Thursday 28 July 2011

Review: Taken by The Others - Jess Haines + guestreviewing

Series: H & W Investigations #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 352
Published: January 2011 Zebra

Once, New York P.I. Shiarra Waynest's most pressing problem was keeping her agency afloat. Now she's dealing with two dangerous, seductive vampires who have been enemies for centuries. The only thing Max Carlyle and Alec Royce agree on is that they both want Shia - for very different reasons. Max is determined to destroy Shia for killing his progeny, while Royce's interest is a lot more personal. That's not sitting well with Shia's werewolf boyfriend, Chaz. As the feud between Max and Royce gets ever more deadly, a powerful vampire-hunting faction is urging Shia to join their side. Shia has always believed vamps were the bad guys, but she's discovering unexpected shades of grey that are about to redefine her friends, her loyalties - and even her desires.

My thoughts: 
I liked book 1 but I liked this one even more! And now I do not know where to start, but what else is new. The ones I like and can't put down, yes those are so hard to review.

My favourite new P.I. Shiarra has avoided Others after her last ordeal which nearly killed her. Well except for her werewolf boyfriend Chaz, whom she has not yet slept with since she does not want to sign a contract handing over her life. Of course life is not that easy and if it was we wouldn't get a story. There is a new vampire in town who wants her dead (and I can't help liking him, he is so deliciously evil, truly evil.) And then there is Royce who wants her (mmm vampires) and those pesky White Hats who wants her to hunt Others for them.

As you can see things are heating up, poor Shiarra gets into a lot of trouble, serious trouble. She can't fight a vampire like Max. And I like that, ok that sounds horrible, but heroines must have faults, must be normal. And she as a mere human can't fight someone that powerful. I also like that she takes it slow with Chaz since she knows what a contract like that would do (in case he goes moon crazy and rips her into pieces he won't get prosecuted). Which he hopefully never would do since he loves her.

This book just never stopped. First it has me smiling because of a certain tabloid, and the next moment it had me fearing for her life. The story just flows along and takes me along for the ride and I sure enjoyed it.

Conclusion:
I recommend this urban fantasy series. It has a great heroine, a bit of humour, action and bloodthirsty beast. What more could a girl ask for?

Rating:
Did not want to put it down

Cover.
HAHA. Hooker Shiarra, *rolls eyes*


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I am honoured to be guest reviewing over at Book Lovers Inc today

Hard Spell by Justin Gustainis

Stan Markowski is a Detective Sergeant on the Scranton PD's Supernatural Crimes Investigation Unit.

Like the rest of America, Scranton's got an uneasy 'live and let unlive' relationship with the supernatural. But when a vamp puts the bite on an unwilling victim, or some witch casts the wrong kind of spell, that's when they call Markowski. He carries a badge. Also, a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9mm Beretta loaded with silver bullets.






Edit: *big eyes* How did I get that cool box?!

33 comments:

  1. I always find the books which I love the most, the hardest to review too.
    It's great that this series seems to get better with book 2. While I am not very fond of vampires, I do like the evil ones.
    Sounds like a fun series!

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  2. I know what you mean, I find it hard to review books I love as well. This does sound like a fun series.

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  3. Her outfit on the cover is horrible! Gah.

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  4. I love it when the second book in a series is equally as enjoyable or more so than the first! I need to read these books:)

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  5. Oooh, this series sounds good! So after reading your review I went on Goodreads to check out the series. Come to find out that I actually have book one in this series (it was a free Kindle read a while back) and thanks to your review, I plan on reading it sooner rather than later :)

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  6. Ohhhh! I like deliciously evil! It complicates things :D

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  7. I've got book one for review and made the mistake of reading the first page...so wanted more of it. Alas, I already started Anne Rice's The Witching Hour, a 1200+ page book o.0

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  8. You probably copied the html and didn't know it. ;)

    Oh this sounds like a great book series. I do have book 1 and looks like I'll be getting the others as well. I love a good UF series... especially when the next books just rock!

    Off to read your other review!

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  9. I's so much easier to rant about something that really annoys you ;)

    Don't you just love it when the vil guys are truly evil?

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  10. Yeah, she does look a little risque' in that outfit!! I'm glad that this one had you smiling. I love it when you find something/genre that just makes you happy!

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  11. @Misha
    I do love when they get better since many books just get worse and that just makes me so sad :(

    Evil vamps are the best.


    @Naida
    It's fun :D I am going to read book 3 next week and I can't wait

    @Chris
    It is atrocious, I even had to bring out the big words


    @Jenny
    I know :D It is the best since it doesn't always happen

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  12. It's always a vampire vs. a werewolf for the heroine's affections isn't it? Wonder who she will end up choosing.

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  13. @Book Vixen
    Lol, I am glad you remembered that you had it. And yay for reading it sooner than later, I do hope you will enjoy it. Oh and yay for freebies too.


    @Vivienne
    Yes I am. In lots of places this week it seems.


    @Cherry
    Too evil to be bf material, lol, but still very evil


    @Leontine
    Oh no, mistake! Hihi, once you start you do not want to put it down. And that Rice books, yikes! Will take some time

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  14. @Melissa
    Thanks! Lol, why did I not think of that. Perhaps cos it looked so differently on my blog than there.

    I hope you read book 1 soon and enjoys it enough to get the rest. And I will tempt you soon enough with the next book.


    @Elysium
    Hehe, I agree, I can certainly rant when I am disappointed.

    I love it! Evil guys should be evil and this evil guy is just evil in a great way. He still tempts me even though he is evil


    @Staci
    No idea what they thought with that cover, she sure does not look like a hooker in the books.

    I am sure happy I found urban fantasy

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  15. @Jenny
    For now it does seem like she is staying with her boyfriend and Royce only tempts her

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  16. Oh yes, aren't you so very right when you say, the books you love are most difficult to review :)

    I just keep on feeling what else could I probably say, so that you would just pick it up right away :)

    So there, I got the message. And I am going to add this to my ever-growing list.

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  17. I've just finished reading the first book in this series so I'm looking forward to trying this book! I just downloaded it to my kindle and hope to start reading soon - especially after you've given it the thumbs up! :)

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  18. I started book 1, and had trouble with it..however after this review, I want to give it another chance!

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  19. Ooohhh, now I already have this series on my radar. Actually the first one on the shelf. You are making me want to get to it sooner than later. Hmmm. I don't know how I can fit it in sooner.... Thanks for the great review!

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  20. Glad to see you enjoyed it. So nice when a reviewer is enthusiastic over what she has read!

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  21. This sounds really good. I'm adding it to my shopping list.

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  22. I really haven't read too much urban fantasy, but this sounds so fun! Great thoughts :)

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  23. That's what I'm always saying- "All a girl needs is a blood-thirsty beast." :)

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  24. The main reason I never picked up this series is the cover... it's just too too discouraging...

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  25. Yaaay, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! :D

    Sadly, I haven't had control over my covers--though a little bird told me there will be a change in cover artists for #4. I really do hope anyone who has been put off by the covers still gives the books a chance.

    Thanks again for the lovely review!

    <3,
    -J

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  26. @Jess
    I can't wait to see what happens in book 3 :D

    And sadly you are not the only author not blessed by the cover gods. I do like the other two covers but this one is just so freaky

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  27. It's a good sign when you enjoy the second book even more than the first. I'll definitely have to give this series a try.

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  28. @Veens
    So hard. But then that is true with bad books too, and those so so books ;) Lol, ok many books are hard to review.

    Spot on! I always think like that and mostly I just wanna write "just read it!"


    @Mel
    I hope you like this one too :D It sure had a lot to offer. And I can't wait to see what happens in the next one. It will be fun


    @Bucky
    Oh :/ Well I hope you give it another go and like it better this time. But then again some books you just do not click with


    @Melissa
    Yay, I hope you like it since you already got it ;) The next thing is reading it hihi

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  29. @Mystica
    And I am glad to have read it. I just love books that just flow


    @Yvonne
    I hope you get it :D


    @Melissa
    I do like my UF. It has fast become my fav 2nd genre


    @Steph
    Lol, aye so true, so true


    @Cherry
    *cringes* It is really bad, but there is something great behind it


    @Simcha
    And it does not happen that often either, well at least I have had a lot of disappointments

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  30. This sounds like a fun series. I don't do urban fantasy but might have to give this a try. There aren't any love triangles are there? I'm kind over those long series love triangle?

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  31. Lis
    It is my new fav thing ;)


    Ing
    well ok yes there are two guys but it is not a triangle since she is dating one and is happy. The 3rd just wants a piece of the cake too, but he is on the outside looking in

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