To Kill a Warlock by H.P. Mallory
* I bought this book at Smashwords because I am participating in the Tale of Two Goblins Tour being hosted by The Bookish Snob and this is book one so I wanted to read it first.
Amazon product description:
The murder of a dark arts warlock. A shape-shifting, ravenous creature on the loose. A devilishly handsome stranger sent to investigate. Sometimes working law enforcement for the Netherworld is a real bitch. Dulcie O'Neil is a fairy. And not the type to frolic in gardens. She's a Regulator-a law-enforcement agent who monitors the creatures of the Netherworld to keep them from wreaking havoc in the mortal world. When a warlock is murdered and Dulcie was the last person to see him alive, she must uncover the truth before she's either deported back to the Netherworld, or she becomes the next victim. Enter Knight Vander, a sinfully attractive investigator sent from the Netherworld to work the case with Dulcie. Between battling her attraction to her self-appointed partner, keeping a sadomasochistic demon in check, and fending off the advances of a sexy and powerful vampire, Dulcie's got her hands full. As the body count increases, Dulcie finds herself battling dark magic, reconnoitering in S and M clubs and suffering the greatest of all betrayals.
My thoughts:
Love the characters! They are all unique and just a little bit "off" from what you would think they should be. They all have a lot more depth than they want others to believe too. Some, like Dagon, are frightening in both their behavior and their personalities.
On the outside Dulcie is a tough, hardened, smart-mouthed Regulator, but on the inside she is a wounded, insecure romantic afraid to let anyone get to close. And too close is where Knight wants to spend his time. Knight is a fantastic character - loved his cockiness and self confidence. Bram on the other hand - I couldn't decide what to think of Bram - want to love him, but anyone who can want for someone for that long really has to get on with it or get over it.
I do love the relationships that develop throughout the story.
The plot is twisty and keeps you turning the pages. Well developed, well written, and entertaining! Didn't want to put it down! Can't wait to read book two - I HAVE to know what happens with Knight and Dulcie!!!