Summoned to the thirteenth grave - Darynda Jones

Kindle Edition, 304 pages

Expected publication: January 15th 2019 by St. Martin's Press

Series: Charley Davidson #13

Urban fantasy paranormal romance

Netgalley

My Thoughts

The fun was there, but at the same time, I did not like how it ended. It was all building up to a Beep book set in the future, with I guess lots of dead people as ghosts helping her in the war. This book ended in a cliffie that way and that is a horrible way for a series to end.

THe apocalypse is happening. Charley return to her gang to help save the world, for this time. There are "zombies", lots of death regarding people you like. Revelations, and she even has time to solve a a crime of a missing girl. Which, considering was really strange. Focus on the big bad.

But the whole book was at the same time a build up for a future Beep book as nothing is solved

And I just can not like Osh, I find it creepy. It was one thing with Reyes, but Beep is a baby in these books.

So do not expect a neat ending. The big battle is still to come. But I enjoyed it for old times sake.

Synopsis

Charley Davidson, Grim Reaper extraordinaire, is pissed. She’s been kicked off the earthly plain for eternity – which is the appropriate amount of time to make a person starkraving mad. But someone’s looking out for her, and she’s allowed to return after a mere hundred years in exile. Is it too much to hope for that not much has changed? Apparently it is. Bummer.

She’s missed Reyes and her daughter, Beep, but now that she’s back on earth, it’s time to put to rest burning questions that need answers. What happened to her mother? How did she really die? Who killed her? And are cupcakes or coffee the best medicine? It all comes to a head in an epic showdown between good and evil in this final smart and hilarious novel. 

The trouble with twelfth grave - Darynda Jones

Ever since Reyes escaped from a hell dimension in which Charley accidently trapped him, the son of Satan has been brimstone-bent on destroying the world his heavenly Brother created. His volatile tendencies have put Charley in a bit of a pickle. But that’s not the only briny vegetable on her plate. While trying to domesticate the feral being that used to be her husband, she also has to deal with her everyday life of annoying all manner of beings—some corporeal, some not so much—as she struggles to right the wrongs of society. Only this time she’s not uncovering a murder. This time she’s covering one up. 

Add to that her new occupation of keeping a startup PI venture—the indomitable mystery-solving team of Amber Kowalski and Quentin Rutherford—out of trouble and dealing with the Vatican’s inquiries into her beloved daughter, and Charley is on the brink of throwing in the towel and becoming a professional shopper. Or possibly a live mannequin. But when someone starts attacking humans who are sensitive to the supernatural world, Charley knows it’s time to let loose her razor sharp claws. Then again, her number one suspect is the dark entity she’s loved for centuries. So the question becomes, can she tame the unruly beast before it destroys everything she’s worked so hard to protect? 

Paperback, 288 pages
Published October 5th 2017 by Piatkus
Charley Davidson #12
UF PNR

Own

My thoughts:
I honestly do not know if some of those previous ones deserved my ratings, I mean that filler book was so dull. And I have to face the truth here.

Nothing happens.

It was rather dull.

Not even sexy Reyes wowed me.

The books are stagnating.

The truth is I am glad the next will be the last. I fear I have felt like this at times during the last few books, but this was the first where I felt it all way through.

It was sadly only ok.

Eleventh Grave in Moonlight - Darynda Jones

A typical day in the life of Charley Davidson involves cheating husbands, missing people, errant wives, philandering business owners, and oh yeah...demons, hell hounds, evil gods, and dead people. Lots and lots of dead people. As a part time Private Investigator and full-time Grim Reaper, Charley has to balance the good, the bad, the undead, and those who want her dead. In this eleventh installment, Charley is learning to make peace with the fact that she is a goddess with all kinds of power and that her own daughter has been born to save the world from total destruction. But the forces of hell are determined to see Charley banished forever to the darkest corners of another dimension. With the son of Satan himself as her husband and world-rocking lover, maybe Charley can find a way to have her happily ever after after all. 

My thoughts:

I should have written this when it was fresh in my mind, oh well.

I never remember how I exactly felt about previous books, but I do feel like whatever steam it may have lost it picked up again. And that ending, wow.

So...well obviously things have gone down in previous books. I still feel so sad that she can't be with Beep. I mean that is beyond heartbreaking. Beep!

Where to begin? I wanted more Reyes, ok so Reyes was there and they got hot and heavy. But he was not there..Reyes!!

Charley said some things in the last book and angels are stalking her. But if she wants a beef with God then she will have one. She is a goddess after all.

She has a new case, one she really should have left alone. Things will get dangerous. But that is Charley for ya.

Family issues. Godly drama, you name it.

And then there were a few new revelations that I did not see coming.

Conclusion:
I do need the next book at once

Cover
still meh

Ebook, 352 pages
Expected publication: January 24th 2017 by St. Martin's Griffin
Charley Davidson #11
Urban fantasy romance
Netgalley

Early Review: The curse of tenth grave - Darynda Jones

As a Part-time PI and fulltime grim reaper, Charley Davidson has asked a lot of questions throughout her life: Why can I see dead people? Who is the hot supernatural entity following me? How do I get gum out of my sister’s hair before she wakes up? But, “How do I trap not one malevolent god, but three?” was never among them. Until now. And since those gods are on earth to kill her daughter, she has little choice but to track them down, trap them, and cast them from this dimension.

There’s just one problem. One of the three stole her heart a very long time ago. Can the Razer, a god of absolute death and destruction, change his omniscient spots, or will his allegiances lie with his brothers?

Those are just a few of the questions Charley must answer, and quick. Add to that a homeless girl running for her life, an innocent man who’s been charged with murder, and a pendant made from god glass that has the entire supernatural world in an uproar, and Charley has her hands full. If she can manage to take care of the whole world-destroying-gods thing, we’re saved. If not, well… 

My thoughts:

I can write an early review since...well the same things that happened before happened again.

Charley is over her amnesia. She knows things about Reyes...and will learn more. Seriously, it just keeps on getting more and more confusing. Also I would like to see them use those powers they have. Wouldn't that be cool. They are supposedly so powerful..

I lost the thread. Right. Charley is on a case. But there are bigger things happening too, obviously. Everyone is after Beep. And that still breaks me, why oh why? Why can't they all be together!

Reyes is still mmmmm droolworthy, but the book needed more Reyes. I get that Charley is funny, but hey, more Reyes can never go wrong ;)

So yes the usual. A mystery. Some smexy time. A battle between Good and Evil. Blurry lines between Good and Evil. What is good and Evil. The whole Reyes and Charley meant to be becoming one big awww, so meant to be!

Conclusion:
But, I do feel like this series has started to stagnate. Before they got better and better, now they are sliding back again. Even if it is good, there is nothing new. They sell because they sell, and we get more. But..an ending would be good.

cover
meh

Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Expected publication: June 28th 2016 by St. Martin's Griffin
Charley Davidson #10
Urban fantasy romance
NG

The Dirt on Ninth Grave - Darynda Jones

In a small village in New York lives Jane Doe, a girl with no memory of who she is or where she came from. So when she is working at a diner and slowly begins to realize she can see dead people, she's more than a little taken aback. Stranger still are the people entering her life. They seem to know things about her. Things they hide with lies and half-truths. Soon, she senses something far darker. A force that wants to cause her harm, she is sure of it. Her saving grace comes in the form of a new friend she feels she can confide in and the fry cook, a devastatingly handsome man whose smile is breathtaking and touch is scalding. He stays close, and she almost feels safe with him around.

But no one can outrun their past, and the more lies that swirl around her—even from her new and trusted friends—the more disoriented she becomes, until she is confronted by a man who claims to have been sent to kill her. Sent by the darkest force in the universe. A force that absolutely will not stop until she is dead. Thankfully, she has a Rottweiler. But that doesn't help in her quest to find her identity and recover what she's lost. That will take all her courage and a touch of the power she feels flowing like electricity through her veins. She almost feels sorry for him. The devil in blue jeans. The disarming fry cook who lies with every breath he takes. She will get to the bottom of what he knows if it kills her. Or him. Either way. 

My thoughts:

I do confess, it was soooo annoying reading this book. I really hope it did not reflect on how I liked it. See, the formatting sucked. I hate uneven edges, I hate when you turn the page and there is one word there, and then one on the next.

Sigh.

Ok, Charley has amnesia after a meltdown. Angels want her to leave this life. Her friends want her back. She works in a diner. All her friends are in town and trying to subtly nestle themselves into her new life without telling her YOU ARE CHARLEY!

The kid thing is still, omg, no, I could never do that.

Reyes, well i did like that she met him for the first time again and thought he was hot, mmmmmmm *melts into Reyes puddle*

I did like that she had her snark. That she solved 2 mysteries. It was old Charley you know. But what I did not like was that time stood still, nothing could happen to move the actual plot forward.

Conclusion:

Reyes! Oh I forgot myself. I meant to say good book. 

cover

eh

Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Expected publication: January 12th 2016 by St. Martin's Press
Charley Davidson #9
Urban fantasy romance
NG

Eight grave after dark - Darynda Jones

Charley Davidson has enough going on without having to worry about twelve hellhounds hot on her trail. She is, after all, incredibly pregnant and feeling like she could pop at any moment. But, just her luck, twelve deadly beasts from hell have chosen this time to escape onto our plane, and they've made Charley their target. And so she takes refuge at the only place she thinks they can't get to her: the grounds of an abandoned convent. Of course, if hellhounds aren't enough, Charley also has a new case to hold her attention: the decades-old murder of a newly-vowed nun she keeps seeing in the shadows of the convent.

Add to that the still unsolved murder of her father, the strange behavior of her husband, and Charley's tendency to attract the, shall we say, undead, and she has her hands full...but also tied.

My thoughts:

I did like, I did read it fast, but, oh I just wish it would end! I read the blurb for book 9 and it was SUCH a filler. It was more than a filler, it seemed like a book about nothing. But that is book 9, this is book 8.

Charley is very very very preggers, about to burst. They are hiding at a convent since hellhounds are after them.

We have a wedding.

We have angry hellhounds.

We have Reyes sneaking around.

A new arrival.

Searching for her dad's killer

Wondering what the Vatican is up to.

Wondering what Lucifer is up to.

But yes I enjoyed it, but yes I also wish it would end soon. A series that goes on and on, they tend to turn sour. It has not happened yet but I am scared. 

Cover

boring

Paperback, 297 pages
Published October 6th 2015 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Charley Davidson #8
Paranormal suspense
Own

Seventh grave and no body - Darynda Jones

Lead me not into temptation.

Follow me instead! I know a shortcut!

--T-shirt

Twelve. Twelve of the deadliest beasts ever forged in the fires of hell have escaped onto our plane, and they want nothing more than to rip out Charley Davidson's jugular and serve her body to Satan for dinner. So there's that. But Charley has more on her plate than a mob of testy hellhounds. For one thing, her father has disappeared, and as she retraces his last steps she learns he was conducting an investigation of his own, one that has Charley questioning everything she's ever known about him. Add to that an ex-BFF who is haunting her night and day, a rash of suicides that has authorities baffled, and a drop-dead sexy fiancé who has attracted the attentions of a local celebrity, and Charley is not having the best week of her life. But all of that barely scratches the surface of her problems. Recent developments have forced her to become a responsible adult. To conquer such a monumental task, she's decided to start small. Really small. She gets a pet. But how can she save the world against the forces of evil when she can't even keep a goldfish alive?

My thoughts:

As fun as always :)

Charley is hilarious as always. She tries to keep a goldfish alive in this book..yeah...

Reyes is freaking hot a always *drools* Mmm son of Satan.

There is more than one mystery. A empty grave. Suicide notes and no bodies. Where is her dad? What does the priest want? The plot thickens.

Humour, great lines, a bun in the oven. Hell beasts after her. Kick-ass action.

These are fun, if you have not read this series then do. It's a nice UF with a romance side (as the son of Satan is her boyfriend and he is very hot, and good in bed.)

Conclusion:

Looking forward to book 8, but I have to wait for PB :/

Cover 

not a fan

Paperback, 356 pages
Published May 5th 2015 by St. Martin's Paperbacks (first published October 21st 2014)
Charley Davidson #7
Urban fantasy romance
Own

Sixth Grave on the Edge - Darynda Jones

Most girls might think twice before getting engaged to someone like Reyes Farrow—but Charley Davidson is not most girls. She’s a paranormal private eye and grim reaper-in-training who’s known to be a bit of a hell-raiser, especially after a few shots of caffeine. Her beloved Reyes may be the only begotten son of evil, but he’s dark and sultry and deeply sexy and everything Charley could hope for. Really. But when the FBI file on Reyes’s childhood happens to land in her lap, she can’t help herself: She opens it...and then the real fun begins. First, Charley finds a naked corpse riding shotgun in her car. Then, a man loses his soul in a card game. Throw in a Deaf boy who sees dead people, a woman running from mobsters, and a very suspicious Reyes, and things can’t get any worse for Charley. Unless, of course, the Twelve Beasts of Hell are unleashed...

My thoughts:

And I who thought the ending of book 5 was evil, ha, this was so evil too. Eeeeevil! Evil authors are so good! They make you want more, and at the same time, it was not a cliffie it was just a moment of OMG.

Charley has been asked the big question. But should she marry Reyes? YES! YOU MUST MARRY THE SON OF SATAN! I mean come on, he is droolworthy and he wants you. Sure, loving him might destroy the universe but who cares, he is hot!

If we forget the hotness of Reyes for a moment. The big is also about some baddies after her, some demon business (liked him!), Cookie wanting more from Charley's uncle and the usual this and that from dead people.

And then there was Reyes and all was glorious. *coughs* Sorry my mind wandered for a moment.

Conclusion:

All you need to know is that you really should read this series.

Cover

bored

Paperback, 355 pages
Published August 26th 2014 by St. Martin's Paperbacks (first published May 20th 2014)
Charley Davidson #6
Urban fantasy romance
Own

Fifth grave past the light - Darynda Jones

Charley Davidson may not look like your everyday, run-of-the-mill grim reaper, but she has vowed to reap grimness wherever she goes despite this unfortunate fact. Sadly, she gets sidetracked when the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, moves in next door. As he is the main suspect in her arson case, she has vowed to stay away from him until she can find out the truth.

However, when dead women start appearing in her apartment—lost, confused and terrified beyond reason—Charley has no choice but to ask for Reyes' help, especially when it becomes apparent that her own sister, Gemma, is the serial killer's next target. With his ability to observe incorporeally, surely he can find out who's responsible. And even if he can't, he is the one man alive who could protect Gemma no matter who or what came at her. But he wants something in return: Charley. All of her—body and soul. And to keep her sister safe, it is a price she might be willing to pay...

My thoughts:

Fun times :D 

Right, a review. It's so hard to review when it's book 5. How many times can I say that Reyes is Sin that is Meant to BE! Sin sin sin, oh Charley sin some more.

The book is great with a mystery as always. A bunch of dead women in her flat, she needs to find a serial killer. A few other things on the side, all in all building it up for quite the finale. And then the end, eeeeeeeee!

The tone is fun, the passion is smoking. Reyes is sex on a stick.

But so ok the book was awesome. But like with all awesome things I do worry. What if it stop being awesome? I have loved many series but there comes a time when fun is just old. I hope that does not happen here. I hope for an end soon then so the awesome continues and never dwindles. 

Conclusion:

Recommended. 

Cover

eh, but I like it better than the US one

Mass Market Paperback, 339 pages
Published July 9th 2013 by Piatkus
Charley Davidson #5
Urban fantasy romance
Own

Review: Fourth Grave Beneath my Feet - Darynda Jones

Sometimes being the grim reaper really is, well, grim. And since Charley’s last case went so awry, she has taken a couple of months off to wallow in the wonders of self-pity. But when a woman shows up on her doorstep convinced someone is trying to kill her, Charley has to force herself to rise above . . . or at least get dressed. It becomes clear something is amiss when everyone the woman knows swears she’s insane. But the more they refute the woman’s story, the more Charley believes it.

In the meantime, the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, is out of prison and out of Charley’s life, as per her wishes and several perfectly timed death threats. But his absence has put a serious crimp in her sex life. While there are other things to consider, like the fact that the city of Albuquerque has been taken hostage by an arsonist, Charley is having a difficult time staying away. Especially when it looks like Reyes may be involved.

My thoughts:

I often reach this conclusion when it comes to good books....this author is evil!!!! First all the tempting with Reyes, who makes my (well you figure it out), then all the secrets, what is gonna happen and what Charley really is. And then leaving me craving more, just like a zombie craves brains. So there you have it, Darynda Jones is evil.

And you know I can't write a normal review when it comes to these books. The mere though of Reyes makes my insides melt. He is sex on a stick. And *fans myself* heaven help me.

Charley is so kick-ass and funny, dang, I want her as my best friend! The mystery made me go 0_0, yes I never manage to see it coming *applauds*. Reyes, oh I was supposed to go on and look who I came back to....

Conclusion:

Anyway totally recommended. 'nuff said.

Cover

Ok

Charley Davidson #1
Urban fantasy
Paperback, 339 pages
Published March 26th 2013 by St. Martin's Paperbacks (first published October 30th 2012
Own

Review: Third Grave Dead Ahead - Darynda Jones

Paranormal private eye. Grim reaper extraordinaire. Whatever. Charley Davidson is back! And she's drinking copious amounts of caffeine to stay awake because every time she closes her eyes she sees him: Reyes Farrow, the part-human, part-supermodel son of Satan.

Granted she did imprison Reyes for all eternity, but how is she supposed to solve a missing-persons case, deal with an ego-driven doctor, calm her curmudgeonly dad, and take on a motorcycle gang hell-bent on murder when the devil's son just won't give up on his plan of seduction..... and revenge?

My thoughts:

You who have read this series know what I am gonna say, and sighing while doing so...Reyes Reyes Ray'ziel. Yes, oh did other things happen too? I did not notice ;)

This book was just awesome, funny, it had me giggling, and totally swoonworthy as it had me melting into puddles. The reason for that? Reyes, even when he is angry, so very very angry, he has me going weak in the knees. Totally psychotic by the way but Jones writes it so well and I just can't think properly when he shows up. But as always he is in jail, or her dreams. Still plenty of Reyes for me.

Ok we covered funny and the most droolworthy man on the planet, go son of Satan ;)

The plot in this one is to find a missing wife (and then more things happen that I can't tell you about but holy cow!).

Conclusion:

The book was much better than book 2, which also was a good book. I read this one in a day and I seriously crave book 4 but must wait for the paperback *curses the sky*.

Cover:

Cool and meh at the same time

Series: Charley Davidson #3
Genre: PNR UF mix
Pages: 343
Published: 2012 by St: Martin's Paperbacks
Source: Own

Review: Second Grave on the Left - Darynda Jones

If you hang around with dead people, life can deliver a whole world of trouble. Take it from Charley Davidson, part-time P.I. and full-time Grim Reaper. The deceased find her very sparkly. Demons find her irresistible. And one entity in particular wants to seduce her in every way possible… When Charley and Cookie, her best friend slash receptionist, have to track down a missing woman, the case is not quite as open and shut as they anticipate. Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally.) has left his corporeal body because he’s being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can’t let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they’ll have a portal to heaven. And if they have a portal to heaven…well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty. 

Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Can she keep those she loves out of harm’s way? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel her as she does?

Series: Charley Davidson #2, Genre: Paranormal thriller /urban fantasy romance, Pages: 326, Published: 2011 by St.Martin's Press, Source: Own

My thoughts:

First, honestly, Reyes *wipes away a bit of drool*. He is just hot as hell ;) Is just that sexy cos he is all mysterious and all, or is it cos of his origin? What can I say, he is the ultimate bad boy. 

Right, I was supposed to say something about this book. Well Reyes is missing, his body that is, he still visits Charley in his other form and she wants to find him. The second part of the story is her trying to find a missing woman and that lands her in trouble again. People are gunning for her, but what else is new. She is as kick-ass and smart-mouthed as she was in book 1. 

Romance, eh, not so much, sexual tension? Yes lots of it. Reyes tries to protect her so there aren't really any make-out sessions. More longing in this one. Not that that matter cos it's still awesome. Reyes is a guy that was meant to be lusted after. Not to mention he is freaky too. Darn it, there I went talking about Reyes again. I do try writing a review without mentioned Reyes' name every second but it's pretty hard. I just keep... 

Ok, I had to restrain myself there. Back to business. The book was fun, I like the mix that it is, what it is? Hm, paranormal romance mixed with urban fantasy mixed with thriller and throw in a lot of humour. I really can't put a lable on it. It's amusing, that's what it is. 

Conclusion:

I want book 3! Cos there was a cliffie. Not a OMG I falling of the cliff!!! More a shit, look there, someone is about to fall of that cliff.

Cover:

Cool, but still meh

Reviews: For I have Sinned - Darynda Jones + 8 - Michael Mullin

For I have Sinned by Darynda Jones

A Charley Davidson short story

Darynda Jones revisits the sexy, suspenseful world of supernatural shenanigans she created in her Grave series with For I Have Sinned.  In this Charley Davidson story, Charley helps a woman find out how she died and gives her the closure she needs to pass through to the other side.

Series: Charley Davidson #1,5, Genre: PNR/UF, Pages: 32, Published 2011 by St:Martin's Press, Source: My own

My thoughts:

This was a short story taking place after the first book, so if you haven't read that one you might be lost, or not.

As I never know how to review these I will just make it short: A woman falls down in Charley's flat. Why is she dead? Charley finds out and the woman finds peace. A nice short novella between me having read book 1 and waiting to get a hold of book 2.

We also see a glimpse as Reyes and that just makes me want to read book 2 even more. I need to know. I want more.

--------------------------------------------------------------

8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf by Michael Mullin

Written in verse, this is the previously untold story of the previously unknown 8th dwarf, named Creepy. He is banished to the basement for being different and, well, weird. Yet he plays a vital - and of course previously unknown - role in the popular tale of Snow White – whose title character is an intruder Creepy refers to as "the Maid".

Pages: 7, Genre: Fairy-tale, Published: 2010

My thoughts:

Now this was a fun and weird short story. The 8 dwarf who the other dwarves found creepy and locked in the basement. The ones who yes is actually really creepy and who watched Snow White show up. A Snow White who sure is a bit of an idiot. Who falls for the same stunt over and over?

Fun and short is the word.

Review: First Grave on the Right - Darynda Jones

Series: Charley Davidson #1
Genre: I would like to call it.. UFR
Pages: 310
Published: 2010
Publisher: St:Martin's Griffin
Source: Won

Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.

My thoughts:

Oh no! what? you all think, is it bad? The opposite actually, the oh no comes from that I now have another series to read, luckily I do not have much to catch up on. 

I liked the sense of humour, I liked the heroine, I certainly liked the hunky dreamlover she had, and I liked the plot. I had actually judged it a bit harshly from the cover, it looks so chick-lit, no what is wrong with that? Nothing, I adore chick-lit, but here it felt strange. Luckily I do not always listen to my brain and went for it. 

Charley is a great heroine, she takes chances, and she wants the best for the dead around her (well almost for all). I liked her from the start. The plot is fast paced as she has a bunch of dead people around her and she is trying to figure out who killed them. She is also dreaming about a hunky guy who seduces her, and she is seeing something big and bad in the shadows. All is not well in her reaper world. 

And then there are the questions and the thing that made me go all "wicked"! Haha, yes I loved that part, sadly I can't tell you anything about it, but it was good. So freaking good!

Conclusion:

So yes recommended and I need book 2.

Cover:

I do like it, but yes chick-litish