CHARLEY DAVIDSON BLOG TOUR

This whole grim reaper thing should have come with a manual.

Or a diagram of some kind.
A flow chart would have been nice.

Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Meaning, she sees dead people. Really. And it's her job to convince them to "go into the light." But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (like murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she's been having about an entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. But what does he want with Charley? And why can't she seem to resist him? And what does she have to lose by giving in?

With scorching-hot tension and high-octane humor, First Grave on the Right is your signpost to paranormal suspense of the highest order.

Release Date: February 1, 2011

St. Martin's Press

Charley Davidson #1

Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

Liza's Review:

I bought First Grave on the Right for my kindle after seeing lots of talk on twitter, many blogs, and one very long conversation with a bookseller in the Elizabethtown, KY B&N store (who says actual bookstores aren’t still a good thing?). I’m glad I went with my gut instinct and downloaded it to my kindle as soon as I walked out of B&N that day (parking lot Wi-Fi doesn’t restrict kindle like some B&N store Wi-Fi does). 

Charley Davidson is one of the best characters I’ve ever read about. She is the grim reaper and dead people see her as sparkly. She works as a PI to help dead people who have been murdered find their killers so they can move on. She also has been having some really hot dreams involving Reyes, who she remembers seeing from the very first moment she was born. Charley remembers every single thing that has happened since the day she was born. She can be pretty snarky at times, but she is also super smart and I love smart women in books.

While Charley is helping the police solve the murder of 3 attorneys, she is also trying to figure out who and what Reyes really is. She also has to deal with skip tracer Garrett Swopes, who knows her secret thanks to her Uncle Bob, who gave up her secret after having a few too many beers one night. Uncle Bob is on the police force and Charley uses her talents to help him solve crimes, much as she did for her dad before he retired. Garrett doesn’t know what to do about Charley. I could see he was attracted to her, but didn’t believe she could really see and talk to dead people. Charley’s focus throughout the entire book was really saving Reyes. She knew he had been in her life since she was born and wanted to know who he really was, especially since he didn’t seem to age.

I liked First Grave on the Right when I read it originally. I found myself really loving it on my most recent reading. The humor in this series really is something that started with this very first book and it has kept me coming back for more. I also highly recommend the audiobooks in this series. Lorelei King absolutely brings the characters and the story to life with her narration.

Original Review Rating: 4 Stars (B+)

Updated Review Rating: 4.5 Stars (A)

 Q&A with Darynda Jones

How did you come up with Charley?

So, I’m lying in bed one morning, waiting for my turn in the shower, when Charley popped into my head in all her glory. I loved her from the get-go. I will add that I was looking for her. I had just typed The End on my second complete manuscript, a YA titled Death and the Girl Next Door which later sold to my amazing editor along with the Charley books. So, I was craving another project. I knew I wanted it to be adult and paranormal. That was all I had. And then Charley walked in.

What has it been like to planning and writing this series, and how does it feel to be wrapping it up?

I had no clue! I dreamed, of course. We all do that. But for that dream to become a reality…it’s quite surreal. I have the best job in the world. Planning and writing the last two books have been bittersweet. I love writing these books so much, so the fact that it’s coming to an end is a little heartbreaking, but I want to go out with a bang. Like a HUGE one. I hope everyone loves reading them as much as I’ve loved writing them.

Are there any side characters or plots you wish you would have developed more?

Actually, yes. In Fifth Grave Past the Light, I brought in a character named Nicolette Lemay, gave her an insanely cool gift, then never brought her back in again. We see her briefly in Twelfth Grave, but I wish I’d done more with her.

Can you give us a sneak peek into how it all ends? What do you hope readers feel as they reach the last page?

I am very hopeful that readers will feel a sense of happiness, closure and (dare I dream?) euphoria. All I can say is that this book is truly darkest before the dawn. Charley and Reyes have accidentally opened a hell dimension within our own, and they have to figure out how to close it before it takes over the world. But it’s expanding exponentially, and soon there will be nothing left of the world as we know it. But with a little help from Charley's departed mother, one clue leads Charley in the right direction and, hopefully, to the secret to stopping the hell dimension and save all of humanity. Sadly, she only has three days to do it. 

What's the next project you're working on?

Right now I am working on a brand new series, a trilogy set in a small town in New Mexico with a sheriff named Sunshine, a missing girl named Olivia, and a murder suspect named Levi. Too bad she is in way over her head, especially since the missing girl is her daughter's best friend and Sunshine has been in love with Levi since she could breathe. 

Enter for a chance to win the entire Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones, an ARC of the epic finale, Summoned to Thirteenth Grave, plus fun swag! Open to the US ONLY. Runs through November 14^th.

https://read.macmillan.com/promo/charleydavidsonseriessweeps/

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the final installment of Darynda Jones’ New York Times bestselling paranormal series! 

Charley Davidson, Grim Reaper extraordinaire, is pissed. She’s been kicked off the earthly plane for eternity—which is exactly the amount of time it takes to make a person stark, raving mad. But someone’s looking out for her, and she’s allowed to return after a mere hundred years in exile. Is it too much to hope for that not much has changed? Apparently it is. Bummer. 

She’s missed her daughter. She’s missed Reyes. She’s missed Cookie and Garrett and Uncle Bob. Now that she’s back on earth, it’s time to put to rest burning questions that need answers. What happened to her mother? How did she really die? Who killed her? And are cupcakes or coffee the best medicine for a broken heart? It all comes to a head in an epic showdown between good and evil in this final smart and hilarious novel.

BUY LINK:
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250149411

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author DARYNDA JONES won a Golden Heart and a RITA for her manuscript First Grave on the Right. A born storyteller, she grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike. Darynda lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.

DARYNDA’S SOCIAL LINKS:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Darynda
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darynda.jones.official
Website: http://www.daryndajones.com/

SMPRomance Twitter: https://twitter.com/heroesnhearts& https://twitter.com/SMPRomance
SMP Romance Website: https://heroesandheartbreakers.com/

DIAMOND FIRE (HIDDEN LEGACY #3.5)

Nevada Frida Baylor and Connor Ander Rogan cordially invite you to join their wedding celebration. Summoning, weather manipulation, and other magical activities strictly forbidden.

Catalina Baylor is looking forward to wearing her maid of honor dress and watching her older sister walk down the aisle. Then the wedding planner gets escorted off the premises, the bride’s priceless tiara disappears, and Rogan's extensive family overruns his mother’s home. Someone is cheating, someone is lying, and someone is plotting murder.

To make this wedding happen, Catalina will have to do the thing she fears most: use her magic. But she’s a Baylor and there’s nothing she wouldn't do for her sister's happiness. Nevada will have her fairy tale wedding, even if Catalina has to tear the mansion apart brick by brick to get it done.

Release Date: November 6, 2018

Avon Impulse

Hidden Legacy #3.5

Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Review copy provided by publisher/Edelweiss

Liza's Review:

Diamond Fire is a novella set in the Hidden Legacy world. I was super excited to get Nevada and Rogan's wedding story, and really enjoyed getting to learn more about Nevada's sister Catalina. I will say I wish we had gotten a little bit more from Nevada's point of view, but did love her sharing how she first met Rogan's mother at the start of the book.

Catalina and her sister Arabella are forced to become the wedding planners/coordinators when Nevada pretty much can't work with anyone else. When a Rogan family heirloom goes missing, Catalina makes it her main job to find it before the wedding. While Catalina had been a part of the Hidden Legacy series, she was more a supporting character and I felt like she just is starting to come into her own in Diamond Fire. I enjoyed seeing Catalina's style of investigating, and seeing her explore her magic powers and how they could work to get the answers she needs. I felt like Nevada was more a fly by the seat of her pants investigator; Catalina tends to be methodical in her investigating. 

I really enjoyed Diamond Fire and seeing Nevada and Rogan get their happily ever after. I also really loved getting to know Catalina more. I'm excited to read future Hidden Legacy novels from Catalina's point of view and see her grow even more in her magic and as a character.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (B+)

KILL THE QUEEN (CROWN OF SHARDS #1)

Gladiator meets Game of Thrones: a royal woman becomes a skilled warrior to destroy her murderous cousin, avenge her family, and save her kingdom in this first entry in a dazzling fantasy epic from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Elemental Assassin series—an enthralling tale that combines magic, murder, intrigue, adventure, and a hint of romance.

In a realm where one’s magical power determines one’s worth, Lady Everleigh’s lack of obvious ability relegates her to the shadows of the royal court of Bellona, a kingdom steeped in gladiator tradition. Seventeenth in line for the throne, Evie is nothing more than a ceremonial fixture, overlooked and mostly forgotten.

But dark forces are at work inside the palace. When her cousin Vasilia, the crown princess, assassinates her mother the queen and takes the throne by force, Evie is also attacked, along with the rest of the royal family. Luckily for Evie, her secret immunity to magic helps her escape the massacre.

Forced into hiding to survive, she falls in with a gladiator troupe. Though they use their talents to entertain and amuse the masses, the gladiators are actually highly trained warriors skilled in the art of war, especially Lucas Sullivan, a powerful magier with secrets of his own. Uncertain of her future—or if she even has one—Evie begins training with the troupe until she can decide her next move.

But as the bloodthirsty Vasilia exerts her power, pushing Bellona to the brink of war, Evie’s fate becomes clear: she must become a fearsome gladiator herself . . . and kill the queen.

Release Date: October 2, 2018

Harper Voyager

Crown of Shards #1

Fantasy/Urban Fantasy

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Kill the Queen is the first book in the new Crown of Shards series from Jennifer Estep. Jennifer Estep has been a go-to author for me for Urban Fantasy/Fantasy books from the moment I first read her books, and I have to sayKill the Queen was another winner.

Jennifer Estep has a talent for writing kickass heroines, and she did so in spades with Lady Everleigh. I will say that much like Evie herself, I found myself seeing Lady Everleigh as Evie from the very beginning of the  book. Evie has never seen herself as strong thanks to years of abuse from her cousin Vasilia and all of her friends. However, if there is one thing Evie is, it is a survivor. She survived the assassination of her parents as a young child, and then the mass assassination of the Queen and the rest of the royal family by her cousin Vasilia. The one secret Evie's mother had her keep to herself was her immunity to magic, which ends up being the only thing that saves her life in the attack.

As this is the first book in the series, there is much world building in this book, yet it wasn't overwhelming or detracting from the story, though the book did move a little slowly in the beginning. Part of what I love about each series from Jennifer Estep is the fact that her heroines have such character growth in each book. Evie really does start out as a wallflower in Kill the Queen, yet start to grow into her strength the longer she is on the run. When Kill the Queen begins, and even soon after Evie escapes, she is still hiding her true self and her strengths. 

I really felt like we just started to see the beginnings for Evie's true potential in Kill the Queen. Not only do I want to see what happens next with Evie, but so many of the other characters we met in this first book. I also want to know more about the various kingdoms and how each one will tie into the series overall. While I feel like the Crown of Shards series will mostly focus on Evie, I feel like along the way we will learn more about both her friends and enemies and I can't wait to see where Ms. Estep takes us next.

Rating: 4 Stars (B)

ARCHANGEL'S PROPHECY (GUILD HUNTER #11)

Return to New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s darkly passionate Guild Hunter world, where human-turned-angel Elena Deveraux, consort to Archangel Raphael, is thrust center stage into an eons-old prophecy....

Midnight and dawn, Elena’s wings are unique among angelkind…and now they’re failing. The first mortal to be turned into an immortal in angelic memory, she’s regressing. Becoming more and more human. Easier to hurt. Easier to kill.

Elena and Raphael must unearth the reason for the regression before it’s too late and Elena falls out of the sky. Yet even as they fight a furious battle for Elena’s very survival, violent forces are gathering in New York and across the world.

In China, the Archangel Favashi is showing the first signs of madness. In New York, a mysterious sinkhole filled with lava swallows a man whole. In Africa, torrential monsoon rains flood rolling deserts. And in Elena’s mind whispers a haunting voice that isn’t her own.

This time, survival may not be possible…not even for the consort of an archangel.

Release Date: October 30, 2018

Guild Hunter #11

Berkley Publishing Group

Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

The Guild Hunter books were the first series of books I read from Nalini Singh. I absolutely fell in love with Elena and Rafael from the moment I started the series. I devour each new book as soon as it hits my kindle. I usually finish reading a book from Nalini Singh and immediately start talking about it on social media and telling everyone to read it as soon as it comes out. I firmly believe once again readers should devour Archangel's Prophecy, but with one major warning...be prepared for the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers. I seriously wanted to email Ms. Singh as soon as I finished reading to beg for the next book right now!

I absolutely adored getting another book with Rafael and Elena as the focus. There is just so much more we learn with each new installment in this world, but it seems like we get more and more changes in the world when the book focuses on Rafael and Elena. I love we get to see so many favorite characters from the series and especially got to spend time with Bluebell. The world has grown so much since the first book, yet Ms. Singh keeps the interactions with the different characters on point every single time. I loved the number of times I actually laughed out loud while reading this book; especially with how intense it was much of the time. Ms. Singh gave her readers a book that will keep them on the edge of their seats wondering what will happen next. So many times I kept thinking OMG could it get any more intense?!?! The ultimate answer being absolutely!!! 

I won't lie, when I reached the end of the book, I kept hitting my kindle screen believing there had to be more to the story. I needed more to the story. I'm honestly not a huge fan of a cliffhanger usually, but have to say this one was done so well. I was completely surprised by so much in this book, yet once again it only made me want to be back in the Guild Hunter world soon. I highly recommend the Guild Hunter series to fans that love Paranormal Romances.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (A-)

Excerpt from ARCHANGEL’S PROPHECY

By Nalini Singh

Illium turned in a direction that would take them to the Catskills if they kept on going.

Sweeping closer to him, she said, “You just want to fly?”

Hair rippling in the quiet but cutting wind, he twisted down in a complicated fall before flying back up to her side. She laughed at his showing off. That was Illium. An angel of violent power who had a heart that might almost be mortal. And, these days, she could appreciate his tricks again. Not a single angel in the city had been ready to witness his acrobatics in the immediate aftermath of the day he’d crashed out of the sky.

Elena would never forget her screaming fear.

To his credit, Illium had flown with absolute discretion for months, letting the memory dull and fade.

When he returned to her side today, his face was flushed, the gold of his eyes rich. “Sky’s too beautiful to shut ourselves away in a club.”

“Just don’t forget I’m not as fast as you. Also, I’m currently lame.”

Illium lifted one cupped hand close to his shoulder, the other moving back and forth . . . and she realized he was playing a tiny violin in response to her morose tone.

“Crossbow, Bluebell.” Narrowed eyes. “Remember the crossbow.”

He dived, his wicked laughter floating up on the night air. Lips twitching, Elena continued to glide, letting the air currents sweep her along with cold but gentle hands. Illium, meanwhile, flew circles around her—but he never went far, always close enough to halt her descent should she tumble.

She landed a number of times to rest her wings, once in an isolated park whispering and dark. A luminescent insect appeared then disappeared from sight before she could truly see it, an earthbound star. The ghostly owl sitting on a tree branch watched her with eyes even more luminous.

A sigh deep in her mind, an old, oldpresence restless in Sleep.

The hairs rose on her arms.

Then Illium shot them both up into the sky again, and together, they flew far beyond the diamond-bright skyline of the city and over the sleeping homes of ordinary people who lived in a world of vampires and angels, blood and immortality.

Another rest stop for Elena.

Another throb of pain from the cut on her forearm.

Another watchful owl, this one landing on Illium’s shoulder without his knowledge. Ashwini had told her not to be afraid of the owls, so Elena ignored the goose bumps and said, Hello, with her mind. A good night to fly.

A vein began to throb at her temple.

The answer came a long time later, after they were in the air again, the glow of the sinkhole visible from the distance.

It has been an eon since I flew.

Posted by arrangement with Berkley, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © Nalini Singh, 2018.

MAGIC TRIUMPHS

Mercenary Kate Daniels must risk all to protect everything she holds dear in this epic, can't-miss entry in the thrilling #1 New York Times bestselling urban fantasy series.

Kate has come a long way from her origins as a loner taking care of paranormal problems in post-Shift Atlanta. She's made friends and enemies. She's found love and started a family with Curran Lennart, the former Beast Lord. But her magic is too strong for the power players of the world to let her be.

Kate and her father, Roland, currently have an uneasy truce, but when he starts testing her defenses again, she knows that sooner or later, a confrontation is inevitable. The Witch Oracle has begun seeing visions of blood, fire, and human bones. And when a mysterious box is delivered to Kate's doorstep, a threat of war from the ancient enemy who nearly destroyed her family, she knows their time is up.

Kate Daniels sees no other choice but to combine forces with the unlikeliest of allies. She knows betrayal is inevitable. She knows she may not survive the coming battle. But she has to try.

For her child.

For Atlanta.

For the world.

Release Date: August 28, 2018

Ace

Kate Daniels #10

Urban Fantasy

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

I thought I was prepared for the end of the Kate Daniels series.  I knew it was coming for such a long time, yet as I was reading the final book, all I wanted to do was savor each and every page as to make it last just a little bit longer. Magic Triumphs is filled with everything fans of this series have come to expect and love. We have much action, humor, and love in this story, which wrapped up the series perfectly.

I loved every single moment of Magic Triumphs. I honestly found myself laughing way more as I read this book than I ever expected to with it being the final book in the series. Yes there has always been humor in the books in this series, but I think I was so prepared for the battle at the end, I didn't think about everything Kate, Curran and crew would have to go through to get to that point of the story. I adored Kate and Curran's son Conlan so much. OMG he was about the cutest toddler ever to hit the pages of a book. I loved the dynamic the addition of Conlan added to this family.

I loved we got to see so many friend and even a few enemies along the way. Hugh and Elara showing up didn't really surprise me too much, but how they arrived totally and completely threw me for a loop for some reason. I was glad to see Hugh and Elara again following Iron & Magic, and while you don't have to read it before reading Magic Triumphs, there are some events that directly impact some of the actions in Magic Triumphs.

The entire series has been leading up to an epic battle between Kate and her father Roland. I have to say it was everything I was expecting and more. I have to say I loved while we had been building up for the battle over the entire course of the series, it really only was a small portion of this final book. The relationships between all the characters were at the front and center of the story and it just gave me all the feels to spend time with so many favorite characters along the way. I gave me the chance to also see the growth of all the characters over the course of the series.

I feel like Ilona Andrews gave the readers the best possible ending to the Kate Daniels series of books. While in my heart of hearts I'm hoping for many spin-off series beyond the Iron Covenant series, I was completely satisfied with the ending of Magic Triumphs. The Kate Daniels series of books will be one I will continue to read and listen to over and over again. I highly recommend this series of books to anyone who loves books in the Urban Fantasy genre.

Rating: 5 Stars (A)

WILD HUNGER (HEIRS OF CHICAGOLAND #1)

In the first thrilling installment of Chloe Neill's spinoff to the New York Times bestselling Chicagoland Vampires series, a new vampire will find out just how deep blood ties run.

As the only vampire child ever born, some believed Elisa Sullivan had all the luck. But the magic that helped bring her into the world left her with a dark secret. Shifter Connor Keene, the only son of North American Central Pack Apex Gabriel Keene, is the only one she trusts with it. But she's a vampire and the daughter of a Master and a Sentinel, and he's prince of the Pack and its future king.

When the assassination of a diplomat brings old feuds to the fore again, Elisa and Connor must choose between love and family, between honor and obligation, before Chicago disappears forever.

Release Date: August 14, 2018

Heirs of Chicagoland #1

Berkley Books

Urban Fantasy

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

So the Chicagoland Vampire series might just be one of my favorite series of books I've ever read, even with some of the craziness that occurred. I was so sad to see it end last year, but super excited to find out we would be getting a spin-off to the series with Merit and Ethan's daughter Elisa Sullivan. Wild Hunger was a great start to this spin-off series. While I think readers would be able to understand the world a bit better if they had read the original Chicagoland series, I think the world is set up well enough to jump in if you want to start this series with this book.

I loved meeting the kids of the next generation. Between Elisa, Connor, and Lulu I almost felt like I was back with their parents. OMG Lulu is so much like her mom Mallory and Connor made me think of is dad Gabriel. Elise is so much like Merit and Ethan it made me laugh at times. Much as their parents before them, they really did come together to protect Chicago. 

Wild Hunger pulled me in pretty much from the first page. I never felt like the pacing of the story slowed down, and I loved being back in this world. Yes we had new players now, but I loved we also got to see so many of my favorite characters from the original series. They are all explained along the way, so new readers will have no issue following who they are as they are introduced.

I really enjoyed Wild Hunger and really can't wait to see where Chloe Neill takes this new series. I absolutely adored the action and the mystery in this story and loved the budding romance between Elise and Connor. They had such great chemistry between them and I absolutely loved their banter. I also loved every minute of the friendship between Lulu and Elise and have to say their time on the page together absolutely were some of my favorite parts ever. I loved being back in Chicago with favorite characters and some brand new favorite characters. I highly recommend Wild Hunger to fans of Urban Fantasy books.

Rating: 4 Stars (B)

IRON AND MAGIC (THE IRON COVENANT #1)

No day is ordinary in a world where Technology and Magic compete for supremacy…But no matter which force is winning, in the apocalypse, a sword will always work.

Hugh d’Ambray, Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Warlord of the Builder of Towers, served only one man. Now his immortal, nearly omnipotent master has cast him aside. Hugh is a shadow of the warrior he was, but when he learns that the Iron Dogs, soldiers who would follow him anywhere, are being hunted down and murdered, he must make a choice: to fade away or to be the leader he was born to be. Hugh knows he must carve a new place for himself and his people, but they have no money, no shelter, and no food, and the necromancers are coming. Fast.

Elara Harper is a creature who should not exist. Her enemies call her Abomination; her people call her White Lady. Tasked with their protection, she's trapped between the magical heavyweights about to collide and plunge the state of Kentucky into a war that humans have no power to stop. Desperate to shield her people and their simple way of life, she would accept help from the devil himself—and Hugh d’Ambray might qualify.

Hugh needs a base, Elara needs soldiers. Both are infamous for betraying their allies, so how can they create a believable alliance to meet the challenge of their enemies?

As the prophet says: “It is better to marry than to burn.”

Hugh and Elara may do both. 

Release Date: June 26, 2018

The Iron Covenant #1, Kate Daniels #9.5

Nancy Yost Literary Agency, LLC

Urban Fantasy

Review copy provided by publisher 

Liza's Review:

Iron and Magic is the first book in the Iron Covenant series that is a spin-off of the Kate Daniels series. While a reader could pick up this series and start it, I feel they would be missing out on some much of the world building to this point if they didn't read the Kate Daniels books first.

Hugh d'Ambray is no longer aligned with his master/foster father Roland. Hugh really doesn't know what to do with himself initially and seems to drown his feelings in alcohol to get through each day. I felt like had Hugh's Iron Dogs not been in trouble, he probably would have continued on doing nothing. However, the loyal men and women who have always followed him needing his help finally woke him up. I have to say Hugh having concern for anyone other than himself was almost a bit of a surprise, as I've never really felt like he cared about anything but himself and Roland from what we've seen of him so far in the Kate Daniels series. He needs food and shelter for his people and has discovered just the person to help.

Elara Harper is called the White Lady by her people. She has the shelter Hugh and the Iron Dogs needs and he can provide the protection her people need. This unlikely pair and their marriage of convenience could have been the biggest cluster with two individuals who are both used to being in charge. I have to say the banter between them made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion.

I thought Iron and Magic was a good start to this spinoff series. There was much world building to be established, so the book did start out a bit slow. However, once I really was pulled into the story, I was totally hooked. I like seeing a side of Hugh I don't feel like we have ever seen before. I also loved the Elara really kept him on his toes. They really did seem absolutely perfect for one another as they each wanted to protect their people at any cost. 

Elara and Hugh fought well together for a common goal, and I have to say I enjoyed learning more about Hugh in Iron and Magic, but have to say I didn't learn nearly enough about Elara. I am absolutely intrigued by her. She is such a strong woman, yet I feel some vulnerability from her as well. I only know I want to know more about her than what we saw in Iron and Magic and can't wait to see who and what she really is.

Iron and Magic left me wanting more, which I feel is a good thing for books in a series. I also wonder what parts Hugh and Elara will play in the final Kate Daniels book coming out later this month. I feel like their involvement will give more insight into future books.

Rating: 4 Stars (B)

ROGUE SOULS RELEASE DAY BLITZ

ABOUT ROGUE SOULS

Get ready for more magic, murder, and rented souls in the Soul Charmer series, which Booklist calls a "fresh take" on urban fantasy.

Callie Delgado volunteered to apprentice to Gem City's Soul Charmer. He'd forced the soul magic ability into her, but now it was hers. She'd learn to control her body's reaction to rented souls or go up in flames. Literally.

She exchanged her chance to escape the darker side of Gem City to save her brother. Now she needs to keep him sober and safe, try to mend family ties, and avoid the mobsters who have too much interest in the magic of borrowing souls.

But when bodies begin dropping at the Soul Charmer's door, it's up to Callie and her partner Derek to track down the person killing soul renters. The Charmer wants retribution, but Callie is determined to get justice even if it means putting herself directly in the sights of the murderer.

If she wants to stay on the Soul Charmer's good side, Callie must confront her enemies head-on and learn to command rogue souls...and hope someone she loves doesn't become the next victim.

Rogue Souls on Amazon| Rogue Souls on Goodreads

5 Questions with Chelsea Mueller, Author of Rogue Souls

1. What are the Soul Charmer books about?

Chelsea Mueller: In the Soul Charmer series, anyone can rent a soul. Yep. Rent one. You can have this second soul slid into your body, and then sin without tarnishing your own soul. Is it shady? Yep. Are there consequences? Absolutely.

The main character in the books is Callie Delgado, and she does not want anything to do with renting souls or soul magic. But she’s been strong-armed into working as a repo-woman for people who don’t return the rented souls. 

The deeper she gets into this gritty world, the more she learns about soul magic, and the harder it is to get back out. 

2. Rogue Souls is the second Soul Charmer book. Do we have to read book 1, Borrowed Souls, first?

Chelsea Mueller: If you pick up Rogue Souls first, it’s okay! You shouldn’t be lost, but you’ll get more of the character growth if you start with Borrowed Souls. 

3. Is there romance? I see a lot of romance authors recommend these books.

Chelsea Mueller: Ha! Yes. While both Borrowed Souls and Rogue Soulsare urban fantasy and focus primarily on Callie’s journey, there is a strong romantic subplot. If you like Charles/Anna dynamic in Patricia Briggs’ Alpha and Omega series, you’ll probably dig on Callie and Derek. 

4. If Rogue Souls were a cocktail, what would the recipe be?

Chelsea Mueller: Oh, Rogue Souls is two long pours of soul magic, a shot of murder mystery, and dash of a protective hero who rides a motorcycle. Garnish with family drama and secrets, as needed.

5. What’s next?

Chelsea Mueller: I have a few new project cooking. (Don’t I always?) I’ll be signing at Apollycon 2019, and if the stars align, we might even have a third Soul Charmer book to sign by then! WHAT? Yep. Keep your eyes on my website for news about the third Soul Charmer book, tentatively titled Lost Souls.

ABOUT CHELSEA MUELLER

Chelsea Mueller writes gritty contemporary fantasy. She founded the speculative fiction website Vampire Book Club, blogs about TV and romance novels for numerous websites, and is co-chair of SF/F charity Geeky Giving. She loves bad cover songs, dramatic movies, and TV vampires. Chelsea lives in Texas, and has been known to say y’all.

For the latest updates, visit ChelseaMueller.net, like facebook.com/ChelseaMuellerAuthor, or follow @ChelseaVBC on Twitter and Instagram.

VENOM IN THE VEINS (ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN #17)

Blood might be thicker than water, but venom is stronger than just about anything …

It was supposed to be a nice, quiet, simple dinner with friends—but nothing is ever nice, quiet, or simple when you’re Gin Blanco, the Spider, notorious assassin and current queen of the Ashland underworld.

This time around, someone seems to be targeting Stuart Mosley, the president of First Trust bank. Lots of people have grudges against Mosley, but the more I investigate, the more Mosley’s problems seem to be connected to some of my own, especially when it comes to the Circle, the evil, shadowy group that is secretly responsible for much of the crime and corruption in Ashland.

But when another blast from my dark and deadly past as the Spider comes to light, I wonder if I’ll be able to survive this dangerous new enemy, who has a burning thirst for revenge that will only be satisfied with one thing: my death.

Release Date: June 12, 2018

Elemental Assassin #17

Jennifer Estep

Urban Fantasy

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza' Review:

The Elemental Assassin series of books is the first series of books I read when I discovered the Urban Fantasy genre. Gin Blanco and her friends and family remain some of my favorite characters I've every read. Venom in the Veinsis the newest story in the Elemental Assassin world.

Part of what I love about the series is the consistency of Gin and all of her friends. While Finn, Bria, Owen, and Silvio seem to take most things at face value, Gin is always sure there is more than meets the eye...and usually right on the money. When Finn's boss Stuart Mosley is the victim of a mugging and attempted kidnapping, everyone else thinks it is just a random occurrence, and Gin totally feels like there is more to it. I love how suspicious Gin is of everyone in Ashland, especially as she has plenty of reasons for her concerns.

As Gin is still diligently trying to figure out exactly who is behind the evil group the Circle, a blast form the past seems to come back to haunt her. Alanna Eaton is the daughter of Amelia Eaton, whom Gin killed many years ago. It turns out that Amelia was part of the Circle, and her daughter Alanna is back in Ashland and wants to take over where her mother left off. From all the flashbacks in Gin's dreams, it appears that Alanna was even more evil than her mother if possible.

We wouldn't have an Elemental Assassin book if Gin didn't run into major trouble that only she could figure out how to survive the experience. I still absolutely love how Gin's mind works through all the twists and turns thrown her way. I sometime wish her memory of the past came to her a bit sooner than right when she puts herself into danger though. I have to say that Mab remains my favorite villain from this series and while I like some aspects of the Circle, it seems to just be branching out more and more over each book. I thought I had a few things figured out when we first met Hugh Tucker, but now I'm a bit confused as to why he continues to almost be in Gin's corner part of the time and ready to let her almost die at other times. Add in the mysterious Mason, who we finally might know more about, and the notes from years ago from the Circle, and my confusion level increased. I'm really hoping we get the full mystery of the Circle and how involved Gin's family was in the Circle soon.

Venom in the Veinswas a good addition to the Elemental Assassin series, but I think it left me with more questions than answers for the first time in a long time with this series. I loved time with Gin and all her friends and family and have to say that even after 17 books, I'm still hooked on the series. I'm hoping we get a few more answers with the next installment in the series.

Rating: 4 Stars (B-)