» Urban Fantasy

Smokinhotbooks Gets Addicted to Downside Ghosts

K.C. — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 05:11:28 +0000

Book # 1 Unholy Ghosts Amazon

Book #2 Unholy Magic Amazon

Genre: Urban Fantasy

It’s not often that you will find me reading a book about a drug- addicted heroine who makes more terrible choices than Lindsey Lohan on a four day coke bender; but at the urging of my blogger friends I decided to stop being such a square and see what all the hoopla was about. As the rehab therapists would say, I had to “trust the process’.

Stacia Kane’s Downside Ghost series is dark, thrilling and gut wrenching. Chess Putnam works as the ‘Churchwich’ for a new order Church that indoctrinates the motto “Facts Are Truth”. They employ debunkers who use magic to rid the world of murderous ghosts. The world is in a post-genocide era, where the dead have risen and attack the living. The government has fallen, and the Church of Truth is now in power …

At first, I was worried that I would have a hard time connecting with Chess. Writing your main heroine as a drug addict whose life is spiraling dangerously out of control is an intricate balance. To create a sort of alternative, anti-hero who still has some redeeming qualities that allow her to appear vulnerable without playing the “Im a victim card” is the make of a truly talented writer. And that is the genius of Kane’s writing. She really makes the reader understand the depth of Chess ability to survive a life that most would turned in the keys and signed off. Abandoned and placed in foster care, her life is filled with one violation of trust after another. You truly understand that to forget the pain of the past, to live a somewhat ‘normal’ life you need something to numb the past. You don’t battle the demons without a few toxic coping mechanisms.

I was so taken with how vibrant and alive Kane has made her characters. Her dark, urban setting was fascinating rather than graphic and I have fallen head over heels with Terrible. (The body-guard/bouncer for Chess drug-dealer of choice, Bump). The intensity of Chess and Terrible’s budding friendship shows that even the most hardened shell can be cracked with just a little kindness, a little compassion. Although, their relationship is tenuous at best, you can’t help but be captivated and root for them.

Unholy Ghosts and Unholy Magic are two of the best books I’ve read of 2010 and 2009. I’m not going to lie, the second book will tear your heart out, you may even find yourself emotionally ‘stress eating’ but so worth it. I promise! This series has grit, angst, violence, and pulls you in with each page – if you haven’t read this series, get thee to a bookstore post haste!

Other Reviews:

Fiction Vixen 5/5 Unholy Magic and Unholy Ghosts

Smexybooks Unholy Magic 5/5

Wicked Lil Pixie 5/5

Kindlelicious 10/10

PS. “Facts are Truths”, my friends

PPS City of Ghosts #3 is coming out next Tuesday (July 27^th) I’m white knuckling until next week…

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Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill Made of Awesome

K.C. — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 03:50:58 +0000

Genre: Urban Fantasy

#3 Chicagoland Vampire Series

355 pages

Amazon/Kindle

Merit, Chicago’s newest vampire, is learning how to play well with others. Other supernaturals, that is. Shapeshifters from across the country are convening in the Windy City, and as a gesture of peace, Master Vampire Ethan Sullivan has offered their leader a very special bodyguard: Merit. Merit is supposed to protect the Alpha, Gabriel Keene—and to spy for the vamps while she’s at it. Oh, and luckily Ethan’s offering some steamy, one-on-one combat training sessions to help her prepare for the mission.

Merit must accept the assignment, even though she knows that she’ll probably regret it. And she’s not wrong. Someone is gunning for Gabriel Keene, and Merit soon finds herself in the line of fire. She’ll need all the help she can get to track down the would-be assassin, but everywhere she turns, there are rising tensions between supernaturals—not least between her and a certain green-eyed, centuries old master vampire.

I heart the Chicagoland vampire series big time. Merit is a kickass sentinel that pretty much makes her own rules and is gaining in strength and power. We begin Twice Bitten at the cusp of a war that could bring down all the vampire houses. Merit is tasked with gaining the trust of the shapeshifters (who calls her Kitten) in hopes that an allegiance can be struck between the two clans that will strengthen the power of Codogan house.

With each new installment of this series I grow to like Merit even more. She’s sassy, independent, and really is her own person. Yeah, Ethan, (her vampire master) is a total hottie who’d like to get the 411 on getting into her pants, but she doesn’t let her attraction to him lesson her own self-worth. I like her attitude of ‘yeah, you want me, but I don’t dance on anyone’s pole just because they want me to’. I think that Neill really pulls this off without making Merit seem caustic or dramatic. She’s charmingly self-assured with a vulnerable side that is a nice juxtaposition against her superhuman warrior strength. Some of the most memorable scenes in the book are her sparing sessions with her uber vampire stud master. My favorite scene has to be when she is sparring with Ethan, while the rest of the Codogan vampires are watching. After overhearing Ethan’s bitchy ex call her ‘common’, she gets right in his face and says ‘I’m just a common solider’ and then proceeds to beat the ever-living crap out of him. I may have held my kindle high in the air are hooted ‘victory is mine’!

Be warned! There is mad, hot, sexytime between Merit and a person that shall not be named. I couldn’t help but be inspired by the Wold Cup and shouted Goooooooooooooooooooooal, when I read this scene. I know, tacky, but if you knew how rarely I use sports-talk you’d been proud.

Overall, this is a great installment in the series and we do get out hearts ripped out and stomped on the ground a bit, but alas, there is light at the end of the road. And more so, for Merit. Damn, tricksy vampires and their tempestuous ways! Will they never learn! Merit is the shiznit, you don’t throw away quality like that! Anywho, I definitely will be staying tuned to see what happens next.

All you need to know is that Twice Bitten is made of awesome, ‘nough said.

PS. For those of you who finished the book…You had me at ” I give you this baseball”. Couldn’t you just die! Sigh, that made me make stink eyes at Mr. Smokin. Where’s my token of appreciation for our love goddamn you?! Ethan gave Merit a baseball from her childhood and for my birthday I got a lapdesk, so I can use my laptop on what is essentially a glorified pillow.

Other books in Chicagoland Vampire Series

Some Girls Bite #1 Amazon | Friday Night Bites #2-Amazon

Other Reviews:

Wicked Lil Pixie 4/5

Smexybooks 4.5/5

Peace Love and Reviews 5/5

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PNR/ Sci-Fi Books That SHOULD Be On Your Radar & Why I’m Cuter Than Amazon

K.C. — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:10:23 +0000

Let me tell ya’ll why I’m better than Amazon’s Recommend Reads. a. I’m totally cuter 2). I have a 6th sense for good smut books and c. I’m awesome! But, enough about me *waves hand dismissively*. Instead of boring ya’ll on long winded (random) reviews I thought I’d take one for the team here and give you a short DL on paranormal/sci-fi books you SHOULD be reading. If you are in the mood for funny then these books are for you. If you are not I recommend reading Keeping Promise Rock by Amy Lane, the lump is still in my throat.( I need a moment, Crick you bastard, why’d you have to go and leave Deacon!) Anywho, here’s are my rec’s.

Touched by An Alien by Gini Koch

Genre: Science Fiction/Romance

Pages:389

Amazon Print

Kindle

I have to thank Tori (Smexybooks sidekick reviewer) for putting this one front and center, on my TBR pile. When she says ‘read’ I submit, show my neck, and read. If you are looking for a funny sci-fi romance Touched by An Alien is not to be missed!

“All the men handsome in this agency? Because if so, trust me, when I say I can recruit all the women you want.” (Kat)

I’m Katherine Katt, k-a-t-t and yes, before you ask the obvious, my parents call me Kitty.”

“Oh, lets call her Miss Kitty, “Martin pleaded.

I wiped the slime on my pen off on his pants. “I’m not gracing that with a response.”

“My god, I think I’m in love,” Martin laughed. But he didn’t take his arm from round my shoulders.

“I’ll bet you say that to every girl who stabs some weirdo with a pen.”

“Only the sexy ones.”

Demon In Me by Michelle Rowen

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Series

Amazon Print

Kindle

I was really surprised by Michelle Rowen’s latest the Demon In Me. I enjoyed her Fanged and Fabulous series as a very light, but somewhat forgettable read. The Demon in Me was a bit darker, edgier, and yes, still had a kick ass sense of humor (can I get a woo and hoo?).

Eden Riley is a psychic that doesn’t really believe in psychics (I know, right?). Fate doesn’t seem to like Eden Riley much these days – she is attacked and almost killed by the serial killer hiding in the closet, she becomes possessed by a demon who was inside the serial killer, oh, and she only has a year to sort this hot mess out otherwise her demon, Mr. Tall Dark and Demonic will suck all her energy and kill her. And she is partnered with a sexy dectective, who is she refers to as Detective Golden Boy, only he can’t stand hack psychics.

This book reminded me a bit of that yummy movie with Katherine Heigel and Gerard Butler, The Ugly Truth. Darrek has agreed to help Eden win over sexy Detective GB (Golden Boy) in exchange she a. doesn’t exorcize him and b. helps him find the black witch that cursed him. Easy peasy right?

My favorite scene has to be when Eden and Detective GB are on their first date and when GB leans in to give Eden a kiss, she finds herself slapping him. Seems that Darrek has become ‘possessive’ and can control Eden’s arms and legs.

If you are looking for a romance that doesn’t necessarily have the normal HEA, but has sexy demons, and great humor, The Demon in Me is a great non-traditional paranormal romance.

Beast Behaving Badly by Shelly Laurenston

Genre: Paranormal Romance

#5 in Pride Series

Kindle

What happens when you combing hokey, a 7 ½ foot tall sexy shifter – part polar bear, part wolf – and a goofy dog named Blayne Thorpe. You get a happy KC of course. You are guaranteed to crack a smile when reading any book written by Shelly Laurenston. And this one is by far her funniest yet.

In this 5^th installment of her Pride series, we meet goofy, wolf-dog, Blayne that is being courted by scary, Pride hokey player Bo Novikov. She might have run screaming in the other direction 7 years ago, but this time Bo finally catches up to her and like it or not, she has a giant lover/bodyguard protecting her from creepy stalkers who want to use her in shifter dogfights.

I giggled, I snorted, and had so many post-it notes my poor book looked like a chia pet. I would recommend buying in ebook because print can be a bit price ($14.99).

What paranormal/sci-fi books are you reading these days?

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Web of Lies Giveaway: Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Jennifer Estep

K.C. — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:09:14 +0000

The lovely Jennifer Estep is playing over here today at Smokinhotbooks. She is nice enough not only to answer my questions but also include a giveaway of her book, Web of Lies (read review here). I can’t tell you how much I heart this series, but enough of about me, lets find out 10 things we don’t know about author Jennifer Estep…

10. When writing my first draft of a book, I have been known to write lines like “And then stuff happens” or “And then something blows up.” That’s why it’s called a (very) rough draft. LOL.

(KC quickly deletes secondary title Top 10 Stuff We Don’t Know About….)

9. I love a good action/adventure/spy/swashbuckling movie. Some of my favorites are Casino Royale, The Princess Bride, and the first Pirates of the Caribbean.

KC: I often quote,”My name is Indigo Montoya” to random people at work functions.

8. I have pretty eclectic taste when it comes to music. Some of my favorite singers/bands include folks like Jimmy Buffett, The Killers, The Pretenders, and Kelly Clarkson. I also love oldies music.

KC: Gasp, I have all these bands on my Ipod!

7. I love, love, love fantasy books/movies/TV shows, but I don’t particularly care for the sci-fi genre. Give me some magic, spells, and swords, and I’m happy. Aliens and spaceships? Not so much. Weird, I know.

KC:(Makes big gaspy noises) How can you not love the movie Aliens Jennifer Estep?!!! Kidding, I sometimes play with my husband’s ring and murmur, “One ring to rule ‘em all.”

6. Random things that I hate: peas, coconut, licorice, and the color yellow.

KC: Currently, all my walls are yellow in my condo,-I too hate yellow but am too lazy to paint. Vicious cycle.

5. Random things that I love: cooking (especially desserts), going to the library/bookstore, sleeping late, and rainy days.

4. When I read, I want to be entertained. That’s why I love reading (and writing) genre fiction so much. Give me romance and fantasy and adventure any day. I read enough literary “classics” in college. LOL. Some of my favorite authors include Robin McKinley, David Eddings, Donald Westlake, Robert Parker, and Linda Lael Miller.

3. I have a weakness for cheese fries, potato chips, and strawberry cheesecake ice cream. They’re my diet kryptonite!

KC: ::whimpers:: Carb addict right here.

2. I’m totally addicted to TV. Some of my favorite shows right now are Chuck, Gossip Girl, How I Met Your Mother, and Burn Notice.

KC: I love me some Jason Segel, I watch How I met Your Mother just so I can stare at him

1. Getting en e-mail from someone who’s read and enjoyed one of my books really does make my day. I save all the positive e-mails/letters that I get.

KC: Thanks, Jennifer Estep for dropping by, answering my questions, and bringing goodies!

Giveaway Open to US Residents Only Ends Wednesday, June 23.

Just Comment on any of Jennifer’s Top 10 Things.

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Review Web of Lies by Jennifer Estep

K.C. — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 05:57:35 +0000

Genre: Urban Fantasy

#2 in the Elemental Assassin

400 Pages

Kindle

Amazon

book received for review

Curiosity is definitely going to get me dead one of these days. Probably real soon.

I’m Gin Blanco.

You might know me as the Spider, the most feared assassin in the South. I’m retired now, but trouble still has a way of finding me. Like the other day when two punks tried to rob my popular barbecue joint, the Pork Pit. Then there was the barrage of gunfire on the restaurant. Only, for once, those kill shots weren’t aimed at me. They were meant for Violet Fox. Ever since I agreed to help Violet and her grandfather protect their property from an evil coalmining tycoon, I’m beginning to wonder if I’m really retired. So is Detective Donovan Caine. The only honest cop in Ashland is having a real hard time reconciling his attraction to me with his Boy Scout mentality. And I can barely keep my hands off his sexy body. What can I say? I’m a Stone elemental with a little Ice magic thrown in, but my heart isn’t made of solid rock. Luckily, Gin Blanco always gets her man . . . dead or alive.

Confession:I started Spider’s Bite a few months ago and for some strange reason, lost my reading mojo. I know, what was I thinking, right? I blame my odd hormones, too much sugar, and not enough espressos (a dangerous combination). When the author contacted me to review Web of Lies, I happily accepted and made sure my blood sugar level was a-okay, restocked my doubleshot espressos and gave hubs the green light to play as much Halo as possible. I started out thinking I’d try to read a couple of chapter by the pool (keep in mind I’m on vacay), and instead I voraciously consumed the book in a 2 day back to back read-a-thon, in which I told my hubs to hike Maui by himself. I needed to finish my new favorite Urban Fantasy series.

I won’t rehash the Spider’s Bite because this review is about Lies…Web of Lies to be precise (sorry I’ve been watching too many late night James Bond marathons on TBS). There are not many sequels I’ve come across that surpass the first book in a series. Web of Lies pulls you in immediately. Gin, a somewhat retired assassin, is going about her daily business at the Pork Pit, [Smokin' Hot Cliff Note: In Spider's Bite Gin's handler was murdered and after seeking revenge, her boss leaves her the Pork Pit] when two punks decide to rob the wrong bbq joint. Gin can’t seem to stay out of retirement these days. She decides to take on a case, pro bono, to help out Violet Fox and her Grandfather from a evil dwarf, who thinks he is a cowboy. And yes, sexy, morally self-righteous, Detective Donovan is working with Gin again.

If you are looking for a romance, forget about it. But in all honestly, and this is coming from an avid romance reader, you will NOT miss it. Gin is such an intriguing character and as a reader, you are easily pulled into her story. I think what I like most about Gin is she accepts herself. Yes she kills people, heck she even has standards, but her blurred morality is what makes her so unique. We also see Finn and the dwarf sisters make an appearance in this book where they all help Gin try and kill the evil stone elemental dwarf.

Finn drove out of the parking lot. He took great care to steer his car around the dwarf’s smashed body.

“You could just run over him. He is already dead, and it’s not like you haven’t done it before”

“This is an Aston Martin, Gin. You don’t run over dead bodies in an Aston Martin.”

Mini Spoiler Alert

My only whaaaaa moment: I was expecting to learn more about Gin’s sister and perhaps Mab’s connection with the death of her family mentioned toward the end in Spider’s Bite. I felt Gin never really understood why Fletcher kept it as secret especially with her younger sister being alive and clues as to who murdered her family. If you were also expecting a resolution with the sexy Detective Donovan, sorry you are not going to get it. I think the author handled it well because of Donovan’s morality issues (remember she killed his partner in the first book) you almost don’t want them together quite yet (because he doesn’t deserve her!), especially towards the end after Gin duels with evil stone elemental dwarf. I like when an author makes me work for the relationship a little makes me appreciate it more once they get together. Plus there may be another guy that captures Gin’s interest.

Web of Lies is a fast read and I mean super fast, I sat down thinking I’d read a few chapters and wala, three hours later I reluctantly needed a potty break (TMI?). If you are looking for a rich, urban fantasy with a kick- ass heroine, Web of Lies is so far my favorite out of this series and has some of the best action scenes I’ve read since the Kate Daniels books.

Rating

I’m very excited for Venom #3 due out in September 2010, woohoo!!!!!

P.S. Does anyone else get really hungry while reading this series?

Other Reviews

Smexybooks 5/ 5

Books and Things 5/5

Spider’s Bite #1 (Amazon) | Author’s Website |

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