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Showing posts with label Stormwalker Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stormwalker Series. Show all posts
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Review: Nightwalker by Allyson James
Nightwalker
Author: Allyson James
Release Date: Oct. 11, 2012
Publisher: self-published
Stormwalker #4
ISBN: #978-0986023842
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (376 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Purchased with my own funds
About the book:
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Stormwalker Janet Begay, proprietor of the Crossroads Hotel, a place where the paranormal stop for a safe night’s rest, discovers the hard way that a slayer is targeting Ansel, a Nightwalker who’s become a more-or-less permanent resident.
When Janet and her lover Mick intervene to save Ansel’s un-life, they find that the attack is the beginning of an oncoming storm. Janet has her hands full already with the upcoming marriage of her father, the return of a woman who claims to be Coyote’s wife, her crazy half-sister, a couple dragons on her back, and her worry about Mick, who’s behaving strangely again.
But it seems that everyone is after Ansel, who fears he killed the woman he loves in a Nightwalker frenzy. Janet must choose between protecting Ansel, or facing the most powerful magical beings in the world, who are willing to destroy Janet, Mick, her hotel, and everyone she cares about to get to Ansel and his secrets.
What I’m talking about:
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Nightwalker is the fourth installment of Allyson James’ excellent Stormwalker urban fantasy series centering around Native American Janet Begay, born from half evil goddess and half storm magic. This series is one of my absolute favorites, and while you could start with Nightwalker, I highly recommend you start at the beginning. The overarching plot development and detailed character growth over the first three stories is phenomenal, making each story richer than the previous.
Our current story opens with Janet’s friend and resident nightwalker (vampire), Ansel, under attack from a professional slayer. It appears that Ansel may have killed his human girlfriend while in a blood frenzy, and now her sister has placed a bounty on Ansel’s head. And per usual, poor Janet can’t catch a break. As she takes off on her brand new motorcycle to investigate a lead, her bike becomes possessed, carrying her at high speeds down the highway. And to top it off, her magic mirror is broken - all darkened and unresponsive.
Nightwalker, like each book before it, had me hooked from the very start. First, the overall mystery is engrossing. Janet and her fiancé Mick work together to figure out if Ansel did kill his girlfriend, or if not him, who is hiding the truth. Along the way they uncover a web of secret magic and a battle to control ultimate power.
Janet is a strong woman, who unfortunately has a lot of negative things happen around her. She's matured a great deal since the first book - coming into her magic and accepting it all as part of her. With each story, Janet learns more about her magics - both the “evil” beneath and the Native American stormwalker magic, and she continues to embrace both sides of her nature. She continues to grow stronger as she battles darker, more menacing threats. I love reading the story from her POV; she's knowledgable, intuitive, smart and sensitive. She cares deeply for her friends and the world around her.
To make the great story even richer, there is a cast of diverse characters that I have grown to adore. Mick, Janet’s true love, is strong, sexy, and oh so good. He has come to love Janet with such fierceness, which is detailed more in Nightwalker. In addition, the cast of side characters who are always front and center, play important rolls throughout the story. Although Ansel is a focal point in the story, he never takes over the book. We learn more about his past and current life, creating a deeper connection with the reader.
I do adore Janet and Mick. I also love Janet’s evolving relationship with her family, especially her sister and grandmother. However, I started to get a little annoyed with the continuing secretive attitude that both Mick and Grandmother display around Janet. It comes across that they don't trust Janet or that they are treating her like a young child. But I do like Janet's attitude, especially with Mick. They have a solid relationship and she understands his need to sometimes be secretive. They trust each other completely, which is a wonderful thing to have when their world is constantly in peril.
In conclusion, it's a bit difficult to write a review for the fourth excellent book in one of my favorite series. I feel like I've said it all before, but it's worth repeating. Overall, Nightwalker is full of heart-stopping action, superb storytelling and marvelous characters. Each book builds upon revelations from the previous book, but you could get away with reading Nightwalker as a stand alone novel. But seriously, they are each so good, you wouldn't want to! The story line keeps strong throughout each book, and although each contains similar components, every story is unique and exciting.
My Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Reviews in the Series:
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Sunday Snippet #63
Shadow Walker
Berkley SensationJune 7, 2011
“Among dragons, it’s more common to be alone,” Mick said. “We need so much territory, and when humans overran the world, there wasn’t a lot of room left for us. We’ve been dying out for centuries.”
Mick didn’t talk much about his dragon background, only occasionally feeding me bits of information. He’d once told me about a lady dragon he’d planned to take as mate, long ago. She’d been stolen from him by another dragon, and she’d later died. He’d been alone since.
The dragon council, a triumvirate who enforced dragon law, had assigned Mick to watch over me. The original assignment had been to kill me, but Mick had turned things his own way. He was still watching over me.
“Dying out?” I repeated.
“Slowly. Nothing to worry about. Dragons live a long time.”
“Maybe, but do Stormwalkers?”
“Mick’s smile vanished, and I saw a deep and ageless pain in his eyes. “I don’t know. That’s why I want to enjoy every minute I can with you.”
I knew what he meant. He would watch me age and die before he changed much himself. He know he’d lose me, and he was already preparing himself for it.
“You should find a lady dragon,” I said, trying to make my voice light. “Someone who can be with you for another couple of centuries, someone who can live inside a volcano with you.”
Mick laced his fingers though mine. “A lady dragon hasn’t snared me. You have.” He leaned to me, his eyes darkening. “Mate isn’t just a word to me, Janet. It never has been. I want you as my mate in all ways, in bed and out of it. I want to give you all I have, all that I am.”
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Review: Shadow Walker
Shadow Walker Author: Allyson James
Release Date: June 7, 2011
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: #978-0425241820
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Format(s): paperback (304 pgs), e-book
I purchased this book with my own money because I LOVE this series!
From the author’s website:
Winter descends on the town of Magellan, and new evil comes to call.
Racing her motorcycle down a lonely winter highway, Stormwalker Janet Begay feels the ground collapse beneath her feet. After tumbling two hundred feet into an underground cavern, she manages to escape with help from her sexy dragon-shifter boyfriend, Mick—but not before they disturb dark forces.
As Janet contends with a hotel inspector intent on putting her out of business, and her grandmother, who’s taken up residence, Mick’s behavior becomes strange and erratic, until he is a clear danger to Janet and her friends. Janet's drag-queen, attitude-ridden magic mirror insists that Mick has been "touched by shadows," and Janet realizes that someone is out to enslave her dragon. Now she must free Mick before he kills her…
Racing her motorcycle down a lonely winter highway, Stormwalker Janet Begay feels the ground collapse beneath her feet. After tumbling two hundred feet into an underground cavern, she manages to escape with help from her sexy dragon-shifter boyfriend, Mick—but not before they disturb dark forces.
As Janet contends with a hotel inspector intent on putting her out of business, and her grandmother, who’s taken up residence, Mick’s behavior becomes strange and erratic, until he is a clear danger to Janet and her friends. Janet's drag-queen, attitude-ridden magic mirror insists that Mick has been "touched by shadows," and Janet realizes that someone is out to enslave her dragon. Now she must free Mick before he kills her…
What I’m talking about:
AH! I cannot stop talking about how much I adore this wonderful (still fairly new) series by Allyson James! For those not familiar, the series followers half-Navajo Janet Begay, a Stormwalker who can bend the power of storms to her will. Oh, and she also is the daughter of an evil goddess who has passed on dangerous Beneath magic to Janet. She lives in a small Arizona town, owns a quaint hotel, has a ridiculously hot and sweet boyfriend, Mick, and trouble seems to follow Janet where ever she goes.
The third story picks up shortly after the end of the second book, Firewalker, and opens with Janet finding herself in danger once again when she plummets to the bottom of a sinkhole while being tailed by Sheriff Nash Jones for speeding. Janet finds herself under attack from dozens of mysterious petroglyphs and once again, she finds herself at the center of another dangerous mystery. Soon, the story deepens with Mick acting strange, the pipes and wiring in her newly renovated hotel suddenly corroding, and the appearance of her “sister” who seems bent on destroying Janet.
One thing I love about this story is that Janet has matured. She has always been a mighty kick-ass heroine, but by now she has gone through many trials, including saving the world, and she is embracing all of her magic - even the dark Beneath magic. She has stared at the face of death and no longer fears dying. In addition, she has wholly given herself to boyfriend/mate Mick. Their love has deepened, the emotions stronger, and their relationship is amazing. They aren’t perfect, but believe (and know) that their love can help them concur all that comes their way. And it is because of this love that the pain of Mick’s apparent betrayal is magnified a hundred-fold. My heart actually ached and I had tears in my eyes while reading Mick’s repeated attempts at killing Janet.
The overall plot of the third book is another fantastic mystery. This time, Janet needs to find out why an evil witch, a Shadow Walker, wants to claim Janet’s hotel, how her evil “sister” (same goddess mom) is involved, and how to save Mick from potential enslavement, all while entertaining 2 dragon shifters who would rather kill Mick than allow others to be enslaved, and her grandmother who is keeping secrets with the cook while sending Janet’s one big ally, the trickster god, Coyote on errands. Janet has her hands full, but she never gives up. I love that she gets frustrated and mad, and she may fall and fail. But in the end, her beliefs and inner-strength, along with the support of her friends, keep Janet going. I never felt that Janet and company’s problems or the peril they faced was over the top or contrived.
Finally, I have to reiterate how important the supporting cast of characters is in the function and enjoyment of the book(s). There are several, but each is written so organically that every one has his/her place and is an important cog in the machinery of this series. The supporting characters are nothing short of stupendous. From the magically “void,” Unbeliever sheriff - Nash Jones, his girlfriend - Maya, Janet’s father and grandmother, all the folks that work at the hotel, Janet’s sister to the tricker god, Coyote... no matter what size roll is actually written, each plays a big part in making the story complete. Even the crazy bi-sexual magic mirror is more than comic relief!
No matter what I write in this review, I cannot give justice to this story or series. Ms. James has created an amazing world with such intricate details and comprehensive characters that I feel as though I could go to Magellan and discover Janet and her friends having a bite to eat at the hotel. I find as much pleasure in reading the descriptive sections - learning about the land and heritage of the people - as I do when reading the base story line and trying to solve the mystery or problem along side Janet. My heart races during this story during several sections - whether it’s due to the race against the clock and the thrill of the action, or because of Mick and Janet’s heart-felt love for one another - and that is why this book is one of ...
My Rating:
Personal favorite - a must read (A+)
Monday, June 13, 2011
Series... love them or hate them?
I'm a series girl. I've stated this before, probably several times, but I enjoy a good series - whether it be romance, sci-fi, fantasy, mystery... There is something reassuring about seeing the same characters and settings book after book. My love for series started young - when I read Trixie Belden, Little House on the Prairie and the Three Investigators. Series are a staple of the books I read. I have several "auto reads" or "auto buy" series. Here are my top favorites - these I recommend above all others (but I love so many more):
1) The Kate Daniel Series by Ilona Andrews.
Heroine: Kate Daniels - magical, powerful, great with a sword, all-around kick-ass
Hero: Curran - Beast Lord, lion shifter, sexy, powerful, makes me purr
Book Titles -
MAGIC BITES
MAGIC BURNS
MAGIC STRIKES
MAGIC BLEEDS
MAGIC SLAYS
My series rating 5 stars.
2) The Psy-Changeling Series by Nalini Singh.
This paranormal romance takes primarily takes place in San Francisco, CA. For those unfamiliar with this incredible series, the world is made up of 3 races: Psy: cerebral and emotionally void people that hold most political and financial offices; Changeling: shifters of many different species, in-tune with nature, emotionally fierce and loyal; and humans: the supporting race in the middle. The books focus primarily on two dominant Changeling packs: SnowDancers, which are wolves and DarkRiver, which are leopards. Ms. Singh has created an overall story arc dealing with the breakdown of the Psy "silence" and how the Changelings are coming into power. Book Titles -
SLAVE TO SENSATION
VISIONS OF HEAT
CARESSED BY ICE
MINE TO POSSESS
HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE
BRANDED BY FIRE
BLAZE OF MEMORY
BONDS OF JUSTICE
PLAY OF PASSION
KISS OF SNOW
My series rating: 5 Stars.
3) The Stormwalker Series by Allyson James.
Is it paranormal romance or urban fantasy? I don't care because it is incredible writing and storytelling! I just finished the third book in this amazing new series and I cannot wait for more. Taking place in Arizona, the stories follow the crazy life of Janet Begay, a Native American with earth-based storm magic and an evil goddess for a mother. She lives with the most amazing magic man, Mick and together they fight the evil that seems to follow Janet's every step. Each book has suspense, mystery, action, and romance. Perfect!Book Titles -
STORMWALKER
FIREWALKER
SHADOW WALKER (review to come this week!)
My series rating: 5 Stars.
4) The ACRO Series by Sydney Croft.
Erotic romance meets paranormal adventure... Think X-Rated X-men! Authors Larissa Ione and Stephanie Tyler have created an amazing, action packed world of covert ops, complete with complex good and bad guys. Each story revolves around several couples and keeps them coming back book after book. This series contains on of my favorite, so emotionally charged scenes I have read in a book. The sixth and final installment comes out later this month. If you want hot smex and action... this is a MUST READ!Book Titles -
TAKEN BY FIRE (review later this month!)
My series rating: 4.5 Stars.
Another wonderful paranormal romance series that is full of story and light on fluff. Meljean is one of the best world-builders writing today. The Guardians are a race of protectors, each created when, as a human s/he sacrifices her/himself to protect the human race. They are like angels, but not quite. They fight evil demons and other "creatures from hell," while trying to remain a secret to the humans around them. Book Titles -
DEMON ANGEL
DEMON NIGHT
DEMON BOUND
DEMON FORGED
DEMON MARKED, coming 2011
My series rating: 4.5 Stars.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
These series are also on my auto-read list:
Iron Seas by Meljean Brook (only one full book so far, but best read of 2010)
The Breeds by Lora Leigh (my guilty pleasure)
SO... which series can't you live without?
Labels:
ACRO,
Guardian Series,
Kate Daniels,
Psy/Changeling,
reading,
Stormwalker Series
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Sunday, December 19, 2010
Sunday Snippets #39
Stormwalker by Allyson James
I rested my forehead on the table. “How did you get to be sheriff when you have PTSD?”
I knew I shouldn’t have asked such a dangerous question, but I didn’t have the energy to care.
“Because I do the job better than anyone else,” Nash answered. I believed him, somehow. “I haven’t had an episode in a year.”
“Not since Amy.”
As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I knew I’d just blown any chance of getting out of here today. I peeled open my eyes and looked up, wincing when I saw Nash’s gray ones.
“You give up this so-called investigation and go home,” he said in a hard voice, “or I’ll bust you for fraud and expose you for the con artist you are.”
I started to answer that I had the right to live in any town I wanted to, but my stomach decided just then to punish me for the night of storm magic. I pressed my arm over my abdomen, but it didn’t help.
I staggered to my feet and made it to the trash can in the corner before my morning coffee and a gob of bile came up.
“Damn it, Begay--”
Nash’s diatribe was cut off by a deputy outside saying quickly and worriedly, “You can’t go in there.”
The door banged open, and a man shouldered his way in, shoving aside the deputy who tried to get in his way. He was six-feet-six of solid muscle in jeans, a black T-shirt, and motorcycle boots, had a silver earring dangling from one ear, and dragon tattoos snaking down both arms. His hair was black, the wild curls of it just contained in a ponytail. He had the blues eyes I’d ever seen, and I vividly recalled staring into them the night I lost my virginity.
My mouth formed the name, “Mick,” at the same time Nash rose to his feet and aimed his nine-millimeter right and Mick’s head.
“Stop.”
Nash might as well have tried to stop a freight train. Mick came on.
“I said, stop.”
Nash’s voice was ice-hard. He might have scared the hell out of insurgents in Iraq, but he didn’t know Mick. Mick ignored him, and Nash fired.
The sound exploded in my head. I screamed. The bullet hit Mick in the shoulder, and he grunted with the impact, but it barely slowed him down. He made it to me and scooped me up.
“Hey, baby,” he said, grinning. “Miss me?”
Friday, November 26, 2010
Review: Firewalker
Firewalker
Author: Allyson James Release Date: November 2, 2010
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Stormwalker Series Book #2
ISBN: #978-0425237823
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Format(s): paperback (352 pgs), e-book
I won an ARC copy of this book from the author.
From the author’s website:
Mick must face the dragon council for breaking their laws, and while he doesn't seem too worried about his upcoming trial, but Janet will do anything to keep him safe. She'll need a little help from her friends, old and new: Nash and Coyote; Cassandra, a powerful witch turned hotel manager; Colby a sort-of-trustworthy dragon. But now a new, dark power is stirring in Magellan that Janet must face, but even more frightening, one is stirring within herself.
What I’m talking about:
**This review contains minor spoilers from the first book, Stormwalker.
Firewalker is the second book in Ms. James’ Stormwalker series, and it starts a short time after the end of the first book. Janet Begay, a Native American stormwalker, with the power of Beneath magic from her goddess mother, has settled down in Megellan and opened up the hotel she was renovating throughout all of book one. She’s hired a witch, Cassandra, to manager her place and business is good. Mick’s been missing for three weeks, and although he has been more open with Janet since she found out he is a dragon, it still isn’t completely odd for him to be gone without notice. But when a shifter comes into the hotel demanding to speak with her, Janet realizes that Mick is in trouble.
Mick is guilty of breaking Dragon law when he allowed Janet to live (backstory in Stormwalker). Dragons are honorable, and he intends to stand trial - even when the verdict is already known. But before he can get there, a new evil finds its way into Megellan - one with a familiarity that reminds Janet of her evil mother. Now Janet, Mick, Nash and their new friends must figure out who is responsible for the gruesome death of an unknown hiker before more innocent people are killed - and in time to save Mick from the dragons and his own honor.
Once again, Ms. James weaves together an amazing Paranormal Romance/Mystery-Suspense story. At the core of her work is a complex “whodunit,” full of twists and turns, that keeps the reader engaged until the conclusion. But what makes the book truly superb is the cast of characters that inhabit this marvelous world.
Tragedy and trouble follow Janet everywhere she goes. She wants to “just be normal,” yet time and time again, she picks the difficult path. When faced with death if she continues to use her “evil” Beneath magic, she doesn’t let her own mortality stop her from making the “right” (and difficult) decisions. One of the most special and poignant parts of the story occurs when Janet is faced with the decision to keep her Beneath half or let it go completely. It is heart-wrenching and emotionally draining to witness her as she contemplates what is truly important in her life. I love that Janet may give in here and there but NEVER gives up the fight and always has a snarky comment or two for those that rub her the wrong way.
Then there is Mick. He loves Janet with all of his soul, but not being human, he doesn’t always express his love in conventional ways - except for the fantastic (and completely hot) sex that he showers upon Janet! He worships her body, he protects her as only he understands and he expresses his love in his own ways. The fact that he was originally sent to kill Janet, but instead fell in love is not a new tale in the world of romance. But what makes his story special is that even with his love, he is afraid that he still may have to kill Janet someday if the Beneath magic gets too strong. In this story we observe Mick’s love deepen and his resolve to love and save her strengthen.
We also have Nash... I think I developed a bit of a crush on him during this book. He’s a “by-the-rules” kind of hard-headed ass that challenges Janet to be better. The friendship developing between Nash and Janet is a worthwhile investment, and I want to see where it leads (and for Nash to be happy with Maya!). With Nash’s mysterious “void” magic and Janet’s magics - I have a feeling that they will make an unstoppable pair against the powers of evil.
Finally, I want to mention Cassandra - because I think there is something about her that will come out down the road. I’m not sure why she’s at the hotel, but she definitely has a secret or two. And there is Coyote - trickster god that is wise and a bit of comic relief. Both characters have more minor parts, but add incredible value to the story.
Firewalker is another amazing book in the Stormwalker series! I highly recommend reading both books because the stories are fabulous, the action is intense, the world-building is phenomenal and both are emotionally satisfying tales.
My Rating:
Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Review: Stormwalker
StormwalkerAuthor: Allyson James
Release Date: May 4, 2010
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Stormwalker Series Book #1
ISBN: #978-0425234693
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Format(s): paperback (352 pgs), e-book
From the author’s website:
Half-Navajo Janet Begay possesses extraordinary power which is tied to the storms that waft across the desert. The only person who can control her when she's caught in the storm's evocative power is Mick, a dark-haired, blue-eyed biker Janet can't seem to touch with her powers. He can wield fire and not get burned, and Janet's never sure where he goes when they're not together.
Together they investigate mysterious disappearances, which Janet fears are tied to her mother's people, the mythical gods from below the earth. They are helped along the way by Coyote and Crow, but these shapeshifting gods have their own agendas.
What I’m talking about:
Janet Begay is a stormwalker: she can utilize the power of a storm, bending and controlling it to meet her desires. But this magic comes at a price - it leaves her physically drained and sick. Only her mysterious ex-boyfriend, Mick, can absorb the excess magic and help Janet stay sane. But Mick isn’t always around and Janet has learned to stand on her own. So when Mick rides into town wanting to pick up where their relationship left off 5 years ago, Janet doesn’t know what to do. She misses him. She wants him. But he broke her heart.
Janet is sexy and a strong heroine-just the kind I like. She’s tough - renovating a hotel in a town full of folks that don’t necessarily accept her. Oh, and she is willing to stay in town to face off against the dark forces from Beneath, controlled by her evil goddess of a mother. She takes hit after hit, but doesn’t give up. Yet Janet is also vulnerable - she wants to run away with Mick, but knows she can’t. She wants to take the easy road, but won’t. It is these two sides of Janet that make her such a compelling character. She is a super hero and a normal gal all rolled into one.
Janet isn’t the only great character in Stormwalker. Mick, her on-again, off-again lover/boyfriend is an enigma. He’s sexy, and his love for Janet is sweet. Even though he is a valiant protecter and seems to know everything, there are somethings he just doesn’t understand when it comes to Janet. Or he may get it, but chooses to remain aloof and a mystery. I can understand why Janet is so torn - attracted and frustrated all at once.
There is also Sheriff Nash Jones who is an Unbeliever, and really doesn’t care for Janet. Yet he seems to possess something that makes him a bit different than the average human. His actions are frustrating at times, but he adds a powerful dimension to the story. And I have to mention the Mirror - a bisexual magic mirror that injects humor into the story. There are also several other minor characters that together make this book special.
Stormwalker is a fabulous book. It is one of the most creative and engrossing stories that I have read this year. Containing an ideal mix of world building/mythology, action, mystery, romance and smex, this book was enjoyable from cover to cover!
My Rating:
Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
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