Bunny's Reviews: Demons

Showing posts with label Demons. Show all posts

Friday, July 5, 2024

Tenebrion Review Spotlight

Welcome one and all to the book tour for Tenebrion! Love a good horror story with gore, demons, and some seriously twisted elements? Then this is the book for you! Keep reading.

It's that time of year again. It's time for the annual Terrorfest competition, and everyone is piling up into the theater to see what the contestants thought up to try and win this year's contest. Some are excited, some are bored, and some are just ready for it all to be over with. But something dark overshadows this year's contest.

Death...

One of the teams didn't make it. Their final moments? Captured on film. It's evidence in an investigation, but that's not going to stop one of the hosts for Terrorfest from showing what he found on the film that he got. Horror is about to be unleashed...

Tenebrion is a horror novel by James H. Longmore. This story details a group of indie filmmakers looking to create a short film that could be their big breakout moment. Or are they? Could it be that someone in the group has something more in mind?

Tenebrion has a slow start. This book is slow getting going, but once it gains steam and momentum you can expect a novel that will keep you glued to the pages to find out how not just how it all goes down, but what will happen to the characters you meet at the beginning.

Page by page Tenebrion unfolds as the characters in this book go to an old abandoned school. This is a place of terrible tragedy. It's almost like a magnet for death and destruction. Countless lives have been lost and so, for Dave Priestley this is the place to come to for his epic film idea.

Tenebrion goes for Blair Witch but in book form. You're getting the set up and the calm before the storm. But all is not as it seems. Author Longmore gives readers little glimpses into another's mind. This creature is plotting the mayhem that will befall these innocent lives. But first it will break them and break them down.

The title ties into the story rather quickly which is really nice, and then it is tied even tighter to the storyline in multiple places to re-emphasize just who and what this story is about. It's absolutely fantastic.

While this book has a slow start and takes time to find it's stride, it is a true page-turner. The author works just hard enough to keep your interest piqued. Once you're hooked though? Good luck putting this book down. You're going to be eagerly page-turning to find out what fresh horror awaits these characters. What will they be made to endure before the bloody end?

Tenebrion showcases how this author allowed his imagination to run absolutely wild. You think that you know where this story is going and then you get a surprise element or twist thrown at you. One thing is for sure and that is you're not going to be bored reading this book.

You will be eagerly looking for more by this author and devouring everything in your path. Tenebrion is darkly delicious and a must read for readers who enjoy a tasty horror novel that will be sure to worm it's way deep into your mind.

We dare you to read it in the dark...before you go to bed...

Sweet dreams...if you do. LOL

5 out of 5 stars

Black Tide Book Tours

July 2-5

"The Devil is in the detail..."

Amateur filmmakers inadvertently invoke a demon when they break into an abandoned school to perform and film an authentic Black Mass for their entry into a short movie competition.

Dave Priestley and his crew film in Watsonville elementary school – the site of a horrific tragedy nine years before.

Tenebrion – the malevolent demon of darkness – makes preparations of its own within the dark recesses of Hell. The demon requires a specific set of circumstances and sacrifices to rend a fissure between the worlds and set free its brethren; it has manipulated humans for centuries to put things into place, and the moviemakers are the unfortunate, final pieces of its nefarious puzzle.

Priestley, ever the stickler for authenticity and detail, accidentally sets free the denizen of Hell.

While Priestley and his skeptical friends attempt to return Tenebrion to the pit of Hades, it hunts them all down – one by one – for inclusion in its hellish gateway.

Universal link for the book on Amazon

About the Author

James hails originally from Yorkshire, England having relocated with his family to Houston, Texas in 2010. He was honored to become a US citizen in 2022. He has an honors degree in Zoology and a background in sales, marketing, and business. James is an Affiliate Member of the Horror Writers Association.

An accomplished, published author (and publisher in his role as co-founder partner in HellBound Books Publishing LLC), and ghostwriter of popular fiction, James writes across an incredibly wide range of genres and subjects in novel, shorts story, and screenplay formats. To date, he has four novels, five novellas, and a whole slew of short stories published by various publishers (many can be found in his first collection, Blood and Kisses). He also runs and co-hosts the popular ppodcast/radio show (The New Panic Room), which is used to promote HellBound Books and indie authors, artists, audiobook narrators, and publishers of all genres.

James has been working full time as a freelance ghostwriter (and editor) for over a decade. He is quite the chameleon when it comes to writing: James is able to adapt to a wide range of styles and genres, is incredibly thorough in his research (he's renowned for his details, which bring stories leaping from the page!), extensive vocabulary, and he always keeps the client's "voice" when ghostwriting. Clients love him - especially with that Northern British accent (as an ex-pat, James is most proficient at writing in both UK and US styles – he also has clients in Australia who love his style!) and enthusiasm for every writing project he takes on.

https://www.jameslongmore.com
https://twitter.com/james_longmore
https://www.facebook.com/jameshlongmore1
https://mybook.to/jameshlongmore

Publisher's Social Media

https://hellboundbookspublishing.com/
https://twitter.com/HellBoundBooks
https://www.instagram.com/hellboundbooks

Friday, June 7, 2024

Satan Rides Your Daughter Review Spotlight

Black Tide Book Tours and HellBound Books are back with a new anthology fellow horror lovers! Are you ready for something fresh, disturbing, and sure to be riveting? Well, then dive into Satan Rides Your Daughter!

Welcome to the book tour! We hope you enjoy your stay.

Satan Rides Your Daughter is a dynamic collection of hellish stories that depict scenes that, in some cases, will be hard pressed to be removed from your brain. From stories about a strange wicker basket that a boy's father brings back from the war overseas, to an "innocuous" looking goat statue that sits in a garden...that must NEVER be moved, to a "Groundhog Day" style story of a Mad Max style road race/battle.

Let's cut to the chase shall we? There's sure to be a story in here for everyone. Each story is unique, and while not all will be someone's cup of blood, there will be sure to be one that draws you in and pushes you to learn more about the particular author who wrote that story.

Satan Rides Your Daughter is an interesting collection of horror stories. The first one that we read centered around a young boy. His father has returned from the war (recent times) and you immediately get the sense that the war broke this man. I mean, he comes home, strips it off at his "Welcome Home" party and immediately burns it in front of everyone. Yep, cue jaw-drop moment for us for sure!

Talk about...wow! But what is curious are the items that he brought back with him. A wicker basket, a pipe, and a couple other strange items. You can't help but wonder...is there something special about them? Well, the focus of the story will shift to the basket. So make sure you pay attention. You can bet that the boy, the main character of this story, will.

One of my favorite aspects of this story, is how the author draws me in. The basket seems innocuous enough, but the child...he senses what we do not. He senses the evil emanating from that basket and it when it becomes too much? He leaves the room. But fate is a fical thing and it won't be long before the boy hits a snag...that should end his life.

Warren, the boy, ends up with a close encounter that leaves him in-debted. What is going to happen from there? Well, you'll jus have to read to find out! LOL!

The Pit and the Basket is an interesting story for sure, and for us, one of the standouts for this anthology. Our only poke of dissent towards it is some of the actions that Warren takes later on. He strikes a deal, but then we don't really get to find out the aftermath. He must become a murderer, but one particular murder is hinted at being particularly gruesome. We wanted details. Unfortunately, all we get is a reaction from a side character, and nothing more. It's rather disappointing.

Another story that really stuck out for us, is The Goat. No, not the Greatest of All Times. No, it's actually about a goat. Sorta. Curious? Good. LOL! When we first started reading this story, we really didn't know what to make of it.

It starts off sounding like the typical, "child left home, doesn't want to return because of....insert whatever reason they chalk up." Well, that's part of the story, but wait for it, because there's more.

For us, the backstory that comes is truly fascinating. It is definitely going to give some "Drag Me to Hell" vibes and we loved it! Of course, if you're hoping to know EVERYTHING that happens with the character in this story? Well, you're going to be left waiting. Okay, more like the author will encourage you to use your imagination and conjure up what you believe happens next.

Some of the stories moving forward are hit and miss for us. Some just don't draw us in, others the pacing leaves something to be desired. But the deeper you in...it's like that's where the meat shows up. The good stuff people! Brace yourself to be sucked in and then to be the one sucking these stories dry as you devour them whole and dig deeper to find the marrow...(as in learn more about the authors who wrote them).

There are some deliciously hellish stories to be found in this anthology, so if you're a fan of horror be sure to grab this collection and dive in!

4 out of 5 stars

Thanks to BlackTide Book Tours and HellBound books for the opportunity to read and review this book! We look forward to what comes next!

Black Tide Book Tours

June 4-7

In our spine-chilling homage to the late, great Dennis Wheatley and the inimitable Hammer Horror films spawned from his works, HellBound Books presents twenty superlatively satanic stories guaranteed to have you fearing for your very soul?

A whole host of Hell's denizens skulk within these pages, waiting with growing impatience for brave of heart - or the relentlessly foolhardy - to make their otherworldly acquaintance, so please, do venture inside.If you dare?

Featuring hellish tales from: L. G. Merrick, Henry Myllylä, Alan Derosby, A.K. McCarthy, Brian James Lewis, C. C. Parker, Chisto Healy, Leo J. Winters, R.C. Mulhare, Henry Myllylä, J.B. Toner, Glen Damien Campbell, Nathan Blake, Gerald Dean Rice, Ricki Whatley, Carlton Herzog, Len M. Ruth, Vivian Kasley, Carson Demmans, Mark Towse, and Alexander Marais

Universal link for the book on Amazon

About the Publisher

HellBound Books are the veritable tour de force in the independent publishing world — for eight years and counting, they have published novels, novellas, and bestselling anthologies of exemplary horror, bizarro, and all things dark — the type of tales from exciting new authors guaranteed to keep you wide awake in the small hours and checking the inky-black, coagulating shadows beneath your bed just one last time…
They are incredibly proud to be champions of the newest, brightest upcoming authors as well as home to more established writers. Their objective is to bring to you — wonderful readers — the very best in the dark genres. They are proud to say all HellBound books titles are available in traditional-sized paperback and ebook, along with a few very special hard cover books, too.

https://hellboundbookspublishing.com/
https://twitter.com/HellBoundBooks
https://www.instagram.com/hellboundbooks

Monday, April 1, 2024

Dark Wings Review Spotlight

USA Today Bestselling author, Juliana Haygert is back with her latest series that branches off from the Rite World. This book? It’s about a specific fallen angel who has more than a few problems on her hands. Her problems though? They’re about to get more numerous and more problematic.

Dark Wings is sure to quickly capture readers’ attention with the image of the main character, Ariella, in a relaxed crouch with her wings flared out around her with a beautiful moon. It’ll be quite noticeable that the wings aren’t the “typical” angelic white, but instead are a beautiful shade of russet red. The question of – what caused her to fall will tease your brain. Is this the color that her wings are now? What threats is she facing? Well, those questions will quickly be answered once you start reading.

Dark Wings is the first book in author Juliana Haygert’s Rite World: Fallen Angel spin-off series. This book follows Ariella as she struggles with what her life has become. She’s a fallen angel, but not by choice. The one thing that will stand out from the beginning is that she’s on the run. One would wonder...why would other angels be hunting one who has fallen? Well, turns out she might have been a witness to something she shouldn’t have witnessed...and survived. Add in that there is a little twist tucked up inside this book as well...well, you’ll be eager to discover it for yourself.

When it comes to characters Ariella is both an interesting one and then an irritating one. LOL! Okay, that’s just this reader’s opinion of her. As an angel, even Ariella thinks that she should be good and kind, well, she’s really not. There will be moments where you feel some empathy for her, concerning her circumstances, but then there will be other moments where you might be inclined to root for the demon that ties herself to. Or just a bad situation to go against her. Sorry, not sorry. Granted, that comes later on.

All in all, Ariella is a mixed bag of a character, but despite how this particular feels about her personality she brings some fire to the storyline. Of course, she’s not the only one. There’s the devastatingly handsome demon, Leviathan aka Levi for short. Though, don’t call him that...he doesn’t like being called Levi. Cue Ariella calling him that often just to irritate him. LOL! Low hanging fruit, but effective.

Author Haygert’s story telling is pretty much on point with this book. With each turn of the page she draws readers in and keeps them wondering what is going to happen next. With the main character wanting to get her wings back it seems like quite the tall order. It’s nice to know that it’s not going to be a walk in the park to reclaim them. The most interesting aspect of this book is the backstory on how Ariella lost not just her wings, but the team she was, and her weapon.

Hoping for some romance and maybe a steamy moment or two in this book? Wish granted. This book reads like an “enemies to lovers” novel, but don’t expect things to go smoothly. Nope! There’s going to be quite a bit of back and forth between these characters...more so on Ariella’s part. She frequently chooses to dismiss who and what Leviathan is.

It’s disappointing how she holds him to a different standard than she holds even herself. She keeps secrets? It’s fine. Him keeping secrets? She sees red. Her causing him pain? Deserved. Him causing someone pain because they are literally hunting her with the intent to haul her in and kill her? He’s a monster, cruel, evil, you name it...she thinks it.

Readers who have read the entire Rite World series will be thrilled to be reunited with some familiar faces and names sprinkled throughout this book. Does that mean that you have to have read the previous books connected to the Rite World to enjoy this book? No! Would it be an added bonus? Yeah, but it’s not absolutely necessary.

Readers be warned about this book. True to author Haygert’s writing style, this book is going to throw up a twist at the end that will leave you eager for book two. It will be interesting to see how Ariella handles events as they unfold moving forward. One danger may have been negated, but the real one? This is just the beginning.

Pros:

Engaging Storyline
Interesting New characters
Familiar faces
Moderate page-turner

Cons:

Main character comes off as entitled

4 out of 5 stars

Friday, February 16, 2024

The Devil's Waltz Review Spotlight

We are so excited to be touring The Devil’s Waltz by Jessi Elliot! Make sure to grab this beauty on February 27th!

Looking for a thrilling paranormal romance novel? Look no further than author Jessi Elliott's The Devil's Waltz! The Devil's Waltz is the first book in her Love in Hell series, and you're not going to want to miss out on this book. This novel is especially for readers who enjoy sassy characters, and romance that leaves you wondering..." where exactly do they stand NOW?" LOL!

The Devil's Waltz is book one in the Love in Hell series and quickly introduces readers to Camille Morgan. Camille appears to be an "average" woman, but she's not. The paranormal world swirls all around her, and she's more than a little aware of it. Until a few years prior, she was very much a part of it.

What happened to change that? The loss of her sister. Instead of it spurring her on to seek revenge for the loss, she chooses the exact opposite. She turns her back on becoming a demon hunter, like her family wants, and says she wants NOTHING to do with that life.

So, now she works at a coffee shop as a barista. She doesn't even like coffee, but it's a living. Well, at least until she finishes school and then can get the hell up out of Seattle and find a new place to call home. If only it could be that simple, right? Well, too bad it never is.

Brace yourself because chaos is about to erupt for Cami and once she gets over the shock...she's less than a "happy camper." Cue demon attack in 3...2...1...and GO! Yep, out of nowhere, she gets jumped. You can bet that she's wishing that she had some of that demon-fighting training under her belt, but since she doesn't? She's going to have to wing it.

Cue "white knight" entrance. Okay, he's far from a "white knight." Xander has his own agenda, but Cami doesn't need to know that...yet. But Cami's mind immediately and I mean IMMEDIATELY jumps to..."this was a set up by my parents. Screw them."

Okay, we took issue with this assumptive leap by her. Couldn't she at least have said "thank you" to the "nice gentleman" for saving her ass? No? Well, just thought we'd ask. LOL! Sassy is fine, but downright rude? Yeah, that's a no-go for launch for us. Okay, she does eventually say "thank you" but the immediate attitude after the event...not a good look. Not for us anyway.

We get it. She wants no part in the paranormal world after what happened to her sister, but apparently...she's going to be drawn in whether she likes it or not.

The back-and-forth that follows Cami and Xander throughout this book is engaging. No doubt! She's into him, and then...the truth comes out! Cue scathing drama, chaos, angst and so much more! It makes for some superb reading! Trust us on that one! LOL! We can't get enough of it and we ate it up with a great big spoon! LOL!

The eruption of drama and the revelation of Xander's endgame...it's wild. But it all leads you to something that you're going to partially expect...and then you won't at all. But trust us on this...it's going to fuel you to be watching with hawk eyes for book two. We for sure don't want to miss what happens next, because it's going to be good!

Bring on book two!

4.5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to the author, Jessi Elliott, and R&R Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book. We look forward to what comes next!

The Devil’s Waltz (Love in Hell #1)

Expected Publication Date: February 27, 2024

Genre: Spicy Paranormal Romance

“The darkest parts of me light up for her.”

❤️‍🔥 Lovers to Enemies…to Lovers?
❤️‍🔥 Forbidden Romance
❤️‍🔥 Snarky Banter
❤️‍🔥 Mental Health Rep
❤️‍🔥 Angst
❤️‍🔥 Spiceeeee

Discover what happens when a young woman from a family of demon hunters falls in love with the prince of hell in this spicy paranormal romance.

It’s been five years since her sister was killed by a demon and Camille Morgan swore off the family business of demon hunting. Now a college sophomore, Cami is determined to get her degree and move far away from Seattle—and all things paranormal.

But when Cami becomes the target of a demon attack she’s convinced is a ploy by her parents to drag her back into training, the wildly charming and attractive Xander Kane comes to her rescue. Except her savior isn’t a hunter. Or even human.

Xander is a demon, the alluring prince of hell, whose magnetic presence leaves Cami both captivated and conflicted, especially when she finds out he plans on using her to destroy the demon hunters once and for all.

Caught between her growing affection for Xander and her loyalty to her family, Cami struggles to make a decision that could shatter her and endanger the lives of those she loves.

Add to Goodreads

Pre-order Here!

About the Author

Jessi Elliott is a paranormal and fantasy romance author who lives in Ontario, Canada with her adorable calico cat, Phoebe.

When she’s not working on her next book, she likes to hang out with friends and family, get lost in a steamy romance novel, watch Friends, and drink coffee.

You can find Jessi at www.jessielliott.com and on social media @authorjessielliott. Join her newsletter to stay up to date on book news!

Book Tour @rrbooktours1

Monday, January 8, 2024

Moonflower Review Spotlight

Moonflower by Angela Townsend is an engaging coming-of-age fantasy novel that details the story of a young woman as she looks to find her place in this world. Unknown to her, she has a future calling that she will be called on to answer in due time.

For now, settle in and discover young Natasha’s story as it unfolds a page at a time.

Moonflower is a fantasy novel, but when you start reading this book, you won’t get that sense. Don’t let that dissuade you from continuing this story. There is a point in discovering Natasha’s story the way that the author has chosen to detail it. You’re going to find yourself engaged and drawn in from the beginning as Natasha, as a small child, experiences great loss. She’s a child in Russia in the beginning of the story, but the story quickly transitions her to living in Seattle, Washington. An unwanted child shuffled from one family and group home to another. Until one day, all of that changes.

You’re given a glimpse of hope for Natasha in this book as she finally seems to have found a place to call home. Of course, nothing is perfect and that is only highlighted too well. The author expertly encourages your empathy towards Natasha. She seems to have found a nice place, but that is only on the face value of appearances. This new home, this new path will only be “happy” for a brief time before reality sets in...and this reality...it’s not a pretty one.

This is a fantasy novel, but it takes time before the fantasy element begins to unfold. For a good portion of this story the author focuses on Natasha’s life with her new “foster” mother. You’re given a glimpse into Natasha’s day-to-day life with someone who took them into her home. But was it for the right reasons? Author Townsend emphasizes a particular ugly element concerning the system, and that is sometimes people do the “right” thing for the wrong reasons. Other authors have emphasized the same things in their books, but Townsend helps to really highlight this aspect without taking it down a dark path when involving the boyfriends that are in and out.

While the characters aren’t the most dazzling, the storyline is interesting enough to keep readers engaged in what is going on with the characters themselves. It’s when Bambi’s (Natasha’s “foster” mother) latest boyfriend, Chuck, makes an appearance that the story begins to pick up steam. How is that you ask? Well, for starters, he actually sticks around longer than the rest do. He seems to encourage a change in the household and brings a sense of brightness and hope.

It’s not long after that the fantasy element begins to come into play. Natasha begins to learn more about her past than she ever knew. Secrets are coming to light, but not without a cost...a severe cost that will drive her to make a choice – stay...or find the answers she’s been looking for concerning her family and what exactly happened.

Gradually the author works in the fantasy aspect of this book a little bit at a time. Natasha is an interesting character. The author works to show her as resilient in the face of the things she is made to face from a small child moving forward. She has a destiny that is calling to her, but only she wants to do is discover her past, and her family. What she finds is something more...a lot more.

Moonflower is a standalone novel. Everything pretty much gets wrapped up at the end of this book, but there is definitely the potential for more. Personally, I feel that this story could have been drawn out to give readers more. More drama, more romance, more danger...just more of everything. Does that mean that the story feels rushed? Initially, it doesn’t come off as rushed. For the majority of the story, the storyline flows smoothly. The closer the book gets to the ending though things begin to take on a sense of the author looking to wrap things up with a nice neat little bow. However, there is the potential for more in the future if the author so chooses. We could revisit Natasha and peek into her life and see what is going on. The question would be, how exactly would that play out? We have a couple of ideas, but of course, that is not up to us.

For now, we bid goodbye to young Natasha and wish her well in her future.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Book can be found on Amazon

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Credible Threats Review Spotlight

Welcome to my stop on Escapist Book Tour's tour (sorry for the redundancy LOL) for Credible Threats! I hope you're ready for this one, because I...was not. LOL! Keep reading for my review and more!

Credible Threats is the first book in Daniel Meyer's Sam Adam's series. This book is going to snack you up before you can even get comfortable. So make sure you're sitting, comfortable, and cool with not moving for a while. Because once you start this book...there is no pausing, no taking a break...none of that. It's sit still, devour this book to the last page, and wonder when the next one will be available. Trust me, I'd seen other review teases for this book and I was skeptical until it was my turn to dive in.

Credible Threats starts off with a bang. Okay, not really a bang "bang" but it starts off with a calm atmosphere, and then the next thing you know you're getting thrown into the chaos along with the main character, Sam. What he thinks is just a poltergeist situation turns out to be soooooo much more. The signs are there so you'll piece the puzzle together before he does, but boy do things get wild! And that's just the FIRST chapter! Just imagine what the rest of the book will be like!

Well, just to give you a few clues - there's tons of drama (which makes this book a page-turner), a talking cat (cue squeals of delight from meeee LOL), and a storyline that keeps you glued to your seat. Sounds pretty enticing right? Yeah! Thought so!

Something strange is going on in town and it appears that it's up to Sam to figure out exactly what. It seems that it all leads back to a new drug being all the rage on the streets. But what the drug is doing is something bigger than what one would have thought or expected.

You're going to love the range of this book. It keeps one foot in the "real" world and then has the other in the "spirit" realm. Talk about fantastic dynamics. It takes Sam across it all as he's in a fight and race against time to piece the puzzle together and figure out how to protect the people of the town and those he truly cares about (even when they get on his nerves. LOL)

This book is one heck of a thrill ride and sure to keep you page-turning from beginning to end with tons of fantasy elements and magic to satisfy most readers who choose to dive in.

You just know that Sam is going to have some seriously epic adventures as things continue to move forward. Being a teenage wizard is going to be a lot of fun...and work...for him. LOL!

5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to the author, Daniel Meyer, and Escapist Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book! I look forward to what comes next!

Want more? Keep reading for more info about this book, an excerpt, and be sure to check out the other stops on this epic tour!

Book Information:

Credible Threats by Daniel Meyer
Series: Sam Adams
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Intended Age Group: YA to Adult
Pages: 330
Published: November 15, 2022
Publisher: Self Published

Content/Trigger Warnings:

Shown on Page (things clearly told to the reader):

Strong violence (including gun violence)
Car crashes
Fires (including people being burned alive)
Stabbing
Blood
Injuries
Child abduction/danger, as well as allusions to the possibility of his being murdered, and the kidnapping of the MC
Grief (including parental grief at the loss of a child)
Fatal overdoses and other allusions to drugs, as well as underage drinking and peer pressure to drink
An instance of verbal abuse from a stepfather to his stepdaughter
Classism
Dead bodies
Demons
Possession
Hazing
Stampeding crowds

Alluded to (things only mentioned in passing or hinted at):

References to catcalling
Someone’s drink potentially getting spiked
A purely sarcastic reference to a man sleeping w/ an underage girl
Police brutality
Chloroforming

Book Blurb:

Sam Adams, sixteen-year-old wizard, has zero interest in saving the world—but staying out of the line of fire isn’t an option for wizards.

When a new designer drug hits the streets, giving ordinary humans magical powers and leaving a trail of bodies in its wake, it threatens to turn his city of Williamsport’s long-simmering conflict between the haves and the have-nots into a full-scale war.

The only one with the skills to protect the city, Sam finds himself thrust into a conspiracy far darker and more dangerous than he ever imagined, with tentacles stretching into the criminal underworld and the wealthy elite—and into the spirit world. Fighting for his life, surrounded by enemies, Sam has to dig deeper than ever before to keep Williamsport from going up in flames.

But even magic has its limits.

See Also:

The Dresden Files • Die Hard • Can't Hardly Wait

Book Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BDW5KGZN

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62836264-credible-threats

Author Bio & Information:

Daniel Meyer tried his hand at a few careers, but fearing they were too realistic and achievable, he became a fantasy writer instead. Now he spends his days writing stories about magic and explosions. He is a lover of Eighties rock, an occasional kilt-wearer, and a supporter of raccoons. He lives in Missouri, where, as ever, he’s working on his next novel.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dmeyerauthor

Website: https://www.danielmeyerauthor.com/

Want more? Check out the other stops on this tour!

The Hero's Journey: Credible Threats by Daniel Meyer | Escapist Book Co. (escapistbookcompany.com)

Book Tour Organized By:

Escapist Book Tours

Friday, August 25, 2023

Grave Secrets Review Spotlight

We are thrilled to be touring Grave Secrets by Cassandra Aston this week! Read on for more details!

Grave Secrets, a dark urban fantasy romance novel, is the first book in Cassandra Aston’s Prophecies of Angels and Demons Trilogy. The first thing that drew me to this book was the gorgeous cover. It intrigued me and made me curious to know more about the story tucked inside. Like an onion, (yes, I’m semi-quoting Shrek LOL) this book has a lot of layers. It’s going to take a touch of patience and some digging, but they will yield up their secrets...one at a time.

Grave Secrets details the story of the main character by the name of Alexandra Graves. She died at the young age of 17, but was brought back...for a price. Six years of servitude to the angels in which she would hunt demons for them. At the end of those six years? Cue Men in Black! Mind wipe. Sounds absolutely worth it right? For six years, you do dirty work for the angels and nothing else. You don’t even get paid!! Come on now! At least compensate folks for what they do! From how it plays out it sounds like she’s not able to get an actual paying job! What kind of mess is that?! Girl has to scrimp by with what she can and stay as much under the radar as she can. Talk about tough times! Ugh!

Brace for some changes though as someone...or better yet...some THING sneaks into her place. Now, first thought? A demon, BUT that’s not the case. At least this time. What this creature does though is open up a Pandora’s box of questions. But what’s more is that it alerts the angels (through her) to that it is even around. Prepare to be barraged with questions (in your mind) because you’re not getting any answers anytime soon. LOL! So just hold tight. Eventually you will get them, but it’s going to take quite a bit of patience.

This is a slow-paced book. Perhaps it was this way for me because I’m not the biggest fan of Allie. In the beginning she comes off as an interesting character. She seems like a kick-ass kinda chick, but then she begins to stumble and falter. She starts coming off as more flighty and more than a little whiny. I think I expected more from her too quickly. She’s a demon hunter, so I expected her to be tough, smart, savvy, and someone who thinks things through. Let’s just say I probably built her up too much in my head. My bad.

She makes quite a few mistakes in the first few chapters, especially when she decides to head “home.” The way that she goes about it you’d think that she was running away from someone, instead of heading to some place with a list of intentions in place. She obviously does not have a plan in place because she’s really taking things by the seat of her pants. Though when she gets to this new town she’s heading to...prepare for more questions to arise. There’s something about the place that just HAS to be off. You’ll see what I mean. Of course, this is where the story begins to unfold ad piece together. But continue to exercise patience, because it’s going to be awhile before things really take off.

Allie is going to meet, again, the young man who crossed her path before. But as the days pass she’s going to be learning his secrets. Simon is an interesting character, but good Lord, his storytelling...you’ll understand why Allie tends to interrupt him when he’s talking. Of course, it does read rude when she does it – simply because she wants him to skip the “non-important” content. The back and forth between Allie and Simon at times is bizarre. Simon has done little to nothing to make Allie treat a certain way, but boy does she go off the deep end...frequently. It makes you wonder if there’s something going on with her we just don’t know about.

The pacing of this story is...slow. There is a ton of backstory, and some of the conversations are strange, and a touch overly wordy. Some of the wordiness could be cut out and we’d get a shorter story, but the odds are it would flow a lot better than it currently does. Which is unfortunate. Allie is supposed to be finding out about her past, helping Simon figure out who/what he is, but it takes about to the 60% mark to get to that point. There’s some action sprinkled in here and there, but it’s mostly Allie milling about the house looking for answers. When the big revelation comes out the story’s pace does pick-up, but you have to be exceedingly patient to get there.

I went into this book with too high of expectations. Go into this book looking for a good story, that will have a slow to moderate pace and I don’t think you’ll be too disappointed. As this book is part of a series, you’re going to be left with an open ending. No, there really isn’t this huge cliffhanger. Might have been better if there had been one, but as it is – this is what you get. You’ll be left with some questions, but that’s about it.

This book has potential, but it misses the mark to really be a page-turner. Grave Secrets feels like this book is the one that will set the stage for more impactful drama to come later on. Let’s hope, because I’m curious enough to give this series a continuing shot in the hopes that things will get more interesting quicker with book 2.

4 out of 5 stars

Thank you to the author, Cassandra Aston, and R&R Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book. I look forward to what comes next.

Grave Secrets (Prophecies of Angels and Demons #1)

Publication Date: April 24th, 2023

Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy/ Fantasy Romance

What would you sacrifice for the truth?

Life feels infinite when you’re young, but Allie Graves knows all too well that she’s living on borrowed time. Six years ago, she made a deal to save her life in exchange for service to the angels.

It seemed like a sweet bargain when she made it, but what do seventeen-year-olds know about making life choices? Now her six years of service are up and returning to her mortal life comes with some serious consequences.

To top it off, a mystery man has come into her life, but the angels aren’t fond of his brand of magic, so they’ve made it their mission to end him. How’s a girl supposed to get a date when the guy might not survive the week?

Allie has less than a month to uncover a family secret, save the hottie, and plan for life after angel duty. It’s a tall order.

Fans of J Bree and Patricia Briggs will be swept away by this urban fantasy romance full of dark magic, family secrets, and gut-wrenching twists. From the first page to the last, you won’t want to put it down. This book is recommended for 18+ due to mature content.

Available Amazon

About the Author

Cassandra Aston grew up near Austin, TX on a ranch just outside the city. She holds a BA in Communications and an MS in Psychology, from USC.

Her love of reading and writing began when she was nine years old. She is a fan of all things fantasy but especially loves the Fae. Although her first series Prophecies of Angels and Demons doesn’t delve into the realm of the Fae, her 2022 NaNoWriMo project, which will be released in 2024, is an urban fantasy, stand-alone story that will take the reader deep into the world of Faerie.

Cassandra currently lives in Houston, TX with her family of four.

Cassandra Aston