey with the main characters, they evolve and move forward with their lives. You learn more about the Fae and how their society works, the characters develop and grow into their place in that society, and it leaves you wanting more.

So now we must wait impatiently for book 3.

More stories from Tabitca

Sips of Dark Desires

By

Tabitca Cope

Another terrific collection of short stories by Tabitca Cope, with a twist! If you have read Tabitca’s earlier collections, you will appreciate her talent, if not, now is the time to discover it.

These are just perfect when you sit down to grab 10 minutes and a cuppa, or at the moment, when you feel like reading when sunbathing, but can’t concentrate on a novel.

If you like the strange, the dark, the altogether inhuman, these are for you. Each story a discovery, each one different, you never quite know where you are about to be led…

Go on, you know you want to…..

A must read book

Do Me No Harm

By

Julie Corbin

I was lucky enough to get an early copy of this, the 3^rd book by Julie Corbin. I loved both her other books so I was excited to start on this one. Luckily I woke very, very early this morning, so settled with coffee at 4.30 I started.

I was so happy I could read it all in the one sitting as I would have had a very hard time to leave it! It got right under my skin, and I had to know what was going on! The main character, Olivia, is a GP, and single parent of a teenage boy Robbie, and his younger sister Lauren. She is recently divorced from Phil, another doctor, so is a little emotionally raw still. Then one night it starts. 

She gets a phone call that Robbie has been rushed to hospital, and it turns out that although he had been drinking a little, he had a very nasty drug in his system which had caused him to hallucinate and eventually collapse knocking his head. The drug doze was such that it could have killed him, and in fact his heart did stop beating at one stage. Olivia is convinced that her son is telling the truth, that he does not take drugs, and so the only explanation is that his drink was spiked! But why?  And who?

Olivia struggles to make the police and her ex-husband believe that her son is not into drugs and that a crime has taken place. The events that follow begin to show that the family are being targeted, and so Olivia is right.

While trying to understand what is going on, looking into the past to find a reason, and then to discover who could be behind it all, Olivia becomes close to the policeman, D I O’Reilly, who is investigating the case, but when Olivia begins to think she has worked out what is going on she is reluctant to share the information with him.

The action is fast, the characters real, the brutal revelations from the past hard to live with, but they all bring the situation up to date. The human mistakes and lies which are revealed are both shocking and yet real, and help to paint the picture of the current situation.  Then Olivia begins to realise that events are moving too quickly and they have real reason to be terrified.

Apart from the odd cup of coffee, and changing of the CD, I sat and read to the end, as I already, said, I was just so glad it was Sunday and I was in a position to do just that. This book is highly recommended, but please make sure you have plenty of time, because I promise you will not want to put it down.

Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow

Lili St Crow is a new author to me, I saw reviews in Goodreads and decided to give this book a go. Having been reading different genres of books for the last few weeks, I was ready for a return to the Supernatural. Although I have a few books in my TBR pile which are continuations of series I enjoy, I decided to try this new author.

My first thought was, disappointment that it was yet another school kid........ However, I was quickly drawn into the story and the character of Dru. I did get a little impatient with her from time to time, but then again I am not a 17 year old girl!

I really enjoyed the ride, it was a little different, and I found the writing style very easy and enjoyable, in fact I read it in 2 sittings – only because I had to be elsewhere at one stage. In fact I enjoyed it so much I immediately ordered the rest of the series, and another complete series by the same author.

Dark Esk by Tabitca Cope

The third book in the Dark Trilogy by Tabitca does not disappoint. Laura is now living in Whitby and ghostly happenings have begun. Between Hellhounds roaming the streets, ghostly carriages driving through the streets, beheaded bodies, bloodletting and weird sea monsters Laura is plunged into more intrigue.

With the arrival of the 5th Reich into the mix, her trusty Knights are called for. The action is fast and breathtaking, as they have to try to stop the 5^th

Reich from locating a well hidden and powerful artefact.

Be prepared for the shocks, of which there are many, and enjoy the ride. As usual put aside a few hours as you wont be able to put this down!

As this is the third book in a trilogy, I hope Tabitca will consider carrying on with her intrepid gang in a new series…..

The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths

I have had this book for some time and had almost started it a few time, however the other day, it just appealed so I settled down with it.

The ‘heroine’ Dr Ruth Galloway, is a forensic archaeologist, who lives in a small cottage on the edge of the salt marches in Norfolk, a bleak desolate place. D.C.I. Harry Nelson asks her for some advice on a case he is working as some bones have been recovered and he needs her help in dating them. There was a case some years before when a young girl went missing which has haunted Harry and he wants to know if these bones could be hers.

These bones are over two thousand years old, but mark the beginning of their ‘partnership.’ Ruth I found to be so normal, nearing 40 a bit over weight out of condition, living alone with her 2 cats. She has insecurities broken relationships in her past a good friend who lives nearby with whom she has the occasional girl’s night in, a very normal well rounded character.

As Harry confides in her that he is haunted by the missing girl and has been receiving anonymous letters about it for some time, they begin to get closer and Ruth is drawn into the investigation when another young girl disappears.

I found it exciting yet believable, I could identify and understand what was going on, when it becomes apparent that Ruth is in danger it all steps up a notch and some long buried secrets come out into the open.

I did try to guess ‘who done it’ but in the end I was wrong! I then decided to check out the next book in the series and was delighted to find it ready and waiting on my kindle. I know what I am doing this afternoon.

Bootleggers Daughter by Margaret Maron

I saw a review of this series of books set in North Carolina, and I was instantly attracted to it, so I sourced the first few in the series.

This is the first book, and the main character is Deborah Knott, an attorney in Coleen County. An unconventional lady, daughter of the county’s biggest producer of moonshine – or so the rumours go! She is unmarried and a working woman, not at all as she was supposed to turn out and so an on going source of contention between her and her father.

Deborah is approached in this book, by the daughter of a friend of hers, to help her discover the truth behind the murder of her mother which happened when she was only 3 months old. Reluctantly Deborah agrees to try and do what she can, at the same time as she decides to apply for the position of District Judge for the County, to try and take some of the power away from the ‘good old boys’ of the area.

This is a gentle story (in the sense of not loads of blood and guts) of the investigation, and the truths that begin to be uncovered. While at the same time she has to engage in the rituals of going for public office, and all that it entails.

I found this to be an enjoyable read, it was interesting as apart from the story as such, there was a peek into small town living in that part of the world, which was so atmospheric.

If you are a fan of murder/mystery book, and enjoy a gentler take on it, and set in a small town in the South, do give it a go. I did, and now I have another new series to delve into, plus she has another series going, which I am about to investigate also.

Skinwalker by Faith Hunter

I had not heard of Faith Hunter till I read in C E Murphy’s  News Letter that she had written with Faith Hunter a novella combining her Joanne Walker, Shaman-from the Walker Papers Series, with Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock, skinwalker. They are both to work together on a ‘case’, in Slim Pickings. This incited me to have a peek at the books of Faith Hunter, as I am a huge fan of C E Murphy.

The first book in the Jane Yellowrock series, Skinwalker was soon ordered and I have read it almost in one sitting, as I enjoyed it so much. It is so exciting to discover a new series (book 2 will be started today and book 3 is winging it’s way to me!)

Jane is a skinwalker, as far as she knows, as she was found wandering at around 12 years of age, with no speech or manners, nothing to indicate where she had come from or from whom. She can however change into any creature, and this gives her the extra edge needed in her job – vampire hunter. She has no memories of her early years, but when she is ‘the beast’ she sometimes feels she is on the edge of a memory, and she really wants to know what and who she is. It is very exciting when near the end of the book, she slowly begins to get more memories.

This novel concerns a job she has taken on in New Orleans for Katherine, one of the oldest  vampires in the area and owner of a bordello. There is a rogue vampire on the loose and they want him caught and disposed of as he is bringing too much attention to the Vampires in the city. The time the novel is set in, vampires are in the open, as are witches (Jane’s best friend is an Earth Witch), but their place in society is still new and uncertain, so they really cannot have a rogue kill both vampires and humans.

We learn about the vampire society, and how it works, the different Houses in New Orleans. She befriends the usual gorgeous guy, but it is nice to have one around, however, Rick is a little more complex than she at first thinks. Jane also strikes up relationships with some of the human servants of the vampires as she begins to gather information to help her to hunt.

I found the characters in this book to be immediately interesting and I wanted to know more about them. I was enthralled when Jane ‘changed’ and the constant battle raged with her and ‘the beast’, and despite a few red herrings I did not guess the outcome. 

I really enjoyed this novel, and I am going straight to book 2, and I shall certainly have a look at her other series. If you have read and loved the novels by C E Murphy, you will love this. If you like the supernatural, vampires, witches, shape shifters, you will love this.

For Better, For Murder by Lisa Bork

Book 1 in the Broken Vows Mystery Series

I decided to buy this book when I read about it in the author's Goodreads page. I do like a nice uncomplicated easy to read, really nice book from time to time, kind of cleansing after blood and guts, or vampires and other supernatural beings.

So when I woke up at 3.35 this morning, and unable to go to sleep, finished the book I was reading (vampire) then, as I was still awake and not at all sleepy, I went in search of something appealing, and came across this book. I settled with a coffee, wrapped up as it was pretty chilly, and started.

I so enjoyed this book, from page 1 I knew I would enjoy the writing, it was easy and just flowed, and as the story unfolded, I was just hooked. I finished the book in the one sitting, and felt upset when it ended! 

The story was set in a small town in USA, Finger Lakes, the main characters are Jolene and Ray. Jolene runs a car sales business dealing with top end, exotic cars; and Ray her not quite ex-husband who is a Deputy. There follows murder, entwined with a maybe love story and possible bankruptcy, mixed with a needy, confused relative, and crossed wires, all adding up to an exciting, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable book.

I immediately went to Amazon to look at book 2 in the series, and to my utter delight discovered I had bought it too! So now that I have located it, and am about to settle down to read it, but I’ll just check to see if book 3 is out yet!!

Illicit Magic by Camilla Chafer

 This is the 1^st in the Stella Mayweather series.

Stella has lived a life in and out of foster homes, as she lost he parents at a young age. This lack of any kind of a settled life continued as she worked as a temp in various offices, until the night she realised she was being followed as she walked home from work in London.

Stella hadn’t given it much thought, but she was aware she felt there was something a little strange about her, odd incidents had happened throughout her life, like when she was annoyed at a work colleague and thought how good it would be if a book case fell on him, and it did!

However, finding herself in the quiet streets with a gang all dressed alike and in black and faces covered and obviously after her, made her a little worried. They were crying out to her they wanted to ‘burn the witch,’ and after a near miss, she manages to get back to her bedsit, where she keeps the lights off but turns her TV on to hear the latest story about women being caught, tortured then burn alive as witches, by the ‘Brotherhood.’ 

Shortly afterwards she hears a pounding on her door, and a voice asking for Stella, the person says her name is Etoile, Stella refuses to let her in, but looking out her spyhole sees her disappear and then she reappears in her flat!!

Etoile explains ‘they’ have been watching her and they need to leave now so she can get her somewhere safe. As the sinister gang have arrived they have to do a quick escape, and then they are boarding a plane for New York. Stella is somewhat shell-shocked and confused, by the events of the last few hours, but as she has nothing holding her in London, and she is very aware that the gang are out to kill her, she is content to go along with Etoile.

They arrive at a very expensive home in New York, where she is introduced to her history, which is that she is the daughter of 2 witches, and so is one also. She is to meet with the Council of Witches so they can decide how to proceed, to decide her future safety.

This is the basis of the story, there are threats, and attacks, and of course we learn more about Stella’s background, her powers, who can and who can’t be trusted. There were twists and turns, as you would expect, but all great fun.

I really enjoyed this book, it was an easy read, it was fast, and there was even romance there. I have already bought the 2^nd book on Kindle, as I found I really wanted to know how she does after the ending of book 1.

Madeleine Wickham AKA Sophie Kinsella Swimming Pool Sunday

Madeleine Wickham : Swimming Pool Sunday (Sophie Kinsella)

While I enjoyed this book, I felt a little cheated when I found it is a re-issued book. It was not obvious to me, but when I was reading about costs of houses and similar, I was a bit taken aback, then looked closely and find it was published in 1997, then re printed this year.

That aside, it was a pleasant book which I did enjoy reading. There were no surprises, as the story was very straight forward; Louise and Barnaby live in a small village, they have 2 daughters, but there are problems  in their marriage and they have split. A couple in the village have a swimming pool and every year they open their garden and pool to the village for an entrance fee for charity. This year there is a terrible ‘accident’, and the bulk of the book is how this is dealt with by the parents, the village, the owners of the house with the pool, and the lawyers.

It does make you think, and the book is a light read so the dilemma is also fairly lightweight, but it does show up how these situations can affect all parties involved and can create even more distress. It also leaves a nasty taste as it shows the way we are all so ready to sue other people, and how you really need to think hard and investigate your liability if you are going to host any sort of gathering. What happens if there is an ‘accident’. Does your insurance cover it? Pretty frightening to think of how easy this kind of incident can occur. 

Dark Wear by Tabitca Cope

For those of us who waited impatiently for this the second book in the Dark Trilogy, it was worth the relatively short wait!

I so enjoyed catching up with the “gang again.” It’s a lovely feeling when they are all familiar to you, and you are eager to find out what  has happened and what is about to happen (well it’s a book so there has to be something about to happen!)

The story is a good one, and it builds slowly and firmly towards an explosive ending. You will not be disappointed, between witches, the Fifth Reich, Big Animals and even bigger “creatures.” I was frightened, I laughed out loud and I did have a wee cry during this book. I do not hesitate to recommend it, there is something in it for everyone.   A Darned good Yarn!