ReviewsByRita8

IMMORTAL KISS, Book Two of the Immortal Series
by J.K. Coi, 2008
Cover art by S.L. Carpenter
ISBN Trade paperback: 978-1-60202-103-7
ISBN MS Reader (LIT): 978-1-60202-102-0
Other available formats (no ISBNs are assigned):
PDF, PRC & HTML
Linden Bay Romance, LLC
August 2008
290 pages

Maxine's teen years were not the best time of her life. She spent most of them watching her mother, reputedly the town whore, throw up from drinking. She was not well dressed or able to take part in the fun times of teenage girls. No girls to giggle with, no boyfriends, no dates or cheerleading for her.

Things were not all that bright now either. Her best friend, Jackson, was dying and she promised him she would find his brother, if he was still alive. She sets out on a trip to find Baron and bring him back for one last visit with Jackson. But the car breaks down on a lonely road.

For just a moment, she had hope when a man approached her disabled car to offer assistance, but she soon realizes he was not the rescuer she was hoping for. She struggled, but soon found her blood drained to the point of death and forced to drink his blood in turn.

Maxine was then dumped on Baron's doorstep like baggage, as dawn was fast approaching. Could she be cured of this curse and walk in daylight again? Could she achieve her goal of taking a vampire slayer across the country to his dying brother's bedside, or must she forgo her original goal?

This book, very well written, is filled with fast action and deep drama as Maxine struggles to survive. It was a real page turner and I found dawn fast approaching as I read deep into the night. The characters living and undead will tug at your heart. It is part of a series, but stands well alone. I highly recommend this book and give it five bites out of five.

© Reviewed by Rita M., gottawritenetwork.com
November 11, 2008

The Scarlet Spy
By Andrea DaRif
Forever/Hachette Book Group USA
ISBN 978.0.446.61801-2
Cover Illustration by John Paul
Published October 1, 2008
334 pages
$6.99

Andrea does it again in the third, and last, of her Regency trilogy. The setting is the period when Napoleon Bonaparte was rising in power. England and Russia were in an uneasy truce as they both fear the Frenchman and his agents. In this story we follow Sofia, a former street orphan taken into Mrs. Merlin's Academy for select young ladies, where she was raised. She is trained in weapons, strategy, spying and seduction as a secret weapon for England. Merlin's Merlin's are what the members of this select group of spies are called.

Sofia is sent to the drawing rooms of London to try to uncover rumors of government corruption. It is unsure who is involved, or what the purpose and methods are in use, but someone is causing a great deal of trouble and several people have been killed.

In an effort to introduce Sofia into society without calling undue attention to their connection, Lord Lynsey, head of the academy and an important minister in the government recurred Deverill Osborn an influential member of the ton to introduce Sofia into society.

Wit the help of Marco, the assistant riding and fencing master from the academy, Sofia works her way through the ballrooms of London to the Alleys to track down the conspiracy, all the while fighting her attraction to Deverill. Who is what they seem to be in this fast-paced and exciting romantic adventure?

The characters are exciting and the action and adventure come to life in this novel. Suspense with humor and romance to keep you reading eagerly. Sofia and Deverill are a wonderful couple. You will be cheering for them both. I give this book five surprises out of five.

c Reviewed by Rita M., gottawritenetwork.com
December 1, 2008

Sword and Shadow
Copyright © 2006 by Saje Williams
Cover by Anne Cain
ISBN: 1-59998-253-6
Publishing, Ltd.
2932 Ross Clark Circle, #384
Dothan, AL 36301
First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: January 2007
e-book
science fiction
329 pages

The story takes place in the far future, though most of it occurs on a planet with a culture much like Europe's medieval period. There are several groups loosely joined to oversee new planets and keep their progress uncontaminated. They use magic and world gates to travel among the planets, but keep their presence a secret on the worlds they protect.

Raven belongs to such a group. Originally from Earth, he became a vampire in his teen years, freezing his age appearance at that point. He is also a mage and is assigned to a world without vampires or legal magic. All magic on this world is controlled by the church, and anyone not of the church is considered an evil wizard. Therefore, he conceals his abilities. His choice of cover identity is that of a thief taker, a sort of freelance vigilante working with, but not for, the patrol.

Raven had been investigating a new drug appearing on the streets that's killing people. Through his investigation he discovered that many of the guards were wearing and using weapons that should not be on this world. According to regulations, he was required to call in back-up to prevent the expanded use of these illegal weapons.

His call for back-up results in Valerie Winn's arrival. She was followed through the world gate by two strangers. She knew Starhaven had grown recently, but she doubted they were from any group she knew and they weren't from her own group, Tau, nor from Sash, a group where they are garbed in black uniforms with a black and crimson sash as their symbol.

As a member of Sash, Raven was there to prevent foreign magic from contaminating the plant while Tau was interested in preventing the introduction of inappropriate weapons. Raven felt the restrictions were holding down the weak members of the planet and felt balance between the factions were needed, even while helping to enforce the bans. Raven had seen how the corruption of one group was hurting the majority of the planet, and convinced Valerie that they should do something, though bound as they were by regulations, they didn't know what.

Then they heard the tale of a powerful artifact, buried in the frozen land at the bottom of the world. Was this a possibility for them to help the people gain balance without violating their oath to keep foreign technology from the planet? Raven and Valerie set out with some of the natives to seek the illicit arms from the Church and find these artifacts. You will find plenty of action and adventure as they proceed toward their goal, with some exciting twists along the way. Our author takes us on an exciting sleigh ride to a north pole unlike any you have imagined. This is a fun read, not exactly your standard science fiction or your standard fantasy, but an intriguing mixture of both. I would give it four and a half spells out of five.

c Reviewed by Rita M., gottawritenetwork.com
2008

No Escape
By Shannon K. Butcher
Published by Forever
Copyright © 2008 by Shannon K. Butcher
ISBN 97804466511286
Cover Artist: Dale Fiorello
First Printing October 2008
Romantic Suspense
Paperback 412 pages
$6.99

Isabelle Carson was raised in a foster home. Three of her foster brothers and sisters have died recently. She is convinced they have not committed suicide as the police claim. Who can she turn to for help? She fears the killer has her on his list as well as her close friends.

Grant Kent, Delta Force, would rather see Isabelle, she is the heart of memories of being arrested for killing their foster father to defend her, when she was 14. Now she has called him, terrified by the deaths. She is convinced that the killer is somehow already in her life.

Grant is captivated by Isabelle, and cannot resist her pleas for help, though he would rather take her to bed. Suspense and tension builds along with sexual tension.

This book of romantic suspense is a page tuner as you read to discover who the killer is and who lives or dies. The characters are great and you will be on edge for each of them. Ms. Butcher writes clean, clear dialogue and you will find this an excellent read.

I would give it four and a half screams out of five.

c Reviewed by Rita M., gottawritenetwork.com
March 2, 2009

Afraid by Jack Kilborn
Grand Central Publishing
Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Action Thriller
copyright 2009 by Jack Kilborn
Cover art and design by Dale Fiorello
Book design by Giorgetio Bell McRee
ISBN: 978-0-446-55-53593-9
346 pages

Move aside thriller writers, you have a new star in your universe. Jack Kilborn drops the reader from a helicopter with no parachute into pure terror.

As you fall through this page turner each answer takes you deeper. Where? What? When? Who? Why? and How? The thrills never stop and only slow to intensify even more.

The writing is clean and crisp, even as it is blood soaked. The author never hesitates or fails to please. Even after you close the book, impossible until it ends, you still will feel a lingering terror.

If you are a thriller fan you will absolutely love this book. Even if action thrillers are not your cup of tea, you will find yourself caught in this story. I award it 6 screams out of five.

C Rita M, gottawritenetwork.com
May 16, 2009