AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Carly Phillips' DARE TO LOVE (Dare to Love Bk #1)

Title:  DARE TO LOVE
Series:  Dare to Love Bk 1
Author:  Carly Phillips
Narrator:  Sophie Eastlake
Release Date:  3/17/14
Price:  $19.95
Publisher:  Carly Phillips
Length:  7 hrs
Format:  Audible Edition
Purchase at Audible or Amazon



My Ratings

Plot:  4.5/5
Setting:  4/5
Writing:  5/5
Originality of Plot:  4/5
Characters Development:  4.5/5
Ending:  5/5
Heat Level: 4.5/5
Cover Art:  4/5
Narration:  5/5
Likelihood to Recommend:  5/5

Overall:  45.5/50 =  91% 

Synopsis

New York Times Best-selling Author Carly Phillips turns up the heat in her newest sexy contemporary romance series, and introduces you to the Dare family…siblings shaped by a father's secrets and betrayal.

Since finding out his father had another family on the side, Ian Dare swore to be the upstanding, responsible man his cheating parent had never been. When it comes to his relatives, he gives his all but in relationships he offers the bare minimum. But one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor arouses his dominant and protective instincts and Ian is entranced. He will do anything to possess her…and does. But any future with Riley must include him extending an olive branch to the half-brother who is a constant reminder of the pain he'd rather forget.

Independent and always in control, Riley Taylor makes no apologies for choosing men carefully. Relationships have never been a priority and she believes herself hardened to domineering men - until she meets charismatic Ian Dare. He manages to turn a simple kiss into an all-out assault on her senses and when he takes control in the bedroom, she's stunned to discover she likes it. As their affair heats up, they soon realize they complete each other in ways neither imagined. But Riley's past is closer than she cares to remember, and her struggles with Ian's dominance might just cost her everything.

©2013 Karen Drogin (P)2014 Karen Drogin

Review

DARE TO LOVE isn't your standard fluffy shallow contemporary romance!  This storyline was filled with complex charters, unique plot twists, and great dialogue.  I really appreciated the familial connections woven within this story.  I enjoyed that it had a nice balance of heated sexual encounters and actual storyline.  For me, this was the hottest Carly Phillips book by far!  I felt the author did an amazing job squeezing so much storyline in such a short book.    

At it's core this is a story about strong characters overcoming great obstacles.  I absolutely adored Riley.  She's smart, driven, and full of heart.  With her tragic childhood full of abuse, I was so happy to see her find happiness as an adult.  And Ian is a swoon-worthy, Alpha male, with sensitivity just lying under the surface.  After learning about his history, I completely understood where he was coming from.  He was unwilling to lead the type of life that his father had.  Learning that made me love him even more.  I felt that their romance came on some what quickly,  but their connection was steamy from their first meeting.  I think that these two complemented each other very well, even though these two have such different backgrounds.  These two are quite a pair.  Ian would push Riley, and she would push right back at him. 
 
I also enjoyed getting to know Ian's family.  I can't wait until Alex gets his time in the spotlight.  There is nothing like a cocky, sexy athlete.  I love that this series centers around the Dare extended family.  These siblings might have come from broken homes, but I really enjoyed their journey in the book.  And how could you not love Ian's mother!  She is such a strong role model for her children.

As always, Sophie Eastlake really delivered in this book.  She has the perfect sultry voice to pull off this seductive audiobook.  There are a few female narrators out there that can do male voices, as well as Sophie.  I think she did a fantastic job with Ian.  She captured his sexy, authoritative tone exquisitely.  Her inflection and dictation are outstanding.  And she really brought the story to life for me.   

This book was a smart and sexy read.  I enjoyed the cleaver dialogue and extremely interesting characters.  It was a great audiobook to lose myself in for a couple hours.  DARE TO LOVE sets up the rest of the series very well.  I can't wait to read more about Ian's siblings and step-siblings!  This was a very quick read for me, and I can't wait to get my hands on DARE TO DESIRE.  This is a must read for those looking for a fast-paced, steamy romance!

***Audiobook was provided by the publisher in trade for a fair review*** 

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: CD Reiss' BEG TEASE SUBMIT (Songs of Submission, Sequence One)

Title:  BEG, TEASE, SUBMIT
Series:  The Songs of Submission, Sequence One
Author:  CD Reiss
Narrator:  Jo Raylan
Release Date:  12/27/14
Price:  $13.97
Publisher:  Flip City Media Inc
Length:  8 hrs 47 min
Format:  Audible Edition
Purchase at Audible or Amazon




My Ratings

Plot:  4.5/5
Setting:  5/5
Writing:  4.5/5
Originality of Plot:  4.5/5
Characters Development:  5/5
Ending:  5/5
Heat Level: 5/5
Cover Art:  4/5
Narration:  4.5/5
Likelihood to Recommend:  5/5

Overall:  47/50 =  94% 

  
Synopsis

Jonathan Drazen is a known womanizer and a gorgeous piece of man I'm not letting into my heart. Ever. Yeah, he's rich, beautiful, charming as hell, and he has a wit as sharp as a double-edged razor... but he's made it perfectly clear that this is a short-term f--k. Three nights, tops, then we part like sexually satisfied grown-ups. I believe him when he says he can't love me. I'm not trying to fall in love, either. We get in. Get it on. Get the hell out. Done. Right? Right.

My name is Monica. I'm a singer born and raised in Los Angeles.

I've stopped dating. When I cut a record, or win a Grammy, maybe then I'll be with someone, but every man in my past has done everything he could to make me submit myself to him, and it's gotten in the way of my career. I won't do it again.

But there's Jonathan. He owns the high-rise hotel where I work, and he is gorgeous and charming. I refuse to fall in love with him, even though when he asks me to submit to him, I want nothing more...

©2013 CD Reiss (P)2014 CD Reiss

Review

I want to start out by saying, this is possible one of the best Erotic Romance audiobooks, that I have ever listened to!  CD Reiss grabbed from the first chapter, and I just couldn't let it go.  Her characters are smart, snarky, and sexy as hell.  But most of all, they felt real.  They are far from perfect, and carry enough baggage to sink a small ship.  I couldn't help, but become emotionally invested in these characters lives.  I didn't want to put this audiobook down.  I devoured it in just a matter of days.

I loved digging deep down into Monica's character.  She's just so smart, talented, and driven.  I really appreciate that she allows herself to be dominated, with out becoming a needy, whiny, annoying girl.  And Jonathan can be dominate in the sack, without being a controlling jerk in public.  I like how upfront he is with her.  He tells her what he can handle emotionally, and lets her decide if she can live with that or not.  The electricity between these two is evident right from the start.  These two really go through a very emotional journey in sequence one.

Unlike other books in the genre, I think that the author really took the time to make this story authentic.  She had a totally fresh take on Erotic Romance.  These characters are tragically broken, and the story is all the better for it.  I'm so happy that CD Reiss didn't let the sex overwhelm the book, even though it's amazing.  The story allowed the characters to be fully flushed out.  And the reader is allowed to crawl around inside these characters heads.

Jo Raylan's narration of this book was spot on!  She had a deep, sultry quality to her voice that lends well to the story.  She was able to capture the profound emotional nature of the storyline.  Also, she created distinct voices for each of the characters, so much that I tended to forget she is reading all of the parts herself.  I was moved to tear by this story, and I think that was largely do to Jo's amazing performance. Not to mention she handled the singing parts of the audiobook very well.  That has to be terrifying, for someone who's first job isn't as singing.  I will absolutely pick up books narrated by her in the future!

I really appreciate that this author released Parts 1-3 as one audiobook.  I felt that the three individual stories flowed so naturally, that it reads like one complete book.  Plus, I love that I got to devour three parts all at once. I cannot wait for the second sequence, because the first left me begging for more.  This is a must read for those who are looking for little more substance in their Erotic Romance.  Bravo CD Reiss and Jo Raylan on creating an truly emotion audio experience!      

***Audiobook was provided by the publisher in trade for a fair review*** 

COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY: Rachel Vincent's LION'S SHARE

For those of you who know me, understand my love for Rachel Vincent's Shifters Series.  It was one of the first Urban Fantasy series that I picked up, as an adult. It re-kindled my love for reading.  I fell in love with the series deep characters, gut wrenching storylines, and it's true heart.  I find myself going back and re-reading this series, over and over again. 

I was so excited to when Rachel decided to pick the storyline back up in her new Wildcat's Series.  I can't wait to see glimpses of my old favorite characters, while meeting new ones as well.  This time around, the werecats are going to get sexier.  And I'm so happy, that Rachel has chosen to give Jace his moment in the spotlight.  

In honor of of LION'S SHARE's release next month, I have started another Shifters Series re-read.  I'm hoping to have all 6 books completed by then.  If you haven't picked up this amazing series, take this chance to check it out!

BOOK & AUTHOR INFO

Lion’s Share by Rachel Vincent
(Wildcats #1)
Publication date: February 23rd 2015
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal

Add to Your Goodreads Bookshelf

Pre-order from Amazon

Synopsis:

Abby Wade has a dangerous secret.
Two months ago, she disobeyed an order, but instead of kicking her out of the Pride, Jace offered her a job. Since then, she’s been battling a completely inappropriate crush on the young, hot Alpha. But when accepting his job offer seems like the only way to keep her skeletons safely in their closet, Abby doesn’t hesitate. 

Jace Hammond has a big problem.
A rogue is slaughtering humans in his territory, and he must eliminate the threat before the entire shifter species is exposed. There could not be a worse time for Abby to accept a job he only offered as a boost to her confidence. Abby is smart, beautiful, and resilient—more than enough to distract any man from the mission. Unfortunately, she may just be the worst enforcer ever to hold the title.
As they hunt the killer, Abby’s secret becomes a threat to Jace’s authority and to her own life. But the real danger is the grip she has on his twice-shy heart.

Author Bio:

Rachel Vincent is the author of the Shifters series and the Unbound series for adults, as well as the Soul Screamers series for teens.

Rachel's next young adult book is THE STARS NEVER RISE, coming from Delacorte in June of 2015, and her new series for adults will debut with MENAGERIE, coming from Mira books in the fall of 2015

Rachel Vincent is a former English teacher and an eager champion of the Oxford comma. She shares her home in Oklahoma with two cats, two teenagers, and her husband, who's been her # 1 fan from the start. Rachel is older than she looks and younger than she feels, and she remains convinced that writing about the things that scare her is the cheapest form of therapy--but social media is a close second.

Author Links:

http://rachelvincent.com/

https://www.facebook.com/rachelkvincent

https://twitter.com/rachelkvincent

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/415967.Rachel_Vincent




Giveaway:
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Thea Harrison's DRAGON BOUND

Title:  DRAGON BOUND

Series:  Elder Races Bk 1

Author:  Thea Harrison
Narrator:  Sophie Eastlake
Release Date:  07/18/11
Price:  $29.99
Publisher:  Tantor Audio
Length:  12 hrs 59 min

Format:  MP3-CD
Purchase at Tantor or Amazon

 

My Ratings

Plot:  4.5/5
Setting:  5/5
Writing:  4.5/5
Originality of Plot:  5/5
Characters Development:  4.5/5
Ending:  5/5
Cover Art:  4/5
Narration:  4.5/5
Likelihood to Recommend:  5/5

Overall:  42/45 =  93%  



Synopsis

Half-human and half-wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their Dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful–and passionate—of the Elder Races.

As the most feared and respected of the wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as his own to further explore the desire they’ve ignited in one another.

Review

Pia Giovanni has really stepped into trouble.  She has always tried to fly under the radar most of her life.  I'm pretty sure that being manipulated into stealing a treasured item from the most powerful man in all wyrking, is not the best way to go about that.  Dragos, the leader of the Elder Races, is infuriated by the theft and the invasion, because no one steals from a dragon.  He is as intrigued by Pia, as much as he his angered by her.  And because of this, he decides to spare her life and claim her as his own.  To bad that the Dark Fae want Pia, just as much as Dragos does.  

I can't believe that it took me so long to pick this series up! I had heard wonderful things about it, and it's narrated by Sophie Eastlake, who I just adore.  The world building in this series is comprehensive, fantastical, and unique! It's a world where humans live along side the wyr, as well as vampires and the fae.  I was enveloped by this series, because I could almost feel this books emotions. This is a credit to Thea Harrison's amazing writing skill and style.   

The book's soul is it's complex characters!  This is both due to fantastic dialog and well thought out characters.  I absolutely adored Pia.  She has spent so long hiding in the shadows, that she hasn't been living up to her potential.  She's smart, resourceful, and level headed (for the most part).  She is the perfect balance for Dragos' "act first and think later" mentality.  Neither was able to find true happiness, in their past relationships.  It's like they were built for each other, not to mention that there is so much electricity between these two.  It is scorching, and kept me coming back for more.  This book contains some of the hottest sex scenes, I have ever listen to in a Paranormal Romance.  Mostly, I enjoy how Pia turns Dragos' world upside down.  He usually is in compete control at all times, but she teaches him give up a little of that control.  He is able to say the one thing most men won't...PLEASE!

Sophie Eastlake, as always, really brought this story to life for the listener.  The cast of characters is so extremely divers, that only a really talented narrator could do it justice.  I really adore how she decided to make Pia sound.  She's been through a lot in her life, so I enjoyed how she sounds tough.  She's no delicate flower, and shouldn't be read that way.  I love how she also allowed the character keep an edge of vulnerability and her sharp tongue.  I enjoy the strength that she gave Dragos, while keeping a sultry and regal nature to his voice.  I did, however, feel that Sophie's male voice rage in some what limited.  But this didn't take away very much from the story, as a whole.  The pace of this story was spot on.  And her emotional delivery of the story, gave this book even more depth. 

DRAGON BOUND was an absolute thrill ride!  Pia and Dragos jump from one terrifying adventure to another.  It held me on the edge of my seat, and kept me from putting this audiobook down.  Best part about picking up this series so late, is the back that I can binge listen to this series.  This book has such an amazing cast of characters.  Plus, I can't get enough of the Gryphon Sentinels.  I'm pretty sure that they will keep me entertained for many books to come. I immediately downloaded book 2 in this series.  This is a MUST READ for all Paranormal Romance or Urban Fantasy readers.

***Audiobook was provided by the publisher in trade for a fair review***   

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Dakota Cassidy's TALK DIRTY TO ME

Title: TALK DIRTY TO ME
Series:  Plum Orchard Book 1
Author:  Dakota Cassidy
Narrator:  Scarlet Chase
Release Date:  9/30/14
Price:  $29.99
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Length: 11 hrs
Format: MP3-CD
Purchase at Tantor or Amazon



My Ratings

Plot:  4.5/5
Setting:  4/5
Writing:  5/5
Originality of Plot:  4/5
Characters Development:  4.5/5
Ending:  4.5/5
Heat Level:  4/5
Cover Art:  4/5
Narration:  5/5
Likelihood to Recommend:  5/5

Overall:  44.5/50 =  89%   

Synopsis

Plum Orchard, Georgia, is about to get even juicier…

Notorious mean girl Dixie Davis is back in town and it's payback time. Literally. Dixie is flat broke and her best—make that only—friend, Landon, is throwing her a lifeline from the Great Beyond. Dixie stands to inherit his business…if she meets a few conditions:

She's got to live in Landon's mansion.

With her gorgeous ex-fiancé, Caine Donovan.

Who could also inherit the business.

Which is a phone sex empire.

Wait, what?

Landon's will lays it out: whoever gets the most new clients becomes the owner of Call Girls. Dixie has always been in it to win it, especially when it comes to Caine, who's made it clear he's not going down easy. (Oh, mercy.) Can Dixie really talk dirty and prove that she's cleaned up her act? Game on!

Review

The last place Dixie Davis ever want go, was back home.  And if it hadn't been for her best friend Landon's funeral, she wouldn't have.  This one-time mean girl had the tables turned on her and her fiance, which left her alone and her life in shambles.  So she ran away to start a new life, leaving her past behind.  She eventually lands on her feet.  She opens a restaurant, only to have it fail as well.  So now she comes back home penniless, still shunned by her past, and terrified to see her ex-fiance, Caine.  What could possibly convince her to stay?  Maybe the possibility of inheriting one of Landon's thriving business.  To bad its a phone sex line!  And did I forget to mention, that she has to compete and work side-by-side with Caine for the rights to run the business. To make matters worse, Dixie and Caine have to live in Landon's mansion together.  Could this get any worse for Dixie?  Of course it can!

I got way more then I bargained for with this one.  I thought I was getting a lighthearted romance, but boy was I wrong.  This book is filled with smart dialogue, humor, and a real heart!  It's a Contemporary Romance that revolves around a running a phone sex empire, this could have gone totally wrong. But at it's core, this story is held together by amazingly deep characters, hiding behind by the masks they show the world.  It was a roller coaster of emotions for me.  It made me laugh out loud at some points, and had me reaching for tissues during others.  I also loved the setting, because I grew up in a small town as well.  I know what it's like to live with the small town minds, that never forget mistakes of the past.

I couldn't help, but adore Dixie right from the start.  She proves that no one can be all bad, or all good.  And that your past mistakes shouldn't define who you become.  She grew up a lot, since the last time she was in Plum Orchard.  I enjoyed her, mostly because of her flaws.  She also had a deep internal drive, that allowed her to pick herself up and start over again. Caine was also a wonderful character.  I actually liked that I started out not liking him, but over the course of the book I fell in love with his character.  You just had to peel away his layers, like an onion.  My favorite character from this book had to be Landon.  He lived life to the fullest, and loved his friends very much.  I liked how he pops up now and then to keep these two crazy kids on the right track!

Scarlet Chase did a wonderful job narrating this story, due to her amazing ability to creating the voices of each character.  Sometimes, an authentic southern accent can be hard to create.  It can come off as cheesy sometimes, but Scarlet did it beautifully!  She's really mastered differentiating the character.  Each was very distinct voice.  She was also able to captured the deep emotions of this story, from heartbreaking despair to it's wonderful sense of humor.  Her pacing and diction are phenomenal.  She truly did this book justice.  I will be adding Scarlet to my Must Listen narrator's list!


I couldn't put this audiobook down, and I finished in record time.  In a sea of cookie cutter Contemporary Romance, this book really stands out.  Talk Dirty to Me is a story of redemption and personal evolution.  I cannot wait to pick up the next book in this series, cause I'm sure it will just as amazing.  If you are looking for a little more then just a standard romance, this is it!

***Audiobook was provided by the publisher in trade for a fair review***

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Jeaniene Frost's THE BEAUTIFUL ASHES

Title: THE BEAUTIFUL ASHES
Series: Broken Destiny, Bk 1
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Narrator: Tavia Gilbert
Release Date: 8/26/14
Price: $29.95
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Length: 8 hours 23 minutes
Format: MP3-CD
Purchase at Downpour or Amazon



My Ratings

Plot:  4.5/5
Setting:  4/5
Writing:   5/5
Originality of Plot:  5/5
Characters Development:  5/5
Ending:  4.5/5
Cover Art:  5/5
Narration: 5/5
Likelihood to Recommend:  5/5

Overall:  43/45 =  95% 

 

Synopsis

In a world of shadows, anything is possible—except escaping your fate.

Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who’s bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.

Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn’t mean he can change his fate, no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn’t: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side and Adrian on the other—and nothing but ashes in between.

© 2014 by Jeaniene Frost

Review

Two main things made THE BEAUTIFUL ASHES a must read for me.  First, Jeaniene Frost books are always on the top of my TBR pile.  She has this ability to coax you in her world, while you are fall madly in love with her characters.  And second, I would listen a Phone Book, if it was narrated by Tavia Gilbert.  She's able to take an fantastic piece of work, and truly bring it to life for the listeners with her voice.  For me, both are "go-to's" when it comes to audiobooks.  I wasn't really sure what I was getting myself into, with Jeaniene's new series.  Although the summary for the book was slightly vague and mysterious, I couldn't wait to jump right into this.  

I'm going to try really hard not to ruin this story for anyone, so I'll keep the spoilers to a minimum. One of the most interesting part of this book, is that this book goes to a place that you never see coming. You think you are starting out on one kind of a journey, but you end up on an entirely different adventure.  I also like that this wasn't a cookie cutter urban fantasy or paranormal romance, it kept me on my toes.  I had no idea what to expect next from the story.  It was almost like picking up a new type of genre, that you have never read before.  Nothing is just black and white or good and evil.  I like how this book lives in the grey.

Twenty year old Ivy's sister disappeared, and then she looses her parents in a car accident. And the police investigation into the disappearance isn't producing any results.  Ivy sets out to find her sister at all costs, only to find herself in way over her head.  I  really enjoyed listening to her journey.  She is young and naive in the beginning.  I liked that fact that she was a young adult, so this adventure was pretty much about finding her true self.  She ends this book, in a totally different place then where she started.  I loved watching her personal discovery and growth. I really loved her relationship with Adrian.  I mean who wouldn't love a dark, sexy, mysterious male with a 1968 Challanger. She goes from a complete distrust of people around her, to putting her life in Adrian's hands.  I like how Jeaniene Frost wrote Adrian as a flawed anti-hero.  There are no men riding in on white horse, wearing white hats here. But their destinies are indelibly intertwined. 

Tavia Gilbert's narration of this book is suburb!  When I see Tavia is narrating a story, I know that I am in for a real auditory treat.  She creates such distinct characters, that you almost forget that the story is only being narrated by one person.  She also seems to really do her research into each character, when creating their distinct sound. The characters in this books come from such divers backgrounds, and Tavia really does them justice! Adrian's voice is my absolute favorite.  He has this very distinct voice, with touch of European upper crust.  I totally got lost in this audiobook, which to me, is a sign of a very talented narrator.

THE BEAUTIFUL ASHES has left me dying for the next book in the Broken Destiny Series!  It's full of fast-paced adventures, creative world building, and smart dialog.  Jeaniene Frost has a very fresh take on this genre and biblical mythology.  I just wished that Jeaniene had dialed up the heat just a little more in this book. I can't wait to see more of Ivy and Adrian's adventures.  If you enjoy YA/NA novels, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance, this book will be right up your alley!

 

***Audiobook was provided by the publisher in trade for a fair review***

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Helen Harper's BLOODMAGIC (Blood Destiny Bk2)

Title:  BLOODMAGIC
Series: Blood Destiny (Bk2)
Author: Helen Harper
Narrartor: Saskia Maarleveld
Price: $29.99
Length:  9 hour
Format: MP3-CD
Release Date: 6-10-14
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Purchase from Tantor or Audible


My Ratings

Plot:  4/5 
Setting:  4.5/5 
Writing:  4.4/5 
Originality of Plot:  4.5/5 
Characters Development:  4/5 
Ending:  5/5
Narration:  5/5
Cover Art:  4.5/5 
Likelihood to Recommend:  4/5 

Overall:  40/45 = 88%

Synopsis

After escaping the claws of Corrigan, the Lord Alpha of the Brethren, Mack is trying to lead a quiet lonely life in Inverness in rural Scotland, away from anyone who might happen to be a shapeshifter. However, when she lands a job at an old bookstore owned by a mysterious elderly woman who not only has a familiar passion for herbal lore but also seems to know more than she should, Mack ends up caught in a maelstrom between the Ministry of Mages, the Fae and the Brethren.

Now she has to decide between staying hidden and facing the music, as well as confronting her real feelings for the green eyed power of Corrigan himself. 

Review

Mack is on the run, leaving her pack and past far behind her.  She picks up odd jobs and fake names along her way.  She's trying to escape not just her past but, mostly the Brethren and their sexy Lord Alpha.  Mack ends up with a job at a dusty little book shop, owned by a strange little old lady who has a secret of her own.  Nothing could possibly go wrong there, could it?

I'm really loving this series!  It has a great mix of intriguing creatures, wit, and wonderful world building.  Poor Mack gets herself into one bit of trouble after another.  But I love her fairy spirit and personal strength.  She's not your standard damsel in distress.  She doesn't need Prince Charming, or the Lord Alpha, to rescue her.  I think that Helen Harper does a great job creating interesting secondary characters, who bring there own new spin to the story.  I do, however, wish that Mack's core group stayed more consistent.  I think that it would give the story little more depth.
 
The only thing I disliked about this book, is that she and the Lord Alpha aren't any closer to getting together.  It's making me crazy!  I just wanted a more of a tease to get me through to the next book.  The connection between these two characters, is probably my favorite part of this series. I know this isn't Paranormal Romance, but it their connection is just so intriguing . 

Once again, Saskia Maarleveld's performance in this book is spot on!  Her accent almost teleports me to Cornwall, and it's surrounding areas.  She created such distinct voices for each of her characters, both male and female.  It's such an amazing talent to pull off a credible male voice, as a female narrator.  And Saskia does it  over and over again for each of the characters.  She also is able to convey all of this stories vast range of emotions, from it's light hearted humor to it's fear and terror.  I'm pretty sure I couldn't picture this series being narrated by anyone else.

Both Helen Harper and Saskia Maarleveld, make the decision to pick up book 3 in this series very easy!  The spectacular world and fast paced action, kept me on the edge of my seat.  Book 2 sets up a very interesting storyline for book 3.  I can't wait to see what Mack and Lord Shifty have in store for us.  If you are looking for a good Urban Fantasy, this is probably one for you.