Apr 18 2013

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Coming Soon: Dancing with the Devil

Title: Dancing with the Devil

Author: Keri Arthur

Series: Nikki and Michael #1

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: July 30, 2013

The Overview: Private Investigator Nikki James grew up on the tough streets of Lyndhurst and believes there’s nothing left to surprise her. All that changes the night she follows teenager Monica Trevgard into the shadows-and becomes a pawn caught in a war between two very different men. One fills her mind with his madness, the other pushes his way into her life-and her heart. Nikki knows how dangerous love can be, but if she wants to survive, she must place her trust in a man who could easily destroy her.

Nik’s Notes: If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you probably know I have a weakness for anything by Keri Arthur. I will forever have a soft spot for her Riley Jensen series as its the one that first sparked my love for urban fantasy.

While Dancing with the Devil is not exactly a new series, it is new to the U.S. (unless you ordered an overpriced “print on demand” copy of questionable quality ten years ago, like I did). In any case, I am glad the publishers chose to re-market this one locally so I can get my hands on a good copy.

Not only do I have a physical copy of this book in my TBR pile, but I also have been lucky enough to get an digital ARC from Net Galley. I am excited to finally start reading it, as the prospects look good for the release of the whole series (at reasonable costs). Be on the lookout for a review within the next month or so. :)

Apr 13 2013

Book Reviews by Niki Hawkes is Now on Facebook!

Book Reviews by Niki Hawkes is now on Facebook!

It’s an easier way to stay updated, but it’s also a place where I can let my hair down a bit as you get all the quirky posts and updates that aren’t big enough to sustain a blog post. Get access to:

Book reviews and recommendations
Release dates for forthcoming books
Important updates from popular authors
Fun quotes and memes – book related, of course
Links to other excellent book bloggers
Writing tips tips and links

And anything else I think my fellow book lovers will enjoy!

So stop on by at https://www.facebook.com/BookReviewsByNikiHawkes and “Like” the page to become part of this fabulous book-loving community! :)

Apr 7 2013

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Coming Soon: Hunted

Title: Hunted

Author: Kevin Hearne

Series: Iron Druid Chronicles #6

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: June 25, 2013

The Overview: For a two-thousand-year-old Druid, Atticus O’Sullivan is a pretty fast runner. Good thing, because he’s being chased by not one but two goddesses of the hunt—Artemis and Diana—for messing with one of their own. Dodging their slings and arrows, Atticus, Granuaile, and his wolfhound Oberon are making a mad dash across modern-day Europe to seek help from a friend of the Tuatha Dé Danann. His usual magical option of shifting planes is blocked, so instead of playing hide-and-seek, the game plan is . . . run like hell.

Crashing the pantheon marathon is the Norse god Loki. Killing Atticus is the only loose end he needs to tie up before unleashing Ragnarok—AKA the Apocalypse. Atticus and Granuaile have to outfox the Olympians and contain the god of mischief if they want to go on living—and still have a world to live in.

Nik’s Notes: I was extremely excited to have the first in this series (Hounded) featured in March’s Your Pick for Nik! book club. I loved the main character and his wolfhound sidekick, I loved the magic system, and I loved the story. All-in-all, I think it is well worth your time if you like urban fantasy. I’m hoping to be all caught up in the series by the time this one comes out in June!

Apr 6 2013

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Coming Soon: Guardian

Title: Guardian

Author: Jack Campbell

Series: The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier #2

Genre: Science Fiction

Release Date: May 7, 2013

The Overview: Admiral Geary’s First Fleet of the Alliance has survived the journey deep into unexplored interstellar space, a voyage that led to the discovery of new alien species, including a new enemy and a possible ally. Now Geary’s mission is to ensure the safety of the Midway Star System, which has revolted against the Syndicate Worlds empire—an empire that is on the brink of collapse. To complicate matters further, Geary also needs to return safely to Alliance space not only with representatives of the Dancers, an alien species, but also with Invincible, a captured warship that could possibly be the most valuable object in human history. Despite the peace treaty that Geary must adhere to at all costs, the Syndicate Worlds regime threatens to make the fleet’s journey back grueling and perilous. And even if Geary escorts Invincible and the Dancers’ representatives safely unharmed, the Syndics’ attempts to spread dissent and political unrest may have already sown the seeds of the Alliance’s destruction…

Nik’s Notes: I haven’t had the pleasure to read this series yet, but my husband just started it so I thought I’d grill him a little. Apparently, the best thing the books have going for them are fantastic large-scale battles and great characterization (He mentioned that the whole thing sort of reminded him of Battlestar Galactica). It also has a great story and subplots. The drawbacks have to do with repitition – Campbell evidently thinks his readers suffer from short-term memory loss (I know I do) and feels compelled to mention things far too often. Well, there you have it. As for those of you who have already read the series and have drawn your own conclusions – the next book is only a month away!

Apr 1 2013

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Out This Month! (Noteworthy Releases April 2013)

There are a couple really good release this month, my favorite of which being the new Robin Hobb book. Sadly, most of these are next books for series still in my TBR pile. Just more good books to read, I guess… can’t complain at that. :)

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Mar 31 2013

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Coming Soon: Darkness Unmasked

Title: Darkness Unmasked

Author: Keri Arthur

Series: Dark Angels #5

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: June 4, 2013

The Overview: Shortly after her fight on the astral plane, Risa receives a phone call from Madeline Hunter, the leader of the vampire council, ordering her to investigate the death of Hunter’s close friend and lover – Wolfgang Schmidt. His body has been discovered wrapped in a web-like substance and has been completely drained. As the body count continues to grow, Risa must summon her gifts to find the dark spirit before it strikes again.

Meanwhile, as the search for the keys that keep the gate to Hell closed grows more intense, Risa begins to unravel mysteries that will have startling consequences for her.

Nik’s Notes: For the longest time, Arthur was my favorite urban fantasy rider for her “Riley Jensen” series. I love the supernatural elements, the characters, and most notably the romance. The Dark Angels novels are spinoffs, and I like them almost as much as the parent series. Riza is an excellent protagonist and one of my favorite “mysteries” from Rilesy’ story. While you dont’ technically have to read the Riely booksf rist, Arthur references them so much that I can’t imagine the reading expirience beign quite as good without the back history on everything. Proceed with caughtion, though, becuase these books are steamy!