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2013 Reading Challenge
Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) has
read 0 books toward her goal of 75 books.
New-To-Me Authors
2013 reading goal:
15 new-to-me authors.
1) Stacy Gail
2) Heather Massey
3) Sidney Bristol
4) Ann Mayburn
5) Thea Harrison
6) Virna DePaul
7) Mary Quast
8) Molly Harper
9) Eleri Stone
10) PJ Schnyder
11) Kait Ballenger
12) Denise L. Wyant
13) Lucy Monroe
Sunday Snippets
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banner designed by Jennifer from Books Make Me Happy
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Sunday Snippet #85
Heart of Steel
Author: Meljean Brook
Berkley Sensation
November 1, 2011
“You have no idea who you’re up against.” His gaze left Yasmeen and fell to the knife at the actress’s throat. His lips curled. “Do you think I care whether she dies? Go on, slit her --”
The crack of Yasmeen’s pistol cut off the rest. Mattson’s brains splattered against the foyer wall. His body dropped, gun clattering against the wood floor -- and luckily, not discharging on impact.
Eyes wide, Zenobia lifted her bound hands and touched the blood sprayed across her cheek and temple. She startled from her stupor and almost tripped over Mattson’s boots when the actress suddenly shrieked, ducking and covering her ears. A bit late for that -- though if she kept screaming, Yasmeen might shoot her just to shut her up.
She tucked the weapon back into her sash and crossed the room to nudge Mattson’s thigh with her toe. Dead. Yasmeen knew many people who seemed to function well without brains, but her bullet had definitely done this one in. Blood pooled beneath his head.
“A hell of a mess,” Yasmeen said, and slipped her blade between Zenobia’s wrists, slicing through the ties. She did the same to the woman’s gag. “If you need to vomit, I suggest you do it on him. There’s less to clean up.”
“Thank you,” Zenobia rasped. The corners of her mouth were raw. “But I don’t need to.”
Then she glanced down at Mattson’s face, bent over, and did.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Contest Winner - The Temptress
I would like to thank everyone for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About for my Authors After Dark 2012 Feature Author Spotlight with Abigail Barnette (Jen Armintrout). I also want to thank Abigail/Jen for graciously donating an electronic copy of her new book, The Temptress for our giveaway.
Every person that commented on the Author Spotlight was entered into the contest - one entry per person. The winner was selected using random.org.
The Winner:
~*~Wendee~*~
CONGRATULATIONS!!
I am sending the winner an email verify the address before Abigail sends the ebook. You have until Wednesday November 23, 2011 (end of day) to contact me. If I don’t hear from you by then, I will draw another winner.
Thank you and Happy Reading!
Friday, November 18, 2011
AAD Author Spotlight: Gayle Donnelly & Robyn Mackenzie
Hello Readers! Today I have two special guests, Gayle Donnelly and Robyn Mackenzie. Both authors both hail from the Midwest. Writing partners as well as friends (perhaps even sisters in another life), both are married and each has two wonderful children. The similarities don’t stop there. Both earned degrees in English education, both have a profound weakness for Starbucks coffee, and both are completely captivated by the ethereal beauty found in the Pacific Northwest. Their individual passions for writing and storytelling, led them to create Infinite Betrayal, the first book in their Infinity Series. (Please see Vampbard’s review of Infinite Betrayal HERE.) And KEEP READING for your chance to win a copy of Infinite Betrayal... Details for GIVEAWAY are below.
Gayle and Robyn are both featured authors attending Author’s After Dark in New Orleans. For more information about AAD2012, click HERE.
Please help me welcome Gayle and Robyn to That’s What I’m Talking About.
1) Can you each tell us a little something special about the other one?
Robyn: Probably one of the most special things about Gayle is she balances me and forces me out of my comfort zone when needed. She’s much more of an extrovert than I am and I’ve grown so much in that area because of her. She’s also the type of friend you can call at 2:00 in the morning and she’ll be at your house in 10 minutes, no questions asked.
Gayle: There are several things I can think of but I think the most important is that she - no matter what the situation – will always fill where I am lacking. If I am depressed or stressed about something, she always ends up being my touchstone to bring me back to reality. When I need something, she provides – no matter what.
2) Book one is Infinite Betrayal. Tell us a little about Mathias and Mina’s story.
Gayle/Robyn: Infinite Betrayal starts out with the death of Mina Roarke’s mother and the mystery surrounding the background of an absentee father. She travels to Germany to try and get answers when she comes in contact with Mathias; who says he has been sent from this mysterious father of hers that she knows nothing about. She soon finds out that her heritage is not what she ever thought it would be and is quickly thrust into a war between two species that have been in existence for thousands of years. Mina becomes the target and well, you will have to read the story to get the rest!!
3) Tell us about Mathias & Mina…
Gayle/Robyn:
Mina is a complete smart ass but her best attribute is her loyalty to the people she loves. She has major trust issues but once someone is in her fold, they stay there. She has long, auburn hair, is about 5’6, lives outside of Seattle and works as an insurance adjuster.
Mathias is the youngest General of the Coteri. His parents died when he was young so he was raised by Roderick, King of the Coteri Race. He worked extremely hard to overcome the stigma of being raised by the king and proved to himself and everyone around him that he earned and deserved the rank of General of the German Coteri forces.
4) Book two is Infinite Surrender. This is your current work in progress. Can you tell us a little more about it?
Gayle/Robyn: Infinite Surrender follows the story of Chloe and Talon, who are both introduced in Infinite Betrayal, and continues the storyline progression from the first book. It takes place in the Pacific Northwest but unfortunately, we can’t tell you too much about the story since we don’t want to give away too many secrets from the first book. We can tell you that Talon is all Alpha and he definitely meets his match in Chloe. Infinite Surrender is action-packed and introduces several new interesting secondary characters. And of course, the romance/heat level is hot, hot, hot!
5) I can’t wait to read more! Book three is Infinite Desire. What can you tell us about this book?
Gayle/Robyn: Infinite Desire takes place in New Orleans and centers around the General of the South; Devereux. I don’t want to get too much into the story but I love the outline we have come up with.
6) What made both of you want to attend the 2012 Authors After Dark Conference?
Well, we had planned on going to the last conference because Larissa Ione was the Mistress of Ceremonies (and we both completely worship her and her books!) Unfortunately, my (Gayle’s) daughter got sick and we ended up not attending. But for 2012, the minute we heard it was going to be in New Orleans, we KNEW we had to go! There are so many of our favorite authors attending this session that just being there is going to be a treat!
But to add a cherry on top, we found out that we were nominated in 5 categories for the AAD Bookie Awards!! Best Non-Wolf Shifter novel, Best Cover, Best World Building, E-book Only novel of the year, and debut author. We were stunned to say the least! Of course, we would love to hear our name called but honestly, just to be back in the Big Easy will be prize enough! We both cannot wait to go to Pat O’s and grab a hurricane to-go and walk down to the French Market and shop! Of course, we’ll melt along the way with the conference being in August but hey, what’s the South without a little heat!!
Then to top it all off, we recently found out that Infinite Betrayal has also been nominated by Romantic Times for Best Indie Paranormal/Fantasy/Futuristic book for 2011!
Needless to say, it has been a whirlwind of a year for us and we can only hope that 2012 will bring more fantastic stories and allow us to continue to live our dream!
Well first, I’d like to say CONGRATULATIONS on all of your nominations! What an honor for you both! Second, I have never been to New Orleans and cannot wait to get there - I hope to enjoy a hurricane to go with you both!
ABOUT Infinite Betrayal:
He would protect her with his life…
Mathias has been ordered to protect Mina Roarke at all costs while keeping her Father’s secrets concealed. But from the moment he sees her, the hunger he’s desperately tried to bury, roars to life. The beast within is awakened and wants only one thing…Mina.
But when his enemies target her life, Mina and Mathias become caught in a lethal game of revenge. To save her, Mathias must not only expose the truth…but also what lies deep within him.
She was just looking for answers…
Mina had always been told she was special. In what way, she never fully understood until her life and everything she thought she knew and believed in was turned completely upside down.
After the unexpected death of her mother, Mina finds clues about her past that trigger more questions than answers. Her quest to find those answers thrusts Mina deep into the Black Forest of Germany and into the arms of a man who tests her control…in more ways than one. She is wrenched from her own reality into a world filled with adrenaline-charged danger, blazing sexual heat, and the answers that have been hidden her entire life.
Mina alone holds the power to change her future but when she comes face to face with ultimate betrayal, can she still trust in the one man that has captured her heart?
Thank you Gayle and Robyn for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About. Gayle and Robyn are graciously giving away one (1) electronic copy of Infinite Betrayal. Please leave your comments for the authors by Tuesday November 22, 2011, at 9:00 PM EST to be eligible for the contest. One entry per person, winner will be selected from eligible entries using random.org. Contest is open internationally; please leave your email address so the authors can send you the book. Thank you to Gayle and Robyn for this fun giveaway!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Review: Infinite Betrayal
Infinite Betrayal
Author: Gayle Donnelly & Robyn Mackenzie
Release Date: March 22, 2011
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
The Infinity Series #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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He would protect her with his life…
Mathias has been ordered to protect Mina Roarke at all costs while keeping her Father’s secrets concealed. But from the moment he sees her, the hunger he’s desperately tried to bury, roars to life. The beast within is awakened and wants only one thing…Mina.
But when his enemies target her life, Mina and Mathias become caught in a lethal game of revenge. To save her, Mathias must not only expose the truth…but also what lies deep within him.
She was just looking for answers…
Mina had always been told she was special. In what way, she never fully understood until her life and everything she thought she knew and believed in was turned completely upside down.
After the unexpected death of her mother, Mina finds clues about her past that trigger more questions than answers. Her quest to find those answers thrusts Mina deep into the Black Forest of Germany and into the arms of a man who tests her control…in more ways than one. She is wrenched from her own reality into a world filled with adrenaline-charged danger, blazing sexual heat, and the answers that have been hidden her entire life.
Mina alone holds the power to change her future but when she comes face to face with ultimate betrayal, can she still trust in the one man that has captured her heart?
What VampBard is talking about:
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Infinite Betrayal is the first in what could be a powerhouse series by Gayle Donnelly and Robyn Mackenzie. To say that I enjoyed this book would be an understatement. I devoured it in a day. The authors artistically crafted a world wherein they created a race to act as liaison between the human population and the natural world without humans being aware of their existence. Me likey :) Additionally, this race - the Coteri - are a strong, gentle presence. Although, a faction - the Valta - are wreaking havoc in the human world, and the Coteri, through their King's leadership, are trying to squelch the chaos.
Where to begin... ah, yes... our hero, Mathias. Strong, stubborn and driven to complete his mission. Too bad he didn't factor in falling in love with Mina, the King's daughter. Kinda complicates his position as a General in the Royal Guard a bit, huh? Especially when the King doesn't know, and Mathias' is compelled to act on his desire to be with Mina prior to the end of his assignment. The internal conflict Mathias endures is beautifully depicted, and focuses on his inner battle to do his job and follow his heart. We get a decent description of Mathias near the beginning of the book when Mina sees him for the first time, and when she's describing him to her bestie, Chloe. What's better than the physical description of Mathias is the way he interacts with Mina, from start to finish. His protectiveness as well as the way he fights to retrieve her when she's been kidnapped is nothing less than spectacular characterization.
The perfect compliment to Mathias is our heroine, Mina. Strong-willed, independent and taking control of her own life after facing the death of the only parent she's ever known, Mina learns exactly how 'special' she is through the course of the book. Even while dealing with immense inner-conflict, similar to Mathias, Mina pulled-off the appearance of being confident and self-assured. Her psyche was further exposed during her captivity with the baddie, Luca, and she brought to the forefront some of the strategies she used to ensure that her sanity was retained during that ordeal, as well as at other times during her life. These coping strategies, as well as others Mina displayed, were excellent examples of strong traits that women world-wide need to embrace. Kudos to the authors for ensuring that their heroine exemplified what so many women struggle to emulate.
Roderick. We saw a lot of him in this book, and learned about his motives for laying low in Mina's life until this point. He appears to be selfless, and appears to rule with confidence even when filled with self-doubt. He's lost the love of his life, Mina's mom, Julia. He's in mourning, and while he should be allowed time to grieve, he is not afforded that luxury. My favorite scene involving Roderick, the King of the Coteri, also involved Mina. She was in his office, and on the mantle were keepsakes from her childhood that her mother had sent. As she took in how involved Roderick really was in her life, even if from afar, he simply sat in a chair taking it all in. Taking in her reactions, taking in the way she moved, analyzed the items, and the way she communicated her emotions. Well, that's how it appeared anyway! He really did have the best interests of his daughter at heart when he distanced himself from their lives, all the while ensuring their safety and comfort through strategically placed protective measures and financial support.
There was one plot concern in the story. Mathias took Mina to Munich (say that fast 5 times!) for a shopping expedition. He told her prior to departure that she would be unable to meet with her father for a few days because he was tied up with business. Later, Mina indicated that she couldn't wait to leave Munich so that she could meet her father. I felt this was a plot-gap, and either needed further development or a bit more clarification for the reader. I went back and re-read the entire section in question twice, to make sure I hasn't missed anything - flipped a page without reading it accidentally, etc. It confused me as a reader.
Over-all, I really enjoyed Infinite Betrayal. It has tidbits that reminded me of Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series (a favorite of mine), although I didn't feel as though the plot at all mimicked the other series. The strong characterization, and the way the authors introduced the characters have set-up a great universe from which I hope to read several more installments in the future.
VampBard's Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
*** Be sure to come back tomorrow when authors Gayle Donnelly & Robyn Mackenzie stop by for a visit. They have a book to give away!!!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
AAD Author Spotlight: Abigail Barnette
Hello Readers! Today I have a special guest, Author Abigail Barnette, the alter-ego of USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer Armintrout. Abigail was born during a conversation with author Bronwyn Green, who encouraged Jennifer to develop an elaborate fantasy persona-- complete with nom de plume-- under which to pen erotic romance. Abigail enjoys long naps in fairy-filled glades, running through corridors in tragically romantic haunted castles, and drinking goblet after goblet of spiced wine.
Abigail/Jennifer is one of the featured authors attending Author’s After Dark in New Orleans. For more information about AAD2012, click HERE.
Be sure to check out the middle of the post for a GIVEAWAY! Please help me welcome Abigail to That’s What I’m Talking About. Take it away, Abigail (Jen)...
Years ago, when I thought I would be a famous Broadway actress and not a USA Today Bestselling Author (forgive me, I have to work that in some how. No one is wholly without ego), I was cast as Julia in a local production of Two Gentlemen of Verona, by William Shakespeare. My roommate at the time was cast as Proteus. If you’re unfamiliar with the play, suffice it to say the two characters were love interests, and the people playing them were not. Never have there been a Proteus and Julia with less chemistry. Also, we looked a little like brother and sister.
I’ve always had a fondness for Shakespeare (and the Pulitzer for most pretentious sentence in guest blog goes to...). So, when my alter-ego Abigail Barnette was invited to contribute a novella to Resplendence Publishing’s “As We Like It” anthology, which also features stories by Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Simone Anderson, Katie Blu and Dakota Rebel, I jumped at the chance to re-imagine one of his amazing plays as an erotic romance. Two Gentlemen of Verona won, hands down. After all, two gentlemen? It could be a M/M. It could be a M/M/F. It could be a M/M/F/F! And I would have a cute story to share about how I was writing a book based on a play I’d actually played a significant part in, one upon a time.
The only problem was, I couldn’t write it. Because every time I wrote the name Proteus, I thought of my old roommate. Now, I’m not saying he was a hideous troll of a person or anything, he was perfectly good looking. But our friendship was not such that I would ever want to write racy scenes while being continually reminded of him.
So, I turned my sights on The Tempest, instead. Updating the classic was a little challenging. After all, how many people grow up stranded on a deserted island, like Miranda, the heroine of The Tempest? To solve that, I turned The Tempest into THE TEMPTRESS, a contemporary erotic romance/romantic comedy set on Michigan’s Mackinac Island. It’s available today from Resplendence Publishing!
I’m looking forward to meeting many of you at Authors After Dark 2012 in NOLA! Thanks to Twimom227 for having me!
Thanks for stopping by, Abigail. Abigail is graciously giving away one (1) electronic copy of her newest release The Temptress. Please leave your comments for Abigail by Friday November 18, 2011, at 9:00 PM EST to be eligible for the contest. One entry per person, winner will be selected from eligible entries using random.org. Contest is open internationally; please leave your email address so she can send you the book. Thank you to Abigail/Jennifer for this fun giveaway!
For more about Abigail’s latest, The Temptress, here is an except:
Wow, this is really happening. I’m going home with Miranda.
Of course, he didn’t know why he was there. She said she needed help. Maybe she had a backed up drain or something. Just because he was drunk, going to her apartment late at night, that didn’t mean there was definitely going to be sex.
It didn’t mean there definitely wouldn’t be sex, though.
He followed her up and into her apartment, enjoying his view of her round little backside as she climbed the steps ahead of him. He raised his hand to give it a little slap, but he didn’t have the courage, and that was, he reflected, for the better. He swayed on his feet for a moment at the top, and before he could pitch down the stairs headfirst, he stumbled across the threshold. The apartment was surprisingly small. He wondered why she bothered living there, when her dad’s house had eight bedrooms and plenty of space.
Then he saw the completely naked blue dude lying casually on her bed, and it all sort of explained itself. But not really.
“What the hell, Miranda?” he demanded, before he could think to stop himself. “Who’s this?”
“He’s what I need help with,” she said, blowing out an exasperated breath that stirred her hair.
Greg took a step back, reaching for the doorknob. “I think you might have gotten the wrong idea about me.”
“No, no, you’re not understanding.” She waved her hand at the guy on the bed. “Do that thing you do.”
“What thing?” the guy asked innocently.
Greg shook his head, his hand falling on the doorknob. “You know, I’m going to just…it’s not that long a walk—”
With a growl of frustration that she’d usually reserved for their gym teacher, she stomped across the floor and stuck her hand out. Right through the guy. “Look!”
Well, that wasn’t something he saw every day. Closing the door, Greg walked as near to the bed as he was comfortable, since the dude was still completely naked. When Miranda waved her hand, the guy’s torso vanished into a grayish-blue mist.
“Oh, I know what that is,” Greg said, the world seeming somehow right again for a split second. “That’s a ghost.”
“I prefer spirit.” The dude sat up and extended his hand. “It is very nice to finally meet you, Greg.”
His stunned expression must have begged an explanation, because Miranda supplied one instantly. “He lived in the tree. For like, two hundred years. He knows about you and me, stuff going on around the island. It’s ridiculous.”
“Ridiculous,” Greg agreed, panic setting up in the back of his mind. This wasn’t right, at all. Trees did not fall over and produce ghosts, and Miranda did not ask him back to her apartment. Everything was out of sync with reality.
“Sorry,” Greg apologized. “Shaking hands with a naked man is a little too awkward for me.”
“Oh, of course.” The ghost’s form wavered, and before their eyes he transformed. A very blue British soldier rose from the bed– more like walked through it– and stuck out his hand once more. “Private Ariel Hammersmith.”
“Ariel?” Greg took the ghost’s surprisingly firm hand. “Isn’t that a mermaid’s name?”
You can find Abigail at:
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Review: everafter
everafter Author: Nell Stark & Trinity Tam
Release Date: October 2009
Publisher: Bold Stroke Books
Genre: Paranormal Romance, GLBT
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Authors
About the book: |
When medical student Valentine Darrow is bitten by a Vampire on her way home to propose to her lover, Alexa Newland, her life becomes a nightmare. She is consumed—both by a craving for human blood, and by an obsession to find her attacker and bring him to justice. Alexa is determined to be everything that Valentine needs, but when Val's appetite outstrips Alexa's ability to nourish her, Alexa decides to undergo a dramatic and risky procedure in order to save her lover's soul.
Will Valentine be able to control her thirst—for blood and for vengeance? And can Valentine and Alexa's relationship endure against seemingly impossible odds?
What I’m talking about: |
On the what should have been the biggest night of her life, Valentine Darrow, daughter of political big wig, is brutally attacked and wakes to find her life drastically altered. She discovers that she’s been infected with a virus that consumes her red blood cells from the inside, and in order to live she must consume blood. Yep, she’s a vampire.
Ever supportive is Valentine’s true love, Alexa. Alexa is determined to make their relationship work under the strain of Val’s growing blood lust. Together they are introduced to a world they only believed to exist in fantasy. They are driven to find and bring down the mysterious vampire that not only attacked Alexa, but other socialites as well.
I will admit I had a tough time getting into this book at first. The story line was interesting - I loved the analytical view of the vampirism - breaking it down into medical terms and biological processes. But I wasn’t emotionally bonding with Val and Alexa. I think it’s because their love was fully and deeply developed before the book even began, and the reader is expected to take this as fact. However, without the slow development of the relationship within the context of the story, it was hard for me to connect.
As Val grew into her new lifestyle, her constant concerns over harming Alexa, her never-ending nightmares over her attacker and the drive to identify this elusive vampire began to grow old and repetitive. But right at that point when it began to bother me, there was a significant change in the book.
In the very center of the book, the story shifted from Val’s point-of-view to Alexa’s POV. It was introduced following a dramatic scene in the storyline. I enjoyed the dynamics, however, all to often I would get confused thinking Val was speaking, when it was truly Alexa. It seemed that in both situations, the woman who was behind the POV was strong and the partner was more needy or weak. Because both voices felt similar - down to using the same arguments to protect their partner, there were times I had to re-read a passage to clarify who was talking.
All gimmicks aside, there is a very good reason for the change in POV, and after this point, the book really picked up steam. I enjoyed looking at the world from Alexa’s POV, especially as she makes a daring attempt to create an ideal situation in which she will be able to safely satisfy Val’s need for blood.
In addition to the changes in POV, the story began to move forward at a much quicker pace. The women started tabling their anxieties over harming the other and began working on finding answers about the attacks.
The book ended with a satisfying conclusion in the mystery of “whodunit,” however, unanswered questions remain - namely WHY? and who is ultimately responsible for the attacks? I have my guesses... and at the top of the list is the head of New York’s Vampire community, Helen Lambros. Alexa is right to be leery of Helen!
everafter is a solid introduction to Ms. Stark and Ms. Tam’s everafter world. There was a lot of information to convey to the reader, and even with the bumps I encountered in the beginning, I find that I couldn’t put down the story after a while.
My Rating: |
Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
Labels:
everafter series,
GLBT,
lesbian romance,
Nell Stark,
paranormal romance,
Trinity Tam,
vampires
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0
comments
Monday, November 14, 2011
Review: Magic on the Line
Magic on the LineAuthor: Devon Monk
Release Date: Nov. 1, 2011
Publisher: Roc
Allie Beckstrom Novel #7
ISBN: #978-0451464286
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (356 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book: |
Allison Beckstrom has willingly paid the price of pain to use magic and has obeyed the rules of the Authority, the clandestine organization that makes–and enforces–all magic policy. But when the Authority’s new boss, Bartholomew Wray, refuses to believe that the sudden rash of deaths in Portland could be caused by magic, Allie must choose whether to follow the Authority’s rules or to turn against the very people for whom she’s risked her life.
To stop the plague of dark magic spreading through the city, Allie must put all that she values on the line: her memories, her life. As dead magic users rise to feed upon the innocent and the people closest to her begin to fall, Allie is about to run out of options…
What Una is talking about: |
I discovered the Allie Beckstrom series by accident. While pursing another author’s website, she had a cartoon/comic, for lack of better word, describing the release of a new book. I looked through it, thinking it was some joke of hers or something. I then realized it wasn’t a silly post, but something Devon Monk had put together to tease her fans about the upcoming release in this series. Intrigued, I went to her website and read what this series is about. Instantly I had to get my hands on it, so I requested it from the library and have been hooked ever since.
This is a gritty and dark (at times) urban fantasy. Warning: it is not a romance. It is more of a paranormal adventure… our world, but add magic to the mix. I absolutely love it! The part that got me was:
Using magic meant it used you back. Forget the fairy-tale hocus-pocus, wave a wand and bling-o, sparkles and pixie dust crap. Magic, like booze, sex, and drugs, gave as good as it got. …
But while magic made the average Joe pay one painful price each time he used it, sometimes magic double dipped on me. I’d get the expected migraine, flu, roaring fever, or whatever, and then, just for fun, magic would kick a few holes in my memories. It didn’t happen every time, and it didn’t happen in any pattern or for any reason I could fathom. Just sometimes when I use magic, it makes me pay the price in pain, then takes a few of my memories for good measure.
Since finishing Magic on the Hunt, I have been eagerly awaiting Magic on the Line. I am completely entranced by Allie. She is a strong woman, who, right or wrong, walks her line with her head held high and her sarcasm waiting. However, she is incredibly loyal to those she loves, is an absolute “trooper”; keeping her head up when life and circumstances try to beat her down. Heck, she walked into death to save her love. She is amazing, but like I said, this is a more gritty urban fantasy. Allie will sacrifice to do what is right for those that she loves and she lives with those consequences. She does all of this and yet, doesn’t seem to lose her humor:
“Magic is making you sick,” he said.
“Brilliant deduction, Holmes,” I said.
Magic on the Line addresses some of the sacrifices and choices she has made and the consequences she had yet to face, along with her friends. Yet, it doesn’t end there. Allie is, yet again, faced with tough choices. I thought the last cliffhanger was a “doozy”, but Ms. Monk has put it to shame with the ending of this book. Is it an unresolved cliffhanger? No. But so many questions come from the resolution; it leaves me itching for more!
Do not start with Magic on the Line, there is such a build-up to where Allie is now, you would be lost if you tried to jump in. Trust me though; it’s worth it to just start at the beginning with Magic in the Bone. The Allie Beckstrom series is a gripping and wonderful series, if you haven’t read it yet, add it to your list of books. It’s an adventure you won’t regret!
Una’s Rating: |
Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
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