Release Day Review: Unholy Blue (Book #2: Bannerman Boru Series) by Darby Kaye

Title: Unholy Blue Series: Book #2: Bannerman Boru Series Author: Darby Kaye Format: Paperback, 380 pages Published: January 19, 2016 by Spence City ISBN: 1633920518

Synopsis:

Strong and Irish. That’s how Shay Doyle likes her whiskey. And men. As Healer to a clan of immortal Celtic warriors living in modern-day Colorado, she has been gifted with such a man: Bannerman “Bann” Boru. The only problem is keeping the stubborn warrior alive. For Fate seems to have it in for Bann, and his son, Cor, descendants of the kings of Ireland, and recipient of an ancient grudge from the mad god, Cernunnos. But, with a bit o’ luck, Shay, Bann, and the rest of the Doyle clan—along with the aid of a legendary huntsman known as the Black Hand—might just suss out how to kill a shapeshifter that refuses to stay dead, prevent clan warfare, and make a choice that could change their lives. If they don’t lose them first.

Source: ARC from author

My Rating: 5/5 stars

My Review:

Um, I don’t even know where to start with the awesome that is this damn book!!! I didn’t think it was possible for Bannerman Boru to get any hotter but he does. Here we go . . .

Very little time has passed since Bann, Shay and the Doyle clan put down the mad god, Cernunnos. Trouble is, Bann knows the god is down but not out and protecting his family is of the utmost importance. First on the list, consolidating their living arrangements. The relationship is moving fast but Bann and Shay both know they are in it for the long haul. Now, all they have to do is convince young Cor to go along with the plan and ward the crap out of their property.

Bat-shit crazy ancient gods don’t wait long when it is revenge they are seeking and Cernunnos is definitely seeking revenge. Not always so covertly, Cernunnos begins to test the waters by poking around Shay and Bann’s property. In the body of Shay’s old dog, Max, Cernunnos is able to interact with Cor which terrifies Bann and Shay. As if a bat-shit crazy god weren’t enough, there is also the small matter of the rival Tully clan making noise about a clan war, and a new puppy in the house who likes to pee on stuff. Yeah, Shay and Bann have their hands full and this is all before the fighting even starts and his future mother-in-law comes to town. Yeah, that happens too 🙂

At every turn, Bann and Shay are threatened by some knew fresh hell. Cernunnos is allied with the Fir Bolgs who have no issues hurting humans, the threats from the rival clan are becoming more severe by the minute, and Cor seems to keep testing his boundaries. Oh, and he is apparently the only person who can touch the supre-badass warding without getting kicked back forty feet. Now, isn’t that interesting? Additionally, in one of his rare moments of lucidity, Cernunnons drops a tiny little bomb about just how special Cor is; in fact, Cor is the kid who can change everything.

You may wonder at the vagueness of this review up to this point . . . . keep wondering!! This book is chock full of crazy and if I’m not careful, I’ll end of spoiling to whole read for you. I like you, dear reader, I want to you to find out all the awesome for yourself. And awesome it is. There isn’t anything but heart pounding action and some serious bombshells from the front cover right on through to the back cover. The fighting is intense, there’s more than one kidnapping, some daring rescues, and bravery beyond all reason. Oh, and there’s a guest appearance by the totally lickable Gideon Lir because this book needed one more smoking hot man with an accent.

If you strip away all of the action and drama, Unholy Blue still packs a punch on an emotional level. Bann and Cor were accepted by the Doyle’s in the first book but Unholy Blue sees them well and truly brought into the fold. The Doyle’s are a fiercely loyal clan and when Shay claims Bann as her own, so do the rest of the Doyle’s. On every level, Shay and Bann evolve in this read: their relationship is tried and tested, they have to sort out co-parenting, and the sexual relationship also blossoms many times over J The banter between the two is sometimes sweet, sometimes sexy, sometimes sassy, and always totally and brutally honest.

The Bottom Line: I have been reading Darby Kaye since she released her first book as Darby Karchut and with every new read, I fall a little more under her sway. Unholy Blue is a triumph on every damn level and there is no other way to cut it. The writing is polished and tight, the characters are so freaking real you can damn-near reach out and touch them, and the plot is just complicated enough to be surprising yet not so much that it becomes convoluted. I dare you to try and find something wrong with this read. You won’t, but I dare you to try. Either way, you’re reading the book and you’ll thank me for that later 🙂

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About the author and where to find her:

Darby Karchut (aka Darby Kaye) is an award-winning author, teacher, and a compulsive dawn greeter. She lives in Colorado with her husband and owns more backpacks than purses. As she should. Her Middle Grade books include FINN FINNEGAN (March 2013 from Spencer Hill Press). The next book in the Finnegan series, GIDEON’S SPEAR (Spencer Hill Press) will be released February 2014, followed by THE HOUND AT THE GATE (January 2015). Her YA books include GRIFFIN RISING, GRIFFIN’S FIRE, and GRIFFIN’S STORM. She has also co-authored a non-fiction book for teens entitled MONEY AND TEENS with her husband, author Wes Karchut.