Don’t Fear the (Not Really Grim) Reaper by Carole Cummings

Title: Don’t Fear the (Not Really Grim) Reaper

Author: Carole Cummings

Genre: Paranormal, Angels & Demons

Length: Novella (62 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-64080-679-5

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (11 Jan 2019)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖 3 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: When unassuming college student Emery Sutton wakes up in the morgue, it takes him a few minutes to remember he has magic (superpowers, damn it!) and free himself from the refrigerated drawer. And the body bag. (God.) It doesn’t take long, though, for him to remember the hot guy with wings he ran into just before a city bus ran into him.

Junior Reaper John must explain to his supervisor how his first solo assignment went so wrong. All he knows is that he happened upon Emery quite by accident, that Emery saw John when he shouldn’t have been able to, and when they accidentally touched, a bus came out of nowhere and plowed Emery under. (John really does feel bad about that.)

Hot angels, annoying demons, hijinks, absurdity, drunk siblings, a dash of silly romance, an inordinate attachment to wings, and a highly disorganized bid for world domination—Don’t Fear the (Not Really Grim) Reaper follows Emery and John down the rabbit hole where they find that moms are scarier than demons from hell, a goat is not a puppy no matter what Emery’s sister says, and awkward romance can happen anywhere.

Purchase Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Carole Cummings is an author that I’ve heard of and until I went through my book files, I could have sworn I have read something by her in the past. I didn’t really know what to expect from this one. However, reading the blurb I thought that it would be a really fun, quick read with the possibility of angels and demons and all in a package that doesn’t seem to take itself seriously. Which, is exactly what I got.

Emery is a mostly normal college guy who has a penchant for getting into trouble because of the “superpowers” he’s had since he was a kid. His parents have shielded him for the most part and that has meant that he hasn’t crossed the radar of anyone magical. That all changes when Emery encounters Junior Reaper, John.

John is fresh out of training and starting his career in the afterlife as a reaper. John was born and died a human, he doesn’t remember much and he isn’t meant to, but the afterlife presents him with the chance to become a reaper, helping the souls of dying. His encounter with Emery has Emery waking up very much alive in a hospital morgue. As for John, he is in a whole world trouble as the angels and demons quickly find out what has been hiding on earth.

I’m not sure what to feel about this book. There is a little bit of romance, because Emery and John are attracted to each other, but this is not something overly explored in the story. It is more the ending point for their possibility of a HEA. I think on the whole that is ok as there is a lot more to unpack. Yet the downside to that is I think that there was too much goofing off between characters, which made me impatient as it just felt like filler for the story and so other ends of the story wrapped up quickly within all the chatting. It is a shame because Emery’s character really appealed to me. His pop culture references were also right up my alley – Firefly, Doctor Who, Star Wars and Star Trek. The biggest problem in the end was that I just feeling underwhelmed by the whole thing.

Beloved Son by Carole Cummings (2nd edition)

Title: Beloved Son (2nd Edition)

Series: Aisling Trilogy 03

Author: Carole Cummings

Genre: Fantasy

Length: Novel (306 pages)

Publisher: DSP Publications (December 19, 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: When a man’s identity is built on lies, can he find the true self buried beneath? For Wil and Dallin, newfound love might not be enough. To heal themselves and their world, they must learn to see things as they truly are and break free of what they have been tricked into believing.

Wil and Dallin stand at the center of an approaching convergence they’re not sure they’re strong enough to face. The power of the land and the Mother waits for Wil in the bowels of Lind, but it comes at a price: he must defeat the soul-eater and save the Father, Her Beloved, and manage to keep his soul in the process. He can’t do it alone. But where can he turn for aid when friends are not necessarily friends, trusted mentors are not necessarily to be trusted, and good intentions are sometimes the most dangerous kind?

Dallin and Wil must accept their roles as the Guardian and the Aisling and stand together against a ruthless god in a cataclysmic battle of dreams and wills, the fates of both of their souls and those of all mortals hanging in the balance. Trust, if they can finally embrace it, holds both the promise of salvation and the risk of damnation.

First Edition published by Torquere/Prizm Press, 2011.

ISBN-13: 978-1-63533-804-1

Product Link: DSP Publications | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: In this installment Wil and Dallin’s story goes deeper. Wil feels the mother abandoned him for centuries and as a result he does not trust her. For his part Dallin has sacrificed much to help Wil grow along with everything else on Dallin’s plate.

Yes Wil grows stronger and his knowledge expands. I liked that Wil grew up with Dallin’s guidance. This leaves them to the mission of rescuing the father. I enjoyed how this book ties everything up nicely in this trilogy.

The entire series was a journey of growing, understanding, sacrifice and love. Well written and intriguing this story draws you in and does not let go until the end.

Great read.

Turning The Page… Anthology Release Blitz!

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Hi guys, we have the charity anthology Turning The Page stopping by today to celebrate it’s release, so check out the stories and authors who have donated to this great anthology! <3 ~Pixie~

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Turning The Page…

by

Tempeste O’Riley, Dianne Hartsock, Nikki Prince, Grace R. Duncan, Sue Brown, Aine P Massie, Carole Cummings, Hope Ryan, Mark Zubro, Antonia Aquilante, D. Zander Crane

Turn The Page…. began as a simple idea and grew from there. No matter how bad things seem to be, just turn the page, there’s more—better—things to come. This is only one chapter in your life. It’s not the whole story. With this simple idea, Novice Sister Eroti-Quill—whom most know better as Tempeste O’Riley—began their quest to help Suicide Prevention and Awareness programs in their area. They managed to con (excuse me, convince) other authors to donate their time and stories to the project, and now, many months later, Turn The Page is born!

The authors in this anthology donated their talent as a way to support Eroti-Quill’s hope for others, to help bring strength to programs that so desperately need funding. It will allow them show those that need support but may not have it, or that may be afraid to reach out, just how much love and understanding surrounds them. Turn The Page…. is a diverse range of stories about the journey of love, hope, and acceptance.

Individual Blurbs:

Happy Birthday to Me by Tempeste O’Riley

When Dave’s best friend drags him out for his birthday—nearly kicking and screaming, he finds more than he expected at Sovereign, the BDSM club he half owned but had refused to step foot in for two years other than for administrative things while it was closed. He didn’t go to clubs. He didn’t sub anymore. Period.

Well… until he sees Master Nicky. Then his plans for his birthday change and he decides that maybe giving himself a present, might not be quite such a bad idea after all.

Robin’s Confession by Dianne Hartsock

How can Robin find true love without accepting himself first?

Purr by Nikki Prince

Sasha’s love was in imminent danger. All she wanted was to keep Tori safe. Stay at the cabin wait for the verdict from the council. That’s all they had to do. One little dip in the lake couldn’t hurt could it?

Lockdown by Grace R. Duncan

Gylam’s never been that great at communication and this time he’s gone too far. His penchant for keeping his mouth shut resulted in a disastrous trip to the local dungeon. Jackson, his partner—both cop and at home—and Dom, is well familiar with Gylam’s tendencies. The punishment he gives Gylam is just shy of his limits, but Gylam knows he’s earned it. It remains to be seen if it teaches him anything, though.

Ducks in a Row by Sue Brown

David spends his afternoons feeding the ducks, a peaceful activity until the day Jeff and his Labrador dog burst into his life. David and Jeff get to know one another, punctuated by Bozo’s mishaps, but David is unwilling to share all his secrets. Will Jeff give him the time he needs?

Butterflies by Aine P Massie

Kyndra visits Jaiden’s shop for a little birthday shopping but is there for more than the pretty blown glass designs she makes—lovely though they are. What she really wants is a date with the beautiful craftswoman. But can she push her fears aside and ask, or will her past get in the way? With Jaiden’s help, can who Kyndra is inside finally shine?

Once Step Back by Carole Cummings

When Sahir is busy running for his life, it never occurs to him that the being in wrong place at the wrong time might turn into the right place at the right time. Not until he literally collides with Nicholas and salvation comes by way of magical intervention. But when Nicholas ends up being the one who really needs help, Sahir has to decide the best way to give it—and how to offer it to someone who can’t even figure out if he wants it.

Superheroes by Hope Ryan

Many people reach a point where they think life can’t get any worse. Rock bottom, where the future is so bleak, they begin to ask, “why bother?”

When homeless gay man Wayne Kent reaches that point, standing on a Pittsburgh bridge on a cold Tuesday in April, the last thing he expects is to get stopped—especially by a man named Bruce Clark.

But Bruce has been there, he’s seen that, he’s thought and felt the things Wayne is now and he refuses to see the beautiful, hurting man become another statistic. Coffee and a sandwich is a first step and Bruce hopes it’ll lead to a permanent step up for Wayne. And maybe even a step toward more together.

Unworthy by Mark Zubro

A love lost over half a century ago. Is there really redemption for all of our regrets, or at least perhaps for one regret? A chance to change the decision you made over half a century ago, or at least a chance to say what was unsaid, to say what could be said now? The love you missed so long ago, and if you could have one moment again, once last chance.

Love and Hope and Magic by Antonia Aquilante

Once each century, a ritual is performed, the magic of which sustains the land and protects it and its people for the century to come. But the person who performs the ritual never survives. This time Ailill is chosen. He is honored and content with his fate, but his best friend Lorcan is not. Lorcan can’t accept the loss of Ailill and can’t see a life without the man he thinks of as his other half. But Ailill knew Lorcan perhaps better than Lorcan knows himself, and he knew a life of love and magic is waiting for Lorcan after Ailill is gone, if only Lorcan can find the courage to reach for it.

Façade by D. Zander Crane

David struggles with his gender identity as he searches his city for a woman-murdering madman in his female alter-ego, Façade. Can he overcome his depression and confusion long enough to stop the Grinning Reaper?

M/M F/F Transgender Genderfluid

Contemporary Urban Fantasy Paranormal BDSM Romance

(Each story is unique and special, so the genre varies wildly. All are LGBTQ)

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Continue reading “Turning The Page… Anthology Release Blitz!”

Incendiary by Carole Cummings, 2nd edition

71EqVQhDVkL._SL1350_Title: Incendiary
Series: Wolf’s-own 04
Author: Carole Cummings
Genre: High Fantasy
Length: Novel Plus (310 pages)
Publisher: DSP Publications (21st April 2015)
Heat Rating: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Blurb: Incendiary. Catalyst. Once-Untouchable. Fen Jacin-rei has already changed worlds. So why can’t the gods just leave him alone? Why can’t everyone?

His sanity once more in question, Fen finds himself faced with the reality of what the gods wants from him this time. And with Malick suddenly unavailable, Fen will have to face it alone.

…Or maybe not.

Old enemies and new allies seek “Kamen’s Untouchable” and it’s going to take everything Fen’s got to figure out which ones are which. And it’s going to take perhaps more than Fen’s got to figure out which ones are even real.

ISBN: 978-1-63216-792-7

Purchase Link: http://www.dsppublications.com/books/wolfs-own-incendiary-by-carole-cummings-70-b

Reviewer: Pixie

Review: This is the 2nd edition and there are no changes from the 1st, but does have the short story Wolf’s-own Rapport as a bonus at the end.

This story picks up where Koan left off, so obviously you need to read the entire series, and yes I am being serious, this is not a series that can be picked up in the middle. Fen finds himself in the middle of the biggest fight for his life and sanity than anything that has come before (honestly everything before will look like a slight headache and a bit of an itch), Malick is still gone, people are after Fen either to recruit or to kill and his brothers are in danger.

Wow, an incredible end to the Wolfs-own saga. Everything we have seen before culminates to an incredible ending where we see a little happiness finally, at long last, for Fen. Fen is still running, but now he knows everything, and that everything might just push him that final inch into raging insanity, while Fen is finding the truth, his brothers and friends along with the Temshiel and maijin are fighting for their lives as those that have hidden in the shadows come out to play.

Fen begins to come into his own in this book, as he begins to realize that he truly does have choices that he can make, and no one, not even the Gods, can force him to do something he really doesn’t want to do. They may try to manipulate and coerce but unless Fen really wants it, it isn’t going to happen. When Malick reappears you can basically feel the complete relief poring off Fen, but he is a little bit more solid at his core.

Everything comes together beautifully and we have some fantastic battles and fights, some incredible malicious torture (go Malick go) and some of the most nasty, spiteful gods that we could ever see.
Nothing is missing in this story, everything we have learnt in the past and the hints we received are all made clear, there is nothing left to chance (although a short of Fen and Malick being happy would be cool), there are strings that are left dangling but not for our beloved Fen and Malick.

This story is well written and flows smoothly, the characters bring the story to life and the detail that we get feeds our imagination to a firestorm.

I have to recommend this to those who love high fantasy, danger, fights, magic, or have been there every step of the way through the rest of the series, this isn’t a story to miss and we catch a brief glimpse of happiness for Fen and Malick.

Ghost by Carole Cummings, 2nd edition

71JdXuhT7uL._SL1350_Title: Ghost 2nd Edition
Series: Wolf’s-Own 01
Author: Carole Cummings
Genre: High Fantasy
Length: Novel Plus (374 pages)
ISBN: 978-1-63216-324-0
Publisher: DSP Publications (4th November 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Untouchable. Ghost. Assassin. Mad. Fen Jacin-rei is all these and none.

His mind is host to the spirits of long-dead magicians, and Fen’s fate should be one of madness and ignoble death. So how is it Fen lives, carrying out shadowy vengeance for his subjugated people and protecting the family he loves?

Kamen Malick means to find out. When Malick and his own small band of assassins ambush Fen in an alley, Malick offers Fen a choice: Join us or die.

Determined to decode the intrigue that surrounds Fen, Malick sets to unravelling the mysteries of Fen’s past. As Fen’s secrets slowly unfold, Malick finds irony a bitter thing when he discovers the one he wants is already hopelessly entangled with the one he hunts.

Purchase Link: http://www.dsppublications.com/books/ghost-by-carole-cummings-14-b

Review: This is the second edition and there are no changes from the original edition. Oh my freaking God… put down whatever you are doing get this book and read your little hearts out. This type of book is the reason why I love fantasy so much, the pure joy of the imagination, the complete world building and the mysterious characters that all have their own stories.

Fen Jacin-rei is an Untouchable, a Ghost, a loner driven to distraction by the voices that plague him; it is only his training that saves him from complete madness. Kamen Malick is the leader of a small band of assassins who has been ordered to get Fen working with them at any cost. But as secrets come out about Fen, Malick has his own secrets that he is trying desperately to keep hidden.

Wow, just freaking wow, the world building in this book is world class, the characters are all incredible and the story line and plot are fantastic. The story begins with Malick looking for Fen and finding him, from then on the story and characters will intrigue and baffle you. Malick is just so full of awe about himself but he is completely loveable, Fen is a cold hardhearted bastard but as you get to know his story and background, you understand his need to be as cold as possible.

The story is from many POV not just Malick and Fen’s but also from Malick’s group of friends and Fen’s mentor, which means that we get a full-bodied story will lots of detail but we never lose focus of the story line. Malick spends most of the book trying to seduce Fen because he has a very cavalier attitude towards sex and it isn’t until he knows Fen a little better that he realises that he genuinely likes Fen. Fen spends a lot of time rebuffing Malick because of how he was treated in the past. We also have flashbacks to Fen’s life before; starting on the night, he was born.

I really can’t tell you more about the story line because really it would ruin it for you; this is a journey that you have to take yourself because you have to be immersed to absorb all the details that make it so good. The ending isn’t a happy ever after or a happy for now it’s a ‘we have to see what happens’, it is left in a place that will be picked up again in the next book (4 books altogether) and it will be a continuation of this story. Malick and Fen do get together in this and yes they have explosive, erotic and sensual sex but Malick has a long way to go to gain Fen’s complete trust and hopefully his love, while Fen will probably find it hard to believe Malick because of Malick’s own manipulation early on.

So in all honesty this is a fantasy whose characters just happen to be gay, if you are expecting sex and love on every page then don’t bother, this is a genuine Fantasy like Mercedes Lackey’s The Last Herald Mage. There’s a glossary at the end of the story if you find yourself lost with the various use of words and I’d recommend checking them out first.

So I recommend this to those who love fantasy, mystery, bloody fights, intrigue, scorching hot sex, great characters, awesome world building and the promise of another three books to come.

The Queen's Librarian by Carol Cummings

QueensLibrarian[The]LGTitle: The Queens Librarian (Or A Lucas & Alex Adventure, In Which Lucas Would Rather Not (Have An Adventure))

Author: Carol Cummings

Genre: Fantasy, Humor

Length: Novel (224pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (26th July 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: All Lucas Tripp wants is prosperity for the tenants of his family’s estate; good weather for the harvest; suitable matches for his sisters; a little money left over at the end of the month; and more quality time with his boyfriend, Alex Booker. That’s not so much to ask for, right?

Wrong. When his sister’s new suitor suddenly disappears, Lucas is drawn into an adventure of a lifetime—kicking and screaming all the way. Magical beings who were allegedly banished hundreds of years ago are coming through portals that were supposed to be shut against them—and that’s only part of Lucas’s problem. The rest consists of missing princes, breaking and entering, suspicious magicians, well-meaning women who are far too interested in Lucas’s sex life… the list goes on. Lucas is decidedly Not Amused, but he’ll get over it someday. Probably. After all, there’s always Alex.

Wooster and Jeeves meet Monty Python and Doctor Who, with a side-visit now and then to the Three Stooges. The Queen’s Librarian is a romp through absurdity and intrigue and humor and schmoop, with a healthy dose of real adventure. And while Lucas spends most of it decidedly Not Amused, he’ll get over it someday. Probably. Because there is, after all, always Alex.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4062

Free side stories: http://www.carolecummings.com/Works.htm

Review: Lucas has many things on his plate with worrying about his tenants, the harvest, his sisters’ prospects, and money, but he has one thing that makes him truly happy he loves spending time with his boyfriend Alex. What he doesn’t need is anything else to crop up and certainly not his sister’s suitor disappearing or a nutter who thinks he is a Daimin. Lucas is drawn into an adventure when he attempts to discover just where the suitor has disappeared to, along with the appearance of the strange man and then his cousin, the Prince, vanishing and being drawn into a mystery that is over a hundred years old.

Oh, this story is absolutely incredible, it’s humorous and great fun to read. Within the first couple of pages I fell head over heels for Lucas, he is a brilliant character and is great fun (even when he doesn’t mean to be), his boyfriend Alex is wonderful, and he adores Lucas. The storyline is great with confusion and fun every step of the way, we meet some fantastic characters in Prince Laurie, Declan Slade, and the Prince Consort, and we have a great adventure of hyperventilating, sheer embarrassment and near hysterics as Lucas and Alex discover just what is going on in Orchard Downs.

This story starts out a fun light read and it continues in the same vein throughout, it will have you laughing and giggling as you follow along in an adventure that leads to an old secret. I must say that I didn’t want this story to end; I couldn’t get enough of the brilliance of these fun characters. The storyline starts off with a simple missing suitor and becomes so much more as confusion begins to lead the way, leading Lucas and Alex to a secret that has been hidden from everyone from many long years, and reopens diplomacy to a race that they have long been wary of.

I have no choice to but recommend this to everyone if they want a fun light read that has brilliant characters, a great storyline, fantastic animals, and a neurotic librarian, we have guys obsessed with thinking about sex, a slight magical battle that has Lucas spitting feathers and a brilliant ending that has us hoping for more adventures in the future. 

Ghost by Carole Cumming

Title: Ghost

Series: Wolf’s-own 01

Author: Carole Cummings

Genre: High Fantasy

Length: Novel (350pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (17th February 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Dwelling in the land of Ada and defending magic users called the Jin, Fen Jacin-rei is a trained assassin and an Untouchable, one whose mind hosts the Voices of the Ancestors, spirits of long-dead magicians. His fate should be one of madness and solitude, yet Fen Jacin-rei desperately clings to his sanity and ferociously protects the family he loves. But how does Fen do it? Kamen Malick has every intention of finding out.

When Malick and his own small band of assassins ambush Fen in an alley, Malick offers Fen one choice: join us or die. Determined to decode the intrigue that surrounds Fen—and to have the Untouchable for himself—Malick sets to unraveling Fen’s past while Fen delves into the mysteries surrounding Malick.

As Fen’s secrets slowly unfold, Malick is drawn into a crusade that isn’t his, one surprisingly similar to his own quest for vengeance. Yet irony is a bitter reward when Malick discovers the one he wants is already hopelessly entangled with the one he hunts.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2786

Glossary for words and meanings at the beginning of book.

Review: Oh, my freaking God… put down whatever you are doing get this book and read your little hearts out. This type of book is the reason why I love fantasy so much, the pure joy of the imagination, the complete world building and the mysterious characters that all have their own stories.

Fen Jacin-rei is an Untouchable, a Ghost, a loner driven to distraction by the voices that plague him; it is only his training that saves him from complete madness. Kamen Malick is the leader of a small band of assassins who has been ordered to get Fen working with them at any cost. But, as secrets come out about Fen, Malick has his own secrets that he is trying desperately to keep hidden.

Wow, just freaking wow, the world building in this book is world-class, the characters are all incredible and the story-line and plot are fantastic. The story begins with Malick looking for Fen and finding him from then on the story and characters will intrigue and baffle you. Malick is just so full of awe about himself, but he is completely loveable, Fen is a cold hard-hearted bastard, but as you get to know his story and background you understand his need to be as cold as possible.

The story is from many POV not just Malick and Fen’s, but also from Malick’s group of friends and Fen’s mentor which means that we get a full-bodied story will lots of detail, but we never lose focus of the story-line. Malick spends most of the book trying to seduce Fen, because he has a very cavalier attitude towards sex and it isn’t until he knows Fen a little better that he realizes that he genuinely likes Fen. Fen spends a lot of time rebuffing Malick, because of how he was treated in the past. We also have flashbacks to Fen’s life before; starting on the night he was born.

I really can’t tell you more about the story-line, because really it would ruin it for you. This is a journey that you have to take yourself, because you have to be immersed to absorb all the details that make it so good. The ending isn’t a happy ever after or a happy for now, it’s a ‘we have to see what happens’, it is left in a place that will be picked up again in the next book (4 books altogether) and it will be a continuation of this story. Malick and Fen do get together in this and yes, they have explosive, erotic and sensual sex, but Malick has a long way to go to gain Fen’s complete trust and hopefully his love. While Fen will probably find it hard to believe Malick, because of Malick’s own manipulation early on.

So, In all honesty this is a fantasy whose characters just happen to be gay. If you are expecting sex and love on every page then don’t bother. This is a genuine Fantasy like Mercedes Lackey’s The Last Herald Mage Trilogy. So, I recommend this to those who love fantasy, mystery, bloody fights, intrigue, scorching hot sex, great characters, awesome world building and the promise of another three books to come.

 

 

Weregild by Carole Cummings

Title: Weregild

Series: Wolf’s-own 02

Author: Carole Cummings

Genre: High Fantasy

Length: Super Novel (344pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (26th March 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: The amorality of gods makes it hard to tell ‘bad’ from ‘good’ and ‘right’ from ‘wrong’. Fen doesn’t care. All Fen cares about is saving his family, and he’ll risk anything and anyone that gets in his way. Including his own soul.

No longer willing to wait for the machinations of the gods’ minions, Fen accepts the trade Malick has offered and together they set out to rescue Fen’s family and kill the man Fen has loved for years. With the Ancestors still screaming in his head, and with the duplicity and manipulations whirling around him, Fen finds it harder and harder to do without the silence Malick can offer him.

Malick has his own reasons to hand over everything Fen wants, and equally compelling reasons to withhold everything Fen needs. Over his head, and timing as bad as ever, Malick must devise a way to do his god’s bidding without breaking his god’s laws—and keep Fen sane and on Malick’s side in the bargain.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2842&osCsid=n7rt5cg827bkvr4g0fve73p025

Review: God damn. But this cover suits the book to a tee. Fen/Jacin doesn’t give a damn what the Gods’ want, he wants his family safe and Malick to keep his promises and that’s all he wants.  Well, that and silence. Malick has made promises that he always seems seconds away from keeping, he can’t break his gods’ law, but he needs his vengeance and Fen is the only way to safely get it. But, now his promises are falling apart, he’s being betrayed and he finds he still has a heart.

Carole Cummings, I bow down before your greatness. This story/series is what High Fantasy is all about and damn if you haven’t made me one happy Pixie. Fen/Jacin struggles to find balance within himself and without. He finds himself having to depend on other people for the first time, he expects betrayal and manipulation, he expects to be used for others needs, but what he never really expects is for someone to see him, to love him and to truly want him. Malick is bound by the laws of the gods, but he has his own instructions from Wolf and his own plans to fulfill, all the while keeping everyone safe and facing betrayal from one who is close to him.

There is no way that I could explain everything that goes on in this book, as it really is just too epic and I really wouldn’t want to give anything away, but this I will tell you… there is betrayal from unexpected quarters, there is love, hope, dreams, tragedy, deaths, devastation, grief of epic proportions, bloodshed, gruesome bloodshed, grave injuries, smug maijin and Temshiel and above all else we have a troubled Untouchable and a perplexed Temshiel.

This is not a story for those who don’t want something to chew on or those who want a light read or instant romance and love and lots of sex. This is a story that is complex in its diversity, because just as you think you have a good grasp on what is going on and what is being said, something else is thrown into the mix to change it all. Malick accepts that he has a more mortal heart than he remembered and how that has affected the outcome. Fen sees more than he thinks he does and the Ancestors voices make more sense than anyone thought. We get caught up in Fen’s insane rambling mind a few times and we can begin to truly feel what he goes through constantly, but Malick giving Fen silence only makes it worse when he has to listen to the voices again.

There is only one sex scene in this book and it is more out of desperation for Fen than true want… Fen really has no true clue about sex and love and the meaning of both of them. There are moments for both Fen and Malick of just snuggling, but it throws Fen as to why he’d want it. The writing in this book is smooth and flows well and sometimes it’s like watching poetry in motion with its whimsical feel. The characters are all incredible well written and you will all end up with your favorites (mines Fen/Jacin ;-).)

Well, anyway, I have to recommend this to those who love high fantasy, betrayal, bloodshed, plots, manipulation, twists, devastation, an epic brutal final battle, a promise of two more books and a happy as it’s going to be ending.

 

 

 

Koan by Carole Cummings

Title: Koan

Series: Wolf’s-own 03

Author: Carole Cummings

Genre: High Fantasy

Length: Novel Plus (290pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (21st May 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: After saving his people, killing the man he once loved, and losing his little sister, Fen Jacin-rei has made his way to Tambalon with his surviving brothers and Kamen Malick. But shortly after arriving, old ghosts resurface, new dangers arise, and Malick tells Fen the gods aren’t done with him yet.

Fen now knows he’s a catalyst for Fate and a magnet for Fate’s players, and he’s dangerously close to falling over the edge into insanity. But tracking down the vicious creatures that have been abducting and murdering citizens of Tambalon is just as critical as dealing with past lives and legendary beings.

With a threat all too close and a secret he needs to explain, Malick is at odds with those who should be his allies, and no matter how much he wants to protect Fen, it may be more than he can manage when he’s trying to keep them alive.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2948

Review: Oh Fen, poor, poor Fen. Your creator has it in for you. But, god damn, she does it in such a way that we all love you and want you to have a perfect life. Fen thought it was over, the voices of the Ancients are gone, the Jin are on their way to freedom and he has his brother’s back, but the gods haven’t finished with him yet… far from it.

Carole Cummings, I don’t know whether to love you or hate you, because freaking hell, you write one hell of a book, but your ending deserves severe punishment. Fen-Jacin is still floating on the brink of insanity. Oh okay *sigh*, on the brink of complete insanity. He’s holding on by his finger nails and he isn’t being helped by the ghosts that are following him. Malick is trying to protect him as much from outside influences as possible, but even he can’t smother the ghosts completely. Outsiders from all angles want him and then Malick is gone, his touchstone has disappeared and now with no tether, Fen is adrift, haunted and hunted with no one to help him.

This story is a great continuation of Wolf’s-own and the constant mental torture that Fen is under. Malick does know what he is doing, even when it seems like he doesn’t and putting Fen into danger before he is ready is not a mistake that Malick wants to make, but it is soon taken out of Malick’s hands. This book is filled with an awry of clues and hints as to what we are heading towards, but Fen is so not the person who would ever put it together. In fact, all the characters seem to focused on what their own god wants to recognize the danger that is heading towards them, and in their own selfish need to prevail they make matters worse.

Fen and the characters of this book are in for a ride, who or what is haunting Fen? Is it really Asai? Can any of the Maijin or Temshiel find the truth of what is happening in Tambalon? And will any of the readers’ ereaders survive the ending of the book 😉 lol. This story is fantastically written it’s a well woven story that will make you pull your hair out, have you screaming into your fist and make you wish for some happiness for Fen. These are characters that you will love, hate, or sneer at and wish someone would stab them; we have old characters and new, some making up for past mistakes and some making new ones and through it all we have Fen trying to hold on to what little sanity he has left and being expected to save them all.

So, I recommend this to those who love high fantasy, fights, blood and gore, manipulation, mistaken betrayal and a cliff hanger ending that will frustrate the hell out of you, unless you have the next book ready to read.

 

 

Incendiary by Carole Cummings

Title: Incendiary

Series: Wolf’s-own 04

Author: Carole Cummings

Genre: High Fantasy

Length: Novel Plus (300pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (18th June 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Fen Jacin-rei finds himself again on the run after discovering the reality of what he is and why the gods won’t let him go. His one source of support, Kamen Malick, is suddenly unavailable, and now hounded and chased by ghosts who want to drive him into insanity and keep him there, Fen will have to face life all alone.

…Or maybe not. Old enemies and new allies seek to control Fen, now known as “Kamen’s Untouchable.” It’s going to take everything Fen’s got to figure out who he can trust—and who he should fear. It might take more than what Fen’s got to discern who is even real.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3060

Review: This story picks up where Koan left off, so obviously you need to read the entire series and yes, I am being serious. This is not a series that can be picked up in the middle. Fen finds himself in the middle of the biggest fight for his life and sanity than anything that has come before (honestly, everything before will look like a slight headache and a bit of an itch). Malick is still gone, people are after Fen either to recruit or to kill and his brothers are in danger.

Wow.  An incredible end to the Wolf’s-own saga. Everything we have seen before culminates to an incredible ending where we see a little happiness finally, at long last, for Fen. Fen is still running, but now he knows everything and that everything might just push him that final inch into raging insanity. While Fen is finding the truth, his brothers and friends along with the Temshiel and maijin are fighting for their lives, as those that have hidden in the shadows come out to play.

Fen begins to come into his own in this book, as he begins to realize that he truly does have choices that he can make and no one, not even the Gods, can force him to do something he really doesn’t want to do. They may try to manipulate and coerce, but unless Fen really wants it, it isn’t going to happen. When Malick reappears you can basically feel the complete relief poring off Fen, but he is a little bit more solid at his core. Everything comes together beautifully and we have some fantastic battles and fights, some incredible malicious torture (go, Malick, go) and some of the most nasty, spiteful gods that we could ever see.

Nothing is missing in this story. Everything we have learned in the past and the hints we received are all made clear. There is nothing left to chance (although a short of Fen and Malick being happy would be cool). There are strings that are left dangling, but not for our beloved Fen and Malick. This story is well written and flows smoothly, the characters bring the story to life and the detail that we get feeds our imagination to a firestorm.

I have to recommend this to those who love high fantasy, danger, fights, magic, or have been there every step of the way through the rest of the series, this isn’t a story to miss and we catch a brief glimpse of happiness for Fen and Malick.