Tag Archives: Kait Ballenger

Midnight Hunter (Execution Underground #3) by Kait Ballenger-a review

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MIDNIGHT HUNTER (Execution Underground # 3) by Kait Ballenger-a review

Midnight Hunter

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release date September 1, 2015

Hunters of the supernatural, The Execution Underground are an elite group tasked with protecting humanity…but can dark temptation destroy good intentions?

Occult specialist and witch hunter Dr. Shane Grey is called upon to investigate a string of crimes that bear all the hallmarks of black magic. But he can’t take on this daunting assignment for the Execution Underground alone. He’ll need the help of Vera Sanders, a witch with a dark past—and a woman who disturbs him as much as she intrigues him.

Vera is determined to ignore the dangerous chemistry between herself and Shane so she can prove her loyalty to his cause; otherwise she risks the wrath of the Execution Underground once again. If she can’t make Shane trust her, they won’t stand a chance in hell of defeating the evil that’s terrorizing their city. No easy task, considering old habits die hard…and Vera may be the very person responsible for luring Shane into a killer’s trap.

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW: MIDNIGHT HUNTER is the third full length installment in Kait Ballenger’s adult Execution Underground(EU) paranormal series focusing on an elite group of hunters whose job it is to protect the human world from the evil side of the supernatural element. This is witch hunter and university professor Dr. Shane Grey, and Vera Sanders’s storyline. Vera is a witch who has dabbled in the dark arts; we were first introduced to Vera in Immortal Hunter (EU #2) when she was called in to work an investigation with Dr. Shane Grey.

Told from third person point of view MIDNIGHT HUNTER focuses the hunt for a necromancer-someone is raising the dead in Rochester New York leaving a path of destruction in its’ wake. Enter Dr. Shane Grey and the Execution Underground whose responsibility it is to hunt for the supernatural being reanimating the corpses. Because necromancy uses black magic Shane reluctantly enlists the help of one of his students-Vera Sanders-a witch with ties to black magic and a woman who stirs something deep within Shane’s soul.

The relationship between Shane and Vera begins acrimoniously as the two have butted heads in this and the last storyline. Shane is aware of Vera’s travels to the dark side, and with it comes a series of lies and lies by omission as our couple go on the hunt for the person practicing the art of black magic. What ensues is a relationship built upon mistrust and betrayal as the truth about Vera’s connections to black magic go deeper and are much closer than anyone could have imagined. Shane’s attraction to Vera finds our hero sending mixed signals of what it is he wants and doesn’t want from Vera Sanders-Shane will continue to push Vera away right up until the very end.

All of the Execution Underground Hunters make an appearance including the introduction of a kilt-clad Scotsman with connection to Detroit’s EU and Vera’s past. Speaking of Hunters, I am still waiting for Damon Brock’s storyline. Damon is the head of Rochester’s Underground Execution and a man whose heartbreaking introduction was told in Shadow Hunter (EU .5). Damon’s story is not complete; he has lost the love of his life to the very thing he abhors the most.

The world building continues to focus on the hunt for the bad guys of the supernatural world. So far, each of our hunters has fallen in love with the very thing he was ordered to destroy. I guess it is true what they say-love is truly blind.

MIDNIGHT HUNTER is an action packed story of mystery and suspense wrapped in a blanket of paranormal magic and powerful beings. The premise is engaging; the characters are colorful and intense; the happily ever after was not unexpected but the quick resolution to the story is becoming a mainstay of Kait’s style of writing.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Series Spotlight

Shadow HunterSHADOW HUNTER
Execution Underground .5
by Kait Ballenger
Genre: adult, paranormal, romance
Release Date: June 25, 2013

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 25, 2013

Shadow Hunter (Execution Underground 0.5) by Kait Ballenger

Vampire hunter Damon Brock’s first assignment with the Execution Underground is Rochester, New York, a city crawling with the undead. But he isn’t the only hunter in town gunning for vamp blood. Tiffany Solow is fierce and ruthless when it comes to slaying the monsters that destroyed her family-and she works solo. But being alone is no longer so desirable when she meets the mysterious hunter who wants more than just her turf. As they work to massacre the local covens, the line between good and evil blurs when they are forced to decide between their lifelong beliefs… and their newfound hearts

______________

Twilight HunterTWILIGHT HUNTER
Execution Underground 1
by Kait Ballenger
Genre: adult, paranormal, romance
Release Date: August 27, 2013

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 27, 2013

Hunters of the supernatural, the Execution Underground are an elite group tasked with protecting humanity…but what happens when danger collides with desire?

Jace McCannon has one loyalty: the Execution Underground. Despite his mixed blood, his hatred for the werewolves he hunts is legendary. But in his search for a sadistic killer, Jace finds himself face to face with a stunningly seductive packmaster…and longing for a night with his mortal enemy.

Nothing can stop Frankie Amato from defending her kind–or catching the rogue responsible for killing women in her territory. For that, this alpha female needs Jace’s skills more than she wants to admit. But as their investigation exposes evil truths, need burns into a passion that dare not be fulfilled. For to do so will have deadly consequences for them both…

________

Immortal Hunter.Jan 2014jpgIMMORTAL HUNTER
Execution Underground 2
by Kait Ballenger
Genre: adult, paranormal, romance
Release date: May 2, 2104

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 2, 2014

Hunters of the supernatural, the Execution Underground are an elite group tasked with protecting humanity…but at what price?

As an exorcist, David Aronowitz grew up the target of demonic assassins. Now he’s a member of the Execution Underground and hellspawn everywhere fear his name. But when a demon slips into the seductive body of the only woman he’s ever loved, David must confront the heartbreak of their past to save her.

The piece of her heart Allsún O’Hare gave to David so long ago left her trapped between two worlds: the Fae and the human. And when David comes to her rescue, fate reunites her with her greatest temptation—and her biggest mistake.

Now, as they’re swept together into a wicked game with the demon who controls her, David must decide if saving Allsún’s life is worth sacrificing his own—and the future of humanity itself.

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Immortal Hunter (Execution Underground #2) by Kait Ballenger-a review

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IMMORTAL HUNTER (Execution Underground #2) by Kait Ballenger

Immortal Hunter.Jan 2014jpg

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 1, 2014/May 2, 2014

Hunters of the supernatural, the Execution Underground are an elite group tasked with protecting humanity…but at what price?

As an exorcist, David Aronowitz grew up the target of demonic assassins. Now he’s a member of the Execution Underground and hellspawn everywhere fear his name. But when a demon slips into the seductive body of the only woman he’s ever loved, David must confront the heartbreak of their past to save her.

The piece of her heart Allsún O’Hare gave to David so long ago left her trapped between two worlds: the Fae and the human. And when David comes to her rescue, fate reunites her with her greatest temptation—and her biggest mistake.

Now, as they’re swept together into a wicked game with the demon who controls her, David must decide if saving Allsún’s life is worth sacrificing his own—and the future of humanity itself.

••••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: IMMORTAL HUNTER is the second full length (and third storyline) in Kait Ballenger’s paranormal, adult romance series-Execution Underground-focusing on an elite group of hunters whose job it is to protect the human world from the evil side of the supernatural element. This is exorcist David Aronowitz and half-fae Allsun O’Hare’s second chance storyline. When demons begin targeting families and children, David is tasked with uncovering the demon responsible for the destruction of so many lives. The novel can be read as a stand alone without too much difficulty although reading the series from the beginning will add a sense of cohesion to the story.

Kait Ballenger pulls the reader into a graphically violent storyline where no one is safe from a demonic revenge of biblical proportions. When the identity of the demon is revealed, Allsun will become the pawn and the vessel in an ancient war between the Fae and demon kind.

Allsun and David’s relationship is rocky-there is a prior history between our couple that is slowly revealed throughout the story but a history that is rocked by a Allsun’s secret that she has kept until now. There is a definite attraction between our couple but their emotional turmoil is hardened by a history of angry words and mistrust.

IMMORTAL HUNTER is a well-paced story about second chances, forgiveness and revenge. Kait combines biblical mythology with the supernatural powers resulting in a storyline of sacrifice and loss. The world building continues as many of the previous storyline characters play a pivotal role in the current story and a hint that perhaps Damon’s story may continue in the near future.

My only concern was the quick resolution. I felt that the ending was rushed and the epilogue jumped forward two years without acknowledging one plot point and couple in particular.

Overall, IMMORTAL HUNTER is an exciting and interesting storyline. There is the potential for another Hunter to find love when Shane discovers that the woman he has been attracted to has some hidden powers of her own. Kait Ballenger writes from the heart with an emotional storyline that will resonate with many who have loved and lost.

Reading Order
1. Shadow Hunter (EU .5)
2. Twilight Hunter (EU 1)
3. Immortal Hunter (EU 2)

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Twilight Hunter (Execution Underground #1) by Kait Ballenger-a review and giveaway

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TWILIGHT HUNTER (Execution Underground #1) by Kait Ballenger-a review and giveaway

Twilight Hunter Blog Tour Banner

Twilight Hunter
Execution Underground #1
by Kait Ballenger
Release Date: August 27, 2013

Twilight Hunter

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 27, 2013

Hunters of the supernatural, the Execution Underground are an elite group tasked with protecting humanity…but what happens when danger collides with desire?

Jace McCannon has one loyalty: the Execution Underground. Despite his mixed blood, his hatred for the werewolves he hunts is legendary. But in his search for a sadistic killer, Jace finds himself face to face with a stunningly seductive packmaster…and longing for a night with his mortal enemy.

Nothing can stop Frankie Amato from defending her kind–or catching the rogue responsible for killing women in her territory. For that, this alpha female needs Jace’s skills more than she wants to admit. But as their investigation exposes evil truths, need burns into a passion that dare not be fulfilled. For to do so will have deadly consequences for them both…

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: TWILIGHT HUNTER is the first full length novel (second story) in Kait Ballenger’s new paranormal romance series- Execution Underground – focusing on an elite group of warriors/hunters who protect humanity from the supernatural beings out to destroy or control the world. This is Jace and Frankie’s storyline. And in true paranormal style, not everyone is as they appear to be. Even the good guys are something ‘more’.

Jace McCannon is on the edge. With a string of unsolved murders that point at a vicious werewolf attack, Jace is the best werewolf hunter the Execution Underground has ever commissioned. His inability to find the ‘werewolf’ responsible for a rash of grizzly murders forces Damon Brock, the leader of the EU to take action. And when the clues begin to add up, Jace will find himself face to face with a female werewolf who is trying to uncover the person responsible as well. Only for Frankie, it is personal. As the pack master of the local werewolf pack, it is her responsibility to ensure the murderer isn’t one of her own.

The relationship between Jace and Frankie begins as Jace captures Frankie hoping to get information about the person responsible for the murders. But Frankie is no ordinary wolf-she is the pack master, alpha and about to enter her ‘once yearly fertile period.’ And Jace is not immune to Frankie’s condition-he is of mixed blood and his ‘other’ half wants to mate. The sexual tension is high as their attraction to one another is over the top: but there is always a caveat and both believe the other made a huge error in judgment.

The storyline focus is on the murders and the person responsible but it also introduces several potential storylines, connections, and the acrimonious relationship between Damon Brock and the other members of the Execution Underground. In the introductory novella to the series Damon found then lost the love of his life and in this, it has transformed his personality and caused rifts in his association with the men who work in the EU.

The story development is fast paced and keeps on course without spreading in too many directions; the characters are as likeable as they are flawed. No one is perfect. The personalities are as diverse as the number of supernatural species introduced into the story-demons, wolves, vampires, fae, beserkers and more.

Kait Ballenger does a magnificent job with TWILIGHT HUNTER as she blends a complicated storyline with a building romance and a premise filled with murder, suspense and forbidden attraction.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

Giveaway-redandblack_zps8ff4dc4b

Kait Ballenger is offering a signed paper copy of TWILIGHT HUNTER to one lucky reader at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register using the log in at the top 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. Giveaway is open to USA and CANADA only.

4. Giveaway runs from August 6 to August 9, 2013

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Shadow Hunter Blog Tour-Guest Post with Kait Ballenger

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Shadow Hunter Blog Tour-Guest Post with Kait Ballenger

Shadow Hunter Tour Badge

Developing My Hero’s Storyline: The Beginning of Damon Brock

Guest Post=Black and Red

Click HERE for our review of SHADOW HUNTER

When I first started writing the Execution Underground series, I hated Damon Brock.

I began writing the novel which would later come to be titled Twilight Hunter with very little outline. The only two characters of the series I was really familiar with was Jace McCannon, werewolf hunter and hero of the novel, and Frankie Amato, werewolf packmaster and heroine. Aside from these two characters, all I knew was that there were going to be several other members of the Execution Underground Rochester division. I also knew that the division needed a leader, and even though I was writing his story first, that leader wasn’t Jace. It wasn’t until I wrote a scene in Twilight Hunter, in which all the hunters of the Rochester division are introduced, that I came to know the hunters—the five other men who would make up the series. Since I was writing from Jace’s perspective, through his eyes Damon Brock was an asshole.

damonAs the leader of the Rochester division, Damon is Jace’s boss. Damon is in charge of directing Jace and the other hunters, dealing with the division’s communications with headquarters, and of course, his own job of hunting vampires. Jace has a problem with authority figures and always has. I knew when I started writing Damon that immediately he and Jace would not get along. As a result, I wrote the entire book knowing very few things about Damon. My knowledge was restricted to the knowledge Jace has of Damon, which is very little. Honestly, when my agent and critique partner among others said they were excited for Damon’s book my initial thought was: why would you want to read a book about Damon? I was dreading, absolutely dreading the day when I had to write that novel.
Though I knew Damon would inevitably have to have his own book somewhere down the line—after all, he was one of the division members and they were each receiving their own book—I positioned Damon’s novel as the last in the series. I had no clue how to approach his character. When I wrote him into Twilight Hunter all I knew was that he was a bad ass vampire hunter, that he was made bitter seemingly by some unfortunate event in his life (though I didn’t know what it was), and that Jace McCannon was a major royal pain in his ass.

So when Harlequin contracted the first three novels of the Execution Underground series, I still felt I had all the time in the world to learn about Damon’s character. After all, he wasn’t going to have a book of his own until book six and I hadn’t even written book two. Then, Damon’s story came as a huge piece of news from Harlequin.

AfterDarkJPEGI received a phone call from my agent, Nicole Resciniti. She told me that Harlequin wanted me to write a 50,000 (or longer) word novella that told the origin story of the Execution Underground and how Damon came to be the leader of the division. What would later be titled Shadow Hunter, a prequel to the series, was going to be placed in a paperback anthology titled After Dark next to New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Gena Showalter. I was stunned by the news and I knew it was an opportunity that I absolutely couldn’t pass up. I needed to write that novella.

The weight of the massive task hit me later that evening once my initial excitement had simmered to a low boil. Not only did I have to write a novella Harlequin considered to be good enough to be in an anthology beside one of the paranormal romance genre’s biggest names, but I had to do it in a month and about a character I knew nothing about. When I sat down to write Shadow Hunter I feared the worst. I had no clue what to write about and I was afraid I wouldn’t meet my deadline, that I’d missed out on the amazing opportunity. Deep down I knew I couldn’t let that happen.

So I got to work. I spent probably a good week of that month planning out the possibilities for Damon’s character (but nothing fit) and begging, practically pleading, with him to tell me his story. Finally, everything clicked and I was able to start channeling his voice.

Describing how I came up with Damon’s storyline is something I don’t think I can put into words. I don’t know where it came from. It must be something on a subconscious level that suddenly and magically clicks into place. For me, if you were to ask me how I came up with Damon Brock’s novella, I’d be forced to say it was part subconscious, part forcing myself to sit down and start typing, and a whole lot of dumb luck.

About The Author beige

Kait BallengerBIO: Kait Ballenger is a full-time paranormal romance author, wife, bellydancer, graduate student, and soon-to-be-professor. She is the multi-published, award-winning author of the Execution Underground paranormal romance series. With a B.A in English from Stetson University, Kait is currently earning an M.F.A in Writing. Kait believes anything is possible with hard work and dedication. One day, she hopes to be a bestseller and to see her novels on the big screen. Look for the next two books in her page-turning Execution Underground series: Twilight Hunter, book one (August 2013) and Immortal Hunter, book two (January 2014). For more information, please visit www.kaitballenger.com or follow her on Twitter @kait_ballenger.

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Click HERE for our review of SHADOW HUNTER

AfterDarkJPEGBack cover blurb for Shadow Hunter:

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

Vampire hunter Damon Brock’s newest assignment with the Execution Underground is Rochester, New York, a city crawling with the undead. But he isn’t the only hunter in town gunning for vamp blood. Tiffany Solow is fierce and ruthless when it comes to slaying the monsters that destroyed her family-and she works solo. But being alone is no longer an option when she meets the mysterious hunter who wants more than just her turf. Forced to unite against the local covens, the line between good and evil blurs when they must decide between their lifelong beliefs…and their newfound desires.

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Shadow Hunter (Execution Underground 0.5) by Kait Ballenger-a review

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SHADOW HUNTER (Execution Underground 0.5) by Kait Ballenger-a review

AfterDarkJPEG

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

 

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 25, 2013

Shadow Hunter (Execution Underground 0.5) by Kait Ballenger

Vampire hunter Damon Brock’s first assignment with the Execution Underground is Rochester, New York, a city crawling with the undead. But he isn’t the only hunter in town gunning for vamp blood. Tiffany Solow is fierce and ruthless when it comes to slaying the monsters that destroyed her family-and she works solo. But being alone is no longer so desirable when she meets the mysterious hunter who wants more than just her turf. As they work to massacre the local covens, the line between good and evil blurs when they are forced to decide between their lifelong beliefs… and their newfound hearts

••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: SHADOW HUNTER is part of an anthology called AFTER DARK with Gena Showalter and Kait Ballenger. Shadow Hunter is Kait’s storyline featuring Vampire Hunter Damon Brock and Tiffany Solow-a woman he has loved from afar but never really knew.

Damon Brock has been desperate to prove himself worthy of the title vampire hunter, but when his best friend and fellow hunter at the Execution Underground was killed while on assignment, Damon cannot compete with his own guilt. Feeling he has betrayed his best friend, Damon makes it his mission to hunt down the vampire who struck down Mark Solow. And the last person Damon ever thought he would meet on assignment was Tiffany Solow-Mark’s little sister-all grown up and hunting the vampire who took her brother’s life. When Damon discovers Tiffany’s plans, he must decide whether to reveal the truth about his identity and relationship to Mark or continue to hide behind a cold façade of anger and pain.

Meanwhile there is a string of vampire killings that resemble something similar to zombie feasts. With no explanation, Tiffany and Damon seek out known vampire haunts and discover that the mysterious zombie-like behavior plaguing new vampires may not be a naturally occurring event. Hoping to take down one of the oldest vampires, Tiffany puts her life on the line and in doing so, discovers the truth behind the origins of the vampire virus.

The relationship between Damon and Tiffany begins as one of disdain and animosity then friends to lovers. When Damon discovers that Tiffany is willing to risk her life to take down the vampire who killed her brother, his hopes and fears for his best friend’s sister turns Damon into both protector and warrior. But Damon holds back a few secrets from Tiff, and if those secrets were revealed, Damon believes his relationship with Tiff would never be the same.

SHADOW HUNTER is a well-written, fascinating and amazing storyline that introduces the premise behind Execution Underground and the men and women who risk their lives fighting the supernatural creatures that stalk the human world. Kait’s fantasy world of vampire hunters and the undead they seek had me reading until the very end- and oh, what an ending it was. I hope to learn more about what happens to Damon and Tiff-but the ending was heart breaking and painful to read.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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