WELCOME TO HELL

     The prison ship Perdition, a floating city where the Conglomerate’s most dangerous criminals are confined for life, orbits endlessly around a barren asteroid.

     Life inside is even more bleak. Hailed as the Dread Queen, inmate Dresdemona “Dred” Devos controls one of Perdition’s six territories, bordered on both sides by would-be kings eager to challenge her claim. Keeping them at bay requires constant vigilance, as well as a steady influx of new recruits to replace the fallen. Survival is a constant battle, and death is the only escape.

     Of the newest convicts, only one is worth Dred’s attention. The mercenary Jael, with his deadly gaze and attitude, may be the most dangerous criminal onboard. His combat skill could give her the edge she needs, if he doesn’t betray her first. Unfortunately, that’s what he does best. Winning Jael’s allegiance will be a challenge, but failure could be worse than death…

     This was a very interesting read. We have this bunch of criminals that love a good fight but that have banded together to defend their territory in the hopes of having at least a good night's sleep and a meal.

     Dred is a great ruler that helps these convicts with their desires for fighting by hosting rivalry matches and other methods that keep the men occupied and out of their heads for a while. When new "fish" come along the different territories vie for the chance to recruit new and able bodies to help defend the territory.

     This was a very interesting story because every character, including the main couple, is a criminal.

     I liked the story and the characters. I liked the plot and its twists. I think the author did an excellent job with this story and how all of the details fell into place. I do have to say that I did not expect that ending and I can't wait to see what comes next for this lot. I have never rooted so hard for criminals like I've done with this book.

     In Howling for You, Jeff Christopher is a shapeshifter and all of Chicago's Cadogan House of Vampires. For a long time, Jeff had eyes only for the beautiful Fallon Keene. Unfortunately, she is the only sister of the lethal North American Central Pack Apex Gabriel Keene. But fate takes a hand when the pack's totem is stolen, and Fallon enlists Jeff's help to retrieve it before the pack is thrown into chaos. Can she and Jeff find the totem and restore order before it's too late? And will Jeff finally be able to prove himself to the only person he truly loves?

     In Lucky Break, Merit and Ethan are in desperate need of some alone time, but their attempt at a romantic getaway is quickly interrupted when one of Ethan's vampire friends shows up at their door - covered in blood and accused of killing her shifter husband. Now, Merit and Ethan must put their passion on pause to figure out who's really responsible for the murder before all hell breaks loose...

     Jeff! I got me some sexy Jeff Christopher story!

     I have to say that Jeff is most definitively my favorite secondary character in these stories. He is cute, charming, and hella genius and funny. I was so happy when he got together with Fallon although there was something to their story that was hinted at but never mentioned as to why they weren't together. But then they were and I needed more on that story.

     Well, I got it and I have to say that I loved every second of their HEA.

     We also get a second part to this book in which Merit and Ethan want to go on a vacation away from the Chicago drama and are invited to the guest house of one of Ethan's longtime friends. But when they get there is not for a romantic getaway but to solve a mystery of murder.

     I liked the insight of what might have started the feud between the vampires and the werewolves (or at least a fraction of it) and what sacrifices these two races are willing to make to be happy with each other. It also gives me a look-see of what Eliza and Connor might go thru on the spin-off.

     Vampires generally aren’t afraid of things that go bump in the night, but Merit and Ethan are extra jumpy after a recent attack by a dark sorcerer. So when they learn that someone is messing with graves in Chicago’s cemeteries, stealing skulls and snatching souls, they fear that their powerful foe might be back for even more magical vengeance.

     But after a specter begins haunting Cadogan House—and targeting vampires—they realize that their being taunted by an altogether different sort of monster. A ghoulish villain straight out of the Windy City’s urban legends is on the prowl—and he won’t stop until he’s killed again...

     Merit, Sentinel of Chicago's Cadogan House, is pregnant. She's ready to meet her daughter, but also very excited about the possibility of seeing her feet again. But trouble always seems to find her...

     Ethan and Merit have been married for eight months, and they're preparing for life-with-baby. Ethan's battling his overprotectiveness, while Merit's hoping she can figure out how to be a loving parent given her family's chilliness.

     While out on an evening walk, Merit stops to help a human in need, only to find herself under attack. A sociopath with a debt figures pregnant Merit is an easy target--and Cadogan House would pay handsomely for her return...

     This is a nice view of some of Merit's pregnancy. But what I really liked about this book was the side story of Jonas and Cadogan's House cook (who I can't remember the name of at this moment).

     I was always rooting for the side characters to find someone to love or to end up with whomever they had a crush on. I am glad I got to see why Margery? Margaret? wasn't open to Jonas' interest and that she was able (with the help of the Cadogan House and all the vampires she loves) to get thru it and find her true love.

     I also was glad to see into that intimate moment in which Ethan and Merit decided on baby Eliza's name. It was very touching and I think it was about time that Ethan had something good happen to him.

Wild Hunger

by Chloe Neill

Series: Heirs of Chicagoland (#1)

Published by: Tantor Media Inc.

August 14th, 2018

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Format: Audiobook

Source: Library Loan

Rating: 4 Stars

     In the first thrilling installment of Chloe Neill's spinoff to the New York Times best-selling Chicagoland Vampires series, a new vampire will find out just how deep blood ties run. As the only vampire child ever born, some believed Elisa Sullivan had all the luck. But the magic that helped bring her into the world left her with a dark secret. Shifter Connor Keene, the only son of North American Central Pack Apex Gabriel Keene, is the only one she trusts with it. But she's a vampire and the daughter of a Master and a Sentinel, and he's prince of the Pack and its future king.

     When the assassination of a diplomat brings old feuds to the fore again, Elisa and Connor must choose between love and family, between honor and obligation, before Chicago disappears forever.

     What I love about this book is that even though it's set in the Chicagoland Vampires world it has a completely different tone from that series.

     Elisa, who is Merit and Ethan's daughter, has been struggling with a secret that only Connor "stupid" Keene knows about.

     On top of that there has been a murder and the only suspect doesn't remember killing. Now it's up to her to find the killer before an innocent man pays the price.

     I really like this story as it is different from Merit's adventures. There are also some "futuristic" details that kind of threw me but then it is set in like 2030 or so. Still, in Chloe Neill's fashion, I enjoy the heck out of this book.

     I cannot wait for the next one and see how Connor and Elise's relationship evolves.

     Lena Todd is the perfect spy. Nobody suspects the flirtatious debutante could be a rebel against London's vicious elite—not even the ruthless Will Carver, the one man she can't twist around her little finger. 

     Will Carver is more than man; he's a verwolfen, and he wants nothing to do with the dangerous beauty who drives him to the very edge of control. But when he finds Lena in possession of a coded letter, he realizes she's in a world of trouble. To protect her, he'll have to seduce the truth from her before it's too late.

     This is the third steampunk book that I've read and I have to say that I liked it, especially this series because it has paranormal elements.

     In this book, we have Lena who is the sister of the heroine from the first book who, after the events of the first book, decided that she wanted to go back to the Echelon to look for someone to take her as their thrall.

     And Will, who is I'd say the Bodyguard of the hero of the first book. He has had strong reactions to Lena and so she was sent away to help him behave.

     After a year of being separate, there are things bringing them together even when they try to avoid it. Lena, unbeknownst by her sister, gave up her dream of being a thrall after just a few weeks within the Echelon. And now she is helping a secret society that wants human equality.

     I really like this series and I cannot wait to read the next one. The way Bec McMaster has interwoven the different plots within the books making them flow from one book to the other it is something that grabs my attention because even if the books are connected they can be read by themselves.

     Since the night of her brutal attack and unwilling transformation into a vampire, Merit has stood as Sentinel and protector of Chicago's Cadogan House. She's saved the Windy City from the forces of darkness time and again with her liege and lover, Ethan Sullivan, by her side.

     When the House is infiltrated and Merit is attacked by a vampire who seems to be under the sway of dark magic, Merit and Ethan realize the danger is closer than they could have imagined. As malign sorcery spreads throughout the city, Merit must go to war against supernatural powers beyond her comprehension. It is her last chance to save everything - and everyone - she loves.


     And so we get to the final chapter for this vampire warrior and her amazing adventures.

     In this book again Merit has to fight the evil alchemist although in this one the lady is way crazier.

     After many years trying to convince humans to work together and have peace between the two races, human and supernaturals, they are finally able to at least work with them.

     I love every moment of action in this book and the entire series and I think it was the perfect ending even when I wanted to have something more happen. I don't know what but something.

Midnight Marked

by Chloe Neill

Series: Chicagoland Vampires (#12)

Published by: Tantor Media Inc.

March 1st, 2016

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Format: Audiobook

Source: Library Loan

Rating: 5 Stars

     As the Chicagoland Vampires series continues, Merit and Ethan find themselves in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, where winning may require the ultimate sacrifice... 

     A vampire’s grudges don’t stay dead long...

     Merit is one of Chicago's most skilled vampire warriors; these days, she doesn't scare easily. But she and Master vampire Ethan have made a new and powerful enemy, and he won't give up until he owns the Windy City.

     With his last plan thwarted, he's more determined than ever to watch Cadogan burn. Ethan has put the House's vampires on high alert, but their enemy will stop at nothing, including pitting vampire against vampire...

     In this deadly game of cat-and-mouse, the stakes are life or death—and winning might mean sacrificing everything...

     Again one of the things I like about this series is that once they deal with an enemy that enemy not just disappear. It is an enemy that spans a couple of books.

     In the previous book Merit, Ethan and all of their friends deal with a powerful man on Chicago and thwart his plan. Now he is back and more dangerous than ever.

     Another thing that I like about this series is that although it has been a year since Merit was turned into a vampire it feels like so much more time has gone by.

     The end of this series is coming and although I am sad about it I feel like it is time to end it. Not because it is a bad series but because I feel like if it is extended much more than it is at this point people will start to hate it.