Anastasija Ramses Parker, better known as Ana, has never been popular. In fact, most kids at school would call her a freak. Ana has pale skin and dark hair which, in a time when the goth look is in, is no big deal, but her eyes are what make people nervous. One is ice blue and the other is amber. Oh yeah, and she is a true witch. True witches can do real magic — only, Ana cannot. (more…)

I always have a bit of trepidation approaching paranormal novels not vampire or were- based. They’re often a bit inaccessible to me, especially those based on witches, loaded down with spells and difficult-to-follow lore.

But as with the others of Smith’s “Night World” I have read thus far, “Spellbinder” is much easier to approach than the norm, written for young inductees into the paranormal phenomenon. (more…)

Blair has lived in Moonstone Lake for many, many years, long enough to buy most of the land surrounding the town and keep it from being developed. A were pack arrives in town and begins to make threats to the witches who have owned the land for hundreds of years. Blair, her friends, and her boyfriend, Jake, (the town’s resident were- border collie) will do whatever it takes to protect the town from the big bad wolves. (more…)

This compelling first novel in the Cin Craven series grabs the reader on the very first page and does not let go. Descending from the line of powerful Macgregor witches in early nineteenth-century England, Dulcinea Craven awaits the full blossoming of her powers. At the age of twenty-two, she expects this event to occur at any time. Unfortunately, the accidental death of her parents serves as the impetus as Dulcinea’s mother unexpectedly passes on her own magic to Dulcinea when she dies. (more…)

The D’Artigo sisters work for the OIA, the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. It is their job to keep tabs on the Otherworld inhabitants currently residing on earth. Camille is a witch, Delilah is a shapeshifter and Menolly is a vampire. When a couple of demons come through the portal looking for an item that will assist Shadow Wing, the ruler of the Subterranian Realm, in taking over both the Earth and the Otherworld, the D’Artigo sisters are assigned to stop them. (more…)

It is bad enough to deal with normal puberty (increasing bosom and hormones), but 15-year-old Alyson also had to leave her friends behind and move to a haunted century-old house in a new town far removed from her previous life. Of course, nothing is normal about Alyson anyway. From the time she was born, she has known that there is something different about her; she can sense things regular human beings could not.
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Having bloomed late in life with her talents, Irenee enjoys her job as a Sword for the Defenders. While confiscating an evil black magic item, she runs into Jim Tylan, an agent for Homeland Security. The sparks fly, literally, but even though Irenee has been around magic and the idea of the Soul Mate Imperative all her life, she does not put two and two together until her mentor has to point it out. (more…)

Since there are so many people “on stage” in this book (nine or ten named characters including DD, or Dracula Dude as he is so lovingly referred to), only a few will be mentioned for the sake of brevity. Otherwise, this review will be three pages long and though I know everyone loves to read what I have to say, even I would get sick of hearing me ramble for three whole pages.
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In the second book in the Rowan of the Wood series, Cullen’s life has not gotten any better. He is still struggling with the fact that there is a 1400-year-old wizard trapped in his body and his home life is still miserable. He feels angry all the time and just wants to be a normal kid again. When Moody, Fiana’s former companion, reappears with an idea about how to separate Cullen and Rowan, Cullen is all for it. (more…)

Tammy Jo Trask never seemed to come into her powers. She finally accepted that she would not be the witch her mother and aunt were. But when a family heirloom is stolen, Tammy Jo knows she will have to do anything she can to get it back, including attempting to use spells. Her ex-husband does not understand her obsession with trying to get the locket back – he has thought for years that Tammy Jo is off of her rocker – but he can’t help but love her still and want to help her. (more…)

So her mother wasn’t as crazy as everyone originally thought when she said she had fire inside of her and was a witch. Maybe she knew exactly what she was talking about because Sarafina Connell is a fire witch and a rather powerful one, too. She just didn’t know about it until she was kidnapped by Stefan Faucheux, head of the Duskoff, the cabal of warlocks who want nothing more than world domination. What do they want with her? Just a little bit of blood, her utter devotion and the use of her untapped abilities. (more…)

Nick Santangelo is the very neat and work-oriented owner of Santangelo Construction. He has a seventeen-year-old daughter who is driving him absolutely nuts with her boy crazy behavior.

Victoria (Tori) Morgan, a fly by the seat of your pants type, has just returned to the Jersey Shore to renovate the house her aunt left her. She believes in magic, tarot cards and crystals.
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Single white witch looking for man who can kill giant mice, battle demons, and still have time to make her coffee in the morning. And if he has an adorable Italian accent, all’s the better.

If there was a single’s ad for Holly Carver, the protagonist of Ravenous by Sharon Ashwood, it would sound something like the above. All she wants is a good man, a good education, and a good job, but the world has other plans for her.
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Michelle Rowen’s books never fail to thrill. Her fourth (and still-fresh) installment of the Immortality Bites series, Stakes & Stilettos, is delightfully charming and keeps the wonderful mixture of tongue-in-cheek (is that tongue-in fang?) humor and well-fleshed-out plot that made her earlier books so entertaining. The story keeps you guessing, always twisting in unexpected ways.

Fledgling vampire Sarah Dearly ends up on the wrong side of a vengeful witch — who she accidentally infuriated a decade before. Now, at her high school reunion, Sarah finds herself cursed with night-stalker status, which includes such fun as violent aversion to sunlight and crosses and the undeniable urge to attack anything with blood in it. Assisted by her “tall, dark, and fangsome” boyfriend (with whom she has slightly less dire problems) and the mysterious Red Devil, she faces her new problems with plucky spirit and a sense of humor you can’t help but love.

One thing I really loved in this book were the appearances of two characters from Rowen’s standalone paranormal novel, Angel with Attitude. She managed to work them in without it becoming cheesy, giving some great laughs in the process. As always, her characters are amazingly well-fleshed out; Rowen writes some of the best first-person fiction I’ve ever read. The only downside is that there’s only one more book in the series, and I certainly don’t want to see it end!

As always, an exceptional tale told by a master storyteller.

Book Stats:

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever (March 31, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446505846
• ISBN-13: 978-0446505840

To purchase a print copy of Stakes and Stilettos click here.
To purchase a Kindle copy of Stakes and Stilettos click here.

Books in the Immortality Bites series in the order they should be read:
Bitten & Smitten
Fanged & Fabulous
Lady & the Vamp
Stakes & Stilettos
Tall, Dark & Fangsome

To visit the author’s website go here.
To visit the author’s blog go here.

Horror stories featuring the supernatural are one of my favorite genres. However, Tony Richards’ latest, Dark Rain, just did not do it for me.

The town of Raine’s Landing has been under a curse since the Salem witch trials – hardly anyone gets in and absolutely no resident gets out. As the founders of Raine’s Landing were true witches, over the centuries, it has become a hotspot for paranormal activity, attracting some of the strongest practitioners of the craft. Of course, this also means it has attracted some evil beings, too. One of these beings is Saruak, a Manitou, or ancient tree spirit, who once left Raine’s Landing, but is now back to wreak havoc. Ross, one of the few non-magical residents of the town, and his gun-slinging partner, Cassie, are called in to try to eliminate Saruak, a task that proves to be the toughest they have ever encountered, especially when he digs up old feelings of the mysterious disappearance of both of their families.

Dark Rain is filled with characters that would be more interesting if they were better rounded out with more personality than just what their job or power is. Because of this, it is very hard as a reader to connect with any character, even Ross.

Another drawback to Dark Rain is that, while it is action-packed as a good horror should be, the story drags much more than expected. Richards’ premise is excellent, but the execution needs a little more punch to make it a must-read.

Book Stats:

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Eos (September 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061474665
• ISBN-13: 978-0061474668

To purchase a print copy of Dark Rain click here.
To purchase a Kindle copy of Dark Rain click here.

Rachel continues to learn why messing with demon magic was not a good idea. Even though she could justify using some of the spells that are in the demon books she has, the smut on her soul is not worth it. Algaliarept has found a way to escape his prison and returns to try and drag Rachel back to the Ever After. Then, Trent approaches Rachel about a run which will help Ceri, which involves going into the Ever After. Rachel swears to stay off of men and wants to be “just friends” with Marshal, who has moved to Cinncinati from Michigan. She and Ivy continue to search for a murderer, while a surprising vampire takes over as master of the city. And then, everything Rachel thought she knew about herself is thrown into an uproar when a surprising revelation about her past is revealed.

The Outlaw Demon Wails is the sixth book in the Hollows series by Kim Harrison. It is also probably the most revealing and pivotal book in the series. There is a lot of plot crammed into 455 pages. I think that this is the best book in the series thus far. There is so much going on in that it is hard to put down. I think that the addition of a famous new vampire master was really neat. Kim Harrison has a way with details when the reader gets a deeper glimpse into the Ever After, which is really a creepy yet fascinating place. Trent Kalamack also figures a little more prominently in this book. As I’ve said in previous reviews, I find him to be one of the more intriguing characters in the series. The Outlaw Demon Wails is a great book, and the action is almost non stop from the beginning until the last page is turned. While I look forward to White Witch, Black Curse, the next book in the series, I think this has to be my favorite book in the series so far.

Book Excerpt: “To save the lives of her friends, Rachel did the unthinkable: she willingly trafficked in forbidden demon magic. And now her sins are coming home to haunt her.

As Rachel searches for the truth behind a terrifying murder, an even greater menace threatens, for the demon Algaliarept will stop at nothing to claim her, and the discovery of a shocking family secret throws Rachel’s entire life into question. If she is ever to live free, Rachel must first walk willingly into the demonic ever-after in search of long-lost ancient knowledge.

But when you dance with demons, you lay your soul on the line . . . and there are some lines that should never be crossed.”

Book Stats:

• Mass Market Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Eos; Reprint edition (November 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061149829
• ISBN-13: 978-0061149825

To purchase a print copy of The Outlaw Demon Wails click here.
To purchase an unabridged audio copy of The Outlaw Demon Wails click here.

Shop the Kim Harrison Store here.

Books in the Hollows series in the order they should be read:
Dead Witch Walking
The Good, the Bad, and the Undead
Every Which Way But Dead
A Fistful of Charms
For a Few Demons More
The Outlaw Demon Wails
White Witch, Black Curse

To visit the author’s website go here.

Imagine quitting your job and having a hit placed on you. Rachel Morgan used to enjoy her job working for Interlander Security until she got tired of being given the crappy runs. One day, she decides to walk away from it all to open her own runner firm. She finds out that the department rumors are true when the first attempt is made on her life. Her friends and partners, Ivy and Jenks, do what they can to protect her, but Rachel wants to get out of this on her own. She’ll even refuse an opportunity from the city bigwig, Trent Kalamack, to buy out the contract. But she finds that one does not cross Trent, either. With danger coming at her from all sides, will Rachel be able to make it on her own?

Dead Witch Walking is the first in the Hollows series. I’d never heard of Kim Harrison when I picked the book up at a local bookstore, and after reading it, I could not wait to get the next book in the series. I give Dead Witch Walking 5 tombstones. Rachel is a strong character who just does not know how to stay out of trouble. She has to learn how to live with a vampire, and after reading a helpful dating guide provided by her roommate, discovers that she’s done that all wrong, too. Ivy is a character that I am fascinated with as well. She struggles to avoid the dark side of her heritage.

Rachel also knows how to tick off the city bigwigs in her quest for justice and gets herself into several sticky situations.Kim Harrison has developed an exciting storyline in the Hollows series and you will definitely not be bored. Action always seems to be a page turn away. I do recommend that you read the series in order as each book builds off the previous one.

Book Excerpt: “All the creatures of the night gather in “the Hollows” of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party … and to feed.

Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining — and it’s Rachel Morgan’s job to keep that world civilized.

A bounty hunter and witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she’ll bring ‘em back alive, dead … or undead.”

Book Stats:

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Eos (April 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060572965
• ISBN-13: 978-0060572969

To purchase a print copy Dead Witch Walking click here.
To purchase a Kindle copy Dead Witch Walking click here.
To purchase an unabridged audio copy Dead Witch Walking click here.

Shop the Kim Harrison Store here.

Books in the Hollows series in the order they should be read:
Dead Witch Walking
The Good, the Bad, and the Undead
Every Which Way But Dead
A Fistful of Charms
For a Few Demons More
The Outlaw Demon Wails
White Witch, Black Curse

To visit the author’s website go here.

Rachel Morgan is back in the second installment in the Hollows series. Rachel continues to walk the line by living with a vampire roommate and dating Nick, the guy she met at the rat fights. She is asked to recover the Howlers’ mascot and has a problem with the weres when she almost gets caught. Then, the FIB asks for her help in investigating a series of murders involving ley line witches. She returns to school to work undercover and investigate her former professor. Her investigation causes her to cross paths yet again with Trent Kalamack. However, the FIB refuses to cross paths with the eccentric millionaire and warns Rachel off of his back. Rachel also crosses paths with a demon and the master of the city in the course of her investigation. Will Rachel be able to survive yet another case?

I give this book 4 1/2 tombstones. I love Rachel. She seems to have a perpetual black cloud over her head, and you never know what is going to happen next. Trent Kalamack is an enigma that I have yet to figure out. I’d love to see more of him in the books. Ivy continues her struggle with herself, and it’s intriguing to watch her. I love the Hollows world that Kim Harrison has created. The Good, the Bad, and the Undead is just as suspenseful and action filled as Dead Witch Walking. If you have not picked up Kim Harrison’s Hollows series, this is definitely a must add to your paranormal/UF bookshelf. However, I do recommend that you read the series in order as each book builds upon and references the previous book.

Book Excerpt: “It’s a tough life for witch Rachel Morgan, sexy, independent bounty hunter, prowling the darkest shadows of downtown Cincinnati for criminal creatures of the night.

She can handle the leather-clad vamps and even tangle with a cunning demon or two. But a serial killer who feeds on the experts in the most dangerous kind of black magic is definitely pushing the limits.

Confronting an ancient, implacable evil is more than just child’s play—and this time, Rachel will be lucky to escape with her very soul.”

Book Stats:

• Mass Market Paperback: 453 pages
• Publisher: HarperTorch (January 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060572973
• ISBN-13: 978-0060572976

To purchase a print copy of The Good, The Bad, The Undead click here.
To purchase a Kindle copy of The Good, The Bad, The Undead click here.
To purchase an unabridged audio copy of The Good, The Bad, The Undead click here.

Shop the Kim Harrison Store here.

Books in the Hollows series in the order they should be read:
Dead Witch Walking
The Good, the Bad, and the Undead
Every Which Way But Dead
A Fistful of Charms
For a Few Demons More
The Outlaw Demon Wails
White Witch, Black Curse

To visit the author’s website go here.

In book four of the Hollows series, Rachel asks Jenks to come back after a disastrous mistake which caused him to leave the firm and help her on a run at the request of Matalina. They travels to Michigan to rescue Jax, who is Jenks’s son, and Nick from the hands of werewolves. Rachel struggles with her feelings for Nick throughout the run. She also has to learn rather quickly about werewolf politics since she is a pack member (for insurance purposes only) to David, an insurance investigator. Along the way, she discovers that Nick has stolen a valuable artifact from the vampires which will tip the balance of the paranormal world. Will Rachel be able to restore balance, or will Nick’s actions have put her further into danger?

I give this book 5 tombstones. A lot of neat things happen in it. For Jenks to be able to travel to colder climes, like Michigan, Rachel must work her magic; however, she uses demon magic. It’s interesting to watch the battle in her as she tries to justify using demon magic for good. The further into demon magic she gets, the more she tries to justify that she is a white witch. She also continues to struggle with her relationship with Ivy. Rachel hopes that she will be able to find a balance in their friendship and possibly give Ivy what she is craving without losing herself. The reader continues to get a deeper look at who Rachel is as she develops through the books. However, if it were not for having good friends, Rachel probably would not be where she is today. While the book focuses primarily on Rachel, the reader should not forget the importance of her roommates or other outside influences in her life. A Fistful of Charms is a great addition to an already fantastic series. Again, I recommend that this series by read in order or else things in future books may not make much sense.

Book Excerpt: “The evil night things that prowl Cincinnati despise witch and bounty hunter Rachel Morgan. Her new reputation for the dark arts is turning human and undead heads alike with the intent to possess, bed, and kill her — not necessarily in that order.

Now a mortal lover who abandoned Rachel has returned, haunted by his secret past. And there are those who covet what Nick possesses — savage beasts willing to destroy the Hollows and everyone in it if necessary.

Forced to keep a low profile or eternally suffer the wrath of a vengeful demon, Rachel must nevertheless act quickly. For the pack is gathering for the first time in millennia to ravage and to rule. And suddenly more than Rachel’s soul is at stake.”

Book Stats:

• Mass Market Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: HarperTorch (June 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060788194
• ISBN-13: 978-0060788193

To purchase a print copy of A Fistful of Charms click here.
To purchase a Kindle copy of A Fistful of Charms click here.
To purchase a print copy of A Fistful of Charms click here.

Shop the Kim Harrison Store here.

Books in the Hollows series in the order they should be read:
Dead Witch Walking
The Good, the Bad, and the Undead
Every Which Way But Dead
A Fistful of Charms
For a Few Demons More
The Outlaw Demon Wails
White Witch, Black Curse

To visit the author’s website go here.

For a Few Demons More is another installment in the Hollows series. In this latest book, Rachel learns more about dealing with demons when one slips the watch placed on it. In the midst of this, she is asked to investigate a series of murders, all of which seem tied to the artifact that she has been hiding. She has run-ins with a group of cultists who have ties to her favorite demon Algliarept. Piscary, the master vampire has been set free, and Rachel has to stay one step ahead of him and still somehow protect Ivy from his clutches. She also is still developing her relationship with Kisten, another vampire. Will Rachel be able to balance all the problems in her life?

I give this book 5 tombstones. Kim Harrison continues to weave fantastic tales about Rachel Morgan in book five. Trouble continues to follow Rachel as she has to balance the vampires, the werewolves and demons in her life. Ivy continues to fight against the darkness in her as Piscary resumes his role as master of the city. Jenks does what he can as the third partner in Vampiric Charms. I had trouble putting this book down as the action ramped up and Rachel fought xfor her life throughout the storyline. She continues to grow and learn more in each installment. However, Rachel also continues to justify the use of demon magic.

Trent Kalamack makes another appearance in this book. Trent is an intriguing character as the reader only gets glimpses of him in each story. If a spin off were ever written about a secondary character, I’d love to learn more about him. His shady dealings and history with Rachel would make for a fascinating read. As I read each book in the Hallows series, I anxiously await the next installment. For a Few Demons More has some unexpected twists and turns in it that made me all the more eager for the next book.

Book Excerpt: “Despite dating one vampire and living with another, Rachel Morgan has always managed to stay just ahead of trouble . . . until now.

A fiendish serial killer stalks the Hollows, claiming victims across society, and the resulting terror ignites a vicious Inderland gang war. And while the ancient artifact Rachel is hiding may be the key to stopping the murderer, revealing it could also create a battle to the death among the numerous supernatural races that live in and around Cincinnati.

For every action has its price, and when the vampire master Piscary is set free and the demonic Algaliarept dares to walk openly under the sun, even Rachel Morgan can’t hide forever.”

Book Stats:

• Mass Market Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Eos (November 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061149810
• ISBN-13: 978-0061149818

To purchase a print copy of For A Few Demons More click here.
To purchase a Kindle copy of For A Few Demons More click here.
To purchase an unabridged audio copy of For A Few Demons More click here.

Shop the Kim Harrison Store here.

Books in the Hollows series in the order they should be read:
Dead Witch Walking
The Good, the Bad, and the Undead
Every Which Way But Dead
A Fistful of Charms
For a Few Demons More
The Outlaw Demon Wails
White Witch, Black Curse

To visit the author’s website go here.