Review: Hell in a Head Gasket

Hell in a Head Gasket by G.A. Chase
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was filled with alternate dimension demons, motorcycles, and bounty hunting. While this is the first book of this series, it read almost like a sequel.

This story just throws you right into the deep end. I ended the book with way more understanding of the universe than when I started, but found myself getting a little frustrated by my lack of knowledge along the way. We join Sere, who has a magical affinity for snakes, kicking butt, and healing herself from large injuries. She is this world’s version of a demon (of sorts) and is tied to her “real” – another identical body that has her own life. If that wasn’t complicated enough, she’s also the daughter of “the devil.” Or something. I’m still not 100% on a lot of things in there.

The larger story (aside from grasping at details about this unique universe setup) is about a “demon” who has escaped from the same place Sere is from. It’s a little unknown how he gets out, or what his real end game is, but Sere has appointed herself as the hunter for this prey. The hunt involves a stalker-ish bartender with a motorcycle, a gigantic hell gator, disguises, gruesome murders, New Orleans, and an accountant. Along the way, like I said, you get dribs and drabs of information about how this world is set up and exactly how it came to be, but I am left wanting so much more! Sere eventually grew on me, as most gritty tough chicks do, so I kind of want to know what happens next in her story.


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Review: Hot and Badgered

Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Holy crap there were a lot of characters and storylines jammed into this book! I guess I wrongly assumed I could start at book 1 of a new series and not be lost but, wow, I was totally lost and overwhelmed from the start.

We dive into this world filled with *so many characters* that there must be a bunch of books before this that I have not read. Each character is totally developed with a personality, backstory, and history with all these characters that I know I’m missing something. About halfway through, I think I started to get the hang of the craziness (on top of crazy behavior) and was able to focus more on the main story. That being said, the main story is bananas!

Charlie is the eldest daughter of a jerky womanizer. She’s got two other insane (in different ways) sisters that each have their own buckets of problems. They’ve got a super tight bond and some shared honey badger DNA, but are perpetually on the run from something or other, usually tied with their deadbeat (and largely criminal) father. A group of trained assassins end up chasing Charlie into a bear shifter named Berg. Not much shocks him, but when Charlie ends up naked, disarming guys with guns, it gets him to raise an eyebrow. When he ends up running into her a second time at a random apartment, it must be fate.

These two are adorable in their love of family, ability to battle almost anything, and awkward nervousness about their romance. While their romantic storyline was a highlight, it got a little bogged down in so much other story and character. I guess I was expecting something a little lighter, but went into this world blind, based on an amazon recommendation.


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Review: Claiming His Lioness

Claiming His Lioness by Kerry Adrienne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have only read one previous book in this series, but was able to jump in here to the drama that these shifters are in now without any issues. This book had shapeshifters, evil human plots, environmental groups, and mystical seers galore!

Mason and Lara have been sniping at each other since Mason took over leadership (reluctantly) from his recently deceased father. He rules with his twin, which is probably his saving grace. Lara, the pride’s enforcer, is constantly bucking at the rules Mason puts on her. His chauvinistic attitudes only make her job harder. Determined to prove herself deserving of her position, she stumbles upon a plot to run an oil pipeline directly through their Deep Creek sanctuary. The ramifications could be catastrophic, so the entire pack (and all the shapeshifter clans) must work together to get them out.

There were a few elements of this story that overlapped. First, there’s the stubborn fighting/romance between Mason and Lara. These two are obviously destined to be together, but they are fighting tooth and nail. The fated mate aspect is just as sudden and abrupt as usual, but a nice relief from the fighting. Second, there is the evil human corporation that is lurking in the background. When Lara is captured by these hunters, there is a surprise shifter in the mix with maybe even more secrets than Lara herself. Lastly, we get to see the mystical inner workings of the magical cave. That all ends up rolling together to bring some unity to the packs. While this book was a little light on romance, it was nice to see where all the characters are in their lives and get a taste for all the different packs (even if I am just an evil human).


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Review: 12 Nights of Christmas

12 Nights of Christmas by Rebecca Hunter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read only the Tawdra Kandle story in this collection (December 27: The Meant to Be Girl), so can only review that portion of the collection.

I’m an avid Tawdra Kandle fan and have devoured all of these small town stories. Even without that background, you could surely read this short and enjoy it just as much. The characters in it are genuine, real, and filled with love. This story shows the inner workings of the budding relationship fans have seen in the background. Ashley is a hard working business owner who falls in love with her salon’s customer, Zane. They skirt the issues and seem to keep missing each other, but this story gives them the perfect (and maybe magical?) way to take the next step. Who wouldn’t love a story about romance, determination, and fruitcake?


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Review: Pecan Pies and Dead Guys

Pecan Pies and Dead Guys by Angie Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love these adorable southern mysteries! If you haven’t yet met Verity, you can probably join at any point in the series, but to watch her grow along the way is part of the charm of the series.

Verity is still very early on in her ghost hunting career, but in order for that to work, she’s got to have access to her ghostly partner – Frankie. Sounds like an OK plan since he can’t actually leave her property without his urn, but their new ghostly companion, a deceased inspector, has other ideas. After their meeting on the train in the previous book, they are on the hook to solve a murder for him in exchange for Frankie not getting locked up (and Verity’s house becoming a prison of sorts). The murder mystery also happens to have occurred at a local estate that Verity can pull some strings to get access too.

As if Verity’s life isn’t crazy enough, Beau is also newly hooked up with a girlfriend who runs a food truck. Beau’s mother is losing her mind over him possibly quitting the law firm and has (for some reason) decided it is Verity’s fault. So much stress! Oh, and someone is trying to kill her, again. Seems like Verity can’t just catch a break and just have a relaxing, somewhat normal, couple of weeks. At least at the end of this book we are left with some real positives out of this insane outing for Verity and company. I simply devour these books at a rapid pace every time they come out! I’m torn between wanting Frankie to move on and never wanting this series to end. And I want pie.


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Review: Transmonstrified

Transmonstrified by R.L. Naquin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked up this book just so I could finally say I’d finished the entire Monster Haven series.

I had already read a few of these stories and have some experience in the Unamused Muse world, too, but these were still fun, quick stories to read. The two new stories in the Monster Haven world were about Kam and Riley. The Kam story was adorable and, having read one of the spin-off books, I wish her own series had the same light heartedness to it. She solves a sort of mystery and does her job all in one night’s work.

Riley’s story shows his start in the reaper business and actually allowed me to appreciate Art in time for the final book. I think Art is largely misunderstood as a character. Riley I still love, but since he spends the majority of the books telling Zoey that she’s trying to get herself killed, it was nice to just see Riley on his own for once.

If you (like me) are obsessed with finishing all the books and short stories in a series, reading this one will help you feel complete. If you don’t feel the need to do that, you can absolutely skip over the shorts without missing anything in the main storyline. I think they were worth the read, especially if you haven’t read the other, previously published Monster Haven shorts in this collection.


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Review: Phoenix in My Fortune

Phoenix in My Fortune by R.L. Naquin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Update: As this now came at the conclusion of my re-read it was extra sad to say goodbye to this crew. Seeing the people I've come to adore find their ending (good and bad) made it hard to get through this one. Still a fun and quirky series, even at the re-read.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow - what a wonderful end to a completely entertaining series. There are HEAs for everyone and all the loose ends are neatly tied up.

I fell in love with Zoey and her bunch of misfits from the first time I met them. They are all so unique and wonderfully witty that I have often found myself laughing and smiling along with them. If you haven't had a chance to check out this series, you should go back to truly appreciate this great read. We left these characters dealing with some loss, but worried about this "last hidden." They had a little reprieve, but things are changing rapidly.

Zoey and her mother are the last protectors around and they are tasked with something impossible - stop the end of the world as they know it. With little support from a system that is rebuilding, Zoey is the leader of an army of hidden that she has accumulated along the way. Their bond is unbreakable and they all support her as she marches against the end of an era. This last hidden has shown up too early, broken all the rules and appears just as confused as they are. The battle might not be as bloody as you'd expect, but there are some bittersweet losses. What would an ending be without some tears? The very end, though, is very sweet. I'm sad to see these characters go, but happy with the way it was done. Thanks for the wonderful series!

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