{Review} Dance with the Devil (Soul's Harbor Pride #1) by Angela Dennis

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: September 22nd, 2015
Finished Date: August 31st, 2015

Publishers:  Samhain Publishing
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: For Review
Format: eARC

Pages: 182
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

Born to be enemies. Destined to be lovers.

After killing one of her father’s enforcers, half-blood lion shifter Jillian Winters ran for her life, landing in an upscale bar halfway across the country. Her boss, Carrick—a pure-blood shifter—has no idea his barmaid is a fugitive.

When her father’s recklessness puts the Pride at risk, Jillian must return home and assume his place as Alpha. But not before she indulges in a taste of the attraction that’s been building for years between her and Carrick.

Carrick Granger has had a soft spot for Jillian from the moment she stepped into his bar, soaking wet and afraid of her own shadow. He knows she has secrets. So does he. He’s also the outcast son of an Alpha—and now that his father is dead, he, too, has been summoned home.

Thinking they’ll never see each other again, the simmering heat between them ignites like a match to gunpowder. But then the bullets start flying, forcing them to choose—duty to their Prides, or the one person they can’t live without.

Warning: This book contains deception, lies, betrayal, a sexy lion who is determined to claim his mate, and a mating bond that will change the landscape of the Prides forever.

The Review: Dance with the Devil is the first book in the Soul's Harbor Pride series and I have to say….. I’m impressed!

We start the book with a hook up between Jillian & Carrick, both are hiding the fact that they are shifters and both are unknowingly enemies living away from their prides. To be able to live away from the pride they must accept that if they are summoned back – they go straight back home. Both have been summoned, both assume that it’s because there will be a claiming and they are about to be mated off with someone and it will be totally out of their control……What they don’t know though…. The summoning is about to change both of their lives forever.

I have to say – I loved this book! I loved the premise, I loved the romance, I loved the characters and everything that happened throughout the story, so much so that I devoured it and read it in one sitting.

Both of our main characters were likable and easy to connect with, they had an air of mystery about them from the start – where are they from? Who are they really? How they both not realise each other was a shifter? Why are they being called home? They had undeniable chemistry from the start too, giving plenty of sexytime to the story before the shiz hit the fan.

Now, those questions I asked, are going to be answered - big time! And both of them are in for a shock. I don’t want to spoil any of the story and a lot of the secrecy is about their origins but the storyline is great. There’s trouble at home, the pride will soon be leaderless, there is a governing body that has decreed that certain things need to happen, it’s time for everyone to find a mate or have one found for them and those that hold power will do as they’re told or it will mean a death sentence. Not only that, there are murders to contend with too, someone is killing women and seems to be sending a message to Jillian. She is more than capable of defending herself but what about when the enemy doesn’t play fair? They are all trapped underground for 3 days to claim a mate but it also means that the killer could be down there with them and they’re sitting ducks with no chance of escape.

As I mentioned, I devoured this book and it was such an easy read that delivered all of the elements that kept me turning page after page. I was so engaged in the story, it had it all – mystery, secrets, lies, manipulation, misdirection, plenty of plotting and scheming, danger & violence but also a couple with great chemistry that you could really route for and of course some awesome sexual tension and sexytime to get us hot under the collar. I’ll definitely be looking out for more.

Thank you to Angela Dennis for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

 

{Review} Piercing the Darkness (Shadow Born #2.5) by Angela Dennis

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: April 7th, 2014
Finished Date: March 30th, 2015

Publishers: Samhain Publishing
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Romance
Source: For Review
Format: eBook

Pages: 86

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

Love knows no bounds.

Cursed by the dark mage who killed her, Hilda Janssen has wandered the Earthly plane as a ghost for fifty years, finally finding her place as an IRT hunter, policing supernatural misfits trapped on Earth after a brutal war.

When a demon attacks, putting her team in mortal danger, Hilda sacrifices herself to save her friends. She’s already died once; what difference will doing it again make? But instead of meeting a final death, Hilda is cast into the Void, a magical prison from which there is no escape.

Her only hope is Cade Kerrigan, the lover she left behind after her first death. Their bond and his magic are the only things strong enough to pull her through the Veil. But Cade has no idea his soulmate came back as a ghost, and he isn’t too happy to have been left in the dark.

They must put aside the baggage of the past to save Hilda from a fate worse than death.

Warning: Contains star-crossed lovers destined for a second chance, a whirlwind of powerful magic, and a love so strong it defies even death.

The Review: Piercing the Darkness was a great short story in the Shadow Born series and gives us a greater insight into the life of the resident ghost Hilda.

We met Hilda in the previous two books as the ghost that wanders around the home of the IRT, she has been a ghost for fifty years following being cursed and killed by a dark mage. What we didn’t know was that she left behind her soul mate – Cade Kerrigan – who never moved on from her death. When she agrees to be a sacrifice in order to save everyone from the latest evil, she unexpectedly ends up in the ‘void’ an in between the veil place that has been used as a magical prison – with no way out. The only one who could possibly save her is her long lost love Cade, Cade doesn’t even know that she still exists so we’re left wondering if he will even try to save her…. Can he put aside the past? Will he save her? Or leave her to the energy sucking fiends that will take her every chance they get.

So, I loved this addition to the series and was quite surprised that it was Hilda that got her own story. She wasn’t one of my favourite characters from the series, she has a certain manner where you don’t quite know where she stands but this was a great way to really get to know her and really did make her more likable.

The storyline carried perfectly on from book two and gave us the planning phase where we see Hilda agreeing to sacrifice herself, she had no body with her being a ghost so was given one in order to be sacrificed. We witness the showdown from her point of view and then we find out that she isn’t dead, she was trapped in the Void by the demon with no way out. Brenna & Grey try and try to get her out but it’s not working so Seraph seeks out Cade and we find out that Cade didn’t even know she still existed. I really liked this scenario and I thought the way Cade was brought into the story was so natural and felt right. We got dual point of views which gave a well rounded story and gave us a great insight into how both characters felt and what they were going through. The bond they shared came across really well and you could tell that they both weren’t over each other which showed the soul mate angle to be true. Cade’s true character shone through when he decided to rescue Hilda even though she hadn’t come to him in fifty years and that again showed the strength of his love for her. I was definitely routing for the pair to end up back together but wondered if Hilda would still have her body if she was saved.

The threat came by way of the prisoners of the void, the reason there is no way out… but that’s not all Hilda finds there.

The Eversors are energy sucking fiends and Hilda is ripe to be fed from, what they do is a fate worse than death, a purgatory if you will because they take you to the brink of death, let you heal and do it all over again. She must keep one step ahead but they can sense energy and that makes it difficult to use her powers. There are a lot of close shaves and Cade definitely has a race against time on his hands but the ending is very satisfying and it also looks like Cade will become a regular in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed this and I can’t wait for more. 

Thank you to Angela Dennis for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

{Review} Fading Light (Shadow Born #2) by Angela Dennis

Posted by Donna
Release Date: September 23rd, 2014
Finished Date: August 9th, 2014

Publishers: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: For Review
Format: eARC

Pages: 279

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

"Everyone has a breaking point."

"Shadow Born, Book 2"

Her hundred-year penance lifted, Shadow Bearer Brenna Baudouin returns to the Earthly plane with her partner, Gray Warlow, to keep the peace between humans and supernatural creatures and to prevent another apocalyptic war from happening.

The attraction between them is nearing a critical point, but their checkered history has left Brenna unable to trust either her heart or her instincts.

It s chaotic business as usual until humans begin turning to statues of dust. There is no explanation, no sign of magical foul play or a biological toxin. The humans are convinced it s the work of a deviant supernatural faction, twisting the knife in the already tense relationship between their species. Brenna and Gray agree the deaths have a former comrade-turned-rogue stamped all over them.

In a race against time, they enlist the help of both friend and foe to save the human race and stop the impending civil war. Along the way, they are forced to come to terms with their past and decide, once and for all, whether they will come together or fall apart.

Warning: Contains a heroine who knows her weapons but not her own heart, an outbreak of supernatural proportions, copious bloodletting, and a race to save an endangered species humans. All tied up in a tight bow of sexual tension. "

The Review: Fading Light is the brilliant sequel to Shadows of Fate and second in the Shadow Born series.
After the conclusion of book one we find that some time has passed, Brenna’s punishment has been lifted meaning she and Gray could return to their homeland anytime but because of what has been unleashed on Earth and that the Humans have no chance of fighting the supernatural – they chose to stay and help prevent another war. Brenna is still coming to terms with the revelations that were thrust upon her in the latter part of the last book and it does nothing for her trust issues. When humans start turning into statues of ash at an alarming rate, it’s up to Brenna & Gray to find out what is going on and prevent it from becoming more widespread but they will be blindsided by what they discover and the race is on to protect Earth from a formidable foe hellbent on domination. As they scramble to build a defence, Brenna & Gray will not only put their lives on the line but their hearts.
As I said, this was a brilliant sequel with great progression in both the plot and relationship status.
Relationship wise - Brenna had a lot to take in about who some people really are and that has made her lose her trust in those who deceived her - which included Gray and her boss Seraph – and for someone who is very familiar with betrayal, it’s a trust that she didn’t give freely. I liked the fact that she held back from Gray and didn’t just jump into the relationship because that was how things were, she wanted to see that he meant the things he said, that she could trust him, that he wanted her for the right reasons and not out of obligation. For her it was like starting from scratch, building a newer relationship, developing her feelings and making sure they were right which is admirable of a character in this type of book. Gray frustrated me somewhat with his pressure on her, he needed to be more understanding of who she was now and what had happened in her history that moulded her into that, she had every right to be cautious.
Storyline wise – We are aware of who the bad guy is from book one, he was not beat and he is back stronger than ever with some new friends in tow along with his demon allies. The world is still at risk because he has found a way to hurt the humans again and a possible pandemic is on their hands. He is well aware of Brenna & Gray and what they’re capable of so is a very calculating, playing the game to perfection and seems to have all of the cards in his hand. Our Hero & heroine are in for some major reveals that they will not see coming leading them all to suffer betrayals, loss and many life threatening situations. There is no let up in the action and battles making this another thrilling read that I can’t get enough off, I love the Urban Fantasy genre, especially when it’s as well done and easy to read as this – it’s all action, all of the time, no filler just a great story with a great Hero & heroine at the centre whose romance gives you just enough sweetness to offset the violent world they live in and I’m definitely looking out for more from this author. 

Thank you to Angela Dennis & Samhain Publishing for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

{Review} Shadows of Fate (Shadow Born #1) by Angela Dennis

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: April 8th, 2014
Finished Date: August 7th, 2014

Publishers: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: For Review
Format: eBook

Pages: 305

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

Shadow Born, Book 1

Redemption lies beyond the veil between truth and lies.

After witnessing her husband’s brutal murder, Brenna Baudouin lost control of her Shadow Bearer powers and wreaked havoc on her home world. Her penance: one hundred years policing hordes of supernatural misfits that spilled onto the Earthly plane after a cataclysmic war.

She’s on a routine exorcism run when she learns she’s been assigned a new partner. But there’s something about this Shadow Bearer that sparks her suspicions. Particularly when people closest to her start turning up as piles of ash.

Gray Warlow holds tight to the glamour that allows him to get close to the woman on whom he plans to wreak vengeance for betraying his people. Yet as he skillfully manipulates his way past her distrust, he begins to see her not as the heartless monster he was led to believe, but a strong, vulnerable woman.

As they work to put together the pieces of a killer’s macabre puzzle, an attraction deeper than blood and bone flares between them. And they must reveal their deepest secrets to avoid becoming the final targets,

Product Warnings
A thrill ride of supernatural proportions. Contains violent battle scenes, nail-biting suspense, crazy hot sexual tension, and enough twists and turns to make your head spin.

The Review: Loved, loved, loved this book! It had everything I could wish for in an Urban Fantasy novel and it hit the spot time and time again.
To start we get a kickass female lead with a bad history and a lot of power – nice combo! We meet Brenna Baudouin a Shadow Bearer that has been banished from her home world after she  wiped out an army of men following her husbands’ death at the hands of the very people she should have been able to trust with her life. Not only dealing with that betrayal, she is used as a scapegoat and made to pay penance in the form of policing supernatural criminals on Earth for 100 years. She has lost everything and has nothing left to lose even 90 years down the line.
Enter love interest –Gray Warlow- who Brenna is forced to take on as a partner. Gray is another Shadow Bearer and immediately gets Brenna’s back up because there is no reason for him to be there unless a) he was banished himself or b) he was sent to kill Brenna on behalf of the people who believe she is a traitor and with her penance nearly up, she believes it’s the latter. Gray is keeping secrets, Brenna knows this, he wears an impenetrable glamour that she can’t get around and that does not instil trust between them.
They form a tentative alliance however when a serial killer starts striking a little too close to home for Brenna and her friends start turning up dead. With the mystery of Grey, his powers, his agenda and the fact that he’s the first man Brenna has been attracted to since her husband and the strange happenings surrounding the quest for the killer…… Brenna has more than enough on her hands to keep her busy.
As I said, I loved this book, it was so good. I easily connected to the characters and Brenna was so admirable, here we have a woman who has a horrific history and is still paying the cost of putting her faith in the wrong people, she still mourns her husband but carries on doing her penance. Her powers are awesome, they show just how capable she is and she is more than capable of doing her job so isn’t very happy when a ‘partner’ is forced upon her. Gray was a great character too, I liked what he brought to the story, he was a good love interest and I liked how he challenged Brenna in both work and emotionally. He has a secret and it is awesome!! That’s all I’m saying but I greatly enjoyed reading how that played out throughout the book and couldn’t wait for the reveal and it ties in well with the story so well.
The actual story was great and a lot of it has to do with Brenna’s previous life and it coming back to haunt her. Someone is using demons to possess humans and they notice it’s not just the humans at risk forcing many of the supernaturals to band together to protect their own. I love these set ups where the main character takes the lead in an investigation and we watch her hunt down the perpetrator using clues, forcing information – any means necessary really and when it has a supernatural element….. I’m always interested. There was tons of action as they fight off anything that is thrown at them and a liberal amount of magic being flung around too, giving us a good idea of what the supernatural are capable of. It was such an easy, consuming read that I could not put down, with perfect pacing for me too and I was engrossed from beginning to end. It was an awesome start to the series and I’ll definitely be reading more. 5*s 

Thank you to Angela Dennis & Samhain Publishing for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.