Review: Veiled Menace by Deborah Blake
Veiled Menance by Deborah Blake
Veiled Magic #2
Since Witches came out of the broom-closet in the early 21st century, they have worked alongside humans as police officers, healers, stock traders, and more. But they aren’t the only paranormal entities in our world...
Witch and police officer Donata Santori is no stranger to magical mayhem, but lately her life has been unexpectedly charmed. Her job as a Ghost Yanker now includes the occasional paranormal investigation, and she’s advancing her magical abilities with the help of an ancestor’s treasured spell book. And while both of her former love interests—reclusive half-Dragon art forger Peter Casaventi and disgraced Shapechanger Magnus Torvald—are nowhere to be found, she’s not averse to being wined and dined by wealthy businessman Anton Eastman.
But Eastman isn’t what he seems, and what he wants from Donata is far more than she’s willing to give. When a mysterious relic, the Pentacle Pentimento, resurfaces, along with Peter’s Dragon father and a shocking Santori family secret, Donata must fight to save herself, her friends, and just maybe the fate of the world from a magic as old as it is dangerous…
VEILED MENACE was an enjoyable followup to the first book in the series. I admit I had a little bit of a struggle at first to remember what happened in the previous book, but the author did a good job at easing readers back into this world. I really enjoy how rich the entire world is and how the author masterfully crafts her reveals with all the twists and turns in-between. The characters, Donata in particular, are utterly fabulous as well.
I have to admit that the romance in this series is one place where things just aren't quite up to par. At least not in comparison to Deborah's Baba Yaga series. There's just something about the romance arcs in this one that aren't working for me. First off there's two potential love interests, which in itself isn't the problem as I don't mind a love triangle when it's handled well. It's that there's too much back and forth of will they or won't they. Too many misconceptions and misunderstandings. And then when the tide seemed to fully turn to one of the men, immediately after a ridiculous fight happens and things are back to will they won't they status. I guess it was just too much of a tennis match for this romance lover's heart.
All in all this was an enjoyable installment in a series that I hope to see plenty more books from. I feel like we've only scratched the surface, and I want to see more.
I have to admit that the romance in this series is one place where things just aren't quite up to par. At least not in comparison to Deborah's Baba Yaga series. There's just something about the romance arcs in this one that aren't working for me. First off there's two potential love interests, which in itself isn't the problem as I don't mind a love triangle when it's handled well. It's that there's too much back and forth of will they or won't they. Too many misconceptions and misunderstandings. And then when the tide seemed to fully turn to one of the men, immediately after a ridiculous fight happens and things are back to will they won't they status. I guess it was just too much of a tennis match for this romance lover's heart.
All in all this was an enjoyable installment in a series that I hope to see plenty more books from. I feel like we've only scratched the surface, and I want to see more.
(Received a copy from the publisher)
Rating:
Order Links:
Other Reviews:
Urban Fantasy Investigations
Delighted Reader
Previous Books:
1. Veiled Magic
