Release Date: 03/10/11
BOOK BLURB:
Lucy's cousin Christabel has come to live in Violet Hill, and adjusting to the difference between life in a small mountain town and her home in the city is difficult. The strict curfew that Lucy's parents enforce is hard to respect. Surely something really dangerous couldn't possibly happen in this tiny town. But Christabel starts to notice some mysterious happenings, and it seems like Lucy, her boyfriend Nicholas and his brother Connor are all in on a secret that Christabel doesn't understand - one that seems deadly serious. Although she won't admit it, Christabel would love to be in on any secret with Connor Drake. When Christabel is kidnapped by the ruthless Hel-Blar vampires, Lucy and Connor finally fill her in on all the undead drama. Together, they must find a way to stamp out the Hel-Blar for good.
REVIEW:
The Drake Chronicles has long been a series that I’ve enjoyed since I read the original title, My Love Lies Bleeding. As usual with this series the characters are the driving force and when you add the vampiric touch to the mix, it’s one that is not only hard to put down but nigh impossible.
It’s clever, it has some cracking twists and the prose really helps this title move at quite a pace. The only downside to this book in the series is the cliff-hanger ending that it leaves you with that will have you screaming to the skies for the next part to land sooner rather than later. Great stuff.
Release Date: 04/07/11
BOOK BLURB:
Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts, especially since her mother has worked as a fraudulent medium for a decade. Violet has taken part in enough of her mother's tricks to feel more than a little jaded about anyhting supernatural. The ghosts, however, believe in Violet and she's been seeing them everywhere. One ghost in particular needs Violet to use her emerging gift to solve her murder ...and prevent the ghost's twin sister from suffering the same fate.
REVIEW:
Whilst most know Alyxandra for her Drake Chronicles, this current standalone title is one that I was wondering what I was letting myself in for. After all to suddenly divert from a bestselling series to create something new when you’re still technically a new author, is a brave move. What you get in this title from Alyxandra, is a heroine who stands on her own from the myriad of cast members, who has to gain emotional as well as physical independence and when blended with the time period to which its set makes this an absolutely wonderful read.
Add to this some magical twists, a surprise or two that you don’t see coming alongside quite a full plot outline and it’s a title that whilst fast paced doesn’t leave the reader feeling that they’ve been cheated as each of the various threads are tied up wonderfully at the titles end. All in this was a cracking read and I eagerly look forward to more tales in Violets world from Alyxandra.
Release Date: 01/11/10
BOOK BLURB:
Hunter Wild just wants to get through her last year at the secret Helios-Ra Academy. To do so, she'll have to betray her grandfather, date a vampire and possibly take down the entire League - all before the end of term.
REVIEW:
This series by Alyxandra is fast becoming one of my favourites in the Young Adult Urban Fantasy genre, although to be honest I don’t think it will be long before she run’s out of Drakes. The characters are fun, they’re believable and whilst certain elements are fantastical, it’s a series that will pretty much do for the young reader what Lori Handeland did for the older.
Both styles are similar and whilst there are enough similarities between the two authors each has their own unique take on events as well as how to bring it to the reader. This series has been a lot of fun and I’ll definitely look forward to seeing what’s presented next although I do hope that we get back the Hound Princess as I think there’s plenty of mileage still left to be seen from that angle. Great fun.
BOOK BLURB:
It has been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix survived the French Revolution. Now she's made her way back to the living and must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who turned her into a vampire and left her buried for two hundred years. That's if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks...
REVIEW:
Having read the original and being pretty drawn in by the premise, I was hoping that this second title would surpass the original and fix some of the problems that I had. What unfurls within this title is definitely the better book by far as the world building was pretty established so the author could concentrate on the characters and overall arc. Its beautifully written, the characters come to life and it’s a title that will definitely announce that this series has arrived as it has something for everyone. You want love? Check. You want a kick ass plot with combat? Check. You want some devious double dealing and politics? You’ve got it.
Definitely a cracking title and one that appealed to me just as much as it will to the target audience, it could well be the book that will be a joy to share with your young reader. Also with the first title as an ebook today for free and you’ve got a great chance to get in before a lot of others descend.
Release Date: 03/10/11
