Review: Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels #3) by Ilona Andrews

Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews

Series: Kate Daniels #3

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Ace (March 31, 2009)
Pages: 322
Format: Kindle

Source: Library

Amazon / Goodreads

 

When magic strikes and Atlanta goes to pieces, it’s a job for Kate Daniels…

 

Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with these days. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that’s saying a lot.

 

But when Kate's werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games—an invitation only, no holds barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament—she and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta's shapeshifting community…

Rating: 4 Stars - Loved It

Thoughts: I was in need of my Curran fix and I got just that. If read this book then I think you all know what certain scene I am talking about. I found how the packs mate interesting and fun. The Midnight games were crazy good. Really liking Andrea and Kates friendship. Learning more about Kate and even Jim was good. The ending was my 2nd favorite part of the book. Can not tell you the first do not want to spoil anything.

 

I could not remember if I read book 2 as it has been awhile. The Midnight Games sounded interesting so went with Magic Strikes #3. I was not lost at all and did not feel like I missed anything huge. As I enjoyed Kate and a few of the secondary characters and Andrea and Raphael I feel like they were in the previous book. Easy for me to get a feel what is going on but I am sure it would of been nice to see how they got to where they are now.

 

Sunday Post: Small break or not

Sunday Post is a weekly recap hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer

Hi everyone. Hope all is good. We finished our inside Spring Projects. Got some of the rooms cleaned and back together. Still have 3 rooms to get cleaned and we are just exhausted and dragging ass to get them done. Our workers for inside the house finished up last Saturday and workers for our big outside project started last Monday. 

 

We are so excited we are finally getting work done on our backyard patio. Hopefully will be done by Tuesday.

 

Before

 

 

In Progress

 

 We are loving the big steps to the pool

 

 

Hubby is loving his grill cubby

 

 

Found two Romantic Suspense on sale $0.99 at The Book Disciple - Freebie Friday Post. Still on sale at time of this post.

Protecting Piper (Wilde Ways #1)

by Cynthia Eden

Amazon / Goodreads

$0.99 SALE

 

Previously released as "Taming Nick"

 

A Fine Specimen

by Lisa Marie Rice

Amazon / Goodreads

$0.99 SALE

 

 

Like I said hubby and I are exhausted from the work getting done on our house. Nothing happened on the blog last few weeks. I do not know at the moment if I need a small break or not from blogging. After finishing up our patio we will have some stuff to do back there. So I think right now I am taking blogging and real life one day at a time.

Sunday Post: Let the Spring projects begin

Sunday Post is a weekly recap hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer

Hello sweet friends. Late for my Sunday Post. The spring projects have begun in the Purol Household. We got four Spring  projects (possibly five) this year. Three of them are back to back (four and possibly five are a little later I hope) crazy right. Thanks to Mr. Delicious. He can never spread anything out.  First up is the Bathroom. Who in the heck puts Textured Wallpaper in a bathroom? That's right some home owner before us. Seriously does not wipe off easy. Well no more 22 years later finally getting it done.

 

I finally have a book haul. Needed me a Curran fix and that is what I got. Loved it.  I planned on having Hard Play on my Sweet Temptation Feature but never got around to finishing up my post. Why I have not idea. Excited it was on sale. You know I love my Badass Bikers and look what I found free on The Book Disciple - Freebie Friday. Hope it is good.

Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews

Series: Kate Daniels #3

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Source: Library

 

When magic strikes and Atlanta goes to pieces, it’s a job for Kate Daniels…

 

Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with these days. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that’s saying a lot.

 

But when Kate's werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games—an invitation only, no holds barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament—she and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta's shapeshifting community…

Hard Play by Sheryl Nantus

Series: Delta Force Brotherhood #1

Genre: Romantic Suspense

 

SALE!! SALE!!

$0.99 (at time of post)

 

Amazon

 

For fans of Maya Banks’ KGI series, prepare to meet the men of the Delta Force Brotherhood, a sexy new contemporary series where kicking ass and living hard is just how they roll.

 

Ex-special forces ranger Dylan McCourt is a stone cold killer who cares only about his military brothers and doing what’s right. He’s used to giving orders and has zero patience for bullshit. Most people tremble when they look him in the eye, but not his infuriatingly sexy new rescue mission, Jessie Lyon. She just juts her chin and says she’s not leaving without clearing her father’s name, to hell with his rules. And was that a one finger salute he sees in her eyes or his imagination? Either way, he knows this is one job his training might not have prepared him for.

Link'd Up by Harley Stone

Series: Dead Presidents MC #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Biker Romance

 

FREE!! FREE!!

(at time of post)

 

Amazon

 

President Tyler “Link” Lincoln of the Dead Presidents MC, runs a club dedicated to helping military vets readjust to society. When his sergeant at arms is arrested for the attempted murder of a prominent Seattle figure, Link’s search for a lawyer brave enough to fight for justice leads him to an alluring defense attorney with a bleeding heart and a steel backbone.

This isn’t the first time Emily Stafford’s commitment to defending the falsely accused has put her in harm’s way. Smart, cautious, and independent, she knows how to defend herself. At least, she did until she joined forces with one sexy, overbearing, tattooed MC president.

Flames run hot as Link and Emily seek shelter in the club’s converted fire station, working against the clock to uncover the truth and save a somewhat innocent man.

18+ for language and sexual situations...

• Noontime Martini Feature: Amazon recommendations to me - Line Of Duty Series by Tessa Bailey
• Review: Raphael (Vampire's In America #1) by D.B. Reynolds

Favorite Quote:
He shrugged and smoothed his hair back with hands that were shaking worse than hers. "I had no choice, Cyn. When Raphael says jump, I say, "Please don’t hurt me, Master." Lonnie (Raphael)

• Review: Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels 3) by Ilona Andrews
• Books From The Backlog Feature: Alexandra's Legacy (Legacy #1) by N.J. Walters

In need of some Luke Brian Strip It Down

 

Hope you all had a beautiful week. Start your Spring projects yet? How was your book haul?

 

Noontime Martini: Amazon Recommendations To Me - Line Of Duty Series By Tessa Bailey

I would love to have a Girls Lunch Date with a Dirty Martini and Talk Bookish and Non Bookish with you all. Well since I can not have that, Noontime Martini was created.

 

Thoughts: Curious what Amazon has recommendations for me. I have already bought both Kindle books from Amazon and reviewed on their page. I am surprised out of the many books by Tessa Bailey Amazon picked these two for me. Loved both books and Asking For Trouble (Line Of Duty #4) was a 5 star. Brent and Hayden ended up being my favorite couple and story for the series. Loved the whole series and Tessa Bailey writes delicious dirty talking heroes.

Protecting What's His by Tessa Bailey

Series: Line Of Duty #1

Publisher: Entangled: Brazen (February 23, 2013)

 

Goodreads

 

A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint...

She’s running from the law, and the law wants her bad.

The opportunity was just too damn delicious for Ginger Peet to pass up. The purse full of money she finds—$50,000 to be exact—could give her and her teen sister the new start they need. So she grabs the cash, her gothy sibling, and their life-sized statue of Dolly Parton, and blows outta Nashville in a cloud of dust. Chicago, here we come...

Turns out, Chicago has some pretty hot cops. Hot, intense, naughty-lookin’ cops like Derek Tyler, who looks like he could eat a girl up and leave her begging for more. And more. Tempting as he is, getting involved with the sexy homicide lieutenant next door poses a teensy problem for a gal who’s on the lam. But one thing is certain—Derek’s onto her, and he wants more than just a taste.

And as far as he’s concerned, possession is nine-tenths of the law.

Asking For Trouble

Series: Line Of Duty #4

 

Goodreads

 

A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint...

The fighting was just foreplay...

Brent Mason and Hayden Winstead can't stand each other. She plans exclusive parties for her rich familys charities. He's a rough and tumble cop who rigs explosives for a living. Could two people be any less suited for conversation? They think not and prefer to keep it that way.

Unfortunately, their two best friends are deeply, disgustingly in love. Forced together, the mutual attraction simmering beneath the surface of Brent and Hayden's non-relationship grows with every argument until it explodes into a scintillating night of mind-blowing sex. And it wont be the last, as far as Brent's concerned.

Hayden has a secret, though. Her father's company is relying on a merger to save them from financial ruin, and only Hayden's marriage to the CEOs wealthy son can secure the deal. If she's to protect her family, she'll have to forget Brent. And he has no intention of being forgotten.

Have you read Line Of Duty Series? Have a favorite couple or book?

 

 

Review: Raphael (Vampire's In America #1) by D.B. Reynolds

Raphael by D.B. Reynolds

Series: Vampire's In America #1

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: ImaJinn Books (December 10, 2013)

Pages: 224

Format:

Source: Bought

 

Amazon / Goodreads

 

Malibu, California-home to rock-and-roll gods and movie stars, the beautiful, the rich... and vampires.

Powerful and charismatic, Raphael is a Vampire Lord, one of the few who hold the power of life and death over every vampire in existence. Thousands call him Master and have pledged absolute loyalty on their very lives. But when, in a brazen and deadly daylight attack, a gang of human killers kidnaps the one female vampire he'd give his life for, Raphael turns to a human investigator to find his enemies before it's too late.

Cynthia Leighton is smart, tough and sexy, a private investigator and former cop who's tired of spying on cheating spouses and digging out old bank accounts. When Raphael asks for her help in tracking down the kidnappers, Cyn's happy to accept. But she soon realizes her greatest danger comes not from the humans, but from Raphael himself.

Battling Russian mobsters and treacherous vampires, and betrayed by those they trusted, Cyn and Raphael find themselves fighting for their lives while caught up in a passion of blood and violence that is destined to destroy them both.

Rating: 4 Stars - Loved It

 

I have a new Vampire crush and another favorite couple. Raphael is A Powerful Vampire Lord who is  head of all Vamps in his territory. No one betrays Raphael even his vampires or human workers and not pay a price. Every one that knows him or heard of him fears him as they should. Love that readers are shown how powerful Raphael is. He is to the point and has no patience for mistakes. He is protective of all his vampires. Loved that I got enough details on Raphael's past.

 

Cyn has a strong backbone but at the same time has personal issues like everyone else. Has no problem protecting herself from a vampire if it came down to it. She might fear Raphael and his vampires but she sure as not going to show it. She can hold her own with Raphael but also knows when to back off.

 

The Romance was not front and center or love at first sight. Their relationship develops right a long with the story. This worked just fine for me as I got to see Raphael slowly be intrigue with Cyn. Especially since Raphael and other Vampires see Humans weak. The more time Raphael spends with Cyn he does not see her this way.

 

Had some good secondary characters loved Duncan and Lonnie. Duncan is Raphael right hand Vamp. Lonnie is the head of the Feedlot for the vampires also is some what a friend with Cyn. His character did bring some humor to the book.

 

He shrugged and smoothed his hair back with hands that were shaking worse than hers. "I had no choice, Cyn. When Raphael says jump, I say, "Please don’t hurt me, Master."

 

The world building  was easy and right along with Cyn  I was learning about the Vampires ways. Most Vampires do not interact with humans more so in a business dealing. Loved that humans do know Vampires exist but some who have not met any think they are just rumors.

 

Plot was interesting with the kidnapping of Raphael's female vamp. Nice twist I did not see coming. Cyn did have me on the edge of my seat especially with one scene. I was so nervous and not sure how everything was going to work out for her.

 

D.B. Reynolds easy story telling has me wanting more. I think I might of found a new Vampire series.

 

Sunday Post: Lack of communication

Sunday Post is a weekly recap hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer

 

Life: Hi everyone. Hope you had a beautiful week. Mine was pretty easy and nothing exciting. I had plans to get some blogging done on Thursday but did not go as I plan. I knew my hubby had a doctor appointment but thought it was later in the day and he would take a half day of work. Nope his was in morning and took the day off. So his plans for us were to go looking at bath liners (having work done soon in the bathroom).  Good news got our bath liner and was not all that bad he fed me after. Had a nice lunch with the hubby.

 

No book haul last week. Been slowly getting my plants. Love Ferns since I can not kill them.

 

 

 

How was your week? Get any good books?

 

 

Sweet Temptation: Devil In Tartan by Julia London

 

Sweet Temptation is a feature on Wickedly Delicious Book Blog. That centers around books that have caught my attention. Whether it be a quote, snippet, teaser, excerpt, synopsis or a review.

Devil In Tartan by Julia London

Series: Highland Grooms #4

Release Date: March 1st, 2018

 

Goodreads

 

Peril and passion on enemy seas…
Lottie Livingstone bears the weight of an island on her shoulders. Under threat of losing their home, she and her clan take to the seas to sell a shipload of illegal whiskey. When an attack leaves them vulnerable, she transforms from a maiden daughter to a clever warrior. For survival, she orchestrates the siege of a rival’s ship and now holds the devilish Scottish captain Aulay Mackenzie under her command.

Tied, captive and forced to watch a stunning siren commandeer the Mackenzie ship, Aulay burns with the desire to seize control—of the ship and Lottie. He has resigned himself to a life of solitude on the open seas, but her beauty tantalizes him like nothing has before. As authorities and enemies close in, he is torn between surrendering her to justice and defending her from assailants. He’ll lose her forever, unless he’s willing to sacrifice the unimaginable…

 

Thoughts: A tied and captive highlander under a heroines command got me interested.

 

 

Sunday Post: Happy Mother's Day

 

Sunday Post is a weekly recap hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer

Life: No book haul for me this week. Happy Mother's Day! We had a nice relaxing Sunday. My son and hubby took me to lunch. My son gave me a beautiful Watercolor Orchid. Will have to do some reading up on how to take care.

Roman had a special day at school Wednesday. For his Birthday he got to be the leader for the day and wear Happy Birthday Crown. He decided it was his special day so he had to wear his suit to school.

 

 

Roman dinner with Captain America at Ciccarellis 22 Sports Bar for Monday Family Night. Of course he had to go in full Captain America gear. Every Monday night is character family night. Surprised he was a little shy with him.

 

 

Look who is crawling. Hunter is everywhere.

 

 

 

How was your week? Did you have a beautiful Mother's Day?

 

 

Life / Sweet Temptation: Pestilence (The Four Horsemen #1) by Laura Thalassa

 

Sweet Temptation is a feature on Wickedly Delicious Book Blog. That centers around books that have caught my attention. Whether it be a quote, snippet, teaser, excerpt, synopsis or a review.

Pestilence by Laura Thalassa

Series: The Four Horsemen #1

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Author (March 20, 2018)

Pages: 383

Format: Kindle

 

Amazon / Goodreads

They came to earth—Pestilence, War, Famine, Death—four horsemen riding their screaming steeds, racing to the corners of the world. Four horsemen with the power to destroy all of humanity. They came to earth, and they came to end us all.

When Pestilence comes for Sara Burn’s town, one thing is certain: everyone she knows and loves is marked for death. Unless, of course, the angelic-looking horseman is stopped, which is exactly what Sara has in mind when she shoots the unholy beast off his steed.

Too bad no one told her Pestilence can’t be killed.

Now the horseman, very much alive and very pissed off, has taken her prisoner, and he’s eager to make her suffer. Only, the longer she’s with him, the more uncertain she is about his true feelings towards her … and hers towards him.

And now, well, Sara might still be able to save the world, but in order to do so, she'll have to sacrifice her heart in the process.  

Thoughts: Pestilence with its many great reviews has been recommended to me on Goodreads three times. About time I added it to my Sweet Temptation Feature.

Have you read this book or author?

Life: Sorry all I have been MIA here and there last few weeks. Work and family life has been busy. Been trying to write a review and it is just not happening. Hopefully after this weekend everything will be calm down.

Lot of family time with the grandkids and enjoying every minute. Hope you all have been having a beautiful week.

 

Sunday Post / Stacking The Shelves: Another Birthday

 

Sunday Post is a weekly recap hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly recap hosted by Tynga's Reviews & Reading Reality

 

 

Life: Hello. Hope you all had a beautiful week. Celebrated another birthday Sunday this time for my grandson. Can not believe he is going to be 5 on May 8. He was not sure if wanted Bounce House party or Bowling party. He chose bowling. We should of went with The Bounce House. 5 years olds and bowling a little crazy. He had a so much fun with his friends so that is all that matters.  

 

Been busy with work and at home and finally getting a little bit better with my cough. Not a lot of posting going on with the blog or visiting. Last few weeks have been exhausting. Hopefully within the next few weeks I can get caught up with everything.

 

Bought: Found a freebie. Enjoyed the 1st book in Alyssa Days Warriors of Poseidon series. Now she has a spin off Poseidon's Warriors with novellas.

FREE!! FREE!! FREE!!

January In Atlantis by Alyssa Day

Series: Poseidon's Warriors #1

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 145

Format: Kindle

 

Amazon / Goodreads

 

When black sheep Flynn returns to Atlantis after more than a decade away, he discovers that his brothers thought he was dead and moved on with their lives.  But before he can wrap his brain around that problem, Poseidon himself taps Flynn to be one of a new generation of elite warriors.  Now he only has to: learn how to be part of a team, rescue a group of kidnapped girls from the Hell’s Dark Angels motorcycle gang, and try to understand why a certain redhaired bartender with an affinity for animals is driving him mad…

 

Eva Calandar needs to run.  Again.  Her ex-boyfriend, a black magic practitioner, has tracked her down.  Again.  But she might be the key to rescuing a group of girls from becoming human sacrifices, and there’s a certain astonishingly hot Atlantean warrior with a fierce protective instinct who is making her think longing thoughts of finally making a stand.

 

Together, they’re so much stronger than they were apart, but the heat between them may be enough to burn down the world.

 

No matter what the temperature is in January . . . in Atlantis.

Have a beautiful week

Back From The Backlog: Reckless (Shattered Sisters #1) by Maggie Shayne

 

Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. Hosted weekly by Carole's Random Life In Books.

Reckless by Maggie Shayne

Series: Shattered Sisters #1

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Thunderfoot Publishing (February 20, 2016)

Pages: 270

Format: Kindle

Source: Bought / FREE

Amazon / Goodreads

Toni del Rio specialized in turning real-life crime into bestselling fiction, and she was aware that danger came with the territory. This time, however, she was in over her head. While researching the New York underworld for her latest book, she'd witnessed a mob hit. Now a thug was pointing a gun at her in a shadowy alley, and she knew she was a goner....

Undercover FBI agent Nick Manelli wasn't about to kill anyone, but if he didn't hide the woman immediately, they would both be dead. So he brought her to the only haven he knew — his place.

Alone with Nick in close quarters, Toni couldn't help fantasizing about her rugged captor — and the desire, she soon discovered, was mutual...  

Thoughts: Last week got an email for books on sale by Booksbub and Reckless was one of them. Liked the synopsis went to go buy on Amazon and guess what I already owned it. LOL. I knew I had a few books by Maggie Shayne but did not realize I already had this. Might be next read when in the mood for an Romantic Suspense. Really should bump this up to read since I clearly am trying to get it again. Maybe it is a sign to read me now.

 

Book was free when first got it in 2016. Still FREE at time of post.