.Review: In A Fix by Linda Grimes

In a Fix (In a Fix #1)

by: Linda Grimes

Paperback, 336 pages /Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Published: September 4th 2012 by Tor Books

ISBN: 0765331802 (ISBN13: 9780765331809)

*ARC Review copy: Via Netgalley from Tor Pub. Thank you, Tor!



The start of an original new urban fantasy series starring human chameleon Ciel Halligan




Snagging a marriage proposal for her client while on an all-expenses-paid vacation should be a simple job for Ciel Halligan, aura adaptor extraordinaire. A kind of human chameleon, she’s able to take on her clients’ appearances and slip seamlessly into their lives, solving any sticky problems they don’t want to deal with themselves. No fuss, no muss. Big paycheck.



This particular assignment is pretty enjoyable... that is, until Ciel’s island resort bungalow is blown to smithereens and her client’s about-to-be-fiancé is snatched by modern-day Vikings. For some reason, Ciel begins to suspect that getting the ring is going to be a tad more difficult than originally anticipated.



Going from romance to rescue requires some serious gear-shifting, as well as a little backup. Her best friend, Billy, and Mark, the CIA agent she’s been crushing on for years—both skilled adaptors—step in to help, but their priority is, annoyingly, keeping her safe. Before long, Ciel is dedicating more energy to escaping their watchful eyes than she is to saving her client’s intended.



Suddenly, facing down a horde of Vikings feels like the least of her problems from romance to rescue requires some serious gear-shifting, as well as a little backup. Her best friend, Billy, and Mark, the CIA agent she’s been crushing on for years—both skilled adaptors—step in to help, but their priority is, annoyingly, keeping her safe. Before long, Ciel is dedicating more energy to escaping their watchful eyes than she is to saving her client’s intended.









Next in series is Quick Fix (In A Fix #2)  -Expected publication: 2013 by Tor Books

In A Fix is an Urban Fantasy, with humor, action, and engaging characters, by debut author Linda Grimes.




Ciel Halligan is an aura adapter. She can jump into someones body and basically become them. Assuming the persons identity is her job. People hire her, why? you ask, well, have you ever felt like you couldn't do something or handle a problem in life? I'm sure you have, ever wish you didn't have to do it? That's where Ciel comes in, she assumes the persons identity and accomplishes the feat.

In this latest job, Ciel has to assume the idenity of a woman who wants to find out if her boyfriend is ready to propose-he's hot and wealthy-and the job seems fairly easy, but things are never easy and when things take a turn for the worst, Ciel tries to become the heroine, but not without the help of two concerned men in her life.

There is Billy, her best friend. They both have great bantor together and there is some sexual tension between the two, although, most of it is harmless flirting. He makes Ciel laugh and is quick to take her side and understands, that Ciel would love to "spread her wings" and accomplish missions without having protection from him or Mark.

Then there is Mark. He's a professional. He comes across as strong, in a Marine like fashion, always looking out for his best friend's sister, Ciel, he tends to treat her like a kid, and protects her from danger. But, Ciel wants to spread her wings and take on the dangers-head first- and wants to be included in missions, so there is a slight tension between these two, because of that. There is also alot of sexual tension, on Ciel's part for Mark. She crushes on him, and has been crushing on him for a long time.
There is a slight love triangle between these three, but it doesn't seem to be a brooding one.


I really enjoyed In A Fix, I enjoyed the action, humor, and bantor, between the three main characters. Although, I can say I wasn't a fan of the way the whole plot was thrown at you all at once. I think I would of enjoyed a little more back story, but the action toward the end of this book was enjoyable as Ciel, finally seems to show she can "hang" with the big boys, and maybe she's just not the little sister to Mark's best friend, maybe she can and will be someone Mark can finally show his true feelings too, because deep down inside you know he cares for her, and has feelings for her.

4/5 Stars

Review: Wicked As They Come by Delilah S. Dawson



Wicked as They Come



Author:  Delilah S. Dawson
Series:  Blud
Format:  Mass Market Paperback, 395 pages w/excerpt
Publisher:  Pocket Books (March 27, 2012)
Price:  $7.99
Language:  English
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Steampunk, Fantasy
ISBN:  9781451657883
Review Copy: ARC provided by publisher

Have you ever heard of a Bludman? They’re rather like you and me—only more fabulous, immortal, and mostly indestructible. (They’re also very good kissers.)

Delilah S. Dawson’s darkly tempting debut drops her unsuspecting heroine into a strange faraway land for a romantic adventure that’s part paranormal, part steampunk . . . and completely irresistible.

When Tish Everett forces open the ruby locket she finds at an estate sale, she has no idea that a deliciously rakish Bludman has cast a spell just for her. She wakes up in a surreal world, where Criminy Stain, the dashing proprietor of a magical traveling circus, curiously awaits. At Criminy’s electric touch, Tish glimpses a tantalizing future, but she also foresees her ultimate doom. Before she can decide whether to risk her fate with the charming daredevil, the locket disappears, and with it, her only chance to return home. Tish and Criminy battle roaring sea monsters and thundering bludmares, vengeful ghosts and crooked Coppers in a treacherous race to recover the necklace from the evil Blud-hating Magistrate. But if they succeed, will Tish forsake her fanged suitor and return to her normal life, or will she take a chance on an unpredictable but dangerous destiny with the Bludman she’s coming to love?

                                                                                                                                   

Review~ Wonderfully crafted world of steampunk, paranormal romance, and adventure.

First, I'm going to share my favorite quote from this book with you.

"I would burn down the world for you", he whispered fiercly.

"Your world or my own. I would rip down this entire city with my bare hands without a second thought. I don't need to taste anything else, I don't need a comparison"...

Good huh?

Loved that quote and I really loved this different take, in the paranormal romance genre.

This book had a Alice In Wonderland feel to it, as far as the author's ability to transport you into another world full of strange, unique, magical, creatures.

Our main character, Tish finds a locket in an estate sale and is quickly drawn into the man's picture inside this locket. After falling asleep with the locket around her neck, she falls into a deep dream, or so she thought. Instead, she is transported into a world filled with magical, dangerous creatures, and comes face to face with the man in her locket.

Criminy Stain, magician, bludman,  rescues her right from the start and tells her she is his, his love from the magical locket.
Of course, Tish finds this all to hard to believe, but excepts what is going on only because she figures she can wake up anytime she wants from this strange dream, but can she?
As the story unfolds we learn there is more to this locket, and to the characters in the different dimension, that is called Sang, and how it ties into Tish's everyday life.
Criminy's love for Tish is not reciprocated, but Criminy is self assured and knows that what has happened is meant to be. Tish has a hard time with relationships in general after being in a bad relationship, she is insecure at first, but slowly learns she is much stronger than she anticipated. 
When the locket is stolen the adventure begins to retrieve it, before Tish's former life is gone forever...



You will be transported into a wonderfully crafted "other" dimension within the pages of this book, filled with magical creatures, adventure, mystery, and romance. A paranormal romance like no other, that will have you falling in love with Criminy and his wickedly delicious aura.


Delilah S. Dawson's debut novel is well written, with a fantastic storyline, that will have you drawn into her magical world within the first few pages.
Miss Dawson has an ability to draw expansive images in your mind and will have you enjoying the world and creatures she has created.
Must read 2012.
I am looking forward to her second book "Wicked As She Wants" in the Blud series. Coming in 2013. 

                                                                         

 I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review. In no way has this influenced my decision for rating this book.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

FIRELIGHT/ KRISTEN CALLIHAN/ MY REVIEW

                                                                              

 London, 1881
Once the flames are ignited...
.





Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity...

  
Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.~goodreads

                                                                                                                   

My Review~
*Page-turning, mysterious, intriguing, new debut author, must read 2012

Kristen Callihan's debut, Firelight, had me enthralled from the start.

Miranda Ellis is a young woman, with a unique quality, she can provoke and control fire at her will.  Not many know, of her power as she has tried to learn to control and conceal it. But, when needed it proves to be a deadly force, and has ruined her family's fortune. Her father thinks it's time for her to marry and a suitor has called for her.
Lord Benjamin Archer, a mysterious, man of wealth, who is feared amongst  people due to his face, that he hides behind a mask. He is also dangerous and stealthy.


With Lord Archers face comes many secrets that are slowly unfolded throughout the story. As Lord Archer tries his best to conceal himself from Miranda, his new bride, she inturn tries her best to unveil his deep, dark, secret, and goes to great lengths to finally uncover the face behind the mask. Of course finding out the truth does not come without peril, as danger and mystery hides behind every shadow and person Miranda meets. As Miranda tries her best to uncover the truth, her new groom does his best to hide the truth and tries his best to look for a means out of his demise...




*The mystery of the face behind the mask proves to be an enjoyable read. As well as their heated passion that will slowly build throughout the book.
Callihan has a way of writing that will have you turning pages and have you engrossed into the story of what is hidden behind the mask. The build up of the passion these two feel for each other is erotic and lovely all at the same time.


My only gripe with the story, I wished, Callihan could of used her her great story telling skills and put them to use with Miranda's skill and power. I felt the action scenes involving Miranda to be lacking in the imagination department, and felt they were rushed at times. Miranda has confidence, and power, and I felt her strength in the first few chapters in this book, to be exciting! But as chapters wained on, she seemed to lose her confidence and seemed to be weak, at times, and unsure of herself. Her powers could of been used in so many more scenes and they could of been exciting and fierce.  


Maybe it's just my love of action and powerful characters, that I felt this way. Do not let my thoughts deter you from reading this must read of 2012!    4 stars

                                           


*I received this book as an arc, in exchange for a truthful review.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

The Forever Girl/ Rebecca Hamilton/ New Book

This book looks so good! Can't wait to read it!! Buy it now in the Amazon store for only .99!

Sophia Parsons’ family has skeletons, but they aren’t in their graves...

Solving the mystery of an ancestor’s hanging might silence the clashing whispers in Sophia's mind, but the cult in her town and the supernaturals who secretly reside there are determined to silence her first.

As Sophia unknowingly crosses the line into an elemental world full of vampire-like creatures, shapeshifters, and supernatural grim reapers, she meets Charles, a man who becomes both lover and ally.

But can she trust him?

It’s not until someone nearly kills Sophia that she realizes the only way to unveil the source of her family's curse: abandon her faith or abandon her humanity. If she wants to survive, she must accept who she is, perform dark magic, and fight to the death for her freedom.

Tags: Witches, Vamps, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Shapeshifters