Castle by the Sea by JG Faherty

May 6, 2014 By Leave a Comment

CASTLE
Castle by the Sea by JG Faherty
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (90 pages)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

How did they get here? Will they ever get out?

Jason and Erika are having a wonderful time at the Halloween carnival…until their swan boat in the Tunnel of Love capsizes amid heavy waves and blaring, maniacal laughter. When they come to they are no longer in a carnival in Ohio, but standing at the edge of a sea in a raging storm. In the distance, atop a high, barren hill, looms an enormous castle.

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All Erika and Jason wanted was to eat sugary carnival food and steal kisses from each other in the Tunnel of Love. Unfortunately not every date necessarily goes as planned.

The fast-paced plot begins immediately in this story with a series of inexplicable events. It was interesting to meet the main characters and almost immediately see them plunged into such dangerous circumstances. My curiosity about what would happen to them next only grew deeper as their predicament became even more dire.

I would have liked to learn more about Jason and Erika’s personalities. So much time was spent describing what happened to them that I never really got to know them as individuals. It would have been helpful to see them express their strengths and weaknesses, especially when the plot takes sharp turns and plops them into situations they could have never anticipated. There were many opportunities to showcase their unique perspectives that weren’t taken advantage of during the course of this tale.

The descriptive passages in this novella painted crystal clear images in my mind of what the castle looks like. All of the senses are included in the descriptions, which makes certain scenes even more horrifying than they might have been otherwise. I was impressed with how quickly Mr. Faherty introduced creepy new settings to the audience without slowing down the plot at all. This was my first introduction to his work, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

Castle by the Sea is a good choice for anyone in the mood for an old-fashioned fright fest. There are plenty of terrifying things hidden among these pages!

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Bootleg Cove by Devin Govaere

May 5, 2014 By Leave a Comment

COVE
Bootleg Cove by Devin Govaere
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Horror, Historical
Length: Short Story (85 pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Who knows the secret of Bootleg Cove?

Young widow Willie Douglas recently moved to remote, isolated Bootleg Cove on the Chesapeake Bay with her four-year-old son. Her plan—to renovate and re-open an abandoned restaurant. Almost as soon as she arrived, a handyman showed up out of the blue, offering to help. Then Amanda and Sam, two apparently orphaned teenagers, came to her door in need of help and a place to stay.

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Everyone needs a second chance sometimes. Little does Willie know just where hers might lead her, though.

Willie’s many strengths and weaknesses are slowly revealed as she adjusts to her new life in Bootleg Cove. She is a fascinating protagonist whose choices amused, perplexed, intrigued, and occasionally irritated me. Seeing how she changes as the plot progresses was one of my favorite parts of this story as it was written so believably. The amount of character development is typically what I’d hope to see in a full-length novel. Packing it into such a short amount of space isn’t easy, yet Ms. Govaere makes it look effortless.

One subplot is given a disproportionate amount of time to build up tension in the first few chapters. The premise of it is quite scary. Based on how much energy certain characters exert dancing around the issue, I expected it to dominate many more scenes than it actually did. It would have been helpful to know a little bit more about the rules governing this issue in this universe so that I could have more easily understood what the author was trying to communicate with her audience.

This novella is full of twists that I never saw coming. I was so intrigued by all of the unanswered questions in the beginning of it that I simultaneously wished it would never end and couldn’t wait to read more. If this is any indication of Ms. Govaere’s storytelling abilities, I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

Bootleg Cove is home to nearly as many secrets as it is to human occupants. For this reason it’s a great choice for anyone in the mood for something eerie that requires a little effort to untangle.

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Blood Red Roses by Russell James

May 1, 2014 By Leave a Comment

RED
Blood Red Roses by Russell James
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Historical
Length: Short Story (97 pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

The spirits of the dead cry for justice.

In the waning days of the Civil War, orphaned teen Jebediah Abernathy has been indentured to one of the most notorious plantations in Mississippi, Beechwood. Ramses, the sadistic overseer, rules completely, unchecked by owners driven mad by the loss of their only son. Cruelty and torture are commonplace. And slave boys are mysteriously vanishing. But Jebediah is not completely alone. The ghost of his father and an escaped slave sorceress will lead him to the horrific truth about the disappearances—a knowledge that will probably cost him his life.

Even the worst streak of bad luck has to end eventually, right?
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Jebediah hasn’t had an easy childhood by any stretch of the imagination. His response to all of the traumatic things that have happened to him made me empathize with him early on, but what happens next made me take a long, hard look at the times in my life when I’ve acted just like him. One of the reasons why I’m such a huge fan of science fiction and horror is that both genres are quite good at bringing attention to topics that aren’t always easy to discuss. I wasn’t expecting to experience as much introspection as I did while I read this novella, but doing so made me wish for a sequel.

It would have been nice to see more character development occur during the course of the plot. A lot of time was spent describing the appearances and demeanours of all of the individuals Jebediah meets, but only a limited amount of space was set aside to show how they changed as a result of what happens at Beechwood. Had this not been the case, this story would have easily earned a much higher rating.

The horror genre is strongly represented in this tale. What made the scary scenes even more interesting, though, was how much time Mr. James spends foreshadowing them. This was a great choice for this particular story as it gave me the opportunity to acclimate to the culture these characters were living in before the plot thickened.

I’d recommend Blood Red Roses to anyone looking for something dark yet intelligent. It kept me on my toes from beginning to end!

 

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Linden Manor by Catherine Cavendish

April 30, 2014 By Leave a Comment

MANO
Linden Manor by Catherine Cavendish
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (92 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Have you ever been so scared your soul left your body?

All her life, Lesley Carpenter has been haunted by a gruesome nursery rhyme—“The Scottish Bride”—sung to her by her great grandmother. To find out more about its origins, Lesley visits the mysterious Isobel Warrender, the current hereditary owner of Linden Manor, a grand house with centuries of murky history surrounding it.

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Some people claim that every nursery rhyme contains a kernel of truth. If this is true, Lesley is in grave danger, and she has no way of knowing it. Will she unravel the real story behind “The Scottish Bride” in time?

A memorable ghost story needs two things: a chilling backstory and a terminally isolated setting. Luckily Linden Manor fulfills both requirements so well that I didn’t want to stop reading. The creepy house Lesley visits while searching for the truth behind her favorite childhood nursery rhyme made me shudder. Sometimes beautiful locations hide ugly secrets, and the tension between these two realities is expressed wonderfully in the descriptions of the estate.

I figured out certain plot twists well in advance of when they actually occurred. All of them worked well within the plot, but given how well-written this story is I would have liked to see a few more liberties taken with certain tropes. Had it been a little more difficult to predict them this book would have easily earned a much higher rating.

With that being said, uncovering the hints about what was really going on was exciting. Only an attentive reader will pick up on the more subtle ones, and I was impressed by how much work was put into striking a balance between keeping this reader on her toes and explaining what was happening when the plot thickens. This is a strongly paced tale that I didn’t want to put down, and I’m really looking forward to reading more from Ms. Cavendish.

Linden Manor is deliciously spooky. Paranormal activity isn’t always harmless, and this novella is a great choice for anyone in the mood to explore just how dangerous it can be to wander onto the wrong property.

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Double Blind by Heidi Cullinan

April 25, 2014 By Leave a Comment

BLIND
Double Blind by Heidi Cullinan
Publisher: Samhain
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (454 pages)
Other: BDSM, M/M, Multiple Partners, Anal Play, Toys, Spanking, Voyeurism
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lisianthus

Know when to show your hand…and when to hedge your bets.

Randy Jansen can’t stand to just sit by and watch as a mysterious man throws money away on the roulette wheel, especially since Randy’s got his own bet going as to the reason this guy is making every play like it’s his last day on earth. The man’s dark desperation hits Randy right in the gut. Half of him warns that getting involved is a sucker’s bet, and the other half scrambles for a reason—any reason—to save the man’s soul.

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Randy draws Ethan into a series of wagers that leads to a scorching kiss by midnight, but he isn’t the only one with an interest in Ethan’s vulnerability. Soon they’re both taking risks that not only play fast and loose with the law, but with the biggest prize of all: their hearts.

I absolutely adored Randy in the first book of this series, Special Delivery so I was eager to read Double Blind.

It’s definitely able to be read as a stand-alone and it’s pretty solid, but there were a few things that detracted from the love story of Randy Jansen and Ethan Ellison. Mainly the reappearance of the characters from the first book, and the overuse of poker in the story. I understood that poker was used to explain how life worked, and while I liked that aspect there was just way too much poker instruction in the story. My issue with the reappearance of the other characters is that one of those characters and his issues overshadowed and took a very in your face approach in the story. It seemed to drown out Randy and Ethan’s budding relationship.

In the end, what made me love this story was Ethan, in the beginning he seems like he’s going to be this weak and possibly pathetic character, but instead is this strong, focused and very confident character. He’s perfect for Randy, because Randy needs a partner that is just as confident and even a bit out there as him.

Randy lost some of his sparkle for me, but I still consider him one of my favorite characters because he lives life with this single-minded joy, that even when he’s dealing with past issues is still there. Things that could have broken a lesser man, just make him stronger and enhances his personality.

I do highly recommend this story, while a stand-alone, I think it builds on the first book a bit and will be more enjoyable after Special Delivery.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Wolf at the Door by N. J. Walters

April 23, 2014 By 1 Comment

WOLF
Wolf at the Door by N. J. Walters
Salvation Pack Book One
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (243 Pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Foxglove

When this wolf comes knocking, there’s no turning him away.
Salvation Pack, Book 1

When Gwendolyn Jones inherits a Tennessee cabin from a great aunt she never knew, she quits her job and follows her dream to write full time. Meeting a stranger in a local cemetery isn’t a risk she normally takes, but she needs the information on his flash drive for an article she’s writing on werewolves. Later that night, when two honest-to-God werewolves come knocking on her cabin door, they’re definitely not Photoshopped.

Jacque LaForge is on a mission to retrieve a flash drive before it endangers his pack. He never thought he’d find a mate, but the chemistry between him and Gwen is unmistakably off the charts. Now to convince her he’s only trying to protect her from his vengeful former pack—led by his own father.

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In Wolf at the Door, N.J. Walters builds a small community of werewolves, united in their desire to escape the cruelty and archaic beliefs of their Louisiana pack.

Meeting a man at midnight in a cemetery may not have been the most intelligent thing Gwendolyn Jones ever did. But the man promised her information she could use in her paranormal romance novel; information the man believed to be fact, although Gwen herself was sure the man was just another kook with a highly developed imagination. After all, only a kook would insist that werewolves are real, right? Back home, with the information on the flash drive the man provided, Gwen is interrupted by two hot, gorgeous men, men who transform into wolves before her eyes, and kidnap her to keep the story from getting out.

Jacque LaForge and his brother Louis don’t want to harm Gwen, but they know that their father will be sending someone to kill her…soon. Jacque and Louis, along with three others, left their Louisiana home and came to Salvation, North Carolina, to escape the outmoded ideas and cruel practices of their father Pierre, and form a small but strong pack of their own. When Jacque realizes that Gwen could be his mate, he is more determined than ever to keep her safe, but there is another problem; she could also possibly be a mate to Louis, and Jacque isn’t willing to share. Can Jacque keep Gwen safe from the assassins his father sends, and convince her to stay with him as his mate? Will Gwen learn to trust Jacque and the pack, once she realizes that there is no going back to her old life? Or will Jacque’s father find a way to destroy what Jacque has worked so hard to build, even Jacque’s mate, Gwen?

I like the world Ms. Walters has created here, and the charismatic characters that inhabit this place. Ms. Walters has a way of giving each of her characters some unique characteristic that sets one apart from all the others: Jacque has the strength, Gator is the amiable one, Cole is the gentle giant and so on with each of the five men here. And Gwen is the perfect heroine, determined to stay alive long enough to get away…at least at first. I enjoyed visiting Salvation pack, and hope there will be more in the future with this small but fiercely loyal pack.

Gwendolyn Jones is smart, determined and very independent. When her world is turned upside down by the knowledge that what she always thought of as fiction, werewolves, is in fact very much her new reality. Once she realizes that she is in no danger from Jacque and his pack, she learns to accept the security they are offering, but still holds on to the hope she can one day return to her old life. I like Gwen for her sassy attitude and her determination to keep moving on when life has thrown her a curve ball. Watching as she slowly grew to first trust, then love Jacque, and to respect and trust all of his pack was a true delight.

Jacque LaForge is strong, sexy and loyal to his close friends. When he first learns what Gwen has uncovered, he is determined to get the incriminating evidence back and keep her safe from his cruel and unscrupulous former pack, lead by his father. When he realizes Gwen could be his mate, as well as possibly his brother’s, he is more determined than before to keep her safe and win not only her trust, but her love. I like Jacque, because he was always honest with Gwen, and let her come to terms with her new life at her own pace. I like his patience, and really felt his love and caring for his friends as well as his mate.

There is passion, romance and also some danger in this. I like that the characters are, at times, vulnerable; not physically but often emotionally scarred and wounded, and that they are there for each other no matter what. There is a story behind each character, and I look forward to learning more about amiable Gator, quiet and massive Cole, scarred and quiet Armand and of course, Louis, the brother who just misses getting the girl…this time. The danger that comes from Louisiana shows Jacque and his pack that they need to step up their game, and increase the protection to keep Gwen safe from harm, and I found that each turn in the road brought choices for both Gwen and Jacque to face. Ms. Walters has written a fast paced roller coaster of a story, and I could not put it down once I started. I would recommend this for shifter lovers, romance lovers and I recommend you keep tissues and ice near to hand.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Summer Wine by Jess Dee

April 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment

WINE
Summer Wine by Jess Dee
Tastes of Seduction Book 1
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (75 pages)
Other: M/M/F, Menage, anal play/intercouse
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Honeysuckle

Two men, one woman, and a romantic vineyard. Summer’s never been this hot…

Tastes of Seduction, Book 1

Angus Lowe feels like he’s just stepped onto the set of Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous. He’s checking out a luxurious boutique hotel and winery, lured by the possibility of landscaping the gardens. And he’s crazy mad about the woman giving him the tour.

Problem is, Lily Hemington is way out of his league. Not only does she live the lifestyle of the rich and famous, she is also crazy mad about the owner of the hotel, Blake Seymour.
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Issues get cloudier—or could that be steamier?—when Angus meets Blake. It’s clear Blake has deep feelings for Lily, but it’s also obvious he can’t take his eyes off Angus. While Angus doesn’t find this at all unpleasant, he’s painfully aware Lily and Blake are perfect for each other, and that he doesn’t belong in their perfect world.

Now it’s up to Lily and Blake to convince Angus the only world that counts is the one they all create together.

Love, like a good wine, comes in so many varieties and flavors. Some are bold, while others are subtle. Some tasters may prefer one over the other and some like a little bit of both. Angus, Lily and Blake’s story is like a lovely sampling of wine and when combined the whole effect was heady and delicious.

Angus is a blue collar man, used to working long days with his hands literally in the dirt. He’s an uber talented landscaper who’s more comfortable with a cold beer than an aromatic wine bouquet. Until he meets Lily. Angus is such a sweetheart, I couldn’t help but fall in love with him right along with Lily and Blake. He’s honest and real. The way Ms. Dee describes him from both Lily and Blake’s POV made him just as mouth watering to me and he was to them.

Lily is everything that is bright, sparkly and sweet about the wine she loves. She comes from money but it isn’t who she is. She’s talented and very perceptive which goes a long way towards moving what might have only ever been a duo into a solid chance as a trio. She’s spunky and very passionate.

Blake is the third piece of this triangle. He’s crazy wealthy but like Lily, the money doesn’t define him. He’s long denied his love for Lily and I liked the author’s explanation for why. The scenes with him and Angus are supremely hot as I know, from experience, that Jess Dee can write. She doesn’t disappoint.

This is a short story. It’s perfect for an erotic fix and like a nice glass of wine, it’s just enough. I’d love to have seen the time just before the story begins to watch the tension really build between Angus and Lily; going back to when they first met. But, it didn’t ruin the story for me for not having read that part. Ms. Dee does a great job of sprinkling in the tension with touch and tastes samples.

I read it in a single sitting and look forward to the next installment. I hope she keeps with the MMF theme in the next one as well. If you’re short on time but want a satisfying taste of something that’s hot, sweet and savory at the same time, check out Summer Wine.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Mistress of Merrivale by Shelley Munro

April 16, 2014 By Leave a Comment

MISTRESS
Mistress of Merrivale by Shelley Munro
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (265 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Peppermint

A marriage of convenience…full of inconvenient secrets.

Jocelyn Townsend’s life as a courtesan bears no resemblance to the life she envisioned in girlish dreams. But it allows her and her eccentric mother to live in relative security—until her protector marries and no longer requires her services.

Desperate to find a new benefactor, one kind enough to accept her mother’s increasingly mad flights of fancy, Jocelyn is nearly overwhelmed with uncertainty when a lifeline comes from an unexpected source.
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Leo Sherbourne’s requirements for a wife are few. She must mother his young daughter, run his household, and warm his bed. All in a calm, dignified manner with a full measure of common sense. After his late wife’s histrionics and infidelity, he craves a simpler, quieter life.

As they embark on their arrangement, Leo and Jocelyn discover an attraction that heats their bedroom and a mutual admiration that warms their days. But it isn’t long before gossip regarding the fate of Leo’s first wife, and his frequent, unexplained absences, make Jocelyn wonder if the secrets of Merrivale Manor are rooted in murder…

Warning: Contains mysterious incidents, a mad mother who screeches without provocation, scheming relatives, and a captivating husband who blows scorching hot and suspiciously cold. All is not as it seems…and isn’t that delicious?

Jocelyn and Leo’s story is riveting from beginning to end. Not only does it have an enchanting love story, but the budding relationship is surrounded with mystery, murder, complicated in-laws, and conspiracy. This story truly has something for everyone and I just could not get enough of it.

Jocelyn’s background can be considered sketchy at best, but if you pull back the layers you see a woman who is a victim of circumstance trying to do the best for herself and her mother. Jocelyn took on the role of caretaker to her ailing mother at a young age, no matter the consequences to herself. This immediately made her character endearing to me. I can say that I wanted her to have a happy ending from beginning to end, and sometimes questioned if Leo was capable of giving that to her.

Leo is a man of mystery to say the least. His deceased wife met with an untimely death leaving him the sole caretaker for their daughter, and trying to find a suitable replacement. Jocelyn seemed to be a wife of convenience for him, since she had some of the traits his previous wife lacked such as discretion and loyalty. The author wrote his character as one of mystery in many ways and I never quite knew if Leo was the hero or the enemy. I found this entertaining and definitely added depth to the story. Even in the end I found myself questioning his integrity. One thing I did not question, however was his feelings towards Jocelyn. I could immediately tell he was smitten by her, even if he did not recognize his developing feelings towards her. This made me want him to be the good hearted man he tried to appear to be, because I knew if he was, he would be the man to care for sweet (but not so innocent) Jocelyn, which she needed and deserved.

This plot had more twists and turns than a windy road in the middle of the night. I can honestly say that the author surprised me with some of the angles of the story. This kept me enthralled the entire time, and wanting to find out more and more. I am new to author Shelley Munro’s work, but I can say that after reading this story, I would love to read more.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Enigma by Moira Rogers

April 9, 2014 By 1 Comment

ENIGMA
Enigma by Moira Rogers
Southern Arcana Book Six
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (246 Pages)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Foxglove

Anna Lenoir has always fought. First to escape her broken childhood, then to prove a female shapeshifter can stand shoulder to shoulder with the men. Now she fights for money, and her reputation is as legendary as her stone-cold heart. She’s never met a man she couldn’t walk away from.

Until him.

Bounty hunter Patrick McNamara has a scary reputation of his own, along with mysterious powers linked to his many tattoos. On the clock, they’re the perfect supernatural-crime-solving team. After hours, she’s ready to rock his world. But Patrick won’t settle for just her body, and Anna’s better at breaking homes than making them.
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When the heir to the Southwest council goes missing, their combined skills are the best chance of averting a territory war. But the hunt will drag them through the most vulnerable parts of their broken pasts. Daring to risk her heart might be the first fight she loses, and the stakes have never been higher.

Because Patrick will sacrifice anything for her… even his life!

Two wounded souls, attracted to each other, but neither is ready to admit they could actually have a future together.

Patrick still misses his brother Ben, and has secrets he’s kept buried so deep, no one has ever discovered them. Anna is also alone, believing that she isn’t worthy of anyone’s love, since her mother walked away from her when she was just a child. These two have worked as partners, with a trust between them that begins to become much more as they tackle their next assignment…find out why wolf shifters in the Southwest area are going missing, especially the son of the pack leader in that area. As Anna and Patrick investigate, they find that there is a sinister magic behind it, and they know the only trust they can depend on is theirs. Patrick has wanted Anna for so long, and as they work, they finally yield to temptation, and he finds that he may not be able to walk away when this is over, although Anna insists this is only temporary. With their lives and their hearts in danger, can these two stop the evil that has hit the supernatural community, and stop the witch behind it all? Can Patrick convince Anna to take a chance on them for more than just a short term affair? Can Anna get past the hurt and pain of her past to forge a future with Patrick?

Enigma is the latest in the Southern Arcana series from Moira Rogers, and I was happy to see Anna and Patrick finally get their chance in the spotlight. These two have played supporting roles in the past, and I enjoyed watching as they came into their own with this one. As with the other books in this series, the characters are charismatic and well defined, and the world Ms. Rogers has built is ever so slowly expanding to show other supernatural communities outside of the original New Orleans locale. I enjoyed seeing some of the pack hierarchies, and catching up with a few old friends from the earlier books.

Anna Lenoir has fought all her life to prove that a female shape shifter can be just as strong and lethal as her male counterparts. She now fights for money, as a bounty hunter and sometimes enforcer, and has never met a man she couldn’t walk away from…until Patrick. He accepts her as she is, respects her abilities, and she fights to her very core the attraction she feels for him. Anna is strong and lives by a code of ethics that keeps her from getting close to anyone. I like Anna, and enjoyed watching her finally relax enough to let someone inside her walls. I liked the snarky dialog and verbal sparring between Anna and Patrick, and laughed a bit at some of her comments.

Patrick McNamara is a mystery, an enigma in the supernatural community of New Orleans. Although not a shifter, he has beaten many of them at their own game, and has been a very successful bounty hunter and fighter. No one knows exactly what Patrick really is, but he can hold his own in a fight, and is the one man you always can count on to have your back in a serious situation. He is strong, sexy and has secrets that he keeps from the world…even his friends, what few there are, don’t know much about him. When his brother is murdered, he is determined to find every single one responsible, and he hides his pain from everyone except Anna. With her, he can be vulnerable, and he trusts her more than anyone. I enjoyed watching as Patrick began his campaign to win Anna’s heart, and I enjoyed their verbal jousting as they worked together to stop the evil trying to take over in the Southwest.

Enigma is a bit darker than some of the other Southern Arcana books, but that is because both of the primary characters are deeply wounded souls, and both have faced such hardships and pain in their pasts. Anna and Patrick deserved their chance at happiness, and the path to their happy ever after is not an easy one. I like this one, because we finally learn more about two of the most private people in this series, and I also enjoyed catching up with Alex, Andrew and Kat and all of the characters Ms. Rogers has created for this world of magic and mystery. This book is a perfect addition to the Southern Arcana world of Moira Rogers, and I recommend it to anyone who likes their romance with a side of mystery and magic.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Clockwork Army by Quinn Langston

April 9, 2014 By Leave a Comment

ARMY
A Clockwork Army by Quinn Langston
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Historical
Length: Short Story (82 pages)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

“An army of automatons controlled by a vampire! ”

Colonel Julian Hawthorne has set in motion a maniacal plan to rule the world with a clockwork army of human automatons. And as a vampire, he has the wealth and all the time in the world to achieve his mad goal.
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Lord Sebastian Hawthorne is equally determined to stop his brother in his tracks. Sebastian has never forgiven Julian for making him a vampire. But unlike Julian, Sebastian sees humans as more than cattle to be dominated and bled dry. With the help of Theodosia Ambrose, clockwork expert, he vows to thwart his brother s plans at any cost. Even his own immortal life.

Being a vampire doesn’t mean Sebastian can do anything he wants to do. Unfortunately his brother hasn’t figured that out yet, and unless something happens soon Julian might not get another chance to learn that lesson.

One of my favorite things about vampire literature is figuring out what rules govern them in each universe. Every author chooses a unique set of abilities and limitations for their vampires, and this book’s interpretation of it snagged my attention immediately. It was very helpful to know what to expect from them so early on in the plot as some of the author’s rules are quite different from other vampire stories I’ve read.

I would have liked to see more time spent developing the personalities of the main characters. There were a few times in which certain individuals make choices that seem out of character for them based what I learned about them earlier. With more information I would have had an easier time determining if these decisions were meant to illuminate parts of their personalities that had previously been unexamined or if they were actually inconsistencies. I had some trouble connecting to the characters as they were written due to this confusion.

The horror genre is strongly represented in this book, and some of the most frightening scenes are fairly graphic. They work well within the plot, though, and even manage to tie together some of the most easily recognizable tropes from science fiction, horror, and steampunk. What surprised me the most was where Ms. Langston deviates from what I expected to happen. Her creative approach to all three genres made my first introduction to her work memorable, and I’m looking forward to reading more from her soon.

A Clockwork Army is a good introduction to steampunk. I would especially recommend this novella to anyone who is curious about this sub-genre but has yet to give it a try!

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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