A good start to an interesting series 4.5 stars
359103
This is the first Melanie Schuster book I have read and I enjoyed it. I have all the titles to read in this series except for the last one and I have kind of cheated and skimmed through them all so know the plots already. I like that in this story she takes the story beyond the wedding.  Most romance novels end with the declarations of love and until you get to that point you read about the sparks flying, good sex and all the drama of misunderstandings. So its good to read a book where the couple have the drama, the sex, the romance, the love declarations before you reach the end of the book.
I must admit tho like one character thinks in A Fool for love Benita does come across as so perfect but still likeable.
By the way in none of the covers in the series match the description of the characters - so annoying, Clay is supposed to be a light skinned brother with a moustache and I suppose a European/wavy textured hair not 'African' textured hair
3785888
Darkness Haunts is a great start to the new `Sensor Series' by Susan Illene.
Our protagonist is Melina Sanders, studying at university following a stint in the U.S. Army. Melina likes to fly under the radar because her powers are rare, so rare there aren't many of her kind left and if any supernatural were to find out what she is, it would mean certain death just like her carer was murdered for who she was. When her best friend Aniya disappears after travelling to Fairbanks, Alaska to meet a male `friend', Melina takes it upon herself to find answers and follows her. Melina didn't realise just how populated Fairbanks would be with super-naturals and when it becomes clear that's who has her friend, she has no alternative but to start asking questions and in doing so, puts herself in a whole heap of danger. It doesn't take long for the enemy to find out what she is and they aren't above using her friend as leverage in an attempt to get what they want, but they don't count on the others who have approached Melina, the only thing is - when you've been brought up believing that all super-naturals are evil killers, how can you trust a word they say let alone put your life in their hands? But when your friends life is on the line and with no other options - you gotta do what you gotta do.
As I said this was a great start to a new series, I love a good story that encompasses a wide range of supernatural species and this certainly does that. With Melina's power being rare it gives her a special feel and also an understandable reason for her not trusting anyone with her secret, especially when it means death. She's a pretty cool character, I like how her talent comes into play and how she uses it, I like her outlook on life, her loyalty to her friends and her willingness to take a risk. I look forward to seeing more progression in all of these things, there are some promising ways it could go and I'm curious to see how the revelations found during this will affect her in following books. There were some possible love connections for her in this but nothing concrete - I have a couple of prospects that I would like to see play out so I'm looking forward to that playing out too but it wasn't the main focus of the book which I liked too... for now.
The storyline was really good, I couldn't fault it really. I was drawn in straight away and my attention was kept throughout the book, I know it's a good thing when I think I've read 5% but I've actually read 20%. The supernatural thing isn't new to me but the plot was where it was at. I liked the idea of it all, I liked the thought of Melina being used for what she can do, I liked what she ended up searching for, I liked the alliances/enemies that were made, I liked the way the magic & spells were described especially what they could hide - as I said, everything - even the pacing was great. I'm very curious to see what's next for everyone, a lot of things in this book could have repercussions for any number of characters so I couldn't guess as to where the story will go next but I know I will definitely be reading it. For a first book, it was brilliant & with a gritty, UF feel, it's so brimming with potential and definitely worth a read. 4.5*s
1431839
I've been hearing about this series for months, but I only just got around to reading this first book.  I quite enjoyed it.  The characters were well developed and the premise was interesting.  I did have some issues with the pacing (it seemed like not much happened until near the end), but, overall, it was an entertaining book.

I bought the second book when I bought the first.  That's a good thing, because The Summoning ends with a bit of a cliffhanger and I want to find out what happens next!
1326480
I received this book free from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very strong start to a promising series. Diana Laughton is a young professor that is working towards tenure. She experiences vivid, recurring nightmares that haunt her waking thoughts. When she is attacked by a strange creature in her house and receives a mysterious tattoo, she follows the clues to Edinburgh where she meets the Mytheans.

Cadan Trinovante is a Mythean Guardian who has been tormented for two millennia by the memories of his dead lover, Boudica, a fierce and mighty queen. Learning that Boudica has been reincarnated into Diana Laughton, Cadan is tasked with protecting her on a quest. Diana must learn who her past self is on her own, but Cadan fears that with her memories will come the knowledge of his past betrayal. With his feelings for her growing by the day, how will he survive her awakening?

I felt that this book had a very nice pace. I liked all of the characters, main and secondary. The plot was solid and not too complex, and I enjoyed that the author introduced some additional romantic interests to pique our interest for future books. I am very interested in reading the next book in the series. I feel that the series is only going to get better.
599513
I really enjoyed this book, a wonderful start to a new series.  From the way the characters are introduced, how they meet each other, how their journey begins to how their journey ends, it is a wonderful story.

I liked the fact that this story had a wide range of supernatural in it as well, not simply a vampire or shape-shifter.  I have to say that this is the first time that I have had a Hob be, what appears to be, a central character in a series.  Another fun change that I am sure will expand in the books to come.

I love how these two met, and no I won't give away details & thus ruin the story, and I loved the extended family aspect as well; all of which will play a role in future stories I imagine.  The antagonist was a lovely, wicked **tch whom couldn't stand that she could not have what her demented mind demanded.  The other antagonist had a very meaningful, albeit very brief, and gruesome ending as well. It was another first for a characters ending!

I have enjoyed this Authors books thus far, she writes easy to follow, believable stories that leave you rooting for the characters.  It is not very often that I give a book a 5-star rating, mostly going as high as 4-stars, so that should speak of my enjoyment of this book.  I have already purchased the others in the series, 3 more, and look forward to starting the next immediately.  Enjoy!  :)
3192931
Definitely a good start to the series. I like the world that she developed and how it relates to mythology (sidenote: another awesome series that uses the greek gods, titans, etc. is Gena Showalters Lord of the Underworld series). This book is very different from her shifter series that she writes, but a great read nonetheless. I'm waiting for the next in the series to determine if I'm going to continue to read the series.
2289307
Rating: 3.5/5

A fast and interesting book that will introduce you in a world of undercover agents and criminals like you have never seen before. This is the first one on a series that has a lot of potential.
The Caregiver is the story of Scarlett, an Interpol agent who has to be the caregiver of an important Drug Dealer. During her mission, her loyalties will be tested and her heart will be put at stake.

Scarlett is an interesting character; she is a strong woman with a strong personality. I think there is so much of her to see and her character is one of those who will evolve as the series moves on.

One of the best things was to read about the relationship between Scarlett and Armand (Mr. Sayer), to see how it evolve and see where it headed. At first I didn't could figure out how they feel about each other but after a few pages their feelings are better described and you see what is going on.

The business world (which means the criminal world) is a good background; the bad guys are a good addition and some of them are really bad-asses. And all the secondary characters are interesting in their own way.

After we discover who is who, the story takes off. Is full of action and you can't help to read it in one sit. And with a remarkable ending, not only leaves you waiting for the second book but also the scenes are well described and you can picture them in your head in detail.

Overall, a well written book, with good characters, a lot of potential to be a great series and with an ending that leaves you wanting for more.

(I received an ecopy from the author in exchange of an honest review).
1112684
I don't usually read this genre but I'm glad I selected this series. The story line is interesting and most plot points are handled well. The first book is pretty well done and the action moves right along, which is great. The second and third books, while still interesting and worth the read, are a little rough. Specifically, about halfway through the second book it felt rushed, and the third book felt hurried. Both could use a good edit. I was provided a free copy of these books by Reading Deals in exchange for an honest review. Mr. Corkill is a talented writer and I look forward to reading more of his work.
2300378
Born in Blood is the first book in The Sentinels series by Alexandra Ivy, and it is a good solid start to this new series. It follows Duncan, a tough homicide detective working a new case, and Callie, a talented necromancer who's been brought in to find out the victim's last thoughts. Duncan and Callie have worked together before, so there is already an abundance of sexual tension from the beginning but this case just ends up speeding things along for the two of them.
  Duncan and Callie have a lot to work through in this book because although normal humans know how different high-bloods are, high-bloods all have different supernatural powers, and they're willing to use them for their powers they are still a long way from accepting them as equals in society. Most people call the high-bloods freaks, so the main characters have a lot of prejudice against them from the get go. Combine that with a mad man killing people and trying to raise the dead and they are definitely up against some major adversity.
  Born in Blood had an awesome plot and some hot chemistry between the two main characters. The world building was unique and I am excited to read more because there could be so many different kinds of supernaturals in further books, so it has some awesome potential. Overall it was a very entertaining read that was very well written, one that didn't slow down from beginning to end, and I will be waiting for the next Sentinels book to come out.

***Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review***
3353934
This is an interesting starting book of the series. It was actually my first that I read from Ms. Wolfe, and I have to say that it caught my attention from the first page. The characters of Madison and Ford are so unique and interesting that I was pulled into their story. It starts out as with a crush and then the move into 'young love' and then the inevitable reuniting of lost loves as the story continues when they're older. I will say that this was a little difficult to get into the mindset of Madison, as it had been a long time since I was her age, but once she grew up and started making decisions, I was eager to find out everything. This is a motorcycle club book and the beginning of a series. As long as you go in understanding that things happen in such environments that aren't all hugs and kisses and fluffy bunnies, you'll enjoy this book. It's gritty, dark and down and dirty as it should be.
Along with the 'love story' there is the other story line that takes place, Madison needs to take care of her brother, as well try to avoid Cropper, who is Ford's father. However, not everything falls into place as it should. It's a starting novel that seems to set up and prepare for the other novels, so you learn the ins and outs of the club in this novel.
4319883
An excellent start to a new series. Some sections are a little slow but necessary for background information,but this should make the hopeful series a good read
1014341
This was an interesting read to what I feel is going to be a promising series. Blending historical fiction with fantasy, McIsaacs book is one that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for something new to try and/or has an interest in Irish history and mythology. I certainly plan on reading the next book in the series when it becomes available.

Nora was a character whom I both liked and found annoying at times. While I could easily understand where she was coming from as a teenager at the start of the book, I felt at times that she was a bit too stubborn and angry as the story progressed. Despite this I enjoyed watching her character grow and I suspect that as the series continues shell become one of those character whom Ill count amongst my favorites later on. Shes certainly strong-minded, willing to fight, and loyal, all of which are traits that I admire. I also have to applaud her focusing her energy on humanitarian aid missions in other countries.

While there may be those readers who would be put off by the focus on Irish history and politics within the story, I found it intriguing. Yes, I did feel that at times there was probably too much attention given to the political side of things, but I also felt that it needed to be discussed in order to fully understand both everything that was going on plot-wise and Noras character. Without the historical and political attention Nora would just come across as an angry teenager at the start of the book and any compassion that the reader would have for her would be minimal. Understanding the struggle and horror that was The Troubles, or the Irish Civil War is important for the success of the story. And yet, as I said there were times where I felt it was a tad overdone. It took too long to get to the heart of Noras story, which was why she is sent back in time, and that aggravated me greatly.

It isn't until the last 25% of the book that we start to learn why Nora was really sent back in time, and this was when the book truly started to pick up for me. Prior to this I felt that the book dragged greatly because there was so much focus on the politics and history, and regardless of how interesting I found it to be, I wanted to experience more of Noras interactions with Thomas instead. There are so many questions that I have now about his character and I was disappointed that McIsaac didn't delve much into his character. Heres hoping that in the next book well see and learn more of him.

Despite this one issue, I still enjoyed the story. I especially loved the Celtic mythology and hope that we get more of it as the series continues. And if Im to be honest, as soon as I finished reading this book, I pulled out a few of my books on Celtic mythology to read up more on Brigid and learn more about Fionn mac Cumhaill. Theres nothing I love more than studying myths and legends from other cultures, so I must give McIsaac some purrs of appreciation for including these in her story.

Overall I feel that there is a little something for everyone in this book, and it certainly is a good start to a series that holds a lot of promise, so I would encourage readers to give it a try and discover for themselves what the story has to offer. And yes, I will be reading book two when it becomes available. No way would I miss an opportunity to read about Grace OMalley, Irelands infamous Pirate Queen!
2831357
This book was interesting enough for me to keep reading, even if at times the plot dragged a bit. The characters were interesting and I wanted to know more about each of them. I wish the author had spent more time describing aspects of the world involving travel and developing some of the antagonists and side characters further. I would pick up the next book because I'm curious to see what happens and how the main character(s) will develop. Plus the author left enough suspense and mystery to want me to keep reading. The challenge will be to see if this can last over what I presume will be a long series. The first book is a good start and I hope the next one will be even better.
1671591
The Prophet:Birth is a good start to a new series. The stage is set and action moves around the earth with the factions that nearly destroyed the world now settled in a uneasy peace. Each society is very different from the others, with the differences clear, but all share a fear of change within their population and none are free. Into this mix, a mysterious force is trying to enter our universe. Its followers are as rabid in their faith as the home grown groups. David builds the tension well, as the shadow group involved with this Unformed builds its strength under the radar of the leaders of the factions and their protective forces. Various characters are well developed.

The story kept my attention with building tension throughout.

I was given a free review copy in return for an honest review.
4696627
While this is a good start to a new series, I'm hoping for more depth in subsequent books. I get that this is a novella, but there was so much that was left out that it could have been a complete novel. Ms. Bedford's writing is sound, which is a big plus towards making me want to read more stories in the series and a strong point of this book. I did enjoy the twist, of which I won't say much as I don't want to spoil the surprise. Let's just say there might be a little role reversal going on.

I do look forward to trying another book in the series to see if the issues I have with this story are fixed (ie. Needs a backstory, learn more about the characters, and more world development).
4221315
Great book, great start to an engaging series
1949353
This is the 1st of 4 books in this series & although I usually wait for my review until the last book, I thought I'd say a few words now. I enjoyed this book, found it interesting & the author did a good job introducing the characters quickly, yet thoroughly, a lot of times I've found that in a series the 1st book seems to start off slow in that regard. All in all, this was an enjoyable read & I liked it better than I am so far enjoying the 2nd book.