J.A. Saare, The Renfield Syndrome

Title: The Renfield Syndrome

Author: J.A. Saare

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Keywords: Vampires, Werewolves, Demons, Rhiannon’s Law Series

Page Count: 201

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60659-265-6

Price: $4.99

ISBN for Print: 978-1-60659-266-3

Price: $12.95

Publisher: Mundania Press, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.mundania.com/book.php?title=The+Renfield+Syndrome

Reviewer: Rhonda J Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

Book 2 of the Rhiannon's Law series

Vampires, and werewolves, and demons, oh my.

Rhiannon thought facing off against a deranged child vampire was the most dangerous task she would ever have to undertake, but she's about to discover making a deal with a demon is far, far worse. Sent forward into another reality, one in which vampires are now dominating nearly extinct

humans, she realizes the sooner she returns to her vampire lover, Disco,the better.

Unfortunately, time changes a lot of things, including those most trusted around her. When she's faced with a loss and betrayal unlike any she has ever known, her focus shifts from severing the debt between the demon that wants to kill her, to exacting a revenge that will bring forth consequences she never could have fathomed. By reaching out to the darkness lingering within her, she'll find the strength to push forward despite the circumstances that would see her dead and buried.

After all, when it's all said and done, all that she has left to lose is her soul.

Review:

In Dead, Undead and Somewhere in Between, we are basically left hanging. Wondering... oh no what will happen next, The Renfield Syndrome picks up exactly where Dead, Undead leaves off. The Renfield Syndrome continues as smoothly as if it was just the next chapter. It does, however, also leave you hanging, waiting for the next book, because again there are so many changes that we need to know...what will happen next.

In the first instalment Rhiannon learns to trust and love. She finally lets her hair down and tries on a relationship. Throughout Dead, Undead though, I suspected there was someone on the side, watching this relationship develop and wishing it were him instead. The Renfield Syndrome moves from the development of Rhiannon, to the education of Rhiannon. Now she has been thrown 101 years into the future by flippantly accepting a deal with a demon. In the future, everything she just earned is gone. People are blood slaves. The world is a wasteland. Demons are masquerading as vampires, driving the destruction.

Rhiannon must find Disco and deliver a message in order to complete the Demon's deal. But before she can do that, she'll have to escape the compound of a lovesick werewolf and his crazy werewolf stalkerette. Carter, the werewolves' leader, had Rhiannon scooped up by his team, the instant she stepped out of the past. He intends to keep her for himself, for her own good of course, he explains. Once that issue is dealt with, Rhiannon discovers that Disco is dead. He has been for 101 years. Deals with demons never work out like you think. In this world, demons are in charge and they are interested in Rhiannon.

Paine, steps forward and claims Rhiannon before the demon in charge can have her way. It seems that on Disco's passing Rhiannon's mark passed to Paine. He is more than happy with that arrangement and has been waiting 101 years for her. Over time, Goose and Paine had figured out what happened to Rhiannon, but they did not know when she'd reappear. Paine has been waiting a long time to touch someone, and Rhiannon is the only person that fits the bill.

So, in this instalment, let's call it educating Rhiannon, Rhiannon learns there are consequences to brash acts. Love has many forms, even if some of them start as heartrending empathy. And finally, you can't go home again, even when you can. To do that, she lost the love she found with Disco, as he no longer trusts her and she has a small piece of future Paine in her heart. Rhiannon has not learned enough though, to know that you probably shouldn't make deals with fallen angels either. To return home, save Disco and save the human race, Rhiannon enters into a deal with a fallen angel to free her in one years’ time. Has she forgotten, aren't fallen angels... devils? What could possibly go wrong with this arrangement? We'll have to wait for book three to see. The Renfield Syndrome is an excellent weekend read.

Frankie Robertson, Veiled Mirror

Title: Veiled Mirror

Author: Frankie Robertson

Rating: Siren's Best Book Stone

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Keywords: Crimson Rose, Spicy

Page Count: 282

ISBN E-Book: 1-60154-945-8

Price: $6.50

ISBN for Print: 978-1601549457

Price: $13.99

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=137&products_id=4628

Reviewer: Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

Beth Hart is alive and well and hunting for her killer.

When her brother-in-law Chris and her twin sister Ellie die in suspicious accidents, Beth impulsively switches identities with Ellie to lure the murderer into revealing himself. Beth can’t rest until she finds the killer, and neither can the real Ellie who haunts Beth's dreams, sometimes providing clues.

FBI fraud investigator Jason Blackforth fell hard for Beth at Chris and Ellie's wedding, but he left her as quickly as he found her—undercover work and relationships don’t mix. Now, grieving and believing Beth is dead, Jason is appalled to find himself fantasizing about the widow of his best friend. He wants to help “Ellie” through this difficult time, but she reminds him so much of Beth. Something just doesn’t add up.

Can he discover what secrets the widow is hiding and find the killer before they both end up dead?

Review:

On impulse, Beth makes a decision that she hopes will lead her to finding a killer....

From the get-go, Veiled Mirror grabbed my attention. With plenty of suspense, and a small touch of paranormal, this is one of the best romantic suspense books I've read in a long time. There's deceit, murder, lies...I was left guessing the whole way through. I worried for Beth, cried for her family that died, and was at the edge of my seat, hanging on to every word because I never knew what to expect next.

Frankie Robertson is a new-to-me author, and from my journey with this book, I will be keeping an eye out for more. The characters are so well created, the tension is high and it never wavers. I stayed up late into the night-hours to finish this book. I read it in one sitting, not wanting to miss a thing, yet I didn’t want it to end either.

Kudos to you, Frankie Robertson. You've created an amazing suspenseful story. Readers, if you're a romantic suspense fan, add this book to your list right away.

Eddie Jones, Bahama Breeze

Title: Bahama Breeze

Author: Eddie Jones

Rating: Four Siren Stones

Genre: Comedy

Sub-Genre: Romance

Keywords: Sweet

Page Count: 272

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-61116-124-3

Price: $5.99

Publisher: Harbourlight Books

Buy-Link: http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/bahama-breeze

Reviewer: Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

ANNA FORTUNE is a government intelligence analyst who longs for tropical sunsets, early morning beach walks, and a man bold enough to steal her heart. SONNY CAY is a large, lumbering toilet paper salesman with a terminal disease, unpaid medical bills and the haunting memory of a girl he lost years ago. She knows the location of terrorist cells, corrupt politicians and that no man can be trusted to keep his word, wedding date or promise to love forever. He knows life is for the taking, love for the making and both end all too soon. So when Anna is ordered to protect a presidential candidate polling in the single digits on a fund-raising junket in the Bahamas, both get a second chance at true love. He came because he loved her, because all those years ago, she’d stirred him the way no woman ever had. She was his Mt. Everest, the pinnacle of his small world. His head told him to run; his heart made him stay. Now only the gale force winds of a “Bahama Breeze” can cool the white-hot embers of old flames erupting.

Review:

Bahama Breeze is a sweet and funny romance that will leave the reader with a smile on their face after the story is over. A refreshing story, it's fairly light and very comical. I enjoyed the turn of events in the book. Anna and Sonny are unique characters that were well thought out and they shined brightly through the pages.

I enjoyed this story, with all its quirky, amusing moments that happened throughout the plot. Anna works for the government, but she is quite forgetful in some aspects, like using a security code when she makes phone calls. It’s simple things such as those that make Anna a well rounded, believable character that readers can relate to on various aspects. Sonny has his moments, too, and the path to the pairs HEA is quite humorous.

Readers, if you enjoy a sweet romance guaranteed to make you laugh, don't miss Bahama Breeze.

Nicole North, Blade of the Wolf

Title: Blade of the Wolf

Author: Nicole North

Rating: Four Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Keywords: Shape-Shifter, Werewolf, Immortal, Clairvoyant, Incubus

Length: Super Plus-Size Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1419935138

Price: $6.99

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave

Buy-Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9449-blade-of-the-wolf.aspx

Reviewer: Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

Ronan, immortal werewolf and Scottish Sgian Dubh Guardian, faces his most challenging, yet enticing, mission in centuries. He must protect sexy clairvoyant medium Syrena Ellis from an evil incubus intent on stealing her powerful life force. She awakens a raging arousal in Ronan, but if he gives in to temptation, he will be punished.

Dark and edgy, Ronan captivates Syrena. He is hot, hard and in control, yet his scorching glances and sinful kisses tell her he yearns for her. Even though she’s only a job, she finds a way past his iron-willed resistance. She’s determined to explore the depths of erotic passion with him. They’re unaware that their explosive sexual encounters are providing the enemy incubus with heightened energy, making him almost impossible to defeat.

Syrena’s forbidden desire and scorching lust for Ronan could destroy them both.

Review:

A sexy hero, a strong heroine, and a paranormal twist. All wrapped up in a great book, Blade of the Wolf. The characters are captivating, the plot is full of surprises, and the pace only goes up from the beginning to end. It has its own unique appeal in the paranormal market, and readers who love reading about psychics, shape-shifters, and many things of the paranormal, this book may appeal to you.

Syrena must learn to embrace her powers. She knows she's different, but doesn't fully understand how to embrace them. Ronan, her protector, shows her a whole new world. But there's a reason Ronan is there, to keep her safe from harm, and it's hard to remember that when he's very attracted to Syrena.

This book kept me interested the entire time. This author, Nicole North, creates a captivating story with strong leading characters. If I saw another book with this writer's name on it, I would most definitely check it out.

If you love the paranormal genre and are looking for a great voice, pick up a copy of Blade of the Wolf.

New Rating System

To All Authors,


As of November 9th 2011, Siren Book Reviews have started to post One and Two Siren Stone reviews. You can read more about the new rating system on our rating page at the top of the blog.


Thank you,


Kayden McLeod

Scarlett Parrish, A Little Death

Title: A Little Death

Author: Scarlett Parrish

Rating: Four Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Keywords: Vampires, Graphic Language

Length: Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-61118-447-1

Price: $6.99

Publisher: Loose Id

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/A-Little-Death.aspx

Reviewer: Stacey Krug

Blurb/Summary:

Seeing dead people is all very well...unless one of them wants to kill you.

To Mallory Sharpe, vampires are a fact of life. They exist, walk the streets, and for the most part mind their own business. As a second-year university student, she doesn’t pay the undead much attention until she meets Jonathan Cutler. He has needs, and blood is only one. The other, Mallory is more than willing to help him with. After all, he has but one rule: to never spend more than one night with a woman. He won’t get attached, or consciously put anyone’s life in danger.

Another vampire, Cian Ambrose, isn’t so troubled by conscience. Mallory’s fair game, a weapon to taunt Jonathan with. In fact, it might be fun to make her his grail, or living blood donor, and Cian Ambrose doesn’t take kindly to the word no. He hasn’t heard it often in his one hundred and fifty years and it usually results in the other person ending up dead.

So with Mallory’s tolerance for undead guys running very low, Jonathan has to re-gain her trust, stop Cian killing her, oh...and for God’s sake, not fall in love.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content and graphic language.

Review:

A Little Death by Scarlett Parrish is an interesting story that will have you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. The main characters of the story are Mallory, Jonathan, and Cian. However, I really enjoyed the banter between Mallory and her friend Duncan. The two of them had me laughing out loud.

Jonathan is a vampire and has become smitten with Mallory. He starts a yearning in Mallory that only he can quench. Cian is also a vampire that makes Jonathan’s life miserable by honing in on and hurting anyone that is important to Jonathan. Cian is a slippery, conniving, miscreant that, as a reader, you just want to smack upside the head. Jonathan does what he can to protect Mallory from Cian. There is plenty of mystery and suspense surrounding both Cian and Jonathan. The suspense keeps the pages turning.

Jonathan’s conscience and his need and love for Mallory make the erotic love scenes sizzle on the page. Mallory is a strong, independent woman, but she is putty in Jonathan’s hands.

This story is a wonderful addition to any paranormal romance lover’s library.

Invisible, By Jeanne Bannon

Title: Invisible
Author: Jeanne Bannon 
Genre: YA
Sub-Genres: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Solstice Publishing


Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Jeanne-Bannon/dp/1466368756/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317864188&sr=8-1

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/88217

Solstice: http://www.solsticepublishing.com/products/Invisible-%252d%252d-Print.html

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12564611-invisible

Jeanne's Blog: http://beyondwordsblog.blogspot.com/

Summary:

Lola’s not pretty. Lola’s not popular. Lola wishes she could disappear … and then one day she does just that...

For seventeen-year-old Lola Savullo, life is a struggle. Born to funky parents who are more in than she could ever be, Lola’s dream of becoming a writer makes her an outsider even in her own home. Bullied and despised, Lola still has the support of her best pal Charlie and Grandma Rose.

Not only is she freakishly tall, Lola’s a big girl and when forced to wear a bathing suit at her summer job as a camp counselor, Lola’s only escape from deep embarrassment seems to be to literally vanish. Soon after, she discovers the roots of her new “ability”.

Slowly, with Charlie’s help, Lola learns to control the new super power. The possibilities are endless. Yet power can be abused, too…

Then, when tragedy strikes, Lola must summon her inner strength, both at home and at school. She has to stand up for herself, despite the temptations and possibilities of her newfound super power.

A coming-of-age story that will warm the heart

Excerpt:

Chapter Three

I always leave Grandma Rose’s apartment with a smile on my face and an ache in my heart. I wish my mother were like her. How lucky for my mom to have such a wonderful, almost normal, mother. I’m stuck with a parent in an ever-present state of adolescence, whose life’s mission is to desperately hang onto what’s left of her looks. My mom, with her rat’s nest of hair stacked high on her head, dyed cherry red with chunky blonde highlights and dark brown lowlights, and extensions thrown in for good measure. A woman can’t ever have too much hair, she’s forever saying. Giving me her version of what passes as parental advice. I prefer Gran’s words of wisdom – “extensions make a woman look trampy” and “dye your hair only when the white comes in.” It seems more dignified, because I think a woman can have too much hair.

Dad’s just as bad, with his funky jeans, Ed Hardy T-shirts, pointy-toed boots, pierced ears, tattoos and a soul patch. He’s going to be fifty next year, for God’s sake. The thought makes me cringe. I live with dim-witted middle-aged teenagers.

Gran tells me all the time it’s not what’s on the outside that’s important and I know she’s right. I suppose I’m a bit of a hypocrite, since I’m always complaining about my weight or my height, or the fact I don’t have a boyfriend. But I’m supposed to be obsessed with fitting in and with my looks; after all, I’m the teenager.

It’s only a ten-minute walk home from Gran’s. I tilt my face toward the sun, soaking in the warmth of the spring day as I make my way along familiar streets. When I approach the park on the corners of Whiteside Avenue and Moorehouse Drive, I stop dead. Sudden dread causes the beat of blood to fill my ears.

There are three boys and a girl - Nino Campese, Tyler Campbell, his girlfriend Julia and Jon Kingsbury. They’re seniors like me and even though we’ve known each other since kindergarten, once adolescence hit and separated the weak from the strong, the cool from the nerd, I became prey. I was hunted by those better looking, and with more attitude, simply for their entertainment.

I plunge my hands into the pockets of my jean jacket and hang my head. Taking large quick steps, I tread quietly. They’re talking and laughing and the foul scent of cigarette smoke wafts past me in the breeze. From the corner of my eye, I spot Julia and Tyler sharing a butt as they cling together under the large plastic orange slide. Nino’s holding court and Tyler’s laughing at something Nino has said and Jon, well Jon just stands there, looking bored.

Why is he with them? My heart sinks. I thought Jon was different.

Tyler’s eyes flicker my way; immediately I pick up my pace.

“Hey!” someone yells.

I don’t answer.

“Where do you think you’re goin’, ya fat cow?” Nino hollers, as he jogs up beside me followed by Julia and Tyler.

“Home,” I say, not stopping.

Nino jumps into my path. “Where’s your girlfriend, Savullo?” He sneers and spits a snotty gob at my feet.

“Lesbo freak,” Julia chimes in and flicks a butt at my face.

It bounces off my chin with a burning sting. I glare down at her with her hawkish nose and eyes that are too close together. “Get out of my way,” I growl through gritted teeth and try to step around them, but Tyler grabs my elbow, his fingers bite into my flesh and a small groan escapes me.

“We’re not done talkin’ yet, hippo,” he snarls.

I yank free. Tears sting my eyes and the heat of anger and embarrassment reddens my face.

“Leave me alone!” I scream and push. Tyler’s tall, but skinny and I manage to knock him on his ass. But as soon as I take a step, Nino and Julia are on me.

“Leave her alone,” Jon calls. He hung back from the action and is still standing by the orange slide.

I slam a shoulder into Julia’s face and hear a crunch as my bulk meets her nose. Blood spurts and the purple blur of manicured nails flash past, as she whips a hand to her face.

She gazes up at me in surprise. “You broke my nose, you bitch!” Then she looks at Tyler with eyes that say “you better do something about this.”

My heart beats so hard, the swishing of blood in my ears is a roar. They’re swearing, yelling and threatening me, but panic has taken over as adrenaline pushes into my veins, and I make out nothing coherent.

I turn and try to run back the way I’d come. But another hand is on me, biting the flesh of my upper arm through the fabric of my jacket. Then a fist smashes into the back of my head. “You’re nothin’ but a fat dyke.”

My knees smack the gritty concrete as my legs buckle, and deep heaving sobs erupt from me. Why do they hate me?

“Where the hell did she go?” Nino asks, his voice laced with astonishment.

“Holy shit!” Julia and Tyler exclaim at the same time. “What the…?”

Slowly, I pivot and look at them. They’re turning in circles, searching for me.

Jon is with them now. “She’s gone,” he whispers in wide-eyed disbelief.

“What? How?” Nino asks.

I creep away on elastic legs.

Sindra van Yssel, The Barbarian and the Witch

Title: The Barbarian and the Witch

Author: Sindra van Yssel

Rating: Three And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: BDSM

Sub-Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

Keywords: Witches, Demons, Sorcerer, Bondage, Graphic Language, BDSM Theme and Elements, Violence

Length: Novella

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-61118-517-1

Price: $4.99

Publisher: Loose Id

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/The-Barbarian-and-the-Witch.aspx

Reviewer: Stacey Krug

Blurb/Summary:

Myriel, the witch, comes to the desolate land to heal it from the damage done by the malevolent sorcerer Kerrah. The only other human being around is handsome and uneducated Johan, a barbarian who is there to steal a gem from under Kerrah’s nose. Johan distrusts any kind of magic, but when he makes love to Myriel, claiming her body and marking her soul, he leaves her thirsting to submit.

Only by joining forces do they have a chance to accomplish what they desire. In the process, they might find they desire each other even more than their original goals. Now that Johan has found the woman of his dreams in the most unexpected of places, and Myriel has found the man he needs, he'll have to conquer his distrust of magic and she'll have to conquer her pride if they're to succeed in their missions and in love.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: BDSM theme and elements, violence.

Review:

This was definitely an erotic tale with a BDSM theme. The relationship between Johan and Myriel was that of a D/s. The reader gets to see the beginning formation and progression of Johan’s mastery of Myriel. Even though Myriel submits to Johan, it still felt like it was a more equal relationship because Johan wanted her to be happy. Their love scenes are erotic and hot. Sindra van Yssel played up the historical angle when choosing bondage toys.

The Barbarian and the Witch was an enjoyable story, but there just seemed to be too much going on all at once. It felt as though I missed a preceding story that would have provided background information on the characters, world, and setting. In addition, at some points the story felt disjointed as if the “story” was interrupting the sex scenes instead of flowing seamlessly. I was a little disappointed with the ending. Instead of giving us a look into their future, it ended with another sex scene and a bunch of characters that were never introduced in the story before that point.

If you love your stories with hot, erotic sex, BDSM themes, and D/s play this story has them all. Even with the short comings I mentioned, it is still worth the read because Sindra van Yssel spins a creative tale.

Scarlett Scott, Reprieve

Title: Reprieve

Author: Scarlett Scott

Rating: Three And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Keywords: Blush

Length: Novel

ISBN E-Book: 9781419935428

Price: $4.95

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave

Buy-Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9416-reprieve.aspx

Reviewer: Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

It’s been a year since Sophie lost her husband and daughter in a car wreck but time hasn’t healed her wounds. A desperate choice leads her to Trevor, the handsome stranger who saves her life and leaves her wanting more than just a few steamy kisses.

Trevor is content living the fast-paced life of a successful NYC entrepreneur. The last kind of complication he needs is a troubled woman like Sophie. But he’s immediately drawn to her even if his bachelor instincts scream for him to run.

As Sophie struggles to fight her growing feelings for Trevor, she’s torn between her past and the future. Somehow, she has to find the strength to finally let go and move on with a man who is everything she never thought she wanted.

Blush sensuality level: This is a sensual romance (may have explicit love scenes, but not erotic in frequency or type).

Review:

She's a woman suffering a double tragedy, losing two people she loves. As time moves forward, Sophie still has a hard time letting go. She can't seem to move on. She makes a very rash choice which then leads her to Trevor.

Trevor can't seem to forget about the woman he saved. He and Sophie end up working together and that leads to so much more.

Sophie's anguished emotions really show in the book. Reprieve is the story of Sophie coming to terms with what she lost and learning how to go forward.

I enjoyed this story for the most part. Through about half of the book, I really disliked Trevor's character. I know he was hurt by something, but that was no excuse for him to be so blatantly cold and rude to Sophie. Some of the things he said were harsh and horrible, and Sophie shouldn't have taken that. That's the only downfall I felt in this book.

If you enjoy heart wrenching emotional stories, then don't miss Scarlett Scott's Reprieve. Prepare yourselves, readers, for your emotions might get the best of you throughout this story.

Tess MacKall, Strip Down

Title: Strip Down

Author: Tess MacKall

Rating: Three Siren Stones

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Keywords: Dancer, Detective

Length: Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1419931383

Price: $5.95

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave

Buy-Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9440-strip-down.aspx

Reviewer: Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

What’s a topless dancer to do when a cop tells her to “spread ’em”? Cooperate, of course. Which is exactly what Jazzmyn Monroe does when her big-city dreams land her in a world of trouble and the arms of sexy detective Ryder Muldoon. Jazzmyn is no angel, but she doesn’t expect the rip-roaring, passion-filled rollercoaster ride given by one of L.A.’s finest.

An honest cop with a target painted on his back, Ryder is forced to go rogue if he wants to stay alive, and the hottest woman he’s ever laid eyes on is the key to his plan. It’s supposed to be just business with a side of sex. If only it were that simple. Jazzmyn’s sinful curves and aptitude for red-hot loving ramp up his libido…and a whole lot more.

Review:

I was intrigued by the suspense plot, but there are a few things that fell short with me. I know this is an erotic romance, but I felt in certain places, there was sex just for the sake of having sex. I find it hard to believe that a cop would have sex with a dancer almost immediately after he meets her and needs her information to take down a villain. Because that started out so early on in the story, it took away my trust in the hero. Jazzmyn's character was more believable and likeable.

The plot was riveting enough that I continued to read. I wanted to know how things would end, and what would happen between Jazzmyn and Ryder.

If you like erotic romantic suspense, then you may enjoy Strip Down.

Sapphire Phelan, A Familiar Tangle With Hell

Title: A Familiar Tangle With Hell

Author: Sapphire Phelan

Rating: Four Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance

Keywords: Witch, Demons, Lucifer, Demon Bunny

Page Count: 120

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60659-610-4

Price: $4.99

Publisher: Phaze Books

Buy-Link: http://www.phaze.com/book.php?title=A+Familiar+Tangle+With+Hell

Reviewer: Kristin Boyd

Blurb/Summary:

Tina and Charun thought it was all over and that their life would be normal—well, as normal as it could be for an immortal Witch and her demon Familiar. Except there was another prophesy, one that laid claim that if Lucifer snatches Tina and mates with her before the last chime before midnight of the new year and gets her pregnant with his son, that the real Armageddon would begin, spelling the end of life as they knew it.

When Tina is stolen away, Charun, along with Jacokb the archangel, must race against time into the bowels of Hell to rescue her. But with demons, Lucifer, and a cute demon bunny with fangs out of a Monty Python nightmare, out to stop them and Heaven not lending a hand, will Tina

become the mother of the Antichrist and the start of a new Hell on Earth?

Review:

Imaginative and distinct, A Familiar Tangle With Hell stands apart from other Angels vs. Demons Armageddon stories. Bound together through their DNA, the relationship between Tina and her demon, Charun, is much deeper than the standard partnership of Witches and Familiars. Their love for each other grows as the danger increases and the erotic encounters between the two sizzle with explosive magic. Charun’s divine beginnings and demonic status creates a complicated and intriguing character who effectively uses the benefits of his torn existence to not only protect his soul mate but the world as well. After averting Armageddon once and becoming a witch to do so, Tina has honed her skills and is just learning to embrace her new reality when she realizes it is she who is to be the catalyst for Lucifer to wage the ultimate (and possibly final) war between good and evil.

Lucifer, as written by Sapphire Phelan, does not disappoint in all of his sadistic, malevolent, but contrarily sensual pursuit of domination over the heavens and earth. “The Big L” instils fear as well as lust no matter what form he takes throughout the tale. A wide cast of supporting characters on each side of the Good vs. Evil battle create a web of sub plots that adds to, rather than distracts the reader from, the general excitement of the story. From an Archangel turn coat to the fluffy and seemingly harmless soul eating demon bunny, each creature is written with creative vision.

The Holy and Unholy clash at the climax of the story in an epic war, keeps the reader flipping pages furiously. Mortality and all its weaknesses are exploited during the battle, leading the reader on an emotional roller coaster thrill ride. Life will never again be the same for Tina, Charun, or even fluffy, and this book creates a wonderful platform for a continuation to their saga.

Editing oversights and some repetitive dialogue keeps this book from ranking higher during my evaluation, but this book is fantastic read and is a great addition to any paranormal lover’s library.