Pandora’s Box
Immortalis Series, Book 3
Primary Genre: Urban Fantasy
Secondary Genre: Paranormal Romance
Adult Content: Some strong language.
Page Count: 238
Word Count: 65,000
Publisher: Rising Sign Books, LLC.
Print Publishing Date: July 12th 2011
Author: Katie Salidas
Synopsis:
After a few months as a vampire, Alyssa thought she’d learned all she needed to know about the supernatural world. But her confidence is shattered by the delivery of a mysterious package – a Pandora’s Box.
Seemingly innocuous, the box is in reality an ancient prison, generated by a magic more powerful than anyone in her clan has ever known. But what manner of evil could need such force to contain it?
When the box is opened, the sinister creature within is released, and only supernatural blood will satiate its thirst. The clan soon learns how it feels when the hunter becomes the hunted.
Apparently powerless against the ancient evil, the clan flees Las Vegas Boston
And how welcome will they be in a city run by a whole different kind of supernatural being?
Werewolves…
My Review:
Ms. Salidas, true to form, wastes no time in getting to the surprises in this third book in her Immortalis series. She is definitely writes I-never-saw-that-coming kind of books. There is never a lack of twists and turns, with each battle and each challenge. I have been awed by the caliber of writing in designing such storylines as she has in this series.
I thought it was interesting to watch both Lysander and Alyssa evolve through the stories in this series, individually and as mates. All in the group changed toward Alyssa in some way. The author developed many vivid and unique characters to challenge and to complement the two main ones.
In this third book, I thought ms. Salidas created the most exotic of all of the enemies the vampire clan has had to fight. In keeping with that, there was more of a mystical puzzle to figure out rather than just come up with a plan to trick and kick the enemies ass. I really liked this change. With book one basically all about vampires, and book two about vampires and one human, this book had several other beings. It shows a great progression especially considering in some way she connects all the book to one core enemy. And, the addition of spirits, werewolves and witches excited me to no end.
Now the end, hmmm…there better be another book coming soon is all I can say! LOL
Katie Salidas is a very creative and very strong author. I recommend each book in this series.
Available in print and/or ebook at:
Hunters & Prey
Immortalis Series, Book 2
Primary Genre: Urban Fantasy
Secondary Genre: Paranormal Romance
Adult Content: Some strong language. No sexual content.
Page Count: 263
Word Count: 75,000
Publisher: Rising Sign Books, LLC.
Print Publishing Date: December 10, 2010
Author: Katie Salidas
Synopsis:
Becoming a vampire saved Alyssa from death, but the price was high: the loss of everything and everyone attached to her mortal life. She’s still learning to cope when a surprise confrontation with Santino Vitale, the Acta Sanctorum’s most fearsome hunter, sends her fleeing back to the world she once knew, and Fallon, the friend she’s missed more than anything.
Alyssa breaks vampire law by revealing her new, true self to her old friend, a fact which causes strong division in the group that should support her most: her clan.
Worse yet, her revelation entangles Fallon in the struggle between vampires and hunters and The Acta Sanctorum is ready to attack again, with a new army of hybrid creations: the Frenzy Soldiers.
If Alyssa hopes to survive and keep her mortal friend safe, she’ll have to be willing to make a deal with the enemy, and regain her clan’s support. It will take everyone working together in a precarious truce to fight against the Acta Sanctorum’s new threat.
You know from my review of Book 1 in this series that I love the vampire world that Ms. Salidas has created. So let me tell you right off that it only got better in book two. First, there is the little details, like using words like “daymares”. Second, for a second in a series, the author pulled off what I see as a writer, as a tough element to writing a series. She was able to catch up a new reader, giving them the information needed to understand Book 2 if they had not read Book 1, while making that info a brief reminder rather than a boring retelling for those who were already following the series.
In the beginning of Book 2, Alyssa is still struggling with her new life as a vampire in some ways, but then Ms. Salidas really amps everything up here. And, I do mean everything! Having loved the first story in this series already, this second story was even better. Don’t you just love when that happens!?! Everything was more intense, from the character’s struggles, to the dangers they face to the love story. This was a same good guys and same bad guys book with all new situations and complications and suspense - and I was one happy reader. I loved this line “The enemy of my enemy is my friend…right?” That kind of sums up the constant twists and turns and surprises that the author keeps throwing at you. Plus, the mythology keeps evolving!
I simply cannot wait for the third in this series :)
Available in print and/or ebook at:
Immortalis Carpe Noctem
Immortalis Series, Book 1
Primary Genre: Urban Fantasy
Secondary Genre: Paranormal Romance
Adult Content: Some strong language. No sexual content.
Page Count: 323
Word Count: 85,000
Publisher: Rising Sign Books, LLC.
Print Publishing Date: March 2, 2010
Author: Katie Salidas
Synopsis:
Bleeding to death after brutal mugging on the campus of UNLV, Twenty-five year old Alyssa, is rescued by the cold and aloof, vampire, Lysander. Taking pity on her, he shares the gift-and curse-of immortality. She awakens as a vampire and is soon devastated by harsh realities of her new way of life: the loss of her friends, her independence, and her humanity.
As if having her humanity stripped away was not enough to make life interesting, Alyssa finds out her “turning”, did not go unnoticed by the rest of undead society. Old enemies; an ancient sect of vampire hunters, known as the Acta Sanctorum, as well as a powerful Vampire mistress, each set plans in motion to destroy both Alyssa and Lysander.
Only by accepting her newfound immortality, seizing the night, will Alyssa hope to survive. She and Lysander must fight together against two sets of enemies bent on destroying them both.
My Review:
I like the more gritty vampire tales like this one. There is a price, an internal conflict among other life changes, to have to live with. Ms. Salidas created this aspect of the vampire world very well. The heroine had no easy go of it. She really had to struggle to adapt to her new life and let go of the old one.
The lore was well thought out, and I appreciated the old Catholic connection (quite inventive). Ms. Salidas creates a great mix of vampire mythology, a wonderful balance between the conventional lore and her own, making it very easy to follow and captivating as well.
What I wanted more of was the hero. He has such a dark, deep presence in the novel, an alpha who makes the heroine tremble from his power and tenderness. I fell in love with Lysander instantly, and his back story was amazing. I want to read that story. The series needs a prequel of Lysander's life before Alyssa - hint, hint ;)
What I wanted more of was the hero. He has such a dark, deep presence in the novel, an alpha who makes the heroine tremble from his power and tenderness. I fell in love with Lysander instantly, and his back story was amazing. I want to read that story. The series needs a prequel of Lysander's life before Alyssa - hint, hint ;)
Available in print and/or ebook at:
About the Author
Katie Salidas is a Super Woman! Endowed with special powers and abilities, beyond those of mortal women, She can get the munchkin off to gymnastics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, and swim lessons. She can put hot food on the table for dinner while assisting with homework, baths, and bedtime… And, She still finds the time to keep the hubby happy (nudge nudge wink wink). She can do all of this and still have time to write.
And if you can believe all of those lies, there is some beautiful swamp land in Florida
Katie Salidas resides in Las Vegas , Nevada
Twitter
http://twitter.com/QuixoticKatie
http://twitter.com/QuixoticKatie
Each site can offer an ebook giveaway – winner’s choice – any of the three books in the Immortalis series
In addition there is a tour wide giveaway
The Grand Prize is a signed set of all 3 books in the Immortalis Series with book swag
Open to International Shipping
Winner to Be Chosen January 1, 2012
Link to form here
