Shield of Winter

 Shield of Winter

Psy-Changeling #13

Nalini Singh

Reviewed by Helen

I started reading this series when it first came out and loved it, it was my first foray into paranormal and I am not sure why but I got behind and it was hard to catch up but I have a couple of challenges going for this year one of which I had to read a paranormal and one I had to read a book in a series, so I figured it was a great time to get back into this series and I am glad I did I really enjoyed being back in the Psy-Changeling world.

There is a lot going on in the Psy world at the moment an infection in the net is causing devastating actions from some of its people and the assassin team of Arrows have been called in to do what they can and this they find will need the help of the E empaths, this brings Vasic and Ivy together and what happens to them will change so much in their lives and the world as they know it.

A fabulous story powerfully emotional and sensual Ivy gets Vasic to open up and find the feelings that have been locked in silence since childhood but also to forgive himself, and Ivy beautifully caring and willing to give all to save anyone she can. This one is action packed and fast paced and it was great catching up with characters from the past books. This is one that I would highly recommend but they need to be read in order.

4 stars

Published June 5th 2014 by Gollancz

Devil in the Details

 Devil in the Details

#2 Heart of The Devils Series

Savannah Blaize

Reviewed by Helen

I have really been looking forward to this book since I finished the first one and was not disappointed at all, it is a page turner as we get to see Domenic Erikson find the love of his life nurse Sophie O’Connor, his life is not the normal life one would expect of a gifted cardiac surgeon but one that you might expect as he has the DNA of The Devil in his blood, I loved being back together with this family.

Domenic is tall dark and handsome and still single he is doing well as a cardiac surgeon with his gift that he has had since childhood touching people does help with patients but makes it hard to be around too many people so it is not always easy for him, but with his twenty fifth birthday his godfather Luc Nightingale, The Devil gives Domenic another gift to be used to help him. When he meets the beautiful red headed nurse and they touch he knows that he wants to get to know her.

Sophie loves her job as a nurse in a busy hospital, although born in Ireland she has lived in California for many years and she has dreams of a knight in shining armour being there to save the day, Sophie also has a really good feeling when she literally bumps into the handsome new doctor, never realising how this meeting will change her life forever.

This is a fabulously written story that digs deep into the emotions of this family lead by The Devil himself Luc Nightingale, getting to know Domenic and see him find his true love, one who will understand the family he comes from was fabulous and Sophie she is beautiful inside and out and has a connection to magic through her ancestors so they connect beautifully in a sensual romance that is sure to leave you sighing. It was so good meeting up with Harper, Luc and Lucia as well and I do very much hope that we are going to get Lucia’s story, that ending is awesome. I do highly recommend this book and the first in the series Deal with the Devil.

My thanks to the author for my copy to read and review

5 stars

Published July 27th 2021 by Amazon Digital Services

Sculpture

 Sculpture: A magical Christmas Short Story

Dr Grok's Peculiar Shop #4

Phillipa Nefri Clark

Reviewed by Helen

This is a short magical story, it is moving and heart-warming as Dr Grok opens his store to help people find happiness, he is only there for people who need him.

This time he helps Rhonda and her father Peter at a time that was needed, Rhonda is the type of person who always puts everyone else first and is getting some pressure from family to start thinking about herself, but her father is very ill and he needs her.

When she is searching for something for her father she comes across a strange antique store that she has never seen before and Dr Grok is there to help and make things better for all concerned.

This is the fourth in the series and they leave me feeling very happy, I do love to see things work out for people and MS Clark has a way with words that does just that.

If you are looking for a quick read then this is one to pick up.

5 stars

Published December 12th 2020

Deal with the Devil

 Deal with the Devil

Savannah Blaize

Reviewed by Helen

This is a great story, the characters are strong, bold and very likeable, even if one of them is The Devil himself and if the Devil was like this maybe things would be better in the world, I loved meeting Luc Nightingale and Harper Cole in a journey that that had some ups and downs but so much love, I hope that you will pick this one up and enjoy it like I did.

Luc is the Devil and living in hell is not what it used to be for him he wants someone who he can train up and take over for him in the future and his best option is a son, one who will become closer to him and learn all there is to know, for this he will need a willing woman and sets out to find someone who is will to make a deal with the devil.

Harper Cole is a stunt woman, who travels a lot, and while at a club in Monaco, enjoying herself she meets Luc and the strangest of sparks fly when they meet and she wants to put her hands all over him, time spent with him only makes her want him more and after a few drinks and some talking she makes a deal with Luc to hand over her first born son, even though she knows that she does not want kids. Soon she is realizing what she has done with Luc popping up in her life all over the place and her life changes dramatically with her having a son, Domenic and she is thrilled that Luc has decided to leave Domenic with her till he is older.

This was a story that had me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next, things were changing so much for Harper, Luc is more like a fallen angel than a devil in my mind and was very easy to love and Harper what a strong person she is, she stood up for what she wanted and was caring and loving. This story was different than I expected but I did thoroughly enjoy it and am very happy to recommend it to anyone who likes a story with a twist, a little different from the normal.

Thank you Savannah Blaize for my copy to read, it really is a great story.

4 stars

Published September 17th 2020 by Savannah Blaize

In High Spirits

 In High Spirits

A Dandelion Ponds Mystery #1

Beth Prentice

Reviewed by Helen

Oh my goodness this is a great story, witty, fun and a one sitting read truly it was so hard to put down. This is a mystery with a paranormal twist and it totally engaged me from page one, I do hope that you pick this one up and get to know Daisy and the characters that live in Dandelion Ponds.

It is nearly Christmas time and Daisy who really is such a lovely person, she is engaged to the love of her life Logan and she loves her little dog Alfie, but her life changes abruptly when she a wakes in a stranger’s bedroom and it appears that the only one who can see her or hear her is Alfie, what is going on and then the guy in the bed also appears to be able to see and hear her his name is Charlie and he is quite used to spirits his mother is a physic, Daisy has no idea what has happened to her, how did she die, is she dead?

Charlie reluctantly agrees to help her and it is not long before they discover that Daisy is somehow stuck been life and death and it appears that someone was out to murder her and Daisy must find out who that is, there seems to be lots of suspects, are they after her money or is there some other reason. With Daisy getting to know a few spirits who are also trying to help they are telling her that there is a dark force following her around what can that mean?

You need to read this story honestly the characters are totally fantastic and Charlie and Daisy are a good sleuth team finding out what is happening and uncovering secrets that Daisy is stunned to know and although Daisy is a spirit her feelings for Charlie are growing by the hour, she is not sure how this is going to work. There are lots of twists and turns and the story is fast paced. I loved it from start to finish and highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a great story. The ending sets up the next book and left me wanting the next book in the series now, how long to I have to await MS Prentice? 

5 stars

Published August 31st 2020 by Beth Prentice

Redemption

Redemption

Realm of Flame and Shadow #1

Christina Phillips



Reviewed by Helen

I really enjoyed this story, but let me say I am not a big reader of paranormal, but this one hit the spot with a beautiful romance, a fallen archangel who had no time for humans, but found himself saving a beautiful, strong and inquisitive human, Aurora, and did they have a very sensual and dangerous journey to a HEA for eternity.

Aurora has always known that her mother was from a different dimension and that they could communicate with telepathy, her mother is not well and Aurora is doing her best to get back to her mother’s world and try and find some answers but what she does is open up a world of demons and archangels and the very dangerous guardians who are determined to get to Aurora. When she is saved by Gabe an archangel the spark between them is so strong, it is not something she can ignore.

Archangel Gabe has been travelling the universe for many, many years now since he lost his beloved a lot has happened and he becomes a mercenary, has an island that is protected and really does not like humans but when he is suddenly thrown on top of Aurora his need to protect her from the guardians is a must but the need to have her in bed is huge, he has never felt this way since he lost his beloved, she will work her way under his skin there is such a connection.

This story is fast paced, with a lot going on, a search for the truth, such a hot steamy sensual romance and the fight Gabe has to keep Aurora safe as he is drawn closer to her, I loved Aurora what a strong feisty heroine she never gives up and Gabe alpha hero who does a lot to keep his caring and merciful side closed to everyone. There are a lot of revelations that help to bring Gabe and Aurora together in a way that will keep you turning the pages. There is a fabulous cast of characters that add so much to the story and I look forward to reading their stories, thank you MS Phillips.

5 stars

Expected publication: November 28th 2019 by Phoenix 18 Publishing

Nemesis

Nemesis

The Light Mage Wars #5

Nancy Northcott



Reviewed by Helen

This is another great installment in this series , well written, fabulous characters and great world building, this time we get to see Tasha and Carter work through some very dangerous situations to get to their HEA, not only to they have to fight of some Ghouls they also have to overcome Tasha’s insecurities, along the way.

Tasha, grew up in a trailer park and was pretty wild growing up, this meant that she joined the navy and continued to work in construction, until another mistake made her leave, but not before she had felt a pull towards her commanding officer Carter another Mage. Tasha has gotten on with life and is now running her own construction company, when Carter arrives back in her life.

Carter is back at the collegium as a deputy reeve and when Tasha is in danger he is assigned to protect her, this brings them closer together and the feelings that he has had for her since their navy days grows stronger by the day and even though they form a relationship, he feels that Tasha is still holding something back, will he be able to get her to understand his feelings and be able to move into the future together.

This is a fast paced story, sensual and exciting as Mages fight Ghouls and a traitor is still being elusive and it was fabulous being back in this world and catching up with friends from previous books. Tasha and Carter are meant to be together their love is so strong, but Tasha is rather stubborn and it takes Carter and some friends to finally convince Tasha that love will conquer all and that the past should be left in the past and that now is for the future. Thanks you MS Northcott for another great story one that I highly recommend.

4 stars

Published November 14th 2018 by Rickety Bookshelf Press