Jungle Freakn' Bride

Review:

I jumped right into this one right after reading Human and Freakn'. From the events in that book and from the synopsis, I thought I would have issues with this one. And I was not wrong. Huge issues with this one. In fact, if this was the 1st book, I would have thought "fuck this series" andwouldn't have bothered to read any more. But, it's not and each book is about someone different (thankfully). 
The following quote says it all: "Outside the village, women didn't exist to serve their husbands. They worked and lived independently. They owned property. Voted. Had opinions. Choices. Raised in a male-orientated society, the adjustment in thinking proved jarring and Acat didn't always succeed in hiding his misogynistic views." That, that, and that is why this book sucked ass. This is a fun series, but skip book 5. Not. Missing. A. Thing. 
Then there was this: 

[spoiler]

Carlie was turned into a jaguar without her consent. 

[/spoiler]

 

 

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1804041/jungle-freakn-bride

Human and Freakn'

Review:

Ruth's sister is kidnapped and worried about her, unable to just sit at home and wait for news, she flies out to search for her. Kendrick and Joel, best friends, are part of the shifter search crew. Expectantly, they realize Ruth is both their mates. But she's human!
While at first Kendrick was a mean asshole to Ruth, he eventually explained why and made it up to her. I didn't like Ruth's fixation on her size, and the boys, for what it's worth, did notice it, but it wasn't an issue for them. This, of course, lead to a misunderstanding at the end that needed to be remedied.
This ends in a cliffhanger 

[spoiler]

Stu gets arrested

[/spoiler]

 setting up book 6. Book 5 is Ruth's sister's story. I'm going right into Ruth's story (although I'm pretty sure I'm going to have issues with it).

Halloween Bingo- Shifter square

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1803718/human-and-freakn

Halloween Bingo Update the Fourth

First Bingo!  On the diagonal.

2nd Bingo!  4 Corners and free space

3rd Bingo!   1st row

4th Bingo!   4th column

-and-

5th Bingo!   5th column

 

Called AND Read:

Relics and Curiosities:  Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews 9/10

Cozy Mystery: Truly Madly by Heather Webber 9/16

New Release: I Am Justice by Diana Munoz Stewart 9/18

Diverse Voices: Black Lace by Beverly Jenkins 9/26

Southern Gothic: Dark Cries of Gray Oaks by Lee Karr 9/15

Modern Masters of Horror: Dead Spots by Rhiannon Frater 9/22

Ghost Stories:  The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens 9/29 

Murder Most Foul: Lowcountry Boil by Susan Boyer  10/1

Free Space:  Magic to the Bone by Devon Monk 10/4

Supernatural: Possessing the Witch by Elle James 10/3

13: She Hulk by Marta Acosta 10/7

Terrifying Women: A Girl in Disguise by Greer MacAllister 10/12

Creepy Carnivals: Wicked Weaves by Joyce and Jim Lavene 10/13

Genre: Suspense: Hell on Wheels by Julie Ann Walker 10/20

Terror in a Small Town: Buried Truth by Janine Gallant 10/21

Genre: Horror: Dreadful Skin by Cherie Priest 10/23

Spellbound:  Midnight's Master by Donna Grant 10/15

Country House Mystery: Ghost of a Chance by Katie MacAllister 10/27

 

Currently reading:

Shifters: Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs

 

Called and not read:

 

Cryptozoologist: Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh

Doomsday:  Married With Zombies by Jesse Peterson

Darkest London: Firelight by Kristin Callihan

Dead Lands: Once Bitten, Twice Burned by Cynthia Eden

Fear the Drowning Deep: Tsunami Blue by Gayle Ann Williams

 

List:

Baker Street Irregulars: The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1800490/halloween-bingo-update-the-fourth

Ghost of a Chance

Review:

So, Karma is a half human house "cleaner" (she exorcises haunted homes) who agrees to "clean" one last home in exchange for a divorce. Spider (nice name huh?) won't contest it. There are imps, domovoi, poltergeists (or polter).
I admit to a little confusion at the start, with all the terms. Everything is gradually explained however. This was a nice mystery and I didn't see the ending coming (although I should have- there were clues that I didn't pay attention to). I enjoyed the characters and the interactions. They were snarky and fun. Pixie AKA Desdemona AKA Obsidian Angel AKA Morbent Vixen (and it continues) was an interesting character and I was glad there were answers in regards to her background. Spider (an asshole, and a plain rotten human being) got what he deserved and another character does too!
I did still have a few questions about the Akashic league and wergeld, but oh well. This was a fun read! This looks to be the only book, but could have worked as a series I think.

For Bingo:  Country House Mystery square

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1803539/ghost-of-a-chance

Dreadful Skin

Review:

A gun carrying werewolf hunter who happens to be a nun (and has her own secret!)?! Sign me up!
In reality this was disappointing. I think the format didn't work. This is told in 3 parts. The 1st part is told in 1st person, but with several viewpoints. Each chapter is a different viewpoint- but no chapter headings nor was it obvious (sometimes) whose point of view it was. The 2nd part was 3rd person and this worked so much better! The 3rd and last part was back to 1st person. But the chapters had headings so I knew whose point of view it was. 
The frequent POV changes were just too distracting.

 

 Halloween Bingo:  Genre: Horror

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1802588/dreadful-skin

Buried Truth

Review:

This was an average read for me, but after finishing it, I had too many issues with the events towards the end. See the spoiler. I can't give this more than a 1*.
So Leah dumped Ryan they were 18, heading off to college, because she felt they were 'too different." Ryan, hurt by this, always held himself back in relationships. Leah marries an asshole and divorced him when she realized he was an asshole. She regrets what she did to Ryan. He is the "one who got away" for lack of a better phrase. 
For their issues, I thought Leah and Ryan fell in love quickly before really talking about things. It was irritating at times when she'd dwell on the past repeatedly (move on please. I know you regret it, this is the umpteenth time it's been said. Just stop!). Likewise, Ryan as well. Dude, you were 18! And now you are both 30, you've lived, and (I assume) know exactly what you want!
The suspense I thought was lame. There was a secondary story-line of someone stealing from seniors (fake real estate). More time should have been devoted to this, or it should have been left out. It didn't add to the primary story-line. It was distracting. I thought the end was a bit rushed. I still don't know who put the film in the time capsule. (Not that it matters).
And really? 

[spoiler]

Satan worshipers? A sacrifice on Samhaim? I didn't like the reference to a pentagram automatically meaning Satanism. While it is a symbol for that, the pentagram means many different things. Ditto in regards to Samhain. Plus, were Edgar and Sloan aware of the group? 

[/spoiler]

Halloween Bingo:  Terror in a Small Town

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1801989/buried-truth

Hell On Wheels

Review:

Well, I liked it, but didn't really like it...I have some nitpicks. So, Ali's got some people after her and she goes to her brother's best friend for help. She's known him (and been in love with him) for over a decade and vice versa.
This had a decent amount of suspense. The characters are likable. But, the romance was so-so. It's the "I'm in love with best friend's sibling" trope, but can't have them because it's my best friend's sibling/not good enough. Whatever. Last I checked both were adults and didn't need anyone's permission. I thought the back and forth (I want you, but can't have you! and Made a move/said something, but then a push back) was too much and lasted too long before they finally got together. I also thought the ending a bit rushed. 
Ali was a well written character. I felt I knew her. Nate not so much. I knew next to nothing about him and that was the same at the end. While I liked Ali, be warned. She has a weak stomach and threw up 4 times. The other thing? She doesn't cuss. It's crapola. HE double hockey sticks. Frank even apologies for cussing (yes, women have delicate ears and will go ape shit should they hear a curse word!). Insert eye-roll here.
I thought Becky and Frank (who also happen to be the couple featured in the next book) had a strong story-line in this book. I am definitely pro-Becky. I thought she was fantastic and kick ass. I loved that she was so unconventional. Frank? I'm calling him a misogynistic asshole! I thought Becky was tolerated, because they NEED her skills, but at the same time, was not really one of THEM. Her goal is to be one of THEM. She takes steps to make that happen, and Frank, tells her she will never be one of them. And if she leaves, he will sabotage her chances. Now, it doesn't say what his reasoning was (beyond "for her own good"), but I can't help but think it's because: 1. Becky is a woman. 2. He likes Becky. 3. He must therefore "protect" her. I'm curious if he redeems himself because I thought this book had good, strong female characters that didn't venture into TSTL territory and could hold their own.
Featured in this book: Frank (Boss), Rebecca (Becky), Ethan (Ozzie), Dan (Dan Man), Patti
Someone does die. Wonder if Dagan will join?
Mentioned: Billy (Becky's brother), Christian, Rock, Steady, Mac, Jamin

Halloween Bingo:  Suspense square.  

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1801818/hell-on-wheels

The Gathering Dusk

Review:

Well done novella. Suspenseful. Induces Samantha, a FBI profiler. Cliff hanger ending. From reading synopsis of book 1, I am 100% certain who the killer is. Should be interesting.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1801085/the-gathering-dusk

Halloween Bingo Update the Third

First Bingo!  On the diagonal.

2nd Bingo!  4 Corners and free space.

 

Called AND Read:

Relics and Curiosities:  Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews 9/10

Cozy Mystery: Truly Madly by Heather Webber 9/16

New Release: I Am Justice by Diana Munoz Stewart 9/18

Diverse Voices: Black Lace by Beverly Jenkins 9/26

Southern Gothic: Dark Cries of Gray Oaks by Lee Karr 9/15

Modern Masters of Horror: Dead Spots by Rhiannon Frater 9/22

Ghost Stories:  The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens 9/29 

Murder Most Foul: Lowcountry Boil by Susan Boyer  10/1

Free Space:  Magic to the Bone by Devon Monk 10/4

Supernatural: Possessing the Witch by Elle James 10/3

13: She Hulk by Marta Acosta 10/7

Terrifying Women: A Girl in Disguise by Greer MacAllister 10/12

Creepy Carnivals: Wicked Weaves by Joyce and Jim Lavene 10/13

 

Read, not called:

Spellbound:  Midnight's Master by Donna Grant (square not called) 10/15

Currently reading:

Darkest London: Firelight by Kristin Callihan

 

Called and not read:

Genre: Suspense: After the Dark by Cynthia Eden

Cryptozoologist: Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh

Shifters: Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs

Doomsday:  Married With Zombies by Jesse Peterson

Terror in a Small Town: Buried Truth by Janine Gallant

Genre: Horror: Dreadful Skin by Cherie Priest

 

List:

 

Baker Street Irregulars: The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle

Dead Lands: Once Bitten, Twice Burned by Cynthia Eden

Fear the Drowning Deep: Tsunami Blue by Gayle Ann Williams

Country House Mystery: Ghost of a Chance by Katie MacAllister

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1798807/halloween-bingo-update-the-third

Midnight's Master

Review:

So this picks right up where the last book (of the previous series; "Dark Sword") left off. While I think someone could read this one without reading the previous series, it would be more enjoyable if the 6 books in the "Dark Sword" series were read first. Just my opinion. This has been a nice, easy to read series that I've enjoyed thus far.
While I liked Gwynn, what was up with the high heels? Impractical! Gwynn has magic. She suppressed it because her mother thought it was weird/didn't like it (not much said about it), so she forgot about it/hide it. He dad goes missing, so she goes to Scotland to try to find him. For not being around magic, or believing in it, she gets a handle on it quickly. There really wasn't much of a learning curve. Considering this book takes place over 1 week, okay, fine, I'll buy it. 
Logan is from the past and time-traveled 400 years to the present when Deirdre went missing. Logan's got this big Secret (he wanted to know if he had god and willingly went to Deirdre to find out). I thought he spent too much of his time regretting this. Mistakes are made (with varying degrees), you learn, and move on!
I enjoyed seeing the other couples from the previous 6 books; Cara and Lucan, Lavena and Fallon, Marcail and Quinn, Isla and Hayden, Reaghan and Galen, and Sonya and Broc. Marcail and Quinn's son, Aidan makes an appearance. Likewise Ramsay, Camdyn, Arran, and Ian (wow all time-traveled too). Ian is the only one missing, but is in present day. And his story is next! In additon to Deirdre, there is a new badie, Declan. While Deirdre is an evil bitch, that I hated from the first series (just die already!), I think Declan might be a bigger threat. Deirdre's world-view is small and she has only a few focuses and many blind spots, Declan does not. Should be interesting.
I did like the time-travel element, bringing these old-fashioned Highlanders to the modern era. I also liked the little twist with Gwynn's father. Will see if Saffron, a Druid that Declan held prisoner gets her story. Malcolm too. He could still be redeemed. It's a maybe.

 

Booklikes Bingo:  Spellbound square.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1800485/midnight-s-master