Cassie Alexander

I was provided this Advance Reader Copy by the publisher.

Alexander begins this book with the same brisk action and unique perspective that made the first book, Nightshifted, so enjoyable. Alexander is a real-life nurse, and brings that realism to her urban fantasy featuring a nurse working on Y4, the top-secret paranormal creature wing of the hospital. There are a gazillion urban fantasies out there right now, and for me that touch of medical realism is what sets this series apart and makes show more it an engrossing (and sometimes gross!) read.

The plot and pace are well-woven here. Edie must balance paranormal shenanigans at work, paranormal shenanigans outside of work, and the urge to save the junkie brother. The only thing I find irksome is Edie's habit of one-night stands. She had to have some kind of personality flaw, I know, but it makes me feel like staging an intervention for her.

Also, this book deserves an award for 'most creative use of an MRI machine.'

I read a lot of urban fantasies. I've tried to follow a number of series, only to drop them by the wayside. This series--free copies or not--is one I will continue reading. It pleases the fantasy-lover and layman-medical-geek in me alike. show less

Want to spend some time with a person who absolutely, totally, sincerely believes IT.IS.ALL.ABOUT.ME? If so, Photobomb is for you. Nearly everything Lara Simon thinks or says or creates or writes or does is outrageous, but to her it’s as it should be: she’s right, she knows best, she knows what others should do, and she almost always gets what she wants.

The audiobook of Photobomb moves at lightning speed. It’s just one event or thought or plan or action after another. Narrator Bunny show more Warren grabs your attention with her whiny, petulant, obsessive, jealous, narcissistic delivery and never lets go. The tone, the pacing, the volume – all perfect. You try to understand Lara or begin to feel sorry for her, but then Bunny Warren makes her speak again and you wonder how anything in her life can come to a good end.

Photobomb isn’t just a story about a talented yet spoiled teenager who may or may not be grieving the loss of her sister and who lives in her own little fantasy world where she is The Boss. No, it’s a fast-paced psychological thriller with so many twists and turns you are constantly on the edge of your seat.

If you are looking for something just a little different, something exciting and riveting, then this audiobook is for you. I received an advance listening copy of Photobomb from Home Cooked Books. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. show less

I started this book knowing several friends had enjoyed it, but having forgotten what they said about it. There is more here than the steamy comedy I expected based its cover and blurb.

In the best tradition of rom-coms, it is clear from the outset that Becky and Loga do not belong together. We don't like him, or his mother (Becky's employer) and it is obvious they have to go.

I like that not a lot of time is devoted to backstory. Demons are real, they've gone public and they coexist show more alongside humans, while being able to move to and from other planes of existence. And they like to eat salmon.

So, Logan pressures Becky into agreeing to summoning a demon for a tryst before their wedding, because "demons don't count". Despite misgivings she goes along with his wish, and rather than a subservient "sex doll" they summon Quenalith, a powerful warrior serving time imprisoned as penance for a crime she committed. Quenalith and Becky take one look at each other and feel and instant connection, then (also in the tradition of rom-coms) they need to overcome a series of obstacles and misunderstandings keeping them apart.

The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Becky and Quenalith. The latter has experience living among humans but has a lot to learn about relating to them, and she is haunted by events from her own past which need to be put to rest so she and Becky can find their HEA before the book runs out of pages. I never could reconcile Quenalith with the pretty green-armed girl on the cover of the book as she is written as a beautiful but intimidating woman with a tendency towards masculine clothing (when not required to pass as a summoned plaything.)

And how's the sex, you ask? Phenomenal. Becky and Quenalith want each other from their first meeting, but it takes them some time to finally get there. When they do the need and longing is so there you can taste it. And being a demon, Quenalith has "assets" not available to human women, all of which are put to great use. if you're here for the sex, you'll love it!

Finally of note is an afterword from Cassie Alexander in which she talks about her own life and how she came to write this book. I don't always read appendages to a story but this one struck home with me and I urge any reader not to skip it.

I understand this is the author's first sapphic romance. In my opinion she knocks it out of the park.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily. show less

• Paranormal Romance
• Not standalone
• Alpha male
◦ Fiesty Heroine
• Shifters
• Magic
◦ Spice rating 3/5

This is the second in a series concerning the main protagonists' relationship. I enjoyed this one so will keep reading, despite the fact I usually dislike long-drawn out series. We haven't had a particularly bad cliffhanger ending so far - which is a pet hate of mine.

The characters become more developed in this one. We learn more about all of them. I was particularly interested in show more the concept of the dragon as a separate entity that communicates with Damian. It reminded me of the bonded dragons in Fourth Wing, rather than the usual idea of a shifter, with the beast and the human as two sides of the same being. I'll be interested to see how that turns out. Is it some kind of posession. There is a storyline regarding Andi, her brother and dragons but that was in its very early stages in this book.

The supporting cast were more interesting too. That's the luxury of a longer series, you get to flesh out the friends and family. I particularly liked Mills, a witch who has never cut her hair and cannot lie. There was an intriguing hint of a personal cost to her magic which I hope will be fully explored later in the series.

I was less enamoured of the werewolf female renegade (can't remember her name). She was just bonkers, and not in a good way. Although Zak's crush on her is sweet.

The sex was pretty good although all left to the end as Damian and Andi are not together for most of the book. Some further hinting at Damian's dominant leanings but nothing too heavy.

All in all a good, fun romp with plenty of humour and some good world building. I am keen to read
the rest of the series. show less