Summoned & Stifled are the first books in the Summoned series by author Rainy Kaye. They're an interesting take on two different fronts. The first is that it's a paranormal/urban fantasy novel that isn't about a vampire, werewolf, shifter, ghost, or witch. It's about a Jinn. And that's the second interesting front, the new perspective on a Jinn.

Dimitri is a Jinn, but you may better know what he is as a Genie. But they prefer Jinn, it's the Arabic name for them, and they are of Middle Eastern origin. But Dimitri isn't what you'd expect a Jinn to be. He's not the jolly big blue guy from that Disney movie we all know. He's hard. He's detached. He's at the mercy of his Master. Always.

Summoned is where we learn about Dimitri, about what he does. And what he does is any request from his Master that ends in those three words...This I wish. And those three words bind Dimitri to finish his master's command, no matter what it is. Kidnapping a young girl? Done. Killing a college professor? Done. Blowing up a research facility? Done, done and done.

But Dimitri meets Syd. And all his plans for a solitary life fly out the window. As their relationship progresses, and Syd eventually learns Dimitri's big secret, the two are determined to find out why his master is sending him on such odd and seemingly unrelated tasks. Until they realize that the master is sending him out to kill other potential Masters for Dimitri.

Together Dimitri & Syd chase loose ends, disobey a direct order from Dimitri's Master, and literally bring his house down upon his head. Only then can Dimitri be freed from his curse. And only then can they travel to Italy for a Happy Ever After.

Stifled is where we learn that Happily Ever After never happens for a researcher like Syd. Not when she discovers that there is a Jinn on the loose in San Diego. So Syd and Dimitri return to the States to investigate more about the Jinn, and where Dimitri came from.

They find that there is not only one Jinn loose, but a number. And they're all tied to a strange society called J-Net. The duo decides to infiltrate J-Net by posing as Master and Jinn. They discover that the ringleader of J-Net is as corrupt as they come, and has not only helped cover up the murder of Jinns, but is running a school for the offspring of those Jinn.

Dimitri and Syd work to try to free a horribly wronged Jinn, end the corrupt leader, and it's starting to work out. Until a face from Dimitri's past shows up to try to twist all his plans to help herself. But maybe helping her will will allow him to work towards his goals. Working with a known force is better than working alone, right?

But will Dimitri and Syd be able to help the other Jinn? Will they be able to get out of this new predicament? Will they be able to make it out alive?

I enjoyed these two books, the use of Jinn was a nice change from the normal supernatural characters in the genre. And telling the story with the Jinn as the focus was also nice. There was no non-consentual sex, no being pressured into sex, no consent grey areas at all, which is really refreshing. And the way the books ended leave things open for another, which I'm assuming is what the author has planned. At least I hope she does. I want to know more about Dimitri & Syd, and their continuing adventure.

Twenty-three year old Dimitri has to do what he is told—literally. Controlled by a paranormal bond, he is forced to use his wits to fulfill unlimited deadly wishes made by multimillionaire Karl Walker.

Dimitri has no idea how his family line became trapped in the genie bond. He just knows resisting has never ended well. When he meets Syd—assertive, sexy, intelligent Syd—he becomes determined to make her his own. Except Karl has ensured Dimitri can’t tell anyone about the bond, and Syd isn't the type to tolerate secrets.

Then Karl starts sending him away on back-to-back wishes. Unable to balance love and lies, Dimitri sets out to uncover Karl’s ultimate plan and put it to an end. But doing so forces him to confront the one wish he never saw coming—the wish that will destroy him.

Summoned is represented by Rossano Trentin of TZLA.

Rainy Kaye is an aspiring overlord. In the mean time, she blogs at RainyoftheDark and writes paranormal novels from her lair somewhere in Phoenix, Arizona.

When not plotting world domination, she enjoys getting lost around the globe, studying music so she can sing along with symphonic metal bands, and becoming distracted by Twitter.

She is represented by Rossano Trentin of TZLA.

 

 

#‎entertowin‬ GIVEAWAY & Book Blitz - Summoned by Rainy Kaye http://wp.me/p3PwLH-oA via @HopeToRead @agarcia6510 @rainyofthedark

Dimitri works for a man called Karl who is one big giant a-hole with a capital A! He sends him off to kill/kidnap people with no thought to Dimitri. He has no choice, he’s bound to Karl with an Unbreakable bond, besides death but he’s under oath not to kill him. Sucks for him. Dimitri is sent on a group of missions back to back which is really rare and new ants to know what’s going on. Especially when it’s not just him he’s thinking about anymore.

I wasn’t sure what to expect and I still don’t know but i was surprised a few times yet predicted a fair bit. I did enjoy Summoned but not as much as I’d have liked to. I think the main problem for me was Syd. She just downright annoyed me. Okay so she had her good points but they were lost amongst her bad ones. I just completely disliked her and considering she plays a big part in the story it was upsetting.

Dimitri, not really sure what I can say about him. My heart broke for him, imagine being bound to someone who only wants to use you for his own purpose. At his beck and call 24/7 with no life of his own. It would kill me, literally. But he soldiered on and done what was expected of him, most of the time. What attracted him to Syd though? I don’t get it, am I the only one who doesn’t like her?

The story was a great idea, I haven’t read many books on genies so it was fun and refreshing. I loved how the wishes were unlimited and they had to take oaths at the beginning of their bond. I will not kill myself, I will not kill my master etc. and the way Syd and Karl fit together into the story was also a brilliant idea, and the little girl… Won’t say anymore on that one.

Sylvia was a tart, is there a nicer way to say it? She bloody annoyed me too, more so than Syd. I’m glad he pushed her away every time, I don’t think I could of took it had he accepted her advances. Makes me cringe at the thought.

The ending was okay, slightly predictable, maybe a lot. There was a little surprise thrown in there for me though which I thoroughly enjoyed. Overall it was a fun, fast paced read but I’m only going to give it 3* as disliking a main character is a big no no for me and predictability too. Other than that, I liked it.

**A copy was provided for review purposes**