Obsidian Magic

by McKenzie Hunter

Series: Legacy (#2)

Published by: Sky Publishing LLC
March 17th, 2017
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Rating: 4 Stars

     The only thing standing between me and death is my secret. 

     I’m a Legacy—a secret I’d planned on taking to my grave. Gareth, the enigmatic leader of the Supernatural Guild, knows it, but can I trust him to keep it? When mysterious deaths occur as a result of magic that mimics my own, I no longer have to worry about Gareth exposing me – it will be one of my own that does. Another Legacy is causing the chaos, and I’m forced to hunt my own kind. It seems simple, but we’ve existed for as long as we have because we’re better hunters than prey. 

     I’m forced to work with Gareth to clear my name and find the Legacy responsible. Not only is my secret about to be revealed—so is his. Gareth is much more dangerous than I expected. Is he my friend or my enemy?

On the Edge

by Ilona Andrews

Series: The Edge (#1)

Published by: Tantor Media, Inc.

December 21st, 2009

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Format: Audiobook

Source: Library Loan

Rating: 4 Stars

     Rose Drayton lives on the Edge, between the world of the Broken (where people drive cars, shop at Wal-Mart, and magic is a fairy tale) and the Weird (where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny). Only Edgers like Rose can easily travel from one world to the next, but they never truly belong in either. 

     Rose thought if she practiced her magic, she could build a better life for herself. But things didn't turn out how she planned, and now she works a minimum wage, off the books job in the Broken just to survive. Then Declan Camarine, a blueblood noble straight out of the deepest part of the Weird, comes into her life, determined to have her (and her power). 

     But when a terrible danger invades the Edge from the Weird, a flood of creatures hungry for magic, Declan and Rose must work together to destroy them, or the beasts will devour the Edge and everyone in it...

     I have considered how to rate this for a while and I will not punish the story too harshly because of the narrator. There were sometimes in which I had a hard time getting into the story because my mind was busy criticizing the narrator. That being said I think if I'd read the story myself I'd have loved it.

     Rose Drayton lives on the Edge, a "veil" place where people with some magic live, in between the Broken best know as Earth and the Weird, where the strong magic users live. She has suffered because of her strong magic and the disappointment of people letting her down. She has her two brothers to take care of and her freedom depends on her being smarter and stronger than anyone else.

     Declan Camarine is a Blue Blood from the Weird comes out of nowhere and Rose will not be forced into marrying him just because he comes from the Weird and she has strong magic that can produce strong babies. After making her stand and challenging Declan for the right to own her Rose and Declan slowly but surely fall in love.

     I was fascinated by this story and heard the audiobook every chance I got to see what was in store for all the characters of this story. From Rose to Jake to Georgie to their grand-mere. The length which these characters go thru to solve their and the community they leave in's problems is compelling and a page-turner of the first degree. I can't wait to read the next book in the series (I might even try the audio again since the second book is narrated by someone else.

Officer Next Door

by Ranae Rose

Series: Lock and Key (#1)

Published by: Self-Published

May 30th, 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Paperback

Source: Giveaway (Author)

Rating: 4 Stars

     How can anyone resist temptation when it’s right next door? 

     Riley County North Carolina has a lot to offer: coastal views as far as the eye can see, and men in uniform who are even more gorgeous. Home to the most notorious prison in the state, Alicia’s new hometown is crawling with men who carry their own handcuffs and know how to use them – like Officer Liam Alexander, her one and only neighbor. After catching him out of uniform, she can’t resist pausing to enjoy the show. When Liam’s Southern charm drives him across the property line, life gets hotter than the Carolina summer could possibly account for. Unfortunately, there’s a dark side to life in the coastal haven, even with an officer next door. 

     Coordinating special events at a historic – and supposedly haunted – plantation is enough to have Alicia questioning her senses and her sanity, but the spirits of the past take a backseat to a pair of escaped convicts who blaze a trail of mayhem across Riley County. Not even the most intense chemistry can survive the perils that make a sunny seaside town a dangerous place to be after dark … can it?

     Alicia Dalton moved from DC to North Carolina and so far she is loving the rural life compared to the busy one she had in the city. It all had to do (for the most part) with having a gorgeous neighbor that is not used to have someone living in the house next door.

     Liam Alexander is more than happy to have a new neighbor to look at after a long day of dealing with criminals. Life in Raley county is heating up to by one of danger and excitement for both Liam and Alicia and for all the residents in general after two murderers get loose.

     I loved how Ms. Rose made this story feel real and at the same time give that romantic and sexy element we all look forward to. The sexy scenes weren't too over the top but they weren't so short that they let you wanting more.

     I also like the suttle paranormal element in this story. It gave it a little spice but didn't take away from the fact that it is a contemporary setting. Overall I love the story and I can't wait to read the next book.