Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #463: Big Demon Energy by Deborah Wilde

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: Enjoy this urban fantasy by best-selling author Deborah Wilde. Featuring a smart, snarky heroine, this second chance vampire romance will keep you reading way past bedtime.

Aviva Fleischer has a secret life. In her world, vampires are celebrated like rock stars, but demons, their kissing cousins, are reviled and hunted. Talk about a double standard.

To all appearances she’s a paragon of the magic community. She’s from a respected family and has become a top supernatural operative policing crimes committed by magic humans. In fact, Aviva is about to be promoted to head up her own unit, all by the age of thirty. Exactly as planned.

But should anyone ever learn that she’s a half-demon—an infernal—her entire life will go scorched earth.

Then a rash of bizarre murders break out and the Powers That Be opt to make her co-leader of a special new squad. One that mixes humans with their vampire counterparts—investigators who hunt down rogue vamps and demons.

Co-leader? Seriously? That major wrench in her leadership plans is bad enough, but even worse? She’s being partnered with Ezra Cardoso, jet set vamp and playboy extraordinaire. Aviva should know—he broke her heart six years ago.

Ezra is also the only one other than her mom who she's trusted with her secret. Will he betray her to get ahead? Try it: she’s got a wooden stake with his name on it.

Big Demon Energy by Deborah Wilde is expected out August 21st, 2023 from Te Da Media Inc.

Why am I waiting on this book? I enjoy the urban fantasy genre. This sounds like an interesting twist on it. It's the first in the Bedeviled AF series. I look forward to the snark in the heroine and seeing how she manages her relationship with her co-leader.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Review: Blood and Ash by Deborah Wilde

In a world where there are those with magic and those without, Ashira Cohen works hard as a private detective without magic. She picks up a missing person's case and begins to work it using her prodigious skills. Along the way, after being hit hard on the head, she sees a ghostly being leave one person and jump into another. This complicates matters as it is evidence that Ashira has somehow developed magical abilities when she has never shown any inkling of magical talent up until now and most magic users show their talent by puberty.

Ashira ends up partnering with Levi, the head of the regional magic community. She's known him a long time and they have somewhat of an adversarial relationship. Levi wants to be the boss of her. And Ashira is fiercely independent.

As Ashira investigates, she runs across a mysterious organization, a hidden realm, and golems among other things. Ashira struggles to work with Levi. He brings out the snark in her and drives her up a wall. Will she find the missing girl before her own blood is spilled?

I really enjoyed this book. It's urban fantasy which I do enjoy. I liked the magic system. The way that the magic users are registered and under a regional leader reminded me a little of the X-Men. The way it's set up, it has the potential for conflict between magic users and the mundane people who don't all trust them.

Ashira is a likable character. She is stubborn almost to a fault. And she is loaded with snark. She makes for a good strong female lead. Levi is a little bossy, but he comes by it honestly being the regional director of the magic users. He is handsome too. The scenes where they work together have good dialog.

What else did I like? The book is fast-paced and full of action. Golems are just one example of what they encounter.

There are a couple of racy sex scenes. They are well-written, but definitely on the hot side.

Overall I give this book 5 stars. It's a good start to a new series. I look forward to more adventures with Ashira and Levi.

Blood and Ash by Deborah Wilde was published January 14th, 2020 by Te Da Media.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.