Tag Archives: Kelley Armstrong

HAUNTED (Women of the Otherworld #5) by Kelley Armstrong

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HAUNTED (Women of the Otherworld #5) by Kelley Armstrong

HAUNTED (Women of the Otherworld #5) by Kelley Armstrong

HAUNTED is the 5th novel in Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series. Haunted, told from varying POVs, focuses on Eve Levine and Kristof Nash-Savannah’s recently deceased parents. As both a witch and a demon, Eve has been summoned by the Fates to take down the Nix. Calling in a favor for saving Lucas and Page, the Fates demand that Eve pay up.

As a ghost, Eve is unable to communicate with Savannah, and the frustration continues when she secretly looks in from time to time on Paige and Lucas, ensuring that Savannah is all right. But making sure her daughter is protected has come at a price.

Nix is a demi-demon who thrives on chaos. Inhabiting the bodies of people on the cusp of a kill, the demi-demon pushes the people to murder, thereby ensuring chaos reigns. On the run after an escape from hell, the Nix is making trouble in the human realm and the Fates have ordered Eve to locate and eradicate the Nix. But trouble continues to follow Eve as the Nix now endeavors to locate those closest to exact retribution. All is not lost when an Angel offers his aid-and with the help of Trsiel, Eve will be reborn into something she never expected or dreamed.

HAUNTED is another fascinating storyline from the mind of Kelley Armstrong. We will meet Eve throughout the series, culminating in the final novel THIRTEEN. Even Trsiel will make a few more appearances. One may wonder why Kelley introduces various characters and storylines throughout the series, but all will be answered in the final instalment of THIRTEEN

Reviewed by Sandy

 

The Reading Cafe is continuing the Women of the Otherworld Challenge sponsored by Moonlight Gleam’s Bookshelf.  HAUNTED by  Kelley Armstrong is the July 2012 featured novel.

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HUNTING KAT (YA) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

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HUNTING KAT (YA) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

HUNTING KAT (e-novella) YA by Kelley Armstrong

HUNTING KAT is a March 2012 re-release, short-story that continues from Kelley Armstrong’s online novella KAT that can be found on the author’s website. Part of the Darkest Powers/Darkness Rising series and originally published in the anthology Kisses From Hell, Hunting Kat is a stand-alone story focusing on 16year old Katiana (Kat) a supernatural being who has been genetically altered and has only come into some of her powers in the previous 6 months. Told from Kat’s POV, Hunting Kat is a very quick read.

Kat and her guardian Marguerite have been on the run for over 11 years. As part of the Edison Project run by the Cabals, Kat was genetically altered so that when she reached maturity, the supernatural part of her DNA would be enhanced. What Kat did not know was that she was a hereditary vampire (silently hoping she was a werecat). Six months ago, a fatal gunshot to the chest would find her in the city morgue without a heartbeat or breath but alive, none-the-less. Now six months later, she and Marguerite were heading to New York to meet other vampires. But taking the car for a morning coffee run was not on the original agenda, and Kat soon found herself the victim of a hit and run and her would-be rescuers knew exactly whom they had found.

Waking up in a small holding cell, Kat was not alone. Two additional captives approximately Kat’s age were also in the cell, claiming to be part of the original Edison Project as well. But someone was lying about his true identity and Kat was not sure who would be more dangerous. Transported to another location, the trio soon devised a plan to break out and escape, only to find themselves facing off against each other. When Kat finally realizes that she has made an error in judgment she will be forced to do the one thing that Marguerite has forbidden her to do-feed from a human source. And in the end, an unlikely friendship will develop between two lost souls who are slowly finding out the truth about what happened over 11 years ago.

HUNTING KAT is an interesting and cute story. I would recommend reading KAT –the online prequel found at Kelley’s website. Some of Kat’s backstory and change is revealed and would help alleviate any questions the reader may have. HUNTING KAT is considered a stand-alone yet still part of the Darkest Powers series of novels. If you are a fan of Kelley Armstrong, you can’t go wrong with this short story.

Reviewed by Sandy

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FORBIDDEN by Kelley Armstrong-cover blurb and reveal

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FORBIDDEN by Kelley Armstrong-cover blurb and reveal

Here’s the first look at Angilram’s delightful cover art for Kelley Armstrong’s 40,000 word novella, Forbidden, due later this year. The art you see here is for the signed limited edition, which is about 60% sold out. We’ll post the equally striking dust jacket for the trade edition, as well as interior illustrations, in just a few short weeks.

Meanwhile, about Forbidden…

Westwood loves its werewolves. The team-spirit sign by the side of the highway seems a good omen to loner Morgan Walsh, as he drives to what could be the most important visit of his life — a chance to join the North American Pack. Then he wakes naked in the woods, surrounded by wolf tracks and a ring of suspicious cops. The situation only gets worse when he’s bailed out by Alpha-elect Elena Michaels and Clayton Danvers, her terrifying enforcer and mate.

Disappointed that such a promising young werewolf risked exposing them, Elena isn’t expecting anything from the pesky retrieval job except some much-needed alone time with Clay. Instead, she finds a different kind of evil stalking the streets and forests of Westwood, New York. Trapped in town by a snowstorm and sabotage, Elena, Clay and Morgan must find the mysterious threat before it sets its sights on them.

From: Subterranean Press (June 28, 2012)

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The Hunter and the Hunted (anthology) by Kelley Armstrong-a new release review

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The Hunter and the Hunted (anthology) by Kelley Armstrong

THE HUNTER AND THE HUNTED (Women of the Otherworld) Anthology by Kelley Armstrong-release date June 12, 2012

STALKED

STALKED is the first short story in Kelley Armstrong’s anthology THE HUNTER AND THE HUNTED. Originally released in the anthology My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon, written from Clay’s perspective STALKED follows Clay and Elena on their honeymoon in St. Louis.

Clay was hoping that their honeymoon was perfect, but only a couple of days into their vacation, Elena is bored. Not that she told him, but he sensed. Being werewolves, sightseeing wasn’t their usual form of entertainment, but the scent of a mutt (werewolf without a pack) spurred Clay into action. Hoping that Elena did not catch the scent, Clay tracked down the mutt and as usual, the mutt was willing to risk everything for a chance at the only female werewolf in existence. Threatening Clay’s mate would mean death to any wolf.

Fans of Kelley Armstrong will recognize the Cain name from previous storylines. The mutt hunting Elena was the son of Theo Cain and the young Cain was not willing to give up. But to Clay’s surprise it was Elena that eventually responded to Cain’s stalking. Elena was not willing to wait around for an attack. She was going to make sure the mutt never returned. With her usual flair, Kelley takes the reader on a hunt to track down a mutt only to find that there are three wolves willing to risk all for a chance at Elena.

STALKED is a quick read, basically a chapter in length. I had previously read Stalked in My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon, but Kelley is re-releasing many of her short stories and novellas for her WOTO fans. With the final book THIRTEEN to be released in July 2012, fans of WOTO will get periodic glimpses into the lives of the many characters throughout the series when Kelley re-releases her stories. Stalked is a welcome addition to the series, and fills in some of the missing timeline between BROKEN and FROSTBITTEN.

OFF-DUTY ANGEL

OFF-DUTY ANGEL is another short story that focuses on Eve Levine-part demon/part witch/sometime ghost/sometime angel-mother of Savannah and the late Nast Cabal heir Kristof Nast’s otherworldly lover. Wow, she has quite the repertoire. Oh and did I forget to mention-The Sword of Judgment. Eve holds life and death in her hands. Living or existing on another plane of existence, Kristof and Eve track down and prosecute the supernatural who have riled the Fates in the afterlife.

Lord Demon Balaam is Eve’s father and through parenting he has gifted Eve with a special ability and combining with her talents as a witch, Eve is called upon when someone needs to be followed. Shaman Lewis Stranz was her current assignment. Under Kristof’s directives Eve follows Lewis to London and the British museum, where she is not surprised to realize that he is probably a pawn in a much larger game. And meeting up with a demi-demon (an Erynis) now put Lewis on the radar because Erynis were known as the goddesses of vengeance.

But along the way, Eve crosses a barrier shift and soon finds herself the object of fear to a group of small demon-like creatures. Thinking she is working for her father, the Oni are under the assumption she has come for the one treasure they do not want to part (with).

Trsiel is a full-blooded angel with a voice that compels the truth. Partnered in the after-life together, Eve calls upon Trsiel to help better understand the treasure that the Oni refuses to give up. But Eve soon realizes that Kristoff has involved Eve in a game that has suddenly taken a serious turn. They had crossed a portal into Hell and retrieving the ‘treasure’ would take a miracle that even Trsiel wasn’t able to manage.

OFF-DUTY ANGEL reunites Eve with Trsiel as she aims to conquer her boredom while Kristof attends to his otherworldly legal duties. Written from Eve’s POV, Off- Duty Angel is another wonderful storyline in the WOTO series of novels and shortstories and imparts some more missing information that will eventually lead to Kelley’s final full length novel-THIRTEEN.

THIRTEEN (preview)

THIRTEEN is the last full-length novel (July 2012 release) in Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series. The Hunter and the Hunted offers a preview of what is in store for the final entry in a wonderful series from Savannah’s continued POV.

THIRTEEN continues where SPELLBOUND ended. Following the lab explosion that nearly ended Savannah, Adam and Jeremy’s lives, The Supernatural Liberation Movement continues their threat to reveal the existence of ‘otherworldly’ beings, but now someone with vengeance in their plans is calling upon the demons and angels. But when Savannah and Eve find themselves in police custody surrounded by other supernatural beings, they soon realize that their very existence hangs on their ability to call forth an ‘angel’ that only Jaime can see. And the angel is someone Savannah hasn’t seen in 9 years.

Kelley has said that many of her WOTO characters will reunite in THIRTEEN and within the first five chapters, one of the recently departed has returned. I am looking forward to reading THIRTEEN-here’s hoping everyone gets their HEA and Savannah and her family will be reunited for one glorious celebration at the end.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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INDUSTRIAL MAGIC (WOTO #4) by Kelley Armstrong-a WOTO challenge review

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INDUSTRIAL MAGIC (WOTO #4) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

INDUSTRIAL MAGIC (Women of the Otherworld #4) by Kelley Armstrong

INDUSTRIAL MAGIC is the 4th full-length novel in Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series, and once again, not one of my favorite storylines. I love Kelley Armstrong’s books and series, but there were a few in this particular series that I did not enjoy and for some reason those involving Paige and Lucas did not top my list. Perhaps it was the ‘lack’ of the wolves (including Clay, Elena, Jeremy,Nick, Antonio etc) or the lack of sexual energy surrounding  Paige and Lucas, but if I think back, it is probably the copious amount of background information and the numerous characters involved with each Paige/Lucas/Cabel storyline. I am still recommending Kelley’s Women of the Otherworld series, including Industrial Magic, but a couple of the storylines were difficult.

We first met Paige and Lucas in Dime Store Magic (WOTO #3) when Lucas agreed to represent Paige during her custody struggle for Savannah and her banishment from the Witches Coven. Industrial Magic focuses on the Cabel side of the family including Lucas’s family and Savannah’s extended biological family from her father’s side. Cabels are family run, and controlled and aligned with the most powerful sorcerers and to compare these Cabels to the Mafia or Mob, would not be a far stretch. But someone or something is murdering the young Cabal sons and heirs, and as Lucas is his father’s reluctant heir, he and Paige are now deeply involved with the investigations.

Several new characters are introduced, as I had said before, but there are a couple that we will see many times in future novels and storylines. Jaime Vegas is a clairvoyant and necromancer, and Eve Levine is part witch/part demon and, Savannah’s deceased mother. There are demons, shamans, vampires, wolves, sorcerers, witches and of course, the lowly suffering humans. Quite frankly I thought about pulling out my power point and designing a graph to keep track of the familial connections.

Regrettably, Kelley will be releasing her final full-length novel in the Women of the Otherworld series in July-THIRTEEN. But, on the plus side, Kelley has also said she will be re-releasing some of her short stories and novellas, as well as writing some continuing short storylines to keep her fans happy e.g V Plates -released in May 2012 (narrated by Nick).

Each month beginning March 1st, 2012, The Reading Cafe has accepted a challenge by the host site Moonlightgleam to post a review from each of Kelley Armstrong’s 13 full-length novels in her Women of the Otherworld series. WE hope you have enjoyed catching up with Kelley’s books. Next month we will be reviewing HAUNTED  and  THIRTEEN-Kelly’s new release and final instalment in the WOTO series. *sniff*

reviewed by Sandy

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DIME STORE MAGIC by Kelley Armstrong -a review

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DIME STORE MAGIC by Kelley Armstrong

The Reading Cafe is continuing our monthly WOMEN OF THE OTHERWORLD CHALLENGE sponsored by Moonlight Gleam.

DIME STORE MAGIC by Kelley Armstrong

DIME STORE MAGIC is the third novel in Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series. A diversion from Kelley’s Werewolves, DSM focuses on Paige Winterbourne, who was first introduced in Stolen. .

Following the death of her mother, Paige Winterbourne has become Coven leader. And to complicate matters, Paige is now the guardian of Savannah Levine, the young witch who has yet to come into her full powers. When Paige’s position within the Coven is questioned, she is removed and must find a way to ensure both her safety and Savannah’s. But it is a question of paternity and by the Nast Cabal that will push Paige into a life involving the Cabals and Lucas Cortez.

Kristof Nast seeks custody of the young witch. Knowing that the Cabals train a young witch into active duty and in trust to the Cabal’s, Paige is worried that Savannah will be pulled into a world of sorcery, witchcraft and death. But it will be Kristof’s revelations that he is Savannah’s biological father that will further complicate and add fuel to the Nast Cabal custody battle.

Lucas Cortez is a sorcerer. As the bastard son and heir to the head of the Cortez Cabal, Lucas has relinquished all claims to the life and its many privileges and problems. But as a young lawyer, Lucas has willingly volunteered to help Paige with her custody battle against the Nast Cabal. But the bigger problem is the less than happy relationship between the Nast and Cortez Cabals. And now Paige and Savannah are caught in the middle of a custody battle that will eventually see a powerful sorcerer dead and a young witch grieving the death of her parents.

Dime Store Magic was not one of my favorite storylines, but will all due respect, it was not my least favorite. I think DSM was necessary as it introduced the Nast and Cortez Cabals, as well as several new characters that will continue to make appearances throughout Kelley’s series. Savannah will play a major role in Kelley’s final books in the Women of the Otherworld series, and we get a glimpse into  her background and family history. Kelley has a magical way of weaving many of her characters into the various storylines, by way of a phone call or even a reference.

Reviewed by Sandy

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STOLEN by Kelley Armstrong (Women of the Otherworld Reading Challenge)

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STOLEN by Kelley Armstrong

Calling out all Kelley Armstrong Fans!!!

WOMEN OF THE OTHERWORLD reading challenge hosted by  Link: MOONLIGHT GLEAM’S BOOKSHELF

Seeing as my most favorite series is coming to an end, I thought it would be a great opportunity to gather all Women of the Otherworld lovers to say goodbye and show our appreciation to such a wonderful series!

If you have not yet read Women of the Otherworld and have some of the books on your TBR shelves, this would be a great opportunity to enter Kelley Armstrong’s magical world of all things paranormal and join in on this amazing adventure!

LINK TO CHALLENGE INFO: Women of The Otherworld Reading Challenge

STOLEN by Kelley Armstrong

STOLEN is the second book in Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series. Elena Michaels, the only known female werewolf in existence, wants to lead a normal life with her mate and family, but a group of ‘researchers’ and the billionaire who heads the institute, have other plans for Elena and the world of supernatural beings.

Following a lead on a story about werewolf sightings, Elena is introduced to Paige and Ruth Winterbourne, mother and daughter witches who sit on the Council for Supernatural beings. As surprised as Elena is, that such a council exists, let alone witches, she is more surprised to find out that the ‘supernatural’ are hunted by billionaire Ty Winsloe, and then experimented upon and held in custody for his own personal collection.

After a failed kidnapping attempt by Winsloe’s men, Elena and some of the pack make a decision.-it is time to meet the Council of Supernatural Beings and find out, what they know about Winsloe and his compound of vigilante hunters. Jeremy (Pack alpha) and Clayton (Elena’s mate) make an appearance alongside Elena at the emergency Council meeting, where we are introduced to Adam Vasic, a half demon whose powers involve fire, and Cassandra, a vampire who has eyes for Clay. Without a doubt, the reader knows, we will see these characters at a future date, with stories of their own.

When Elena is abducted and held prisoner at the compound, she realizes she isn’t alone. Ruth Winterbourne and an assortment of other supernatural beings are already held in custody, trying desperately to communicate with one another. But it isn’t until Ruth dies under mysterious circumstances, and Elena is introduced to Savannah Levine, a young and powerful 12 year old witch, that she makes the decision to attempt freedom.

Meanwhile, following several ‘physical exams’ and a threat against her mate, Elena becomes aware of one of the true reasons behind her abduction-to ‘make’ another werewolf. Sondra Bauer, a compound examiner and scientist, has injected herself with saliva she procured from one of the physical exams. Without the aid of a Pack, Sondra’s change to werewolf is anything but successful-her body is unable to handle the many changes and when attempting to escape, she is killed by the very guards, she once controlled.

We are introduced to several supernatural characters including demons Xavier Reese and Leah O’Donnell, a chameleon shifter Armen Haig, and vampire Aaron Darnell, someone from Cassandra’s past and recent present. With an attempt at telepathic communication, Jeremy and Clay are able to contact Elena through Paige, but Clay refuses to believe that Paige has any ability beyond her ability to irritate. When the connection is broken, Elena becomes distraught and through dreams, she is able to connect once again with Clay, only to see that he too is suffering without his mate and lover.

Ty Winsloe, is a sadistic collector of the supernatural, and when his ‘projects’ no longer serve any purpose, he pits Elena against a few of the failures. Hoping to learn more about the werewolf’s physiology and her ability to shift, Winsloe continues to antagonize Elena with pictures of an injured werewolf and talk of her ‘dead’ mate. She soon realizes that Clay and the others have tried unsuccessfully to rescue her, and she is now determined, to free herself from the compound and its’ band of vigilante warriors.

Following her bid for freedom, Elena and Clay must return to the compound to rescue Savannah and the others. Without a doubt, Savannah is a powerful witch and they soon realize she is one being, that could very well, control many of the people with a few words and a look. We see the introduction of Adam to Savannah, a foreshadowing of many storylines, and the escape of Leah O’Donnell, a demon that will surface again in a future book. But, all is not lost, when Clay and Elena make the final move against Winsloe and his crew at the compound. One by one, each member of Winsloe’s team is ‘removed’ from duty and meets his demise at the hands or ‘paws’ of either a demon or wolf.

Again, I can’t say enough about Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series. I found this series, purely by accident, while looking for something in the paranormal genre. As a fellow Canadian, I was excited and thrilled to read such an exciting series of novels and characters, and one that didn’t follow the usual vampire/werewolf storylines. I am saddened that Kelley is ending her Otherworld series in 2012, but with her continued novellas and anthologies, Elena, Clay and the other werewolves, will continue to be some of my favorite characters and Kelley one of my favorite authors.

reviewed by Sandy

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Kelley Armstrong Exclusive

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Kelley Armstrong today gave her fans some fabulous news. Women of the Otherworld ends with her next novel “Thirteen“. But she has received permission from her publishers to make all hardcover books a collectors edition for “Thirteen, which will have bonus material. The bonus material will be very short story about Women of the Otherworld’s greatest heroine, the one who started it all “Elena”. Here is the post from Kelley herself.

Kelley Armstrong – Febuary 9, 2012
If you’ve followed publishing at all in the last couple of years, you know the industry has been grappling with the explosion of ebooks. What price should they be? If they’re more than the mass-market, that hardly seems fair. But if they’re significantly less than a hardcover, that doesn’t seem fair either. Maybe we can release them a few months after the hardcover, like pay-per-view release? But is that fair? How do you juggle the two readerships (print and e-book) without making either feel like they’re getting a raw deal?

There’s no easy answer. I do know, though, that as an author with hardcover releases, my readers often wonder at the price discrepancy between the hardcover and ebook. They want to support me by buying hardcover and they want the book for their shelf, but what “extra” are they getting to justify the price difference? Usually nothing except the physical copy. With the Otherworld finale, though, I saw an opportunity to add a little something Smiley After all, it is the last book. Let’s make that hardcover special.

After much negotiating, we’ve decided to make all Thirteen hardcovers a collector’s edition with bonus material. They’ll be priced the same as regular hardcovers, but the story will be “bookended” with the character who started it all–Elena. The hardcover will reprint the prologue from Bitten, along with a note from me about the genesis of the series. Then it will end with a brand new story about Elena and the Pack after Thirteen, along with yet another note from me, discussing the end of the series.

The Elena story is, of course, the big bonus. It’ll be called “From Russia, With Love” (yes, they let me keep that title Smiley ) It’s a hefty story (about 7500 words or 25 pg). I didn’t want to just write a little epilogue scene. Elena and the Pack deserve more, so I gave them an actual story.

That’s the plan, then. I’m thrilled that my publishers allowed me to do this and I hope readers will enjoy this little extra.

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