OMENS by Kelley Armstrong

A Cainsville Series Novel, Book One

Dutton Publishing
August 20^th, 2013
978-0-525-95304-3
Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense
Hardcover
Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)
Obtained by Library

4 Hearts

 

For Olivia Taylor-Jones, her life couldn’t be more perfect. The only daughter of a wealthy family, Olivia finds she is content with the life she has. Until she finds a shattering secret that will change her entire world. Now as the truth reveals itself that her biological parents are serial killers, Olivia is determined to figure out who she is and what happened so long ago. Her journey takes her to Cainsville, a small sleepy town outside Chicago that holds more secrets than even Olivia knows about. Aided by a local lawyer who has his own agenda on why he is working with Olivia, she finds that the more she uncovers the more questions she has.

Wow is all I can say after turning the last page of OMENS. Ms. Armstrong delivers an enthralling introduction into this new series with a spine tingling, edge of your seat story that leaves you breathless. I finished OMENS in less than two days and was completely captivated by it. I just could not put it down. Fast paced storyline delivers one twist after another as the reader is taken on a journey alongside Olivia as she searches for the answers she needs. The writing is tight and with this author’s trademark style, delivers a complex cast of characters to really fall in love with. What really cemented this book for me was how Olivia figured out one mystery only to find herself with several more to untangle. Ms. Armstrong really delivers a suspense filled story to get lost in.

Meet Olivia Taylor-Jones. Only daughter to a wealthy Chicago family, she finds her life shattered when she is told she is adopted and her biological parents were notorious serial killers, Todd & Pamela Larson, who are serving life sentences in prison. Needless to say, what charmed life Olivia enjoyed is now in pieces. I loved this main character. As Olivia tries to figure things out and deal with one betrayal after another, the reader finds themselves rooting for her to win the day as Olivia races to solve her past in order to find who she really is in the present. With a diverse cast of characters, Ms. Armstrong delivers multi-dimensional characters to enjoy while you flip the pages of this first Cainsville Series. From spooky powers that seem to haunt Olivia to people who have their own agenda; the author captures each of the characters personalities perfectly. I really loved the dynamics between Olivia and Gabriel, her biological mother’s former lawyer. One minute it is just business, the next they both are fumbling around trying to make heads and tails over things. The residents of Cainsville are at times spooky, magical and downright creepy yet the reader gets a hint at who some may be within the story. I really liked that aspect. The characters themselves keep the story flowing smoothly as one more piece of the puzzle fits and as more pieces tumble out.

OMENS are a wonderful lyrical story that draws you in from the first page and doesn’t let go until the very last page is read. If you are looking for a different sort of paranormal suspense/mystery to enjoy, I highly recommend OMENS to you. The story will keep you glued to the pages until the very end. Now all I can ask is, when will book two come out? I can’t wait to see where Ms. Armstrong goes with this series in the future.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

FROSTBITTEN by Kelley Armstrong

Women of the Otherworld Novel, Book 10
Publisher: Bantam Books
Date Published: July 27th, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-553-58962-7
Paranormal
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher


For werewolf Elena Michaels, the job she was on was supposed to be easy...well in theory anyways. Trying to get a wayward Aussie werewolf to stop and listen is taking some time and Elena is about to give up until Clay, her mate and the pack’s enforcer joins her, as they trace his trail to Alaska. Trying to find their werewolf, Elena and Clay stumble upon crimes, that has them racing to find out who and what is causing human deaths. Can Elena and Clay find a way to solve the crimes, find their werewolf mutt and finally get some alone time?

FROSTBITTEN is one of the best books in the series. We get kick butt heroine Elena, back with her hunky mate, Clay. Some returning favorites from past books and a mystery that leaves the reader guessing. Ms. Armstrong delivers a strong tale with action, intrigue and adventure all within the borders of Alaska, to keep the reader turning the pages, eager to see what happens next. Tight writing, complex characters and heart pounding twists, kept me on the edge of my seat wondering if Elena and Clay can finally finish the job and go home to their kids. With each page, the reader is introduced to a new part of the beloved characters of Elena and Clay. This is an author who really knows how to get to the heart of her characters. I for one am thrilled to see the strong, likable characters of Elena and Clay are back and in a big way too. The storyline is fresh, riveting and definitely not for the faint of heart.

FROSTBITTEN returns the reader to the world of the werewolves and the pack we first met in BITTEN. Elena has come to accept her life as a human turned werewolf, mated to Clay Danvers, the pack’s enforcer, and the mother of twins. Now the reader is taken on a journey with Elena and Clay as they try to solve the case of murders in Alaska, while working out some issues in their relationship that have begun to crop up. I love Elena and Clay together. One thing is that Elena made Clay work for her and her heart with every inch of his being. The author shows us how these two work together and how their relationship continues to evolve and grow. With each page, we are drawn into their lives as they try to figure out the mystery that surrounds them and how to deal with their changing relationship as well. There were a few new characters introduced that had me hoping they would show up in future books and kept the story moving a long at a nice, even pace.

FROSTBITTEN is a perfect story for those who love strong female leads, multifaceted characters, action-adventure and a little romance to keep the blood pumping. Ms. Armstrong delivers all this and more in her tenth installment in her wonderful, diverse Otherworld series and I am eager to see what she conjures up next. If you enjoyed the other Otherworld books, then run to grab FROSTBITTEN. It will surely leave you anxious for more.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

WAKING THE WITCH by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Dutton/Penguin Books
Date published: July 27, 2010
ISBN: 978-0525951780
Paranormal Suspense
Hardback
Reviewed by Gina
Review copy provided by publisher


Half witch, half sorcerer, one hundred percent supernatural, Savannah Levine has finally reached her majority. With her mother and father, the witch and the sorcerer dead, she's been raised by Paige and Lucas Cortez, a witch and a sorcerer. Between her own genes and their teaching Savannah is smart, street savvy, beautiful and chomping on the bit to head out on her own. Well, not exactly leave her warm and loving home. She'd just like to have her own case to solve. When Paige and Lucas head off on a much needed vacation, family friend Jesse appears at the family detective agency and drops a case in Savannah's lap. The timing is perfect. Guardians gone, unrequited crush of her life, Adam, is out of town, and she's been ready since forever.

As Savannah's luck would have it, Jesse has brought her not one, but three murders. All with the possibility of a paranormal link. She packs her gear, jumps on her motorcycle and heads off to Columbus, the scene of the crimes where she has to deal with a small town police chief, in a town that's lost its industry and people are barely scraping by. Before she can launch her investigation a police detective, Michael, from out of state arrives and he doesn't particularly care to work with her. He just happens to be related to one of the victims. As soon as Michael realizes Savannah knows her stuff he aims to work with her; and then he starts to fall for her, as she does him. When Savannah is found standing over Michael's body, all bets are off. What is a witch to do?

I wasn't keen on DIME STORE MAGIC and WITCH MAGIC, the books that introduced and told Paige and Lucas' stories as well as introduced Savannah to Kelley Armstrongs's readers. I like what Ms. Armstrong has done with Savannah in WAKING THE WITCH. I like it a whole lot. There is a bit of Nadia in Savannah from the Nadia Stafford series, but Savannah is all her own person. There were a few times I thought she didn't much act like an average twenty-one year old, however Savannah herself speaks to her maturity in reflection of how and with whom she grew up. The ending ties up the story, but leaves you dangling a bit, amping up your eagerness for the next book – I sure hope there's a next book that features Savannah!

Without becoming maudlin or creating a morose atmosphere, Ms. Armstrong paints a well done picture of a small town down on its luck and how the residents are coping. The secondary characters, Cody, his wife Tiffany, Alaistair and Megan add wonderful flavor to the story. Kayla is endearing. She's a unique character, well written and not your standard fare of the precocious child. Ms. Armstrong doesn't fall back on things only a parent would think are cute; rather Kayla is a child you wouldn't mind to have for your own.

WAKING THE WITCH is one of Kelley Armstrong's best yet.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

THE RECKONING by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Harper Teen
Date published: April 2010
ISBN: 978-0061662836
Young Adult, Paranormal
Hardback
Reviewed by Gina
Obtained via: Library


Chloe Saunders is still on the run with her friends Tori, Derek and Simon. Escaping the Edison Group and defeating the vile group's plans to kill them, they think they are relatively safe with Simon and Derek's family friend, Andrew. As each day passes they find their powers growing in leaps and bounds. When Andrew brings in some former Edison Group members to help the teens cope with their powers they quickly find out that the teens can outperform them. The quartet learns more about themselves and grow up fast in a matter of days. But all is not well. Two other werewolves are sent to kill Derek and Andrew's friends aren't as trustworthy as they would have the teens believe.

Without a doubt Kelley Armstrong is one of my all time favorite authors. While the Darkest Powers trilogy is billed as "young adult" they are super books for any age group. With hints of characters from her adult series I was disappointed to get to the end of THE RECKONING because I wanted to see where the teens go next. The door was; of course, open for further adventures at the end of the book.

As I've mentioned before, I'm not a huge fan of paranormals, but Ms. Armstrong's books definitely pull me in and once I start them I can't put them down. This one was a good read although some of the demonic characters and zombies turned me off. The story couldn't be told without them; they just aren't my thing. The ending left me a bit bemused. It tidied things up, no loose threads, but I felt like something was missing. That said, it is a definite read for any fans of Ms. Armstrong of paranormal books.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

TALES OF THE OTHERWORLD by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Bantam Dell
Publication Date: April 2010
ISBN: 978-0553807882
Paranormal Romance
Hardcover
Reviewed by Gina
Obtained via publisher


Did you ever wonder how werewolves Clayton Danvers and Elena met? Or how Eve Levine and Kristof Nast began their relationship? Or how Lucas and Paige Cortez' overcame their otherwise opposite destinies? In her TALES OF THE OTHERWORLD Kelley Armstrong takes us in to the early days of some of our favorite couples and shares with us their heartaches, hopes and dreams.

Aaron was basically a good guy. He looked out for the underdog and protected those weaker than himself. One night though he took on someone who was stronger or faster or simply got in a lucky stab. When he wakes up several days later his mother celebrates his life, or rather, his living death. Torn between wanting to do the right thing and not take another life, elder vampire, Cassandra, shows him a different path. Will he take it?

Lucas Cortez never wanted any of the trappings of the family sorcerer cabal. After years of simply avoiding his father and what the family business offered, through the love of his life, Paige Winterbourne, he found a way to live with what he was. Protecting and defending other supernaturals, as an attorney, Lucas pursues his calling. But will his older brothers let him live long enough to achieve his goals? In TALES OF THE OTHERWORLD readers have the opportunity to see what went on behind the scenes at the Cortez-Winterbourne household.

In MEN OF THE OTHERWORLD readers learned how incredibly handsome and sexy Clayton Danvers made the choice to become a werewolf as a child. In TALES OF THE OTHERWORLD, through Clay and Elena's words readers are taken to how the couple met, fell in love and then severed their once in a life time love. Clay always knew there was one and only one mate for him. Despite pack brothers Nick and Logan taking him first to heterosexual bars and venues and then to gay bars, Clay never gravitated to anyone. Then one day he began teaching at the university in Toronto and met Elena. He bided his time, tamped down his wolf nature, and courted her like a human male. And one day he brought her home to meet his family. When Jeremy forbid their relationship, Clay took matters into his own hands and destroyed the love, trust and faith Elena felt for him. In TALES OF THE OTHERWORLD Ms. Armstrong shares what drives Clay and his heartbreak when he realizes he must choose between Elena and the pack. I fell in love with the character all over again as more of his past was revealed.

That makes TALES OF THE OTHERWORLD even more special is Ms. Armstrong's actions to donate the proceeds of this marvelous collection to charity. Reconnect with some of your favorite characters and welcome to their world.

THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW.

FROSTBITTEN Women of the Otherworld book 10 by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Bantam Books
Date published: October 2009
ISBN: 9780553806625
Urban Fantasy
Hardcover
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by: Library




Elena Michaels and Clay Danvers are back and this time they are sent to Alaska to find out about mysterious murders and rumors of a shape shifting werewolf that is more myth than real. Add in ghosts of the past that haunt Elena and Clayton and they find themselves tested in ways that has them wondering if they can survive this adventure as one or split asunder.

FROSTBITTEN is finally here and I couldn’t be more pleased to see another adventure for Clay and Elena again. This is a couple who grows on the reader and frankly, they are one of my favorites of Ms. Armstrong’s Otherworld Couples. In FROSTBITTEN, Ms. Armstrong tells a story of past ghosts that haunt Elena and Clayton, unsolved murders and rumors of a mythical werewolf that shape shifts into whatever it desires. It is fast paced from start to finish and the reader is thrust into the action from the first page. I was enthralled and eager to see what would happen next for these two as the action heated up and the mysteries kept getting more complex. The minute you thought you solved it, it twisted into something else that had you going “OH MY GOD!” as you turned the page fast to see what happens next. With returning characters that are beloved by this author’s readers, FROSTBITTEN is a tour de force as you get sucked in a world where myth and reality get entwined and the reader longing for more.

Ms. Armstrong is a wonderful storyteller who keeps the reader glued to the pages and eager for more. I read this book in less than seven hours and was looking forward to reading it again soon. FROSTBITTEN is a wonderful story that has many twists and turns to keep you enthralled. I love this author’s way of writing and in all her stories, the reader finds characters that will endear them forever. With a fast paced storyline, action packed adventure and a past that haunts the two main characters; Ms. Armstrong delivers her strongest story to date in her Otherworld series in FROSTBITTEN. I highly recommend you run, not walk to grab this wherever you can, be it bookstore or library.
FROSTBITTEN is a wonderful adventure that awaits you and all I can ask is: More please!

Gina
Obtained via library




From the first page of FROSTBITTEN till the very end I was just plain ole glad to see Elena and Clay back in their grove. While I enjoyed the Otherworld books between BITTEN and FROSTBITTEN, there is nothing like the chemistry Kelley Armstrong has built between Clay and Elena. Seeing how they have grown both together and in themselves between the books has been a natural progression. Elena's acceptance of Clay's innate nature wasn't a sudden turnabout you see in so many books today—how many have you seen where in one chapter the heroine can't stand the hero and the next she's madly in love with him? That's one of the things I like about a series where you see the same characters over the years. There's time for them to develop and come into their own.

Alaska is a breathtaking place and when Elena and Clay play in the snow Ms. Armstrong definitely captured the beauty of the country. Readers are treated to the added benefit of seeing it from both the human and werewolf points of view.

In terms of characters, I was intrigued by the lone werewolf finding his place in the wolf world. The other shifters, however, I could easily have done without. I could see a place for some sort of other being in the story, but I was bored with them and kept wondering why. Had I been reading for entertainment rather than review I would have skipped where they appear.

FROSTBITTEN was a welcome read and with Elena stepping up to the plate and her future laid out before her I get the feeling I'll be enjoying the Otherworld books for years to come. At least I hope so!


This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.



THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW

THE AWAKENING Book 2 of the Darkest Powers Series by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Harper Collins
Date published: May 2009
ISBN: 978-0-06-166276-8
Young Adult Paranormal Suspense
Tradepaperback
Reviewed by Gina



On the heels of her escape from Lyle House, a home ostensibly for troubled teens, Chloe Saunders thought she could turn to her beloved Aunt Lauren. Aunt Lauren turns out not to be quite the guardian angel Chloe was hoping for. The nefarious staff of Lyle House shows up one by one at the secret facility Chloe learns several key facts—her friend Liz is dead and unless she can be “rehabilitated” Chloe may be joining Liz in the afterlife. With the Lyle house adults on the search for her friends Simon and Derek, Chloe does what she can to protect them while at the same time searches for a way to make her own escape. When the opportunity presents itself she goes on the run, this time with her nemesis, Tori, in tow. It takes a little time, but Chloe and Tori finally hook up with Derek and Simon and the foursome take off to find the one man who they believe will be able to help them—Andrew.

Andrew was friends with Simon and Derek’s father and with their dad missing they feel that their old family friend may be the only one to help them. Making their way out of Buffalo to Andrew’s home, the foursome discover their powers growing—werewolf Derek undergoes another partial change, necromancer Chloe raises a few more dead folks and witch Tori tests her skills casting a few spells. Simon takes the lead in planning their future and how to avoid what they now know is The Edison Group. The Edison Group, named for Thomas Edison and in honor of his attempts to contact those in life, had hoped to build a race of super-supernaturals and to that end engaged in DNA manipulation. When they reach Andrew’s place, what they find unnerves them and sends the foursome once again on the run.

The Awakening is a non-stop action, page-turner of a tale. Each of the teens in the story grows and develops throughout the telling, developing their own unique strengths and talents. Subtle changes in personality, unfold in the characters, making them true to life. In her Women of the Other World series author Kelley Armstrong shows the gritty side of life and her ability to tell it like it is but keep you reading is evident in The Awakening as well. While the teens in the story have embarked on an adventure, it is not one they would have chosen for themselves. Step by step their camaraderie grows while at the same time, shows what can happen to a teen out on the streets. Seen through a dark lens, even a sunny day has a cloud covering the characters yet there are moment of at least a glimmer of a chuckle simply because Ms. Armstrong’s own unique humor comes through. The characters are not permutations of earlier characters or of Ms. Armstrong herself, yet the reader can tell there are elements of this fabulous author in each of them. Fans of her adult series, Women of the Otherworld will smile when they see the reference to the Wolf pack in Syracuse. I admit I hoped for a glimpse of my personal hero, Clay, from that other series, but he didn't show—maybe later.

Billed as a young adult series, The Darkest Powers series is a cross-generational read that both males and females of all ages will enjoy. I look forward to the next book in this series and to see what happens to Chloe and her friends next.

LIVING WITH THE DEAD *Women of the Otherworld, Book 9* by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Bantam Books
Date published: October 2008
ISBN: 978-0-553-80664-9
Paranormal Romance
Hardcover
Reviewed by Shaiha


Spin, doctor Robyn Peltier’s employer, has been murdered and now she is running for her life as the people around her keep dying. And she just can’t seem to get ahead of the murderer long enough to even talk to the police. When it is discovered that the murderer might be one of the Otherworld races, Robin’s best friend, Hope Adams, is in a real quandary. Her only chance to keep Robyn alive is to tell her about the Otherworld races and the fate of humans who find out this information is death.

Kelley Armstrong has done it again with LIVING WITH THE DEAD which is book 9 in her wildly successful Women of the Otherworld series. LIVING WITH THE DEAD is slightly different in that the heroine is actually a human who has become involved with the otherworld races unknowingly. Robyn really struck a chord with me as she could be me or my best friend. All she is trying to do is stay alive. Luckily she does have one of the women of the otherworld on her side in the form of her best friend Hope Adams.

It was great to be able to run into Hope and Karl again. She has to be one of my favorite characters. She still has a lot of insecurities but she is growing stronger and surer of herself each book. And her relationship with Karl is an ongoing work of art. He has been a real stabilizing element on Hope. We are also given another glimpse into the Cabals and are introduced to the inside workings of another of the Otherworld races.

Be sure to get your copy of LIVING WITH THE DEAD and set aside a day to do nothing but read and enjoy. I highly recommend LIVING WITH THE DEAD to any readers that enjoy strong women and the paranormal.

THE SUMMONING Darkest Powers book 1 by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: March 2009
ISBN: 978-0061450549
Young Adult Paranormal Suspense
Paperback
Reviewed by Gina



Chloe Saunders has a talent and no, it’s not the one she wants as the world’s most gifted screen writer/director/producer. No, this is one she’d really rather not have. Not just because it makes her less than normal. In the short span of about two weeks she learns that this talent is making her a target by a group of the most nefarious individuals you can imagine. The thing is, neither Chloe, nor her friends, nor the reader know just how despicable these people are. We’re talking betrayal of the highest sort.

Petite, creative, yet in her own mind just your average kind of girl, Chloe is going about the business of being a student in an art school. Her father travels, a housekeeper wakes her up for school in the morning and a taxi driver gets her there on time. She copes with day to day life by seeing it through a real or imagined movie lens. It works most of the time, but one day, it all kind of shatters. First, her long awaited foray into womanhood arrives and at about the same time, she sees her first ghost. Well, not exactly her first. She just doesn’t have the most coherent recollections of the ones she saw as a little girl, the ones her dear Aunt Lauren has protected her from. Things go downhill after the ghost encounter when she finds herself in a group home, diagnosed with schizophrenia. But all in the house isn’t quite what it seems as Chloe learns when her new friend, Liz, is suddenly transported to another facility. Just what that facility is causes no end of consternation and confusion to Chloe when Liz pops back into their room one night and Chloe is able to put her hand right though Liz’s body. Life is suddenly a lot more complicated than just coming of age and getting better so she can get on with her life. In fact, Chloe’s life has changed in a way she would have never written into a movie.

While I’m not entirely certain I’d like my 12-16 year old read this, THE SUMMONING is a must read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with nail biting suspense and a touch of the paranormal. One of the elements I like about Kelley Armstrong’s books is that they are about people who could be someone you know. Yes, they are otherworld people, but they are present, very much like your next door neighbor or friend. They rely on their smarts and wits and only when they need to rely on their supernatural skills are they different. In Chloe’s case Ms. Armstrong totally nails teenage angst and the need to fit in, on the head.

A year or so ago I heard an author speaking about mysteries and how the up and coming generation – today’s young adults – don’t read and if they do, it’s certainly not mysteries because as far as teens are concerned, mysteries don’t make sense. Their first issue is that you are never alone—you are always with your friends so you wouldn’t be out there by yourself. The other is you always have your iPod, cell phone or other method of communication. You’d definitely be texting while running away from the bad guy.

Ms. Armstrong blows that theory completely out of the water. She takes your average, text through the day while you listen to your music teen and takes away her methods of communication, takes her away from her friends and hands her several layers of intriguing mystery. Is she really seeing ghosts? What happened to Liz? What is going on at Lyle House and what is with the other residents? Before one question is answered, another curve is thrown at Chloe. And her friends? Well she makes some new ones who are, at a minimum, some of the most interesting people you would want to meet.

THE SUMMONING is the first of Ms. Armstrong’s Darkest Powers series. This series is definitely an auto buy.

MEN OF THE OTHERWORLD by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Bantam
Publication Date: January 2009
ISBN: 978-0-55380709-7
Paranormal Suspense
Hardcover
Reviewed by Gina



It takes a special man to court and win a special woman, especially if she is a supernatural. And if she’s a bitten supernatural, well she is indeed a special woman. MEN OF THE OTHERWORLD is a collection of stories about the men who win these women’s hearts.

Throughout the Women of the Otherworld stories, pack Alpha Jeremy Danvers has long been portrayed as the strong silent type. Unlike your typical Alpha wolf and male, he’s not into dominating with force. Rather he negotiates and encourages. He’s one of those individuals who, with just a look, can make you feel bad for doing something wrong. But how did he get that way? Since werewolf cubs are taken from their mothers at an early age, it certainly doesn’t come from a loving mother. The father then? A father who himself wishes to be pack Alpha? Or does it come from somewhere else, deep inside?

For the pack werewolves mutts are fair game. If they try to venture into pack territory they are quickly eliminated. Sometimes pack werewolves are killed, but the mutt is eventually disposed of. It is pack law and unquestioned. Then what kind of man grows up to rescue a wild werewolf child, tame, nurture and guide to adulthood? Such a man is Jeremy Danvers. Jeremy is the thread that weaves the stories of MEN OF THE OTHERWORLD.

When readers first met Clayton Danvers in BITTEN, the first of the Women of the Otherworld books, we are shown a gorgeous blond haired, blue eyed dream of a man. Did I mention he has the kind of body you want to wake up to every morning? Oh yes. My first impression of Clayton in BITTEN was he was either slow or arrogant. We first meet him sitting in front of Stonehaven just waiting for Elena to show up. Just sitting there for however long it will take. He then proceeds to doggedly track her every step. I know I felt her annoyance at his refusal to take no for an answer.

And then Clayton began to unfold and it became plain that what he felt for Elena was total and complete unconditional love and devotion. Rare commodities to be sure in many relationships yet for Clayton they were the essence of his personality.

In MEN OF THE OTHERWORLD readers meet Clayton as a child and learn how he became a werewolf.

In MEN OF THE OTHERWORLD Kelley Armstrong takes us into the hearts and minds of Jeremy and Clayton Danvers. From their births to their acceptance of the women in their lives, breaking with long held pack law and policy, readers see the men behind the women. Their stories are a combination of their personal and family dynamics and Ms. Armstrong’s special brand of humor, most often seen through Clay’s behaviors.

If you have wondered just how the werewolves of the pack found their places and grew into the men they are, MEN OF THE OTHERWORLD takes you into their hearts and minds. If you are looking for a good read with some werewolf lore, subtle humor and well done vignettes that make up our lives, this is a do not miss. As with the Women of the Otherworld books MEN OF THE OTHERWORLD is a stand alone story and does not necessarily need to be read as a prequel. If this is your first encounter of Ms. Armstrong’s amazing storytelling, you will definitely want to check out her entire back list.

Gina@Loveromancesandmore.com

MADE TO BE BROKEN: Nadia Stafford Book 2 by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Bantam
Date Published: February 2009
ISBN 978-055358838-5
Thriller
Paperback
Reviewed by Gina



Nestled in Kawarthas, about two hours from Toronto, the Nadia Stafford’s Red Oak lodge is worlds away from the high powered drama of her life as a hit woman. Her profession calls for her to be cold, calculating and never getting too close to anyone. And things were just fine until her mentor, Jack, brought in another professional, Quinn, to the team just months before. Despite her own standards and rules, Nadia has found her attraction to Quinn growing stronger and stronger. The wall around her heart is further chipped away when she hires a seventeen year old single mother, Sammi. Determined not to end up like her mother, Sammi is devoted to her baby girl, Destiny, and brings her to work every day. No cold child care for Destiny, Sammi gives her all for the baby. While she can respect Sammi for caring about her child, Nadia cannot stand by and let Sammi neglect her job at the lodge. After Nadia comes up with a plan to help Sammi meet her job commitments and still do what she feels is right for Destiny, Sammi disappears. Before Nadia can begin a serious search for her erstwhile employee, fellow hit woman, Evelyn calls—apparently Jack has had some sort accident and needs a place to lay low for a bit. Loyalty wins out and Nadia goes to pick up Jack and bring him to the lodge. Once there, despite a broken ankle, Jack jumps in to help Nadia find Sammi. What they uncover will brutally throw Nadia into the very past she’s been running from.

She also finds herself having to decide which side of the fence she is on when it comes to Quinn. Bit by bit she confronts her feelings for the blond haired, green eyed federal agent only to be blindsided by overhearing Evelyn’s diatribe to Jack about how he is losing the only woman who is his perfect match. Layer by layer the safe and emotionless world Nadia has built for herself begins to unravel just as she is pitted against the very nightmare that led her to the world she now inhabits.

Kelley Armstrong’s Nadia Stafford is one of the most intriguing characters I have ever read. I have read many authors who cross genres, some who write under different names, yet with each of them there is a tone that takes the reader into the world of the author’s real self. In the Nadia Stafford books Ms. Armstrong’s voice is so incredibly different it is as if someone else has penned the stories. Ms. Armstrong generally writes in the first person and while in some of the Women of the Otherworld books there was a fine line where one character came close to another. In both EXIT STRATEGY and now even more so in MADE TO BE BROKEN this amazing author is truly another person. There are so many layers to Nadia, all of which make her such a rich character to read. I was intrigued with all of the characters in EXIT STRATEGY and ever more to in MADE TO BE BROKEN. There is a tangible growth in Nadia’s personality and her conflicts have changed and grown with the steady peeling back of her self-made protective wall. At the end of EXIT STRATEGY I pondered which man, Jack or Quinn, would make his way to her heart. In MADE TO BE BROKEN she resolves that dilemma, yet the decision remains unsettled. The chemistry between the threesome with the added blend of Evelyn’s meddling, is the kind which will endure in story after story.

If you do not read another book this year, MADE TO BE BROKEN is your must read.

Kelly Armstrong Retrospective

I’m (Gina) not a huge fan of first person writing, although in the past few months I’ve read more of it than ever before. Some is excellent (i.e,. Karen Marie Moning) and others are just awful. If the books weren’t for review I wouldn’t make it through them.

I (Shay) have also never been a real fan of the first person however Ms. Armstrong’s ability with this writing style completely blows me away. I really feel that I am part of the story.

On the other hand, Tammy loves the way Ms. Armstrong writes in first person. It is what makes the books so good. You really feel like you are there watching events unfold.

I’m also not a fan of werewolves. Except for Quentin in the original Dark Shadows they were never high on my list of favorites and while I read a few when the genre became popular, I was never a fan.

Tammy, Shaiha and Dawn are definitely werewolf fans and Dawn likes first person.

Well, Kelley Armstrong made Gina a believer! From almost the first page BITTEN (ISBN 0-452-28603-4, Penguin 2001) had her asking where Ms. Armstrong had been hiding. Naturally she wasn’t hiding, she’s been writing more totally enthralling books. So that led to the next question – where had I been the past seven years as well as why, when I had the book on my shelf for probably that long I hadn’t picked it up and read it. BITTEN is a whole other take on werewolves story lines that even the most comprehensive review cannot do justice to. I adored Elena and so completely understood her motivations – what’s so wrong with wanting a normal life? And she did what she had to have it including walking away from the man who stole normalcy from her. But what is normalcy? Is it doing the same things everyone else does, or is it what is right for you.

Clayton Danvers isn’t a wounded hero or even that close to your typical Alpha male. Oh he’s got the Alpha thing going on some level, but he’s so much more than that. Clay is comfortable in his own skin, both of them. He know what he wants and views life from his wolf nature in a way that makes such complete sense. He knows he belongs with Elena and while he steadfastly does what is in his nature to do to win her, he understands her needs. With his steadfast single minded pursuit of Elena, yet still giving her plenty of space, I wanted to shake her more than once and ask her why she was neglecting this guy!

Tammy had this to say about Clayton: I think Clayton is very definitely the wounded character you can't help but love. He was turned as a child and left to fend for himself until Jeremy finds him and makes him his son and gives him a real sense of self. While most of his behavior is wolf-motivated, the man side positively bleeds when Elena gives him the cold shoulder again and again.

Dawn had this to say about Clayton: He is the ultimate hero~ vulnerable, strong, and protective yet willing to let Elena be who she is and work through her emotions even though he wants to take charge and protect her regardless if he thinks she can do it or not. With his ability to show that he can let the one woman he loves to be herself and find what she wants made me believe there was much hope for this couple, especially towards the end of BITTEN when Elena finally realizes she can be with Clay and not lose herself at the same time.

Shay’s comments: Clayton is hot but the alpha that really drew me is Jeremy. To me, he is the ultimate alpha and a major incentive to lose myself in this series.

Add in a mystery, non-stop action and Gina’s had the best read of her summer.

STOLEN (ISBN 0-452-28593-3 Penguin 2004) is book two of Ms. Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series and Elena is on a mission. Not one she chose, but ended up being pulled, literally and figuratively into. In STOLEN there’s this psychopathic megalomaniac who would be anyone’s worst nightmare capturing paranormals. A psycho of the first water and you know out there somewhere there IS someone very much like him. You just hope you don’t ever meet him. The story itself just didn't click for me as much as BITTEN did. There is the hint of dark film noir to the telling. Elena is a brooding heroine and so refreshing. Seeing the growth of the character from Bitten to Stolen is just wonderful. It’s a do not miss read and has a place on my keeper shelf—it just wasn’t as good as BITTEN.

Tammy had this to say: STOLEN was not as good as BITTEN - too many other characters introduced at once. Best part was when Clay showed up.

I (Shay) have to say that I liked STOLEN. It had a different feel than BITTEN but still very good. And of course, there was Jeremy.

DIME STORE MAGIC (ISBN 978-0553587067) continues the story started in STOLEN and tells Paige and Savannah’s story. In a fashion it is continued in INDUSTRIAL MAGIC (ISBN 978-0553587074). These two books are perfect examples of the diversity of readers and reviewers. Both books were a bit of a struggle for Gina on a few levels. She had a hard time telling the difference between Elena (the female werewolf from BITTEN and STOLEN) and Paige (the witch). Savannah was like most teens in books for me, annoying. Gina says: I think it’s just teens in general that are annoying. There were parts of the books that felt like they were trying to be young adults, but just falling short outside the fence with the love scenes between Paige and Lucas and one very brutal scene where cats were tortured. Hurting animals, especially cats, loses points with me big time. Neither story had any of the zest I felt from BITTEN.

On the other hand, Tammy says: Paige is very different from Elena. Can't imagine how Gina had a hard time distinguishing them apart. Elena is very strong and confident, arrogant. Paige is softer and more maternal and sort of fumbles through all the changes in her life where Elena charges through. The best parts of DIME STORE MAGIC and INDUSTRIAL MAGIC were the parts that showed the growth of relationship with Paige and Lucas. As he comes out of his shell with her, I really started to like him, especially with the many conflicting situations that made him his true nature a little questionable at times.

Dawn said this on DIME STORE MAGIC: I loved the differences between Paige and Elena. You have a council who hasn’t dealt with werewolves or other supernatural species in awhile. It was nice to see how Ms. Armstrong was able to showcase both Paige and Elena in positive lights yet also show their differences positively. I enjoyed the way Paige and Lucas interacted, with Paige being almost hostile to finally being able to see a side of him that is rarely shown to people. Nice dynamics and though there was a lot of new characters added in DIME STORE MAGIC and STOLEN, it was still an enjoyable read, if a bit darker.

HAUNTED (ISBN 0-553-58708-0 Bantam 2005) was more in line with the thrill I felt when I read BITTEN. Savannah’s mother, Eve, was killed in STOLEN and this is her story about how she deals with being dead, still being Savannah’s mother, and discovering how much in love she is with the Chris Nast, Savannah’s father. I related strongly to Eve. Having spent my entire life doing the right thing for everyone else, making sure everyone else was taken care of before considering myself and losing out on the things I wanted most for myself have given me much the same dilemma I felt Eve had. When confronted with life as an angel—still doing good deeds or spending eternity as an “average” ghost with the man she loves she ultimately chooses the man the loves—which is what I would do. After a lifetime of giving, I’d sure like to have what I want for a change and the love of that special man in my life would be the crowning gift. Yet Eve has a heart wrenching twist on her choice—as an angel she could continue to be there for Savannah. The Nix is an intriguing character and with her as the explanation of why women not only kill but become serial killers is an awesome thread. This one I recommend.

Again, Tammy and Gina disagree about Eve -- Eve - didn't really like her. And "lifetime of giving"? Eve was a black witch. Not exactly stellar mother material there. Sure she had some redeeming moments, but it was a good thing when she died. Probably saved Savannah. Did, however, enjoy her romance after she became a ghost with Chris Nast. He made her a lot more likable.

Dawn says this about HAUNTED: Eve was a complex character and very interesting one. On one hand, she is a black witch and on the other hand she is a loving mother. I think this is a character with multiple sides that will appeal too many but also get them to see her in a different light as well.

I (Shay) missed the three books and I think that I really need to go pick them up.

It’s reviewer dialogue like this that gives readers a bit more insight into why they may like a certain book.

Tammy hasn’t written full reviews on these books but from her personal reading enjoyment has this to say about Ms. Armstrong’s more recent releases: NO HUMANS INVOLVED wasn't my favorite. Not enough past characters maybe? Did enjoy the relationship with Jamie and Jeremy though. Hope they get more page time.

NO HUMANS INVOLVED had to be my (Shay) favorite book of the series. It drew me right back into the series and reminded just why I feel in love with Ms. Armstrong in the first place. I also have to give her kudos for the fact that I didn’t feel that I missed anything by not reading all of her backlist first. This is a biggie with me as I am almost anal about reading series in order.
PERSONAL DEMON - Karl and Hope are great together. Every time she pairs people up in her books she takes someone of dubious character and pairs them with someone strong that brings out their better qualities. Love that.

She really enjoyed Lucas' struggle with the whole wanting to change the Cabals and wanting to stay far away from it all. The family dynamic there is wonderful. I really like how his dad is both always there for him offering support and yet always has an agenda of his own all the time. Great character!

(Shay) Karl and Hope are the bomb together! I loved seeing their relationship deepen. Karl is such a bad boy and I have real weakness for that type of man. I also enjoyed learning more about the Cabals and Lucas.


Tammy had this to say about EXIT STRATEGY: If I hadn't known she wrote it, I would have never guessed. I enjoyed it, but not nearly as much as either of her other series. The heroine was still a kickass strong independent woman and the hero a little rough but solidly in her corner but they were both a little difficult to empathize with. And the minor characters really didn't do it for me. The old lady - I wanted Nadia to run from her and why is our hero so trusting of her? And then Quinn - she knows all of 5 seconds and is considering jumping in the sack with him when the better, more obvious choice, Jack, she doesn't even seem to notice lusting for her? For someone that seems to notice every little nuance about everyone around her, she does seem to be missing a lot where Jack is concerned. And tell me that Quinn doesn't realize Jack's interest? For a supposed friend, he doesn't mind poaching, does he? And where were Jack, Quinn and company after the house blew up and Nadia is running from a madman? Weren't they supposed to be guarding the outside of the house? Were they all so taken by the explosion that they just stood there gaping?

Dawn finished reading the latest book, LIVING WITH THE DEAD, and loved the dynamics between Karl and Hope. This is a couple who really talked to me as Hope tried to deal with Karl’s past leaving and actually find where she fits in the world as she knows it. The character of Robyn made me want to slap her silly sometimes. She annoyed me with her penchant of not dealing with issues or making snap decisions that end up badly. This was a character that really didn’t do much for me. I was happier reading about Hope and Karl, than Robyn and Finn.

(Shay) There is another book out there that I haven’t read yet! I know what I will be searching for when I get home. Kelley Armstrong is one of those authors that just doesn’t get enough attention. All of her books are strong and guaranteed to please readers of the Paranormal.

Dawn also enjoyed the YA novel, THE SUMMONING and is anxious for the next book, THE AWAKENING. It was a very good kick off to this series and I really enjoyed the dynamics of Chloe and her dealing as a female necromancer.

PERSONAL DEMON: Woman of the Otherworld, Book 8 by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Bantam
Date Published: September 2008
ISBN: 978-0-55358820-0
Paranormal Suspense
Paperback
Reviewed by Gina



Hope Adams is a tad more than the tabloid reporter delving into werewolf sightings about town. And she’s a tad more than a half-demon. Actually she’s got quite the pedigree in that she is Lucifer’s daughter. Yes, that Lucifer. She’s pretty much on her own, no real ties and only one commitment that looms from her past. Along the way she and werewolf Karl Marsten incurred a bit of a debt to the Cortez Cabal. Benicio Cortex, that would be Lucas Cortez’ father, hasn’t been in any hurry to collect, until now. Someone is setting up the Cortez Cabal and as the oldest and most powerful of the cabals, he needs to put a stop to it, but how? There’s a gang working in the neighborhood and what better way to get the scoop than to have a reporter, a tabloid reporter at that, investigate just what’s going on? He calls Hope and she agrees to help, sans Karl because the last thing she wants is to open the old wounds of his telling her to go on out and date other supernaturals.

When Karl hears what Hope is doing, he heads for Florida, determined to work by her side. Before he arrives though, Hope, posing as party girl Faith with an entre into gang, has met a potently sexy man named Jaz. From the first moment they meet Jaz puts the moves on Hope and she is on the verge of succumbing. Jaz is everything Karl is not. With Hope’s arrival, movement within the gang changes and instead of just stealing from unsuspecting humans, Cabal members begin to be killed. An even iller wind blows when members of the gang also begin to turn up dead. With things getting uglier and uglier, including the murder of two of Lucas’ brothers, Lucas and Paige head off to Florida to help out. What they find is almost beyond comprehension with finger pointing at the very top of the Cortez Cabal. e Fates.

I didn't like PERSONAL DEMON. There is little in the book for me to recommend and this was a huge disappointment for me because of how strong the writing was in BITTEN, HAUNTED and BROKEN. While a different series, EXIT STRAGETGY was one of the best reads I had all year. PERSONAL DEMON is a slide back to how I felt when I read DIME STORE MAGIC and INDUSTRIAL MAGIC. Admittedly I am not a fan of first person writing, but in the “Elena” books as well as Eve Levine in HAUNTED Ms. Armstrong turns me around. Those are so well done. In PERSONAL DEMON she has not only Hope, but Lucas in the first person point of view and at times it makes the reading tough going. It does not add to the drama, but makes following the story and who’s doing what hard to follow.
The connection between Jaz and Hope is instantaneous but there’s no true emotion with it. The story needs them to have a connection so it’s there, but I didn't feel it was true. I did like the turn around with Karl and he became a likeable character. I also liked Benicio – he does grow on you after awhile!

Hope is purported to be Lucifer’s daughter. There are a couple of references to Hope’s lineage, but nothing is much made of it. I felt more could have been done, perhaps even with an appearance of some sort by the…demon…himself. Over all though, I felt no connection to any of the characters and for the most part the book read like a travelogue of Hope and Lucas’ experiences.

From past books I know Ms. Armstrong is a talented and innovative writer. I look forward to the next Nadia Stafford book as well as her new Summoning series.
And, given that PERSONAL DEMON ends on the note that leads one to believe we haven’t seen the end of Jaz, I will probably read it and hope it is one of Ms. Armstrong’s pinnacle tales.

NO HUMANS INVOLVED by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Spectra
Date Published: February 2008
ISBN: 978-0-55358837-8
Paranormal Suspense
Paperback
Reviewed by Gina




Super sexy, red haired necromancer Jamie Vegas is about to realize the dream of a lifetime. Death of Innocence, a reality-type television show staring spiritualists, culminating in raising the ghost of Marilyn Monroe could be the pivotal last step before being handed the television show she has always coveted. The dream coming true, however, is the imminent arrival of Jeremy Danvers, the werewolf alpha who captured her heart some five years earlier. Not that Jeremy knows of her infatuation. Jeremy is all aloof courtesy, putting his pack first and lately, his two grandchildren and Clay and Elena’s babies, Logan and Kate. Jamie lives for the supernatural council meetings where she can drink in even just the sight of the man of her dreams.

When Jeremy calls to say he’ll be late because the twins have colds, Jamie is disappointed, but she understands and expects he will not be arriving at all. Before she can crumble at the thought of not seeing Jeremy, the production team begins their work on the show, starting with a séance where contact is made with the ghost of Tansy Lane, a fledging starlet killed before her career could take off. While Jamie is the real deal, the other two spiritualists hired for the show aren’t exactly the folks you’d want contacting your family member. As the contact with Tansy moves along, Jamie becomes aware of other ghosts, yet they are like no ghosts she has ever encountered. They can’t hear her and she can’t hear or see them. The joy of Jeremy’s arrival is filtered through the mystery of the child ghosts. Jamie looks to Eve Levine for help, yet Eve doesn’t answer. Rather, it is Kristof who shows up. When she tells him of her discovery he goes to the Fates and before long Eve is sent to help. What is going on is of grave concern to the Fates. What unfolds before council members is more than they bargained for.

I became am “Armstrong fan” when I read BITTEN earlier this year, moving on to STOLEN, DIME STORE MAGIC and INDUSTRIAL MAGIC. Both DIME STORE MAGIC and INDUSTRIAL MAGIC were a struggle for me, the stories felt flat and I had a hard time differentiating between Elena and Paige. With HAUNTED and BROKEN I once again saw the writing that set Kelley Armstrong apart. NO HUMANS INVOLVED is proof positive of Ms. Armstrong’s unique talent for story telling. She definitely regained her voice and has come back strong and steady.

The heat between Jeremy and Jamie is palpable and when Jamie sends him from her door without even a goodnight kiss I wanted to shake the characters and yell at them “You gotta do this!” They waited five years to move to the next level. Well I waited through four books! Ms. Armstrong did not disappoint…and neither did Jeremy!

This is a multi-layered story—the drive to out do and the glamour of Hollywood, lost children taken in their prime with no one to care. Lost souls finding their way home and justice meted out to those that need it most. When Eve shows up with her sword I cheered her on. Ms. Armstrong leads her readers into the psychological machinations of some very sick people along with the motivations of the good guys. The cameos of some favorite characters makes for a read that makes the reader feel included. There’s also a touch of humor, as seen through Jamie’s eyes. While the author doesn’t treat some of what Jamie sees as funny, the idea of a ghost hanging from a chandelier does have a certain glimmer of amusement to it.

NO HUMANS INVOLVED shows a believable perspective on the after life. While the names are changed, some of those we meet from the other side are recognizable and honored by Ms. Armstrong’s tale. When justice is done, it’s awesome. NO HUMANS INVOLVED is a do not miss read.

LIVING WITH THE DEAD: Women of the Otherworld, Book 9 by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Bantam
Date published: Otober 2008
ISBN: 978-0-55380664-9
Paranormal Suspense
Hardcover
Reviewed by Gina



On assignment in Los Angeles Public Relations guru Robyn Peltier is just starting to put her pieces together after losing her husband, Damon, in a tragic misunderstanding. What she finds in L.A. is a bit more than she bargained for. Following the murder of her client, celebutant, Portia Kane, her eyes are opened in a way she never could have imagined. Before she can report Portia’s murder she finds herself being accused for a second and possibly a third. Determined to turn herself in, she makes contact, sort of, with Detective John Findlay, who gladly answers to Finn.

Finn found himself drawn to the L.A. Police Department mainly because sitting in his patrol car in a small town he wasn’t able to use his skills as much as he would hope to and it’s not just handling a gun. Finn’s real talent lies in being able to see and talk to ghosts, specifically murdered ghosts. It’s not long after he begins his pursuit of Robyn, much like the ghosts of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, he picks up a ghostly hitchhiker named Trent. While Trent convinces him he’d make a good, well silent, partner, there’s something about Trent that holds the key to Portia’s murder.

Joining the mix of a Cabal link, a new breed of paranormal and humans are Hope and her werewolf lover, Karl Marsten. Dodging them at every turn yet evading their efforts to catch the killer, is Adele, a young woman who is on the run for her life for more reasons than one.

LIVING WITH THE DEAD is book 9 of Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series and her first written in the third person and it is fantastic! In her author’s notes Ms. Armstrong speaks about her hesitation in making the switch from her signature first person and let me be among the crowd to say it was definitely a good move. There is much more depth to the characters, showing each character, and especially Hope’s, internal conflicts more fully than imaginable. I came away from PERSONAL DEMON not caring very much for any of the characters. LIVING WITH THE DEAD more than makes up for any fault I found with PERSONAL DEMON. In LIVING WITH THE DEAD I saw the talent and depth Ms. Armstrong exhibited in BITTEN and EXIT STRATEGY. It has left me more eager than before to see what she does with her new SUMMONING series.

The story takes readers into the plastic side of L.A. life through the foibles of Portia Kane and her ilk and offers a testament of true friendship when readers see the relationship between Robyn and Hope.

I wasn’t too thrilled with the ending because I found I really wanted to see a happy one between Hope and Karl. It’s not that it’s not happy—but Ms. Armstrong better be working on the next book in this series or I’m going on my own hunt for Karl!

Almost all of the books in the Women of the Otherworld series can be read as stand alones, however with LIVING WITH THE DEAD, reading PERSONAL DEMON is pretty much a must do. While I didn't like PERSONAL DEMON all that much, after reading LIVING WITH THE DEAD I plan to re-read PERSONAL DEMON and take a closer look at the Hope character because of what a great job of transformation Ms. Armstrong does with her in LIVING WITH THE DEAD.

Definitely a do not miss read.

EXIT STRATEGY: Nadia Stafford Series, Book 1 by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Spectra
Date Published: June 2007
ISBN: 978-0-553588194
Thriller
Paperback
Reviewed by Gina



A former cop, she’s the owner of a mountain lodge, a place to go to get away from the hustle, bustle and noise of the city.

She’s a killer for hire. A hit woman who can take a man…or woman…down in any manner of subtle ways. Nadia Stafford doesn’t kill indiscriminately nor does she take just any job. The people she sends to the great beyond deserve what they’re getting on some level. They’re the bottom feeders who no one is really going to miss when they are gone but whose departure may well lead to a collective sigh of relief. Not that what she does is right. After all, murder is still illegal.

Returning from a job, all Nadia really wants to do is return to her lodge and kick back to live her “other” life. With some of the cops she worked with on location it’s not exactly easy for her to slip away to talk with her mentor, a man known only as Jack. Jack, an enigmatic man of indiscriminate age, shows up now and again. With respect for his personal privacy and the code shared by hit men and women, she doesn’t probe into his personal life. She doesn’t even really ask about his professional life. However, when one of their own begins killing a combination of criminals, innocent bystanders and targeting other contract killers, she and Jack join forces to bring this monster down. Turning to a long time pro, an older women named Evelyn who is still among the best, Jack and Nadia begin their pursuit of the lethal killer. Time and again they come close, so very close to catching the man dubbed the Helter Skelter killer, yet each time he manages to escape. When Nadia becomes his target she soon learns she has no where to hide.

I got hooked on Kelley Armstrong after reading BITTEN and have thoroughly enjoyed the Women of the Otherworld series, especially BROKEN, which is an “Elena and Clay” story. After immersing myself in Ms. Armstrong’s world of witches, werewolves, ghosts and vampires, to name a few, I was quite curious to see what she did with a contemporary thriller without the paranormal beings present. Too often when an author first makes the move from one genre to another their writing hits a few bumps. Not so with Ms. Armstrong. Not only is Nadia a fascinating study in contrasts—a former cop who still believes in protecting and serving, but supports herself by taking down the worst society has to offer, but every character in EXIT STRATEGY is multilayered and attention getting. Even the minor characters of Grace and Cliff in the opera house are mesmerizing in their interactions. By the end of their scene I was holding my breath, waiting for the shoe to drop as the outcome of that short but so very potent chapter ended.

As with Eve’s decision in HAUNTED, EXIT STRATEGY pulled me in two directions at once. After all, Nadia is breaking the law. She is killing people. But she’s killing people who would otherwise continue to hurt others. She’s servicing society, but at the same time, can her actions truly be justified? Ms. Armstrong knows how to draw in a reader, intrigue him or her and weave her take around them.

I personally wanted more for Nadia at the end of EXIT STRATEGY, but the fact that it is book 1 of the Nadia Stafford series and the promise of a new assignment looms, I was okay with the ending. After all, she and Jack may eventually have that happy ending…or not. In either event, EXIT STRAGETY should be placed on your “must read” list.

BROKEN: Women of the Otherworld, Book 6 by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Spectra
Date Published: April 2006
978-0-553588187
Paranormal Suspense
Paperback
Reviewed by Gina



Five years after coming to terms with just how she really feels about Clayton Danvers, Elena Michaels is pregnant with his child. Being the only known female werewolf has its privileges….and restrictions. For instance, is the gestation period that of a human, wolf or a combination of both? No one knows and Jeremy Danvers, the pack leader, is making sure that all goes well with Elena’s pregnancy. Or tries to until a voice from the past calls.

When half-demon Xavier Reese helped Elena escape from a madman’s compound several years before, that would be after he engineered her capture, he let her know one day he’d call in the favor. With weeks to go with her pregnancy, Xavier has surfaced with his chip. There’s a letter he wants that no one with a heartbeat can retrieve. Against Jeremy and Clay’s desire to the contrary, Elena, who is going a tad stir crazy, wants to go after Xavier’s prize. The pack agrees and they take off for Toronto. While retrieving the letter itself is fairly simple, it’s the true contents that unleash horrors on Toronto and the Danvers pack. Embedded within the letter is a portal to the past, one that contains Jack the Ripper and Jack’s back on the streets. But they don’t know this at the outset. There are two zombies slogging their way around the streets of Toronto causing havoc themselves. They realize Jack’s back when they come across a dead prostitute, killed in a macabre imitation of the Ripper murders some 100 years before. In a race against time the werewolves with help from necromancer, Jamie Vegas, pursue Jack. One big hitch—Clay’s life is on the line and Elena may have to choose between her child and the man she loves.

Kelley Armstrong’s BROKEN is a fabulous return to Elena’s world. Five years after BITTEN where she came to terms with her werewolf nature shows her as stronger than ever. Knowing and accepting her place in the world empowers her to make her own choices. She still respects pack law; but knows how to work with it to achieve her own goals.

BITTEN also seemed to be a point of liberation for Ms. Armstrong in terms of her own humor as related in one of Elena’s remembrances—she looks back at a time when she, Clay and pack-brother Nick went to the movies and Elena and Nick ditched Clay. It’s funny yet at the same time showed just how sensitive Clay is. He’s not only gorgeous and smart, he loves Elena with an unconditional love we should all experience. Clay’s the kind of guy we’d all like to bring home and keep there for safe keeping.

Ripperology is fascinating. Who was he? Why did he do what he did? Did they ever find him? Was it a favor for the royal house? Or was he just a psychotic, sociopathic killer? Or…is he the creature seen through Ms. Armstrong’s eyes? This fabulous author adds a whole new twist on the Ripper story with an incredibly wonderfully layered story.

Kelley Armstrong just gets better and better with each of her Women of the Otherworld stories.

An interview with Kelley Armstrong

Hello and welcome to Love Romances and More. Thank you for taking the time to talk with several of us from Love Romances and More Reviewers and our readers. We have thoroughly enjoyed several of your books and hope our readers will enjoy them as well. The questions we have for you today come from Gina, Dawn and Tammy.



One of the first things we at Love Romances and More and our readers want to know about your writing is how long have you been writing?

I don’t want to scare you, but I (Gina) have to tell you I’ve never been a fan of first person or werewolves. It was a major shock for me when I read BITTEN and was within the first few pages not only immersed but immediately ordered your entire back list. I’m a pretty picky reader so when something impacts me that much it’s pretty spectacular. So let me ask you, what draws you to writing first person?

In LIVING WITH THE DEAD you write third person for the first time. How was that for you? Did you have to stop yourself from slipping into the first person at any point?

Living with the Dead was the first novel I'd written that had to be done third person, because the story needed multiple points of view. I've done third person before, in some of my online work and lots of unpublished work, so I could switch to that form easily enough. The problem was that one of the narrators (Hope Adams) narrated the previous book, so as hard as I tried, I couldn't get her into third person. I had to write her parts in first person and switch them to third.

Do you think you’ll continue writing third?

I'll only return to it if a storyline demands it. I don't mind third person, but I know a lot of my readers are accustomed to first person in my series (and the genre in general), so I won't write third just for the sake of doing something different! But if I get another idea that needs third, sure, I'd do it.

Which came first, the concept of WOMEN OF THE OTHERWORLD or your own intrigue with werewolves? In other words, was there a specific supernatural you were attracted to (maybe like Gina is to Clay) and it just went from there or was it an attraction to werewolves?

I've been writing books with paranormal elements for as long as I can remember. I like werewolves--a combined love of animals and the paranormal--so I suppose it was my natural starting point for the series.

Where did the idea for Elena come from?

Elena started in a short story (Truth & Consequences, on my website) I needed to write a new story to present to my writing group, and I was watching the first season X-Files werewolf episode--typical blood-thirsty man-beasts--and thought "That's not how I'd do werewolves." So I sat down to write a werewolf story. Elena came from that.

BITTEN has so many wonderful layers to it. Elena’s conflicts, her epiphany that one of the things Clay has done for her was to give her a way to be who she really is. And to top it off, she is, in my opinion, the alpha of her relationship with Clay. In a world of alpha males, what was it like for you to write such a wonderfully strong female?

I don't know. LOL. I didn't set out to write a strong female. I never do. In this case, I was trying to write a woman who could survive and thrive as "the only female werewolf" without being a complete hard-as-nails kick-ass character.

Okay, I’m not too secretly “in love” with Clay. Really. He’s just a character, right? One that just saunters off the page and into our imaginations. When we first meet him, sitting by the gate, just waiting, Gina’s initial thought was that he was a tad slow, kind of a goober. Then as we see more of him, it becomes clear just what an amazingly special guy he really is. For us he demonstrates the epitome of unconditional love. Is he based on anyone you know in real life?

No, sorry! My husband is an amazing guy--completely supportive--but I've always been very careful never to base characters on people I know. It's like with the women, I don't want any of them to be "me" or my fantasy persona. With Clay, I wanted him to have bitten Elena without her consent. That put the conflict into the story--how does someone like Elena get past that? I had to build Clay to be a man she could initially despise and blame, yet also someone who could eventually win her back.

STOLEN was a darker story, especially with the cruel way some of the characters die. Were those scenes hard for you to write?

Actually, in a lot of ways, I prefer the darker stuff. My roots are in horror, so I like visiting the dark side. That said, I'm horrible at killing series characters. I have a bad habit of even letting my villains survive, after I've planned for them to die (Karl in BITTEN, Leah in STOLEN, that guy in PERSONAL DEMON--I won't tell his name, being a newer book and potential spoiler! If I enjoy working with a character, even a villain, I want to bring them back, as I did with Karl and Leah.

DIME STORE MAGIC and INDUSTRIAL MAGIC take readers into Paige Winterbourne’s world. In both stories you tackle some serious emotional issues, like children being killed. Was it as difficult for you to write as it was for us to read?

Killing children is always an easy emotional "push button," which makes it tough for me to decide to do it. If they're being killed just for shock value, then it's a cheat. If they're being killed because it fits the plot concept, then it'll still be seen as a bit of a cheat. With the runaway in DIME STORE MAGIC and the Cabal employees' kids in INDUSTRIAL MAGIC, I upped the age to teens to shift a bit away from that problem, but that didn't make it any easier to write those scenes. They're supposed to have an emotional impact--it's necessary for the plots--but it's still difficult to do.

HAUNTED was a fun read because of Eve (Gina totally relates to Eve). There was this set up for her as troublesome in STOLEN, DIME STORE MAGIC and INDUSTRIAL MAGIC. In HAUNTED we learn just what Eve is really about. She’s an awesome character. How much of Kelley is in Eve?

Eve is my "character least like me." Sorry! The only thing we have in common is having a daughter, so that's why that part of Eve's life is such a critical element in HAUNTED. I could imagine what it would be like for Eve, dying and leaving her daughter behind, knowing she should let her go, but wanting to watch over her.

In HAUNTED you put Eve in a pretty untenable position—does she become an angel or does she spend eternity with the man she loves. That’s a pretty hard one for anyone, living or dead to confront. I can tell you if it were my choice, I’d take the man I love. What would Kelley Armstrong choose and why?

If I was me, I'd say take the guy. I wouldn't feel any particular need to become an angel. But then I'm not Eve--with powers that could really be helpful as an angel, and a past she feels she needs to compensate for (even if she hates to admit it)

BROKEN had me pretty darn happy because there was lots and lots of Clay in it. (Did we tell Gina’s in love with him?) The part where Elena talks about she, Clay and Nick going to the movies and how she and Nick wanted to see something Clay didn't and how she told him she was going to get popcorn and then actually went to a different movie made me laugh, but it also left me feeling bad for Clay. He is such a good guy. He’s honest—what you see is what you get. That’s one thing about your writing I really enjoy—that you can make me laugh, but at the same time, evoke a host of other emotions. Do you do anything special to get yourself to that place in your writing where you have a character do something so ordinary yet at the same time evoke myriad emotions from that simple act?

I wish I could say it's a talent that I work very hard at developing, but sadly, no... It just comes out that way. And with Elena and Clay, there's always that little extra edge to the humour. They've come a long way, but there will always be fireworks--that's just their personalities--though by the time we reach FROSTBITTEN, it's a bit gentler.

I liked how you worked out Rose – giving her, as a secondary character some interesting depth and personality. She’s a pretty grotesque character to begin with and gets more so. Did you need to do anything special to get in a place to write her or did she just flow?

Rose was one of those characters that would be easy to do as a caricature, and I had to try harder to see her as a person, and get a personality from her, so she wasn't just another rotting zombie whore. (I know, there are just so many of those in fiction)

How do I ask this without giving away a plot ending…so work with this if you want. Did you consider going in the other direction with Clay than where he ended up?

No, I knew that's how it had to end because it plays out in their future--how does Clay feel when Jeremy wants Elena to be Alpha, and Clay won't be the perfect bodyguard? I have this aversion to "temporary serious injuries," where characters are gravely injured in one book, then pop back in perfect health in the next one. So I knew how it had to end and that it wouldn't be temporary.

Which of your female characters, Elena, Paige, Eve, Jamie, Hope, Robyn or Nadia are most like you?

Elena is closest to me in what I call the "socio-economic factors." Same age, same educational background, similar careers (writing), grew up in the same geographic region... That made it easier for me. After that I branched out more. Personality-wise, though? We have some traits in common, but not a lot.

Which one do you want most to be like?

Hmm. Well, while I wouldn't want to be Paige, I wouldn't mind sharing her selflessness and commitment to her causes. Oh, and I want Elena's metabolism--can I have that?

Nadia Stafford from EXIT STRATEGY is perhaps one of the most intriguing characters we have seen in a long time. I’m a huge fan of Alexander Dumas and my favorite of his is The Count of Monte Cristo and in some ways Nadia reminds me of him…doing the right thing for perhaps the wrong reasons, after all, she does kill for a living. She’s an interesting study and I’m sure evokes some strong reactions from readers. How does one justify applauding a killer? Yet there are aspects of Nadia that I think most of us would like to have in a friend, perhaps even a best friend. What was it like for you when you were writing her?

Nadia is a lot of fun to write. I'm always looking for a challenge in characters--creating one who isn't necessarily the obvious, lovable heroine. That is indeed divisive for readers, though, so I always know I'm taking a risk. But I'm not really interested in the easy heroines. Ones like Nadia--with all her quirks and edges--are the most engaging for me.

Would you like Nadia as a friend?

I don't think that would be safe, all things considered (I'd be terrified of saying the wrong thing to her!) She'd be an interesting person to know, but friends? No. At this stage in her life, she's a little too volatile for me.

Or were there times you just wanted to have the killer take her down?
Ha! No. Readers might have that reaction to some of my heroines, but I have some affection for all of them. If I ever created one I'd rather see dead, you'd never see the book--I'd put it aside.

Was it hard to take someone who is doing the wrong thing (killing) and make them likeable?

It was a challenge, because I don't share Nadia's value system. But that made her more interesting as a character--I had to build up a backstory for her that would explain those values to my own satisfaction. I think the harder thing, actually, was not to make her TOO likeable. In the early drafts, I went a little too far that way, stripping away some of her edge. I had to remind myself "she's a hired killer--she's not supposed to be the good guy" and put that edge back in.

Jack or Quinn? Which one would Kelley Armstrong like to come home to at night?

Um, neither? With fictional guys I think they'd be fun or interesting on a temporary basis, but they aren't someone I'd choose to build a life with. That's particularly true for Jack. Coming home to Jack would be coming home to an empty house most of the time. Quinn is far more stable, but still, neither is exactly "get married and raise a family" material. But Nadia isn't either, so it all works out!

NO HUMANS INVOLVED is Jamie Vegas’ story. It was synchronistic for me that I finished reading it on the day the Las Vegas jury found OJ Simpson guilty. Gabrielle’s is reminiscent of Nicole Brown, but her killer isn’t named and the paradigm of the afterlife as seen through Jamie’s eyes doesn’t make for disclosure of who the killers are. Did you ever consider naming them?

No. With the Brentwood murders/deaths of NO HUMANS INVOLVED I used some real stories and some fake, my criteria being that if the ghost actually appeared, I fudged the story and the names. It doesn't seem right (or wise!) to make living people into characters. I did something similar with HAUNTED. If the people were still alive, the names and stories were changed. If they were long dead (like Lizzie Borden) I used the real stories and names.

WHAT were you thinking making us wait for Jamie and Jeremy to consummate their relationship? Ack! I thought Clay and Elena were a hot couple. They are but mere embers next to Jeremy and Jamie. Did you do anything special when you wrote their love scenes to get in the mood?


No, just the same rather boring thing I always do--consider the characters and their situation and personalities, and try to come up with the best scene for them...preferably not like a scene I've done for another couple.

Are we going to see more of them as a couple?

I do plan to do more Jeremy and Jaime. I have a few planned narrators in store (Elena and Savannah), but they top the list to return after that.

PERSONAL DEMON brings back werewolf Karl Marsten and we learn why he deviated from the pack. When you introduced him in BITTEN, did you know he’d be back and on the path with Hope?

No, he was supposed to die in BITTEN, at first near the beginning, then at the end. But I decided he was a character I could work with, so I kept him, though it was 6 books before I found another spot for him.

We meet tabloid reporter Hope the first time in NO HUMANS INVOLVED and she has her own story in PERSONAL DEMON. I’m curious, given who her father is, why there wasn’t at least a cameo appearance by him. Did you consider it? I’m curious why not.

Do you mean her dad or her demon father? I haven't introduced demon fathers for any of the characters so far (I think). I've established that they don't have contact with their offspring usually, so it would need to be a big deal if one did. As for her human "dad," he just hasn't had a place in her stories yet.

LIVING WITH THE DEAD is your most recent release and part of the Women of the Otherworld series. The ending was for Gina one of those ones where she wanted to reach through the pages and yell “Kelley WHAT are you thinking!?!?!?” Once that initial reaction was under control, the possibilities had me rubbing my hands together in glee. Finn and Damon are so cool. Is there a chance for Finn and Robyn?

Actually, the ending isn't intended as a cliffhanger, and I got a bit of a shock when readers started interpreting it that way. It's just Hope reflecting on the past and the future, and what that future might hold for supernaturals--but a distant "over-the-course-of-the-series" future, the same way her reflections on the past cover a number of books.

As for Finn and Robyn, I'm really not sure what will become of them. The reaction to Robyn was what I feared--so many of my readers are big paranormal fiction fans that they had little interest in a human character who seemed unlikely to become a supernatural. I think she's a nice addition to the series, but she'll probably stay in the background, unfortunately.

And it was good to see Eve again for even just a few minutes.

Every time it seems like you have run the gamut in characters another one pops in with all kinds of possibilities. Do you have a cast of characters all worked out or do they come to you while you are writing?

They come to me as I write. A lot came in with STOLEN, and I've slowed down the character creation since then, but I try to add a couple of potential permanent characters with each book. Then I see how readers react to them.

You are working, I understand, on a new series geared towards young adults. Was this something you’ve been wanting to do? I know I’ve spoken with other authors who are known for say historical romance and they want to cross over into romantic suspense and their agents and editors will tell them to hold back a bit. Is that part of your move into straight thriller like EXIT STRATEGY and your new Summoning series?

Yep, THE SUMMONING came out in July and has done very well (in part because of the success of TWILIGHT and interest in young adult paranormal stories) I've wanted to do this novel since I thought of the idea with STOLEN. I'm very fortunate in having both an agent and editors who are very open to me trying new things. I suppose with the Otherworld series they've come to expect me to mix things up (different narrators, different tones, different types of narration) In Canada and the UK I have the same publisher (and the same editors) for all my books--Otherworld, Nadia and Darkest Powers.

How many books do you see for this and will we get a glimpse into the world of Chloe Saunders?

The Chloe books were sold as a trilogy (the Darkest Powers trilogy) and it's a true trilogy--one big plot over three books. I've recently extended that contract to six books, but there's no stipulation that they be Chloe books or even Darkest Powers books, so I haven't decided anything yet.

If you were given a choice of one book to be made into a movie, which one would it be and why?

Honestly, I don't know. If I had complete freedom, I'd probably do HAUNTED because it offers a lot of what I like in movies, and would have the opportunity for a lot of eye candy. It'd probably also be the most expensive one, though!

Who would you cast as the lead?

Oh, well, to be honest, I suck at this game. I get a kick out of hearing readers' ideas for casting, but I have a hard time matching the face I envision with an actor. If we're going with HAUNTED, I'll say Demi Moore. She had a good "Eve" look in Charlie's Angels, with the long dark hair and athletic build.

Want to know who Gina would see in some of the guy’s roles? Just kidding. (Brad Pitt as Clay, Adian Quinn as Jeremy, and Keanu Reeves as Karl. Okay and I can see Adian Quinn as Jack or Quinn). 
 
Do you have anything you’d like to add?

I don't usually add a plug for my next release, but this one is special. The next book (February) is MEN OF THE OTHERWORLD, which is actually three former e-serials and one new story--on Jeremy's birth, Clay's childhood, Jeremy's ascension to Alpha and Jeremy (finally) finding out his mother's supernatural race. The special part is that all my advance and any future royalties, world-wide, go to World Literacy of Canada.

Reviews of Kelley Armstong's Books:
BROKEN: Women of the Underworld, Book 6
EXIT STRATEGY: Nadia Stafford Series, Book 1
LIVING WITH THE DEAD: Women of the Underworld, Book 9
NO HUMANS INVOLVED
NO HUMANS INVOLVED
PERSONAL DEMON: Women of the Underworld, Book 8
PERSONAL DEMON: Women of the Underworld, Book 8
Retrospective