115) Penumbra by Keri Arthur

The Blurb :

Agent Sam Ryan wants out of the Special Investigations Unit. She’s sick of the attitude from her partner, Gabriel Stern. She’s sick of the paperwork. Most of all, she’s sick of feeling lonely. But her boss isn’t about to let her go that easily. He gives Sam a choice: either stay stuck in her office or guard a clone replacement of Dan Wetherton, a government minister. Sam reluctantly chooses the latter—even though she suspects she’s being used as bait to draw out the SIU’s elusive nemesis.

Gabriel would like nothing better than to be on his own, without a partner to hold him back. Then he learns that Sam has been assigned to protect Wetherton—or whatever it is that’s replaced him. Wetherton’s clone could have come from only one place: Hopeworth, the military base that contains the secrets of Sam’s past. Determined to protect her, Gabriel is drawn into a fight against unspeakable evil. And all too soon, Sam and Gabriel discover that the connection between them is far more powerful than anyone could ever have imagined.

My Thoughts :

What a disappointment.  Not a good sentence to start off a review but it is the first thing that springs to mind and I have to get out there.  I was excited to see the Spook Squad being re-released after all this time and was really happy to finally get to read this trilogy by an author I have enjoyed for years.  The first two books were interesting, original and full of promise.  The suspense has been building since the beginning. Would they get together?  What is Sam?  So many questions unanswered and lots of mystery from the first two books could only be answered in this final installment.  And thats where the disappointment comes in.

It was pretty obvious as the story progressed that the story wasn't moving along fast enough.  Those questions weren't getting answered and more were appearing with nearly every move the characters made.  It was great writing, the story and plot full of everything you need and none of that romance, girlie feeling stuff and long decisions and conversations.  However as the book progressed I started to worry.  The ending would be a rush job.

So imagine my surprise when the story just didn't finish!  Sure there was a little closure but where is book four?  I mean there has to be another installment!  It wasn't over and I felt cheated.  A small epilogue with an attempt to end things happily but none of the joy of finding out how things really ended up how they did and basically a cliffhanger epilogue!  There were, imho, lots of unfinished business, questions and conversations.

How could this 'trilogy' get re-released without the author giving it a better ending or adding a fourth book to tie things up properly!?  A novella would also be welcome but it seems that is it for the Spook Squad and who cares if you spent all that time getting to know and like the characters.  It doesn't matter that the story was well written and unique because the ending just didn't happen.

Fans of the author will be happy to read this series and see how Keri Arthur has always managed to come up with original and compelling stories. Although I am sure, like me, anyone who reads this series will also feel cheated and annoyed by the quick unfinished ending that is an insult to the reader who has invested so much into the story.

103) Generation 18 by Keri Arthur

The Blurb :

A serial killer strikes every twelve hours. A vampire takes lives at random. At first glance, these tragic incidents seem unrelated. But Special Investigations Unit agents Sam Ryan and Gabriel Stern trace them both back to a military base known as Hopeworth. Is the murder spree part of a cover-up? And are the vampire killings less by chance and more methodical?

The investigation takes an eerie, personal turn when Sam discovers a connection between herself and the victims—and a clue to her own mysterious origins. With the violence escalating and the danger drawing closer to home, the stakes are raised and the mission changes from seeking justice to ensuring Sam and Gabriel’s own survival. And the one person who seems to hold all the answers—about Hopeworth, about Sam’s past—is a mystery man she isn’t sure she can trust. They share a psychic link through her dreams, and he once saved her life, but he may just be the greatest enemy humankind has ever known.

My Thoughts :

Generation 18 is the second book in the Spook Squad series and follows Memory Zero in being re-released after ten years!  Book three will release next month and finally Keri Arthur fans can cross the trilogy of hard to get hold of books off their wishlists.  Was it worth the wait?

While the series is paranormal it is also very Sci-fi. Based in the future and there is mention of futuristic gadgets but the Science Fiction is not too enough to put me off.  The Paranormal aspects are unusual but somewhat familiar with the author managing to keep it original and interesting .  Once again I had some trouble keeping up with everything in this strange futuristic Australia but it is easy to keep the gist of the story straight and the rest of the details fall into place at some point.  The style is typical Artur and after a while you can settle into the story and get sucked in.

The plot this time around seemed slightly long-winded and predictable.  Everything obviously has something to do with Sam's unknown past and this second installment makes a big deal of showing off what she could be and what she isn't.  Sam gets closer to finding herself some answers and I am sure that the third and final book will reveal all.  However this second part felt like it could have given up all the secrets and given Sam a chance to follow something else entirely in book three and maybe give her a book four and five to deal with other cases that do not relate to her personally.

The series is worth checking out if you are a fan of the author and didn't get to read this series the first time around.  The second book is due out next month and I already have a copy to read and review on my Kindle.  I look forward to finding out exactly what Sam is, what happened to her and if she and Gabriel will finally give in to each other.   I think there are some more secrets to come and I have a feeling that there are going to be some revelations that could make this a trilogy that was well worth taking the time to read.

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

96) Memory Zero by Keri Arthur

The Blurb :

For Sam Ryan, life began at age fourteen. She has no memory of her parents or her childhood. In a decade of service with the State Police, Sam has exhausted the resources of the force searching for clues to her identity. But all mention of her family seems to have been deliberately wiped off the record. Everything changes the night Sam’s missing partner resurfaces as a vampire... and forces her to kill him in self-defense. Now Sam is charged with murder. Suspended from the force, and with no one left to trust, Sam accepts some unexpected help from Gabriel Stern, a shapeshifter who conceals startling secrets.

While investigating the circumstances surrounding her partner’s strange behavior, Sam discovers that Garbriel’s been involved with a dangerous organization that’s planning a war on the human race. More immediate, someone is guarding the truth about Sam’s past—someone who’d rather see her dead than risk her knowing too much. To stay alive, Sam must unravel the threads of her past—and find out not only who she is but what she is.

My Thoughts :

Keri Artur is one of the first authors I started reading in the Paranormal genre.  Her Riley Jenson series was the werewolf story that made me pick up others instead of sticking to vampires and witches.  So I knew from research that Keri's writing career didn't start with that series but a few others that had mostly gone out of print.  Luckily, now that she has become a big name, her older books are being re-released and fans can now get there hands on the early works of a great Paranormal and Urban Fantasy writer.

Memory Zero is the first book in the Spook Squad series (trilogy as far as I know) and has been on my Kindle for a while.  I wanted to read it before the release date this week but I kept putting it off and before I knew it Memory Zero was back on the shelves again and I was running late!  So I curled up with it over the last couple of days and dived into another interesting and unique Australian based tale filled with paranormal wonders.

What surprised me at first was that this series is Sci-fi.  Well it is based in the future and there is mention of futuristic gadgets but the Science Fiction is not over bearing.  The Supernaturals elements are somewhat unusual but there are familiar types with some twists to make them Arthur's own.  It isn't easy getting to grips with the lay of the land but the author helps you find your way as the story progresses. The style is exactly what I have come to expect from Artur and it is easy to sink into the story and feel at home.

The fact that this was first released over ten years makes the depth and originality of this concept really special.  I may not be a huge Sci-fi lover as far as reading is concerned but this one was interesting enough to keep me reading till the end and wondering about how things will continue.  I don't want to give the plot away but it was a nice change to have two characters end up together in a non romantic and sexual way.  It may come to that in the next book or further down the line but anyone who has read any books by this author will know what I mean because she really does like her hot and heavy scenes and writes them really well.

Definitely worth checking out if you like this author and didn't get to read this series the first time around.  The second book Generation 18 is due out next month and the third book in October.  So there is hardly any waiting around and you have the chance to read them all in one go if you want to.  If you haven't already had the please of reading anything by this author then you can't go wrong with starting here with Memory Zero.  A well thought out adventure with lots of promise and enough unanswered questions to have you eager to read the sequel.

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

27) Circle of Desire by Keri Arthur

The Blurb :

In ten years of working for the Damask Circle, shapeshifter Katherine Tanner has never come across anything that goes after kids the way this monster does, and she has never met anything that does to them what this thing does. And it’s not something she wants to confront. But with the Circle’s resources stretched to the limits, she’s given very little choice. The last thing she needs is interference from a cop who has no idea what he’s up against.

Ethan Morgan’s niece is one of the missing children and he has every intention of not only defying the odds and bringing her back alive, but of catching the monster behind these kidnappings and bringing her to justice. Even if he has to break every law in the country to do it. And he's willing to use anyone and everyone to achieve those aims--even a crazy woman who claims to be a witch.

Forced to join forces, Ethan and Kat are drawn to each other, but fight their feelings as they struggle to uncover clues that will lead them to the monster’s lair and battle a seemingly endless supply of zombies and other dead things determined to stop them. But time is ticking away and both know the monster behind these kidnappings rarely keeps her victims alive for more than seven days. And four of those have already gone.

But the greatest threat to Kat might not come from the forces of darkness gathering around them, but from the man she is beginning to love.

Because Ethan is a werewolf...and the full moon is rising...

My Thoughts :

Before I start this review I have to tell you that this is a re-release and not a new book from Keri Artur.  The Damask Circle series is one she had published some ten years ago and they have been slowly released again with new covers.  So if you are a hardcore fan you may have read these before.  Make sure you check and avoid disappointment.

Circle of Desire is the third and so far last book in the series.  I have no idea if there are more books to come but I can only hope there will be.  The Damask Circle is mentioned in all three books and the plot revolves around people who work for them solving paranormal crimes.  However there is never any direct interaction with the Damask Circle and you never find out much about them.  A secret that hopefully will be unveiled in more books.

This third installment was just as good as the previous two.  Two unsuspecting paranormals come together and hunt a supernatural being that, for unknown reasons, is taking children's souls.  The storyline is action packed, full of romance and has some original paranormal elements.  I enjoyed reading the mystery side of things as well as finding out more about the paranormals plus the romance angle wasn't a bad thing.

Keri Arthur is a spectacular author and I have been enjoying her books for years.  I am extremely happy that these books have been released again and that I have had the pleasure of reading them.  I only hope that there will be more stories about the Damask Circle.  So far the books have been great reads and I am sure there are more tales to tell.

This edition of the book release on the 1st of April.  Make sure you check out the previous books although they are all stand alone stories so there is no need to read them in order.

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

151) Circle of Death by Keri Arthur

The Blurb :

In one vicious night, Kirby Brown’s world is torn apart. Her best friend is dead, killed by a madman who is now after Kirby, and she has no idea why. When the police prove incapable of protecting Kirby, she has no choice but to trust a mysterious stranger. And while she finds herself inexplicably drawn to him, she fears the strange abilities he wields.

An investigator for the Damask Circle, Doyle Fitzgerald, has come to Melbourne, Australia, to hunt down a killer. What he doesn’t expect to find is a cadre of witches capable of controlling the elements, a sorceress determined to take that power for herself, and a broken woman who is more than she seems. Doyle is certain that the reason behind the bloodshed lies in Kirby’s past—a past she has no wish to remember. Because Doyle isn’t the only one with magic in his soul: Kirby’s special gifts have the strength to destroy the world.

My Thoughts :

A couple of weeks ago I read the first part in this series, Circle of Fire.  I really enjoyed it and when I saw this second part up for review I couldn't resist it.  I loved Keri Arthur's Riley Jenson series and I have been dying to read more of her work.  This re-release has been on my watch list for a while but I was worried that this ten year old story may not live up to my expectations.  I was wrong.

Circle of Fire didn't give much away about the Circle of Damask but in Circle of Death the reader gets more of an insight into the work they do and who is involved.  It is still all very secretive but I felt that I was at least getting a little bit more information that I did in the first book.  This sequel was completely different to the first in that it was a whole new cast of characters and a different set of supernatural skills.  Only the Damask connection keeps the books linked and I wonder if this will ever be expanded on.

I liked Kirby but found her to be very naive at times.  Even I saw through things and knew straight away how she was connected to her friend.  Doyle was an interesting character and I wish we would have had more about his abilities explained and shown. As with most of these types of books (where romance is included) it was obvious what was going to happen between the main characters.  The story bringing them together was a simple one and somehow a little too easy.  It made for nice reading though.

The main focus was of course finding a killer.  This plot was quite interesting and sometimes confusing but it was a good way of weaving the characters into things.  At times I felt like I was missing something as some moments in the book were fast and furious taking me by surprise.  These action packed paragraphs were always over too quickly and left me a little dizzy.  Flipping back pages to check what I may have missed is annoying and after a while I just didn't bother anymore.

A super Paranormal Urban Fantasy that shows how things used to be done.  Circle of Death shows its age and therefore has a maturity that you don't always find these days.  I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first installment but it was still a great read.  I look forward to reading the next book in the Damask series and hope that the Circle aspect of the series will be revealed.

 

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

141) Circle of Fire by Keri Arthur

The Blurb :

"Sixteen teenagers taken from their homes. Eleven bodies recovered, each completely drained of blood. Some believe vampires are responsible. Jon Barnett knows that what’s happening is far worse. Sent by a group of paranormal investigators known as the Damask Circle, Jon quickly becomes enmeshed in a web of black magic and realizes he needs help. But fate gives him only one choice.

Madeline Smith has retreated to an isolated farmhouse, afraid of the abilities she cannot control—abilities that have killed. But when a “ghost” brings a warning of danger and her nephew goes missing, Maddie not only has to leave her haven, she has to place her trust in a man who is neither ghost nor human. As the noose of sorcery tightens, the search for the teenagers becomes a race against time. But the greatest danger to Maddie and Jon could be the intense feelings they refuse to acknowledge but cannot ignore.

My Thoughts :

It is a read-a-thon weekend for me and I am trying to clear some of the paperbacks of my bookshelf.  So I picked up this one thinking I would read a few chapters and then give up.  Why?  My experiences with Keri Arthur's books pre Riley Jenson haven't been good ones and this is a re-release of a book from 2001.  The blurb sounded good though and I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt and I am glad I did.

With in a few chapters I was hooked.  I loved the main character and was really eager to find out more about her abilities.  The plot surrounding her nephew made things personal and I was desperate to see her come out of things better off than she started.  The addition of Jon to the story made things even better.  His abilities and secrecy combined with the obvious attraction between him and Maddie made for great reading.  I couldn't get enough and speed through the book in record time.

There was so much to love about this book.  There was lots of mystery and some amazing paranormal aspects.  Never a dull moment but still time for some depth and romance.  I liked the style and it may be a little older but this was a great read.  Something I wasn't expecting.  I am kicking myself a little for letting this one gather dust on my shelf for so long.

There is obviously more to learn from this series (or is it a trilogy?) and I wonder if the other books will offer more information about the Circle of Damask.  I have added the second book to my wishlist and look forward to reading it sooner rather than later.  Keri Arthur can spin a good tale and this book shows that.  If you have read any of her work and liked it then I suggest you also try this one.  Definitely a worthwhile PUF read.

 

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

Monthly Giveaway Results & Winner

The Monthly Giveaway is now closed for votes and entries!

Which book did you all want? Here are the results -

7.9% for Death Blows By D.D. Barant

11.8% for Chaos Bites By Lori Handeland

22.4% for Honeymoon Of The Dead By Tate Hallaway

27.6% for Magic on the Storm by Devon Monk

And the winner, by just a few votes, is -

30.3% for Moon Sworn By Keri Arthur

And which subscriber has won the book? Congrats to the person with the email address beginning with -


saulpaugh.chelsea


Well done! Keep reading to find out how to claim your prize!

If you didn't win this time then maybe you will be lucky next month! Also make sure to enter the weekly author contests. This coming weekend I am have two authors visiting and both of them are giving away some lovely prizes!

This weeks author contest is still open for entries! Check out the interview Laura Stamps and make sure you enter the contest before it closes on Sunday!

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

How to claim your prize!

Please contact me via email - Amberkatzes_book_blog at gmx dot eu within the next 7 days to claim your prize. Your claim will go quicker if you send me your address.

If you won a contest where you can choose your prize, then please make sure you state in your email which book you would like. This will help things go alot quicker!

If you email me and don't get a reply within 48 hours please post on the blog letting me know. Some email gets eaten by my spam filter. If a prize isn't claimed after 7 days I will, if the author agrees, pick another winner.

Please also note that I can not be held responsible for prizes that come direct from authors. I will check with them for you if you haven't received your prize but I can not hunt down your mail! Any prizes that come from myself could come from a 3rd party eg. Amazon or Bookdepository. If I am sending a prize myself please be aware that it could take a few weeks to reach you as it is coming from Europe

Help support these contests by using the following banner to order your books!

May Monthly Giveaway! (Contest Reminder)

Yes I know it is already June but for some reason I didn't get around to posting the May Giveaway in May. One minute it was the middle of May and the next it was June. Doesn't that happen to everyone sometime? ;)

Anyway as always there are five books to choose from and vote for. I think you are all going to have a hard time picking one this month. All five books are amazing!

Just go to the poll and vote for the one you want to win or the one you think deserves to win! Here is a little info about each book on offer. Just click on the book title and author to see my review -


Moon Sworn By Keri Arthur


Death Blows By D.D. Barant


Magic on the Storm by Devon Monk


Honeymoon Of The Dead By Tate Hallaway


Chaos Bites By Lori Handeland


How does the monthly giveaway work?

Well in the sidebar <--- there is this poll. You vote for the book you would most like to win. I pick a name from the subscibers list and that person wins the book with the most votes. So you may not even win the book you voted for! To subscribe to Amberkatze's Book Blog all you have to do is use the box in the sidebar <--- or at the bottom of this post. Everyone who is already subscribed will be entered in the contest as well as new subscribers. If you have not confirmed your email address then you will not be added to the draw!!! The poll will stay open for votes until Thursday 10th of June 4pm (all times are in Central European Time). The winner will be announced later than day.

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

For more chances to win -

Post about this giveaway somewhere on the internet eg. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter etc. Make sure you post the link here so I can confirm your extra entry.

Email your friends about this giveaway. Make sure you add my email address so I also get a copy and can confirm your extra entry. Amberkatzes_Book_Blog@gmx.eu

For more prizes -

I will draw more than one winner if I have enough money in the Amberkatze's Book Blog Amazon account. You can help fill this account by using one of the Amazon links on the site to make your purchases on Amazon.com or Amazon.de





Oh and don't forget the Anton Strout contest!! It ends on Sunday so you still have a few days left to enter and win a book!

76) Moon Sworn by Keri Arthur

Riley Jenson works for the Directorate of Other Races, an organisation created to police the supernatural and protect the humans from them. Both werewolf and vampire, Riley is fed up of what her job is doing to her. With her soul mate Kye dead she is beginning to wonder if the Directorate is what she really wants from her life. As usual there is no time to think about all that.

A slain body of an ex-con is found and the soul that talks to Riley says a demon killed him. If that was all Riley has to deal with then it would be easy and things are never easy. An enemy from her past is coming back to haunt her and wants to hurt her good. With everything gone, will Riley be able to find her way back on track and decide what she wants out of life? Can she survive this fight or will she give up?

This series has been one of my must buys and must reads since it first started. However I fear this is the last we will see of Riley. I haven't checked but it seems this is the last in the series. The ending certainly suggested that things have come to an end and left things all wrapped up. The continuing story has been a joy to follow, with twists and turns all the way. The way Riley has developed as a character is inspiring and she one cool dhampire.

So what can I say about this new and maybe last piece in the Riley Jenson series? The first thing that springs to mind is 'don't miss this!'. If you haven't read the series yet then start now and read them all and enjoy them as much as I have. If you have been following the series then you won't be disappointed because Moon Sworn has everything you have come to love and like about the series and just a little bit more. This, as I mentioned, is a must buy series.

Of course if the series isn't over then I look forward to seeing Riley again. If not I know there are more Keri Arthur books out there that I still have left to read and there will always be more! This is an author who has not only made a name for herself in the Urban Fantasy genre but she has also made Australia a cool supernatural setting to read about!

206) Bound To Shadows by Keri Arthur

Riley Jenson is part vampire, part werewolf and much more. Working for the Directorate means she can use all her abilities to help people but this new case is very different to anything else she has seen. A series of brutal murders at vampire-human meeting places is never going to be good but the victims are not just being killed, they are beheaded. So Riley is left following the clues and trying to stay out of the way of the strange club owner.

Then another case comes up but Riley is used to multi-tasking when it comes to the job. What she isn't used to is having to two lovers after her. Quinn is the cool vampire she is living with while Kye is the werewolf who is up to no good. Trying to juggle both of these men is impossible but at the end of the day she will do what she needs to do to solve the case. Even if it means sleeping with the enemy.

Book seven in the Riley Jenson series sees our favourite vamp/werewolf getting herself into a bit of a love triangle. The series is continuing to build up steam and the background story is keeping me hooked. Bound To Shadows has left me with the need for more and I really hate having to wait for the next book to find out what will happen next.

This newest installment is another great murder mystery mixed with lots of paranormal goodness. The extra sugar coating to this series is that it's based in Australia. Making this something new, different and giving the genre a much appreciated change.

Riley kicks paranormal butt while getting her own kicked right back. She doesn't give up and she doesn't let anyone hurt her and get away with it. Riley is my kind of werewolf/vamp and I am eager to see what else happens to her and how she will come out of it.

If you haven't tried this series already then start at the beginning and enjoy. With seven books already out and the eighth one on the way next year. There is no reason you shouldn't try one of the best paranormal series out there.

November Monthly Giveaway!

It is time for the Monthly Giveaway to open! Last month there was a trick and a treat winner but this month there will just be the usual one winner.

How does the monthly giveaway work? Well in the sidebar <--- there is a poll. You vote for the book you would most like to win. I pick a name from the subscibers list and that person wins the book with the most votes. So you may not even win the book you voted for!

To subscribe to Amberkatze's Book Blog all you have to do is use the box in the sidebar <--- or at the bottom of this post. Everyone who is already subscribed will be entered in the contest as well as new subscribers. If you have not confirmed your email address then you will not be added to the draw!!! The winner will be announced on Sunday the 6th of December at 4pm. The poll will stay open for votes until 4pm on Friday 4th of December (all times are in Central European Time).  What books are up for grabs this month? Vote for one of the following new releases -

Bound to Shadows by Keri Arthur - I haven't read this yet but the latest Riley Jenson is bound to be good!

Apocalypse Happens by Lori Handeland - Just read the third book in this amazing series and I can't wait for more!

Demon Ex Machina by Julie Kenner
- A great new edition to the Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series. Not to be missed!

Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding - After seeing the blurb for this one I couldn't resist ordering it. Keep a look out for my review as I haven't read this yet.

Tainted by Julie Kenner - This author makes two appearances in this months poll because she has so many new releases out! I haven't read this one yet either but the review should be coming sometime this week!

Make sure you enter the monthly giveaway to win!

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner