Friday Mini-Reviews #86: J.D. Robb, Lou Harper & Michelle Sagara



Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb (In Death #31)

borrowed on audio

Synopsis from Goodreads
An indulgence for readers: the new Eve Dallas novel from the #1 New York Times-bestselling author.

First it was a limo driver shot through the neck with a crossbow. Then it was a high-priced escort found stabbed through the heart with a bayonet.

Random hits, thrill kills, murderers with a taste for the finer things in life-and death-are making NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas angry. And an angry Eve can be just as an efficient and dangerous predator as the killer.

As time runs out on another innocent victim's life, Eve's investigation will take her into the rarefied circle that her husband, Roarke, travels in-and into the perverted heart of madness...


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8/10
Oh yes, any book which ends with Eve brandishing a sword is a win-win in my point of view! Good storyline as usual, it was great to figure out with Eve killer's idenity and it was lovely to see her enjoying spending time with Roarke's family in Ireland.
* * *
О да, любая книга, заканчивающаяся Ив, размахивающей мечом, только выиграет в моих глазах! Классический сюжет, и было интересно  вместе с Ив разгадывать личности убийц. Понравилось также то, что Ив провела время с семьёй Роарка в Ирландии.



Spirit Sanguine by Lou Harper (Sanguine #1)

bought

Synopsis from Goodreads

Is that a wooden stake in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

After five years in eastern Europe using his unique, inborn skills to slay bloodsuckers, Gabe is back in his hometown Chicago and feeling adrift. Until he’s kidnapped by a young, sexy vampire who seems more interested in getting into his pants than biting into his neck.

Harvey Feng is one-half Chinese, one-hundred-percent vampire. He warns Gabe to stay out of the Windy City, but somehow he isn’t surprised when the young slayer winds up on his doorstep. And why shouldn’t Gabe be curious? A vegetarian vampire isn’t something one sees every day.

Against their better judgment, slayer and vampire succumb to temptation. But their affair attracts unexpected attention.

When Chicago’s Vampire Boss makes Gabe an offer he can’t refuse, the unlikely lovers are thrust into peril and mystery in the dark heart of the Windy City. Together they hunt for kidnappers, a killer preying on young humans, and vicious vampire junkies.

However, dealing with murderous humans and vampires alike is easy compared to figuring out if there’s more to their relationship than hot, kinky sex.

Warning: Fangalicious man-on-man action, a troublesome twink, cross-dressing vampiress, and role-playing involving a fedora.
 


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5.5/10
This is paranormal m/m romance mixed with urban fantasy. The main characters are charming but I felt they were quite simplistic, and so was the storyline. It took me months to finish this book, so maybe it's not the writing style for me.
* * *
Это паранормальный м/м роман с элементами городского фэнтези. Главные герои обаятельны но чересур для меня простоваты, да и сюжет такой же. Я мусолила эту книгу несколько месяцев, и было мне скучно  Видимо авторский стиль не для меня.

Cast in Courtlight by Michelle Sagara (Chronicles of Elantra #2)

borrowed on audio

Synopsis from Goodreads
No good deed goes unpunished…

In Elantra, a job well done is rewarded with a more dangerous task. And so, after defeating a dark evil, Kaylin must enter a place of deceit and treachery. A world where silk and jewels hide deadly secrets…

Kaylin goes before the Barrani High Court, where a misspoken word brings sure death. And Kaylin’s never been known for her grace or manners. But the High Lord’s heir is suspi­ciously ill and Kaylin’s healing magic is the only shot at saving him – if she manages to dodge the traps laid for her.

Only to discover that the healing might turn out to be the simplest of tasks before her…


 Audible US/UK | Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository

8/10
Lovely! So many interesting things happen in this book. A they say, the plot thickens. We also discover Nightshade shadowy manipulations into Kaylin's destiny which outs a new spin on their interactions. Overall, very promising, and it's always a pleasure to read about Barrani. The narrator is also excellent here.
* * *
В общем-то, во второй книге серии плот сгущается, и выясняется, что, например, у Найтшейд есть какие-то скрытые мотивы по отношению к Кейлин, и что он манипулирует её будущим, чтобы убедиться, что она идёт по нужному ему пути. Слушала с удовольствием о Дворе Баррани, да и рассказчица прекрасная.