Blog Archives - Just Talking Books

Review: Assassin's Touch (Iron Portal #1) by Laurie London (NetGalley - Release - 1 Nov 2013)

10/31/2013

Two worlds. Two enemies.

Haunted by loss, Cascadian assassin Rickert D’Angelus is on a mission of vengeance. Determined to stop the Pacifican army from finding a portal to his world, he leads a group of warriors into New Seattle with one goal—to kill all Pacifican soldiers.

Neyla Trihorn had the perfect life until a deadly accident revealed her latent para-abilities. Now, the former fashion designer is the Pacifican army’s hottest commodity in their fight against the invaders.

When Rickert discovers a beautiful, unconscious soldier on a cold mountain ledge near the portal, he realizes she’s a Protection-Talent and cannot be killed. To prevent the army from using her skills again, he takes her as his prisoner instead.

One fated touch…

But when he pulls her into his arms, a sexy and compelling vision appears, awakening something inside him. Something he can’t ignore.

Torn between duty and passion, Rickert must decide if the vision is a Talent trick designed to foil the enemy or the answer to his deepest desires...

This review was based on a copy I read provided by NetGalley. (Assassin's Touch appears to be a re-release)

The opening to this new series, Iron Portal by Laurie London is the novella, Assassin's Touch. When I started reading it, I didn't know it was a novella. That's a good thing because I wasn't sure I was going to finish it. Once I realized it was only 150 pages long, I stuck it out.

What I liked: Once Neyla was taken prisoner, the story moved more quickly. I enjoyed the concept of the story and how the author explained the two different worlds living side by side.

What I didn't like: Too much information was crammed into this novella. I realize it's the set up for the series but felt more care should have been taken with the characters and the world building. I feel Neyla and Rickert were not fully developed.

I've never read anything by Ms London before so I have no idea how Assassin's Touch stacks up against her other works.

Overall, this was a so-so read. If you're looking for a new unusual series, this could be for you. I might check out the next in the series, Rogue's Passion (released October 19). I hope it's a fuller, deeper novel and not another novella.

This novella is only available in e

Review: Trail of Dead (Scarlett Bernard #2) by Melissa F. Olson

10/30/2013

As a null, Scarlett Bernard possesses a rare ability to counteract the supernatural by instantly neutralizing spells and magical forces. For years she has used her gift to scrub crime scenes of any magical traces, helping the powerful paranormal communities of Los Angeles stay hidden. But after LAPD detective Jesse Cruz discovered Scarlett’s secret, he made a bargain with her: solve a particularly grisly murder case, and he would stay silent about the city’s unearthly underworld.

Now two dead witches are found a few days before Christmas, and Scarlett is once again strong-armed into assisting the investigation. She soon finds a connection between the murders and her own former mentor, Olivia, a null who mysteriously turned into a vampire and who harbors her own sinister agenda. Now Scarlett must revisit her painful past to find Olivia—unless the blood-drenched present claims her life first.

I keep finding these little gems and Trail of Dead is another one. I read the first in the series, Dead Spots, and while it had a few rough places, Trail of Dead is much better. I still feel it's extremely difficult for the first book in a series to be one in a million but it can be good enough to hook you for the next.

What I liked: The beginning picks up not too long after the previous book. Trail of Dead is a more complete novel. Ms Olson is adding to the characters backgrounds, the world building and the character development. I'm enjoying the mix of characters and their different personalities. There's a very good blend of the supernatural but represented in a somewhat different way. The back stories of some of the characters were downright fascinating for me. Even though the story is told through Scarlett's and Jesse's viewpoint, I was captivated by many of the other characters. None of them were ho-hum. You either loved them or hated them.

What I didn't like: I loved to hate Olivia but there was just something a bit off with her character. Maybe she was too predictable as the antagonist. She felt a bit flat as did her partner in crime. I wasn't a fan of the love triangle that is still going on. The romance side seems to be an afterthought in an otherwise solid story.

I absolutely loved the ending and can't wait for the next in the series to see how things pan out for the cast of characters, not just Scarlett.

The pricing is a bit steep for a new series. If you're a Amazon Prime member, you can "borrow" the first in the series but that option isn't available for Trail of Dead. Kindle price is $3.99 and the printed copy is $8.97.
Recommend

Review: Kiss of Pride (Deadly Angels #1) by Sandra Hill

10/29/2013

Is he really a Viking with a vampire’s bite? An angel with the body of a thunder god? A lone wolf with love on his mind? Alexandra Kelly, his prey, thinks Vikar Sigurdsson is either flat-out crazy or he’s trying to maneuver her into his bed--which is hardly where a professional reporter should conduct an interview, tempting as that prospect might be.

SOME MEN ARE TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE...

Until Vikar does something a teensy bit unexpected, and Alex begins to wonder whether her mystery man could really be everything he says he is: a Viking Vampire Angel on a thousand-year-long mission with his pack of sinful brothers—and a man who’s finally found the woman of his dreams. By then, Vikar is already wrapping his chiseled arms around Alex’s body...and sinking his wicked fangs right into her neck. If this is sin, why does it feel so good?

A delightfully quick read. Thoroughly enjoyed Kiss of Pride.

Ms Hill hit a great note with this novel. Kiss of Pride is a romantic paranormal treat that will keep your attention and provide a few chuckles along the way. From the way this novel is written, I imagine there will be one story for each of the seven Viking brothers. Each brother suffers from one of the Seven Deadly sins. That’s a lot of sinning in one family but it works. Archangel Michael is in charge of the brothers and their fight against Lucifer’s “lucipires”. The “vangels” are the good guys.

The vampires in Kiss of Pride do not drink the blood to survive but there’s a twist to the blood drinking ritual. The fact that Ms Hill caught my attention with the twists and turns on the vampire in Kiss of Pride is great. Vampires can be done to death but this one was refreshing and funny.

There was not an in depth world building or story line, however, the way it’s written works for me. Depending on what you expect, you will either like or not finish Kiss of Pride. I was looking for a quick lite read. That’s exactly what I took away from it. The pacing is slow but the editing/writing is good. Not sure if I could read seven books written this way. I am going to read the next in the series, Kiss of Surrender to see what develops.

As I've not read anything by Ms Hill before it's hard to give an opinion about the pricing except to say that the paperback version is comparable to most paperbacks at $7.19 and the Kindle version might be a bit high for such a quick read at $4.74

Recommend if you need a quick lig

Review: Private (Jack Morgan #1) by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

10/28/2013

The police can't help you

Former CIA agent Jack Morgan runs Private, a renowned investigation company with branches around the globe. It is where you go when you need maximum force and maximum discretion. The secrets of the most influential men and women on the planet come to Jack daily--and his staff of investigators uses the world's most advanced forensic tools to make and break their cases.

The press will destroy you

Jack is already deep into the investigation of a multi-million dollar NFL gambling scandal and the unsolved slayings of 18 schoolgirls when he learns of a horrific murder close to home: his best friend's wife, Jack's former lover, has been killed. It nearly pushes him over the edge. Instead, Jack pushes back and devotes all of Private's resources to tracking down her killer.

Only one place to turn: Private

But Jack doesn't have to play by the rules. As he closes in on the killer and chooses between revenge and justice, Morgan has to navigate a workplace love affair that threatens to blow the roof off his plans. With a plot that moves at death-defying speeds, Private is James Patterson sleekest, most exciting thriller ever.

What hasn’t been said about James Patterson. Not much. I read his books because they are a fast, entertaining read. I am a faithful reader of The Women’s Murder Club Series. They just strike a chord with me and as I said, an undemanding read. I have tried other of his books and can pretty much take them or leave them. I do, however, find myself more invested in the story when Maxine Paetro is his “co-author”.

I picked up this first in the “Private” series because of Maxine Paetro and the premise of the novel hit me in a mood when I felt like reading a quick, interesting book. I was pleasantly surprised. Private kept my attention and I felt drawn into the story and the characters. I especially liked the character, Justine. She’s a former lover of Morgan’s and still works with the firm. Justine does seem just a bit too perfect but hopefully as the series progresses, we’ll be introduced to some quirks or something. She has some good interactions with one of the local cops and I hope we see more of the Lieutenant. Jack is somewhat flawed by his past family relationships and his time spent in Afghanistan. There’s a lot of back story on Afghanistan and how Jack is dealing with his flash backs. He is also being phone stalked at all hours of the day and night. Someone keeps calling and calling and every time Jack picks up the phone, a mechanical voice says, “You’re dead”. The best part of this by-play is Jack’s response begins to be, “Not yet”.

I don’t believe I’ve ever read a book authored solely by Mr. Patterson. I may be missing something, not sure. Now for the down and dirty. I enjoyed the novel but wasn’t overly impressed with how it was put together. It’s listed as a thriller and the thrill just didn’t kick in. The novel has three, count them, three different story lines going. Jack is investigating an NFL cheating scandal and needs it to be kept quiet. Well, the authors could have actually deleted that whole story. It felt very contrived and just thrown in. There was no mystery, it was just there. The other two cases had more promise. The murder of 18 school girls and the murder of Jack’s best friend’s wife (who happened to be a former lover of Jack’s). These cases moved along and had the potential to be very good but they were not developed enough and then the book was over with the cases easily tied up and put to bed. The End.

I just gave you the whole story. If you like James Patterson, get it from the library first to see if this is worthy of your collection. I liked the characters just enough that I will continue the series by getting the next book, but by Kindle which is a couple of bucks cheaper. Some novels are worth the price of a hard cover, this one isn’t.

Looking at the prices: Kindle edition is $6.99, hard cover is $19.47 and paper back is $8.78; I'd still recommend checking it out at the library.

Mostly ent

Review: The First Prophet (Bishop Files #1) by Kay Hooper

10/27/2013

Within the FBI, there exists a team of psychics whose powers cannot be denied. But these agents are feared—by a cabal of conspirators with only one weapon: to blind the psychics to the evils all around them.

Months ago Sarah Gallagher woke from a coma with psychic abilities she couldn’t control. They changed her life and cost her the man she loved. And now, someone is playing games with Sarah’s mind.

It begins with Sarah’s home being destroyed by fire—an act of arson that draws novelist Tucker Mackenzie into Sarah’s confidence. But he has other reasons for pursuing a woman who can see what others can’t. So does a mysterious enemy intent on eliminating Sarah, and everyone she cares about. Because it’s only a matter of time before her visions lead her and Tucker to a secret many will kill to hide. Only then will they begin to discover the scope of a terrifying conspiracy so deep and complex they can trust almost no one.

For readers who’ve been following Bishop/Special Crimes Unit by Kay Hooper, she’s is adding another series to parallel it. The First Prophet is the first book of the new series.

Ms Hooper appears to be adding an extra element to the Bishop/Special Crimes Unit. It’s not simply good against evil any longer. A larger force is at work and The First Prophet is the introduction to a conspiracy much more involved than even Bishop was aware.

When first introduced, Sarah appears fragile and resigned to a fate she’s “seen” that ends with her standing by an empty grave. As she’s watching her house burn and trying to explain to the police her innocence of arson, Tucker Carlson arrives on the scene. She knows her fate to the grave has begun. Sarah’s never met Tucker but knows he is a part of her coming journey. He’s not playing by the rules, though, and tries to convince Sarah that fate is not destiny. Tucker feels free will and a knowledge of what’s coming can be changed. Sarah’s not so sure but is willing to play along.

No matter where Tucker and Sarah go, the “shadows” are always one step ahead. Sarah knows the Shadows are evil and hears not only their voices but another here and there giving advice and leading Sarah to a predetermined place and time.

It took me a few chapters to “get into” The First Prophet. I put it down several times to read other new releases. However, there is a point where you can’t stop. Don’t give up. I think I was a bit distracted in the beginning but Ms Hooper soon grabbed my attention and held it way past my bedtime.

I’m anxiously awaiting the next novel to see where all this is leading!

For a best selling author the prices are the norm. The Kindle edition is $7.99 and the paper back version is $8.99 but you can get a good deal on a used paper back edition.

Recommend

Review: Sweet Talk (Buchanan-Renard #10) by Julie Garwood

10/26/2013

Attorney and IRS agent Olivia Mackenzie is the kind of tough, wise-cracking, powerful woman fans expect from a Garwood protagonist—but this time she has outdone herself. Olivia is not just any woman, she is every woman; flawed in the familiar ways so many of us are.

On the trail of an elaborate Ponzi scheme, one that threatens to ruin the lives of naïve and unsuspecting victims, Olivia suddenly finds her own life is in danger after she asks questions of the wrong people. She is accustomed to fighting for the underdog, but being vulnerable herself is a very different story. Smart enough to know when enough is enough, Olivia calls for reinforcements.

When she meets FBI Agent Grayson Kincaid there is an immediate and obvious attraction, palpable on both sides. Together they make an excellent team to fight corruption but Olivia is also fighting the immediate and intense attraction she feels for Agent Kincaid, and that may be a battle she is bound to lose.

The best thing about a Julie Garwood book is the characters she brings to life. Her heroines cannot be put into any category I could come up with. Suffice it to say, they are smart and savvy without appearing arrogant. Feminine without any whiny, crying excuses for their circumstances. Strong and brave where others would crumble under the pressure. Most importantly, they have a sense of humor, love to laugh and have a deep seated sense of self. That’s not to say they are unafraid or are always right but they can over come and adapt to whatever Ms Garwood throws at them. The love interests are similar in character and above all, they don’t give up on their true love no matter what she thinks is best.

The synopsis pretty much gives the overview of this romantic suspense. But it’s so very much more. The relationships between Olivia’s childhood friends is described in an heart warming manner. The warmth, caring and struggles of each one is felt deeply. Their relationships with their families is wrenching for each one and for the reader (at least for me).

The attraction between Olivia and Grayson is immediate. What I like is Ms Garwood doesn’t have the couple immediately jump into bed. The relationship has time to develop more before consummation. The give and take between the two just makes you smile and feel good. The pacing is of Sweet Talk is on point. The story line moves right along.

Now, on to my author adoration portion of this review. I have been reading Julie Garwood for a very long time. Many of her historical romances are among my all time favorite books (The Bride, The Secret and Ransom to name a few). I kind of miss her writing new ones. I will pick any Julie Garwood over most other books every time. You can count on a happily ever after ending but not without some twists and turns along the way. As I mentioned before, her characters, their back story and their development are unsurpassed in most of today’s novels. Okay, done gushing and on with the review.

Sweet Talk is an excellent addition to my library. If I’ve read things correctly, this is probably the first in a series which should star each of Olivia’s friends. When I read Ms Garwood, I can’t put the book down. This was no exception. Is it my favorite? No. If you want a really good romantic suspense, Sweet Talk will fit the bill. If you’re a Julie Garwood fan, just buy it and don’t wait for anymore reviews!

The pricing for both the Kindle at $5.99 and the paper back at $7.19 are in line with top best selling authors.

Highly recommend.

Review: Vengeance Borne (Sentry of Evil #1) by Amanda Bonilla

10/25/2013

Fated to Hunt…

As the local hunter, and a ward of the Sentry, a secret organization dedicated to eradicating the forces of evil, Jacquelyn has been protecting the small town of McCall, Idaho for the past five years. The hours are horrible, the pay is nonexistent, she has to work with her jealous ex-boyfriend – and forget about quitting. She’s in for life.

Destined to See…

When a rugged drifter comes through town, Jacquelyn immediately knows what he is – an Empath who can read emotions and sense what others are thinking – even though it’s clear the handsome stranger has no idea what, or how powerful, he is…

A Town in Peril…

When people in McCall start turning up dead, viciously ripped to shreds as if by a wild animal, Jacquelyn knows better. Furies are loose in Idaho and hell-bent on exacting revenge. But against whom? And for what purpose? Jacquelyn has until the full moon to stop the Furies’ killing spree and save the people of McCall, figure out how to work with her ex – oh, and there’s a handsome stranger in town who’s in desperate need of some schooling…

I've been reading Ms Bonilla's Shaede Assassin Series and am thoroughly enjoying them. Vengeance Borne sounded right down my alley.

What I liked: A different concept in the Urban Fantasy explosion. I know, each author puts their own spin on each series and I enjoy them all. It's just exciting when something new comes along. The idea of someone who seems like an everyday person secretly protecting the real everyday people is an unusual concept especially the way the story is told. The connection between Jax and Micah (love that name) is steamy and quick. The descriptions of the area around and including McCall are great. The world building is getting there. The characters, including the secondary ones, are driving the story so far.

What I didn't like: Jax seems a bit wishy washy. One minute she wants help with her feelings, the next she gets mad when one of the Bearers helps her. I down right don't like Finn's character but I think that was pretty much Ms Bonilla's point.

Admittedly there were some rough parts for me but the writing is top-notch. The first book in a series can be difficult. It has to catch the reader's attention and hold it while trying to weave in the current and back stories. It's a testament when an author can do that and leave you wanting more which is exactly what this author did. I was right at 1/3 of the way through Vengeance Borne and tweeted her to find out when the next book is due. We have a long wait readers but she assured me, she's writing as fast as she can.

Since I had already read this author's work and knew she was a solid entertainer, I didn't mind paying the $4.99 price for the e-book. The paperback is a bit high at $9.54 so I'd stick with the Kindle version.

Highly recommend for Urban Fantasy fans.

Review: Leopard's Prey (Leopard People, #6) by Christine Feehan

10/24/2013

From a tough stint in the armed forces to stalking the unknown as a bayou cop, leopard-shifter Remy Boudreux has been served well by his uncanny gifts. And right now, New Orleans could use a homicide detective like Remy.

A serial killer is loose, snatching victims from the French Quarter with pitiless rage and unnatural efficiency. But something else is drawing Remy into the twilight -- a beautiful jazz singer bathed night after night in a flood of blood-red neon.

Sultry, mysterious, and as seductive as her songs, she’s luring Remy deeper into the shadows than he ever imagined. And as their passions swell, his keen instinct for survival will be challenged like never before. By a killer -- and by a woman.

I've always liked this series and was glad to catch up. I can't wait to read more.

What I liked: I enjoyed the setting and the interaction with leads from the previous books. Ms Feehan can weave an intricate story and they interconnect well. The descriptions make you feel like you're right there in the story. "Blue" is a great lead female. Tragic but strong. She's willing and able to stand on her own but isn't too stubborn to accept the friendship and help of others.

What I didn't like: The beginning was slow but needed to be addressed for the back story on the two leads. Due to the slow beginning, I wasn't immediately captivated by Remy. I thought he was almost too Alpha. This was toned down when the mating link kicked in.

Overall, a good entry into this series. While not my favorite, it was a good solid read.

The cost of the Kindle version at $5.99 and the paperback at $7.19 are comparable to any other best selling author signed with a publishing house.

Recommend

IRC - Indie Rom Con - Part 2

10/23/2013

Wow, where did the time go? The IRC was almost 3 weeks ago. I've spent a lot of the time since then reading, especially new authors I met at the convention.

So, the first panel I attended was Kallypso Masters' panel on BDSM. Yep, I went there. Since I knew I wanted to attend the panel, I started reading Kally's Master at Arms series. Man 'o man. I was hooked. Admittedly BDSM isn't for everyone and I didn't think I would enjoy books about the subject. I should have known better. If a book is well written and has a good story line, anyone could like it, regardless of the subject. Kally had a Dom/sub couple attend with her and they talked and demonstrated a lot of the BDSM toys. Who knew? The room was packed with attendees and there were quite a few males in attendance also. Everything was tastefully done (so to speak) and the Dom, Toymaker, had quite a few volunteers for some of the demonstrations. Great panel!!

So much happened and I knew I should have written this post sooner because I've forgotten too much. I know another panel which had a large attendance was the one on marketing. Although it was mainly for the authors, quite a few of us readers attended. As a blogger, I like to understand what I'm blogging about, so I wanted to understand what the indie authors went through trying to be successful. It was eye opening.

I also attended a panel on knowing your romance genre hosted by LJ DeLeon. What an interesting woman. I've previously read her books and was looking forward to meeting her. It was one of the highlights of the weekend for me.

All the authors were so down to earth and readily approachable. They were just as excited as we were. Loads of fun and it wasn't all talk about books but their lives, our lives and hopes and dreams. It was like a big slumber party for readers, authors, bloggers and industry folks.

I had to leave after the author's signing and was so sad. I didn't get to stay for the charity basket drawings. You should have seen the baskets. Gorgeous and full of goodies. Not to say I didn't leave with plenty of goodies. I bought books, was given books and all sorts of great swag. It was marvelous!!

Laurie Garrison, the director, began this convention and I hope it continues. She runs the Bitten By Paranormal Romance Blog. She was everywhere, solving problems, facilitating events and keeping everyone on track. She claims we ALL made the convention a success but it needed a guiding hand on the reins and she did a fantastic job. Kudos to her and all who helped with everything.

Review: Blade Song (Colbana Files #1) by J.C. Daniels

10/23/2013

Kit Colbana - half breed, assassin, thief, jack of all trades - has a new job: track down the missing ward of one of the local alpha shapeshifters. It should be a piece of cake.So why is she so nervous? It probably has something to do with the insanity that happens when you deal with shifters - especially sexy ones who come bearing promises of easy jobs and easier money.

Or maybe it’s all the other missing kids that Kit discovers while working the case, or the way her gut keeps screaming she’s gotten in over her head. Or maybe it’s because if she fails - she’s dead.

If she can stay just one step ahead, she should be okay. Maybe she’ll even live long to collect her fee...

I have many of Shiloh Walker’s novels, but haven’t had a chance to read them. After reading Blade Song by her alter writer person, J. C. Daniels, I’m going to be delving into more of her novels and my goodness, there are many! Which is good for us readers. I happen to follow Ms Walker on twitter and she started talking about this novel, Blade Song. You know how there are just some books that catch you and won’t let you go. The synopsis of Blood Song literally trapped me. I was constantly checking for updates on the status. Then, the big moment. Ms Walker tweeted that Blade Song was up on NetGalley. My little fingers frantically flying to get there to request a copy. And then, and then, the wait began. If felt like forever but I finally got my copy.

And thus, I am now impatiently waiting for the next installment. I asked to make sure there would be one. The reply, if Blade Song sells well, I will write more. I felt like replying, write it and they will read it. I didn’t (but I did think it). Really, we must make sure we get more Kit!! I sincerely enjoy characters who aren’t all they can be at the beginning of a series. I like to watch the learning curve, the development and progress of the main character and supporting cast. If they’re perfect when they start the series, there’s no room for growth of the character. Believe me, Kit is learning bunches as she moves along in Blade Song.

I especially enjoy Kit’s uncertainty about the good guys and the bad or the very bad. Ms Daniels style isn’t to provide all the info up front either. The more you read, the more you learn. Actions that seem of little importance, suddenly become a major factor in the story line. The plot appears simple enough but not the way this author writes. You are continually surprised by the revelations of the characters and their actions/interactions. Just when you think you have a true read on a character, nope, you don’t. Surprise

As an experienced, talented author, Ms Daniels/Walker gives the reader an e-book fully worth every cent. The story line, world building, and character development are all there. It flows beautifully from beginning to end. I especially enjoyed the tension/connection between Kit and Damon. The bad part is, it had to end. I am again hooked on another series. All that without reading any of her other works which are series too. Oh my.

I have several favorite couples in the novels I read; Kate and Curran, Cat and Bones and now right up there are Kit and Damon. Hey, that sounds pretty cool. Kit, Cat, and Kate. Yeah, I like that.

You get your money's worth with this e-book at $1.99

Highly recommend!