REVIEW: The Trouble with Twelfth Grave by Darynda Jones

*Thanks to Netgalley & St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for a review*

Ever since Reyes escaped from a hell dimension in which Charley accidentally trapped him, the son of Satan has been brimstone-bent on destroying the world his heavenly Brother created. His volatile tendencies have put Charley in a bit of a pickle. But that’s not the only briny vegetable on her plate. While trying to domesticate the feral being that used to be her husband, she also has to deal with her everyday life of annoying all manner of beings—some corporeal, some not so much—as she struggles to right the wrongs of society. Only this time she’s not uncovering a murder. This time she’s covering one up.

Throw in helping Cookie's daughter Amber and Quiten's start-up P.I. business and keeping the Vatican from snooping into the existence and whereabouts of Charley and Reyes' daughter. But when someone starts attacking humans who are sensitive to the supernatural world, Charley knows it’s time to let loose her razor sharp claws. Then again, her number one suspect is the dark entity she’s loved for centuries.

Can Charley bring Reyes back from the brink? Can she discover the killer in time? Can she recover from breaking the unforgivable rule????

The Trouble with Twelfth Grave is another wickedly funny and hot fantasy ride with plenty of intrigue, characters we love and great storytelling. Narrator Lorelei King does another stellar job with the audiobook. You'll laugh, you'll cry!

Quite possibly the best moment of the entire series is homeless 'stripper' Cookie. I laughed so hard!

The ending had me reeling and waiting with anticipation for the next book!

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Eleventh Grave in Moonlight by Darynda Jones

*Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

Charley Davidson is still learning to balance her life as a sleuthing, part-time P.I. and full-time Grim Reaper. Investigations, talking to the departed plus dealing with all manner of demons, hell-hounds, evil gods and angels are just another normal day. Not to mention lusting after her often infuriating and hot as hell husband, Reyes Farrow--literally the son of Satan.

In this 11th installment to the series, Charley continues to discover the scope of her powers since learning that she is a goddess with extreme abilities and her daughter is destined to save the world from total destruction.  Charley is still dealing with the fact that she cannot raise or even see her child in hopes to protect her from those who mean Beep harm.

Readers are in store for another humorous, sexy and well crafted supernatural mystery/thriller with plenty of unexpected twists. Charley continues her investigative work which often have multiple ties to her personal life. There is definite friction between herself and Reyes since she pursues the case against the Fosters--the couple who kidnapped Reyes as a baby as well as his 'brother' and other children. What she finds is surprising but connected to the supernatural.

The Amber story-line was a surprise turn but a well crafted bit of writing from the author to tie a lot of the narrative together as well as continuing to give readers of glimpse of where this series might be going and steer the course for the spin-off Jones keeps promising.

Eidolon makes a surprising reappearance that again brings about dire turmoil and consequences for Charley and her supernatural crew.  I had an inkling regarding the ending but was not prepared for the shock nor the lingering sense of disbelief that we'll have to wait for the next book for some answers and 'hopfully' peace of mind.

Reading these in print is never a disappointment but I can't wait to revisit it in audio as performed by Lorelei King.

Overall, I LOVED IT!

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @darynda

#11thGrave #CharleyDavidson #grimreaper #humor #paranormal #romance #mystery #reading

REVIEW: The Curse of Tenth Grave by Darynda Jones

Charley Davidson and the gang are back. She's got her memory but more problems than ever.  Tensions are high between her and super hot husband and son of Satan, Reyes.  While Charley considers how to tackle this and process some very earth-shattering news about her lover, she is back in the game solving missing persons cases and generally getting into trouble in ways only our beloved Grim Reaper can.

Fans of the series won't be disappointed. There's plenty of humor and mystery to go around plus smoldering sexy time and more than Charley's fair share of angst.  Reader's finally get a chance to see her grapple more with having to give her daughter up in order to protect her and the fierce she-beast that emerges when Charley's family is threatened.

I enjoyed the general mystery elements: Charley helping out a homeless girl afraid to go back to the children's home for fear of being the next to die and an innocent man who has been charged with his girlfriend's murder.  However, I was blown away as Charley researches the god glass and what to do to protect her daughter but also the weight of the ramifications for Reyes.

The ending is heart-wrenching and thrilling at the same time.  I felt actual physical pain at the revelation but am excited for the next story in this series!  The audiobook is another brilliant performance by Lorelei King.

Cheers!

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars!

Follow the author on Twitter: @Darynda



#TheCurseOfTenthGrave #CharleyDavidson #humor #romance #mystery #paranormal #audiobook

REVIEW: Brighter Than the Sun by Darynda Jones

"Brighter Than the Sun" is a novella companion to the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones.  What's special about this selection is that it is Charley's story (or most of it) as told by Reyes Farrow. Still a child himself, Reyes recounts the first time he feels Charley's presence--her birth--and the unbearably beautiful light she exudes. She is a blazing spot in a life filled with utter darkness at the abusive hands of his 'father', Earl Walker.  Convinced that he's made Charley up as a way to endure the pain and humilation brought by his childhood, Reyes grasps hold of her presence and is amazed when he discovers she's real.  

I've always liked Reyes.  Sure, he's the legendary son of Satan. He's complicated, dark, dangerous and uber sexy, but this story proves he is much more than that based on his self sacrifice to ensure the continued safety of his stepsister.  Before now, we've only had Charley's perspective into Reyes' past. This story is certainly a darker turn.  There's humor but not a whole lot of it since that would miss the point entirely.

If you are a fan of the Charley Davidson series, plus want and need more Reyes, definitely check out this novella.  Readers won't be disappointed and it fits nicely within not only the story through book 10 but also with what is fated to come to pass in future novels. As usual, the audiobook narrated by Lorelei King (@LoreleiKing) is amazing! She is truly the Audiobook Queen.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars


#CharleyDavidson #BrighterThanTheSun #DaryndaJones #ReyesFarrow #romance #paranormal

REVIEW: The Dirt on Ninth Grave by Darynda Jones

*Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a review*

Expected publication: January 12, 2016

Following the cataclysmic events at the end of Eighth Grave After Dark, Grim Reaper extraordinaire Charley Davidson is living in Sleepy Hollow, New York and working as a waitress. Suffering from retrograde amnesia, she has assumed the identity of Janey Doer. Charley might not know who she really is, but some things never change--her hilarious quips, sharp tongue, compassion, knack for getting into heaps of trouble or her obsession with coffee.  Oh, and seeing the departed.

Little does Charley know that all her beloved friends and family are with her, hovering on the fringe of this newly forged existence--giving her the space she needs but supporting her, if and when, she remembers her past and the destiny she's set to fulfill. Verbal slips from her BBF Cookie, a sense of ease with cop Robert and an intense, burning passion for the sexy new cook, Reyes Farrow, lead Charley to suspect that this group might know more about her identity than they let on.

I really enjoyed this book as I do each installment in the series.  Let's face it, the ending of the last book was pretty traumatic.  What I loved about this one was that even when she wasn't quite herself, Charley is still Charley.  She's frank and hilarious but her need to help and find answers--even if she mucks it all up--remains stalwart. I adored the character development as she discovered more about her powers and what that might mean. Reyes is smoldering as usual but I did wish Garrett and Osh had a bit more to do. 

As in other books, I appreciate Jones' writing chops. It isn't easy to build humor and suspense seamlessly but she does each and every time.  The way she folds each piece while incorporating compelling mystery and supernatural elements always leaves me impressed. I hate to give too much away but fans of the series will experience trademark Davidson detecting with the help of some dearly departed assistance.  I was less thrilled with the main mystery involving the discovery of a missing family. However, Charley's assistance in aiding a coworker battle an evil spirit preying upon infants was compelling as was the surprise ending wrapping up other events and sneaking in a shocking reveal which has huge implications for the series. All in all, I LOVED it!!!

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @Darynda

#daryndajones #charleydavison #9thgrave #supernatural #bookreview #netgalley