[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Peculiar Pets of Miss Pleasance

Delilah S. Dawson comes from a long line of Roswell, GA natives. WICKED AS THEY COME is the first in her Blud series for Pocket/S&S, and a creepy paranormal YA, SERVANTS OF THE STORM, will be out with Simon Pulse in 2014. Delilah is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Georgia Romance Writers. She is also an Associate Editor atwww.CoolMomPicks.com andwww.CoolMomTech.com, where she is given the more eccentric and geeky products to cover. Delilah lives with her husband, two small children, and two cats in Atlanta. Find out more atwww.delilahsdawson.com.

The Peculiar Pets of Miss Pleasance, Book #1.6 of the BLUD series

by Delilah S. Dawson

Synopsis:

A lady with a penchant for pets meets a sexy fireman in this magical and saucy steampunk eNovella from the author ofWicked as They Come.

In a world ruled by blood, live pets are rare and kindness rarer still. London pet shop owner Frannie Pleasance has a mysterious way with animals and keeps her charges (and heart) locked in a veritable Eden. She thinks Casper Sterling is just another stray…until she takes in the troublesome lodger (and unwelcome suitor) and becomes the victim of a series of strange and dangerous occurrences.

When an unexplained fire threatens to destroy Frannie's carefully guarded world, firefighter Thom Maccallan is there to extinguish the blaze and help gather the lost creatures. The heat between Frannie and Thom begins to burn, but someone's still after the lady. Could it be Casper himself, or is Frannie’s new lodger just another victim of fate? Will they be able to figure out who's pursuing Frannie—and stop them—before she loses everything?

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Aloha - Michelle L. Olson:

The Peculiar Pets of Miss Pleasance was another great story by Delilah Dawson.

While slightly different from the 'usual' Sang world, it was still chock full of wonderful characters, mystery, and romance.

I'm assuming that even though 'technically' this was Frannie and Thom's story, it will serve as a necessary segue for Wicked As She Wants, Casper's full-length story (Blud book #2), given the focus on Casper's character in this novella.

I'm hoping for, and expecting, a great next book, because there are definitely some secrets to be unveiled where he is concerned, as well as some redeeming to be done!

LITERAL ADDICTION gives The Peculiar Peta of Miss Pleasance 4 Skulls. I'm really looking forward to the upcoming full length novel!

The Peculiar Pets of Miss Pleasance

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Mysterious Madam Morpho

Delilah S. Dawson comes from a long line of Roswell, GA natives. WICKED AS THEY COME is the first in her Blud series for Pocket/S&S, and a creepy paranormal YA, SERVANTS OF THE STORM, will be out with Simon Pulse in 2014. Delilah is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Georgia Romance Writers. She is also an Associate Editor atwww.CoolMomPicks.com andwww.CoolMomTech.com, where she is given the more eccentric and geeky products to cover. Delilah lives with her husband, two small children, and two cats in Atlanta. Find out more atwww.delilahsdawson.com.

The Mysterious Madam Morpho, Book #1.5 of the BLUD series

by Delilah S. Dawson

Synopsis:

Taking place after Wicked as They Come, this original eBook features a mysterious lady and a reclusive mechanical genius who find love and danger in a traveling circus. An elusive woman arrives at Criminy’s doorstep with a steamer trunk, begging for a position in the caravan to perform her unique new act. She opens her trunk to reveal a menagerie of brilliantly colored butterflies. The woman, who calls herself Madam Morpho, is on the run from a dark past in London, where she was forced to leave her equipment behind and abscond with only her tiny performers. Playing a hunch, Criminy hires Madam Morpho on the spot. Taking her down to meet Mr. Murdoch, the reclusive talented engineer who keeps the carnival’s clockworks running, Criminy instructs them to work together to design and build a groundbreaking new circus for the butterflies. Amid the magical ambiance of the circus and the hint of danger from Madam Morpho’s pursuers, she and Mr. Murdoch soon find that their scientific collaboration has produced chemistry of a more romantic kind.

Our review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pak Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:

The Mysterious Madam Morpho takes place after book #1 of the Blud series, but can be read as a stand-alone story. Delilah does a fantastic job of explaining this unique world so that first time readers are able to get a mental picture & then just enjoy the tale...

The story revolves around our leading lady, the very mysterious & guarded Imogen, who has come to ask Criminy if she can join his Clockwork Carnival. Once his wife Tish Sees a glimpse into Imogen's future, she's welcomed into the caravan and sent to work with the hermitic Mr. Murdoch - the brilliant creator of the Carnival's Clockwork creations - to get her act ready. Each with their own datk secrets, they are ultimately forced to deal with some incredibly intense situations and end up developing an amazing bond.

Even as a novella, the story was very well rounded and had a fabulous pace. Sangland is an amazing world, and Delilah delivered a tale so fantastically vivid you feel like you're part of the magic; the characters will ensnare you instantly, and the dialogue will keepsyou wanting more even after the last page is turned.

This was an excellent read and I would definitely recommend it!

LITERAL ADDICTION gives The Mysterious Madam Morpho 5 Skulls. I can't wait for more... :)

The Mysterious Madam Morpho

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Wicked as She Wants

Delilah S. Dawson comes from a long line of Roswell, GA natives. WICKED AS THEY COME is the first in her Blud series for Pocket/S&S, and a creepy paranormal YA, SERVANTS OF THE STORM, will be out with Simon Pulse in 2014. Delilah is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Georgia Romance Writers. She is also an Associate Editor at www.CoolMomPicks.com andwww.CoolMomTech.com, where she is given the more eccentric and geeky products to cover. Delilah lives with her husband, two small children, and two cats in Atlanta. Find out more atwww.delilahsdawson.com.

Wicked as She Wants, Book #2 of the BLUD series

by Delilah S. Dawson

Synopsis:

The second book in the darkly tempting Blud series, featuring a vampire princess who embarks upon a dangerous journey to claim what is rightfully hers.

When Blud princess Ahnastasia wakes up, drained and starving in a suitcase, she’s not sure which calls to her more: the sound of music or the scent of blood. The source of both sensations is a handsome and mysterious man named Casper Sterling. Once the most celebrated musician in London, Sangland, he’s fallen on hard times. Now, much to Ahna’s frustration, the debauched and reckless human is her only ticket back home to the snow-rimmed and magical land of Freesia.

Together with Casper’s prickly charge, a scrappy orphan named Keen, they seek passage to Ahna’s homeland, where a power-hungry sorceress named Ravenna holds the royal family in thrall. Traveling from the back alleys of London to the sparkling minarets of Muscovy, Ahna discovers that Freesia holds new perils and dangerous foes. Back in her country, she is forced to choose between the heart she never knew she had and the land that she was born to rule. But with Casper’s help, Ahna may find a way to have it all….

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
*eARC provided by Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review

I was wondering how I would like this book after seeing a significant range of early read ratings and comments online by Blud fans, wherein there didn't seem to be quite the amount of enthusiasm as there was for earlier installments. I personally thought it was absolutely incredible, and my only guess as to why my opinion differed slightly from other Blud series lovers is that I started the series with book #1.5, not with Book #1, and didn't actually read Criminy's story until after Wicked As She Wants.

With that all said, Delilah's series is unlike anything I've read before and each new story just sucks me in further!

Readers are introduced to Casper Sterling, a.k.a "Maestro", in book #1 of the series when he's involved with Tish (who ultimately becomes Criminy's wife). Casper's story and elaboration of his tortured character are further elaborated in book #1.6, The Peculiar Pets of Miss Pleasance. Finally, the enigma that is the Maestro is unveiled in Wicked as She Wants, and what a tale it is!

Casper has a lot of issues and even more secrets, but at his core he desperately wants to redeem himself, and he's truly a good man. He cares deeply for his charge Keen- a young orphan that he took under his wing, and even though she tried to kill him upon their first meeting, he decides to do everything in his power (and really whatever it takes) to help the Princess Ahnastasia.

Ahna is the Feodor of Freesia, rightful bloodman heir to the throne, and a truly fascinating character. She's haughty, oftentimes nasty, sometimes naive, and surprisingly vulnerable. She has an innate strength & kindness, but her circumstances have never taught her how to properly portray those qualities. She and Casper together learn countless things about themselves and each other and the growth of character is fascinating to read.

Wicked as She Wants was action packed, thrilling, and sexy, and I can't wait for Wicked After Midnight. 5 Skulls!

Wicked as She Wants

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Werewolves be Damned

Stacey Kennedy loves the paranormal genre and loves a series even more! Nothing can hook her more than adventure and one that keeps on going.
Her novels are lighthearted fantasy, heart squeezing, thigh-clenching romance, and even a good chuckle every new and again.
She’s not a planner, she doesn’t write with a set idea because no matter what she plans, the characters’ voices always come through and demand that she listen to them.
Her journey as a writer began when she was a teen and wrote poetry, which still to this day she pulls out for a good laugh. Later, she tried a couple of times to put together a book with no luck until she was exposed to the paranormal world and the ideas came quickly.
She’s a thirty one year old wife, mom, house cleaner, cook, teacher, play-doh extraordinaire, swing pusher, toddler chaster after – who loves outdoors, curling up with the latest flick and if she’s not plugging away at a new novel, she’s not her nose buried deep in a good book.

Werewolves be Damned, Book #1 of the MAGIC & MAYHEM series

by Stacey Kennedy

Synopsis:

Nexi Jones—part witch, part guardian, and wannabe kick-ass warrior—can’t throw a punch or conjure the simplest magic. But that doesn’t stop her from hunting the werewolves who slaughtered her human family. She’ll have her revenge, but only if Kyden, the elite guardian, would get the hell out of her way.

Kyden can’t decide if Nexi wants to get herself killed or if she just has no clue what she’s doing. But her father made it clear: keep Nexi safe…or else. Of course, the more Nexi runs toward revenge, the more she needs Kyden’s aid, and as she grows into her power and confidence, so does his desire to protect her. The only problem? She’d rather he dropped dead.

But when a vampire paints a bull’s-eye on Nexi’s back, she’s hard-pressed to deny Kyden and the help he’s offering. Even if it means getting her revenge will be a little bit harder. At least it will still be as sweet.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
*eARC received from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Werewolves be Damned is another 5 Skull reason why I adore Stacey Kennedy, it was simply fantastic! Truth, Justice, and the Preternatural way...just the way I like it! :)

Kyden is perfect; just the right amount of snark, compassion, alpha-maleness, and naughtiness.

Nexi is a heroine that you can't help but root for. She's strong, independent, talented, and confident, and comes to life on the page.

Together they make an uber sexy power couple and I simply adore them.

Add this amazing leading duo to a world that flows like the best champagne, and a mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat with every action packed moment, and you have this brand new Stacey Kennedy masterpiece.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Werewolves be Damned 5 Skulls and highly recommends it!!

Werewolves be Damned

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Mist Torn Witches

Barb Hendee lives in a quirky small town just south of Portland, Oregon. 

She is the author of the Vampire Memories series and the upcoming Mist Torn Witches series, as well as the Noble Dead Saga which she writes with her husband J.C.

J.C. and Barb share a home office with their desks pushed up against one another.

They garden year-round and grow a good deal of their own food.

They also seem to spend a good deal of time researching myths and folklore about vampires.

The Mist Torn Witches, Book #1 of THE MIST TORN WITCHES series

by Barb Hendee

Synopsis:

National bestselling author Barb Hendee presents a dark, fascinating new series set in the world of the Noble Dead Saga... the story of two sisters who will discover they have far more power than they ever envisioned...

In a small village in the nation of Droevinka, orphaned sisters Céline and Amelie Fawe scrape out a living selling herbal medicines in their apothecary shop. Céline earns additional money by posing as a seer and pretending to read people’s futures.

But they exist in a land of great noble houses, all vying for power, and when the sisters refuse the orders of a warlord prince, they must flee and are forced to depend on the warlord prince’s brother, Anton, for a temporary haven.

A series of bizarre deaths of pretty young girls are plaguing the village surrounding Prince Anton’s castle. He offers Céline and Amelie permanent protection if they can use their "skills" to find the killer.

With little choice, the sisters enter a world unknown to them — of fine gowns and banquets and advances from powerful men. Their survival depends on catching a murderer who appears to walk through walls and vanish without a trace — and the danger around them seems to grow with each passing night.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
*ARC provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review

Let me just start out by saying that the writing of Barb Hendee never fails to amaze me...

Mist Torn Witches combines the same type of incredibly vivid characters and heart that I've come to know and love from Barb's Vampire Memories series, with the superb fantastical world, danger & action that I seek out & devour in Barb & JC's Noble Dead Saga. The combination in this series debut was an utterly compelling & captivating new Fantasy with characters I can't wait to follow for a good long time, & an intriguing & mysterious world I will happily get lost in again & again!

Our leading ladies, Celine and Amelie, are exactly what I love in my heroines - they're independent, strong, perfectly flawed, and despite the fantasy, undeniably 'real' and relatable. Following their journey as they each followed their head and/or their heart, as they made mistakes and learned from them, as they loved and lost and grew as people was wonderful. You couldn't help but feel what they felt and root for them at each turn.

The story was steadily engaging with the perfect arc and never a lag. It had just the right amount of twists and turns, a wonderful number of surprises, and plenty of action. And while it is a fantasy series, there was no cliffhanger. It wrapped up nicely, but left a world of possibilities for the next books; exactly what a good serial debut should do!

LITERAL ADDICTION gives The Mist Torn Witches 5 Skulls. I am so happy to have another Hendee obsession to follow. :)

The Mist Torn Witches

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Eternally Devoted

Stacey Kennedy loves the paranormal genre and loves a series even more! Nothing can hook her more than adventure and one that keeps on going.
Her novels are lighthearted fantasy, heart squeezing, thigh-clenching romance, and even a good chuckle every new and again.
She’s not a planner, she doesn’t write with a set idea because no matter what she plans, the characters’ voices always come through and demand that she listen to them.
Her journey as a writer began when she was a teen and wrote poetry, which still to this day she pulls out for a good laugh. Later, she tried a couple of times to put together a book with no luck until she was exposed to the paranormal world and the ideas came quickly.
She’s a thirty one year old wife, mom, house cleaner, cook, teacher, play-doh extraordinaire, swing pusher, toddler chaster after – who loves outdoors, curling up with the latest flick and if she’s not plugging away at a new novel, she’s not her nose buried deep in a good book.

Eternally Devoted, Book #4 of the FROSTBITE series

by Stacey Kennedy

Synopsis:

Tess Jennings, who has been gifted with the ability to see ghosts, struggles to help the Grand Master of the Animus, Alexander, cross over. She might even have discovered who murdered him, but she has no way to prove it.

Adding to her pile of failures, Tess must accept a harsh reality—she has officially run out of time. The closer she gets to an answer to save her ghost lover, Kipp McGowen, the more she’s realizing she’s been searching for an answer she didn’t want to find.

Tess will have to make difficult choices, and her decisions will lead to consequences she cannot predict. Will Kipp finally take a living breath again, or will Tess take her last and join him in the Netherworld forever?

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:

if you've followed my reviews for the previous installments of the series you know I'm a huge fan...

Stacey has somehow created this amazing mixed-genre series that 's not just a paranormal romance or urban fantasy, it's not just a romantic suspense, it's not just a mystery romance or a ghost story.... it's all of the above and then some,, and each and every book will leave you wanting more.

Eternally Devoted was the perfect end to this incredible saga, and while I am desperately going to miss the series, having had 4 books to laugh and cry with these amazing characters, gasp and get anxious at the incredible intrigue, be surprised continuously by the brilliant mystery, and get goosebumps over the wonderful romance has been an honor.

Every book of the series has been compelling, but there was something about this book that spoke to me; it was almost as if I could FEEL the heart ad soul that Stacey poured into it. It was obviously a labor of love, and I am thrilled that she shared it with us!

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Eternally Devoted 5 Skulls and highly recommends this series to anyone and everyone.

Eternally Devoted

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Lost

Vicki Pettersson is the New York Times bestselling author of the completed six-book 'Signs of the Zodiac' series, which features reluctant superhero, Joanna Archer, and are set in her hometown of Las Vegas.

Her latest novel is THE LOST, the second of three paranormal mysteries which pair a P.I/angel from the 50's with a modern-day rockabilly reporter. Together, they fight crime.

Though she'll always consider Sin City her home, she now divides her time between Vegas and Dallas, where she's learning to like good Tex-Mex (easy) and the Dallas Cowboys (easier than you'd think).

The Lost (Celestial Blues – Book Two)
by Vicki Pettersson

Synopsis:

Griffin Shaw and his wife were both murdered fifty years ago. Now a minor angel, Grif’s been granted permission to solve the mystery of his own death . . . if he helps the Pure angels guide those souls who might otherwise be Lost.

Souls like Jeap Yang, a drug addict in his final moments of life. Grif knows that death is coming, but he cannot intervene. However, Grif’s mortal lover, reporter Katherine “Kit” Craig, isn’t constrained by angelic protocol. If she can stop a death, she will.

But as Kit is about to find out, there are things more traumatic and evil than murder. A strange new drug is literally eating tweakers’ flesh from their bones, and Kit’s crusade to get it off the streets is set to propel her and Grif into a battle with a vicious drug cartel. They’ll have to scramble to stay alive, stay together, and choose their own fate . . . before it’s chosen for them.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:

*eARC received from Edelweiss

Like its predecessor, The Taken, The Lost is a highly emotional, deep, mysterious and entertaining urban fantasy read.

Again, Vicki makes a clear underlying statement with The Lost. The Taken taught us that life is worth living and should be enjoyed one day at a time never fearing death, and The Lost explores the very human weaknesses that we all suffer from - jealousy, insecurity, doubt, etc - by bringing them to light and working through them via the characters. Seeing the struggle and resolution through the leading couple made me as a reader believe that despite what it feels like some days, all things are possible and love can conquer all with some determination, hope and faith.

The Lost explores a brand new mystery base - this time a turf war between rival drug cartels, and a new street drug that is simply sickening. It's thrilling, surprising in many places, and you can't help but root for the good guys and sneer wickedly at the villains throughout the tale.

We also got get to meet more of the supporting cast in The Lost and get introduced to some wonderful new destinations within the CELESTIAL BLUES universe. We're introduced to a very intriguing `big bad' in Scratch, see the Eternal Forest, and learn more about The Fallen as well. In addition, we learn more about Grif's situation and get some more bits and pieces in the mystery of "Who Killed Griffin Shaw?", plus we find out additional information regarding Kit's past and her mysteries.

The arc of this series is progressing quickly, but it's to be expected with a planned trilogy. I can't wait to see how things play out with the investigation into Grif and Evie's 50 year old murder and Kit's need to know what happened with the murder of her father. I also can't wait to continue the journey with Kit and Grif as they grow as individuals and deal with the things that are determined to tear them apart while learning more and more about just why they love each other.

CELESTIAL BLUES is a unique and fascinating series and I feel that romantic suspense, mystery romance, paranormal romance and urban fantasy readers while like it. I do, however, suggest that you read the series in order and not try to read The Lost as a standalone novel.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives The Lost 4 Skulls and I can't wait for the thrilling conclusion to the CELESTIAL BLUES series. Thank you Vicki for giving me something thrilling and unique to sink my sometimes bored reading teeth into. :)

The Lost