Not Ireland or Irish history that I recovnise. I also found myself having to read back a few pages occasionally to find out how I got to where I was reading. I have a sneaking suspicion that this is not a good author for me. Ethan Kemp is a healer, a medical doctor and a druid assassin (yeah that didn't sit right with me) who has to plead with a vengeful Lugh (yeah, that either) to release the spirit of his wife from another life Isibéal Cannavan who sacrificed herself to save him in a former life but he died anyway and she reckons she deserves a better life. It just didn't work for me, the relationship, the characters the setting, none of it worked. It was readable but I have no intention of revisiting.

Putting this in Dead Lands, it could also go into Ghost, Spellbound, and Paranormal.

Ah insomnia, didn't miss you, you can go away now.  The only advantage is that I get some reading in.

Gets a thumb up for being set in Ireland and not being twee, however the dialect, shudders. Also I have issues with forced sex, i.e. characters who have to have sex or go crazy/die/whatever, whether that's a mating drive or whatever it blurs lines of consent and makes me twitchy. 

Gareth is facing the end of his life, he made a promise to Macha to save his brother's mate. Now his time is up and he has to face the fact. As time goes on he's getting colder and colder, there's nothing that can heat him up.  He goes to a pub with some of his assassin comrades to find Ashley working there.  She heats up his blood.  Ashley has a problem, she's a phoenix and every about three years they come into heat and have to have sex with someone (or several someones) for a few days.  She has an arrangement with a succubus to save her from being enslaved by a male phoenix, which is what their deranged society does, enslaved because they're dangerous (yes, the throbbing in my forehead did get worse there).  Gareth is sparking something in her and she's trying to resist.

Phoenix culture needs to be drop kicked into extinction.  Consent matters.  A good read with issues.

Fills Romantic Suspense, Genre: horror (look the glimpses of the phoenix culture made me fill with horror); supernatural; monsters; terrifying women, I'm using it for Monsters.

Seven squares to go in this bingo card.

Hello, 

September was a fairly good month for books. All of them were really great. 

I also got my quota on reviews copies done, which always makes me happy. 

I'm already working on October review copies and so far so good. Other than that, I'm trying to get back in the habit of posting  more and having more book tours on my site.  

In November I will be taking part of the big multi author giveaway again, it lasts until Jan. 1st and has a HUGE grand prize and many, many other prizes, hope to see you all there ;)  

I'm only 5 Books away from my 2016 Reading Goal :D  So by next month I should have it if all goes right.

As always you can find the buy links in the reviews that will be linked.

Anyways, wishing you all a great October and Happy Reading :) 

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.

4 ★

A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

Catalia “Cat” Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice…

Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn. Although up for the battle, Griffin would prefer for Cat to help his people willingly, and he’s ready to do whatever it takes to coax her…even if that means falling in love with her.

5 ★

Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father – the one responsible for ruining her mother’s life. Then she’s captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership.

In exchange for finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She’s amazed she doesn’t end up as his dinner – are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn’t have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her newfound status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side . . . and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.

4★

Say it Louder by Heidi Joy Tretheway

Dave faces an ultimatum—dump his toxic girlfriend Kristina or break up his band Tattoo Thief. But Kristina won’t go quietly. She has enough dirt to ruin each member of the band, and enough on Dave to send him to jail. This stinking, bloody threat has haunted him for years. As Dave hangs in limbo, a new star emerges: Willa, dubbed “The Parking Lot Picasso” by the modern art world. When a magazine feature catapults her to sudden fame, Dave helps her cope with the spotlight when all she’s ever known is the shadows. Life as a runaway jaded Willa, and it leaves her deeply in doubt of her fifteen minutes of fame. Nothing good lasts forever. Especially not love. It seems like everyone wants a piece of Willa now. When their music and art worlds collide, Dave’s the one person who isn’t trying to take something from Willa, and who might have something to give. As Dave’s secret is laid bare, a mystery unravels, pointing to his guilt and its dangerous intersection with Willa’s old life on the streets. Both must risk their success and the intense connection to each other to prevent their pasts from defining their future.

5 ★

The Immortal’s Hunger by Kelli Ireland

It was only a matter of time before Gareth Brennan had to die. Before he made that ultimate sacrifice, the assassin wanted to know warmth once again. His recent experiences had destroyed his ability to create fire, yet sexy bartender Ashley Clement was now igniting one within him.

As a Phoenix, Ashley had limited time herself; soon a male Phoenix would claim her. Unless she could find a lover. Gareth was the perfect man for the job. Except he was no human, and their union might draw even more danger. But to deny their fiery attraction…that was a truly impossible task.

4 ★

It was only a matter of time before Gareth Brennan had to die. Before he made that ultimate sacrifice, the assassin wanted to know warmth once again. His recent experiences had destroyed his ability to create fire, yet sexy bartender Ashley Clement was now igniting one within him.

As a Phoenix, Ashley had limited time herself; soon a male Phoenix would claim her. Unless she could find a lover. Gareth was the perfect man for the job. Except he was no human, and their union might draw even more danger. But to deny their fiery attraction...that was a truly impossible task.

This book can be read as a standalone but is better reads as a series to get the full background on the assassins and their members. I liked this book much better than the first. Because I liked the characters in this book. The last book unfortunately I didn’t care much for the main female lead, Kennedy. That just shows that once characters can make a difference. Same author, same world just a new female lead… and I really enjoyed her and the book. It is no secret that I really like Gareth from the last book and was looking forward to this book. Gareth was left a little in the bind at the end of last book, after his sacrifice and he is dealing with that greatly in this book and at the beginning he has given up hope. But slowly that comes back as he helps and gets to know Ashley better and eventually falls for her… hard. When Ashley meets Gareth she just wants him out of necessity but the more time she spends with him the deeper she falls for him. I really liked Ashley, she is a strong, witty and funny. She can handle herself and she knows it. But she also knows her limits. Liked that she didn’t feel like she has to proof anything to everyone and herself. I like the mix of century old mixed with modern world. Also love the Irish setting. The only minor thing I disliked was too much of the Irish dialect, I like it but it just seemed a bit much and too much back and forth between “normal” and dialect. But that is just a personal issue and I know many people don’t mind that Overall, I really enjoyed their journey, they make the perfect couple and balance each other out so well. The ending was really sweet.

I rate it 4 ★

*I received a free copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Will be available October 4, 2016.

 This second book in the series that just keeps getting better. There is more of a cohesion between the characters and their stories. The two main characters are so wonderful together I enjoyed every moment with them. I like my fire mixed with ice.

He is the ice she is the fire, both hunted, both desperate to survive their situations. Together they'll destroy each other or save each other. Centuries of lessons learned are not the only thing standing between them.

Gareth the sexy Irishman assassin is coming to the end of his days. The last book ended with him not being in a good way. He's cold, iced, his powers diminished his days numbered by a selfless act.  he fights for his life even though he doesn't have any real hope.

Ashley, a hot red headed Phoenix is running from her own brand of end of days. Her desire to remain free, drives her to find a man to work out her kinks during a special reproductive time in her life cycle. If she doesn't find help her freedom is gone forever.

The two meet, and fire and ice clash. Steam is the result, hot sexy steam. Gareth has learned some skills over the centuries. Get out your fans for this one.

The other assassins are fabulous, hot hunky, powerful and snarky in all the right places. I feel for Rowan in the first book and fell harder for him in this one. There is a man for every taste in this series.

No where is Rowan's book ?