Monthly Archives: November 2012

Cold Days by Jim Butcher – a Review

Posted on by
6

Cold Days by Jim Butcher – a Review

 

Cold Days by Jim Butcher is the 14th book in his fantastic urban fantasy series, The Dresden Files.  For those of you who are not familiar with this bestselling series, it revolves around Harry Dresden, a Private Investigator, who uses magic and is a wizard.

Cold Days begins after Ghost Story left off, as Harry wakes up being taken care of by a young beautiful woman, Sarissa, who seemed somewhat nervous and meek.  Harry knew he was in Mab’s place, and once he begins to regain some strength, Mab puts him through the ringer for the next few weeks, testing him with every type of death defying attempts at his life.  This was her version of therapy for Harry, ensuring that the Winter Knight was ready and able to perform his duties. 

Harry is still Harry, and though he is beholden to the Queen of Air & Darkness, he still was determined to stay in control, and not become the monster that was the previous Winter Knight.  When she feels he is ready, Mab gives him his first order, to kill someone.  This is an early review, so I will attempt to give you my thoughts and basic description of the story, but no spoilers. 

Cold Days is one of the most exciting books I have read this year.  It doesn’t surprise me, as Jim Butcher is such a terrific writer.  There is so much action throughout the book, you don’t have a moment to blink.  Just when you think …whew, he got through that one, damned if you are not hit again, and again and again. 

We all know from previous books that Harry is a glutton for punishment, and Cold Days is no different.  He suffers through a lot, and yet nothing stops Harry.  Being the Winter Knight is not easy for Harry, as the powers at times causes him to fight off bad thoughts, but he manages to safely keep his control, until he needs those powers to save himself.

The wonderful thing about Cold Days, is that so many of Butcher’s fabulous recurring characters play a major part in this book.  His friends/family, such as Thomas, Molly, Murphy, Butters, Mouse are there to help, as well as being put into constant danger.  We do hear a lot about Maggie, his daughter, though she really is not part of this story.  Then there are the Faeries, who also play such a big role in this story, from Mab, the Winter Queen; Maeve, the Winter Lady; Lily, the Summer Lady; Fix, the Summer Knight, and many others, including the Sihde redcap, monsters, and other forces to be reckon with that Harry will have to face often to save the world.  One of the best exciting and fun part was the Wild Hunt, which Harry became a part of.

Yes Harry must find a way to save the world from evil, as he discovers on his island a catastrophe waiting to happen, that will destroy everything. He tries to find out who is behind this, but almost at every turn things seem to be stacked against him, as he is faced with constant mayhem, creatures, and enemies who will stop at nothing to kill Harry. They just keep coming and coming at him, and as we read, we too are out of breath. Jim Butcher does such a fantastic job of keeping you on your toes, as throughout the book there are so many twists, so many puzzles, and just when you think Harry has it figured out, boom the game changes again.

I can’t even tell you much more, as everything that happens is a spoiler.  Just that Harry is phenomenal, and he suffers badly, but like the energizer battery, he keeps going.  But I will say, the ending of this book was mind-boggling, a shock fest, and it left me wanting to go back to the beginning (515 pages) to start again, just to enjoy it all over again.  Cold Days is one of the best books I have read this year, and I have read some very good ones.  If you have not read The Dresden Files, it is time to do so.  There is no better hero then Harry Dresden, and it is hard pressed to find a writer such as Jim Butcher, who can keep this story fresh, and the hero still awesome.   Cold Days is a must read, and with that shocking climax, I will be hard-pressed to wait a year for the next book.    

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by publisher

Share

Jim Butcher – Biography – Bibliography

Posted on by
2

Jim Butcher – Biography – Bibliography

Biography

Jim Butcher is a martial arts enthusiast with fifteen years of experience in various styles including Ryukyu Kempo, Tae Kwon Do, Gojo Shorei Ryu, and a sprinkling of Kung Fu. He is a skilled rider and has worked as a summer camp horse wrangler and performed in front of large audiences in both drill riding and stunt riding exhibitions.

Jim enjoys fencing, singing, bad science fiction movies and live-action gaming. He lives in Missouri with his wife, son, and a vicious guard dog.
Jim goes by the moniker Longshot in a number of online locales. He came by this name in the early 1990′s when he decided he would become a published author. Usually only 3 in 1000 who make such an attempt actually manage to become published; of those, only 1 in 10 make enough money to call it a living. The sale of a second series was the breakthrough that let him beat the long odds against attaining a career as a novelist.

All the same, he refuses to change his nickname.

 

Bibliography

The Dresden Files

1          Storm Front  – Release Date: April, 2000     

2          Fool Moon  – Release Date: January, 2001

3          Grave Peril – Release Date:  September, 2001

4          Summer Knight  – Release Date: September, 2002           

5          Death Masks – Release Date: August, 2003

6          Blood Rites – Release Date: August, 2004

7          Dead Beat – Release Date: May, 2005 

8          Proven Guilty – Release Date: May,  2006

9          White Night – Release Date: April, 2007

10        Small Favor – Release Date:  April, 2008  

11        Turn Coat – Release Date: April, 2009  

12        Changes  – Release Date: April, 2010  

13        Ghost Story – Release Date: July, 2011   

14        Cold Days  – Release Date:  November, 2012    

 

Dresden Files Omnibus Bibliography

1–3      Wizard for Hire           2005 March – Storm Front, Fool Moon & Grave Peril

4 & 5   Wizard by Trade         2006 March – Summer Knight & Death Masks

6 & 7   Wizard at Large          2006 October – Blood Rites & Dead Beat

8 & 9   Wizard Under Fire      2007 May – Proven Guilty & White Night

Side Jobs      October, 2010        Ten short stories

   “Restoration of Faith” (Harry Dresden short story)

    “Vignette” (Harry Dresden vignette)

    “Something Borrowed” (Harry Dresden short story), published in My Big Fat      Supernatural Wedding (October 3, 2006)

    “It’s My Birthday Too” (Harry Dresden short story), published in Many Bloody             Returns (September 4, 2007)

    “Heorot” (Harry Dresden short story), published in My Big Fat Supernatural      Honeymoon (December 26, 2007)

    “Day Off” (Harry Dresden short story), published in Blood Lite (October 21, 2008)

    “Backup  (Harry Dresden novelette, illustrated by Mike Mignola), published by             Subterranean Press (October 31, 2008)

    “The Warrior”, published in Mean Streets (January 6, 2009)
    “Last Call”, published in Strange Brew (July 7, 2009)
    “Love Hurts” — from Songs of Love and Death, edited by George R. R. Martin and                 Gardner Dozois (Released November 16th, 2010.)

    “Aftermath — post-Changes novelette from Murphy’s POV, EXCLUSIVE to this       anthology!

Short Stories (to be added to next Side Jobs sequel)

“Even Hand”, published in Dark and Stormy Knights (July 20, 2010)

“Curses”, published in Naked City (July 5, 2011)

“Bigfoot on Campus”, published in Hex Appeal (June 5, 2012)

“AAAA Wizardry” – Dresden Files RPG, published by Evil Hat

“I Was A Teenage Bigfoot” -Blood Lite 3: Aftertaste, edited by Kevin J. Anderson.
            Released 5/29/2012

“B is for Bigfoot” – Under My Hat: Tales From the Cauldron, edited by Jonathan Strahan. Released 8/28/2012

“Bombshells” – Molly-POV novella from Dangerous Women, edited by George R. R.       Martin and Gardner Duzois.- Release date TBA.

 

Codex Alera
1          Furies of Calderon – Release Date: October, 2004         

2          Academ’s Fury – Release Date: July, 2005    

3          Cursor’s Fury  – Release Date: December, 2006      

4          Captain’s Fury – Release Date: December, 2007      

5          Princeps’ Fury  – Release Date:December, 2008      

6          First Lord’s Fury – Release Date: November, 2009

Other

The Darkest Hours – Release Date:June, 2006

Share

The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher – a Synopsis

Posted on by
7

The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher – a Synopsis

Storm Front – Book 1 –  released 4/2000
Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he’s the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things — and most of them don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a — well, whatever.

There’s just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name. And that’s when things start to get… interesting.

Magic. It can get a guy killed.

Fool Moon- Book 2 – released 1/2001
Business has been slow. Okay, business has been dead. And not even of the undead variety. You would think Chicago would have a little more action for the only professional wizard in the phone book. But lately, Harry Dresden hasn’t been able to dredge up any kind of work—magical or mundane.

But just when it looks like he can’t afford his next meal, a murder comes along that requires his particular brand of supernatural expertise.

A brutally mutilated corpse. Strange-looking paw prints. A full moon. Take three guesses—and the first two don’t count..

Grave Peril – Book 3 – released 9/2001
Harry Dresden’s faced some pretty terrifying foes during his career. Giant scorpions. Oversexed vampires. Psychotic werewolves. It comes with the territory when you’re the only professional wizard in the Chicago area phone book.

But in all Harry’s years of supernatural sleuthing, he’s never faced anything like this: the spirit world’s gone postal. All over Chicago, ghosts are causing trouble — and not just of the door-slamming, boo-shouting variety. These ghosts are tormented, violent, and deadly. Someone — or something — is purposely stirring them up to wreak unearthly havoc.

But why? And why do so many of the victims have ties to Harry? If Harry doesn’t figure it out soon, he could wind up a ghost himself….

Summer Knight – Book 4 – released 9/2002
Ever since his girlfriend left town to deal with her newly acquired taste for blood, Harry Dresden has been down and out in Chicago. He can’t pay his rent. He’s alienating his friends. He can’t even recall the last time he took a shower.

The only professional wizard in the phone book has become a desperate man.

And just when it seems things can’t get any worse, in saunters the Winter Queen of Faerie. She has an offer Harry can’t refuse if he wants to free himself of the supernatural hold his faerie godmother has over him — and hopefully end his run of bad luck. All he has to do is find out who murdered the Summer Queen’s right-hand man, the Summer Knight, and clear the Winter Queen’s name.

It seems simple enough, but Harry knows better than to get caught in the middle of faerie politics. Until he finds out that the fate of the entire world rests on his solving this case.

No pressure or anything…

Death Masks – Book 5 – released 8/2003
Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only practicing professional wizard, should be happy that business is pretty good for a change. But now he’s getting more than he bargained for.

A duel with the Red Court of Vampires’ champion, who must kill Harry to end the war between vampires and wizards…

Professional hit men using Harry for target practice…

The missing Shroud of Turin…

A handless and headless corpse the Chicago police need identified…

Not to mention the return of Harry’s ex-girlfriend Susan, who’s still struggling with her semivampiric nature. And who seems to have a new man in her life.

Some days, it just doesn’t pay to get out of bed. No matter how much you’re charging.

Blood Rites – Book 6 – released 8/2004
For Harry Dresden, there have been worse assignments than going undercover on the set of an adult film. Still, there’s something more troubling than usual about his newest case. The film’s producer believes he’s the target of a sinister curse-but it’s the women around him who are dying.

Harry’s even more frustrated because he only got involved with this bizarre mystery as a favor to Thomas-his flirtatious, self-absorbed vampire acquaintance of dubious integrity. Thomas has a personal stake in the case Harry can’t quite figure out. But Harry is about to discover that Thomas’ family tree has been hiding a shocking revelation that will change his life forever

Dead Beat – Book 7 – released 5/2005
Harry Dresden must save Chicago from black magic and necromancy — but first, he must locate the Word of Kemmler. Just as soon as he figures out what that is. It’s all in a day’s work for the city’s only professional wizard … assuming he can live to see the end of the day.

Proven Guilty – Book 8 – released 5/2006
Harry Dresden has spent years being watched and suspected by the White Council’s Wardens. But now he is a Warden, and it sucks more than he thought… So when movie monsters start coming to life on his watch, it’s officially up to him to put them back where they came from. Only this time, his client is the White Council, and his investigation cannot fail — no matter who falls under suspicion, no matter the cost.

White Night – Book 9 – released 2/2007
Someone is targeting the city’s magic practitioners, the members of the supernatural underclass who don’t possess enough power to become full-fledged wizards. Many have vanished. Others appear to be victims of suicide. But the murderer has left a calling card at one of the crime scenes–a message for Harry Dresden, referencing the book of Exodus and the killing of witches.

Harry sets out to find the killer before he can strike again, but his investigation turns up evidence pointing to the one suspect he cannot possibly believe guilty: his half brother, Thomas. Determined to bring the real murderer to justice and clear his brother’s name, Harry attracts the attention of the White Court of vampires, becoming embroiled in a power struggle that renders him outnumbered, outclassed, and dangerously susceptible to temptation.

Harry knows that if he screws this one up, a lot of people will die–and one of them will be his brother.

Small Favor –  Book 10 – released 4/2008
No one’s tried to kill Harry Dresden for almost an entire year, and his life finally seems to be calming down. For once, the future looks fairly bright. But the past casts one hell of a long shadow.

An old bargain has placed Harry in debt to Mab, monarch of the Winter Court of the Sidhe, the Queen of Air and Darkness-and she’s calling in her marker. It’s a small favor he can’t refuse…one that will trap Harry Dresden between a nightmarish foe and an equally deadly ally, and one that will strain his skills-and loyalties-to their very limits.

It figures. Everything was going too well to last

Turn Coat – Book 11 – released 4/2009
The Warden Morgan has been accused of treason against the Wizards of the White Council–and there’s only one, final punishment for that crime. He’s on the run, wants his name cleared, and needs someone with a knack for backing the underdog. Someone like Harry Dresden.

Now, Harry must uncover a traitor within the Council, keep a less-than-agreeable Morgan under wraps, and avoid coming under scrutiny himself. And a single mistake may cost someone his head–someone like Harry.

Changes –  Book 12 – released 4/2010
Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden’s lover-until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it-against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry’s not fighting to save the world…

He’s fighting to save his child.

Ghost Story – Book 13 – released 7/2011
When we last left the mighty wizard detective Harry Dresden, he wasn’t doing well. In fact, he had been murdered by an unknown assassin.

But being dead doesn’t stop him when his friends are in danger. Except now he has no body, and no magic to help him. And there are also several dark spirits roaming the Chicago shadows who owe Harry some payback of their own.

To save his friends — and his own soul — Harry will have to pull off the ultimate trick without any magic…

Cold Days – Book 14  – 11/2012
HARRY DRESDEN LIVES!!!

After being murdered by a mystery assailant, navigating his way through the realm between life and death, and being brought back to the mortal world, Harry realizes that maybe death wasn’t all that bad. Because he is no longer Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard.

He is now Harry Dresden, Winter Knight to Mab, the Queen of Air and Darkness. After Harry had no choice but to swear his fealty, Mab wasn’t about to let something as petty as death steal away the prize she had sought for so long. And now, her word is his command, no matter what she wants him to do, no matter where she wants him to go, and no matter who she wants him to kill.

Guess which Mab wants first?

Of course, it won’t be an ordinary, everyday assassination. Mab wants her newest minion to pull off the impossible: kill an immortal. No problem there, right? And to make matters worse, there exists a growing threat to an unfathomable source of magic that could land Harry in the sort of trouble that will make death look like a holiday.

Beset by enemies new and old, Harry must gather his friends and allies, prevent the annihilation of countless innocents, and find a way out of his eternal subservience before his newfound powers claim the only thing he has left to call his own…

His soul.

Short Stories

Side Jobs – 10 short stories – released 10/2010

Compiled by Barb

Share

H.P. Mallory-Interview with the author

Posted on by
20

H.P. Mallory-Interview with the author

From WEBSITE

Adventures of H.P. Mallory

Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Author

I started my writing career as a self-published author and was lucky enough to hit both the Amazon and the Barnes and Noble bestseller’s lists with my two series, the Jolie Wilkins series and the Dulcie O’Neil series. Most recently I hit the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists!

I signed with Random House (Bantam imprint) to write three books in the Jolie Wilkins series (Witchful Thinking, The Witch is Back and Something Witchy This Way Comes). Now I love the fact that I’m both a traditionally published author as well as a self-published one (with my Dulcie O’Neil series).

I’m a huge fan of anything paranormal and I always have been. I get super excited whenever they have those Twilight Zone Marathon days and anything ghost or vampire related will always attract my attention.

My interests are varied but aside from writing, I’m most excited about traveling. I’m extremely fortunate to have been able to live in England and Scotland, both places really having a profound effect on my books.

 **************************

Let’s Get Started!!

TRC: Hi H.P. and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of your novels.

TRC: What does the H.P. stand for in your name? 😉

HP: LOL This is one I can’t answer! But the initials stand for my first and middle names…

TRC: Many authors develop an interest in writing at an early age. What first sparked you interest in writing?

HP: For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a writer. When I was 12, I used to write romances with my best friend, then in high school I took creative writing and then majored in English in college. It’s always been in my blood!

TRC: What difficulties and challenges have you faced as a writer?

HP: Many in the early days. About 6 years ago, I decided to try to get Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble published and was lucky enough to land an agent pretty quickly. Once she sent out the book to the publishers, though, no one was interested. After no interest, I ended up sitting on Fire Burn and the first book in my Dulcie series, To Kill A Warlock, for about five years.

Then I read about self publishing and decided to give it a shot. That was two years ago and since then, I’ve reached the kindle, nook, USA Today and most recently New York Times bestseller lists. It’s been a wonderful two years and I can’t really say I’ve found a lot of challenges along the way.

 

TRC: Would you please tell us about the premise of your JOLIE WILKINS series? How did you come up with the idea?

HP: Sure, Jolie is a psychic living a lonely life when one day an incredibly handsome warlock, Rand Balfour, walks into her life and changes it forever.
She learns she’s a witch with incredible powers and eventually becomes Queen of the Underworld. Along the way she also meets the debonaire vampire,
Sinjin Sinclair, and finds herself in the center of a love triangle!

 

TRC: SOMETHING WITCHY THIS WAY COMES is your latest release in the series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

HP: Something Witchy is actually the last book in the Jolie series. I’ll be coming out with a spinoff series revolving around one of the characters in the Jolie series soon but Something Witchy answers many of the questions people had about the first 4 books in the series while still leaving open some other questions (themes which will be resumed in the spinoff series).

 

ORDER LINKS: Barnes and Noble /  Amazon / KOBO

TRC: This particular storyline reveals plenty of information that has only been hinted at, and yet reveals many things that still must be answered. How many books do you have planned for the series?

HP: See above.

TRC: You bio states that your experiences living in England and Scotland have a great influence on both of your series. How much research (logistics,
background etc) is involved in the writing of these series?

HP: It’s not so much research, really, as it is just writing about places I’ve either lived in or visited. Since I lived in both areas, I was able to pull many of my experiences into my books and give them a bit more depth since I experienced them firsthand. My next series will take place in Edinburgh, Scotland–a place which I became very familiar with since I lived there for a year. Britain certainly has a place in my heart!

TRC: If you could virtually cast the players in the Jolie Wilkins series, which models or actors would best represent the major characters in the series?

HP: It’s funny but I don’t really have a set cast in my head. The only person I can clearly cast would be Henry Cavill as either Sinjin or Rand…just love Henry!

TRC: Have you considered a spin-off series for Sinjin Sinclair?

HP: I have considered a spin off series but keeping my lips zipped at this point! LOL

 

TRC: WUTHERING FRIGHTS is the April 2012 release in your Dulcie ONeil series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

HP: Wuthering Frights is the story about what happens to Dulcie when she sells her soul to the proverbial devil (her father) and the fallout of said event.

 

 

ORDER LINKS: AMAZON / Barnes and Noble

TRC: Do you have a favorite series or character (of your own) that tugs at your heart and why?

HP: I love them both, really. Both series are very different and it’s those differences that make them both so much fun to write.

TRC: Have you ever considered writing a YA series?

HP: I have but I always fall short because I’m more interested in adult themes and storylines…

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas between friends, family and other authors. With whom do you bounce ideas?

HP: I don’t really. I come up with an idea and if I like it enough, I just move forward with it. The way I’ve always approached my books is to write about things that I would want to read about. I started writing the stories that I would want to read and since that proved to be a pretty healthy approach, I haven’t changed it! LOL

TRC: MALICE IN WONDERLAND is the latest release in the Dulcie O’Neil series. Would you please tell us about the premise?

ORDER LINKS: Barnes and Noble / Amazon

HP: Sure! Malice picks up where the fourth book in the series, Wuthering Frights, leaves off. I think the synopsis of the book answers this question best: A broken relationship, tarnished with lies and deceit, a father who wants her dead, and a shocking surprise that could rock the very foundation of everything she believes in…

Fairy and law enforcement agent, Dulcie O’Neil, has to face the fact that her father, the Head of the Netherworld, is also Public Enemy Number One. In joining a group of rebels who would see her father dethroned, Dulcie will realize just what it means to go against her own blood. Throw in her tattered relationship with Knight Vander and the shock of a lifetime and Dulcie’s life just went from bad to worse.

TRC: Is the play on words with the title have any significance to the storyline?

HP: Not really. With all my titles, I host contests and allow my readers to come up with titles. Then I pick my favorite 10 and have everyone vote on them. This one won!

TRC: On what are you currently working?

HP: I’m currently working on the fifth book in the Dulcie series, Malice in Wonderland, and then I’m going to return to the first book in the Lily Harper series, the title of which I haven’t decided yet!

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

HP: I’d like to just thank all my readers for their support! I never would have made it this far without them!

 

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Mexican

Favorite Dessert
Cobbler

Favorite TV Show
The Office

Favorite Movie
Big Lebowski

Last Movie you Saw
ParaNorman

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Dark

Do you have any pets?
Yep, a cat

Last Vacation destination
LOL I thought this read: Last vaccination…Tetanus!
Kauai, Hawaii

TRC: 😉

TRC: Thank you H.P. for taking the time to answer our questions. It is always a
pleasure to meet the person behind the author. We wish you all the best
with your upcoming storylines.

HP: Thank you very much for inviting me!

JOLIE WILKINS series
1. Fire Burn Cauldron Bubble
2. Toil and Trouble
3. Be Witched
4. Witchful Thinking
5. The Witch is Back
6. Something Witchy This Way Comes

 

ORDER LINK:   Barnes and Noble is offering the first two books of the JOLIE WILKINS series and the first 3 book of the DULCIE O’NEIL series in a 5 pack for $8.99=> all 5 books for one low price

BOOKS 1 & 2 in the Jolie Wilkins series are available in a 3 pack for one special price:
Amazon / Barnes and Noble /


DULCIE O’NEIL series
1. To Kill a Warlock
2. A Tale of Two Goblins
3. Great Hexpectations
4. Wuthering Freights
5. Malice in Wonderland

 

Books 1, 2 & 3 are available in a 3 pack offer for a special price:
Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Share

Something Witchy This Way Comes by H.P. Mallory – a review

Posted on by
7

SOMETHING WITCHY THIS WAYS COME (Jolie Wilkins #5 ) by HP Mallory

SOMETHING WITCHY THIS WAYS COMES (Jolie Wilkins #5 ) by HP Mallory

SOMETHING WITCHY THIS WAY COMES is the 5th and final novel (September 25, 2012 release) in H.P. Mallory’s Jolie Wilkins series.  Jolie is a 30 year old woman, believed to be a witch with the ability to re-animate the dead, who is now Queen of the Underworld.  The Underworld consists of the supernatural powers such as vampires, werewolves, fae and witches.  The Underworld is at war with the faction of supernatural society known as Lurkers.  Lurkers are a magically gifted segment of ½ human ½ vampire hybrids.  But what the Underworld did not know, is that the Lurkers, as the Underworld called them, were more than just a hybrid species of human and vampire-much more.

Jolie along with her bond-mate Rand Balfour had taken up her position as Queen of the Underworld.  As ruler, she led a council of supernatural leaders and it was their role to act whenever a supernatural broke their laws. Jolie was troubled as her council had advised that Sinjin Sinclair, her current guardian and protector, had broken the law and punishment had to be enforced. But Jolie’s feelings for Sinjin are mixed- part of her loved Sinjin and these feelings were interfering with her ability to sentence her friend.

Bella Sawyer is a witch who was first introduced in book one-Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble when she positioned herself to become Queen of the Underworld. Currently Bella was imprisoned on Rand’s estate for sins and crimes against their current Queen. Bella’s role in Something Witchy This Way Comes is small but powerful.

Lurkers are the ‘bad guys’-half human/half vampire and the nemesis of the supernatural world and Jolie would experience life as a Lurker first hand.  Jolie’s time in the Lurker world would reveal many secrets and right the misconceptions she once believed. But the Lurkers are looking for their Queen as well and only one woman to fill that position.  And meeting another ‘Lurker’ at the compound with similar powers would open up thoughts of betrayal and mistrust at the hands of some of the people she had considered close friends and allies.

SOMETHING WITCHY THIS WAY COMES is a revealing and final instalment in H.P Mallory’s Jolie Wilkins series. Jolie’s true origins, heritage and family lineage are revealed as well as a couple of surprising bits of information. Rand and Jolie’s relationship is closer now that they are bond-mates but Sinjin’s love for Jolie is an ever-present proverbial elephant in the room.  H.P. does a wonderful job marrying her characters together and as a reader, I appreciate the fact that she references much of the series previous premises that allow for a smooth flow of information. The blending of information keeps the reader current with what has happened in the previous book.  Something Witchy This Way Comes is an excellent storyline that answers and confirms many of our suspicions and concerns but also leaves many unanswered questions. I smell a spin-off for Sinjin.

READING ORDER
1. Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble
2. Toil and Trouble
3. Be Witched (Novella)
4. Witchful Thinking
5. The Witch is Back
6. Something Witchy This Way Comes

LINKS TO ORDER: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository / KOBO

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Jennifer L. Armentrout -Opal Trailer Reveal

Posted on by
Reply

Jennifer L. Armentrout – Opal Trailer Reveal

No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well… There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different… And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger… and they know it.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.

 

Find Jennifer on: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Blog

Share

The Marriage Mistake (Marriage to a Billionaire #3) by Jennifer Probst-a review

Posted on by
10

THE MARRIAGE MISTAKE (Marriage to a Billionaire #3) by Jennifer Probst

THE MARRIAGE MISTAKE is the third storyline (November 6, 2012 release) in Jennifer Probst’s Marriage to a Billionaire contemporary romance series. Although this storyline is part of a series, it could be read as a standalone with very little discomfort. This is Carina and Max’s story.

Carina Conte is a recent MBA grad with hopes of making a new life for herself in America. Coming from a strict family in Italy, Carina accepts her brother’s offer to work in the family bakery empire, but secretly hopes to get back to her first loves-painting and Maximus Gray. But Carina has not seen Max in several years, and hopes to prove to everyone that she has moved on with her life and her feelings. When Max broke her heart several years before, Carina swore she would never fall in love again, and was hoping to jump start her new life in America with a fling or a one night stand. What Carina did not count on was the sexual pull between she and Max. Hoping to discover Max’s true feelings, Carina played a dangerous game that would all fall apart following a one night stand with the man of her dreams.

Maximus Gray has always desired Carina, but as his best friend’s younger sister, Carina was strictly off-limits. Growing up like siblings, Max loved Carina and now that she a grown woman with curves to spare, Max felt the kick to his senses when he realized that maybe he had made a mistake with his hands-off policy. But a business trip to Vegas would find Carina and Max in a ‘compromising position’. To keep Mama Conte happy they reluctantly got married in the typical Vegas style and neither was very happy about the circumstances. Knowing that Max did not love her, Carina made the choice to walk away and try to discover what it was in life that she really wanted. And in the end-she wanted Max to love her with the same passion that she loved in return.

THE MARRIAGE MISTAKE is a contemporary romance with the usual drama of he loves me/he love me not and all of the angst that goes along with betrayal, rejection and the inability to admit you made a mistake. Maximus Gray is the typical alpha male with a bevy of females at his beck and call, but he secretly desires Carina with everything in his soul. Carina came to America to discover that she was still in love with Max, but was determined to push Max away because he would never be happy tied down with one woman. When they both realized they had made a mistake, it was too late. This storyline doesn’t top my all –time favorites, but for a quick read on a lazy Sunday afternoon-enjoy!!

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Be Witched (Novella) by H.P. Mallory-a review

Posted on by
13

BE WITCHED (Jolie Wilkins/Rand Balfour novella) by HP Mallory

BE WITCHED (Jolie Wilkins/Rand Balfour novella) by HP Mallory

Sinjin Sinclair and Rand Balfour were now aligned in the war between Bella and the supernatural powers. While recovering from her recent run-in with the Dougal the fairy, fighting for her life as well as the promise of support by King Ordan of the Fae, Jolie was unaware that the vampire and the warlock were in a war of words over the right to claim Jolie as their own.

Rand’s feelings for Jolie were confusing. He had refused to claim Jolie as his own, knowing that the relationship between witches and warlocks were for life. He had promised to protector her and guard her with his life, but his fight with Sinjin would be interrupted by a scream and an attack against Jolie by another of the supernatural powers.

Vampires and Witches were immune to one another’s powers therefore Rand must bespell Jolie so that Sinjin can heal her wounds. But the allure of a vampire’s sexuality during a feed was too much for Jolie, and she fell prey to the sexual desires and the site and images were overwhelming to Rand who had yet to reveal the true extent of his feelings for Jolie.

Rand’s need to be close to Jolie would find them together, but once again Rand’s sense of honor would hold him back from staking a claim on Jolie. Rejected and feeling betrayed, Jolie would force Rand to make a decision that would affect both of their lives. But Rand had a secret and Jolie was too hurt to realize that his feelings went beyond protector and friend, but to lover and mate.

BE WITCHED is a short story that looks at the relationship between Sinjin, Rand and Jolie. Both males desire Jolie, but it is Rand’s growing feelings for Jolie that could place them both in danger. A welcome addition to HP Mallory’s Jolie Wilkins series.

READING ORDER
1. Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble
2. Toil and Trouble
3. Be Witched
4. Witchful Thinking
5. The Witch is Back
6. Something Witchy This Way Comes

Links to order: Be Witched
Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

Reviewed by Sandy

Share