Shifting Shadows by Patricia Briggs

My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Shifting Shadows is an anothology that includes every short story set in Mercy Thompson’s world from older collections, plus four brand new stories, two of which are actually novellas. For me, the new stories alone were worth the price of admission, but I also like having all of these stories in one very nice collection.

I enjoyed revisiting some of the older tales that I had forgotten about, and I like all of the new ones, but my favorite of all is “Silver,” a novella that goes hundreds of years back in time to tell the story of Bran and Samuel, and the witch who made them werewolves. It was sad and dark, but beautifully done, and I will look at each of those characters a bit differently in future books.

If you are a Patricia Briggs fan and already familiar with Mercy Thompson and friends, Shifting Shadows should be part of your library. Yeah, another cover I don’t like, but that’s an issue for some other time. I can overlook that in favor of the solid writing inside, and a chance to spend an afternoon with old friends, and new. Check it out. I don’t think you’ll be sorry.

Shifting Shadows

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The Dark Witch & Shadow Spell – Nora Roberts

My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

The Dark Witch and Shadow Spells are Volumes 1 and 2 of the Cousins O’Dwyer trilogy, so I’m reviewing them together. I read these two books back to back, and couldn’t possibly separate where one left off and the other began, anyway. First, let me say that I haven’t read Nora Roberts in years and years. I thought I remembered that I wasn’t drawn to her writing way back when, but since a reviewer of one of my books suggested her fans would like my work, I thought I’d better get busy and check her out again. Secondly, let me say that said reviewer was being very kind. Only in my wildest dreams, would I ever become the popular author that Nora Roberts is, though I loved the compliment. And third, I want to say that whatever I was remembering from the book(s) I read years ago, well…it turned out to be total applesauce. Probably wasn’t even remembering the right author.

If you have guessed that I enjoyed these two books, you’d be right. I was pulled into this tale of good witches and evil sorcerers in Ireland by the end of the first sentence. And I remained engrossed straight through to the last sentence of the second book. The only reason I haven’t already read the third book is that it isn’t out yet. But it is marked on my calendar, believe me. And the reason I was so completely invested in the story is a simple one. Characters. They were engaging, interesting, and just quirky enough to make me enjoy watching them plot and scheme against their mutual ages-old enemy. I did read a few reviews from fans who were disappointed, saying the books were too similar to another of her series. I suppose that could be a problem for some readers, but since I hadn’t read the other books in question, it certainly was not one for me. The plot was solid, if not brilliantly unusual, the magic was well described and interesting, and again, the characters were fun. That’s enough to rate 4 stars in my book, and I recommend these books to you folks who love a little magic with your romantic suspense. No, better make that a lot of magic. 🙂 Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that the covers are cool, too, especially The Dark Witch. It has “Ireland” written all over it! Check ’em out!

My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

The Dark Witch

Shadow Spell

Wednesday’s Author Interview – Mishka Jenkins

Stolen Bloodline by Mishka Jenkins

One of the best things about doing author interviews, is that I get a chance to introduce my followers to newly published writers, as well as those who have been plying their craft for a while. Today, I’d like to welcome Mishka Jenkins to Bookin’ It. Mishka is a new writer, the author of three books, released at one time, and who is working on a fourth. Quite an accomplishment for anyone, and especially for someone just getting their career underway. I’m so happy to have her with us. 

BI: Mishka, Tell us a bit about how you became a writer. When did you decide that’s what you wanted to be, and what steps did you take to prepare for a writing career? 

Mishka: Creating stories is something I’ve always enjoyed doing, though when I was younger, I tried to do it more through art and comics. I started writing before I was in my teens, and just haven’t stopped! Last year I decided I wanted to pursue writing as a serious career after discovering that self-publishing is now a viable option open to writers, and in December I started writing and it took off from there. Now I am fully focused on making a career in writing work for me. 

Vampire Smut

I have a friend who calls all Paranormal Romance “Vampire Smut,” whether it has blood suckers in it or not. If it has some element of the supernatural and more than a casual mention of sex, to her, it’s Vampire Smut. Ever read any? You know the books I mean. The covers usually feature some hot, sexy, bare-chested guy 

This Same Earth by Elizabeth Hunter

My Rating: 3-1/2 of 5 Stars

Last week, I read A Hidden Fire, Book One in the Elemental Mysteries series, and gave it a full five stars.  Originality, plot, excellent writing, and characters who pulled me right in–it had it all. I could hardly wait to read the second book in the series, This Same Earth. I wish I could say I loved it as much, but I didn’t. Oh, it was still good. I’m going to give it four stars because

A Hidden Fire: Elemental Mysteries Book 1

My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

I don’t know what to say about this book, except that it wins my award for the most wonderful surprise of the past year, perhaps.  I really don’t know if I can do A Hidden Fire justice in a review. It’s that good.

Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning

My Rating: 3 of 5 Stars

This series consistently receives such high ratings that it made me question my own sanity when I started reading it, and just felt NOTHING for it.  I’m giving it a rating of 3 stars because it is written and edited well, in a competent style.  I have  no problems with Karen Marie Moning’s actual writing style.  But I have lots of problems with