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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chocked Full of Snarky, Steamy Goodness, July 8, 2010
This review is from: My Way to Hell (Paranormal Romance (Berkley)) (Paperback)
Marcella Acosta got herself into a whole underworld of trouble in the first book in this series. By helping her best friend Delaney, a medium, wrestle a soul away from Lucifer, the reluctant demon earned a spot on the big guy's "special place in hell for people like you" list.
A self-proclaimed fashionista, Marcella revels not only in the singe of a well thrown fireball, but the rush of a one-day sale at Macy's. Unfortunately, after going up against Lucifer, she finds herself tossed onto a plane-in-limbo. Not a mall or salon in sight, no ability to mosey back and forth between hell and earth, and no way for her get in touch with Delaney. At least she THINKS there's no way, until good ole' Darwin (the ghost of one of Delaney's many dogs) reminds her of the one person she hasn't tried to reach. Someone she mixed with like gasoline and firecrackers, despite her attraction to him. Delaney's brother Kellan.
Dakota writes with equal parts snark and sincere emotion and it works so well for the story. These characters are up against some heavy-duty supernatural ugliness, but manage to hold their own for the sake of a young family friend with the "gift of sight". There were also quite a few surprises tossed in, having to do with Marcella's tightly guarded past. Just when you (and when I say you, I mean, I) think you (again, I mean, I) have it all figured out... think again. In the midst of all the craziness, the story of her demonic beginning will tug at your heart and maybe bring a tear to your eye (yeah, that would be me, again). The action between the many minions of hell and Marcella's crew is full of both ass-kicking and snarky comment slinging.
Now, back to Kellan. The yummilicious brother of Marcella's best friend, who has "inherited" the ability to see ghosts. In Kiss & Hell, the banter between Kellan and Marcella was fun to read, and the attraction was clear. In this book, it's obviously stepped up on both counts. The push and pull with these two is at the same time comical and endearing. Once they stop fighting and admit they want each other, they're hot enough to give hell a run for it's money.
The side characters in this story are just fantastic. Between the ghostly, smarth-mouthing of Darwin, who I absolutely adore, and the tough-but-tender-hearted demon Catalina, there are laughs and action aplenty.
My only issues with the book are minor. First, I have no problem with clowns, so what was supposed to be an important fight scene lost some of it's punch. However, if you DO have a problem with clowns (and I know quite a few people with that phobia), it should have it's intended impact. Second, and I'm being picky here, the overuse of the terms "hard planes" and "cupped" got on my nerves. I know, I know, it's a silly thing to even notice, but I did, and it bothered me. I'm guessing most people will be fine with it, but I have an annoying part of my brain that picks up on repetition.
Overall, I really, liked the book. I had a feeling I would, and was not disappointed. I love Dakota's storytelling style, I love her humor, and I love her characters. Do yourself a favor, take a day off, grab some snacks and your favorite summertime beverage and read this book (read Kiss & Hell first, if you haven't already). It'll be a day well spent
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Way to Laughs, July 6, 2010
This review is from: My Way to Hell (Paranormal Romance (Berkley)) (Paperback)
Once again, Dakota Cassidy hits it out of the park with My Way to Hell. Marcella is the demon - sorry, ex-demon - you'd want to go clubbing with, and share snark over potent cocktails. The set up for this book is a lot of fun (check out Kiss & Hell, to meet Delaney - book one in this series.) Kellen makes for a great leading man, too. Sexy, funny and very human, he's a great foil for Marcella. Lots of fun hi-jinx, too, with him trying to adjust to his new abilities (ghosts can be such a PITA) and deal with his attraction to Marcella.
Kiss & Hell
Dakota Cassidy is known for her "romedies" - romantic comedies - and her ability to weave the paranormal into the stories without losing the human element. Her books are perfect summer beach reads - but what's better than a hot story, with a bit of the magical and mystical on a cold winter's night, either? Yes, Ms. Cassidy is a year round must have for anyone who appreciates humor, quirky characters and great romance.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
My Way To Hell, July 20, 2010
This review is from: My Way to Hell (Paranormal Romance (Berkley)) (Paperback)
My Way To Hell is the second book in the Hell series and the first book I've read by Dakota Cassidy. Although I did not read the first book in the series I had no trouble at all reading this book as a stand alone. However I did enjoy it very much and will make sure that I read Kiss and Hell ASAP.
Marcella Acosta used to be a Demon who by all outward appearances is a selfish, snarky, irritable, fashionista with a serious shopping addiction. But, after risking everything to save her best friend Delaney--totally contrary to her well earned persona--she ended up stripped of her earth bound privileges and banished to what she calls, Plane Drab. Not only that, she is no longer a demon. These days she's sporting the transparent floaty look as a ghost. With no way to get to contact Delaney and let her know she is ok, she is desperate to find a way to communicate with her only real friend and feels completely hopeless. But an equally disagreeable Darwin (a former pet of Delaney's, now ghost dog) suggests she try communicating through Delaney's medium brother Kellen. Great idea, except that she's had the hots for him forever and oh yeah, they hate each other with a passion...sort of.
Dakota Cassidy is funny. Read the book. That's all you need to know. The end.
Okay so you need more. How's this? Dear Ms. Cassidy, thank you for making me snort coffee out my nose...more than once. I'm sending you the bill for my post traumatic stress disorder therapy. Love and kisses--FV.
My Way To Hell caught me totally by surprise with it's hysterically funny dialogue and characters that are absolutely lovable. If I were going to befriend a demon turned ghost, I'd pick Marcella Acosta, hands down. Although she puts out a tough, back-up-jack vibe, this demon/ghost has the heart the size of...I don't know, something really big. Dakota Cassidy creates a character that somehow maintains her jagged edges while charming the socks off everyone who comes to know her. Marcella's sharp, sarcastic vibe is fresh and funny and her banter with Darwin the ghost dog was just fabulous. I'm putting a `grouchy ghost dog' on my Christmas list!
Kellan, Marcella's object of desire and man she loves to hate is all kinds of sexy. He is a teacher and I pictured him kind of nerdy with a sex god just under the surface waiting to break out Hulk style. While the sexy scenes were not as dramatic as that, I was not disappointed in Mr. Nerdy Teacher Man. *Disclaimer--Kellan may or may not have actually been Mr. Nerdy Teacher Man. That's my fantasy, so he stays* Kellan is a true medium and the only way that Marcella can communicate with with anyone on earth is through him. Kellan just happened to summon Marcella from Plane Drab by picturing her in a naughty nighty. Although they've always had a tumultuous relationship, it seems he's had a few naughty fantasies involving Marcella and their love/hate relationship makes for some good romantic tension.
It's not all fun and games in My Way To Hell though. I know, you'd think hell, demons, ghosts, it would be a party right? But there is true evil lurking about and when Marcella's past has come back to haunt her, she realizes there will be no more running. She will have to face her past, present and future if she is to keep those she loves safe from being harmed by a past life she thought she left behind, safe and sound. The combination of drama and comedy in My Way To Hell is perfectly balanced. Just enough action to keep you turning the pages with several wise cracks tossed in to make you snort.
My Way To Hell is a fabulously funny, romantic tale. I was completely invested in the relationships that evolved within the story and I'm looking forward to more from a couple of secondary characters that piqued my interest at the end. My best advice to you is to make sure you put the book down before you take a sip of your coffee. Either that or have the invoice ready. Now, if you don't know what the means, you're busted, you did not read the whole review. I'll see you in detention.
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