Today I have a treat for all of you. I was lucky enough to get my greedy little hands on a copy of Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews. I consider Ilona Andrews an author(s) whom are amongst my favorite. Their Kate Daniels series is one of my favorites. So, to be given a copy of their newest to review is a gigantic pleasure for me. This is actually a serial that they were posting on their blog but have now turned into a book. For that I am extremely thankful. If you are a fan of Ilona Andrews then you definitely won’t be disappointed with Clean Sweep. Be sure to read my whole review after the book blurb.
Book Blurb:
On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast. But Dina is…different: Her broom is a deadly weapon; her Inn is magic and thinks for itself. Meant to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a retired Galactic aristocrat who can’t leave the grounds because she’s responsible for the deaths of millions and someone might shoot her on sight. Under the circumstances, “normal” is a bit of a stretch for Dina.
And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night….Feeling responsible for her neighbors, Dina decides to get involved. Before long, she has to juggle dealing with the annoyingly attractive, ex-military, new neighbor, Sean Evans—an alpha-strain werewolf—and the equally arresting cosmic vampire soldier, Arland, while trying to keep her inn and its guests safe. But the enemy she’s facing is unlike anything she’s ever encountered before. It’s smart, vicious, and lethal, and putting herself between this creature and her neighbors might just cost her everything.
Review:
Dina is an Innkeeper. In our world an Innkeeper is just someone who runs a bed and breakfast but in Dina’s world of magic, werewolves and vampires she is a sort of middle ground peacekeeper. She is expected as an Innkeeper to provide a room to anyone who needs it and protect them the entire time they are under her roof. She understands all of the intricacies and rules since she grew up a child of Innkeepers. Just because she knows the rules doesn’t mean when danger is near she will sit back behind the walls of her Inn and watch her neighbors be threatened. With the help of a very hot werewolf they hunt those who are threatening her neighborhood. Once she discovers the danger that is lurking in the bushes Dina realizes it isn’t going to be as simple as she hoped. Not to mention the vampires who are hunting exactly what she is hunting. The handsome vampire Arland strolls in to try to take over but she refuses to allow her neighbors in the hands of one lone vampire and an unpredictable werewolf. Dina must get rid of the danger to her Inn, her guests and her neighbors all without letting anyone know what is going on around them. Can Dina pull this off or will end up risking all for nothing?
This as predicted was a wonderful story. I adored Dina and of course the hot vampire and werewolf were nice too. The story is typical for Ilona Andrews. There is a lot of action, magic and yet it is very believable. You are drawn in by their wonderful storytelling ability. Dina reminds me a bit of Kate Daniels. This is probably why I liked her so much. She is strong-willed and resilient. Her independent streak and loyalty to those around her drive this story. I love the worlds that are described. When they describe the market it feels as if you are walking down the street yourself see all the strange goods that are being bartered. Another fun aspect of this story is the budding love triangle between Arland, Dina and Sean. If I were Dina I sure wouldn’t want to have to choose. This is a great first book in a series (I hope) ***hint, hint to Ilona Andrews*** I guarantee that if you are a fan of Ilona Andrews or authors that are similar you will love this story and will be like me and itching for a sequel. Overall, a wonderful read and a great beginning that I hope continues with more Arland, Dina, Sean and many more from Clean Sweep.