Review: Shadowed Threads by Shannon Mayer

Book 4, Rylee Adamson Series

Publisher:  HiJinks Ink Publishing

Date:   August 15, 2013

Pages:  206 pages/388 KB (e-book) 

Rating:  4 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for review from the author.  I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:  "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".

Buy Links: 

Amazon USA:  http://www.amazon.com/Shadowed-Threads-Rylee-Adamson-ebook/dp/B00DZUICMA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376673906&sr=8-1&keywords=shadowed+threads

Amazon Canada:  http://www.amazon.ca/Shadowed-Threads-Rylee-Adamson-ebook/dp/B00DZUICMA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374153090&sr=8-1&keywords=shadowed+threads+shannon+mayer

Amazon UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadowed-Threads-Rylee-Adamson-ebook/dp/B00DZUICMA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374153130&sr=8-1&keywords=shadowed+threads+shannon+mayer

Amazon France:  http://www.amazon.fr/Shadowed-Threads-Rylee-Adamson-ebook/dp/B00DZUICMA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374153157&sr=8-1&keywords=shadowed+threads+shannon+mayer

Amazon Germany:  http://www.amazon.de/Shadowed-Threads-Rylee-Adamson-ebook/dp/B00DZUICMA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374153182&sr=8-1&keywords=shadowed+threads+shannon+mayer

Told in the first person.  And at times it seems as if Rylee is talking directly to the reader.

This book is part of a series but I recommend that you not read this as a stand-alone.  This is my first book in the series and I think that if you want to understand who Rylee is, and the rest of the characters, you need to go back and read the books you’ve missed (if any) – I intend to do that especially after I read the first chapter.  Shannon has me hooked – I’m intrigued!

This story starts off with a wolf that is hungry for a taste of witch.  Then the story switches to Rylee fighting a black panther.  His name is Will and he happens to be a cop.  That scene is perfect movie, or TV series, material. 

Jack is a character that makes me think of Charlie from “Charlie’s Angels” fame.  It’s not quite the same because in the series you never get to meet Charlie but it’s how much he cares about Rylee’s little group.  There are too many characters in this book to mention so you will just have to get your own copy so that you will meet them all.

This is certainly a book that is full of action starting right from the first page.  We see all different kinds of paranormal characters here that would be a great fit for the Syfy Channel.  Shannon then has me laughing during some serious moments.  I don’t know if that was intentional or not but I loved it – it made the scenes seem just that more real.  It also becomes apparent that this series must be read in order because of Rylee’s interactions with Milly. 

If you have a list of music you listen to while reading, might I suggest that you listen to Freddie Mercury and Queen when reading this book.  The music just seemed to fit perfectly.  I found it helped to set the mood.  If you go to her web site, http://www.shannonmayer.com/shadowed-threads-a-rylee-adamson-novel-4/, she’ll give you a play list for some of her characters.

For me, my favorite character was Alex – I know, you’d think it would be kick-ass Rylee.  But as Rylee says, he’s always saving her ass and he’s such a gentle soul.  You can’t help but smile.  But I have to say that at one point, I was a little jealous of Rylee because she gets to ride on a dragon – I have dragon envy.  My problem though is heights – oh well, I’ll just have to dream (it’s amazing how we’re not afraid of anything in some of our dreams).  I also see some traces of Buffy the Vampire Slayer – but in the early days.  I didn’t like Buffy too much toward the end of the series.  Rylee would have been much better!  One thing about reading a paranormal, that when you try to think about comparing characters you can only compare them to the characters/actors we see on the screen - unless you happen to know someone who also happens to be some kind of paranormal.

This story may seem confusing because there are so many twists and turns so don’t try to speed read.  Also, Shannon is great about not revealing anything too soon.  It’s what makes the reader want to turn the page and to continue reading this great series.  And you will be happy to know that book five, titled Salvaged, is tentatively scheduled for October 24.

In Blue Poppy Fields Part II by Ciaran Dwynvil

Book 4, Guardian Demon

Publication Date:  June 21, 2013

ISBN:  9781301024025

Pages:  535 KB/288 pages (e-book)

Rating:  4 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for review from the author. I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Part two picks up where part one has left off.  This time, Adhemar Lebeau can’t seem to stop dreaming of a certain someone and it’s pissing him off.  So he decides to get up and visit one of the establishments in town.  What he finds there isn’t what he’s expecting.  Then a mystery begins and this makes it real page-turner material. 

Belial is a demon that gets a call that he can’t ignore and he saves the day.  You’ll love how Adhemar and Belial celebrate.  Adhemar’s group is very sexual and you will notice that they are very descriptive – now we’re all adults here so don’t be shy.  Ciaran also shows us that punishment/pain can bring pleasure when done the correct way – don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it.

This is a story of survival.  When we read a story about vampires and demons, we tend to romanticize their lives.  Ciaran gives the reader a look at their lives from their point of view.  They have feelings just like anyone else.   We humans are not the stars of this piece but what help Adhemar and Belial survive.  The bloodlust is also very sexual – it adds to the lover’s experience.  Again it’s very graphic but since we are the voyeur, it’s to be expected.  He also has a great one word that he uses to describe the sex scenes – Carnal.  I whole-heartedly agree!

This time our author has included an enemy to stir the pot.  If you speed read or try to skip around you may miss something.  It’s hard to enjoy a book when you don’t slow down and enjoy what the author has taken the time to write something that he/she feels their readership will want to read over and over.

This is a great book for the summer – pleasure just seems hotter during this time of year.  Come this Fall will be the third installment of this series.  If you’ve read part one and are going to follow through and read part two, make sure to mark your calendars so that you can find out what happens next for Adhemar.  And you can also go over to the web site, http://www.ciarandwynvil.com, and see what books this author has written and to keep an eye out for what he has in store next.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

Review: Awkward Holidays by Kallysten

Book 3, Ward of the Vampire Series

Publisher:  Self-Published

Date:   July 23, 2013

Pages:  114 pages/307 KB (e-book)

Rating:  5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for review from the author. I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This book is written in the first person.  I guess you could read this as a stand-alone but I suggest you don’t.  It’s a better read if you start at the beginning of the series.  This particular book is set around the holidays but it can be read at any time.  It's also a book that can be read in just a couple of hours.

In this part of the series Angelina’s parents are coming for a visit, which puts a twist on the other two books.    This story shows that Morgan Ward has more humanity than we had been lead to believe in the past.  It’s also less about the sexual tension and more about the family aspect of our characters.

Kallysten will still give you the sex and romance because she’s so good at that.  She sucks you in so that you can do no less than fall in love with her characters and hope that all will turn out all right in the end.  She’s also good in leaving you hanging until the next book comes out.  I got to the end and was left saying “What?” – and I’m sure you’ll say the same.

One disappointment I had is that eventually this series will come to an end.  I’ve found that I look forward to when the next book arrives.  Her next book titled The Coward’s Way Out is scheduled for October.   But on the flip side, I’ll also look forward to whatever she writes.  In the meantime, I have to wait another four months until this series continues.