#Review - A Vampire's Fury by Raven Steele, Ava Mason (#Urban #Fantasy)

Series: Rouen Chronicles #8
Format: Kindle, 306 pages
Release Date: June 4, 2019
Publisher: Amazon
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Urban Fantasy

“The beast inside me is awake, and it is hungry.” 
Her heart gutted by Korin's betrayal, Samira turns her focus on not just killing him but destroying everything he holds dear. Only tearing apart the ones he loves will give her the revenge she requires. 

To do so, she must reawaken the beast inside her, the Kiss off Eternal Night. It is both a gift and a curse. If she’s not careful, tapping into those dark powers may destroy a lot more than Korin. The people she loves will also be at risk. But maybe that’s the cost of achieving ultimate revenge.  
Or so the beast inside her says..

 

“The world of superheroes is black and white; the world of monsters is not. Sometimes you need evil to fight evil.”

A Vampire's Fury, by authors Raven Steele, & Ava Mason, is the 8th installment in the Rouen Chronicles. The first thing I should say is that every book in this series connects to the next in the series including Aris Crow's trilogy which is set in Coast City. Time line wise; it has been 2 weeks since Korin killed Samira's daughter Faithe as well as another friend in a power play to make Samira grovel for forgiveness. It has also been 2 weeks since Lynx fell into a coma after unleashing a power we haven't seen to this point. 

Samira has a darkness in her called the Kiss of Eternal Darkness. Now that it is out, Samira has a craving to make Korin and his vile son Naburus pay for their transgressions against her, as well as forcing Mateo to work to kidnap more humans for his Scorpion Breath experiments. A surprising revelation is soon uncovered, and I am not sure if this will spoil things or not. At the end of Briar's trilogy, the Phoenix rose and is now the controlling powers behind Korin. But, could the Phoenix actually someone Lynx knows?

"A storm is coming, and only the dead can save the living.”

I've seen a different side to Briar this book as well, but I do have some questions about her relationships with both Angel and Luke who is very, very annoying and secretive throughout this story. I don't know what is going to happen from here. Angel has had enough of waiting in the background. He knows that Briar will be shattered if he chooses to leave, however, he doesn't want to hang around for eternity waiting for her to choose. 

I appreciated that Lynx was given a much more impressive role in this story again. Lynx is being forced by her mother Cassandra to go for training at Principis Noctis to learn how to use her gifts. We know that Lynx is powerful. She's proven herself, and will do so again.  Lynx is one part of the mysterious prophecy, and Briar has already done what she was supposed to do to become the second part of the prophecy. Now, all the Phoenix needs is for Samira to play her part in what could be apocalyptic for human kind. 

Samira has all sorts of issues to deal with. Regardless of her head, her heart is absolutely in love with Mateo, and would be devastating were he to not be in her life. She also finds herself in some dangerous situations and has to reign it in when her actions puts those she loves in danger. I have mentioned that you should read the books in this series in order, including the trilogy about Aris Crow. That warning now pays dividends when Aris arrives in Rouen to help Samira and her allies. This should be a very interesting story going forward.

This story is full of intense drama, suspense, intrigue, angst, emotional heartache, violence, torture, deceit, twists that have you glued to page after page of this thrilling, titillating, brilliantly written story.  

“The sides you choose are important. Remember that, if you live through this.”

Amazon 

#Review - A Vampire's Bane by Raven Steele, Ava Mason (#Urban #Fantasy)

Series: Rouen Chronicles #4
Format: Kindle, 336 pages
Release Date: March 11, 2019
Publisher: Amazon
Source: Amazon

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance

“The monster isn’t under my bed. It’s screaming inside my head.” 
 

Cursed by the Kiss of Eternal Night, Samira lives her life as an ancient and powerful vampire, guarding her emotions carefully. One slip up and the darkness inside her could send her on a rage-filled, bloodlust path of death and destruction. It’s happened once before, and it could easily happen again. 

For over a century, she’s managed to keep the beast inside her at bay, but when someone from her past shows up unexpectedly, her emotions hang by a thread. Especially when she finds out they are working with the Phoenix, the source of the growing evil in Rouen.

Maybe it’s time she stops controlling the monster inside her. It may be the only way she can save those she loves.

 

A Vampire's Bane, by co-authors Raven Steele and Ava Mason, is the fourth installment in the Rouen Chronicles. This is a story that takes place in the fictitious town of Rouen, Louisiana where something evil is brewing and a group of vampires, witches, and shifters stand guardian. While the first three stories of this series focused on Briar, this book focuses on Samira Chevoky. Samira is a centuries old vampire who is roommates of Briar (Alpha shifter) and Lynx (Witch). 

She's a vampire who holds something very dark within her. If she let's it out, there could be major repercussions for everyone. To make things even more twisted, Samira's maker, Korin Khalid, shows up in Rouen and he's not to be taken lightly. Neither is the Phoenix who readers met in A Shifter's Revenge. The Phoenix is portrayed as a man throughout this book, but who is in fact a woman who can shift at will into anyone she wants. Truly makes who you trust with your life even more important now.

The authors reveal a prophecy that Samira, Briar, and Lynx are apparently part of. If the prophecy is taken seriously, it would mean Trianus will be summoned from the Underworld and subjugate humans as well as supernatural who stand against it. Samira has had relationships with Mateo, as well as other more interesting characters who come out to play in a major way in this story. Since I mentioned the evil that has arrived in Rouen, I would suggest that you read, at least, the final book in Briar's story so that you can understand what has happened. 

Even though Samira is main character in this book, don't forget about Briar or Lynx since they help out with pretty much all of the trouble that is faced in this story. Samira has some unusual friends which include Mateo, but also several others who we finally discover have been in Rouen for a very long time. Yes, I am talking about the Fae. There are several key Fae characters who join with Samira, Lynx, and Briar to keep the villain in check. Good luck with that! 

I understand that the authors have chosen to write several books featuring a character who doesn't appear in this book, but has connections with Samira and a group known as Ames de la Terra. Not sure why they didn't finish Samira's trilogy first, but it is what it is. Especially if this particular character isn't going to show up in Samira's story.  

I am more curious about Lynx now, than I was during Briar's books. Lynx is thought of as being part of the prophecy with Samira and Briar, no spoiler, yet we know next to nothing about Lynx's magic or her abilities. She does shine a bit brighter in this book, but she also is prone to trying to prove her self by overextending herself.  In case you were wondering, Briar has reverted to someone I didn't recognize for much of the story. Samira pretty much has to play social worker to her in order to keep her emotions and her attitude in check and not letting it get the best of her which at times it does. I am also tired of the triangle between her, Angel and Luke. She is obviously in love with both of them yet doesn't have any idea what to do about it.

I can't say whether or not I will read Aris Crow's books unless they somehow connect to this story.  If they do, then, of course I will read it.

Amazon 

#Review - A Shifter's Revenge by Raven Steele, Ava Mason #Urban #Paranormal

Series: Rouen Chronicles Book 3
Format: E-Book, 349 pages
Release Date: January 15th 2019
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Urban Fantasy

"Never kick me when I'm down, because when I get back up ... you're screwed."

Briar should be living the easy life. She finally checked off the last name on her kill list. The new pack Alpha isn't an a-hole, and her smoking hot shifter boyfriend is finally ready to spelunk her bat-cave.

But she should've remembered that life hates her. An unknown evil force is kidnapping people to create an army of drug-induced, soldier-like supernaturals. If that wasn't bad enough, the Abydos, the ancient blood Briar has vowed to protect, has been discovered. Briar must risk moving it before the growing evil in Rouen gets their hands on it.

Just when she thinks she's safe, Briar learns of a deep betrayal by someone close to her that threatens not only her pack, but the entire city. She can't fight against it as she is. She must become more, become greater. If she can't accept her destiny and fully embrace the shifter she was meant to be, then history will repeat itself, and she'll lose her pack and everyone she cares about.
 

 

A Shifter's Revenge is the third installment in co-authors Raven Steele & Ava Mason's Rouen Chronicles. This story is a continuation of A Shifter's Curse and A Shifter's Rage. It has been four days since Briar, aka Isabella Moretti, removed a one of the last key players responsible for the murder of her entire pack, her family, while leaving her for dead. Briar, we learned in the previous novel, is also a powerful shifter known as the Komira. But, if you thought Briar's life was going to get any easier now that she's crossed names off her list, you are in for a huge surprise.

With the killing of the previous Alpha, Briar has caught the attention of various principals like the Ministry aka Principes Noctis, who believe they should rule the world. Briar is told she has to fill the position within 48 hours, but who does she want to put in harms way? Briar also learns that there are a whole lot of people interested in the Abydos blood, including Samira & Angel, that Briar's family swore to protect for fear of it falling into the wrong hands. It that weren't enough, the authors decide that a being called Trianus should be mentioned. 

This is the book I've been waiting for. No, not because of all the twists, and the betrayals, and the twisted love triangle that apparently is not going to be resolved, or the bizarre Hyde's that seem to be indestructible, but, because of Lynx Morgan. Lynx has been kept mostly in the background thanks to her mother, Cassandra. We know that she comes from a powerful witch family. In fact, we've met 3 of her cousins who have been attached one way or the other to the Silver Claws pack

But, when things get really going, Lynx joins with Briar, and Samira Chevoky, as well as those that Briar can trust, as she has to once again deal with powerful entities that want to force Briar to join with them voluntarily or by force if necessary. Readers of this series know that Briar is a bad-ass. We now know a bit more about Samira as well. She's the bearer of the kiss of eternal night, leader of the norther realm, and once had a relationship with Mateo. But, Lynx is able to finally come out of her shadow with an impressive display of power. 

I loved the friendship that has developed between Briar, Samira, and Lynx. I loved that Roma once again gets to play with the big dogs. I really want to learn who Roma really is, and the reason she seems to be outside of other witches cliches. I don't know about anyone else, but I actually like Angel. He really loves Briar even though she has her heart set on Luke. Angel isn't going anywhere, any time soon I don't think. 

So, here's the deal. I've seen almost everyone rate this book with 5 stars. Sorry, I can't overlook the silly editing errors throughout this book. This is not an advanced copy. It is a finished copy that went on sale 01/15/2019. Therefore, an editor should have caught the glaring errors. Example: The story is talking about one character in particular, but they ended up using the wrong name. This could have been found easily enough. 

This is the end of Briar's trilogy. The next three books are supposed to be from the point of view of Samira, and I am ok with that since the Epilogue pretty much seems to indicate that a new villain is eager to play with Samira and see who stands when all is said and done. The Samira/Mateo angle should definitely be revealing since they have some sort of background from centuries ago.     

Amazon 

#Review - A Shifter's Rage by Raven Steele, Ava Mason #Paranormal #Fantasy

Series: Rouen Chronicles # 2
Format: E-Book, 377 pages
Release Date: December 18, 2018
Publisher: Amazon
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Paranormal / Urban Fantasy

"I never go to bed angry. I stay awake and plot my revenge."

Imprisoned for killing Silas, Briar's only chance of surviving is to rely on her roommates and Luke, the sexy shifter she loves to hate. But getting free won't solve her problems. She still has to kill Dominic, the pack Alpha who murdered her entire family.

To do that, she has to make Dominic believe she's still team bad guys so she can get close to him and find out whom he's working with. Especially when she learns just about everyone and their evil dog is looking for the one thing she has sworn to protect--the Abydos, powerful and ancient blood that could either end the world or save it.

But playing the other side has some severe consequences, especially when she gets too close to the darkness and savors it's poisonous flavor one too many times. If Briar can't let go of her demons, she'll lose everyone she loves.

** Intended for adult readers due to violence and language. **

 

A Shifter's Rage is the second installment in authors Raven Steele & Ava Mason's Rouen Chronicles series. This story finds our protagonist, Briar, imprisoned by her nemesis, Dominic, Alpha of the Silver Claws pack, after she removed one of the men from her list of people she needs to kill in order to gain revenge for what they did to her entire family and her pack when she was a young girl. Having removed number 2, it now becomes a game of cat and mouse before she can attempt to take out the most dangerous man on her list. 

But, before Briar can move forward to remove number one on her list, she has to prove to Dominic and the rest of the pack, who don't seem to trust her, that she is worth every chance that she is given to her. She is a dangerous shifter with uncanny abilities to defeat any foe she encounters. If that means showing up and parlaying with a Sangre Nocturnas Vampire peddling a drug called Scorpion's Breath, then so be it. If it means betraying the trust of others who she gave her word to, then so be it. The ends after all, do justify the means.

But, before we, as readers can get to that point, we have to take a real look at who Briar is, what she is able to do, why she is on this road to revenge, how she was able to survive the brutal attack on her family & pack, and how she can handle the things that the authors put her through in this book. Trust me folks, this book is a wild ride with plenty of shocks, and it makes Briar seem much more human in nature when she finds herself drawn not only to a vampire, Angel, but to the drug he has been peddling to sell to humans. 

There is even a part to this story where you have to believe that Briar is spiraling out of control and there may not be any hope for gaining her revenge if she can't see what she is doing to herself and others. Can her friends Luke, Ryder, Lynx, Samira, and Roma save her, or will the darkness lead her on an entirely different road from which plenty of folks haven't returned from? I think the fact that the authors added Angel to the mix, really put a hold on what I was expecting from Briar and Luke. After all, Angel is either one of the most curious allies a girl has ever known, or he has an agenda that hasn't been revealed as of yet. Either way, I don't think we have seen the last of Angel. Has anyone else gotten the creepy vibes from Briar's Uncle? There is something there that just doesn't add up.

Amazon

#Review - A Shifter's Curse by Raven Steele, Ava Mason #Fantasy

Series: Rouen Chronicles # 1
Format: Kindle, 372 pages
Release Date: December 11, 2018
Publisher: 
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Urban Fantasy

"Karma takes too long. I'd rather beat the shit out of you right now."

With a dagger in her boot and blades in her bra, Briar, a powerful shifter, arrives in Rouen with one goal: find and kill Dominic, the man responsible for the destruction of her entire family and wolf pack. When she discovers he is an Alpha surrounded by muscle-ripped shifters and equally as strong witches, she knows the only way she will get close enough to kill him is if she joins his dangerous and shady pack.

But infiltrating them proves more challenging than she expects, especially when her new roommates turn out to be supernaturals with their own powers and secrets. She can't tell if the centuries-old, nosey vampire and fashion-sensitive witch are working with her or against her.

Whether they are friends or enemies doesn't change things. Briar has a job to do. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to quench her thirst for revenge, even if it means destroying her own soul. 

 

"We were reapers riding on iron stallions, preparing to take blood."

A Shifter's Curse is the first installment in authors Raven Steele and Ava Mason's Rouen Chronicles. Rouen, Louisiana is a town that is the home to vampires, witches, and shifters. For one shifter in particular, Briar (Isabella Moretti), is on a mission to hunt specific individuals who were responsible for the mass murder of her entire family. Even though she somehow managed to escape their fate, she was fundamentally changed forever. One could say she was made even stronger by the horror she experienced.

But, first things first.  After all, one can't go on a mission of revenge without having a job (money), or a place to escape the darkness that is sure to come. Enter Lynx (witch) and Samira (vampire) who become Briar's roommates and support mechanism. Briar is a very sassy, smart mouthed, badass heroine who walks the walk, and definitely takes no prisoners. Even though she is out for revenge for her family, and what happened to her, she first has to do some bad things in order to be trusted and taken in by the shifter pack led by Dominic De Angelo and his pet psycho Silas. Oh, and let's not forget the sexy shifter, Luke, who looks at you like he's going to eat you. Never a dull moment in Briar's world.

According to the author's web page on Amazon, this is the first of three books for Briar, then will have 6 more books featuring Lynx and Samira. The storyline is actually very good, engaging, entertaining, has twists, surprises, and plenty of dark moments. I have to say that I enjoyed the dark scenes because you can't claim you are on a mission for revenge against your enemies without doing some really horrible things in order to hide who you really are and what you are protecting from an even greater power who may end up destroying the world.

I definitely look forward to the sequel coming out December 18, 2018.   

Amazon