Smoke & Mirrors by Marie Treanor

Description:

Deceit and desire, and a treasure beyond price...

When struggling Scottish writer Nell Black accepts a one-off job with the police, translating for an arson suspect from the isolated ex-Soviet republic of Zavrekestan, she stumbles into a terrifying world of organized crime and paranormal abilities that turns her whole belief system upside down. Faced with an incomparable thief, hit men who spontaneously combust, gangsters, drug dealers, British Intelligence and a fiery goddess, Nell no longer knows who to trust. The man who saves her life is a criminal to whom deceit is second nature. He has more smoke screens and more plans in motion than anyone else can keep track of. He is, moreover, probably insane. Even his fellow gangsters are afraid of him. So why is he the one man Nell wants to touch her?

Rodion Kosar is in trouble. His convoluted plans all lead to one goal - the retrieval of his treasure - and to achieve that, he needs Nell to believe he isn't the bad guy. He has many reasons beyond his own desires to make love to her. Especially when a plan goes wrong and he has to play dead before someone really kills him - either the police, the menacing Russian crime lord known as the Bear, or the powerful Guardian of the Gifted whom he's defied once too often. Nell's burgeoning gift of second sight could be his best route to the treasure, and yet keeping her with him spells danger. For Nell has her own agenda, her own mission, and she could just as easily cause his final downfall.

My Review:

Smoke & Mirrors by Marie Treanor

5 out of 5

Let me tell you, this is another great book by Marie Treanor, BUT I still prefer my ancient vampires to her fire starter.  Still, this book is amazing. 

Yelena “Nell” Black is an interesting character.  Skeptic, psychic dreamer, daughter of an immigrant and a thief, a translator, and after all of that, she is completely unsure of herself.  She makes one of the best unlikeliest heroes ever, and I love that.  You know she will be one of the heroes, but you just aren’t sure how she is going to become the hero.  I love that!

Rodion Kosar is a criminal from Zavrekestan, a gifted supernatural fire-starter (would that make him a pyropath?), and is a major pain in the ass to the Guardian.  Overall, the best kind of bad boy in a book that I’ve read in a while.  Tough, sexy, and trying to save his siblings just tip that sexy bad boy scale in his favor, of course!

Full of action, sometimes, I had was wondering when they were going to have some down time for some loving!  J  I mean, I love the action, I love the mystery of everything going on, what the treasure is, and if Nell and Rodion is going to make it, but I really wanted those steamy, yummy chocolate dipped scenes.

There was a bit of confusion for me when it came to the drug lords.  You know, like who was who, and then there was the confusion on who Derryn was and what he had to do with the actual story. 

Favorite quote:  “I love you.” “Thank you.”  Really, it was the closest thing to Han & Leia’s “I love you.” “I know.”  I literally laughed out loud, and so hard that my co-workers thought something was wrong!  I mean, what girl wouldn’t want to tell someone that you love them and them tell you “Thank you.”  What the heck!  But, Nell  knew exactly what he meant. 

Going from Scotland to Zavrekestan, seeing different cultures, languages and lifestyles, and everything in between the growing relationship between Nell and Rodion, it is one wild ride.  Overall, this is a great book, and I’m looking forward to more from this series, as well as more from Ms. Treanor. 

Happy Reading!

Cana

Banshee Charmer by Tiffany Alee

Description:

When she’s sent to a crime scene and finds her second dead woman in as many weeks, half-banshee detective Kiera “Mac” McLoughlin is convinced a serial killer is on the loose. Incubi are extinct, her boss insists. But what else can kill a woman in the throes of pleasure? When her partner is murdered after using witchcraft to locate the killer and Mac is thrown off the case, her frustration turns to desperation.

Certain the killer is an incubus, Mac works behind her department’s back to chase down slim, sometimes perilous leads. While the killer eludes her, she does discover handsome Aidan Byrne, an investigative counterpart from the enigmatic Otherworlder Enforcement Agency. Mac typically runs her investigations fast and hard, but with Aidan at her side, she’s running this one “hot” as well. But Aidan knows more than he’s letting on—something that could shatter their blazing romance and add Mac to the killer’s growing body count…

My Review:

Banshee Charmer by Tiffany Allee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What an amazing book!  Let me tell you the only problem that I had with it was when I finished it!  I could have kept reading it, honestly, as I loved everything about this book. 

I loved the chemistry between the lead characters, Mac and Aidan.  To me it was like a recipe for a decadent cake, like the you-tell-your-friend/boyfriend/husband-that-you-need-a-glass-of-milk-for-so-that-you-can-shove-it-all-in-your-mouth-so-you-don’t-have-to-share decadent cake.  In the real world that recipe would look like this: 1 part Mac + 1 part Aidan = Absolutely Freaking Delicious hotness.  And not only did it start out hot, but it just continued to burn through the rest of the book.  I loved how the whole chemistry started out as a pure irritation (on Mac’s part), and turned into pure lust and then maybe it might become something more. 

I think this book had the best characters.  I loved Aidan’s cockiness.  I mean, he just oozed it, especially when trying to irritate Mac.  To add to the cockiness, you add the sex appeal and you can’t help but love him.  (And yes, I knew exactly what he was, before and especially after he makes the smart ass comment to Mac about him being a sex god.)

I also really enjoyed Mac.   She is just one great character.  She is naturally insecure as a ½ banshee living in a world where she is surrounded by “normal” humans.  But she is stronger than she realizes.  She is determined, loyal, and stupidly brave.   She is the character that you want to be real and be your best friend just because she is so dependable… and that way you both can get in trouble together.  

Overall, this is a great book, with a great resolution.  There are a few twists that I wasn’t expecting and a storyline that kept me wanting to read more.  I highly recommend this book, and look forward to hearing what y’all think of it too.  

Happy Reading!


Cana

Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

Description:


Plagued by waking visions and nightmares, inexplicably drawn to the bones of dead animals, Faye thinks she's going crazy. Fast. Her parents beleive Holbrook Academy might just be the solution. Dr. Mordoch tells her it's the only answer. But Faye knows that something's not quite right about Dr. Mordoch and her creepy, prisonlike school for disturbed teenagers. 


What's wrong with Holbrook goes beyond the Takers, sadistic guards who threaten the student body with Tasers and pepper spray; or Nurse, who doles out pills at bedtime and doses of solitary confinement when kids step out of line; or Rita, the strange girl who delivers ominous messages to Faye that never seem to make any sense. What's wrong with Holbrook begins and ends with Faye's red hands; she and her newfound friends--her Holbrook "family"--wake up every morning with their hands stained the terrible brown of dried blood. Faye has no idea what it means but fears she may be the cause. 


Because despite the strangeness of Holbrook and the island on which it sits, Faye feels oddly connected to the place; she feels especially linked to the handsome Kel, who helps her unravel the mystery. There's just one problem: Faye's certain Kel's trying to kill her--and maybe the rest of the world, too. 

My Review

Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Honestly, I am just not sure what to say about this book.  I borrowed this book from a fellow blogger, and I had desperately wanted to read it because of the beautiful cover and the synopsis (which sounded pretty self-explanatory).  But when I finally finished the book, the only feelings I had were disappointment that the book wasn’t as good as I had hoped, and confusion, because so much still remained unexplained. It isn’t that it is a bad book, but it isn’t what I would list under the absolutely amazing category either. At best, this book is average.  At worst, it is just one of the most confusing books I’ve read recently. 

So, let’s first focus on what I liked, what was enjoyable about the book. 

First, I liked how the author incorporated the Red Paint People into a modern apocalyptical story.  The fact that she gave an explanation that was reasonable in both a fantastical and an intellectual way is to be applauded. 

Second, I liked her twist between Kel and Faye.  I had my own idea on who Kel was, and who Faye was.  The way she changed who I thought they were, giving clues but not enough to guess correctly was kind of cool.  I like a good twist, especially one that I’m not expecting. 

Finally, I liked her underlying theme of taking care of the earth, what the results might be if we don’t.   Actually, the picture that she paints is extremely frightening.  Riots, a treeless existence, food rations, lack of clean water, and such are all such terrifying ideas.  Would we actually be able to survive it all?  Or would the way our society has shaped us effect our survival?  Would humanity die out? 

So what did I not like?

I didn’t like how I was confused with exactly what was going on in the novel for almost the entire time.  The only reason I finished reading it was to (hopefully) clear up my confusion.  With being given such little background story and what we were given was given piecemeal, it was hard to understand the world Faye and her Family lived in.  It wasn’t even until the middle of the book that I even realized that something wasn’t “right” with the characters of the book.  And all of this really colored my view. 

Overall, what do I think of this book?  I’m not satisfied with it, and I wish that it had been better.  Do I recommend it?  Maybe.  As I said before, I’m still just not sure about this book, but I think you should give it a chance.  

Happy Reading!


Cana

Hellsbane by Paige Cuccaro

Description


Emma Jane Hellsbane always knew she was different, but she had no idea she wasn’t even human. Well, at least she’s half-human. She’s half-fallen angel, too, and now dear ol’ dad wants her dead. All the Fallen angels want all their troublesome offspring removed from the mortal coil so she’s trying not to take it personally. Besides, she wants him dead just as much. Her father’s death is the only way she’ll be forgiven for his sin, stop those pesky demons from trying to hack off her head, and have any hope at all of getting back to a normal life as a wicked slick Intuitive Consciousness Explorer. 

Of course, first she’ll have to figure out which fallen angel is her father, avoid accidentally seducing her angelic mentor, help an old friend conquer his own fallen sperm donor, and basically save the world from a cataclysmic divine smack down. 

No problem. With a last name like Hellsbane, Emma Jane was definitely born for the job


My Review

Hellsbane by Paige Cuccaro

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Emma Hellsbane thinks she is just a little abnormal as a psychic. Little does she know that when she opens her door, that the truth about how abnormal she is, is about to come out. As a half angel warrior, an illorum, her only job is to destroy the Fallen who rapped human women to produce the nephiliams. With the help of Tommy, another half angel, and Eli, her "handler" angel, she must face the truth about angels, demons, and God.


Wow! I loved this book!  Like, I hate that I'm having to wait now for book #2 kind of love this book. 


Emma has always felt different, but when she finds out why she is different, she is kind of skeptical. But then again, who wouldn't be? Worse, before she had never really believed in God, and now (of all things), she is given a big flashing, sword welding sign that, yep, God exists. I loved reading her struggle with accepting angels, demons, and God. People can say all they want that they believe or don't believe, but when the real proof comes to light, who can actually say that they wouldn't handle it with the same amount of disbelief?


Tommy and Eli were great characters on different ends of the spectrum. Tommy is a guy stuck as a illorum until he can kill his Fallen father. He wants to go back to his normal life, and doesn't believe everything that Eli tells him. He thinks that the angels are just using them, and he can't help but feel helpless and used. Eli, on the other hand, truly believes in the good of the missions of the illorums. He has been on earth for centuries, and he has seen the good and the bad of all the world, and yet he still works towards keeping himself pure. Though in the case of Emma, it seems to be harder for him.


I will say that my one irritation with this whole book was the amount of sexual tension. I mean, the sexual tension between Emma and Tommy (which was allowed, I mean, he hadn't had a girlfriend in 5 years... Gotta be stressful), the HUGE amount of sexual tension between Emma and Eli. Oh my goodness, I wanted her to just shove him on her bed, stripe him down and have her way with him, whether he would turn into the Fallen or not. I mean that is how much tension I read!


I did love the cliff hanger of this novel. One of the Fallen seems to know something special about her, but he is killed by Emma before revealing the information. You really want to know what it is about her that makes her so special. I REALLY WANT TO KNOW!! But I guess this is another reason to read the next book!




Happy Reading!


Cana

Seers by Heather Frost

Description:

For Kate Bennett, surviving the car wreck that killed her parents means big changes — and even bigger problems. As she begins to see auras and invisible people, Kate must learn to trust Patrick O'Donnell, a handsome Guardian, or risk her life being overrun with Demons. She soon realizes that both she and her heart are in big-time trouble.

My Review:

Seers by Heather Frost

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kate seems to have it all: A great family, an amazing best friend, and the perfect boyfriend. But after a horrific accident that kills her parents, Kate has been gifted to see others auras. Unsure how to deal with this new ability, tries to muddle through her senior year of high school. Then Patrick enters the picture, and he has no visible aura for her to read. After struggling between trusting him and running away, she discovers that Patrick is her Guardian, and with his help, she starts to prepare against the Demons who are coming after her and her family.


I’ll be honest (always a good thing), and I almost stopped reading this book after the 3 chapter. For me, the beginning was too much like Evermore by Allyson Noel and I DID NOT like that book. But thankfully, through the peer pressure of others who had read this book, I kept reading, and discovered that I really liked this book. I mean, there is romance, adventure, mystery, and enough twists and turns to keep any reader guessing.


I always enjoy a good surprise when I’m reading a book, and Ms. Frost does not disappoint in this book. I really enjoyed the twists that Ms. Frost had in this novel. I didn’t seen half of them coming, which is always a wonderful surprise. The grandfather was a great character who showed surprising flexibility. And then Toni – Best character ever! He is both a smart-ass and a wise man, and Ms. Frost balances that out well enough that, as a reader, I didn’t find a conflict of personality. And best surprise of all was the set up for the next novel. Can you say cliff-hanger?


I got occasionally confused on who was the speaker in some of the chapters. Though primarily, it was from Kate’s POV, there occasional chapters of Patrick’s POV kind of through me, especially when I would have to stop mid-chapter.


Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend this book, and I am looking forward to reading more by Ms. Frost.

 Happy Reading!


Cana