A Void of Magic

A Void of Magic by Sandy Williams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What an interesting and unique story we have here to start a series! You’ve got your typical paranormal bunch, but they are forced to acknowledge humans because they control a magically neutral territory that gives them back their humanity for a time. I can’t wait to see where this goes!

Kennedy has done some typical teenage rebelling in an atypical environment. Since her parents own said magically neutral territory, she’s got a bit of a weight hanging over her. It passes down a bloodline, so there’s no escaping, but she’s definitely tried. The Rain Hotel is her birthright and a curse. It’s partially controlled by the whims of the two big factions – vampires and werewolves. Kennedy tried to skirt the rules, allowing in people not on the ruler’s lists, and got into big trouble for her attempt. Who knew there was so much involved in running a little hotel? She’s since made a life outside the property grounds, but finds herself pulled in while her parents are on holiday. Things do no go smooth.

There’s a visit from her frenemy, who wants to marry a vampire. There’s a health inspection that fails. There’s some possible trespassers she can’t find. Oh, and some very attractive but domineering wolves.

This book takes you on a serious rollercoaster ride and leaves you wanting more. While not really a cliffhanger, I was a little angry we didn’t get to see where Kennedy ends up at the end of her troubles but they don’t ever seem to really end. I guess I’ve got to go along for the ride that is this series and hope Kennedy can become the person the staff believes she can be.

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Ecstasy in Darkness

Ecstasy in Darkness by Gena Showalter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Working through this series book by book has been an experience. This book in particular reads as if it was after some pivot in the author’s writing style. It’s fun, snarky, and gives a lot more than the previous ones. I hope to see more from Ava and Noelle (and whoever she ends up with) in the future!

Ava is a snarky and awesome recruit for the AIR. She’s got a really tough vibe but inside is a big marshmallow. Who is she going to be paired up with? Well, remember that really mean vampire we met in the Bride story? McKell has apparently been tearing apart any AIR agents that are sent his way because… reasons. His character, like most in this universe, has gone from moderately annoying to pretty mean. He has traumatized the poor AIR to the point where they are willing to throw two trainees at him in the hopes of capturing him for blood testing. We are still dealing with the whole disease/end of the world thing, so anything is worth a shot.

Ava and Noelle’s banter was a true highlight in this book. I could read a whole Ava/Noelle saga series but was ultimately glad where we got here. Ava needs somebody to look out for her, perhaps more than Noelle does. Don’t get me wrong, these girls are a nice balance to one another, but their plans could use some review (e.g. when they try to “lure” vampires). Ava and McKell have some sizzling chemistry from the first attempt at luring him, but it only grows from there. Throw in some fated mate stuff, lots of sexy times, and your typical miscommunications and you’ve got this book in a nutshell.

The out of the ordinary stuff (random doors, the queen’s attempt at persuasion, etc.) and you get the very hurried wrap-up I’ve come to expect in this series. There are always a few loose ends that I hope we pick up next book (or not – see the whole underground vampire love interest stuff that we still don’t have resolution on). I’ll keep reading this series until it ends, and probably leaves some things incomplete!

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The Haunted Homecoming

The Haunted Homecoming by Angie Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can't believe we are 10 books into this world! Each book adds another layer on top of the already awesome previous ones, dragging me deeper and deeper into this wonderful Southern story.

This book has us officially meeting Verity's mom as she returns for the town's homecoming celebration. There are tons of generations all celebrating in town, which leads to your expected mayhem and mystery. In this instance, it is a gruesome discovery in the town's time capsule that puts Verity hot on the case of a murderer. Ellis, always supportive, is now forced to try to protect all the Long girls at once - a tall task indeed!

Our favorite gangster also plays pretty prominently in this story, while not an eager ghost hunting participant, he is at least working (also, reluctantly) on his love life. There's a lot of deception, twists, and turns there, just like with the main mystery storyline. This story had me both rooting for and cringing at Verity's mom the entire way. Do we get a solid mystery resolution? Yup! Verity always gets her man, or ghost, or "other." On top of that, we have a bit of a cliffhanger at the end here that has me eager to dive in to the next installment!

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Witches Get Stitches

Witches Get Stitches by Juliette Cross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series is so good. If you haven't read the first few books, you should definitely go back and start there. That being said, you can probably dive in here if you must (because this book rocks, too!).

This story is all about Violet. We've seen her as a supporting character in the previous books. She's a tattoo artist and a powerful witch. She is also a huge commitment-phobic. When she gets all sorts of feelz from Nico after meeting and making out with him, she runs. Nico, the patient werewolf that he is, eventually follows her. His pack at the time was... a bit broken, so it wasn't a hardship, but his wolf wouldn't let him stay away from Violet either way.

Nico and Violet play at being friends, but they aren't fooling anyone. Don't worry, though, we don't have to suffer for the entire book - and it is explosive! So - the big bad in this one? Nico's old pack ends up getting wind of Violet's magical tattoos and for some reason they think that messing with her is a good idea. Even without Nico in the picture, Violet is a force to be reckoned with. This book is a nice bled of paranormal romance, tough chick action, stupid boys, and witchy goodness. Oh, and Fred, who is the best. What a fantastic book and so very satisfying!

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Van Helsing Academy

Van Helsing Academy by Stacey O'Neale
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a unique and fun story! I'm excited to see where this series ends up going!

Mina (yes, I know) is a Van Helsing. They are part of the supernatural legacy, which in this world includes setting up a rehabilitation facility for supernaturals that step out of line. The group tasked with policing supernaturals is where we meet Mina. She's got a little bit of an issue with authority, and it's that mindset that ends up putting her alone and in trouble. When she resurfaces, she's got some missing time, but has been recorded on camera killing two vampires.

This killing ends up sending Mina into the same rehab facility that she visited as a kid, but this time is in a very different capacity. There's clearly more at play here, so her father endorses her getting sentenced to the facility in order to gather more intel. This facility is nothing like I expected. It's more like a boarding school with very harsh punishments. The characters we meet here are also pretty amazing. Are there bad guys? Sure, but the majority of the characters that we meet are sympathetic paranormals all there for questionable reasons.

So, what's missing? Well, of course there's romance! It really sizzle between Mina and Sacha, an alpha who seems just as reluctant to like her as she is him. These two, however, end up being the best support system (other than Kiera, of course!). We get some resolution to Mina's mystery, but there is so much more I want to know. I can't wait to see where she ends up in future installments and they can't get here fast enough!

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Death & Desire

Death & Desire by Deborah Wilde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I added this book to my "to-read" list right after finishing the first installment. I love a good snarky urban fantasy and this delivers on all fronts.

We join Ash, newly acknowledged (a little in secret) for her released Jezebel powers, looking for her "team," trying to navigate her complicated relationship with Levi, and juggling her commitments to the Queen of Hearts. So - what ended up happening? There was a pretty good mystery, new characters, and I can't believe I didn't mention her yet, but Ash's BFF is THE BEST. On top of all this drama, Ash's mom is supporting an anti-magic group even after Ash "came out" to her. Moms, right?

I have to admit, it was a little jarring to dive into book 2 without slowing the snark at all. I eventually got on board, especially with the Levi/Ash banter, but there was definitely a missing learning curve here. I am 100% on board, though, with wherever this series goes - please take me!

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Edge of Darkness

Edge of Darkness by Lara Adrian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I kind of forgot how good this spin-off series is. I've had this audiobook on my phone for a while and finally got back to it.

This story revolves around Knox, an ex-Hunter who is on a bit of a wander after losing the closest thing he's had to a mate. Lenny is a diner waitress who has been taking care of her sister's son for several years. The boy's father is in prison for assaulting Lenny's sister (who has since "disappeared") so there is a bit of baggage in this small town. When Knox shows up, he has unfortunately timed it when the boy's father is set to be released, and he gets drawn into this drama, too. He somehow can't walk away from this little family, and it's adorable and awesome. Oh, and also sexy.

Lenny was a good female lead here for Knox. She's tough and independent She also doesn't need protecting, but that doesn't stop Knox. These two have the typical misunderstanding phase, but it is rapidly made up for in the end. Looks like this is book 3 of 3, but I hope we continue on to see where the other Hunters end up, and who they mate with.

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