#Review - Bloodsport: An Old World Tale by Melissa F. Olson #Paranormal #Fantasy

Series: Old World Chronology # 14
Format: Kindle, 229 pages
Release Date: January 14, 2025
Publisher: Diet Travis
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Urban Fantasy

During the events of Old World War, Sashi and Will Brighton have a close encounter with forces working against Colorado's cardinal vampire, Maven. To avoid becoming collateral damage, the couple take an impromptu trip to Las Vegas, where Sashi hopes to repair her relationship with their daughter, Grace, a newly minted healing witch.

But much has changed in Las Vegas since Sashi moved away. The city's impressionable cardinal vampire, Silvio, has a new voice in his ear, a bloodthirsty new pastime, and an employee who knows exactly how to push Sashi's buttons: her estranged father, Sir Lucius Noring. Silvio has decided that the perfect opening act for his deadly new hobby is a contest of magic between father and daughter – and if Sashi refuses to participate, he'll use Grace instead.

Separated by Silvio, and with just hours until the starting bell, Will and Sashi will have to make some very unlikely allies if they want to escape a cardinal vampire's trap.

Bloodsport: An Old World Tale by Melissa F. Olson is the 14th installment in the author's Old World Chronology. This story takes place concurrently with the Old World War, featuring Scarlett Bernard and Allison "Lex" Luther. Although you don't have to read that book, I highly recommend doing so because things are still fluid. With the blessing of Colorado's Vampire Cardinal Maven, Sashi (a thaumaturge witch who just happens to be pregnant) and her husband, former Alpha Werewolf Will Brighton, have escaped Colorado, hoping to spend time with their daughter Grace, a newly minted healing witch. 

There's one problem: they didn't have time to notify Las Vegas's cardinal vampire, Silvio, for whom Sashi once worked. However, Silvio's newest employee waits for Sashi at the airport: her estranged father, Lucius Noring. Silvio has decided to pit Sashi's healing magic against her father's – and if she refuses, he'll use Grace instead. Silvio uses new vampires who have allegedly been told that they must fight to the death to remain alive. It is up to Sashi and Lucius to heal them. But Sashi has other plans that include using Grace and her mother, Dr. Stephani Noring, to stop Silvio. Separated by Silvio, and with just hours until the starting bell, Will and Sashi will have to make some very unlikely allies if they want to escape a cardinal vampire's trap.

This is an entertaining story, but it's not the best. It's not even in the top 10 because of major editing errors that weren't caught before this book was sent out to be published. When you get to chapter 30, it reverts immediately back to chapter 20 and replays all of the chapters. I truly hope the author continues to build on this world, but next time out, let's hope that an editor helps her to ensure this doesn't happen again. 

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#Review - Trail of Dead by Melissa F. Olson #Fantasy

Series: Scarlett Bernard # 2
Format: Kindle, 310 pages
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: 47North
Source: Kindle
Genre: Urban Fantasy

As a null, Scarlett Bernard possesses a rare ability to counteract the supernatural by instantly neutralizing spells and magical forces. For years she has used her gift to scrub crime scenes of any magical traces, helping the powerful paranormal communities of Los Angeles stay hidden. But after LAPD detective Jesse Cruz discovered Scarlett’s secret, he made a bargain with her: solve a particularly grisly murder case, and he would stay silent about the city’s unearthly underworld.

Now two dead witches are found a few days before Christmas, and Scarlett is once again strong-armed into assisting the investigation. She soon finds a connection between the murders and her own former mentor, Olivia, a null who mysteriously turned into a vampire and who harbors her own sinister agenda. Now Scarlett must revisit her painful past to find Olivia—unless the blood-drenched present claims her life first.

Trail of Dead is the second installment in author Melissa F. Olson's Scarlett Bernard series. This is also the second book in the authors Old World series which will eventually include Lex Luther. As the story opens, Scarlett has been away in NYC getting a bit of a lesson on what it means to be a null in the Old World. Any supernatural be it werewolf, vampire, or witch, automatically loses their magic when they are around Scarlett and turns human again. But Scarlett's biggest challenge may be the one person who knows her the best; Olivia.

When two witches belonging to Kirsten's coven are found dead, Scarlett teams up with Detective Jesse Cruz to find the culprit. Then it is discovered that two humans may have also been murdered as a possible lure for Scarlett. She soon finds a connection between the grisly murders and her former estranged mentor, Olivia, a null who has mysteriously turned into a vampire who harbors a sinister agenda. With the threat of Olivia targeting her friends, and her estranged brother, Scarlett decides to go on the offensive only to find herself between a rock and a hard place.

If you haven't read Dead Spot yet, I kindly suggest that you do. Scarlett was trained by Olivia to clean up supernatural scenes so that local cops don't discover that there are more than just humans living in the area. While Jesse learned a valuable lesson about the Old World and dealing with people like Dashiell, Will Carlin, and Kirsten Harms-Dickerson, he has no idea what Scarlett has been through since Olivia did some mind numbing things to pretty much brainwash her into being the perfect student. In fact, he's pretty angry to know that Scarlett is caught in something big. 

Told by Scarlett and Jesse’s point of view, the book offers insight into both their thoughts and motives. We learn more about Scarlett’s past including what really happened to Olivia as well as Scarlett's own parents, and why she seems to now be targeting those she once helped. One of the more twisted aspects of this story is that yes, the supernatural are dangerous, and can kill without a thought, and yes, Scarlett owes a bit of revenge on the woman that took everything away from her, but it is the relationship Scarlett has with Eli as well as Jesse. 

For me, I have an understanding already of what is to come in future novels, but don't let me stop you from reading the rest of this first trilogy as well as the rest of the Old World series including Lex Luther's books. The heroine is imperfect and occasionally has doubts about what she's doing. She's easily manipulated by Dashiell because he could kill her in a New York minute. Except for being a null of some great ability, she isn't one who is going to kick your ass if you cross her. I honestly blame Olivia for her inter-personal issues that she has in choosing who to let her heart out to. 

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#Review - Dead Spots by Melissa F. Olson #Fantasy #Paranormal

Series: Scarlett Bernard # 1
Format: Kindle, 295 pages
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Publisher: 47North
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Scarlett Bernard knows about personal space: step within ten feet of her, and anything supernatural is instantly neutralized—vampires and werewolves become human again, and witches can’t cast the slightest spell. Scarlett uses her status as a null to cover up crime scenes for Los Angeles’s three most powerful magical communities, helping them keep humanity, and the LAPD, in the dark.

One night Scarlett gets caught at the scene of a grisly murder by the all-too-human LAPD cop Jesse Cruz, who blackmails her into a deal: he’ll keep quiet about the supernatural underworld if she helps him crack the case. Their pact doesn’t sit well with Dashiell, the city’s chief vampire, who fears his whole empire is at stake. And when the clues start to point to Scarlett herself, it’ll take more than her unique powers to catch the real killer and clear her name.

Dead Spots is the first installment in author Melissa F. Olson's Scarlett Bernard series, as well as the first installment in the authors Old World series. The story actually begins with a horrific crime. Jared and Emily, brother and sister, are out playing when Jared falls asleep and wakes to hear his little sister being attacked by monsters. Needless to say, this doesn't sit well with him, and he makes plans to pay those responsible for his sisters attack, and subsequent disappearance. 

Scarlett Bernard knows about personal space: step within ten feet of her, and anything supernatural is instantly neutralized—vampires and werewolves become human again, and witches can’t cast the slightest spell. There are plenty of people in the Old World that really are not fans of Scarlett. For the past 5 years, Scarlett has used her status as a null to cover up murder scenes for magical people who are killing humans either accidentally, or on purpose, thus helping the Old world keep in the dark from humanity, and the police. 

She never speeds, she services her van monthly, and makes sure she is wearing the most popular shoes so her treads can not be traced. Scarlett was trained by a woman named Olivia who took her in after her parents died. Scarlett also has an older brother that she is not really interested in having a relationship with because she knows that if Dashiell, or Kirsten Harms-Dickerson, or Will Carling finds out about her brother, he will be used as blackmail to use against her. Can't say as I blame her after what happens in this book.

One night Scarlett is told to rush to a crime scene at La Brea Park by Dashiell, the vampire cardinal of L.A. There are old world dead bodies there that need to be cleaned up and disposed of before the cops get there. Unfortunately, thanks to a delay in taking care of another cleanup, she gets caught at the scene of a grisly murder by LAPD Homicide cop Jesse Cruz who has barely been on the job. Cruz tracks down Scarlett and blackmails her into a deal: he’ll keep quiet about the supernatural underworld if she helps him crack the case. 

Their pact doesn’t sit well with Dashiell, the city’s cardinal vampire, who fears his whole empire is at stake. He would love nothing more than to do away with both Scarlett and Jesse and start new with someone else. When the clues point to Scarlett herself as null responsible for several deaths in the area, it’ll take more than her unique powers to catch the real killer and clear her name. In fact, if Scarlett doesn't find and bring the killer to Dashiell in 30 hours, she might as well not come back.

As I have read the rest of this Old World series, including a recent crossover with Scarlett and Lex Luther, I have to be-careful of what I reveal. The entire thing with Olivia is a giant spoiler since you can read the next book's synopsis and it will tell you what happens next. I do have questions thus I will be reading book # 2 soon. There is another null introduced in this book named Cory, but Scarlett does her best to distance herself from the new girl for fear that the villains will use her as leverage to get what they want. 

I will also warn readers not to judge people like Dashiell too harshly without first finishing this first trilogy, as well as the newest trilogy. Same can be said of Jesse who has to deal with a triangle between himself, Scarlett, and Eli, who is a werewolf. Molly, who is Scarlett's roommate, is also a vampire. Molly is dealt a hard hand when Scarlett is accused of being a killer by Dashiell. I think one of the negatives people will have is the careless attitude of the Old world supernaturals, as well as Scarlett, yet I don't really believe she feels that way. She's between a rock and a hard place and she's not immortal.

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#Review - Old World War by Melissa Olsen #Contemporary #Fantasy

Series: Boundary Magic # 6
Format: E-Book, 350 pages
Release Date: August 30, 2022
Publisher: Melissa F. Olsen
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Urban Fantasy

On a sunny summer morning, nulls all over the country are attacked at the same time.

In Boulder, Allison "Lex" Luther barely gets her niece to safety. In Los Angeles, Scarlett Bernard is nearly shot in the back. It seems that a powerful enemy is unhappy with the Old World leaders' plans to form a government, and they've coordinated a strike against those rare individuals who can undo magic itself.

Now Lex, Scarlett, and their trusted friends have a plan to put these attackers on trial... but finding them won't be easy, and stopping them means leaving their own territories behind.

The California null and the Boulder boundary witch, along with allies old and new, will have to travel to Galena, Illinois, a small town near the Mississippi River that serves as an annual playground for vampires.

To protect nulls and safeguard the future of the Old World, Scarlett and Lex team up to fight a battle that's been years in the making.

But Galena has secrets of her own...

Old World War is the Sixth and final installment in author Melissa F. Olsen's Boundary Magic series. This is a book that combines two of the authors Boundary Magic series with Scarlett Bernard's series which also had six books. The story begins in Los Angeles where Scarlett and her bargest Shadow are under attack by unknown people. Scarlett believes the people to be skinners, a group of humans who hunt supernatural for sport and money. 

Scarlett is a powerful null who has the ability to create a magic free space that turns supernatural human for awhile or permanently. Scarlett's friend Corry Tanger, college freshman, null and sometimes assistant to Scarlett Bernard, is also attacked but manages to survive. Her vampire roommate isn't so lucky. In Boulder, Colorado, it has been 4 months since Boundary Witch Allison "Lex" Luther returned from Atlanta where she formed a friendship with Beau, the Cardinal vamp of Atlanta. Lex also has her own issues, especially with ghosts. 

Will, who used to be a were, is missing 6 hours of his own memories and believes a vampire is responsible. Lex's niece Charlie and her father John are targeted by the same group that went after Scarlett and Corry. Someone, it seems, has decided to take the Nulls off the board. Nulls are a volatile commodity in the Old World, and that danger will end up bringing Lex to Los Angeles in a first of its kind crossover event which has been years in the making.

If you have any idea about what has happened recently in the Old World, let me summarize. Dashiell (Los Angeles) and Maven (Boulder) are two Master vampires called Cardinals. They have come together a group of supernaturals, including Scarlett and Lex, along with witches, and werewolves, to create a sort of parliament where those who break the supernatural law can be dealt with in a fair manner. It's apparent that there are those vampires who want to destroy both Dashiell and Maven.

The story eventually moves to Galena, Illinois (real city). With Scarlett on the mend after her shocking attack, Lex, along with Simon and Jesse, take the lead in tracking down the people responsible for the attacks on Scarlett, Charlie, and Corry. This means some old faces like Malcolm from NYC appears. Whenever you go into a series finale, you have to hold your breath for fear that a mayor character will be written off. The plus of this book is that the chapters alternate between Scarlett and Lex and you can definitely see the difference between the characters. 

Scarlett's secret being exposed brings her into more danger than she's seen to this point. Scarlett has been through the ringer, but now that she's engaged, and has a daughter, I don't see her being involved as much in every day Old World politics unless absolutely necessary. Same with Lex. Lex has the power over death but she is weary of ghosts who are eager to taste her magic. She is nearly unkillable as has been shown over and over. The only issue is that she feels like the whole world is on her shoulder and misses that what's right in front of her face. 

I think for the most part, you must have some idea of what this world is all about, and who the individual characters are to enjoy it. I still haven't read the first trilogy featuring Scarlett, but have read every other book since. I have also read all of Lex's books, but not the companion books that fall between. If this is the final book in the series, for now, as the author says, then it was a pretty good and surprising ending. 

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#Review - Boundary Haunted by Melissa F. Olson #Fantasy #Urban

Series: Boundary Magic (#5)
Format: Paperback, 318 pages
Release Date: December 3, 2019
Publisher: 47North
Source: Publisher
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Months after her battles in Wyoming, Allison “Lex” Luther is still struggling with the aftereffects of the psychic attack she suffered—and with the new developments in her own magic.

Then Lex’s boss, the cardinal vampire of Colorado, passes along a strange request from her counterpart in Atlanta. Hundreds of Civil War spirits have abruptly vanished in Beau Calhoun’s territory, and he wants Lex to figure out why. In exchange, Beau can help her understand boundary magic, which runs in his family line as well.

Despite her trepidation, Lex journeys to the Deep South, where she discovers that ghosts are everywhere…and that her host’s intentions are more complicated than he promised. It seems his teenage descendant is being hunted, and both Beau and Lex fear the young woman’s boundary blood may have made her a target.

With Atlanta’s history looming over her every move, Lex will have to face Beau’s ghosts—and her own—to prevent a boundary magic attack she never dreamed possible.

Boundary Haunted, by author Melissa F. Olson, is the Fifth installment in the authors Boundary Magic series. Protagonist Allison "Lex" Luther is an army veteran and boundary witch who 3 months before, was dragged into bad situation where she suffered damaging psychic attacks that still haunt her. She learned that once you raise the dead, they'll continue to call you where ever you are. Lex is asked by her boss, Maven, the Cardinal Vampire of Colorado, to take a new assignment which will take her to Atlanta, Georgia. 

Maven is trying to do the impossible by creating a council consisting of vampire, witches, and shifters. She needs a parliament. Lex is supposed to be Maven's troubleshooter and fixer so it falls on her to convince Abner Beaumont "Beau" Calhoun to join her. But, Beau's ghosts have gone missing, and since Lex is a boundary witch, Beau thinks that she can help find them. Beau comes from a family of boundary witches and therefore can see ghosts. He may be able to help Lex figure her shit out before it destroys her. She has to also protect Odessa, his grand-niece from being harmed. 

Lex is reluctant at first, until her twin-sister Sam, tells Lex in her dream that she is needed. If you've read this series, you know what happened to Sam. Sam has found a way to communicate with Lex, but often times is so vague, that it's frustrating for Lex to unravel what she's trying to say. Lex goes to the South, alone this time because Quinn is not allowed anywhere near his human daughter who lives in the area. That's another story for another time. 

Georgia, as you know, is a place where it's not surprising to see ghosts from the Civil War era. After all, remember what happened to Atlanta? As someone who is very familiar with the area, the setting, culture, and old Civil War history was done perfectly. Props to the author for her research. Beau is a curious sort of character. He's a vampire who not only was turned during the War of Northern Aggression (as those in the South proclaim) but he also turned 3 of his friends. These friends are now called the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. 

Beau tells Lex that the dead were laid to rest where they died. He calls them the Unsettled since the spirits haven't wandered from where they fell.  What's even more twisted is that Beau doesn't want the "Unsettled" gone, he wants them back and for Lex to find the person responsible. With Atlanta’s history looming over her every move, and ghosts every where she goes, Lex will have to face Beau’s ghosts—and her own—to prevent a boundary magic attack she never dreamed possible. Thankfully, Lex does get some assistance from her friends Simon, Tobias and Lily who has a shit load of responsibility on her plate thanks to her mother being murdered in the previous installment.

This book kept my interest and had enough twists and turns to keep me interested right up until the very end. If there was anything negative, it's the secret still hanging over the series as to whom helped Morgan in the previous story. Until that is settled, I am going to be a very unhappy camper. 

 

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#Review - Boundary Broken by Melissa F. Olson (Urban Fantasy)

Series: Boundary Magic #4
Format: Paperback, 350 pages
Release Date: March 19, 2019
Publisher: 47North
Source: Publisher
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Years ago, boundary witch Allison “Lex” Luther made a promise to an alpha werewolf. Now, just when the supernatural community in Colorado is enjoying a period of hard-won peace, the alpha turns up at Lex’s door to call in his marker. Two of his pack members have disappeared in the Colorado sand dunes, and he needs safe passage to hunt for them.

With her friend Simon Pellar along for backup, Lex ventures into the dunes to search for the missing couple…but what they find is only the opening move in an ambitious assault against those who hold power in the Colorado Old World. An old enemy has returned to tear their peace apart, and Lex is soon embroiled in politics she doesn’t understand, from a time before she had magic.

To save her friends and her way of life, Lex will have to cross every line she’s drawn since learning what she is—and it may still be too late.

 

Boulder boundary witch Allison “Lex” Luther returns in the fourth installment in author Melissa F. Olson's Boundary Magic series. Apparently, the book jumps 2 years from the last book titled Boundary Born, but she did appear in Scarlett Bernard's Shadow Hunt. Lex is a former Army veteran who was left to die, but managed to survive thanks to her previously unknown boundary magic.

After losing her sister to a brutal attack which left her only daughter Charlie behind, Lex vowed that nothing would ever touch Charlie who, like Scarlett, is a null. In return for her protection of Charlie, Lex works for Maven, a cardinal vampire who is likely the most powerful & oldest vampire in the so called Old World, as a daytime security person. She is partnered with Quinn, a vampire who is also an investigator and her boyfriend. 

A promise made in the past to a werewolf named Ryan Dunn comes knocking on her door, and it may lead to even more turmoil than she has had to deal with since watching the Vampire Trials with Scarlett. Years before, Ryan and his pack helped Lex defeat a dangerous Sandworm as well as the witch who called summoned it. When Ryan's pack mates are found dead, Lex's attempt at paying off her debt may end up making an already fractured alliance between witches and Maven come unraveled. 

To further exasperate the situation, Lex's allies in the Pellar clan, Lily and Simon, find themselves being attacked and targeted with loss of their abilities. Someone from the past is playing a dangerous game and is well funded. It appears that Lex may be the only one able to stand up and ensure Maven's territory isn't taken over by zealots and an unknown power behind the woman who would do anything to see Maven exiled from Colorado. 

It's fair to say that a whole lot happens in this book, but the most intriguing aspect is the fact that the author doesn't reveal who the mysterious benefactor is, and what this person wants. If you haven't yet read this series, I'll give you a brief summation of why you should. Being a boundary witch means that Lex has abilities that intersect life and death. She can see and speak with ghosts and help them move on. She can also can 'press' humans and vampires (mind control), and raise the dead. She has a steady relationship with Quinn, but there are still hiccups along the way.  

I have to say that I was pleasantly pleased when this book was announced. It's fair to say I like Lex more than I do Scarlett. I like that she's a veteran who experiences episodes of PTSD and claustrophobia since I have similar episodes that take a lot out of me. I like that she's more powerful than she realizes but never once has allowed that power to overshadow who she is. 

Since it has been a few years since the author wrote a book in this series, I do hope the second book in this new arc is released in a timely manner. She's spent the past 3 years writing the Disrupted Magic trilogy featuring Scarlett Bernard.  

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Monday #Review - Shadow Hunt by Melissa F. Olson #Urban #Fantasy

Series: Disrupted Magic # 3
Format: E-Book, 316 pages
Release Date: February 13, 2018
Publisher: 47North
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Genre: Urban Fantasy

For years now, Scarlett Bernard has counted on two things: her ability to nullify magic, and Shadow, the bargest who guards Scarlett with her life. But after a sudden revelation turns Scarlett’s world upside down, she panics and leaves town without warning, leaving Shadow with her partner, Jesse. In the chaos that follows, the bargest is stolen—and Jesse nearly dies from a brutal psychic assault.

It seems that an old enemy has returned for revenge…and the attack on Shadow was only the beginning. As Scarlett races home to find the bargest and rescue her friends, she is dragged deeper into a terrifying legend that has somehow found its way to present-day Los Angeles.

Now she will have to recruit every possible ally for a battle that will test her null ability to the limit. Scarlett has been in over her head before, but now she risks losing everything…and she’s never had more to lose.

Shadow Hunt is the third installment in author Melissa F. Olson's Disrupted Magic trilogy. If you've read Blood Gamble, the second installment in this new trilogy, you know that our protagonist, Scarlett Bernard, got stunning news at the end of that story that has put her in a very difficult and dangerous position. Especially if anyone with a grudge against her finds out. But, what's even more disconcerting, is that a former enemy has returned with a major vendetta against the city, Scarlett, Shadow, and the Old World which consists of Vampires, Witches, and Werewolves.

This enemy last appeared 3 years ago in the original Scarlett Bernard trilogy and was sent packing. If you haven't yet read the original Scarlett Bernard trilogy or the first two books in this trilogy, might I suggest you find a way to do so? As a null, Scarlett Bernard possesses a rare ability to counteract the supernatural by instantly neutralizing spells and magical forces. For years Scarlett has used her gift to scrub crime scenes of any magical traces, helping the powerful paranormal communities of Los Angeles stay hidden from human eyes.

Thanks to the fact that Shadow can't leave LA county, Scarlett and Molly decide to travel to Boulder, Colorado without telling anyone they are leaving. Well, except for  her sometimes partner former LAPD officer Jesse Cruz who ends up getting more than he bargained. While Scarlett is seeking answers from the worlds oldest vampire, Maven, about the rarity of her situation, Jesse is about to get fully immersed in one of the most dangerous times he's had since meeting

Scarlett and learning about the Old World. Jesse has more than earned my respect since this new trilogy was released.

Because of the rarity of Scarlett's situation, she chooses to call in a favor from Alison "Lex" Luther. I love the fact that Olson does a crossover between Lex's series and Scarlett's. These two may not be the best of friends, but Lex is definitely someone you want to have on your side. I do, however, wish that Lex had been able to make an appearance in the fight against the enemy. She is as dangerous as any character with her being a boundary witch. I also loved reconnecting with Lex's niece Charlie who is also a null and gets her first meeting with Scarlett. 

Shadow Hunt is the end of an arc, but not the end of Scarlett's story. Olson claims that she has plans to write more Alison Luther books, and hopefully another trilogy in the future. I will say that this is yet another fast paced story with plenty of action, suspense, and a moment I think all of us who have read both series have been waiting for. 

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Tuesday #Review - Blood Gamble by Melissa F. Olson (Urban Fantasy)

Series: Disrupted Magic # 2
Format: Kindle Edition, 300 pages
Release Date: July 25, 2017
Publisher: 47North
Source: NetGalley/Publisher
Genre: Urban Fantasy

If there is one city that Scarlett Bernard hates, it’s Las Vegas. But when the cardinal vampire of Los Angeles convinces her to go investigate a new vampire-themed stage show, Scarlett quickly finds herself shoulder-deep in sequins, slot machines, and Old World intrigue.

The show’s creators are vampire celebrities Arthur and Lucy Holmwood, who once inspired characters from the original Dracula. Now, however, they have no qualms about announcing their true status to the human world, endangering the secrecy of the Old World and Scarlett’s mission to keep it hidden.

But before she can begin untangling the Holmwoods’ motives, Scarlett also discovers that their new production has attracted more than just fans: Las Vegas’s many vampires are suddenly disappearing, and rumors are flying that actual vampire hunters may have followed Arthur and Lucy to town.

Now, without her allies, her bargest, or her frequent partner Jesse Cruz, Scarlett must navigate a new underworld of secrets and murders in a city where nothing is ever as it seems. And the stakes have never been higher.

Blood Gamble is the second installment in author Melissa F. Olson's Disrupted Magic series. However, it is also book # 5 in the Scarlett Bernard series, and book # 11 in what's being called the Old World Chronicles. Scarlett Bernard is a null who negates all the magic withing a certain radius. She has the ability to extend, and withdrawal that radius which makes her rather unique. Scarlett works for Dashiell, the Cardinal of Los Angeles, cleaning up supernatural problems and keeping the Old World from being discovered by humans. 

Dashiell's latest job for Scarlett is something she would have avoided at all costs. But, after being blackmailed in the most cunning way possible, Scarlett finds herself in Las Vegas. Scarlett doesn't have any fond memories of Vegas. In fact, it has been 8 years since she was last there, and if she has her way, it will be a cold day in hell before she returns again. But, with a new vampire themed show called Demeter opening, and the owners being legendary vampires Arthur and Lucy Holmwood straight out of Dracula, Scarlett finds herself investigating the strange disappearances of several dozen vampires. 

As it is Scarlett's job to keep the Old World from being exposed to humans, Scarlett must get to the bottom of what is happening quickly, while also not letting humans know what is happening. One of the more cunning aspects of this story is the revelation of the villains and why they are doing what they are doing. The fact that Scarlett has no allies since her bargest Shadow can't leave LA County, and Jessie Cruz is picking up her slack, makes this story that more focused on Scarlett and her actions in using what she has at hand to discover the truth and return home alive.

This is a book that I had to read to the very end, and then the author's notes to understand what she is trying to do & why she is taking the chance she did with the shocking ending she leaves readers with. (yes, I realize that is vague) Author states that she has seen this particular issue coming since Dead Spots. One could say that Olson jumps the shark with this story, which I realize she hates, but nonetheless it is in the same ballpark as killing off a main character for unnecessary reasons.

My issue is that her OWN character made a statement that she totally blew apart at the seams for whatever reasons in the end. As I state all this, this story was still entertaining. I loved that Scarlett cares about her brother and his new family and has done one of the coolest things she can do in order to provide financial support for them. I do care for Scarlett regardless of who she stupidly falls in love with. I do care how she fares even though she lives a dangerous existence. I do care that she gets knocked down and manages to stagger back to her feet somehow. The sixth installment, called Shadow Hunt, should be a very interesting story indeed.

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#Review - Midnight Curse (Disrupted Magic #1) by @MelissaFOlson (Urban Fantasy)

Series: Disrupted Magic # 1
Format: E-Galley, 294 pages
Release Date: February 7, 2017
Publisher: 47North
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Scarlett Bernard is used to cleaning up messes. As a human who cancels out any magic around her, Scarlett’s job is to keep the supernatural world hidden—at any cost.

On the eve of the Vampire Trials, a two-day tribunal that allows the otherworldly community to air their grievances, Scarlett receives a blood-soaked message from Molly, her estranged former roommate. Molly, a vampire, had been living with twelve human college students…and in one terrible night, she slaughtered them all.

Scarlett believes Molly’s been set up, but no one else in the Old World agrees with her. And the true perpetrator is determined to make sure Molly goes on trial for the massacre—the penalty for which is death.With less than two days to prove her friend’s innocence, Scarlett calls on former LAPD detective Jesse Cruz to help her dig into Molly’s past. But no one—Molly included—wants Scarlett and Jesse to bring the terrible truth to light.

Midnight Curse is the first installment in author Melissa F. Olson's Disrupted Magic series. However, it is also book # 4 in the Scarlett Bernard series, and book # 10 in what's being called the Old World Chronicles. Other books in this series features Allison "Lex" Luther's Boundary Magic trilogy. I mentioned Lex, because she makes a brief but all important stop during this story. More later. Recently, thanks to Amazon, I purchased the first (3) books in Scarlett's series and will attempt to go back to the beginning and see how it all began.

Olson, who has quickly become a favorite author of mine, does a fantastic job of summarizing previous important parts of the Scarlett's series. Like the fact that she is a part time janitor, part time protector of the Old World. Like the fact that part of her job is to ensure the Old Word doesn't bleed into the human world. Like the fact that she answers to Vampire Cardinal Dashiell and has made great strides in the past 3 years to become relevant. Like the fact that she has the ugliest dog in the world who she calls Shadow. Shadow was spelled by some really evil witches, and loves to hunt down & kill werewolves.

As a Null, she negates supernatural powers and abilities within the area around her. In her 3 years as part of the Old World, she has managed to become partner and has been accepted by more than those who hate her. This is an important return to Scarlett's series. Scarlett will find herself tested in ways that she hasn't been in  along time. She will find her relationship with her werewolf boyfriend Eli tested. She will have to push herself to the limits in order to save another one of her former's. Her former roommate & vampire Molly who has been accused of killing a dozen of her human roommates.

This is a bad time for Molly's situation to rise up. It is the Vampire Trial's which hasn't been seen in LA in 6 years. It is a 2 night event where the Old World gets together to air out grievances against other Old World members. Besides Dashiell, the others that make up the council are Kirsten, leader of the witches, and Will, Alpha of the Werewolves. This story also marks the return of Scarlett's former partner & former LA Detective Jesse Cruz who had his eyes opened wide in Dead Spots.  Jesse is the right person, at the right time for Scarlett to understand that what she does is important, and she's really good at it.

I've only briefly met Jesse Cruz, and that was when Lex came to LA in search for the person who was responsible for killing her sister. Something that Scarlett knows all too well about what really happened. In fact, Scarlett's relationship with Lex isn't one of hugs and feelings. It is one of bitter resentment and understanding that Scarlett didn't really have a choice in what she did. I am happy on one issue. That the bitterness between the two characters has been pushed aside for the sake of finding out who is out to destroy Molly. I look forward to seeing more of Lex either in this series, or in her own series. Make it so Ms Olson! 

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#Thursday Review - Nightshades by Melissa F. Olson (Urban Fantasy)

Series: Novella
Format: E-Galley, 208 pages
Release Date: July 19, 2016
Publisher: Tor Books
Source: Publisher
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Alex McKenna is the new Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Bureau of Paranormal Investigations—the division tasked with investigating crimes involving shades.

Or vampires, as they’re more widely known.

Children have been going missing, and agents are routinely being slaughtered. It’s up to McKenna, and some unlikely allies, to get to the bottom of the problem, and find the kids before it’s too late.

Nightshades is a new gritty urban fantasy from Melissa F. Olson.

Melissa F. Olson (author of the Boundary Magic and Scarlett Bernard series) and Tor.com, have put together a short story called Nightshades that has plenty of intrigue and action that focuses on what would happen if the Mortal world discovered that the paranormal world actually existed and has been there the entire time. In this case, Olson has created shades, or if you like, vampires who are unafraid of pushing their weight around. 

After a team from the FBI's Bureau of Preternatural Investigation Chicago branch is slaughtered, leaving only one survivor, FBI Special agent and legacy Alex McKenna chooses to ask for a promotion to Chicago to uncover what is really going on there. It is Alex's job to put together a new team that can uncover why the team was killed off, and if there is anything he and his team can do to stop it from spreading. 

Alex team starts with his best friend Special Agent Chase Eddy, and in a surprise move, tracks down a shade named Lindy (Siegland) who has been working alongside humans while keeping a low profile for many years. The surprise is that Lindy agrees to work with Alex's team while keeping her identity a secret. Lindy has a large role in this book. She has insights to what is happening and who is most likely responsible. Something Alex doesn't have access to.

In fact, Olson switches up narratives between Alex, Lindy, and Special Agent Gabriel Ruiz to keep things exciting and also interesting which is a key to a book this short. I won't go any further than this because the ending leaves a gigantic and stunning cliffhanger ending. I am hopeful that if this really is a new series from Olson, that it picks up right where this story left off. Nightshades is definitely worth the time to read it.

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