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Fated Blades by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the Kinsmen's world when the first books came out. Lots of time has gone by since then so I was surprised when a new book set in the world came out. It did not disappoint. All the essential elements are present. There is danger, tension, enemies, and romance. This is a great addition to the series and I hope the success of the book leads to more exciting stories set in the Kinsmen world.

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Like the Novella, Short and Sweet

Sweep with Me by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A interesting addition to the Innkeeper Chronicles. Dina Demille and Sean Evans have more on their plate than usual. Tready Days are here and all guests must be accepted. This is where it get interesting. The guest come in all sizes and shapes and must are very dangerous. At the same time one member of the staff has a break down. Dina pulls out all the stops to keep everyone safe and fairly happy. Novella length so this is a quick and easy read. It can stand alone but is more fun if you have read the previous books in the series.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 316- A Choice of Secrets by Barb Hendee, Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews

A Choice of Secrets by Barb Hendee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lady Nicole Montagna is the latest to see three choices and to decide which one she will choose. I have enjoyed this series from the first book. Lady Nicole discovers her sister's secret and has to decide to keep silent or tell. If she tells she has to decide who to tell. Keep quite, tell her brother or tell her entire family. Three choice and which will she choose. All are interesting and all have very different outcomes. I loved the plot and the characters. Hope more Dark Glass stories will be around in the future.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.


Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After seeing Catalina Baylor as a side character in the Hidden Legacy novels we learn much more about her in this novella. Catalina is working on Nevada and Connor's wedding when she is asked to solve the mystery of a missing tiara. If planning the wedding and solving the mystery was not enough both new and old enemies come out of the woodwork while she tries to control her magic. A nice intro to learning more about Catalina and priming us for a future novel with her as the main character.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 289 - Dominator by Mike Shepherd, Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews

Dominator by Mike Shepherd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was as bored as Vicky at her wedding. Like she said it just went on and on. Then the honeymoon was cut short as Vicky went to first rescue her father and then try to fix the mess he let his half of the empire get into. After the wedding there was plenty of action, danger and adventure. Vicky has really changed from when she first appeared in a Kris Longknife book. It is fun watching how she tries to live up to her new job and husband.


Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A nice ending to Kate Daniels' series. I listened to the audio and loved the voice of Renee Raudman. She did a great job of bringing the story to life. The end left Kate and Connor alive and well but at the end of the story arc with the main problems solved. I especially enjoyed how and where Roland ended up. This is not a standalone and is best enjoyed after reading the entire series.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 263 - Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews, Nemesis by Ken Lozito

Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my! I almost finished this in one setting. Only knowing that I probably needed sleep made me put it down. I did then pick it up immediately upon waking. I loved the book. The dialog between Hugh and Elera is priceless. Making characters from the Kate Daniels series part of the story line and action added to the feeling of coming home to a familiar and welcome place. Only bad thing; I have to wait for the next book in the series.


Nemesis by Ken Lozito
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am still hooked on the First Colony series. Several years have passed since the end of the first book and Connor is fighting a losing battle getting the colony ready if the invasion from Earth happens. People do not believe that they are in danger and just as Connor heads back from a failed mission to get more support it happens. The invasion arrives. This is a desperate battle to keep the colony from being overrun and it comes at a great cost. The same narrator does this one and he still does a great job getting the right emotions with the right people. I am already listening to the next book in the series.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 154 - Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews, Sungrazer by Jay Posey, Beast by Anna Hackett

Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kate and Curran should be planning a wedding but of course things just keep getting in the way. This moves the story line forward. Solves some things, brings some surprises about characters, keeps the danger developing and the tension at a very high level. The reader does a really great job of the different voices. The voice matched what was happening in the story adding to the enjoyment of the story.


Sungrazer by Jay Posey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A fun journey full of danger and surprise, Sungrazer bring the Outrider team back together with a new dangerous mission. This is space opera with a great cast of characters, interesting world building and backstory. Set in the Solar System with most of the action on Mars the story is fast paced keeping everything moving. The reader did a very good job with the voices of the characters and matching the pace of the story.


Beast by Anna Hackett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You knew Mia and Vek had a connection in the last story but I wondered how they would find their HEA. Vek is such a complex character. At heart he is kind but from his capture as a child he has been drugged and made into a killer in a illegal fight ring. From the time he was freed and helped free Mia she has been the only one who can calm the rage left over from the drugs. I loved how Hackett found a way to burn that rage away and make Vek a valuable member of the Galactic Gladiators. Mia is also a complex characters. She was the under performer in her family and it was great seeing her bond with Vek and finding that she had a very valuable talent. Great addition to the series and a very nice set up for the next set of stories.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews #102 - Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews, Sweep in Peace by Ilona Andrews, One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews

Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Earth is neutral territory, the Inn is a way station for travelers from other planets and the innkeeper processes magic. With the scene set we meet Dina Demille and an entire cast of characters who pass through her Inn. I loved the setting and found the characters to be different and very interesting. The problem is introduced when another dog is killed in the neighborhood where Dina's Inn is located. Nothing on Earth did the deed and as the story unfolds we meet a variety of characters who will pepper the pages of the Innkeeper Chronicles. This is book one and as it ends one problem is solved but there are more on the horizon. This is a fun series that has great dialog and some really wonderful laugh out loud moments.


Sweep in Peace by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dina needs people to stay in her inn so she agrees to host three rival groups. Why take the chance - the inn gets it strength from the people who visit and she is short of visitors. Nothing goes as planned and Dina becomes the focal point instead of just the innkeeper. The characters from the first story return and new and interesting characters arrive. The backstory and the world building are enlarged. The story is tension filled and surprises arrive on a regular basis. This story line keeps getting better and better. Start at the beginning for the best read.


One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Family first or is it protect your guest first. For Dina both are at the top of her list. When she gets a message from her sister she springs into action. Then when she gets the chance to find out what happened to her parents she accepts a dangerous guest. This series just keeps getting better and better. The cast of characters help with the story line and the problems get worse and worse. There are some really funny scenes that had me laughing out loud. Some problems are solved and others are left up in the air. Here's hoping for more Dina and Innkeeper Chronicles.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews #101 - White Hot by Ilona Andrews, Wildfire by Ilona Andrews, Ruining Miss Wortham by Emily Larkin

White Hot by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nevada and Rogan are back again and trouble seems to follow where ever they go. I really love this series. Part of the fun is the location. It is Houston, TX where some things are the same and some are very different. Magic changes everything and both Rogan and Nevada are very powerful magic users. Rogan's magic is known but Nevada's magic has been hidden for her own protection. Now things are changing and Nevada is becoming a very valuable commodity. I love the tension between Rogan and Nevada. Rogan is such a great character and the lines between he and the other characters are priceless. Many bring on a very good laugh. Start with Burn for Me and continue on with White Hot for a fun and tension filled story.


Wildfire by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wildfire takes readers back to the Houston where magic is a part of life. Rogan and Nevada are in great danger. Some of the danger comes from known sources but the worse comes from an unknown source. There are some added elements in Wildfire. Nevada and Rogan are still draw together. Nevada will do anything to protect her family and makes a life changing decision. Some of the issues are solved but they still have a large part of the danger hanging over them as the book ends. This is a fun series with great characters, tension filled action and a plot that keeps the story moving.


Ruining Miss Wrotham by Emily Larkin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What would you do for family? Eleanor Wroth will do whatever she must. First she breaks away from her overbearing family. Then she faces ruin by traveling with Mordecai, the illegitimate son of an earl. Eleanor is another one who has a baleful Godmother. Her wish comes on her 23rd birthday and it cannot come too soon. While she waits she searches but things do not work out as she wants. Just as she feels she will find her sister life interfere and her wish changes. I love this series and the two main characters this time are both interesting and fun. I will pulling for Mordecai from the beginning and wanted to shake Eleanor when she misreads so much that he is doing for her. This can stand alone but for more fun read the first books in the series.

Look Back Wednesday - Silver Shark by Ilona Andrew

LOOK BACK WEDNESDAY IS A FEATURE HERE ON THE BLOG.  THERE ARE SO MANY REALLY GOOD BOOKS I HAVE REVIEWED ON GOODREADS I DECEIDED TO HIGHLIGHT SOME FROM THE PAST.  RIGHT NOW I AM FEATURING BOOKS POSTED ON MY GOODREADS SCIENCE FICTION ROMANCE SHELF.  EACH REVIEW IS A DIRECT POST FROM MY GOODREADS REVIEW.

Silver Shark by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Claire Shannon has enhanced mental capabilities that were used in a war her side lost. By hiding those abilities she is allowed to live but must go off planet and start a new life. She must continue to hide what she can do but finds if difficult. The attraction she feels toward her new boss does not help. This has great world building and wonderful characters. I hope to see more in this universe.

Ilona Andrews is the pen name for a husband and wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former U.S. Army sergeant. They write the Kate Daniels books and The Edge books. So far there is a short story and this novella in The Kinsman Series. I am hoping for more. This world has unlimited possibilities.



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Burn for Me (A Hidden Legacy Novel) by Ilona Andrews

Urban Fantasy

From Goodreads:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews launches a brand new Hidden Legacy series, in which one woman must place her trust in a seductive, dangerous man who sets off an even more dangerous desire…

Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile case. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.

Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run or surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.

Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world.

Ilona Andrews new series is off to a very hot start, pun intended.  Look for a lot of heat in the form of fire and a lot of heat in the form of attraction.  All of it adds up to a great new series to follow.

World Building:  “In 1863, in a world much like our own, European scientist discovered Osiris serum, a concoction which brought out one;s magic talents.” That first sentence sets the stage for the action and the world building.  Burn for Me is set in Houston, Texas in a city that is somewhat like the Houston of our world but is divided up into section controlled by the Primes who have very strong magic.  Reading I would feel like I was very comfortable in a place I understood and them something would happen that would show how very different the world of Burn for Me was.  Magic is what sets the two worlds apart.

Characters:  Even early in the story the main characters are very well developed.  The family that owns The Baylor Investigative Agency are the characters at the heart of the story.  They are a family that sticks together no matter what.  Nevada is the oldest child in the family and the main investigator.  Her mother, grandmother and three younger siblings make up the rest of the family.  Mad Rogan comes into the picture when he and Nevada have to try to stop a Prime who has to power to burn Houston to the ground.  Lots of attraction between the two but Nevada is resisting.  This is the first book in the series so there is just Nevada resisting the attraction and Rogan confident that he will get her in the end. 

Plot:  There is more going on that what first appears.  Nevade starting thinking she just has to find Adam Pierce (a powerful fire Prime) and get him to return to his family.  As the story develops the danger just keeps increasing and the tension contines to ramp up.

Writing:  As always the husband and wife team of Ilona Andrews keeps everything going with writing that produces well though out action, dialog and tension. 

There is a sneak preview of the next book at the end of Burn For Me.  It looks like the beginning of another great story.

Avon published Burn For Me by Ilona Andrews in 2014.

I received an ARC of Burn For Me from Amazon Prime.

Book Beginnings and The Friday 56, June 27, 3014

I'm linking up with Rose City Reader for Book Beginnings and Freda's Voice for Page 56.

 Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Pick the closest book on your book stack and

Come Join us!

The Beginning:

"In 1863, in a world much like our own, European scientists discovered Osiris serum, a concoction which brought out one's magic talents."

Page 56:

"House Harrison wasn't large or powerful enough to claim its own territory, but they were comfortably wealthy."

From Ilona Andrews' Burn For Me, the first book in her new Hidden Legacy Series. I received an ARC of Burn For Me from Amazon Vine this week. I haven't started it yet but I already think I will like it. The book is due out in October.

Here is what Goodreads says about Burn for Me.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews launches a brand new Hidden Legacy series, in which one woman must place her trust in a seductive, dangerous man who sets off an even more dangerous desire…

Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile case. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.

Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run or surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.

Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world.

Stacking the Shelves August 11, 2012

Welcome to my Stacking The Shelves post!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews so follow the link and check out what other stacked on their shelves this week.  

Stacking The Shelves is all about the books I am adding to my shelves each week, sharing with you my excitement for my newest books.

Purchased on a trip to Barnes and Noble:

Wild Texas Rose by Jodi Thomas
An Officer's Duty by Jean Johnson

Purchased from Amazon:

Starlight by Carrie Lofty
A Duchess to Remember by Christina Brooke
Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews
The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires by Molly Harper
Heart Secret by Robin D. Owens

From Netgalley:

The Enchanted Truth by Kym Petrie

The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

Forever a Lady by Delilah Marvelle

Kept by Shawntelle Madison

Trapped by Kevin Hearne

Waiting on Wednesday July 18, 2012

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I am waiting for Gunmetal Magic" A Novel in the World of Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews.  This is a new series and the first book is due out on July 31, 2012.  I have it on pre-order from Amazon. 

Angels of Darkness by Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Meljean Brook, and Sharon Shinn

Paranormal Romance

Angels of Darkness contains four novellas.  Angel’s Wolf by Nalini Singh is set in the Guild Hunter world, Alphas:  Origins by Ilona Andrews which does not appear to go with any of her series, Ascension set in the Guardian world by Meljean Brook and Nocturne set in the Samaria world by Sharon Shinn.  My two favorites are Angel’s Wolf and Nocturne.  Shinn''s Samaria and Singh's Guild Hunter are two of my favorite series.  

Angel’s Wolf is the story of Noel a vampire we met briefly in Archangel’s Kiss.  Noel was badly damaged and now that he is healed he has been sent to Louisiana to serve in the court of Nimra.  Noel feels that he has been sent here because he is now useless.  Nothing is further from the truth.  There is danger in Nimra’s court and Noel has been choosen to find and destroy that danger.

Nocturne by Sharon Shin features Corban, a blind angel, and Moriah, a housekeeper with secrets.  Moriah pushes Corban to rise above his blindness and fly again.  They are drawn together but could be pulled apart.

Both stories are well written and are good additions to their series. If you are fans of any of the four authors this is a good book to fill in the blanks while you wait for another book.

Berkley Sensation published Angels of Darkness by Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Meljean Brook, and Sharon Shinn in 2011. 

Teaser Tuesday December 6, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: 

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

I am reading Angels of Darkness by Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Meljean Brook and Sharon Shinn.  My teaser is from Sharon Shinn's story Nocturne (page 245).

"Like Alma, the angel was waiting for me, or so it seemed:  He had turned his chair so it faced the door, and his whole posture was alert.  Even his wings were less dispirited, arching behind his back as if they had been plumped and groomed."

Teaser Tuesday October 25, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: 

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.
• 
  
• Here is this weeks teaser:

"It was familiar now, the way his skin went tense in a waiting kind of expectation at the touch of her gaze.  They hadn't made physical contact again since that walk in the garden, but Noel was discovering that doubts about her true nature or not, his body was no longer averse to the idea of intimacy."

Page 41; Nalini Singh'a Angel's Wolf novella in Angels of Darkness by Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Meljean Brook and Sharon Shinn.

This contains stories by some of my favorite authors.

On the Edge by Ilona Andrews

Paranormal Romance

In On the Edge Ilona Andrews has crafted a new reality for her next series. There is the Broken where there is no magic; the Weird, which is full of magic and between the two, is the Edge, a narrow strip where some magic exists. Only people who live on the Edge can easily visit both the Broken and the Weird but life in the Edge is hard.

Rose Drayton lives in the Edge and works a minimum wage job in the Broken to support herself and her two brothers. She has some powerful magic and at one time she through it would make life easier for her and her brothers. Unfortunately all the magic has brought her is trouble. Just when she thinks that thing can’t get any worse Declan Camarine, a noble from the Weird shows up determined to marry her. Declan is not all that comes to the Edge; an intense new danger shows up looking for magic. Rose is a target and she needs help to survive. Thus the stage is set for On the Edge the first book in a thrilling new paranormal series by Ilona Andrews. Check out On the Edge.

Ace published On the Edge by Ilona Andrews in 2009.

Ilona Andrews is the husband and wife team of Ilona and Gordon Anderson.