The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross

  
Finley Jayne knows she's not 'normal'. Normal girls don't lose time, or have something inside them that makes them capable of remarkably violent things. Her behavior has already cost her one job, so when she's offered the lofty position of companion to Phoebe, a debutante recently engaged to Lord Vincent, she accepts, despite having no experience. Lord Vincent is a man of science with his automatons and inventions, but Finley is suspicious of his motives where Phoebe is concerned. She will do anything to protect her new friend, but what she discovers is even more monstrous than anything she could have imagined...
So I read this little novella, in a blink of an eye at that and all I can say is I WANT MORE!  It turns out that this is just a prequel to  an upcoming or more like already out series. A little something to tease the reader and get them hooked on the series and let me tell you it worked.
  I loved this whole old but advance time in which the story takes place, the Steampunk era. A time where the car is still new, only the rich have indoor plumbing and yet they have robots or "automatons" for servants.
  And I loved Finley. A young woman with two sides both aware of the other and different from each other as night is to day. You have the young, proper english servant wanting nothing more then not to cause any trouble. And then you have the darker, stronger don't mess with me or mine or you'll be sorry side.      
  I want to get to know more about Finley and her strange powers. Who is her father? What is going on with those bank robbing automatons and so much more.    
  This Reader will most assuredly read Ms. Cross Steampunk series and if it's as good as this novella then we shall all be talking about it soon.

The Witch Thief by Lori Devoti

  Joarr Enge never believed in the powers of the chalice he was tasked to guard—but he sure as hell wasn't going to let the captivating witch who'd robbed him escape. Now, a century after her betrayal, Joarr commandeered Amma's body and blocked her magic. She would spend every moment by his side until the chalice could be found.
Amma had risked everything to uncover the secrets in her past—even the rage of her powerful and mysterious dragon lover. But as Joarr's passionate fire tempted her to dream of a future with him, could their magic unite two separate worlds for the most precious thing of all…their son?
Just when I thought I was done with the fantasy romance, Lori Devoti lures me back in.  Her tale of a witch that steals something more valuable then she realizes and her dragon (yes DRAGON) lover that will stop at nothing to get it back. Was exactly what the docter ordered. This book was simply fantastic!!!  
  I loved how both characters were strong headed and willfull. Each doing what they had to to get what they wanted. Neither one could dominate the other but find perfect balance to make their love unique.  
  Thou a fantasy by far (dragon lover heelloo!!!) Devoti has the ability to make the whole thing seem real. From realm portals to earth dance clubs run by dwarfs. From posh hotel rooms to a dragons lair, the reader can easiliy believe that these place can actually be real.
  This Reader enjoyed every second of this book. I hope to read more of this author soon.

Bride of the Night by Heather Graham

She's the vampire that could destroy a nation.

At least, that's what Pinkerton detective Finn Dunne thinks of Tara Fox. Capturing her aboard a ship sneaking its way northward, he's convinced she's been sent to take out President Lincoln. While she's certainly the most attractive assassin he's ever faced, that won't keep him from his duty.

Tara has always been caught between worlds. As a vampire born and raised in Key West, she has many friends among the humans. Many friends that are now fighting and dying in the raging Civil War.

When her strange dreams began, she thought of them as abstract visions. But she now knows that she must travel to Washington, D.C., and protect the president at all costs. Finn still won't trust her, despite what he's seen. And if Tara has to go through him—or bring reinforcements—to save Lincoln, she will do whatever it takes, even if it costs her her heart.

 Aahh!!! Not such a fan of this book. I've read a few of Heather Graham books to say I'm not a fan of this one.
   The book was a little boring and unlike many of her other books, way too discriptive for my taste.  The writing was so discriptive that you knew what was about to happen before it did. Not something you want when it's suppose to be a beat the clock story.
  This Reader wanted the distrust between the Pinkerton and the half-vampire to be over with so the could realize they loved each other but the boring story line kept me from cheering them on.
  I don't say this often but I was glad to get to the end of the story. Sadly This Reader does notrecommend this book, especially if you're a Heather Graham.

Call of the Herald by Brain Rathbone

Echoes of the ancients' power are distant memories, tattered and faded by the passage of eons, but that is about to change. A new dawn has arrived. Latent abilities, harbored in mankind's deepest fibers, wait to be unleashed. Ancient evils awaken, and old fears ignite the fires of war. In times such as these, ordinary people have the power to save the world . . . or destroy it.
 A very good read. Although I found that I had to be in certain mood to be able to get into the story. It took me a little longer then most to finish reading. Though by the end I was happy I gave this book a chance.
  The story line may not be all that original. Think of Lord of the Rings. But like those great epic novels, the characters are fantastic. The landscape both beautiful and haunting. And like all quest filled with danger at every turn. And you find yourself rooting for Catrin and her friends to succeed on their quest. The action was a little down keyed but not lacking. The combination of religion and myth are equal, so one doesn't feel overwhelemed with either subject. It's an adventure novel with just enough suspence to keep readers of almost any age enjoying the story and glad that they gave it chance.
     If This Reader had to score this book I would give it a 4 out of 5. I will be reading the second book real soon.

Hexed by Kevin Hearne

Atticus O'Sullivan, last of the Druids, doesn't care much for witches. Still, he’s about to make nice with the local coven by signing a mutually beneficial nonaggression treaty when suddenly the witch population in modern-day Tempe, Arizona, quadruples overnight. And the new girls are not just bad, they're badasses with a dark history on the German side of World War II. 

With a fallen angel feasting on local high school students, a horde of Bacchants blowing in from Vegas with their special brand of deadly decadence, and a dangerously sexy Celtic goddess of fire vying for his attention, Atticus is having trouble scheduling the witch hunt. But aided by his magical sword, his neighbor's rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and his vampire attorney, Atticus is ready to sweep the town and show the witchy women they picked the wrong Druid to hex.
 This second book in the Iron Druid Chronicles was an equally good read. The book begins 3 weeks after the frist one finishes, so the reader doesn't feel like they've missed out on much and the author doesn't have to write a whole wasted chapter trying to catch us up on Atticus's life.

  Like the frist book in this series Hexed is filld with wit,action, htumor and myth that will keep the reader interested in completing the story. And those characters that make the story what it is are back as well. From his lovable dogand best friend Oberon right down to nice old widow Mrs. MacDonagh. Not to mention a few new bad guys that want to take over Tempe.

  So again my friends if you're into modern fiction with a touch of old myth this is the series to
read.This Reader certainly has no complaints. And I can't wait to read the next one in the series.