42) Wickedly Dangerous by Deborah Blake

The Blurb :

Known as the wicked witch of Russian fairy tales, Baba Yaga is not one woman, but rather a title carried by a chosen few. They keep the balance of nature and guard the borders of our world, but don’t make the mistake of crossing one of them…

Older than she looks and powerful beyond measure, Barbara Yager no longer has much in common with the mortal life she left behind long ago. Posing as an herbalist and researcher, she travels the country with her faithful (mostly) dragon-turned-dog in an enchanted Airstream, fulfilling her duties as a Baba Yaga and avoiding any possibility of human attachment.

But when she is summoned to find a missing child, Barbara suddenly finds herself caught up in a web of deceit and an unexpected attraction to the charming but frustrating Sheriff Liam McClellan.

Now, as Barbara fights both human enemies and Otherworld creatures to save the lives of three innocent children, she discovers that her most difficult battle may be with her own heart…

My Thoughts :

This series has been on my radar for a while and the first book on my Kindle for what seems like years.  Well actually it may have been years but who is counting...Anyway I finally picked this one up months after reading the amazing prequel and I wish I hadn't waited so long to read it.  It was a wonderful read.  One of those Paranormal Urban Fantasy books that really makes an impact and I really am kicking myself for not getting to this one earlier.

Why was this so good?  Here a re a few reasons.  Firstly, this is a nice original story.  Baba Yaga isn't a well known paranormal tale and I haven't come across anything like this take on the story.  Secondly, there are dragons.  This is, without a doubt, a huge plus point.  We definitely don't have enough dragons these days and especially not ones who can talk and make jokes or ones who turn into sexy motorbike riders.

Thirdly, and maybe most importantly, the plot was exciting, interesting and unusual.  I couldn't get enough of this story and kept picking up my Kindle whenever I could.  I even ended up downloading the book to my phone when I had time to read and didn't have my Kindle with me.  This has never happened before, usually I would just play a game. This one was a very addictive read.

I can't wait to delve into the next book and nearly just picked up the next one because I wanted more.  However, as you readers out there know, it isn't always that simple.  There are other books that have priority or are next in line for some reason or another so I have to put off book two for now but I will definitely be picking it up with the next month.  I don't think I will be able to wait longer than that.

If you haven't already tried this one then start with the prequel to get the lay of the land.  Make sure you don't wait too long because this one has the makings of an all time favourite series!

128) Wickedly Magical by Deborah Blake

The Blurb :

Known as the wicked witch of Russian fairy tales, Baba Yaga is not one woman, but rather a title carried by a chosen few. They keep the balance of nature and guard the borders of our world, but don’t make the mistake of crossing one…

Barbara Yager loves being one of the most powerful witches in the world, but sometimes she’d rather kick back in her enchanted Airstream with a beer in her hand than work out how to grant the requests of the worthy few who seek her out.

But when a man appears with the token of a family debt of honor, Barbara must drop everything to satisfy the promise owed by her predecessor—and she isn’t above being a little wicked to make sure the debt is paid in full…

My Thoughts :

After reading the first book in another series by this author, I remembered that her Baba Yaga series is on my list of series I must start reading very soon.  So I went to check out the series again and came across this pre-quel novella.  Perfect!  Check out the series and read everything in order.  Nothing better than killing two birds with one stone.

I don't want to go into the plot too much because it would give too much of the story away.  However it was an amazing read and it made me realise that I really need to start the series asap!  It was original, different and interesting.  It was fun, quirky and also well written.  I was impressed and loved this short story more than I usually like novellas.

Expect to see more from this author soon!  I am definitely getting around to reading the first full length Baba Yaga book sometime within the next few weeks.

123) Veiled Magic by Deborah Blake

The Blurb :

Since Witches came out of the broom-closet in the early 21st century, they have worked alongside humans as police officers, healers, stock traders, and more. But they aren’t the only paranormal entities in our world…

Police officer and Witch Donata Santori spends her days interrogating dead witnesses by summoning their spectral forms. Normally the job is little more than taking statements and filing reports. But when she’s called in on the case of a murdered art restorer, she finds herself suddenly in possession of a mystical portrait that both the human and paranormal communities would kill to get their hands on.

Unable to take on the forces hunting her alone, Donata seeks help from two unlikely and attractive allies: a reluctant shape-changer and a half-dragon art forger. But as the three of them hurry to uncover the truth about the powerful painting, Donata realizes that she’s caught in the middle of not one but two wars—one for possession of the painting’s secrets and one for possession of her heart…

My Thoughts :

While I have heard great things about this author and her Baba Yaga series, I haven't gotten around to checking it out for myself yet.  So when I saw this book up for review I decided to give it a go.  Veiled Magic is a stand alone (or maybe a first in a new series), so it is the perfect book to read just to check out the author and not get too involved.

Within a couple of pages I was hooked.  The paranormal elements at the beginning were exciting enough to get me through the first few chapters but when things opened up even more, I was over the moon.  Finally dragons again!  I missed them sooo much!  Also some different kinds of paranormals and some of the usual.  I was in my happy place.

As the story unfolds there are some small minor annoyances but all in all this had a strong plot and was a great read.  Different, action packed and full of new ideas, this has to be one of my favourite paranormal and urban Fantasy reads of this year.  And to think this is the book that got the author her publisher but sat on the shelf until now.

I really hope that this turns into a series.  I liked Donata and loved the paranormal twists.  There was some well thought out world building and character development and it would be a shame to see this one stay as a stand alone.  Also there were some questions left unanswered and some aspects left open.  I am definitely interested in reading more.

My interest has been piqued and I am definitely going to be trying more books by this author as soon as possible.  I really can't wait to read a Baba Yaga novel and see what delights the author has invented in the series I have heard only good things about.