On The Edge by Ilona Andrews

On The Edge by Ilona Andrews is fantastical look at a world that is like ours, but not. There are three parallel worlds described within the book, where magic doesn’t exist, The Broken, where our heroine works and sometimes shops at a local Wal-Mart. Another is The Weird, where aristocrats who wield powerful magic live and rule, but where there are similarities (though warped) of the The Broken. And last, The Edge, a place that inhabits the space between the two, where our heroine lives with her two younger brothers and where others of their kind live as well, those who can wield magic, but not strongly-straddling both worlds.

In On The Edge, Rose Drayton is doing her best to care for her two younger brothers, one a changling and the other a necromancer. She works a hard job in The Broken, but believes it’s honest work. She’s had many disappointments in her life, believing her power would have opened many doors for her. Instead it brought heartache and treachery to her instead. Now, with battle lines drawn between her, her family and the rest of the world, she is unprepared for the horrible monsters that are invading her home, The Edge. Unprepared for dealing with them and their lust for power she is surprised and even more unprepared for the powerful aristocrat, Declan Camarine, who has come to The Edge seeking the evil that is manufacturing the horrible creatures. Before everything is said and done, he’ll do his best to defeat the evil and possess Rose.

The author(s) draw this reader in with a complexity and yet fascinating look at the different worlds and the magic within them. Rose is a sympathetic and strong woman who has closed her heart off in order to protect herself and her family. She is determined her brothers will have the chance she never had, at a future she no longer allows herself to dream of. Delcan is at first rather boorish, but the author(s) draw out his reasoning, making his character slightly more charitable, even as his protectiveness and gentleness with Rose’s brothers touches your heart, and hers. The evil and it’s malevolent presence is described with somewhat sinister detail allowing a vivid picture of insanity within pure evil. The secondary characters are fleshed out and sympathetic. One character in particular caught my attention and I am hopeful the next Edge book will feature him. Pretty please? There is some discussion as to whether this book is Fantasy or Paranormal. I place it firmly in Fantasy with it’s tale of magic and monsters. This was my first book by the husband/wife team comprising Ilona Andrews, but it won’t be my last. I think I’ll try (and most likely enjoy) a book from their other series, a Kate Daniels book. *G*

The next Edge book is due to be released September 2010 and is yet un-titled.

You may find more about the author(s) and their books here: www.ilona-andrews.com

Soulless by Gail Carriger

Soulless by Gail Carriger is my first foray into the Steampunk genre and I now know that I’ll be seeking out more to try. This isn’t going to be my usual review. Mostly because as this WAS my first Steampunk read I am unsure how to approach a review. The alternate history, Victorian Era, romance, early machines such as the Dirigible and even the characters themselves were a wonderful mix of ideas and ideals.

Miss Alexia Tarabotti is not the normal Victorian Bluestocking. She is also a spinster and a preternatural. Meaning she has no soul and has the ability to negate other supernatural creatures, making her able to turn werewolves and vampires human as long as they remain within her touch. At a Ball she is accosted by a newly made Vampire who has no idea of the social niceties he has broken, nor exactly WHAT Alexia is. When Alexia accidentally kills him before gaining any information on the creature, she is swept into a mystery with the very handsome, quite eligible, Investigator of all things supernatural, Lord Conall Maccon. Never the mind that he is a werewolf himself and that he and Alexia share verbal barbs that may hide an attraction that soon comes forward. Lord Maccon is determined that Alexia is not only in danger, but a danger to herself because she insists on interfering in his investigation. And he happens to be correct! The two must not only solve the mystery of the disappearing vampires and werewolves, but what to do of the attraction neither is able to deny any longer and bring both to a satisfying conclusion. Do not be deterred, there is, of course with all the books I choose to read, a HEA. Getting there is not only fun, but a fantastic tale!

I adore the character of Alexia, she is a strong, opinionated woman whose intelligence and wit is a a burst of brightness in the coldness of London Society. Lord Maccon plays the Alpha with gruffness and seems genuinely befuddled in his handling of his attraction to Alexia. The secondary characters are charming -Ivy , Professor Lyall, Lord Akeldama and even the silent Floote. Alexia’s family seem a necessary foil to her intelligence and give credence to her long suffering delusions that she is nothing but an unwanted Spinster among her family. I wanted to smack her mother, the author brought her foolishness to life so well. I look forward to the next book in this delightful series titled Changeless, due for publication May 2010.

You may find more information about this book and it’s author at: http://www.gailcarriger.com

Mischief in Mudbug by Jana DeLeon

Mischief in Mudbug by Jana DeLeon is a another visit to Mudbug and it’s inhabitants. This time the story is featured on Sabine Leveche, the local self proclaimed (but not really) psychic. When she starts to hear Helena Henry, a local Matriarch recently dead and thought to be murdered, she knows that no good can come of her new “ability”.  And she’s right. From the start trouble ensues. Sabine, reeling from the news of her cancer diagnosis pushes forward on her search for her parent’s families. There are no living relatives on her mother’s side, but her father’s, well, things become quite interesting and more than she expected when she hired Private Investigator Beau Villeneuve.  Her family is located, but all is not as it seems in the polite high society family that Sabine finds herself meeting. Already suspicious, when accidents and burglary attempts begin to shadow Sabine and those she loves, she knows there is a troubling mystery ahead. With Helena’s antics and binge eating (Who knew ghosts could eat!) Sabine has no choice but to hold on to a wild ride of a time, while trying desperately to ignore the feelings Beau ignites in her. She’s so scared of dying, that she’s forgetting to live. Good thing Helena, and Beau are there to keep things wild and interesting.

I absolutely love this series. I find myself liking the prickly Helena who is no closer to finding her believed murderer. Her hijinks and crazy fashion experiments are at once hilarious and project moments where you realize that Helena is not all bad. Sabine is a likable character who is going through a horrible time and dealing well with it when she meets Beau. Instantly attracted she fights it believing that it wouldn’t be fair to Beau for him to care for her when she doesn’t have a secure future. There are also lovely visits with character from the first books in the series, Maryse and Mildred. It’s going to be very hard to wait for the next installment in this series, where some mysteries may have been solved, but a few more have been discovered. Please write quickly Ms. DeLeon!

More about this book (and others) and author may be found at: www.janadeleon.com

Trick of the Light by Rob Thurman

Trick of the Light by Rob Thurman is an alluring look at the battle between good and evil and whether there is a middle ground. Set in the bright lights of Las Vegas things aren’t always as they seem in the city of illusions and tricks.

Trixa Iktomi seems like a normal bar keep. One who sells information, and seeks it. She has taken a few strays in under her protection over the years and still has an eye on them and sometimes helps as they hunt and kill demons. But Trixa is searching, for her brother’s killer and the Light of Life, an artifact both Heaven and Hell will fight and kill to own. Trixa finds a lead and is threatened, by Angels and Demons to give one of them the Light of Life. However, Trixa has a few “tricks” up her sleeve, and family to avenge and protect. After all, this is Las Vegas, where almost everything has a price and illusions abound.

I truly enjoyed this book. Trixa is an unlikely heroine, with her grey view of the world. She is bad and good and very protective of those she considers her “family”. She is also a smart capable woman and I enjoyed her dark humor and self-depreciating vanity. I hope there are more books to come featuring Trixa, or even another like her.

*This review was based on an ARC of Trick of the Light by Rob Thurman.

*You may find more about this author and  books at: www.robthurman.net

My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent

My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent is a fresh new addition to YA Paranormal. With an off-beat heroine in a reluctant Bean Sidhe, a Banshee, named Kaylee Cavanaugh who accidentally discovers what she is while still a teenager in High School. The only person willing to listen to her, and help her discover the truth, and the only person who can keep her calm, when she has the urge to scream,is  her new boyfriend Nash Hudson. While Kaylee just wants to be a normal teenage girl, with a cute new boyfriend,  she’s glad to know she’s not crazy!

However, she is curious as to why several teenage girls are dropping dead around town with no apparent cause of death. With Nash’s help, she’ll tackle talking to a Reaper (news flash- the sickle and scythe are bogus) and try to find an answer to the mystery of who is killing them, and why the girls were killed and their souls stolen. Add in her absentee father who shows up to answer questions from her past, she’ll need all the help she can get to not only find the answers she seeks, but for her family to survive.

I absolutely loved reading a book with a non-traditional paranormal story-line. Who needs witches, werewolves and vampires when you can read a story with a Banshee heroine! Rachel Vincent breathes new life into the paranormal genre with this fresh idea and brilliant and cheeky heroine. I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in her Soul Screamers series, My Soul To Save, due for release January 1, 2010. I can only hope the rest of the Paranormal genre perks up and takes up new ideas such as this enjoyable read.

You can find more about this series and the author on her website: www.rachelvincent.com

Highway to Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Highway to Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore is the third book by the author featuring Maggie Quinn. Maggie and Lisa are on there way to experience a “normal” Spring Break at the beach when Maggie accidentally runs over a dead cow in the middle of the night on a deserted highway in the middle of no where and no cell phone service. While waiting for the jeep to be repaired the girls find that though the town may be small, the amount of trouble brewing is not. There is something supernatural afoot in Dulcina Texas and Maggie and Lisa may be all that is standing between the residents and an evil not seen for generations. With help from a Brujo`, another Seer connected to a local ranching family, an unexpected visit from  Maggie’s boyfriend and his seminarian friend they must  fight evil for the town’s survival.

Mystery and magic compound the adventure in this fun novel. Maggie is a likable character with her inquisitive nature, references to movies and witty banter. She seems at once both young and wise for her years, willing to accept supernatural explanation for the town’s rising animal death rate and injured cowboys. The supporting cast of Lisa-the best friend, evil genius and sorcerer is somewhat fearful in her sarcasm and frustrating in her belief that she is connected to evil and may not ever be able to atone for her past mistakes. I wanted to tell her she was wrong.*g* Justin, the boyfriend is charming in his belief in Maggie. He wants above all to protect her and let her be who she is; what she is. The rest of the books cast is filled with memorable characters who not only help the story along, but also give a believability factor (like a straight man is a comic duo) to the unbelievable evil that is stalking the town. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and can only hope this isn’t the last we’ll see of Maggie.

This book is a YA.

More on the author and her books can be found at: www.rosemaryclementmoore.com/Home/Home.html

Dying Bites by DD Barant

Dying Bites by DD Barant is a Fantasy thrill ride packed with adventure and biting humor. FBI Behaviorist Jace Valchek is suddenly pulled from what she thinks is a nightmare into another universe where the Earth as she knows it doesn’t exist. In this world Vampires, Lycanthropes  and Golems make up most of this Earth’s population. Humans are rare, numbering less than 1% of the population and they are still used by some, as food; as a means to progeny. This world, and specifically her new Boss NSA Head Cassius,  needs Jace’s help, for on this world mental illness doesn’t exist among the ‘Vampires, Lycanthropes and Golems. A Human has begun murdering the Vampire’s and Lycanthropes, using barbaric and tortuous rituals that have officials puzzled and worried. Now Jace must race against time to stop a madman with a Just Cause from murdering everyone and possibly destroying the Earth Jace has been summoned to help protect.

The character of Jace Valchek is full of biting wit, intelligence and a deep sense of honor. She is also a kick-butt heroine, often letting her mouth get her into more trouble than is advisable. Her new co-workers quickly come up with a new nickname for her, The Bloodhound. It all adds up to a non-stop journey until the end, leaving this reader clamoring for more. I can’t wait for the next book in The Bloodhound Files.

More can be found on this author at: www.ddbarant.com

How To Score by Robin Wells

How to Score by Robin Wells is a delightful and fun book. Whoever said the contemporary book was long gone was wrong! With a quirky, yet sweet heroine and a charming hero this book is full of laughs and a path for the two to love.

When FBI Agent Chase Jones’ brother Luke, a personal coach, witnesses a mob hit he enters into Federal Witness Protection. Chase, in his guilt over inadvertently causing his brothers life to change so dramatically, persuades Luke to let him take over his personal coaching clients for the short time he’ll be away. Enter Sammi Mathews, a new client of Luke’s, now Chases’. After a disastrous love affair Sammi accidentally injures every date she has. With comic flair these two meet and sparks fly, not to mention Chases when Sammi’s dog Joe gets ahold of him! But Chase is hiding something, and when Sammi discovers the truth it forms a barrier between the two that is hard to surmount. No spoilers here, but I closed the book with a satisfied smile.

This book was fun and made me giggle several times. The secondary characters threaten to steal the attention of the reader making the entire book a sweet and easy read. For those looking for a fun romp with laughter and romance, this book is for you.

You can find more on this author and her books at: www.robinwells.com

Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo

Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo is a dark gripping and emotional story set in a rural town in Ohio where the Amish and “English” (those not Amish) live together. Former Amish, now Police Chief Kate Burkholder must deal with the toughest case of her career. A serial killer is loose in her community and she must straddle the line between Amish beliefs and English, and also between her past and the present. Because the only lead Kate has is sixteen years old, involving herself and a murder. Kate must search through for the truth, in her past, to try and find a connection to the present murders.

I read this book in one sitting. It was impossible to put down. The author was new to me, but I will be seeking out her other books after this. This book is emotionally packed, the lead characters come across as dimensional and vibrant. I wanted to cry for the horror the teenage Kate had endured. The mystery is contained and though I had my suspicions (and was proven correct), was fulfilling to read to the conclusion. If you’re looking for romance, you won’t find it in this book. I will say that with every book I choose to read and review there is a hint of a HEA. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a good mystery/thriller.

More can be found on this author and her books at: www.lindacastillo.com

Finger Lickin’ Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

Finger Lickin’ Fifteen by Janet Evanovich is the lastest hilarious adventure from the Stephanie Plum line. In this book Stephanie and Joe are on the outs, Lula has witnessed a murder and Ranger has asked for Stephanie’s help in finding out if the recent string of his Security Business’ customers burglaries are an inside job. With humor and trademark foibles, (You didn’t think Stephanie’s car would actually survive a book did you?) the book starts with a bang and continues on from there.

When famous Chef Chipotle is decapitated in front of Lula and she is the only witness to the crime the murderers are after her to silence her, too. Lula is determined to win a BBQ contest the late Chef Chipotle had entered, after all how hard can it be to develop  a BBQ sauce, catch the killers and win the contest? As with everything Lula, hilarity ensues. Stephanie has her hands full with her new temporary roommate (Lula), her regular skips and helping Ranger with his problem at Rangeman, Ranger’s private security business.  Being “off” with Joe Morelli, her ‘on-again-off-again’ boyfriend does little to stymie Stephanie’s determination to help Ranger and endure the matchmaking of her Mother.

This book is a return to the Stephanie Plum books of earlier, with it’s lightness and humor it is a fun and wonderful addition to the Plum line. One thing for sure, you’ll never look at a backyard BBQ the same way again.Thank you Janet Evanovich for writing a book that had me laughing from almost the first page to the last! I look forward to the next Stephanie book and more of Lula, Grandma Mazur and Ranger. Yeah, you guessed it, I’m a Ranger girl. *G*

More can be found on this author and her books at: www.evanovich.com