Monday, January 27, 2014

Circle of Fire (Damask Circle #1) by Keri Arthur

Series: Damask Circle #1
336p.
Publisher: Dell
Published: 1/28/14 (first published: 08/20/01)
Source: NetGalley and the publisher for review
VISIONS OF TERROR 
Sixteen teenagers taken from their homes. Eleven bodies recovered, each completely drained of blood. Some believe vampires are responsible. Jon Barnett knows that what’s happening is far worse. Sent by a group of paranormal investigators known as the Damask Circle, Jon quickly becomes enmeshed in a web of black magic and realizes he needs help. But fate gives him only one choice. 
Madeline Smith has retreated to an isolated farmhouse, afraid of the abilities she cannot control—abilities that have killed. But when a “ghost” brings a warning of danger and her nephew goes missing, Maddie not only has to leave her haven, she has to place her trust in a man who is neither ghost nor human. As the noose of sorcery tightens, the search for the teenagers becomes a race against time. But the greatest danger to Maddie and Jon could be the intense feelings they refuse to acknowledge but cannot ignore.
My thoughts:
This is a book that was previously published but is being rereleased. This is a PNR shifter type of story with your standard HEA at the end. It has no cliffie *cheers* so it can be read as a standalone and I suspect the next book will be another couple. I enjoy those since you can read out of order (but since this is the first one, of course that isn't the issue here) and not be lost.

The story is one we are quite familiar. Trouble starts we have to opposing and flawed characters, neither of whom are looking for love. As they are forced to work together we see the sparks fly and they try to balance solving the issue as well as trying not to fall for each other. Something we know is inevitable. Okay, so it is predictable, but still fun to see how they do it in the specific world created here. We are also introduced to knowing the Damask Circle exists, but nothing more. Something to build upon in the coming books.

I give this story 3 stars. It is a fun PNR where you want to sometimes kick both characters in the arse for not dealing with the emotions they obviously have for each other. You will probably enjoy this one if you are in the mood for a PNR with a bit of action.

29 comments:

  1. I liked this one, it was fun to know more from the previous series. I'm curious to read book 2 now.

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  2. I haven't had much luck with PNR recently but I do enjoy them, so thanks for introducing this one, Melissa! I'll likely pick it up, especially as it's a stand-alone without a cliffie (phew!). :)

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    1. Sometimes I have to be in the mood for a PNR. I also enjoyed the no cliffie stance. :D

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  3. Keri Arthur is usually a 3-star read for me, too. The stories are good but I'm underwhelmed. I do like that there usually aren't cliffies in her books (yahoo).

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    1. She can be hit or miss with me. You described how I felt about this one. :)

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  4. I have a friend who is a huge fan of Keri's and she generally passes her books on so I look forward to reading this at some point.

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  5. I like my PNR stories predictable in terms of the romance itself, so I don't think I'll have any problem with that part of this story. I'm sure I will want to shake the two of them at some point for not admitting their feelings earlier though! *sigh* Stubborn, stubborn:) Thanks for your thoughts on this Melissa!

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    1. I don't mind the predictability either, but some people don't like it. Sometimes the stubborn gets to me. :D

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  6. How many series has she..a lot it seems

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  7. Nothing wrong with standard shifter story esp one with a HEA.

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  8. I've been meaning to pick something up by Arthur. I've got the first two books of her Jensen series but I haven't had time for them.

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    1. I was not a fan of the series, but yet liked her writing in them. I dnf'd the series, but not the books. Odd, I know. :)

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  9. I think I read Keri other series and really liked that one, so I might pick this book up. Even if it is predictable, it may be an easy read for me,

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    1. It was an easy read. Just something to relax and enjoy. :)

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  10. I don't read PNR since it gives me allergies, but this sounds nice, and at least it has a nice, clean ending, a real HEA. I'm so tired of cliffhangers and non-endings. It would make for a nice change.

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  11. I keep seeing this author's stuff everywhere and I have been wondering. This sounds good but not something I would rush out and read as it isn't exactly original.

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  12. This sounds like a fun one, and something I could probably consume in a single afternoon.

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  13. I haven't read anything by this author but I want too! Maybe I'll start with this one! Thanks for sharing :)

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  14. Sounds fun enough. I'm glad you found it enjoyable overall. I'm really liking these companion novel type of series. :)

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  15. I do have the first two books on my shelves, glad you enjoyed it Melissa.

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  16. Sometimes I'm in the mood for a fun pnr with action, a HEA and I don't need much else. This sounds like the perfect read for that. Glad you had fun with it! :-)

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  17. I haven't read a lot of Keri Arthur books, but the few (one?) that I read was pretty good. That's cool they re-released it!

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  18. It does sound like a typical PNR but I am sure it has it's own spin on the genre. Glad you enjoyed it!

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  19. A new series. Wow. I haven't even started her other yet. lol. Thank you!

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