*This title will be released on July 5, 2011*

Title: Deceived By The Others Author: Jess Haines Series: H&W Investigations #3 Cover Art: N/A Genre: urban fantasy Excerpt: Yes Source: Author/Publisher Reviewed by: Abigail Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Zebra; 1 edition (July 5, 2011) ISBN-10: 1420111892 ISBN-13: 978-1420111897 Sexual Content: A scene of semi graphic sensuality. References to sex. Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & put this author on your watch list.

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Description

They’re here, and they’re real…werewolves, vampires, mages, and other creatures of the night. For New York P.I. Shiarra Waynest, taking care of Others business started out as a way to stay solvent. But now business is getting very, very complicated…

Shiarra’s relationship with sexy werewolf Chaz may be somewhat unconventional. Still, after a few bumps, Shia is finally ready to get serious. That means meeting family–or in this case, bringing Chaz’s entire werewolf pack along for a rollicking full-moon weekend in the Catskills.

Soon after they arrive, threatening notes appear, warning Chaz to go home. Then their cabin is ransacked. Shia starts digging to find out whether it’s the work of upstart teenaged werewolves or something more sinister. Yet as rumors about her vampire connections arouse the pack’s hostility, Shia has to contend with other dangers. Not just from an adversary about to make his fatal intentions known, but from a threat that’s even closer than she knows…

Review

I talk to my books.  More accurately, I talk to the characters in the books I read.  I yell at them when they do stupid things and cheer for them when they do awesome things.  Well I practically went hoarse reading DECEIVED BY THE OTHERS.  This is one fantastically messed up book! And I mean that in the best way possible. 

If you haven’t started reading the H&W Investigations series yet, you’re missing out on one of the best and brightest urban fantasy has to offer.  You want werewolves? Shia is dating the Alpha of the third largest pack in New York.  Prefer vampires? You will love Alec Royce, the most powerful vampire in the city with looks that kill and an agenda that only he knows.  Magic more your thing? Wait until you meet The Circle, witches and mages with enchanted objects not to be believed.  Navigating this world of Others is Shia, a levelheaded P.I. without a lick of magic but enough guts and street smarts to make up for it.  She has ties to every paranormal group in the city—and a few anti-paranormal groups too—whether she wants to or not.  Trust me, you’ll never have more fun than with these characters.

The majority of DECEIVED BY THE OTHERS takes place outside of the city on werewolf retreat which unfortunately means that most of the stellar cast from this series is absent for the first couple hundred pages.  I completely understand the need for this given some of the HUGE plot developments that take place in this book, but I can’t help but miss some of the interaction between Shia, Sara, Arnold, and most of all Royce.  As if anticipating backlash from fans, the last 150 pages reunites everyone and delivers some of the most memorable Shia/Royce scenes ever. 

Plenty of urban fantasy authors do dark and disturbing.  Jess Haines does urban fantasy that is smart and sexy with characters the span the spectrum from super scary to playfully snarky, and dangerously seductive.  And the best thing about the H&W Investigations series is that I’m left with my mouth hanging open in shock by the end of each book, and I may have actually dislocated my jaw at the way DECEIVED BY THE OTHERS ended.  Shia is physically and emotionally torn apart in this book.  Some characters reveal their true colors in ways that stunned and incensed me while others stepped up in ways I never thought possible.  It’s like I’m meeting some of these characters for the first time and I can’t wait to see what they do next in JUSTICE FOR THE OTHERS.

Previous Books in Series	Also Reviewed By:
#1 Hunted By The Others - 5/5 #1.5 Spark of Temptation (from Nocturnal) - 4/5 #2 Taken By The Others - 4/5	Literary Escapism Tynga’s Reviews Alternative Worlds

*This title will be released on January 4, 2010*

Title: Taken By The Others Author: Jess Haines Series: H&W Investigations Cover Art: N/A Genre: Urban Fantasy Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Zebra Published: January 4, 2011 ISBN-10: 1420111884 ISBN-13: 978-1420111880 Review Copy Source: Author Reviewed by: Abigail

Book Description

Jess haines draws readers deep into the mesmerizing world of the Others–werewolves, vampires, and mages who make their home among humans, and are turning Shiarra Waynest’s life upside down…

Once, New York P.I. Shiarra Waynest’s most pressing problem was keeping her agency afloat. Now she’s dealing with two dangerous, seductive vampires who have been enemies for centuries. The only thing Max Carlyle and Alec Royce agree on is that they both want Shia–for very different reasons.

Max is determined to destroy Shia for killing his progeny, while Royce’s interest is a lot more personal. That’s not sitting well with Shia’s werewolf boyfriend, Chaz. As the feud between Max and Royce gets ever more deadly, a powerful vampire-hunting faction is urging Shia to join their side. Shia has always believed vamps were the bad guys, but she’s discovering unexpected shades of grey that are about to redefine her friends, her loyalties–and even her desires…

 Review

Pure fun.  That’s what Jess gave us with HUNTED BY THE OTHERS and that’s what she delivers in the follow up, TAKEN BY THE OTHERS. Well, that and nonstop action, some of the best romantic tension in urban fantasy, and a heroine who just gets better with every book.

Royce and Shia have a pitch perfect urban fantasy relationship.  He wants her for semi nefarious purposes (and he just plain wants her).  She is rightly terrified of him half of the time and terrified of herself the other half.  Whenever these two get near each other (not often enough for Royce’s taste & way too often for Shia’s), sparks fly and it’s anyone’s guess if Royce is plotting to bite Shia or bed her.  Can you say romantic tension? 

Shia & Co are my favorite character ensemble in urban fantasy right now.  The dialogue always crackles with wit and biting sarcasm, dry humor, or sly innuendo with near perfect timing depending on the character.  And Shia doesn’t just play the straight character who everyone else gets to be funny around, she holds her own cut-the-crap attitude and can’t help but mouth off when she’s really scared. 

The only thing keeping me from giving this another 5/5 bat review is that I thought there was a little too much driving around while planning/revising the next move.  But that’s pretty minor.  Overall, it doesn’t get much better for pure urban fantasy than Jess Haines.  DECIEVED BY THE OTHERS with be published on July 5, 2011.  Take my advice and pre-order it now.  If you’re still on the fence, check out this pee-your-pants-laughing comic strip of how Shia met Royce.


Sexual Content: Kissing. References to sex.


My Rating:

4/5
Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & pre-order the sequel.

Click HERE to read an excerpt from TAKEN BY THE OTHERS

Previous books in the series:

#1 - Hunted By The Others
#1.5 - Spark of Temptation (in the anthology Nocturnal)
Also reviewed by:

• Writings Of A Wicked Book Addict
• Notes of Life
• Dark Wyrm Reads

*This title will be released on November 2, 2010*

Title: Blood Spells
Author: Jessica Andersen
Series: Final Prophesy #5
Cover Art: N/A

Paperback: 464 pages
Publisher: Signet
Date Published: November 2, 2010
ISBN-10: 0451231651
ISBN-13: 978-0451231659

Review Copy Source: Jessica Anderson
Reviewed by: Abigail

Book Description

Trained from birth to fight with fists and magic, Patience knows that she should focus on the coming war for souls. But she isn’t just a warrior—she’s a wife and mother too, which leaves her loyalties divided between the Nightkeepers and her family.

Brandt broke the rules when he married Patience and fathered their twin sons—and now he’s paying the price. Torn between his magic and his marriage, and separated from his ancestors’ wisdom by a curse he can’t remove, Brandt is fighting to put his life back together.

When an ancient Aztec god-king arises, Patience and Brandt must set aside their problems and team up as a mated warrior pair. But as they race to prevent the Nightkeepers’ enemies from enacting a terrible ritual that could tear apart humanity, the threat turns even more personal, becoming a deadly test of their powers … and their love.

 Review

Mythology junkies like me are in for a sweet treat with BLOOD SPELLS the latest book in the Final Prophesy series about the Nightkeepers, a group of warrior mages whose duty it is to keep demons trapped in the underworld, because the entire series is based on the myths of the Mayan Empire, specifically the 2012 Doomsday prophesy.  Anderson shows off a skillful understanding of Mayan lore and weaves a very complex world together in her action packed paranormal romance.

The larger story deals with the Nightkeepers rush to stop an Aztec demon from breaking out of his prison and destroying all life on earth.  The more intimate story involves Patience and Brandt’s journey to revive a love they’ve long since lost.  Many of the scenes between them had a Time Traveler's Wife quality to them as they magically revisited moments from their lives including the one night neither of them can remember: the night they met.

Although each book focuses on a new couple, long time fans of the series will have an edge on us newbies as there is a lot of information to absorb in a very short amount of time.  Extensive character histories, intricate magic systems, and a complex mythology based on a real historical culture.  There is a glossary in the back that was extremely helpful, but even being somewhat familiar with Mayan mythology, I found it challenging to keep up.

If you’re looking for an elaborate world system based on the bloody but fascinating Mayan mythology (with a demonic twist), an epic second chance romance, with plenty of supporting characters, then BLOOD SPELLS will be like Christmas coming early.  I’m intrigued enough that I’ll be starting back with the first Final Prophecy book, NIGHTKEEPERS, while waiting for STORMKISSED in June 2011. 

Sexual Content: Several graphic sex scenes

My Rating:

3/5
Good - A fun read with minor flaws. Maybe read an excerpt before buying.

Click HERE to read an excerpt from BLOOD SPELLS

Previous books in the series:

1. Nightkeepers
2. Daykeepers
3. Skykeepers
4. Demonkeepers

Also reviewed by:

• Genre Go Round Reviews

*This title will be released on November 2, 2010*

Title: Blood Spells
Author: Jessica Anderson
Series: Final Prophesy #5
Cover Art: N/A

Paperback: 464 pages
Publisher: Signet
Date Published: November 2, 2010
ISBN-10: 0451231651
ISBN-13: 978-0451231659

Review Copy Source: Jessica Anderson
Reviewed by: Abigail

Book Description

Trained from birth to fight with fists and magic, Patience knows that she should focus on the coming war for souls. But she isn’t just a warrior—she’s a wife and mother too, which leaves her loyalties divided between the Nightkeepers and her family.

Brandt broke the rules when he married Patience and fathered their twin sons—and now he’s paying the price. Torn between his magic and his marriage, and separated from his ancestors’ wisdom by a curse he can’t remove, Brandt is fighting to put his life back together.

When an ancient Aztec god-king arises, Patience and Brandt must set aside their problems and team up as a mated warrior pair. But as they race to prevent the Nightkeepers’ enemies from enacting a terrible ritual that could tear apart humanity, the threat turns even more personal, becoming a deadly test of their powers … and their love.

 Review

Mythology junkies like me are in for a sweet treat with BLOOD SPELLS the latest book in the Final Prophesy series about the Nightkeepers, a group of warrior mages whose duty it is to keep demons trapped in the underworld, because the entire series is based on the myths of the Mayan Empire, specifically the 2012 Doomsday prophesy.  Anderson shows off a skillful understanding of Mayan lore and weaves a very complex world together in her action packed paranormal romance.

The larger story deals with the Nightkeepers rush to stop an Aztec demon from breaking out of his prison and destroying all life on earth.  The more intimate story involves Patience and Brandt’s journey to revive a love they’ve long since lost.  Many of the scenes between them had a Time Traveler's Wife quality to them as they magically revisited moments from their lives including the one night neither of them can remember: the night they met.

Although each book focuses on a new couple, long time fans of the series will have an edge on us newbies as there is a lot of information to absorb in a very short amount of time.  Extensive character histories, intricate magic systems, and a complex mythology based on a real historical culture.  There is a glossary in the back that was extremely helpful, but even being somewhat familiar with Mayan mythology, I found it challenging to keep up.

If you’re looking for an elaborate world system based on the bloody but fascinating Mayan mythology (with a demonic twist), an epic second chance romance, with plenty of supporting characters, then BLOOD SPELLS will be like Christmas coming early.  I’m intrigued enough that I’ll be starting back with the first Final Prophecy book, NIGHTKEEPERS, while waiting for STORMKISSED in June 2011. 

Sexual Content: Several graphic sex scenes

My Rating:

3/5
Good - A fun read with minor flaws. Maybe read an excerpt before buying.

Click HERE to read an excerpt from BLOOD SPELLS

Previous books in the series:

1. Nightkeepers
2. Daykeepers
3. Skykeepers
4. Demonkeepers

Also reviewed by:

• Genre Go Round Reviews

*This title will be released on October 26, 2010*

Title: Geist
Author: Philipa Ballantine
Series: Book of the Order #1
Cover Art: Jason Chan
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Ace
Date Published: October 26, 2010
ISBN-10: 0441019617
ISBN-13: 978-0441019618

Review Copy Source: Penguin
Reviewed by: Abigail

Book Description

Between the living and the dead is the Order of the Deacons, protectors of the Empire, guardians against possession, sentinels enlisted to ward off the malevolent haunting of the geists...

Among the most powerful of the Order is Sorcha, now thrust into partnership with the novice Deacon, Merrick Chambers. They have been dispatched to the isolated village of Ulrich to aide the Priory with a surge of violent geist activity. With them is Raed Rossin, Pretender to the throne that Sorcha is sworn to protect, and bearer of a terrible curse.

But what greets them in the strange settlement is something far more predatory and more horrifying than any mere haunting. And as she uncovers a tradition of twisted rituals passed down through the dark reaches of history, Sorcha will be forced to reconsider everything she thinks she knows.

And if she makes it out of Ulrich alive, what in Hell is she returning to?

 Review

GEIST is one of those books that straddles the line between a number of different genres.  It reads like a mix between Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series and Illona Andrews Kate Daniels series (and not just because of the werelion).  A number of paranormal creatures thrown into a high fantasy setting and time period with a splash a steampunk.  Let’s call it paranormal fantasy. 

GEIST is set in a lush high fantasy world were a dedicated Order of essentially mages protect humanity from demons (aka geists) who attempt to possess and destroy the world. The Order is made up of two complimentary types of mages:  Actives (who wield magic) and Sensitives (who can ‘see’ the Otherside) who enter into a psychic Bond together.

This type of magic system and the religious/political order who train and dogmatize the deacons from childhood is very reminiscent of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series.  Unfortunately, at just over 300 pages, I felt like GEIST barely scratched the surface of this necessarily complex society.  I’m sure there will be more about The Order in future books, but as it was in the first book, we got the abridged version which remained too shallow for me to really connect with. 

The characters were an entirely different matter, specifically Raed Rossin, Pretender to the throne.  He is a wonderfully tormented man who brandishes his bitterness and pride like the weapons they are.  Sorcha, meanwhile, is a walking legend as the most powerful Active The Order has.  She is revered and feared by those around her, save for her indifferent husband and Sensitive partner, Kolya.  After an injury, the young and idealistic Merrick is assigned to Sorcha in his stead.

I did like GEIST, but it had the potential to make me love it, and that miss has me disappointed.  The world building was fascinating but underutilized, the surprise romance was a nice addition, and the three main characters made for an interesting if dysfunctional group.  I’m on the fence about whether or not I’ll be picking up SPECTYR when it’s published in Summer 2011.

Sexual Content: One semi graphic sex scene

My Rating:

3/5
Good - A fun read with minor flaws. Maybe read an excerpt before buying.

Click HERE to read an excerpt from GEIST

Previous books in the series:

1. N/A

Also reviewed by:

• Dreams and Speculation
• Genre Go Round Reviews

*This title will be released on September 28, 2010*

Book Description

Nothing if not resilient, Celia Graves is slowly adjusting to being a half-human, half-vampire Abomination. But her troubles are far from over. Her best friend’s murder is still unsolved, the cops are convinced she should be in jail, and her old lover, the magician Bruno DeLuca, has resurfaced in her life, saying he has something important to tell her.

The vampire attack that transformed Celia kicked her latent Siren abilities into high gear, and now she’s been summoned to the Sirens’ island to justify her existence—and possibly fight for her life—in front of the Siren Queen. Celia isn’t sure she’ll survive to make the trip. The demon she defeated in Blood Song hasn’t exactly gone quietly—he’s left Celia suffering from a powerful curse.

 Review

Book 2 in The Blood Singer Series

Celia Graves, bodyguard turned half-vampire/half-siren is back in this follow up to the truly excellent Blood Song that finds her once again hunted at every turn by mages, sirens, demons and even humanity.  Unlike in most urban fantasy books, vampires in The Blood Singer series aren’t sexy love interests, they are the scourge of the earth.  Feared and loathed by almost everyone, Celia has to navigate this story filled with lots of action, betrayal, and fragile romance--all without getting staked.

I thought the fight scenes in Blood Song were cool (and I don’t often find myself impressed with detailed fight scenes), but SIREN SONG is packed with fast and fun fights that had my adrenaline slamming through my system.  Celia is believably capable and resourceful, yet she is still acclimating to both her vampire and siren abilities.  She never gets easy victories (getting jumped outside a grocery store with nothing but baby food jars as weapons, for example) and she never emerges unscathed. 

Another high note in SIREN SONG is the romance.  It is much less overt in this book as opposed to Blood Song (and there is a significant reason for that), but the new romantic lead in Celia’s life is a surprise to both her and the reader, and yet by the end of the book, I couldn’t imagine a better match.

As with the previous book, Adams laces SIREN SONG with subtle details in the early part of the book that tie together later on for a truly robust ending. Sadly, I thought that those details contributed to SIREN SONG being a little slow out of the gate. A number of side plot elements needed to be tied up, which I appreciate, but Blood Song ended with Celia being summoned to Siren Island for a trial and that storyline didn’t pick up until halfway through SIREN SONG.  From then on, the story races along at much more satisfyingly pace.  Demon Song will be out sometime in early 2011 and I’m already anticipating another action packed blast.

Sexual Content: References to sex. References to homosexuality. A scene of sensuality.

My Rating (out of 5):
Good - A fun read with minor flaws. Maybe read an excerpt before buying.

Click HERE to read an excerpt from SIREN SONG

Previous books in the series:

1.  Blood Song

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; First Edition edition (September 28, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765324954
• ISBN-13: 978-0765324955
• Cover Art: N/A 

*Disclosure: I received this book courtesy of Cat Adams

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Also Reviewed by:

• LiteraturelySpeaking
• Genre Go Round Reviews

*This title will be released on September 7, 2010*

Book Description

"The Phoenix Project" by Jacquelyn Frank. Held captive, Amara is subjected to bizarre experiments that test the limits of her sanity. But nothing prepares her for being locked away - naked - with a sexy ex-cop...after they've been pumped full of drugs that increase their sexual appetites to animalistic intensity...

"Crystal Dreams" by Kate Douglas - When Lemurian Guard Darius chases a demon spirit to Earth, he faces a lethal battle between good and evil. His ally is Mari, a breathtakingly beautiful human who unknowingly holds the key to victory. But before the war is over, Darius' desire for his mortal companion threatens to erupt - and could cost Mari her life...

"Spark of Temptation" by Jess Haines - Blackmailed into taking a treacherous case, P.I. Sara Halloway is thrust into a demon war. Sara seeks guidance from a charismatic mage, but their hunger for one another soon becomes a deadly distraction...and the danger surrounding them only makes their urges more powerful...

"My Soul to Take" by Clare Willis - New Orleans native Dr. Maggie Dillon thought she left her past behind her - until she's enraptured by a handsome patient who has been possessed by a malevolent spirit. To find a cure, Colby revisits her magical roots - and unleashes a primal lust too vital to ignore...

 Review

I had never read anything by any of the authors in this anthology apart from Jess Haines, and apart from Jess’s story, I’m not likely to seek them out after reading their efforts in NOCTURNAL.  All in all, this is a very disjointed collection containing a hardcore erotic story, two paranormal romances, and an urban fantasy.

The Phoenix Project by Jacquelyn Frank was by far the most sexually explicit thing I have ever read. The story is 130 pages long and I would say that at least 120 of those pages were sex scenes.  The story itself, what little there was, was actually pretty interesting.  In a dystopian world, people are abducted from their homes, imprisoned, and used a lab rats until they die.  Amara and Nick are genetically altered and thrown into a room together naked.  They quickly discover an almost painfully animalistic need to mate, along with a few erotic alterations to their bodies. Lots, and lots, and lots of shockingly detailed graphic sex follows.  Hardcore erotica is really not the kind of thing I enjoy reading, so I’m feeling somewhat at a loss as to how to rate this one… ?/5 bats

By comparison, Crystal Dreams by Kate Douglas (100 pages), about inter-dimensional demons and the immortal warriors devoted to destroying them, was tame, although it also contains several long graphic sex scenes. When demons target a magic shop owner, the warrior vows to protect her and falls in lust, sorry love, along the way.  The world building was intriguing, but mostly wasting in this tale.  Worse, neither character was particularly strong. Darius was tired as the stoic warrior who succumbs to a pretty face, and Mari wasn’t half as sparkling as the crystals she sold…2/5 bats

Spark of Temptation by Jess Haines (102 pages) was the reason I wanted to read this anthology and it didn't disappoint. Focusing on two supporting characters from Jess's excellent urban fantasy debut Hunted By The Others, this story picks up at the end of the previous book while Shiarra is still recovering in the hospital and shows us how her investigating partner Sara and the mage Arnold got together.  This is a solid urban fantasy in a complex world of recently revealed Others (non-humans), with likable characters, paranormal peril, and one super sexy vampire.  Unlike the other three stories in NOCTURNAL, this one is subtly sexy without any actual sex…4/5 bats

The last story, My Soul to Take by Clare Willis (starts on 333) involves a doctor in a psychiatric ward and her possible possessed suicidal patient.  It can be difficult to establish a credible romance in short stories, but I almost feel like this story didn’t even try.  Within seconds of meeting each other the characters are making out declaring their love only pages later. There is also a side plot where the doctor tries to reconnect with her sister after years of estrangement following the suicide of their mother, but again it fell flat…2/5 bats

Sexual Content: From obscenely graphic erotica in one story, only references to sex in another, and everything in between.

My Rating (out of 5):
Okay – Somewhat disappointing with significant flaws.  Library/swap/borrow if you want.

Click HERE to read an excerpt from NOCTURNAL

Product Details

Paperback: 532 pages

Publisher: Zebra (September 7, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1420109871

ISBN-13: 978-1420109870

Cover Art: N/A 

*Disclosure: I received this book courtesy of Jess Haines

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Disagree with my review?  Contact me with your review for this or any other book I’ve reviewed and I might use it for 2nd Opinion Review.

Disclosure: I received this book for review courtesy of Jess Haines

*Hunted By The Others by Jess Haines is available on May 4, 2010

Book Description:

In A Town Like This, Being A P.I. Can Be Murder

Shiarra Waynest’s detective work was dangerous enough when her client base was strictly mortal. But ailing finances have forced her to accept a lucrative case that could save her firm—if it doesn’t kill her first. Shiarra has signed on to work for a high-level mage to recover an ancient artifact owned by one of New York’s most powerful vampires.

As soon as Shiarra meets sexy, mesmerizing vamp Alec Royce, she knows her assignment is even more complicated than she thought. With a clandestine anti-Other group trying to recruit her, and magi being eliminated, Shiarra needs back-up and enlists her ex-boyfriend—a werewolf whose non-furry form is disarmingly appealing—and a nerdy mage with surprising talents. But it may not be enough. In a city where the undead roam, magic rules, and even the Others aren’t always what they seem, Shiarra has just become the secret weapon in a battle between good and evil—whether she likes it or not…

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Review:
HUNTED BY THE OTHERS reminded me why I fell in love with the urban fantasy genre in the first place. 

Shiarra Waynest is about to lose her P.I business because she can’t pay her bills.  Rather then be seen as a failure in the eyes of her family, she accepts a case from a client who’s willing to pay big.  The only problem is that the client is a Mage and the job involves getting close enough to steal from Alex Royce, the most powerful Vampire in New York.  Working for the Others (e.g. Vampires, Weres, Mages, Elves etc.) isn’t exactly high on Shia’s to do list.  In fact it ranks just above getting back together with her lying Were ex-boyfriend.  But she really needs the money.  Soon, Shia finds herself shopping at The Circle’s armory and outfitted by the White Hats underground anti-Other store as she prepares for a showdown with something worse than the Vampires and Weres put together—the person who’s controlling them.

Fans of Laurel K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series and Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series will love the world building in HUNTED BY THE OTHERS. Immediately following the attacks on 9/11, the Others seized the opportunity to reveal their existence to the world. Weres were among those rescuing people at ground zero, and Mages provided significant financial aid to prevent economic collapse in the days that followed. These efforts greatly helped ease public acceptance of the Others, but fear and hatred resulted in forming groups like the White Hats who’s sole purpose was to eradicate the Others from the face of the earth.

While the fanatics formed several hate groups, the more sane yet cautious members of society sought out political means of protecting themselves: laws. One of the more interesting legal arrangements allows humans to contractually sign their lives away to Others (the Others have lawyers too). These forms have to be signed prior to any kind of intimate (pleasant or otherwise) contact between humans and Others. These legal arrangements make for some very interesting and terrifying (depending on your perspective) scenes in HUNTED BY THE OTHERS.

Shiarra isn’t a White Hat nor is she exactly ready to cozy up with the Others (at least not knowingly).  She’s just a normal person who unwillingly gets caught up in a power struggle between the Others.  She exhibits real fear in the face of danger, but she never lets that fear paralyze her.  She forces herself to be brave (along with some encouragement and a healthy dose of magic from a possessed Vampire Hunter’s belt, that is) when those she cares about are in danger.

And speaking of danger, Alex Royce is seductive and scary (which according to a recent Throwdown makes him the best kind of Vampire). Half the time he is stalking Shia I don’t think even he knew if he wanted to eat her or sleep with her.  So, yeah, plenty of romantic tension here.  I can’t wait to see where that relationship goes in the next book. 

HUNTED BY THE OTHERS is everything you want in an urban fantasy:  A paranormal world that sucks you in, characters you actually care about, romantic tension that truly sizzles, and did I mention Royce?  Taken By The Others (H&W Investigations, book 2) is tentatively scheduled for release December 2010/January 2011, and I’m already counting down the days.

Sexual Content: References to sex

My Rating (out of 5):

Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.”

Click HERE to read an excerpt of Hunted By The Others

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra; Original edition (May 4, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420111876
• ISBN-13: 978-1420111873

Disagree with my review?  Email me your review for this or any other book I reviewed and I might use it for 2nd Opinion Review

Karen Chance was kind enough to stop by today and answer some questions about her upcoming urban fantasy anthology Inked (available January 5th) which I've been drooling over for months now (how gorgeous is that cover?) January 5th is a huge day for Karen because in addition to Inked, Death's Mistress (Dorina Basarab, Book 2) is also releasing tomorrow and Karen has generously offered a copy of Death’s Mistress for one of you to win (see below for complete giveaway details).

Karen Chance is the author of the Cassandra Palmer series and the Dorina Basarab series. She grew up in Orlando, Florida, the home of make-believe, which probably explains a lot. She has since resided in France, Great Britain, Hong Kong and New Orleans, mostly goofing off but occasionally teaching history. She is currently back in Florida where she plans to continue writing while dodging hurricanes (and occasionally drinking a few).

 

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Book Description: Four of today's hottest urban fantasy writers together for the first time! From today's most provocative authors come four tales of urban fantasy and paranormal romance exploring body art that is more than it seems-in a world of magic and mayhem that always leaves its mark. This captivating tattoo theme surrounds each author's popular characters and worlds: Karen Chance's war mage Lia de Croissets, Marjorie M. Liu's demon-hunter Maxine Kiss, Yasmine Galenorn's Otherworld Intelligence Agency operative Camille D'Artigo, and Eileen Wilk's Lupi world.

Interview

ATUF: “Skin Deep” is the title of your story in Inked. Can you give us a teaser of what it's about?

KC: It’s about Lia de Croissets, a half-werewolf who works with the War Mage Corps, a kind of supernatural police force. Her boyfriend, a werewolf named Cyrus, goes missing about the same time that the corpses of other Weres start showing up having been skinned alive. The story is about her search for Cyrus while also attempting to find out who the killer is. I have the first chapter posted to my site at http://www.karenchance.com/books_sd.html.

ATUF: "Skin Deep" is a continuation of the characters you introduced in the Wolfsbane and Mistletoe anthology story "Rogue Elements" and the Strange Brew anthology story "Vegas Odds."  What order should we read these in? Can "Skin Deep" be read as a stand alone?

KC: The order is “Rogue Elements”, “Vegas Odds” and “Skin Deep”, but I believe they all pretty much stand alone. I try to make all of my shorter pieces do so, as not everyone buys every anthology.

ATUF: “Skin Deep” is set in the same world as your Cassandra Palmer and Dorina Basarab series.  Any chance we'll run into some familiar characters?

KC: Caleb crosses over, as does Sebastian. I think that’s all in this one, though. One of the things I like about doing the Lia stories is that they allow me to show a different side of the world I usually write. So while crossovers are possible, they probably won’t be frequent.

ATUF: How did you come up with the idea of the War Mage Corps?  And can you tell us a little about this supernatural police force?

KC: Every society of any complexity needs a peace keeping force of some kind, and it seemed reasonable that a magical community would need a strong one because of the abilities of the people they have to reign in. The War Mage Corps is therefore made up of mages with greater than usual powers, who are trained to keep the magical community safe and, as much as possible, law abiding. They tend to be a lot more autonomous than human police, with the ability to act in emergencies without direct orders from above. Think a bunch of supernatural James Bonds and you kind of have the idea. Of course, people with that kind of power can be dangerous if they get out of control themselves, which makes for some interesting story lines.

ATUF: I loved the characters of Lia and Cyrus, any chance these two will eventually get their own full length novel? Or better yet their own series?

KC: Thank you, I enjoy writing both of them. As for their own novel, it’s something I would like to do, but that decision rests more with the powers that be at my publishing company than with me. I do plan to write more about them, though, in some format.

ATUF: What are some of the challenges unique to writing short stories/novellas as opposed to full length novels?  Do you have a preference?

KC: I vastly prefer writing novels. A short story has to incorporate all the aspects of a novel—characterization, plot, world building, etc.--in a much more compact form. I always find them far more challenging than doing longer works, although I always like my shorter pieces when they are finished.

ATUF: Do you have a favorite story in this anthology?

KC: I liked them all. I think it’s a very strong anthology with some great stories. And, no, I’m not just saying that because I’m in it!

ATUF: All of the stories in Inked involve tattoos. Do you have any tattoos, magical or otherwise, that you can share with us?

KC: No. I’m a certified coward. I’m afraid that the idea of getting stabbed by a needle several thousand times doesn’t appeal.

 ATUF: I don't think I've seen a cover for any of your books that aren't gorgeous (the Cassandra Palmer covers are consistently stunning), but Inked has to be my favorite so far.  Did you have any influence on the final design?

KC: I have always been very fortunate in the cover art my books have received. And I was thrilled to discover that they’d decided to use Lia for the Inked cover. I hadn’t had any hints on that before I received it, so it was a very nice surprise. But other than for providing the subject, I can’t take any credit for the design.

ATUF: I love hearing about what my favorite authors are reading? Can you tell us some of your favorite urban fantasy books?

KC: Too many to name, really. There are some awesome authors out there right now. In paranormal romance, my favorite would have to be Nalini Singh, who does some great world building in her books (which is one of my favorite things). In UF, I’m enjoying Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson series, which just seems to get better and better. And, of course, the ladies in the anthology with me—Marjorie Liu, Yasmine Galenorn and Eileen Wilkes—all rock!

ATUF: What projects do you have coming up next?

KC: Well, I’m not sure if “next” is the right word, as it’s coming out concurrently with Inked, but my second Dorina Basarab novel, Death’s Mistress, hits the shelves in January. I’ve also just finished a short story for the Chicks Kick Ass anthology, due out in 2011, and I’m currently working on the fifth Cassandra Palmer novel.

Thank you so much Karen for letting me pick your brain a little.  Come back anytime!

Books and anthologies by Karen Chance:

Cassandra Palmer series
1. Touch the Dark (2006)
2. Claimed By Shadow (2007)
3. Embrace the Night (2008)
4. Curse the Dawn (2009)

Dorina Basarab, Dhampir series
1. Midnight's Daughter (2008)
2. Death's Mistress (2010)

Anthologies

• On the Prowl
• Wolfesbane and Mistletoe
• The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance
• Strange Brew
• Inked

Giveaway

Karen is giving away a copy of her new book: Death's Mistress

Dorina Basarab is a dhampir—half-human, half-vampire. Subject to uncontrollable rages, most dhampirs live very short, very violent lives. So far, Dory has managed to maintain her sanity by unleashing her anger on those demons and vampires who deserve killing.

Back home in Brooklyn after the demise of her insane uncle Dracula, Dory’s hoping her life is about to calm down. But then she gets some visitors. A friend wants Dory’s help in finding a magical Fey relic, and the gorgeous vampire, Louis-Cesare, is desperate to find his former mistress Christine.

Dory and Louis-Cesare quickly discover that the same master vampire Christine is bound to is also rumored to be in possession of the relic. But when the master vampire turns up dead, they realize that there’s more at stake than a missing mistress. Someone is killing vampire Senate members, and if Dory and Louis-Cesare can’t stop the murderer, they may be next…

Read a sample chapter here. Look for Death's Mistress on January 5, 2010!

GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES

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4. Leave a comment about this interview or answer the question: what would your magical tattoo look like?
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