Review: For I Have Sinned

For I Have Sinned (Charley Davidson, book 1.5) by Darynda Jones

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: For I Have Sinned (1.5)

Darynda Jones revisits the sexy, suspenseful world of supernatural shenanigans she created in her Grave series with For I Have Sinned.  In this Charley Davidson story, Charley helps a woman find out how she died and gives her the closure she needs to pass through to the other side.

---

Review:

After finishing up First Grave on the Right I knew that this series had me. Normally I don't care about shorts and only follow them for a few series. I hadn't planned on doing shorts for the Charley Davidson books, but after book one I knew I was a goner. I will now read anything that has anything to do with Charley.

So I hunted down a copy, and the rest of the series to date, and sat down to read this short. Which surprised me as it was told by a ghost that had found her way to Charley's light. Hmmmm. Strangely enough I enjoyed it. It was fun seeing Charley and Reyes from the outside. And I enjoyed the inner thoughts about the characters.

It was great seeing Charley's compassion for the dead. Also, chilling to see what happens when a ghost can't remember. It was well done and overall I enjoyed it. I'm curious what future shorts for the series will be like.

For those wondering whether or not to give this a try I'd say try it if you love the series. Either way it's not important to the story so if you opt out nothing will be missed. I did love how the tension between Charley and Reyes could be felt by just an observer.

Sexual Content: Some mild dark themes, and some kissing.

 
3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
First Grave on the Right (1) For I Have Sinned (1.5) Second Grave on the Left (2) Third Grave Dead Ahead (3) Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet (4) Fifth Grave Past the Light (5) Shimmer (5.5) Glow (5.6) Sixth Grave on the Edge (6) Seventh Grave and No Body (7) Eighth Grave After Dark (8) Brighter Than the Sun (8.5) The Dirt on Ninth Grave (9) The Curse of Tenth Grave (10) Untitled (11)	First Grave on the Right (1) For I Have Sinned (1.5) Second Grave on the Left (2) Third Grave Dead Ahead (3) Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet (4) Fifth Grave Past the Light (5) Shimmer (5.5) Glow (5.6) Sixth Grave on the Edge (6) Seventh Grave and No Body (7) Eighth Grave After Dark (8) Brighter Than the Sun (8.5) The Dirt on Ninth Grave (9) The Curse of Tenth Grave (10) Untitled (11)	First Grave on the Right (1) For I Have Sinned (1.5) Second Grave on the Left (2) Third Grave Dead Ahead (3) Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet (4) Fifth Grave Past the Light (5) Shimmer (5.5) Glow (5.6) Sixth Grave on the Edge (6) Seventh Grave and No Body (7) Eighth Grave After Dark (8) Brighter Than the Sun (8.5) The Dirt on Ninth Grave (9) The Curse of Tenth Grave (10) Untitled (11)

Cover Coveting (3)

 
Cover art is found from Wicked Scribes, ATUF, Goodreads, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***

I’m a little short on time

---

Den of Wolves by Juliet Marillier

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Blackthorne & Grim, book 3  Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Romantic Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: I am in love with this cover! This series has always had gorgeous covers, but I just love the tons. I just love the way her hair looks and how gorgeous that simple dress looks. I love the tree, birds, and the colors! Well I love everything about this cover! Especially the art style. Well done.

Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: N/A  Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: Ah! Another stunning cover. Love the style and the color choice. Considering this series is supposed to be about a world that uses money as currency it fits well. I can't wait to see what each new cover looks like.

Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Kate Daniels, book 9 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Urban Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: That is not a Kate outfit. But at least she's still wearing a bad ass sword. I like the floating candles on the water.

Review: Justice Calling

Justice Calling (The Twenty-Sided Sorceress, book 1) by Annie Bellet

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Justice Calling (1)

Gamer. Nerd. Sorceress.

Jade Crow lives a quiet life running her comic book and game store in Wylde, Idaho. After twenty-five years fleeing from a powerful sorcerer who wants to eat her heart and take her powers, quiet suits her just fine.

Surrounded by friends who are even less human than she is, Jade figures she’s finally safe.

As long as she doesn’t use her magic.

When dark powers threaten her friends’ lives, a sexy shape-shifter enforcer shows up. He’s the shifter world’s judge, jury, and executioner rolled into one, and he thinks Jade is to blame. To clear her name, save her friends, and stop the villain, she’ll have to use her wits… and her sorceress powers.

Except Jade knows that as soon as she does, a far deadlier nemesis awaits.

Justice Calling is the first book in The Twenty-Sided Sorceress urban fantasy series. Readers who enjoyed The Dresden Files or The Iron Druid Chronicles will likely enjoy this series.

---

Review:

It's a true testament of Bellet's writing talent that this short of a book worked. Short reads like this have more pressure, especially as an official first book, to introduce the world and lead. To get readers hooked and say, “Hey, I've got some great stuff to show you!

Bellet really does.

There were some mild grammar issues and rough writing moments, but mostly the writing is solid. Jade's voice is awesome. She's clever, snarky, and nerdy. She's a gamer and that had potential to make it hard for non gamers to understand. I'm a very casual gamer so I know some of the lingo and games, but not all. There's just enough gamer inside jokes, but not to an extant to alienate non gamer readers. But Jade is a well rounded geek and I'm sure everyone can find some way to connect with her. (Come on we all have an inner nerd/geek.)

Jade is pretty cool. The book does a good job to introduce her, tell about her past, and make readers love her. As mentioned she's a fellow geek, so that immediately endears her to me. But I like that despite her fears she can't abandon her friends. Not to mention she can see when someone else is right and has the balls to make the decisions that need to be made. She's got a lot of work to do to be in fighting shape, but I think the journey will be well worth it. For her and readers. Plus, I have to find out more about what I thought was Jade's wolf familiar. She's an Undying? That happens to look like a wolf tiger, lynx, and other things! How cool is that.

“A girl needs options. To me, video games are like shoes. But with more pixels and a plot.”

Despite how well setup, and paced, the book was Jade and Aleksie's attraction felt off. More like an obligation. Aleksie is the Justice. A weretiger who helps to keep the piece in the shifter society. He's the law, judge, and executioner basically. So he's the perfect setup for a love interest. But there insta-lust felt off. Especially since it barely took a few paragraphs—barely a new page—for Jade to start imagining doing dirty things to Aleksie. (But I can't really fault her.) It just felt off. But. Yes, there's a but. I look forward to seeing these two characters connect and get a proper page time to develop.

“After all, in a world full of shape shifters, witches, gods, and sorcerers, maybe miracles can happen.”

Apparently there aren't vampires in this world. Bummer. However, console yourself with bad ass sorcerers/sorceresses, witches, all kinds of animal shifters, leprechauns, and more. At this point there's not a ton of detail on the magic, but I liked the range and variety shown so far. It's a promising setup and I can't wait for more to be revealed!

“Guess no one had ever told him not to bring a gun to a mage fight.”

Despite some minor issues Justice Calling is a solid introduction to Jade Crow's world. Readers get to know her and I can't wait to see her grow. Even better is the promise of what is going to be an epic show down once Jade's Ex tracks her down. Bad Romance, can't say no to that. Especially when he's out her eat her heart—not brain. (Sorry I made lots of Gaga references there. I couldn't help it!) I love the fictional town of Wylde, Idaho. I'm a sucker for any book in my state. The cast of side characters is promising and I simply want more of this cool Urban Fantasy world.

Sexual Content: Dirty thoughts, humor, and some kissing. Clean. (Well one dark musing.)

 
3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back. 

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Justice Calling (1) Murder of Crows (2) Pack of Lies (3) Hunting Season (4) Heartache (5) Thicker Than Blood (6)	Justice Calling (1) Murder of Crows (2) Pack of Lies (3) Hunting Season (4) Heartache (5) Thicker Than Blood (6)	Justice Calling (1) Murder of Crows (2) Pack of Lies (3) Hunting Season (4) Heartache (5) Thicker Than Blood (6)

Review: The Trouble With Fate

The Trouble With Fate (Mystwalker, book 1) by Leigh Evans

Genre: Urban Fantasy (Paranormal Romance)
Edition Reviewed: Ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: The Trouble With Fate (1)

Meet Hedi Peacock. She's half Fae. Half Were. And all trouble…

I Have Two Words ForWerewolves:

My name is Hedi Peacock and I have a secret. I’m not human, and I have the pointy Fae ears and Were inner-bitch to prove it. As fairy tales go, my childhood was damn near perfect, all fur and magic until a werewolf killed my father and the Fae executed my mother. I’ve never forgiven either side. Especially Robson Trowbridge. He was a part-time werewolf, a full-time bastard, and the first and only boy I ever loved. That is, until he became the prime suspect in my father’s death…

Bite Me.

Today I’m a half-breed barista working at a fancy coffee house, living with my loopy Aunt Lou and a temperamental amulet named Merry, and wondering where in the world I’m going in life. A pretty normal existence, considering. But when a pack of Weres decides to kidnap my aunt and force me to steal another amulet, the only one who can help me is the last person I ever thought I’d turn to: Robson Trowbridge. And he’s as annoyingly beautiful as I remember. That’s the trouble with fate: Sometimes it barks. Other times it bites. And the rest of the time it just breaks your heart. Again…

---

Review:

What putrid bull shit was this? Maybe I was more sensitive to annoying and stupid leads because of the last book I finished. Either way I gave this book my all. Even after it was clear that I disliked the female lead. A lot. I pushed on. Got up to 50 percent, realized I actually hated the female lead. I pushed on because of all the amazing reviews and recommendations.

But there is a freaking breaking point. And I promised myself that I would use my Did Not Finish rights!

So why didn't things work well for me with Hedi Peacock? I like characters who are different. They can give you a knew perspective. Well it can be summed up in five words: Hedi Peacock lacks common sense.

So think about this. As a young child you witness some werewolf breaking a treaty rule with the Faye. (But you don't know that because you're to stupid to realize this at the time, or to go forth and figure out as an adult.) That leads to the murder of both your parents and the kidnapping of your twin brother. At no point do you go forth and seek answers. Even though you have an aunt that's living with you and she should have answers.

No what do you do? Go on the run assuming things. Never asking questions. Nope. Why were my parents murdered? Who was responsible? Who are my real enemies? Maybe I should ask my Faye aunt?

No. Instead you wait endlessly for a childhood crush to show up. The childhood crush that you basically stalked and blame for the murder of your parents. (WHAT THE BOOKWORMS?) She admits to this. That her whole life she's been waiting for this guy, who is an ass. No really. The male lead is awful. He's the type of male lead the author assumes all of her female readers will fall for because he's a bad boy. AKA a stupid jerk. A jerk who spends more time insulting the lead then anything. No really there's this point where he then goes to strip bar to feed his alcohol addiction. At that point Hedi decides to use her Mystwalker powers for the second time. Which blows up spectacularly. And again I question why she never thought to seek information on how her forbidden and dangerous powers work.

Not to mention that Hedi is unlikable. She's day dreaming at work (AKA entering her aunt's dreams) and can't do her job. Her boss is upset from her lack of work, and he accuses her of stealing. So she quits, uses her powers to wreck work equipment, and then we find out later she is stealing. A lot, basically a thief. So her aunt dreams overcome her, but it sounds like she wants to sneak in on her failing aunts mind. To get sneak pieces of of the land of the Faye. She enjoys it, and doesn't even really feel guilty when her aunt smacks her out of a dream and calls her out on it. Hedi also likes to blame everyone around her for everything. And if she finds something out I'm sure her little mind will twist it again to make someone else responsible. Don't get me wrong she's got some guilt, but she somehow starts blaming it on other people.

In the end this is clearly a romance. The werewolf soulmate type. With two exceedingly annoying characters. The world is basically little snips of other series out there. It sounded cool, but ended up falling flat. Even if Hedi didn't annoy the crap out of me, the love interest would have killed the book all by himself. I will say don't just listen to my review, a lot of my Goodreads pals loved this book. Or read the first bit on Amazon, you'll know right away. You'll know.

Sexual Content: I believe there are sex scenes, but I didn't finish the book. I do know there were steamy scenes up to where I read.  There is adult humor and some minor dark themes.

  
1/5- I couldn't finish it or wish I hadn't

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
The Trouble With Fate (1) The Thing About Weres (2) The Problem with Promises (3) The Danger of Destiny (4)	The Trouble With Fate (1) The Thing About Weres (2) The Problem with Promises (3) The Danger of Destiny (4)	The Trouble With Fate (1) The Thing About Weres (2) The Problem with Promises (3) The Danger of Destiny (4)

Cover Coveting: Weather Warden Edition

 
Cover art is found from Wicked Scribes, ATUF, Goodreads, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***

So it looks like Rachel Caine will be continuing her Weather Warden series. She will be self publishing book 10, and has a Kickstarter page. It's supposed to be released July 1st, 2016. At least that's what Goodreads is saying, as there is no official Amazon link. Nor official news on the author's site.

Wow the last book came out in 2010! I wonder if Caine had to wait to continue the series so that she could get the rights back?

So let's take a peek at that cover!

---

Red Hot Rain by Rachel Caine

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Weather Warden, book 10 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Urban Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: Matches the series well enough. It probably won't look as seamless as all of the others sitting on my shelf. Yet I do like that it signals something new, that this is the self pub continuations of the series. I love her stance. It makes me think of killer tango!

Synopsis:

RED HOT RAIN starts a few years after the end of TOTAL ECLIPSE, in a world that seems to finally be settled. Mother Earth isn't mad at us. The Djinn have kissed and made up (sometimes literally) with the Wardens, and the two sides work together to solve whatever problems do arise. All good, right?

Nope.

When Joanne Baldwin first hears about a freak monster storm that destroys the rebuilding community of Lubbock, Texas, she takes a personal trip to find out what's going on. Problem is, seems like it's exactly as it appears: a freak natural occurrence.

But when the same kind of storm tears a killer swath across the country to follow her home, and all her Warden powers can't put a dent in it, it's clear there's more to this storm front than physics. Soon, Joanne's embroiled in a deadly struggle against a mysterious, powerful opponent, and her husband David--most powerful of the Djinn--seems strangely unhelpful against whatever's coming for her. Even Lewis, her long-time friend and ally, now an otherworldly consort to Mother Earth herself, doesn't seem inclined (or able) to help. Someone's got the mother of all grudges against Joanne Baldwin, and they're coming at her hard.

And not just her. Joanne's not just fighting for her own life. It's coming for her son, too.

It'll be up to Joanne to save herself and her son from the storm that's coming for them ... a storm that wants to erase Joanne Baldwin and everyone she loves from the face of the earth.

I confess I haven't read past book 2. But it sounds cool that after the official ending this takes place some years after the first series.

I wonder if this means she might bring back the Outcast Seasons books? If this one goes over well. It also makes me curious if a book is successful if she'll end up making more money then going through a traditional publishing house?

Well are you guys excited?

Review: Grave Witch

Grave Witch (Alex Craft, book 1) by Kalayna Price

Genre: Urban Fantasy 
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Grave Witch (1)

Grave witch Alex Craft can speak to the dead, but that doesn’t mean she likes what they have to say.

As a private investigator and consultant for the police, Alex Craft has seen a lot of dark magic. But even though she’s on good terms with Death himself—who happens to look fantastic in a pair of jeans—nothing has prepared her for her latest case. Alex is investigating a high profile murder when she’s attacked by the ‘shade’ she’s raising, which should be impossible. To top off her day, someone makes a serious attempt on her life, but Death saves her. Guess he likes having her around...

To solve this case Alex will have to team up with tough homicide detective Falin Andrews. Falin seems to be hiding something—though it’s certainly not his dislike of Alex—but Alex knows she needs his help to navigate the tangled webs of mortal and paranormal politics, and to track down a killer wielding a magic so malevolent, it may cost Alex her life...and her soul.

---

Review:

For a first book this book impressed me when it came out, and years later it still impresses me. Grave Witch has an impressive world that is fully thought out, and I loved it. The lore and the city of Nekro are well thought out. I love the idea of the Faye letting their presence be known because they needed humans to believe in them again. Instead of still dying out they're now growing strong in power. There are more inbetween places, or other pockets of reality. I'm intrigued with the idea of these multiple plans of existence presented. Especially with that ending!

Grave Witch presents Alex Craft quite well and I enjoyed that there weren't actually any flashbacks. Instead the reader learns about Alex and her past as the story goes along. It never felt bogged down in an info dump. It was well paced and just enough given at the right moments. Not to mention that I loved that Alex wasn't a newbie in her craft as a grave witch and she had knowledge about the world. Including other magics.

Some Urban Fantasy readers advised me when I started my reread that this would be boring. But the mystery, characters, and world kept me eating it up. True I had forgotten about a lot the book because it had been so long, but I knew enough. And it kept my attention. Maybe it's because it's a different type of UF. The kind where knowledge and sleuthing are required. Alex doesn't approach the situation with violence. She does get to kick booty, but she thinks things through and I appreciate that.

Both male interests were just as fun as I remembered! I knew that Death was a character the revitalized Death as a character, and made him sexy. Spawning many different interpatations in other books after—which I'm thankful for. (Reyes from Charley Davidson anyone?) Sadly he remains a mysterious, dark stranger. With some great one liners. Falin was more developed and I think that's why I liked him more. He started out as the hunky jerk, and thankfully gained a personality as the book progressed. Of course there's plenty of mystery around him, not to mention some of the things discovered by the end of the book.

There were two sticky points for me. The first being the tired old line of parents keeping dangerous secrets from their children. Especially how her father made her suffer, and he was keeping that secret! Then there was Alex being handed the answer to the murders on multiple occasions. No really. People out right told her. But she just ignored it, and then during the revelation she was still an idiot. I hate willful ignorance as a plot line. It only makes the character look bad, and makes the reader think the author doesn't understand that we can pick up on things.

I can safely say that Grave Witch is not heavy on a love triangle. It actually doesn't even make itself known until the end of the book, and it's very mild—a vague idea. The book centers on Alex solving the mystery. Alex is on a time line and I appreciate that the book evolves mainly around that. While I felt like Alex's friends were more show then real, I look forward to getting to know them all more. The world is fantastic, and I can't wait to know Nekro city more! Not to mention sinking into Alex, she's a great character and I enjoy that she's unique from other Urban Fantasy character even after all these years.

Sexual Content: There is a sex scene, frank talk about sex and stuff. I enjoy that Alex is well rounded on it, meaning no self hate. Plenty of sexual humor and some minor dark themes.

 
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Grave Witch (1) Grave Dance (2) Grave Memory (3) Grave Visions (4) Untitled (5)	Grave Witch (1) Grave Dance (2) Grave Memory (3) Grave Visions (4) Untitled (5)	Grave Witch (1) Grave Dance (2) Grave Memory (3) Grave Visions (4) Untitled (5)

Cover Coveting (6)

 
Cover art is found from Wicked Scribes, ATUF, Goodreads, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***

Well looks like I want be reviewing episode 3 for Shadowhunters. Yet. Hulu and ABC have the episode on lock unless you pay for it. Which I refuse. So if after a week it doesn't "unlock" it looks like I won't be continuing with my reviews for the episodes. Sorry guys.

Now let's look at some covers.

---

All Your Wishes by Cat Adams

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Blood Singer, book 7 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Urban Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: Action cover, that's cool. I miss the style of the first few covers. But this matches the new look that the other books have.

Breath of Earth by Beth Cato

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: N/A  Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Alternate History Fantasy Young Adult Shera’s thoughts: Love this cover! Her outfit and the magical look is great. Love the title as well.

Greta and the Lost Army by Chloe Jacobs

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Mylena Chronicles, book 3 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult High Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: It matches the series well. Too be honest I miss the artwork from the first book.

Nemesis by Anna Banks

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: N/A  Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult High Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: At first I didn't like this cover, but the more I look at it I do actually like it! I love how she looks metalic and her face tattoos are pretty awesome. Love the background as well. Oh, and her eyes!

Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Stealing Snow, book 1 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Fantasy (Fairytale Retelling) Shera’s thoughts: Hmmmmm. I always think of Beauty and the Beast when I see a mirror. I have to make note that this is one of those times when "author of" bit is very helpful. I had forgotten that Danielle Paige was the author of the Dorothy Must Die books. I love that the typography looks so good. Especially SNOW.

Unraveled by Jennifer Estep

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Elemental Assassin, book 15 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Urban Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: Another solid cover! Thank you.