Foretold by Jana Oliver

For Review: Macmillan
Published: 2 August 2012

From Goodreads:  Stand by as Riley prepares to kick some serious demon butt for the last time in this thrilling, dramatic and sexy conclusion to The Demon Trappers series.

Riley’s always known that Beck had a chequered history, but she’s not prepared for what it actually means to be in love with a guy with this many dark secrets. Now that he’s finally admitted to himself that he’s in love with her too, there’s no more hiding the truth about his past. And as it turns out, fending off a demon apocalypse is nothing compared to what’s to come...

When I read Forgiven I said the books in this series get better and better with each instalment. And Foretold just confirmed it for me - I absolutely loved it! It's my favourite of the series - everything I hoped it would be and more.

I devoured this book the moment it arrived. I physically could not stop myself from reading it - it is just so good! Everything just comes together in this one - all the things that have happened come together to make perfect sense in the end. Really, really clever and compelling reading!

I also loved that we really got to see Beck in this one. His home life - what living with his mother must have been like. Why Paul would have meant as much to him as he did. And yes, I got a tad panicked in the middle and right at the end. Okay, so I may have had a bit of a heart attack at one point - since I'm never sure what direction the author will take the story I wasn't certain that things would be alright in the end. So yes, worrisome! But exciting!

A brilliant ending to what is one of my favourite series. I can't wait to see what Jana Oliver writes next and I know I will be first in the queue to read it.

Jana Oliver’s Bookshelves (Foretold Blog Tour)

As part of the blog tour for the final book in the Demon Trappers Series - Foretold - Jana Oliver has stopped by to show us her bookshelves...

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Since most of my latest books are on my iPad (via the Nook library) I decided to show you my digital bookshelves.

[Bookshelf #1]

When I’m not reading fiction, I’m usually researching London or Chicago. In the case of the first two books, LONDON UNDER and LONDON: THE BIOGRAPHY) those are classic examples of the types of books I enjoy when I’m doing heavy duty research. From there we move into my collection of Ilona Andrews’ books. Ilona (along with her co-author and husband Gordon) write both urban fantasy (the Kate Daniels Series) and paranormal romance (The Edge Series). I’m totally hooked on these folks as their world-building and characterization is phenomenal. Their latest effort (GUNMETAL MAGIC) just came out and I’ve already read it.

The next three books I haven’t read yet, but I will. In particular, the steampunk book looks fun. RANDOM REALITIES is an excellent short story collection by Melanie Fletcher, an author with a wicked sharp mind. I switch over to historical mystery with CHASING THE DEVIL’S TAIL by David Fulmer. Set in early twentieth century New Orleans, the book is full of jazz and murder. One of my all time faves is next: NEVERWHERE by Neil Gaiman. I’ve reread it countless times.

[Bookshelf #2]

Recently I’ve been conducting research into fairy tales so that’s why I have Brothers Grimm and FAIRY TALE RITUALS. Kim Harrison was one of my first urban fantasy authors and recently I’ve fallen in love with the Iron Druid Series by Kevin Hearne. Again, just to mix things up, THIEFTAKER by D. B. Jackson is a blend of historical and urban fantasy. I really enjoyed that book and will be rereading it in the future.

Now we get into my shelf of US Demon Trappers books and my Time Rovers Series. I have them on my iPad in case I need to do readings and I don’t have a paper copy with me. And I admit, every now and then I go back and read them.

[Bookshelf #3]

The final bookcase has a couple of my books, a fantasy novel I haven’t read yet and then Anne Perry’s THE SHIFTING TIDE. Anne is one of the grand dames of English murder mysteries and I enjoy her books because they’re set in gritty Victorian London. THE SOURCE OF MAGIC is a delightful paranormal romance written by Cate Rowan and COVEN is by Tony Ruggerio, both friends of mine. Another friend’s novel (SHINE) is a young adult paranormal romance, part of a very readable trilogy by Jeri Smith Ready. And finally, 500 WAYS TO BE A BETTER WRITER by Chuck Wendig. It’s not politically correct in the least, but it’s got terrific advice for both new and established authors.

So as you see, I’m an omnivore when it comes to books. If it intrigues me, I’ll read it. If I fall in love with the author, I buy all their books.
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Thanks Jana!  I really need to read something by Neil Gaiman - everyone keeps telling me how great they are!

You can read my reviews of the series so far here.  (The link also takes you to an interview with Beck!)   My review for Foretold will be posting later today - but in the meantime,  I think I can safely say this was my favourite in the series!

Make sure you check out the rest of the tour - the next stop is tomorrow at Reading a Little Bit of Everything.

Forgiven by Jana Oliver

From Goodreads: Riley Blackthorne. Kicking hell’s ass one demon at a time...

Riley has made a bargain with Heaven, and now they've come to collect.

Lucifer's finest are ruling the streets and it seems that Armageddon might be even closer than Riley imagined. But with her soul and her heart in play it's all she can do to keep herself alive, let alone save the world. Riley's not afraid of kicking some major demon butt, but when it comes to a battle between Heaven and Hell, she might need a little help...

Honestly, this series just keeps getting better and better.   I loved it!

As I have said in previous reviews the world building and mythology is absolutely brilliant - so much planning must have gone into it! It's really exciting - so many different things are going on and not all of them turn out the way I expected them to! You've got to love it when an author can completely surprise you.

I felt sorry for Riley in this one. She really doesn't know which way to go - who she should trust, what the best decision is.    And of course, what is happening with her dad must be utterly heartbreaking. I love how her relationship with Beck develops in this one - it definitely holds promise for the ending I want in Foretold!

There are some really great action scenes in this one too. I love the way Jana Oliver is talented at both these and the more 'quiet' scenes. She is also really great at pacing these stories - once you pick them up you really can't put them down!

Of course, I can't review this without saying how much I love Beck...   I am, however, a bit concerned over his secret and what it will be. I'm really looking forward to Foretold to find out and see how this all ends. I have the feeling it's going to be epic!

Forbidden by Jana Oliver

For Review: Macmillan
Published: August 2011

From Goodreads: Riley Blackthorne is beginning to learn that there are worse things than death by demon. And love is just one of them...

Seventeen-year-old Riley has about had it up to here. After the devastating battle at the Tabernacle, trappers are dead and injured, her boyfriend Simon is gravely injured, and now her beloved late father’s been illegally poached from his grave by a very powerful necromancer. As if that’s not enough, there's Ori, one sizzling hot freelance demon hunter who’s made himself Riley’s unofficial body guard, and Beck, a super over-protective “friend” who acts more like a grouchy granddad. With all the hassles, Riley’s almost ready to leave Atlanta altogether.

But as Atlanta’s demon count increases, the Vatican finally sends its own Demon Hunters to take care of the city’s “little” problem, and pandemonium breaks loose. Only Riley knows that she might be the center of Hell’s attention: an extremely powerful Grade 5 demon is stalking her, and her luck can't last forever...

I really enjoyed the first book in this series so I was looking forward to this one. And more Beck? Yes, please:D

The story picks up right where we left it in Forsaken. Everyone want to know how the demons got through the wards put in place to protect them, Riley's father is out there somewhere and she is desperate to find him and Simon is not the same person he was in Forsaken! Add to this a truck load of demon hunters and things have just got interesting...

I really do love the world Jana Oliver has created - it's intelligent, believable and just slightly terrifying! The story is so unpredictable - I just have no idea what direction the author is planning on taking it and that is brilliant!

I also love the characters. Riley is just plain awesome - so determined and head strong. She's good at standing up for herself when she needs to but there is enough vulnerability about her to ground her and make her someone easy to relate to. Of course, I love Beck. I think that goes without saying!  As for Simon ... well I thought he needed a good slap. But I think it fits in with the story that what he went through might cause a crisis of faith. Still, I think Riley deserves better. And Ori is as intriguing as ever - and that's all I'm going to say about that!

I can't wait to read the next book in the series - if you haven't read it yet please do. It is seriously good!

Forbidden Blog Tour: Interview with Denver Beck

As part of the blog tour for Forbidden, Jana Oliver let me interview the rather gorgeous Denver Beck! So here we go...
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So Beck , I understand you are a Demon Trapper – can you tell us what that involves?
Bein’ a trapper means that I’m responsible to find Hellspawn, capture them in a safe way and then deal with them as required by the law. Sounds real simple, but it isn’t. Demons are pretty clever and if they can find a way to mess ya up, they’ll do it. A trapper has to think on his feet, work out the best way to catch the fiend and to do it without gettin’ himself or others hurt. It’s never a nice job, that’s for sure.

How did you end up working for Paul Blackthorne?
I first met Paul when he was a history teacher in high school. I gave him ten kinds of grief and he just let it roll right off him. That told me he was a really cool dude. When he was laid off from teachin’ he became a trapper. After the Army, I knew I wanted to work with him and he took me on as an apprentice. He was solid, a good man and I sure miss him a lot.

There are many different grades of demon. What the worst demon you’ve ever had to face?
So far it was Grade Five Geo-Fiend that took down Paul. That was one evil mother. Grade Five’s can call up windstorms and earthquakes. They’re hard to kill and darn hard to catch.

Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?
I’m from South Georgia near the Okefenokee Swamp. I don’t have any brothers or sisters. I like things simple and like people who don’t lie to me or treat me like dirt. I graduated from high school, spent three years in the Army and now I’m a trapper. I own my own house and I’m pretty proud of that. It’s nothin’ fancy, but it’s my own place and that means a lot to me.

And if you had to describe yourself in three words what would they be?
Don’t know how best to say that: I’m just me.

Blackthorne’s daughter Riley is also training to be a Demon Trapper. What’s she like?
::sighs:: Riley’s a handful. She’s got that steel backbone her mama had and the smarts of both her parents. She doesn’t take crap from anyone, even when it might be best that she does. She and I, well, we butt heads a lot. We’re both stubborn and that makes it hard. Still, she’s got a future as a trapper. She thinks on her feet and that’s real important. She’s a fine girl and I’m proud to know her.

I get the impression she means a lot to you…
I’m . . .real partial to her. She’s got a lot goin’ for her. She’s pretty and not just on the outside. She’s beautiful inside her heart and all and I’d really like to see her have a good life.

What are your other interests? What music do you love? Do you like to read? And do you actually get any time to do any of these things or is demon trapping more of a 24/7 kind of job?
Trappin’ is pretty much a 24/7 job. I do get to stretch out on the couch every now and then and watch some TV. I don’t read much, but I like to listen to music. Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, folks like that. Their songs have a lot of meanin’ to me. And I like to go down to the Armageddon Lounge and play pool. Helps me relax.

Anything else you can share with us? Maybe something that would surprise us…
Hey, if a guy tells ya all his secrets what’s he got left? ::laughs:: I thinkin’ most folks would be surprised to find that I like things tidy. The Army that taught me that. Not that many people ever see inside my house, but I am not a slob. I’ve seen some guys’ places that were pig pens. I’m just different, I guess.
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Thanks Beck! Thanks Jana!

You can find Jana at her Website. There is also a Demon Trappers Website for information on the Demon Trappers Series.

The next stop on the tour is tomorrow over at Blogger's Heart Books.

Forsaken: The demon Trappers by Jana Oliver

For Review: Macmillan.  Published February 2011
From Goodreads: Riley has always wanted to be a Demon Trapper like her father, and she's already following in his footsteps as one of the best. But it's tough being the only girl in an all-guy world, especially when three of those guys start making her life more complicated: Simon, the angelic apprentice who has heaven on his side; Beck, the tough trapper who thinks he's God's gift, and Ori, the strikingly sexy stranger who keeps turning up to save her ass. One thing's for sure - if she doesn't keep her wits about her there'll be hell to pay...

I really enjoyed this one!  Set in 2018, it follows Riley, who like her father, is a Demon Trapper.  When a relatively easy trapping doesn't go the way it should Riley finds herself in a bit of trouble.  But it looks as if something else is going on here, and Riley is right in the middle of it...

I really liked Riley. She is a great lead character - strong willed, stubborn, but likeable and relatable.  I LOVED Beck - and although I could have done without all the "ya's" in his dialogue as it was mildly irritating - he really is an awesome character and there are some great scenes between him and Riley.  I will say that he does comes across as much older than 22 years old - but that's explained in the book by his history and it made perfect sense.  I loved the alternating viewpoints between these two - I think it really adds to the story and it made me much more invested in both characters - and we get the added bonus of seeing all the other characters from both Beck and Riley's point of view which I loved.

I also liked Simon - he's incredibly sweet and nice - but unfortunately I didn't particularly feel a spark between him and Riley.  It could have just been me though!  On the other hand, Ori is very intriguing!  I can't wait to find out how he fits into all this. And I adored Riley's dad.

I really, really loved the mythology for this one.   This book is definitely a world builder  - a lot of work must have gone into creating the world and I thought it worked really well in setting everything up. It explains all the demon mythology - all the different level demons, plus it gives us the distinction between trackers and hunters.  Events went in a direction early on that I really wasn't expecting and it completely took me by surprise. I loved that I found it unpredictable - I had no idea what was going to happen next!  I really have to credit Jana Oliver's writing ability in not only writing really good action scenes but the more emotional ones as well.  In addition to all this there is also something big happening and Riley seems to be right in the middle of it.  I'm really looking forward to finding out exactly what is going on and can't wait to get my hands on Forbidden when it is released later this year!