For A Few Demons More

The Hollows Book 5 by Kim Harrison



For A Few Demons MoreFor A Few Demons More is the fifth book in author Kim Harrison’s Rachel Morgan series of paranormal action romance novels, published in 2007.

This book does not quite stand alone. You should really read Book 4 first because the story line is a direct sequel. Additionally if you have not read the previous volumes in the series you may find yourself confused by not knowing the rules of the author’s fictional world. I don’t know why publishers don’t put a brief introductory synopsis in later volumes of a series as standard courtesy.

In the late 60′s the world had been infected by a mutated virus spread by a bio-engineered tomato which wiped out most human people. Most Inderlanders, the witches, warlocks, vamps, fairies, pixies etc survived. Upon realizing that they were no longer a persecutable minority but in fact a majority they ‘came out’ en mass, known as the Turn. When the dust settled a system of government was agreed, this is the world this book is set in.

Rachel Morgan, green eyed red haired white witch and independent bounty hunter lives in The Hollows. Her once peaceful neighborhood has become the hunting ground of a serial killer and Rachel may be on the victim list. Will she survive the experience?

I did not enjoy this book as much as the first three, mainly because I am so very tired of Ivy’s (the vampire) endless emoting and psychological problems; but it did the job which is to provide a relaxing hour or so before I go to bed.

Ms Harrison is a good writer with a sense of humor, her dialog is believable and her story lines are credible, as much as paranormal fiction can be credible that is. Strong plots with plenty of twists and not written to a formula, a big plus the main characters are likable. Her books are not as heavily sexual as many paranormal romance genre books making for pleasant reading.

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A Fistful of Charms

The Hollows Book 4 by Kim Harrison



A Fistful of Charms A Fistful of Charms is the fourth book in author Kim Harrison’s Rachel Morgan series of paranormal action romance novels, published in 2006.

This book does not quite stand alone. You should really read the previous volumes in the series or you may find yourself confused by not knowing the rules of the author’s fictional world. I don’t know why publishers don’t put a brief introductory synopsis in later volumes of a series as standard courtesy.

In the late 60′s the world had been infected by a mutated virus spread by a bio-engineered tomato which wiped out most human people. Most Inderlanders, the witches, warlocks, vamps, fairies, pixies etc survived. Upon realizing that they were no longer a minority at risk of persecution but in fact a majority they ‘came out’ en mass, known as the Turn. When the dust settled a system of government was agreed, this is the world this book is set in.

Rachel Morgan, green eyed red haired white witch and independent bounty hunter lives in an old church in The Hollows with her friend and business partner Ivy the undead vampire. A previous boyfriend, Nick the thief returns, bringing bad trouble in his wake.

I did not enjoy this book as much as the first three, from time to time it hangs. Then the action gets so revved up you might wonder if it is the last in the series, it isn’t.

Ms Harrison has a dry sense of humor, her dialog is realistic and her story lines are different. A big plus, her main characters are generally likable. Her books are not as heavily sexual as many paranormal romance genre books making for pleasant reading.

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Running From the Devil

by Jamie Freveletti



Running From the Devil

Running From the Devil is Jamie Freveletti’s first book, published in 2009.

Emma Caldridge is a biochemist who works as a researcher for a cosmetic company. Flying from Miami to Bogota her plane is hijacked and crashes in a jungle landing strip near the Venezuelan border. Thrown clear from the wreckage she watches guerrillas take the other survivors hostage.

After looting the plane the insurgents booby trap the road leading to the airstrip with landmines and leave to march the hostages off through the jungle. Emma is left to salvage what she can from the wreckage in order to survive.

The story starts sixty seconds before impact and is fast paced to the end. I enjoy Jamie Freveletti’s writing style; unlike many action writers she uses complete sentences of more than three words. The pace and excitement are generated by her plot, command of language and smooth believable dialog.

A good read. Ms Freveletti has joined my list of authors to watch for.

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The Rule of Nine

by Steve Martini



The Rule of Nine

The Rule of Nine is eleventh in Steve Martini’s Paul Madriani novels, published in 2010, paperback edition in 2011. It is a direct sequel to Guardian of Lies.

I really enjoyed this book, it was a gripping read which held my attention from start to finish. The plot is complex and twisty, the finish – I am not going to spoil it but was extremely glad that I had already purchased the next in the series. The idea of having to wait a year for the sequel to be published would have driven me mad!

Paul Madriani is a San Diego attorney who spends very little time practicing the law in recent books. He, his partner Harry Hinds and daughter Sarah are the target of a deadly contract killer known only as Muerte Liquida, out for revenge.

Meanwhile a terrorist plot against the USA is under way and there is evidence Madriani is involved. There is considerable fumbling and lack of co-operation between branches of law enforcement, sound familar? Exotic locations are visited at breakneck speed and the action is non stop. The book is politically topical without being partisan. An excellent read.

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The Ninth Day

by Jamie Freveletti



The Ninth Day

The Ninth Day is Jamie Freveletti’s third book, published in 2011. I really enjoyed this book, I enjoyed it so much I ordered the other two books written by Freveletti before I was finished with this one.

Emma Caldridge is a biochemist who works as a researcher for a cosmetic company. Hiking in the Arizona desert looking for night blooming plants she runs into a group of illegal immigrants and is caught by their drug running cartel escorts after falling into a border crossing tunnel.

She is forced to investigate a disease which is killing both the marijuana plants and the workers who handle the crop. A disease which progresses inexorably until the victim dies on the ninth day, and Emma is infected . . .

Ms Freveletti writes very well, her story line is credible and her dialog is natural.

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The Hollows Book 3 by Kim Harrison



Every Which Way But Dead is the third book in author Kim Harrison’s Rachel Morgan series of paranormal action romance novels, published in 2008.

This book does not quite stand alone. If you have not read the two previous volumes in the series you may find yourself confused by not knowing the rules of the author’s fictional world. I don’t know why publishers don’t put a brief introductory synopsis is later volumes of a series as standard courtesy.

In the late 60′s the world had been infected by a mutated virus spread by a bio-engineered tomato which wiped out most human people. Most Inderlanders, the witches, warlocks, vamps, fairies, pixies etc survived. Upon realizing that they were no longer a persecutable minority but in fact a majority they ‘came out’ en mass, known as the Turn. When the dust settled a system of government was agreed, this is the world this book introduces.

Rachel Morgan, sexy green eyed, red haired white witch and independent bounty hunter has boyfriend problems and an unwanted hot new vamp suitor. Her business partners, a non practicing vampire and a pixie Is a career change in her future? Will she find romance? Will she survive the experience?

Ms Harrison is a good writer with a sense of humor, her dialog is believable and her story lines are credible. Her books are not as heavily sexual as many paranormal romance genre books making for pleasant reading. Strong plots with plenty of twists and no predictability, likable main characters and a fascinating new world to explore make this a good read.

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Every Which Way But Dead
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The Hollows Book 2 by Kim Harrison



The Good The Bad and The Undead is the second book in Kim Harrison’s Rachel Morgan series of paranormal action romance novels, published in 2005.

In the late 60′s the world had been infected by a mutated virus spread by a bio-engineered tomato which wiped out most human people. Most Inderlanders, the witches, warlocks, vamps, fairies, pixies etc survived. Upon realizing that they were no longer a persecutable minority but in fact a majority they ‘came out’ en mass, known as the Turn. When the dust settled a system of government was agreed, this is the world this book introduces.

Rachel Morgan, sexy green eyed, red haired white witch and independent bounty hunter, prowls the darkest shadows of downtown Cincinnati with her partners, a non practicing vampire and a pixie in search of a brutal serial killer. In this book Rachel discovers some answers to mysteries in her own past, and of course the identity of the killer.

Ms Harrison is a good writer with a sense of humor, her dialog is believable and her story lines are credible. Her books are not as heavily sexual as many paranormal romance genre books making for pleasant reading. Strong plots with plenty of twists and no predictability, likable main characters and a fascinating new world to explore make this a good read.

Click on the image or the link to find The Good, the Bad, and the Undead it is available both in print and for Kindle

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Dead Witch Walking

by Kim Harrison

(The Hollows Book 1)

Dead Witch Walking is the first in Kim Harrison’s Rachel Morgan series of paranormal action romance novels, published in 2004.

In the late 60′s the world had been infected by a mutated virus spread by a bio-engineered tomato which wiped out most human people. Most Inderlanders, the witches, warlocks, vamps, fairies, pixies etc survived. Upon realizing that they were no longer a persecutable minority but in fact a majority they ‘came out’ en mass, known as the Turn. When the dust settled a system of government was agreed, this is the world this book introduces.

Rachel Mariana Morgan is a green eyed red haired white witch unhappily employed by Inderland Security, the supernatural equivalent of the FBI. When she quits she finds herself broke and with a price on her head. She and her partners, a non practicing vampire and a pixie set up their own bounty hunting service “Vampire Charms”.

Ms Harrison is a good writer with a sense of humor, her dialog is believable and the storyline is credible. It is not as heavily sexual as many paranormal romance genre books, making for pleasant reading. A strong plot line with plenty of twists and no predictability, likable main character and fascinating new word to explore make this a good read.

Click on the image or the link to find Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows, Book 1) it is available both in print and for Kindle

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Standing In The Rainbow

by Fannie Flagg

Standing in the Rainbow Fannie Flagg

Fannie Flagg is perhaps best known for writing Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe.

Standing in the Rainbow follows a group of characters from the small town of Elmwood Springs in southern Missouri, meandering from the 1940′s just post World War II, through the 90′s. It is uplifting, warm, sometimes funny and sometimes sad.

“Fannie Flagg takes us back to a time when everyone in a small town knew everyone else, people sat on the front porch in the evenings, every drugstore had a soda-fountain, and screen doors had springs that made them slam when little boys weren’t careful.”

Beautifully written, the story is not only a nostalgic look at mid 20th century small town southern America without rose tinted glasses or being maudlin but also chronicles the historic changes which many of us have lived through in our own lifetimes.

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Standing in the Rainbow it is available both new and used.

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The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

by Stieg Larsson


tattoo

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, originally published as “Men Who Hate Women” is the first of a trilogy by Swedish journalist Stieg Larsson. Sadly, Larsson died suddenly before the novel was published. Although it is part of a series, it stands alone.

It is a challenging and intellectual crime thriller. The story starts slowly, translation from Swedish to English is sometimes awkward and the writing style is naturally European; demanding more attention than usual for one who is accustomed to the faster more superficial American style of writing. Having said that, the book is more than worth the effort and offers fascinating glimpses into a different culture.

The book has been criticized as having extreme violence and graphic sexual scenes. The criticism is in my opinion overblown, there are far more explicit sexual scenes in the majority of romance potboilers, and equally graphic violence on TV every day. If you are looking for Little House on the Prairie you probably should not read this book.

Here is a good review and synopsis at Bookpage.com.

Click on the image or this link to find The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo at Amazon, it is available both new and used.

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