Book Review – Grimm Consequences

22 Sunday Jun 2014

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Book Review, Grimm Consequences, Kate SeRine, Transplanted Tales series

You reap what you sow. . .

Saying Nate Grimm has a dark past is an understatement. Fortunately, no one’s bothered to look too closely at the Fairytale Management Authority’s lead detective and part-time Reaper. And that’s the way Nate wants to keep it. For after centuries of torment and loneliness, he’s finally found happiness with the hot and hard-charging love of his life, Tess “Red” Little.

Of course, his love for Tess is the reason there’s a posse of Reaper judges after him, led by a sadistic bastard acquainted with Nate from once upon a time. Now, Tess will pay the price for Nate’s transgressions unless Nate severs his ties to the transplanted Tales–and Tess–forever. His enemy has the advantage in speed, malice and brutality. But the Reapers have underestimated the depth of Nate’s love and devotion. And the fury of his wrath. . .

Grimm Consequences is a “Transplanted Tales” novella (coming in at just under 100 pages) falls in just after Red but before The Better to See You. From Nate’s perspective and adding some of the details of his past and his relationship with Tess, it came about thanks to all of the people demanding more of Nate. . . and as sexy and complex as he is, it’s easy to see why everyone wants more. (If you haven’t read at least Red, I’d suggest you do so before picking up Grimm Consequences. The nice thing is that you don’t have to have read all three, just that first one, although I’m sure that you’ll be just as addicted as I am.)

Nate has some secretes he’s been keeping and unfortunately he can no longer keep them hidden. Quite the mysterious character, the added insight into his past gives readers the added layers they’ve been looking for. He’s come a long way from the man he was to the man he is and we find out just how far. It’s raw and touching and I got to the end with an even bigger crush on him.

I really like the fact that Serine has an idea for her world and sticks to it. She doesn’t seem to create new rules as she goes along just to make her world fit the plot that she has going. Or if she does, she does it without making it seem obvious. Everything is logical, as much as it can be when dealing with magical creatures, and I appreciate that. The surprises she gives her readers fit within the context of her stories and don’t feel like they are coming out of left field.

I’m always thrilled to get my hands on one of Serine’s stories. They are wonderfully complicated but not convoluted, her paranormal world is fun with all of the make believe characters at her disposal, and those characters have wonderfully intricate and addictive lives. Full of action, drama, and heartache, Grimm Consequences is the perfect companion to the “Transplanted Tales” series.

Along Came a Spider

01 Sunday Sep 2013

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Along Came a Spider, Book Review, Kate SeRine, Transplanted Tales series

New review is now up.

*****

When Trish Muffet is attacked at a grisly crime scene, the last person she expects to come to her rescue is Nicky “Little Boy” Blue. But since walking away from everything two years before, Nicky’s been doling out vigilante justice as “The Spider,” taking on the vicious predators of the night in hopes it’ll lead him to his ultimate target—Vlad Dracula. And he needs Trish’s help.

Although Nicky’s renegade style goes against everything Trish stands for, she’ll do what she must to bring Dracula down. With danger stalking her, Trish knows the only person she can count on is the one man who has the power to leave her breathless. There’s no way she’s letting this spider frighten her away…

I get so excited about Kate Serine’s “Transplanted Tales” series – I love stories about fairy-tale and literary creatures living in our world and Serine is one of the best at it. She not only gives you a hot, steamy romance, but also an intriguing mystery that keeps you on your toes. It should be said now that it is best to have read the other books in the series – Red, The Better to See You – because there are themes and characters that move through the stories. I don’t think it is 100% required, but you’ll likely be a little lost without them.

The focus this time is on characters we know – Little Boy Blue (Nicky Blue) and Litttle Miss Moffett (Trish Moffett) – both of whom played minor roles in previous books. I loved Nicky back in Red and I’m excited to see him back again. And while Trish has flitted around the previous books, it is nice to see her get her own story & hero. I thought it was great that while she can take care of herself to a certain point and be a strong heroine, she is still vulnerable and needs help to not only solve the mystery but to survive. And she’s such a great match for Nicky, I loved watching their relationship develop.

I thought the mystery had the perfect amount of twists and a very satisfying ending. I’m not sure how I feel about the idea of a big, bad government agency getting involved but I’m going to show a little faith and see where Serine takes us. It makes sense but I think it could easily go in a direction that isn’t fun any more – a la Buffy and the Initiative.

We also get to catch up on some of our old favorites (like Tess, Nate, Seth and Lavender), as well as meet new characters. And Serine teases a little about possible future stories just to make us want for more. If you are looking for fantasy and intrigue mixed in with your romance, Serine’s “Transplanted Tales” series has it in spades.

The Better to See You

06 Wednesday Feb 2013

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Book Review, Kate SeRine, The Better to See You, Transplanted Tales series

The Better To See You is the second book in Kate SeRine’s A Transplanted Tales series. If you haven’t read the first book Red, go now and read it. Go on, I’ll wait here for you. Done? Fantastic, wasn’t it? Although The Better To See You is about Lavender Seelie and Seth Wolf, instead of Red and Nate, I believe it is important that you have read Red before moving on. There are plot points that flow from one story to the next. But since both books are amazing, it isn’t a hardship.

SeRine’s A Transplanted Tales series give readers a world where, due to a spell gone very wrong, Make Believe characters now inhabit our world. InRed, Red and Nate investigate the grisly murders of Tales in Chicago. The Better To See You picks up about a year later. Red suggests Lavender go to the Refuge (a place for Tales that have had issues adjusting) after she has a knock-down, drag-out with the Charmings. Given just an address of someone who will help her, Lavender ends up at a cabin belonging to Seth Wolf. Lavender is a little concerned since Seth, aka The Big Bad Wolf from many a fairy tale (including Red’s), was a prime suspect in the Chicago murders. But as they spend more time together, Lavender realizes there is more to Seth than what she’s heard. When people start turning up dead, things quickly go from bad to worse.

The mystery portion of the series is intriguing. Set in a fantasy world, there are fewer rules to it but SeRine handles it well. She doesn’t throw a lot of curve balls at her readers so when something is revealed it makes sense to the world as it is given to you. I think that is my biggest complaint about stories that involve an otherworld element – you go along with one set of rules and suddenly the author gives you something completely new just so the plot will go a certain way. I’m looking at you, Charlaine Harris. I like surprises and there are lots of opportunities when dealing with magic, but it needs to have some kind of basis in the rest of the story. SeRine does a fantastic job of giving everything a reason for happening.

And the romance between Seth and Lavender is delicious. It’s takes a little bit of a backseat to the mystery, but SeRine steadily develops things as the plot progresses. Lavender has done a lot of growing since the Tales came over and it is very touching to see her get her confidence back. Seth’s story is enough to break your heart, so I was delighted to see him find some happiness again.

This series is an irresistible treat for readers who enjoy supernatural suspense romances. It’s inhabited by all manner of literary creatures – Little Red Riding Hood, The Big Bad Wolf, fairy godmothers, The Grimm Reaper, Dracula, the Darcys, Juliet, Puck – you name it and it is probably in the series or will make an appearance later. By having it encompass a large pool of fictional character, SeRine opens up the possibilities for future stories. And it makes it fun to anticipate who might be on the next page.