Book Review: "Sweet Fall" by Q. K. Petty

 

Every storm leaves scars. Some never heal.

The House of David has fallen—fractured, betrayed, and cast into the shadows of a world teetering on the brink of ruin. But amid the wreckage, Tennin Aiden Yeager stands with the last of his allies, determined to stop Seditio from finishing what they started.

As a new threat emerges in the form of Mary Denau, a chaos-seeker with a dark obsession, old enemies and unlikely allies collide in a final confrontation that will decide the fate of both the living and the damned. And when a mysterious child with blood tied to the relics enters the fray, every choice becomes a gamble between redemption and destruction. - from Booksirens.com

This eARC was provided by Booksirens.com and I am giving an unbiased review.

This is the fourth and final book in the "A Series of Four Seasons" series, and it wraps quite nicely. The final battle we have been awaiting between the House of David, and the Seditio does finally occur, and the result was one would expect - the supposed 'good guys' win. But the House is destroyed, where they had based, etc. all just gone. They end up creating a medical/research type center that is world renowned.

Again, this book did the character view split each chapter - which I dislike. Fortunately, I was able to read this book right after the previous one, so didn't have to re-think any of what was going on. I liked the ending, turning a more militaristic group into a research/medical one, that helps everyone around the world. The utopian ending, right? Still, it was a sluggish read, and I did find myself at a couple points skipping ahead a few pages to try to get something interesting to read.

Book Reviews: "The Immortal Doc Holliday" series by M. M. Crumley

 Soul eating tattoo. Check

Self-replicating knife. Check
Two-hundred-year-old score to settle. Double check.
Meet the immortal Doc Holliday.

Lying on his deathbed, Dr. John Holliday was offered a choice; let the tuberculosis finish its work or accept immortality. Doc chose the latter, knowing full well that such “gifts” don’t come cheap, but damned if the last two hundred years haven’t been a blast. Partying, playing, fighting, killing; yes, eternal life’s been good... But the time to get serious has finally come, and the task he’s always known he was saved for is at hand.
Now in modern-day Denver, Doc will be pushed to his limits to keep his promise and save the missing descendent of the beautiful shaman who gave him everlasting life. The trouble is things aren’t going as planned, and it’s becoming clear that there is far more at stake than Doc bargained for...

Fans of edgy Urban Fantasy look no further! If you’re into badass, morally ambiguous, anti-heroes that don’t flinch at killing bad guys (and stealing their souls) then this is the book for you! It has the perfect blend of supernatural action, humor, and mystery that you crave. - from Goodreads.com

The above is the picture and description of the first book in this series. I just completed book seven, which seemed to be the last of the series. Thankfully, at the end of the story, there was a note of the next book coming out, which I found will be January 2023, and also a 9th book, set for February 2023. So there will be a bit more to this series! On to the regular stuff...

These all were a fairly quick read for me, as they are not overly long. The story takes place in modern day Denver, a place where there are Hidden areas of the city that hide those species/people with what normals would call 'magic' of some sort. Doc Holliday is a rich man (due to the years of luck and gambling I am sure) and owns a hotel, and has a missioin to accomplish. From the illustrated cover, one can see how 'dashing and handsome' he is, as if there were immortals that weren't this good looking.

There is sarcasm. There is snarky, cussing, seduction, plus so much more (and MAGIC!) in the stories. Each book continues on the same timeline, though, if there is any major time difference, it is mentioned, or it isn't necessary. Crumley has done a wonderful job of creating a story of character from the Old West, to a modern day urban fantasy. I like how he has created Doc as a character with a completely different "magic set" than others, and yet retains his snark-isms, as I picture from the movie of Wyatt Earp - the one with Val Kilmer in it. Throw in some love-making on the side, friends that cuss you out becasue they care, and you'll be snickering as you read, as I did.

#TheImmortalDocHolliday

Book Reviews: Rogue Angel Series by Alex Archer (and others) (up to book 30)

 

An ancient order tied to the Vatican…A blood fortune buried in the caves of France…A conspiracy of power, greed and darkest evil…

Archaeologist and explorer Annja Creed’s fascination with the myths and mysteries of the past leads her to a crypt in the caves of France, where the terrifying legend of the Beast of Gevaudin hints at the unimaginable. What she discovers is shattering: an artifact that will seal her destiny; a brotherhood of monks willing to murder to protect their secret; and a powerful black-market occultist desperate to put his own claim to centuries-old blood money. Annja embarks on a high-tension race across Europe and history itself, intent on linking the unholy treachery of the ages with the staggering revelations of the present. But she must survive the shadow figures determined to silence her threat to their existence. - from Goodreads.com

This series has been keeping me busy much of the past few weeks. A little background on this series: Alex Archer is a 'house name', and the books are actually written by several authors over the course of the 61 books currently in the series. Currently I am on book #30, so this review is covering more of the series overall, than each book (too much writing for me). I did include the cover, and ploy outline for book #1 above, to see if you are interested in reading.

A young, educated, beautiful woman finds a missing piece to an infamous sword and becomes Joan of Arc re-incarnated in the current day and age. Well, not re-incarnated, but able to mystically carry an old British style broad sword and make it appear/disappear at will, this sword that was supposedly Joan's. Also she meets Roux and Garin, who claim to have lived since Joan's time, over 500 years prior.

Annja is an archeologist at heart, but was offered a job on a television show called Chasing History's Monsters which help in some of these books by providing her a place to search out a fabled monster, which usually leads into a new escapade. Not all of the stories have ruthless bad men trying to thwart Annja's every move, but it happens. The treasures and stories she does seek out, also don't always end up like we think they would.

Each of this books are able to be read as a stand-alone, but by reading them in order, you get a better feel for how Annja 'becomes one' with the magic of the sword, and learns it powers and capabilities. Also, the relationships between Roux, Garin and Annja as it develops over time. Each book does focus on an artifact, or treasure, or fable, from history or mythology.

I really enjoy most of these stories. There is usually some good action, be it fighting or just daring the traps of the location they are in. Sort of like a James bond spy-type and Indiana Jones movies bashed into each other. In a few there are some brief romance scenes, but for Annja, most of her time is spent dealing with what comes her way, rather than settling down - if the sword would let her. Reading the books through in order, you can see a different writing style, as the authors switch back and forth throughout. But each is still a fairly fast read, and easily understood. Young Adults would be able to enjoy without worries of sexual scenes, or explicit foul language throughout.

Overall I recommend if you like action stories with a bit of history/mythology and lots of guessing as to if it is true or not. I was able to finish usually one book in about a three hour period, so maybe plan an afternoon for a book!

Books Review: "Blood of the Earth" and "Curse of the Land" by Faith Hunter

Blood of the Earth: Set in the same world as the New York Times bestselling Jane Yellowrock novels, an all-new series starring Nell Ingram, who wields powers as old as the earth.

When Nell Ingram met skinwalker Jane Yellowrock, she was almost alone in the world, exiled by both choice and fear from the cult she was raised in, defending herself with the magic she drew from her deep connection to the forest that surrounds her.

Now, Jane has referred Nell to PsyLED, a Homeland Security agency policing paranormals, and agent Rick LaFleur has shown up at Nell’s doorstep. His appearance forces her out of her isolated life into an investigation that leads to the vampire Blood Master of Nashville.

Nell has a team—and a mission. But to find the Master’s kidnapped vassal, Nell and the PsyLED team will be forced to go deep into the heart of the very cult Nell fears, infiltrating the cult and a humans-only terrorist group before time runs out… - from Netgalley.com

Curse on the Land: Set in the same world as Faith Hunter's New York Times bestselling Jane Yellowrock novels, the second Soulwood novel tells the story of a woman whose power comes from deep within the earth...

 
Before Nell Ingram met skinwalker Jane Yellowrock, she had no one to rely on, finding strength only in her arcane connection to the dark woods around her. But now she has friends in the newly formed PsyLED team to keep her grounded—even if being part of the agency responsible for policing paranormals comes with dangers of its own....
 
After training at the PsyLED academy, Nell returns home to her woods to find the land feeling sick and restless. And that sickness is spreading. With the help of her team, under the leadership of agent Rick LaFleur, Nell tries to determine the cause. But nothing can prepare them for the evil that awaits: an entity that feeds on death itself. And it wants more.... - from Netgalley.com

If you are not a Jane Yellowrock fan, then you may not enjoy these books as much as others. Since most of the story is derived from characters and events from the Yellowrock series, it could be hard to follow, but possible to read as a stand alone. Personally, being a fan, I had a hard time putting either of these down, and am doing them both together, and the praise is for the whole series and not just one book. I was kept entertained in both stories, bringing more depth to some characters that just pop in and out of the Yellowrock stories. There is the hanger as well, that there may be at least a third book, if not more coming for this new series! 

Book Reviews: "Emergence" and "Resistance" both by John Birmingham

EMERGENCE: For fans of Jim Butcher and Kevin Hearne comes an action-packed new urban fantasy series featuring a tough, bleakly funny, down-on-his luck oil rig worker with an unlikely destiny as a monster-slayer and savior of the planet.

 
“Monsters,” said Vince Martinelli. “There are monsters on the rig, Dave.”
 
Dave Hooper has a hangover from hell, a horrible ex-wife, and the fangs of the IRS deep in his side. The last thing he needs is an explosion at work. A real explosion. On his off-shore oil rig.
 
But this is no accident, and despite the news reports, Dave knows that terrorists aren’t to blame. He knows because he killed one of the thingsresponsible.
 
When he wakes up in a hospital bed guarded by Navy SEALs, he realizes this is more than just a bad acid trip. Yeah, Dave’s had a few. This trip is way weirder.
 
Killing a seven-foot-tall, tattooed demon has transformed the overweight, balding safety manager into something else entirely. A foul-mouthed, beer-loving monster slayer, and humanity’s least worthy Champion. - from GoodReads.com

RESISTANCE: For fans of Jim Butcher and Kevin Hearne comes a heart-pounding new urban fantasy series featuring monster slayerDave Hooper and his magical splitting maul.
 
When you drop a monster-killer on the Strip, all bets are off.
 
Holed up in Las Vegas after the tumultuous Battle of New Orleans, Dave is enjoying the VIP perks afforded a champion monster-slayer. He may be a superhero of swag and the toast of the town, but if some fire-breathing dragons have their way, odds are everyone will soon be toast. As the hordes from the UnderRealms regroup for their next attack, Dave parties with celebrities, lunches with A-listers, and gets his ass lawyered up—because his hellacious ex is looking for a piece of that sweet, sweet action.
 
It’s all good, until new monsters roll in, looking to parley with “the Dave.”
 
WTF, monsters. Do you think the Dave can’t spot a trap before he falls into it? And when things go to hell at warp 10, a suit from a shadow operation swoops in to offer Dave a deal he can’t refuse. Now Dave’s about to face off against an opponent who makes battling bloodthirsty behemoths look like child’s play—a ravishing Russian spy with a few superpowers of her own. - from GoodReads.com

I received these both free from the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra, in exchange for a review.

In EMEREGENCE, we are introduced to Dave Hooper. An oil rig safety worker, while returning to the rig, discovers it is under attack by supernatural beings. In fighting one, suddenly he takes on strange new powers, speech, and knowledge. the story continues with the Armed Forces doing their best to prevent the city of New Orleans being overrun by these new demons, which Dave can understand their caste systems, and how they operate. In helping the Armies of the US defeat the new threat, Dave becomes a new superhero. I found this a good start to a series and give it 4 stars.

In RESISTANCE, the fight continues, but it is on multiple fronts around the world. Dave is still the self-centered, "it's all about me" type person we were introduced to in the first book. Except now, he is supposedly starting to realize that his actions have consequences. By this point in the story, I was starting to get pretty tired of Dave and his narcissistic ways, but by the near end of this book, I think he is starting to change. Either that, or he is "into" the Russian spy chick that a secret dept of the US Govt wants him to kill. Funny how Dave never does quite what they want him to do. The story seemed to slow down a bit in this book, and not as action oriented as the first book. Wasn't sure if it was for character development, or the author had no idea where the story was going/trying to connect it up so I give it 3 stars.