Review for The Emerald Dagger

Book Review for: The Emerald Dagger
Written by: Barbara Hodges
Desert Breeze Publishing
ISBN: 978-161252-1374
Avail as: eBook only
4.5 Stars

Hodges pens a fantasy tale full of action, adventure, love, greed, and betrayal with "The Emerald Dagger." The timespace rift to the medieval land, Daradawn, opens only once for seven days every seven years. Kelsey Cafferty plans on going through the rift to visit her sister, Regan, who is married to the high mage, Peter. Will Kelsey stay in Daradawn or return to San Francisco?

With the rift to Daradawn opening, Kelsey plans to visit her sister and friends. Unfortunately, she's delayed in a traffic accident. When she finally goes to Daradawn, she has a visitor, Ben's daughter, Delilah.

There's a new threat to Daradawn's peace. Fairy folk are being mutilated into demon creatures by the evil mage, Dirkk. They ride wolf-like creatures and have killed of Zara's young dragnets. Zara, the mother dragon, wants revenge.

Regan and Kelsey are happy to see each other, but there is much intrigue going on at Queen Tessa's court, where Regan serves. Regan can talk to Zara, but is not successful in changing's Zara mind, bent on revenge.

Regan has her own challenges. She's recently given birth, but her son is kidnapped by the mage, Dirkk. Dirkk possesses the Emerald Dagger. It is a powerful instrument of dark magic. Regan's no slouch in the magic department - she possesses the Blue Flame which does her bidding. When Dirkk kidnaps her son, Daniel, Regan goes to save him, but will her actions be taken as a betrayal of Daradawn's peace? Daradawn's very existence is threatened and only Regan and Kelsey can protect it.

Hodges creates an ensemble fantasy story with likable characters filled with magic, dragons, basset hounds, and sword fights. Hodges imagination shines in the world of Daradawn and its easy to visualize the setting. The writing is brisk, keeping the reader engaged and anxious to know what happens next.

There's no one couple that drives the story, but what Hodges does well is create characters that quickly endear themselves to the reader. Regan and Kelsey have noble hearts, but their upbringing in San Francisco is obvious in their speech and mannerisms. Peter is brave, Rourk is heroic, and Dirkk is deliciously evil.

"The Emerald Dagger" is full of action and intrigue. The story is "sweet" for romance readers and is geared more for a mainstream fantasy audience. The story reads fine as a stand alone novel in the series, but it certainly has me eager to go back and read book one, "The Blue Flame." "The Emerald Dagger" will sweep the reader away to another time and place, keeping them turning the pages.

Review of Ice

Received this book review for Ice. You can read it all on my website. Of course I am thrilled.

Two outstanding authors created this diabolical character that shows no remorse when killing, enjoys and thrives on the blood baths and wants to possess, not only her guiding spirit, but Morgan too. Men or women, it does not make a difference to Ice. She wants control, and in her own mind her father’s approval which she never got.
Murders so graphically described and expertly written you can feel the heat rising in the killer, her excitement as she slices her victims and the sense of release after committing the ultimate act of murder. No remorse, just a sense of satisfaction as she appeases her Hunger. Will Morgan give in to Sherice and join her in her hunt? What happens will let the reader know the length one woman will go to, to own, posses and envelope one man into her body, her soul, fulfilling her Hunger and Passion for blood and death.

Saturday Morning

It's cold here, well cold for the central coast of CA. Jeff is still snuggled in bed. Ophelia, the diva basset hound, has just decided to join him. Hamlet is sleeping in his chair next to computer on Mom, guard duty.

The sun's out, you'd think it was nice until you stick your nose out the door. I am so mad at myself, I believed the weather man and didn't cover the avocado tree in the front yard last night. It's still young and needs babied. We haven't picked our first avocado yet. I do love avocados.

Had a scare a couple of weeks ago. My Mom who is 80, and lives by herself, fell in the bathroom. She's has a pre-ulcer and her tummy was giving her some problems that eve. She said the pain made her dizzy and she took a tumble.

We spent four hours in the ER. It was full of parents with sick babies. The doc spent about ten minutes with Mom, said she'd bruised a rib and gave her some pain meds.

A worrisome situation. But over all Mom's in good health, but I hate to see her getting older. I don't know tha happened...I'm not getting any older. I don't care what that dang mirror shows me in the bathroom.

Next Friday I am speaking to a middle grade class in Pleasanton, CA about the life of being an author. My niece is in one of the classes. It will be interesting to see what young people of that age ask me about being an author.

Hubby's up and I need another cup of coffee. Later.