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{October 29, 2014} {Review} Silver Vengeance by Kasey Shoemaker

From Goodreads: Were-witches. These hybrid creatures stalk the earth with the raw, primal power of the werewolf and the cunning, dark magic of the witch. They’re deadly hunters with the capability for both bloodthirsty vengeance and an unwavering loyalty to their own.

Gabrielle Gayle is an ambitious chef in one of New Haven’s trendiest restaurants. Her concerns consist of getting ahead in her career, dodging barbed insults from her sharp-tongued mother, and dealing with the nagging certainty that she has always had powers. However, when the Clan of were-witches seeks revenge for her mother murdering one of their own, she and her sister are brutally attacked. With nowhere else to go, she turns to Nick, a Hunter of witches, werewolves, demons, and any combination thereof.

However, Gabrielle learns that she has much more in common with the Clan than she ever imagined. And, in order to save herself and her family from being destroyed, she must embrace her powers and become the very creature she fears the most.

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If you’re looking for something completely different in the paranormal world, or urban fantasy, for that matter, then look no further than Kasey Shoemaker’s enticing novel, Silver Vengeance. Filled with mystery and mayhem, readers are introduced to Gabrielle Gayle, a kick-butt heroine who must seek the truth about her own heritage in order to survive a deadly game of cat and mouse.

The characterization within this novel is a wonderful testament to Shoemaker’s writing capabilities. All the characters, both good and evil, are exceptionally real, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them as the novel unfolded. Nick reminds me very much of Dean Winchester from Supernatural, out to take down those who shouldn’t exist, and as Gabrielle and her family team up with him to fight against the were-witches, a coven/pack dead set on ripping apart the Gayle family, sparks and blood fly.

I really enjoyed the combination of werewolves with witches, an ingenious idea that has me wondering what other hybrid concoctions would produce in the paranormal world… being a lover of all things strange, I find it absolutely fascinating, and I loved how Shoemaker brought the two together, creating a unique backdrop to this awesome story. All around, this novel is a ton of fun, and if you’re a fan of Supernatural or Grimm, then I highly suggest you check it out. Four stars.

I received this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon | Kindle (.99 cents) | Nook

{October 16, 2013} {Review} The Murders at Astaire Castle by Lauren Carr (A Mac Faraday Mystery #5)

From Goodreads: Never tell Mac Faraday not to do something.

Spencer’s police chief, David O’Callaghan, learns this lesson the hard way when he orders Mac Faraday to stay away from the south end of Spencer’s mountaintop—even though he owns the property. It doesn’t take long for Mac to find out what lies on the other side of the stone wall and locked gate, on which hangs a sign warning visitors to Keep Out!

Topping the list of the ten most haunted places in America, Astaire Castle is associated with two suicides, three mysterious disappearances, and four murders since it was built almost a century ago—and Mac Faraday owns it!

In spite of David’s warning, Mac can’t resist unlocking the gate to see the castle that supposedly hasn’t seen a living soul since his late mother had ordered it closed up after the double homicide and disappearance of Damian Wagner, a world-famous master of horror novels.

What starts out as a quick tour of a dusty old castle turns into another Mac Faraday adventure when Astaire Castle becomes the scene of even more murders. Mac is going to need to put all of his investigative talents to work to sort out this case that involves the strangest characters he has run into yet—including a wolf man. No, we’re not talking about Gnarly.

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This is Lauren Carr’s first plunge into the world of the paranormal, and I must say, it’s absolutely thrilling! There is never a dull day in the life of retired investigator Mac Faraday, and finding out he owns a haunted castle piques his interest, regardless of what his friends tell him about leaving it well alone. And, with the investigation into the abandoned castle comes the appearance of a wolf man and the murder of two prominent celebrities, further stirring up the lore surrounding the disappearance of a horror author that once lived in the towers so long ago, creating many different avenues of adventure for both readers and characters alike. I love how seamlessly Carr is able to tie nearly everything together in the end, save the supernatural entities she evokes in this thriller, and as a paranormal and mystery lover, this novel is the perfect mix, providing enough evidence to explain away multiple happenings while leaving enough room for speculation for those a little more into the supernatural.

Carr’s intense characters, Mac Faraday, David O’Callghan, Archie Monday, and Gnarly, take readers on another amazing crime scene adventure you won’t soon forget, just in time for Halloween. If you haven’t read any of the Mad Faraday mysteries and you’re looking for a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat, then I highly suggest you start with this one as each Mac Faraday novel stands alone. And, once you start, you’ll want to read them all. Five stars.