Heart of Fire by Lisa Edmonds – a Review

Description:
Join Alice. Private Investigator of the Supernatural.

It has been a rough month for mage private investigator Alice Worth.

Alice hasn’t had a decent night’s sleep in weeks, her relationship with werewolf Sean Maclin is on the rocks, a federal agent hounds her every step, and a powerful vampire whose ulterior motives have ulterior motives watches her every move. It’s enough to drive any woman to drink.

Just when Alice’s ghost sidekick Malcolm is about to stage an intervention, her former employer, Mark Dunlap, enlists her help to find out who’s been kidnapping women off the streets. As the list of the missing grows, the city’s anger turns against the vampires, and the Vampire Court hires Mark and Alice to find those responsible. After the case reunites her with Sean, Alice is forced to confront painful demons from her past, as well as the very real demon who wants her dead and the vampire determined to control her power.

When tragedy strikes close to home and a friend’s life hangs in the balance, Alice goes up against the most powerful adversary she’s ever faced in an explosive showdown that will leave Alice and her city forever changed.

Review:

Reading in chronological order is not something I take lightly, my friends. But life was just so busy, I had to dive in to Heart of Fire sans introductory book *wipes upper lip*. Not only was it a great read, but I may have found my new guilty pleasure! ?. Kudos to the talented writing of Lisa Edmonds!

I’ve deciphered that Alice is a mage, the best around, but she’s hiding from a powerful, terrifying grandfather who used her abilities for self-aggrandizement. She’s managed to fly under his radar, so she’s staying busy working her PI business and invariably making friends. Friends who want to get close, want to, you know, be friendly. Alice, being on this side of churlish, struggles to maintain said friendships and that alone is entertaining as well as endearing (think Marvel’s Jessica Jones). Surviving her childhood is a cautionary tale for future relationships, but she hasn’t learned to be proactive just yet.

When Alice takes on a case of disappearing prostitutes and homeless people, “We’re in the middle of a drug-fueled, magic -enhanced crime wave”, while being stalked by a poltergeist (though this one is reserved solely for her eyes), her mage skills, and team player camaraderie, are stretched to the limit. Alice extends her knowledge, experience and savvy to former bosses, former lovers, would-be lovers, to federal agents. Will Alice be able to discover the menace and navigate the waters of her expanding magic, including several interested/opportunistic supernatural creatures who may seek to undermine or sabotage her investigation? How can she ask for help when vested parties can’t seem to get along?

Alice is an independent, intriguing woman. She’s keeping a low profile to remain undetected by her grandfather, but her skills have progressed and augmented to impressive levels; attracting lots of attention. Not all welcome. I’d be lying if I didn’t address similarities with other characters I’ve read. My gut reactions to Alice, Charles and Sean’s relationship was reminiscent of another well known series involving Anita Blake, Jean Claude *pause, swoon* and Richard’s. Malcolm the ghost reminded me of Angel, Charley Davidson’s cholo sidekick in that spellbinding series, buuuut they were only traces — I thoroughly enjoyed Alice Worth by her own merits. This is due to the the energy and spirit of Lisa Edmonds. She developed a good storyline layered with depth and intention to entice the reader. I want to retrace Alice’s steps to her first encounter with Malcolm, are they bound?, to the men of varying species who find her so irresistible. They’ve got good taste!

Lisa Edmonds has made an instant fan of me. I look forward to reading the next case that requires Alice’s special set of skills. Maybe a certain character returns to collaborate, or another character disappoints Alice, thus allowing for a change of heart? A shakeup like she never imagined? My bias is showing, but I’m here for it! Until then, I’m making it a point to read book 1.

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy supplied for review