In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune

In a strange little home built into the branches of a grove of trees, live three robots–fatherly inventor android Giovanni Lawson, a pleasantly sadistic nurse machine, and a small vacuum desperate for love and attention. Victor Lawson, a human, lives there too. They’re a family, hidden and safe. 
The day Vic salvages and repairs an unfamiliar android labelled “HAP,” he learns of a shared dark past between Hap and Gio-a past spent hunting humans. 
When Hap unwittingly alerts robots from Gio’s former life to their whereabouts, the family is no longer hidden and safe. Gio is captured and taken back to his old laboratory in the City of Electric Dreams. So together, the rest of Vic’s assembled family must journey across an unforgiving and otherworldly country to rescue Gio from decommission, or worse, reprogramming. 
Along the way to save Gio, amid conflicted feelings of betrayal and affection for Hap, Vic must decide for himself: Can he accept love with strings attached?

That time that a bunch of robots reduced me to tears. I’d say it was totally unexpected, but not at the hands of this #EvilAuthor – yeah, that pretty much sums up my initial thoughts when I finished In the Lives of Puppets. As usual, with just about every book I’ve picked up by T.J. Klune, I got more than I bargained for.

The concept of family is taken to a whole new extreme In the Lives of Puppets. Victor is a human raised by his android “father” Gio. He grows up loving to “tinker” as much as his father and finds the rest of his “family” members and brings them back to “life” along the way. They include a nervous, needy little vacuum and a hilariously sadistic nurse machine ironically named Nurse Ratched. (Yes, the irony is strong in this one. 😉 ) They live in a network of houses built high in the trees in a forest far away from everyone. Finding HAP changes everything for all of them.

During the course of In the Lives of Puppets, Victor learns that nothing is quite what it seems. Secrets have been kept, lies were told and supreme sacrifices were made. He has a lot to come to terms with, but he’s not alone.

In case you’re wondering, yes, there were tears. Some happy, some heartbreaking. (Along with quite a few “Easter Eggs” that made me smile.) Things aren’t exactly perfect in the end, but as readers have come to expect from T.J. Klune, you’re left with a strong sense of love and hope. ❤

Conquer the Kingdom (Gargoyle Queen #3) by Jennifer Estep

Time is running out for crown princess Gemma Ripley. Despite being a cunning spy and a powerful mind magier, Gemma hasn’t been able to track down the most dangerous enemy her kingdom of Andvari has ever seen. Adding to her worries is the Sword and Shield tournament. With gladiators flocking to the capital city of Glanzen, Gemma can’t tell who is friend–or foe.
Determined to protect Andvari at any cost, Gemma hatches a bold plan, but things aren’t what they seem. Soon, everything she holds dear is being threatened, including her burgeoning relationship with Prince Leonidas Morricone.
With the kingdom she holds dear slipping through her fingers, Gemma will have to conquer her fear and unlock the true secret of her magic–or watch her friends and family die and her beloved Andvari fall . . .

I’m not sure how I missed picking up the first series in this world created by Jennifer Estep. She’s definitely not a “new to me” author because I have been a fan since I was first introduced to Gin in the Elemental Assassin series. I’m just glad that I finally dove into the Gargoyle Queen series and now that I’ve been introduced to the world, it won’t be long until I pick up the Crown of Shards series.

Conquer the Kingdom picks up pretty much where Tear Down the Throne left off. As the description hints, there is a fine line between “friend and foe” and Gemma and her family have made the decision to keep some of those “foes” very close. Things aren’t exactly as they seem on a lot of levels in Conquer the Kingdom. The story is full of lots of twists, turns and some interesting confessions and some surprising allies.

As with all series with characters I’ve fallen in love with, I was sad to see this series end, but I’m kind of curious about what comes next. I’m pretty sure readers haven’t seen the last of this world. ❤

Hunter Avenged (Forgotten Brotherhood #6) by N.J. Walters

It’s taken Viking hunter Sven Knutson six frustrating months to find her. To track down the angel responsible for compromising the Forgotten Brotherhood and waking the drakon. She may be clever. Resourceful. But no one ever gets away from Sven. Ever.
All Rivka longed for as an angel was a chance to serve on Earth and help humans. Instead, it all went impossibly, horribly wrong, and she still doesn’t understand how or even why. All she knows is that she’s on the run—not only from Heaven’s dangerous elite guard, but also from the Brotherhood, who want answers.
She might just have to trust the immortal Viking whose icy blue eyes make her feel almost wickedly human. Because someone wants Rivka dead and the Brotherhood eliminated. Someone powerful enough to take on the most dangerous assassins who have ever lived. Someone who could unleash the fury of both Heaven and Hell…and Rivka is the key.

I’ve really enjoyed the Forgotten Brotherhood series – even though I inadvertently skipped the first two in the series. Each addition to the series added another layer, but none was more surprising than when Sven was introduced. It took a while for him to get his own story, but it was worth the wait and a fitting conclusion to the series.

Rivka was another surprise and his attraction to her was a complication. But nothing is exactly as it seems and she wouldn’t be the first “complication” to the Brotherhood that turned out to be more than what she seemed.

Although I’m sorry to see the series come to an end, I still have Fury Unleashed and Arctic Bite to catch up on – which will provide the perfect set up for a series re-read 😉

Under a Wicked Moon (The Crown’s Wolves #2) by Zoe Forward

They are the ultimate weapon. The ultimate secret. They are the Crown’s wolves.
Lycan Ky Lanzo is bound by the Crown’s command. His latest mission directive was deceptively simple. Get yourself caught. Now, Ky’s been bound, drugged, and collared by an unknown enemy in a facility that knows enough about him to neutralize his lycan strength and his telekinetic magic. But he’s not alone in his cell. Because there’s someone else with him. Someone exquisite. Someone altogether forbidden…
For Vivi Kinley, another month gone by means another full moon trapped in a cell with a moon-crazed lycan. There once was a time I’d never kill a living creature. Only, Ky is different. He’s powerful, latently sexy…and wanting him is dangerous trouble. Because sexual attraction is exactly what their captors want—and it’ll be an icy day in hell before she’ll allow it.
Now, Vivi and Ky have one chance at escape and to discover what twisted organization did this to them—and make them pay. The good news is that Ky might have found his near-impossible lycan mate. The bad news is that she might be programmed to kill them all…

I really like this series, I like the characters, I like the world building and the take on “wolves” is unique. The only real issue I have with both this book and Bad Moon Rising is that the story line lost me near the end. I’m not sure if it’s because that there really is an issue or if there is just so much happening that I got lost. Whatever the reason and regardless of my confusion, I’m still enjoying the wild ride this author has been taking readers on so far.

Under a Wicked Moon isn’t a very easy book to read. The cards are stacked totally agains Vivi and Ky from the moment that they meet. It’s honestly hard to figure out how they’ll finally reach their HEA and even by the end, things are far from over for either them or Roman and Nova – or any of the brothers really.

There were lots of twists, turns and crazy revelations. Almost too many to keep track of. The one thing I’m sure of is that there is much more to come and I can’t wait to get to know the rest of the Crown’s Wolves and their allies better as the series continues.

Taken by the Dragon Prince (Dragon Lords #4) by Kiersten Fay

Prince Khalstorm Belmont lost everything the day his kingdom was destroyed. Imprisoned for a crime he never committed, he dreams of exacting his revenge against the witch responsible, a treacherous beauty who once tempted him beyond reason, only to betray him in the end. When Khalstorm captures her, he discovers his feelings for her are as strong as ever, leading him torn between his hunger for vengeance and his hunger for her.
Celeste Songbird both feared and longed for the day Khalstorm found her. No longer resembling the man she once loved, he is filled with rage and regret…and on a mission for her blood. Temporarily stripped of her powers, her life is at his mercy. Can she break through his ice-cold heart before all is lost?

I’ve enjoyed all of the books in the Dragon Lords series, but Taken by the Dragon Prince wasn’t my favorite. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t like it, because I did. It just seemed to be a little disconnected from the rest of the series. Although I suppose that’s a good thing if this is the first book you picked up in the series or if it’s been a while since you read the rest.

Tempting the Dragon King, Seduced by the Dragon Lord and Stealing the Dragon’s Heart all had not only a connection between the “dragons” but there was almost a recurring theme. This is the first time that the dragon and his witch had a history and in this case it was a sordid one. I think that my main issue with Taken by the Dragon Prince was that I wanted more of that history and some of the aspects of it to be flushed out a little more. There was a lot of deceit and betrayal in this one, but what Khal didn’t understand was that he wasn’t the only victim in their past as well as their present.

It’s obvious at the end of Taken by the Dragon Prince that there’s more to come. I’m looking forward for the continuation of the series and hopefully to see more of past characters and tying up some loose ends.

Rogue Wolf Hunter (Rogue Brotherhood #1) by Kait Ballenger

Hunters of the paranormal, the Rogue Brotherhood are an elite group tasked with protecting humanity…but what happens when danger collides with desire?
Jace McCannon has one loyalty: the Rogue Brotherhood. Despite his mixed blood, his hatred for the werewolves he hunts is legendary. But in his search for a sadistic killer, Jace finds himself face-to-face with a stunningly seductive packmaster…and longing for a night with his mortal enemy.
Nothing can stop Frankie Amato from defending her kind – or from catching the rogue responsible for killing women in her territory. For that, this alpha female needs Jace’s skills more than she wants to admit. But as their investigation exposes evil truths, need burns into a passion that dare not be fulfilled. For to do so will have deadly consequences for them both….

I’ve only read one other book by Kait Ballenger, which was Cowboy Wolf Trouble, the first book in her Seven Range Shifters series. I really liked that one and I honestly meant to pick up more in that series, but you know how it goes… so many books, so little time. *sigh* To be honest, I really thought that I had Shadow Hunter, which is the prequel to this series on my Kindle, but I can’t seem to find it. Regardless, thanks to stumbling across Rogue Wolf Hunter, the author and her werewolves are back on my reading radar. 😉

Rogue Wolf Hunter started off with a bang and there was little or no down time from that point on. Both Jace and Frankie have secrets that they are keeping from each other, but for totally different reasons. Jace keeps his true nature from pretty much everyone. Frankie keeps her true identity from Jace and the rest of the Rogue Brotherhood for both her and her pack’s safety. Frankie knows that there is something different about Jace from the beginning.

Frankie and Jace weren’t the only ones with secrets and the twists, turns and revelations kept the pages turning – along with the heat between them. Basically, Rogue Werewolf Hunter had pretty much everything I love about a suspenseful PNR. The Rogue Brotherhood is full of a lot of other paranormal characters that I can’t wait to get to know better. Next up is Cold Demon Hunter.

Night Magic (Moonlight & Jasmine #1) by Kathleen Ann Gallagher

The beautiful but lonely owner of a bath and body shop, Krista Winter is in need of legal counsel. Her past is about to catch up with her. She was forced to flee from her life as a teacher in New Jersey after being shunned for being a witch. 
Life is not the same for Jon Bartolo. He’s a dedicated lawyer, living in the town of Conway, New Hampshire. His days are spent helping his clients with their struggles and his nights are spent in agony, lost in a world between life and death. 
His mother, who died three years ago, lurks in his house, suffering from a curse for eternity, without a resting place. 
A smoldering fire between Jon and Krista ignites almost immediately, however, he’s sure his secret would frighten a woman away. An afternoon escape brings them closer, but doubts linger between the love-struck couple.
How will Jon’s mother find eternal rest so he can move on with his life? Is he bound to a life of hell on earth? 
Will Krista fit into his world when he learns about her past? Could she be hiding a bigger secret? Is it possible for them to open their hearts to love? Could a touch of Night Magic b just what this couple needs?

This is one of those books that suffered from packing too much info into too few pages. I liked the premise, I liked the writing, I even liked Jon and Krista… The story just felt too rushed. I think this would have been a wonderful story if the characters were given enough time to get to know each other, gain a little bit of trust between them and work through the mystery together. *sigh*

Capture the Crown (Gargoyle Queen #1) by Jennifer Estep

Gemma Ripley has a reputation for being a pampered princess who is more interested in pretty gowns, sparkling jewelry, and other frivolous things than learning how to rule the kingdom of Andvari. But her carefully crafted persona is just an act to hide the fact that Gemma is a powerful mind magier—and a spy. 
Gemma is undercover, trying to figure out who is stealing large amounts of tearstone from one of the Ripley royal mines when she encounters Prince Leonidas Morricone of Morta—her mortal enemy. Gemma tries to steer clear of the handsome prince, but when she finds herself behind enemy lines, she reluctantly joins forces with Leo. Also coming to Gemma’s aid is Grimley, her beloved gargoyle.
Despite the fact that Andvari and Morta are old, bitter enemies, a dangerous attraction sparks between Gemma and Leo. Further complicating matters is Leo’s murderous family, especially Queen Maeven Morricone, the mastermind behind the infamous Seven Spire massacre.
The closer Gemma gets to the stolen tearstone, the more deadly plots she uncovers. Everyone is trying to capture the crown, but only one queen can sit on the throne… 

I have been a fan of Jennifer Estep since I first picked up Spider’s Bite way back in 2012. Since then I’ve read pretty much all of the Elemental Assassin books, including many of the short stories in between and a treasured autographed copy of Poison Promise. Yet, even though she’s written several other series, I haven’t strayed far from my favorite assassin. I’m pretty sure that’s about to change though because this first glimpse of Gemma and her world have definitely left me wanting more. 😉

Capture the Crown is the first book in the Gargoyle Queen series, but it’s set in the same world as the author’s Crown of Shards series. I’m speaking from experience when I say that you don’t have to read the previous series to enjoy Capture the Crown. Although the references to the Crown of Shards series have definitely piqued my interest.

Gemma wasn’t your average princess, at least not to those closest to her. She hid behind the “spoiled royal” facade well. Another secret that she’s kept well is how powerful she is, which should work to her advantage. The fact that she can’t really control that power is a frustration as well as a source of guilt. She’s never really recovered from the thought that if she had used it years before, she might have been able to save a lot of people that she cared about. She’s the only one that feels that she should carry that guilt though. She’s slowly coming to realize that the perspective of a very young girl may have been slightly skewed, especially when it comes to a certain young prince.

There were times during Capture the Crown that I wish readers could have gotten just a small glimpse of what was going on in Leo’s head. I also know that only getting Gemma’s POV made the story more intriguing and suspenseful. Still, there were times that I know that Leo was showing a side of himself that even Gemma didn’t pick up on. I really liked him, even when I was almost sure that I shouldn’t.

Beyond the danger and tense relationship between the two royals, what really drew me into Capture the Crown was the relationship between the characters. Their loyalty to each other was fierce and it went both ways. Gemma was just as dedicated to them as they were to her. And then there was Grimley. ❤ I’ve read a couple of stories that included gargoyles from other authors, but I’m pretty sure that this lovable creature is now one of my favorites.

Gemma and Leo’s story is far from over by the end of Capture the Crown. She’s still not sure exactly where his loyalty lies or exactly how she feels about him. Hopefully readers won’t have to wait long to find out what happens next. In the mean time, I might have to check out Kill the Queen to experience this world from the beginning. Stay tuned!

Unholy (Witchbane #5) by Morgan Brice

A cycle of ritual murders. A coven of dark warlocks, drawing their immortality from the magic of their dead master. Two men sworn to stop the deaths, destroy the warlocks, and avenge the victims. Except this time, the killer flips the script. 
Seth Tanner swore vengeance on the dark witches who killed his brother, Jesse. He rescued Evan Malone from one of the witches, and they’ve fallen in love despite the danger and chaos, going on the road to complete the quest and bring an end to the ritual murders. Their relationship is still new, tested at every turn by danger and magic. 
Seth and Evan head to Charleston to stop the next warlock and save his intended victim. But this time, they’re too late. The warlock has already powered up, and he’s determined to destroy the two hunters one way or another. A deadly curse on Seth and Evan means time is running out. Can they find a way to turn the tables, or is Charleston their final destination? 

Seth started out his battle against the dark warlocks on his own, but that changed once he rescued Evan. Even though the hunt to destroy the warlocks and save the sacrifices put them both in danger, it was easier than doing it alone. They both found out along the way that there is strength in numbers. This time, they needed all the strength they could get from allies both new and familiar. The next warlock was one step ahead of them. Not only did he beat them to his sacrifice, he found their greatest weakness – keeping them apart.

There was little or no down time in Unholy, which made it a pretty quick read. I think that this may have been my favorite book in the series so far. Honestly, that may have been because of all the crossover characters that were included in this story. Their trip to Charleston brought them to Cassidy, Teag and Sorren (Deadly Curiosities). Seth and Evan had called on them for help before, but this was the first time they had met in person. It also brought them face to face with “people” they were used to fighting instead of trusting. Needless to say, the new experiences, wrapping their heads around a new reality and the constant danger kept the pages turning.

I adore this world that Morgan Brice/Gail Z. Martin has created. It’s especially fun when the series characters cross over and their was obviously quite a bit of that in Unholy. If you’re a fan of Urban Fantasy you can pretty much start anywhere in any of the series in this intertwined world.

Kelpie Blue (Out of Underhill #1) by Mell Eight

When a beautiful blue horse asks Rin to go for a swim, Rin doesn’t realize how much his life is about to change. Blue is unlike anyone else Rin has ever met, and the magic of the fae, and of this particular kelpie, is wondrous, but deadly. Rin learns too late he might be in for a swim he won’t survive.

Kelpie Blue is so much more than its description might lead readers to believe. I’ve been a fan of Mell Eight’s since I discovered the re-release of her Supernatural Consultant series. When I found this one, I knew I had to read it. Although it doesn’t have the same “feel” as the stories about the young dragons I’ve come to adore, that’s not a bad thing – and I definitely wasn’t disappointed.

I really liked the relationship between Rin and Blue. I also liked the relationship between Rin and his mom. They gave Blue a family – something he hadn’t had in a long time.

There was a bit of mystery, danger, magic, a sweet romance and more than a few surprises. Pretty much everything I enjoy in a fantasy. The next book in the series is If a Butterfly Don’t Fly. Even though I’d love to spend more time with Rin and Blue, I’m looking forward to continuing the series.