For the Birds

Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc. #3

by Angela Roquet

Lana Harvey isn't just any reaper.

She's the new captain of the Posy Unit, a specialty group dedicated to harvesting mass quantities of souls from natural disaster sites, battlefields, and the like. The new title didn't come without a price though. Lana made some promises along the way, and now it's time to follow through... even if that means putting herself in the path of the three Fates, a fickle and mighty force to be reckoned with. The Fates run a soul recycling plant in Limbo City, and if Lana isn't careful, they just might recycle her.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Supernatural, Fiction, Angels, Romance

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 14, 2013

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Angela Roquet is a delightfully macabre weirdo. She lives in Missouri with her irresistible BFF husband, their sweet, clever son, and a majestic marshmallow of a Great Pyrenees in a house stuffed with books, toys, skulls, owls, and glitter-speckled craft supplies.

Angela is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association, as well as the Four Horsemen of the Bookocalypse, her epic book critique group, where she’s known as Death. When not swearing at the keyboard, she enjoys playing with her family and reading books that raise eyebrows.

You can find Angela online at www.angelaroquet.com

GRAVEYARD SHIFT, the first novel in Angela's Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc. series, and BLOOD VICE, book one in the Blood Vice series, are now available for FREE on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iBooks, & Google.

Reviews

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. I didn't dislike it, but I just couldn't seem to get into it. It was kind of boring. The story moves forward, and there's some new players that show up, but honestly I just didn't much care. I don't really like Lana that much, even though there really isn't anything wrong with her. At first I thought I was having a hard time with it because the last book I read also dealt with lots of deities from different mythologies mixing together and a few of them overlapped. But I soon got everything straightened out, and got caught back up on what was going on, and that's when I realized I just wasn't that interested. I don't think I'll continue on with the series. Maybe if it was on KU I'd be more inclined to see what happens and if I could get back on board, but I just don't think I care enough to pay to see where it goes.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome fun! Angela almost makes a person look forward to dying!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those books I didn't want to put down. I found the premise of the series interesting and I liked the way the author mixed the idea of different religions afterlives rather than just concentrating on one religion. This is something I haven't read anywhere else.

I really enjoyed the storyline and characters. I am really hoping that the author continues to write more books in this series.

[Honest Mabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love bub

I am
So in love with bub. He is a good balance to Lana. The stories are moving well. I felt a little lost in the beginning of this one it was missing a bit that I just didn’t see enough of any argument to have Gabriel and Lana on the outs but other than that I really
Enjoyed the story!

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the prior books but still an enough action and a decent addition to the series. Lana is now dating Bubs and still collecting souls but something’s seems off with Grim’s second in command Jenni who also happens to be one of her roommates. The rebels launch an attack and Lana and friends have to launch a rescue mission.

[Aubrie L. Nixon]

As always, love this series. 🖤🖤🖤

[Natasha du Plessis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am currently reading through this whole series and Angela Roquet still amazes me with Lana Harvey, how is it that I only just now discovered this author. This book is full of demons, angels, deities and reapers. I think I want to be a Reaper in my next life, it sounds exciting.
I would recommend this book if you are a fantasy lover. Great writing.

[Mummy's Naughty Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another installment in this world. New characters are emerging. The small battles are still there waiting for the main battle is building up nicely. The characters are all unique. This is a great series for fantasy lovers.

[Aries Reads Too Much · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man I love this series. Its irreverent and fantastical and borderline silly but it works. I love Lana’s wit and snark and her crew of found family. Bub is my favorite.

If you’re looking for award winning, thought provoking literature, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for an entertaining action packed paranormal fantasy, you’ll love this series.

[Kat Lebo · Rating 5 out of 5]

For The Birds, Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc., Book 3
by Angela Roquet

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series to follow. In this episode, as in the previous two, Roquet continues to put her heroine, Lana Harvey, into an amazing array of situations -- some dangerous, some frustrating, some absolutely sexy -- and to do so with a well-honed sense of humor and well-oiled writing mechanics.

Flow is wonderful. There is near perfect proofing/editing. I did find two errors -- one I think may have occurred when some of the text was reworked (4231 on Kindle: "...his hissed at me.") and, the other, I believe to be a relatively common misunderstanding of a phrase (2051 on Kindle: (deep-seeded terror rather than deep-seated terror. I even looked it up to be sure; deep-seated is correct). Plotting is impeccable, characterizations stay true from novel to novel.

The skeptic in me loves Roquet's all-inclusive take on the afterlife.

I'm also a fan of the start-of-the-chapter quotes. My favorite in this novel was from the start of Chapter 12: "Don't cling to fame. You're just borrowing it. It's like money. You're going to die and somebody else is going to get it." Sonny Bono.

So, Lana is back in this episode, her first as the head of the Posey Unit. All her friends are there, as are all her enemies. The rebels are taking the direct confrontation route this time out and Lana has to keep one eye on her future and the other firmly on her back. All of the secret deals she is dealing with lay heavy on her mind as she attempts to navigate her abrupt and unwanted promotion. She's dealing with unit members resentful of her promotion, promises made to Meng and Winston, as well as dealing with Horus's blackmail. She has less time for the people and things she loves -- her friends Josie, Kevin, Jenni and Gabriel, and for her love interest, Beelzebub. Demons and gods alike are out to get her, and Grimm is, as usual, unhappy about everything. She survives two attacks during a routine soul retrievals, discovers a possible replacement for Winston, and then, after being discovered doing a little snooping when she accompanies Meng to a meeting with The Fates, she is accused of stealing the shears of Atropos. She continues to be scrutinized by demons, angels, gods and other reapers alike for her current relationship with The Lord of the Flies. She is captured and questioned by Loki about the location of Winston, being saved in the nick of time by Beelzebub, who tracks her when she isn't where she should be on time. She also discovers that Loki is impersonating Jenni and that Jenni has been missing for several days. Grim puts together a team to work with Lana to retrieve Jenni and find the rebel stronghold. That team includes Josie and Kevin, the hellhounds Saul and Coreen, Beezelbub and Maalik. They travel to hell to confront the rebels and save Jenni, even though they are outnumbered by about 3000 to 7. And, once again, Meng and her teas are called into service to heal the battered crew.

Along the way, debts are paid and taken on, relationships are made, some improved, some mended, and afterlife begins to settle down, but not without threats looming on the horizon, especially for Lana should some of her secrets become public knowledge.

A quick, exciting and fun read. I'm looking forward to digging into the next in the series.

[Anne (Booklady) Molinarolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lana Harvey is NOT your typical Reaper.

"Josie brought me a cup of coffee, all decked out the way I take it. She set her cup of straight black down next to mine and curled herself up in a dining room chair across from me, resting her chin on her knees again. “So, you’re a freak of nature that can kill gods and spot special souls able to keep Grim in the business of playing the man behind the curtain? How’s that working out for you?”

Not too well, Josie. Horus is still blackmailing Lana. Meng is mad at her. Grim is threatening to terminate our fearless heroine. And she finds herself in Limbo City's Gossip Rag.

Lana's been accused of stealing something of import to The Fates. She didn't do it, but the seeds of doubts are out there. And her best friend, Gabriel, isn't talking to her. She should be happy. She's enjoying being the Captain of the specialty unit - The Posy Unit. Lana is surprised that she actually enjoys the harvesting and paperwork that accompanies her new promotion. She is in fact excelling at it.

But not all in Limbo City are a fan of Lana Harvey, Reaper. They would do anything to see her head separated from her neck. Thank goodness her boyfriend is the Lord of the Flies and has her back. She'll need all of the help she can get in this installment. The rebels are making a move.

Time to kick some devil and demon butt!!

I love this series! It's fun and quick paced. Angela Roquet's wicked sense of humor is on display in the novel too. And poor Meng. She's never been so busy healing as she is now.

[Stefanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I finished this book, despite wanting to tear my hair out over the typos. "Duffle" instead of duffel, "vender" instead of vendor, and countless other errors make it apparent that there was no editor on this one.

My biggest problem with this series is that it feels like Roquet couldn't decide what kind of story to write. The first book feels like a girl-power fantasy with mild allusions to sex (albeit during a relationship that made no sense, because Lana hated the guy for no reason and then dated him for no reason), the second one felt like a whiny Harry-Potter-fifth-book "I don't want all this responsibility, why me, ooh let's cheat on the boyfriend I don't like and didn't want who I'm really mean to for no reason and date this guy who likes me even though I'm a spoiled brat who spends more time whining about schoolwork than advancing the plot" that includes a few uninspired sex scenes that feel out of place in the otherwise childish narrative, and continues into this third volume which is very violent and has more sex scenes but still failed to have anything resembling a plot.

Three books in and not one character has grown in any way, nothing of note has happened in Limbo, the time lines continue to make no sense, and the world building is terrible.

I made it this far because I hate not finishing books that I own, but this is where I draw the line.

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread February 2017

10/2/14- Reread

[Toni ~married to a hunk~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book from prime to finish the series up so far. I liked it a lot and it had great action.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm ready for another one!!!!!

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 1 out of 5]

THE BLURB IS REALLY NOTHING LIKE THE 'STORY'
Lana Harvey isn't just any reaper. She's the new captain of the Posy Unit, a specialty group dedicated to harvesting mass quantities of souls from natural disaster sites, battlefields, and the like. The new title didn't come without a price though. Lana made some promises along the way, and now it's time to follow through... even if that means putting herself in the path of the three Fates, a fickle and mighty force to be reckoned with. The Fates run a soul recycling plant in Limbo City, and if Lana isn't careful, they just might recycle her.

Not kindle unlimited, looked it up and at some point must have thought it good idea to spend 99 cents plus tax on the 3 set, and normally would have at least been worth that, more so since the books seem to normally be priced something like 3 or 4 bucks a pop, but...struggled and struggled over days {and am natural speed reader} to get through the first book, even more and longer for the other 2, and omg, how can anyone have, literally and metaphysically/spiritually , a whole world based on so many things that are automatically understood by so many, and then screw it all up, so badly and in so many ways. How can a real writer turn a book {supposedly} about grim reaper {s} in to chick-lit-ick 90210 garbage?

The bad part is cost me 99 cents and tax, the good part is could have been much worse, and the best part is didn't spend anything on any of the others because these stories are not readable.

Graveyard Shift (Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc. #1)
Pocket Full of Posies (Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc. #2)
For the Birds (Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc. #3)
Lost in Limbo (Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc. #1-3)

THIS part is what wrote/rewrote on amazon because, well how knows, they never actually tell you what TOS violation supposed to be, and TOS issue can be variety of things ALONG with NO reason AT ALL.

THE BLURB IS REALLY NOTHING LIKE THE 'STORY'
Lana Harvey isn't just any reaper. She's the new captain of the Posy Unit, a specialty group dedicated to harvesting mass quantities of souls from natural disaster sites, battlefields, and the like. The new title didn't come without a price though. Lana made some promises along the way, and now it's time to follow through... even if that means putting herself in the path of the three Fates, a fickle and mighty force to be reckoned with. The Fates run a soul recycling plant in Limbo City, and if Lana isn't careful, they just might recycle her.

Not kindle unlimited, looked it up and at some point must have thought it good idea to buy 3 set, was WRONG, very very WRONG. There is literally and metaphysically/spiritually , a whole world based on so many things that are automatically understood by so many, and yet...well see the 1 star-not-allowed to give it less? Not readable, unless one actually likes 90210 teen angst drivel, which I do NOT and NEVER have and NEVER will. Plots for all are weak to non-existant, and the whole set is 'for the birds'...if you don't like birds and wish them ill will.

the extra read date is because that is how long it even took them to tell what little they did

AND STILL did NOT take SO

Not kindle unlimited

THE BLURB IS REALLY NOTHING LIKE THE STORY, and considering with all sorts of greek and roman and other gods and goddesses and all sorts of other things, it would have been at least an okay story; 1 star rating shows I definitely did not think it was even close. Read it in a 3 set, and by the end was just glad it was finally over, if nothing else. It was a mix of 90210 teen angst YUCK and...who knows, because nothing worked in these stories. Literally and metaphysically/spiritually , a whole world based on so many things that are automatically understood by so many, and the stories were flatter than a carbonated drink left opened, out, and in the sun.


Graveyard Shift (Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc. #1)
Pocket Full of Posies (Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc. #2)
For the Birds (Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc. #3)
Lost in Limbo (Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc. #1-3)

[moxieBK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost in Limbo (Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc. book 1-3) (653 pages) — Angela Roquet Book 3: For the Birds — 30 chapters July 31-Aug. 1, 2018

This one starts off with background on Limbo City. It was boring. I didn’t find myself getting excited about the plot. There was also some background woven into Khadija. Then the background bleeds into the recap of the last two books. This “intro” covers the first two chapters.

By the third chapter, things were looking up. There was more excitement and I got hooked into the story (at the determent of my day job—thanks a lot Ms. Roquet!) Lana is still working through her secrets, but she isn’t sure how much longer she can do it, as she watches her friends now distant from her. Her major mission doesn’t start until nearly 3/4 the way through the story, but there is a lot of mundane things the author covers about Lana in this book. She’s still has trust-worthy friends; Bub, Josie and Kevin are still with her, but her new crew is a mixed bag. Some either are OK with her or resent her. And Winston, and Grim are still causing her anxiety. In this story, Gabe sort of drops off and Maalik resurges back into the story and plot.

Looking back to the previous books (especially book 1,) Lana has really grown as a character, (but I still think book one was the best so far.)

Unfortunately, this story doesn’t end neatly, and (maybe) I’ll continue reading the series after I have caught up on all my other books in the “To-Read” pile (it’s LONG!)

As for speed: I read through chapter 18 on Tuesday (right after finishing book 2,) and the rest of the book on Wednesday.

One spelling error I saw. Otherwise, a delightful read.

Three stars.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Lana Harvey Reaper series, and having just finished this I now want to carry straight on and read the fourth book Psychopomp.
This series is fun, as the series has gone on it becomes more serious but in a light hearted way. The cast of characters has expanded but the core cast is still there battling through (after)life. Work promotions, trying to deal with colleagues who harbour grudges and resent their success, friendships, love lives, demon attacks, accusations, unwanted press attention and all while Lana fights her own internal battles about blackmail, secret tasks that affect the whole of eternity, disgruntled ex lovers, and wondering if her boss knows her secrets.
The books are wonderfully written, the characters become real and after awhile the whole eternity set up just becomes normal, so much so that if this isn't real you will be very disappointed when you die.

[Holly Minch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised I really thought that Lana was going to become Grim's second and that she would somehow change him instead she becomes the captain of the Psoy unit with the challenges that come from that she has to deal with the issues that come from being so young and out in charge of her own unit and the issues from the deals and promises she has had to make to make it out alive from the other books. I found the villain in the story to be an interesting take in the end and found that Winston drove me nuts. I love Beelzebub and Lana I forsee issues between them but I really hope that the author keeps them together in the end because they fit in my mind. This was a wonderful continuation of the story.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

More from Lana Harvey, reaper-extraordinaire of Limbo City. The romance is more palatable and the dangers are mounting up.

- Again, I loved the intertwining nature of the various deities depicted in this book. Getting to know the Fates more was a real treat.

- The romance was a lot steamier but much less dramatic than in Pocket Full of Posies.

- The plot was fast-paced and twisting. It kept me engaged throughout.

- There is an scene near the end of the book that definitely should have had a TW/CW for torture. Whilst the book itself isn't exactly nonviolent this scene was out of character with the rest of the book and definitely jarring.

Another great book and looking forward to Psychopomp.

[Robbie White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series of books. I believe I originally found the author and the 1st book in the series on an email that I receive but I am not positive.
The protagonist in the story is Lana Harvey who is a Reaper -- beings in a celestial world that work for Grim (aka The Grim Reaper) and help him harvest souls. Evidently as humanity's population exploded so too did the amount of souls that needed to be gathered and Grim couldn't do it by himself. ANYWAY Lana occasionally butts head with Grim and lands in hot water.

I found these books clever and funny and I would recommend them to any sci-fi fan.

[Cheryl Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy the humour and the storyline in this book. Lana and Beezlebub are still an item, though Maalik wishes they weren't. Josie moves in and so does Kevin and Jenni, but when Jenni is not herself, no one really notices, other than to think she is being a bit odd. She has been impersonated and kidnapped and they end up realising this and have to go rescue her. They find the rebels and Lana has to help Lady Wang meet with the fates, which is the catalyst to the whole story. She gets more help from all the gang and even manages to make her captaincy of the unit work out well. A great story and can't wait for the next.

[Paul Bennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book as part of the "Lost in Limbo" collection which covers the first 3 books in the series. This review has been repeated for the individual books so that whichever route a reader takes, the review can be seen.

This book is possibly the most exciting story in the Reaper Inc. series that I have read so far. There is certainly a lot more action and tense moments in this book than in previous books in the series. The characters are also fleshed out more and become more interesting in themselves. It is a very good read.

[E.G. Manetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The action an overall story arc picks up momentum and Lana falls-for the bad-boy 'demon' who turns out to be a better guy than several 'angels'.

The author definitely has a bit of an axe to grind related to modern organized religions, but it's not so heavy-handed as to detract from an exciting story

Read as part of Lost in Limbo

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5
I read half of this last year and just came back to finish it. I listened to it on audiobook and I think that's one of the reasons I put it down; this book has a more serious tone than the first two but the narrator kept the sassy sarcastic tone, even while reading these parts and it made the book feel fake. I finished it off today and I think this is probably where the series and I go our separate ways, though I might come back for book 4 and read it myself, rather than listen to it.

[Mike Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continuing tale of Lana and company

Anyone who enjoyed either of the other Lana Harvey books will not be disappointed with this one.Lana's life in Limbo City remains full of danger due to strange encounters with elder God's demons and characters from myths. Dealing with this while keeping her boss,The Grim Reaper from terminating her will keep you reading.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reaper Lana's story continues. Now she's leading a team of reapers who specialise in mass casualty events. She's had to make some deals along the way which have made some of her reapings more complicated.

I'm not sure about love interest Bub (Beelzebub); I preferred Gabriel

[Campbell]

Have and read in Lost in Limbo

[Shae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the 2nd one. Some things work out pretty conveniently, but overall not to quickly or easily.

[Linda Barger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book in this series. Love these books. Easy reading and lots of fun! I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.