Joint ARC Review: The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison ★★★★★

The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: The Hollows #12
Publication Date: February 25th 2014
ISBN: 9780061957932
Page Count: 512
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey & Janice
Buy Link: AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE



Synopsis: Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan has managed to save the demonic ever after from shrinking, but at a high cost. Now strange magic is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong, and the truce between the races, between Inderlander and human, is shattering.

Rachel must stop the occurrences before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and it becomes all-out supernatural war. However, the only way to do so is through the ancient elven wild magic, which carries its own perils.



A Wild Magic Ride.

To say this book is highly anticipated might just be the biggest understatement I’ve ever made. I can think of no other series where the author has led readers to such an unbearable edge of anticipation, held them there mercilessly for what seems like millennia, and made them grateful for it. It smacks of pure masochism if you ask me. I had no idea I swung that way, but apparently I’m all for it.

Of course, I’m talking about the Trent-Rachel relationship. What else? It’s quite positively the most addictive, thrilling, nail-biting storyline I’ve ever read ever in the history of ever. And since we’re only one book away from the end of this genre-changing series, it’s time for things to get serious. Isn’t it? Please? Please let it be time to get serious!

Now, you know I can’t actually tell you anything about that part of it. And really, you don’t want me to. You might be thinking you want me to, but you’re mistaken. So just put it out of your mind, ‘kay?

Okay, good.

Moving on, what else is happening in this instalment? Well, lots of things! For starters, strange bubbles of magic are cropping up all over Cincinnati, causing misfires in Inderlander’s innate magic and the spells they cast. It quickly becomes a full-scale epidemic involving the F.I.B , the I.S. and the vampires. So who better to tackle the problem than everybody’s favourite go-to girl, the glue that holds them all together, Rachel Morgan. Luckily, these days Rachel has several sidekicks on standby— none more splendiferous than the most recent addition, Trent Kalamack! And even better, she’s now developed to the point where she will actually accept people’s help gladly. Between Trent’s resources, Rachel’s tenacity, Ivy’s planning, and Jenks’...Jenksness, they’ve surely got this problem in the bag, right?

Well, maybe, maybe not. This might just be the biggest challenge Rachel and crew have ever faced. It’s not just the scale of it, but the unpredictability. How can they prevent something when they have no way of anticipating where will be hit next?

In usual Harrison fashion, the pacing of The Undead Pool is spot on. The story evolves naturally with gorgeous little interludes showcasing the beautiful friendships that have been established over the last 12 books. At this point, reading a Hollows novel is like slipping into my most comfortable jeans. It’s such a warm, delightful place to be, I never want to leave. I find myself watching the percentage on my Kindle increase with dismay. Why can’t it just last forever? I wouldn’t mind, honest! And to think there’s only one more book left...*sobs*

What will we do, guys? What will we do?!

Like the last several books in this series, The Undead Pool is an easy five star read for me, and Harrison’s place in my mind as the leader of the pack is holding firm. I predict this book will be a fan favourite, with several sections highlighted for easy reference and dog-eared from overuse. And trust me, mine will be no exception!

5 Stars ★★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

So Worth The Wait! 

I can't talk about the Hollows series without devolving into a gushing, nonsensical, fangirly mess. It's simply not possible. Kim Harrison has wowed and amazed me so many times, over so many years, that at this point if you were to tell me she walks on water, leaps tall buildings in a single bound, or has discovered the cure for cancer, my response would be, "Well duh, of course she has! It's KIM!"

The Undead Pool, though....this is THE BOOK, the one fans of the series have been dying to read for what feels like forever. Those of you not familiar with the series can't understand what we Hollows diehards have suffered. We've been brilliantly and ruthlessly teased, tormented, and outright tortured for so many books now that just thinking about it turns us into blubbering messes. We stammer, forget all the big words we know, and gesture wildly, like the mad people we are. And what's more, not only do we fully embrace the crazy, we feel sorry for all of you who haven't experienced it!

But what, exactly, makes The Undead Pool so extra special and worthy of being crowned THE BOOK of all Hollows books? Let's start with the plot. As usual, Rachel and company have a crisis on their hands, and this time around, it all starts with an exploding golf ball. Magic is on the fritz all across the city, with even the simplest and most innocent of charms turning deadly, and it's not picky about who it hurts, either. Anyone who is anyone in the Hollows world is affected or involved in some way. The danger is everywhere, striking hard and fast and never in the same place twice. Needless to say, tensions are high and tempers are short as everyone scrambles to figure out what's causing the magical mishaps and how to stop them - and naturally, right in the thick of the trouble is our favorite itchy witch, Rachel Morgan.

I loved how big The Undead Pool was, and I'm not talking about the number of pages. Elves, demons, vampires, Weres, the FIB and the IS - they were all there and accounted for. Only the witches were missing, and with so many other peeps involved, I barely noticed their absence. You'd think that with such a diverse cast, the book would feel overcrowded, but Kim expertly juggles all the different characters and groups, giving each a vital role to play in the story without the story itself feeling weighed down or cluttered. What's more, she doesn't skip a single beat while doing it. The book's pacing never falters, the writing is as smooth as ever, and there's a perfect balance struck between riveting action scenes and quieter "human" moments.

There's incredible character development as well. After twelve books, it's impossible for any reader not to become attached, and I'm no exception. I am terribly invested in the lives of Rachel, Ivy, Jenks, Trent, Al, Newt, David, Bis, Edden and everyone else who strides through the pages of the Hollows books. They've all come such a long way since the series started, and they continue to flourish in The Undead Pool. Rachel in particular has matured as a character, no longer recklessly rushing off on her own, straight into the arms of danger. She's impacted so many lives, and you really feel that in this book when everyone comes out of the woodwork to help her. Ivy has changed, too. She's still struggling to be her own vampire, but she's found love at last and even if she has to fight tooth and nail for it (which she does), she's more at peace than I have ever seen her. Or how about Trent, the once-murdering drug lord who has slowly but surely become a trusted friend, ally, and a hero worthy of the name?

Now, you may have noticed I haven't said anything about romance. There's been one brewing for a while now, and the burning question on all of our minds is, "Will they or won't they?!" We're aching to find out if Rachel will get her HEA, and we've got very definite opinions about who she should get her HEA with. And that, my friends, is why The Undead Pool is THE BOOK. After what seems like the longest romantic draught in literary history, Rachel's love life finally gets some attention. As for what happens, and who it happens with.....you don't really expect me to tell you, do you? C'mon now, you know me better than that! But trust me, it's absolutely, positively worth all the years of waiting.

There is so much more I could say and a thousand more praises I could sing about this book, because it's just that good. I've read it twice now and I'm still finding new bits to highlight and bookmark. Pretty soon my entire copy will be marked up, and you know what? I'm totally okay with that.

The Undead Pool is another gripping Hollows adventure that is guaranteed to thrill and enchant fans, and I predict many (if not all) will end the book in a euphoric daze, their faces wreathed in smiles and their minds whirling as they try to process the sheer awesomeness of what they just read. Or maybe that's just me ;).

5 Stars ★★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Tour Stop} Review & Giveaway: The Replacement by Rachael Wade ★★★★1/2

The Replacement by Rachael Wade 
Publication date: January 27th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult
Buy Link: AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE



Synopsis: A gritty New Adult drama about a young woman’s self-destructive quest to find purpose, self-worth, and love in a broken world.

My name is Elise Duchamp. I’m twenty-three years old and I’m known as the town whore.

No, not the kind who exchanges sexual favors for money. The other kind. The kind who gives it all away for free, whenever and however she likes. I am that girl. The one everyone whispers about and the one none of the girls seem to like, because all of their boyfriends either want to sleep with me or already have. Promiscuity is my thing—the kind that slowly, violently turns my insides black, but gives me something I need.

All things considered, I’m not completely reckless. I’m safe, and contrary to popular opinion, I do have a heart. I live in a world of careless choices, and with those choices come careless people. I cannot judge them, because I am one of them. I too bow down to the altar of the self-serving. I am not a good friend. I am not and never could be anyone’s girlfriend. I’m convinced any goodness in me shriveled up and died long ago.

But I am a replacement. That is something I know how to be, and this is a story of the lengths I’d go to in order to keep it that way.


*Contains sexually explicit content and mature subject matter, including language and elements of abuse.*

A Bold and Powerful Story

When I first read the blurb for The Replacement, I was torn. Did I really want to read a book about a twenty-three-year old woman who embraces the title of town whore? No, I was quite sure I didn't. But the book was written by Rachael Wade, and as a fan of her work, I knew that if anyone could pull off a story about a character like Elise Duchamp, she could. And because I trusted the author, I was willing to gamble on the book. 

Do I regret that decision? Nope, not even a little. 

Elise is a hot, broken mess. She's the girl guys cheat on their wives and girlfriends with. The girl we love to hate, the one all too many of us back stab or turn our noses up at. Befriend her? Heavens no, we'd be more likely to chase her out of town - and Elise knows it. Heck, she embraces it! She doesn't pretend to be someone she isn't, or hide her flaws the way the rest of us do. She is who she is, and if you don't like it, you know where the door is. Don't let it hit you on the way out. 

Here's the thing, though. For all her effed-upness, there is something so refreshingly honest about Elise, and as a reader, that appealed to me. She didn't pretty up what she was doing, didn't glorify it or at any point think (or say) that everyone should do what she's doing. And when the guys she was with got too pushy, aggressive, or clingy, she immediately cut things off. She wasn't trying to build relationships or steal someone's man for herself. It was sex, or nothing. Period. 

I didn't agree with a lot of Elise's choices. Not in any way, shape or form. I had many disquieting and downright uncomfortable moments as I was reading, and I can't even count the number of times I gritted my teeth and said, "Why, Elise? WHY are you doing this?!" But I think that is what I was meant to feel. I wasn't supposed to cheer Elise on when she behaved badly. The challenge was to see past her mistakes and into the heart of the woman who made them. Who was Elise, really? What made her this way, and could she be redeemed? If she had the chance to change, would she, or would she continue on her self-destructive path because it was all she knew? 

The Replacement does have a romance in it, and it's a hot one, but for once, the romance isn't what kept me glued to the pages. Don't get me wrong, I adored Ryder. He was amazeballs and so good for Elise, in so many ways, I'm surprised she resisted him as long as she did. But this was Elise's book, through and through. She was the reason I kept reading. Her journey was a powerful one, and honestly, the most important relationship I thought she had in the book was with her boss, Jay, who was a much-needed friend and father figure. 

This book isn't for everyone. Some readers won't make it past the blurb. Others will start it, only to quit after the first chapter or two. As for me, I'm so glad I gave The Replacement a chance. It shook me up, made me think, and at times even pissed me off, but it was also one of the boldest, bravest contemporary novels I've read in a long time. I loved it. 

4.5 Stars ★★★★1/2
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

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Rachael Wade is the Amazon bestselling author of The Preservation Series, The Resistance Trilogy, and the upcoming sci-fi series, The Keepers Trilogy. When she’s not writing, she’s busy learning French, watching too many movies, and learning how to protect animals and the environment. Visit her atwww.RachaelWade.com and www.LightsOnOutreach.com, or come chat with her on Twitter via @RachaelWade

Author Links:
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https://twitter.com/RachaelWade
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4831558.Rachael_Wade

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{Tour Stop} ARC Review & Giveaway: The Silver Crescent Debby Grahl ★★★★

The Silver Crescent Debby Grahl 
Genre: Paranormal Mystery Romance
Series: n/a
Publication Date: January 30th 2014
ISBN: 9781612132082
Page Count: 244
Rating: ★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey
Buy Link: AMAZON



Synopsis: Betrayal, murder and a stolen fortune bring Elise Baxter to Cedar Bend, Michigan, on a quest to solve a family mystery—and recover the missing treasure.

Max Holt impulsively buys a crumbling Victorian mansion and fulfills his dream of restoring it as a restaurant and inn. Aware of its reputation for being haunted, he adds to the mystique by building a garden path of old tombstones, one of which belongs to the original owner of the house, Cyrus Mosby—the man whose legacy Elise has traced, and who allegedly stole her ancestral share of a Colorado silver mine over a century ago.

Following clues gleaned from old diaries and a visit from the spirit of her great-great-grandmother, Elise seeks out Max and his inn. Not knowing if she can trust Max with her family secret, Elise pretends her interest is in researching Cyrus, whose own violent death remains a mystery.

An intense attraction between Max and Elise leads him to believe she may be the girl of his dreams. But when he discovers her true interest in him and his inn, memories of a past betrayal threaten to end their passionate relationship. Elise, finding herself falling in love with Max, fears her deception may cost her more than she is willing to lose.

Once persuaded the stolen silver is hidden somewhere in the inn, and captivated by the idea of a treasure hunt, Max and Elise begin the search together, aided by the resident ghosts, Cyrus and Virginia.

The treasure hunt seems like a harmless adventure until someone tries to steal the diaries. Unknown to Max and Elise, there are others—including an evil presence—who are driven by greed and will stop at nothing to unlock the mystery of the Silver Crescent.

A little treasure.

I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful combination of sizzling contemporary romance with a touch of paranormal. It had everything I needed to keep me constantly entertained—helpful ghosties, a cracking mystery, colourful secondary characters, glimpses back in time. And did I mention the romance was sizzling? Oh, I did? Well, it's worth reiterating. Trust me.

The mystery surrounds a treasure hunt, of sorts. Our heroine, Elise Baxter's, ancestors left letters and clues that cause her to believe her family's stolen fortune—if it still exists or indeed ever existed—is inside the old home of a Mr. Cyrus Mosby in Cedar Bend, Michigan. Except Cyrus Mosby is no longer with us (he's mostly dead), and his house now belongs to young and annoyingly attractive Max Holt, who is in the process of renovating it with hopes of turning it into a restaurant and inn. Desperate for a way into the house, Elise sees a job as a journalist pop up in the town and makes the snap decision to up sticks and move there. Is she crazy for dropping everything to search for treasure that's been lost for centuries? Or has she just made the best decision of her life?

*****

So, that's the set-up, and let me say the execution of the mystery AND the romance was exceptionally well done. So often, contemporary romances have little in the way of background plot, which is fine most of the time if the romance is all-consuming and that's what you're in the mood for. But this book made me realise how nice it is on occasion to have a bit of oomph in that area. To have the momentum that an unravelling mystery presents help drive the romance forward in a more natural way. As you may or may not know, I'm always a sucker for a bit of emotional trauma, and this book gave me that in just the right amount when the truth about Elise's motives came to light. It was great, and made more so by the fact that I loved both main characters and was rooting for their HEA with all my might.

If I have any complaints, it's that I would have welcomed a bit more time to get to know Max's friends, as they were a bit hard to keep track of, and on occasion, Elise was a bit of a drama llama. But other than those two tiny things, this book was pretty perfect and a wonderful way to spend a few winter evenings.

Highly recommended!

4 Stars! ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

Introducing Debby Grahl:

Debby Grahl lives on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, with her husband, David, and their cat, Tigger. When she’s not writing, she enjoys biking, walking on the beach, and having a glass of wine at sunset. Her favorite places to visit are the Cotswolds of England, Captiva Island in Florida, New Orleans, New York City, and her home state of Michigan. She is a history buff who also enjoys reading murder mysteries, time travel, and of course, romance. Visually impaired since childhood by Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), she uses screen-reading software to research and write her books. Debby belongs to RWA, Florida Romance Writers, Hearts Across History, and Lowcountry Romance Writers.

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Review: Starstruck by Brenda Hiatt ★★★1/2

Starstruck by Brenda Hiatt
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Series: Starstruck #1
Publication Date: August 2013
ISBN: 9781491251942
Page Count: 328
Rating: ★★★1/2
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey
Buy Link: AMAZON

Synopsis: Nerdy astronomy geek Marsha, M to her few friends, has never been anybody special. Orphaned as an infant and reluctantly raised by an overly-strict “aunt,” she’s not even sure who she is. M’s dream of someday escaping tiny Jewel, Indiana and making her mark in the world seems impossibly distant until hot new quarterback Rigel inexplicably befriends her. As Rigel turns his back on fawning cheerleaders to spend time with M, strange things start to happen: her acne clears up, her eyesight improves to the point she can ditch her thick glasses, and when they touch, sparks fly—literally! When M digs for a reason, she discovers deep secrets that will change her formerly humdrum life forever . . . and expose her to perils she never dreamed of. Yes, the middle of nowhere just got a lot more interesting!

Struck by You.

I'm not sure how I'm going to review this. It's one of those stories with a big, Surprise! Bet you never saw that coming! moment that I'm going to have to work around like a giant elephant in the room. What I can tell you is that it's YA with sci-fi elements and a sweet romance. And very enjoyable.

If anything, for me, personally, Starstruck was all just a touch too sweet. A true Young Adult, emphasis on the young. These days, I've gotten so used to them being quite racy in places, but this one is squeaky clean. Good news if you're looking for something for an actual teen, which sadly, I am not. Nevertheless, the characters were great, the story compelling, and the pacing spot on.

I particularly enjoyed reading about main character Marsha's transformation—both physically, and what that ultimately led to emotionally. Plus all the fallout with her friends. And of course the big shock reveal moment was all great, but I can tell you about that! Ack!

I would say if you're a fan of series such as Jennifer Armentrout's Lux series or, dare I even say it? The Twilight Saga, then this book should be an enjoyable read for you.

3.5 Stars ★★★1/2
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

Review: The Whole Truth by Jody Wallace ★★★★★

The Whole Truth by Jody Wallace
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: TBD
Publication Date: October 31st 2013
ISBN: 9781619218079
Page Count: 350
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey
Buy Link: AMAZON



Synopsis: Cleopatra Giancarlo is different from your average twenty something career girl. For one thing, she knows when people lie because she can see the truth in their shadows. For another, she doesn’t use her power for good. Or evil. After repeated failures to help others, she mostly just uses it to get deals at Bloomingdale’s. She fears what the government would do if they discovered her ability, yet she longs to find out if there are people like her out there. If there’s anything more she could be.

She gets her wish when two strangers whisk her away from her old life and introduce her to the world of suprasensors. John Arlin and Samantha Grooms represent an organization called YuriCorp, one of many privately-owned firms that employ supras like Cleo to increase their profit margin. Any of these firms would be thrilled to have Cleo on staff, and their methods of recruitment aren’t always friendly.

But even in the world of supras, Cleo doesn’t get to be normal. Her new boss wants her to go undercover and seek traitors in the company ranks. Her new friends know what she can do and how to work around it. And her new assignment might end up with her in a coma--or worse.

An Indie well worth investigating!

I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth in this review. And the truth is that I'm going to stalk this author, at knifepoint if necessary, until she writes me a second book, because I need more!

Oh, there was so much good here I don't know quite where to begin. Shall I tell you about how I instantly fell in love with the main character, Cleo? How her personality jumped right off the page? Or perhaps I should mention how I've never read anything quite like her supernatural ability, to read lies though a shadowy mask only she can see? No, no, hang on...I'm going to tell you about how the characters were so interesting and real, even if they weren't always likeable. And how the author managed to completely hoodwink me about a few of them and change my opinion from one polar extreme to other throughout the course of the book. And how the plot was entertaining throughout, with the possibility of more to come from one particular character that has me positively salivating for more!

To be honest, there was really only one area of the book that I was unsure on, and that's why people with such unique abilities would use them for...corporate management. I mean, it's quite funny when you think about it, and ended up lending itself really well to the plot, but I'm not sure I ever fully understood why that was the case. Having said that, if they'd used their abilities to become, say, badass super-secret spies, then perhaps this book wouldn't have been the unique, highly entertaining and memorable read it was. And ultimately, I wouldn't change anything about it, and that's why it's a 5 star-read for me!

To sum up, Jody Wallace is now officially on my author radar. If you like memorable characters and great storytelling, I suggest you grab this little nugget of a book up ASAP, because it's one not to be missed!

5 Stars ★★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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ARC Review: Highlander Mine by Juliette Miller ★★★★★

Highlander Mine by Juliette Miller
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Clan Mackenzie #3
Publication Date: January 28th 2014
ISBN: 9780373778331
Page Count: 368
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey
Buy Link: AMAZON

Synopsis: Deep in the lush Highlands, a powerful laird with everything to lose must risk it all for the lass who storms into his keep--and his heart.

Raised on the debauched margins of society, Amelia Taylor depends upon her quick wit and fiery spirit to survive. When danger closes in on her already precarious home, she flees into the Highlands and finds refuge in the iron-strong circle of Clan Mackenzie. There, her lack of propriety and intriguing beauty draw the attentions of their formidable leader. But to remain safe from pursuit, she must conceal her identity, even if it means deceiving Laird Knox Mackenzie.

A fiercely guarded and staunchly moral warrior, Knox never expected a ravishing stranger like Amelia to reawaken his desires. Yet as their heated confrontations unlock untold passion, temptation proves impossible to resist. So when Amelia's tapestry of lies begins to unravel, the secrets from her dark past threaten both his Clan and a future they can only dare to dream of....

Oh Lairdy!

Another wonderful Highlander tale and a fantastic close to the Clan Mackenzie trilogy. Although the first-person narrative doesn't work for all romance readers, I, personally, am a big fan of this style. I love to be in the shoes of the heroine, while the hero remains more of a mystery. I find myself much more immersed in books using this perspective. And Highlander Mine was no exception.

This time, of course, it's time for Laird Knox Mackenzie to meet his match. Although Highlander Mine reads perfectly well as a standalone, followers of the series will have been waiting patiently to see this stoic, stalwart man finally get his edges ruffled. And who better to do that than the barely respectable Amelia, fresh from her escape from life in the seedy gaming halls of Edinburgh. However, Knox has got some pretty solid walls up since the tragic loss of his first wife in childbirth. Does Amelia have what it takes to break through?

What I especially loved about these two was how vulnerable and hopeful they were. They've both been through so much and are naturally hesitant. Of course, Amelia's hesitancy comes more from the fact that she's lying through her teeth about almost everything. Except, perhaps, for how she feels about Knox. The question is: when Knox finds out about her deception, will the fragile bond they've formed be strong enough to withstand the fallout?

C'mon, now. What do you think?

I think five stars, that's what I think.

5 Stars ★★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by: