Release Day Review: A Wild Light

A Wild Light
Hunter Kiss, Book 3
Author: Marjorie M. Liu
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Ace (7/27, 2010)
Available from Amazon

Summary: For too long Maxine Kiss has felt an inexplicable darkness inside her-a force she channels into hunting the demons bent on destroying the human race. But when she finds herself covered in blood and crouched beside her grandfather’s dead body with no memory of what happened, Maxine begins to fear that the darkness has finally consumed her.

I read my first Hunter Kiss novel several months ago, and loved the dark urban fantasy series. I asked for a review copy of A Wild Light from the publisher in time for the release day today. The author has given the readers a third book that answers questions raised in previous books, but has also given us new mysteries and developments. Maxine continues to discover who she is and what her role is in the world. The series is such a fascinating look at the heroine and what sacrifices are necessary and which ones are only perceived that way. We tend to protect ourselves from pain, and those we love, sometimes pushing them away instead of communicating our feelings and fears. Though Maxine is in a battle against evil, she is also a woman. Some needs can't be ignored, and if they are, a person can't maintain a healthy frame of mind. I think this is a constant struggle for Maxine, as she tries to hang on to her humanity and compassion while fighting evil.

A Wild Light is a dark urban fantasy in a gritty setting with murder and mayhem. The battles are often ugly, and people are not what they seem. I'm reminded of epic fantasy books that raise philosophical dilemmas of right and wrong, while giving us some kick ass fight scenes. The Boys, Maxine's demon sidekicks, provide the reader with humor at unexpected times, and offer touching moments as well. They bring to mind that old adage "Don't judge a book by it's cover" as we find out more about their past and why they are with Maxine. The author has a mean wit that keeps the book from becoming too dark as things spiral out of control.

You could read A Wild Light without reading the series, but I think you would miss so much of the characters' growth and the journey they've been on since the first book, that it wouldn't be near as satisfying.

Fans of Vicki Pettersson, Stacia Kane, Dakota Banks and Rob Thurman will love Marjorie M. Liu without a doubt. The series is one to read over and over as new developments come to light, and the characters get under the reader's skin.

Find out more about the author and her books on her website here.

Release Day Review: Waking the Witch

Waking the Witch
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Pub. Date: July 27, 2010
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Hardcover, 320 pages

Summary: The orphaned daughter of a sorcerer and a half-demon, Savannah is a terrifyingly powerful young witch who has never been able to resist the chance to throw her magical weight around. But at 21 she knows she needs to grow up and prove to her guardians, Paige and Lucas, that she can be a responsible member of their supernatural detective agency. So she jumps at the chance to fly solo, investigating the mysterious deaths of three young women in a nearby factory town as a favour to one of the agency’s associates. At first glance, the murders look garden-variety human, but on closer inspection signs point to otherworldly stakes.

I requested a review copy of Waking the Witch in time for the release because I had heard good things about it, and was fascinated when I heard it was a crossover to Young Adult. I've read one other Kelley Armstrong book, that I bought and I have her first book, Bitten, on my shelf. I mention this because I felt Waking the Witch was a fine choice for a stand alone novel if you haven't read Ms. Armstrong's other books.

Foremost, I would classify Waking the Witch as a solid mystery novel. We have three murders, numerous suspects, small town cops, one big city detective plus our PI and main character Savannah, trying to sort through all of it for truth. The story is a fast paced, action filled read. I finished it in less than 24 hours because I couldn't put it down.

The main character Savannah is smart, independent, caring and she's a smart ass. Who wasn't at 21 years old? I thought her struggle to do what is right vs. her first instincts fascinating. For the romance fans reading this review, there is some sexual tension, as well as a relationship in Savannah's life that will leave readers wanting to know more.

Is Waking the Witch a "crossover" YA novel? Yes, I think you could say that, keeping in mind that the subject matter is for mature teens and there is some rough language. This would be a great book club choice to be read with young women and older women sharing their thoughts. There are instances of infidelity, betrayal, and choices made for the wrong reasons. There are also examples of unconditional love, friendship, loyalty and belief in ourselves. Yet, these lessons come wrapped in a cool, twist filled plot with magic, mayhem and murder.

I recommend Waking the Witch to fans of Claudia Gray, Kat Richardson, Patricia Briggs and Chloe Neill. Today is the release day in the United States, so pick up a copy online or at your local bookstore.

~Moonsanity

Kindle Review: Primal Hunger

Primal Hunger
Pendragon Gargoyles #1
Author: Sydney Somers
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 516 KB
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Available from Amazon

Summary: Kennedy Beaumont loves her bartending job, even if her spirited nature sometimes gets her in trouble. Like threatening to hose down one of Pendragon's co-owners. When it comes to Tristan, she could use a good hosing down herself-maybe it'll help her stop casting him as the star of her wickedest dreams. Since he goes out of his way to avoid her, it ought to be easy to put him out of her head-until he reluctantly offers her a ride home.

Primal Hunger is my first Sydney Somers book, and it won't be my last. I loved this fast paced story from the first page as we meet Kennedy, the main character, as she breaks up a fight in the bar she works at as a bartender. She's tough, smart, witty and passionate, but she's oblivious to the supernatural, even after 6 months working in a bar owned by shapeshifters.

The book takes us into this gritty world of shifters, wraiths and Fae as Kennedy discovers they not only exist, but she's right in the middle of the mayhem. It's an action filled urban fantasy with great characters, steamy sex and fascinating mysteries.

Give me a hot shapeshifter with a sarcastic wit and a protective streak and I'm a happy camper. Primal Hunger made me very happy. I loved the characters, and the action kept the book fast paced and interesting right until the end. It's the first book in a series, and the author introduces the world without giving away too much, nor leaving out essential information. Primal Hunger leaves the reader satisfied, yet excited to read the next story in the series.

You can learn more about the series on the author's website here.

Masked Blog Tour & Contest

Masked
Edited by Lou Anders
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Gallery
Available from Amazon

Summary: Fifteen original stories and novellas from some of today's most exciting voices in comics, science fiction, and fantasy. Each marvelously inventive tale shows us just how far our classic crusaders have evolved—and how the greatest of heroes are, much like ourselves, all too human.

Superman never faltered, he always knew the right thing to do, and in the end he even got the girl. I like Superman. He's a cool guy. I think however, the imperfections of flawed and sometimes tortured heroes are far more interesting. The popularity of movies like Watchmen, Kick Ass and The Losers makes me think there are many of you who feel the same way. Everything is not black and white because life is complex. I was sent a copy of Masked when I asked to participate in the blog tour for it's release this week. I was only familiar with the writing of Marjorie M. Liu, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. The stories in Masked are about flawed heroes who want to do what is right, but find it's not as easy as just putting on the suit.

The stories are all worthy of two or three reads, but I wanted to say a few things about my favorites.

Thug by Gail Simone is about a boy with super strength who's brain is not as strong as his body. It's a compelling, sad and dark story that made me think about much more than superheroes.

Avatar is written by Mike Baron, who raises the question: Why aren't there more good guys willing to go out and clean up the scum of an inner city? We learn about one young man that has a plan that he's worked on for a long time. He knows it will work and we follow him during his first night as an avatar come to life.

Head Cases is written by the husband and wife team of Peter David and Kathleen David. I love this story so much. Quirky superheroes are sitting in a pub trying to figure out their place in life and a few other things. I can't give any more details but it's a must read for those who love dark humor and sarcasm.

Lastly, we have Marjorie M. Liu's contribution Call Her Savage about a superhero called back into duty, faced with those from her past who don't understand why she left in the first place. It's a dark, complex story such as we've come to expect from Ms. Liu. She, as usual, tells a heart wrenching tale through the heroine's eyes. Though it's a short story she manages to get in a couple of twists before the end, which is one thing I always love about Ms. Liu.

Masked is an awesome anthology and fans of movies like Watchmen, Hancock and other darker tales will read it again and again.

THE MASKED CONTEST
It's very cool that I am allowed to give away one copy of Masked. To enter, simply answer my question, and leave an email IF you don't have one attached to a google account.

How do you like your superheroes? Perfect like Superman, or flawed like Wolverine or Hancock? Why?

The contest will run through August 1, 2010 and it's open to the U.S. only.

~Moonsanity

Tour & Contest: Captured by Moonlight

Captured by Moonlight
Author: Nancy Gideon
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Pocket
Available from Amazon

Summary: A mysterious death begins a dangerous chain of events, forcing choices that mean no turning back as Max's past catches up to him. Driven by instincts he can't control, Max fights the need to claim his human mate. How can he protect her when she's not safe with him? She's strong enough to keep his secrets, but can she survive the test of his love?

Captured by Moonlight is the third in a new paranormal romance series by Nancy Gideon. The first two were released earlier in the summer but I'm jumping on her shifter bandwagon for the first time. Sometimes a series, or a stand alone book, will build up to a man and woman becoming a couple. The chase is the basis for the book, and afterwards we only get tidbits of the relationship. No so with Charlotte and Max, the main characters in Captured by Moonlight. They are both independent, stubborn and they share tortured pasts that almost killed them. Charlotte and Max need each other, but it's not an easy road, especially since she is a police detective and he runs a clan of shape shifters. Add in a couple of mysterious deaths and an alpha who can't control his bonding instincts and you've got trouble.

I loved Captured by Moonlight. At first glance you might think it's a steamy paranormal romance, and well, you'd be right. However, the story has an edge to it, a darkness that takes it beyond a romance and brings into play suspense and mystery. To keep it from getting too dark the author has given us characters who banter with the best of them. Sarcastic and witty banter between the two main characters, and many of the side characters, added a cool element to the book. It's a fast paced read that had me staying up until 3:30 a.m. because I had lost track of time while reading.

The author has announced on her website that there will be three more books in the series. I'm so glad her publishers knows a good thing when they see it because the books can only get better with these fascinating and passionate characters.

You can learn more about the author and her books on her website here: http://www.nancygideon.com/moonlight-books.html

THE CAPTURED BY MOONLIGHT CONTEST
The publisher has graciously allowed me to give away one paperback copy of Captured by Moonlight. This is a good one folks, so don't miss out! Simply answer my questions below to enter the giveaway.

Do you like your mysteries and thrillers with a little bit of romance? Or do you like to keep them separate?

The contest will end August 1st, 2010.

~Moonsanity

The Viking Goodness of All Fired Up

All Fired Up
Author: Kristen Painter
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 1011 KB
Print Length: 272 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
This book is available on Amazon.

Summary: Alrik Gunn knows from bitter experience that change isn’t always for the better. From the woman who annihilated his Viking clan to the goddess who tricked him into centuries of slavery, betrayal has dogged his existence. The Goddess of Love is going to let him avenge his family, but for a price. As a Phoenix—a merchant of change—he must grant a human woman three chances to change her life.

When former Irish dancer Calleigh McCarthy tosses a carved-bird statue that belonged to her ex into a roaring bonfire, she unwittingly summons an honest-to-god Phoenix. A sexy, irresistible Viking who offers her an unbelievable bonus—three get-out-of-her-crappy-life-free cards. She’ll take it, even if it means guarding her cautious heart against the dark pain behind Alrik’s eyes.

I bought All Fired Up on a whim because, as many of you know, I've only been reading romance for a couple of years and I have much catching up to do. I'm not a traditional romance reader, having spent years reading Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror. I read the teaser for All Fired Up and decided I needed to read it on my Kindle. It has all the elements I enjoy: magic, humor, a hot Viking warrior and romance. I found myself laughing out loud throughout the entire book, but by the end the author had me in tears.

I loved the mix of characters in All Fired Up. Calleigh's family is Irish, Alrik is a Viking who was living in Ireland, and later we meet other Phoenix males including a Roman, and the god and goddess who control them. The author has a charming style of writing that makes the reader feel as if they know the characters or want to know more about them. We WANT them to be happy and we care about them.

All Fired Up is a fast paced, fun and charming paranormal romance. I have to add that you cannot beat the price on the Kindle edition for a full sized novel. It was well worth the money (under $4.00), and I will be reading Ms. Painters other novels, plus looking for a second Phoenix novel (crossing my fingers and toes that she writes another one!).

~Moonsanity

Kindle Review: To Hunt a Sainte

To Hunt a Sainte
Westlake Enterprises, #1
Author: Marie Harte
Publisher: Samhain
File Size: 702 KB
Available for Kindle

Summary: Telekinetic Alexandra Sainte is through serving time behind a desk at Buchanan Investigations. She’s more than ready to prove she’s capable of fieldwork, if only her uncle will give her the chance. Tired of waiting, she turns a sudden opportunity into something more.

There’s a reason Hunter Greye can’t take his gaze off the sticky-fingered woman he catches ruining his investigation. She fights like a warrior. She bears a striking resemblance to a string of kidnapping victims. And she stirs a wildness within him he thought he’d learned to control a long time ago. She’s a dangerous distraction he can’t afford.

To Hunt a Sainte was a spur of the moment purchase for my Kindle just before my Florida vacation. It's the first Marie Harte book I've read, and I'm sure it won't be my last. The heroine is spunky, passionate, smart and can kick butt with the best of them. Hunter, the other main character, is brooding, mysterious, and protective. Sure, he's stubborn and needs his ass kicked by a woman, but I loved his character.

To Hunt a Sainte is fast paced mystery and a thriller that I read nonstop. It's the first in the series, and I SO wish I could read the second one already. The side characters are just begging for their story to be told, and I can't wait to hear more about Hunter and Alex.

I read this as an e-book on my Kindle, and it's a full length novel. You can read an excerpt at Samhain here, but, so you know, it's cheaper to buy on Amazon for the Kindle version.

~Moonsanity