Anthology - Death's Excellent Vacation

Two Blondes by Charlaine Harris
A short Sookie Stackhouse story; Sookie and Pam are on their way for a holiday weekend, mixing fun with some business. Their business part goes bad when they are visiting this strip-club and the manager has other things on his mind.

The boys go fishing by Sarah Smith
An old superhero longs for death after he lost everyone around him, but he gets a visit from a bunch of “talented” kids, who are in need for some training/guiding.

One for the money by Jeaniene Frost
Cat and Bones need to guard a spoiled human heiress, who has been targeted by supernatural hit men.

Far across the Caspian Sea by Daniel Stashower
This is about an author who has lived for many centuries and shares his experience with the world thru his novels. But when he meets this new researcher he knows that this one is special.

The Innsmouth Nook by A. Lee Martinez
Two friends have started a Bed and Breakfast. They are about to find out what the Island secret is and they new legendary guests.

Safe and Sound by Jeff Abbott
A young determined TV reporter will do anything to keep the investigation open of a young man and his disappearance. Everything is working against her, even the missing man himself.

Seeing is believing by L.A. Banks
A young woman goes to New Orleans to fight the beasts, when she discovers several of the deaths are supernatural. There she meets this young man and learns they are linked somehow.

The perils of Eferjim by Katie MacAlister
Demon Jim has some free time coming up, now his boss is away. So he wants to spend some time with his demon girlfriend in Paris. But he’s forced into his human form and banished to Abaddon, where he has 10 days to escape.

Thinwalls by Christopher Golden
A man has lost his wife to cancer and has been travelling around the world to see all their favourite places. During that tour he meets a young woman with a creepy secret.

The heart is always right by Lilith Saintcrow
A gargoyle rescues a young woman from a supernatural attack and discovers she might be his key to his ultimate dream. But will he sacrifice her?

The demon in the dunes by Chris Grabenstein
A dying man thinks back at that one summer where he met his summer love and their strange adventure with ghostly encounters.

Home from America by Sharon Newman
A young man wants to visit his homeland Ireland for some time now and when the opportunity comes it’s not exactly what he expected.

Pirate Dave’s haunted Amusement Park by Toni L.P. Kelner
A recently turned female werewolf returns to her childhood favourite vacation spot to think about her future. At the amusement park she discovers that her teenage crush on pirate Dave is still there…just like pirate Dave.

Death’s Excellent Vacation Anthology has a theme…vacation. I saw some of my favourite authors in here, but also met a few new authors.

Jeaniene Frost, Katie MacAllister and Toni L.P. Kelner were my favourite of this anthology. Their stories were fabulous and I really liked them.

Charlaine Harris, L.A. Banks and Lilith Saintcrow’s stories were okay. A long with the stories from the authors above they made the book worth to read. But the rest of the short stories weren’t really my kind of reading. Of course I liked one story better than the other, but I have to say some of them were a little weird.

This anthology was overall good to read, I really think that some of the stories were to short for them to tell the story. Sometimes you were missing the clue, so maybe next time they can cut some of the authors and concentrate of getting more pages for the stories.

Anthology - Dark & Stormy Knights

A Questionable Client by Ilona Andrews
Kate Daniels is hired to serve as a bodyguard for Saiman. Apparently Saiman pissed off some members of the Russian Mafia by stealing something from them. They want it back and won’t stop at nothing to get it.

This was definitely the best story in this book. I love the Kate Daniels series and it was great to see how Kate and Saiman meet each other before she gets involved in the whole shape shifter world.

Even Hand by Jim Butcher
Johnnie Marcone protects a young woman and a child, who both has escaped some nasty swamp creature. She was captured when she got caught stealing information for her boss. Johnnie isn’t happy about it when he finds out and of course he will take advantage of the situation.

I never read the Harry Dresden books, but apparently this Johnnie Marcone character is from that series. Even though I didn’t know who Harry Dresden was, I enjoyed this short story. Maybe I need to check out the rest too.

The Beacon by Shannon K. Butcher
A hunter tracks down human beacons, which will lure evil creatures called Terraphages to Earth without knowing. He will assassinate them before these creatures’ breaks through the wall, but this time it’s hard. The beacon is a little girl with a beautiful defensive mother.

I know this author and I like her style, so I was happy to see that there was a story from her in this novel. It was good, enough to sparkle my curiosity to find some more books by this author.

Even a Rabbit will bite by Rachel Caine
The last dragonslayer has been summoned to train her last replacement before she can put her weapons away and retire. But the last dragon alive on Earth has some other plans for her and will make her job much more difficult then it should be.

Rachel Caine is already one of my favorite authors and she didn’t disappoint me with this short story. I would have loved to see this story more detailed, especially about the slayers past and the other dead dragons. But we cannot have everything.

Dark Lady by P.N. Elrod
Jack Flemming is a vampire and an investigator. A young woman came to him; she wants his help to clear her fiancés name and to keep her alive, during that process

The story was nice, but didn’t blow me away. I’ve read some other short stories by this author, but I have to be honest I’m not a fan. For some reason those story don’t appeal to me.

Beknighted by Deidre Knight
An artist / painter has to work together with a gorgeous, but dangerous man to free a knight in a painting, who has been haunting her dreams for the past couple of months.

I love Deidre Knight’s books and I enjoy this short one too, but for some reason I miss something. Maybe this story was too short and needed some more background to make it a terrific story.

Shifting Star by Vicki Pettersson
Skamar has been contacted by Zoe Archer, to look into these missing young girls. They both know that the Tulpa is after Zoe’s granddaughter and is now kidnapping young girls who have some similarity.

I shouldn’t read this part because I knew it was part of the Sign of the Zodiac Series and I haven’t read those yet. But I couldn’t resist myself and now I know that I cannot put it off any longer. I need to read the rest of the series soon.

Rockwood & Mrs. King by Lilith Saintcrow
A dhampir vampire hunter helps a young woman, who recently became a widow. Well at least she thinks she was, but now her dead husband comes back from the grave to hunt her dreams. She is about to find out that the world is full of creatures and her dead husband is one of them.

I’m already a fan of Lilith Saintcrow after I’ve read her Dante Valentine series and this story is no exception. The only downside; it was too short, I would have love to see more of this Rockwood and how he was made.

God’s creatures by Carrie Vaughn
Cormac is a bounty hunter, who kills creature for a living. He’s called in when a werewolf is killing some cattle and they want it dead before it will take human lives.

Another short story that’s part of a series, this time the Kitty Norville. Again I didn’t read the series, but I will check it out soon. This story made me curious to see what’s more out there.

Overall this anthology was good, the stories of Ilona Andrews, Rachel Caine and Shannon K. Butcher made it worth reading, and the rest of the novel was okay. I definitely need to check out some of the series.

Lilith Saintcrow - To hell and back

This story continues where the last novel left off with Dante bleeding and half-dead in an alley, where Lucifer left her after beating the shit out of her. Dante cannot remember much of it, but she has one thing on her mind…revenge and nothing or nobody is going to stand in her way. Luckily for Dante Lucas comes to her rescue and takes her back to Japhrimel, where Dante discovers that Japh has been tearing the town apart looking for her and has declared war against Lucifer.

But to kill the devil they need a special knife that was made for hedaira to protect her against the demons, so only Dante is able to kill Lucifer and that is the most important thing on her mind right now. But life is not simple when Dante is once again forced to question the true loyalty and intention of Japh. Will he really help her kill Lucifer once and for all or is this just another distraction to get to Eve and her companions?

Dante comes soon to realize that she’s just another pawn in the war between demons and she begins to think the only person she can truly trust is herself, so Dante have to make plans of her own in the war.

To hell and back by Lilith Saintcrow is the final novel in her Dante Valentine series and one hell of ending this series. The book is filled with action, demons, adventure and emotional fears, all the things I loved in a great novel. I truly can say this novel kept me on the edge reading it,

Miss Saintcrow really knows how to writes plots of doubt, lies, betrayal and continue doing this through all her novel and slowly reveal them to a conclusion in the end. She never disappointed me with her novels and really loves the way the relationship develops between Dante and Japh. The ending is not happily ever after, but one pick out of life and very satisfying to me.

Of course there were things I wanted to know, but weren’t explained … like Lucas, the Deathless, why was he cursed by Death and who was he? What about Eve…was she really a part of Dante or just Doreen? I think those questions will never be explain or maybe there will be a short story to clear things up…who knows. I am for sure a huge fan of this series and really recommend it if you like demons, plot and adventure.

Lilith Saintcrow - Saint City sinners

Japh and Dante are going to Egypt to meet the rest of the group. The tenuous between Japh and Dante are huge but both of them are trying to give their relationship a change, even if this mean set their stubbornness aside for a moment. In Egypt Dante receives a message from her best friend Gabe, where she asks Dante to come back to Saint City as soon as possible. Dante knows she will get a fight with Japh over this, but she cannot ignore the message and give Japh the choice….come with her or stay behind. When they arrive in Saint City, Dante is shocked to see how much everything is changed since she left town.

Dante learns that Gabe’s husband Eddie has been murdered and she requests Dante’s help to find and punish his killer. But Gabe has a few more surprises for Dante, because Gabe’s little daughter is in danger too and if Gabe doesn’t survive the journey Dante has to take care of her. Dante refuses because she knows she cannot take care of a little child with her lifestyle, but she cannot let her best friend down.

But Dante is in for a whole lot of more trouble…it seems everyone, demons, mob and assassins want to get a hold of her and for once. But why…..that is the big question….

Saint City Sinners by Lilith Saintcrow is the fourth novel in her Dante Valentine series and a fabulous story. This novel starts off where the last book the devil’s right hand left off. Just like the previous books this one will lure you into a world where demons and other beings are normal, the action level is high and just the way I like it.

In the previous novel we saw Dante’s struggle with her trust in Japh, but now Japh and Dante both do some incredible things to try and save their relationship. Dante finally gets some answers to some of her questions she’s been having since she met Japh and slowly rebuilds her trust in him.

With the help of Hellesvront agents Vann & McKinley and Lucas Villalobos, their search for Demon Eve and her companions are coming to an end. And when they finally catch Eve, but Dante doesn’t know who to trust…is Eve telling her the truth or should she listen to Japh and trust his judgment. And what about Lucifer, he is trying to kill from the day they met, will she be able to survive all of this and kill the bastard.

I believe this novel is the best one in this series and I’m curious to find out if Dante is able to sort things out for herself and give the people around her a change to help her.

Lilith Saintcrow - The devil's right hand

Dante Valentine, a necromancer and bounty hunter has inherited demonic powers, which she got from her demon lover Japhrimel. Now she’s living quietly with Japhrimel and she likes it. So when Japh tells her that Lucifer wants another meeting with her, she’s not thrilled. But nobody tells Lucifer, the Prince of Hell no, so she goes. Apparently Lucifer needs a new right hand and he wants Dante for the job. After some negotiations between Japh and Lucifer, Dante finds herself contracted for the next seven years of her life. Her job is to hunt four rogue demons, who’ve escaped hell and Lucifer wants them back before other demons decides to do the same thing and he looses control over them.

After the meeting Japh sent Dante home, telling her to stay inside and wait for him there. But Dante’s trust in Japh begins to fade when she’s attacked by demons and must fight for her life. The only thing for her to do is run and finds another companion in order to stay alive, while she tracks down those four escaped Greater Flight demons. Dante knows exactly who she wants as companion, Lucas “Deathless”Villalobos a man so fearless, that even the God of Death refuses to let Lucas eternal rest.

The devil’s right hand by Lilith Saintcrow is the third novel in her Dante Valentine series and I’ve to say I loved it. The moment you pick up the book and starts reading, you’ve been lured into a world where demons and other beings are normal.

In this novel you clearly can see Dante’s struggling with her trust in Japh, he refuses to tell Dante exactly what’s going on and she discovers he has full demon powers again, after their meeting with Lucifer. Can she trust him like she always had or will he double cross her to get his place back in hell?

I have to say Dante has many reasons to be paranoia and after what she’s been through I can relate to that. Okay sometimes I wanted to smack her and tell her to trust the man she loves, that he will do anything in his power to protect her. But if you read the previous novels you know Dante is different and quite stubborn and I like her just the way she is.

Well another addiction is born because I’m totally hooked on this series and cannot wait to read the next novel Saint City Sinners, where Dante and Japh gets help from Hellesvront agents Vann & McKinley, another necromancer Leander and Lucas Villalobos to continue their journey.

Lilith Saintcrow - Dead man rising

Dante Valentine, a necromancer and bounty hunter has recently inherited demonic powers, which she got from her death demon lover Japhrimel. She is still grieving about his death and loses herself back into bounty business to stay busy. With the help of her companion and ex-lover Jace she traces her bounties and sometimes takes her rage out on her them. Well what can you say; they all deserve it.

But recent crimes against humans with special abilities bring Dante back to her best friend and mind-reading cop Gabe. Gabe needs Dante’s ability to track this maniac and put him behind bars or even death, or others will get hurt. During this investigation Dante own memories of abuse as a child and her childhood at the Rigger Hall comes to the surface. And if that is not enough, the Prince of Darkness Lucifer is also trying to contact Dante.

Dead man rising by Lilith Saintcrow is the second novel in her Dante Valentine series and again a fabulous one. Just like the previous novel I finished it within a couple of hours and was disappointed when I closed the book. I wanted to know more about Dante and her relationship with the others. But unfortunately I couldn’t go straight to the third novel, because it didn’t arrived yet.

In this novel you learn more about Dante’s past and the way she grew up, especially when the recent crimes seem to be connected to the place she grew up, Rigger Hall, a school for kids with special abilities. At Rigger Hall, Dante and all the others learned the hard way, how it was to grew up with their special abilities and being used by the evil adults.

When you’ve read the first novel, you’ll be finding some surprising elements in this novel. What happened in the first novel appears to be totally different in the second. My heart was crying at the end of the first novel, but pounding with joy when I discover the surprise in this novel.

Well, I’m totally hooked on this series and cannot wait to read the third novel The devil’s right hand and see what will happen next with Dante and her companions.

Lilith Saintcrow - Working for the devil

Dante Valentine, a necromancer and bounty hunter gets a visit from demon, Tierce Japhrimel, the right hand from the devil himself. He has a message from Lucifer, she has to meet him or die. Well if you put it that way, Dante agrees to come along and see what the Prince of Darkness wants from her. Lucifer offers Dante a contract that she cannot refuse, because if she doesn’t take this job, she will die. But hell, working for the devil would mean dying anyway. To make sure Dante is following orders, Lucifer makes Japhrimel, Dante’s familiar.

Dante has to capture a rogue demon, which escape the underworld with something important to Lucifer and he wants it back. But Dante is not alone in this quest; Japhrimel, who is not only a demon but an assassin as well, accompanies her. Soon enough Dante discovers that this rogue demon is an old enemy of hers, the same one who killed her best friend and almost killed her. Now Dante is determined to finish the job, she started long ago and with the help of Japhrimel and her friends Gabe, Eddie and Jace that won’t be a problem.

Working for the devil by Lilith Saintcrow is the first novel in her Dante Valentine series and it is pretty impressive. I borrow this novel from a close friend of mine, because I didn’t know if this series was something for me. Well, I shouldn’t do that, now I’m hooked. I already ordered my own copies, so I have them on my own bookshelves. What a real treat this was, from the beginning till the end I was lured into a world with humans and their own special paranormal talents, demons and most of all danger.

Dante Valentine is young woman, a necromancer and bounty hunter. She grew up in at Rigger Hall, a school for kids with special abilities, but it was not nice. She learns the hard way how hard life really is. Several years ago one of her best friend is murder for her special ability and Dante is determined to get this maniac. So when Lucifer hands him on a silver plate, she grabs it with both hands, even is this means getting her killed. But she gets help from demon assassin Japhrimel, who turns her world upside down because slowly she starting to like this demon.

You’ll get a lot of information about the characters and their backgrounds and slowly get to know them. The end is a little surprising and sad, but you know there will be another novel, so anything can happen.

I can truly say I’m curious what will happen next and will go straight to the next novel Dead man rising.