Dying Days 5 by Armand Rosamilia

The story starts off with a group of survivors stuck in a restaurant toilet being taunted by a group of zombies, one of those people is Mitchell, who eventually opens the door to The Lich Lord and listens to his proposal. AR is very clever in almost summing up the last four books in one little speech from this “fella”.

This continues to be a zompoc with a difference as this particular zombie keeps getting faster, more cunning, nastier and definitely smarter, not to mention shifting his appetite preferences.  The Lich Lord is expanding not only his empire but his abilities but what is his end goal?

Back in the Daytona Beach camp Veronica is working hard on keeping things running whilst loathing and doubting Jeff, so is Claude who is “promoted” to refugee coordinator; a job that sounds, from Jeff’s version, very much like the Third Reich’s ideal sorting plan. Jeff is a horrific character but totally believable, sadly.

Our “heroine” Darlene continues to recover from her horrific birth and loss. With a lot of help from an unexpected source. Her baby is not yet safe and so many factions have plans for him.

There are some really harsh deaths in this book, especially as I had started to care about them, clever writing AR but cruel.

The ending is climactic but of course leaves you wanting more, bring it on.

Initially I will be the first to admit I was very unsure of this series with its hard than diamond girls, their thongs and the sexually rampant zombies BUT AR has evolved (like his zombies) and his writing is much more articulate, eloquent, plot stuffed, character laden and all manner of other wonderful things, so yes, I am now a huge fan of these books and the author.

Dying Days 5

Dying Days 4 by Armand Rosamilia

Number four in the Dying Days saga and AR does not disappoint with his zombies becoming weirder!

Not only are ARs zombies eating and raping people now they are thinking, plotting, ambushing, arming themselves and usually more funny when they talk than most comedians.

But it’s not just humans they are hunting, some want the other “new” zombies dead too, and to rule over humankind!

Poor pregnant Darlene, her love John and his dad, Murph, are still on the run after the stilt houses were burnt to the sea.

Jeff and Russ are still side hands to the Lich Lord who has all sorts of nastiness planned but in a god like fashion. Yes, it’s “safe” living under his rule but at what cost? Blood…. For he has certainly evolved again, but into what.

Doug and Ernie (aka the Cowboy!) reminded me of Statler and Waldorf (you remember, the Muppets!), their storyline is very satisfying.

Whilst every group seems to be focused on finding Darlene and her baby, the gore, dark humour and plot lines progress really well in the rotating fashion that sees each group from differing angles.

There is one or two passages in the book that really made me want to turn veggie. AR has certainly nailed current society does to a tee in this book via the “intelligent” zombie practices, observations, plans and rants. It’s quite grotesque.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to no.5 – which is available NOW!

                             

Dying Days 4

Succubus Series by Richelle Mead

Georgina Kincaid is a reluctant, but outstandingly good at her job, Succubus, she feeds on men claiming pieces of their souls for her “team”, but she longs for the love that she has been denied her for centuries. 

Hugh is an Imp who negotiates for your soul should you have a desire to swap it for something, but he is also one of her best friends, along with Cody and Peter her friendly local, and very gay, vampire buddies. 

During the day Georgina must earn a living and works as a deputy manager and the local books store, with her human friend Doug, and Warren her human boss who is good for a quick energy fix from time to time, apparently he lost his soul years ago.

When Duanne, the obnoxious vampire, gets murdered its Georgina that is main suspect, especially to her Demon boss Jerome; Arch Demon of Seattle, who just happens to hang out all the time with Carter the cryptic Angel. Not your usual pairing, especially as Jerome looks exactly like a certain movie style whilst Carter seems to like the grunge scene a little too much. 

Throughout the story we are told snippets of her former human life, and given peeks into her previous bodies, names and places she lived.

Enter Seth Morgansteen, local author who just happens to be Georgina's favourite, not to mention he is doing a book signing in her store. Seth was not the sort of guy I would have thought the energetic Georgina would fall for but when you start to see her history and the reason she sold her soul in the first place you can see why Seth and his delicate, artistic nature, call to her.

On the flip side, and not so much in the background is Roman, an enigmatic character who suits Georgians love of life, dancing and danger. 

Back to the super naturals killings and the race is on to find who or what is doing it, why and stop them. Can Georgina do it? When the final showdown happens its electric but the deal our lost little succubus has to make is heart breaking.

I totally loved the start of this 6 book series, the plot was fantastic, full of twists, turns and mystery. All the characters were strong, some were down to earth and likeable and some were dark and mysterious, humour, sex and horror the perfect combination. I cannot wait to read what happens next in Georgina's life. 

Succubus Blues

Poor Georgina starts this book at a demon award ceremony, could her week get any worse! Totally love all the humour in these books.

Bastian her incubus friend, is also an ex-lover, ex-partner in “crime” and is dumped back into her life to bring down a huge Evangelist in the shape of the very austere Dana.

Doug, her book store buddy get wrapped up in a whole “ambrosia and God mystery” which was a brilliant and thrilling story line.

RM reveals another failed relationship from poor Georgina’s fated history. As she and Seth dance around the relationship that they have the torment for both is beautifully written.

All previous Demons, Angels, Imps and Vampires make appearances and spice up the story line even further. 

Succubus on Top / Nights

Georgina and Seth are continuing their relationship with the no sex rule, but Georgina is losing all her energy during protracted dreams that promise her the life she has always day dreamed and wished for.

Tawny is the new succubus and provides some angst and humour, badly dressed and with no clue how to “suck souls” Georgina is set the task of mentor by Arch Demon Boss Jerome.

Dante and Erik are the new human characters, they have a history together but can Georgina save them both from

Love all the outfits and food references, so keen to try a Grey Goose gimlet!

Eventually the mystery is solved with a bit of heart stopping action, love, lust and all sort of other goings on. RM never fails to bring it on.

Succubus Dreams

Therapy works unless you sleep with the therapist and suck out their life force! Jerome has forced Georgina into therapy, she is being horrifically sulky and he has had enough of her.

When that fails he sends her to Canada, to spy for another Arch Demon who is having problems with a demonic cult that are giving Satan a bad name!

Another mystery for Georgina to solve as Jerome is “summonded” in a turf war and goes missing.  

Fearful that a new Arch Demon will be appointed Georgian rushes to locate and save Jerome, with the help of her current destructive relationship, gosh this girl knows how to punish herself.

However whilst Jerome is captured she soon discovers that she can have rampant sex with Seth, which is not good news as he is in a different relationship and trying to make a happy, non-Georgina filled life for himself.

The erotica in these books is always fresh, never repetitive, sensitive but heat inducing.

More heart breaking revelations about previous relationships from the past.

RM is really evolving all her main stay characters in new and wonderful ways.

Succubus Heat

A new and suspicious Succubus arrives just as Sirens trap Georgina in a dream state from which she cannot escape.

As the bond between Seth and Georgian is becoming stronger, others are starting to notice, this is not liked by many in her circle, lest of all her best friend Maddie who she is supposed to be helping to marry Seth!

Whilst the gang, including human Eric, try to save Georgina she continues to be stuck in a different dimension where she is shown truth, possible futures, tainted truths and outright lies, in horrible torturous semi dreams. This is horrific to read as I have come too really like Georgina

Only an American would suggest that Guinness goes with shepherd’s pie!! Seriously, NO!

RM does well to keep this book from becoming too dark and utilises Georgina’s more light hearted friends to accomplish this; Peter and his soirées really make me want to be an immortal!

Succubus Shadows

Hahaha I loved that all the immortal gang are now using Facebook!

From the start you can feel that this book is going to have an explosive ending as Georgina ends up in Hells court with unlikely allies and lawyer. A loop hole has been found in her Soul Contract.

A beautiful ending that brings all the little comments throughout the series together, I think this is the only book in the series you could not read as a standalone.

The climax was one of those "I saw that coming from a mile away", but it wasn't lame or upsetting

I could easily read this series over again many times, so lovely, so funny and wonderfully circular. 

Succubus Revealed

Mind Sweeper by A.E. Jones

The opening line to this book kind of sets the standard – An angel, a demon and a vampire walk into a bar. Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but it's just another day in the life of Kyle McKinley.

Whilst paranormal romance is NOT usually my thing I was asked if I would be interested in giving at whirl – to which I replied, sure I will read the first chapter and see if I can continue, no promises and no offers of a “good” review either; author accepted.

Basically this an excellent murder mystery with demons, angels and vamps – plus some awesome teasing and sex, I could not put it down once started and was highly impressed with the world that AEJ has created.

Kyle is a human who can erase memories and from a young age has been employed by a supernatural protection group. This first story, in what promises to be a series (horah), opens up and explains the world in which she survives.

All the characters were well fleshed out, and each is given just enough back story to make you want to know more, but also enough here and now personality to feel like you know them.

I loved all the character descriptions which were given early on, nothing staccato, just gently blended in. AEJ managed to do this with all the differing demon information too. Filtering in little pieces of information without bombardment and overload. All the explanations are viable too, no stretches of the imagination needed here – we all believe in supernaturals don’t we??

Once I finished the book, I really missed Jean-Luc and Misha, the 400+year old Vampire and Shamat demon that she works with;  especially Misha with his addiction to TV/movies as it allows for lots of funny references eg Scooby Doo and Charlie’s angels, not to the mention all the cool films.

Other characters are there to enhance the story and never used as filler.  Even if we only get glimpses of them, they feel like real people.

From Joe Dalton, the cop who has all the women in a tizz to Tony the amazing empathic chef, who always has the best dish to fix any mood.  Kyle’s cat, called Booger, has the best story line ever.

AEJ does not appear to have left any supernatural group out and creates a world you can believe in; the legacy, lore, councils, families and businesses. 

Told from Kyles, point of view, the tense never wavering, a feat which is hard to do for an experienced writer, this was impressive, especially as all elements of the story are told this way, no break off gaps no jumping to other scenes or expectation of “known knowledge” and no sneaky “oh she didn’t see it but this is what happened”.

The twists and turns at the end are not contrived or flimsy in any way, I was expecting one thing and got totally surprised with another. I thought the ending was beautiful.

The editing is nigh on perfect I did not notice a dot or comma out of place and I want that powerpoint presentation on demons!

It is hard to believe that this is a first novel from the author, the story is complex, well thought out and has some amazing character building. This is a new author to watch and get behind. Let’s hope she does not stay in the shadows for long.

Mind Sweeper

Dying Days 3 by Armand Rosamilia

(spoiler alerts)

Darlene is back and she is the same hard shelled, soft centered, take no nonsense, body obsessed heroine; I can’t help but love her, even when she is prattling on about her thongs!

The Flagler beach survival group has a new threat looming; who is killing all the zombies and stacking them under the pier?

Will the Lich’s plans come to anything?

AR brings a new element and twist to the series – Frank is a zombie but he has become self aware, and he his not the only one. I can’t think of a worse scenario for all involved, although Frank and the Lich seem to be liking it.

I really enjoy this series of zombie books as there are no big sub plots or lots of different groups to keep track off, its very much here and now, and in your face, usually with a big fat tongue in cheek dose of humour. There are still the intense emotions, some wild sex and gore laden fights but it’s much more a “Bmovie” style novel, and I love that.

However, don’t let that comment fool you into thinking the characters are wooden or 2 dimensional, far from it, Bri’s little lack of prom rant was actually quite upsetting when you think of all that would be lost in an apocalypse and the deaths are heartbreaking as AR keeps you very focused on the survivors.

The zombies are very real, if a little warped. AR seems to take total delight in being as freaky as possible. He also manages to make his little ragtag survivor group very real without any military training and inclusive of young girls and old men, not necessarily who you would pick to aid you in a zombie fight but wow they make a mean drinking and movie watching bunch and shouldn’t survival be worth living, at least a bit of it.

This series is really starting to hot up on the weirdness front and strays far, far, FAR from the purist ideals of zombies – but good! AR is a talented writer (try his other, non zombie novels/novellas/shorts) if these zoms are not to your liking!

Dying Days 3