Review: Red Fox (EiT #2) by Karina Halle

Red Fox by Karina Halle
Experiment in Terror #2
324 pages
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*** Stars

With Book Two of the Experiment in Terror Series, Perry Palomino and Dex Foray trade in the stormy Oregon coast for the unforgiving deserts of New Mexico. 

In the for­got­ten town of Red Fox, New Mex­ico, a Navajo cou­ple is tor­tured by things unseen and by motives unknown. Wild ani­mals slink through their house in the dark, a bar­rage of stones pound their roof nightly, and muti­lated sheep car­casses are turn­ing up on their prop­erty. Armed with a cam­era and just enough to go on, Perry and Dex travel to the des­o­late locale, hop­ing to film the super­nat­ural occur­rences and add cred­i­bil­ity to their flail­ing web­cast. Only their show has a lot more work­ing against them than just grow­ing pains. Tested by dubi­ous ranch hands, a ghost from Dex’s past, and shapeshift­ing decep­tion, the ama­teur ghost hunters must learn to trust each other in order to fight the most ancient of myths…or die trying.

Red Fox is the second installment in the Eit Series.  It follows our two main characters Dex Forray and Perry Palomino and there adventures in ghost....hunting?  I'm not yet sure what to call it or classify these two as.  Neither do they at this point.  So far in the story I know Perry has some "special" abilities and there's hints that maybe Dex does as well.  Lot's of foreshadowing and tension building  so far in terms of the relationship between the these two and what they're capable of.    Not so much in the first book, but in this one we get a better feel for Perry's feelings and even see some reciprocation from Dex.  I can sense their relationship is going to be complicated, much like the individual.    

This book takes them to New Mexico where they're called on to help a friend...help a friend.  What ensues when they arrive is nothing short of crazy.  It's to be expected I suppose given their choice of profession, but holy $^&t! Perry is one strong chick, that's all I can say.   At this point in the series I've realized that Perry is accident prone and a definite magnet for trouble.  The minute Dex leaves her alone she's in instnat peril.  Which at first annoyed me because really? Are we gonna play the damsel in distress part?  However, I've come to realize that's part of her charm.  Anyways, Dex and Perry are helping out a friend who's been experiencing poltergeist activity.  They live on this huge ranch in the middle of the desert which is prime real estate for weird happenings.   The cast of characters in this book are all very intriguing as well as suspicious.  During the entire book, I wasn't sure who was the culprit even though it was well obvious someone was behind the sinister activity, which definitely kept me interested in the story, characters as well as the outcome.

So far I'm liking this series.  I enjoy the fact that you have to follow these characters from book one as it gives readers a better appreciation for their growth, which I'm hoping I see in future books.  It's fun, light, creepy and sweet with a Supernatural-esque feel to it.

Review: Sixth Grave on the Edge

Sixth Grave on the Edge by Darynda Jones
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 326 pages
Source: Library
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My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 Few things in life can come between a grim reaper and her coffee, but the sexy, sultry son of Satan is one of them. Now that Reyes Farrow has asked for her hand, Charley Davidson feels it's time to learn more about his past, but Reyes is reluctant to open up. When the official FBI file of his childhood abduction lands in her lap, Charley decides to go behind her mysterious beau’s back and conduct her own investigation. Because what could go wrong?

Unfortunately, another case has fallen into her lap—one with dangerous implications. Some very insistent men want Charley to hunt down a witness who is scheduled to testify against their boss, a major player in the local crime syndicate. If Charley doesn't come up with an address in 48 hours, the people closest to her will start to disappear.

Add to that a desperate man in search of the soul he lost in a card game, a dogged mother determined to find the ghost of her son, and a beautiful, young Deaf boy haunted by his new ability to see the departed as clearly as he sees the living, and Charley has her hands full. The fact that Reyes has caught on to her latest venture only adds fuel to the inferno that he is. Good thing for Charley she's used to multi-tasking and always up for a challenge…especially when that challenge comes in the form of Reyes Farrow.     

My Review

"...I've only ever wanted you. You are literally the light in my darkness, the redemption of my past. I waited centuries for you to be born on earth, for me to be able to bask in your glow. You are like a gravitational force that lures me closer with each breath you take."

Insert happy, dreamy sigh here. Who knew Reyes had such a sweet side to him?

So it ends on a cliffhanger. Not really a fan of those but for this book, this series, this author, I'm happy with this ending. Very fitting in terms of plot arc and story development. It's perfect considering the love between Charley and Reyes.

As usual per Charley, her harebrained schemes and ADD addled brain provided copious amounts of entertainment and laughter. There were many moments of giggle fits which resulted in weird looks from strangers and my bf as a result. True Story. As usual with each installment, there's a lot happening in the story. With the introduction of the "dealer" and finally getting Cookie & Ubie to have a love connection.  Add to that, solving cases and learning about Angel's background- there was never a moment of dullness.  I was pleased with the pacing of the story, I felt like Charley was finally getting some answers! Which in turn, gave me a better understanding of her character, but that's beside the point! Charley and Reyes were finally moving into a relationship. 

I'm soooo curious to see how that plays out.  And with the ending?! Holy moley!!! Glad the seventh book is already out so I don't have to wait.


I'm always satisfied reading a Charley Davidson novel and I think this book has been the best one in the series yet!  With character driven stories and a plot that's well thought out, there's just no way one can't be enthralled with this series!

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Review: Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet by Darynda Jones

Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet (Charley Davidson series #4)

Darynda Jones
St. Martins Press October 2012
Source: Library
**** Stars
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Sometimes being the grim reaper really is, well, grim. And since Charley’s last case went so awry, she has taken a couple of months off to wallow in the wonders of self-pity. But when a woman shows up on her doorstep convinced someone is trying to kill her, Charley has to force herself to rise above...or at least get dressed. It becomes clear something is amiss when everyone the woman knows swears she’s insane. But the more they refute the woman’s story, the more Charley believes it.

In the meantime, the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, is out of prison and out of Charley’s life, as per her wishes and several perfectly timed death threats. But his absence has put a serious crimp in her sex life. While there are other things to consider, like the fact that the city of Albuquerque has been taken hostage by an arsonist, Charley is having a difficult time staying away. Especially when it looks like Reyes may be involved.

My Review

As always Darynda Jones allows me to get lost in the pages of her stellar writting.  Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet was funny, exciting and true to the author's style full of wit and laugh out loud moments. 

In this book, as always, Charley is trying to solve the latest "who dunnit" crime while simultaneously trying to figure who she is and all she's capable of and fend off demons. With her gaurdian, Angel and Reyes by her side she's afforded some time to come into herself with only hints of frustration from the lot. Remember, this is Charley we're talking about....she can be slow at times.  Suffering from PTSD from her last case,she's recovering slowly and with the help of Reyes she will slowly come back to herself.  

In this installment we finally get some Reyes and Charley action.  Finally!! I love the sexual tension that's been building within the last books.  The dynamics of their relationship are the quintessential "love to hate, hate to love" type which makes it entertaining to watch most of the time.  

This series is entertaining and so good, the plot always stays clear, despite the side stories going on. Darynda Jones does such a good job of weaving it all together by the end of each book.  Awesome read! can't wait to read the next book. This series is definitely one for my bookshelf.