The paranatural community isn’t done with Alex. She’s been summoned to the fae court, and she's got her hands full trying to prepare. But her date with the fae will have to wait. There’s been a death at the gallery, and the man she hoped would be a part of her future is the prime suspect. Bitter enemies pull her into the middle of a paranatural war for territory that has her dodging police, swords, teeth, and claws—not to mention the truth. The deeper she digs, the more secrets she uncovers, and the less certain she is about the innocence of the one man she wanted to trust. She thought she was done with murder and monsters, but she’ll have to enter the belly of the beast if she hopes to save her friend.

This was a pretty good read. I didn’t realize this was a sequel to another book, but it didn’t really deter from the story. I enjoyed the fresh new world this author created as I followed Alex through her own newly discovered life. I recommend.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

The paranatural community isn’t done with Alex, she’s been summoned to the fae court so she has hands full trying to prepare. But her date with the fae will have to wait. There’s a death at the gallery and James is the prime suspect and bitter enemies pull into a paranatural war for territory that has her dodging police, swords, teeth and claws – not to mention the truth.

Alex is once again caught up in things that she had no clue about in this riveting and exhilarating read. The fascinating alter earth world continues with non-stop thrills, adrenaline pumping action and breath stealing suspense that keeps readers on the edge throughout. With surprising twists, magical battles, plenty of opposition and a spirited and determined Alex whose loyalty can’t be questioned this story has it all including all the turbulent emotions that come with all the excitement that seems determined to turn her life upside down.

The fast paced plots has Alex training and learning how to navigate the fae courts with help from Kai but also from a new fae player that causes a bit of frustration and angst. Then the PTF is gung ho to catch Alex and her fae friends, and Alex learns the big secret that her would be boyfriend has been keeping has put her right smack in a deadly and dangerous grab for territory and a game changing magical artifact. Once this book is begun, readers can’t tear their eyes away as they become one hundred percent immersed in all the excitement of Alex’s life.

After the Faerie Wars, the world clings to a fragile peace forced on the Fae by humanity. Someone is trafficking in illegal magical artifacts and metalsmith, Alex Blackwood is plunged into the world of the half-fae after her best friend is murdered. To catch a killer, retrieve a dangerous artifact and stop a war, Alex will have to accept that she’s an unregistered fae “halfer” with a unique magical talent.

The first book in a new urban fantasy series is an original, riveting read that takes readers on an adventurous and thrilling ride. The characters are strong and full of vibrant life with some unique characteristics and personalities that readers draw readers into their story. The plot is fast paced and full of thrilling suspense, adrenaline pumping excitement with unexpected twists, all of which combine to keep readers on their toes and holding on to the edge of their seats with mysteries to clear up, surprising revelations, secrets being revealed and a bit of romance blossoming between Alex and James who has secrets of his own.

The author has created an original alter earth world with her own unique flair and elements that makes the read engaging, fun and exhilarating with all entertaining and cool characters that ensure that readers enjoy the experience and want more.

if anything I liked it even less than the first book. The story had potential but unfortunately it got lost in the execution. I wanted characters that had depth and dimension, people who were relatable and felt real...sadly what I got felt pretty flat.

'Protecting Braden' was 10 hours and 30 minutes of a story that probably could have been told in 4 if we didn't have to listen to Cade and Braden repeatedly tell the world just how wonderful the other one was and how lucky they were to find each other and how much they loved each other...seriously I got the message after the first dozen or so times that I heard it and after a while I was definitely beginning to wonder who they were really trying to convince.

Unfortunately in spite of all the drama of Braden once again being kidnapped, people being shot, Braden back in the hospital yet again and on and on. Somehow it always felt like Cade and Braden were just carrying on with their ideal little lives and everything was sunshine, lollipops and roses and nothing really touched them...there were no gut clenching, riveting moments that left me feeling like anybody was ever truly at risk and considering some of what happened in this story...that's really kind of sad.

So, while I've still got the third book to listen to and as much as I do enjoy the narrator for this series I think I'm just going to tuck my rose colored glasses away for a bit and give this one a break before tackling that last story that hopefully will work a bit better for me...it's not the same MCs so I'm going to remain ever the optimist on this one.