Flora Reviews... Deadly Beauties: Blood’s Fury (#1) by C M Owens

(https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20885104-blood-s-fury)

...So what’s this book about?

This is book 1 of the Deadly Beauties series; it sets the scene, introduces us to a myriad of immortal characters (witches, vampires, werewolves & shape-shifters) and starts the many interweaving stories.  

Alyssa Coldwell, is a twenty year old girl who is a year away from becoming an immortal witch and wants to break away from her controlling Mum and live life like a human while she can. This book is written in the first person from Alyssa’s point of view. Kane Ice is Alyssa’s love interest but as with all romance novels, their relationship has it’s fair share of hurdles; mysterious deaths in the town, Alyssa’s mum going missing, immortals out for Alyssa’s blood and more secrets than you can shake a stick at!  

 ...So, what did I like about it?

The fact that this story was about a young woman stepping out to make it on her own drew me to this book. Alyssa is the daughter of very powerful parents and I liked the added dimension of her real struggle to control her darker power.

Falling in love is an amazing experience and I did chuckle over the way Alyssa did and said the opposite of what she knew she should say and do at times. We’ve all been there! All the males is this book were very “alpha male” satisfying my primal urge when reading urban or contemporary romance novels *wink*wink*. The passion between Alyssa and Kane was very hot & steamy and her attraction (and possible potential entanglement) to Thad highly believable.  

This story had lots of different immortal beings thrown into the mix which added to it’s charm and I liked the idea that this immortal world had “councils” that they were governed by.

...So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?

I’m going to put the cat among the pigeons here and say, yes, there was about this first book that I didn’t like.  

I did feel that Alyssa’s missing mum was totally overshadowed by the ongoing romance between Alyssa and Kane. I think this was a mistake, it could have added such depth to the story. I wanted to know what leads were they following that took Alyssa around the world and what did they find out when they got to each destination?

Alyssa’s idea that white is good and dark is evil and her inability to learn for herself that her modern immortal world is in fact a myriad shades of grey also wore thin for me very quickly making it very hard for me to care about her towards the end. Ms Owens included plenty of indicators when writing about Kane that clearly should have lead Alyssa to suspecting his secret, but she didn’t. Is this being naive, totally blinded by lust or just unintelligent?  

And finally, I enjoy questions being left unanswered when I’m reading a series but this book didn’t seem to answer any question and I found it very frustrating, it sort of just ended.

...So, basically what I’m saying is...

I did like the story but found my irritation due to Alyssa immaturity overshadowing my enjoyment at times. I read one of the reviews saying that adults will love this book; well I didn’t love it, I do think it’s more in the Young Adult paranormal romance genre.

Flora Reviews.... Better Off Dead (#1) By H.P. Mallory

(https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15962381-better-off-dead)

 

...So what’s this book about?

This is the first book in the Lily Harper series.

Our heroine, Lily Harper, is killed in a car accident before it’s her time to go because her guardian angel wasn’t doing his job properly. So to make amends AfterLife Enterprises, the company responsible for sorting out the recently dead and sending them on their way to the Kingdom, (heaven) or to the Underground City, (hell) gives Lily a choice; spend 100 years in Shade (the waiting space between Kingdom and Underground City) or become a retriever and relocate 10 souls; of course she decides to become a soul-retriever.  Wouldn’t you? She gets to pick a new body, a new place to live, and the job comes with an extensive living & expenses allowance and a new bank account.

...So, what did I like about it?

I’ve read other books by H P Mallory and I do like her writing style. However, this book is not written like her Jolie Wilkins or Dulcie O’Neil series but don’t let that put you off; it’s a great read. I think where her other books can be classed as urban fantasy romance; the potential romance was secondary in Better off Dead, making it more of an urban paranormal adventure.

As usual, all of the main characters have depth and are brought to life within this book, revealing their back story gradually as Lily find out more about those around her and the adventure unfolds. The places and situations that Lily finds herself in, makes it impossible not to be caught up in her journey; I laughed, cried and got frustrated too at times.  ;-)

...So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?

Well, not disliked but there are lots of references to the Inferno by Dante Alighieri and I wish I knew more about the nine circles of hell that he wrote about (might have to google it!),  although my lack of knowledge didn’t actually distract from the story.

...So, basically what I’m saying is...

I really enjoyed reading this book and I’m looking forward to getting my hands on book 2. If you enjoy urban fantasy stories with an adventure theme, then give this book a try.

Flora Reviews... Building From Ashes: An Elemental World Novel #1 by Elizabeth Hunter

 

(https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16005449-building-from-ashes)

 

...So what’s this book about?

Building From Ashes is primarily an urban vampire romance with a thriller/mystery plot running along in the background and is the first book in the Elemental World series, a spin-off of the Elemental Mysteries series quartet (A Hidden Fire #1, This Same Earth #2, The Force of Wind #3 and A Fall of Water #4).

We read this story through the eyes of Carwyn ap Bryn and Brigid Connor although I felt that it was Brigid’s story a little more than Carwyn’s. The timeline in this story stretches from before A Hidden Fire starts (finding out a little about Carwyn’s history and Brigid’s childhood) until after A Fall of Water finishes, so I think that you should read the Mysteries quartet first to enjoy this book to it’s fullest.

 ...So, what did I like about it?

Everything! I’m already a fan of Ms Hunter; her writing style, the characters she creates, and the way she unfolds her stories to us. This book didn’t let me down. I enjoyed the development of the relationships between not only Carwyn & Brigid but all the characters in this story and how it added background “meat” to the Elemental Mysteries quartet books.

This story held me from start to finish, I found it a real page turner – couldn’t put it down! Carwyn had me laughing and yes, a few tears did fall on a number of occasions too plus the mystery element to this story had me completely baffled, the plot’s unexpected twists and turns keeping me on the edge of my seat.

...So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?

No, not a thing! ;-)

...So, basically what I’m saying is...

I really loved this book! I was already completely captivated by Carwyn and I relished the chance to get to know who Brigid was and fall in love with her too! Anyone who has already read and enjoyed Giovanni & Beatrice’s story in the Elemental Mysteries series will love Building From Ashes too.