{Review} Old Dog, New Tricks (Black Dog #4) by Hailey Edwards

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: July 30th, 2015

Finished Date: August 31st, 2015

Publishers: Self Published
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: For Review
Format: eBook

Pages: 250
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

While Thierry is away, the Morrigan will play. Snatching the crown from her daughter-in-law’s head wasn’t the motherly thing to do, but Thierry doesn’t mind trading the throne in Faerie for the ratty couch in her Texas apartment. The old crow is welcome to it. But ruling one world is not enough. The Morrigan wants an all-access pass to the mortal realm too.

An attack on the marshal’s office leaves Thierry shaken…and Shaw missing. Now the fight brewing since Thierry took up the Black Dog’s mantle has landed on her doorstep, and the only way to save the man she loves is to defend the title she never wanted.

 

The Review: Old Dog, New Tricks is the awesome conclusion to the Black Dog series and a series I will remember it for some time.

It has all been leading to this point, Thierry has done everything she can to train for the final showdown with the Morrigan in her year long hiatus as fairie princess but now she must stop the divide from being breached and Morrigan using humans as the ultimate play things. Thierry wants no part of living in Faerie or ruling it, but she will do what she must. Whilst waiting for a decision on when she should go back and what should happen to her, she and her friends are attacked, her soulmate is taken and Thierry begins the race against time to save him and humanity.

I loved this book, it was a very fitting end to the series and I’m quite sad that it ends here. Thierry is a great character, she has always been a bit of a rebel with an attitude and a great sense of humour to match – I think that’s why it was so easy to connect with her. We see her go through many things throughout the series and have watched her grow and mature into the woman she was meant to be, filled with an amazing power. I shipped her and Shaws’ relationship from the beginning, even when he was an ass so it felt natural for him to be the one she would risk it all for because let’s face it – they can’t live without each other….literally. I found it funny that their sexytime was being blocked by the reappearance of Thierry’s father who had serious thoughts on how his daughter should be behaving and how men should act around her, it made for some comic relief. Of course there is the problem that Thierry is married to Rook but you get to see that play out too.

So, there is always a feeling that there is a clock counting down to something throughout the book. Earth bound Fae are taking precautions, preparing for what they see as inevitable. Thierry and her gang are preparing for the final showdown and trying to come up with a plan whilst also seeing to matters of the heart. I enjoyed the preparation they undertook, Macsen (Thierrys father) really put her through her paces and it was tough, but necessary. When they re-enter Faerie, they face more danger than ever, there are a lot of Fae willing to do the Morrigans bidding so expect lots of action. Rook pops into the drama and I have always been left wondering whether to trust him, I was the same through this story but you do get to understand him on some level – even pity him in the end. Of course things will never run smoothly for Thierry and it stands to reason that she is in for the battle of her life…. But don’t forget one thing…. Whilst Theirry has been plotting & planning strategy…. So have her enemies and they have a surprise or two up their sleeves also.

As I said, this was a great conclusion; the series has been exciting, unique and a series that straddled the line between Urban Fantasy and straight out fantasy. I loved both of the worlds Thierry found herself in, the characters and species that filled it, the storyline, drama, action and the romance- I have thoroughly enjoyed this series  and couldn’t recommend it enough.

 

{Review} Lie Down with Dogs: New Adult Urban Fantasy (Black Dog #3) by Hailey Edwards

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

Publishers: Self Published
Genre: NA, Urban Fantasy
Source: For Review
Format: eARC

Pages: 211
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

Black Dog, Book 3

With tentative peace established in Faerie, Thierry returns to her job as a conclave marshal in Texas while the countdown to her coronation begins. But what happens in Faerie doesn't always stay in Faerie. A crown wasn't Theirry's only souvenir from her trip. Her new husband, Rook, is scheming again, and this time his plans are invading her dreams.

When her best friend throws a beachside going away party, Thierry is grateful for the distraction from Rook...and from Shaw. But her presence in Daytona rouses an old evil, one who wants the future queen as the crown jewel of his private collection.

The Review: Lie Down with Dogs is another awesome read in the ‘Black Dog’ series in which we re-join Theirry on her adventures.
The last book proved a real game changer in the series and left me thinking ‘wth’ just happened? Theirry’s life was completely turned around and if you though you knew where the series was headed…. Like me, you would be wrong.
Tee only has a year left on earth before she must take up the role of princess of the Fae, in that year she must not only do her job as a marshal but also learn her duties for the position she will head into. Tee doesn’t want this but with no way out, no loopholes etc. she is stuck and so with that in mind, her best friend decides that a going away vacation is what the girls need, some quality bff time in the sun, sea and sand of Daytona. The trip turns out to be a real eye opener for Tee as her reputation precedes her and more than one supernatural is drawn out to play, with Tee right in their sights.
Not only does she have that on her plate but she has one husband of dubious consent demanding her time in sleep – under the pretence of duty – and an ex who needs her in able to stay alive. Both have secrets, both need her…. But who wants her for the right reasons? As secrets unfold and plans become apparent - Theirry’s about to have her world rocked again.

I really enjoyed this third instalment of the series and the plot definitely thickens. There was a sort of sadness to Theirry this time around as she prepares to move to Fairie which is something she doesn’t want for herself but was cajoled into. She seemed slightly more vulnerable in this which is understandable considering the ordeal she was put through last time. Things are still up in the air with Shaw, I really wish their relationship had not been complicated with a love triangle, their bond was so natural in book one and it all went to crap in book two and she ended up with another man, married in fact and that made me sad. I do like Rook but I feel like Theirry’s feelings toward him are forced and strange, they don’t share the connection that she and Shaw do but I’m happy enough to see it play out.
The storyline was as good a standard as the previous two books and the progression was good also. Everyone thought that Tee had changed allegiances because of her new found status but that wasn’t the case and it caused a little trouble for her, I admired her for her fairness and her need to remain neutral even though it put her at odds with both of her roles. There were a few things going on plot wise that all needed to tie together and I think that was done really well, 3 major threads were; Tee’s problem with an undetectable Fae who was putting her friend in danger; Shaw was on a personal mission to bring peace to his brother and the third is another missing person case that Tee seems to have stumbled into. They will have far reaching effects I believe for the rest of the series but bring with them a lot of questions. There seems to always be a lot of scheming around Tee, a lot of misdirection, manipulation and such and poor Tee always seems to be the one being manipulated – it’s a wonder she trust anyone! So also expect some further revelations about the people in her life that will directly affect her, some good and some not so much. I liked where the story went, it had all of the elements I love in this genre, plenty of action too and there is still plenty of scope to expand. Of course, the ending was left gaping open for the next one and it reeled me in just like the others so I can’t wait for more! 

4.5 Flowers!

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

{Review} Dog with a Bone (Black Dog #1) by Hailey Edwards

Posted by Melanie 
Release Date: October 31st, 2014
Finished Date: February 18th, 2015

Publishers: Self Published 
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: For Review
Format: eBook

Pages: 100

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

Half-bloods with Thierry’s skill set are given two options. They can join the conclave’s marshal program, or they can pack their bags. Turn down the job offer, and you’ve just shredded your residency pass for the mortal realm and booked yourself a one-way ticket to Faerie.

Texas is the only home Thierry has ever known, and she’s not going anywhere. 

Even if it means following in her notorious father’s footsteps as a peacekeeper. 

But pinning on the badge opens her eyes to the fact sometimes fae need protection too, and that sometimes humans are the real monsters.

The Review: Dog with a Bone is the first book in the Black Dog series and what an opener it was !
We meet Thierry Thackerey in the thick of her qualifying exam to become a Marshall, failure is not an option for her considering the program is the only place that offered her sanctuary when her gift manifested. She has been trained by Shaw who is an incubus and let’s just say….. his lure isn’t the only thing that draws Thierry to him. He’s her friend and one of the only ones who’s immune to her gift making him perfect to train her. They share a mutual attraction but nothing can come of it whilst she is still his student but come graduation… he won’t be staying in the friend zone for much longer if Thierry has her way.
After successfully qualifying to become a Marshall, she is partnered with Shaw for a few weeks of on the job training but when they head out to their first assignment…. It turns out to be bigger than any of them ever expected.

I honestly loved this book, I loved everything about it. Thierry was the sort of heroine one could really route for and has all of the traits a good UF leading lady should have – awesome power, kick ass moves, sense of humour and of course a hot sidekick/partner. She is more than capable of doing her new job and you can tell that she is gutsy and willing to take a risk to do what’s right. I liked the love connection with Shaw, her power actually compliments his and they have a very easy going camaraderie going on where they are attune with how the other thinks, making them perfect partners to work together. Not only that but they have a forbidden love thing about them too with Shaw being her trainer and her being the student…. I love this type of love connection and with the way they know each other it just makes sense that they would seek each other for love. They give us a few hot moments throughout the book when they give out a ‘will they, won’t they’ vibe and I’m quite looking forward to seeing their relationship develop.
With this being the first in a series it is very much a getting to know you and your world book but unlike some, it isn’t overloaded with information and the story shines through. The job Thierry is aiming for as Marshall is to police the Fae of the world, humans are still in the dark about it and everyone wants it to stay that way so the Marshalls keep the peace. Thierry is a half breed so has her foot in both worlds and that gives her an edge in her job because she can view things from both points of view but her investigation does make you wonder who the bad guys really are – Fae or Human? I thought the investigative thread of the story was fab! I love anything like that and it is probably why I love UF like I do. This story kept me engrossed in the book, I wanted to know what was going on and the more into the story we got, the more we were introduced to different species and enveloped in the world. The plot definitely kept me on my toes with plenty of action and mystery, leading to secrets being revealed and I was kept guessing right up until the end about what had happened, so when you add to that great pacing, great characters and a sprinkle of love…. I’m well happy. I thought this was a great introduction to the series, it has tons of potential but I want a longer story next time and maybe more of Thierry’s background so that I can really get behind her. 

4.5 flowers! 

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