The Elemental Mysteries by Elizabeth Hunter
Series: The Elemental Mysteries
Published by Indie
Published on: December 31 2013
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 1439
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Amazon | Book Depo | Kobo | B&N | GoodReads
For the first time ever, get all of the best-selling Elemental Mysteries in one limited edition bundle. All four books, along with a brand new novella and other bonus content.
Welcome to the ELEMENTAL MYSTERIES, where history, romance, and the paranormal collide, and where no secret stays hidden forever. Join five hundred year old rare book dealer, Giovanni Vecchio, and librarian, Beatrice De Novo, as they travel the world in search of the mystery that brought them together, the same mystery that could tear everything they love apart.
*A Hidden Fire
*This Same Earth
*The Force of Wind
*A Fall of WaterAlso included:
*The Bronze Blade (An Elemental World novella)
*Bonus Scenes
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When I said that Desert Bound (Cambio Springs #2) was so good, that I had to reread Hunter’s other series . . . I was not lying.
When we first meet Beatrice De Novo, she is a college student with a part time job at the library. She likes to wear black and doc martins with skirts. She goes to Tuesday night dinners with her grandmother and several of her grandmother’s elderly friends.
She really rocks the whole “quirky librarian” thing.
Dr. Giovanni Vecchio thinks so too. But here’s the thing . . . Dr. Giovanni Vecchio is VAMPIRE. And not just any vampire, a smokin’ hot vampire . . . who hangs out at the library . . .
If you’re like me, that’s all you need to know, but there’s MORE. And let’s be honest–there needs to be, b/c every single vampire out there is smokin’ hot, super rich, super powerful, etc., ad nauseam.
But, like I said, MORE.
Gio walks a fine line between dominant caveman alpha and sophisticated modern male. Beyond that, Hunter has created a world in which vampires are sired to one of the four elements upon awakening from their transformation, and Gio is a (rare) fire elemental.
FIRE. One of only a handful of ways to kill a vampire.
But that’s not all.
Gio is a scholar and a collector and trader of rare books. He meets Beatrice when she takes over the night shift for one of her fellow librarians, but when some valuable letters are donated to B’s university . . . letters that have nothing to do with any of the university’s areas of study . . . letters that belonged to Gio’s personnel collection, thought to have been destroyed in the Bonfire of Vanities . . .
Let’s just say he doesn’t believe in coincidences.
Add to that the death of B’s father, under mysterious circumstances, ten years prior in Italy . . . and Gio is wise to suspect something is afoot.
By that point, he’s already recruited Beatrice as a research assistant after being forced to reveal his true nature to her—something she handled surprisingly well—and with the revelation that his priceless collection may be intact, we are thrown headlong into a mystery that spans centuries and crosses all ethnic boundaries. A mystery combining lost knowledge, alchemy, bitter rivalries, insatiable greed, and the thirst for power.
And what kind of Big Deal/Save the World mystery would it be if Beatrice and Giovanni could solve it by themselves?
I don’t know, but thankfully, not this one. *grins* Throughout the series, we’re introduced to delightfully complex and entertaining characters. Characters we want to have their own happy ending . . . *winks*
SO. If you didn’t already notice the outrageous page count, know that this is a FOUR BOOK series. Four books, plus a novella, plus a handful of extras. For those of you who hate waiting between installments, the good news is that this is a finished series. ALSO good news is that if you are (rightfully) daunted by the nearly 1500 pages (by my calculation), the first book, A Hidden Fire, is available for FREE every-dang-where. That hyperlink will take you to Amazon, but you can get it from Barnes & Noble, Book Depo, Kobo, etc. In fact, the Kobo link at the top of the post will take you to the first book, b/c the series bundle is only available at B&N and Amazon.
I’ll admit that the first time I read A Hidden Fire, I was a bit frustrated with the ending. Gio was irritatingly stalwart in his decision to not pursue Beatrice romantically despite the A. the combustible chemistry between them, B. the obvious depth of both of their feelings, and C. what we, as readers, recognize as inevitability. I also didn’t get that the sole reason Gio was searching for his lost books was b/c lost books. I kept waiting for this Big Secret about the collection to be revealed, and that didn’t happen. However, it’s entirely possible that that’s either on me, or it was intentional, b/c the first book is FREE.
An author’s got to eat, right? Can’t eat on the proceeds of FREE books. Gotta hook those readers.
And she did.
I read them all back-to-back, and then immediately read the first book in the spin-off PNR series, Elemental World.
What can I say? I loved it. Even more this second time, and that rarely happens. Once again, first book is FREE, so get on that. *shoos* I leave you now with my favorite quote:
“Why do you love me like you do?”
. . . “I recognized you. Here.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead, then let his finger trail down her nose, over the slight bump and down around her lips. His fingertips danced across her bare skin until they rested lightly over her heart. “And here. I recognized you. Your mind. Your heart. We recognized each other.”
“Like Aristotle said.”
“One soul. Two bodies. My soul recognized its own.”
Was this review helpful to you? If so, please consider voting for it on Amazon or like it on Goodreads!
My name is Jessica and I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m trying my hand at writing, but mostly I read. My favorite genres are Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and the YA versions of those genres, but if there is a book of a different color getting lots of buzz, I’ll read it too, just to be informed. If I’m not reading or writing, I’m probably on Goodreads or Pinterest or baking blueberry pies because I love them.
Smokin’ hot vampire that hangs out in the library? Yep, that was really all I needed to know. 😉 But the MORE…well, it sounds pretty fantastic, Jessica! I’m hating that I haven’t gotten to this series right now. I picked up A Hidden Fire over 2 years ago. *gasps* I’m thinking it’s getting moved to the top of the queue…for December. I’m so happy you enjoyed your re-visit to this series. Thanks for the fab review!
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…**Blog Tour Review ~ The Executioner at the Institute for Contaminated Children ~ Margaret E. Alexander**
Oh helloooooo, Gio. He reminds me of Barons. 🙂 I think he’s a good enough motivation to read this series. Lol.
Joy (Joyousreads) recently posted…[454]: The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes
‘dominant caveman alpha and sophisticated modern male’ –I didn’t realize there was a fine line between these two. =)
Nathan ( recently posted…Urban Fantasy Review: ‘Premonitions’ by Jamie Schultz
Comment did a double take at that page count, but then the blurb said get all four and I was like, “ahh, ok. Phew.” Because as one, that would be a long ass book!
I think I was sold when you said this “Hunter has created a world in which vampires are sired to one of the four elements upon awakening from their transformation, and Gio is a (rare) fire elemental.” Um, yeah, that’s different! And like you said, fire? That’s supposed to kill vampires! So I’m intrigued by the mythology alone, and then there’s the characters and mystery. I’m going to grab book one now, seeing as it’s free and all 🙂
I have no idea why, but my comment above just came through as anonymous 🙁 Its not. It’s me, Berls…
Berls recently posted…A Month of Giving Thanks Day 5
I was afraid this would be another vampire romance, but I like the mystery angle and the whole elements thingy. Thanks for the free link! The missing books must have sentimental value. (I always just make up my own explanation when an author doesn’t explain something.)
Molly Mortensen recently posted…NaNoWriMo & BookBlogWriMo
Okay I definitely need to try this author!
kindlemom1 recently posted…WoW Pick of the Week
“If you’re like me, that’s all you need to know”
It just so happens that I am like you, and therefore am completely sold on this one at the mere mention of a library-frequenting vampire.
Also, 1439 pages? *dies* That’s quite intimidating, but I really want to meet Gio:)
Sounds great! I love mysteries in my books. Always adds that bit of something extra special!
Annie Slasher recently posted…Spotlight with Giveaway: Dog With a Bone by Hailey Edwards
Wow, this is quite an endorsement. That’s the sign of a good series, when you can’t get enough of it!
Stephanie Faris recently posted…Does Sugar Really Make Your Kids Hyper?
Sounds really good Jessica 🙂 When I saw the icon for fangtastic I got a little nervous – I really having a hard time getting into new vampire series – I’m afraid I have OD 🙁
Now I do enjoy mystery and that might make a difference, and how can I pass on that price for the first book? So yes, I’m getting it!
Guess what!! I got the audio too for $1.99!
Thanks Jessica!!!
Lupdilup recently posted…Beyond Shame Audiobook by Kit Rocha (review)
Oh a complete series and you have made this series sound so good! I snagged the first one (gotta love free!). Love that quote!
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
SO I was all excited reading thi sreview and then learning the first book was free and I clicked on your link to get it only to find I had purchased it in 2011… go figure. Another book languishing on my kindle. I am glad you reminded me 🙂
Heidi recently posted…Audiobook: Dark Triumph (Grave Mercy #2) by Robin LaFevers
I need to go google her books ;)=
blodeuedd recently posted…Black Spring – Christina Henry
i will have to try to see if i can find the pdf then because it’s too difficult to resist now^^
thank you!
miki recently posted…Deadly, Calm, and Cold: Preorder giveaway! Win some handmade jewellery ( INT)
STOP ADDING BOOKS TO MY TBR, JESSICA!!! Especially ones that are part of series. But I can’t pass up a quirky librarian. I just can’t.
Mary recently posted…Pre-Squee: The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I didn’t really need to read beyond the words “book dealer” and “librarian,” but I did anyway. 😉 I love the concept of lost books and ancient letters, makes the whole relationship extra romantic and epic. You must’ve been so pleased this was a bundle because I know how you like to binge read your series, LOL!
Danya recently posted…Review: Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
JESSICA!! I’M ON A BOOK BUYING BAN!! You cannot taunt me with awesome free books like this, and even less for a full bundle of a finished series that I will feel like I must buy ASAP!! That’s not done!!
*grumbles*
*goes to Amazon*
*grumbles a bit more*
*caves & clicks*
Pili recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday #67!!
Oh yes I really love Elizabeth Hunter and this series was so good! I still need to continue the spin off one but I’m so late!!!! I need more time! Great review!
This sounds freaking awesome! The title was actually what peaked my interest at first. I need to check it out soon, though I doubt I’ll be able to get through all books at once!
Jessica! Your reviews are so good – they just crack me up and have loads of good insights. I’m sad I don’t have time to look into this series until after April because you make it look so good!
Jessica Cooley recently posted…See You Soon
I went to Amazon to get first book and according to Amazon I “bought” it more than a year ago… I guess I have to read it now. 🙂
BookaholicCat recently posted…Movie Trailer: Minions
I personally thought that the ending in Hidden Fire for once was pretty mature. I loved the fact that he let her grow and experience life before he found her again. Wonderful review, Jessica! She is one of my favorite authors and I always expect from her a solid 4 or 5 star read. Have you read A Genius and A Muse? It’s her only contemporary, but it’s lovely.
kara-karina recently posted…The Postman Knock #102
Good to hear that she rocked the quirky librarian… takes good writing to pull that off