Who's Afraid Too? Maria Lewis

Published:Hachette NZ
Date: January 17th 2017
Format: Paperback
Pages:342
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: Thank you to Hachette NZ
Rating:
             

Tommi Grayson: all bark, all bite . . . and now she's BACK!

After the worst family reunion in history, Tommi needed some space. She's spent the last few weeks trying to understand her heritage - the one that comes with a side order of fur - as well as learning about her Maori ancestry and how she can connect to it. But she can only escape for so long.

When an unspeakable evil returns, Tommi will need every piece of knowledge and all the skills she has. With the help of allies old and new, frenemies both helpful and super-annoying, she's going to take the fight to the enemy ...

Well after the shocking end to Who's Afraid - #1 the Tommi Grayson series I was not so sure about returning. But here I am, and I have to admit, sucked in and ready to remain on the Tommi Grayson team and journey. I want the next book now!

Who is Tommi Grayson? Well she is a young 23 year old part Scot, part Maori, who also just happens to belong to a powerful werewolf heritage. She found that out in the first book, and now she is finding out even more about herself and so are her friends and those she has joined with.  I love that cover quote "ALL BARK....ALL BITE!  Yes indeedy.  

In this story we find her in Germany, joining up with a group of rogue werewolves. Lorcan her Custodian or kind of guide is with her. So is Joss a human friend who is in Germany for cancer treatment. In this world there are humans, werewolves and many supernaturals. The Treize are the governing body - and they have the Praetorium Guard who are soldiers and powerful ones at that. Lorcan was one of these before he resigned and took on the work of a Custodian.  We meet a few new PG's as the action heats up.

Tommi is still getting to know herself and her new powers, but they look very promising indeed with I am sure more to come. She's just a babe in this world. The rogue wolves take her on for more training and she becomes a very skilled warrior in many ways. And she will need all the skills and control she can muster because real evil is abroad and it is not playing nice. Ah yes, very revolting is all I'll say. But... Tommi might be a werewolf, but she has a compassionate heart and she sure is not siding with the evil. So watch out. 

This book really helped me grasp better the world Tommi now moves in. There have been new additions, some interesting and some downright evil. There is still the attraction between Tommi and Lorcan that seems to be a no no for reasons apparent mostly to Lorcan.... but I will be watching that space with interest.

If you enjoy a book with world building, interesting characters and lots of action with good versus evil then go for this series. You will need to be able to tolerate werewolves and so on, but really if I got used to them you might too. Well you could be a fan of them already! 

I enjoyed some of the comments at the opening of the book from others about the first book. This is what Darynda Jones says of the first book:

"Gripping, fast-paced and completely unexpected, Who's Afraid has more twists than a tornado. I loved this story! Maria Lewis is definitely one to watch."

However this is the one I loved the most! Its Maria Lewis' mum.

"Definitely worth reading over and over again, as well as buying multiple copies. Great stocking stuffers, those werewolf books."

Hachette NZ have a very interesting interview with Maria Lewis so if you would like to know more go on over to this Maria Lewis interview and learn more.

Find Maria Lewis:
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Blood Vow. J. R. Ward

Published: Hachette NZ
Date: 6th December 2016
Format: Paperback
Pages:459
Genre:Paranormal
Source: Thanks to Hachette NZ
Rating:
                   

Trainees at the Black Dagger Brotherhood's training centre continue to prepare for the fight against the Lessening Society, but fighting is the last thing on Axe's mind. Still plagued with guilt of his father's death, the brooding loner finds himself battling an unlikely attraction to Peyton's bright, aristocratic cousin, Eise.

Elise feels it too- and when the two are thrown together in unusual circumstances Elise must decide whether she can trust Axe to help her uncover the mystery surrounding her cousin's death.

Meanwhile Mary and Rhage are in the process of adopting Bitty, a young pretrans orphan, until the appearance of a young male claiming to be Bitty's blooded uncle threatens to tear the new family apart.

Blood Vow by J. R. Ward is #2 in the The Black Dagger Legacy, an offshoot of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. The first book introduced us to the new trainees and was very action oriented. It followed mostly Paradise and Craeg. For this one I predicted it could be all about Peyton another trainee, however while it did include him considerably the main focus was on Axe and a cousin of Peyton's - Elise.

Whereas #1 was full of action this one is more of a relationships book and I really loved it. As well as Axe and Elise we also follow Rhage and Mary and their newly about to be adopted daughter Bitty. Including a good deal of the Brothers made my reading of the book so enjoyable. Rhage makes a fantastic daddy, Mary is a superb mother and Bitty is a young thirteen year old who adores them both. But it turns out the question is - will they get to keep her?

Axe has lost his parents, he doesn't have a cent to his name, although he is fortunate enough to still have his parents' house to live.  When we meet him he is still very angry and addicted to kinky sex. He is at loggerheads with Peyton, and there is constant tension between the two. His mother left himself and his father years back and Axe is cynical and not about to indulge in anything romantic or loving.

Elise is part of the glymera, (nobility) she is intelligent and strong, yet the family she lives in is dysfunctional and she has a father who is over protective and shows no signs of affection.  She is attracted to Axe and their relationship begins to develop from the first time they set eyes on each other. However while alike in some things they are different and it will take some time for them to iron out all those differences.

This book moved along at a great pace, the characters developed over time and I was totally engaged the whole time. I loved the dialogue, the action, and the introduction of a new character. 

Those Brothers are as we know badasses with such mushy centres that just melt for their loved ones, and they are out to make the world a better and safer  place. I loved Lassiter (fallen angel) in this one, he was wonderful and I loved his last scene. Gave me a big chuckle.

Actually this book is amongst some of the best Christmas stories I have read this year. Really looking forward to #3. J. R. Ward has me hooked.

Allegiance of Honour. Nalini Singh

Published:Gollancz and Hachette NZ
Date: 16th June 2016
Format: Paperback
Pages: 478
Genre: Paranormal
Source: Thank you to Hachette NZ
Rating:
             

The Psy-Changeling world has undergone a staggering transformation and now stands at a crossroads. The Trinity Accord promises a new era of cooperation between disparate races and groups. It is a beacon of hope held together by many hands: Old enemies. New allies. Wary loners.

But a century of distrust and suspicion can’t be so easily forgotten and threatens to shatter Trinity from within at any moment. As rival members vie for dominance, chaos and evil gather in the shadows and a kidnapped woman’s cry for help washes up in San Francisco, while the Consortium turns its murderous gaze toward a child who is the embodiment of change, of love, of piercing hope: A child who is both Psy…and changeling.

To find the lost, protect the vulnerable—and save Trinity—no one can stand alone. This is a time of loyalty across divisions, of bonds woven into the heart and the soul, of heroes known and unknown standing back to back and holding the line. But is an allegiance of honor even possible with traitors lurking in their midst?

Allegiance of Honour is #15 in this wonderful urban fantasy/paranormal series. I have loved every book in the series and this was another winner for me. As Nalini Singh says it has an ensemble cast. Many of the characters from previous books are given updates on how life is going for them.  As I love each and every one of these characters that was a delight for me.  I took my time reading it. No skipping lines, I just wanted to savour it.

If you have never read this series, there are Psy, a race that has recently had big changes. They have just come out of Silence, a very rigid imposed regime that has left many damaged. Psy have many and varied amazing abilities.  As well there are the changelings, packs of wolves and leopards and sea creatures and so on. Added to these are are The Forgotten - Psy who left before the silence was imposed. Humans are around as well - but mostly they have been in the background.

Much of the book has Lucas the alpha of the leopards Dark River pack and his wife Sascha (Psy) to the fore. They now have a deliciously delightful little daughter Nayla - a combination of changeling and Psy. She is a first and because of this the evil elements still abroad in this world want to capture her. Following her and her story kept me happy, while I waited for the birth of Mercy (Dark River) and Riley (SnowDancer wolf pack) pubcubs. I was very patient but do admit to eventually sneaking ahead to take a peek! And their eventual arrival of course is going to mean new bonds between the two powerful changeling packs.

There is a sea changeling woman who has been kidnapped and this provides a little drama and some sense of the evil still present in this world. The Psynet is in difficulty and an unexpected reason is behind it.  

I also liked the letters from Xavier the priest who had worked with two of the Psy throughout many of the books, to right some serious wrongs, always working in the shadows.

Nalini Singh writes characters I just connect with. The values of family, love, care, growth, freedom, peace and so much more permeates the pages. The war against evil is ongoing, but the efforts of those who refuse to give into fear and the wicked plans of others to cause trouble is inspiring. If you ask me these books are very relevant to the world we live in. They invite us to respect  differences and value and trust friendships.

I am not sure where this series is going next, this one is a kind of tying up of all that has been going on, before there is a refocus somewhere else. No doubt we will be going out into a new territory next book! Whatever!  I know I will be expecting drama, great characters, humour and warmth.

Bay of Sighs. Nora Roberts

Published: Piatkus/Hachette NZ
Date: June 2016
Format:Paperback
Pages:349
Genre:Paranormal Romance
Source:Thanks to Hachette NZ
Rating:
       

A dark and powerful goddess hunts for three jewels: fallen stars that will give endless power. To save the world six friends have joined forces to stop her. Now, on the beautiful island of Capri, their battle continues...

As the six friends hunt for the mysterious 'star of water' the goddess Nerezza sends a terrifying foe to destroy them. It seems there is no place for love and desire at this time. But true love cannot be denied. And in a battle between the dark and light - it might be the only thing that can save them from a terrible fate.

Bay of Sighs - second book in the Guardian trilogy by Nora Roberts certainly delivered. Another wild ride with the light fighting the dark. It's a formula Nora Robert uses in many of her paranormal fantasy trilogies, but somehow it never gets old. She freshly presents it each time. And I have to say she enchanted me and held me enthralled all the way through this one.

At the centre of this story is Annika the mermaid woman. She has been gifted with legs for three moons obviously to join with the other five to search out and make safe the three stars. She is a delight. Beautiful in body, soul and mind. She delights in everything new, and gets tripped up by the many colloquialisms used by the others. But once mastered she adds them to her vocabulary with gusto. The all love her....

However it is Sawyer who falls in love with her and what a great romance. Sawyer is the time traveller, he has a compass that can transport him and others through space and even time if needed. The two of them will be at the centre of finding this second star - the water star. The others will plan and support, but Sawyer and Annika will be the key ones in this battle with Nerezza the evil goddess who also plots to take these stars.

The story has times of peace and training on the lovely island of Capri in Italy. The six train, sometimes with enthusiasm and sometimes with groans and moans. Sasha has grown into her gift of visioning the future and her paintings are exquisite. Then there are the times of battle, and the world goes mad, some of the six are wounded and everything is full on. 

Things are heating up for Doyle - the immortal and Riley the one who on a full moon changes into a lycan wolf like creature. No doubt sparks will be flying in that quarter in the final book The Island of Glass. I really look forward to this third book and the final show down in a setting that will surely be the ultimate. Can't wait.

About the author:

Nora Roberts is the number one New York Times bestseller of more than 200 novels. With over 450 million copies of her books in print, she is indisputably one of the most celebrated and popular writers in the world. She has achieved numerous top five bestsellers in the UK, including number one Savour the Moment and The Witness,and is a Sunday Times hardback bestseller writing as both Nora Roberts and J. D. Robb.

Website:  Nora Roberts

Guardians Trilogy

Stars of Fortune #1

Bay of Sighs  #2

Island of Glass #3  TBP

Blood Kiss J. R. Ward

Blood Kiss
J. R. Ward
Published: Piatkus
Date: 1st December 2015
Format: Paperback
Pages: 412
Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy
Source: Thanks to Hachette NZ


Blood Kiss is the first book in a new spin off series called the The Black Dagger Legacy.

It covers two main stories. Firstly there are a set of new trainees in to be trained up by the Black Dagger Brotherhood to fight. Into that mix comes a number of hopefuls, among them Paradise, an aristocrat and Craeg - a commoner. Over sixty are taken into the mix the first night - how many will succeed fully into the training? They are thrown into the deep end and only the savvy and the fit will survive. This was one of my favourite parts of the book and certainly succeeded in hooking me in.

Paradise is intent on success, she wants to be more than a pretty face, she wants her independence and show that she is able to fight. But of course she is not going to share all that she must do with her father, the chief advisor to the King - Wrath.  Paradise is a spunky, intelligent, resilient character, she's like that as the book begins and by the time the book ends she grows even more so. Along with all that she has deep compassion that maybe at some point will be just what is needed. However her listening skills might need a slight adjustment.

Craeg is also intelligent and resilient, his whole family has been wiped out and he is especially harbouring much anger at the way in which his father died. He and Paradise begin to fall for one another and soon their relationship is growing as their attraction for each other escalates.

There is also much Butch and Marissa, along with Vishous. Marissa aids a young woman who arrives at her Safe Place badly beaten and on death's door. Butch is one to the fore in the training of the young trainees.  The young woman's plight really rocks Marissa and then Butch and herself seem to be slightly off key. Their relationship hits a slight rocky patch, although their love is never in doubt. Marissa is wanting to be more, to have more - if Butch will only allow it.

It is great to be back among the early Brotherhood, to witness the comings and goings, the fun and humour between Butch and V, and the way in which these big powerful, scary men are like putty in the hands of their woman, and really have hearts of gold.

There is a good amount of action, and some mystery as to whom the badly beaten woman is, that plays out in a way that could never have been foreseen.

Lovers of the BDB series will most likely enjoy this, if you're like me and read many but not all of that series, you'll find yourself slotting in just fine with it. I'm already looking forward to the next book and wondering who - perhaps Peyton, Paradise's cousin. She is also a trainee and now has a somewhat wounded psyche as a result of the happenings in this book.

Stars of Fortune. Nora Roberts

Stars of Fortune
Nora Roberts
Published: Piatkus
Date: November3rd  2015
Format: Paperback ARC
Pages: 304
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy
Source: thanks to Hachette NZ

Sasha Riggs is a reclusive artist, haunted by dreams and nightmares that she turns into extraordinary paintings. Her visions lead her to the Greek island of Corfu, where five others have been lured to seek the fire star. Sasha recognizes them, because she has drawn them: a magician, an archaeologist, a wanderer, a fighter, a loner. All on a quest. All with secrets.

Sasha is the one who holds them together—the seer. And in the magician, Bran Killian, she sees a man of immense power and compassion. As Sasha struggles with her rare ability, Bran is there to support her, challenge her, and believe in her.

But Sasha and Bran are just two of the six. And they all must all work together as a team to find the fire star in a cradle of land beneath the sea. Over their every attempt at trust, unity, and love, a dark threat looms. And it seeks to corrupt everything that stands in its way of possessing the stars…

So is there anything new for Nora Roberts to write in terms of her magical/paranormal trilogies? I didn't think so, therefore I began Stars of Fortune with a little trepidation. However it wasn't too long before I found myself swept away into the story that begins the Guardians Trilogy.

I love the cover of the book, the setting is Corfu in Greece. Picture the blues and whites and Mediterranean sea, the olive groves. Perfect setting, loved it.

There are six characters, all on a quest to find the three stars before the evil god witch Nerezza does. Sasha is an artist and seer. In the beginning she is a bit of a recluse, not fully trusting of her gift. Physically weaker than the others. She arrives in Greece and then slowly they all begin to link up until there is a team. Yes Sasha and Bran are the main couple in this book, but they all must work as a team, and trust each other. And that trust is not readily given. Sasha though is determined to see unity and speaks her mind forcefully on the matter at times.

Bran is a magician, with a place in New York and Ireland. He is a magician on many levels. Then there are Riley - the archaeologist, and Annika - a gentle beautiful mystery, who are the other two women. As a reader we aren't let into their secrets straight away, although a few clues are strewn along the way. The other men - Sawyer a wanderer and Doyle a fighter do not release their secrets early - and nor did I find any clues along the way as to exactly what they are. Let's just say - freakin' awesome.

The six must work together on a quest and find the stars. As well they must deal with whatever Nerezza the god witch throws at them. Be it black and evil, be it sneaky and cruel. She is the dark and they the light. She has minions who do her bidding and aid her in her evil quest for power and destruction.

I am looking forward to the next two in this trilogy very much. Sasha and Bran made a delightful couple, but how Nora Roberts is going to match up the others - each with some very strange gifts, I am just not sure how that is going to be achieved. Maybe magic - anything can happen of course in the realm of fantasy!

Archangel's Enigma. Nalini Singh

Archangel' Enigma
Nalini Singh
Published: Gollancz
Date: 1st September 2015
Format: Paperback
Pages: 357
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: Hachette NZ


Archangel's Enigma - #8 in the Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh.  In this book we delve into the life of Naasir - a mystery, beloved by some and disliked by others (readers that is!).  He is one of the group of powerful vampires and angels that form the Seven, their loyalty pledged to their Archangel Raphael.

Naasir is part vampire, but he is more.  Part of this story asks the question - what is he? We know he has a keen sense of smell and this enables him to be a very expert tracker.  As a young one, he got into a lot of mischief, but Dmitri and Raphael guided him and he has grown into an honorable and loyal member of Raphael's Seven.  Yet he can be brutal - as a youngster in the Refuge he killed the pet bunny rabbit!  At times he has claws that peep through.  Yes, a little like something from the Psy/Changeling series, but yet different.  Part of the enjoyment of reading Archanel's Engima is learning from where Naasir came and what he is.  

He is sent on a mission to locate the sleeping Ancient Alexander, and awaken him before he is murdered by the evil Archangel Lijuan.  Sent with him is Andromeda, a scholar and also a warrior. Naasir who has been searching for his mate, recognises Andromeda as 'the one' very early on. Oh yes, one smell tells it like it is. However there is one small hitch - Andromeda has taken a vow of celibacy!  Now another point about Naasir is that he is sneaky, so watch that space!  But remember he is honorable too.

What draws me to this series?

• the characters - complex and interesting. There are those who stand for truth and honor and those who stand for evil and power.
• the bonds of loyalty, friendship and love that exist among Raphael's people.
• the action - the mission to be accomplished, the battles to be fought, the sense of ever impending threat from the changing power of the Archangels. There is a sense of impending doom and unless it can be contained who knows what may happen.
• that leads me to the whole world building, and that each book is a piece in the puzzle of what is happening in that world.
• the strong hero and heroine in each book, Naasir and Andromeda keep this tradition going.
• of course the romance. And particular to this book I loved how Naasir was accepted totally for who he is by Andromeda and the other way around of course. Andromeda is everything Naasir needs.  He knows that Andromeda is holding out on him, she has a secret she isn't revealing, but he gives her time and space. And remember, I did say he was sneaky!

What repels me?

• the cruelty at times, yikes some of those Archangels can be totally cruel. It's the only place I skip a few lines or paragraphs!  Fortunately it isn't dwelt on too long.

So you think urban fantasy or paranormal isn't your thing. Well it might not be, or.... it just could. At one point in time not so long ago, I turned up my nose at such books!

Archangel's Enigma is definitely part of a series, you'd miss a whole lot by just diving into this one. I have to admit the Psy/Changeling series is my favourite, but when I started off Angel's Blood I was slowly hooked into the Guild Hunters as well.

Guild Hunters series.

Angel's Blood        #1

Archangel's Kiss    #2

Archangel's Consort  #3

Archangel's Blade   #4

Archangel's Storm  #5

Archangel's Legion  #6

Archangel's Shadow  #7

Nalini Singh was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand.  She spent three years in Japan and travelling around Asia before returning to New Zealand now - although she's always plotting new trips. She has worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher, not necessarily in that order. Some people might call that inconsistency, but she calls it grist for the writer's mill.

Website           Facebook         Twitter

Making Magic Donna June Cooper

Making Magic
Donna June Cooper
Published: Samhain
Date: January 2015
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 305
Genre: Romance/Paranormal
Source: From the author

During his law enforcement career, Sheriff Jake Moser has been called to Woodruff Mountain a few times to deal with some rather weird situations. Now, recovering from a bullet wound that should have killed him and fending off his mother’s ravings about the evil that lurks on the mountain, he’s making alternate career plans.

Just as those plans begin to take shape, someone starts kidnapping newborn babies, then returning them unharmed. To make things even more interesting, an irritating adversary from his past has returned to bedevil him in a whole new, delightful way.

After her erratic psychic gift forced her to abandon her home and a promising musical career, Thea Woodruff has spent years trying, unsuccessfully, to atone for the death of Becca Moser, Jake’s sister. Once she has mourned those she’s lost and apologized to those she’s failed, she intends to flee her mountain once again.

Jake would rather she stay to compose a new tune—with him. But their complicated harmony reveals a guilty secret that threatens not only their future, but their lives…

Making Magic is the third book in Donna June Cooper's Kindling series.  It is set on Woodruff mountain in contemporary times, is a romance but with a paranormal twist.

This is the story of Thea - the eldest and the lawyer in the family. Up until now she has worked for her father's high powered company, but with a final farewell to that she arrives back to the mountain. One of my favourite parts of the book was her meet up with Bailey a dog who surely needs some love and it turns out Thea is the one for it.   

Thea is gifted musically, one of the reasons that Jake Moser is attracted to her, but not the only one of course.  Jake has been the local sheriff, but at the moment he is about to follow his heart and take up work that he loves.  

Yes someone is stealing babies and returning them, unharmed.  But there is something far more sinister going on.  The Woodruffs have herbs - medicinal that the corporate, greedy drug companies would love.  Plus a number of the Woodruffs and others linked with them have amazing gifts that others would love to control.  They'll go to any length to know the secrets of Woodruff mountain and gain control of the people with the gifts.  Will they succeed or can the Kindling unite and thwart them?

All the characters from the previous two books reappear and one of them finally makes an appearance into the world.  I am sure she will be a delightful presence in all their lives in the future.

I liked this one the best of the three books, it was a little shorter and the plot moved along at a better pace.  On the whole a fun, contemporary paranormal romance.

Vision in Silver. Anne Bishop

Vision in Silver
Anne Bishop
Published: Penguin
Date: 2015
Format: Audiobook
Length: 16hrs 9min
Narrator: Alexandra Harris
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal
Source: Own book

The Others freed the cassandra sangue to protect the blood prophets from exploitation, not realizing their actions would have dire consequences. Now the fragile seers are in greater danger than ever before - both from their own weaknesses and from those who seek to control their divinations for wicked purposes. In desperate need of answers, Simon Wolfgard, a shape-shifter leader among the Others, has no choice but to enlist blood prophet Meg Corbyn’s help, regardless of the risks she faces by aiding him.

Meg is still deep in the throes of her addiction to the euphoria she feels when she cuts and speaks prophecy. She knows each slice of her blade tempts death. But Others and humans alike need answers, and her visions may be Simon’s only hope of ending the conflict.

For the shadows of war are deepening across the Atlantik, and the prejudice of a fanatic faction is threatening to bring the battle right to Meg and Simon’s doorstep....

Vision in Silver is #3 in The Others series by Anne Bishop - and now I am all caught up and have to wait like everyone else for the next one! Well at least I hope there is a next one, as one reviewer said this one felt like an ending, however I don't see everything that settled, so I bet there is more to come. My crystal ball says many, many more!

In this book the conflict with the Humans First and Last group escalates and goes a long way to engendering further distrust of humans by the terra indigene.  Lizzie - Montgomery's daughter is caught up in the fray and this seven year old is sent on a train ride across country, with the HFL group hot on her trail.

We are able to see the blood prophets and how life is going for them, now that they have been rescued from their captors.  It doesn't all go smoothly, and Meg the trail blazer is an important ingredient for their safety and comfort.

I loved all the interplay of various relationships, Simon and Meg of course, but also Lizzie and Montgomery and Nathan.  Sam gets his nose in a little more here and there. Simon and Meg's relationship is certainly developing - where it will go is something that intrigues me, Simon is certainly interested in learning all the nuances in human relationships.

I really like listening to the audio formats of these books, although reading the paperback of the middle one because I couldn't get it in audio form was also very good. (Although I see now readers in my part of the world can buy Murder of Crows on Audible, maybe my plea to Penguin helped!) I like Alexandre Harris' interpretation with the narration and her wolf cries!  Long live The Others series.

Shadow Spell. Nora Roberts

Shadow Spell
Nora Roberts
Published: Piatkus
Date: 2014
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 319
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Own book

With the legends and lore of Ireland running through his blood, falconer Connor O’Dwyer is proud to call County Mayo home. It’s where his sister, Branna, lives and works, where his cousin, Iona, has found true love, and where his childhood friends form a circle that can’t be broken…

A circle that is about to be stretched out of shape—by a long-awaited kiss.

Meara Quinn is Branna’s best friend, a sister in all but blood. Her and Connor’s paths cross almost daily, as Connor takes tourists on hawk walks and Meara guides them on horseback across the lush countryside. She has the eyes of a gypsy and the body of a goddess…things Connor has always taken for granted—until his brush with death propels them into a quick, hot tangle.

Plenty of women have found their way to Connor’s bed, but none to his heart until now. Frustratingly, Meara is okay with just the heat, afraid to lose herself—and their friendship—to something more. But soon, Connor will see the full force and fury of what runs in his blood. And he will need his family and friends around him when his past rolls in like the fog, threatening an end to all he loves…

Shadow Spell is the second in a trilogy - the Cousins O'Dwyer.  It is set in the west of Ireland very near Castle Ashford.  It's full of magic, family, love and danger.

This second book is mostly the story of Connor and Meara, and how they find their way towards each other.  They have always been good friends, but now something more is opening up between them. It's wonderful and beautiful, however it also opens up Meara to danger, as Cabhan - the evil sorcerer they wage war against, turns his evil darkness towards her.

Meara believes she is not worthy of love, she holds the shame of her father leaving their family and going off, as her own.  Cabhan preys on this and suggests all kinds of things to her that make her doubt even more.  Can she welcome love and all that Connor is beginning to offer her, or will she be sucked under?

As in the first book, it is the circle of three that is powerful - Iona, Connor and Branna, and the three encircling them, Blake, Finn nad and Meara.  Of course there are the loyal, magical horse, hound and hawk as well.  To say nothing of a little cutie, Bugs who I hope we'll meet a little more of in the final book.

I also liked the linking of Connor back to the original three, especially with Eamon.  It was a nice touch. 

The dialogue is fun, if you live or have lived around Irish people for any length of time you'll recognise it as exactly how they talk.  The setting around Castle Ashford has me wanting to visit. There is plenty of action and suspense and weaving of spells.  The greatest spell for me was the warmth of friendship and love between these people and for their animals. 

Do they finally beat Cabhan? Well there is another book in the trilogy, and if they had, what would that be about now?  If you enjoy the inimitable Nora Roberts writing, then you will find this trilogy to your taste.