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I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. Currently, it's 4 stars and I'm going to have to think things over before sharing thoughts.
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I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. Currently, it's 4 stars and I'm going to have to think things over before sharing thoughts....more
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What a perfect book for the holidays! Ms. Dark devotes time to each couple, including a wonderful revelation, and gives hints of what's to
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What a perfect book for the holidays! Ms. Dark devotes time to each couple, including a wonderful revelation, and gives hints of what's to come. There's a freak snow storm in Austin, TX and everyone put off Christmas to the last minute. Now there's a scramble. There's magic and love and magic love brings. 5 glorious Christmas stars! I own it in Kindle but glad I could get the audio from my library.
As an aside, this one reminds me a bit of my own Christmas stories set in my Moonstruck world. ...more
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So, I can admit that Prince, in the very first book of the series, intrigued me. Then he sort of grated on me. Then he was kind of a jerk
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So, I can admit that Prince, in the very first book of the series, intrigued me. Then he sort of grated on me. Then he was kind of a jerk but still intriuguing. No excuses. Anyway... Prince and Nadia. I did not like Nadia and ham. Enter Kat. Totally would eat green egs with her. Prince is being himself, all buttoneed up and well...Prince-ly. This is a fun diversion and Nicole Poole's narration in entertaining.
Original review: I'm a huge fan of Dark's Seven series and Prince has long been a character I wanted to know more about. I was glad to get this chance to peek at his history and to see him get his HEA. Twin sisters who are total opposites, Prince's oldest friend in trouble, and Prince feeling the need to finally settle down and mate. Hrm...what's not to like?...more
Archangel's Sun I don't quite know what to say. While there is a lot of action and heartbreak in this book, it's also a breath of fresh air. It's a chArchangel's Sun I don't quite know what to say. While there is a lot of action and heartbreak in this book, it's also a breath of fresh air. It's a chance for the reader to let out a relieved breath after the breakneck action and terror of the previous two books. The Hummingbird and The Archangel of Africa. Lady Sherine and Titus. For so long, she was broken but recent events have left her battle tested and more resilient. She has rediscovered who Sherine was meant to be, and while the Hummingbird is important to angel-kind, Sherine is a woman who is discovering what she wants. I've always loved Titus and to watch how he "bleeds" for his people and for those he has inherited upon killing Charisemnon.
Lujan, the Archangel of Death, and Charisemnon, the Archangel of Disease, have left devastation and plague behind, despite their demises. No corner of the world has been left untouched by their evil legacy. But when Titus learns that the Cadre is sending The Hummingbird to him to help? Yeah...right!
Their story is delightful, the banter fresh and so true to both characters. This book was a joy to read, despite the dark corners it delved into. And the ending? OMG! Go Sharine! Now I have to wait another year. *makes sad face*...more
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This. Is. Vintage. KA! And yippee. Okay, there may be some parallels that can be drawn between this book and MOTORCYCLE MAN--club presiden
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This. Is. Vintage. KA! And yippee. Okay, there may be some parallels that can be drawn between this book and MOTORCYCLE MAN--club president, divored with a beeyotch of an ex-wife, two kids (boy/girl and similarity of their names Rush vs. Locke/Gear and Tabby vs Tattie). Both heroines work for the club as office managers. There are psychos and bad guys, girl posses, drama, and lots of hot chemistry. Despite the similarities, I enjoyed the heck out of West "Buck" Hardy and Clara Delaney. There are threads that weren't sewn up or snipped off, so I have hopes of more books in the series. I also enjoyed the narration by Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke's epilogue. A big note is this book, unlike a few released by one of her publishers, had NO formatting issues in the audio version. Big plus. Thanks for the fun ride, KA....more
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I hate my eyes! I wanted to devour this book in one great gulp of a reading marathon but due to circumstances and on account of because, I
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I hate my eyes! I wanted to devour this book in one great gulp of a reading marathon but due to circumstances and on account of because, I can only read print (paper OR digital) for about ten minutes at a time and the my eyes cloud and tear up. Of course, some of those tears were a result of this book. All the feels! Justice and Liza broke my heart and then put it back together again. This is the final book in the Savaged Illusions trilogy. If you haven read the first two (Savaged Dreams and Savaged Vows), PLEASE do! Knowing their whole story makes this final chapter in their relationship so poignant. FIVE All-the-Feels STARS!...more
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2020 relisten: The In Death books can be shelved as "police procedurals" (if I had a shelf labeled that) because, at heart, they are. But.
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2020 relisten: The In Death books can be shelved as "police procedurals" (if I had a shelf labeled that) because, at heart, they are. But. There's also so much more going on in the books--through the plot and character arcs. This one is a police procedural. It's a blueprint of an investigation, of weeding through all the possibilities until the murder is solved. And I enjoyed the slower pace and the "real" detective work that solving this case entailed.
2017 review: What is there to say about this book? Soooo much! This book was almost...cozy. Which is crazy, considering this IS Eve Dallas we're talking about. But it was a nice respite from the breakneck speed of the few previous books. Seeing where Eve has gotten to on an emotional level, where she is with Roarke, where she stands with the "Gang." Almost everyone made a cameo, with a few notable exceptions. And Roarke! OMG, seeing into Roarke's head and his conversations with Eve and Summerset?!?!?! That's all I'm going to say. This is a spoiler free zone. I listened to the audio version (will have to indulge in an actual "read" of the book once some eye issues resolve) and as always, Susan Ericksen does a masterful job with the narration. There's enough mystery to keep readers engaged, even though Larinda Mars (the victim) is totally despicable. This once again gives such insight into Eve's sense of right/wrong, good/evil, and justice. And did I mention Roarke!?!?!...more
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Well...I didn't see that one coming! First, I normally don't take this long to devour an Ilona Andrews book. I had to library books on hol
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Well...I didn't see that one coming! First, I normally don't take this long to devour an Ilona Andrews book. I had to library books on hold with waiting lists that both dropped after I stared BLOOD HEIR and I feel guilty of I don't listen to and return books with waiting lists. I own a copy of this book so knew it would be waitig for me. Anyway. The book. I didn't see that coming either. Or that. I will not explain because I don't do spoilers. Suffice it to say that Julie has grown up and changed. A lot. Asconio and Derek make themselves known. There are new characters and old characters and changed characters. Bottom line, the Oracle has foreseen Kate's death and only Julie can change the future. The lengths she goes through? Yeah. Extreme. In the 8 years since she left after the Battle of Atlanta, LOTS of changes! Loved the book. Mostly. Oh, keep reading/listenig after the book ends. There's added material that's interesting and a total tease. Grrr.
What I didn't enjoy? Kate and Curran (and others from the KD series) are mentioned but make no actual appearance. Barabas, Christopher, and a few others (spoiler territory), and Conlan are on the page. I loved Renee Raudman's narration of the Kate Daniels books but I understand wanted a new narrator for Julie's voice. However, the mispronunciation of several names was jarring. I hope that gets corrected in the next book, if there is a next book. I'm remembering the huge delay in the Hidden Legacy series and wondering also about the next book in the Iron Covenant series, also a spin-off from the Kate-verse....more
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I've read this novella two previous times, in the MIRROR, MIRROR anthology. This is my first time in audio. As always, Susan Erickson does
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I've read this novella two previous times, in the MIRROR, MIRROR anthology. This is my first time in audio. As always, Susan Erickson does a magnificent job. This particular one is a riff on the Hansel and Gretal story and Lt. Good Witch Dallas comes to the rescue. It's a tense countdown as to whether Dallas and the team can rescue a pair of kidnapped twins. A good solid 4 stars....more
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I first read this back in 2011 as the lead story in THE UNQUIET anthology. In the ensuing years, it's been released as a standalone and I
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I first read this back in 2011 as the lead story in THE UNQUIET anthology. In the ensuing years, it's been released as a standalone and I now have it in audio. I missed it during this marathon relisten, as the events in this novella occur not long after Eve returns from the McQueen case and events in Dallas (NEW YORK TO DALLAS). I'd moved on and just backtracked. This is a perfect October read/listen. Quick case, with some spooky overtones and a nod to Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."...more
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This novella was originally published in the DEAD OF NIGHT anthology. I originally read it there and I'm eventually adding the audio editi
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This novella was originally published in the DEAD OF NIGHT anthology. I originally read it there and I'm eventually adding the audio editions of these novellas to my collection. Eve is called to the scene of the future's equivalent of a social media influencer--a girl with more money than brains and an insatiable thirst for walking on the edge. She finds it in the form a...vampire. Or is he? Eve and the "Scooby gang" investigate and wrap up the case with a bit of action, blood, and a satisfying ending. It's short but fun....more
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This novella was originally released in an anthology some time ago. I'm glad it's out as a single in audio. While the story isn't "instrum
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This novella was originally released in an anthology some time ago. I'm glad it's out as a single in audio. While the story isn't "instrumental" in the over-all arc of the series, it's a fun side-note to things. Number 12 was a swinging club in the 1960s, ancient history to Eve Dallas and her cohorts. But there's a legend and a curse associated with the place and when Eve is called to the scene of a murder--the grandson of the original owner? Things get spooky. Awesome way to while away 3 hours....more
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ARGH! I hate cliffhangers and while I let it slide a little in my original review, it's now 6 months post release and no news on when the
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ARGH! I hate cliffhangers and while I let it slide a little in my original review, it's now 6 months post release and no news on when the next will release. *SIIIIGH* All I can do is wait. Still five stars.
Aug. 2020 review: Well...dang. That was a wild ride! Warning: this is NOT a standalone. Okay, it might be but I highly recommend at least reading/listening to SAPPHIRE FLAMES first. And you probably need to read/listen to DIAMOND FIRE for backstory. In fact, why not just enjoy the whole Hidden Legacy experience and start at the beginning with BURN FOR ME. Let me explain for those who are unfamilar with the series. The first three books are Nevada Baylor and Connor Rogan's couples arc. DIAMOND FIRE is a novella that hands off the reins to Catalina Baylor. Her arc with Alessandro Sagredo is covered in the next three books, of which EMERALD BLAZE is the second. Hopefully, the youngest Baylor sister, Arabella will get her HEA as well.
It's hard to talk about this book without spoilers. At the end of Catalina's first book, Alessandro left her and she was facing a couple of big hurdles dealing with the two new positions she now occupies: Head of House Baylor and...well...spoiler from the first book. As mentioned, one should read it first. In this book, bad things are happening, the part of the plot that continued from the first book is addressed in this one, and did I mention the action? LOTS of action, crazy magic, and chemistry. Yes, I am repeating myself. Anyway, read the cover blurb. Go back to the very beginning so you understand the world, buckle your seat belt, and enjoy the ride. It's a good one.
These books are not traditional romances of any subgenre. This is purely Urban Fantasy with a good side order of romance. The relationships build slowly, despite the off-the-charts chemistry and when the sexy times happen, they are spectacular. There are twists and turns and crazy magic and good guys and bad guys and family dynamics and...and...well...dang! Which is how I started this. This is a wondersul addition to a favorite series. I only have two bones to pick: 1) I have to wait a year for the next book and 2) there's a bit of a cliffhanger and I HATE THAT!
Also, I hope the Gordons will consider doing a short in Alessandro's voice, showing some of the things that happened to him off-page. It's explained but still, it would be fun to hear his voice, much like they did with Curran in the Kate Daniels series. Anyway, wishful thinking....more
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Ah...poor Jeni! Her curse--and the search for a cure--continues in this second book in the The Model Curse series by a favorite author, B.
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Ah...poor Jeni! Her curse--and the search for a cure--continues in this second book in the The Model Curse series by a favorite author, B.E. Sanderson. Jeni's losing the battle to remain a top model (hard to do when you're hideously ugly 12 out of 24 hours a day!) and she's focused on tracking down her sorry excuse for a brother. Along the way, she gets help from friends in low places--Kasimir the cat (who can wear human glamour) and a neon-pink hellhound named Precious. The snark continues, the fun and stakes escalate, and is there maybe a spark of chemistry between Jeni and the "special" investigator assigned to her case? Y'all totally need to nab SLEEPING UGLY and this book. Both are perfect to get lost in during less-than-fun times. I read it with my Kindle Unlimited subscription but I'll be buying it to add to my keeper shelf when the book budget renews. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for the snark....more
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It's not often that I re-listen to newly released book twice in the same year but since I did a marathon re-listen of the Pride series and
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It's not often that I re-listen to newly released book twice in the same year but since I did a marathon re-listen of the Pride series and then rolled over to the Badger Chronicles...well, sort of a no-brainer. It's still basically a good story but my initial reaction still holds true. I hope the author revisits the badgers and ties up the loose ends
Original review: Huh. This one took far more time to listen to than normal. scratches head*. I enjoyed the book. Except sometimes the narration made me go...wha?!!? Charlie (who was raised in Conneticut and Wisconsin ends up more often than not with a slight Southern accent. Anyway. The MacKilligan sisters are at it again. This book was almost as much Charlie's as it was Max's, when it was supposed to be Max's story. I liked her cat. There are family secrets that come out. (Spoilers) There are threads that tied off. (More spoilers) But at the end, the book felt...unfinished. It just sort of...stopped. 3.5 stars
That said, Laurenston's signature humor, snark, and crazysauce characters and plot blaze through the book. I laughed. I snickered. I might have laughingly cheered. She certainly left avenues open for future books. I kinda want to give it a 3 for...reasons...but it's Laurenston. And there were bears. So, 4 stars....more
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I originally read this novella in the SILENT NIGHT anthology. This is a quick "filler" story dropping into the In Death timeline on Christ
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I originally read this novella in the SILENT NIGHT anthology. This is a quick "filler" story dropping into the In Death timeline on Christmas morning, 2058 and ending on New Year's Eve. Any hope of spending their first Christmas together is dashed early on Christmas morning. Eve literally ended the hunt for a serial killer hours before, on Christmas Eve. So many Eves. Anyway...the case in HOLIDAY IN DEATH has been put to bed. Eve and Roarke got a little rest, and time to open presents, and then...her communicator goes off. The killer left the body and a list of victims on the ice rink at Rockefeller Center. Eve is in a race against time to save them all--including Dr. Mira. It's fast. It's intense. It's satisfying. Not a necessary read but worth the time to fill in some fun nooks and crannies in the overall arc of the series. Susan Erickson's narration is spot on! 4.5 stars...more
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Well, I don't have much to add to my original review. This was a reread/re-listen to refresh my memory on the status of things in Dallas a
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Well, I don't have much to add to my original review. This was a reread/re-listen to refresh my memory on the status of things in Dallas and Roarke World while awaiting today's release of the next book in the series. This one still takes my breath away. So much going on, on so many levels! Eve, Roarke, and Robb at their best. And Susan Erickson's suburb narraiton.
Original review: Oh. Wow! This book! Eve just thinks her life is getting complicated with all the people who keep populating it. This story takes that to a whole new level! This time, Roarke is on the line as the past and present collides in the form of a contract killer. Eve proves once again that she is an investigator par excellent. And she's got...well...let's just say that family gets redefined in this book. There are sad parts. There are funny parts. There are sniffly parts. I can't say much more without getting into The Spoiler Zone and I try hard not to go there. This is a terrific book and as always Susan Erickson is a master natrator to match LaNora/JD Robb's master storytelling status....more
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What happens to Derek always makes me sniffle. The scene at Julie's school always makes me smile. And then there's Curran and Kate...
Previ
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What happens to Derek always makes me sniffle. The scene at Julie's school always makes me smile. And then there's Curran and Kate...
Previous review: Every time I read/listen to this book, I start out thinking that this isn't one of my favorites in the series. And then I get totally sucked in and it becomes one of my favorites. The trials and tribulations of Kate's relationship with Curran continue. Things are unsettled in the pack. Rafael is pursuing Andrea. And there are bad people getting ready to take on the Pack. Enter Hugh D'Ambray, the Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Roland's war lord. Roland, of course, being Kate's father, and the man she plans to eventually kill. Fun times! And a full 5 stars....more
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Uhm....WOW! How do I even... Okay. I'm a writer. I'm supposed to be able to string words together to make complete sentences that make som
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Uhm....WOW! How do I even... Okay. I'm a writer. I'm supposed to be able to string words together to make complete sentences that make some semblance of sense. I finished this book and had to just "sit" on it overnight because I just couldn't wrap my head around it. For the first time in a very LONG time, a book has lived up to its hype. At least in my opinion, humble or otherwise. My taste in books is not everyones. And this had all the triggers people gasped about. It is dark. It is violent. There's death and injury, torture, abuse--human and critters. But there is also love and respect and honor and duty and...and...and... WOW.
Is this book for everyone? Oh, hell no. It's a dark fantasy set in a dark time. There are humans and monsters and gods. There's war. Revenge. Assasination. Lies. And honor. I mentioned that, right? This is a blunt book that pulls no punches but at the same time, the writing is almost lyrical and the setting and characters are imaginative and finely drawn. Frankly, I loved this book like damn and whoah! It's not often a book leaves me wondering what the hell i'm going to read next that might even come close to comparing. I look forward to the next book in this series. Maddek and Yvenne are just...WOW. And there's more characters with stories to tell and I want to hear all about them, too. Kudos to Nicole Poole, the narrator. She did an amazing job! I also want to thank the publishers, Penguin Group and Tantor Audio, for making this audiobook available through Hoopla. I probably wouldn't have listened to it otherwise. Now it's on my wish list and is now at the top of my to-buy list when the new book budget replenishes, along with the upcoming release, A TOUCH OF STONE AND SNOW.
I don't often include the blurb but this time? Yeah...here:
A generation past, the western realms were embroiled in endless war. Then the Destroyer came. From the blood and ashes he left behind, a tenuous alliance rose between the barbarian riders of Parsathe and the walled kingdoms of the south. That alliance is all that stands against the return of an ancient evil - until the barbarian king and queen are slain in an act of bloody betrayal.
Though forbidden by the alliance council to kill the corrupt king responsible for his parents' murders, Maddek vows to avenge them, even if it costs him the Parsathean crown. But when he learns it was the king's daughter who lured his parents to their deaths, the barbarian warrior is determined to make her pay.
Yet the woman Maddek captures is not what he expected. Though the last in a line of legendary warrior-queens, Yvenne is small and weak, and the sharpest weapons she wields are her mind and her tongue. Even more surprising is the marriage she proposes to unite them in their goals and to claim their thrones - because her desire for vengeance against her father burns even hotter than his own.......more
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2021 Audio version review: And I just thought it was weird to review my own book before. LISTENING to it? Wow! Trippy. And thrilling. Kudo
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2021 Audio version review: And I just thought it was weird to review my own book before. LISTENING to it? Wow! Trippy. And thrilling. Kudos to Mary Jane Conlon, my narrator. She nailed the characters, even the secondary voices. She's a talented narrator and I'm glad she was chosen to narrate ELENA. The voices, the emotion...it was all terrific. And I have admit, my words sounded pretty dang awesome coming out of her mouth but hey, I'm entitled to be a bit elated. This is my first English language audio book. And yes. I bought a copy so I'm a verified purchaser! Love the story even more that I can listen to it. Still 5 stars, especially now with Ms. Conlon's narration!
2020: I always feel weird--as the author--when it comes to rating/reviewing my own work. I obviously love it or I wouldn't have pushed the publish button. But...I'm also of an age when one simply didn't "vote" for oneself because that would show hubris. (Yes, I am older than dirt...)
And because I am, I'm thrilled that Pops is almost a contemporary. I've never truly written a "silver fox" as a hero, much less considered pairing him with a younger woman and when I got the chance to play in Susan Stoker's Police and Fire: Operation Alpha world, I jumped on the chance of writing about Pops.
How did this all come about? In Susan's book JUSTIC FOR ERIN, there's a wildfire and she introduced 5 local firefighters by nicknames. One of her readers asked if they would ever get their own books. Susan threw open the idea and six of us who occasionally play in her sandbox raised our hands. In almost a year of planning, brainstorming, collaboration, and fun, we came up with six heroes and heroines, six plots, and one major event tying things together.
The awesome thing is, we plan to do it all again this year with a 2021 release of six MORE couples who are part of the Tarpley, Texas Volunteer Fire Department.
I reread the book, for the first time since the editing process. And you know what? I still love it. So, I'm giving myself 5 stars because I helped create a new "world," because I had fun writing this book, and because I happen to think it's a darn good story. Of course, it helps that I brought in crossover characters from my established series. All the more fun. So...I hope you'll give FIGHTING FOR ELENA and the other 5 books a try....more
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Well...I can't say that much in the way of my opinion has changed since I read this book nine months ago. Except that GR is playing nice a
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Well...I can't say that much in the way of my opinion has changed since I read this book nine months ago. Except that GR is playing nice and I can post the cover/link. This is still a satisfying book and and interesting case for Eve. I'm torn. I'm always sad when the victims are nice but it makes Eve's job a bit easier and when the perpetrator is as nasty as this one? Go Team Eve!
Original review: Well, for some reason, GR is being a PITA. I can't post cover or link to this book. Grrr. Which is irritating because this is the 50th full-length novel in this series. In Death. Eve Dallas. The names are synonymous. First, congrats to JD Robb/Nora Roberts for this feat. Second, I was thoroughly invested in the story, loved seeing Eve back in action and enjoyed catching glimpses of some her "posse." Can I just say, Dennis Mira. Every time that sweet man is on the page, I get all sniffly and melt, just like Eve. And he was a superstar in his few small cameos! Peabody is stalwart as always and seeing her lose it? Priceless. The case was a difficult one and I didn't figure out until Eve did. Kudos. I'm satisfied with that part of the book. Now, what a lot of readers are complaining about...
No page appearance by Mavis, Leonardo, Bella, or Nadine. There's very little of Dr. Mira, Dr. Morris, McNab, Feeney, or Summerset. They're there in the background, along with Reo, Dickhead, Louise and Charles, Cmdr. Whitney, Jenkinson and Reineke, and an interesting cameo by Harvo that gives us a better glimpse of her personality that I enjoyed. Roarke is there and I enjoyed the tree scene with him and Eve.
Now, as to why I'm not complaining... After 50 books and a huge expansion of Eve's circle of friends, there's no way to work them into the book with a lot of face time for each one. I get this. I miss the posse, but hey! I can reread (or listen in my case) to previous books to get my fix of their presences. I can never get enough of Roarke and it was nice to catch glimpses of him doing what he does best in support of Eve. It was his computer expertise that...well...read (or listen) to the book.
While I agree that this story wasn't as special was I was anticipating for a "golden edition," it is a satisfying addition to the series and look forward to #51 coming the Fall of 2020. 4.5 stars....more
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A quick listen to set me up for the newest release. Mo and Lottie. Scary stalkerish stuffs. Commandos. Hot Bunch. What's not to enjoy?
2019
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A quick listen to set me up for the newest release. Mo and Lottie. Scary stalkerish stuffs. Commandos. Hot Bunch. What's not to enjoy?
2019 review: This novella came out earlier in the year and is now in audio, my preferred method of ingesting the KA crack. Still love Mo and Lottie. Still looking forward to the the rest of the Commandos. *taps foot* Any time now, KA. Just sayin'... Also, Susannah Jones does a good job with the narration.
Original Kindle copy review: I freaking LOVED this book. Like damn and whoah! KA is kind of my reading crack anyway but Lottie? AND MO!!!!! Hawk and his commandos. THE HOT BUNCH! Smithie. I did miss the Chaos MC but whatever. Okay. So..."Lottie Mac" is the Queen of the Corvette Calendar and headlining at Smithie's strip joint. Since she's come back to town, she's watched the rest of the Rock Chicks find their One. And she's convinced all the good ones are now taken. Enter a whack job who likes to write threatening letters. Who ya gonna call if the Hot Bunch will go insane when they find out? Hawk's commandos, of course. Enter Mo Morrison. He's on Lottie like peanut butter on jelly. 24/7. Watching them do the "mating dance" is delightful. Dipping toes back into the Denver environs of Rock Chicks (though didn't see much of them either), and the crew? Delightful. I laughed. A lot. And there were so many awwwww moments that...well...read the darn thing for yourself. C'mon. You know you want to, especially if you're a KA fan. I totally get that her brand of crazysauce is not to everyone's taste but for absolute crazypants fun with a side of pure escapism, I highly recommend the Dream Man series, Rock Chicks, and Chaos. All her others too, but those especially because they are so entertwined. And I'm beyond excited that the commandos get their own series! Whoohoo!!!! Now I just have to be patient and wait....more
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Well...alrighty then. I've been looking forward to Nicolletta and Taviano's story. He's been waiting for her for several years now. I liked
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Well...alrighty then. I've been looking forward to Nicolletta and Taviano's story. He's been waiting for her for several years now. I liked their story. I'm glad they got their HEA. However...
The repetition. The continuous headspace that was just more repetition. I feel like i've been beaten over the head--repeatedly--by a clue-by-four that I, as in intelligent reader did. Not. NEED! This gives me a sad because getting through this book was a chore and the story and characters deserve better. Also, WTF with the shibari scene on the roof? I...that's all I can say without spoilers, but what the ever-lovin' heck!?!?! *GAH* Anyway, I figure Emmanuella's story is next (likely a year from now) and I'll stick with the series for that long. As much as I'd like to follow the cousins and listen to their stories, I'm not sure my patience will allow it and at one book a year and me being older than dirt... we'll see.
This one gets a 3.5 rounded to a 4 because I do like Jim Frangione, the narrator, and both Nicoletta and Taviano....more
As was this book. This story is a fantastic way to close out this trilogy. Queen Everleigh and her fr
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Ahhh, the long game. So satisfying...
As was this book. This story is a fantastic way to close out this trilogy. Queen Everleigh and her friends face new challenges, new enemies, and new, unexpected allies. The conclusion was satisfying, though there are still threads to tug and I hope the author weaves them into new games with new players. There are several I'd follow without hesitation. I can't say much about the plot, other than what you can read in the book blurb without revealing...things. Many things. Exciting things. Bloody things. I loved this book. Without hesitation. And pay no attention to the time it took me to listen to the book. It wasn't the story's fault and I chafed to get back to it, listening in quick snatches when other things intruded--like books on hold from the library with large waiting lists. Being a good patron and all-round nice person where other readers are concerned, I bravely shelved this book to listen to the others as quick as I could. Perhaps it was those distractions and an abiding sense of anticipation that this book hit all the right buttons and I'm left feeling a bit bereft and hoping the author will soldier on with new stories set in this world. Fingers crossed!
Until then, I can't recommend this series enough. Do start at the beginning. Too much world, to many characters, and the full impact of the long game to take a short cut. 5 epic stars!...more
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2020 re-listen: Wow. Yeah, that's about the way things still stand. I don't really have anything to add. My original review stands.
2019 Or
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2020 re-listen: Wow. Yeah, that's about the way things still stand. I don't really have anything to add. My original review stands.
2019 Original: Wow. 49 books. And a slew of novellas. This series is the Energizer Bunny of series and J.D. Robb is my heroine. Be that as it may, in this "episode," Eve is facing a serial killer who calls herself "Lady Justice." This book is brutal in its descriptions of the torture the victims endure before their ultimate deaths. The real mystery in this book is whether or not Eve will be able to prove that the perpetrator actually did it. Since Eve "knows"--in that uncanny cop-smart way of hers--who the perp is, there are no red herrings, no twists or turns. And that's okay. Getting to watch Eve in full-on investigation mode--and trying to end the murderous "rampage" before the next victim is taken is what makes this book a page turner. 4.5 stars....more
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Kristen Ashley has returned to her roots and I'm loving it. In this series, she has created the Dream Team aka Rock Chicks Next Gen (and/o
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Kristen Ashley has returned to her roots and I'm loving it. In this series, she has created the Dream Team aka Rock Chicks Next Gen (and/or 2.0). KA's patented humor, hot chemistry, and damsels in distress who might just rescue themselves despite the assistance of their hot guy commandos is the perfect read for my current headspace. Evan "Evie" Gardner and Daniel "Danny/Mag" Magnusson are perfect. Her family is the pits. His anger issues and PTSD leave him restless. Until Evie. Evie is a complete dork, a computer/engineering nerd who strips to pay her way through school--or would if she wasn't busy bailing her brother out of jail. Danny is just commando she needs when shit gets real.
I laughed. I awww'd. I even ahhh'd! Peeking in on the Rock Chicks and Hot Bunch was fun. Glad they got to make cameos. All I can say is that this book made me smiie.
While I adored the book, the characters, and the return to Denver, the technical issues in the audio version are disconcerting. At one point, the narrator sounds like she has a lisp, and Susannah Jones does NOT lisp. At one point, the narrator says, "Oh, wait. That's [character name]" then changes her tone of voice to that characters. There are constant "repeats" of lines. At first, I thought it was KA because she's known to do that for emphasis, but there was no change in the inflection so these were just blips. I don't fault author or narrator. I DO fault the production crew and I would hope that they will correct the original version and then make sure that everyone who purchased a copy receives the updated version.
I am sooo looking forward to the next book in this series. All bets are off on who the next couple will be. All of them were teased in this book so I'll just have to wait, hoping it won't take a year to get my fix!...more
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I freaking LOVED this book. Like damn and whoah! KA is kind of my reading crack anyway but Lottie? AND MO!!!!! Hawk and his commandos. THE
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I freaking LOVED this book. Like damn and whoah! KA is kind of my reading crack anyway but Lottie? AND MO!!!!! Hawk and his commandos. THE HOT BUNCH! Smithie. I did miss the Chaos MC but whatever. Okay. So..."Lottie Mac" is the Queen of the Corvette Calendar and headlining at Smithie's strip joint. Since she's come back to town, she's watched the rest of the Rock Chicks find their One. And she's convinced all the good ones are now taken. Enter a whack job who likes to write threatening letters. Who ya gonna call if the Hot Bunch will go insane when they find out? Hawk's commandos, of course. Enter Mo Morrison. He's on Lottie like peanut butter on jelly. 24/7. Watching them do the "mating dance" is delightful. Dipping toes back into the Denver environs of Rock Chicks (though didn't see much of them either), and the crew? Delightful. I laughed. A lot. And there were so many awwwww moments that...well...read the darn thing for yourself. C'mon. You know you want to, especially if you're a KA fan. I totally get that her brand of crazysauce is not to everyone's taste but for pure crazypants fun with a side of pure escapism, I highly recommend the Dream Man series, Rock Chicks, and Chaos. All her others too, but those especially because they are so entertwined. And I'm beyond excited that the commandos get their own series! Whoohoo!!!! Now I just have to be patient and wait....more
Well...that's approximately 15 hours I won't get back. What to say about this book...
The Torpedo Ink series is dark, dirty, and sexy. But up until thiWell...that's approximately 15 hours I won't get back. What to say about this book...
The Torpedo Ink series is dark, dirty, and sexy. But up until this book, it was also action-packed. As other reviewers have noted, this entry to the series is little more than a sex fest between the hero and heroine. For me, the sexy bits get really boring after awhile, especially when it is constant, page after page with flames igniting, burning hot, and/or the angsting leads burning in hell because neither of them believes themselves to be loveable or worthy. This made up probably 90% of the book while the alleged plot and action might have been 10% and that's probably being generous.
This series has been an auto-buy and listen for me. I might have to start saving my Audible credits until after I've listened to the next installment from the library. This makes me sad. While I gave up on the author's Carpatthians and Ghostwalkers ages ago, I've enjoyed her Shadowrider and Torpedo Ink entries. Ah well. We'll see. Despite everything, I liked the characters and Jim Frangione is one of my favorite narrators. I really wanted to like this book so I'm giving it a 2.5 bumped to a 3 based strictly on Frangione's narration. That said, I can't "shelve" it two places I normally place this author's books: Keeper and Suspense. Crossing fingers the next one will be much better....more
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