Customer Reviews

My Way to Hell (Paranormal Romance (Berkley))

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

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.

The thing about Cassidy is her talent to write a book that, not only connects too all her others, but can also stand alone. This book has the reader on their toes the entire time with twists that are more than just the author trying to throw the reaader off. She gets better and betteer with each book she write. That is something many author lack. Hope for another one! Maybe about Catalina?

To all the world, demon Marcella Acosta was a vain, snarky shopping addict with all the depth of a piece of paper. Until she sacrificed herself to save her best friend Delany Markham, defying Lucifer and finding herself banished as a ghost to Plane Drab in the process. As if her seriously heinous ghostly wardrobe weren't bad enough, the only way Marcella can get back to the earthly plane is through the one medium who can summon her. Too bad he hates her guts...

Kellen Markham had always fought his attraction to his sister's best friend, believing all demons to be evil, plain and simple. But after Marcella saving Delaney, not to mention her subsequent disappearance, Kellen has to reevaluate, not such an easy task since he's also recently inherited his sister's psychic abilities and ghosts are hounding him right and left. When Kellen finds a box of Marcella's stuff, he accidentally summons her to him. And now that he's found her, Kellen's not about to let Marcella go. Can he convince Marcella to give him a shot? Kellen may not find out, if an evil force has his way...

My Way to Hell is a sassy return to the world of Dakota Cassidy's Hell series. While it's a bit slow at the start, when My Way to Hell gets rolling it is sure to sweep you off for one heck of a ride. Kellen is an oh-so-sexy hero who knows enough to admit it when he's wrong and once he becomes determined to win over Marcella...Grab. A. Fan. Marcella's lost a bit of her spirit from the first Hell book, Kiss & Hell, but given all she's gone through and the things she faces in My Way to Hell (and no, I wouldn't dream of spoiling the book by giving away what), I'd be surprised if she weren't a bit more subdued. I liked both Kellen and Marcella, and the plot of My Way to Hell kept me entertained, yet I couldn't help but to compare the energy of this book to Kiss & Hell and found My Way to Hell lacked that indefinable spark of life its predecessor possessed.

I supremely enjoy Ms. Cassidy's Hell series and am definitely hoping there are more books to come. For those who have not yet read Kiss & Hell, My Way to Hell can be read as a standalone, but be warned you'll find many spoilers for the first book in it. All in all I enjoyed My Way to Hell. It's got Ms. Cassidy's trademark spunky dialogue, a cast of loveable characters (oh yes, my heart did flutter to see a return of that surfer boy archangel (Uriel), and a very intriguing ending. Demons have never been as fun as they are in the hands of Dakota Cassidy!

Shayna
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This is the follow up to Dakota's book, Kiss and Hell, the second in her Demonic Romance series. Fans of Dakota's books won't be disappointed! I think My Way to Hell is challenging Accidentally Demonic for my fav Dakota Cassidy book... And that's saying something!

The Setting -- is New York. Actually, if you've read Kiss and Hell, Delany has moved out of her old haunt and her brother Kellen has moved in. But he's inherited more than just his sisters space!

The Characters -- feature Kellen and Marcella from Kiss and Hell, both of whom played fairly important roles in the first book. There were plenty of teasers and indications of these two's real feelings for each other in that book to have fans on pins and needles wondering what was going to happen! Both characters are complex; it seems Dakota's characters are becoming more multi-faceted. Kellen comes into the book with all of his old prejudices which must be addressed before he can handle his new gifts and accept that Marcella might not be the demon he thought she was. Marcella, that sassy Latina demon who sacrificed herself for her best friend, has more layers than an onion! I'm not going to go into it - because I'd ruin it - but she steals your heart. Ages ago Marcella gave up herself for something very dear and important - a sacrifice that you might need a tissue to get through. Also in the book is another demon, Catalina; I'm dying to know what the deal is with her and Damael - and secretly hoping Dakota is locked away writing that story - cuz daaannnnnggggg! Oh! And Uriel is back; your favorite hang-ten angel.

The Plot -- like the characters is complex. There's more at stake than just Marcella finding some way to get off of Chez Drab, not to mention establishing what she is now. There's Kellen figuring out his new medium abilities. And there's a kid in danger. Oh! And there's romance. I liked My Way to Hell because the characters both came into the story with very deep seated reservations about the other which were born out of dramatic personal experiences. I could believe their motivations in acting the way they did, but you could drive a semi through the void of space that is everything they don't really understand about the other. It's the story of two characters handling years of misconceptions and dark secrets and still finding it in themselves to love - and save the day.

Yes, I will fully admit that there are aspects of Dakota's books you expect - but that's why you love her books. You pick up her book, it makes you laugh and believe in a good side to humanity and that big, magical if there were really.......

Let me start with saying I hate the word "snarky" but with that outta the way. I am not going to re-quote portions of the book as some do. My thing always boils down to: Was it fun to read and did you wish it had not ended?

It was fun to read although some of the language was a bit tiring and the exclamations I could have done without (no I won't quote them) the "anger is love" thing was pushed to the limits but I made it through :)

It was a good read and kinda hated for it to end but she left some clear teasers for the next book so its cool.

Get the book, it is fun and if you liked the others you will like this but with a small note that of all her books I have read this has to be on the bottom but since I still liked it that puts her ahead of several other authors I won't name :)

BTW, I am getting really interested in why a lot of book reviews I read (usually 4-5 star reviews) never have that Amazon Verified Purchase, am I the only person that actually BUYS these books to read before I review them or are some of these reviews just shills? I have seen a few that were written by people that obviously never read the book. Pay closer attention to the ones that tell you the reviewer actually paid money for the book they are reviewing and you might get a better picture of where to spend your money.

My Way to Hell by Dakota Cassidy
Paranormal Romance - July 6, 2010
4 Stars

My Way to Hell is the second novel by Dakota Cassidy in her new Demonic Romance series. This book picks up after the event in the first novel Kill & Hell started the character off. This book is a good paranormal romance with a lot of fun comical elements that contributes to make a overall interesting and intriguing story.

Marcella Acosta is a demon. After a battle with Satan, she is reformed and condemned to the in-between place, neither heaven nor hell. She can't just snap her fingers and escape from "Plane Drab". She needs a medium to summon her specifically. Without somebody's help, she'll never be able to tell Delaney, her best friend, that she is okay. Her sacrifice was worth it. Easier said than done because she finds out many of these so called experts are charlatans. And then Kellen, her best friend's brother, accidentally pulls her into the living realm. Only she's without any abilities, control, or material form. Kellen hasn't been having an easy time of this ghost whisperer stuff. Because of Delaney's death (even though she was brought back to life) his ability to see dead people is not the wonderful and fulfilling experience his sister had. What's more he can touch them, and they can touch him. Not even his sister had that ability. It's probably why he missed the signs when Marcella gave him her message because when they hold an impromptu séance, sure enough she pops in.

Now that she's passed on her message, she's stuck in our realm with a strange need to help a little boy, Carlos Ramirez. And surprise! He can also see her. However while she searches for a way to return to Plane Drab, while she helps Kellen communicate with ghosts without getting punched, while she finds out why she has an irrational urge to help Carlos and his family, she has to fight her growing attraction to Kellen. When she was alive and in demon form, she kept her distance by sparing with him. Now he's being nice, and it's even more of a turn on.

I had fun time reading this novel. The language is light, fast and easy to read. The scenes and conclusions start becoming predictable, but that didn't matter. I still wanted to read because the author made me believe that there could be a happily-ever-after for Marcella and Kellen.The characters may start out shallow at first but an unexpected depth quickly becomes apparent in them. This is the first book I've read in this series, but it was easy to get caught up in the characters and like them. Once Kellen asked the question, I was curious to find why Marcella was a demon. For a more enjoyable time and a better understanding of the characters you might want to start with the first book in this series Kiss and Hell where you will first meet these characters.

Reviewed by Jackie from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

Raging Lucifer punishes demon Marcella Acosta for defying orders and saving the soul of her BFF (OF is more accurate as only friend) Delaney Markham (see Kiss and Hell). Her punishment is the loss of her demonic status and exile into some sort of purgatory between heaven and hell, but not earth as no malls or coffeehouses arein sight.

As a ghost she fails to make contact with mortals until she decides to go after the human she most wanted as a demon, Delaney's brother Kellen. He has psychic issues that he feels are psycho as seemingly beings from beyond contact him; the most persistent being his sister's friend Marcella who he hid his attraction for her from everyone. As he realizes a child is in danger from a stalking demon and knows he must act, his nocturnal desires for Marcella brings her back to his side.

This amusing urban fantasy romance brings together a lead pair that fans of the saga will appreciate especially after the Kiss and Hell escapades (and rejection). Fast-paced albeit a bit thin in plotting, fans will enjoy that Marcella is back burning tamales and peanut butter as only a retired sexagenarian former demon could when she becomes a not so average woman in love.

Harriet Klausner