Audiobook Review: Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews

Series: Kate Daniels #5.5
Narrator: Renée Raudman
Unabridged
Length: 13 hrs.
Published: 7/31/12
Publisher: Tantor Media
Source: Hoopla/Library

When several shapeshifters die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea and her former lover, Raphael Medrano, must work together to investigate the crime. 

After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea's whole existence is in shambles. She tries to put herself back together by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend. When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano—the male alpha of the Clan Bouda, and Andrea's former lover—die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate. Now she must work with Raphael as her search for the killer leads into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta. And dealing with her feelings for him might have to take a back seat to saving the world . . .

My thoughts:

First, let me say that even though it is listed most places as a novella, this is actually a full novel and is also listed as a novel at the author's website under "Kate Daniels World". Hopefully this means we will get more secondary character books in their POV! :) Wouldn't that be great?!

Like with all the books in this series it had me from the beginning to end. It was a thrill ride with Andrea taking the lead. I'm so glad that this book was made because I wanted to know more about her and I also wanted to see if Raphael could redeem himself. Yes, I loved the romance in this one even when I wanted to kick Raphael in his furry hiney. :) I also loved Andrea in this one. We get to know more about her past and we get to see how she grows in this one. How she starts to accept all the parts of herself. It was a long time coming. 

Only thing that totally bummed me out about this book is that it is the last one they have in this series on audio. I have requested they get the rest but since I think the others are published with a different publisher I'm not sure my library will get them. :'( Still, I can't say that I didn't try! 

I give this book 4 1/2 stars. It is another great addition to the series and this is a full book and not a novella. I highly recommend it to those that enjoy the Kate Daniels series. It is a must. :)

Blog Tour with Giveaway: The Frenchman by Lesley Young

Crime Loyalty Romance #1
276 p.
Source: From Kismet Book Touring for review

Fleur Smithers rarely veers off the straight and (excruciatingly) narrow. So moving to the seaport town of Toulon to live with her newfound biological mother—an inspector with the French National Police—for one year is a pretty major detour. 

Son of France’s crime royalty family and international rugby star, Louis Messette, is devoted to his sport, famille and nothing else. But the saucy American he meets one night changes everything. She sparks a desire in him like no other. Possession takes root. She will do as he commands. 

Bit by bit Fleur slips into the Frenchman’s realm of wanton pleasure agreeing to his one condition: that she keep their affair secret. She serves up her heart without reservation in the hub of the glittering Côte d’Azur, and the along the soulful Seine in Paris, unaware of the danger she is in. For her new lover’s “family business” will pit her against her mother, the police woman sworn to bring down the Messettes. And by then, far more than Fleur’s heart will be on the line.

My thoughts:
I knew I was in for a bad boy story considering the series title. So, it did not surprise me that several times I wanted to throttle the man, Louis. Yes, this set up the tension well especially when Fleur, our innocent young lady meets Louis.

I have to say that several times throughout the book I was yelling at Fleur to "wake up" and see all the red flags waving in her face. All those things that told me this would be an abusive relationship. It bothered me that she ignored them all and continued to pursue this bad man. I mean he actually TOLD her he was bad but she still made excuses for his behavior. I honestly would have put the book down except for one thing... she acknowledged the red flags. Granted she pushed them aside, made excuses for them, but she kept seeing them. That made me think growth and so I continued on with the story.

Even though I convinced myself to continue... I admit I did throw the book down more than once. However my curiosity got the better of me and I continued on and was rewarded in the end. She finally stood up for herself and demanded her right to be given love not just have love taken from her. I cheered! There is a HEA and honestly I could have done without the romantic HEA, but it was acceptable to me and it did make me smile. :)

I give the book 3 stars. I actually had fun being so frustrated with the book. Of course if I was left upset I wouldn't have liked it, but I was rewarded in the end by Fleur.

About Lesley Young:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Lesley Young is an award-winning Canadian journalist by day, and obsessive novelist by night. Her debut novel, Sky’s End (Soulmate Publishing, 2013) hit #9 on Amazon’s sci-fi romance paid best-seller list in its first three months of release.

Not too long after that, she started dreaming up quirky heroines who lose their hearts to extremely powerful, flawed heroes, only to find out what love really is while on a dangerous adventure abroad. She called it the Crime Royalty Romance series, and landed herself a pretty big agent at Spencerhill Associates. Never one to take the obvious path, Lesley ultimately decided to self-publish. She’s never sure who or what will pop up in her imagination next. The Irishman? The Spaniard? The Hawaiian? Anything’s possible, and she loves suggestions (or recommendations of really hot, er, talented, actors to work as a muses).

Stay in touch with her and feel free to forward on decent options at Facebook.com/LesleyYoungBooks and @LesleyYoungBks (note: Charlie Hunnam’s already taken the lead role of The American—#3 Crime Royalty Romance...coming soon!).

Giveaway!

Lesley has provided a fantastic giveaway, including a $25 Amazon gift card and 20 ebook copies of The Frenchman! To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form.

The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M. J. Rose

384 p.
Publisher: Atria Books
Published: 3/17/15
Source: NetGalley and publisher for review

Possession. Power. Passion. New York Times bestselling novelist M. J. Rose creates her most provocative and magical spellbinder yet in this gothic novel set against the lavish spectacle of 1890s Belle Époque Paris. 

Sandrine Salome flees New York for her grandmother’s Paris mansion to escape her dangerous husband, but what she finds there is even more menacing. The house, famous for its lavish art collection and elegant salons, is mysteriously closed up. Although her grandmother insists it’s dangerous for Sandrine to visit, she defies her and meets Julien Duplessi, a mesmerizing young architect. Together they explore the hidden night world of Paris, the forbidden occult underground and Sandrine’s deepest desires. 

Among the bohemians and the demi-monde, Sandrine discovers her erotic nature as a lover and painter. Then darker influences threaten—her cold and cruel husband is tracking her down and something sinister is taking hold, changing Sandrine, altering her. She’s become possessed by La Lune: A witch, a legend, and a sixteenth-century courtesan, who opens up her life to a darkness that may become a gift or a curse. 

This is Sandrine’s “wild night of the soul,” her odyssey in the magnificent city of Paris, of art, love, and witchery. 

Art, mystery, romance.... uh, yes please. I was totally taken in by this book. I loved reading about all of the paintings and even looked up a couple while reading. I was totally captivated by the background in this book and Paris in that time period (1890s).

What was really interesting is how the book progressed for me. It was at first a book about a woman leaving a bad marriage. Then it introduced a bit of magic and it felt like I may be in for a magical realism book. As time goes on it gets darker and darker. It turns into a haunted book and then twists into a horror book. It really made the book compelling.

I did have a few problems with the book. Her husband Benjamin was not a nice guy and in fact sounded abusive, but not in an over the top way we often get in these books. I thought that there would be more to him but there wasn't and I felt that it was a lost opportunity. He really was just background for her being in Paris and when we was reinserted into the story it felt a bit forced. If this was my only problem, the book would have gotten very high marks from me. I loved the mystery, atmosphere and romance. What I hated was the ending.

The ending.

One thing I hate more than cliffies are abrupt endings. In one way I actually can see how it works here. It keeps you thinking about it and wondering about all the unanswered questions. If you are like me, then you will not like the ending at all. Too much left open and the last chapter wasn't to sum up but more like an epilogue that happened a couple days after the big finish. I just need a wee bit more information to be satisfied. Just at least one more question (but an important one) to leave me with a smile.

I've been debating about what I will score this one. I think I'll give it 3 1/2 stars. I loved most of the book. I had a hard time putting it down, but that ending? For me it was a killer. I'm certain that for others they will like the way it ended because it kept in in your mind pondering things and turning things over. I do recommend this book to those that love a story that seems to transform. I know I'll be reading more from this author.

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Audiobook Review: Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

Series: Kate Daniels #5
Unabridged
13 hrs. 17 min.
Narrator: Reneé Raudman
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Published: 6/8/11
Source: Hoopla via library

Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job. 

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be—now that the Order is disparaging her good name, and many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate. 

So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. Turns out this is not an isolated incident, and Kate needs to get to the bottom of it—fast, or the city and everyone dear to her might pay the ultimate price.

My thoughts:

Okay, I'm guessing you are reading this because you want to know if I liked the book. Um... seriously?? DUH! I loved the book! My only complaint isn't really a complaint but more a question. How can the beast lord be such an ass and yet still make me root for him? Yes, I still want Kate to occasionally kick said ass (and she does) but I think it is because he eventually sees things Kate's way. That doesn't mean he agrees with everything but at the very least acknowledges her right to be so wrong. LOL

There were several storylines within this book and I was not confused at all. I enjoyed every minute of it. I also love the twist with Julie (even though I was biting my nails about it). I can't wait for the next book and in fact, I have the next one (which is really a full length novella) waiting for me to get to it. YES! Unfortunately this is the last my library has (okay my real complaint) and yes, I begged them to get more of this series in. I want to do it all on audio. Reneé Raudman is my voice for Kate and she is one female narrator who does male voices well.

I give this book 4 1/2 stars and recommend the series to every adult on the planet. This is a must read series and I can't wait to read/listen more!