Wildfire by Ilona Andrews

Author: Ilona Andrews
Publisher: Avon
Date of publication: July 2017

Just when Nevada Baylor has finally come to accept the depths of her magical powers, she also realizes she’s fallen in love. Connor “Mad” Rogan is in many ways her equal when it comes to magic, but she’s completely out of her elements when it comes to her feelings for him. To make matters more complicated, an old flame comes back into Rogan’s life…

Rogan knows there’s nothing between him and his ex-fiance, Rynda Sherwood. But as Nevada begins to learn more about her past, her power, and her potential future, he knows she will be faced with choices she never dreamed of and the promise of a life spent without him.

As Nevada and Rogan race to discover the whereabouts of Rynda’s kidnapped husband and are forced to confront Nevada’s grandmother, who may or may not have evil motives, these two people must decide if they can trust in each other or allow everything to go up in smoke.

Wildfire is the third book in the Hidden Legacy series. It takes up right where the second book, White Hot, left off, so I would say it's a good idea to read the first two books to get yourself up to speed.  This book really does assume that you read the first two and know what's going on.  I won't add any spoilers in this review because there are a couple of surprises.

That being said, I loved this installation.  It was fast paced, action filled and I couldn't put it down. Watching Nevada and Rogan grow closer as a couple as well as partners in their war was fun to watch.  The secondary characters are also coming into their own and growing to be more fleshed out.  They also help to add some humor to the book.  I loved Grandma Frida the most.

I had thought that this was a trilogy, but the epilogue leaves you with a feeling that there is more to come from these characters.  If there isn't another book, I would be surprised. So, while you are waiting, I definitely recommend this book as well as the series so far.  It's a lot of fun to read.

Blog Tour: The Sweetest Burn by Jeaniene Frost

Author: Jeaniene Frost

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of publication: June 2017

Conquering a supernatural realm turned out to be easier than getting over a broken heart. But her initial victory has made Ivy a target for revenge, forcing her to reunite with the dangerous—and dangerously sexy—Adrian. Ivy isn’t sure which will be harder: finding the hallowed weapon that will repair the crumbling walls between the demon and human realms, or resisting Adrian, who’s decided that come hell or high water, he will make Ivy his.

At first, Adrian tried to resist his feelings for Ivy. Now, determined to break the curse that dooms their love, he’s vowed to save her and to have her. If only he can persuade her to forgive his past sins. But defying destiny—and surrendering to the smoldering desire between them—will bring consequences and sacrifices they never imagined…

 “Frost scores another win with the mesmerizing second Broken Destiny supernatural contemporary… The novel thrums with energy, its pacing breakneck from the very start, and piles on the sexual tension. Frost provides a much-needed inventive boost to the tired angel/demon subset of supernatural fantasy.” –Publishers Weekly

The Sweetest Burn is the long awaited second book in the Broken Destiny series.  From what I understand there has been three years between the first book, The Beautiful Ashes and this one.  Thankfully, I didn't have to wait that long between books having only just recently read the first one (my review).  You should definitely read this series in order.  There is a lot of world building that goes on in the first book that isn't completely covered in the second.  The second book picks up a short time after the events of the first book and takes off running.  So, just be advised, this one isn't a stand alone and you might get some spoilers by reading this one first.

That being said, Ivy and Adrian must team up once again to find the second hallowed weapon. The embark on a road trip with Costa, Jasmine and Brutus (who I love) to track it down.  I enjoyed this installment.  I loved the chemistry between Ivy and Adrian even more than in the first book.  It was definitely hotter this time around.  I felt like I got to know their characters better and found myself really rooting for their doomed relationship.  Aside from the romance playing a bigger part in this book, it's once again filled with a lot of demon  fighting action. This book flew by because I was kept engaged all the way through. I couldn't put it down. As with the first book, the final scenes were among my favorites.  

So far, this is a great series and one I highly recommend. The conclusion to the series, The Brightest Embers is slated to be released in November 2017.  It's definitely on my TBR pile already.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

About Jeaniene Frost

Jeaniene Frost is the New York Times, USA TODAY, and international bestselling author of the Night Huntress and Night Prince series for Avon and the Broken Destiny series for Harlequin HQN. Jeaniene’s books have sold in twenty different countries to date. She lives in North Carolina and Florida with her husband.

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Connect with Jeaniene

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Jeaniene Frost’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Monday, July 3rd: Bewitched Bookworms – excerpt

Wednesday, July 5th: Smexy Books

Thursday, July 6th: Romancing the Readers – excerpt

Monday, July 10th: Stuck in Books – excerpt

Monday, July 17th:Bewitched Bookworms

Wednesday, July 19th: Lovely Reads

Thursday, July 27th: All Roads Lead to the Kitchen – excerpt

Friday, July 28th: Becky on Books

Sunday, July 30th: Tome Tender

Monday, July 31st: A Dream Within a Dream – excerpt

Wednesday, August 2nd: Becca the Bibliophile – excerpt

Monday, August 7th: Books and Spoons – excerpt

Monday, August 7th: BTH Reviews – The Beautiful Ashes (Book 1)

Wednesday, August 9th: A Chick Who Reads

Thursday, August 10th: From the TBR Pile

Thursday, August 10th: Brooke Blogs – excerpt

Monday, August 14th: Read Love Blog

TBD: BTH Reviews

TBD: Mama Reads Blog

Burn For Me by Ilona Andrews

Author: Ilona Andrews
Publisher: Avon
Date of publication: October 2014

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. 



Burn for Me is a paranormal Romance/ urban fanstasy.  It's been a while since I read one of these, but I was intrigued.  Basically, the world as we know it consists of houses of magic (almost like a caste system) and each house has a Prime.  A Prime is someone who has the highest level of magic.  Not everyone has magic as some people are labeled as duds (I think that was the term used...don't quote me).  Nevada runs a detective agency, has lots of debt and is trying to support her siblings, mother and grandmother.  "Mad" Rogan is a powerful Prime who agrees to help her find a Prime who can set things on fire.

With me still?  For the most part, I enjoyed the book.  I'm not sure I completely "got" the world of magic, but I was able to put that aside and finish the book purely for its entertainment value.   I liked Nevada.  Her ability was kind of cool in that she could tell when people were lying.  She was a strong kick ass kind of character.  Her loyalty to her family made her that much more likable.  "Mad" Rogan was just kind of OK for me.  Honestly, I thought he was a major asshole throughout most of the book.  He really took a long time to grow on me.

The peripheral characters made the book funny (especially the grandmother) and the mystery rounded it out nicely.  There were some intense action scenes that I think would translate very well on the big screen.  There really isn't any "romance", but the book ends with a window open for some major romance in the next book White Hot, which just came out in May.  I have that one on my list, so keep an eye out for a review coming soon.  If you missed this one, I do recommend giving it a try.  I was entertained.

Throwback Thursday: Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn

Author: Carrie Vaughn
First published in 2005 by Grand Central Publishing

Kitty Norville is a midnight-shift DJ for a Denver radio station - and a werewolf in the closet. Her new late-night advice show for the supernaturally disadvantaged is a raging success, but it's Kitty who can use some help. With one sexy werewolf-hunter and a few homicidal undead on her tail, Kitty may have bitten off more than she can chew?

It's been a while since I have read any type of urban fantasy. I'm nto sure how I missed this series, but I was intrigued when I read the synopsis.  Kitty has been living secretly as a werewolf for several years.  When a joke on during her radio show turns into a syndicated talk show about the paranormal, her life is suddenly in danger.

This book was just OK for me.  I felt like I had read this story before.  It reminded me so much of the Anita Blake series and the Mercy Thompson series.  Had I not read those before this one, I might have liked it more.  The characters were just so so. Kitty was very wishy-washy and not consistent. I also was confused by the world building.  The werewolves and vampires live in secret in the beginning of the novel, but by the end it seems everyone knows they exist, but there is no upheaval among the humans.  Maybe I missed something?  I may read the next book because there was a story thread that wasn't resolved.  Hopefully the next book is better!

Graveminder

Author: Melissa Marr
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (May 2011)

Rebekkah Barrow never forgot the tender attention her grandmother, Maylene, bestowed upon the dead of Claysville, the town where Bek spent her adolescence. There wasn’t a funeral that Maylene didn’t attend, and at each Rebekkah watched as Maylene performed the same unusual ritual: three sips from a small silver flask followed by the words “Sleep well, and stay where I put you.”

Now Maylene is dead and Bek must go back to the place—and the man—she left a decade ago. But what she soon discovers is that Maylene was murdered and that there was good reason for her odd traditions. It turns out that in placid Claysville, the worlds of the living and the dead are dangerously connected. Beneath the town lies a shadowy, lawless land ruled by the enigmatic Charles, aka Mr. D—a place from which the dead will return if their graves are not properly minded. Only the Graveminder, a Barrow woman, and the current Undertaker, Byron, can set things to right once the dead begin to walk.

Kari's thoughts:

I had no idea what to expect going into this book. I was pleasantly surprised. Graveminder is a well written and unique story. Rebekkah and Byron have both left home, but wrestle with a constant feeling that they should return to their home town. Byron returns on his own to help with the family business. When Rebekkah's grandmother, Maylene, is murdered, she is forced to return as well. Maylene's death sets off a series of events that changes their lives forever.

This book has a little bit of everything in it. Romance, creepy scenes, mystery, murder and the walking dead who eat people (they aren't zombie, though). I liked both Rebekkah and Byron's characters and their relationship with each other. The bargain that the town made with Charles (Mr. D) is interesting and I almost wish there was more back story to it. I loved the scenes that take place in the land of the dead.

I definitely recommend this one. I really enjoyed it. I will warn that there are a few gruesome scenes in the book but they are written very well. Since it is labeled as an adult read, I probably wouldn't recommend it for YA's. I listened to the audiobook and Emma Gavin, the narrator, did a great job.

Autumn's thoughts:
I also listened to the audiobook.  I agree that Emma Gavin was perfect for the job.  I recognized her as the reader for Veronica Roth's Divergent.  She did an excellent job there as well.

The original bargain that the townspeople made with the Charles was interesting.   I don't recall any information given as to where Claysville was located.  However, it had to be in existence in the 1700s and it wasn't in California.  The first Graveminder was named Abigail and one of the other ones was Drusilla.  I found that intriguing.  I wondered if maybe there was a Salem Witch tie in there.

I enjoyed this one quite a lot as well, a lot more than I was expecting to I think.  I really liked the idea of a Graveminder.  Not for the reason they had to have one, but the idea of a town having a designated Graveminder.  I, too, would recommend this one!

The Lost Gate

Author: Orson Scott Card
Publisher: Tor Books

Dan North knows from early childhood that his family is different — and that the differences are secrets that can never be told. This contemporary Urban Fantasy introduces the North family, a clan of mages in exile in our world, and their enemies who will do anything to keep them locked here.


The Lost Gate is a the first book in a new series by Orson Scott Card. In his afterword, he explains that this book was about 30 years in the making. I have to say that I am glad he took his time with it. The Lost Gate is about a boy who lives in our world with his magical family on a compound. It turns out that they were once gods and have been closed off from their homeland for the last 1400 years because a powerful Gatemage closed all of the gates between our world and the land of Westil. As a result, all of the stranded families have had their powers weakened over the years and can no longer do powerful magic. 13 year old Danny learns that he is a Gatemage and must flee his home. There is a pact among the families that any Gatemage that is born will be killed, because there is a fear that the family that has the Gatemage child will be able to become the strongest family. Intertwined with Danny's journey is that story of another boy in Westil named Wad. The 2 stories at first seem disconnected but it becomes clear toward the end how they relate to one another.

I enjoyed The Lost Gate. The author does a great job at drawing you into the mythology of the worlds he has created. The characters were very real and most were very likable. I admit that I didn't like Danny too much in the beginning, as I thought he was a bit of a jerk, but as he matured in the book, he grew on me. I felt the ending was a bit abrupt and I wanted it to go on a bit more. I know that this is the first in a series, so I eagerly await the next one.

A slight warning to parents, this is being promoted as a YA, coming of age story. Honestly, I would use your own discretion before allowing your child to read this. I really felt like there was some content that was a bit mature for anyone under the age of 16 or 17. Even though Danny is only 13 in the beginning, he is put into some pretty adult situations. There is also some mature content in the parallel story about Wad. This is not Harry Potter! Given that, I would recommend this to any Fantasy fan. I enjoyed the audio-book. However, the deep voice of the male narrator made it hard to remember that Danny was only 13 in the beginning of the book.

--Kari