The Hidden Demon

The Hidden Demon by Monica La Porta

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have loved everything I have received from this author and this book is no exception.

Book #4 of the Immortals series, we are introduced to Peter who is a demon that has the job of reading the last moments of the dead. Ophelia, who we met in book #3 is still pining for Samual and doesn't know if she will ever find her true mate. The characters of Peter and Ophelia are so similar you wonder if they will ever fit together but at the same time how can they stay apart.

Peter and Ophelia come together to solve the mystery of the deaths of two lovers found entwined in a grave, one is the skeleton of a vampire which shouldn't exist in the first place. Peter's touch gives him the ability to see the last moments of someone before they die. His touch also has a powerful affect on a woman. His reputation proceeds him and Ophelia is instantly drawn to this demon and he is to her but soon he decides he wants more than a one night stand. What results is a powerful emotional tug of war that leaves you wondering if these two will ever hook up or remain stubborn and heartbroken.

All of the books in the Immortals series can be read as stand alone books or in order. I've read them all and each are great, this one so far is my favorite. I love the strong characters of both Ophelia and Peter as well as the mystery that encompasses them. Its a great story and one that shouldn't be missed.



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Mortal Danger

Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


There were things I liked and things I didn't like about this read. Making it meh on the rating scale.

Edie is a girl that has been bullied for years. Her parents are nerdy and have been no help in the matter and Edie is at the end of her rope. She's done her research and is preparing to commit suicide when she is stopped by a gorgeous guy and made a Faustian offer that she can't refuse. A great premise that goes awry from there. Edie wishes to be made beautiful so that she can get back at the Teflon group at school. Wait....what? ..... Yep, beauty will be the answer to all her problems and turns out it is. Along with beauty she gained instant confidence and turns out she can overlook the transgressions of the bullies. (And actually what they did to her would have been a prosecutable offense.)


The love affair with stalker Kian is somewhat believable. After all, they share a bond of the knowledge of what is really going on. However, my feelings toward Kian are in a gray area. I'm not so sure I believe him. I think there may be more there than Edie realizes. Her instincts are screaming and her hormone induced feelings are not listening.

The world building is interesting, too bad the plot is somewhat ify. Too much has been left unexplained. We have two "companies" that are fighting over the world. But they aren't sure why and its not really the outcome of the game that its important. Ok.... so are they just bored? or is there some other point here. And then there are all these sideline players who are interfering but again we don't really know why. The rules of the game are what? Again, no one seems to know.


Overall, I rated it meh mainly because its really shallow. Beauty doesn't solve all your problems and it doesn't make someone being mean to you ok. The Faustian contract is interesting and the world building is unique although the plot needs work. I'm hoping that some of my questions are answered in the next book and give me hope that the series will get better.



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Bastian

Bastian by Elizabeth Amber

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is by far my favorite in the Lords of Satyr series. Silvia and Machaela are ephemerals that were once part of the vestals that served the goddess Vesta. Pledge to service when they were young girls, they became more than best friends. When the temple was overran they were changed from mortals to the eternal ephemerals with the ability to take hosts from those that are dying. Machaela gives up her immortality for the man she loves, believing that she can make him love her in time.

Silvia is a strong female character, even though she isn't always female. She has a vested interest in the work of Lord Bastian Satyr and is determined not to let her feeling get in the way of her quest. I loved Silvia's character and how Bastian relates to her. He is a great character, and that he has a flaw makes him that much more alive and relatable to. The chemistry between them and the story that unfolds around them is wonderful. The erotic nature of the story doesn't overwhelm and overtake the storyline instead it very much enhances it.

Pontifex is the bad guy in this story. And while his is wonderfully evil, he stays put in his evil lair and his downfall fell a bit short of the rest of the story. The ending as well was tied up rather quickly and it wasn't really explained how things actually happened. But otherwise this was a great story.

Overall, this was my favorite of the series so far. I would recommend it for anyone over 18 that loves a good erotica, although the fantasy side of this series may not be for everyone. These are all stand alone stories, but once you start you'll be hooked. Loved, loved, loved!!!



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Lord's of Satyr: Dane

Dane by Elizabeth Amber

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Love this series and it seems like every book is even better than the last.

This group of Satyr Lords is set apart from the ones before it. Set in Rome, Dane is a tormented soul and a younger brother of the Satyrs here. Abducted when he was young along with his younger brother, he escaped but left with psychological scars from his ordeal. His brother, however, was never found. Still searching for Lucien, Dane decides he needs a wife in order to stay in this realm. Eva, a marriage broker (and secret female Satyr) is enlisted to help him find a wife. But what they get is more than either of them bargained for.

There is so much that I loved about this book. Dane was more vulnerable, and more human than many of the other-worldly Satyr's are portrayed. His split personalities were very much a part of his character. They worked to protect him from times when he was vulnerable in order to keep horrible memories from incapacitating him. Eva is a strong character in her own right. She was a great match for Dane. Her up bringing was oppressive and she had a lot to over come. The villain in this book remained a mystery til near the end. Just when you thought you had it figured out it all goes a different direction.

Love this book, and all of this series. The erotica is tastefully woven into the story to enhance instead of detract. Always looking forward to reading the next one.



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Creatura

Creatura by Nely Cab

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I've noticed something about the reviews for this book. Everybody seems to either love it or hate it. I'm a rare breed that would rate this somewhere in the middle. I would give this one 3.5 stars but feeling generous I rounded up instead of down. Its a nice read with a cliffhanger ending, but there were a few things I didn't like about it.

Isis is 17 and suffers from insomnia because a creature in a re-occuring nightmare is keeping her up. Soon she realizes that he's real and in the real world he's not scarey after all. David is the boy from her nightmare that soon falls in love with Isis despite warnings that they can never be together. Isis starts out as a strong female character that had recently broken up with a long time boyfriend who is only interested in keeping her grades up and going to college. But when David comes along some of that changes. She finds out that she's not who she thought she was and wonders about her future. But she still wishes to have a normal life somehow.

Much of the book is a sappy love story complete with poetry (I admit, I skipped over it). And a strange twist on the paranormal with demons and creatura. And while I admit it's important to stress abstinence, the author really beats you over the head with this idea. The character of Isis was a bit too forgiving to be even close to realistic. Someone tries to kill her and she's like ok just don't do it again.

Overall, it was a fun story. A little to sappy for my tastes but I still enjoyed it. The twist at the very ending was a bit unexpected and I am definitely curious to see where this is going. If you enjoy YA/PR and sappy teen love stories then you should pick this one up.



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Beastly: Lindy's Diary

Beastly: Lindy's Diary by Alex Flinn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


LOVED!!! For so many reasons.

This is essentially Beastly told from Lindy's point of view. Its written in diary form which gives us such an insight into her character. We get not only what goes on in the story but also her thoughts and emotions not only about Adrian/Kyle but also about her life before with her father. We learn a lot about her background and what she has been through before coming to live with Adrian/Kyle. We also see how coming to live with him has affected her.

I really loved this novella. Its so full of emotion that there were times I almost cried. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoyed Beastly. It can be enjoyed without reading Beastly but I assure you that if you read one you will want to read the other. Also, I am one that really likes books written in diary form, so if you do too you should try this one.



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Wanted Ghostbusting Bride

This was such a fun ghost story I decided to make this a giveaway. I will give away 2 Amazon coupons for this book. This giveaway is open to anyone that can use Amazon gift cards.

Wanted: Ghostbusting Bride by Margaret Breashears

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for review.

This was such a fun read! And a perfect Halloween ghost story complete with warring ghosts and an English castle.

Kailyn comes to England thinking she's going to a job interview and finds herself in a competition to be the bride of the next Earl. I will admit, there were times in the begining when Kailyn really got on my nerves. She was not only a skeptic (which isn't so bad) but completely against love and marriage. Like it would be so horrible to fall in love with a sexy wealthy Earl. She acts like if that happens her life will be a disaster. Really? There were a few other things about her that just didn't seem realistic but I won't elaborate due to spoilers.

The story is fast paced and full of crazy antics Kailyn an Spencer come up with to get rid of the ghost. Some of which were so far fetched that you have to wonder how the authors came up with them. Kailyn is a great strong female character who is up against two strong female ghost characters and that makes for a great battle of strength and wits.

Overall a very fun read. Due to a bit of sex toward the end I have to say this is for the over 18 crowd. But, I would recommend this to any adult who likes a good fun ghost story.



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The Grimoire Trilogy

Lichgates by S. M. Boyce

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.

This was certainly an original story and that is one thing I look for in a good read. There were certainly influences from Narnia and LOTR but it was just that. Boyce has created a new world with new creatures, characters, and lands.

Raine -- The Lords of Satyr #2

Raine by Elizabeth Amber

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the second book in the Lords of Satyr series and it is just as good or better than the first one, Nicholas. As with the first one, this one is definitely not for just anyone. If you don't enjoy the strange and unusual then I suggest you look elsewhere. Personally, I love the strange and unusual and therefore I loved this one.

Morning Star

Morning Star by Desiree Finkbeiner

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for review.

I would probably stretch this up to 3.5 stars. I thought it was fairly well written and I enjoyed this original story.

Who doesn't enjoy a story with giant dragonflies, magic mushrooms, and hot guys with angel wings. Throw in an evil doer and her race of minions and you have a perfect story. Well almost. It is a wonderful story of forbidden love with people from other deminsions and great imagry, but there is an almost overpowering religious aspect to it. There is all of this purity and chastity related to Kalen and Brianna and their destiny. Their love is taboo, and so much so that it equated with going to hell. Any diversion from the path of physical purity would have spelled certain disaster for all worlds. (I admit it, I had to take a break in the middle and read something smutty before I could continue.) The only other issue I had was in a couple of places the actions of the characters wasn't logical. I don't want to give any spoilers so I will just say in a couple of places Briana and Kalen seemed to go toward danger instead of away from it.

Overall its a good story for YA and lovers of fantasy if you don't mind the religious overtones. And I admit, I'm curious to see where this series is headed.



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