Tag Archives: Darynda Jones

The Trouble with Twelfth Grave (Charley Davidson #12) by Darynda Jones-a review

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THE TROUBLE WITH TWELFTH GRAVE (Charley Davidson #12) by Darynda Jones-a review

The Trouble with Twelfth Grave

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 31, 2017

Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the twelfth installment of Darynda Jones’ New York Times bestselling paranormal series.

Ever since Reyes escaped from a hell dimension in which Charley accidently trapped him, the son of Satan has been brimstone-bent on destroying the world his heavenly Brother created. His volatile tendencies have put Charley in a bit of a pickle. But that’s not the only briny vegetable on her plate. While trying to domesticate the feral being that used to be her husband, she also has to deal with her everyday life of annoying all manner of beings—some corporeal, some not so much—as she struggles to right the wrongs of society. Only this time she’s not uncovering a murder. This time she’s covering one up.

Add to that her new occupation of keeping a startup PI venture—the indomitable mystery-solving team of Amber Kowalski and Quentin Rutherford—out of trouble and dealing with the Vatican’s inquiries into her beloved daughter, and Charley is on the brink of throwing in the towel and becoming a professional shopper. Or possibly a live mannequin. But when someone starts attacking humans who are sensitive to the supernatural world, Charley knows it’s time to let loose her razor sharp claws. Then again, her number one suspect is the dark entity she’s loved for centuries. So the question becomes, can she tame the unruly beast before it destroys everything she’s worked so hard to protect?

••••••••••

REVIEW: THE TROUBLE WITH TWELFTH GRAVE is the twelfth instalment in Darynda Jones’ contemporary, adult CHARLEY DAVIDSON paranormal / urban fantasy series focusing on part time private investigator, full-time grim reaper, omnipotent god Charley Davidson. THE TROUBLE WITH TWELFTH GRAVE should be not read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of book eleven -ELEVENTH GRAVE IN MOONLIGHT.

NOTE: If you have not read the previous installments there may be some spoilers in my review.

SOME BACKGROUND: This is the continuing story of Charley Davidson’s life as the Grim Reaper, the corporeal spirits who have yet to pass, and the man to whom she has pledged her undying love-the son of Satan-Reyes Alexander Farrow. Charley has recently discovered she and her hunky husband Reyes Farrow aka the Son of Satan, are gods-powerful, omnipotent beings whose futures, along with the two-month old daughter Elwyn Alexandra (aka Little Beep), are destined to either destroy the world, or bring peace to the heavens and earth.

Told from first person point of view (Charley Davidson) THE TROUBLE WITH TWELFTH GRAVE picks up three days after the events of Eleventh Grave in Moonlight wherein Reyes Farrow’s return to this plane of existence as the god-like deity Rey’azikeen comes with the release from Hell of innocent souls, a demon assassin, a malevolent deity, and a fifteenth century priest who will continue his murderous ways by targeting the supernatural. Not only does Charley struggle to locate the man that calls to her heart but our heroine must battle the Almighty’s Michael and his army of sword-wielding angel warriors, Hellhounds, and General ‘Wong’ for control of her husband’s destiny and possible demise.

Meanwhile, Charley’s PI business and her abilities to talk with the spirits that continue to haunt the living push our heroine towards an elderly woman who believes her house is haunted by the dead; and a friend’s misfortune to become the target of a serial stalker but a stalker who will not survive his own violent tendencies. A series of unexplained brutal deaths with the lingering burn marks by an otherworldly being find our heroine facing a conundrum as the likely suspect is the man that she loves.

THE TROUBLE WITH TWELFTH GRAVE follows Charley as she searches for the man once known as Reyes Farrow. Convinced she will be able to ‘reach’ Reyes before Rey’azikeen does any further damage, our heroine will soon learn that the god has other plans upon his return to Earth.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including the return of Cookie and Ubie, Amber and Quentin, Garrett Swopes, Charley’s sister Gemma, former slave demon Osh, Rocket and his sister Blue, gang-banger Angel, Strawberry Shortcake, Mr. Wong, Officer David Taft, FBI Special Agent Kit Carson, and Artemis the dog. Garrett Swopes will make a discovery; a series of interesting reads that will be all-important to our story line heroine.

Darynda Jones’ continues to amaze and delight with our heroine’s sass and sarcasm; the one on one interplay and witty repartee between Cookie and Charley; double entendre, euphemisms, snark and Charley’s need to label and name not only the parts of her body but Cookie’s as well. The premise is revealing, starling, energetic and animated; the characters are familiar, colorful and engaging. THE TROUBLE WITH TWELFTH GRAVE and Darynda Jones’ CHARLEY DAVIDSON UF series will captivate, energize, amuse and startle. Take a chance on Charley; fall in love with Reyes; become life long friends with the story line characters.

Reading Order and previous reviews
First Grave on the Right
Second Grave on the Left
Third Grave Straight Ahead
Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet
Fifth Grave Past The Light
Sixth Grave on the Edge
Seventh Grave and No Body
Eighth Grave After Dark
Brighter Than the Sun (novella)
The Dirt on Ninth Grave
The Curse on Tenth Grave
Eleventh Grave in Moonlight
Trouble with Twelfth Grave

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Review by Sandy

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The Curse of Tenth Grave (Charley Davidson #10) by Darynda Jones-a review

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THE CURSE OF TENTH GRAVE (Charley Davidson #10) by Darynda Jones-a review

The Curse of Tenth Grave

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Indigo/Chapters

About the book: Release Date June 28, 2016

As a Part-time PI and fulltime grim reaper, Charley Davidson has asked a lot of questions throughout her life: Why can I see dead people? Who is the hot supernatural entity following me? How do I get gum out of my sister’s hair before she wakes up? But, “How do I trap not one malevolent god, but three?” was never among them. Until now. And since those gods are on earth to kill her daughter, she has little choice but to track them down, trap them, and cast them from this dimension.

There’s just one problem. One of the three stole her heart a very long time ago. Can the Razer, a god of absolute death and destruction, change his omniscient spots, or will his allegiances lie with his brothers?

Those are just a few of the questions Charley must answer, and quick. Add to that a homeless girl running for her life, an innocent man who’s been charged with murder, and a pendant made from god glass that has the entire supernatural world in an uproar, and Charley has her hands full. If she can manage to take care of the whole world-destroying-gods thing, we’re saved. If not, well…

••••••••••

REVIEW: THE CURSE OF TENTH GRAVE is the tenth installment in Darynda Jones’s contemporary, adult CHARLEY DAVIDSON urban fantasy series focusing on part time PI/ full time Grim Reaper Charley Davidson.

SOME BACKGROUND: This is the continuing story of Charley’s life as the Grim Reaper, the corporeal spirits who have yet to pass, and the man to whom she has pledged her undying love-the son of Satan-Reyes Farrow. Charley Davidson, and now their daughter, are the key to saving or destroying the world. If you have not read the previous installments there may be some spoilers.

Told from first person point of view (Charley) THE CURSE OF TENTH GRAVE follows PI Charley Davidson as she investigates not one but two cases: a missing woman presumed murdered by her boyfriend, and the case of a young runaway who believes she, and a number of other children, have been cursed at the youth home in which they are staying.

Charley is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, PI, Grim Reaper and a god. Our heroine is a woman whose life is made up of supernatural entities, demons, restless ghosts, murder, and a friendship with her assistant that beats all other friendships. Charley is a wife and mother whose infant daughter, said to be the savior of the world, has been hidden in the hopes of keeping the three gods of Uzan at bay. Charley is also a god, whose powers have yet to be completely established, but a god who could very well be living with her immortal enemy. Some backstory and history is revealed about Charley and Reyes’s relationship throughout time.

THE CURSE OF TENTH GRAVE has a large ensemble cast of passionate and intense characters including many, if not most, of the significant entities we have met throughout the series. Rocket’s purpose becomes a little more clearer; Strawberry Shortcake reveals some cryptic information; Charley’s dad reveals many secrets he uncovered in H*ll when he passed through; the army guarding Reyes and Charley’s daughter is available with a flick of the wrist; and Ubie’s future looks grim. I am still hoping Darynda has plans to write a series about Donovan and the gang.

As per Darynda’s style of writing the story line is packed with humor, snark, sarcasm, funny one liners and plenty of innuendo. Each chapter begins with a meme, t-shirt slogan or bumper sticker line. Reyes and Charley’s relationship is struggling in the face of what the future might hold; there are secrets between the couple that fester and burn. The $ex scenes contain a little more graphic text and sexual language than in previous installments but like most UF story lines, the romance is secondary to the story although it is Reyes and Charley’s relationship that may be triggering the ultimate war between Heaven and H*ll. The slow build to the final show down is gradually unfolding.

THE CURSE OF TENTH GRAVE is a revealing story line; a provocative look at two people destined to destroy one another; an addicting series where the next installment cannot come fast enough. The premise is dramatic; the characters are dynamic; the romance is sexy and heartbreaking. Darynda Jones writes an amazing series about a kick-ass heroine who struggles with every day life and the supernatural.

Reading Order and previous reviews
First Grave on the Right
Second Grave on the Left
Third Grave Straight Ahead
Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet
Fifth Grave Past The Light
Sixth Grave on the Edge
Seventh Grave and No Body
Eighth Grave After Dark
Brighter Than the Sun (novella)
The Dirt on Ninth Grave
The Curse of Tenth Grave

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Dirt on Ninth Grave (Charley Davidson #9) by Darynda Jones-a review

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THE DIRT ON NINTH GRAVE (Charley Davidson #9) by Darynda Jones-a review

The Dirt on Ninth Grave

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository / BAM

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 12, 2015

In a small village in New York lives Jane Doe, a girl with no memory of who she is or where she came from. So when she is working at a diner and slowly begins to realize she can see dead people, she’s more than a little taken aback. Stranger still are the people entering her life. They seem to know things about her. Things they hide with lies and half-truths. Soon, she senses something far darker. A force that wants to cause her harm, she is sure of it. Her saving grace comes in the form of a new friend she feels she can confide in and the fry cook, a devastatingly handsome man whose smile is breathtaking and touch is scalding. He stays close, and she almost feels safe with him around.

But no one can outrun their past, and the more lies that swirl around her—even from her new and trusted friends—the more disoriented she becomes, until she is confronted by a man who claims to have been sent to kill her. Sent by the darkest force in the universe. A force that absolutely will not stop until she is dead. Thankfully, she has a Rottweiler. But that doesn’t help in her quest to find her identity and recover what she’s lost. That will take all her courage and a touch of the power she feels flowing like electricity through her veins. She almost feels sorry for him. The devil in blue jeans. The disarming fry cook who lies with every breath he takes. She will get to the bottom of what he knows if it kills her. Or him. Either way.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: THE DIRT ON NINTH GRAVE is the ninth installment in Darynda Jones’s CHARLEY DAVIDSON urban fantasy series focusing on part time PI/ full time Grim Reaper Charley Davidson.

SOME BACKGROUND: This is the continuing story of Charley’s life as the Grim Reaper, the corporeal spirits who have yet to pass, and the man to whom she has pledged her undying love-the son of Satan-Reyes Farrow. Charley Davidson is the key to saving or destroying the world. If you have not read the previous installments there may be some spoilers.

Told from first person point of view (Charley) THE DIRT ON NINTH GRAVE is a bit of a departure from the series as our heroine wakes up in the small town of Sleepy Hollow with no memory of her past. The amnesia follows the heartbreaking events of EIGHTH GRAVE AFTER DARK and focuses on Charley through several weeks as she tries to come to terms with the ability to ‘see dead people’ and the loss of everything and everyone she has ever loved: Enter Reyes, Cookie, Uncle Bob (Ubie), Osh, Angel, Garrett and a host of others, dead people, and demons from her past who tread lightly in the path of the woman now known as Janey Doerr- a bumbling waitress at the Firelight Cafe who believes she is from the future. As Janey continues to search for the truth, our small band of family and friends keep an eye on the woman they love. Strawberry Shortcake and Artemis make a cameo appearance. And the local cop who saved ‘Janey Doerr’ has some nefarious plans for our broken heroine.

Throughout THE DIRT ON NINTH GRAVE we follow Charley ‘aka Janey’ as she endeavors to unravel a mystery involving the antique storeowner Mr.V and his missing family, as well as the infiltration of what appears to be the Russian Mob which in my opinion reads more like a ‘red herring’ that is irrelevant to the entire story and series but for all intents and purposes brings together several people from Charley’s past. Meanwhile, as per usual, Charley is visited by several corporeal beings who have yet to cross to the other side, in the hopes, of passing on a message to loved ones, or to help Charley in what it is she is supposed to do.

Darynda Jones continues to add her off-beat humor, sarcastic witticisms, and funny one-liners but because of Charley’s amnesia some of the humorous moments are few and far between as our heroine must come to terms with what she has lost-Janey ‘Charley’ knows that she has lost something fragile and small; someone she has left behind and spends the majority of the storyline feeling powerless and lost (herself). The relationship between Charley and Reyes is seductive and provocative as Reyes heats up the pages with his need and protectiveness of the woman he loves.

THE DIRT ON NINTH GRAVE is an intriguing but slow building installment that followed many paths to reveal a little more about Charley’s history-from the beginning of time-and why it is, so many gods, demons, fallen angels and angels are battling for control of Charley Davidson, but saying that, NINTH GRAVE did not reveal its’ purpose until the very end. We spent much of the storyline focusing on ‘Janey’s’ need to save the family across the street, and solve the mystery about one family’s numerous dying children. Charley’s true purpose is slowly revealing and with it comes the inevitable possibility that when the time comes, there will be many broken hearts and painful tears. Reyes knows that Charley must discover who she is without any assistance from the man that she loves, or the people in her life. But it is the loss of someone close that will aid Charley in the recovery of her memories, and all that she holds dear.

I will add, that at times, I kept thinking that part of the premise felt familiar-too familiar- that I was confusing it with another UF series, so much so, that I thought I was reading –ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN by Jennifer Estep. Jennifer’s heroine works at a diner frequented by all of her friends and supernatural beings, and is constantly investigating strange happenings in and around her small town (similarly to NINTH GRAVE). I love both Darynda Jones’s CHARLEY DAVIDSON and Jennifer Estep’s ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN series-a compliment to both authors.

If you are a fan and have read BOTH series, please let me know what you think after reading THE DIRT ON NINTH GRAVE-I can’t be the only reviewer who sees the similarities.

First Grave on the Right
Second Grave on the Left
Third Grave Straight Ahead
Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet
Fifth Grave Past The Light
Sixth Grave on the Edge
Seventh Grave and No Body
Eighth Grave After Dark
Brighter Than the Sun
The Dirt on Ninth Grave

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Brighter Than The Sun (Charley Davidson 8.5) by Darynda Jones-a review

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BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN (Charley Davidson 8.5) by Darynda Jones-a review

Brighter Than The Sun

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date Octboer 6, 2015

All his life, Reyes Alexander Farrow has suffered the torments of the damned. Only one thing has given him hope: the woman who radiates a light that no mortals can see; a light that only the departed can see…

Told from his point of view, BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN chronicles the first time Reyes ever encountered Charley, and how their relationship has been the one thing that can either save him or doom him.

•••••••••

REVIEW: BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN is a novella in Darynda Jones’s adult CHARLEY DAVIDSON urban fantasy series told from Reyes Alexander Farrow’s point of view. Darynda Jones takes the reader back to a time just prior to Charley’s birth that finds Reyes following what he believes is a dream-a bright light that calls to him-of a young child, then woman, who is, from birth, the Grim Reaper. BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN runs parallel to several of the events in Darynda Jones’s Charley Davidson series.

We get up close and personal with Reyes as he suffers a myriad of abuses at the hands of Earl Walker; and the introduction of his ‘sister’ Kim whom Reyes protects even though he knows he will be the recipient of the torture and abuse. Most of the abuse is ‘behind the scenes’ or implied; there is no graphic text to abhor the reader.

BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN is a quick and simple read that is completely different in tone and emotion than any of the previous installments. The storyline is a darker read without the usual humor, one-liners, witty banter or t-shirt logos that Darynda and her Charley Davidson series are known for. It is a short story that doesn’t add any new or specific information to the series but expands upon what the reader already knows with more details and some background history. We do learn why it is Reyes calls Charley Dutch 😉 Darynda Jones focuses on Reyes-his early years; his need to protect Charley; and the knowledge that Satan’s son has suffered because of who he is, and what he will become.

BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN is a wonderful read to fill in the details that were missing about Reyes’s younger years and his love for the woman who could one day destroy the world.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Eighth Grave After Dark (Charley Davidson #8) by Darynda Jones-a review

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EIGHTH GRAVE AFTER DARK (Charley Davidson #8) by Darynda Jones-a review

eighth-grave-after-dark. May 15jpg

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 19, 2015

With twelve hellhounds after her, pregnant Charley Davidson takes refuge at the only place she thinks they can’t get to her: the grounds of an abandoned convent. But after months of being cooped up there, Charley is ready to pop. Both metaphorically and literally since she is now roughly the size of a beached whale. Fortunately, a new case has captured her attention, one that involves a murder on the very grounds the team has taken shelter upon. A decades-old murder of the newly-vowed nun she keeps seeing in the shadows is almost enough to pull her out of her doldrums.

Charley’s been forbidden to step foot off the sacred grounds. While the angry hellhounds can’t traverse the consecrated soil, they can lurk just beyond its borders. They have the entire team on edge, especially Reyes. And if Charley didn’t know better, she would swear Reyes is getting sick. He grows hotter with every moment that passes, his heat scorching across her skin every time he’s near, but naturally he swears he’s fine.

While the team searches for clues on the Twelve, Charley just wants answers and is powerless to get them. But the mass of friends they’ve accrued helps. They convince her even more that everyone in her recent life has somehow been drawn to her, as though they were a part of a bigger picture all along. But the good feelings don’t last for long because Charley is about to get the surprise of her crazy, mixed-up, supernatural life….

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: EIGHTH GRAVE AFTER DARK is the eighth installment in Darynda Jones’s adult, urban fantasy Charley Davidson series focusing on part time PI/ full time grim reaper Charley Davidson. This is the continuing story of Charley’s life as the Grim Reaper, the corporeal spirits who have yet to pass, and the man to whom she has pledged her undying love-the son of Satan-Reyes Farrow. Lucifer has targeted Charley and her unborn daughter for termination using any means necessary including hellhounds and demons. The series should be read in order for cohesion and the ongoing history between Charley, Reyes and the end of the world.

NOTE: If you have not read the series, there will be some spoilers in my review.

Told from first person point of view (Charley Davidson) the storyline focuses on the wedding between Charley’s BFF and assistant Cookie, and Ubie (Charley’s Uncle Bob) and, the impending birth of Charley and Reyes daughter. While Charley prepares for her best friend’s nuptials, a missing persons case is brought to Charley’s attention with the belief that Charley’s special abilities are necessary to solve the case. The problem-Charley and Reyes have taken up residence in a former convent believing the Hounds of Hell can’t enter the sacred grounds and Charley is unable to cross the perimeter without placing her life in danger. And of course, Charley comes across the spirit of a young nun who hasn’t been able to crossover, in the hopes of finding someone to solve her murder and the case of her missing sister.

EIGHT GRAVE AFTER DARK is a revealing storyline where the true purpose of several secondary and supporting characters comes to fruition including the perpetually silent Mr. Wong and the twelve sent. The notion of the ‘twelve sent and the twelve summoned’ is partially revealed, and with it, my belief that throughout the series, some of the reluctant spirits and supernatural beings who have stayed behind and attached themselves to Charley, have a larger purpose in Charley’s life than fodder for one liners and the bane of Charley’s existence. I suspect the series will reveal a few more ‘spirits’ and guardians whose purpose is to defend and protect the ‘daughter’ in the upcoming war.

The ensemble cast of characters includes many of the previously introduced spirits, ghosts, demons, and one particularly sexy biker dude. Osh returns as protector but his connection to Charley goes much deeper; Angel keeps secret Reyes plans for the future; Rocket announces the impending death of someone we all know and hate. Charley’s sister Gemma and step-mother Denise play a much larger role than in the past but a role that is not high on Charley’s list of things to do or forgive. Garrett Swopes continues to decipher the ancient prophecies, while Strawberry Shortcake pops in with little bits of information. Cookie’s daughter Amber’s role in Charley’s life has yet to be revealed, but this powerful little teenager is more than just a pretty face and gaming nerd with her bestie Quentin. Artemis returns as our favorite supernatural canine.

Our heroine will continue to place herself in danger and with it comes the anger and ire of her beloved Reyes. There are secrets between our leading couple; secrets that could prove dangerous and deadly, but Charley and Reyes do not confide with one another-there is an aura of mistrust and misunderstanding.

Darynda Jones continues to use humor, amazing one-liners, sexual innuendo, euphemisms and sarcasm throughout the storyline. Once again, each chapter is introduced with a t-shirt slogan, meme or bumper sticker pointing out that all is not running smoothly in Charley’s life. The friendship between Charley and Cookie continues to be amazing; and Charley’s love for Reyes Farrow is all encompassing and forever. We could all do with a little heat and fire in our lives.

EIGHTH GRAVE AFTER DARK is a character driven storyline where everyone has a purpose and place in Charley’s life- said purposes and places are finally being revealed. Many questions will be answered; some have yet to be addressed; and in the end, Charley and Reyes’s must make a heartbreaking decision that will affect them all. . You can’t go wrong with a little Darynda Jones and Charley Davidson in your life.

Series Reading Order and Previous Reviews
First Grave on the Right
Second Grave on the Left
Third Grave Straight Ahead
Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet
Fifth Grave Past The Light
Sixth Grave on the Edge
Seventh Grave and No Body
Eighth Grave After Dark

Copy supplied by St.Martin’s Publishing through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Reading Cafe is Darynda Jones’s BLOG OF THE DAY-Giveaway

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The Reading Cafe is Darynda Jones’s BLOG OF THE DAY -Giveaway

Blog of the Day Banner

Everyone at The Reading Cafe is pleased to announce that thanks to our followers who voted, we are DARYNDA JONES’S blog of the day for October 28, 2014.

To celebrate, we are offering a giveaway to TWO (2) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe.

First Prize

Winner’s choice of any ONE (1) paper book from Darynda Jones’s CHARLEY DAVIDSON books (1 thru 5).
-giveaway is open internationally wherever THE BOOK DEPOSITORY delivers

Second Prize

Winner’s choice of either a paper copy of ONLY by HelenKay Dimon or a paper copy of ECHOES OF SCOTLAND STREET by Samantha Young
-giveaway is open to USA only

Giveaway-Black and Fuscia

1.  If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please LIKE us on GOODREADS  for an additional entry.

6. Please LIKE Darynda Jones on FACEBOOK .

7. Giveaway guidelines for qualification as above.

8. Giveaway runs from October 28-October 31, 2014, 2014

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Seventh Grave and No Body (Charley Davidson 7) by Darynda Jones-Review and Blog Tour

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Seventh Grave and No Body (Charley Davidson 7) by Darynda Jones-Review and Blog Tour

7th Blog Tour Badge 2

Seventh Grave and No Body
Charley Davidson #7
by Darynda Jones
Genre: adult, contemporary, UF, paranormal
Release Date:

Seventh Grave and no Body Oct 14

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository / iTunes

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 21, 2014

Twelve. Twelve of the deadliest beasts ever forged in the fires of hell have escaped onto our plane, and they want nothing more than to rip out the jugular of Charley Davidson and serve her lifeless, mangled body to Satan for dinner. So there’s that. But Charley has more on her plate than a mob of testy hellhounds. For one thing, her father has disappeared, and the more she retraces his last steps, the more she learns he was conducting an investigation of his own, one that has Charley questioning everything she’s ever known about him. Add to that an ex-BFF who is haunting her night and day, a rash of suicides that has authorities baffled, and a drop-dead sexy fiancé who has attracted the attentions of a local celebrity, and Charley is not having the best week of her life.

A tad north of hell, a hop, skip, and a jump past the realm of eternity, is a little place called Earth, and Charley Davidson, grim reaper extraordinaire, is determined to do everything in her power to protect it.

We’re doomed.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: SEVENTH GRAVE AND NO BODY is the seventh installment in Darynda Jones’s adult, contemporary Charley Davidson UF series focusing on part time PI/full time Grim Reaper Charley Davidson. This is the continuing story of Charley’s life as the Grim Reaper, the corporeal spirits who have yet to pass, and the man to whom she has pledged her undying love-the son of Satan-Reyes Farrow. The series should be read in order for cohesion and the ongoing history between Charley and Reyes.

Told from first person POV (Charley) the focus of the storyline follows Charley as she is called in to help investigate a series of ten year old unsolved murders. Meanwhile, not only has Charley been targeted for extermination by Satan himself but someone has sent twelve hellhounds to make sure the job gets done. When a young sixteen year old girl is murdered, Charley is asked by the recently deceased herself, to track down her missing body. With the number of cases building, Charley continues to place herself in danger at every opportunity. Reyes is NOT a happy camper when he discovers that Charley has risked their future for the sake of someone else.

The relationship between Reyes and Charley is one of undying love, ordained by hell, and soul mated by birth. Reyes has waited thousands of years for Charley’s arrival and he isn’t about to lose Charley to the demons of hell. Their sexual chemistry is explosive; provocative and intense. But Reyes sex appeal does not go unnoticed and a local reporter aims her sights at Mr. Farrow.

SEVENTH GRAVE is a storyline that advances the series but a few days. Charley’s father is still missing; Uncle Bob (Ubie) is in a relationship with Charley’s BFF Cookie; and Reyes is more determined to protect Charley than ever before. Enter the Dealer-a demon known as ‘Osh’-and Charley has a veritable army of supernatural beings hoping to keep her alive while an even more powerful and larger army is hoping to take her down. As Charley’s powers slowly reveal themselves, she will discover that she is more god-like in potential and talent then ever before.

As per Darynda’s writing style, SEVENTH GRAVE AND NO BODY is packed full of sarcastic whit, one liners, sexual innuendo, euphemisms and character asides. Each chapter is introduced using ‘bumper stickers logos’ or ‘t-shirt quotes’ adding an even more humorous element to the story. Cookie and Charley play off of one another like yin and yang-a veritable game of table tennis of the mind.

The secondary characters and regulars, including human and spirit alike, add a familiarity to the storyline as each adds their own charm and finesse to Charley’s life. Angel (Charley’s perpetually thirteen year old spirit assistant) and Rocket (a deceased savant who tracks every death in the world) add mystery and reveal a little more information about Charley’s purpose on earth. Mr. Wong’s identity-although his role has yet to be completely determined– is a constant spiritual presence in Charley’s apartment, and one that may have a larger role in the upcoming installments. Mr.Wong’s purpose in the series is painstakingly slow to reveal with only a hint of what is to come.

With every storyline, Charley begins to amass a following of the recently deceased that assist Charley in one way or another. Not only do these spirits refuse to move forward but they remain behind to help Charley in any way they can. SEVENTH GRAVE adds one more ghost to Charley’s fan club.

Darynda Jones is an amazingly, talented author whose imagination grows with each installment. There are moments of humor and sorrow; heartbreak and love; mystery and suspense. My only complaint is the slow reveal of everyone’s purpose (including Charley) in the series. There are so many secrets that have yet to be revealed. The true nature of Charley’s predestination is the biggest secret of all.
Charley Davidson Series

Reading Order and Links to Reviews:
First Grave on the Right
Second Grave on the Left
Third Grave Dead Ahead
Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet
Fifth Grave Past The Light
Sixth Grave on the Edge
Seventh Grave and No Body

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

Excerpt

 

I set Cookie to finding out everything she could on the missing suicide-note victims. There had to be a connection between them somewhere in their pasts. In the meantime, I would go talk to their closests, but first I needed to know if the victims were still alive. If they’d been abducted, this would quickly become a much different case. We would probably have to get the FBI involved, if they weren’t on to it already.
Reyes was still working, so I decided to cut out alone. I knew he’d freak. He wasn’t about to leave me alone for long, and neither would he put up with my running off without him, so I decided to pick up a passenger. Well, another passenger. The one I had at the moment would be of no help in a fight against hounds from hell, should they spot me in a crowd.
Jessica was harping again, this time about how her friends were at the restaurant, fawning over Reyes as though she had never died. She’d called dibs the moment she saw him, and they seemed almost relieved she was out of the way. I refrained from reminding her that (1) I’d had dibs long before that, and (2) she was as dead as the Twizzler I was gnawing on in an attempt to forget about my extreme caffeine depletion. Poor little Twizzler.
“She said that!” Jessica shouted. “Like, she said it. Right to Reyes’s face.”
“Wait, what?” I almost slammed on the brakes, then realized my foot was already on the brake, as we were idling at a stoplight. “Who said what to Reyes’s face?”
“Oh . . . my god. Have you heard a word I’ve said?”
“Not especially. Who said what?”
“She said she’d do anything, any . . . thing, for an interview.”
I turned to her. “Are you telling me you heard what Reyes and Jolene—I mean, that hooch—were talking about?”
“Duh. I was so upset with Joanie and the girls that I started to walk out when that—that ho practically assaulted our man.”

 

 

7thGraveAudio copy
 

 

About the author


Darynda JonesFollow: Website / Facebook / Twitter /Goodreads

NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a Rebecca, two Hold Medallions, a RITA ®, and a Daphne du Maurier, and she has received stellar reviews from dozens of publications including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and the Library Journal. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that tradition. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of almost 30 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. She can be found at www.daryndajones.com.

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Sixth Grave on the Edge (Charley Davidson #6) by Darynda Jones-a review

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SIXTH GRAVE ON THE EDGE (Charley Davidson #6) by Darynda Jones-a review

Sixth Grave on the Edge May 14

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 20 2014

Few things in life can come between a grim reaper and her coffee, but the sexy, sultry son of Satan is one of them. Now that Reyes Farrow has asked for her hand, Charley Davidson feels it’s time to learn more about his past, but Reyes is reluctant to open up. When the official FBI file of his childhood abduction lands in her lap, Charley decides to go behind her mysterious beau’s back and conduct her own investigation. Because what could go wrong?

Unfortunately, another case has fallen into her lap—one with dangerous implications. Some very insistent men want Charley to hunt down a witness who is scheduled to testify against their boss, a major player in the local crime syndicate. If Charley doesn’t come up with an address in 48 hours, the people closest to her will start to disappear.

Add to that a desperate man in search of the soul he lost in a card game, a dogged mother determined to find the ghost of her son, and a beautiful, young Deaf boy haunted by his new ability to see the departed as clearly as he sees the living, and Charley has her hands full. The fact that Reyes has caught on to her latest venture only adds fuel to the inferno that he is. Good thing for Charley she’s used to multi-tasking and always up for a challenge…especially when that challenge comes in the form of Reyes Farrow.

••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEWS: SIXTH GRAVE ON THE EDGE is the sixth instalment in Darynda Jones’s paranormal/UF Charley Davidson series focusing on grim reaper Charlotte (Charley) Davidson. As with all of the Charley Davidson storylines we find our heroine the target of more than one being-some demonic, some corrupt, many dead but all wanting something in the end. Told from first person POV (Charley) SIXTH GRAVE advances the series but a few days.

There are several focuses in the storyline including a man who lost his soul in a game of cards and Charley’s dogged determination to uncover the truth about Reyes’s past. She knows some of the ugly details of his childhood but she will set her sights on the people she believes gave birth to the Son of Satan. When Reyes demands that she stop her investigation, Charley’s inquiring mind doesn’t necessarily want to hear the story behind the story.

We will be introduced to the Dealer-a demon from Hell who knows more about Charley’s predestination than Reyes has revealed. The Dealer offers up ‘a deal’ to those in need but his price is steep and beyond what most people can pay. Charley is drawn to the Dealer if for no other reason than to learn the truth about who and what she has been ‘born’ to do.

Angel, Charley’s forever thirteen year old ghostly assistant, will have a more active role in this particular storyline. We will learn the truth about his death and the woman who wants to know if her son is still on this plane of existence. Some stories are harder to tell and Angel’s story is one that has been building since book one.

Cookie is her usual manic self-from the brains behind Charley’s PI investigations to the woman who has fallen for Charley’s Uncle Bob, Cookie is a one woman power house who plays off of Charley’s natural sarcastic banter-a perfect combination in any storyline or series. When Charley sets up a series of dates for the voluptuous assistant, Ubie (or Uncle Bob) becomes suspicious when he recognizes one of the men with whom Cookie has been paired.

SIXTH GRAVE ON THE EDGE is not as dark as some of the previous instalments. Charley’s knack for putting herself into dangerous situations continues but any near death experiences will not result in weeks to months of rehabilitation as in the past. Charley has yet to say YES to Reyes proposal and he is a man possessed to make Charley his wife and his own.

The relationship between Reyes and Charley is imaginative, erotic and arousing-psychic sensuality is something we should all strive to achieve. Reyes is the epitome of sex; his allure is far reaching but he is intensely captivated by only one woman-a woman who was made especially for him.

The ending and revelation were not unexpected for this reader but it was a definite twist in the storyline development. When the prophecies have decreed that the Twelve Hounds from Hell will destroy Charley, there is another Twelve waiting to protect the daughter they have all been waiting to see.

Darynda Jones writes from the heart with humor, sarcasm, an astonishing concept of friendship and a brilliant mind. The Charley Davidson series is a phenomenal UF/paranormal series that focuses on a kick-a$$ heroine who knows there are limitations to her powers but has yet to reach her ordained levels prescribed in the hierarchy of all things supernatural and decreed.

Reviewed by Sandy

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