Title: Trace of Magic
Series: Diamond City Magic #1
Author: Diana Pharaoh Francis (Narrator: Elizabeth Phillips)
Genre: Paranormal Romance - Urban Fantasy
Publisher: BelleBooks, Inc.
Release Date: March 28, 2016
Format: Audiobook
Pages: 10 hours and 32 minutes
Source: Bought

 

 

Trace of Magic is book one in the Diamond City Magic series by Diana Pharaoh Francis Narrated by Elizabeth Phillips.

 

This is my first taste of this author and narrator. I didn’t know what I was getting into, but I became sucked into the action, mysteries, and magic presented in Trace of Magic. 

 

The world is interesting. We have people with different magical abilities. Our heroine Riley is a Tracer which means she can follow someone’s trace and see where they’ve been in the past. Though she is much much stronger then she lets on. Her power needs to stay a secret; because if it comes out on how powerful she is the mob will come after her. 

 

Detective Clay Price known as a dirty cop. He’s in the pocket of the mob as an enforcer. Most of the people are on the take. Clay is actually a pretty good cop and his connections are intriguing. He needs a trace done, off the record, so in comes Riley. 

 

Their is more then one mystery going on this novel. I enjoyed the story. It’s full of action. I was in grossed in Riley’s magic, in the hunt for a missing friend, and the other mysteries introduced. Riley was a great character and uncovering her past and what her magic can do is fascinating. Price was another decent character and his connection to the mob was captivating.

 

I will say I was surprised with how quickly Riley sleeps with Price. Also I’m surprised with how much she reveals about herself to him after they sleep together. I did have trouble believing Price was falling fast for Riley; especially after we learn about his previous engagement. Their was something about their relationship or lack of that bothered me. I can’t put my finger on it, but something. Maybe it was just to fast.

 

The secondary characters are great and I’d like to learn more about them. Trace of Magic was a good start. I’m pumped to continue the series. I even went out and bought Edge of Dreams as soon as I finished this one.

 

Narration: This is my first taste of Elizabeth Phillips. I think she did a great job. Her voices are distinctive and I liked them. I would recommend her and this book. 

 

Rated: 4 Stars

 

Was this review helpful? If so, please consider liking it on Goodreads (Angela)!

 

Challenge(s):

 

• 2019 Audiobook
• 2019 Backlist Title

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angela

I was born and raised in Northern Indiana. I’m an outdoor sun loving reader living near San Fransisco. I’m a mother, wife, dog owner, animal, and book lover. I’m the owner, reviewer, and mind behind Angel’s Guilty Pleasures. My favorite animals are horses & dogs. As for reading I love all things paranormal & urban fantasy. My favorite shifters are dragons!

 

 

 

 

 

The world exploded with wild magic and the supernatural world declared war on humans and Kayla life went straight to hell. She used to be a detective and now she’s witchkin and a scavenger trying to hide her secret. But any chance she had of escaping her past and keeping her secret disappears when she discovers a murder scene that screams whit signs of black magic ritual. She has to work with her old partner who hates her for abandoning the department and if she screws this up, Portland will be wiped out.

This new urban fantasy screams suspense and magic and while most of the story doesn’t have a lot of romance per say, it does hint at the possibility of a romantic feelings between Kayla and old partner Ray. The chemistry burns hot and heavy throughout the story as they clash, sending sparks flying in every direction. The relationship is chock full of emotional upheaval due to secrets that stem from what happened when magic fell. These two strong, bold characters along with strong supportive characters easily draw readers into their story as they struggle to come to terms with working together again and with how they really feel.

Readers can’t stop reading very fast paced and suspenseful story that is full of stunning twists that change everything in this post-apocalyptic world full of wild magic and monsters where the divide between humans and supernaturals is boiling over the top. Unique elements and a wonderfully descriptive futuristic setting makes it easy for readers to imagine so they really can’t help but this energetic and stunning read.

If you enjoyed City of Gold then you are going absolutely love The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh.

Matthew Connor is back in a new action packed, edge of your seat, treasure hunting mystery. I delved right into this book and I couldn’t put it down, I have always loved Egyptian History and it is clear that Arnold has done her homework on it as well as she really made you feel like you were right there with Matthew and Co as they help out on a archaeological dig of a lifetime.

The fabled Emerald Tablets and the tomb of an unknown Pharaoh sees the dig site leader Alex get in touch with Matthew to convince him to come and join her team, Matthew has long been fascinated by the prospect of finding the Emerald Tables that he needs no persuasion and wrangles Cal and Robyn along for the ride – though they are both still recovering from there brush with death in the previous book – what could go wrong in this one right?

Once in Egypt they meet the others on the dig team and get to work, though there are members that will you dislike and feel they are up to something but you get so wrapped up in the danger and adventure that awaits them in the tomb that you forget why you dislike then until all hell breaks loose!

This really is an action packed adventure that will make you feel you are right in the midst of the the discoveries they make and the danger they get into. I was slightly miffed at the ending, not how it ended more Matthews decision on something (don’t want to spoil it) I can see why he chose to do what he did but still, to actually go through what they did they had to protect the world somehow…

Dont miss the chance to read this fantastic series from Carolyn Arnold.

TITLE:  The Pharaoh's Treasure: The Origin of Paper and the Rise of Western Civilization

AUTHOR:  John Gaudet

DATE PUBLISHED: October 2018

FORMAT:  Hardcover

ISBN-13:  9781681778532

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DESCRIPTION:

"For our entire history, humans have always searched for new ways to share information. This innate compulsion led to the origin of writing on the rock walls of caves and coffin lids or carving on tablets. But it was with the advent of papyrus paper when the ability to record and transmit information exploded, allowing for an exchanging of ideas from the banks of the Nile throughout the Mediterranean—and the civilized world—for the first time in human history.  

In The Pharaoh’s Treasure, John Gaudet looks at this pivotal transition to papyrus paper, which would become the most commonly used information medium in the world for more than 4,000 years. Far from fragile, papyrus paper is an especially durable writing surface; papyrus books and documents in ancient and medieval times had a usable life of hundreds of years, and this durability has allowed items like the famous Nag Hammadi codices from the third and fourth century to survive. 

The story of this material that was prized by both scholars and kings reveals how papyrus paper is more than a relic of our ancient past, but a key to understanding how ideas and information shaped humanity in the ancient and early modern world."

_______________________________________

Gaudet has written a delightfully interesting and informative book that covers everything papyrus in terms of paper.  He covers topics such as the ancient locations of papyrus; it's various uses; the invention and evolution of papyrus paper; the business of manufacture and distribution of papyrus sheets from Egypt, across the Mediterranean region and beyond; and it's eventual eclipse by rag paper.   The numerous historical stories about archaeological discoveries, daring "rescue" attempts and some horror stories are well told and make this book something other than a dry rendition of the evolution of the papyrus scroll.  Of course, you can't have a book about papyrus paper and not mention the numerous ancient (and not so ancient) libraries that stored them.  This book compliments the author's previous book [Papyrus: The Plant that Changed the World: From Ancient Egypt to Today's Water Wars] which deals more specifically with the papyrus plant; as well as Keith Houston's book [The Book: A Cover-to-Cover Exploration of the Most Powerful Object of Our Time] which deals with paper and the evolution of the book, but doesn't not spend too much time on papyrus paper specifically.

Poppy Pym and the Pharaoh's Curse - Laur...

This was a load of fun.  The story Poppy Tomato Pym had always heard about her past was that the magician in the circus had pulled her from his hat.  The Circus is her life, her family, but she's 11 and she has an offer of a school scholarship to a boarding school and her family aren't about to say no.

She's not prepared for it and they're not prepared for her but she has to adapt and her friends Kip and Ingrid help.  When an Egyptian exhibit starts in the school and one of the main exhibits, a ruby that is reputed to be cursed goes missing, Poppy has to investigate.  

The story deals with the plausability of the whole thing well, glosses over some details and occasionally implies real magic but without being heavy-handed about it all.  It dealt with homesickness and found family and it was a hoot.

Using it for the Baker Street Irregulars square.