J.A. Saare, The Ripple Effect

 Title:  The Ripple Effect

Author:  J.A. Saare

Rating:  Four Siren Stones

Genre:  Horror

Sub-Genre:  Paranormal Urban Fiction 

Keywords:  Vampire, Romance

Page Count:  222       

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-60659-330-1

Price:  $4.99

ISBN for Print:  978-1-60659-331-8 

Price:  $12.95

Publisher:  Mundania Press, LLC

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

Reviewer:  Rhonda J. Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

Book 3 of the Rhiannon's Law series

There is always a price to pay…

Rhiannon Murphy visited the future, witnessed hell on earth and made choices to change things for the greater good. Unfortunately there are consequences for her actions, the penalties for her interference possibly more than she can bear. Determined to sever her debt with a fallen angel, she pushes everything aside, focusing on locating Marigold Vesta’s resting place.

Until death comes knocking at her door.

When Disco’s maker arrives in New York, he resents Rhiannon on a level she can’t begin to comprehend. Yet Marius isn’t her most dangerous adversary, not by a long shot. Marius’s sire -- a half-demon -- is determined to see the necromancer who stunned the vampire world on her knees. If she won’t bend, he’ll do everything in his power to make her break. No price is too high, meaning no one is safe -- including Disco and Paine.

Dealt a blow from which she can never recover, Rhiannon turns to the only person who can help her: the fallen angel who is relying on Rhiannon to save her soul. Bartering with a creature from Heaven is probably just as dangerous as starting a war with a demon from Hell, but with nothing to lose it’s no longer about life or death.

It’s about getting even.

Review:

The Ripple Effect by J.A. Saare is not, in my opinion, a standalone book.  I would call this a bridge story.  In this portion of the tale, we continue the theme that Disco is still angry with Paine and Rhiannon for things that occurred in a future time-line but have not actually happened in this current time.  We deal with the arrival of Disco and Paine's maker and his coterie of demon and half demon friends.  And finally, we get a view of what life on Earth would be like with demon masters in complete control. 

However, the characters of Disco and Rhiannon are not further developed, as they previously were in each instalment.  Paine, after we have been made to love and sympathize with him, is removed from the story and it is questionable whether we will see him again. Rhiannon accomplishes exactly nothing on the path towards freeing Marigold Vesta.  Lastly, a new teaser character, Bane, is introduced as someone we will probably see again.

If you love the Rhiannon series, this is a book to read as it was designed to span the tales of all that has come before and what may be in store for the future.  It was as well written as the last tales.  On its own, however, this tale is incomplete.  The Ripple Effect leaves you hanging, just when it feels as though it is beginning to gain momentum.

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.

J.A. Saare, Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between

Title: Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between

Author: J.A. Saare

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Keywords: Vampires,

Rhiannon’s Law Series

Page Count: 194

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-59426-712-3

Price: $4.99

ISBN for Print: 978-1-59426-713-0

Price: $12.95

Publisher: Mundania Press, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.mundania.com/book.php?title=Dead,+Undead,+or+Somewhere+in+Between

Reviewer: Rhonda J. Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

(Book 1 of the Rhiannon’s Law Series)

One bad corpse can ruin your whole day.

No one knows that better than Rhiannon Murphy. She’s left behind the flash and sass of Miami for the no-nonsense groove of New York City, eager for a clean slate and a fresh start. A bartender by trade, a loud mouth by choice, and a necromancer by chance, she’s managed to keep her nifty talent hidden from those around her--until now.

The deliciously good-looking vampire Disco knows her secret, and when he strolls into her bar to solicit help investigating the mysterious disappearances of his kind from the city, she discovers he’s not the kind of person that appreciates the significance of the word no. But in a world where vampires peddle their blood as the latest and greatest drug of choice, it’s only a matter of time before the next big thing hits the market. Someone or something is killing vampires to steal their hearts, and unlike Rhiannon, this isn’t their first stroll around the undead block.

Review:

Vampire fans, don't miss this book! Having read many vampire genre stories, this book falls among the best of them. J.A. Saare manages to blend a touch of humour smoothly into the horror genre with a touch of sadness seamlessly. To me, this story was reminiscent of the Kim Harrison, Rachel Morgan series. This author has a similar talent for gentle touches of humour dabbled throughout her paranormal tale. With vampire names like Disco and Cash one just has to smile while reading this tale.

The only slight criticism, which in no way effects this story, would be that these are your standard vampires. I always look for some new trait in a vampire book and did not find one here. Some have talents, some don't, they drink blood both consensually and otherwise, they mark you, live in families and the place you've been bit becomes super sensitive. All traits that have been seen before. However, the story is an engaging, can't put it down type novel that will keep you up at night. In fact, as it ends with a new beginning, you will probably need to run right out and get the next book just to see what happens to Rhiannon next.

Rhiannon is a not too mild mannered bar keep. She just happens to see dead people. This rolls over into dead vampires which makes her a special commodity to the vampire community as that particular ability is extremely rare. Rhiannon, who was an abused child, wants nothing to do with Vamps as she believes that they are hard core killers. The story mentions a past friend that went missing in the company of a vamp, but no more is said in that vein. Because of this, she wants nothing to do with Cash and Disco, regardless of their amazing good looks and vamp pheromones. This story documents Rhiannon's slow acknowledgement that sometimes people need to choose the lesser of two evils. Occasionally, the lesser of evils can even turn out to be just what a girl needs!