REVIEW: THE HUNT by CHLOE NEILL

The Hunt

Devil's Isle #3

By Chloe Neill

Releasing September 26th, 2017

Berkley

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From the New York Times bestselling author of the Chicagoland Vampires Novels--the hunter becomes the hunted in a New Orleans devastated by a Paranormal war....

When bounty hunter Liam Quinn discovered that Claire Connolly was a Sensitive and infected with magic, he should have turned her in to be locked up in the prison district known as Devil's Isle. Instead, he helped her learn to control her power and introduced her to an underground group of Paranormals and humans who know the truth about the war and those who fought it. 

Now the weight of Liam's own secrets has forced him into hiding. When a government agent is killed and Claire discovers that Liam is the prime suspect, she races to find him before the government can. But she'll discover proving his innocence is no simple matter. Their enemies are drawing closer, and time is running out....

BUY LINK:  Amazon

In The Hunt (Devil's Isle #3) by Chloe Neill, being apart from Liam Quinn has been hard for Claire Connolly, but she's doing her best to cope with the distance he's put between them since he now has his own secret he needs to keep hidden. But when Liam is accused of murder, Claire will do everything in her power to prove his innocence, no matter how hard it is to work alongside him to do just that. Yet, the more they investigate, the more dangerous things begin to come. Will Claire be able to help Liam prove he's innocent, or will time run out for the pair?

This series just keeps getting better and better, and this third book of Ms. Neill's Devil Isle series is the best yet, and has me looking forward to where this author takes readers next. However, with this book, it takes readers on quite the adventure filled with plenty of suspense and action, as Liam and Claire work to prove his innocence, which isn't easy. Will Liam find out who is setting him up to take the fall for the murder? Will he be able to protect Claire from the danger that seems to be drawing closer and closer? 

As for the way this story started, it definitely had me hooked and as the story progresses, it becomes exciting in terms of the danger and what Claire and Liam have to do to keep themselves safe. However, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Claire in the beginning, as she's lost a lot in her life. Yet, at least she's given a purpose with Liam in big trouble. Moreover, Claire and Liam are brilliant characters and I love how Claire helps him to deal with the incredible but dangerous power he has that could cost him everything. I also liked how resilient and courageous Claire is when it comes to confronting Liam and standing up to him when he was being difficult. Since things between them are rocky with Liam not trusting himself to be around Claire because he believes it's too dangerous for her. Will they ever be able to get back to the way things were? Will Liam trust Claire to be able to take care of herself when she's around him if his power gets out of hand?

Overall, Ms. Neill has delivered an exceptional read in this book where the chemistry between Liam and Claire is still as strong as ever; and the ending had me on the edge-of-my-seat and worried for the main characters. Will they come out on top against the bad guys? I would recommend The Hunt by Chloe Neill, if you enjoy Science Fiction and/or Fantasy books or books by authors Darynda Jones, Nalini Singh, Keri Arthur and Devon Monk. 

REVIEW: GRAVE RANSOM by KALAYNA PRICE

Grave Ransom

Alex Craft #5

By: Kalayna Price

Releasing July 4th, 2017

Berkley

 

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In Grave Ransom (Alex Craft #5) by Kalayna Price, being a grave witch, Alex Craft is used to dealing with the dead. But she finds herself in for another tough case when the dead start walking and committing crimes all over Nekros City. Normally, she likes to fly solo and investigate to her heart's content, but this time everyone is looking out for her, especially when she becomes a target by the bad guy. The question is - can Alex find the culprit before she becomes one of his victims?

I have loved this series right from the very first book, because Alex is such a fascinating heroine and her ability to see the dead, be able to raise their shades as a grave witch and be able to see the soul collectors; collectors that she has interesting names for, such as the gorgeous Death who she's always had an extraordinary friendship with makes this series an absolute pleasure to read. As to do the cases she investigates alongside the local police department and for her business that take readers on a wild ride of deadly situations that make readers unsure whether Alex will win against her opponents and daring rescues that bring back old friends.

The way this story started sets the fast-pace of this story and had me completely enthralled, as there are pros and cons to being a grave witch for Alex such as seeing things other people can't. Will she be able to stop what only she can see? Certainly, I could empathize with her, because she's gone through so much in the previous books and goes through a lot more in this one with loyalties being tested and her becoming a target of the bad guy, but I liked how she handles everything thrown at her with fortitude and valor; a woman determined to make the wrongs of the paranormal world right for everyone else and give loved ones peace when they lose someone important.

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the investigation, but I liked that Alex could still manage to see the good in people and be able to joke with those she's close with, even when she's been used over and over again by those that have an agenda. People such as Briar, an agent with the Magical Crimes Investigation Bureau; and Falin, a Fae assassin that has no choice but to obey the orders handed to him by the Winter Queen. Will Falin ever be able to win back Alex's trust? Moreover, the heroine is strong and brave and I liked how determined she was to see through the case she's working until the very end and doesn't give up until the case is solved, no matter how dangerous things become.

Overall, Ms. Price has penned another incredible read for this series where Alex has strong chemistry with both Falin and Death, which made this reader choose a side of who she hoped would win Alex's heart from book one. Furthermore, the ending had me on the edge-of-my-seat with what happens between Alex and the bad guy, but what happened right at the end left me a tad saddened because it seems the tight bond Alex and Death have has been broken. I would recommend Grave Ransom by Kalayna Price, if you enjoy paranormal romance, urban fantasy or books by authors Ilona Andrews, Karen Chance, Faith Hunter or Keri Arthur.

 

BLURB

In the thrilling fifth book in the USA Today bestselling Alex Craft series, Alex comes face to face with the walking dead.

Grave witch Alex Craft is no stranger to the dead talking. She raises shades, works with ghosts, and is dating Death himself. But the dead walking? That’s not supposed to happen. And yet, reanimated corpses are committing crimes across Nekros City.

Alex’s investigation leads her deep into a web of sinister magic. When Briar Darque of the Magical Crimes Investigation Bureau gets involved, Alex finds herself with an unexpected ally of sorts. But as the dead continue to rise and wreak havoc on the living, can Alex get to the soul of the matter in time?

 

BUY LINK:  Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVIEW: REVENGE by LEXI BLAKE

 

Revenge

Lawless #3

By: Lexi Blake

Releasing June 20th, 2017

Berkley

 

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In Revenge (Lawless #3) by Lexi Blake, Drew Lawless wants Shelby Gates, and he isn't above manipulating her to get what he wants. So when he offers her a contract for her to be able to investigate what happened years ago to his father, she takes it without reading the fine print. But when things become too dangerous in the investigation, will Drew push Shelby away for good; or will she fight for their relationship because they're good together and deserve the happy ever after their relationship was headed towards before the threat became all too real?

 

This was a story that had me continually needing to put the book down for the first half of this story, because I didn't think much of the main characters, but when I got to the end of this story I knew I was going to give it more stars than what I originally thought of giving it. Perhaps I felt this way because I hadn't read the other books of this series, but still, I found this story could be read as a stand-alone since it gave me enough knowledge of the secondary characters and what they'd been through. 

As for the dialogue, I loved everything about the investigation into the past and if Drew and Shelby would be able to find the person they're looking for with their research. The heroine has her own personal reasons for wanting to help, because of what happened to her brother and I liked how thorough she was in getting the information she needed. Interviewing the people she does couldn't have been easy, especially when she discovers information that will devastate the hero. Furthermore, I liked the advice the secondary characters were determined to offer the hero and heroine as they decide whether pursuing their relationship is a good idea or not, especially when Drew is determined to push the heroine away for fear of her losing her life.

Like I said above, I had trouble getting into the characters in the beginning. I felt the heroine gave in a little too easily to the hero when it came to the contract and their bedroom antics, and the way she begged and pleaded I thought was so the opposite to her personality when she seemed so resilient, courageous, independent and not a woman that needed to beg to get what she wanted. However, in saying that, the more this story progressed the more I found she needed to use any tactic necessary to get Drew to listen to her. Especially since there was no reasoning with him when he was doing his best to isolate himself because of the danger they were facing when it became more and more palpable that he had a target on his back.

While the hero, he's socially awkward and extremely protective of his family due to all that they've been through and are still going through. Will he finally get the revenge he wants? He also has some tough challenges to face such as Shelby and whether she'll still accept him once she learns the truth of his deception; whether or not to accept or be able to trust a brother he never knew existed for fear that he could be there to hurt the rest of his family; dealing with the betrayal of someone he loves; and what happens towards the end which may be trouble he might not be able to get out of. Will he come out on top of the challenges he faces and get the happy ever after he deserves? Moreover, I also liked that the rest of his family started to fight back against Drew's protective instincts and were determined to be there for him just as much as he's been there for them. Most especially when circumstances become dangerous for the hero and all he's worked hard for over the years.

Overall, this was an intriguing read that I absolutely enjoyed, especially because of the ending and the edge-of-my-seat moments it gave me because of the danger the hero faced and whether he'd come out on top against the person that murdered his father years ago. Moreover, the chemistry between the hero and heroine was off-the-charts and spilled over onto the pages in scorching sex scenes. Drew certainly knows how to show Shelby a good time. 

Finally, the way this story ended had me cheering for this couple's happy ever after, because they deserved happiness after everything they've been through. I would recommend Revenge by Lexi Blake, if you enjoy contemporary romance with a dose of suspense or books by authors Susan Stoker, Maya Banks, Lynn Raye Harris or Misty Evans.

   

 

BLURB

Passion and danger collide in the latest contemporary romance featuring the Lawless siblings—from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake.

When Drew Lawless discovers a fatal flaw in his plan to avenge his parents’ deaths, he turns to the one woman he'd promised he wouldn't touch. He offers her a deal, one that will bring her into his investigation, his life, and his bed.

Investigative reporter Shelby Gates never dreamed how twisted the case would become—or how fascinated she would be with Drew. Every day they spend together binds them. And every night brings her closer to realizing he might be the man for her.

As Drew's feelings for Shelby grow, so does the danger. From the streets of Dallas to Austin’s high-tech business world, Drew and Shelby play a game begun twenty years before—a game they will win, or die trying.

 

BUY LINK:  Amazon