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Archive for 'Supernatural'

Wolf Gone Wild

Wolf Gone Wild (2020) Juliette Cross (Stay a Spell) Mateo Cruz has been cursed. He doesn’t know by whom, and he doesn’t know why, but he hasn’t been able to shift for months and his wolf is almost impossible to control and won’t cease his randy and bloodthirsty thoughts. Evie Savoie helps her sisters run […]

Rough Around the Hedges

Rough Around the Hedges (2023) Lish McBride (Uncanny Romance) Vanessa Woodbridge and her sister defied their father–and paid the price when both were cut off. But Vanessa wants to go to school, but to do so she needs her father to verify her education–since she and her sister were both home schooled. He sighed. “You […]

A Little Too Familiar

A Little Too Familiar (2022) Lish McBride (Uncanny Romance) Declan needs to get away. His sister has fallen in love with his ex-girlfriend, and since they were all living together, it’s mighty uncomfortable. So he’s leaving Portland for Seattle. Even after a century and a half of being in the open, the Uncanny still made […]

Wild Sign, Audio Book

Wild Sign, Audio Book (2021) Patricia Briggs narrated by Holter Graham I was conflicted about this story the first time I read it, and so gave it plenty of time and decided to see if a second reading (and as an audio book) would change anything. It did, in a way, but I’m still conflicted. […]

Burn Bright, Audio Book

Burn Bright (2018) Patricia Briggs narrated by Holter Graham (Alpha & Omega) Asil had vowed his loyalty to the Marrok and Bran (as if they were two different people) as soon as he had read the note through. “It is all right to mourn Hester. She is worth the weight of your sorrow.” “The oldest […]

Dead Heat, Audio Book

Dead Heat, Audio Book (2015) Patricia Briggs narrated by Holter Graham (Alpha & Omega) This is my second favorite book in this series (the first being the previous book). Max laughed. “That’s right, pipsqueak. Maybe if I didn’t like horses so much, Mom wouldn’t have married Kage. And then you wouldn’t even be around.” “Yes, […]

Fair Game

Fair Game, Audio Book (2012) Patricia Briggs narrated by Holter Graham (Alpha & Omega) He didn’t say whom he’d sworn his oath to, though Charles rather thought it didn’t matter. For one such as this fae, an oath sworn to a child was as valid as an oath sworn to a king or the pope. […]

Hunting Ground, Audio Book

Hunting Ground, Audio Book (2009) Patricia Briggs narrated by Holter Graham (Alpha & Omega) His grandfather had often told him that he tried too hard to move trees when a wiser man would walk around them. My people are cursed with the love of beautiful things and no ability to create them. This is the […]

Known Devil

Known Devil (2014) Justin Gustainis (Occult Crimes Unit Investigation) Karl hadn’t complained about taking the damaged elf to the hospital. He wouldn’t be allowed to take part in any interrogation, anyway. The Supreme Court had ruled in Barlow v. Maine almost forty years ago that anything a suspect said in the presence of a vampire […]

Evil Dark

Evil Dark (2012) Justin Gustainis (Occult Crimes Unit Investigation) There’s just something about an over-the-top supernatural police procedural. Pretend that there’s a file folder somewhere, a big, thick one, labeled Real Bad Ideas. There’s at least three things I can think of that belong in there – inviting a werewolf for a moonlight stroll, telling […]

Cry Wolf

Cry Wolf, Audio Book (2009) Patricia Briggs narrated by Holter Graham (Alpha & Omega) Anna was forcibly Changed, and then terrorized by her pack, as the alpha’s last ditch effort to keep from having to kill his mate. Now she has come with Charles–her mate, according to her wolf (and his)–to Aspen Creek. Unfortunately, there […]

The Phoenix Illusion, Audio Edition

The Phoenix Illusion, Audio Edition (2018) Lisa Shearin narrated by Johanna Parker (SPI Files) I’d forgotten that this story is a bit all over the place. It eventually gets where it’s going, but it seemed to wander places solely for Rake to shower Mac with presents. Aside from that tho. As much as I wanted […]

A Queer Trade

A Queer Trade (2016) K.J. Charles (Rag and Bone) “It’s the way of things. Burn your love letters, or have ’em put in the ground with you, or they’ll be tomorrow’s packing paper.” Hall gave a slightly rueful smile. “I put ’em aside for packing, when I notice, rather than foul use.” Publisher: KJ Charles […]

Once a Rogue

Once a Rogue (2023) Allie Therin (Roaring Twenties Magic) Set in New York in 1925 I wish I’d been better able to focus, because I love Allie Therin’s stories. In fact, I was hoping that the story would allow me to focus on something outside of myself. The failing is mine, not the story’s. I’ll […]

The Ghoul Vendetta, Audio Book

The Ghoul Vendetta (2017) Lisa Shearin narrated by Johanna Parker (SPI Files) My grandma Fraser had always told me I had “little dog syndrome”— small size, big attitude, delusions of toughness. I appreciated Ian’s training efforts in that area as well as hand-to-hand combat, but I’d pretty much gotten as good as I was going […]

Hard Spell

Hard Spell (2011) Justin Gustainis (Occult Crimes Unit Investigation) This is the city – Scranton, Pennsylvania. My name’s Markowski. I carry a badge.   Also a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9 mm Beretta loaded with silver bullets. I put a vial containing fresh crushed garlic in my shirt […]

Blitz, Audio Book

Blitz, Audio Book (2022) Daniel O’Malley narrated by Moira Quirk (The Rook Files) “Our physicists are terrifically excited by the implications, but then, they’re in a state of almost constant excitement here. We’ve had to schedule enforced naps for all the scientists on Kirrin Island to keep them from working until they keel over.” Responsible […]

Cry Wolf

Cry Wolf (2021) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) Any resemblance to actual persons or events is coincidental. Though if you do know of a criminal plot involving werewolves that has taken place at any of these locales, that is a coincidence I would love to know about. “Seriously, I wasn’t that new. And he wasn’t […]

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (2020) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) “So, let me get this right, on a scale from one to ten you’re rating this place a natural disaster? Is that higher or lower than— what did you call the place across town?” Park tapped his chin theatrically. “Oh right, the first monstrosity you’d […]

Thrown to the Wolves

Thrown to the Wolves (2019) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) There are many ways to grieve— no one way less valid than the others “Being open isn’t easy for either of us. Shit, maybe not for anyone. But I work on it because, to me, you’re worth it. And you know what, Oliver? I’m worth […]

The Wolf at Bay

The Wolf at Bay (2019) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) “You’ve been standing here staring at that flower shop for fifteen minutes. So is it for her birthday or anniversary, or are you making up for a fight? Because I’ve been married for thirty-two years, and believe me, there are different bouquets for different occasions.” […]

Love, Marriage, and a Baby Carriage

Love, Marriage, and a Baby Carriage (2016) C.S. Poe Utterly ridiculous. I was attending a singles’ convention for special people like me to find their forever penguin partner. But after I paid the attendance fee, got a hotel room, and booked my flight, I found out it was specifically for guys and gals. Utterly silly. […]

The Wolf at the Door

The Wolf at the Door (2018) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) Werewolves, but not quite how most popular culture described them. The Trust had explained werewolves had always existed, living amongst humans, but due to persecution had slipped quite intentionally into hiding and mythology. I really like her take on werewolves, and the world building […]

Cursed, Audio Edition

Cursed, Audio Edition (2014) Benedict Jacka narrated by Gildart Jackson (Alex Verus) Alex is teaching Luna as if she were his apprentice, except that Alex’s magic is fairly uncommon and Luna’s curse seems to be unique. Looking through the futures I saw my possible actions, and their consequences. I saw myself stepping on the loose […]

Gumption & Gumshoes

Gumption & Gumshoes (2013) Alex Kidwell Chinchilla shifter. I wanted to shift. I didn’t often, because seriously, what would be the point? None of us did. Personally, I was just really hooked on the opposable thumbs thing that I had as a human. But right then, I wanted to be smaller. I feel like I […]

Execution in E

Execution in E (2020) Alexia Gordon (Gethsemane Brown) “If you don’t want me to see your fingers crossed behind your back,” she pointed to his semi-transparent hand visible through his semi-transparent torso, “you should dial up your density.” Ty reminded her of the husband in one of those twisted domestic suspense novels with “Girl” in […]

Fatality in F

Fatality in F (2019) Alexia Gordon (Gethsemane Brown) I don’t recognize all the varieties. I know tulip.” She pointed at the familiar red cup-shaped blossom and then at a frilly red bloom. “That’s chrysanthemum. And these,” she lowered her head to inhale the subtle sweetness of several perfect, red, urn-shaped buds, “Roses, of course. What’s […]

Killing in C Sharp

Killing in C Sharp (2018) Alexia Gordon (Gethsemane Brown) Ghost Hunting Adventures reigned notorious for both its physicality and the amount of profanity that had to be bleeped out. “Some versions say Maja was the choice from the jump. Long and short of it, the baroness tricked Maja into going to the construction site where […]

Death in D Minor

Death in D Minor (2917) Alexia Gordon (Gethsemane Brown Mysteries) “Thank you, Miss Brown,” Hank said. “Doctor Brown,” she corrected. “Oh, that’s right, you do have some sort of degree in, what is it, music?” “A Ph.D. From Yale.” “You must forgive me, Doctor Brown. I believe I mentioned before I don’t pay much attention […]

Murder in G Major

Murder in G Major (2016) Alexia Gordon (Gethsemane Brown) “I’m Gethsemane.” “A nice Biblical name.” “Grandmother’s idea. Father wanted to name us all after Nobel laureates. Mother just wanted the names to be pronounceable with no unnecessary apostrophes.” (M)y career plans don’t include a scorched earth policy. I want to leave on a high, not […]

Fated, Audio Edition

Fated, Audio Edition (2012/2013) Benedict Jacka narrated by Gildart Jackson (Alex Verus) Alex Verus runs a magic shop in London–however he doesn’t sell tricks, but ingredients and tools for mages. Although he is a mage, he doesn’t have the powers one initially thinks of, because Alex is a diviner. If there’s one thing all diviners […]

Sweet & Sour Spells

Sweet & Sour Spells (2023) Jessica Rosenberg (Baking Up a Magical Midlife) The precious books in the series were fine. I kept reading because I was curious about the characters, and the stories were a nice escape. It’s not that this one was bad, but I ran into more copy editing errors that threw me […]

The Eidolon

The Eidolon (2023) K.D. Edwards (Magnus Academy) This story occurs in parallel to The Hourglass Throne, the third book in The Tarot Sequence. We discover what happened to Max, Quinn, and Anna when they were kidnapped by Lady Time. I truly have no idea if you could read this story without having read the Tarot […]

Open for Business

Open for Business (2016) Angel Martinez (Brandywine Investigations) After reading a dystopia, I needed something more comforting to read. The first story is far and away my favorite. Trigger Warnings: sexual assault, alcoholism, violence Hades is served with divorce papers, and so moves to the human realm. Told to find something to do with himself, […]

Bread, Coffee, Magic

Bread, Coffee, Magic (2022) Jessica Rosenberg (Baking Up a Magical Midlife) Cassie is settling into running her bakery and living in Maine, but her daughter misses her friends back in Georiga–and Cassie’s ex has decided to come north and try and take Aurie back. One think I like about this series so far is that […]

Grilled Cheese and Goblins: Adventures of a Supernatural Food Inspector

Grilled Cheese and Goblins: Adventures of a Supernatural Food Inspector (2018) Nicole Kimberling Keith had investigated orgy sites where there had been twenty or more witnesses all standing and watching some victim being dismembered just because a cameraman was filming it. The presence of a camera implied fiction and a sense that some authority was […]

Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus: Allies

Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus: Allies (2017) Lydia Sherrer (The Lily Singer Adventures) Lily managed to escape from her father, which led to reuniting with her mother, but now knowing her father, she and Sebastian are working to stop him–any way they can. She is also returning home to visit the family she grew up […]

Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus: Revelations

Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus: Revelations (2016) Lydia Sherrer (The Lily Singer Adventures) Book two finds Lily wanting to learn more about her family. Also, her cat decides to imbue himself with magic. Returning to her patch of sunlight and pile of papers, she was horrified to find Sir Kipling licking the clay fragment. “Stop […]

Butter, Sugar, Magic

Butter, Sugar, Magic (2022) Jessica Rosenberg (Baking Up a Magical Midlife) Cassie wasn’t happy, exactly, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t thrown for a loop when she discovered her husband was divorcing her. Max, her father and my husband of almost twelve years, decided out of the blue he was moving out and we had […]

Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus: Beginnings

Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus: Beginnings (2016) Lydia Sherrer (The Lily Singer Adventures) Lily Singer is a wizard. She didn’t learn this until she went away to college, but she quickly acquired a mentor, and even a friend who was a witch (much to the chagrin of her mentor, as the witch is her nephew). […]

The Gorgon Agenda

The Gorgon Agenda (2023) Lisa Shearin (SPI Files) I seem to have forgotten much of the previous book. But now I check the publication date, I bought it a the end of March 2021, so, yeah, that explains it. The Aegis–the mythical shield with Medeusa’s head head embedded in the center, has been stolen from […]

A Bump In Boohail

A Bump In Boohail (2022) Kimberly Lemming (Mead Mishaps) Why? Because it’s silly and fun. Cinnamon is probably my favorite character in tise series, or that could just me identifying with her because I also hate being scared. Stone scraped against stone. I turned, and the Gargoyles had moved from their sitting position to freeze […]

Soul Taken

Soul Taken (2022) Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson) Book Thirteen. I’m still preordering Patricia Briggs books, but after Wild Sign I was a little hesitant to start this one. I can only handle so much trauma happening to characters before I have to bow out. Although Mercy was hurt in this book, it was the usual […]

Who Killed Sherlock Holmes?, Audio Edition

Who Killed Sherlock Holmes? (2016) Paul Cornell narrated by Damian Lynch (Shadow Police) This series always blows me away. ‘I won’t tell you!’ she shouted. ‘I can!’ Kevin insisted, pointing at himself. The stormtrooper paused awkwardly again. He obviously had as little idea as she did what Kevin’s weird willingness to help was about. Lacey […]

Posthumous Education

Posthumous Education (2022) Drew Hayes (Fred, the Vampire Accountant) Fred, the Vampire Accountant, Book 8 This series remains a delight. As usual there are five sections, each a full story but all intertwined. An Unexpected Enrollment An Eventful Guest Lecture An Impromptu Field Trip A Hectic Homecoming The Commencement That’s right–Fred is going back to […]

Paranormal Bromance

Paranormal Bromance (2014) Carrie Vaughn What happens with three Gen-X slackers are turned against their will? They become roommates. After being turned, I had been terribly disappointed to learn that vampires still had to do laundry, that we didn’t have some supernatural power that kept our clothing ageless and immortal as well. That bit goes […]

The Severed Streets, Audio Edition

The Severed Streets (2015) Paul Cornell narrated by Damian Lynch (Shadow Police) Riots are breaking out across London. The police are voting on a walkout. And someone has just killed an important MP in a locked car in the middle of one of those riots. The DCI’s expression grew even more nonplussed. ‘Why are you […]

Blitz

Blitz (2022) Daniel O’Malley (The Checquy Files) This is the third book in The Checquy Files series. The story is split between London in (probably) 1940 and modern London (set perhaps a year after Stiletto, which was set maybe six months of the Rook, so ~2013) in (seemingly) unrelated stories. You of course know the […]

The Doctor

The Doctor (2022) C.S. Poe (Magic & Steam) Set in alternate US in 1882. Gillian Hamilton has been caught. He has been exposed as Simon Fitzgerald, the Butcher of Antietam. And he is now on Blackwell’s Island at the Asylum for the Magically Insane. “Why are you helping a criminal?” Barrie wiped his nose again. […]

Proper Scoundrels

Proper Scoundrels (2021) Allie Therin (Roaring Twenties Magic) Set in England in 1925. Me: I really liked this first series that this book is a spin-off of. Obviously I should not read it. (Repeat time and again for author after author) Sebastian de Leon spent the past three years enthralled, and forced to do terrible […]