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Shady Lady (Corine Solomon #3)

by Ann Aguirre (Goodreads Author)

3.92 of 5 stars 3.92 · rating details · 767 ratings · 104 reviews

View our feature on Ann Aguirre's "Shady Lady."

Whenever Corine Solomon touches an object, she immediately knows its history. But the future concerns her more when former ally Kel Ferguson wlaks through her door with a warning for her: the Montoya cartel is coming for her-but they don't just pack guns. They use warlocks, shamans and voodoo priests. And Corine has become ene...more

Paperback, 336 pages

Published May 12th 2011 by Gollancz (first published February 10th 2011)

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This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Most Anticipated Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy Books - Spring/Summer 2011

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Jul 04, 2012 Regina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy-uf, favorite-authors, owned-kindle

Shady Lady is a book that shows tremendous growth in the Corinne Solomon series. Ann Aguirre has this amazing ability to dream up and write extremely unique characters and place the setting of her stories in places that come alive on the pages of her book. The first two books in this series created distinct reactions in my mind – one, I loved the characters, the setting and the “talents/abilities” of the characters; two – the main character’s reaction and interactions with her love interests (ye...more Shady Lady is a book that shows tremendous growth in the Corinne Solomon series. Ann Aguirre has this amazing ability to dream up and write extremely unique characters and place the setting of her stories in places that come alive on the pages of her book. The first two books in this series created distinct reactions in my mind – one, I loved the characters, the setting and the “talents/abilities” of the characters; two – the main character’s reaction and interactions with her love interests (yes that is plural) drove me crazy and detracted from the storyline. I love how Ann Aguirre writes about an American woman living in Mexico – having been one myself years ago, I can say with confidence that Aguirre gets it right and makes me feel like I am back there doing it all over again. I love how Aguirre writes her characters. Nothing is easy, there is a cost to talent and there are consequences to choices. The people in Corinne’s life are unique and quirky - -much like real people in real life are.

So Shady Lady finds Corinne back in Mexico, I was already cheering from the beginning of the story. And there are some positive things that develop in Corinne’s love life that were much more tolerable and enjoyable than in the first few books. The quest/challenge is interesting and not predictable at all. So where does this leave me with the series?

I love Aguirre’s Sirantha Jax series. That is one of my all time favorite series – a character driven story, amazing setting and hard choices. Aguirre never takes the easy way out as a writer and I love reading those kinds of stories. I wish that the first two in the Corinne Solomon series were automatic wins for me, but there is enough meaty stuff there that encouraged me to keep going and I am glad that I did. I plan to read #4 in this series, Devil’s Punch, very soon and cannot wait for #5 to be released. If you like complex UF books, with richly developed interesting characters and very unique settings then I think you would like this book. But … you have to understand that there are flaws with books one and two, there is a pay off to sticking with the series. The books improve and by the third, Shady Lady, the series is strong and very enjoyable. It has taken my 2 years to get to book 3 and I am thankful that my GR friend Maja, encouraged me to keep going. I cannot think of another UF series out there where the author is writing such diverse and interesting characters with settings that come alive and make you feel like you are there. So stick with this series. I promise you will be happy you did.

For more on this series check out Badass Book Reviews (less)

9 likes · like · see review

Feb 15, 2012 ♥ Ashleigh ♥ contrary to popular belief im not actually mad! rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: angels-demons, heroine, psychics-special-abilities, witches-warlocks, reviewed, 2011

OMG i wish she would just choose one man and stick with him!
have to say though that part with kel was pretty awesome ;)
whats with all the men hitting on her anyways?? share some of the hotties around would ya! ;P

So some pretty exciting things happened in this book - as you know by now corine's ability has gotten stronger so she's started doing spells (which she ends up screwing royally) plus now she also has a demon mark one her and its practically impossible to be a white witch after that (acco...more

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Mar 26, 2011 All Things Urban Fantasy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed-by-abigail

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

I’ve come to expect great things from Ann Aguirre. I don’t just read her books, I step into the skin of her characters, breath the same air, taste the same food, feel the same rush of adrenaline and chill of fear. The Corine Solomon books in particular, have all been superb supernatural rides, and SHADY LADY is the best yet.

What a surprise Kel was in this book. When we first met him in BLUE DIABLO, he was this crazy, zealous warrior. Barely human. An en...more Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

I’ve come to expect great things from Ann Aguirre. I don’t just read her books, I step into the skin of her characters, breath the same air, taste the same food, feel the same rush of adrenaline and chill of fear. The Corine Solomon books in particular, have all been superb supernatural rides, and SHADY LADY is the best yet.

What a surprise Kel was in this book. When we first met him in BLUE DIABLO, he was this crazy, zealous warrior. Barely human. An enemy. A tenuous alliance was formed between him and Corine, but he was still terrifying at best, and homicidal most times. And yet, Ann changed him in a very gradual, subtle way throughout SHADY LADY. Or maybe she just changed my perception, because by the end of the book, I’d basically called the race for Corine’s heart and the two other guys from the previous book weren’t even close. I loved how my expectations were completely turned upside down and yet I never once felt cheated.

But even though I may have declared a winner, that doesn’t mean that Corine (or Ann has). I had some issues with Corine’s indecisiveness in the previous books, and she’s no more resolute this time when it comes to the men in her life. In SHADY LADY, she mentally commits to each one before waffling on to the next in the space of only a few chapters. Talk about whiplash. Yes there are circumstances that prompt each decision, but I would have expected her to maybe take a little time to think things through before moving on to the next guy. But that’s my only complaint in this otherwise excellent urban fantasy.

There is so much good stuff packed into this book. Surprising character transformations, rich worldbuilding, gorgeous writing, killer action scenes and hot romance (the chapters in the jungle reminded me of a classic Linda Howard romance). Everything adds up here. Urban Fantasy fans will want to get drunk on this series, and the good news is that we have at least two more Corine Solomon books to look forward to. DEVIL’S PUNCH will be out in April 2012, followed by BLOODY MARIA in April 2013. So belly up to the bar if you haven’t already. This is a series that just keeps getting better.

Sexual Content:
Kissing. A brief, mildly graphic sex scene. References to rape. Attempted rape.(less)

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Aug 17, 2012 Dangerous Romance Book Reviews rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shady Lady is the third book in the Corinne Solomon Series, each book titled after a cocktail with a dangerous name. I really enjoy the world that Aguirre has built and the characters already feel like people you know. Much as I love crazy monsters, it is nice to read a book where the world it is set in feels so real. Some of the worst and most frightening monsters in her books have zero amount of magic; prejudiced townsfolk, drug Lords, assassins and soldiers of the Narco wars, are in many ways...more Shady Lady is the third book in the Corinne Solomon Series, each book titled after a cocktail with a dangerous name. I really enjoy the world that Aguirre has built and the characters already feel like people you know. Much as I love crazy monsters, it is nice to read a book where the world it is set in feels so real. Some of the worst and most frightening monsters in her books have zero amount of magic; prejudiced townsfolk, drug Lords, assassins and soldiers of the Narco wars, are in many ways more frightening then sorcerers and magicians. Aguirre's expat status, as a resident of Mexico gives her the authenticity when writing that others who try to incorporate the troubles in Mexico miss.

The characters, the settings, the environment feel so real, it is so easy to forget that magic doesn't really exist. Her Mexico in this book was like another character. Much as she does with all her characters, you get to see the best and the worst. The kindness and the beauty, and the horrific toll the Narco wars are enacting on the citizens of Mexico. She does it with just enough of a twist of fantasy that Mexico breaths on the page like another character she has written.

Yes, in her world, there is scary magic and fantasy but it is all grounded in an “almost possibility” that makes it feel like slipping on a coat you could wear when you read the books. It is shiny and does impossible things but it almost fits.

Hellfire was very enjoyable and a good read but the ending made me cry. So I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Shady Lady. I was so happy with how much I loved this book. Even more than the first one, which was one of my favorite finds a few years ago.

Corinne isn’t some crazy powerful chick who goes around kicking down doors and stabbing and shooting people. She doesn’t wear bad ass boots and carry around weapons. She likes to wear flowery skirts and gauzy tops, she worries about her love life and her weight, and she worries about her friends. She is starting to use her gifts more, stretch out her abilities. She is also maturing, and being willing to make hard choices, or live by the decisions she made.

I was stunned by how much I grew to care about the character Kel, in this book. In book one he was terrifying. Covered in tattoos and muscles, he looked like the escaped convict he was. Kel made no bones about the fact he was a killing machine, one Corinne and Chance (her ex-boyfriend) had helped put in jail. When he showed up they thought he was there to kill them. Instead, he said he was “The Hand of God” and that God wanted him to help them. It quickly became obvious that Kel was more then the psycho killer they had helped put behind bars and he definitely had their back in the fight. However , Chance and Corinne were naturally very uncomfortable having him as a compatriot.

In Shady Lady, Kel shows up just in time to save Corinne from a magical curse sent by an assassin working for Montoya, the Drug Lord Corinne went up against in book one. Kel was terrifying in the beginning of book one and by the end he was someone Corinne could work with but who made her nervous. Now he is here, literally sent by God, to help save her from Montoya, and now Kel, Corinne, her young apprentice Shannon are off traveling across Mexico, trying to stay one step ahead of the bad guys.

Aguirre took this character and completely sheared away layer after layer of my perceptions of Kel, an understanding I thought I had, that she had given me, and revealed something and someone completely different underneath the surface. I had always thought there was more to him then met the eye, but by the time she was done she made my heart break for the guy. I couldn’t believe how much I didn’t see that coming. Given how masterfully she twisted my reality of Kel, I have a feeling that is what is coming with Corinne. There was some foreshadowing for the future of the series as well, as hints were dropped that Corinne may be more then she thinks she is.

Jessie is , as ever the trusty policeman, the lawful suitor for her heart. In many ways he seems like he should be the ideal choice; he’s kind, he knows about magic, he is not just law abiding, he is the law. But he finds himself in trying to help Corinne with her magic, unhappy with the situations she finds herself in and the outside the box and outside the law solutions she uses to handle them. Chance however, operates outside the law more than in, and is absent most of the book but he has a personal epiphany and makes a decision that will affect the future of the series. By the time the book was over, I was as confused as Corinne was, as to which person to care more about.

Corinne’s playing one drug lord off against another was so nervous making; I’d have to put the book down occasionally just to shake off the heebee jeebee’s. Corinne’s friends help when they can, and she has a spectacular group of side characters, all of whom are so fully developed and fascinating, I’d read a spin off book of any of them. But in the end Corinne, like all of us, at times has to stand alone and face her monsters on her own. She makes mistakes, one of which is heartbreaking, but she takes responsibility for them and moves on.
(less)

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May 02, 2012 Alice Liu rated it 5 of 5 stars

Ann Aguirre goes into an interesting direction with "Shady Lady," the third book in the Corine Solomon series. Corine learns more about her own personal legacy and her growing powers. She became indebted to a demon at the end of book two, but she is more connected to the demon realm than she realizes. Add to this the fact that she has to make some hard and ugly choices to survive the Montoya cartel, and you have a heroine who is walking the dark side as much as the light. Ironically, her guardia...more

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Jan 17, 2012 Kathy Davie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, urban

Third in the Corine Solomon urban fantasy series about an evolving and Gifted woman.

My Take
Oh, man! Talk about ups and downs! In this episode, Corine is conflicted over the demonic encounters that continue to crop up; she feels as though she is falling deeper and deeper to the dark side and it terrifies her. Then she finally falls in love. The real kind with someone she can't have just as the life she has created for herself is falling apart.

Jeez, Aguirre is just incredible at creating the ten...more

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Sep 08, 2011 Nicole rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Really 4.5 stars

I went back and read Blue Diablo and Hell Fire before I read this book, and I'm glad I did. I hadn't visited this world for over a year, and there were lots of little details that I had forgotten. Reading the books in a series back to back will either cause you to fall more in love with it, or expose flaws that followed from book to book and make you like the series a lot less (hello, Weather Warden books). Thankfully, this book falls into the former category.

Corine Solomon is a...more

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Jul 29, 2011 Book Binge Blog rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, roc-publishing, urban-fantasy

There is someone out to kill Corine Solomon and it's none other than a drug lord. Due to events from a previous book Montoya has it out for Corine and he's not gonna stop until the job is done. Corine has the protection of Kel aka God's Hand, who has been sent to protect her from death. They manage to escape several horrifying events before they decide that they need to fight fire with fire and seek out Montoya's rival drug lord, Escobar, for assistance.

Escobar sends Corine off on a “test” to fu...more There is someone out to kill Corine Solomon and it's none other than a drug lord. Due to events from a previous book Montoya has it out for Corine and he's not gonna stop until the job is done. Corine has the protection of Kel aka God's Hand, who has been sent to protect her from death. They manage to escape several horrifying events before they decide that they need to fight fire with fire and seek out Montoya's rival drug lord, Escobar, for assistance.

Escobar sends Corine off on a “test” to fully check her abilities and if she passes he will offer to help her in bringing Montoya down. Kel and Corine head off into the jungles of Peru fighting exhaustion, dehydration, demons...you know, the regular. Lol During this time Corine becomes closer to Kel in a way that she never thought she would. She finally realizes after her and Kel go their separate ways that certain people come into your life for a little or a long while but they're always there for a reason – we just have to figure out what the reason is.

Eventually Corine has to start to become someone doesn't like all that much in order to do what she needs to do to stay alive, and how will these events effect her after all is said and done.

This was yet another wonderful addition to the Corine Solomon series. I just love Ms. Aguirre's writing and the way she slowly ends up telling the reader about all of the different people in Corine's life from the previous books but not in the way that you would expect. It's all part of the story and the happenings in this book but I just love the way she does it. This story took a little longer for me to get into than the previous books but after about the 3rd chapter I was completely sucked in. I loved that the story wasn't afraid to take Corine's life places that you never would have thought they'd go. With Kel, with Shannon and with Jesse – it was both exciting and heartwrenching.

If you haven't started this series yet I would recommend that you pick up book 1 and start reading - darned good books, all.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Tracy.(less)

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Jun 27, 2011 Anachronist added it

Synopsis:

Because of her previous troubles Corine finds herself caught in the war between two powerful Latino druglords – Escobar and Montoya. A very dangerous position for her and everybody close to her heart. What’s more she must pay off a certain demon called Maury who saved her life in Kilmer. Not enough trouble? The little pawnshop, her pride and her only source of a stable income, has been blown up by a bomb planted by one of Montoya’s henchmen, killing an innocent man in the process. Plent...more

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Jun 14, 2011 Monster added it

Shelves: horror-adventure

The third book in Ann Aguirre's Corine Solomon series, Shady Lady expands the world setting (a curiously vampire-and-werewolf-free universe that still has plenty of magical conflict to spare) tenfold in this one volume. Home after defeating the demon that ran the town she grew up in (and had a hand in her mother's death), Corine is ready to settle back into her role as a thrift shop owner and explore the new extent of her powers, gifted to her by mother postmortem. Then Kel, the mysterious kille...more

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Jun 07, 2011 Paradoxical rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reading-list, books-otherwise

I always like the Corine Solomon series well enough, but never loved. I rather enjoyed this book though, and most of that would have to do with Kel, who is competent and dangerous, but is--not broken exactly--fractured in his own right. What makes him likable is that he doesn't drag out his past and mope, but is really the strong, silent suffering type and... yeah, this is me being a total sucker.

In any case, the book starts off slowly. It takes a while to ramp up, but then it proceeds at a nice...more I always like the Corine Solomon series well enough, but never loved. I rather enjoyed this book though, and most of that would have to do with Kel, who is competent and dangerous, but is--not broken exactly--fractured in his own right. What makes him likable is that he doesn't drag out his past and mope, but is really the strong, silent suffering type and... yeah, this is me being a total sucker.

In any case, the book starts off slowly. It takes a while to ramp up, but then it proceeds at a nicely clipped pace. The basic premise is that Corine has Montoya, the boss of a cartel, after her. The man is not afraid to rip through her loved ones for her, and Corine is understandably concerned about getting any of them involved. Kel comes along because he was told to protect her, and off Corine goes on a journey to get Montoya first. This has her get involved with a rival cartel, dodging dangerous situations, and finding out more about Kel, who slowly unveils more about himself.

...Okay, apparently I can't just move along. Oh Kel. Kel and Corine's interactions were so fascinating to read, and the slow reveal of Kel and what he is and what he does was done very skillfully. I've always been ambivalent about Jesse. I dislike Chase. But Kel? I wish he'd just stick around forever.

It was nice to see how proactive Corine can be in regards to her situation. At first she just reacts to everything that is happening to her (not much else she could do), but once she gets her bearings, she really hardens and fights for herself and the people she loves. She's a great main character--strong, but not perfect. She has to rely on other people's help, but she can do things herself as well. At the start of the book I was a bit "eh" about where it was going, since Corine relied so much on Kel, but she truly shines in the latter half of the book. She has to make some difficult decisions and doesn't shy from the hard choices she has to make.

The plot, after the warm up phase, zips along from page to page. After the beginning (and yes, I do have to say that the beginning is slow and a bit boring a couple of times, haha), it becomes truly engrossing to read. Corine discovers new abilities, new allies, and touches in with old ones. Shannon is along for the ride, and I find myself greatly warming up to the girl.

The ending was bittersweet, but fit. And then (view spoiler) But I did really like this book for all of the reasons stated above, so 4 stars.(less)

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Aug 07, 2012 Cynthia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have to give a fairly high rating to a book that involves a woman who largely saves herself from multiple assassins (natural and supernatural) sent by the head of a drug cartel. There are sexy men in her life (three, in fact), but she's definitely the heroine here, not a clinging vine. That's a refreshing approach.

To be honest I don't think this book should be shelved with paranormal romances at all. It deserves to be called urban fantasy, or something along those lines, because relationships...more

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Jan 13, 2012 Hali Sowle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, ann-aguirre, corine-solomon, series, kindle, revenge, magic, fantasy

The third book in the series was still a fun and at sometimes hair raising adventure. Corine is still the object of Montoya's wrath and the opening scene sets the tone for the rest of the book as Kel walks into the shop just as Corine is about to touch a figurine that had been left for her and tells her not to touch the figurine because it has a death hex on it. From there the book doesn't stop moving with Corine in some ways growing up and learning the new powers that have been unlocked by her...more

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May 07, 2013 Nicky rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: angels-and-demons, on-onread, romance, paranormal-romance, magic, us-mx-texas-border, favorites, strong-female-kicking-butt, gave-me-creepy-crawlies

Something cool about Aguirre's characters, is that they wind up becoming totally different people as the series unfolds. It doesn't happen from one book to the next--its a gradual process where they are affected by the trials they go through. They evolve before your eyes. The only way I can describe it: her plots are like meat grinders. It tears the characters up so that more of their substance is revealed and its just that much easier to appreciate them.
So it's interesting to see them react, f...more

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Apr 06, 2011 Pamela rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, fiction

Shady Lady is the third book in Ann Aguirre’s Corine Solomon urban fantasy series, and I’m pleased to report that Aguirre just keeps on delivering the goods. Despite a slow and somewhat jerky start, by the mid-point of the book I was completely hooked, and the end left me drooling for more.

The beginning reminded me of how the first book in the series, Blue Diablo started out pretty slow and meandering, and while Shady Lady doesn’t exactly meander, it does take a while to really pick up. Big Exci...more Shady Lady is the third book in Ann Aguirre’s Corine Solomon urban fantasy series, and I’m pleased to report that Aguirre just keeps on delivering the goods. Despite a slow and somewhat jerky start, by the mid-point of the book I was completely hooked, and the end left me drooling for more.

The beginning reminded me of how the first book in the series, Blue Diablo started out pretty slow and meandering, and while Shady Lady doesn’t exactly meander, it does take a while to really pick up. Big Exciting Things happen at the beginning, when we find out that Montoya, the drug dealer Corine pissed off in the first book, is gunning for her, and Kel, the slightly creepy Hand of God, shows up saying that ~~he’s on a mission from God~~ been assigned to protect Corine. They, along with Shannon, Corine’s roommate and the gifted girl she rescued from her old hometown in Hell Fire, set off to find out how to break a hex that was meant to kill Corine.

The more I think about it, the more Shady Lady feels like two novels mashed into one. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but it does lead to a slightly disjointed feel overall. The first half involves Corine and Kel running around, dodging snipers and trekking through jungles. The second half involves Corine turning into a complete badass in Texas, trying to take out Montoya and stay on the good side of Montoya’s rival and her new, er, patron, Escobar. In terms of how the story flows, story one segues into story two pretty well, but it did take a while for me to really feel like the ball was rolling.

Once again, characterization is the strongest point in this series. Corine continually grows as a character, learning things about herself that scare her. I really appreciate that Aguirre doesn’t allow Corine to become a static character. Everything that happens to her affects the way she sees the world and sees herself. When she faces a nasty choice–should she work with a rival drug lord to get rid of the one who’s trying to kill her?–she doesn’t make any decisions lightly, and even at the end, she’s not sure that she’s doing the right thing or going down the right path. She does what she has to do to survive, but that decision will come with a lot of soul searching.

Shannon is a fantastic addition to the story, a troubled young woman finally coming into her own. Kel in particular impressed me. It’s been a while since I read Blue Diablo and so I only vaguely remembered him. I absolutely love his slowly-revealed back story, and I’m definitely hoping we see more of him in future installments. Both of Corine’s past love interests, Jesse and Chance, make appearances in Shady Lady, but I have to confess that I wasn’t particularly pleased to see either of them. I like them well enough as characters, but I loved seeing Corine thriving on her own in Mexico City. I really hope she doesn’t fall back into her old habit of codependency.

Oh, and Butch the psychic Chihuahua? Gets better and better with each book. I was a little wary of the idea at first, but when Butch showed off a new talent late in Shady Lady, I simultaneously cracked up and bought into it without reservation. He’s turning out to be a pretty awesome character.

The book doesn’t necessarily end on a cliffhanger, but something happens that made me yell, “OH NO!” when I got to it. I enjoyed Shady Lady very much, and I’m seriously chomping at the bit for the next book in the series.(less)

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Jun 21, 2011 Yolanda Sfetsos rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

This is the third book in the Corine Solomon urban fantasy series. After absolutely loving Blue Diablo and Hell Fire, I couldn't wait to get stuck into it.

Months have gone by since what happened in Kilmer, and Corine is back in Mexico. She's back to enjoying her 'normal' life inside her pawnshop, and now has Shannon with her--a teenager from the ordeal in Kilmer. Together, they're getting along just fine. Well, as fine as Corine likes to tell herself she is. After all, she hasn't heard from Chan...more This is the third book in the Corine Solomon urban fantasy series. After absolutely loving Blue Diablo and Hell Fire, I couldn't wait to get stuck into it.

Months have gone by since what happened in Kilmer, and Corine is back in Mexico. She's back to enjoying her 'normal' life inside her pawnshop, and now has Shannon with her--a teenager from the ordeal in Kilmer. Together, they're getting along just fine. Well, as fine as Corine likes to tell herself she is. After all, she hasn't heard from Chance and is sort of having an online long-distance-no-strings-attached relationship with Jesse.

All of this changes when Kel Ferguson walks into her shop and saves her from being killed by a hexed object which mysteriously ends up on her doorstep. He's come to keep her safe.

Apparently, his boss--he claims to be a holy warrior--has sent him to take care of Corine because she's in danger, and that entails finding out what kind of hex was put on this object and by who. Of course, they know it's Montoya who wants her dead--a cartel boss from the first book. But what she and Kel uncover turns out to be a lot darker than what they expected, because a dark sorcerer is after Corine and won't rest until she's dead.

Corine is forced into a variety of adventures and doesn't particularly like the answers she's getting. She also manages to catch the attention of a rival cartel boss, Escobar. He's willing to offer her protection and payment if she puts herself in the position of bait and helps eliminate Montoya. But before Escobar agrees to save her, she needs to prove her handler power, and so sets off deep into the jungle of Peru with Kel beside her.

I got a real kick out of seeing Kel back in the story, and was very surprised when we found out who/what he really is. He's a character that stood out for me since the very beginning, and finding out so much more about him, as well as experiencing his interaction with Corine, has only piqued my interest even more. I really hope he returns in future books!

Shady Lady is a very exciting, fast-paced intense ride that once again manages to blend real-life crime cartels and their bloodthirsty ambitions with sorcerers, witchcraft, and magic. The blend took my breath away and had me guessing at every step, because Corine is faced with many hardships, impossible decisions, and even heartbreak. I love the growth and change she goes through with every book, making her stronger and wiser, even more powerful. But with this power, she's also weakened and loses people and things she loves.

Awesome book. Awesome series. And very well written.

This has now become one of my favourite urban fantasy series, and I can't wait for the next one!(less)

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Apr 26, 2012 Jeannie and Louis Rigod rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is a Paranormal mystery, romance, and fantasy for adults. It is finely written and the characters, are entirely believable, even though they bridge fantasy situations.

The leading Lady is Corine Solomon, a common woman with ancient lines of Solomon in her blood which give her 'powers' to fight the dark side of life. In this volume her powers increase as do life threatening encounters.

A dark Cartel lord decides to 'use' Corine to end another Cartel's leader. Corine is forced, in order to...more

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Jun 19, 2011 E. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal

4 1/2 stars. Corinne Solomon novel (after Blue Diablo and Hell Fire). A dangerous salt and pepper shaker brings danger back into Corinne's life and reminds her of the dangers of her gift of psychometry. Mysterious Kel Ferguson returns to her life as she goes on a search to find out why someone is trying to send her a death hex and she learns more about herself and him as they travel through Mexico and into other South American countries. Shannon and the uncanny chihuahua Butch continue to be tru...more

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Mar 30, 2012 Star (The Bibliophilic Book Blog) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

Corine is in for some hellish times ahead. Montoya wants her dead, Chance is out of her life, and Kel is back in town. I loved this book, the third in the Corine Solomon series - each one gets better! Ms. Aguirre has created characters that you'll have strong feelings about and a rich world.

Shady Lady is full of action, adventure, some romance, mystery, and down-right bad-assitude! And there's even an Eddie Izzard reference!!! I laughed out loud when I read that :-) To me, the story, which was v...more

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Jun 07, 2011 Summer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: demons-angels, magic, paranormal, psychic-powers, urban-fantasy

While I love Ann Aguirre's 'Grimspace' series just a teensy bit more, this series is fantastic as well. I totally did not see the stuff with Kel happening before this book but the author's amazing writing had me going with it the whole way. So far the only disappointment Ann Aguirre's ever given me is that her books end.

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Mar 03, 2012 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ann Aguirre, you. Are. Killing me. The end of this book gave me....feelings. Insane! Who are you!

Now that's she's dealt with her past in Georgia, Corine must face the fallout from the drug dealer whose business she badly damaged in the first book. Helping her survive attacks from his personal sorcerer is Kel, who is a major presence in this book and Corine's life. Her journey with him occupies the middle of the book, and is wildly romantic. The last third of the book fits oddly against Corine's...more

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Apr 25, 2011 Stacy rated it 4 of 5 stars

reviewed by http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blo...

SHADY LADY is another great addition to the Corine Solomon series. I LOVED Kel in this book, I never would have thought that he would grow on me and I would find myself pulling for him. He really has been a surprise awesome character that I want to see more of and high hopes for to be in Corine's life. When I saw that Chance wasn't playing a big part in SHADY LADY I was kind of disappointed, But Kel kinda made me realize that I kinda hope Chanc...more

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Jun 24, 2011 Alyson rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, sci-fi

Book 3: THINGS I ENJOYED

Corine's character and her gift. The storyline is interesting, with many twists and turns. I like that she walks the line 'tween good and evil and doesn't always choose good to get ahead/ stay alive. Corine's romantic interests are varied. Each having something unique that keeps them fresh, but none necessarily the perfect fit.

Book 3: THINGS I FOUND FRUSTRATING
There was a nice span between finishing book 2 and starting this one, but as I was reading and many references fr...more

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Aug 12, 2011 Patrick Doris rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 05, 2011 Has rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Corine finds herself embroiled in more danger when Kel Ferguson, the crazy God’s Hand warrior from Blue Diablo, walks into Corine’s shop and saving her from a hex death spell. She finds out that Montoya, the drug lord from Blue Diablo is unable is determined to get vengeance against Corine who is the only one not protected from his wrath and finds herself in the midst of several assassination attempts. Her only hope is to team up with the rival of Montoya, who is just as dangerous.

Warning:
I won’...more Corine finds herself embroiled in more danger when Kel Ferguson, the crazy God’s Hand warrior from Blue Diablo, walks into Corine’s shop and saving her from a hex death spell. She finds out that Montoya, the drug lord from Blue Diablo is unable is determined to get vengeance against Corine who is the only one not protected from his wrath and finds herself in the midst of several assassination attempts. Her only hope is to team up with the rival of Montoya, who is just as dangerous.

Warning:
I won’t be able to review this book without verging into some spoilers -- although I will try to keep it light.

This is the 3rd instalment of the Corine Soloman series, and I have to say it’s the best yet! It’s rare for a series to have each book with a different tone. Unlike the previous instalment with the claustrophobic creepy atmosphere, Shady Lady is a fast paced, hectic tale of vengeance. I really felt that Corine really came to her own in Shady Lady, while the last book had major repercussions and developments about Corine, her past, and her magical abilities. This book explores more about her choices -- past and present -- which definitely has major ramifications for her.

However the real highlight and pure joy of this book was Kel! OMG! He literally leapt out of the pages for me (although he definitely made his presence felt in Blue Diablo!), but in Shady Lady he really shines because he’s such a vivid and memorable character. Ann Aguirre deftly uncovers some layers of his character and personality that showed a new and multifaceted side him. I also loved the new dynamic that developed between him and Corine, and I think a few fans of the series who will want more of this!

However, the character that showed the most growth and development had to be Corine. Instead of just reacting against the events and the obstacles thrown at her, Corine is definitely more proactive due to the events of the past couple of books. While the previous book dealt with her past, the choices at the end of that book resonates big time in Shady Lady -- the title is pretty fitting because Corine’s decisions are like that. By the end of the book, Corine had changed in some ways. She’s definitely emerged a much tougher and harder edged character. I loved the evolution of her character due to these events and her choices and shows how much development from the more quieter and in some ways subdued character from the first book compared to the more proactive character that she is now.

I especially loved how she took on Montoya with her wits and magical abilities but knowing the full price which she has to grapple with and the burden she will have to face with. There was some fantastic creepy scenes, most notable one was where Corine faces possessed monkeys (and it was pretty damn scary) as well as demons and psychotic drug lords and warlocks. But when Corine turns the tables and acts against Montoya it shows how far she has grown, and how ruthless she has to become to survive in the violent and dark world where she doesn’t want to belong in.

The ending was heartbreaking although hints of new and old possibilities. Corine really goes through the wringer in this book, but it’s a book where she realises that making deals with the devil (and she makes a couple in this book) can backfire and throws her life in disarray. I think in a lot of ways Corine was reborn in this book and the quest-like journey she takes with Kel in the first half of the book was a gauntlet that reshaped her mentally and emotionally.

End spoilers:

The Corine Soloman series is not the usual Urban Fantasy fare with the ass-kicking smart alec heroine. Each book feels like a part of a tapestry has been unveiled that shows aspects of Corine’s past and hinting of her future, which is definitely going to be big. And so far each book has brought something different and new which has definitely kept me guessing. And there is MAJOR revelations in this book that hints of a truly epic struggle coming to a head.

I think for me this series is firmly cemented as one of the best UF around! Shady Lady was a fast pace, that had a great vengeance plot and sharp characters with depth. As well an atmospheric tone and setting that you can almost taste and feel. And you know what? I think we really haven’t seen the best from this series yet!

I give Shady Lady an A! (less)

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Nov 02, 2011 mlady_rebecca rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: author__ann_aguirre, genre__urban_fantasy, genre_sub__witches_psychics, fiction__part_of_a_series, pov__first_person_female, fiction__speculative, 2011, genre_sub__demons_or_angels, own_series_box_8, format__mass_market_pb

I'm not sure what to think about this series.

In terms of Corine's personal gifts, Corine is doing things magically and mundanely that are tainting her aura/soul/character. It reminds me, a bit, of Rachel in Kim Harrison's Hallows series. Necessary evils, but they weigh on her.

In terms of romance, Corine has no idea what she wants. She wistfully remembers Chance. She tries to push herself at Jesse, because he seems the most "normal". And yet, the first person we see her sleep with is Kel. O-K....more

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Apr 17, 2011 Meghan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: murder, paranormal-fanasty, witches, romance

I loved this one! So glad I continued to read the series after being non-plussed with the first book (Blue Diablo). This one kind of gets back to the mess that was initiated in Blue Diablo, but this time Corine is without Chance. (That may be why I liked it so much). Instead, Kel Ferguson, the Hand of God, has returned to aid her trials. I love the story and details created around Kel.

****Spoiler Alert********
I've always loved stories that bring in some of the religious histories. Ann Aguirre i...more

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Jun 24, 2012 Tia rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book totally shaped Corine. It also changed so much. Jesse and Shannon will not remember Corrine, due to a spell being stronger than normal. A forget me spell. So I guess Jesse didn't love her enough to remember her. The enemy or one of them was finally killed and Chance is back and demanding a chance with her. *giggles* The love triangle between Corine, Jesse and Chance has been going on for a while and it's kind of sad that Jesse doesn't remember her but I do like that Chance is back arou...more

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Jun 07, 2012 Paris rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, 2012, must-read-author, must-read-series

Shady Lady is the third installment of the Corine Solomon series and my favorite of the books so far. Corine learns a lot about herself in this book and she loses a lot in this book. Aguirre takes us on an emotional roller coaster with Corine and at each twist and turn I felt like I was in Corine’s shoes…and what I wouldn’t give to have truly been in her shoes during a certain part in the middle of the Peruvian jungle…sigh.

Although sometimes I feel like Corine can be a little wishy washy, I do u...more

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Sep 25, 2011 k reads rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2011, reviewed

First posted at So I Read This Book...

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About Ann Aguirre

Ann Aguirre is a USA Today bestselling author with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. She likes all kinds of books, emo music,...more

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“Spanish was weird that way: two words for monkeys, and esposas meant both wives and handcuffs. That said a lot.” — 8 people liked it

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Shady Lady (Corine Solomon #3)

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