Rapture’s Edge: A Night Prowler Novel J.T. Geissinger.

 

ARC provided via Netgalley.

This is the third book in the Night Prowler series. I’ve not read the first two but usually find I can pick up the flow of a series OK. However this series is much more complex than I imagined, and I really need to read the first two to get the best enjoyment out of book three. Still, I managed to follow the plot(s)  reasonably well  and liked the story. Its a world full of secrets and supernatural creatures living and hiding from the humans. Novels often come up with such believable solutions to the human/supernatural divide that I can almost believe its possible 🙂 and Rapture’s Edge is typical in the way that it seems  possible for what’s written to actually be true… I like books that have the edge of realism in with the fantasy.
Its people with characters that all have their own motivations and secrets and that’s where not having read the earlier books let me down as I didn’t always understand the innuendos and actions being made. Eliana, princess on the run with her brother and a group of others, was a great character, and I felt for her, her loyalty to her ar$ehole brother was laudable but it gave her the problem of what was going to happen to her if she stuck with him. Demetrius, what a hero, strong and Alpha male he loves Eliana but she thinks he killed her father and he can’t tell her the truth. Big conundrum there especially when he’s trying to help her when her life is in danger. They need to work together but he’s got a huge task ahead getting her to trust him. The world of the Ikati, magical gifted shape-shifters,  is divided between those who follow Eliana’s father’s dream of being open with humans and those who feel that secrecy is the only way to protect them, and then of course there are those who on the surface support one thing but have a whole agenda of their own…Much like British politics I guess 🙂
Eliana is told by her brother to steal a painting from the Louvre – that’s how they make money to support themselves as she can turn to mist. This time however things go wrong and she’s caught by the human police, seen on television and thus the Hunt, the Ikati enforcers, are out to kill her before any secrets about them come out. Demetrius sees the TV clip and knows what will happen and absconds from his group to try to rescue her.
Its a book packed full of action right from the start bringing in all the different sides of the Ikati, the /hunt and the human police. Its very complex and that made it harder for me to follow not knowing what had gone on before. I think if I get the earlier books its a series that will join my keeper files as it definitely had enough in the characters and story to bear multiple re readings. They’re the books I like best, ones to really get engrossed in, to lose myself in another world for a few hours.
Its a long book too – another of my tick boxes 🙂 and excellent value at £3.99 for 439 pages. As expected its well written and edited, the plots are riveting and all tie in nicely, there’s no feelings of “but what happened to/when ….?” I like those sort of books where the story-lines have a proper ending, and the reader feels satisfied, rather than wondering why that plot was introduced when it appears to go nowhere. This book is long but its not a padded filler book, but pages full of real action that belong in the story.
Stars: If I’d read earlier books I’d possibly have gone full five but as it is its a four star read from me. If I do get to read the first tow I may come back and amend my rating 🙂 but I’m reviewing it as I’ve read it now.

Suddenly Beautiful

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Arc supplied by publisher.

Romance with a fantasy element – I just love the escapism that brings and Boone certainly lets the book take over from the troubles of the real world for a while. Its a great storyline, gods and goddesses, demi gods and demi goddesses living and working in the human world. Tor is a demi god – not just in looks and manner but in real life (well real fantasy life anyway!) and he’s been Nikki’s boss and the subject of her unrequited crush for six years. She is content to love him from afar thinking she wouldn’t stand a chance until… the newest employee comes in and makes it clear she’s more than available. Tor knows Demetria is a demigoddess and thus having been subject of their ire in the past he’s not interested, but Nikki knows nothing of that world so she quietly steams. Demetria sees a rival in Nikki and takes every opportunity to belittle her.

Then when celebrating a new account that’s been won Nikki gets flirty with Creed, the new guy who makes it very clear he finds her attractive. Tor doesn’t know the wine he’s been drinking is Ambrosia, courtesy of Demetria whose hoping to benefit from its effects of lust on the imbiber. Too bad Tor isn’t playing with her, but consumed with unusual jealousy, takes Nikki to his apartment citing a work issue and then… well steam flowed from my kindle with some smoking hot sex…

Next morning though Tor thinks he’s just had erotic dreams and acts as if nothing has happened. The story continues with interactions between him and Nikki, Creed and the ever persistent Demetria. Nikki discovers things about herself she didn’t know and decides she isn’t giving in lightly. Creed plays his part too and the action is on.

Its a fun read, some gentle humour, involvement of well known Gods and Goddesses cut to fit the story and a HEA romance. Its peopled with characters who feel genuine, Tor is a great boss and hot male, Nikki just a lovely, genuine girl, Demetria the Queen Bitch every good romance needs. Its one step forward and two back in Nikki’s quest for Tor to admit he loves her, there’s a heartbreaking moment courtesy of Demetria’s talent for manipulation of facts and misunderstandings that was fleeting, and I think could have lasted longer and would have enriched the story, lifted it from a sweet romance to that bit extra, but that’s my opinion and I’m a reader not a writer – probably for good reason 🙂 I just like to make the most of the angst in a romance, must have masochistic tendencies I guess…

Anyway if you’re looking for a good romance, an escape into a fantasy for a while this is your book. Sadly for me its too light for more than a one off read, and not one for my keepers file but then lots of readers never re read books anyway. Something I find odd, I love to re read favourites. Still – one man’s meat and all that…

Its well written and edited and at £2.36 for what seems to be around 160-200 pages ( I don’t have page info, I’m guessing from reading time) is good value.

Stars: an enjoyable read but not deep enough for me for a five star its a good four though.