Title: Deadline
Author: Jennifer Blackstream
First published January 13, 2018
366 pages, ebook
Rating: 3.98
Overview
As a witch with a tainted history, Shade Renard is well aware that the Otherworld isn’t always capable of keeping itself in check. Humans no longer believe in magic, which makes them vulnerable to attack.
When an FBI contact approaches her to assist with a possible haunting in a missing persons case, Shade jumps at the chance to serve justice. However, her case takes an unexpected twist when an undead crime lord shows up on her doorstep.
A brazen thief has stolen the vampire’s little black book of secrets, and he will pay a lot more than an FBI consulting fee to get it back. To obtain it, Shade must confront a rogue sorceress, a vengeful wizard, and a dangerously tempting fey, all while relying on her wits, her growing magic, and a sassy pixie familiar.
Success means bringing a murderer to justice and taking the first step toward redemption. Failure means a war between humans and the Otherworld.
No pressure.
About the Author
Meet Jennifer Blackstream, a USA Today bestselling author who specializes in urban fantasy and paranormal romance. With a Master’s degree in Psychology, she’s turned her passion for storytelling into a successful career.
Her love for mythology and fairy tales is evident in her work, and she firmly believes that it’s never too late to embark on a new adventure.
When Jennifer isn’t writing, she spends at least two nights a week playing cooperative board games like Mice & Mystics, Sentinels of the Multiverse, or Harry Potter: Battle at Hogwarts with her children. She uses these games to introduce her kids to the joys of cooperative escapism and hopes to pass on her passion for storytelling.
Jennifer has three series currently in progress. The Blood Prince Series, a paranormal romance series, is complete and consists of five books: Before Midnight, One Bite, Golden Stair, Divine Scales, and Beautiful Salvation.
She also has three bonus adventures set in the Blood Prince World.
The Blood Realm Series is a spin-off of the Blood Prince Series and is also a paranormal romance series. Currently, there are five books in this series: All for a Rose, Blue Voodoo, The Archer, Bear With Me, and Stolen Wish.
The Blood Trails Series is an ongoing urban fantasy series consisting of seven books: Deadline, Monster, Taken, Corruption, Mercenary, Caged, and Betrayal.
If you’re interested in Jennifer’s work, you can sign up for her mailing list to receive a free bonus adventure, What Big Teeth You Have. She’s an accomplished author who’s always looking for new adventures, and her passion for storytelling shines through in her work.
Editoral Review
In her latest release, Deadline, Jennifer Blackstream delivers a thrilling combination of fantasy, action, and romance that is sure to captivate readers from start to finish. Published on January 13, 2018, Deadline offers an enchanting and fast-paced narrative that will keep you engaged from the very first page.
Jennifer Blackstream, a prolific author in the genre of paranormal romance and fantasy, offers yet another intriguing novel that is sure to leave readers wanting more. Set in contemporary times, Deadline is a story that builds upon the events of the previous book, Shifters Mage.
The novel follows the story of two key characters: werewolf Daniel and half-fairy Lia, as they face incredible challenges that push them to their limits. Daniel finds himself dealing with the aftermath of a devastating event, while Lia struggles to keep control of her magical powers.
As the two characters cross paths, they become embroiled in a race against time to stop a dangerous force that threatens the lives of everyone around them. One of the strengths of this novel is Blackstream’s ability to create interesting and memorable characters that are well-developed and relatable.
Despite being part of a larger series, she manages to flesh out each character’s backstory, making them feel like fully realized individuals. Daniel, the male protagonist, is a classic hero character, being strong, intelligent, and fiercely protective.
Lia, the female protagonist, is more complex, struggling to find her place in a world that is both familiar and alien to her. Throughout the book, both characters are forced to confront their personal demons and come to terms with their pasts.
Blackstream uses these pressures to explore themes of loss, self-discovery, and the power of love. The relationship between Daniel and Lia is at the forefront of the story, and Blackstream does a great job of balancing the romance with action and suspense.
The climax of the story is thrilling, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Blackstream keeps up the pace with well-written action scenes and emotional moments that are sprinkled throughout the narrative.
While some aspects of the story are predictable, the payoff is still satisfying. One potential limitation of this book is that it can be challenging to follow if you haven’t read the previous book in the series, Shifters Mage.
While Blackstream does provide some backstory to help bring new readers up to speed, the novel is much richer if you have a more in-depth understanding of the world and the characters. Overall, Deadline is an excellent read for anyone who enjoys urban fantasy, paranormal romance, or action-adventure stories.
Blackstream manages to deliver an exciting and engaging narrative that fully explores her characters while delivering a satisfying conclusion to the overarching storyline. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling and captivating read.
Score: 8.5/10.