by Lori Sjoberg
Series: Grave #3
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Handsome and haunted, he's a reaper who prefers to work alone. But Fate has other plans for him and the sassy secret agent who shot him in another life—if their pasts don't catch up with them first. Dmitri Stavitsky has never played well with others—a Soviet KGB spy in life turned reaper after death, his work of bringing souls to the other side is best done alone. But orders from the top soon place him alongside fellow reaper Gwen Peterson, the American counter intelligence agent who took his life so many years ago. Now, as a ghost from Gwen's past resurfaces with the power to steal reapers' souls, the two have no choice but to set aside their differences and apprehend the rogue together. But their cross-country mission soon ignites feelings Dmitri thought he was no longer capable of—for the woman who helped destroy him. With an ancient force and a small army against them, he'll have to let go of old grudges or risk his future with Gwen...as Fate hangs dangerously in the balance.
Grave Vengeance is the third book in the Grave series by author Lori Sjoberg. Each of these paranormal romances deals with a new reaper who works for Fate collecting souls and stopping evil. Grave Vengeance features the haters to lover’s trope. Action packed with swoon-worthy moments, suspense and delicious banter I had a blast on these dates.
Caffeinated dates with Grave Vengeance
Set-up: Each book in the Grave series features a character who upon their death was offered a chance to clean their soul by working for Fate as a Reaper. They have never met Fate, but deal directly with Samuel, he is a stiff and by the book suit. Scenes with him always make me giggle a little.
First Date: Dmitri Stavitsky was a former Soviet KGB spy. He is a bit of a loner, but recently took on a team of Reapers to supervise. A new case and orders from Fate have him working alongside reaper Gwen Peterson. In her former life, she was an American counter Intelligence agent and the two have a complicated shared history. The banter, snark, and disdain bouncing around, have alerted me to the fact that we are in for one heck of a ride. You can feel the chemistry between them and they may call it hate but I am seeing sparks. A Reaper has gone rogue and is somehow clocking their location from the higher ups. Their mission is to locate him.
Second date: An ancient artifact, danger and unusually circumstances have these two working side by side despite their shared animosity. *snickers* I am loving the banter and little digs these two keep sharing. Dmitri keeps speaking in Russian. Who knew it was such a sexy language. I am flipping the pages, as the action gets intense. I love how Sjoberg balances out couple development and the actual case. Nightmares, injuries and a snowstorm have Dmitri and Gwen calling a truce and pop-tarts and fish are starting to sound like romantic meals.
Third date: Eep! Feelings, answers from their past and conversations above and below the sheets have me completely caught up. I like Gwen and feel completely connected to Dmitri emotionally. Their history was well developed and fascinating. Things get intense and it gets a little dark here. The mythology with the artifact was an interesting twist and as we got closer to the climatic ending, I was holding my breath, and even shed a tear.
Whoo-wee what a date! Grave Vengeance was fun, action packed and I do love the haters to lover’s trope. It always makes things interesting. If you are looking for a light, paranormal romance that weaves in suspense this series is a lot of fun. I really enjoy that each book works completely as a standalone, despite the overall arc between them.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Bookworm Brandee
Oh, this sounds so good! I read #1 in 2013 and really liked it. I can’t believe there’s a #3 and I haven’t read #2! I’m happy you enjoyed Gwen and Dmitri’s story. I bet the political tension really did make for some fun! 😉
kimbacaffeinate
She releases one a year making it easy to miss..since the publisher does soft release. Enjoy!
kimbacaffeinate
*snickers*
Christy
That’s exactly the type of pose I like to do when I go shooting with other people (the cover). It’s like couples yoga with firearms. lol. Kidding. I should probably read these.
kimbacaffeinate
It is the type of a read you can devour in a single evening. The concept isn’t so much as avoiding death but of cleaning the soul to avoid damnation.
Ramona
This concept of being offering a deal to avoid death is very interesting. And this book in particular sounds like something light and fun, easily consumed by the fire one evening (it’s still bitterly cold here…) Thanks for recommending it, Kimba, I’m saving this one for consumption on a cosy evening 🙂
Lori
I really enjoyed Grave Intentions but haven’t gotten to book 2! Your review makes me want to revisit this series and catch up, there aren’t many reaper books out there so I try to read as many as I can find. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Glad you enjoyed book one..the releases are once a year and I think in this genre it makes it hard to remember. I love a good reaper story.
Mary
Well, that’s definitely an interesting cover pose! Don’t think I’ve seen that one around before. Sounds like a fun date, though!
Liza Barrett
Ooh, this actually sounds really good 🙂 I’m loving all of the books related to reapers lately; such a fun theme!
kimbacaffeinate
I agree and I always seem to enjoy them. Reapers are cool
Paij Slater
This sounds great. I have so many books I want to read. Thanks for bringing this series to my attention 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Paij, I do love my reapers
Felicia the Geeky Blogger
I really enjoyed the first 2. I didn’t realize that the 3rd one was out. Good to know! Good to know! 🙂 I kind of figured this one would be fun.
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, I almost missed it, she releases one a year.
Sophia Rose
Hey, these sound good. Good review to hook me in, Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Sophia, I love romantic suspense with paranormal aspects and this was fun
Melissa (Books and Things)
This is totally me! I love the sound of this one. How did I not know of these? Well, I do now! 😀
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh the first book is only 2.51! 😀 Had some credit and now I have a book. LOL
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet, I am glad you grabbed it. She releases one a year..so you have time to catch up!
Debbie Haupt
Thanks Kim, I like the new premise to fantasy. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Debbie I love the suspense they deliver
Lanie
Great breakdown of the book! I wasn’t sure if you had to read these in order or not, but it sounds like there stand-alones. Thanks hun:)!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes they will work nicely as standalone Lanie 🙂
Cynthia
That sounds like a pretty cool series. And the guy on the cover just looks hot. Ha
kimbacaffeinate
He was hot with an accent 🙂
kindlemom1
I do love a good reaper story! I will have to check out the first book.
kimbacaffeinate
Reapers are cool.
Heidi
I am not remembering your first two reviews. Need to go look them up. This sounds like all kinds of fun, and I can’t resist a good reaper story.
kimbacaffeinate
Probably because they only come out once a year..Grave Intentions and this were my favorites, but an enjoyable series 🙂
Liz
I love reaper stories, and this sounds good. However, that title does not make me think reaper at all 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah all of the titles start with Grave..I think as a play on death..but the story is fun
Liz
Oh geez lol. I meant cover!
kimbacaffeinate
bwahaha..I wondered but thought ok..yeah he needs a scythe
Candace
Not a fan of the cover but the story sounds pretty good! I haven’t read a reaper story in awhile.
kimbacaffeinate
Not the strongest covers, but yes the tale is wonderful
Brandi Breathes Books
The emotional connection between them sounds great and I am all about some banter
kimbacaffeinate
It was and banter is such wicked fun:)
Katherine
Love the characters and the whole history/ancient artifact part. Throw in some witty banter and I’m in! Thanks for sharing!
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly Katherine. I love the cases and the chance at redeeming one’s soul
Nick
You’ve mentioned the magic word that gets Nick to add a million books to never ending TBR, “banter”!
How do you pronounce Dmitri though? Is the same as Dimitri?
Glad you were able to enjoy this fun book, Kim! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It is pronounced the same, I think it is just spelled that way because of his background. In my head he has a delicious accent. Yes to banter..always a good thing
Silvia
I think I’ll keep this series in mind, especially since you pointed out that each book works completely as a standalone. Thanks, Kimberly!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, while each has a common thread they are totally standalone and fun
Angela Adams
Tantalizing book cover! Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
You are welcome Angela this was a fun one
Carmel
I’m constantly on the look-out for books that feature reapers because they have a way of bringing something new to the genre, plus some of my favourite characters sport scythes. It’s cool that this series features a different Death protagonist in each installment. I like variety!
kimbacaffeinate
I like the variety too, and the new case. Yeah..i have a thing for Reapers
Braine Talk Supe
I tried reading the first book of this series, I DNFd it. Maybe I should skip the first two and read this instead? I’m thinking I can get away with reading this series as stand-alone.
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoyed book one but this has that haters to lovers tension, so you may have better luck
Red Iza
I love that trope too – and a good banter, it makes the books more fun 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Banter is always welcome and their past history made this fun
blodeuedd
Now I remember this series, sounds fun 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It was, thanks Linda
Melliane
Oh this one sounds interesting! I love how the character sounds! Plus, I’m always so intrigued by reapers stories and I don’t think I know this one or I don’t remember but I definitely want to try!!! thanks for the review!
kimbacaffeinate
The overall arc is cool with Fate involved and I love that each has new characters.