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2019 Resolution Project: Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels #4) by Ilona Andrews
My 2019 Resolution Project over at my other blog, Speculative Chic, is to read the entire Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews, finishing up with a first read of the final book in the series. I’ve read the fourth book, Magic Bleeds, before, but never officially reviewed it. You can find my full review here. An excerpt: “This…
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Review: “Magic Tests” (Kate Daniels #5.3) by Ilona Andrews
I first read this short story as part of the collection Small Magics. It also appears in the anthology An Apple for the Creature, edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner. My review is below: Because I’m always thrilled to learn more about Kate’s protege, I was delighted to read “Magic Tests” in this collection. Julie…
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Review: Fallow (Whyborne & Griffin #8) by Jordan L. Hawk
Whyborne’s angst starts out deep in this story, but after the revelations of the previous book, he’s certainly got a lot on his mind. Luckily, this book continues the trend of splitting the narration between Whyborne and Griffin. Griffin’s life isn’t exactly cheery at the moment, as he struggles to connect with his dour husband,…
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Review: Magic Dreams (Kate Daniels #4.5) by Ilona Andrews
This fun novella features a new protagonist in the urban fantasy world of Kate Daniels, the weretiger Dali. She is absolutely adorable and I love her. But what I love best about her is that is also a complete badass, even if a different sort from Kate and Andrea Nash (two other POV characters in…
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Review: The Vintner’s Vixen (River Hill #1) by Rebecca Norinne & Jamaila Brinkley
Disclaimer: I am friends with both authors; however, I purchased this ebook for full price. This is a fun new series that brings together two writers whom I greatly enjoy. I’m excited to read more in the town of River Hill, and the story of Angelica and Noah was the perfect way to start. Sparks…
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Cover Reveal! Steel Empires Book 5: Steel Shadows
Today is the official cover reveal for the fifth book in my urban fantasy/alternate history series, Steel Shadows! Isn’t it gorgeous? The official release date is August 8, 2019. About the Book The shadows are talking and they won’t take no for an answer. Victory has returned safely to present-day Limani, sure that nothing so…
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Review: Not Quite Perfect (Rocky Cove #1) by Rebecca Norinne
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; however, I purchased this ebook for full price. On the surface, this plot reads like a wacky soap opera. Melodramatic and completely unrealistic. But Norinne makes it work, and every single character in this story is someone I can imagine meeting in real life. Beyond the primary plot,…
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Review: The Star of Anatolia (The Galipp Files #1) by Jamaila Brinkley
When one reads a fantasy series, one expects the main character to be rather fantastical. But there’s something to be said for viewing the world through the eyes of a more “boring” person, with no magical ability of her own. However, Anastasia Galipp is far from normal. She is a smart, independent young woman making…
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Review: “Into the Darkness” (Taine McKenna Adventures #1.5) by Lee Murray
This short story is not to be missed for any fan of the Taine McKenna adventures. It features everything I love about the series, condensed into an action-packed, bite-size piece. Well, not quite everything. This takes place in a small town in France rather than a New Zealand locale, but I promise everything else is…
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Review: Persepolis Rising (The Expanse #7) by James S.A. Corey
I put off reading this installment of the series for longer than I should have, because my husband mentioned in an offhand comment that a lot of time had passed since the previous book. I didn’t want to read about new characters and new situations. Instead, what I got was a Rocinante crew who are closer…
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Review: “Mr. Gold” by Margot Rose
A fun, quick read. The developing relationship between the characters could have been fraught and over-dramatic, but Rose balances the need for tension in the story with the realities of modern, mature adults. It’s a romance story, so you already know that there’s going to be a happily ever after. My favorite part of this…
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Review: Can’t Escape Love (Reluctant Royals #3.5) by Alyssa Cole
Once again, Cole impresses me with her ability to weave timelines together within different stories. This series interlude fills in some of the gaps of the second Reluctant Royals book, including interactions between the main heroine and her parents. I adore Regina, and I don’t even pity her for not getting to become a “royal”…
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Review: The Contract by Margot Rose
This read was a fun escape. But where I thought I understood what I was getting into, it managed to surprise me at every turn. “Love at first sight” is a romance trope I just can’t get behind, but “insta-lust” can be a LOT of fun when done right. Rose does it right in this…
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Review: The Dragon Mistress: Book 2 (Eburosi Chronicles #9) by R.A. Steffan
I finished the first installment of The Dragon Mistress on a Friday night, right before I was supposed to play video games with my spouse and a friend. Instead, I devoured the next installment in a single evening while they played without me. I regret nothing. The dragons play a larger role in this story, as…
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Con Report: Balticon 53
I had another fantastic weekend at my “local” convention, Balticon, over Memorial Day weekend! This convention was my first time manning a table in the dealer room for the entire event, which was both exhausting and fun, and definitely offered a different perspective on the convention experience. Luckily, I had friend and author Cara McKinnon…
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Review: The Dragon Mistress: Book 1 (Eburosi Chronicles #8) by R.A. Steffan
This amazing series picks up approximately a decade in the future with the story of Frella, the younger sister of one of the heroes of the previous collection. Possibly my favorite thing about Steffan’s writing is their ability to create fully fleshed female narrative characters who each have their own strengths, weaknesses, and personalities. Frella…
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Review: Magic Mourns (Kate Daniels #3.5) by Ilona Andrews
This novella takes place between Magic Strikes and Magic Bleeds in the Kate Daniels universe, but the point-of-view character is Kate’s friend Andrea Nash instead. We’ve already been introduced to Andrea and know secrets about her character from previous books in the series, but this time, she’s the hero of her own adventure. Once again,…
