Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder

An undercover mission leads to danger, adventure and an impossible choice.

After siphoning her own blood magic in the showdown at Hubal, Opal Cowan has lost her powers. She can no longer create glass magic. More, she's immune to the effects of magic. Opal is now an outsider looking in, spying through the glass on those with the powers she once had, powers that make a difference in the world. Until spying through the glass becomes her new power. Suddenly, the beautiful pieces she makes flash in the presence of magic. And then she discovers that someone has stolen some of her blood - and that finding it might let her regain her powers. Or know it could be they are lost forever. 

To me a mark of a great book is one where I totally lose time while I read it.  One where I am able to completely suspend disbelief and just enjoy.  Ms. Snyder's SPY GLASS is just such a book.  It is actually the third book in her Glass series but it stands very well on its own.  There are mentions of things that happen in the prior books but they are so well explained that I didn't feel as though I was missing out on anything.  That being said, I have already put her back list in my TBR file because I just plain enjoyed the book that much.  


I think that Ms. Snyder's true strength lies with her characters.  Opal was very easy to like even though there were times when I want to slap her across the back of her head.  All of her characters, even the secondary ones, are written very strongly.

If I had any issue with the book itself, it was the fact that there were several editing issues throughout the book.  Hopefully this issue is resolved in the print copy.

I rate this book a 4.3. 

Kiss Me, Kill Me by Maggie Shayne

 

A long-ago act of kindness to a desperate woman changed Dr. Carrie Overton's life forever. Before disappearing into the night, the grateful stranger left her newborn son for Carrie to raise.  When the woman is later found murdered, the secret becomes Carrie's alone.

She has kept both it and her son, Sam, safe for sixteen years.  But now a friend of Sam's has gone missing. 

The police in quaint, quiet Shadow Falls, Vermont, believe he's a runaway - until he's found dead and another teen disappears, and talk turns to that long-ago murder.

I am impressed.  This story has so many layers of mysteries that it takes a bit to wind your way thru them all.  But don't feel as though it is time wasted as this is one very enjoyable book. 

Shadow's Fall will remind you of any number of people in a small town, one that get inundated with tourists  during certain time of the year.  Just like any small town, the locals all know each other and look out for each other.  What surprised me about these locals is that there was no finger pointing when a boy was found dead, not even at the tourists.  These are all people that I would be happy to call friends.  Well maybe not all...

Romantic suspense happens to be one of my favorite genres yet somehow I have never ran across Maggie Shayne.  This is an issue that has been corrected and I will definitely buy up all of her backlist also.   If you also enjoy this genre, then I highly recommend picking up this book.

I rate this book a 4.3.

I received this book compliments of netGallery at no charge in exchange for a review.  All opinions are my own.

Sins of the Flesh by Eve Silver

Torn between lust and loyalty…

The blood of the Underworld lord of evil runs through soul reaper Malthus Krayl’s veins.  Raised to fight for survival and to kill for victory, he can destroy anyone who poses a threat.  As he searches for the one responsible for his brother’s murder, he refuses to succumb to any distraction… until his sworn enemy crosses his path and tempts him beyond all reason.

Calliope Kane, a Daughter of Aset, has a personal hatred for soul reapers.  Their savage attack against her family still haunts her.  But only Malthus can help her find the traitors of her kind, and only she can help him hunt the source of betrayal amongst the reapers.  As they unite, the danger grows closer…and the passion between them ignites…

Wow!  This book has it all.  Great characters, page turning suspense and mind-blowing sex.  Oh and did I mention the great characters?    I have to admit that I have always been partial to Malthus 'Mal' Krayl.  It is pirate of the family, the adrenalin junkie, who have sworn off love.  Not off woman of course as he has a different partner every night but he refuses to risk his heart again.  Then he meets Calliope 'Callie' who at their first meeting feeds off of him, pins him to a wall and leaves him on fire.  Poor Mal never stood a chance.

Ms. Silver did an excellent job with SINS OF THE FLESH.  Each book does concentrate on a brother finding a mate and she does a great job with this.  However in SINS OF THE FLESH, she also incorporates an element of tension that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat.  The story arc also proceeds along nicely and I have to admit that the conclusion of the book was a real shocker.

I do recommend SINS OF THE FLESH to anyone with a fondness of piratical men, kick ass heroines  with a fondness for pointy weapons and the paranormal.  This book is sure to please.

I rate it a 3.75.

Sins of the Soul by Eve Silver

Alastor Krayl's world shattered when he learned that his father was the Underworld god of chaos and evil. All that saved him from self-destruction were his newfound brothers and the bond they shared as soul reapers. So when one of his brothers is murdered, vengeance becomes Alastor's obsession. And the enigmatic Naphré Kurata, a witness—or is she the killer?—has the answers he seeks.

A reluctant Underworld enforcer, Naphré trusts no one, especially not a seductive soul reaper who makes her burn with lust. Torn between duty and desire, she fights to keep her secrets safe from Alastor, even as she longs to surrender.

Let me start off my review by saying that I did enjoy this book.  Ms. Silver does a wonderful job of characterization.   I totally fell in love with Naphre' and Alastor though I have to admit that I couldn't deal with him as he is a control freak.    But Naphre' is a total delight.  She takes the hand that is dealt to her and makes the best of it.

I did however feel that this book is lacking.  There is a story arc that is evident in the beginning of the book and well it goes nowhere.  Everything gets buried beneath Alastor and Naphre's  feelings for each other and their superb sex.  The ending was a disappointment because felt as though nothing was really accomplished other then the two getting together.  Now that might be fine for a stand alone romance but not for the second book of a trilogy.

I rate this book a 3.

Fallen by Erin McCarthy

New Orleans, 1840s. Sent to watch over the decadent city, the angel Gabriel loses himself in the liquid pleasure of absinthe. So when his mistress, Anne, is murdered—and all evidence points to him—a foggy Gabriel cannot be sure he didn’t do it. His penance: to be forever denied love. Then in modern-day New Orleans he meets forensic scientist Sara Michaels... 

I had never heard of Erin McCarthy when I picked this book up so I really wasn't sure what I was getting into but I loved the cover so I figured that I would give it a try.  I have to admit that I was blown away.  Ms. McCarthy's characters are so real and  her descriptions place you right in the scene.  I discovered after I finished FALLEN that it is actually the second book in a series however this book is so well written that I didn't feel as though I missed a thing by not reading that first book.  Of course though, now I have pick up the first one.   It does touch on the Christian mythos but not really enough to detract from the story.  I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys paranormal romance.

I rate this book a 4.