Lana Harvey, Reapers, Inc Series

Author: Angela Roquet

I adore this series. Each book is a fun read that is over too quickly. Lana Harvey is a reaper. She has two close friends: Josie, a reaper, and Gabriel (THE Gabriel), an angel. Josie and Lana live in Limbo and work for Grim, harvesting souls. Maalik, an Islamic archangel, gifts Lana with puppies -- two hell hounds. What isn't there to love about this?

What I like best about these stories is their ability to draw me in and let me lose myself. These stories are fantastic escape mechanism. But they are also well crafted. They present a universe that includes the Abraham religions as well as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Greek, Celtic, and Norse paganism. The stories touch on topics we can all identify with: love, friendship, loss, war, bribery, and fear. But all those issues seem separate because of the universe that Angela Roquet has created for us.

I may be biased though. I just love to see new takes on old, established concepts. And Roquet does just that. She takes what we think we know about Gabriel, the Holy Spirit, Charon, Beelzebub, Lucifer, Seth, Horus, and countless other deities and presents them to us as "real" beings with hopes, fears and goals. Beings who make mistakes and feel regret. They are beings who know each other and work together, most of the time, to manage the various needs of the people of Limbo. I like Queen of the Damned and Memnoch the Devil by Anne Rice for the same reasons.

Today, there are four books available in the Reapers, Inc series. The fifth is due October 6. I cannot wait. I pre-ordered! I recommend this book to urban fantasy reader. Especially those who has read and enjoyed: the Charlie Davidson books by Darynda Jones, Alex Jones books by Kalayna Price, or the Black Wings series by Christina Price.  

For more information, visit Goodreads.

The Determined Heart: The Tale of Mary Shelley and Her Frankenstein

As an Undergraduate, I was an English major. Naturally read Frankenstein, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Byron. I also read William Godwin, Mary Shelley's father, and Mary Wolstencroft, her mother. When I found The Determined Heart, I knew I had to read it. 

Antoinette May, the author of The Determined Heart, did a great job in her fictionalized account of Mary Shelley's life. I'm only half through the book and can already say I recommend it. The writing, characters, and plot pace is good. I can easily immerse myself in the story.  I am anxious to find time to continue reading.  I'm even reading late into the night. Overall, I am finding this to be a well crafted read. 

Any reader who is familiar with Mary Shelley or any of her friends and family should at least consider reading this book. If you're a fan of Frankenstein, I would say this book is a must as it easily presents a look into what influenced Mary Shelley. While fictionalized, it still hits the major points of Mary's life. Fans of historical fiction should read this book.

As much as I recommend this book, and as familiar as I am with the major characters of the book, I have to say...I hate seeing Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron portrayed as such assholes. Yes, assholes. I knew that Bysshe was an adulterer and typically one step away from debtors prison. I knew Byron was arrogant and self involved. These things are well known. But it's still difficult to read. How could flawed people create such amazing works? 

Some of the publications by the numerous authors referenced in this novel are:

• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Maurice Hindle (Editor, Introduction)
• A Vindication of the Rights of Woman Mary Wollstonecraft
• The Anarchist Writings of William Godwin by William Godwin, Peter Marshall (Editor)
• The Complete Poetry of Percy Bysshe Shelley by Percy Bysshe Shelley, Neil Fraistat (Editor), Donald H. Reiman (Editor)
• Lord Byron: The Major Works by George Gordon Byron, Jerome J. McGann (Editor)

UPDATE: I finished the novel and I still feel the same as my previous post. It was a great read. A read I couldn't wait to get back too.