Dark Debt (Chicagoland Vampires #11)

A vampire never gets old. But neither do his enemies. When a figure from Ethan's dark past makes a splashy debut in Chicago, Merit and her Master don't know whether he's friend or foe. But they'll have to figure out soon, because trouble is brewing in the Windy City.

At an exclusive society soiree attended by the upper echelons of the human and supernatural worlds, Merit and Ethan barely stop the assassination of a guest. When the target turns out to be a shady businessman with a criminal edge, Merit suspects a human vendetta. But the assassins have fangs....

The connections to Chicago's Houses go deeper than Merit knows, and even one wrong move could be her last.... 

Release Date March 3, 2015

Penguin Group NAL

Chicagoland Vampires #11

I was lucky enough got get a review copy of Dark Debt thanks to the publisher through NetGalley. I've a huge fan of the Chicagoland Vampire series and couldn't wait to read the newest installment.

I felt like Chloe Neill totally delivered with Dark Debt. It had the feel of the earlier books in the series for me. I loved the time we got to spend with Merit, Ethan, Mallory and Catcher. While I love so many of the characters from the series, I think the friendship between Merit and Mallory and Ethan and Catcher keep me reading installment after installment.

With then end of the GP (General Presidium) and the start up of the AMM (Assembly of American Masters) I expected it to be a big part of the story. However with the return of Ethan's maker Balthazar, who Ethan thought was dead, the AMM took a bit of a backseat in Dark Debt. With the mystery of Balthazar and the discovery that Navarre is in debt to a mob-like group called The Circle, and Merit and Ethan have their hands full. I love how Cadogan house always steps up to solve all the problems with the other houses in Chicago.

The Balthazar story line overlapped with The Circle and I loved how Team Cadogan worked to figure out what was going on between the two. I also enjoyed getting to see Cadogan work with the other houses. We haven't really seen much of Morgan and Scott recently, but was happy to see them back in action in Dark Debt. As always it was awesome to see Merit's grandfather Chuck and Jeff working with Catcher to help with the investigation of both The Circle and Balthazar. 

I love watching each of the characters grow and change with each book. Each of the books build upon the last and with Dark Debt, Neill started a new story arc. Changes happen for Merit thanks to being exposed to Balthazar. Merit and her dad also have some changes in their relationship in Dark Debt. I've never been a very big fan of Joshua Merit, and felt like he got a bit of an eye-opener where it comes to his daughter. 

I really loved the changes that are happening in the Chicagoland Vampire series with Dark Debt. The friendships seem to be stronger and the alliances among the houses are growing stronger. While there is some drama between Jonah and Merit in Dark Debt, I felt that it had been coming for a while and totally supported Merit's stance. Catcher and Mallory's relationship was really in the spotlight in Dark Debt and I absolutely loved   how Merit had Mallory's back to make sure her dreams came true.

Dark Debt was an awesome addition to the Chicagoland Vampire series. I read and listen to the audio book with each new book. To anyone who loves audio books, Sophie Eastlake does such an amazing job with each and every book in this series.

Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels #7)

No matter how much the paranormal politics of Atlanta change, one thing always remains the same: if there’s trouble, Kate Daniels will be in the middle of it…

As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers. Since Kate’s connection to Roland has come out into the open, no one is safe—especially those closest to Kate.

As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of the leaders from the various supernatural factions in Atlanta. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered there, apparently at the hands of a shapeshifter, Kate is given only twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war which could destroy everything she holds dear…

**Includes the bonus Kate Daniels story Magic Tests** 

Release Date July 29, 2014

Penguin Group

I was lucky enough to be given a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley. I can't thank my friend Jen at That's What I'm Talking About enough for introducing me to this series. I've read the entire series since April, and now will be like all the other Kate Daniels fans waiting for the next book.

So Jen and I read Magic Breaks at the same time, though she was able to finish way before me. I knew this could be a tough read based upon rumors I'd read before read, text I'd get from Jen while reading, and my reaction as I read. I'll be totally honest and say I felt like the first 30% of the book moved really slowly. In fact it was almost a struggle to get through that section of the book. However, once I cleared the 30% mark, I couldn't read fast enough.

I still love Kate as much as ever. Didn't really feel like we got enough time with Kate and Curran, but I loved the time we did get with them together. Big changes occur in this book for the world that has been built. I don't really want to give away any spoilers, so I'll just say I personally love where the world is going. Without giving away too much, I can say I loved getting to spend time with my favorite shifters, and even have respect for Ghastek now. In fact, he actually is one of my new favorite characters in the series. I loved that we were able to learn about his past.

I don't think I'm giving anything away to say I hate Hugh with a passion still and am totally intrigued by Roland. Hugh is the type of character I love to hate. He has some of the best dialogue in the book with Kate. I really want to help Kate stab Hugh in the heart. Roland has been talked about since the first book and I now have a need to know even more about him. I’m pretty excited to see where Roland fits in with all the changes that have happened.

Ilona Andrews has quickly become one of my favorite authors and I can’t thank my friends enough for sharing this series with me. I also loved we were given a novella length story following Magic Breaks. Magic Tests is from Julie’s POV and takes place before Magic Breaks. I really like the character Julie and can’t wait to see where Ilona Andrews takes this character in the future.

Deadly Sting

Deadly Sting is the 8^th book in the Elemental Assassin series from Jennifer Estep. The publisher is Pocket Books. From the back cover.~

Red is definitely my color. Good thing, because in my line of work, I end up wearing it a lot.

Most people shy away from blood, but for an assassin like me — Gin Blanco, aka the Spider — it’s just part of the job. Still, it would be nice to get a night off, especially when I’m attending the biggest gala event of the summer at Briartop, Ashland’s fanciest art museum. But it’s just not meant to be. For this exhibition of my late nemesis’ priceless possessions is not only the place to be seen, but the place to be robbed and taken hostage at gunpoint as well. No sooner did I get my champagne than a bunch of the unluckiest thieves ever burst into the museum and started looting the place.

Unlucky why? Because I brought along a couple of knives in addition to my killer dress. Add these to my Ice and Stone magic, and nothing makes me happier than showing the bad guys why red really is my color.

I was lucky enough to get an early review copy through Edelweiss thanks to the publisher. I’m a huge fan of the Elemental Assassin series and was super excited to get to read the next book early. I honestly believe this series of books must be read in the order they were released, since each book builds on the one before. While I had a couple of issues with one of the characters, I really enjoyed this book overall.

Gin Blanco is one of my favorite characters ever. She has been an assassin since soon after her mother and older sister were murdered. She is such a strong character and loves and protects all those she cares about, especially those she considers her family and friends. I love that in each book we get flashback between Gin and Fletcher that always help her see the solution to her current dilemma.

The bulk of this book takes place at a gala showcasing all of Mab Monroe’s possessions. Gin didn’t even want to attend the gala, but her foster brother Finnegan Lane convinces her to go. Luckily for all but the robbers, Gin never leaves home without a few of her knives. The group of bad guys in this book were pretty organized, but not prepared for The Spider to be in attendance.

I loved getting to spend time with Gin’s friends and family. I’ve made no secret of my love for Finnegan Lane, and it grows with each book. I love that he and Gin’s baby sister, Bria have fallen for one another and love their romance so very much. My only problem with the series right now is Owen Grayson. Things changed between Owen and Gin at the end of Widow’s Web, and I really wanted to see things resolved in this book. I’ve been a fan of Gin and Owen together from the very beginning and I really thought he was smarter than he has been acting in the last 2 books. I’m hoping we get a resolution one way or the other in the next Elemental Assassin book Heart of Venom, which is due out August 27, 2013. For more information about the Elemental Assassin series or other books by Jennifer Estep, please check out her website.

Blade Song

Blade Song is the first book in the Colbana Files series from author J.C. Daniels. From the author’s website.~

Kit Colbana--half breed, assassin, thief, jack of all trades--has a new job: track down the missing ward of one of the local alpha shapeshifters. It should be a piece of cake .So why is she so nervous? It probably has something to do with the insanity that happens when you deal with shifters--especially sexy ones who come bearing promises of easy jobs and easier money. Or maybe it's all the other missing kids that Kit discovers while working the case, or the way her gut keeps screaming she's gotten in over her head. Or maybe it's because if she fails--she's dead .If she can stay just one step ahead, she should be okay. Maybe she'll even live long to collect her fee...

I was lucky enough to get a copy from NetGalley of Blade Song and since J.C. Daniels is also Shiloh Walker, I was over the moon to read it. I’m a huge fan of Shiloh Walker and will read and devour anything she writes.

I absolutely loved everything about Blade Song! It is fast-paced and has some pretty amazing characters. Kit and her blade are two of my favorite characters in the book. Yes, I totally believe Kit’s sword is a character in its own right. It speaks to Kit and can come to her when she needs it. I didn’t really trust vampire Jude Whittier from early on, but still really liked his character. I loved the alpha-ness of cat shifter Damon Lee from the moment he showed up to hire Kit to help find his alpha’s missing nephew. I liked that Kit and Damon rubbed each other the wrong way at first, but could tell as they came to trust one another more, the sexual tension was there all along.

 Loved the supernatural world created filled with witches, shifter, vampires and half breeds. I have to say part of the story I loved best of all was I was off I didn’t figure out who was taking the missing kids until the actual reveal. I usually figure out the bad guy early in a story, but with Blade Song I was kept guessing until the very end. The development of the romance between Kit and Damon moved at the right pace for me. While they didn’t seem to really get along at first, I could see even when they each complained about the other; the attraction was there between them.

Blade Song is a great start to a new series for J.C. Daniels. I’m already counting down the days until the release of Night Blade, book two in the Colbana Files. I'm including buy links for Blade Song for both Amazon and B&N. Trust me you want to read this series!

Hunter's Moon

Hunter’s Moon is the 3^rd book in the Moonstruck trilogy from author Silver James. From the author’s website.~

Dr. Jacey Randolph just might be crazy. A rescued wolf is more than he seems and his ability to get into her head—literally—makes her doubt her sanity. After the death of her husband in the Gulf War, she returned to the family ranch to run an animal sanctuary. Bad enough she has to fend off advances from the local sheriff, but now she’s turning into some sort of Dr. Doolittle. Except she doesn’t talk to animals, dammit.

When Colonel Joshua Harjo, an old friend of her husband’s, shows up on her doorstep with a wild tale that the wolf is actually Marine Captain Nathaniel Connor, Jacey must make a leap of faith—and jeopardize her heart—to get involved with the wolf and a group of former Army SciOps soldiers in full rescue operation mode.

Secrets, lies, and betrayals are more personal under the full moon but when a woman loves a Wolf, he can do no wrong. And Jacey Randolph is not about to let a little thing like a band of mercenaries keep her from the Wolf she loves. 

Warning: Explosions, death, and sex go hand in hand when a group of Wolves and their women fight for their existence.

I’ve said before I’m a huge fan of Silver James, and really love the characters in the Moonstruck trilogy. Hunter’s Moon brings together all my favorites from past books as well as adding in some new favorites. I loved Jacey from the minute we first met her.  Her connection to the wolf she rescues comes at a bit of a surprise to her. Even trapped in wolf form and not know who or what he really is, Nathaniel Conner knew Jacey was his.  Of course, Jacey needs help and it comes in the form of Joshua Harjo, her best friend Amy, Joshua’s grandfather, Mac, Hannah, Michael, Liz and Sean.

Once Nathaniel is out of wolf form, his attraction for Jacey only grows. In fact, they had some of the best chemistry of any of the couples in the series so far.  Loved that they couldn’t keep their hands off each other and how tender Nathaniel wanted to be with Jacey. Of course, they wanted each other too much to take things slow. The team then must come together to end operations and rescue other soldiers from a local testing facility.

I really loved Jacey and Nathaniel together and really thought they made one another stronger. Nathaniel’s Alpha tendencies show through no matter which form he takes. Jacey has spunk and I loved how protective and strong she was throughout  everything that was happening in the story. I’ve been asking Silver for Sean’s story since we met him in the very first story. Hopefully, his story will be out in September.

Shiloh Walker UF Giveaway

I'm super excited to post about a chance for everyone to enter for a chance to win a copy of Shiloh's latest project. 

Check out Shiloh's latest project...Blade Song. Enter to win a galley to review...and she's giving away 50!

You can enter via her blog (www.shilohwalker.com). You can tweet about it. And if you post about it to your blog, you get a couple of extra entries...

Kit Colbana—half breed, assassin, thief, jack of all trades—has a new job: track down the missing ward of one of the local alpha shapeshifters. It should be a piece of cake.

So why is she so nervous? It probably has something to do with the insanity that happens when you deal with shifters—especially sexy ones who come bearing promises of easy jobs and easier money.

Or maybe it’s all the other missing kids that Kit discovers while working the case, or the way her gut keeps screaming she’s gotten in over her head. Or maybe it’s because if she fails—she’s dead.

If she can stay just one step ahead, she should be okay. Maybe she’ll even live long to collect her fee…

Hard Bitten

Hard Bitten is the 4^th book in Chloe Neill’s popular Chicagoland Vampire series. From the back cover.~

Times are hard for newly minted vampire Merit. Ever since shapeshifters announced their presence to the world, humans have been rallying against supernaturals-and they’re camping outside Cadogan House with protest signs they could exchange for pitchforks at any moment. Inside, things between Merit and her Master, green-eyed heartbreaker Ethan Sullivan, are…tense. Then the mayor of Chicago calls Merit and Ethan to a clandestine meeting and tells them about a violent vamp attack that has left three women missing. His message is simple: Get your House in order. Or else.

Merit needs to get to the bottom of this crime, but it doesn’t help that she can’t tell who’s on her side. So she secretly calls in a favor from someone who’s tall, dark, and part of an underground vamp group that may have some inside intel on the attack. Merit soon finds herself in the dark, heady heart of Chicago’s supernatural society-a world of vampires who seem ready to fulfill the protesting humans’ worst fears, and a place where she’ll learn that you can’t be a vampire without getting a little blood on your hands…

I’m a huge fan of the Chicagoland Vampire series. Merit is one of my favorite characters ever. She is such a strong woman, even when she is uncertain about her choices. Ethan, as always is Ethan. Makes me want to hug him half the time and “Gibbs smack” him upside the head the rest of the time. I’m still a bit mad at Ethan for breaking Merit’s heart in Twice Bitten.

Hard Bitten picks up right where Twice Bitten ended. Merit once again is put in the position of protecting not only her house, but the other houses in Chicago as well. There is a group of rogue vampires having parties where the vamps are turning majorly violent. Merit soon discovers there is a drug that turns vampires violent, and it is in all of the houses. With the help of a few members from the RG, Merit does what she can to find out who is getting the drug out on the street and works on finding a way to get things back to normal, or as normal as things can be now that she is a vampire.

There is a huge change in the series with the ending. I will say it was an extremely emotional ending and made me cry, mad, and really want to throw the book across the room (I didn’t by the way). Overall, I really loved Hard Bitten, just not happy with the ending of the book. Will say it made me think about it for days after I finished reading it. I’m not going to say what happens, and I’m trusting Chloe Neill for now. I’m hoping we get some answers in Drink Deep, which comes out November 1, 2011.