Book Review: Spectacle

When their coup of Metzger's Menagerie is discovered, Delilah and her fellow cryptids find their newly won freedom brutally stripped away as they are sold into The Savage Spectacle, a private collection of "exotic wildlife." Specializing in ruthless cryptid cage matches, safari-style creature hunts and living party favors, the Spectacle's owner, Willem Vandekamp, caters to the forbidden fetishes of the wealthy and powerful. At the Spectacle, any wish can be granted—for the right price.

But Vandekamp's closely guarded client list isn't the only secret being kept at the Spectacle. Beneath the beauty and brutality of life in the collection lie much darker truths, and no one is more determined than Delilah to strip the masks from the human monsters and drag all dark things into the light.

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Ms. Vincent's SPECTACLE asks and answers the question of just what makes us human.  Is it our bloodline?  Is it the special abilities that come from that bloodline?  Or is it what is in our hearts?

 I didn't get a chance to read the first book in this series, Menagerie, which I do regret simply because I would like to spend more time with Delilah, Gallagher and the rest of the cryptids.  SPECTACLE does stand on it's own beautifully and is one of those books that I regret finishing simply because I would be saying goodbye to these wonderful characters.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, urban fantasy or who simply questions the humanity of those around us.  There is some graphic violence and sex is mentioned though not shown in this book. 

*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All opinions expressed within are my own.

BookReview: Dark Alpha's Lover

There is no escaping a Reaper. I am an elite assassin, part of a brotherhood that only answers to Death. And when Death says your time is up, I am coming for you…

I answer to no one but Death. I am impenetrable, impervious, immortal. I exist to do Death’s bidding and no one–not Reaper nor human nor Fae–can stand in my way. Except for the bewitching half-Fae, Catriona. She swears the magic in her family passed her by, but I know better. This woman is strong. This woman is powerful. And when her abilities surge forth, no one will be able to stop the Dark Fae from coming for her. Except for me. I want to keep her close. I want to keep her safe. I want lose myself to her, again and again…

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I keep dipping my toes into this world as the books come up for review and have been very pleased.  This is the first one that I have read in the Reaper series and I loved the fact that while it stands on its own very nicely, I also got a chance to check in on the Dragon Kings.

DARK ALPHA'S LOVER focuses on Fintan and Cat while advancing the overall story arc.  I was introduced to the other Reapers also and now I need to pick up the books that came before as I was entranced by Ms. Grant's world and her characters.

I do recommend this book and this author to anyone who enjoys paranormal romances with hot men and strong women.  There are some sex scenes as well as violence but nothing too graphic.

*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All opinions expressed within are my own.

 

Book Review: Not A Sound

When a tragic accident leaves nurse Amelia Winn deaf, she spirals into a depression that ultimately causes her to lose everything that matters--her job, her husband, David, and her stepdaughter, Nora. Now, two years later and with the help of her hearing dog, Stitch, she is finally getting back on her feet. But when she discovers the body of a fellow nurse in the dense bush by the river, deep in the woods near her cabin, she is plunged into a disturbing mystery that could shatter the carefully reconstructed pieces of her life all over again.

As clues begin to surface, Amelia finds herself swept into an investigation that hits all too close to home. But how much is she willing to risk in order to uncover the truth and bring a killer to justice?

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I enjoy the romantic suspense genre and I do have to admit that Ms. Gudenkauf quickly became a must read author.  It's well worth checking out her lineup for books.   She always adds that little extra touch that makes her books special.

 

 I have imagined losing various senses before but I never realized just how much the loss of one's hearing would really effect a person.  Thanks to WITHOUT A SOUND, I now have a glimmer of the sense of isolation and helplessness that it can cause on a good day.  Amelia being deaf really adds a sense of terror and that little extra to the story.

I really enjoyed WITHOUT A SOUND.  It started out with a bang and the tension never ebbed from there.  The characters were well drawn out, the dialogue flowed even when there was a language barrier and the villain was truly immoral.  And of course, there was Stitch who was a major part of the story and I can't resist a dog.  

I do think that my readers who enjoy romantic suspense will really enjoy this book.  There is some violence which might bother some readers but no graphic sex scenes.  

*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All opinions expressed within are my own.