Book Review: The Den by Jennifer Abrahams

The Den by Jennifer Abrahams is a novel of succinct wording, best described as short sentences loaded with abrupt instruction and no discernable flow. I expected to be drawn into this vampiric story based on supposed actual events, when in actuality, I was a little let down by the short and sharp prose with little descriptive content.

Following Skyla Jane Judge, a restless college student and then waitress, we see her initial journey into the world of the supernatural upon a reading with a psychic. Warned of dangerous men, nefarious ghosts, and a past life that could literally come back to bite her, and we are suddenly in New York City.

Enter Alex, a mysterious stranger that Skyla believes harmless and a possible romantic dalliance, and before we know it, having only just met, they are planning a road trip to New Orleans.

At this point I’m shaking my head thinking, ‘you’re going to be strangled and dumped on the side of the road by this psycho’. Naturally, after one week of knowing each other, it’s like fate has stepped in and Skyla is exactly where she needs to be – in the middle of the French Quarter, surrounded by a strange den of ... others.

If all this didn’t happen a little fast for you, Skyla is soon chanting around candle light with her new friends, drinking blood, and denying her role in it. Pressed for affection from one of the would-be vampires, and then reminded of a centuries past tie from another, and Skyla’s soon running again.

What I liked about this novel is the possibilities and the rather odd vampiric/witch ties to this strange assortment of individuals. I enjoyed reading about their hunt, and was curious upon Skyla’s initial Tarot reading. Unfortunately, with an over-paced plot with limited explanation and then quicker resolve sliding to indifference, and I was left with a million question marks without clear parameters as to where the plot would head in the hands of a flighty, inconsistent protagonist.

Two out of five fangs – not terrible, but not stirring, either.

Synopsis:

Is it possible to run away from yourself? No. Skyla Jane Judge should know.
Fresh on the heels of a breakup and college graduation, Skyla Jane Judge feels an inexplicable urge to accompany an attractive stranger on a road trip from New York to New Orleans. Maybe it has something to do with what a psychic has told her about a past life. Maybe some old friends stuck between lives are waiting for her there.
Whatever the case, she gives in to the lure of Louisiana’s voodoo country and doesn’t look back. Longing for change, she uncovers a “den” beneath the haunted cobblestone streets of the French Quarter and, in the company of vampires, begins to discover her true self.
Skyla embarks on a journey to self-awareness that ultimately uncovers a secret ceremonial path to love and eternal enlightenment. Though change is what she wanted, is she ready for the irrevocable change her “new” friends offer her?

Book Review: Immortal Embrace by Charlotte Blackwell

I found this novel via Amazon, drawn by the simplicity of the cover art and the ever present pull of a synopsis surrounding the paranormal romance/horror persuasion. Immortal Embrace encompasses a bit of everything. In fact, the novel is dipping its toes in a lot of supernatural waters giving you vampires, romance and just a hint of witchcraft in the mix. It's just unfortunate that there is next to no action, a truck load of sickly sweet moments of sentimentality and the supernatural elements draw too many parallels between sitcoms and novels already on the market.
Immortal Embrace follows the musings of Sophia Pierce, a centuries old uptight teen enmeshed with a 'gifted' family of vampires determined to avoid drinking from the source and embracing the traditional, often brutal expectations of their race.
As the novel begins with tragedy,  I thought that perhaps it would remain somewhat dark and sinister, exploring the difficulties of quenching vampiric thirst in modern day America and balancing the need for acceptance and the unnatural call of their nature. I expected the characters to be wizened by their years, not prone to the titillation of high school cliches.
For me the novel engaged a different path, exchanging action and intrigue for inconsequential interludes involving a cringe-worthy use pet names and a cloying amount of stolen kisses. An interesting subplot unfurling the seedy underworld of generic vampires was also exchanged for the blandness of the boy meets girl scenario teamed with a short episode of "Charmed".
Overall, Immortal Embrace does have merit. The descriptive content is sufficient and the overall concept holds promise, but due to my own lack of enjoyment, I can only honestly rate this novel two out of five fangs. I wish the author every success and hope that the preceding novels within this series relinquish some sappiness in exchange for a bit of vampire grit.

Synopsis:

Sophia Pierce has suffered since her brother left, and is unsure if she will ever get over it. That is until her family decided to move to Wenham, Massachusetts. Her and her siblings have been ordered to protect their little sister, and must return to High school. This is where Sophia finds her soul mate Nathanial and life as she knows it is about to change.
As a vampire, Sophia has always kept to herself, but as a high school student will she learn to step out of her comfort zone a little? Sophia has found a best friend in a powerful witch and a love to call her own. That is until something tragic happens and blood is spilled. Will Sophia be able to resist the sweet scent of her beloved's blood?
This is Sophia's story, a story of a girl who finds herself, love and everlasting friendship. The excitement of this story wraps mortals, vampires, witches, and shape shifters all into a romantic tale of young love, friendship, the meaning of family. The story of a girl who tries to finds herself when she thought it was all lost.

Kristy :)

Book Review: Sacrificial Magic by Stacia Kane

What can I say? As a fellow author I bow down to the talent that is Stacia Kane. Yet again she has produced another novel that had me gripping it between the sheets into the wee hours of the morning. There is just something about the style of writing and concept that I find absolutely fascinating.
First of all, let me break it down for you. The Downside Ghosts series follows Cessaria Putnam, otherwise known as Chess, a church employee well versed in the art of magic and debunking - dispelling ghosts. Haunted week, some decades previous, saw the mass murder of human kind, ghosts uprising from the city of the dead and going on a rampage. The church, now far removed from any form of discernible religion, helps to protect people with the application of spells, potions, and ritual. The balance is mostly restored and the human populace relies on people like Chess to debunk their homes, offices, and schools.
Now, despite this concept we have a more interesting feature piece within this ongoing saga. Chess Putnam is a major drug addict. At first this put me off reading the novels, I didn't want to read about some jittery, helpless nutcase. But alas, Stacia Kane has created a complex and determined protagonist that leaves you feeling a little bad for ever doubting the competency of this pill-popping witch.
Sacrificial Magic is the fourth book in the installment and once again I was not let down. This time Chess is ordered by 'Bump' one of the crime bosses of Downside (who also just happens to be her dealer) to investigate a grisly murder. Storage facilities are burning to the ground, bodies mutilated in some sort of intense and dark ritual. Naturally Chess does her best not to get the Church involved in her personal affairs, but once again this case and a new seemingly unsolvable case of a fellow church employee begin to draw parallels.
To top off this twisted little plot that is determined to keep you guessing right to the very end, we have the interwoven love interests. Terrible, Bump's second in command - a craggy, solidly-built man that makes the heart race with his soft nature and soulful eyes. And, Lex, son of the opposing crime boss - another man intent on keeping Chess well stocked with pills, pliable and in his bed.
All in all I have nothing bad to say about this novel. It might not be for everyone, but to walk on the dark side and see the struggle between normality and the intense and deeply saddened, often depraved side of an addict was, for lack of a better word ... enlightening. The characters were consistent in every aspect, though some personal growth from Chess was to be expected and was clearly executed. Language and dialogue was, as always, very entertaining.
I am giving Sacrificial Magic an easy five out of five fangs. I simply cannot get enough of this series and can't wait to get my hands on the next one!

Synopsis:
When Chess Putnam is ordered by an infamous crime boss - who also happens to be her dealer - to use her powers as a witch to solve a grisly murder involving dark magic, she knows she must rise to the challenge. Adding to the intensity: Chess's boyfriend, Terrible, doesn't trust her, and Lex, the son of a rival crime lord, is trying to reignite the sparks between him and Chess.
Plus there's the little matter of Chess's real real job as a ghost hunter for the church of real truth, investigating reports of a haunting at a high school in the heart of Downside. Someone seems to be taking a crash course in summoning the dead - and if Chess doesn't watch her back, she may soon be joining their ranks.
As Chess is drawn into a shadowy world of twisted secrets and dark violence, it soon becomes clear that she's not going to emerge from its depths without making the ultimate sacrifice.

Kristy :)