Review - Killing Rites by MLN Hanover

Killing Rites by MLN Hanover
Released: November 29, 2011
Publisher: Pocket Books
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 384 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: MLN Hanover

JaynÉ Heller has discovered the source of her uncanny powers: something else is living inside her body. She's possessed. Of all her companions, she can only bring herself to confide in Ex, the former priest. They seek help from his old teacher and the circle of friends he left behind, hoping to cleanse JaynÉ before the parasite in her becomes too powerful.

I am getting frustrated but a good kind of frustrated. I want Ex and Jayne to hurry up and get together but maybe it's better this way letting them take their time because she is still kinda on the rebound with Aubrey and Ex is well he's Ex.... but to get on with my review; this was a very happening book! Jayne realized that she did in fact have a rider and worked with Ex and some of his old comrades to try to disperse it but during the ceremony something goes wrong and she tries to let them know but they think it is a trick and Jayne barely escapes some dreadful consequences not to mention having to go on the run from her dear friends because they think she is not in control therefore once again landing her all on her own. I felt so sad for her because seems everytime things start looking up and she has some makeshift family all heck tears it apart.

On the upside my favorite character was back for a short snip in this book; Midian. I just love his snippy short comments and his view of how things are and he flat out let Jayne know exactly what he thought of dear old uncle Eric but um I will let you see for yourself.

As much as I really enjoyed Killing Rites and look forward to another installment, I just can't say I was totally satisfied with the ending. I expected more to come from the big fight scene I guess and felt it lacked the umph it should of had.

Review - Vicious Grace by MLN Hanover

Vicious Grace by MLN Hanover
Released: November 30, 2010
Publisher: Pocket Books
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 384 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: MLN Hanover

For the first time in forever, Jayné Heller’s life is making sense. Even if she routinely risks her life to destroy demonic parasites that prey on mortals, she now has friends, colleagues, a trusted lover, and newfound confidence in the mission she inherited from her wealthy, mysterious uncle. Her next job might just rob her of all of them. At Grace Memorial Hospital in Chicago, something is stirring. Patients are going AWOL and research subjects share the same sinister dreams. Half a century ago, something was buried under Grace in a terrible ritual, and it’s straining to be free. Jayné is primed to take on whatever’s about to be let loose. Yet the greatest danger now may not be the huge, unseen force lurking below, but the evil that has been hiding in plain sight all along—taking her ever closer to losing her body, her mind, and her soul. . . .

WOW this series keeps getting better and better! This part is basically about a haunted hospital and a buried demon and the first thing that popped in my mind was that movie by Stephen King called Kingdom Hospital! That was a freaky show and I loved it so obviously this book had my attention!

Some not so nice information was discovered about Uncle Eric that threw the entire group for a loop and has left me wondering just what else has dear Uncle Eric been hiding and why. I continue my stand against Aubrey. Don't get me wrong I love his character but he is not right for Jayne. Aubrey is more of a lover than a fighter type guy and I just feel he fits better behind the scenes and out of Jayne's bed. I am very proud of Jayne in Vicious Grace because I finally believe she is beginning to find herself and her inner strength. She is faced with some very hard decisions..harder than she has ever had to deal with and she stands up and puts her big girl panties on and does what needs to be done. By books end I was chanting Yes Yes Yes You Go Girl!

Review - Darker Angels: Book Two of the Black Sun's Daughter by M.L.N. Hanover

Darker Angels: Book Two of the Black Sun's Daughter by M.L.N. Hanover
Released: September 29, 2009
Publisher: Pocket Books
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 368 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: M.L.N. Hanover

When Jayné Heller's uncle Eric died, she inherited a fortune beyond all her expectations -- and a dangerous mission in a world she never knew existed. Reining in demons and supernatural foes is a formidable task, but thankfully Jayné has vast resources and loyal allies to rely on. She'll need both to tackle a bodyswitching serial killer who's taken up residence in New Orleans, a city rich in voodoo lore and dark magic.

Jayne and her posse head to New Orleans in book two of The Black Sun's Daughter Series. She has been contacted for help by one of her uncle's old aquaintances, Karen Black, an ex-FBI agent to help her rid the rider of a young girl.

The group has been working hard and fast for the past few months traveling the world to as many of Jayne's uncle's houses and storage units as possible trying to piece together his work and resources to better assist their needs and they are tired, weary, and in desperate need of some TLC/down time but instead they run headlong into this new mission with their tails dragging and their guards down to much. The action heats up almost the time they enter New Orleans and they immediately get their tails handed to them on a platter and have to regroup by the skin of their hides!

Alot happens in Darker Angels. Whether because of the exhaustion of the group or Jayne's still being wet behind the ears when it comes to leadership the group falls apart as evil trickery and secrets come to light. There are so many different types of struggles going on here...love, friendship, evil, and treachery.

Again another wonderful story by MLN Hanover that kept me up nights until I finished it but I really missed Midian from book one and was hoping he would at least make an appearance with his sassy and quick tongue. He kept me in stitches in the first book. I still am not all that impressed with Aubrey and wonder what on earth Jayne see's in him but their relationship starts to grow as she continues digging in her heels in a profession she was tossed into and is slowly carving out her own place in. I can feel she is getting stronger and the group as a whole is learning to work together but there is still a ways to go.

Review - Unclean Spirits: Book One of the Black Sun's Daughter by M.L.N. Hanover

Unclean Spirits: Book One of the Black Sun's Daughter by M.L.N. Hanover
Released: July 28, 2009
Publisher: Pocket Books
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 400 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: M.L.N. Hanover

Jayné Heller thinks of herself as a realist, until she discovers reality isn't quite what she thought it was. When her uncle Eric is murdered, Jayné travels to Denver to settle his estate, only to learn that it's all hers -- and vaster than she ever imagined. And along with properties across the world and an inexhaustible fortune, Eric left her a legacy of a different kind: his unfinished business with a cabal of wizards known as the Invisible College.

Led by the ruthless Randolph Coin, the Invisible College harnesses demon spirits for their own ends of power and domination. Jayné finds it difficult to believe magic and demons can even exist, let alone be responsible for the death of her uncle. But Coin sees Eric's heir as a threat to be eliminated by any means -- magical or mundane -- so Jayné had better start believing in something to save her own life.

Unclean Spirits was action packed..always had something happening to keep me on my toes! It was a pageturner that I had trouble putting down and found myself waking up at night to read just a few more pages. Jayne is basically a loner with no friends, boyfriend, nor any family left that wants anything to do with her. She's sort of the black sheep because she wouldn't follow her father's rules. I felt kind of sorry for her not so much for the obvious reasons but because she just seems to have hit bottom in her life and needs something to hold onto..something to call hers and maybe even a shoulder to lean on. I could relate to that.

I loved Midian! He is sassy mouthed and funny at the same time and I just really enjoyed his two sense worth not to mention he could cook and boy I do think highly of men who know their way around a kitchen!

Aubrey was an okay character but I'm just not all that into him. He's just not tough enough for me and he seems more like a suit man whereas I am all about the jeans and leather and kick ass urban hero type. Maybe he will harden up in later books..I dunno but I just am not feeling him as Jayne's lover or sidekick.

Jayne is just getting her feet wet in book one and still not totally sure if this will be a one time thing with her by killing the thing that killed her uncle or if she resumes his work where he left off and help others with a supernatural crisis.