#Review - Casting Shadows by L.R. Braden #Fantasy

Series: The Magicsmith # 4
Format: EBook, 289 pages
Release Date: July 31, 2020
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books
Source: Publisher
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Children are disappearing.

With Purity growing in political power and bigotry on the rise across the Realms, Alex’s short-term goals are to stay under the PTF's radar and as far from the fae Courts as she can. But her plans go up in smoke when May, the younger sister of her good friend Emma, goes missing.

The fae are involved.

Alex will do everything she can to find May, but to mount a rescue she'll have to avoid PTF raids, conquer old ghosts, and risk coming face to face with her fae grandfather again.

War is coming.

Lines are being drawn. No one is safe. To survive, Alex will have to choose a side.

Casting Shadows, by L.R. Braden, is the fourth installment in the authors The Magicsmith series. Alex Blackwood has her hands full in this installment. As this is the fourth book in the series, it's become increasing hard to keep spoilers out of my review. But, I shall try anyway. As the story opens, Alex is worried. The new governor of Colorado is a racist who hates paranormals. He's using the Paranormal Task Force (PTF) to round up those suspected of being paranormal and sending them off to detention camps. This means that everyone that Alex knows is in trouble. 

From James, her vampire boyfriend, to Chase and Jynx her shifter roommates, to Emma who is a practitioner, to Sophie who belongs to the werewolf pack she's had ups and downs with from the beginning of this series. On top of this comes news that Emma's sister May has gone missing and she's not the only one. It appears that the children who have gone missing are all talented. If you've read this series to this point, you know that Alex has been told that she's going to have to make a choice on which side she stands. In fact, she's been told to have an exit strategy ready to go in a minute's notice. Well, that time is now.

Since she's a halfie who can tolerate iron and tests as human, she can swing either way. Alex knows that her grandfather, Lord Bael of the Land of Enchantment, may be the one itching for another war between fae and humans since humans are openly breaking the treaty under the new governor of Colorado. If the children are the opening salvo to a new war, Alex must use all of her resources in order to save them from being used as pawns. This story really puts pressure on Alex from all angles. The PTF especially has a hard on for Alex and desperately want her to explain something that she revealed in the previous installment.

Alex is pretty much a fugitive who can't return to her own home with everything going on. She's been betrayed by her alleged friend David and Uncle Sol who meant well. But, her relationship with James is going strong and things seem to be heating up rather nicely. He doesn't try to control or push Alex into seeing things from his perspective. He allows her to make mistakes and fix what she doesn't succeed at. For the first time, she visits the realm of the Shifters and meets Lord Anika. Her relationship with her grandfather Lord Bael gets a second look when Alex, Emma, Chase, and Haru travel to fae to help the children escape. Alex also has to face a new villain as well as learning to control her ever expanding magic which comes with so many questions about her heritage. 

There's two things about the ending that worry me. First, it is obvious that Alex is homeless. She can't go home. She can't go to the vampire den. She can't ask the fae on Earth for help. She really can't even stay in Fae for fear of being used to further a much larger agenda. So, what's a girl to do? I guess we shall find out in the next installment!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

#Review - The Girl in the White Van by April Henry #YA #Thrillers #Suspense

Series: Standalone
Format: Hardcover, 224 pages
Release Date: July 28, 2020
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Thrillers & Suspense

A teen is snatched after her kung fu class and must figure out how to escape—and rescue another kidnapped prisoner—in this chilling YA mystery.

When Savannah disappears soon after arguing with her mom’s boyfriend, everyone assumes she's run away. The truth is much worse. She’s been kidnapped by a man in a white van who locks her in an old trailer home, far from prying eyes. And worse yet, Savannah’s not alone: Ten months earlier, Jenny met the same fate and nearly died trying to escape. Now as the two girls wonder if he will hold them captive forever or kill them, they must join forces to break out—even if it means they die trying.

Master mystery-writer April Henry weaves another heart-stopping young adult thriller in this story ripped straight from the headlines. 

"Do not pray for an easy life. Pray for the strength to endure a difficult one." credited to Bruce Lee

Author April Henry's The Girl in the White Van is a suspenseful story that focuses on 16-year old Savannah Taylor. (A word to the wise, do not go into this book thinking that the entire thing is going to be from Savannah's narrative. Get ready for Daniel Diaz, Sir, Michael Diaz, Jenny, Bob, and Amy Dowd.) Savannah and her mother are used to moving around a lot. Her mother, Lorraine Taylor, can't settle down with just one boyfriend. She's had plenty. But, perhaps there's light at the end of the tunnel when they settle down in Portland with Tim Hixon.

In Portland, Savannah discovers a calling for Kung Fu and Bruce Lee. In fact, Savannah uses some of Bruce Lee's motivations in order to survive. She even catches the eye of Daniel Diaz who is a senior and a black belt in Kung Fu under Sifu Terry. When Savannah gets into an argument with Tim and he takes her phone away, she runs out. After class, she is taken, but everyone assumes she has just run away. Daniel and he doesn't think she ran away. He's determined to find out what happened to her.

One of Bruce Lee's alleged sayings, "When your life is on the line, you have to do everything you can," comes into play when Savannah is taken by a man in a white van. A white van that has been seen trailing girls on their way to and from school. While Savannah tries hard to fight back and escape, it's too much to ask that she'll get away. But, Savannah isn't alone. Jenny Dowd was taken by Sir nearly a year ago from her work place. Jenny's father refuses to give up on hope that she'll be returned. Her mother has given up, but in an act of kindness, she finds that she's useful to Savannah's mother who blames herself for Savannah's disappearance. 

Meanwhile, Savannah is determined to use her training and her skills to get them out of the RV. But, Jenny knows what happens when you try to escape. She has the scars on her face to prove it. Together they need to figure out if an attempt escape is worth it even if it fails. April Henry writes fast paced, short thrillers with multiple viewpoints for teens. I've read a couple of her others and had mixed results. The multiple viewpoints allows readers to see more of the story than we would otherwise not. The reader is given an insight into the person responsible, but the mystery of who they are remains and builds the tension. The plus are the short chapters which means you could literally read this book in under 2 hours.

Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

#Review - Ten Days Gone by Beverly Long #Thrillers #Suspense

Series: A.L. McKittridge #1
Format: Mass Market, 384 pages
Release Date: February 18, 2020
Publisher: MIRA
Source: Publisher
Genre: Thrillers / Suspense

Beverly Long brings her talents to Mira with the story of a serial killer stalking women in small-town Wisconsin and the detective partners, who will continue to feature in other books, determined to stop him. An A.L. McKittridge Novel.

They know exactly when he’ll strike… They just have to find him first.

In all their years working for the Baywood police department, detectives A.L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan have never seen anything like it. Four women dead in forty days, each killed ten days apart. With nothing connecting the victims and very little evidence, the clock is already counting down to when the next body drops. A.L. and Rena will have to act fast if they’re going to find the killer’s next victim before he does.

But identifying the killer’s next likely target is only half the battle. With pressure pushing in from all sides, a promising breakthrough leads the detectives to Tess Lyons, a woman whose past trauma has left her too damaged to appreciate the danger she’s in. Unwilling to let another woman die, A.L. and Rena will put everything on the line to keep Tess safe and end the killer’s deadly spree once and for all—before time runs out again.

Ten Days Gone is the first installment in the A.L. McKittridge series by author Beverly Long. This book is organized by a timeline counting from day one to day ten until either the detectives capture the serial killer or another woman dies. Baywood, Wisconsin Police Detectives A.L. McKittridge and his partner Rena Morgan are on the case of a serial killer. 4 women have been murdered in 40 days. As the title indicates, the killer strikes every 10 days. With nothing connecting the victims and very little evidence, the clock is already counting down to when the next body drops. A.L. and Rena will have to act fast if they’re going to find the killer’s next victim before he does.

I should state for the record that this isn't A.L.'s story to tell. It is also Rena's as well as the would be fifth victim's which I won't spoil. Rena has been A.L's partner long enough to understand him well. Rena is also dealing with trying to get pregnant using the last scientific procedures. She's also dealing with her husband, Gabe, who seems to be wandering. Whether or not that's the truth leads to some pressure points being pushed on Rena's life and as a cop. There are loads of characters in this book and I don’t think we really got to fully know any of them. I’m not sure if that was intentional or not. 

There's A.L.'s ex wife who may be dating again, his teenaged daughter who is acting out a bit, his sister is an alcoholic who refuses to accept any help, A.L's love life seems to be focused on having fun and not committing to another long term commitment. This leads to his connection with a possible murder victim who has deep rooted PTSD after losing her arm in a shark attack. The partnership between Rena and A.L. works well. There's never any judgmental comments. There's respect in understanding that they both know the job and no moral superiority just because A.L. is a man and Rena is a woman. I like them as partners as they have sort of a yin yang relationship that worked extremely well in every aspect while maintaining proper boundaries.

The unfolding of the clues and the way the villain is revealed are both handled well and and ending is very satisfying. I didn't know this was part of a series until I had finished the book. The detectives’ personal lives are woven in with the investigation. The detective’s lives are realistic. They work hard which affects their personal lives which are complicated (just like real people). I have already requested the sequel and should it be approved or denied, I will be continuing this series. Also, we do not get to find out what A.L. stands for which is a mystery in itself. One of the serial killers targets tries hard to guess without any success.

 

Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

#Review - Night Hunter (The Devil of Harrowgate #1) by Katerina Martinez #Fantasy

Series: The Devil of Harrowgate #1
Format: Kindle, 167 pages
Release Date: June 18, 2020
Publisher: Supernal Publishing
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Keep my head down. Reclaim my memories. Don't trust the Horseman.

They tell me I've killed someone, they point at the blood on my hands, but I don't remember doing it.

At Harrowgate Prison, the only sentence is life. There are no parole boards, no getting out. My only hope lies in the hands of a man they call the Horseman of Devil Falls.

He's a warrior, a monster, a slayer of Outsiders like me, but a soon as I lay eyes on him, something inside of me ignites. Lust? Rage? Maybe both. I hate him, I want to kill him for what he is, but the attraction is magnetic, and confusing.

He wants me to help him track down a group of dangerous killers because I'm the only one who knows how they hunt. There's no getting out of Harrowgate, but he has the power to make my stay more comfortable if I agree to work with him. I don't see another choice.

He's confident we'll be able to deal with the threat. Arrogant. But not even the mighty Horseman is ready for the storm bearing down on Devil Falls.

Night Hunter is the first installment in author Katerina Martinez's The Devil of Harrowgate series. As the story opens, our protagonist, Six, finds herself in Harrowgate Prison. She's covered in blood, she has no memories, but allegedly, she murdered someone in cold blood in a place called Devil Falls. Six is collared by a mage, and has her wings, yes, she does have wings as indicated by the cover, bound as well. As we pull back the cover on Six, we learn that she is being called a fiend since she is not from Earth and apparently fell through a rift in the sky.

We also learn that she was held captive by a group known as the Crimson Hunters for 8 years until she was freed. Six agreed to a mission of dire consequences by the Coalition. She has to infiltrate the prison and kill the man known as the Horseman. But, things aren't as black and white as they seem. There is no getting out of Harrowgate Prison. Once you're there, you're there for life and there's no chance of parole or time off for good behavior. As things progress, you have to wonder if Six's alleged allies are telling the truth or are they even more nefarious than the Horseman who seems to tug and pull at Six's every emotions.

Six is a being known as a Serakon. Serakon are supposed to be the best fighters around. So, here mission should be pretty straight forward unless there is more her allies are not telling her. Six encounters an arachnid character called Azlu who is apparently going to play a larger role in this series as well as her connection to someone named Mother. If you actually do some minor research, you'll learn that Six first appeared in the 3rd book of The Obsidian Order series. This series apparently takes place a few years after that series ended.The book has plenty of twists and action. It also leaves a while of a cliffhanger ending when Six meets the dreaded Warden.     

I have already planned on reading the sequel once it is released. Can't leave myself hanging by stopping now without figuring out the authors end game. I'm also thinking that I need to add the Obsidian Order to my TBR pile since both Six and a character who appears in this story are important cogs to understanding what's happening.

Amazon 

#Review - Royal Fae Guardians Series by Heather Renee #YA #Fantasy

Series: Royal Fae Guardians # 0.5
Format: Kindle, 94 pages
Release Date: July 28th 2020
Publisher: HRB Publishing, LLC
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

Life as a guardian isn’t for the weak.

For the last few decades, I’ve been working alongside my two best friends Ryland and Oliver.

We’re the top guardians in Arvayta, so it should have come as no surprise when we’re summoned to complete the deadliest of tasks.

Darkness has taken over the dragon territory and it’s up to the three of us to stop it. Only the fates haven’t given us much information to go off and we have no idea what we’re walking into when we enter the Otherworld.

There is no shortage of obstacles as we make our way through the treacherous landscapes, only to fall directly into the dragon’s lair. Except not everything is as I’ve always believed and there’s no room for second-guessing.

It’s time to slay some dragons.

Of Swords and Dragons, by author Heather Renee, is the prequel to the author's Royal Fae Guardians duology. In this story, readers will meet Jordan Baker. Jordan and her best friends Oliver and Ryland are the two best Guardians around. This story is set in a place called Arvayta. This short story follows Jordan and her friends as they are given a job of defeating an evil dragon by the name of Zendar. Along the way, the trio encounter Dragon Queen Yelah who offers to help the trio defeat Zendar and bring peace back to the realm. This is also a set up to the next two books as Jordan is given a job of guarding Brooks and Daliah's daughter Kaliah on Earth after she is attacked.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Series: Royal Fae Guardians # 1

Format: Kindle, 188 pages

Release Date: April 26, 2020

Publisher: HRB Publishing, LLC

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

I might be a fae princess, but my story is no fairytale.

Being told that I'm not exactly human wasn't easy to accept. Neither was spending the last year training for what was to come on my nineteenth birthday, but I did it anyway. Feeling certain I'm ready for my new life, I soon realize nothing could have prepared me for the reality of it.

Turns out I'm the first descendant in decades to be born from two royal fae lines, but being special isn't always a good thing. All that training I did? Not so helpful when I find out a dark fae is looking to settle an old score—with me as his target.

Enter Ryland, an elusive guardian meant to help prepare me for the inevitable threats headed my way. The only problem? He's impossible, and I can't seem to stop butting heads with him. Even when other forces try to push us together.

Though, regardless of the obstacles, I have to accept the changes in my life and learn how to roll with the punches. Because if I don't? Well, it could mean the end of the little utopia I've found in my new home.

But becoming the hero Arvayta needs me to be isn't as easy as it sounds.

Of Dreams and Sorcery, by author Heather Renee, is actually the first installment in the author's Royal Fae Guardians. This book takes place 8 years after Of Swords and Dragons. Our new protagonist is Kaliah Atwater who is fast approaching her 19th birthday when she will transform from human into fae. Kali is also the first to be conceived from two royal families. She's also the first who has a chance of restoring balance lost in the Dark Wars. 

For those who read the above story, Jordan remains part of Kai's life as her guardian and best friend. Oliver and Ryland also appear in this story. I think of think of Oliver and the third wheel. When Kali meets a talking owl named Stryx, she knows that her life has become very complicated. Then of course, we have to have our nefarious villain Alaryk who truly believes Kali is his and nobody is going to get in his way. But, Kali isn't a Mary Sue. She truly has some powerful abilities which she'll need leading into the final installment.

Amazon 

Series: Royal Fae Guardians # 2

Format: Kindle, 177 pages

Release Date: June 26, 2020

Publisher: HRB Publishing, LLC

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

A storm’s been awakened, and it won't be contained for long.

I've been pushed beyond my limits, my heart shattered into pieces, and a magic forced on me I know nothing about. With a darkness stirring inside me that I should be afraid of—but I’m not—it’s time to show Alaryk even though he won the last battle, he won’t get so lucky again.

My grieving period is over. I’ve moved onto rage, letting vengeance guide me. Everyone left that I care about wants me to let them in, but until Alaryk is no longer breathing, I won’t let them distract me from what needs to be done.

I’m destined for two paths. One that leads to light and love, the other, darkness and power. The time is up to decide who I will become, and ready or not, I’ll either save the worlds or destroy them.

This time, not even the Fates know how things will end.

Of Blood and Sacrifice is the final installment in author Heather Renee's Royal Fae Guardians series. This story picks up 5 days after the stunning ending to Of Blood and Sacrifice. Alaryk made his move and it has pushed Kali to the breaking point. With a prophecy that says that she will either save Alaryk or destroy it, it will take a few good friends and new allies to keep Kali on the straight and narrow. As her connection to Ryland and Stryx grows, Kali needs to find a weapon strong enough to defeat Alaryk. Kali's connection to Ryland grows in this story after she finally accepts that she's his soul mate. The most interesting part of this story is that Jordan finally gets something that she's been longing for. I couldn't be happier for her or Oliver for that matter. The only issue I have with these books is that they are way too short. I would have liked to have them longer so that the ending didn't feel rushed.

Amazon 

#Review - The Night Witch (Wilde Justice #6) by Jenn Stark #Fantasy #Romance

Series: Wilde Justice #6
Format: Kindle
Release Date: August 3rd 2020
Publisher: Elewyn Publishing
Source: Author
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Romance

Be careful what you wish for.

Tarot-reading Justice of the Arcana Council Sara Wilde has an avalanche of oppressed psychics crying out for her aid. How can she help them all? Despite the support of the formidable Magician, she’s only one woman.

Worse, the Council’s biggest rival, the Shadow Court, taunts her at every turn, defying her efforts to discover the power behind their elite operation.

Frustrated by the Council’s unwillingness to act, Sara is tempted to take matters into her own hands. Especially when she uncovers ancient, mysterious references to a vigilante-style enforcer, the night witch, who does what Justice can’t…or won’t.

Then a new, mysterious ally emerges, a reclusive sheikh with tales of captured genies and impossible wishes who offers Sara his assistance—for a price. A price that may prove to be more than Sara ever expected to pay…

Shadows dance and demons howl when The Night Witch comes to call.

"Darkness draws down, and the night witch stirs."

The Night Witch is the sixth installment in author Jenn Stark's Wilde Justice series. Sara Wilde is a Tarot Card reading Justice of the Arcana Council. She's the cosmic cop of the connected world. Tracking down the outlaws of the psychic community and delivering them to Judgment is Sara Wilde’s business and business has been good ever since the appearance of the Shadow Court and their obsession with Sara. As the story opens, Sara and Eshe, the High Priestess of the Arcana Council who was once an Oracle of Delphi, are in Pompeii, Italy attending a techno psychic music festival where things quickly go from bad to worse as what appears to be pterodactyls attack Sara.


The Shadow Court has been pushing the envelope on magic, using arcane powers to advance their position in society. The Shadow Court seeks to impose their own brand of justice, restricting magic to only the richest and most influential psychics, while stripping power from all the undesirables. The cries of help from the connected are growing louder by the day. More and more requests for help are showing up at the Justice Hall overwhelming Sara and her staff. An instability is growing in the world because of the Shadow Court and its past time to take the gloves off and strike back. You are wondering about the name The Night Witch. I can only tell you this.


Once upon a time, there was a Night Witch who could do things that the Justice of the Arcana Council couldn't or wouldn't do. This person could cross lines that Sara has been unwilling to cross. Where this person went, death and destruction followed. This person has received special requests for help since Justice disappeared for 150 years before Sara took the job. For several books now, Sara has been the main target of the Shadow Court. Sara knows that Jarvis Fuggerson and his colleagues will stop at nothing until either Sara chooses to join them, or they eliminate her from the playing field. When they go after someone close to Sara, the gloves do come off. But how far will Sara go to get Justice? 


Sara's powers are above anything anyone else has seen and they are rapidly growing. There is literally nobody, well maybe the Magician, who can stop her. Time and time again the Shadow Courts comes after Sara. Time and time again they fail spectacularly. They want Sara to make a mistake that will cost her the support of those she's sworn to protect as well as a piece of her humanity. But, how much more patience does Sara have to stand back and restrain herself while friends and allies are being targeted? The author does introduce new council members and members who are either in hiding, or perhaps joined the Shadow Court. Of those is the Sun. But there is also the Moon and the Star and may others who are out there either waiting to be found, or unwilling to help Sara and her allies. We shall see where the author goes from here.


Here is my recommendation, read the books in the order as they are released. There is lots of information that will be lost in translation if you don't know who the main characters are in this series or what has happened. The usual suspects appear: Simon, Sariah, Nikki Dawes, Aleksander Kreios, Armaeus Bertrand, Death, Danae, as well as some crossover characters from the authors Demon Enforcer series including Warrick of the Syx, leader of a demon special ops team with a brutal reputation for efficiency, along with Finn, Stefan, Gregori & Raum. 


The Demon Enforcers are those fallen angels who agreed to become an enforcer for a chance to be redeemed. The redemption is held in Archangel Michael’s aka Hierophant hands and he makes them work thousands of years to get it. Only demons can kill demons, so their participation tells you that there is a whole lot of stuff that the author adds to make the story even more action packed. I am glad for one point in this book and it happens right at the end. I would be as happy as a clam at high tide if this is the way the author has chosen to go with her series. It makes total sense for Sara and this character to work closely together in the battle and war to come. 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo