The Evil Inside by Heather Graham (Krewe of Hunters #4)

For as long as it has stood overlooking New England's jagged coastline, Lexington House

has been the witness to madness and murder. But in recent years the inexplicable malice that once tormented so many has lain as silent as its victims. Until now.

 

A member of the nation's foremost paranormal forensic team, Jenna Duffy has made a career out of investigating the inexplicable. Yet nothing could prepare her for the string of slayings once again plaguing Lexington House, or for the chief suspect a boy barely old enough to drive, much less kill.

With the young man's life on the line, Jenna must team up with attorney Samuel Hall to pinpoint who or what is taking the lives of those who get too close to the past. But everything they learn brings them closer to the forces of evil stalking this tortured ground.

Series: Krewe of Hunters #4 | Narrator: Luke Daniels | Publisher: Brilliance Audio |  Length: 9 hours 2 minutes | Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense | Source: Purchased  | Rating: 4.5

Set in Salem, during Halloween, this riveting romantic suspense combines a mystery that dates back to the Salem Witch Trials and the modern day mystery of a young boy accused of doing horrific things. Both cases are demanding justice.

When Samuel Hall discovers Malachi, a teen boy, covered in blood, standing in the middle of the road, he knows he needs help. What Sam didn’t realize was that the teen would need legal help when he’s arrested for murdering his entire family. Although something’s not sitting right with Sam. When he reaches out to friend and retired psychologist, Jamie Duffy, who once treated Malachi, he didn’t expect Jamie to offer up the help of his niece, Jenna, who happens to be a member of a special FBI unit. Jenna is just what this case needs. Not only does she have a way of getting Malachi to open up, she also has the ability to connect with the house’s dark past as well as the ghosts that still linger. As they dig deeper into the history of Lexington House, they find themselves growing closer to the truth and each other.

If you’ve read my previous reviews of this series, you’ll know that the books have had a few problems. I feel like with this book, the fourth, the series has finally found its footing. The mysteries were well developed, the investigation solid, the characters were well rounded, the romance shown, the paranormal was present, and everything was well balanced.

Sam and Jenna are my favorite couple in this series. They’re both working through some issues and they have some emotional baggage to sort through but they opened up to each other and had actual conversations, which I enjoyed. They also have a shared history; they knew each other in the past but, due to their age difference, they didn’t really rotate in each other’s orbit, so it was nice to watch their relationship develop into something more. They also had amazing chemistry and amazing banter.

The mystery and the way it ties into the past mystery was intriguing. There’s so many avenues that this case takes Sam and Jenna down and so many layers they have to sort through and it was very detailed. There’s also a lot on the line in this one as they are racing against the clock to prove Malachi’s innocence. There is a heavy paranormal element, which I was glad to see considering that this is a paranormal romantic suspense.

The pacing in this one was outstanding. It’s on from the very start and doesn’t stop until the last page. While this one was fast-paced, nothing is lacking or out of balance. It was so close to being a 5-star read but the whodunit aspect was slightly predictable and I would have like it to have been a bit harder to work out.

I will say that this one is a little gory in places. It’s not gratuitous but it’s a little more than the previous three books in the series.

Luke Daniels does a brilliant job narrating this one and I highly recommend the audiobook.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. It was the perfect combination: Salem, Halloween, Salem Witch Trials, spooky past and present mysteries, an amazing couple, and great pacing.  

The Knight and the Butcherbird and The Six Deaths of the Saint by Alix E. Harrow (short story roundup)

 

The Knight and the Butcherbird

Alix E. Harrow

 Nestled deep in the steep hills, valleys, and surrounding woodlands lies Iron Hollow, a rural community beset by demons. Such horrors are common in the outlands, where most folks die young, if they don’t turn into monsters first. But what’s causing these transformations?

 No one has the answer, not even the town’s oral historian, seventeen-year-old Shrike. And when a legendary knight is summoned to hunt down the latest beast to haunt their woods, Shrike has more reason than most to be concerned. Because that demon was her wife. And while Shrike is certain that May still recognizes her—that May is still human, somewhere beneath it all—she can’t prove it.

Determined to keep May safe, Shrike stalks the knight and his demon-hunting hawk through the recesses of the forest. But as they creep through toxic creeks and overgrown kudzu, Shrike realizes the knight has a secret of his own. And he’ll do anything to protect it.

Publisher: Amazon Original Stories | Length: 36 pages | Genre: Dystopian Fairytale/Fantasy  | Source: Kindle Unlimited  | Rating: 2

 Alix E. Harrow is hit or miss for me but so many people have been raving about this one so I had to give it ago. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me.

This one had the potential to be fantastic but it fell a bit flat. The story was okay but there needed to be more world building and backstory. I felt like I walked into an established series rather than a standalone novella. When I read a dystopian story, in this case a dystopian fairytale, I want to know the world it’s set in and how things came to be as they are. Sadly, there was nothing offered but a few tiny crumbs and I wanted to know so much more like why they chose to live in Iron Hollow, where the lifespan is short, instead of a city where the lifespan was longer.

I also struggled with Shrike. I found her selfish and her actions questionable. As for the Knight and his mystery, it was too obvious what he was concealing.

Overall, this was a quick read but left me wanting more. I don’t feel as though it contained enough information to satisfy my curiosity. I feel as though this would have been better as a full-length book rather than just 36 pages. 

The Six Deaths of the Saint

Alix E. Harrow

 

The Saint of War spares the life of a servant girl so she can fulfill her destiny as the kingdom’s greatest warrior in this short story of love and loyalty by New York Times bestselling author Alix E. Harrow.

 

Always mindful of the debt she owes, the girl finds her worth as a weapon in the hand of the Prince. Her victories make him a king, then an emperor. The bards sing her name and her enemies fear it. But the war never ends and the cost keeps rising—how many times will she repeat her own story?

 

Publisher: Amazon Original Stories | Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld | Length: 51 minutes | Genre: Fantasy | Source: Kindle Unlimited | Rating: 3

I was looking for something quick to listen to while cooking and this popped up on KU. I was a little apprehensive to dive into another short from this author but decided to chance it because it sounded intriguing.

Let me start by saying the writing is beautiful and the plot is interesting. The book follows a dying servant girl that’s been saved by the Saint of War so she can fight for a prince over and over again. It had all the right elements of a fantasy with a slight echo of Joan of Arc and unrequited love but fell a little flat.

The theme of the story is this girl discovering that she has agency but it’s bogged down by the repetitiveness. I’m not talking about the fact that she’s stuck in this never ending loop of war but rather that the author uses the same phrases over and over, which bogged down the plot given this was only 51 minutes long. I also wasn’t a fan of the change in perspective as it went from second to first. I understand why the author chose to do that but it gave the plot an off-kilter feel.

While I do feel like this could have been longer and smoother, I do feel as though the short story was complete, which is why I gave it a 3.

Overall, I’m not sure if Harrow’s short stories are for me. I think I’m a reader that wants more than what she gives.

A little sidenote: If you know your Arthurian legends, you’ll get more out of this story.  

 

The Raven Boys: The Graphic Novel by Maggie Stiefvater

Blue Sargent comes from a family of psychics. Only, she has never had the same clairvoyant abilities they had and has always felt too ordinary within the magic that surrounded her. Enter Gansey, a rich student from Aglionby, the town’s all-boys private school teeming with wealth, privilege, and trouble. Blue's always made it a point to stay away from its students, the Raven Boys.

 

But when Gansey asks her to join him and three other Raven Boys on his quest to find a long-forgotten Welsh king rumored to be sleeping beneath the mountains of their quiet Virginia town, Blue doesn’t hesitate. She jumps at the chance to finally be a part of something real and full of magic, a world she was born into yet one that always stood just out of reach. Soon enough, she’s swept into a strange and shifting world woven into theirs, one far more dangerous than anything they could have dreamt up.

 

Now reimagined as a stunning full-color graphic novel adapted by Stephanie Williams and illustrated by Sas Milledge, The Raven Boys unravels a thrilling plot around a cast of characters impossible to forget.

 Series: The Raven Cycle: The Graphic Novels #1 | Publisher: Viking |  Length: 256 pages |  Genre: Magical Realism | Source: Publisher | Rating: 4

Every once in a while, I’ll pick up a book that’s out of my comfort zone that I’ve heard raved about and, read it just for me (not to review, blog about, or post on social media) . A few years back, The Raven Boys was that book. At that time, I wasn’t reading magical realism or young adult book and I wasn’t sure if I would finish. or like, the book but I was intrigued, especially since they were searching for a lost Welsh King in the hills of Virginia. I was immediately hooked. The characters were so vivid and unique. It was part magic, part quest, part self- discovery, part dark academia, part found family, part romance, with a little secret society mixed in. I consumed the book and was eager to read more and I ended up finishing the series within a week.

When I heard that The Raven Boys was going to be turned into a graphic novel series, I was more than intrigued and, I was over the moon when I received an ARC from the publisher. As soon as this arrived in the post, I dropped everything and devoured the graphic novel in under an hour.

I was a little worried that I wouldn’t love the graphic novel the same way I loved the book due to the set up. Often times, graphic novels rearrange the narrative to fit the short format and the essence of the book is lost. I’m happy to report that the heart of The Raven Boys is still present in the graphic novel.

We still get to see Blue’s struggle with being the only non-psychic member of her family. The heavy weight she bares regarding the prophesy that if she ever kisses her true love the boy will die. The Raven Boys are still the Raven Boys. Gansey is the leader and caretaker of the group. He’s the one leading the quest to find Glendower. Ronan is still blunt, secretive, not one to run from a fight, and will be there when you need him. Noah is sweet, quiet, and loved by all who know him. Then there’s Adam, the boy with the chip on his shoulder who’s having a tough time in life and my heart still breaks for him. All of their unique characteristics remain.

While this is a quest book and Gansey and the gang are determined to find Glendower, the Welsh king, there is more to the story. We see Blue finding a place to fit in where she can find magic and people who accept her. The Raven Boys are also discovering more about each other and accepting who they are.

Stephanie Williams did a fantastic job adapting the book. Did the graphic novel contain every single scene? No. Did it contain a few ‘trivial’ bits? Yes. While there were a few scenes I wished they had included, leaving them out didn’t change the story. If you enjoyed the heart of the story, you’ll enjoy the graphic novel.

I also think that Sas Milledge did a fantastic job with the illustrations. Each character looked just how I pictured them. As the ARC was printed in black and white, I’m not able to comment on the crispness of the images, but from the few color images that were included on the inside cover, I think this will be a gorgeous book.

While I highly enjoyed this book, I can’t give it a 5-star rating for a few different reasons. I do believe that a few parts could have been explained differently as I have a feeling some readers, especially when it comes to the introduction to Gansey and his quest, could be lost if this is their first introduction to the book. My major issue is the size of the book. Personally, I would have preferred a larger size book as it would have allowed larger font. I think the size is going to be difficult for some to see.

I think this would be the perfect introduction of the series to younger readers, especially those who are reluctant readers. Diehard fans of the series are going to be split due to certain scenes that are missing. If you’re someone who appreciated the meaning/essence of the book, I think you should give this one a go.  

Overall, as a fan of the series, I enjoyed this one. It’s very rare that I enjoy graphic novels but they did an amazing job with this one. I’m eager the rest of the series in graphic novel form. 

The Writer and the Rogue by Lydia Drake

Desperate times call for drastic measures…and Miss Caroline Devereux is most certainly desperate. Her spendthrift father’s been gambling away every spare shilling, racking up debts, selling off their family’s coveted objets d’art, and bringing them to the edge of ruin. Up until now, she’s been able to stave off the creditors—and afford luxuries like tea—by penning sensational Gothic tales. But they’re out of time, and Caroline must play the one card she has left.

 

The Earl of Rockford cannot believe that any young lady would dare to blackmail him. Not only has she threatened to expose the darkest secrets of his family and destroy their name, but she’s done it all in an attempt to…marry him? And damned if he isn’t secretly delighted by her spirit. But first, Miss Caroline has a lesson to learn about who she’s dealing with…

 

No one warned Caroline that the handsome, wealthy earl she intends to marry isn’t remotely the gentleman she expected. Because the “Rogue of Whitechapel” isn’t about to go down without a fight…and the first to fall in love will be the first one to lose.

 Series: Debutantes of London #2 | Publisher: Entangled: Amara |  Genre: Historical Romance  | Source: Publisher | Rating: 4.5 

It’s been a minute since I’ve read a new historical romance and found myself immersed in the plot and characters. It’s also been a minute since I’ve read a new historical romance that has felt like an actual historical romance. I’m happy to report The Writer and the Rogue was both entertaining and historical feeling.

Caroline must find a way to save her family from her father’s gambling debt. She’s sold their valuables and her Gothic stories but the creditors are coming and she’s out of options. When she realizes that a letter in her father’s possession holds dark secrets about the new Earl of Rockford, she has no choice but to blackmail him into marrying her. Although the Earl of Rockford is a rogue, he’s not so easily manipulated and Caroline realizes she has no clue who the Earl really is and what he’s willing to do. While the Earl was annoyed at the start, he soon finds himself amused by Caroline’s unique character. What neither was expecting was just how compatible they are.

This was such a fun and witty read. I made the mistake of picking this up late at night. I thought that I would read a chapter or two then put it down, I was mistaken and read the majority of the book in one sitting.

Caroline and Gabriel made for such a fun pair. She’s determined to save her family from the creditors and she’s not going to let Gabriel escape because she knows that he has the status and the wealth to save her family. Gabriel’s not looking to be tied down, he’s been perfectly happy living the life of a rogue so while the secret Caroline’s keeping is enough to ruin him, he’s not sure he’s wants to give up his bachelor lifestyle. The banter between them was great. She’s quick witted and he always had a reply, despite being caught off guard. He wasn’t afraid to push her boundaries and she meet him each step of the way, which made for some entertaining moments.

The romance was brilliant. They had amazing chemistry to the point it was nearly jumping off the page. While there was attraction from the start, the author drew out the romance allowing it to develop on the page, which I appreciated.

While the book was fast-paced for the most part, it lagged a bit it lagged a bit during last third but eventually picked up the pace again. The only problem that I had with this book was the cause for the conflict and the fallout. The whole ordeal seemed a little odd.

This is the second book in a series but it reads as a standalone. I’ve not read the first book and wouldn’t have realized that this was part of a series if I hadn’t spotted it while gathering the title details for my review.

Overall, I think I’ve found a new favorite recently published historical romance and I’m eager to read more from this author. If you’ve been looking for a spunky heroine and a devilish hero this is the book for you.

A little sidenote: I have heard a few people say that this feels a bit modern to them because the heroine is forthright (and not afraid to be herself) and the hero is one that goes beyond the normal boundaries of the period. As a fan of classic historical romance, I don’t feel like this is modern at all. In fact, the writing reminds me a lot of Georgette Heyer’s writing style.

Sacred Evil by Heather Graham (Krewe of Hunters #3)

The details of the crime scene are no coincidence. The body of a promising starlet has been battered, bloodied and then discarded between two of Manhattan's oldest graveyards.

 

One look and Detective Jude Crosby recognizes the tableau:

 

A recreation of Jack the Ripper's gruesome work. But he also sees something beyond the actions of a mere copycat. Something more dangerous and unexplainable.

 

As the city seethes with suspicion, Jude calls on Whitney Tremont, a member of the country's preeminent paranormal investigating team, to put the speculation to rest. Yet when Whitney and Jude delve deeper, what they discover is more shocking than either could have predicted, and twice as sinister.

Series: Krewe of Hunters #3 |  Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense | Source: Purchased | Rating: 3

I’m still on my Krewe of Hunters catch-up and I finally found a minute to pick up the third book in the series. As I’ve stated in my reviews for the first two books, I started out in the middle of the series rather than the beginning and I’m glad that I did as I feel that the writing is stronger in the later books.

In this this one, we have an actress that’s been brutally murdered and two ‘Jane Doe’s’.  Whitney, a member of the Krewe of Hunters, is called in when it appears that the cases resemble those of Jack the Ripper. While reluctant at first, Jude soon realizes that Whitney’s expertise is valuable. As the case grows more twisted and the investigation ramps up, they find themselves caught up in a past case that could help them solve their present mystery.

I want to start by saying that if you’re looking for a romance-driven romantic suspense, this isn’t going to be your cup of tea. While there is a romance between Jude and Whitney, there’s very little ‘on the page’ development and is an instalove type. While there was something between Whitney and Jude from their first meeting, I felt it was more an instant attraction rather than chemistry. Still I found the characters likable and enjoyed their interactions.

The meat of this story is the mysteries and the investigation. I found the author’s approach to the Jack the Ripper aspect to be interesting. I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that the ‘historical’ mystery in the book was well-crafted and was the reason why I was able to finish this book.

This one was a bit of a struggle to get through at the start. The first 40 pages were sluggish and laden with typos. The pacing does pick up once the investigation truly begins but the typos do persist through the book. I also felt that this one was a little heavy on characters that didn’t really serve a purpose other than to look suspicious and, unfortunately, a few things that appeared to ‘something’ during the first third of the book was never mentioned again or resolved.

Overall, if you can look over a few issues, I do think this is a worthy read for those who enjoy a well-crafted and layered mystery.  If you’re an audiobook person, I highly recommend the audio over print. Luke Daniels does an excellent job narrating this series and you’ll avoid the typos.

If you’re looking to start this series, go into it knowing that the first few books have a few teething problems and the series does get stronger as it progresses. Had I started my reading journey at the beginning, I don’t think I would have continued on with the series. 

Happy Independence Day!

 

Wishing everyone in the States a safe and happy Independence Day!

 

July's TBR

Hello, Lovelies, and Happy July, I hope you’re all doing fabulous! I’ve been away from the blog for a minute. I had some health things going on (I’ll post more about everything at a later date) and, honestly, I haven’t had a lot of time for blogging. I think things are finally calming down and I can get back on a blogging schedule. I plan to sit down this week and work on some content for the blog. I’m also eager to see what everyone has been up to lately.

 

I am normally not one to set a strict TBR. I’m a mood reader, so a floating TBR is more my style but I feel like I need a set TBR this month to get me back on track. June was not my month reading-wise. I didn’t finish a single book or short story. Honestly, between appointments and work, I was just too exhausted to read and I couldn’t focus on anything. 

Here’s what I’m going to read this month

 

*I have 4 ARCs that I have to read this month. I can’t remember the titles but I’ll post them in my Sunday Post.*

 

Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson—this has been sitting on my shelf for way too long and I need to get it read. I’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews on this one, so we shall see.

 

The King’s Messenger by Susanna Kearsley—I was kindly sent a finished copy for review from the publisher and I feel so bad that I haven’t read this one yet as Susanna Kearsley is one of my favorite authors.

 

The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness—I was going to wait and read this once the next book in the series was up for pre-order but I have an event that I need to read this for and, to be honest, I’m itching to see what the characters are up to.

 

My TBR Jar Pick for July: Spells for Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

 

Unknown Non-Fiction Book—my non-fiction book club hasn’t announced this month’s book as of yet. They’re supposed to post it the first Friday of the month, but I’m not sure if they will or not with Friday being a holiday. If they do, I’ll post it in my Sunday Post.

 

Audiobooks

 

The Twisted Women's Book Club—I received a copy of this anthology for review and I need to read it this month.

 

Don't Let Him In by: Lisa Jewell—this is another review copy. I’m not always a fan of Lisa Jewell but I do like to listen to Richard Armitage Narrate. Finger’s crossed on this one.

 

Her Knight at the Museum by: Bryn Donovan—I started this one at the end of May and I really need to finish the book. 

The Seven O'Clock Club by Amelia Ireland

In a perfectly ordinary building, four strangers who couldn't be more different meet for the first time. Their skepticism of this new kind of grief therapy—and the unnervingly perceptive group leader—means they're all wary, but as the weeks go by, they find themselves returning again and again, pulled to work toward healing, even if it means first facing the pain head-on.

 

A sharp-tongued lawyer who has no intention of letting down her walls, a fragile young woman looking for a place to belong, a musician at the top of his game who's one drink away from losing it all, and an interior designer facing the crumbling of her picture-perfect life—this unlikely group slowly opens up, not only to the possibility of a happier future but to friendship, change, and even romance.

 

When a shocking revelation reveals the real reason they were chosen for this group, it shakes the very foundation of what they thought they knew. What began as a journey designed to heal turns out to be a much greater test of friendship, strength, and love as they realize happiness is just outside the door...if they're brave enough to seek it.

 Publisher: Berkley |Genre: Literary Fiction | Source: Publisher | Rating: 2.5

When four strangers from four different walks of life are brought together in a grief support group, Genevieve, the leader of the group is determined to prove that an experimental treatment will help heal their broken hearts. Although resistant at the start, they soon find themselves trusting each other as they reveal pieces of their lives. Just when they start to feel as though they’re being helped through their grief, someone reveals a secret that will rattle everyone to their core.

Just a note before we get into the review. I don’t want to spoil this book so I’m going to give my thoughts on the book without diving into too much of the plot.

On to the review, I was intrigued by the premise: four very different strangers untied in grief and sharing their very personal stories in hope of healing their wounds. This could have been a beautiful story of processing grief and healing from loss instead the execution fell a bit flat.

There’s four characters (Victoria, Mischa, Freya, Callum) who are at different stages and ages in their lives. They’re from vastly different backgrounds, vastly different personalities, and vastly different experiences. They each share their own POVs in rotating chapters, but instead of having four vastly different voices, they blend together to the point I had to go back and read the chapter heading so I knew which character I was reading. It would have improved plot had each character had their own voice instead of the author just telling us they were this way or that way.

There are also plot inconsistencies. There’s an event that happens in the book that we’re told, in great detail, should not have been able to happen, yet there’s another event that’s pretty much the same that was never brought up when these situations were discussed. A few other things occurred that wasn’t addressed but I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll leave it at that.

I also feel as though this book was a little too long and repetitive. 368 pages felt a bit much given that not a lot of different things were happening. It could have easily worked as a novella or a short story given the way it ended.

Overall, this could have been a moving, beautifully written story of healing but, sadly, it was underwhelming and underdeveloped. I’m having a hard time finding something to recommend about this one, which is disappointing because I was expecting to love this one.