The Undead Pool Review

The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison
The Hollows Book 12
Published February 25, 2014 by Voyager
5 Demonic Fangs!!!


"If you do not know your history, you're doomed to repeat it."


Synopsis -

Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan has managed to save the demonic ever after from shrinking, but at a high cost. Now strange magic is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong, and the truce between the races, between Inderlander and human, is shattering. 

Rachel must stop the occurrences before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and it becomes all-out supernatural war. However, the only way to do so is through the ancient elven wild magic, which carries its own perils.  (Goodreads)

Review - 

For years now fans of The Hollows have been wanting to know what happened to drive Newt insane.  Well, hold onto your seats ghouls and gals cause its going to be a bumpy ride as Rachel finally learns the truth, the hard way.  The one question that will be remaining at the end, will Rachel be able to maintain her own sanity?  And for those of you that have been rooting for a Trent and Rachel union, are NOT going to want to miss this.

Rachel finds herself yet again having to save the world.  Someone has been tampering with her line, but far more than just that.  Turns out the Goddess of the elves was once a very real thing indeed, but during the great war between Elves and Demons, she was not only destroyed but shattered.  Now someone has found a way to collect those particles of her and use them to keep the undead vampire masters asleep, in turn slowly starving them to death.  And while that seems like a great plan in theory, especially for the not so secret faction known as the Free Vampires, there is now nothing to stop the living vampires to do any and everything they want, can anyone say bloodbath?  It seems that no-one is safe from vampires, not even themselves.  That's not the only troubles Interlanders are facing.  With whoever out there capturing mystics, all magic is misfiring, causing simple cleaning charms to backfire to the point of death.   

Quite naturally Rachel goes to her demonic teacher for help, but he is less than willing.  The question is, does he truly not know what is going on, and if he does, why is he holding back.  The answer comes in the form of the only other female demon, the less than sane Newt.  And if Rachel goes through with her plan to save everyone she may end up just as insane.

The reason behind Newts' sanity isn't the only thing that comes to light, so do Trent and Rachel's' true feelings toward one another.  But will he finally listen to his heart, or put his responsibilities to his elven people first.  And Ivy finds herself yet again battling for Nina's soul because there is one undead who never went to sleep, Felix.

This is a true must read for Hollow's fans, and for readers who are newbies, this stand-alone will leave you craving for more.   Full of lust, love, blood, gore, excitement, honor and characters who will pull at your heart strings, make you want to tap a ley line and stand by their sides and fight whether you're as small as a pixy or as big as a were.

Books With Fangs; March, 2014

Night Broken by Patricia Briggs
Mercy Thompson Book 8
March 11, 2014

Summary -

An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam’s ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from her new boyfriend. Adam isn’t the kind of man to turn away a person in need—and Mercy knows it. But with Christy holed up in Adam’s house, Mercy can’t shake the feeling that something about the situation isn’t right.

Soon, her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the farthest thing from good intentions. She wants Adam back and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen, including turning Adam’s pack against Mercy.

Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. Christy’s ex is more than a bad man—in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.  (Goodreads)

The King by J. R. Ward
Black Dagger Brotherhood Book 12
March 31, 2014

Summary -

J.R. Ward's # 1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood continues as a royal bloodline is compromised by a grave threat to the throne.

Long live the King…

After turning his back on the throne for centuries, Wrath, son of Wrath, finally assumed his father’s mantle--with the help of his beloved mate. But the crown sets heavily on his head. As the war with the Lessening Society rages on, and the threat from the Band of Bastards truly hits home, he is forced to make choices that put everything--and everyone--at risk.

Beth Randall thought she knew what she was getting into when she mated the last pure blooded vampire on the planet: An easy ride was not it. But when she decides she wants a child, she’s unprepared for Wrath’s response--or the distance it creates between them.

The question is, will true love win out... or tortured legacy take over? (Goodreads)

Entangled Edge Release Day Blast

Edge, a digital-first single-title romance line from Entangled Publishing, takes its lead from their popular Select imprint but gives its novels an edge in the marketplace by bringing great stories to readers at reasonable prices in a quick-and-easy way. Whether sexy or sweet, traditional romance or love and lust with a women’s fiction bent, at the center of every Edge book is heart. From Urban Fantasy to Contemporary Romance to Science Fiction Romance, Edge has a book for all romance readers—and right at their fingertips! As they say, all’s fair in love and war. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books are coming next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, and like their Facebook page.

Today I'm happy to be featuring Edge's February releases!!

Mustang Sassy by Daire St. Denis

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Find Out More!

Jordan Michaels wants his car fixed, now, and he wants Sass’s auto body shop to do it. But the handsome blond has a secret−he’s really Jordan Carlyle of Carlyle’s Classics, Sass Hogan’s biggest competitor, and he’s determined to prove himself to his family. As Sass and Jordan get to know each other, the depth of the attraction has them falling in love. But a relationship based on lies will only leave them primed for the worst wreck of their lives.

Giveaway

Death Defying by Nina Croft

Blood Hunter #3

Special $0.99 Pricing on First 3 Books in Series!

Find Out More!

After five hundred years, Callum Meridian, founding member of the Collective, is bored out of his mind. Until he realizes he’s physically changing—into what, he isn’t sure. Callum is determined to discover the truth, but his own people will stop at nothing to prevent it from coming out. He turns to Captain Tannis of the starship El Cazador. Sparks fly as they work together to make it out alive, but can Callum really trust the one woman hell bent on using him? Defying death has never been more dangerous…or more sexy.

Giveaway

Bittersweet Darkness by Nina Croft
The Order #3

Special $0.99 Pricing on All 3 Books in Series!

Find Out More!

As payment for a debt, Ash Delacourt finds himself working with the Order of the Shadow Accords as the demon representative. It’s a chance to be near his daughter, make a new start, and—once he’s met the delectable Detective Connolly—maybe have a little fun. But Faith has a secret, and falling in love with Ash—one of the bad guys, albeit a stunningly gorgeous one, isn't part of her future. How can she ever let Ash close when her time is running out…?

Giveaway

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead by Patricia Eimer
Speak of the Devil #3

Special $0.99 Pricing on All 3 Books in Series!

Find Out More!

There’s never an end to the crazy when you’re demon spawn. Not that Faith Bettincourt’s complaining. She's patching things up with her angelic on-again off-again boyfriend, Matt, and saving kids from Death in her pediatric unit, one soul at a time. But when she's forced to take over as the Angel of Death, and then Matt’s ex comes back, bringing the Apocalypse with her, Faith’s not about to give up the world...or her man. When the chips are down, what’s a girl to do but take matters in her own hands, consequences be damned?

Giveaway

Bittersweet Darkness Review

Bittersweet Darkness by Nina Croft
The Order Book 3  
Published February 24, 2014 by Entangled Publishing
ARC Review
5 BLOODY FANGS!!!!


"There is no such thing as black and white, good or evil.  But there is right and wrong."


Summary - 

There are no monsters, only good guys and bad guys. That’s the creed by which Detective Inspector Faith Connolly has always lived. 

When Faith discovers that she has a time bomb counting down in her head, she has one goal; to solve the murder case she’s working on—a young girl who was found drained of blood—and in doing so gain closure for a long ago murder never solved. Her investigation brings her in contact with Ash Delacourt. Ash is all black leather, big guns and sexy bad attitude—definitely not one of the good guys.

As payment for a debt, Asmodai AKA Ash Delacourt, finds himself working with the Order of the Shadow Accords. He’s the demon representative on the newly formed Committee for the Integration of Mankind and well…everything else. It’s a chance to be near his daughter, make a new start, and—once he’s met the delectable detective—maybe have a little fun.

There are no monsters. But as Faith’s investigation deepens, her beliefs are eroded and for the first time, she is falling in love—with one of the bad guys. But how can she ever let Ash close when her time is running out…?  (Goodreads)

Review - 

I had been waiting impatiently for this book to come ever since I read Bittersweet Magic, longing to see what was in store for one of my favorite demons, Asmodai.  I am happy to say Croft did NOT disappoint.

Asmodai has gone by many different names, Ash Delacourt, Demon of Lust, Prince of Darkness, but none does he crave more than the name Father.  After losing the only woman with the ability to break through with black heart, his wife Lily, the only woman's affection he has craved is that of their daughter he believed to be dead, Tara.  But after ordering her best friend to be brutally murdered, successfully, that seems like a pretty impossible feet.  Even after he goes to his best friend Luc, Lucifer himself, to procure a present for her.  A gift that comes with a price on his part they may lead to him falling for yet another female, a frail human woman, something he always vowed he would not do.  And that woman, with her fiery spirit and strictly black and white attitude has a ticking time bomb getting ready to go off inside of her that will cut whatever time they may have shorter than he realizes.

Faith is one of those women that lives in a world with rose colored glasses; everything is black and white, good or bad with no room for nothing in between.  A world where no ghosts or ghoulies exist.  So when she is offered a position at a government facility, by a Priest and ex-Military man no less, a faction called MI13 that is investigating Christian Roth whom they tell her is a vampire, it takes all of self-control to not fall out of her chair laughing.  Though even when undeniable physical evidence is right in her face, she still can't except it, as though an impenetrable wall comes up at the mention of the word Vampire.  A wall that has been there since her mother was murdered and her body found by Faith when she was only twelve years old.   Being forced to take the job, she refuses to spy on her former partner, Ryan, but she may cede to spy on Ash.  After-all, there is nowhere she take the attraction she reluctantly feels for him.  Not when her Government, the good guys, have deemed the people he works for as bad.  But her righteous government is about to do something so heinous that she will have to change the way she view things.

Full of action, heat, lust, violence, intrigue and most importantly characters readers will actually feel a vested interest in, Bittersweet Darkness is a true must read.  Just not if you are righteous, holier than thou, squeamish or believe that vampires should sparkle and Angels only create miracles.  Because in this world, Demons may be the not-so-bad guys and Angels the not-so-good guys.  And I am also happy to say that Croft has proven to be one of those authors with the ability to surprise even me, which is saying something after all the Paranormal books I have read.  

Yes, this can be read as a stand alone, though I recommend reading the entire series'.

Repossession Review

Repossessed by Shawntelle Madison
Book 1 of the Warlock Repo Man Chronicles
Published January 20, 2014 (NetGalley ARC)
4 Mystical Stars


"The hardest person for a Matchmaker to play matchmaker for, is herself."





Summary - 

Supernatural matchmaker Tessa Dandridge knows a little mist here and a little magic there will help reckless werewolves and precocious pixies find love. That is, until her magical Smythe scroll is lost in her repo’ed car and she can’t contact her V.I.P. clients. To connect with an important client cavorting in the fifth dimension, Tessa must depend on handsome Rob Shin, a warlock repo man, to enter Limbo and find her Smythe scroll.

Rob has money problems of his own, thanks to the bank determined to foreclose on his elderly aunt and uncle’s home. Repossessing magic wands and cursed pianos from disgruntled warlocks isn’t the best pay, but the Navy SEAL works well as a repo man to pay off his family’s debts. Rob’s repossession jobs catch up with him when a powerful warlock seeks to end his life for his constant meddling, drawing Tessa in the middle.  (Goodreads)

Review - 

Truth be told, I had no idea what to expect when reading the title.  I mean, come on, a Warlock Repo Man?But I can also honestly say I am more than happy to have had the opportunity to read this book and more than pleasantly surprised with how things turned out.

Having more than a few financial problems myself, I could definitely feel where Tessa was coming from.  Determined to make it on her own and make her business a success, without asking her family, who are indeed well off, for any help. Even a Water Witch has to have some pride, and in some cases asking for help can be a physical ache.  Especially when the people you would have to ask have been dissappointing the entirety of your life, or would like nothing more than to see you fail, miserably.  So, when her car gets repossessed, by a man she ogled so hard at a stoplight she could probably count just how many dimples were in his derriere, and the only way to contact the one client that could make or break her is in the glove compartment, let's just say she is pretty desperate to get it back.    But when one door closes....

Minho 'Rob' Shin is a powerful Warlock, Navy SEAL and a Supernatural Repo Man.  Coming home to find his Aunt and Uncle in dire need of cash, he takes on any odd job he can find, including that of a Repo Man of a special sort.  Not only does he repo cars', but wands, magical jewelry and even a rabbit's foot here and there, tossing the items into Limbo and leaving a magical calling card whenever payments become non-existent.  After-all, though magic may be free, magical items are not.  Whenever there is a discrepancy the owner is more than free to settle the dispute in the Supernatural Municipal Court, as long as they're willing to wait in line for a few years.  Except for Tessa Dandridge, who is not willing to wait, but willing to do whatever else it takes to get her car back, more importantly the Scroll inside, even if it means jumping into Limbo each and every time he goes to Repo something.  But Rob better watch out, because she may just jump into his heart as well and he is quickly running out of time.

There is also a war brewing on the sidelines, Wizards' VS Warlocks.  And one very Dark Warlock determined for the Warlocks to come out on top, whatever means necessary.  So when Rob and Tessa start meddling in his business by repossessing items on his evil to-do list, he can think of quite a few imaginative punishments, i.e. an extended trip to Limbo, or even death.  Either would suit him just fine.

Fans of Magic and Love will love this read; it's pretty light with just a smidgen of darkness.  So for readers taking their first step into the Paranormal world this will be the perfect read.  For readers who only feel at home when reading of the Paranormal, you'll be sure to like this too.  There may not be much blood and guts, but it is indeed a beautiful love story and a fresh, new outlook on the Supernatural world.

Fangs for February, 2014

Wild Things by Chloe Neill
Book 10 of Chicagoland Vamires Series
February 4, 2014

Since Merit was turned into a vampire, and the protector of Chicago’s Cadogan House, it’s been a wild ride. She and Master vampire Ethan Sullivan have helped make Cadogan’s vampires the strongest in North America, and forged ties with paranormal folk of all breeds and creeds, living or dead…or both.

But now those alliances are about to be tested. A strange and twisted magic has ripped through the North American Central Pack, and Merit’s closest friends are caught in the crosshairs. Gabriel Keene, the Pack Apex, looks to Merit and Ethan for help. But who—or what—could possibly be powerful enough to out-magic a shifter?

Merit is about to go toe to toe, and cold steel to cold heart, to find out. (Goodreads)

The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison
Book 12 of The Hollows Series
February 27, 2014

Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan has managed to save the demonic ever after from shrinking, but at a high cost. Now strange magic is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong, and the truce between the races, between Inderlander and human, is shattering.

Rachel must stop the occurrences before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and it becomes all-out supernatural war. However, the only way to do so is through the ancient elven wild magic, which carries its own perils.  (Goodreads)

Dark Wolf Review

Dark Wolf by Christine Feehan
Book 25 of the Dark Series
Published January 7, 2014 by Penguin Group
4.5 BLOODY FANGS!!

"Mage, Dragonseeker, Healer, a true Daughter of Mother Earth, embracing all of those aspects may be the only way to save her lifemate."




Summary -

#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan now delivers her most eagerly awaited novel of all — ten years in the making. 

In Dark Lycan, Christine Feehan journeyed into the heart of the Carpathians, and into the souls of two lifemates stirred by the flush of passion and the threat of annihilation. In Dark Wolf, the breathtaking story continues as the bonds of family are imperiled, and the fate of two lovers lies hidden in the seductive shadows between life and death.

Skyler Daratrazanoff always recognized the miracle that was Dimitri Tirunul, a man beyond any dream that had ever engaged her nights. But she was human. Vulnerable. He was Carpathian. Nearly immortal. She was nineteen. He was an ancient. Yet she held half his soul, the light to his darkness. Without her, he would not survive. Caught between the two warring species, Dimitri has spent centuries hunting the undead to keep his people free, and humans safe. He had survived honorably when others had chosen to give up their souls. But now, marked for extermination by the Lycans, Dimitri found himself alone, and fearing for his life. But salvation was coming…

No Lycan would ever suspect someone like Skyler to dare mount a secret rescue operation. A teenage girl. A human of untested abilities. But she had something no one else had. She was predestined for Dimitri—as he was for her. And there was nothing stronger for Skyler than her desire to see her life-dream come true. Whatever the risk. (Goodreads)

Review - 

Ten years in the making Dark Wolf is the first installation since Dark Celebration to bring all of the Carpathians back to their native soil, and into the pages of the same book.  Though the furthest thing from anyone's mind will be celebrating.

What happens when you threaten the life of someone connected to three of the most dangerous, ruthless, Carpathian families?  Simple, war.  But that is the exact intentions of an unknown Lycan.  Dimitri is being held captive, chained and being injected with silver.  When it appears as though no-one is going to rescue him, his lifemate, Skylar, decides to take matters into her own hands, well hers' and her two best friends'.  Skylar, whose adoptive parents' are Francesca and Gabriel, uncles Lucian, Gregori and Darius Daratrazanoff, birth father Razvan Dragonseeker; Joseph from the Italian sect of Carpathians, adoptive father Vlad and uncle Byron; Paul from the South American set, nephew of the De La Cruz brothers', brother in-law to Raphael De La Cruz, make up the search party.  And though to their own people they are nothing more than children, they will prove just how fatal things can get when you underestimate someone, or when you try to keep lifemates apart.  

Feehan picks up on the aspect of genocide.  A certain faction of Lycans, members of the Sacred Circle, believe that all Sang Rue should be killed.  Not knowing, or caring, that there is as big a difference between San Rue and Guardians, than there is between Vampire and Carpathian.  A woman who is truly full grown at only nineteen because she was never allowed to have much of a childhood.  And touches onto the fact that when one has had such a traumatic childhood, a trigger can be he hit to bring back all  of that panic rushing back to the forefront, but with the right partner you can be eased through it.  The past does shape us, be we do not have to let it make us.  

Dark Wolf in a word would be intense.  Readers will be taken on an emotional rollercoaster; happy, proud devestated, enranged, vengeful, oh and definitely hot and bothered.  This is one of those books where you want to just lock yourself away, don't answer the phones and get a babysitter for the kids so that you sit back, relax and devour the entire thing without having to put it down.  What it was missing was more on Skylar's mother, I would have loved to read more about her, her magic, who Xavier was able to kidnap her and why was she not able to escape using her powers once he sold both her and Skylar.

And stay tuned at the end because the intensity doesn't stop there.  There is an excerpt of Dark Blood, due out September, 2014, in which a secret about Zev's true lineage is revealed.

The Dark Huntsman Review

The Dark Huntsman by Jessica Aspen
Book 1 of Tails of The Black Court
Published October, 2013 by Abracadabra Publishing
4 Mystical Stars


"I just love it when Fairy-tail's are brought to life and given a dark twist."

Books With Bite - January, 2014

Cursed by Destiny by Cecy Robson
Book 3 of the Weird Girls Series
January 7, 2014 by Signet

"Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like any other 20-something girl - with one tiny exception; they are the products of backfired curse that has given each of them unique powers that make the, well, weird..."

Dark Duets by Various Authors including Sherrilyn Kenyon and Rachel Caine
Edited by Christopher Golden
January 7, 2014 by Harper Voyage


"New Tales of Horror and Dark Fantasy...with the authors of each story collaborating for the very first time."

More Gift Ideas!!

Dear GothicMoms,

Please keep in mind this season, even if you don't have anyone to buy you anything, you can ALWAYS treat yourself, I do......

Remember, drinking alone is okay.  But, if you feel uncomfortable doing so, here's a lovely skull to drink with.  I haven't tried it yet, but I plan to.  To find a store near you click here.  To order online click here.

Ten Vampy Reads To Help Get You Into The Holiday Spirit

Holidays Are Hell by Kim Harrison

This holiday, spend quality time with family and loved ones—living and dead . . .

There's no place like home for the horrordays—unless you'd prefer a romantic midnight walk through a ghost-infested graveyard . . . or a haunted house candlelight dinner with the sexy vampire of your dreams. The (black) magical season is here—and whether it's a solstice séance gone demonically wrong with the incomparable Kim Harrison, a grossly misshapen Christmas with the remarkable Lynsay Sands, a blood-chilling-and-spilling New Year's with the wonderful Marjorie M. Liu, or a super-powered Thanksgiving with the phenomenal Vicki Pettersson, one thing is for certain: in the able hands of these exceptional dark side explorers, the holidays are going to be deliciously hellish!