Book Review: Dirty Magic

Dirty Magic
Prospero's War, Book 1
Jaye Wells

Released: Jan 2014

Orbit, paperback, 381 p
ISBN: 978-0-316-22843-5

Magic is a drug.

Careful how you use it...

The Magical Enforcement Agency keeps dirty magic off the streets.

But there's a new blend out there that's as deadly as it is elusive.

When patrol cop Kate Prospero shoots the lead snitch in this crucial case, she's brought in to explain herself.  But the more she learns about the investigation, the more she realizes she must secure a spot on the MEA task force.

Especially when she discovers that their lead suspect is the man she walked away from ten years earlier - on the same day she swore she's give up dirty magic for good.  Kate Prospero's about to learn the hard way that crossing a wizard will always get you burned, and that when it comes to magic, you should never say never.

This is at the grittier end of the UF genre.  There is no real romance, and the murder/mystery is more a police procedural than cosy mystery.  While I found the storyline to be an engaging prospect, I had more than a few problems loosing myself in this world.  Most importantly, I didn't really feel all that sympathetic with the main character, Kate Prospero - perhaps that was just my mood when I read it - but I just didn't click with her.  I found her brother, Danny, just got on my nerves no end as the perpetually brooding teenage stereotype, but then so did most of the secondary characters.  Kate's ex, the now very wealthy and influential John Volos, really peeved me off.  I know that she dumped him all those years ago, but when they interact, he seems to be projecting the whole 'hey, you dumped me...why?' vibe, but there is also a underlying aura of vindictiveness that creeps in from time to time that really put me off.  Especially when he reveals his expectations of Kate at the end of Dirty Magic.  He is quite the user, and doesn't see anything wrong with that.  If he is meant to be Kate's future romantic interest, than God help us because at the moment he is about as attractive as a slug trail.

I'm not sure whether I'll buy book 2, Cursed Moon, but perhaps if I read this book again in a few weeks I might see it in a better light.  I'm only giving it 3 stars because the world building was very well done, and the grungy urban setting was perfect for Kate's struggles.  Perhaps if the characters were fleshed out a bit more, and given distinct and unique personalities - they seem to fit in the same mold: grumpy, snarky, smart-arses - then perhaps I would enjoy the series more.

If you like Lilith Saintcrow's style, then this should be right up your alley.

Book Review: The Grendel Affair

The Grendel Affair
A SPI Files Novel, Book 1
Lisa Shearin

Released: 31 Dec, 2013

ACE, mass market paperback, 292 p.
ISBN: 978-0-425-26691-5

We're Supernatural Protection & Investigations, known as SPI.  Things that go bump in the night, 

the monsters you thought didn't exist?  We battle them and keep you safe.  But some 

supernatural baddies are just too big to contain, even for us...

When I moved to New York to become a world-famous journalist, I never imagined that snagging a job at a seedy tabloid would change my career path from trashy reporter to undercover agent.  I'm Makenna Fraser, a seer for SPI.  I can see through any disguise, shield, or spell that a paranormal pest can come up with.  I track down creatures, and my partner, Ian Byrne, takes them out.

Our cases are generally pretty routine, but a sickle-wielding serial killer has been prowling the city's subway tunnerls.  And th murderer's not human.  The fiend in question, a descendant of Grendel - yes, that Grendel - shares his ancestor's hatred of parties, revelry, and drunkards.  And with New Year's Eve in Times Square only two days away, we need to bag him quickly.  Because if we don't find him - and the organization behind him - by midnight, our secret's out and everyone's time is up.

When the courier knocked on my door with my parcel I couldn't wait to rip it open.  And there, on top, was my very own copy of The Grendel Affair (TGA) and I just knew that this was the book to start with.  

Poor Dragonfly!

It's been raining on and off for the last 2 days, and when I got home today from shopping I found this poor fellow stuck to the concrete - the car tyres missed him by a couple of inches! - so  I rescued him and put him out on my balcony to dry off.  Must have worked as there was no sign of the dragonfly an hour later ;-D

Cosy Kick

New bookshelf.  Double sided - double the books ;-D

Hi there!  I've been on a Cosy Kick for the last week or so.  It all started when I bought a big cube bookshelf - so I could create a separate nook - and had to decant the books that were shelved all over the place in the new bookcase.  This led to me finding my long forgotten stash of cosy mystery books that had been pushed to the very back of the bottom shelf (with 2 more rows in front of it!) and not being able to resist reading a page or two... or 200 ;-D

First order for 2014

Posting from my phone, but I couldn't resist ordering a couple of titles.  Thankfully I had a discount voucher - I always like to have one or two in reserve for book emergencies - so it wasn't such a shock to my wallet ;-D

That means I am now eagerly awaiting the delivery of....
• Hard Magic
• The Grendel Affair
• Death on Demand
• Avenging Angels, and finally
• God Save the Queen

Finger's crossed there are no delays.  I've been itching to get these titles out of my wish list for ages, and now seemed like the perfect time.

Happy Reading!

A cool change

Finally, after what seems like a eternity, the weather has finally changed for the better.  Even though cloudy days haven't meant cooler temps over the last week, today there is a real difference in the atmosphere.  Such a relief.

To celebrate the cool change I'm going to spend the day lounging on the sofa, and reading some of my old favourites.  At the moment I'm three quarters of the way through Dark Desire (by Christine Feehan), with Dark Gold next on the pile.  It's been some time since I've read these books and I'd forgotten how much I loved them.  They were one of the reasons that I got hooked on the whole paranormal romance/urban fantasy genre.

As you can see, my copies are very well read - but much cherished!

Happy reading!

Yeah, I see clouds!

After an absolutely nightmare of a night (no pun intended) I was so happy to wake up to a cool breeze and no sun in the sky!  Yes, that's right folks - it's not going to be a scorcher today!!!!

Last night was just the worst night I've had since I moved out this way nearly 2½ years ago.  There was not one little puff of air blowing through my windows - and let me tell you, I had everything open.  That's only the 3rd time that's happened since I moved in!  So, there I was, desk fan on the side of the bed plus the ceiling fan on as well.  Even with all that, I still spritzed myself a couple of times during the night just to get a little cooler.  It was not a comfortable night I can tell you.

It's been so hot and uncomfortable lately that I haven't even been able to escape into my books for relief!  Usually I can loose myself in whatever book I'm reading for hours.  I tried on numerous occasions over the past few days, and the most I could manage was a good half and hour to an hour at the most before I just could not ignore the heat any longer.  I jokingly said to my mum the other day "you'll visit me when I move to Tasmania, or NZ, won't you?" - but after the lung sucking heat over the past 4 days I'm seriously considering a change of address I can tell you!

Though for all my whinging about the heat (I need to vent somewhere) I consider myself lucky I'm not living further west.  The western parts of QLD are suffering so much more with the heat and the drought, so really, what do I have to complain about in the scheme of things?

Happy Reading!

'Beat the Heat' Survival Kit

It's been another scorcher today.  At 3:30pm it was 41.5°c!  Well, maybe a tad more, but still bloody hot ;-D

After yesterday's hot temperature, when the mercury started to climb today I retreated to the bedroom where my little 'Beat the Heat' supplies have come in handy.

First, make sure that you have a good cross ventilation system going.  I simply opened the windows.  Then put a small desk fan at the bottom of the bed.  To make sure it's wasn't going anywhere, I put it on a hardcover book.  Lie down and spritz your bare legs with the water bottle - set on mist - and the result will make you feel so much cooler!

I, personally, made sure there was a supply of cold water, and books to read, so that I didn't have to get up very often.  Its a cheap way to keep cool - especially if you don't have air conditioning.

Just remember to spritz yourself regularly for best results.

PS, put an old sheet under yourself otherwise your bedspread might get a little damp!

So hot!

It's just after 3:30pm, and when I went to the kitchen to get an icy cold glass of water - which I forgot - the thermometer was reading 39°c!

It's too hot!

It's heatwave time again in Australia.  I'm sitting on the couch finishing up my cup of tea (toast went ages ago), so that I can have most of my chores and errands done before 10am, when it really starts to heat up.  Queensland is being fried as the temperatures this week have his 48°c in some places, like Birdsville and Bedourie.  I'm frazzled just dealing with 38°c!  I don't know how they're surviving out there...industrial air-conditioning I suppose?

The heat has meant that a lot of self imposed New Year's projects have been put on hiatus until the weather behaves.  I was planning to get give the balcony a right royal scrubbing - and de-spidering - but I nearly melted when I spent 20 minutes out there yesterday hanging the clothes on the line!  I was also planning on starting a bigger quilt (about twice the size of the one I did for mum), but there is no way I'm going to sit at the sewing machine for hours in this heat.  Perhaps it's time I seriously considered getting some air-conditioning... or move to Tasmania? ;-D

My cats seem to be handling the heat.  Evie Nyx has a thing about lying in the bathroom's sink, when possible, while my old Titchy just settles down on her armchair which I've tucked beside a large bookshelf.  She's happy enough to just snooze the day away.  The weatherman has said that this extreme heat is supposed to hang around until at least the middle of next week (ugh!), but I'm hoping that we're not going to go straight from a heatwave into flooding.  For the past two summers here, it's flooded each January.  

I hope your New Year is getting off to a better start than mine.  I'm off to the store to stock up on some cooling ice cream ;-D

Happy reading!

First Quilting Project for 2014

Saw this material at Big W and couldn't resist.  It just screams MUG RUG, doesn't it?  The navy material will make up the centre of the mug rug, and the red & white material will make a beautifully contrasting binding.

Evie Nyx turns 1

I didn't realize it until after I'd woken up somewhat with a hot cup of tea this morning, but my troublemaker cat turns 1 today!  It's hard to believe I've had her for 7 months (and 27 days - but who's counting).  Looks like I'll be feeding her something a little special.  It's not everyday you turn 1 now is it ;-D

Happy 2014

After spending a quiet - and early - NYE by myself, I'm now so hot it isn't funny.  The weatherman says we're likely to have another thunderstorm this afternoon - but I'll believe it when I hear the rain on my roof.

2013 departed with barely a whimper in town.  I have a vague recollection if a few fireworks going off around 10:30pm, but if there were any big display at midnight then I slept through it ;-D

So I hope you all celebrated the New Year, whether solo or amongst a cast of thousands, and don't have to big of a hang over - for those of you who indulged.

Happy Reading in 2014!

Wishing you all a

Yes, it's done!

After much procrastinating - and YouTube searching - I finally made myself sit at the sewing machine to finish mum's quilt.