Tag Archives: R.J. Blain

Hearth, Home, and Havoc ReRead by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Hearth, Home, and Havoc
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

Hearth, Home and Havoc is a great little novella, one that focuses quite a bit on being controlled and getting revenge. I mean, some of it is justice. But, mostly it just feels like a whole lot of revenge on a bastard who truly deserves it. And then there’s the goddess aspect within the story. And the cute government agent. And the mother who has lost touch with her children. All gorgeous aspects of this story that build and build into a wonderfully fun and somewhat violent novella. My favourite kind.

Running away from your problems and digging a giant hole to literally hide the body is maybe not the best ever coping mechanism. But it is one that I really appreciated and could definitely get behind. It was funny, cathartic and an all round pleasure to read. I particularly like that the lead knows that digging a giant hole to drown a body in isn’t the healthiest or sanest option. But, she continues to do it anyway. Plus, she acknowledges that she is 100% having a break from reality, but just chooses to continue dealing with it / going with it without fanfare. Again, maybe not the best coping mechanism, but maybe one I should try the next time I feel overwhelmed… just digging a giant hole and imagining (ceremoniously) burying my problems deep in the ground.

Although the coping mechanisms in this may not be the best, I love that the importance of therapy is mentioned again and again. In fact, it is visited and revisited at multiple times throughout the novella. With each and every horrible past action revealed, the idea of, and attendance at, therapy is revisited. The normalcy with which this is mentioned was great. I love that it was a fabric of reality to recover from past trauma, without judgement and without stigma attached. I wish this could happen in real life.

Finally, I love that this story centres around the mortal mother of the Goddess of Hearth and Home. And that this little growing deity is all about making sure her Mum is happy and healthy. She not only is the driver of a lot of the interactions and positives within this story, but also the instigator of change. She protects her Mum in the best way she knows how (but with an adolescent mindset), and her Mum in turn tries to protect her. It’s just a gorgeous little novella and signified the unbelievably wonderful strength of a mother-daughter connection.

<- Hoofin’ It ReReadSerial Killer Princess ReRead ->

Image source: Smashwords

Hoofin’ It ReRead by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Hoofin’ It
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

Shane and Marian are a great and fun couple, and I love going on the journey with them in Hoofin’ It to find their happily ever after. The fact that it starts with a spitting alpaca, a dead body and a shaved werewolf. Well, of course I’m going to enjoy the heck out of that nonsense. It was funny, sweet (in moments) and just all round a whole lot of fun. I might have been on this journey before, but I enjoyed everything about going on it again. It was just such glorious, unrestrained fun!

Where Shane and Marian were an incredibly fun couple, introducing Ernesto and his brood; and the Babylonians might be an aspect of this story that I enjoyed even more. The Babylonians in particular were just pure chaos demons. Which I loved. They just produced chaos, carnage and insanity wherever they went. Then there were the mounts (of which there were a variety) who just wanted to eat all the human flesh and devour the hordes of evil. Again, absolutely loving the nonsense that is produced by the Babylonians getting involved in the final battle.

Then there’s Ernesto and his clan – they are just beautiful and I vaguely recall something about them coming up at different points later in the series. Their introduction feels so “everyday”, but they are an integral aspect to the patchwork that is the world of the Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) series. Understanding this on the reread meant that I paid a whole lot more attention to Ernesto and his family, and all of the information that is shared about them. I’m not really into vampires per se these days (Twilight absolutely ruined them for me), but I did like Blain’s take on them and the way that they are interwoven into the series.

Back to Marian and Shane though, I love that Marian starts out as an alpaca. Then gets turned back into being a human. Then you realise that she can actually shift into a badger. I’m kind of disappointed that there wasn’t more about Marian turning into a badger. I mean, we have Shane figuring out what animal he shifts into, and spending a bit of time in his animal form. But Marian didn’t have that pleasure, and I really wanted it. But that’s okay, because there are other awesome shifters to come in the rest of this series. Hence the reread.

<- Playing with Fire ReReadHearth, Home, and Havoc ReRead ->

Image source: Kobo

Playing with Fire ReRead by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Playing with Fire
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

I honestly don’t know why I love Playing with Fire so much. For some books that I love, I can wax on and off about just why I love them so much. But for Playing with Fire and the rest of the Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) series, I’m not entirely sure what it is that keeps pulling me back in. Yet, even though this was a reread, I just couldn’t put this down. I’m pretty sure that I’ve read this from cover to cover both read throughs. I laughed, I smiled and I just enjoyed each and every word of chaos as it unfolded in my mind’s eye.

Bailey has some serious self confidence issues – I kind of picked it up on my first read through, but on this reread… wow. I just couldn’t even handle / stomach some of her comments and just how sad they were. I mean, it’s a testament to how good of a writer Blain is – she manages to take some serious symptoms of abuse and trauma and make them kind of lighthearted. I mean, Bailey’s parents are truly evil and cruel, and of course their child is going to end up with some major trauma. But how is it that not until the second read through, I actually pick up on the total and utter lack of self confidence and self worth. It was really only because of parts of later Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) stories that I think I even picked up on it this time…

Although I love a good, subtle courtship, Quinn’s was too subtle even for me. I mean, he’s been chasing the same woman for how many years and no one is any wiser about it. But, I did love, that when he realises that the object of his affections doesn’t understand that she’s on the receiving end, he decides to up the ante and take control. The taking control part of Quinn’s courtship was kind of adorable. And although I don’t read these books for the steamy factor, it did increase that a little bit. Not in the same way as some of the more X-rated paranormal romances that I read, but in a warm and pleasant way.

The use of Cindercorns (I wonder if they’re based on anything in mythology, or just the author’s imagination?) is still one of my favourite things. Not only is a violent, fire-breathing unicorn just the best thing ever. But, Bailey gets to go on a drunken napalm bender in her Cindercorn form. The fact that she levels a building, saves the world and just generally acts all kinds of violent cute? That makes it all so much better. I freaking love Cindercorns and everything that they bring to the mayhem of Blains’ Magical Romantic Comedy world.

<- More R.J. BlainHoofin’ It ReRead ->

Image source: Kobo

101 Ways to Die by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: 101 Ways to Die
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #21)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

Whilst I really enjoyed 101 Ways to Die, I did find the ending just a little bit abrupt. Without the extra addition of the final four chapters / stories at the end of this story. They helped to ease some of the abrupt feeling that I had and make it easier to close the page on this romance. Plus, it gave me more insight into McMarin’s family. And I absolutely loved them – they are chaotic, fun and intense. Everything that I enjoy in a good literary family – full of love and complete insanity.

Josefina McMarin is a great cop, and I love how seamlessly she fits into the insanity that is the Quinns and their precinct. The fact that she’s transferred out from a sexist, racist idiot just made this story even better. Plus, I love revisiting anything with Bailey and Quinn – they are hilarious enough as a couple, but as bosses? They are so much funnier. And McMarin just manages to ride out the storm of insanity with joy, and just enough pushback to make it hilarious. The fact that she makes her team work better as she learns how to be a great detective just made me all that much happier to be enjoying her story.

Where Josefina is an absolute powerhouse of a woman, Alec is so incredibly passive. He is cursed to witness death again and again, and yet, he manages to deal with it. Plus, he is so calm with all of the nonsense thrown at him. He doesn’t pushback against everything like Josefina does, but rather, figures out how to go with the flow and make peace with his circumstances. I particularly loved that, even though his curse isn’t “cured” within this story, he actually finds a way to live with it and, if anything, take advantage of it to make the world a better place for others.

Whilst I predicted some of what this story was going to involve, the journey to get to those moments was still amazing. And, there were a whole lot of twists and turns that I did not expect. But I really enjoyed them. I think if the final four chapters / stories were incorporated into the actual story, I probably would’ve loved this even more. Having said that, I will most definitely reread it anyway.

<- Doggone MessWhiskers on Kittens ->

Image source: Amazon

Doggone Mess by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Doggone Mess
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #20
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

As with all of the other Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) books that I’ve read, I got into this right away. It was funny, it was quirky and it was light-hearted enough that I got to smile quite a bit. Yet, as I’m really starting to discover with Blain’s work, there was that serious undertone and message throughout which still left me thinking once I’d finished enjoying all of the fun. I also really like that this is very obviously building towards something – there is a conclusion to this series in the works, and Doggone Mess feels like some of the threads are now all coming together to build towards this.

The way in which Joyce is attacked and turned into a shifter is pretty sad and brutal, possibly one of the more brutal turnings / attacks of this series so far. Yet, I love how, instead of curling up into a ball and hiding from reality. Or feeling like a victim, she uses this brutality as the fuel to get out there and make the world a better place for everyone else. She is an absolute powerhouse of a woman, and I really loved reading about a character that takes the worst of circumstances and turning it towards, well, violence. But it was violence in a good way – against those predators that would continue to perpetuate the cycle of abuse for other women and innocents.

I’m always a pretty big fan of books in which the male part of the duo is the quieter of the two. Wayne most definitely fits this bill – and I adored him all that much more for how he continuously keeps trying to support and help Joyce. At first with moving her into a new home, and then when he realises the depth and breadth of her issues, he starts to move heaven and hell (kind of literally) to make her feel better / supported. Even their mating isn’t what I expected it to be – all because of the supportive nature of this fairly cute relationship.

There are a number of surprise cameos throughout this story – I particularly liked getting to see Emma the Swan again. Her willingness to stab people with her beak and just be a total menace to everyone made me smile. I love the idea of a swan shifter, and that they are not the kind, cartoonish swans, but the real assholes that true swans are. Plus, with all of the activity and action in this story, there are a number of loose threads that begin to get tied up, Emma just being one of them.

I seriously loved everything about this book. It was the typica fun, enjoyable R.J. Blain book that I’ve come to expect from her writing. And I seriously enjoyed that to tie everything up, the epilogue tells the tale of Joyce’s run at Fort Knox with her daughter. Aside from being a fun heist, it’s also a reminder that this world is one filled with change, and the biggest changes feel like they are just on the horizon.

<- Plaidypus101 Ways to Die ->

Image source: Barnes & Noble

Booked for Kidnapping by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Booked for Kidnapping
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: Vigilante Magical Librarians #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Well, this story took a turn that I wasn’t expecting. I thought that the kidnapping in this would be of a politician or someone else embroiled in this massive conspiracy. However, in the end, it was Janette who was kidnapped. And a lot more of the story was about that and figuring out just why and how than anything else. I mean, more of the conspiracy is unravelled, and the pieces to start maybe getting power back is revealed, but it was still mostly about Janette’s mysterious kidnapping and subsequent escape.

I love how the activities in this story and the teasing apart of more of the motivations of this story set everything up perfectly for the next story. I think this is a part of a trilogy, and I can’t wait to see how everything rounds out and ends. I can’t wait to find out how the vigilante librarians are going to thwart the evil plans of the powers that be. I mean, it makes me feel physically ill reading some of this storyline (because it is so rooted in reality), so I would love to read how the good guys actually win!

Brad and Janette are all kinds of sweet and cute. I love how their relationship has grown throughout this series. And that they are perfectly and happily matched to one another. Although there isn’t much steam on the pages, I really enjoy how they build up to it in their relationship. And how, eventually they are able to become comfortable with one another and find their way to intimacy… it may not be steamy on the page, but it is in my mind!

I honestly can’t get over the power of unchecked politicians and just how terrifying that truly is. I mean, this is so obviously based in the reality of what is happening in America. And, what makes me really scared is that it seems as though the politicians in Australia are headed in the same direction. It is a terrifying reality, and a reminder that power corrupts absolutely. And unchecked power is just… terrifying.

<- Booked for MurderMore R.J. Blain ->

Image source: Rebecca Frank Design

Client from Hell by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Client from Hell
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: Magically Hellish Comedy #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Honestly, I’m going to love any story which starts with somebody setting fire to the devil’s home. The convoluted, revenge based reasoning was more than a little questionable, but it was definitely a great start to a story. And a funny one on top of that. Plus, this is a series which  makes Satan kind of adorable and seriously lovely, so the fact that someone is willfully burning down his house to teach him to better mind his manners? Again, a hilarious and wonderful beginning to a story.

As much as I enjoyed reading this novel, cancer is a bit of a touchy subject for me at the moment, so some of that was a little bit difficult. But, I did love that Sandra is able to survive an untreatable cancer through experimental treatments. It’s kind of nice to hope that that sort of thing happens in real life. It also made me feel a little less triggered with a topic that would normally be incredibly triggering for me at the moment.

I love that the partner that Sandra ultimately ends up with is the devil’s brother-in-law. And that, when she decides to take him as her partner, she just kind of… takes charge of the situation. Actually, most of this story is just Sandra taking the insanity around her, and taking charge of it all. She is also able to accept her partner’s kleptomaniac and trouble making ways, just telling him how to limit it to levels that she can handle. She also, frequently, and with great gusto tells Satan to shove off and let her be.

There is a whole lot of drama throughout this story and a little bit of romance, plus Client from Hell follows on beautifully from Catnapped. It also highlights that there is a whole lot more drama and devil machinations of manipulating animals and the lycanthrope virus to be had. I can’t wait for the next story in this spin-off series. Plus, this features a crazy arsonist who is just running free….

<- More R.J. BlainTBC ->

Image source: Barnes and Noble

Plaidypus by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Plaidypus
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #19
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

This novel is actually the reason I first picked up R.J. Blain’s novels – I mean, the idea of a platypus shapeshifter pulled me in from the very first moment. It just took me a whole lot of novels to actually get up to the point when I was able to read to this point. And it did not disappoint. Plus, of all the animals that I’ve read about shifters of – I’m most fascinated by the idea of a platypus. Although, if I was Nadine, I’d also be supremely annoyed at the idea of not having venomous spurs like my male counterparts.

Nadine is the first Canadian in this series, and the first to go somewhere other than America (or hell). I really loved that she fits all of the stereotypes that I had expected, and I also liked how much respect everyone had for our nonsensical Australian wildlife. I particularly loved the zombie moose who just… decided to adopt Nadine and stick with her. I’m hoping that she makes another appearance later on in the series, or in the Magical Hellish Comedy series. I mean, the devil definitely has a thing for hooved menaces running free.

As with all of the books by R.J. Blain, the couple in this are cute and, ultimately, fairly easy to get involved with. Their obstacles to getting together are more about timing and confidence in themselves than anything else. Plus, they have a whole heap of match-making enthusiasts behind them, encouraging the nonsense. And, honestly, as much as I would love to think that falling in love is anything special, it really is just, ultimately looking at someone, and deciding that you’re going to keep them. Or at least, that’s how it was for me.

As much as I loved Nadine and her nonsense, it was really her dad that stole the show for me. I mean, a pony who just likes to eat our danger noodles? Absolutely freaking hilarious. I honestly could not stop giggling over that for a good couple of minutes. Plus, he goes back to do it again. I wish I had that kind of aggression and confidence towards our danger noodles…

<- CatnappedDoggone Mess ->

Image source: Barnes & Noble

Inquisitor by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Inquisitor
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: Witch & Wolf #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy, Werewolves, Witches
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

Allison’s journey throughout this story is actually a little bit sad, surprisingly so for the tone of most of the Blain books that I’ve read so far. And, even with all of the obstacles that Allison overcomes, she doesn’t quite get the happily ever after that I was anticipating. I mean, Blain’s writing is normally finished by a romantic happily ever after ending, so it was kind of surprising that Allison didn’t end the story with a man at her side. But, I kind of liked that fact.

I love that Allison is an insanely old werewolf and the Caretaker of the Seasons. Not only is that a great level of characterisation, but also Allison’s past provides a fantastic insight into the Witch and Wolf world and all of the politics within it. I also really enjoyed how the wolf aspect of Allison’s personality as so much more aggressive in her care for the seasons than her human alter-ego.

Unlike the some of the other series within Blain’s world, this story had a whole lot of sad and senseless death throughout it. I honestly had my heart hurt a whole lot more by this story than any of her other tales. Which made me seriously love it – I love that the story didn’t follow the pathway that I was expecting, and that it was a whole lot darker than anticipated. The tragedy and hurt just made all of the nice moments throughout even better.

I absolutely adored this story – it was much darker than I expected, but I think that that’s what made me enjoy it. It’s definitely drawn me into the Witch and Wolf world. Now I can’t wait to read more about these amazing characters and all of the horrible politics that are at play within the this world.

<- More R.J. BlainWinter Wolf ->

Image source: Goodreads

Catnapped by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Catnapped
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #18
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

As a fur baby mum, I love stories which feature women who will do anything for their pets. And in the case of Catnapped, Diana will do literally anything for her stolen cat. And I love that her journey to rescue her cat ends up with not only a happily ever after match, but also a whole lot of mayhem and destruction. Which is kind of expected in a Blain book by this point in my experience of her works.

Darian is a great, and very passive companion for Diana. Which is not a bad thing, I love that Diana just races forward, taking over the world and taking name. And Darian just supports her and has her back. Plus, it meant that Diana’s interactions with Lucifer are all that much more entertaining and chaotic. The chaos is really why I read Blain, and the fact that the men are often just along for whatever chaotic ride the women decide to run away on…

I spent the whole time reading Catnapped trying really hard to guess what kind of supernatural being Diana was going to become. I mean, she was getting transformed by Lucifer, it was going to be an interesting being. And I also love that he has a somewhat insane preoccupation with unicorns… as such, I probably should’ve had a bit more of an inkling as to what Diana was going to become, but it still blindsided me. And now I want more nightmares in my life.

There is a bit of a common theme of Christianity in this series. But I’ve noticed that the last few books have gotten even more heavily into the lore. For someone who doesn’t necessarily love stories which feature Christianity, I am loving Blain’s take on it. There’s also more information on the Triads and how they create their families (which I love) and shrouds (which I am kind of obsessed with). It gives a whole lot of information that I’ll probably enjoy on a reread.

I absolutely loved visiting with a number of past and well-loved characters in Catnapped. One of my favourite things about romance series is often that you get to revisit characters, while moving onto a whole other set. The epilogue for this story in particular was fun and gave me so many happily ever after vibes.

<- Murder MittensPlaidypus ->

Image source: Goodreads