Demon's Mercy by Rebecca Zanetti

ABOUT THE BOOK

Duty meets desire . . .

Mercy O’Malley hates killing people. So when she’s assigned to take out Vampire-Demon Logan Kyllwood, she lures him to a seedy bar in Scotland, then decides to kidnap him instead. How can she cold-bloodedly end all that heat, those green eyes, that ripped body?

Unfortunately for Mercy, attempted murder and kidnapping are just foreplay for the Kyllwood brothers. Logan may be the youngest of the bunch, but death and violence are already a way of life. Now he’s ready to complete a painful, terrifying ritual to become one of the Seven, dedicated to protecting this world from the most dangerous evil it’s ever known. But first he has to deal with a blackmailing Fey, a ransom demand and his own pounding need for the last female he ever should have fallen for . . . 

“Sizzling sex scenes and a memorable cast.”

—Publishers Weekly on Claimed

“A fast-paced, excitement-filled explosion of action… Zanetti keeps getting better.”

—RT Book Reviews on Marked, 4.5 Stars Top Pick

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REVIEW

What I liked: I enjoy my urban fantasy/paranormal romance with multiple supernatural races. Rather than following one species with a smaller vantage point, I enjoy an open world. Demon's Mercy has various characters trying to accomplish multiple tasks relating to the main couple. Broader conflicts create the desire to revisit the same world over multiple books. I already have plans to backtrack in this series and catch up on what I have missed. 

I am fond of a forbidden love story as it adds additional tension to the pairing. Demon's Mercy does this well. Their situation, romantic and otherwise, immediately drew me in. Dodging hostile attacks while fighting their desire for one another, Logan and Mercy charmed me. 

 What I didn't like: not much. The mythology is such a large part of the series, it is clear right away how comprehensive it is. To a non-series enthusiast, that fact won't matter much. The narrative explains the current goings-on quite well. I never felt confused during Demon's Mercy, only upset I did not find the series sooner. That, however, is easy to remedy. In short, I definitely recommend Demon's Mercy by Rebecca Zanetti. It is a great read.

The Burglar by Thomas Perry

ABOUT THE BOOK

A cunning thief is on the run for her life in a breakneck thriller from the New York Times–bestselling “master of nail-biting suspense” (Los Angeles Times).

Elle Stowell is a young woman with an unconventional profession: burglary. But Elle is no petty thief—with just the right combination of smarts, looks, and skills, she can easily stroll through ritzy Bel Air neighborhoods and pick out the perfect home for plucking the most valuable items. This is how Elle has always gotten by—she is good at it, and she thrives on the thrill. But after stumbling upon a grisly triple homicide while stealing from the home of a wealthy art dealer, Elle discovers that she is no longer the only one sneaking around. Somebody is searching for her.

As Elle realizes that her knowledge of the high-profile murder has made her a target, she races to solve the case before becoming the next casualty, using her breaking-and-entering skills to uncover the truth about exactly who the victims were and why someone might have wanted them dead. With high-stakes action and shocking revelations, The Burglar will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they barrel towards the heart-racing conclusion.

“The fact is, there are probably only half a dozen suspense writers now alive who can be depended upon to deliver high voltage shocks . . . Thomas Perry is one of them.” —Stephen King

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REVIEW

I would like to disclose that I did not finish this novel, the following is my opinion until chapter 16. Grove Atlantic, through NetGalley, gave me a copy of The Burglar by Thomas Perry for my honest opinion. I encourage all readers to draw their own conclusions.

Elle is good at her job as a cat burglar. She does her homework to ensure she does not get caught and no one gets hurt, she gets in and out quickly and is not too greedy. It is interesting to watch her execute plans. A lot of thought is put into the best way to present a successful thief. Elle takes advantage of an empty house and happens upon a crime scene which threatens her anonymity. A trio of naked victims who were in the midst of recording their interlude is dead, and Elle is on film entering the area. She attempts to guarantee she is not implicated in the crime while trying to ensure the police solve the murder.

Elle attempts to investigate the crime herself in case something eventually points to her. As the story moves forward, Elle seems to make little progress. She discovers someone breaks into her apartment, someone is stalking her favorite hang-out spot, she tracks someone following her to what could be a base of operations, but none of them lead to any revelations. 

Instead, she moves to several hotels within the city, changing cars often to throw off any pursuers, this is the majority of what she does, for too long. A Canadian Cowboy, as Elle he calls him, hits on her at one of her hotel stays. Elle fills some inner monologue hinting she shouldn't trust him, then she lets him drive her to the middle of nowhere. When it turns out the cowboy is not what he seems Elle spends several more paragraphs berating herself for trusting him. That is where the book lost me. Maybe it gets better when the loose ends start tying together. Unfortunately, I don't have the patience to find out. Although there were a few interesting occurrences, my particular favorite is when Elle stands up to a threatening jewel fence, her story did not grip me. I wish it did. 

Out of the Dark by Gregg Hurwitz

 ABOUT THE BOOK 

"A shocking stunner in every way. The perfect thriller." —Robert Crais

When darkness closes in—he's your last, best hope. Evan Smoak returns in Gregg Hurwitz’s #1 international bestselling Orphan X series.

Taken from a group home at age twelve, Evan Smoak was raised and trained as part of the Orphan Program, an off-the-books operation designed to create deniable intelligence assets—i.e. assassins. Evan was Orphan X. He broke with the Program, using everything he learned to disappear and reinvent himself as the Nowhere Man, a man who helps the truly desperate when no one else can. But now Evan's past is catching up to him.

Someone at the very highest level of government has been trying to eliminate every trace of the Orphan Program by killing all the remaining Orphans and their trainers. After Evan's mentor and the only father he ever knew was killed, he decided to strike back. His target is the man who started the Program and who is now the most heavily guarded person in the world: the President of the United States.

But President Bennett knows that Orphan X is after him and, using weapons of his own, he's decided to counter-attack. Bennett activates the one man who has the skills and experience to track down and take out Orphan X—the first recruit of the Program, Orphan A.

With Evan devoting all his skills, resources, and intelligence to find a way through the layers of security that surround the President, suddenly he also has to protect himself against the deadliest of opponents. It's Orphan vs. Orphan with the future of the country—even the world—on the line.

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Read An Excerpt

 REVIEW 

Out of the Dark is the latest in the Orphan X series, one that I have come to enjoy considerably. The Orphan series is not exactly a fresh idea: a boy is taken from foster care and trained to become a covert assassin for the government. What keeps me coming back is Evan's personal development as the stories continue. Evan craves emotional bonds with those around him he just doesn't know how to accomplish it. I have grown attached while watching Evan struggle to find meaning in his life. 

As the Nowhere Man, a mantle he takes up after going rogue, Evan has become a type of avenging angel. Whether he is protecting a young man from those who murdered his family, saving an abuse victim and her child from their abuser or going after those who threaten the remaining Orphans, Evan thinks well on his feet and excels at planning. He is formidable when adversarial, using both his brain and his physical training to master any situation. Although some circumstances require a suspension of disbelief, Evan's journey is worth the experience.

Random spoilery thoughts: I appreciated when Evan explained to his foes how he would defeat them, and then did exactly what he described. The boldness of the act was fun to witness.

Mia needs to find a way to deal with the sense Evan works outside of the law, or she needs to stay away from him. It does neither of them any good doing their back and forth.

I am most pleased that in the end, Evan prevailed with his smarts rather than his brute force.

I was granted a copy of this book by St. Martin's Press, through NetGalley, for my honest opinion.  I suggest all readers come to their own conclusions.

Prisoner of Night by J.R. Ward

ABOUT THE BOOK

From #1 New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward comes an unforgettable story of passion and vengeance in the Black Dagger Brotherhood world.

When Ahmare’s brother is abducted, there is nothing she won’t do to get him back safely. She is unprepared, however, for the lengths she will have to go to save his life. Paired with a dangerous but enticing prisoner, she embarks on an odyssey into another world.

Duran, betrayed by his father, imprisoned in a dungeon for decades, has survived only because of his thirst for vengeance. He has been biding his time to escape and is shocked to find an unlikely and temporary freedom in the form of a determined young female.

Battling against deadly forces and facing unforeseen peril, the pair are in a race to save Ahmare’s brother. As time runs out, and the unthinkable looms, even true love may not be enough to carry them through.

Amazon

REVIEW

I am not typically a fan of novellas (although I seem to be reading a lot lately). I do however love J.R. Ward. The Black Dagger Brotherhood world is one of the few vampire book series I can engross myself in. Her voice is unique. The narrative is haunting, beautiful, and dark but often hilarious, hopeful and romantic. This story is just an off-shoot, so none of the Brotherhood makes an appearance, but I was perfectly fine with that. Even though both Ahmare and Duran are largely anti-heroes, I rooted for them in every way. Their reasoning was sound and their connection believable, I could have easily spent an entire novel with them.

1001 Dark Nights Dragon Claimed by Donna Grant

 REVIEW 

Novellas present an opportunity to test a series or author. Reading Dragon Claimed as a stand-alone is possible, there is an explanation for all relevant backstories. I highly recommend the Dragon Kings to those who love paranormal romance and urban fantasy. I have been following this series for awhile, and it is one of my favorites out there.

I'll be honest I usually skip the novellas when I read a series. Romantic couples tend toward love at first sight, which is not my favorite approach. But, my sister advised me it is too far into the subplot arc to skip, which I agree. Cinaed and Gemma's romance was swift, but it did not feel forced. Donna Grant has a great formula when pairing her couples. And Gemma's addition will pay off later when the subplot reaches a climax. 

My favorite part of Dragon Claimed is Gemma perseverance. The trauma she experiences as a child hinders her adult life. She finds the courage to excel at something, while dealing with, at times, overwhelming fear and sorrow. When Cinaed comes to her with a resolution, she overcomes her terror and faces her past. Her courage is admirable. And Cinaed, well the Highland Dragon Kings are always sexy, intriguing, mighty and gallant. No way to go wrong with them.

Purchase your copy now: 

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2SItG54

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2SJ7GXC

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2SNQZdq

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2SBLSNG

Watch the trailer: https://video214.com/play/1YF633MhbdD6Nb33tB42dg/s/dark

BLURB:

New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant brings you another sizzling Dark Kings novella. 

 ABOUT THE BOOK 

Born to rule the skies as a Dragon King with power and magic, Cináed hides his true identity in the mountains of Scotland with the rest of his brethren. But there is no respite for them as they protect the planet and the human occupants from threats. However, a new, more dangerous enemy has targeted the Kings. One that will stop at nothing until dragons are gone forever. But Cináed discovers a woman from a powerful, ancient Druid bloodline who might have a connection to this new foe. 

Solitude is sanctuary for Gemma. Her young life was upended one stormy night when her family disappears, leaving her utterly alone. She learned to depend solely on herself from then on. But no matter where she goes she feels…lost. As if she missed the path she was supposed to take. Everything changes when she backs into the most dangerously seductive man she’s ever laid eyes. Gemma surrenders to the all-consuming attraction and the wild, impossible love that could destroy them both – and finds her path amid magic and dragons. 

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.** 

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41882458-dragon-claimed 

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About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her "totally addictive" and "unique and sensual" stories. Her latest acclaimed series, Dark Kings, features a thrilling combination of dragons, Fae, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her two children and an assortment of animals in Texas. Visit Donna at www.DonnaGrant.com

Website - http://www.donnagrant.com/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDonnaGrant/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dgauthor/ 

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1141209.Donna_Grant 

Bookbub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-grant 

Nevermore Crossbreed 6 by Dannika Dark

ABOUT THE BOOK

Raven Black risks it all for loyalty and love in this stunning continuation in the USA Today bestselling Crossbreed series.

Raven returns to her childhood home to rebuild her severed relationship with her father. After a long year of capturing violent criminals and thwarting assassination plots, she could use a vacation.

But trouble is brewing on the home front. When Raven discovers her father is in financial peril, she’s determined to set things right even if it means sacrificing her heart in the process. Meanwhile, her relationship with Christian is on shaky ground when a skeleton falls out of his closet. Will they be able to leave the past behind, or is the trust between them dead and buried?

When the bonds of love are put to the test, only the courageous will prevail.

AMAZON (US): https://amzn.to/2VRB4ga

APPLE BOOKS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/nevermore/id1436506897…

BARNES & NOBLE: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1130100815…

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/…/e…/nevermore-crossbreed-series-book-6

GOOGLE PLAY: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=IpSDDwAAQBAJ

AUDIBLE: https://www.audible.com/pd/Nevermore-Audiobook/B07MMWS5TR

REVIEW 

The Crossbreed books can be read independently, but I always advocate reading each book in a series. Nevermore is book six, and many of the storylines gain more depth when you experience them all. I love the Keystone group. They are a diverse family of supernatural beings, all trying to overcome painful pasts. This book veers away from the case per week format while the group spends some long needed vacation time.

Since the introduction of Raven's father Crush a few books back, I have been eager to spend some time with him. Raven has been dealing with a great deal of guilt about how she left things with Crush. This book was Raven's second chance to show Crush how much he means to her. They have some poignant moments, ones that honestly brought me to tears. Having lost both of my parents this past decade, I understand Raven's desire to make things right with Crush. When a sudden event takes away the ability to see those you love every day, it magnifies prior interactions. The desire to make sure they know how you feel can be overwhelming. What Raven discovers is that Crush knows. Nothing changed the love he has for her, or his desire to see her safe and happy. It was cathartic for me.

I enjoyed getting to see some of Christian's history in this book. Difficulties from Christian's past feel authentic to my perception of him. Sufficiently putting his issues to rest might prove difficult, but at least they are in the open.

Raven and Christian come a long way by the end of Nevermore. The start of the book finds them at a crossroads in their relationship. It worried me that by the end a decision would not come to pass. But one did. And I am fully satisfied with what occurred. When Niko and Claude acknowledge seeing past the secret Raven and Christian were trying to keep, it cracked me up. Guess they weren't as sneaky as they thought. Which was, in all actuality, apparent before being stated.

The rest of the gang continue to grow. Niko finally realizes the benefit of coming clean about his current predicament with Cyrus. Shephard bonding with Hunter is another moment of deep emotion for me. The two of them went through so much they deserve some peace and comfort. It is nice everyone has begun to see Keystone as a place of safety for them. The secrets they hold are no longer something they have to shoulder all alone.

Some random, spoilery thoughts:
Lenore is not done with Christian, and I think that could be very bad. I am a little scared about what Houdini is going to do next. We have never seen him truly mad before, and I think he is pretty perturbed with Raven. We have not seen the last of Switch, I hope. With his background issues, Keystone could be a good fit for him. Okay, Kira is a mystery that must be solved. Speculating about her is driving me crazy.

I highly recommend any book written by Dannika Dark, but the Crossbreed series is my favorite. They are good for anyone who enjoys Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance novels. Read them all, you will not be disappointed. Then tell your friends to read them too!

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen centers on makeup artist Jessica. She receives word about a well-paid study on ethics and morality and enters the study. Approached a few sessions in about the study moving to a real-world setting, Jessica agrees to participate. She trusts Dr. Shields but soon finds herself in some uncomfortable scenarios.

The book made me sensitive to personal ethics and morality. Becoming so focused on this made me a bit emotional. At one point, Jessica had a moment of realization that brought me to tears.

Subtle nuances would adjust whose point of view I trusted. Just when I figured things out, the reveal of more deceit changed my perception. I spent a good deal of the book trying to anticipate how Jessica would come out of the book unscathed. I never did figure it out beforehand.

When the plot progresses, and Jessica understands the threats surrounding her, it was so tense I never could quite relax while reading. I consider any book that can draw those responses from me well above average.

A strong theme here is how secrets can condemn in the end. By the book's climax, every character pays in some way for the truths they did not share. Although, ironically, a lie helps one of them in the end.

There is a logic behind the character's reactions. However, the worst offender of them didn't receive the right type of justice. A part of me feels sorry for the way things turned out. The manipulation perpetrated by one individual wasn't well punished in my eyes.

An Anonymous Girl is one of the best psychological thrillers I have ever read. Not only does it immerse you in an intense web of manipulation, but it also makes you evaluate on a personal level. St. Martin's Press, through NetGalley, gave me a copy of this book for my honest opinion. I suggest all readers come to their own conclusions.

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