Book Review: Gray Days (Black Hat Bureau - Book 9) by Hailey Edwards

Gray Days (Black Hat Bureau - Book 9)
by Hailey Edwards
Sept 21, 2023
Pages: 320
The Black Hat compound is rubble on the ocean floor, the director hasn’t been seen since the explosion that demolished his life’s work, and old enemies have decided it’s open season on the remaining agents. Oh. And Arden has decided now is a great time for a surprise visit to force a confrontation with Rue.

Between holding the Bureau together, searching for her grandfather, and babysitting Arden, Rue has her work cut out for her. But her distraction allows her to be blindsided by a loss that fractures her very soul. Betrayal is a familiar sting for Rue, she barely feels it anymore, but this time? She might not survive it.

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This might be my favorite book in the series yet! One, there are quite a few surprises which I always appreciate; two, Arden has reappeared which I was happy about and finally it’s just the team itself including some of the new additions that I just love.

Rue’s head is about to explode with all the different directions she’s being pulled in not to mention trying to keep the grimoire from taking her over and turning her back into a black witch. Even though Rue doesn’t want to admit it, she has empathy for most people and paras and would make the perfect candidate to turn the Black Hat Bureau around. Arden has decided to show up and immerse herself in all things Rue, which Rue is happy about but scared at the same time because she doesn’t want anything to happen to her young friend. One of the biggest things on Rue’s mind that she can’t quite shake is Aeden, there has to be a way to save him without being in breach of contract and she might just be able to do it.

Getting 5 sheep

Denise B

 

About the Author:
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USA Today best-selling author Hailey Edwards writes about questionable applications of otherwise perfectly good magic, the transformative power of love, the family you choose for yourself, and blowing stuff up. Not necessarily all at once. That could get messy.

Pre-order: Hades (Guardians of Hades, #9) by Felicity Heaton + giveaway

Hades (Guardians of Hades, #9)

by Felicity Heaton
October 4th 2022
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
The fate of our world rests in their hands.

Hades, god-king of the Underworld, has uncovered the mastermind behind the uprising destined to set his realm and the mortal world on a collision course. But his enemy has gone to ground and finding them is proving impossible, and the longer they elude his grasp, the stronger the darkness within him grows, slowly stealing control.

Persephone, god-queen of the Underworld, can only watch as a storm gathers on the horizon—a deadly war that threatens to strip her beloved family from her. As Hades fights his own battles against their enemy, she fights to keep the darkness within him at bay, never more aware of the danger he would be if she failed to keep it tamed.

But when their enemy strikes out at them from the shadows, dealing a blow that changes the course of the war and incites Hades’s wrath, the leash on the monster within him snaps and he is plunged into the darkness.

And saving this world might no longer be an option.

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Excerpt:
One of his shadows snapped at her right knee and she jerked to her left, leaning her body away from it and curling her arms protectively over her chest. Giving away her fear. He made the shadow settle again and waited for her to look at him.

When she did, he flatly said, “Tell me of their plan.”

“The information is worth nothing. The plan would have changed!”

His brows drew down and his lips flattened, and this time she eased backwards away from him. “Then you can tell me, for as you say, the information is worth nothing.”

But it might contain a clue that would allow him to turn the tide of this war in his favour and end it before it really began.

Eris flicked another look at her brother and lingered for a moment, a war erupting in her amber irises. She was considering telling him, weighing up the pros and cons. Was he finally getting somewhere?

Her gaze roamed back to him. “I have nothing to tell you.”

Hades lunged towards her and bared his fangs as rage drenched his vision in crimson. Shadows burst from the soles of his feet, surging towards Eris as she shrieked and reared back, and the ground beneath him cracked, jagged fractures splintering outwards from beneath him.

They flared orange, flooding with boiling lava that swiftly filled every fault line that streaked across the trembling black rock.

Eris scrambled backwards as two fissures closed in on her.

Unleashed an ear-splitting cry as one touched her and the scent of burning flesh filled the thick air.

Hades raised his hand and closed his fist so tightly that Eris’s eyes bulged and blood burst from her lips. He hauled her off the ground without touching her, his eyes slowly narrowing on her as his shadows hungrily snapped at her. The fissure that had scalded her leg split wide open beneath her and she frantically flailed, her bare feet kicking as her gaze edged downwards.

As shadows rose to drag her into the bubbling, hissing pool of molten rock.

“Perhaps you should take a break, my god-king. The legions may have discovered something and wish to report it.” Thanatos’s deep voice rolled through the room like a calming wave.

Hades’s attention snapped to him.

The shadows instantly ceased moving towards Eris’s ankles as awareness of what he had done hit him. Too close. He swept his hand to his right, discarding her, and she struck the rough wall and hit the ground on her side. She remained there, breathing hard, each desperate gasp grating in his ears.

“Allow me to take over questioning Eris, my god-king.” Thanatos stepped forwards and then stopped dead, his glowing blue gaze snagging on one of the fissures in front of Hades’s boots.

Hades looked down.

Not snagging on one of the fissures.

A green vine grew from the cooling lava, a bud forming at its tip. Leaves unfurled, stretching towards him rather than the slender light, as if he was the source of their nourishment and life, and then the bud opened.

A red rose that bloomed for him.

So delicate and beautiful.

Too delicate to belong in this grim world he ruled.

Hades stared at it, calm suffusing him, and felt to the very depth of his wretched soul that it was too delicate—that this war would finally crush that sweet flower which brought him light and balance.

Who made his life worth living.

An ache grew inside him.

An ache to see her, to dip his head to her shoulder as he crushed her to his chest and breathed in her subtle fragrance of lilies.

To find his strength in her as he had so many times before.

About the Author:

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I'm a NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY and International Best-Selling Author writing passionate paranormal romance books and series for adults.

I love to create detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! All of them alpha as you would expect in paranormal romance, and every book with a guaranteed HAPPILY FOREVER AFTER!

Sign up to my newsletter for exclusive sneak previews, freebies, special offers and more! (copy / paste link into your browser): http://bit.ly/FH-VIPS

Fans of paranormal romance books by authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole and Christine Feehan will love my books too.

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Book Review: The Epilogues: Part III: How to Rattle an Undead Couple (The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy - Book 9) by Hailey Edwards

The Epilogues: Part III: How to Rattle an Undead Couple (The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy - Book 9)
by Hailey Edwards

August 18, 2020

Pages: 196

Bring on the cakes, balloons, cakes, gifts, cakes, and…well…cakes. It’s time for Grier’s baby shower!

Grier is ready to smile for the cameras, rip open the presents, and finally taste that lemon chiffon cake, but it’s just not meant to be. The Grande Dame is MIA, which turns the big event into an even bigger search party. And that delicious cake? It’s going right back in the fridge.

While Grier doesn’t have the best relationship with her mother-in-law, she’s determined her child will grow up with one living grandparent or else. Even if it means wiggling into maternity jeans, putting on actual shoes, and waddling over to Lawson Manor to investigate the potential kidnapping.

Just as the investigation turns a corner, Grier pays the price for her stress. The baby wants out ahead of schedule, and it has a unique way of making its desires known. Unique and terrifying. Now the race is on to find the Grande Dame before the baby makes his or her first appearance.

What do you get when you cross a goddess-touched necromancer with an Eidolon?

Linus and Grier are about to find out firsthand. Now they just have to survive parenthood.

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Grier and Linus were shocked, to say the least when they found out they were expecting but now that time draws near for Grier to give birth she is over the hormones, not being able to see her feet and pregnancy in general, and is ready to welcome he or her into their family. Due to her demands of being the Grande Dame’s daughter-in-law, she has to have two baby showers; one for the Grande Dame and the Society and one for her actual friends, but when the Grande Dame is a no show for the shower Grier and Linus know something is seriously wrong.

With all the stress and investigating the Grande Dame’s kidnapping, the baby has decided to show the world its desire to be born in the most unique and possibly frightening way possible. Grier has created the best family for herself with Linus, Lethe, and the Pack and all those who surround her with love, we would all be so lucky to have the support that she does.

My biggest hope is that this isn’t actually the end of the story because there were questions left unanswered not to mention a series with how the baby develops would be awesome!

Review: How to Save an Undead Life (The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy #1) 

Review: How to Claim an Undead Soul (The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy #2)

Review: How to Break an Undead Heart (The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy #3)

Review: How to Dance an Undead Waltz (The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy #4)

Review: How to Live an Undead Lie (The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy Book 5)
Review: How to Wake an Undead City (The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy Book 6)
Review: The Epilogues: Part I: How to Kiss an Undead Bride (The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy - Book 7)

Getting 5 sheep

Denise B

About the Author:
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Hailey Edwards writes about questionable applications of otherwise perfectly good magic, the transformative power of love, the family you choose for yourself, and blowing stuff up. Not necessarily all at once. That could get messy. She lives in Alabama with her husband, their daughter, and a herd of dachshunds.

Book Review: Imaginary Numbers (InCryptid Book 9) by Seanan McGuire

Imaginary Numbers (InCryptid Book 9)

by Seanan McGuire
February 25, 2020
Publisher: DAW
448 pages

ASIN: B07SWXV548 

ISBN: 9780756413781

The ninth book in the fast-paced InCryptid urban fantasy series returns to the mishaps of the Price family, eccentric cryptozoologists who safeguard the world of magical creatures living in secret among humans.

Sarah Zellaby has always been in an interesting position. Adopted into the Price family at a young age, she's never been able to escape the biological reality of her origins: she's a cuckoo, a telepathic ambush predator closer akin to a parasitic wasp than a human being. Friend, cousin, mathematician; it's never been enough to dispel the fear that one day, nature will win out over nurture, and everything will change.

Maybe that time has finally come.

After spending the last several years recuperating in Ohio with her adoptive parents, Sarah is ready to return to the world--and most importantly, to her cousin Artie, with whom she has been head-over-heels in love since childhood. But there are cuckoos everywhere, and when the question of her own survival is weighed against the survival of her family, Sarah's choices all add up to one inescapable conclusion.

This is war. Cuckoo vs. Price, human vs. cryptid...and not all of them are going to walk away.

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Seanan McGuire returns to her InCryptid series with Imaginary Numbers, and the heroine, Johrlac, or as the Prices call her species, Cuckoo, Sarah Zellaby. 

Finally healed after recuperating with her adoptive parents, Angela Baker is a Cuckoo —except she was born defected (not a telepath)—Sarah flies home to her family in Oregon. But at the Portland, Oregon airport, the second Cuckoo she runs into since she started her trip, attacks her, and she soon learns others of her kind are after her.

If you enjoy watching those cryptid paranormal shows and love reading urban fantasies with science fiction and horror interwoven in them, you will enjoy this book. Flavored like Invasion of the Body Snatchers and those sci-fi movies of the 50s and early 60s, added with dashes of cryptology, Imaginary Numbers is an edge of your seat storyline that hooked me to the end.

I gave Imaginary Numbers 5 sheep

Reviewed by Pamela K. Kinney

About the Author:
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Seanan McGuire is a California-based author with a strong penchant for travel and can regularly be found just about any place capable of supporting human life (as well as a few places that probably aren't). Seanan was the winner of the 2010 John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer; Rosemary and Rue, was named one of the Top 20 Paranormal Fantasy Novels of the Past Decade; and her novel Feed, written under the name Mira Grant, was named as one of Publishers Weekly's Best Books of 2010. She also won a Hugo for her podcast, and is the first person to be nominated for five Hugo Awards in a single year.

Excerpt: Christmas Lites IX - Charity horror anthology for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Christmas Lites IX

by Amy Huntley, JG Faherty, Tricia Kristufek, KC Grifant, Brian Matthews, JA Clement, A.F. Stewart, Angela Yuriko Smith, Sean Patrick Little, Sally Clement

December 15, 2019

370 pages

Thirty-six stories to give you your holiday fix. Thirty-six times to get a Christmas chill or a warm, fuzzy feeling. This group of authors have come together for the 9th year in a row to help support the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In the coldest of times, the warmth of the heart can bring hope to many who are in need this time of year. Read shorts from your favorite authors and discover new to love. Spread some holiday cheer this season! 

Excerpt from “By Midnight” 

by Pamela K. Kinney, horror story included in Christmas Lites IX anthology. 

As she peeked in the fridge, she heard a sound. Closing the door, she listened and heard it again. It sounded like someone speaking. She couldn't catch the words, but it came from the back of the house. Jenny walked out of the kitchen and stared down the shadow-dark hallway. A chill skittered up her spine. The only people in the house were her and her guests, who acted like they hadn't heard anything.

The jabbering grew a little louder. It appeared to be coming from her mother's bedroom.

She jumped when something touched her shoulder. Her pounding heart slowed when she realized it was Spider. His bottle hanging limp from the fingers of his other hand, the boy's brow knitted together.

“What’s going on?” He peered down the hall. “I thought we were supposed to be the only people here tonight. Your mother’s working, right?”

Jenny rubbed her arms with her hands, as she felt cold. “She is. We are.”

“Hey, what’s going on? Sneaking off to do some neckin’?” Lisa and Debbie, plus their guys, joined them.

Spider pointed with the neck of his now-empty bottle down the hallway. “No. Doesn’t it sound to you guys like people are talking back there?”

Debbie bit her lip. “Really?” She turned to Jenny. “Thought you said your mom was at work.”

Jenny spat out. “She is. We’re supposed to be the only ones in the house tonight.”

Debbie giggled. “Cool. Maybe it’s ghosts.”

Lisa snorted. “There are no such things as ghosts, dummy. It’s just Jenny playing a trick on us.” She merged with the darkness as she walked down the hallway. “I’ll prove it. Hey, John, coming?”

John asked, “You sure you want me to? I mean, I doubt there’s anything back there.” He gave Spider a nasty glance. “Spider watches too many horror flicks if you ask me.” But when Lisa called to him, he hustled to join her.

THE NATIONAL COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE'S MISSION

Our mission is to lead, mobilize and raise our voices to support efforts that demand a change of conditions that lead to domestic violence such as patriarchy, privilege, racism, sexism, and classism. We are dedicated to supporting survivors and holding offenders accountable and supporting advocates.

Book Review: Wolf Instinct (SWAT Book 9) by Paige Tyler

Wolf Instinct (SWAT Book 9)
by Paige Tyler 

June 25, 2019

320 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Book 9 of 9 in SWAT: SPECIAL WOLF ALPHA TEAM

He's a wolf shifter.

She hunts monsters.

How can she be The One for him?

SWAT werewolf Zane Kendrick will do whatever it takes to take down the man who attacked his pack. His search takes him to Los Angeles, but when he meets Alyssa, the smart, sexy agent who comes to his aid, he's immediately interested in pursuing more than just the next lead. All his wolf instincts tell him that she's The One.

FBI agent Alyssa Carson has investigated some weird stuff lately, and finding missing people drained of their blood definitely falls into that category. When following a clue leads her to Zane, she agrees to work with him and his team. She's attracted to the gorgeous Brit, but she doesn't have time for anything but finding answers.

When Zane and Alyssa discover the sinister truth, it'll take everything they have to make it out of this mission with their lives—and hearts—intact.

SWAT Series:

Hungry Like the Wolf (Book 1)

Wolf Trouble (Book 2)

In the Company of Wolves (Book 3)

To Love a Wolf (Book 4)

Wolf Unleashed (Book 5)

Wolf Hunt (Book 6)

Wolf Hunger (Book 7)

Wolf Rising (Book 8)

Wolf Instinct (Book 9)

Praise for Paige Tyler's Wolf Rising:

"If you love hunks in uniform, a spitfire heroine, drama, danger, intrigue, and some really steamy moments, then get your hands on Wolf Rising." —Fresh Fiction 

"Will leave readers panting." —Booklist

"This fast-paced procedural brims with heat and action." —Publishers Weekly

"Totally unputdownable." —USA Today Happy Ever After

Amazon

The SWAT series is no stranger to surprises, a few books back the team of highly trained alphas learned about The One and then found themselves the targets of an assassination attempt. SWAT member Zane Kendrick’s search for the ones responsible lead him from Dallas to Los Angeles where he meets FBI agent Alyssa Carson who may or may not be part of the group that is trying to eradicate all werewolves. Meanwhile Alyssa is trying to solve her latest case that involves missing girls and a body drained of all blood.

That Paige Tyler sure knows how to keep readers invested in her characters! Wolf Instinct packs quite the punch if you’ve been reading the series from the beginning. Which I highly suggest you do before picking this one up. All the wolves are hunky but Zane’s got a little something extra… He’s British! *insert sexy accent here*

FYI in my mind he sounds a bit like Clive Owen. *swoon*

Anywhoo, Wolf Instinct relies a lot on the plot for its pace and it works so well when it comes to the suspense and action. Just who is snatching young women off the streets and why? Is it connected to the attack on the SWAT compound? Those questions and more are answered even as more questions arise. It was quite the ride, however I do think that the romance took a bit of a blow with this book. Zane and Alyssa’s relationship is definitely of the “insta” variety and I had a difficult time buying into their declarations of love after only a handful of days in each other’s company. Even if Alyssa is The One for Zane, I would have liked their love story to rely less on that legend and more on them getting to know one another.

Romance aside though, Wolf Instinct had me firmly in its grasp and part of the reason is because Tyler really lets readers get to know her characters. Zane has been around since the beginning so he’s familiar but if you’re just jumping into the series, Zane is a great guy to start with, though I really do recommend reading the series in order. Paige Tyler doesn’t disappoint and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

reviews of books 1-8

Rating: 4 sheep

Adria @ Adria’s Musings and Reviews
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Paige graduated from The University of West Florida with a degree in education in 2000, but decided to pursue a full-time career as a writer in 2004. Since then, she’s written over fifty books in several genres, including paranormal, contemporary, western, sci-fi and erotica. She loves writing about strong, sexy, alpha males and the feisty, independent women who fall for them. From verbal foreplay to sexual heat, her stories of romance, adventure, suspense, passion and true love will leave you breathlessly panting for more. 

She and her very own military hero (also known as her husband) live on the beautiful Florida coast with their adorable fur baby (also known as their dog). Paige graduated with a degree in education, but decided to pursue her passion and write books about hunky alpha males and the kickbutt heroines who fall in love with them.

When not working on her latest book, Paige enjoys reading, jogging, P90X, Yoga, Pilates, going to the beach, watching NFL football, watching movies and hanging out with her husband (not necessarily in that order!)

Book Review: Darkness Rising (Darkness Series Book 9) by Katie Reus

Darkness Rising (Darkness Series Book 9)
by Katie Reus
June 4, 2019
251 pages

From USA Today bestselling author Katie Reus comes the final story in the sensual, pulse-pounding Darkness series…

When a bringer of death…

Awakened after millennia, dragon warrior Reaper is ready to fulfill his destiny…until he sees Greer. With one glimpse, everything Reaper has ever known throughout his very long life is irrevocably changed. Greer’s his mate, he feels it in his blood, in his soul—but convincing her is another matter. The dragon clan healer finds him obnoxious and annoying, but he knows a woman’s interest when he smells it. And Greer smells like one word: mine. 

Meets a giver of life…

Greer has spent hundreds of years using her healing abilities for the good of others, making her the polar opposite of Reaper. The ferocious war general may be an ancient, but his arrogance proves he hasn’t spent any of that time learning about women. Greer is displeased when her Alpha sends her to New Orleans with the insufferable warrior—then she sees him in action against a menace threatening to tear the city apart. Fierce, protective, magnificent…mate-worthy. Maybe opposites do attract, but if they want to live long enough to find out, they’ll first have to save the world teetering on the brink of obliteration. 

Length: NOVEL

Author note: This is the final book in the Darkness series and can be read as a stand-alone.

Add DARKNESS RISING to your Goodreads TBR!

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Darkness Rising definitely fits the bill when it comes to an action-packed paranormal romance. If you love dragon shapeshifters and wonder if it’s possible to have them in a modern-day setting, look no further than Katie Reus. She does a wonderful job of making these dragons blend in as much as possible. Until they can’t anymore.

While Darkness Rising is technically the last book in the series, it isn’t the last time readers will see these characters or this world again, and I can’t think of a better way to kick off the next chapter of this paranormal romance saga. Yes, saga. There’s so much that happens in this book that changes things forever for all the characters involved.

Yet for all the action and world-shattering events that happen, Reus doesn’t forget that there’s a romance to develop. I felt that Reaper and Greer had plenty of time to get to know each other and fall in love. At the same time, Reaper had to acclimate to his new and fast-changing surroundings which sometimes lead to some light humor. He IS pretty darn old.

It isn’t necessary to read the series in order to understand it, but because it’s better if you do, I suggest picking up the first book ASAP.

Rating: 4 sheep

Adria Reyes
http://adriasromancereviews.blogspot.com

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Katie Reus is the New York Times, USA Today, and IndieReader bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it. However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. Her book Avenger’s Heat recently won the Georgia RWA Maggie Award for Excellence in the fantasy/paranormal category.

New Release: Darkness Rising (Darkness Series Book 9) by Katie Reus

We are so excited to be bringing you the release of DARKNESS RISING, the final book in New York Times bestselling author Katie Reus's Darkness series. If you love all things paranormal romance, be sure to grab your copy today!

Darkness Rising (Darkness Series Book 9)by Katie Reus

June 4, 2019

251 pages

When a bringer of death…

Awakened after millennia, dragon warrior Reaper is ready to fulfill his destiny…until he sees Greer. With one glimpse, everything Reaper has ever known throughout his very long life is irrevocably changed. Greer’s his mate, he feels it in his blood, in his soul—but convincing her is another matter. The dragon clan healer finds him obnoxious and annoying, but he knows a woman’s interest when he smells it. And Greer smells like one word: mine.

Meets a giver of life…

Greer has spent hundreds of years using her healing abilities for the good of others, making her the polar opposite of Reaper. The ferocious war general may be an ancient, but his arrogance proves he hasn’t spent any of that time learning about women. Greer is displeased when her Alpha sends her to New Orleans with the insufferable warrior—then she sees him in action against a menace threatening to tear the city apart. Fierce, protective, magnificent…mate-worthy. Except he’s hiding something from her. Something dark and devastating that could destroy their newly forged bond. Maybe opposites do attract, but if they want to live long enough to find out, they’ll first have to save the world teetering on the brink of obliteration.

Add DARKNESS RISING to your Goodreads TBR!

Amazon-Apple-Nook-Kobo

 

About the Author:

Website-FB-Twitter

Goodreads-Blog-IG

Katie Reus is the New York Times, USA Today, and IndieReader bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it. However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. Her book Avenger’s Heat recently won the Georgia RWA Maggie Award for Excellence in the fantasy/paranormal category.

Book Review: Marked (Alex Verus 9 Book) by Benedict Jacka

Marked (Alex Verus 9 Book)

by Benedict Jacka

July 3, 2018

320 pages

Publisher: Ace

Mage Alex Verus is hanging on by a thread in the ninth urban fantasy novel from the national bestselling author of Burned.

When Mage Alex Verus ends up with a position on the Light Council, no one is happy, least of all him. But Alex is starting to realize that if he wants to protect his friends, he'll need to become a power player himself. His first order of business is to track down dangerous magical items unleashed into the world by Dark Mages.

But when the Council decides they need his help in negotiating with the perpetrators, Alex will have to use all his cunning and magic to strike a deal--and stop the rising tension between the Council, the Dark Mages, and the adept community from turning into a bloodbath.

*This will be as spoiler free as possible

Marked is the 9th book in the Alex Verus series, and Alex is still going strong. Alex is on the council of Light Mages, and it's still a difficult uphill climb dealing with the light mages, especially after the incident that happened at the end of Bound.

Alex is put in charge of gathering the artifacts that were stolen, and he is learning the old adage of "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" being stuck having to deal with Onyx and still trying to figure out what Drahk is pulling, and why he wanted the artifacts in the first place.

Along with dealing with a very polarized council, Alex is trying to figure out Morden’s game while being locked up.

Alex and Anne are the main focus of this book, along with dealing with the council and the artifacts, Alex is put in a situation where he needs to confront "Evil Anne" and help Anne realize that she needs her dark side to help balance her out, despite Anne locking "Evil Anne" away a long time ago. This is in a world were dark and light mages are both good and evil. The two main protagonists are in a world where their very survival is at stake.

The way this left off, there really needs to be a 10th book.

review: Cursed (Alex Verus #2)
review: Choosen (Alex Verus #4)
review: Hidden (Alex Verus #5)
review: Veiled (Alex Verus #6)
Review: Burned (Alex Verus #7)
Review: Bound (Alex Verus #8)4.5/5

Danielle D

About the Author:
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Benedict Jacka became a writer almost by accident, when at nineteen he sat in his school library and started a story in the back of an exercise book. Since then he's studied philosophy at Cambridge, lived in China, and worked as everything from civil servant to bouncer to teacher before returning to London to take up law.