Review: 4 book set (4 reviews)
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 30, 2014
Book 1: Once Bitten (5-star) I downloaded this as a free book from Amazon. I really enjoyed this book. It had been on my TBR for quite awhile, and I kept bumping it down (no reason, just a high volume of books to get through). I was looking for a good paranormal read and decided to give it a try. Wonderful characters and a great storyline. Really enjoyed the plot and I'm glad I gave it a chance. I'll be looking for more books by this author. Note: There is a resemblance to the triangle of the Anita Blake series by LK Hamilton, but I'll reserve judgment on the parallel to see if this author tries to do something different with the storyline.Book 2: Wicked Kiss (4-star) I downloaded this as a free book from Amazon. While this series hovers close to LK Hamilton's Anita Blake series (incubus/ succubus vampire/werewolf triangle), but the UF setting is completely different, and the story is unique. There is a good plot to the series, and the supernaturals are not nice guys- they are  killers. I like the series so far, and will continue reading (downloaded the first four books- now I'm reading them back to back.)Book 3: Only Vampires Cry Blood (4-star) I downloaded this as a free book from Amazon. This series hovers close to the Anita Blake series (incubus/ succubus vampire/werewolf triangle), but I'm happy to report Shaz in no mild, conflicted Richard. There is a good plot to the series, and the supernaturals are not nice guys- they are unabashed killers. With a code. Sorta. Fast paced for the most part, with well drawn characters overall. The only thing that keeps the series from a 5-star rating is the personal growth of the main character, Alexa. Each book sees an upgrade for her abilities, and she is gaining a little more control- but I've been disappointed she is still a bit wishy washy with when she's strong and when she's unsure of herself. If I had her powers, I wouldn't only be seeking answers to what I could do-- I'd be practicing.Book 4: Blonde & Blue (3-star). I downloaded this as a free book from Amazon. This series seems to parallel the Anita Blake series (incubus/ succubus vampire/werewolf triangle), but I'm happy to report, while similar, it retains unique aspects that manage to give this series a different feel. There is a good plot to books 1 thru 4 and the supernaturals are not nice guys- they are unabashed killers. As I noted in the review for book 4, there has been an issue with the personal growth of the main character, Alexa. Each book sees an upgrade for her abilities, but she still does have more than a hit and miss control and her hesitancy to explore her abilities is making her come across as a victim, not a strong character. I was also wondering WTF with Shaz' new addiction, and why he was so willing to be secretive after the past books have had such an open communicative style-- sure, she was hiding something- but he's been the more level-headed of the two, now he's coming across as weak. This book left me feeling frustrated- the series now has a feel of dragging out too long without and positive forward momentum. Sure, there's conflict and interesting love-interest dynamics, but Alexa's character is still in the dark about her abilities. After 4 books, I was ready for her to be making progress (I don't consider piling on more abilities as progress when she still can't control what she's had). I plan to stop here.