Bitten by Books

Dead To Me is the debut novel from author Anton Strout. Meet Simon Canderous, whose gift of psychometry has landed the former thief with a penchant for antiques a job with New York City’s Other Division of the Department Read More »

When psychological counselor Megan Chase agrees to “Slay Your Personal Demons” on her radio show, she has no idea that demons exist and that they are going to take her seriously. Luckily for Megan, she finds a protector in the handsome stranger who suddenly appears on her doorstep, Greyson Dante. But does he only have her best interests at heart, or is she swayed by the undeniable attraction between them?

Her life is made even more interesting by Brian, a reporter determined to get at what he believes is the “hidden story,” instead of the human interest piece on Megan he was assigned to do. There’s also the arrival of Malleus, Maleficarum, and Spud, her new demon guards that are to be by her side literally 24/7. A visit to the local Fearbusters meeting also leaves her with more questions than answers, and with a feeling that the meetings don’t have much to do with busting fear.

Personal Demons is fast-paced, well written, and downright scary in places. The action doesn’t let up, although it does slow down enough at times so you can catch your breath, and the love scenes between Greyson and Megan are hot enough to steam up your glasses.

Kane’s third person point-of-view style is tight and descriptive. The characters are well developed and consistent. Malleus, Maleficarum and Spud are very funny. I love how she took a reference to a legendary treatise on witchcraft, and with a jaunty wink and a nod added Spud. There were a couple of places where there was so much going on in the action that I felt a little overloaded with it, but not enough that I got taken out of the story.

I really enjoyed Personal Demons and look forward to reading more of Ms. Kane’s work. The Demon Inside, book two of the Megan Chase series, will be released in January, 2009.

Book Stats:

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Juno Books (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809572559
• ISBN-13: 978-0809572557

To purchase a print copy of Personal Demons from Amazon click here.

Books in the Megan Chase series in the order they should be read:
Personal Demons
Demon Inside
Demon Possessed

Margrit Knight is out running in Central Park late one night, when she is approached by a mysterious stranger. She later finds out on the evening news that this man is suspected of a murder which took place in the park shortly after their encounter. Alban Korund is the suspect and a shapeshifting gargoyle, one of the old races. Grit, as her friends call her, is a legal aid attorney and Alban asks for her help as he claims he is being framed.

She is also approached by a Selkie whose apartment building is about to be demolished and while trying to stop it, becomes involved in much more than she bargained for by discovering more of the old races with their own politics, grudges and a social structure that is hidden from the rest of society.

While Heart of Stone is full of action from the get go, there are a few pacing issues that bogged it down along the way. Mostly due to Ms. Murphy’s thorough world building which sets up a well structured platform for a series with lots of juicy possibilities. There was quite a bit that was left unresolved in the form of favors owed and love interests in this first novel of the series, so I am looking forward to see how the next book, House of Cards, takes the story forward.

Heart of Stone is a satisfying read with a unique take on some existing paranormal races and, of course, gargoyles - how cool is that?

Book Stats:

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Luna; Reprint edition (April 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373803109
• ISBN-13: 978-0373803101

To purchase a print copy of Heart of Stone click here.
To purchase a Kindle copy of Heart of Stone click here.

Books in the Negotiator Trilogy in the order they should be read:
Heart of Stone
House of Cards
Hands of Flame