Book Review: Reckoning: A Fallen Siren Novel #2 by S.J. Harper + giveaway

RECKONING
The Fallen Siren Series, Book 2
by S. J. Harper
Join Agents Emma Monroe and Zack Armstrong.

She’s sacrificed. He’s suffered. They’ve both been betrayed.

Now it’s time for a reckoning.

Special Agent Emma Monroe has a secret. She’s a Fallen Siren, cursed by the gods and banished to Earth for her failure to prevent the kidnapping of Persephone. As an FBI agent she saves the lives of others believing redemption could be one rescue away.

Her partner Zack is a werewolf and former Black Ops sniper who once carried out a string of questionable assignments. Now he’s determined to atone for his past. Ironically, there’s a portion of his past Zack doesn’t remember—an affair with Emma. Giving into their attraction for one another almost led to their undoing. Now it’s back to business as usual.

While trying to unravel the mystery behind a series of kidnappings in Southern California, Emma and Zack become entangled with political tensions in the vampire and Were worlds. Not to mention the struggles they face in their relationship with one another. With so much uncertainty, they come to realize the only thing they can really count on is one another…or can they?

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I was pleasantly surprised when I picked up book one Cursed a while back. The idea of a siren (Emma) who pissed off Demeter when she let her daughter Persephone get taken by Hades, and forced to eternal life on Earth helping find lost girls until Demeter thinks she has atoned. And clever Emma became a FBI agent to achieve this. Being a goddess and quite vengeful, Demeter also denies Emma the chance to love. If she does fall in love, Demeter kills the man and gets great joy from watching Emma suffer the loss. There is a sexy vampire, Kallisto (love this name by they way), and her werewolf FBI partner (the man she loves), Zack. In Reckoning we get to learn more about Kallisto.

The books are well written with great pacing. Props to the editing department. It is a mix of urban fantasy, crime mystery and paranormal romance. The UF element is very...UF and the PNR element is very...PNR. Now this will make sense to those who love these two genres. The thing is, if you lean more towards one side or the other, you might walk away from this book frustrated. PNR peeps like their angst and HEAs, UF peeps don't want a lot of romancy stuff like triangles diluting the groove. If you are a middle of the road kinda reader then you will be in heaven 'cause you get the best of both worlds.

I lean to the UF side and I like a romance drama, but this book had me wanting to throw my kindle across the room at the very end. I get that Emma can't get a HEA cause that is the whole idea behind her character, but the way her heart was broken at the end of this book felt a little insulting to the hero for some reason. The whole "you lied to me and I will leave you without getting an explanation even though I love you beyond all reason" After all they went through I wouldn't expect him to act like an a**hat. I couldn't swallow it. It may be at the beginning of book three he does listen to her explanation and they come to an understanding. They can still be a tortured couple because they can't be together, but at least he won't be acting out of character.

Review: CAPTURED The Fallen Siren Series, Prequel #0.5
Review: Cursed by S. J. Harper (Fallen Siren #1)

3 1/2 Sheep. It would have been a 4 if the ending had been more believable.

Sharon Stogner

Excerpt

“You think you’ve come to terms with it. But you haven’t.”

“Come to terms with what?” I’ve busied myself by gathering up the coffeepot and empty cup. By the time Kallistos answers, I’ve made it as far as the dining table.

“Not being able to have who you really want. Armstrong.”

It’s not said in anger or recrimination, but once the words spill from his lips I can’t seem to walk any farther. The delicate china cup begins to rattle against the sau- cer. I look down. My hand is shaking. He takes the cup from me along with the pot and sets them on the table. “Talk to me,” he says, pulling me back over to the sofa. “I can’t. Not about this.”

“Are you afraid you’re going to hurt my feelings?” “You have no feelings.” As soon as I speak the words, I regret them.

“Don’t mistake control for lack of passion. I know the rules. I know how to play the game. I’m not some naive, idealistic boy. I was once. Not anymore.” He places my hand over his heart. “I am devoted to you. I will forever remain so. Demeter is the only one who could jeopardize that, and her ability to do so, her power to do so, is extremely restrictive.”

“As long as I live without love,” I whisper. “As long as I don’t give my heart.”

Kallistos drops my hand. “Just stick with me, kid.” “You sure that what we have is enough?”

“I am.”

I smile. “But what if that changes? You know, I’ve been told I can be pretty irresistible.”

Kallistos gets up, walks over the bar, and despite the fact that the sun has just risen, he pours himself a drink. “You may be irresistible. But I’m not. At least not where you’re concerned.” He swallows the scotch, then sets the glass down. “I can walk in the light, but I’m not of it. I’ve done things, had to do things, will continue to do things. Do you understand?”

I’m not sure I do. His back is to me. Heaviness bows his shoulders. “I’m not the hero, Emma. I’ll never be the hero. I can’t be redeemed.”

Kallistos straightens, draws a breath, continues. “Will you come to me tonight?”

The uncertainty in his voice is wrenching. I nod, then find my voice. “I will.”

About the Authors:
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S. J. Harper is the pen name for the writing team of Samantha Sommersby and Jeanne C. Stein, two friends who met at Comic- Con in San Diego and quickly bonded over a mutual love of good wine, edgy urban fantasy, and everything Joss Whedon.

Samantha Sommersby left what she used to call her “real- life” day job in the psychiatric !eld to pursue writing full- time in 2007. She is the author of more than ten novels and novellas including the critically acclaimed Forbidden series. She currently lives with her husband and terrier pup, Olive, in a century- old Southern California Craftsman. Sam happily spends her days immersed in a world where vampires, werewolves, and demons are real, myths, and legends are revered, magic is possible, and love still conquers all.

Jeanne Stein is the national bestselling author of The Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles. She also has numerous short story credits, including most recently the novella Blood Debt from the New York Times bestselling anthology Hexed. Her series has been picked up in three foreign countries and her short stories published in collections here in the U.S. and the U.K. She lives in Denver, Colorado, where she !nds gardening a challenge more daunting than navigating the world of mythical creatures.