Review: Making History at Crofton Hall (Modern Crofton #2) by Rebecca Cohen

Crofton Hall is buzzing with anticipation for the filming of the Secret Histories TV special about a scandalous affair that has been hidden for over four hundred years.

The hall's new historian, Dara Callaghan, is drawn not just by the hall's rich history but to TV producer, Nathan Lorimer. Nathan is finally ready to start dating again, several years after the death of his husband. There's something about Dara, a quietly spoken Irishman, and the romance that surrounds Crofton Hall, that makes him want to take a chance.

Meanwhile, Ben Redbourn, 16th Earl of Crofton, is trying to persuade his boyfriend Ashley Niven that he'd like to don doublet and hose and play Sebastian to his Anthony. But Ashley's not having any of it... until someone else agrees to the take the part of the 1st Earl of Crofton's lover.

This is the second Modern Crofton novel, featuring Benjamin Redbourn, the 16th Earl of Crofton and descendant of Anthony Redbourn, 1st Earl of Crofton from my historical series, The Crofton Chronicles. While designed to be read as a standalone, events that lead to this novel follow chronologically from Saving Crofton Hall.

Trigger warnings: discussion of grief and dealing with bereavement.

I feel like I should begin this review with a disclaimer that I have read The Crofton Chronicles and Anthony and Sebastian hold a very special place in my heart. So with that, when I saw the author was writing a series on the modern Crofton’s I knew I had to read them.

In the first book, Saving Crofton Hall, we get the situation Benjamin Redbourn, 16th Earl of Crofton is in and how he will open Crofton Hall for public use so that his family can regain their financial loss. We meet Ashley as the events coordinator and get their fun romance as they turn a family estate into the premier location for weddings etc. But along the way to all of that, Ben and Ashley had found a box that contained some pretty interesting letters from Anthony Redbourn, the first Earl, to possibly his lover, an actor named Sebastian Hewell.

Now, as I said before I know the story of Anthony and Sebastian; how they met, the deceit they portrayed with Sebastian as his sister Bronwyn and their life together. I adored their story so much that when I went back and read the epilogue of Forever Hold His Peace, the last book in The Crofton Chronicles, I turned into a redheaded mess of emotions. But back to what’s happening now. Ben and Ashely find the box with the letters, they contact the needed people who could authenticate the letters, matching Anthony’s handwriting etc and this launches a television special of Secret Histories series.

So, that’s where Making History at Crofton Hall begins. We meet the hall's new historian, Dara Callaghan and TV producer, Nathan Lorimer. These two don’t have an instant love story but rather one of slow burn that takes time to get started. You see, Nathan is a widower and loved his husband deeply and part of that love is still with him so while he finds Dara attractive, he needs to take his time. It’s wonderful that our resident Irishman is so damn patient and his being so definitely pays off.

Now while this is Dara and Nathan’s romance, the love story of this series truly belongs to that of Crofton Hall and it’s history. The beginning of this book is loaded with everything about the hall and it’s previous earls focusing primarily on Anthony and Sebastian; including the excavation of the family crypt to see who is really buried with Anthony. So if you’re looking for insta love with this, don’t. I’m not saying there isn’t ample opportunity for the on page romance and intimacy, I’m just saying this series is more involved.

It was an interesting decision from the author to give this book four POV’s. Yes, I said four. We get Dara, Nathan and we get Ben and Ashley. While I like getting more of the previous couple, I think they stole the show more so than even Anthony and Sebastian. Their sex was hotter than Dara and Nathan’s and even Ashley’s jealousy won me over more than the cuddling of Dara and Nathan. I don’t know if it was a good decision to put SO MUCH of them in this book, but I am not the one making that decision.

Anyway, all of this rambling leads to one conclusion; I adored this book. I do think new readers can enjoy it and give them the intrigue and angst of the reveal about Anthony and Sebastian. For me, as someone who already knows their story, it’s fun to see how these new characters react to the possibility that an Earl of Shakespearean time loved another man so much, he would sacrifice everything to be with him.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Murder at White Oak (White Oak Murder #1) by Marko Realmonte

WARNING: This novel has mind-blowing plot-twists and surprises. Do not read if you have a weak constitution or suffer from even mild homophobia.

A murder mystery... a ghost story... and a gay love story. (maybe not your definition of a romance)

Jake Weston, a seventeen-year-old cross between Holden Caulfield and Sherlock Holmes, is an openly gay American at a private British boarding school. He's got a lot on his plate. He's being haunted by the ghost of a former student, and he's fallen in love with his beautiful roommate. He's trying to solve the mysterious disappearance of Tommy Walker, a White Oak student who vanished in 1976... but piecing together a puzzle from the past will lead to real danger in the present. He'll inherit a fortune if he can solve a murder and make it out of White Oak Academy alive.

This genre-bending fusion of supernatural suspense, thriller and young adult LGBT love story has mind-blowing plot twists that will keep you guessing until the very last page. Finally, a gay whodunit! Murder at White Oak tackles some of the very real issues of bullying and beatings within the walls of prestigious boarding schools for boys and the difficulties of being gay in that restrictive, closed environment. This is the first in a series of gay mysteries.

WARNING: SHOCKING ENDING!

Definitely unconventional, as this was not strictly a romance but mainly a murder mystery, the ending is a shocking development but perhaps not such a shocking revelation.

This book stars 16 year old Jake, who immediately draws you in. He’s over the top rich, devastatingly handsome, a star athlete, and a genius to boot. No doubt he’s charming, daring, mischievous, outrageously audacious, and he doesn’t hide who he is. He’s out in all his glory and not surprisingly, Jake hardly plays by the rules. Though he garners loyalty from many, his sense of justice for those he cares about gathers him just as many enemies. Envision a young blonde Tony Stark, with a lean towards athleticism and cultured brilliance rather than outright tech savant.

So, basically this showcases the day to day look at life at a British boarding school with all the hijinks one could imagine from such a cultured, set in stone institution, ripe with rules, traditions, and legends. One of those legends being a former student’s ghost who now haunts the grounds, whose body has never been found. While Jake sets his mind to solving the mystery, he falls in love, aces his classes, and trains to be an Olympian. It’s all in a hard day's work for “Richie Rich”.

What stands out here is the structure of this book which boasts no less than 10 different POV’s. The settings vary, the chapters are short, but it never lost my interest. I admit, I thoroughly enjoyed myself for the first 80%, and then I was shockingly devastated, angry, resigned - then somewhat vindicated and ultimately, satisfied despite my frustrations. I won't go into nitty gritty detailed spoilers. Other reviews have nicely done so, so if you want HUGE plot reveals investigate more! Admittedly, I’m still a bit peeved because I like my romance a certain way and this did not deliver on that…. but props to being original.

Overall again, if you want something different, if you like mysteries, if you don’t mind tame YA with a bit of romance thrown in, then prepare yourself for a shock and a hardcore bittersweet ending that just might tickle your fancy leaving you pleasantly surprised (fingers and toes crossed). If not (and the odds are kinda sorta leaning towards that opinion) - hopefully, just simply entertained.

A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Tag Team Review: Incubus Honeymoon (Arcana Imperii #1) by August Li

As the so-called magical creatures go, I’m low on the hierarchy, and my powers aren’t much good to human mages. I’m a lover, not a fighter, through and through. I’m also selfish, lazy, and easily bored. But I’m damned good at what I do.

Too bad that won’t get my arse out of this sling.

Do one—granted, uncharacteristic—good deed, and now I’m held hostage to an arrogant faerie prince, trying to track down the one who summoned him while dodging gangbangers, gun runners, and Nazis. Add the powerful mage guilds scrambling to gather firepower for some doomsday event they’re sure is around the corner, and my cushy life of leisure might be nothing but a memory. On top of that, something’s compelling me to change on my most fundamental level. I’m not sure what I’ve got myself mixed up in, but nothing will ever be the same.

Bloody hell.

===

Featuring a new twist on urban fantasy combined with fast-paced action and intrigue, the Arcana Imperii series books are standalone adventures, each completely accessible to new readers.

Fantasy Living - 4 Hearts

While trying to be a good incubus, Inky has somehow tied himself to a fae prince who refuses to release him until the faerie (Let’s call him Blossom) can return home and get away from the boring human realm he hasn’t been to in centuries and doesn’t miss.

This story is told from four POV. Inky (Incubus), Blossom (Fae) and two humans, Dante (a 19 yo who works for an arms dealer) and Raf (the arms dealer).

Now that the groundwork is laid out, let’s get to the fun part. Dante’s sister has been kidnapped, and Blossom is somewhat convinced (by Inky) that the little girl somehow conjured him to the human realm (I honestly don’t know if I’m supposed to call it earth in this context so I’ll stick with realm/dimension, whatever). That would take some powerful magic, and would need skill and power to have Blossom released to return to his home. He is not wholly convinced that the girl has either, so things are looking bleak, but they are on this journey nonetheless.

Blossom is a haughty brat, and it is hilarious. He just doesn’t care, is completely into himself and finds humans, and Inky beneath his notice.

”MY DEMON servant muttered under his breath as we traversed the snowy walkways of the decrepit human settlement. What an annoying creature; I should have chosen someone better to assist me, but now I’d saddled myself with this dour being whose only motivation involved inserting his member into some mortal and imagining it was a profound act.”

Coupled with Inky’s nature of needing to fit someone’s fantasy, there is a weird dynamic that occurs that I still can’t really figure out, but someone else might be able to explain to me.

Dante’s sexuality isn’t named, but I’m pretty sure he is asexual and aromantic, which means when Inky crosses his path, all Inky can feel from him is rage, and fear for Dante’s sister, but no desire to mold him into a shape (yes, a shape shifting incubus!!). This leaves Inky feeling lost and a little frightened for the future, until he settles into a routine of just being himself.

There are a lot of interesting elements in this story. I really liked the world building. The different take on magic and the Incubus was delightful, and I did like the characters. Raf is a little out of place, and it is difficult to understand why he even has a POV until much later on. I still liked him mostly. He has a protective streak for Dante, that at some points seems to indicate some deeper feels.

There is no romantic element to this story, it is purely UF, so check expectations. Since romance is not a prerequisite for me, I didn’t miss it, but there was some alluding, which kind of irritated me because I honestly couldn’t see where the story was going in the early stages.

There were a few things my ‘parent’ lens didn’t allow me to buy into towards the end. I can’t say much about it because it’s a spoiler, but it’s one of the reasons this isn’t higher rating for me. If it is to push this world into a series, then I get it (and am totally down for this, thank you August Li) but it doesn’t make it better for me.

Overall this was definitely worth my time, and I’m pleased with this new to me author. I will definitely be keeping my eye on more of his work. Loads of fun and creativity with skilled writing. Recommended to everyone who enjoys Urban Fantasy, or wants to give it a try.

A review copy was provided for an honest opinion.


R *A Reader Obsessed* - 4 Unexpected Hearts - BR with FantasyLiving!

No good deed goes unpunished…

In an alternate universe where magic abounds furtively and all sorts of creatures exist, a self absorbed incubus takes a step out of his comfort zone and follows a mysterious pull towards an underground club. There, he surprisingly finds a fae, whose kind hasn’t been seen in nigh 2000 years, and who’s been summoned and trapped in this world against his will. Said incubus feels inclined to help this wondrous creature avoid a terrible fate, and before he knows it, he’s locked into a binding agreement with the fairy to help him find the person who has him caught. If the agreement goes unfulfilled, grave repercussions will ensue and thus, this story begins.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy or simple. What unfolds is plenty of snark and animosity, as incubus and fairy encounter mages, skinheads, arms dealers, turf wars, and dangerous magical factions, all with their own agenda that is surely sinister and most likely deadly.

Along the way, a human brother and sister get caught in the middle, and it’s a race against time (isn’t it always?) to set things right so said incubus can go back to his safe and mundane life, free of the fae who has trapped him into service. However, the incubus is irrevocably changed and influenced and is now caught up in something way bigger than himself.

Perhaps as a warning, this is not a romance. There are established couples, romantic feelings develop and are present, but an actual story about two people falling in love, this is not. As another warning, this is told from 4 different points of view, and the reader definitely gets perspective from all the main players involved.

Rolling down a hill, getting bigger and bigger, what initially looks like something small and insignificant, changes and exponentially grows into so much more as unconnected people, events, and situations converge into quite the impressive reveal.

Admittedly, this was so far from what was expected and wanted (ahem, smexy smex with a fantasy flair). Instead, respect for the world building and the complex conflict was left in its place. I look forward to one helluva future ride and hopefully a big satisfying payoff!

Thank you to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review

Guest Review: ...And All Shall Fade to Black by Layla Dorine

Moving into his new apartment, Jax never expected to have to break up a fight between his new neighbors, resulting in a physical altercation and a visit from the cops. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that it would lead to him meeting Danny, the cute theater manager and playwright that lived next door. Unfortunately, his first impression of Danny and the way he’d cowered away in the fight with his ex, wasn’t exactly a favorable one. Jax already has his own issues to deal with, between his past problems with his mother and the chain of men who’ve floated in and out of her life, his new job as a piercer in his sister’s tattoo shop and his struggles with an eating disorder; the last thing he plans to add to it is a relationship. Yet Danny isn’t so easy to ignore and when they find themselves bonding after Danny shows him around town, and more when Jax offers to help with sets for his latest play, it becomes harder and harder for him to ignore the connection forming between them. As Jax’s insecurities and food issues grow more and more out of control, he find himself turning to Danny for help, rather than his longtime friends Callum and Max who lives just downstairs. Danny’s mix of patience, stubbornness and tough love make it harder and harder for Jax to keep his distance, and somewhere in the course of their daily lives, they find themselves moving from being friends, to being more.

Trigger warning: domestic violence

Reviewer: Annika

I'm sorry to say this book didn't work for me. At all. And sadly for so many reasons. My first issue was with the writing and editing of this book. It reads more like an early beta version rather than the finished book. A lot of the times I found the sentence structure to be really confusing and I had to re-read many of them just to try to make sense of them. That might just be me, I don't know. All I know is that I had a difficult time with it.

A lot of the time the story and characters felt flat. Everything lacked in descriptions. I don't need huge and complicated world-buildings, but some basic descriptions would be nice. Reading page after page with only dialogue and nothing that really breaks in to give some relief is exhausting. The really sad thing is that at times there are really great descriptions, and everything flows along nicely, but there should've been so much more of it,

Another pet peeve of mine are constant changes in POV, where you don't know who's head you're in and end up completely lost. At least keep the same POV throughout the entire chapter. I'm always thrown out of the story when there are too many jumps.

And what about our MC's? Well, I'm sad to say I couldn't stand Jax. You'd think Jax would be a more sympathetic person with his past and issues and all that, but to me he just came across like a giant judgemental ass. And with that I don't mean that I need people to be all lovey-dovey and nice and super friendly all the time - it would be ridiculous if they were. But I do want them have basic respect for other human beings. (at least when you are supposed to sympathise and like the person) And Jax's first meeting, well second really (first for us) with Danny just proves that he is not:

Of course the coward on the floor didn't answer him

He couldn't imagine cowering from anyone, let alone someone who seemed hell bent on kicking his ass. At the very least he'd have stood on his own two feet and slugged it out even in a battle he knew he couldn't win

Then you have Danny, who in the beginning comes across as this meek, shy guy who's too afraid to stand up for himself. Yet somehow, they strike up an unlikely pseudo friendship, both wanting more, but too afraid to start something. We don't get to know all that much about Danny as most of the focus is on Jax and his issues or Danny's writing. Danny himself is kind of invisible.

Oh, and for those of you looking for something hot and heavy, this is not the book for you. There is barely no intimacy until the last few chapters of the books. A lot of back and forth between them. A couple of kisses here and there, but not much else and not with any kind of regularity.

I felt like there was a lot of the plot left unexplored, and unanswered. It didn't feel like the story/book was complete. There are too many loose ends left to be tied for my liking. I don't want or need everything fixed by the end of the book. I truly dislike if that's the case. But what I do want and am always looking for is progress, hope. That the characters have learned something from their struggles. When we left the story it felt half done, there is more to be explored, to learn. But not enough for it to turn into a second book or series.

What I did like about this book was how realistic Jax's eating disorder was portrayed. All the struggles he went through, every day and with every bite. You were really there with him during those struggles, they were heart-felt and real. As were the warped sense of self-worth and sense of body. Never wanting help from anyone - or that anyone knew that he was struggling. This part felt really real to me and truly well done.


I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Love Wanted by John Inman

When it rains, it pours. Not only has Larry Walls been evicted from his apartment, but his hours have also been cut at the department store where he works, leaving him facing homelessness.

Meanwhile, Bo Lansing, a total stranger to Larry, toils at a dead-end job as a fry cook while attending night classes to become a certified chef. When the school closes its doors without warning, leaving Bo in the lurch for thousands of dollars in tuition, his dream of becoming a chef is shattered and his financial troubles spiral.

Desperate for a new beginning, each man answers an ad for live-in help posted by a wealthy recluse, and wonder of wonders, they are both hired! Just as their lives begin to improve, a young Kumeyaay Indian named Jimmy Blackstone joins the workforce at the Stanhope mansion.

When Mr. Stanhope’s true reason for hiring the young men is discovered by one of the three, a fourth entity makes its presence known.

Greed.

With all these players vying for position in a game of intrigue orchestrated by one lonely old man and a mischievous ghost, can a simple thing like love ever hope to survive the fray?

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of John Inman’s words. His books always make me feel good regardless of their genre. Even his “horror” stories can give me warm feels and don’t get me started on the love pollen. His good guys are easy to root for, faults and all and in Love Wanted the author took that comfort I’ve come to love and presented it in a completely new and unique way.

When I first read the blurb I didn’t really know what to expect once I started reading. Honestly, this story could have gone in so many different directions and while the build-up was a little slow, actually I should say, it was “quiet”, the pace fit the story overall because I needed to read every angle and POV to appreciate all the characters fully. This story is told in a multitude of POV’s so you do have to pay attention but the story was more completely told because of the way it was written. I don’t think many authors can pull that off well, but John Inman can.

The story does not take the easy way out for an HEA for anyone and the conflict made the story much more realistic and the characters much more believable. The added option for a love interest for Larry gave a vehicle for the author to explore love and happiness from many more different angles elevating the story to much more than a love story between two MC’s and the whimsical dreams of an old man; it was a character study of love itself in its many forms.

Larry was my favorite from the get go even though he was more reserved than Bo. Then Jimmy shows up and Larry really started to blossom. While it was a love triangle per se, it wasn’t overly angsty, it was actually just more interesting. I’m not usually a fan of the triangle because I end up sad for someone, but this one really worked for me because the author dove deeply into the emotions beyond the actions.

All of my ramblings make this sound like a really serious tale, but there is a balance between the heavy ideas and the whimsical side of love and relationships. There are characters that provide the lighthearted side that the story needed mainly by way of Roger, Jeremy and Mrs. Price. I didn’t know what to make of Roger at first, I mean his ad that he placed for live in help could have been super pervy, but once you get to know the guy, you can’t help but like him and love his intentions. And his love story is just as good as Larry’s. Roger and Jeremy add the sass to the sauce and I loved it when I got to their page time.

Love Wanted is an incredibly well written and easy to read love story and it’s a perfect feel good tale that we all kind of need right now. Reading Love Wanted will remind you how amazing love can be.

**A copy of this story was provided for an honest review**

Review: A Face Without a Heart by Rick R. Reed

4th Edition

A modern-day and thought-provoking retelling of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray that esteemed horror magazine Fangoria called “…a book that is brutally honest with its reader and doesn’t flinch in the areas where Wilde had to look away…. A rarity: a really well-done update that’s as good as its source material.”

A beautiful young man bargains his soul away to remain young and handsome forever, while his holographic portrait mirrors his aging and decay and reflects every sin and each nightmarish step deeper into depravity… even cold-blooded murder. Prepare yourself for a compelling tour of the darkest sides of greed, lust, addiction, and violence.

First Edition paperback published by Design Image Group, 2000.
Second Edition paperback published by iUniverse/Back in Print, 2006.
First Edition eBook published by Bristlecone Press, 2009.

I have to admit that I’ve never read The Picture of Dorian Grey but I know the basics of the story, and of course he features in Penny Dreadful so I’m aware of the character.

That being said, I really fell into this adaptation and found it intriguing, poetic, and fantastical. I am actually pleased I read this contemporary adaptation before taking the plunge into the literary classic.

This story is told from multiple points of view but clearly shows the story of Gary and his journey from barely legal drifter from a wealthy family to tortured immortal. The contemporary setting made this relatable, and interesting. The hologram had my wheels turning and was completely different to any artist point of view I’ve read before. I was actually enamoured by the description of the artwork and the showing. Mr Reed really sold me on the realism of it.

I have a hard time with recreational drug use so this dimmed my enjoyment somewhat, even though I understood the reason behind it. Addiction is a sore point for me in real life, so it’s not surprising the casualness of it in the beginning turned my stomach. That being said, I appreciated that the grittiness of long term use was clearly shown, and not glamorised in any way. This made it darker for me (and maybe other readers without my issues will feel the same), and gave a depth to the type of destructive lifestyle Gary was leading.

This story is rich in layers, and walked a clear line from beginning to end. I felt connected to all the characters as well as the lead. I appreciated the witty touches of Henrietta and the reverence of Liam the artist.

I had some issues with the beginning, with Gary’s first love, and I’m trying to ignore them as I write this. It was odd to me, and seemed out of place with the rest of the story. I get why it is there, but it didn’t fit for me. As the story progressed I tried to ignore it was even in there.

Overall I think this was a great story. It’s on the grey side of dark *wink* and enjoyable in an atypical way. Mr Reed always gets me with the interpersonal relationships and the creepy descriptives. Wonderful showing as always.

I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys the original, the movie adaptation and Rick R. Reed’s other horror/thriller work.

A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest opinion

  

Release Day Review: Witches for Hire (Odd Jobs #1) by Sam Argent

All recovering drug addict and witch Jeremy Ragsdale wants is to shamble on to the next job without any disasters. Instead, the temp agency saddles him with a fellow witch who hates him, an Amazon one violent outburst away from deportation, and a knight from another world as his boss. Even worse, their jack-of-all-trades magic business stumbles upon a conspiracy to kill Desmond the Great, Atlanta’s sexy star magician. Jeremy must prevent it without letting his colleagues know that he not only has ties to the energy vampires behind the plot, but that his past misdeeds might have instigated the attacks.

Despite Jeremy sporting a suit and tie like a good witch, his lies snowball to bite him in the ass. The lack of trust brewing between him and his teammates could cost Desmond his life and Jeremy his progress on the straight and narrow path if his secrets are revealed. Because no matter how much Jeremy has reformed, there’s still enough bad witch in him to kill anyone who messes with him or the people he cares about.

This is gonna be a quick and dirty review ‘cause there’s nothing I can say about it without spoiling the book.

I’ll just come out and say… I. Loved. This. Book.  I loved the characters, the action, the plot, the romance, the world building, the angst and the humor.  But most of all I loved the writing.  Oh, the writing!  If ever there was something to debate about this story, it’s the writing.  There will be some that don’t like the author’s style.  In fact, I think most people will be frustrated by it and potentially abandon it before they reach the halfway point.  Not me.  I was so attuned to it I felt it deep in my soul.

There’s not one single bit of telling in this book.  Everything is show, show, show.  And what a show it is!  The world building is extremely organic.  You’re viewing the world as if you are expected to already know how it works.  The story unfolds in bits and pieces and seemingly unnecessary offshoots, giving you absolutely no clue as to what is going on and feeling like maybe you missed something.  You’re left to discover the secrets on your own.  Once I got about a third of the way in, it all started coming together and suddenly I was riveted.  I could not put the book down!  And the way everything culminated in the end left me breathless.  I was in absolute awe. 

It’s like Sam Argent has direct access to my brain and fine-tuned the words to align perfectly with my patterns.  The story is chaotic and goes back and forth between four or five different points of view.  One minute you’ll feel like you’re getting somewhere with a plot point and then you turn the page and she’s gone off in a different direction.  This is where I feel a lot people will abandon the book because they just can’t wrap their mind around what is going on.  For me, though, my brain is already chaotic; my mind works in this exact way so I was ecstatic to say the least.  Can I just tell you how freaking amazing it feels to find a book that speaks to you in your own personal language?  I mean, just knowing there is someone else out there in the world that thinks the exact same way I do is exhilarating.  I don’t feel so alone in the world any more.

This book is quirky.  So, so, so damned quirky.  Between Jeremy’s snark, the drugged out werewolf who thinks the trees look like angels and his witch mate (who really wears the pants in that family), the Amazon who kicks ass with glee, the absolutely swoon-worthy magician and the wizard who puts up with it all (he’s just trying to get his green card, people, c’mon!) there’s something in here for everyone.  The action is non-stop; you’ll hardly be able to catch your breath between chapters.  I highly, highly recommend this to those who maybe think a little differently than the norm.  If you loved her other book, Family of Lies: Sebastian, then I guarantee you’ll like this one too.

And if all this wasn’t enough to convince you to read this book, I’ll leave you with two words:

Ass goblins

*mic drop*