Tuesday, September 22, 2015

The Maurin Kincaide Series By Rachel Rawlings


Hello again everyone! If you've missed my first tour stop, which included a wonderful author interview and an excerpt from each and every book featured below, please check here-- http://happytailsandtales.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-maurin-kincaide-series-by-rachel.html. But for today, I have a review for each book. And boy oh boy, I have fallen in love with this series.



The Morrigna
The Maurin Kincaide Series
Book One
Rachel Rawlings

Genre: Paranormal Urban Fantasy

ASIN: B003V4B6CI

Number of pages: 326

Cover Artist: Joseph Eastwood

Book Description:

I'm Maurin Kincaide, a psychometric, and until a few days ago I was working for Salem's Preternatural Task Force as an interrogator. I cracked more cold cases and got more confessions than anyone else in the department. Of course that was before I traded in my badge for an ancient Celtic sword. Now, I'm the Special Liaison for the Council, the governing body of the Others, and I take my orders from witches, werewolves and vampires.

I didn't just make a career change though. I'm not the same person I was before. I'm stronger, I can heal from wounds that would kill a normal person. I'm developing latent psychic skills at a breakneck speed. Oh yeah, and it would seem that a Pagan goddess has taken permanent residence in my body and mind. Crazy thing is, I'm starting to feel normal, like this is who I'm supposed to be.

Of course, there are those who don't agree. Morrigan and her sisters for example. Actually, I'm pretty sure they'd like nothing more than to see me dead. And if I can't stop them and the demons they've raised, they just might get their wish.


Available at    Amazon    Audible    BN


My Review

Well, what a surprise, I found a cool new series to like. Well really like. I wasn't sure what to expect, but this one has something of everything. We started out with a simple girl with a simple gift, she can read a little bit of your mind if she touches you, so she works with the police to help get confessions. But her powers are growing and people are coming after her... Umm, maybe not so simple after all. And then, BAM, things get really complicated really quick and I went totally all in because there is an amazement of characters that everyone will fall in love with :) Yep, because it's that cool. I liked her name too, because it's different. Oh, and I liked all the mixing and mashing of different myths, with the fae, the greeks, the gods, the lore. Fantastic that was :) 

So Maurin is our leading lady. And lead into the end she will. She starts out seeming to simple. But it's only because she has no clue what the hells going on. Literally. She was raised by humans in a world that taught her she was a freak. She never knew she was different or why. She did what she could. She does remind me of two of my favorite ladies, Anita and Rachel- just different. But same kind of situation and beginning. However, she changes that quickly. She begins investigating things happening that are starting to show signs that connect to her, and it's true. She is the problem. Now she needs to fix it. :) 

My favorite part is the characters and their supernatural others. Weres, shifters, witches, vampires, gods and goddesses, fae, ghosts, I mean come on. Who isn't all excited. Let me see if I can help without spoiling. Her kinda friend is a white witch who works at a coffee shop. Her love interest turns out to also be a witch, but not the same kind. The cute old lady who runs a gift/wiccan shop up the road is a powerful coven leader for them both. The powerful crime boss is... something else. The neighbor is a werewolf. The hotness who rescues her is a vampire. The crazy lady wanting her head is a goddess and the woman who helps her recognize her full powers is another goodess. Ummm, did I get all that crazy right hahahaha Oh wait, I forgot, there's a council with all these different people on it, and the goodness scary woman leading it is one scary vamper. Yeah wait til you meet her. And we must never ever forget the Wild Hunt. Yep favorite Part!!!!! But can't go into that. So, I can't say anything else. 

I won't lie, there was a lot of info thrown into this one. It got confusing at times. But if you don't dig too hard at trying to figure out everyone's religion and back ground and who's related to whom, it's all good. We gotta stop that bad guy, so we will be friends right now, and frienemies laters :) hahaha my maybe favorite character beside Maurin is Cash. Yes, he is an ass, but I think I love him. Can I have him! I know several others are going to not like him, but I know, just KNOW there is something more to Cash than what we see. :) With that said. I can't wait for more. 5 PAWS!!!



 
Witch Hunt
The Maurin Kincaide Series
Book Two
Rachel Rawlings

Genre: Paranormal Urban Fantasy

ASIN: B009YLODRW

Number of pages: 316

Cover Artist: Joseph Eastwood

Book Description:

Maurin Kincaide is back in this action packed follow up novel to The Morrigna. No longer a member of Salem's Preternatural Task Force Maurin is the new liaison for The Council, governing body of Others. During what should have been a routine meeting with her former Captain, Maurin is brought in on a murder investigation.

Three dead witches, three cryptic clues, no sign of the killers and the Salem coven is losing allies within the Council. If Maurin and her unlikely partner Captain Matthison can't stop the killers, the Witch City might be without its namesake.


Available at Amazon    BN   Audible

 My Review

Well, I wasn't expecting that. So, with the ending of the last book, things got complicated. Maurin is now a part of the council and is a liason between the police and the council. So when witches are being tortured and murdered, things are getting out of hand. It needs to be stopped. Asap. And there's no one else who can do it. The witches may have the know how, but are also the most vulnerable because they are the targets with weapons pointed directly at them. And let me tell you, this one is going to blow your mind, because the witches, even the good guys, are bad here. There was some seriously crappy back stabbing going on and poor Maurin got used in it. I felt really bad for her. 

Maurin is learning more about her powers. She is also learning she can't go back. She is sinking more and deeper into the supernatural world. She is no longer a human with a small gift on the outside. She is at the center of the supernatural world. And the damn races are fighting over who is going to use her, and her powers specifically, to give themselves a power boost. It's kinda sad. She is now surrounded by people and she can't trust any of them. Before, she really didn't have anyone. Oh and she finds out who her family is. Um, yeah, mind blowing her. I am still in shock. LOL 

With that said, I am falling more and more into loving this series. I look forward to seeing where this one is going to go next and I can't wait to see what the hell is going to happen because I KNOW Cash has something up his sleeve, Aiden can't be the most perfect thing since bacon was discovered, Oberon is still alive, and the crazy vampers are still whispering behind Maurin's back. Yeah, there's more to come, and I can't wait!!! 5 PAWS!! Gimme!   
  

Wolfsbane
The Maurin Kincaide Series
Book Three
Rachel Rawlings

Genre: Paranormal Urban Fantasy

ASIN: B00DAIILMS

Number of pages: 78 Novella

Cover Artist: Joseph Eastwood

Book Description:

Given the choice between her sister's wedding and witnessing the challenge for Alpha of the Salem pack, Maurin knows exactly where she'd rather be. Smack dead center in a pack of snarling werewolves wearing eau de filet mignon.

Until Francesca takes off the morning of her wedding. Being her sister's keeper will not excuse her from her job as the Council Liaison. Torn between obligations to a family she's avoided for almost a decade and the Council of Others, Maurin has less than twenty-four hours to set things right.

Available at 

Amazon   BN   Audible
My Review
I did not see THAT coming. I did not see you killing people off like that, or making them go all psycho. *sigh*. Yes, I know, things are complicated. Maurin's mother is more psycho that the ragins hormones of a blood lust feeding frenzy of vampires. See, and she's stuck, but she loves her sister. And now, with that said, things are happening. There's some changes that happened here that cannot go back, ever. People died. Maurin must deal with that. And her sister, though things are very different, loves her. I told you there were things that couldn't be seen in Cash that no one else saw. I know, I like Aiden. I actually really like Aiden. But I am seriously rooting for Cash. After all of this, in book one, I didn't want this. I didn't want him to have "that". but I wanted him to have Maurin. But now, it's different. He got "that" but I don't think he'll get her. I think I am getting sad about this. LOL And on that note, things are getting even more serious. With daddy in the picture, things are getting even more complicated for Maurin, she has to be at the council's beck and call, Aiden is all over the place, oh and he's kinda hiding something from her, not sure what. And there's more back stabbing. Oh yeah. I love this series!!! I do wish it were longer. It was more of a novella than not, but I know that some things come in smaller packages or we have to wait much longer as fans. It was still a great story with a jaw dropping plot. 5 PAWS! 




Blood Bath
The Maurin Kincaide Series
Book Four
Rachel Rawlings

Genre: Paranormal Urban Fantasy

ASIN: B00IJ16Z56

Number of pages: 202

Cover Artist: Joseph Eastwood

Book Description:

Bodies are piling up and all signs point in one direction. Rogue vampire. Except things aren't always what they seem, especially in a murder investigation.

With her current relationship on the rocks, her father playing match-maker and her neighbor tossing his hat in the ring, the body count isn't the only thing on the rise. Maurin is neck deep in magic, mayhem and murder.

Can she catch the killer before the killer catches her? One things for certain, when hunting vampires there will be blood.

Available at   

Amazon   BN   Audible
My Review
Well, it's about to get real. I believe things are getting even crazier. There's a freaking vampire serial killer on the loose and Maurin has not only become the lead investigator, but the eye of the storm. The bad guy wants her bad. But then again, so does every one else. Aiden is tried of Cash making hints, Aiden is losing his mind, a little, AND we meet Mason Hunter. I do believe Maurin has found her match. Oh I want him is she doesn't. And then I'll take Cash if she does HAHAHA There's some things happening. It's gotten really serious. There's girls dying left and right, the council is having trouble keeping the humans from becoming a lynch mob, the human police are at a stale mate. And Maurin is not so lucky. She loves Aiden, but now, with everything else, what is going on. I had a feeling it would come down to this- he wouldn't keep her unless she became a vampire like him. And I don't think I see that happening. And it's going to get even more complicated. This is another short one, which is disappointing in that, but no less better of a story. I flew through it, cried a little, and then smiled because I know something else is coming to drop my jaw. Plus, I think Maurin found real love here. And I'm happy with this one. :) 5 PAWS!! 
 

Mistletoe Meltdown
The Maurin Kincaide Series
Short Story Book 4.5
Rachel Rawlings

Genre: Paranormal Urban Fantasy

ASIN: B00RLUQ2GI

Number of pages: 28

Book Description:

What do you do when you're out voted on hosting a holiday party, complete with gift exchange and all the trimmings?

Tie on the apron and deck those halls.

Self proclaimed Scrooge, Maurin Kincaide accepts the challenge and tackles the yuletide with all the determination she would a Council task.

But not everyone is brimming with holiday cheer. A blood coven threatens to bring the holiday festivities to an end.

Can Maurin stop the dark magic before the clock strikes twelve, signaling the solstice?

Available at    

Amazon   BN   Audible






Ill Fated
The Maurin Kincaide Series
Book Five
Rachel Rawlings

Genre: Paranormal Urban Fantasy

ASIN: B00TI20TZC

Number of pages: 270

Cover Artist: Joseph Eastwood

Book Description:

Some things are destined to end in death. After the first attempt on her life Maurin wasn’t scared. Hell, she was almost flattered. But someone put a price on her head and things are getting complicated. Trouble is brewing in the fae courts and it’s spilling over into Salem. The UnSeelie Dark Guard have answered the call for her head on a platter and people closest to her are disappearing.

Can Maurin master court politics and find her missing men before someone claims the bounty on her head?

Available at BN

My Review
I think this is close to the end, thought I don't want it to be. Someone put a price on Maurin's head. Everyone is out to get her. And it's down to the wire. And on top of that, something went wrong because Mason and her dad Awrawn are both missing. No matter what she does, she can't find them, or anyone who knows where they are or what happened. And holy crap. This is a really good one. I cried, so be prepared. This author does not hold back when it comes to killing characters. She does however put a whole lot of suspense and mystery and some mind blowing twists. 

This one has both a heart wrenching tragedy and a complete happily ever after all in one big moment. I cried for both reasons. It's beautiful. It's amazing. And I can't believe this one might be the end. I really hope it isn't. I want so much more from Mason and Maurin. And I want to see more of all the great characters. Especially Cash, though I think there is no more maybe for Cash with Maurin. LOL It's ok, Mason makes up for it. With that said, I am a total fan of this whole series. Absolutely Amazing!!! 5 PAWS!!! 



About the Author:

Rachel Rawlings was born and raised in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. Her family, originally from Rhode Island, spent summers in New England sparking her fascination with Salem, MA. She has been writing fictional stories and poems since middle school, but it wasn't until 2009 that she found the inspiration to create her heroine Maurin Kincaide and complete her first full length novel, The Morrigna.

When she isn't writing, Rachel can often be found with her nose buried in a good book. An avid reader of Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, Horror and Steampunk herself, Rachel founded Hallowread- an interactive convention for both authors and fans of those genres.

More information on Hallowread, its schedule of events and participating authors can be found at www.hallowread.blogspot.com  and www.facebook.com/Hallowread .

She still lives in Maryland with her husband and three children.







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