Book Review: "Darkness Haunts" by Susan Ilene

Melena Sanders faced her fair share of danger with insurgents and terrorists when she served in the U.S. Army, but now she is about to go up against a new threat. Her best friend, Aniya, has disappeared while on a trip to Fairbanks, Alaska—a supernatural haven. Most humans have no idea darker races lurk amongst them. Mel knows better. If she wants to get her friend back, she’s going to have to go in alone—but not unarmed.

Melena has a few special skills the Army didn’t provide, but the odds are still against her. She’s got to come up with a plan fast that doesn’t involve her, or her friend, dying. But danger likes to play it rough. A war for power is about to rise in Fairbanks and if she wants to get Aniya back, she’s going to have to step right into the middle of it. - taken from Goodreads.com

Genre: Fantasy (Urban)
Author: Susan ILLene
Book: Darkness Haunts (The Sensor #1)
My Star Rating: 4 
Will I read I read it again? No

The story description does quite a bit to draw my attention. I'm thinking a soldier-type female main character, that evidently knows something about the supernatural (Supes) race(s) living among humans. She gets drawn into a search for a friend who has "gone missing" in Alaska - a supposed haven for these Supes. And supposedly she has some 'special skills'......

This is the kind of story I like in a good urban fantasy. I admit, it sounds like the same basic plot that so many of them have, but it is the story-telling of the plot with the details that draw me in. I was so looking forward to getting to this one, that I let it skip a few others I had in my pile before it. honestly, I was a little let down.

Our main character, Melena, is an orphan, raised by a foster family, which were killed/died/whatever, and she ended up with a "distant family member" to raise her. Around HS graduation age, she joined the Army, and supposedly served in Airborne, though it was as an interrogator. So, not to spoil it, she does have some "supernatural" power, but I'm not saying as it will spoil it for you. The rest of the book description pretty much covers it.

That all being said, there was no depth to the story, or its characters. Everyone is sexy/hunky for the most part. Every male loves/lusts/wants to be with the main character (and no one else it seems). Thankfully the most "sex scenes" were internal monologues that were very short (thank goodness) made by the main character about musculature features of said males. The story had a few small goodies I liked, and overall completed itself enough to be a stand alone story. 

Cons:
- MC tried to be a "big girl" and was saved by a hunky male way too many times, and way too obviously coming in the story
- no depth of character, or story world - this being mostly in Alaska - Fairbanks area - we are kind of left to our imagination 

Pros:
- Story idea was good, and I liked how it overall came together
- No cliff-hanger - even knowing there are like six books in the series
- MC superpower is one (or similar to) I have read about from other authors, and yet has it's own unique 'extra' to it

Middle of the Road: 
- The lack of description for the story world. I have no clue what the area around the location truly looks like, though I am sure it varies greatly from what I've seen on documentaries of polar bears. But I like that we could sort of form our own impressions of the "layout" from city to cabin to forests, etc. I thought it weird they could be in "downtown" Fairbanks, then five minutes later be at a cabin 200 yards off the main road, that has working plumbing. 

Book Review: "Deadly Vows" by Keri Arthur

Evil comes in all forms … and sometimes it wears a human mask.

When the body of a newlywed is discovered on the reservation, Lizzie Grace throws herself into the investigation, needing a distraction from what she fears is coming not only for her but also Belle—her best friend and witch familiar.

But as the body count grows and a desperate race begins to track down a supernatural entity capable of powerful magic, it becomes evident another deadly game has begun—one they may not win.

Because the past—and the man—they ran from thirteen years ago has finally caught up with them. - from Goodreads.com

This is Book 6 of the Lizzy Grace series by Keri Arthur.

'Deadly Vows' takes place in a fictional reservation in Australia, and continues the story of Lizzy Grace and her human familiar Belle. I won't expand on their background as it is covered more in earlier books. In this latest release, Lizzy and Belle have to confront a person from their past as well as deal with the murder of newlyweds from a supernatural source. Lizzy learns more about the Wild Magic, and expands her relationship with the local Ranger, and werewolf Aiden.

I don't remember when I first came across this series, as I had not read anything by Keri Arthur before book one in this series ('Blood Kissed'). After reading the beginning of the series, I felt hooked in. Arthur has am easy to read style of writing without over-detailing a scene. Main character is written with depth decently, but when it comes to side characters, the depth of character is lacking a bit. Would like to see more of what makes Aiden and Belle tick, let alone some of the others. I'm not big on romance bits of stories, and found the level of romantic interaction/description to be acceptable. Overall I enjoyed this book, and look forward to at least a couple more stories.