Dom of Las Vegas (Sin City 1) --by Tricia Owens

Fiction / Adult

221 Pages /1975 KB

5 Stars

Oh, my.

I first 'met' Ms Owens with her Moonlight Dragon books, which I love. I then read one of her Pirate books, so I was aware she knows how to toss spice into her pages, but this book was, well, ah, a wet panty book from darned near page one to page last! Not, mind you, that I'm complaining. I'm not. No. Not at all.

Ms. Owens lives in Las Vegas, and while I'm somewhat comfortable with the idea that much of her books are nothing more than pure imagination, well, she has a very healthy imagination. Personally, I'm glad she does, and that she shares it.

This story was, in a word, Fun. It may not be so for everyone, but if you have an open mind, a sense of humor, if male/male sex intrigues you instead of turning you off, I think you'll enjoy the ride. The writing is good, the characters developed (very developed), and the story fun (I said that already, didn't I?). Admittedly, I probably wouldn't want to leave it around where my teenagers might find it, but they're in their late 40s/early 50s, so I have no say over what they read.

Ethan is a young man whose life-long dream is to be an agent with the FBI. Alas, he's also gay, and a submissive. He worked his way through school, and works for a small detective agency in Indiana. While on a business trip to Las Vegas, he meets Max, a dominant, wealthy, and owner of his own detective agency. One thing leads to another, we get ups we get downs, in just the right amounts before we get to the end. There are 10 books in the series (at this time) and I look forward to reading them all.

Rise of the Dragon, Moonlight Dragon Book 5) --by Tricia Owens

Fiction / Urban Fantasy

175 pages / 4154 KB

5 Stars

Legalities first: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

WARNING! Do not begin this book until you have a full pot of coffee and enough time to read it all the way through to The End. Once again, Ms. Owens has given us a marvelous one-sit read. She rates a space on your bookshelf alongside Anne Bishop, Patricia Briggs, and Jim Butcher.

If you have not read the earlier books, I strongly suggest you do. While they could probably be read as stand alone books, they will be much more enjoyable if read in order:  1. Descended from Dragons, 2. Hunting Down Dragons, 3. Trouble with Gargoyles and, 4. Forged in Fire.

Poor Anne Moody. She is still cursed. The cameos in her pawnshop constantly give her dire messages, the walls and ceiling of her bathroom drip blood, something stomps forth and back on her roof at night. But, hey, it's home. She inherited the Moonlight Pawn Shop from her uncle when he disappeared, and she lives in the back. She deals in the mundane items people pawn for money to spend in Las Vegas, but she also deals in magickal items. Nothing too serious or heavy, but every so often, she's fooled. Oh, did I mention she is also carries dragon blood in her veins? A dangerous thing to have.

Her boyfriend is a gargoyle. Human by night, stone statue by day. Her best friend is a monkey shifter. And then there are the Oddsmakers. They are uber magickal beings, and they do not like dragons. No, not at all. They do not like wild magick they can't control. And they do not want anyone in Las Vegas wielding magick without their knowledge and permission. How do you keep a Dragon under wraps? They are also Evil.

Poor, cursed, Anne Moody. She thought her biggest problems were the unseen and unknown Oddsmakers, who teleport her whenever they feel like it to their underground lair to order her to do this or that, until she was drugged, kidnapped, and woke in a secret US Military underground prison/laboratory under investigation for High Treason. Yes, she meets the Men in Black, up close and personal, and they were nothing like the guys in the movie. Yes, the end of the world is coming, and only Anne Moody can save it, and she's an unwilling guest of Uncle Sam. Poor, cursed, Anne Moody.

The most awful thing about this book is, it is book 5 of a 5 book series. That means the series is now ended. All the loose ends are neatly tied. We learn how Anne Moody became cursed, we learn what happened to Uncle James, Orlaton, and the others. However, with Ms. Owens' imagination and abilities, I hold high hopes there will be more books about the Moonlight Pawn Shop, the neighbors, and of course my favorite alpha dragon, Lucky.

A Pirate's Honor --Tricia Owens

(This is a Novella)

Fiction / M/M

90 pages / 1907 KB

5 Stars

I first "met" the author with her Dragon books, and am so thoroughly hooked on them, I thought it time to branch out read some of her others. I am delighted I did.

This is a novella, a quick read, and it contains no dragons. A Pirate's Honor is interesting, and fun; it is a story of love, loss, and revenge, with a delightful twist at the end.

I vaguely remember reading somewhere that Owens writes romance, as well as dragons, and I don't normally read romance, and had never really heard of M/M. Oh, my, after this little story, my horizon has most assuredly broadened. I believe our Jamie has out Sparrowed Captain Jack Sparrow ;-)

We get it all in this story: History, intrigue, swashbuckling, true love, loss, true love, oh, and did I mention sex? Because reading is difficult, at best, while taking a cold shower, I heartily recommend you fill the bathtub with ice water, get in, and read. It will soon be steaming. This is, most assuredly, a wet-panty read!

Forged in Fire: An Urban Fantasy (Moonlight Dragon Book 4) –by Tricia OwensFiction / Urban Fantasy 151 pages / 4283 KB 5 Stars Legalities: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. WARNING: Do not start this book until you can devote the time to finish it! It is, truly, a one-sit read. Anne Moody is still cursed. I almost feel sorry for her; however, if she wasn't still cursed, we wouldn't have this terrific series to read. She still gets caught up in adventures not of her choosing, and she still is a (reluctant) worker for the Oddsmakers. Anne Moody is also cunning and has a few secrets of her own. Once again, we are on a romp through a Las Vegas that isn't on my AAA Map with Anne, her friends Melanie, Christian, and Vale. Once again, Vagasso makes an appearance—in Anne Moody's yard, for starters. Once again, Anne Moody is told by the Oddsmakers to leave Vagasso alone, to behave, and to mind her own business. Does Anne obey them? Well, if she did, we wouldn't have this fantastical book. We wouldn't get to return to the Tomes, or the most unusual art gallery. We wouldn't get to an exotic animal breeding farm, either. Did I say 'get' to go there? More like dragged, kicking and screaming, through claustrophobic tunnels, and mad scientist labs. And we wouldn't have such a spectacular showdown with Vagasso, either. Will Anne Moody be able to defy the Oddsmakers? Will she be able to save her beloved friends? Will she be able to save Las Vegas and the world from the demons of hell? This is book 4 of the Dragon books, and it is every bit as enjoyable as the first 3. The Moonlight Dragon Books is one of the best urban fantasy series I've read. The characters are well developed, fun, believable, and are welcome in my house any time. This series belongs on the shelf with Anne Bishop, Patricia Briggs, and Jim Butcher—all excellent authors, and all with unique voices and stories.

Fiction / Urban Fantasy

151 pages / 4283 KB

5 Stars

Legalities: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

WARNING: Do not start this book until you can devote the time to finish it! It is, truly, a one-sit read.

Anne Moody is still cursed. I almost feel sorry for her; however, if she wasn't still cursed, we wouldn't have this terrific series to read. She still gets caught up in adventures not of her choosing, and she still is a (reluctant) worker for the Oddsmakers. Anne Moody is also cunning and has a few secrets of her own.

Once again, we are on a romp through a Las Vegas that isn't on my AAA Map with Anne, her friends Melanie, Christian, and Vale. Once again, Vagasso makes an appearance—in Anne Moody's yard, for starters. Once again, Anne Moody is told by the Oddsmakers to leave Vagasso alone, to behave, and to mind her own business.

Does Anne obey them? Well, if she did, we wouldn't have this fantastical book. We wouldn't get to return to the Tomes, or the most unusual art gallery. We wouldn't get to an exotic animal breeding farm, either. Did I say 'get' to go there? More like dragged, kicking and screaming, through claustrophobic tunnels, and mad scientist labs. And we wouldn't have such a spectacular showdown with Vagasso, either. Will Anne Moody be able to defy the Oddsmakers? Will she be able to save her beloved friends? Will she be able to save Las Vegas and the world from the demons of hell?

This is book 4 of the Dragon books, and it is every bit as enjoyable as the first 3. The Moonlight Dragon Books is one of the best urban fantasy series I've read. The characters are well developed, fun, believable, and are welcome in my house any time. This series belongs on the shelf with Anne Bishop, Patricia Briggs, and Jim Butcher—all excellent authors, and all with unique voices and stories.

Trouble with Gargoyles: an Urban Fantasy (Moonlight Dragon Book 3) –Tricia Owens

Fantasy / Urban

pages 161 / 2880 KB

5 Stars

Oh, botheration, lets get the legalities out of the way first, OK? I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I am, truly, a very lucky lady!

Anne Moody is still cursed. Poor girl, she's going to be cursed forever, which is really too bad for her, but really, really good for us. The longer she's cursed, the more books we'll have to read. This is the third book in the series, and it was ever bit as gripping and fun as the first two. The cameos in her store are still calling out curses to her, this time they warn of betrayal, but they don't tell her who the betrayer is, or who the betrayed is. And Anne Moody is in for a true surprise, as is the reader.

This would have been another one-sit read, but life interrupted. Admittedly, I was not pleased--I wanted to read. When I get my hands on a book that is as much fun as these are, I want to escape into that world, and not be called back to this one until I'm darned good and ready – or when the book ends, whichever comes first.

Trouble with Gargoyles takes us back to her parents and their untimely death. It shines a bit more light on the Oddsmakers and why they are so interested in poor, cursed Dragon Sorceress Anne Moody, and why she feels the way she does about them.

A monster has arrived in Las Vegas, and is hunting Anne Moody and her friends. The cameos warn of betrayal, and Vale (her gargoyle boyfriend) is a prime suspect. Anne takes us to an old time speakeasy, populated with shifters of various degrees, and learns why she isn't liked, let alone trusted.

Vale's brother, heir to the Gargoyle Throne drops in, and Anne sees brotherly love and competition up close. Is this the betrayal the cameos warn her of?

And we get to see Lucky in his full glory, no holds barred, as he finally is allowed to become Dragon as Anne carries out orders imposed on her by the Oddsmakers. Is her biggest fear realized when this happens? Is Anne Moody now Dragon, and no longer Human?

Some old friends return, and new friends are made in this book. While this series can be read as stand alone books, I think they just might be more fun if read in order. If you are a fan of Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, and or Anne Bishop, give Tricia Owens a read. Escape into a Las Vegas you'll never see, except through the eyes of poor, cursed, Anne Moody!