Review: Hearts in Darkness by Keri Arthur @NetGalley @kezarthur

Hearts in Darkness by Keri Arthur

Series: Nikki & Michael #2

Publication date: August 27th, 2013

Pages: 334

Synopsis:

PASSION WITH A BITE

Private Investigator Nikki James has a lot to contend with. her lover, Michael Kelly, walked out without so much as a goodbye, and what seemed like a simple case of stopping a runaway teen brought her face-to-face with another clutch of deadly vampires. But if that seemed bad, it is about to get a lot worse, because when Michael returns, it is not for her, but for the case.

Wealthy men are starting to vanish from a resort in Jackson Hole--which is exactly where Nikki's runaway teen seems to be as well. Something nefarious is going on at the luxury spa, but what? The last thing Michael needs is a confrontation with Nikki--especially when his control over his bloodlust is still so tenuous. But posing as a newlywed couple at the swanky resort may be the best way for both of them to solve their respective cases. This time, Nikki is determined to make Michael see that life apart is worse than death. Yet before she can make him see the light, a specter from Michael's past rises that could destroy any hope she has of a future with him. Because this time the threat isn't physical. It's a matter of the heart.

Includes an excerpt of the next novel in Keri Arthur's Nikki and Michael series, Chasing the Shadows.

Available at:

Review:

I received an e-copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In my review of Dancing with the Devil, the first in the Nikki & Michael series, I mentioned that I was disappointed with the lack of romance. It had felt like they were much more focused on the job and the dangers surrounding them then in the budding feelings between them. Well, where Dancing with the Devil lacked, Hearts in Darkness definitely made up for it.

Hearts in Darkness started with Nikki gritting her teeth and diving into her work despite the mournful feelings she has for Michael leaving her. She is following yet another petulant teenager that has unwittingly stumbled into supernatural trouble. Attempting to save the teenager from an internet date that seems terribly foreboding, Nikki crosses paths with a group of vampires bent on taking the young boy, Matthew, and riding themselves of the burden of Nikki and her boss, Jake. Nikki escapes the clutches of the vampire horde by the skin of her teeth but her colleague is mortally wounded.

Despite Nikki's close connection to Jake, she decides to pursue Matthew and the vampires who had him. This predestined decision causes the planets to align and Nikki to once more cross paths with Michael, the man who owns and, subsequently, broke her heart. This time, Nikki's gumption to not let him leave again, spurs her to seduce, distract, and allure Michael into showing his hand and confessing his feelings for her. All the while, Nikki and Michael are hot on the trail of the fiends who have kidnapped not only Matthew, but many wealthy men for unknown reasons.

I was pleasantly surprised by how spunky Nikki had become. She had completely abandoned all the fear that held her fast during the first book. She decided once and for all that she was not going to be afraid of letting someone in and loving someone else who could ultimately destroy her. I did quirk a brow at how fast she changed from skittish, docile kitten to sexy, seductive vixen. But, really, all I could do was smile and acknowledge that Nikki was going after what she wanted and damned the consequences. You have to admire that.

Michael was as frustrating as usual. He is always so determined to keep Nikki safe despite the fact that even when she's not around him she is having brushes with death. What makes him think that having him around to protect her more efficiently would be wrong? Silly boy, your woman has presented a sound case, stop being so stubborn and embrace the fact that she is with you, whether you want her to be or not!

This book was head-and-tails above the first book, as so many series often are. I liked the introduction of other supernatural creatures that weren't vampires, as well as the romantic back and forth between Nikki and Michael. The sex scenes are still a little short and not as detailed as the scenes in the Riley Jensen series. It is almost as if Arthur is a bit uneasy about getting detailed. No worries, Arthur, I've read 50 Shades of Gray... there is very little that can make me faint of heart after that.

Hearts in Darkness is a book that has a dash of romance, a sprig of fantasy, and a whole lot of action. It is the type of book you will be hard-pressed to put down and will ignite the hunger for more and more of Nikki and Michael.

Review: The Time I Joined the Circus by J.J. Howard @jjhowardbooks

That Time I Joined the Circus by J.J. Howard

Publication date: April 1st, 2013

Pages: 259

Synopsis:

Lexi Ryan just ran away to join the circus, but not on purpose.

A music-obsessed, slightly snarky New York City girl, Lexi is on her own. After making a huge mistake--and facing a terrible tragedy--Lexi has no choice but to track down her long-absent mother. Rumor has it that Lexi's mom is somewhere in Florida with a traveling circus.

When Lexi arrives at her new, three-ring reality, her mom isn't there... but her destiny might be. Surrounded by tigers, elephants, and trapeze artists, Lexi finds some surprising friends and an even more surprising chance at true love. She even lucks into a spot as the circus's fortune teller, reading tarot cards and making predictions.

But then Lexi's ex-best friend from home shows up, and suddenly it's Lexi's own future that's thrown into question.

With humor, wisdom, and a dazzlingly fresh voice, this debut reminds us of the magic of circus tents, city lights, first kisses, and the importance of an excellent playlist.

Available at:

Review:

Ever since I read the book Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, I have been absolutely obsessed with books about the circus. You can imagine my excitement when I discovered this little gem. And I do mean little with it's 259 pages. I think everyone has a soft spot in their hearts when it comes to the circus. Whether it be childhood memories or just the wonder of the lights, sounds, smells, and tastes (good God I want some cotton candy right now!) that surround the imagery that is the circus.

This book is interesting in its execution of telling both critical parts of Lexi's back story and what led her to the circus as well as tying her into what she is doing in present time. In the beginning, I was confused with the jumping around (one chapter the past, the next chapter the present, etc), but I overcame that problem rather quickly. I am still a little foggy, however, on what exactly transpired besides the tragedy, that was so devastating for Lexi. But I made my assumptions and I am sticking with them!

While this book did take place, for the most part, within the confines of a small circus, it did not transport me into this alternative world that circus life is supposed to be. There is a reason for that though. This book is not meant to be something of an insider's look into living with the circus. If it were, it would not be a young adult book. It is a book that focuses on Lexi and all the hardships she must overcome in her life to get where she wants to be in her life.

Lexi is one of those characters that you can't help but like. She is introverted, quiet, and an artist in every sense of the word. However, she is also human. She feels pain, lust, love, and on rare occasions, happiness, just like everyone else. I loved how some of Lexi's personalities traits helped her through her life in the circus. Normally, I take issue with female leads who are overly emotional and constantly throwing themselves into men's arms for comfort, but I didn't have those issues with Lexi. She was hurting in an almost palpable way and I, myself, wanted to just grab her and hug her until she didn't hurt anymore. She's a teenager forced to grow up way too soon, which is always a tragedy in my opinion.

What I didn't care for was so many love interests. Lexi was wounded and took comfort where she could find it. Did she need to have so many guys she was interested in though, even if it were just a late night make out session to settle her nerves? One, perfectly acceptable. Two, ah, the traditional love triangle, also plausible. Three, now you're just getting silly with things.

The Time I Joined the Circus was masterfully written in flashbacks and reality. It integrated, essentially, two story lines into one and made me feel like I was getting to know the characters by watching how their past dictates their present. Howard's debut novel could possibly be termed the "greatest little [book] on earth".

Review: Raziel by Kristina Douglas

 

Raziel by Kristina Douglas

Series: The Fallen #1

Publication date: January 25th, 2011

Pages: 355

Synopsis:

Kristina Douglas's sexy new series introduces a realm of fallen angels and ruthless demons, where an eternal rebellion is brewing... and one unsuspecting woman can change the fate of the Fallen forever. 

She was just an ordinary mortal...

"You're dead" is so not what Allie Watson wants to hear. Unfortunately, it explains a lot. Like the dark, angelically handsome man who ferried her to this strange, hidden land. The last thing she remembers is stepping off a curb in front of a crosstown bus. Now she's surrounded by gorgeous fallen angels with an unsettling taste for blood--and they really don't want her around. Not exactly how she pictured heaven.

... until death catapulted her into a seductive world she never imagined.

Raziel is unsure why he rescued Allie from hellfire against Uriel's orders, but she stirs in him a longing he hasn't felt in centuries. Now the Fallen are bracing for the divine wrath brought by his disobedience, and they blame Allie for the ferocious Nephilim clawing at the kingdom's shrouded gates. Facing impossible odds at every turn, the two must work together to survive. Raziel will do anything to defend his spirited lover against the forces of darkness--because Allie may be the Fallen's only salvation.

Available at:

Review:

It has happened again. And with a book, I picked up at the library simply on cover value alone (I mean, look at that... yum, right?) I had my first book binge in a while. I sat down with the book expecting to read a few chapters and ended up devouring every last detail, word, and imagery painted by the masterful Kristina Douglas in a matter of hours. Why was I so intrigued?

Raziel is unlike many of the angel books out there today, most of which are young adults. This is completely an ADULT read. This story is weaved from biblical studies and turned into this complete fantasy world that doesn't come off too preachy (hard to do with most biblical based books). In Douglas's world, the Fallen are not the demons that most religions deem them as, instead they are merely angels who fell in love with human women and fell from grace because they followed their heart. Instead of heaven being ruled by a mighty but forgiving God, God has handed the reins down to a patsy named Uriel, who has twisted all the lessons and teachings of the mighty ruler into a corruption. Everyone, even those with meager sins, are hell bound for their grievances. The tale as old as time of power corrupting even the seemingly incorruptible.

Enter Allie. Allie an Old Testament murder mystery writer is killed and then sentenced to hell. Raziel is the Fallen angel presented with the task to transport her to her eternal resting place, so to speak. Upon realizing that Allie was to be sent to hell and not heaven, Raziel risks his own life to save her. This is the catalyst that starts the whole downward spiral of the Fallen.

Allie is brought back to the Fallen's compound to await judgment on what to do with her and in her time there she must face the realization that all the things she wrote in her fictional writings was more true than she would have thought. Also, she struggles to fight a confusing and intense connection with the dark and brooding Raziel. In many instances, Raziel was almost too harsh with Allie. Instances where Allie rallied behind anger and stubbornness, I would have curled up in a ball sobbing and asking "why are you being so mean to me?!" I actually found myself crying at certain things Raziel said to Allie in his resistance of her.

The tug-and-pull of their relationship coupled with the impending Nephilim attacks and the evil Uriel biding his time and spinning his wheels to bring an end to the Fallen, Raziel was a whirl wind of action, romance, wit, and even some comedy. It was a surprise to me, how elegantly written it was and how well the biblical facts flowed with the fantasy world. I could not put this book down and I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel even though I have a feeling it will be a love story of a different Fallen (as so many paranormal romance series are) instead of a continuation of Allie and Raziel's complicated relationship. Either way, I have my coffee poured, the pillows of my reading area fluffed, and I am ready to dive into the fantastical world of the Fallen once more!

Review: Dancing with the Devil by Keri Arthur @NetGalley @kezarthur

 

Dancing with the Devil by Keri Arthur

Series: Nikki & Michael #1

Publication date: July 30th, 2013

Pages: 370

Synopsis:

BEYOND THE SHADOWS

Private Investigator Nikki James grew up on the tough streets of Lyndhurst and believes there's nothing left to surprise her. But all the changes the night she follows a rich man's daughter into the shadows and finds herself caught in a war between two very different men. One is a madman, intent on destruction. The other has his own heart of darkness.

For three hundred years, Michael Kelly has existed in life's shadows, gradually learning to control his vampire cravings. He is convinced that no one can breach his formidable barriers--until he meets Nikki. With her powerful psychic abilities, Nikki swiftly invades both his mind and his heart. Nikki knows how dangerous love can be... but if she wants to survive, she must place her trust in this man who could easily destroy her. For only together can they overcome the evil threatening to destroy them both.

Includes an excerpt of the next novel in Keri Arthur's Nikki and Michael series, Hearts in Darkness.

Available at:

Review:

I received an e-copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had read several of Keri Arthur's other book series and this one was nothing like any of them. While her Riley Jensen series was centered around a werewolf and had more risque sex scenes in than actual action, this book, Dancing with the Devil, lacked detailed sex scenes and focused more on the overall action of the characters.

The focus on the story and the supernatual aspects of the story was something of a bittersweet surprise. I was expecting much of the same from the author as seen in previous book series, but instead this one was fraught with danger and the perplexities of the mind. While this both intrigued me and made the book more of a story focused on the complexities of a world filled with unknown paranormal creatures and metaphysical abilities, I did find myself missing the more "hot and heavy" aspects.

Don't misunderstand me. There was a romance in this story. A very good one at that. There was the token instant, confusing connection, followed closely by the dance of insecurities over whether a blooming relationship was wise, and finally the climatic realization of love between the two thoroughly smitten protagonists. However, the reasons for the couple's strife over their budding romance were more deep-seeded and complicated than most paranormal romance literature. Instead of it simply being a question of whether the feelings were true, it was instead painful past events that hindered Nikki and Michael. This was new, unexpected, and a delight to someone who's college major is delving into the inner-workings of the human mind.

Nikki entered the story bent on doing her job and overcoming guilt from her past by doing so. She did not much care how this goal was achieved, even at the risk of her own life. One character in the story claimed Nikki had a "death wish", to which I couldn't agree more. She bumbled along with her heart in the right place as she fought to save the unsaveable and escape the clutches of an evil who has found her to be too intriguing not to claim as his own.

Michael was the white knight of the story several times. Nikki would sacrifice herself or risk it all to do what she believed was right and Michael was forced to keep her from perishing from her reckless antics. Michael has the patience of a saint, to be quite frank. Dark, handsome, self-loathing Michael. Such a perfect protagonist match for wounded daredevil Nikki.

My overall impression of the story was that it was much the same as many paranormal romance books out today. However, Nikki and Michael were a different sort of character type all around. It was refreshing to see protagonists who were not 100% together. They were scarred and they had issues to overcome which left it wide open for the rest of the series to try to mend their battered hearts and bring them together. Not a bad read by any stretch of the imagination.