Excellent begining to a new series
344119
Frankly, I wasn't looking for much when I ordered Dark Time: Mortal Path Book 1. I thought that it would be a fun read for me that I could review. I was surprised (delightfully so) at how excellent the writing was and how the book flowed.

Basically, Susannah was a normal woman who lived an innocent, happy life until she was falsely accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake. In order to live, she sold her soul to a demon. It was a choice she later regretted, and this story is part of the tale of her setting herself free and helping others in the process.

What on the surface seems like a formula story is helped by Banks use of Sumerian mythology, creative prose, and an action packed plot that has just enough sex, violence, flirting and fun to keep you turning the pages.

Do yourself a favor and pick up this first part of the series. It will have you coming back for more.
4172134
What a great start for a new series. The characters are well formed yet there is room to add more to them. The setting can not get much better than Savannah. I look forward to reading more in this series!
3693980
Im always super excited when Im able to jump in on the ground floor of a new series, its intimidating when you really want to read a book and you realize its the eighth book already, right?! The Girls in the Water is an excellent beginning to an exciting new series, if you want to catch it from the beginning its out now!

Alex and Chloe are the two lead characters, they are partners and Alex is Chloes boss. Alex is in her forties and Chloe is in her twenties but despite their age difference, they make quite the team. The case they're working on is really intense, young women are being murdered and left in bodies of water. When a tie to Chloes past is uncovered the tension mounts as they realize she may be in danger as well.

The character development was strong here, both Alex and Chloe have interesting pasts. Alex has a complex relationship with her ex husband, Rob and Chloes brother died when she was younger. The dynamics of the team were also engaging, I quite liked all of them besides Alex and Chloe including Dan and their superintendent Harry.

The pacing is steady to start, I think this is partly because Jenkins is introducing the reader to a new cast of characters. Things do amp up as the book progresses and the climax was intense and got my pulse pounding. There were also quite a few surprising turns that caught me off guard, being shocked is always good! Im looking forward to the next book already and think fans of Patricia Gibney would enjoy this one.
3532254
What a great start to a new series.
Loved the story and characters.
Can't wait to read the next book in this series.
288172
Rate of 4.5 stars - A wonderful start to a very interesting series. It was a very good read, loved the writing style, it had a kind of an old fashion feel to it and I definitely enjoyed the inclusion of the Celtic myths as the backbone of the storyline, look forward to reading more in future stories.
1375608
The Cursed, (The League of the Black Swan) is a terrific start to a new lighter series by Alyssa Day.  The h, Rio, is a 24 year old orphan, and bike messenger with a touch of telepathy. She witnesses the kidnapping of a small girl by some sort of supernaturals in Bordertown, the haven for demons, fae, others, and humans. In Bordertown, the person who has the ability to stand up to and track down the kidnappers is Luke Oliver, a PI, wizard, and an immortal of some sort. He also happens to be the guy on her bike route that she asked out to coffee and was refused. Add in a Cold Fae Princess, and various others that are suddenly interested in Rio now that she is about to turn 25 years old and you have a nice beginning to a new series. The action is steady, the mystery surrounding her birth is explained, and the romance is believable. The League of the Black Swan wants Rio to join them but there is no real explanation as to what the organization is about except that it is neutral in Fae, Demon, Goblin, etc. matters. I would give this starter a 4.5* rating, it is a lighter PNR focusing on the R and the mystery that is Rio.
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!  :)
658344
Excellent new series. I love the way the story started and made the main characters into real people right before your eyes. Interesting take on necromancy, great world-building, beautiful writing. I can definitely see this series going places!
3152909
A brilliant start to what has the potential to be one of the next big series.

The story starts with a high profile and horrific murder. The lead character, police officer Ray Schiller starts the story having spent the night in jail for brawling. On release he is straight on the case. His chief would rather be rid of him but Ray is the best they've got.

Throughout the book we meet a mix of chracters from High Flying Exec's to Small Town Folk and they are all a good fit for the story. Each possible suspect could be the murderer.

The author does a good job of making all the characters, and situations they find themselves in realistic and puts in two twists - one at the end which leads things towards the second book, and, more importantly, one in the middle that hits like a train and changes lots of things for everyone.

In Ray Schiller we have a leading character who doesn't hold back and who, due to being separated from his wife and children, is not in a good place in his life, but comes across as a generally good guy and a hell of a good cop.

I am looking forward to the next in this series and also to reading this book again.
2359753
Excellent read, can't wait for next book in series.
228921
Good start to a new series.  This book was well written and I look forward to reading the rest of the series
2137495
A great start to a new series. Tracy gives us amazing stories with great characters and this is no exception. The characters are well developed and easily relatable. Sam and Laurel has mega chemistry from the beginning. This is a great quick read and I can't wait for the other ones.
1872560
4 1/2 stars.  I really enjoyed this one. I thought it was an excellent addition to the series.  York behaved pretty much the way I expected, so it was nice not to be disappointed on that aspect.  Sky was a great heroine.  I thought she was a nice combination of strong and vulnerable.  York messes up a few times, and I liked how Sky did not make it easy for him.  I also enjoyed the introduction of the new characters.  We don't know yet if they are allies or enemies to the Skin-Walker race.  It will be interesting to see how that plays out.  There is an implied HFN, with no epilogue.  It leaves the reader with unanswered questions--not enough to be annoying, but just enough to peak interest for the next book (which will have a new couple)
2054655
Great start to a new series. Characters are believable and develop nicely as the story progresses. This book will get you thinking for sure!
835868
Another great book by Daniel Arenson and a great start to this new series.
2580697
A great start to an exciting new series. I am looking forward to future books featuring this exceptional team of investigators. It's fascinating to watch Jonathsn's amazing brain in action. Keep these books coming.
180592
What a great beginning for a new series.  I loved the protagonist! She is a wonderfully and realistically drawn woman facing middle age.  Her backstory was skillfully and surprisingly revealed. Interesting to see how she develops.  I howled and winched at one of the secondary character's reliance on the word "like".  It is  pet peeve, ironic since I work on a college campus. Glad to read a kindred spirit who winces as well.  The murder was creatively solved and was happy that one of the more despicable characters got his comeuppance even though he wasn't the killer.  Highly recommend and look forward to reading the second book.  Hope it is released soon!