Urban Fantasy Investigations

Friday, April 6, 2012

Winner: Mortal Path Swag Bag

Thank you to everyone who entered!!

Prize: Mortal Path Swag Bag, consisting of a tote bag, 3 signed books, pens, bookmarks, magnets, and a calculator

The Winner chosen by Rafflecopter is.....

Devil's Punch
Author: Ann Aguirre
Release Date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Roc
Corine Solomon Book #4
ISBN: 0451464494
ISBN13:9780451464491
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher

Corine Solomon can touch any object and learn its history. But right now, she's trying to rebuild her pawnshop and her life despite her being marked as a witch. When demons from her past kidnap her best friend, Corine puts everything on hold to save her...

Chance has moved to Mexico to be with Corine and although their relationship is progressing slowly there time alone together is all cut short when Corine finds out her best friend has been kidnapped by Demons. The pair quickly find out that the kidnapping is to get Corine to jump into the demon realm and take her place on the throne.

I was really sad that the ending of book 3 SHADY LADY left some of Corine's closest friends without any memories of her. Although they finally get their memories back so much has happened and so much has been lost that it still leaves you really sad at the end of DEVIL'S PUNCH. The setting of book 4 takes place pretty much fully in on the Demon plane. I cant say I enjoyed it as much due to the fact that everything changed so much from what I'm used to reading about Corine. The world building is really great and the new characters were interesting but it just didn't feel like the other Corine books. The situation with Chance pretty much falling head over heals for the Demon Queen really bugged me. I understand a little bit because of the overall situation but come on, he is in love with CORINE and he didn't see anything seriously wrong with his behavior? I just had a really hard time with that overall and it made me lose faith in him. There is a lot of high emotion throughout the book and I did find myself bawling in a few parts. It will be interesting to see where Ann takes the series next.

DEVIL'S PUNCH was not my favorite of the series but a lot did happen to move the series along and I will be reading book 5 when it comes out.

I gave it 3/5 stars

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Winner: How to be Death by Amber Benson

Thank you to everyone who entered!!

Prize: Finished copy of How to Be Death

The Winner chosen by Rafflecopter is.....

Sins of the Son
Author: Linda Poitevin
Release Date: March 27, 2012
Publisher:Ace
Grigori Legacy Book #2
ISBN: 1937007375
ISBN13: 9781937007379
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher

When homicide detective Alexandra Jarvis sees a photo of Seth Benjamin on a police bulletin, she knows that Heaven's plan to halt Armageddon has gone terribly wrong. As the only mortal who knows of Seth's true nature, only she can save him. Aramael was a hunter of Fallen Angels until a traitor forced him into earthly exile. Now, with no powers and only a faint memory of Alex, his mortal soulmate, he will stop at nothing to redeem himself-even if it means destroying Seth in the name of the Creator...

What a turn of events for Alex. After the events of SINS OF THE ANGELS Alex is trying to get her life back in order only she sees a photo of Seth Benjamin on a Do you know this person type police bulletin and she immediately goes out to see him and try to figure out what is going on.

Linda's version of God and Angels is interesting. God is known as the Chosen One and is actually female. There isn't a bunch of religion thrown in your face which is how I prefer my angel type books. The Chosen One did tend to get on my nerves throughout the book. I thought her choices and decision making were beyond horrible but I guess the drama it caused did make the book enjoyable so who am I to judge lol.

I missed all the police and crime scene stuff that was a big part of SINS OF THE ANGELS some of my favorite book plots include that kind of stuff and it was one of the things I really enjoyed about book 1. There were still some investigating going on but not on the same scale. I did like Detective Hugh Henderson. He was surprisingly open minded and ended up being a big player in helping Alex out. Seth lost his memory and only has a small partial use of it through most of the book but I really liked him more and more as the story continued. Aramael had to make some tough decisions that he didn't like very much and although he came off harsh you could tell he was doing everything he could to protect Alex.

SINS OF THE SON was darker then book 1, had plenty of action scenes and character development. I wasn't thrilled with some of the plot directions but it was still enjoyable and a must read after finishing SINS OF THE ANGELS. I will read book 3 when it comes out to see where Linda takes the series.

I gave it 3/5 stars

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Review: Magic Without Mercy by Devon Monk

Magic Without Mercy
Author: Devon Monk
Release Date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Roc
Allie Beckstrom Book #8
ISBN: 0451464486
ISBN13: 9780451464484
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher

Allison Beckstrom's talent for tracking spells has put her up against some of the darkest elements in the world of magic. But now, magic itself has been poisoned, and Allie's undead father may have left the only cure in the hands of a madman.

Two steps forward, One step back. Allie and her friends are in a race to find a cure for the poisoned magic that is killing people and with magic making Allie sick, she has to depend on her friends and more conventional means to keep herself safe from those who are hunting them.

I am still completely lost when it comes to Allie's father. One minute I felt like he is truly interested in helping Allie, and the next I'm convinced he has a massive ulterior motive. I'm also still really upset about Allie not having her personal interior magic still. I don't know why but it really bugs me. I love Allie and Zayvion even more as the books pile on. Shame and Terric continue to be my favorite two allies involved in Allies life and I love reading about their love hate relationship.

There is always a ton of action involved and story development added with each Allie book. Just when you think Allie will be able to catch a break the ending throws a massive curve ball in her plans and moves her back into battle mode. By the last page you know where the story is going next and I cant wait to read how it plays out.

I gave it 4/5 stars

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Short Review: Protector's Mate by Katie Reus

Protector's Mate
Author: Katie Reus
Release Date: April 1, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Nocturne Cravings
ISBN13: 9781459222748
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Author

After two years in a war zone, werewolf Felicia Serna has finally returned to find another pack has taken over her territory…and the new second-in-command is the very man who haunts her fantasies.

Alaric has wanted Felicia from the moment he laid eyes on her, and now he’s ready to claim her. When a threatening shifter begins stalking them, he’s determined to protect her…even if it means putting his seduction on hold. But even in the heat of danger, their red-hot passion cannot be denied

PROTECTOR'S MATE continues in the same world as DESTINED MATE. Katie's Novella's are short and to the point but still full of character development and steamy romance. I never felt as though I was missing something or that a scene was rushed. Even with everything else going on we still get a great action scene thrown in. Alaric and Felicia had amazing chemistry and I enjoyed reading their mating story. I cant wait to see who Katie writes about next.

I gave it 4/5 stars