There’s so many paranormal series being published that it’s becoming very hard to tell them apart. The majority of them feature a female protagonist with some sort of awesome power who lives on the fringes of society with very little ties to the community she lives in. Her parents are dead, she has no siblings, but she does have a network of friends and associates that keep her grounded.
One series I started reading, mainly because the author made such an impression me because of her wonderful personality and humor on-line is Jess Haines. Jess cracks me up on a daily basis from her emails she sends me to her tweets on Twitter. When I first heard of Jess’s H&W Investigation books, I rolled my eyes. My thought was these books and the heroine, Shiarra Waynest with the funky first name, is probably like every other urban fantasy paranormal out there with a female protagonist who falls into danger by no fault of her own and ends up lusting for some hot sex on a stick male creature with come hither eyes and great fashion sense. I then found out that this series doesn’t have any romance in them at all (no monkey sex), at least in the first two books, although there are inklings of a possible one for Shia with the most powerful vampire alive with Alec Royce (who reminds me somewhat of Roarke from the In Death Series) and Chaz, Shia’s ex- werewolf boyfriend. When the first book, Hunted by the Others, was up for grabs for free, I decided to give it a read.
I deserve a big slap because Hunted by the Others, including Taken by the Others and Deceived by the Others really impressed me. Jess’s writing grabs you from the moment you start reading. Shia is a pip of a firecracker who's a down to earth normal woman trying to make ends meet as a private detective. Shia has no powers, other than her wits and whatever weapons she can get her hands on. Shia is refreshing even with her faults and tendency to get caught in some sticky situations. She's also the type of person I’d love to hang out with.
Hunted by the Others takes place in present day New York City where vampires and werewolves have come out of hiding after 9/11. There are some humans who are very bigoted against them, mainly from a group called the White Hats. Shia is a bit bigoted herself when it comes to the vamps and the werewolves. She’s just broken up with her boyfriend, Chaz, who kept his true werewolf nature from her, but surprised her while they were in bed together one night. Both vampires and werewolves make no excuses for what they are and they expect humans to accept them. Shia gets up close and personal with the vampires when she takes on a job in finding an ancient artifact that can control them. Shia doesn’t really want the job, but she needs the money. This is where she comes in contact with Alec Royce, one of the most publically known vampires in the US who rules over most of the tri-state area. Royce is a near perfect specimen of manhood. He’s a superstar with a great deal of money and property. Shia doesn’t really stand a chance against him because Royce is just too smart and experienced. He and Shia don’t hit it off at all and she thinks he’s going to kill her. But surprise, he does something she doesn’t see coming and forces Shia to sign a contract to bind her to him. Royce also wouldn’t mind turning her into a vampire. But all is not lost, because Shia has backup and is able to turn the tables on Royce. Now not only does Shia have to contend with a more than cranky vampire who can snap her in two, but also with Chaz, her shady ex werewolf boyfriend, who wants to get back with her.
Shia is now forced into a world filled with mages, witches and other scary individuals who want to finish her off. And since Shia is a lowly human and very vulnerable she has to turn to Royce and Chaz for protection. Hunted by the Others sets up this world and new people Shia has become involved with. She’s given an awesome magical belt that only talks to her and helps her defeat the bad guys. For a debut novel, this was a pretty solid read.
In Taken by the Others, Shia is again forced into a sticky situation. Royce wants Shia to be more involved in his business and life. She’s trying her best to keep away from Royce not only because he still scares her, but he’s over the top seductive, and if she gives in, he can use her for his own personal means. She’s also forgiven Chaz and is dating him again, although she’s very careful with him as well. She’s taking things with him day by day because Chaz wants her to be a part of his pack, which means she may have to turn werewolf. Shia is really not all for that and will hold on to her humanity until her last breath. But all these problems are pushed to the side when an old enemy of Royce’s, Max Carlyle, targets Shia for revenge against Royce. Max is another powerful vampire. Shia becomes a major food source in this book. Shia spills a lot more blood here, mainly her own, and barely comes out of it alive. But she survives and gains a little more insight on Royce. Jess also introduces the best character out of this whole series. His name is Devon and he puts both Royce and Chaz to shame. Devon is human and fighter who becomes Shia’s main protector. I adore Devon.
I want Devon and Shia to hook up. Maybe because a little birdie told me Devon is based on Ryan Reynolds?
Deceived by the Others will be published on July 1st and begins as a more laid back book. Shia and Chaz, along with his pack, go away for some R&R. Shia must decide whether she’ll be fully committed to Chaz. But then drama ensues when she and Chaz are targeted by some jealous werewolves who have it out for Chaz. The pack isn’t all that welcoming where Shia is concerned and some major shocks occur in this book that will have many readers divided. Jess does something with Chaz that will have you screaming and wanting to tear him into little pieces much like Shia wants to do when she catches him red handed in his betrayal. And, it's quite a doozy. This shocking turn in the Shia and Chaz relationship takes some major balls on Jess’s part because it’s just not done. It really ramps up the action and drama and will have you anxious for the next book. Deceived by the Others starts out pretty slow and because of it I grew concerned on whether or not I'd continue on. But then Jess does that OMGWTF move I'd have never seen coming. And because of how Shia reacts and the way things are left, it’s a great cliffhanger.
I’m so glad I put my bias aside and picked up the H&W Investigation series. I adore Shia and the cast of characters she surrounds herself with. Shia’s internal monologue and worrying tend to be a bit too long at times, but she is human (haha). Jess has also created some nice hunky men with Royce, Chaz (although I want Shia to cut off his furry balls and feed them to him for the f’ed thing has done to her.) and of course Devon.
I think Shia should just climb on top of Devon, ride him for all it's worth and be done with it. But Shia has too many morals. I think she needs to loosen up and have more fun. Maybe Shia can go the Anita Blake route and start her own harem of men?
I really look forward to more books from Jess and with Shia, who with book #4, titled Justice for the Others, has brought forth her Wayne Brady (ala the Chappelle show). Shia is now on a mission and is full of rage. She’s going to kick some ass and take names while she does it and I can’t wait to see it go down.
If you’re not reading the H&W Investigations series, you are really missing out. (Kensington Books)
Overall Grade: B+
Side Note: I’m not a fan of these covers at all. They don’t do this series justice in anyway.
