Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Review & Giveaway: The Dirt on Ninth Grave


Publication Date: January 12th 2015 by St. Martin Press
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

In a small village in New York lives Jane Doe, a girl with no memory of who she is or where she came from. So when she is working at a diner and slowly begins to realize she can see dead people, she's more than a little taken aback. Stranger still are the people entering her life. They seem to know things about her. Things they hide with lies and half-truths. Soon, she senses something far darker. A force that wants to cause her harm, she is sure of it. Her saving grace comes in the form of a new friend she feels she can confide in and the fry cook, a devastatingly handsome man whose smile is breathtaking and touch is scalding. He stays close, and she almost feels safe with him around.

But no one can outrun their past, and the more lies that swirl around her—even from her new and trusted friends—the more disoriented she becomes, until she is confronted by a man who claims to have been sent to kill her. Sent by the darkest force in the universe. A force that absolutely will not stop until she is dead. Thankfully, she has a Rottweiler. But that doesn't help in her quest to find her identity and recover what she's lost. That will take all her courage and a touch of the power she feels flowing like electricity through her veins. She almost feels sorry for him. The devil in blue jeans. The disarming fry cook who lies with every breath he takes. She will get to the bottom of what he knows if it kills her. Or him. Either way.
My Thoughts:
The Charley Davidson series is one of my favorite urban fantasy/paranormal romances out there.  Darynda Jones’ humor had me laughing out loud most of the book!  She writes Charley with a sort of slapstick humor and her sidekick, Cookie is on the same hilarious, A.D.D. wavelength!  The run of comedy has me snorting and giggling, enough to get some odd glances from anyone around, (something to keep in mind if you read in public) and so sometimes when things get very dire it’s almost a shock.  It does help temper the truly horrible things Charley has been through over the years, and I do admire her positive outlook and unwillingness to let anything get her down.  Her recklessness has always been a source of frustration for me, but at the heart of it is the complete self-sacrificing spirit she has for others.  While I am angry with Charley a lot (right along with Reyes) for her rash actions, her motivations come from a sincere love of other people, so I can never hold a grudge. 

From here on out, if you haven’t read the previous books in the series there will be some SPOILERS.  Proceed with caution.  If you haven’t read the other books, stop, run, and pick up the first book!

The Dirt on Ninth Grave was definitely different from the previous installments, and yet, also the same.  We had the same Charley at her core, even though she lost her memory and ended up on the other side of the country in Sleepy Hollow, New York.  All the regulars followed and played along so as not to traumatize Charley anymore. It was a little painful to see Charley and Reyes unsure of each other, but it was also kind of sweet watching them fall in love all over again, making it abundantly clear that nothing will stand in the way of their love.  Of course, there were hot and steamy scenes!  Anytime Reyes and Charley are together things turn hot and explosive!

There were several mysteries besides the continuing story arc of the series, as with the other installments.  I was moved by all but the Vandenberg mystery, and unfortunately, it seemed like it took up the most page time.  Plus, I’d scratch my head when Charley would be so worried about them and then get distracted by another conflict and forget.  I did enjoy Erin’s story and how it all turned out.  I wish more time was spent on Ian Jefferies’ past and the retired detective, Mr. Pettigrew. Don’t get me started on the bittersweet story of Lewis, Shayla, and Francie.   Not much plot progression on the continuing story arc because so much time was spent with Charley as “Janey” without her memory.  I wished that was resolved sooner in the story. 

Still, I enjoyed this story, like I said, this is one of my favorite series’, and with all the books and stories I almost feel like Charley and the gang are old friends.   I can hardly wait to hang with Charley and the gang in the next book!  

3.5-4 Suns




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The lovely people of St. Martin's Press have generously provided TWO copies of The Dirt on Ninth Grave to giveaway to two Waves of Fiction followers!  The giveaway is open to US and Canadian Residents only.  Simply fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win!



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25 comments:

  1. Love Charley Davidson. Thanks for the amazing giveaway. I have been trying to collect this series in paper back. Happy new Year

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    1. You're welcome! Good luck in the giveaway! And Happy New Year to you, too! :)

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  2. I have many but I really love Charley :).

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  3. Charley Davidson!!! and Kate Daniels :) I'm catching up on this series (up to book 5) and I love it!!!! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Oh my goodness, I LOVE Kate Daniels, Erin! I'm hoping we get some more Julie and Dereck stories after reading and loving Magic Stars! :)

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  4. Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series is my favorite. I love Charley Davidson, too!

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  5. Love Darynda's Charley Davidson series but my all-time favorite is Kim Harrison's Hollows series followed by Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series!

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    1. Oh, I've never read either one of those series'. I bought the first book of Jane Yellowrock on Audible, though, when they were having it on a Daily Deal. I do want to listen to it soon. I'll have to look up the Hollows series. Thanks for turning me onto it! :)

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  6. This series is at the top of my UF faves list along with the Kate Daniels, Mercy Thompson, October Daye and Jane Yellowrock.

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    1. Kate Daniels and Mercy Thompson are favorites of mine, too! I'm all caught up on them, so I'm eager to find some new ones! October Daye isn't familiar to me, but I have the first audiobook of Jane Yellowrock. Must give it a try! :)

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    2. October Daye is by Seanan McGuire and if your a fan of Charley and Kate then I highly recommend. I think you'll really like it. She is kick butt and snarky like them. Rosemary & Rue is the first book.

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  7. This sound like a great series to read

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  8. Love Charley Davidson & Kate Daniels!

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  9. Charley Davidson, and Beyond the Veil by Pippa Dacosta

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    1. Nevery heard of Beyond the Veil, but I'll look into it. :)

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  10. I love the Charley Davidson series!

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  11. Sorry I haven't read a lot of Urban Fantasy so I don't have a favorite too list, but I do love that genre and I am going to read more into urban fantasy this year if I can! Thank you for the awesome giveaway!

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    1. I hope you enjoy the genre as much as I do, and good luck! :)

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  12. You're welcome! Good luck in the giveaway! :)

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  13. I new to the urban fantasy genre and look forward to reading this one. :)

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  14. DOYLE HAWTHORNE SERIES BY EMBER SHANE
    JANE TRUE BY NICOLE PEELER
    FEVER MONING

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  15. Yes, it is definitely the Charley Davidson series!!! Firstly, Reyes, yum yum yum. Secondly Charley has my sense of humor!! <3 Lastly it is written so well!

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