Pirate's Alley

Sentinels of New Orleans #4

by Suzanne Johnson

Wizard sentinel DJ Jaco thought she had gotten used to the chaos of her life in post-Katrina New Orleans, but a new threat is looming, one that will test every relationship she holds dear.

Caught in the middle of a rising struggle between the major powers in the supernatural world—the Wizards, Elves, Vampires and the Fae—DJ finds her loyalties torn and her mettle tested in matters both professional and personal.

Her relationship with enforcer Alex Warin is shaky, her non-husband, Quince Randolph, is growing more powerful, and her best friend, Eugenie, has a bombshell that could blow everything to Elfheim and back. And that's before the French pirate, Jean Lafitte, newly revived from his latest "death," returns to New Orleans with vengeance on his mind. DJ's assignment? Keep the sexy leader of the historical undead out of trouble. Good luck with that.

Duty clashes with love, loyalty with deception, and friendship with responsibility as DJ navigates passion and politics in the murky waters of a New Orleans caught in the grips of a brutal winter that might have nothing to do with Mother Nature.

War could be brewing, and DJ will be forced to take a stand. But choosing sides won't be that easy.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Magic, Vampires, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Romance

352 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 2015

About the author

Author of the Sentinels of New Orleans urban fantasy series, set in post-Katrina New Orleans. A new story collection, JACKSON SQUARE, coming fall 2020.

Writing as Susannah Sandlin, she is the author of the award-winning Penton Legacy paranormal romance series The Collectors romantic thriller series, the standalone paranormal romantic thriller, STORM FORCE, and the Wilds of the Bayou series..

Books by Suzanne Johnson: Royal Street; River Road; Elysian Fields; Pirate's Alley; Belle Chasse; The Consort (novella); Frenchman Street; Pirateship Down (story collection); Christmas in Dogtown (novella).

Books as Susannah Sandlin: Redemption; Absolution; Omega; Storm Force; Allegiance; Illumination; Lovely, Dark, and Deep; Deadly, Calm, and Cold; Chenoire; Wild Man's Curse; Black Diamond.

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of political shenanigans in this instalment but in the best of ways. Everything seems to have gone to hell in a hand basket at the end. Jean Lafitte has got himself a right motley crew! Poor Alex and DJ.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars: Another exciting and thrilling installment! Don't miss this series.

DJ lights the fire, grateful for the heat. She still doesn't have a working heating system in her house, post Hurricane Katrina. Alex is supposed to install it, but he hasn't gotten around to it yet. So DJ is spending some time with her best friend Eugenia. The girls night quickly turns sour as Eugenia isn't feeling well. It turns out her illness is more than a stomach bug. Eugenia's illness becomes just one of DJ's worries as New Orleans is inundated with a freak weather pattern that delivers feet of snow. Treachery is afoot in the High Council when the acting First Elder is implicated in a murderous plot. DJ is thrown into situation after situation which has questioning her morales and loyalties. Will DJ find her way and make the right choices?

What I Liked:
*A book in the Sentinels of New Orleans Series never disappoints me. Once again, I was thrown into DJ's chaotic world. This time around, DJ is dealing with a couple of underhanded plots that will throw the paranormal world into disarray. This was a book with plenty of treachery, mischief and mayhem and lots of the sexy pirate Jean Lafitte.
*Speaking of Jean Lafitte, he has a large and active presence in this one. I have really grown to love this rascally pirate as has DJ. Jean manages to get into some trouble and help prevent some as well. He makes me laugh with his antics. If you are like me and you love Jean, you will pleased with his role in this book. He is turning out to be the dashing hero.
*Like any book in this series, there are several story threads to keep track of, and even though at first they seem a bit chaotic and unrelated, once everything is revealed, they all neatly interweave. I loved seeing how everything came together, and I was surprised a couple of times at the outcome.
*Even though this is an Urban Fantasy series, it features a romance. I appreciate that the romance is low key and not a main focus of the story. However, it is a romance that is still trying to gain its footing. This time around, DJ finds herself truly questioning whether she is going to be able to stay in the relationship for the long haul. I liked that she took her time to do some soul searching and the conclusion she came to. I was surprised and pleased with how it all worked out, even though I was left in a bit of a lurch with the end. I am eager to see how it will continue to develop from here.
*In the past, I have had a few niggling issues with DJ being a bit too rash and not thinking things through. In this installment, she has grown significantly. I didn't see her jumping in without thinking everything over. Instead she takes her time to talk things out and ponder the best outcome. I was most impressed with her new found maturity. I especially liked that she made the right choices when it came to protecting those she loves despite the consequences. I felt like I really connected with her in this book.
*This book is a bit different from its predecessors. It is one that is setting the stage for what could be a paranormal war. There is a lot going on, and many things in the works. Even though I missed that it wasn't as action packed as the others, I liked the plotting and scheming. Ms. Johnson is setting the table for something big, and I can't wait for what comes next.

And The Not So Much:
*This one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. Not a throw your book against the wall type ending, but still, everything is up in the air. I need the next book now. Please don't make me wait a year and a half for more.
I had a bit of a struggle keeping track of all the players and their motives. The story centers around treachery in the High Council, and there were many people involved. It was a bit difficult to keep everyone straight. *There are many characters, motives and a lot to keep track of. You have to be patient with this one.
*I missed the action. Normally, DJ is getting herself out of one scrape after another, and fighting for her life. She is still landing into plenty of hot water, but it is of a different type. The problems she faces are the type she has to mentally work through instead of physically. This one lacked a bit of the action I have grown to love. Not a big deal, but I missed a bit of the mayhem, especially after the last book with the crazed Ax Murderer and the battle in the ruined Six Flags Park.
*This is absolutely a series you must read in order. I have read every book, and I struggled a bit with book amnesia as I tried to recall all the intricate plot details from the previous books. There is no way you can plunge into this book without having read the others, you would be hopelessly lost. No big deal, just grab the first three books and have fun. Nothing like some binge reading.

Pirate's Alley is another exciting and engaging book in The Sentinels of New Orleans Series. I love that this series is complicated, smart and filled with many interesting paranormal characters. If you want a sophisticated and thrilling UF series, I urge you to check out this series. I am a big fan and eagerly awaiting the next book.



I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor DJ, as the Sentinel for New Orleans she has her hands full. No heat and freaky weather force her to seek shelter at her friend Eugenia’s house. Between all of the healthy food in her friend’s cupboard and Eugenia’s, stomach bug that is about to complicate all of their lives. Toss in unexpected Elfish side effects thanks to her bonding with a pain in the ass Elf, DJ is beside herself and in dire need of a vacation. All that will have to wait as political maneuvering, revenge and more within the high council have DJ juggling between duty and friendship. How this will effect her and Alex, not to mention her friendship with a certain dashing pirate provides one heck of a tale.

Johnson delivered an incredible story that forced DJ to think fast on her feet. While I would have been a little more hesitant, DJ tends to follow her gut and react first. Thankfully, she has good friends and allies to help her pull of some of these crazy stunts. I love how overall arc threads and new threads begin to weave together as each novel progresses.  While things are certainly not resolved, Johnson keeps things tight and the reader on track. This book has a lot of set-up as Johnson moves us towards a battle. I love the setting, and after my recent visit to NOLA, I appreciated the mention of the hotel, buildings, streets and the college. I felt like I was walking the streets with DJ and Jean Lafitte.

The overall series has a romance and while it is kept in the background, it does create interest and this time we feel the impact it has on DJ both personally and in her position as the Sentinel of New Orleans. I was worried but pleased with the overall development in Pirate’s Alley. I am curious to see what lies ahead for Alex and DJ. Pirate’s Alley wasn’t as action intense as its predecessor but the pacing and character development more than made up for it. We get to know a certain FAE and spend time with the council. We are introduced to new characters and become closer to favorites.

Copy provided by author. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have I mentioned how much I adore this series? Because I do, I really really do.

Suzanne is such an amazing writer, no matter what it is that she writes, truly, but this series, set in the heart of New Orleans, is just something special and by far my favorite of her's. And then there is Jean, really, if you have read this series before, you know exactly what I mean about “Jean”. The sexy as all get out undead pirate. Jean, 'nough said. Okay, maybe that isn't quite enough said, but close.

Truly, this series is packed full of wonderful characters. Some I already loved, and others, after this book, I love even more.

This was not a disappointment, in fact, I am so in love with this series and I already loved it but there was just something about this that was...more. More action, more danger, more mystery, more romance, more magic, more deception, more adventure, more, more, more.

I am in awe with the fast moving plot line, the fun premises, even better setting, and characters that are hard not to root for and fall in love with.

D,J, has been through so much and even though she was already one tough, fierce chick, she grows even more. So much happened and so much left is still to happen. I can't even begin to tell you that this was a fabulous addition to the series and the ending left me almost in tears because I wasn't ready for it to be over and I simply wanted more. Johnson is a bit mean for leaving it the way she did but it also makes me that much more excited for what is to come.

[Melliane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

Mon avis en Français

My English review

It’s been a while, I admit it, that I was waiting for some new adventures from our beloved DJ. Oh yes, I had even forgotten about some events but everything came back rather quickly after the first chapters. What a pleasure to find all the characters from the previous volumes and to discover a new story. I’m sure that you’re wondering if the volume is up to the others and I can tell you now that this is the case! So yes if you liked the series so far, you will not be disappointed because Suzanne Johnson still has many ideas for us.

Let’s go back a little more to the story … DJ has a lot to manage and nothing will get better, oh no, that’s for sure! Indeed, she must make some important choices that will severely impact on her life. While it’s hard to create a real relationship with Alex, to overcome their problems, their trust is now put to the test here. Alex has an unwavering loyalty compared to his bosses while Drusilla prefer to think and act as best as she can … Unfortunately for her, she is sometimes forced to lie to her lover who does not necessarily would place her first. In addition to this, our heroine is also forced to deal with her feelings towards our pirate. Ah Jean … How not to fall under his spell and I admit that I was passionate about their conversations and scenes. To complicate matters, we also have Randolph, our elf with an oversized ego … Randolph, Randolph … it’s hard to love this character and yet sometimes our heart softens for him to start to hate him once again. I’ll let you discover the reasons for all this.

A war is brewing, different species are starting to take side to know with whom to ally. This is a fairly difficult environment to manage, but it was very interesting to see the actions of the characters. I really enjoyed seeing that DJ is realizing that nothing is black or white and that she is sometimes forced to make decisions alone even if it puts her in undesirable positions. New players come into play, especially with the faes and I admit that I’m curious to see what will happen afterwards. There are a lot of things going on in this novel and I was quite surprised to see the situations in which DJ is found. I must say that everyone is trying to accuse her of their problems.

I will not go into too many details because it would be easy to tell everything but I can tell you that I loved the novel once again. The end also triggers a lot of new problems and I’m very curious to see how our heroes are going to go out of all that again. A really good read!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*S
Review posted here...
http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co...
Pirate's Alley is the fourth book in the Sentinels of New Orleans series and it was great to be back with this cast of characters. Things are about to get all political for DJ as her personal and professional lives are about to clash and force her to re-evaluate every relationship she has with various people. We begin with the fallout from book three, those responsible are to face a trial and DJ is required to be there but there’s a twist straight away when they try to pin the blame on her and when she responds….she opens up a whole can of worms that leads to a power struggle between the council of elders. Not only that but she is forced to officially babysit Jean Lafitte to be sure he can’t exact revenge on those who betrayed him and her best friend Eugenie makes things more complicated when she shares her news – leaving DJ stuck between a rock and a hard place.
I thought this was a turning point for DJ, she has many issues in her life that she didn’t have before she let people in and now she has to make a stand and sort out who and what she can be to these people. Her relationship with Alex is in a weird state, Alex is all about rules whereas DJ likes to bend them and where he is a black and white, kinda guy – she totally sees all of those shades of grey… and that is becoming a problem between them which will reach critical here. I still love these two together, I hate the drama between them because it seems like the author is letting us down gently, so that we can see it isn’t going to work and I’m actually a little nervous that these two might not survive what’s coming which would be such a shame considering how long it took them to get together.
Then we have Eugenie her BFF and her little drama is about to cause all sorts of problems for DJ, not only is she forced to be a mediator for her but she could also be forced to end the problem in a way that wouldn’t be good for anyone involved. When she lets one person in on the secret, she gets betrayal in return and puts her in a spot she doesn’t want to be in, making her make yet another choice.
Jean Lafitte is next in line for DJ when she is made to babysit him so that he doesn’t go after vengeance – which he feels is his right. DJ understands where he is coming from and the Elders don’t understand how the Historical Undead do things, so her relationship with Lafitte comes to a turning point also. DJ owes him her life, she shares a bond with him and also a friendship and before she makes any sacrifices for him – they need to know where they stand with each other. I really like the relationship these two have, it’s a weird part of a love square that hasn’t been acted on but gives DJ options. TBH I wouldn’t mind seeing where these two go but Alex is the best for her without a doubt. It was good that they finally clear the air between them and he makes her see things in a different light. He’s a dark horse is Jean Lafitte and I really want to see where his story goes.
Then we have Rand, DJ’s husband/not husband/pain in the ass! We get to see a couple of sides to him throughout this and poor DJ is forced to deal with him a lot. I don’t trust him as a character, he is part of the love square but has no chance other than the fact that he tricked her into bonding with him. He’s sly and manipulative and I could have throttled him by the end of the book but there were times when we saw a vulnerable side to him – just not enough for me to like him.
Now, all of that relationship drama is weaved into the story of a power struggle. Following the revelations of the trial, the accused and some others are fugitives and that has left the council leaderless and the alliances with each magic sect in ruins. There is a lot of manipulation going on and more than one person will be left wondering whether to do what they know is right or what they have been ordered to do. There are multiple assassination attempts on multiple characters that will definitely rock their world and send the powers that be into a tail spin. Jean Lafitte tells DJ that war is coming and you can believe it with all of the strife caused in this book and whilst it may seem that DJ is the one to come to a turning point on where she stands with people, there are a lot of people who make themselves and their agendas known. Things are going to totally change for DJ from this moment on and I can’t wait to see what’s next for her.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at The Book Nympho


The streets of NOLA is running amuck with paranormal creatures like wizards, elves, merman shifters, vampires, and faeries. And this time there's a freak snowstorm in NOLA that's making things interesting for DJ and the gang.

I love Suzanne Johnson's Sentinels of New Orleans and I've been stalking her site for a release date for Pirate's Alley ever since I finished the 3rd book, Elysian Fields . It's been a long wait but all is forgotten and forgiven while I lived and breathed DJ and her inner circle of friends.

While DJ is usually involved in more physical action, this time around she's having to work around interspecies political crap and mind games. This all comes about after the events in Elysian Fields. DJ is dealing with what the bonding to Rand means and she gets a few surprises in that department. DJ and Alex are having to work hard on keeping their relationship together. DJ finally learns how the undead pirate, Jean Lafitte, truly feels about her. And the whole gang is bobbing and waving to keep afloat the in upcoming war between the Interspecies Council members.

What I loved

Damn near everything! I love the world and characters that Johnson has created. They are complex, funny and very entertaining. I really enjoyed getting to see more of some of the secondary characters that's been introduced over the span of the series so far and we even get to meet a couple of new ones.

I really liked the addition of the faeries. They are weird and scary, I'm not sure if they are good or evil but they were fun to read about.

Jean Lafitte - the French undead pirate is always a hoot and I loved the heart to heart that he and DJ had.
Jake - He seems to be back to his fun and carefree self and working towards a HEA.
Renee - what's not to like about a cajun merman shifter?!
Quince Randolph (Rand) - I love to hate him. Like DJ, I like him when he's not being the self-important elf asshat. I think he is a character that could go either way.
Christof - the Faerie Prince of Winter, again a character I'm not sure if he can be trusted but he was a fun addition to the group.


What I didn't love as much

I waffled so much about Alex in this one. I almost wished he and DJ would break it off then he would do the right thing instead of being a straight-laced tight ass he can be. Alex sees the world as black and white with no move for a gray area. DJ lives in the gray area, knowing that sometimes you have to bend if not break a few rules to keep your friends and loved ones safe.

 
Why I took off 1/2 star

Hurricane Katrina . . . I don't want to sound like an ass or uncaring but I feel like 4 books into the series we can let some of the references to Katrina go. I know in real like it was a horrible event that reshaped NOLA. And it played a big part of the world building in the Sentinels of New Orleans series, it was the event that brought down the walls between NOLA and Old NOLA causes all kinds of trouble for DJ. BUT I feel like the references could be cut down a little at this point. Maybe I'm being picky.

 
Recommended

I have grabby hands for the next installment and hope the wait for it is no as long. I highly recommend to fans of strong, sassy and magical heroines. Pick up a copy of Pirate's Alley today. It's full of snarky humor and great secondary characters that keeps the heroine on her toes. If you have not read the Sentinels of New Orleans series by Suzanne Johnson you should start with book 1, Royal Street .

[Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://badbirdreads.com/review-pirate... At A Glance
Seriously, I love this series.
The Good
I have so much damn fun with this series. I feel like I have been waiting forever for book 4! And Pirate's Alley really did deliver. So much crap is changing. I am still dizzy from the twists and turns.

DJ starts out in a strong position. Her life is finally coming together. And then it isn't. How many enemies can one girl/wizard/elf have? A lot, apparently. In this book, we find out who really are DJ's allies, who she can trust, and who her enemies are. DJ faces some tough lessons but she has never been as close to becoming who she truly is meant to be. She can't let politics or ambition affect her like it does so many others. She is the one true heart amongst all these a-holes!

We get to see all of our favs. Jean is the same smirky, snarky pirate we all want in our pants. But he becomes so much more in this book. Him and JD have a "for-reals" talk and I am still wow'ed by what they revealed. Alex is still Alex. So duty-bound and always conflicted about right and wrong and what he is told is right and wrong. Then he have Rand. Oh Rand, what are we going to do with you? I don't know if I want to admire him or punch him in the throat.

Intrigue, deception, lies. DJ's world as she knows it is collapsing. War is coming. Choosing the right side is what matters now.
The Bad
I missed the action from the other books. There was still action, but this book was more about politics.
The Snuggly
Wow, how complicated is JD's love life right now? Alex is a great guy in many ways but he is not right for JD. I don't know who is right for JD, but I LOVE Jean. Jean is the shit! Oh, and yeah, we get some bow chicka wow wow with JD and Alex but it's pretty much skipped over.
Final Thoughts
Everyone needs to give this series a chance. It's addicting. Perfect for UF lovers. Highly recommended.

Quotes
DJ, are you awake?

            Freaking elf. “Go home, Rand.”

            I am home. Where are you?

            I frowned and burrowed my face into the soft down pillow. Which wasn’t my pillow.

            Holy crap. What had happened?

            I sat up and took in several observations at once, none of which made sense and all of which sent my heart rate jack-rabbiting hard enough to send my blood pressure into the ozone.

            First, I was lying beneath a heavy bedspread woven in a rich blue-and-cream print. The bed was an elaborate confection made to look like an antique half-tester, and a brass chandelier hung overhead.

            I recognized the Hotel Monteleone. I recognized Jean Lafitte’s bedroom in the posh Eudora Welty Suite in the Monteleone. I didn’t have a clue as to how I got here.

            Second, I wore only underwear. My clothes were thrown across a chair in the corner. I had no recollection of removing them.

            Third, the pillow next to mine still held the clear indentation of a head, and there was water running behind the closed bathroom door.

            What in God’s name had I done?

 Giveaway

This is a tour wide giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

[Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although barely any time has passed in Ms. Johnson’s thrilling Sentinels of New Orleans series, it’s been about twenty long months since the last book. I was worried that I wouldn’t remember all of the details of the complex and ever-changing world. However, Ms. Johnson does an amazing job bringing readers up to speed and recounting the truly important facts. There were some pretty huge revelations and world-changing events that happened during the previous book, Elysian Fields, and I strongly urge any who may be new to the series to at least start with Elysian Fields before jumping into Pirate’s Alley.

I’m going to say right up front that I really enjoyed Pirate’s Alley and honestly couldn’t put it down. With that said, it’s not really its own story, but rather a continuation of the previous book, chronicling the repercussions from Elf Quince Randolph, aka Rand’s faux romance of DJ’s best friend, Eugenie, and subsequent forced bonding/mating with DJ. The book unfolds like a huge conspiracy theory plot, uncovering subterfuge at every turn. It was completely different and unexpected, yet altogether entertaining. I kept waiting for a big bad to show up and start causing mayhem, sending DJ on the hunt for a mysterious killer or such. But it never happened. That’s not what this book is about.

However, Pirate’s Alley is filled with gripping plot twists and intense emotional moments. Ms. Johnson balances the fallout and duplicity in the preternatural community generating from Rand’s mischief with DJ’s personal and emotional development. DJ explores her friendship with Eugenie, attraction to Jean Lafitte, and feelings for boyfriend Alex Warin, as well as evaluates her place within the preternatural world and wizarding community. I was prepared to be very angry with Ms. Johnson if certain things didn’t go the way I wanted, and yet, when they did go against my desires, I was completely awed by the author’s storytelling. She nailed it and made a better story for it.

Pirate’s Alley is emotionally gripping and intellectually stimulating, and may be my favorite of the series. It is a must-read for fans of the series. While there really isn’t an overarching plot line, the story was engrossing nonetheless. Dealing with the fallout and repercussions from the previous book, the story transitions to a point where lines are drawn and the potential of war is on the horizon. My heart was totally tugged back and forth: expecting one thing, getting another, only to have it be something completely different in the end. I am very happy with the direction Ms. Johnson takes the primary characters, and it's the characters and their actions that make this book and series so compelling. I want more. Now.

My Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot
Review copy provided by author
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About.

[Carolyn F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3-1/2 stars

People that we thought were good guys were not so good and the ending was a "What The Heck!" This book got such a good average rating (above 4 stars) that I was hoping for something stellar. I think the high expectations kind of ruined the book for me, which makes so sense.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published at Reading Reality

Pirate’s Alley, like all of the titles in Suzanne Johnson’s Sentinels of New Orleans series, is a street in New Orleans. In this particular case, Pirate’s Alley is a two-block-long pedestrian walkway between Royal Street and Jackson Square, at least according to Google maps and Google street view.

As a title, it also represents some of the events in the story. From Sentinel Drusilla Jaco’s perspective, it looks a lot like her own particular pirate, the historically undead Jean Lafitte, is building either a coalition or perhaps an army of preternaturals in the same way he build his pirate army in his real life. He takes on the dispossessed and the disaffected, and gives them a home and something to believe in.

It worked in the early 19th century, and it looks like it works just as well in the early 21st century.

In New Orleans, the boundary between what we call the “real” world and the Beyond was always thin. But Katrina reduced that thin (and always a bit permeable) line to absolutely nothing. And the powers-that-be, in this case the Wizard’s Council, have decided to make a virtue out of necessity and remove both the physical barrier and the rules and regulations that have kept the preternaturals out of the city, or hidden, for centuries.

New Orleans has become again what it has always been, an living experiment in extreme multiculturalism. Only in this case, it’s the wizards and the shapeshifters and the two-natured and the vampires and the elves and the fae and New Orleans own special part of this mixture – the historical undead.

After the events in the first three books, Royal Street, River Road and Elysian Fields, the preternatural community is gearing up, or winding down, to one big and probably deadly showdown.

The events in Pirate’s Alley all center around that upcoming conflict, with Sentinel DJ Jaco, as usual, caught squarely in the middle.

Pirate’s Alley is much more about political maneuvering than any deeds of derring-do, not that there aren’t some of those. Most of the action takes place at the several attempts to hold an Interspecies Council Meeting, and all the various and sundry ways that meeting keeps getting interrupted, hijacked and or just plain destroyed. Unfortunately along with the building it’s being held in.

It seems as though every single faction has an internal conflict, one that is being fought both at the Council table and in bloody assassinations back at home. And DJ is firmly stuck in the middle of every single one of those conflicts, whether she wants to be or not.

DJ is a member of the Wizards Council, and as Sentinel, she is supposed to be working for them. Which is ok until they ask her to do something that she finds not just questionable, but downright morally repugnant. So she not only refuses to obey, but finds a way to outmaneuver her boss.

Her boyfriend Alex Warin can’t make up his mind or heart whether to help DJ or obey the Council. They are his boss too, and he’s a good little soldier who generally obeys orders.

DJ’s elven bondmate is trying to get DJ to live up to the bond he forced her into, and to take control of his own faction, attempting to use DJ as leverage, bait or muscle as it suits him. It does not suit her.

The only person who seems to understand DJ and want to help her do what she thinks is right is Jean Lafitte, the leader of the historical undead and DJ’s enemy turned friend. It’s not that Jean is altruistic, because he never is, but that he sees and likes DJ exactly as she is, and pretty much vice versa. DJ isn’t totally sure how she feels about Lafitte, but she knows he has her back.

Which is a good thing, because when the dust settles Lafitte’s Barataria estate in undead Old Orleans may be the only safe place for DJ to retreat to. With the fires of all her burnt bridges blazing behind her.

Escape Rating A-: As much as I loved this one, I will say that the politics are starting to get extremely convoluted. I hope that book 5 comes with a guide or cheat sheet or dramatis personae, complete with affiliations. Or a summary in the prologue.

DJ is the center of the story. It’s not just that she is telling it in the first person, but also that all the action revolves around her. She has ties to every group, some friendly, some not at all, but she connects in some way to every faction. Except that fae, and it looks like that connection is forming at the end of the story. Also the fae are Jean Lafitte’s business partners (nearly everyone is) and DJ is certainly connected to Lafitte. The question that lies between them concerns the nature of that connection.

In the story, every faction is gearing for war. They are also, for the most part, individually self-destructing as the status quo falls to pieces. A significant chunk of the conflict causes collateral damage among the human population that is supposed to remain ignorant of their collective existence.

With the Winter Prince of the Fae bringing an unnatural Arctic winter to New Orleans, that can’t possibly last.

A significant chunk of the stated conflict, as opposed to the underground one, revolves around DJ’s best friend Eugenie, who also represents that human collateral damage. Because all the factions have an agenda for the baby that Eugenie is carrying as a result of the Elven leader Quince Randolph’s pursuit of DJ by way of her best friend. Eugenie is now caught in the middle, and DJ is right there with her, both trying to get the preternaturals to stop arguing about Eugenie and the baby as though they were mere bargaining chips and not people, and to protect Eugenie from all the preternaturals who plan to imprison Eugenie supposedly for her own safety. Or theirs. DJ wants to do right by her friend, which means doing what a whole lot of other people consider wrong.

Which is where DJ’s love life, or sometimes lack of it, comes in. DJ and Alex Warin are attempting to have some kind of relationship. But for the ultra order conscious Alex, DJ the chaos magnet is often more than he can handle. He always finds himself caught between helping DJ and keeping to the straight and narrow that he prefers. And DJ finds herself making excuses and pretending to be someone other than she is in order to keep the relationship going.

She does not know what she feels for Lafitte. But she trusts him. Not to always do what DJ believes is the right thing, but to always be honest about whatever scheming he is doing. And he always has her back – he’s already died once to prove that to her. But most important of all, Lafitte likes and respects and enjoys her company for who she really is, and not someone she pretends to be.

So in the midst of all the chaos, DJ is stuck in her own personal quandary, with no end in sight for either conflict. It’s a perfect set up for book 5. Which can’t come soon enough for me.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love me some Jean Lafitte so I enjoyed the fact that he had a huge role in PIRATE'S ALLEY. We also see a lot of Alex, Rand and Eugenia.

Some things that happened in PIRATE'S ALLEY. There has always been danger in the past books, book four brought the danger even closer and more personal to DJ's life. She has a lot to work through and I enjoyed following her as she solved the latest mystery. Eugenia becomes more involved in the world of paranormal when she finds out she's expecting. Rand proved himself just as shady and jerkish as we all thought he was. Alex's loyalties are tested to the max and he has a hard time trying to figure out where his loyalties should lie. DJ was able to work out a lot in regards to her feelings about Alex as well as how she feels about Jean Lafitte. I was pretty happy with the way things played out and how she came to the conclusion about the one she wanted.

There were a few spots throughout the story that I felt were a bit slow, but the ending made up for all of that. I am DYING to get my hands on book 5. I NEED to know what is going to happen next. PIRATE'S ALLEY was one of my favorite Sentinels of New Orleans installments.

* This book was provided free of charge from Bewitching Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tiny bit heavy with political maneuvering, but pretty terrific overall. I really like how confident DJ is slowly becoming in her skills and with her decision making. It isn't so much that she's growing up, as in some UF series, she's always come across as a mature and pretty level-headed young woman. Maybe surviving Katrina is part of that. But she's learning to value what she can do more and to see that it's more significant that what some others can offer. Not everyone has the same skills, much less the abilities to design creatively solutions or think quickly in a crisis. She saw in this book that even the most senior wizard may not have the skills that she has, maybe all he has are good political skills. Maybe could use some of those herself, considering all of the trouble she keeps getting into. And we've come full circle. I continue to really enjoy the series with it's complex characters and it's great use of the city of New Orleans.

[Eva Millien · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new threat is looming, war could be brewing, and every relationship that DJ Jaco holds dear will be tested as she is forced to make a stand in this spellbinding Sentinels of New Orleans story. I really have to envy DJ, I mean how does she manage to stay sane and relatively calm although I do believe eventually she’s going to explode and New Orleans better look out and I must confess that I am in love with Jean Lafitte, he’s such a sexy pirate and I just love how he manages to make things go his way. I was totally spellbound by this story and that ending was super exciting but, OMG I really need to know what happens next… I need the next book soon – like now would be good!

“Copyright Night Owl Reviews”©

4 ½ STARS

See my full review at:
https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

**I received this book for free from Bewitching Book Tours/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5

*My Thoughts*

Pirate's Alley is the fourth installment in the Sentinels of New Orleans series by Suzanne Johnson. This time out, Johnson digs into the Interspecies Council, and the other powerful preternaturals like the Fairies who make up the council. Pirate's Alley is a story filled with treachery, twisted politics, and a major change in DJ's role that leaves her future hanging in the balance.

*Full Review Posting @ Gizmos Reviews 05/01/2015* Blog Tour Giveaway as well

Published: April 21st 2015 by Tor Books

[Bart · Rating 4 out of 5]

8 out of 10 > 4 stars - Another very good installment in this series.

I loved the politics play. I believe Lennox and the Fae will play an important role in the next novel. I hope we don't have to wait to long for the fifth book.

[E.J. Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah! That ending. Need the next book NOW.

[Christal · Rating 4 out of 5]

See this review and others like it at Badass Book Reviews!

Oh, that Suzanne Johnson; she's a sly one. By about one-third to halfway through Pirate's Alley, I thought this installment might be in a little bit of a bridge book slump. There was a lot of talking and political maneuvering, but not much action and development. Dare I say I was a little bored? That's when Suzanne got me... "You want action and adventure? A complete upheaval of DJ's world? Well, here you go; take it all!" I'm sorry I doubted, but at least I can pass the message on to you guys that you just have to stick with this one to get to the good stuff. I promise!

Pirate's Alley picks up a few weeks after the previous book, Elysian Fields , so you definitely need to read these in order to understand everything. There's enough refresher recap for current readers, but I think new readers would be overwhelmed jumping in with this installment. We find DJ in recovery mode (the last book put her through the ringer!), but she doesn't have a lot of downtime because she has to testify about her experiences to the supernatural Interspecies Council. This is the first taste of the betrayal and political backstabbing that runs rampant throughout the book. Everyone seems to have their own play and intentions for the prete world and they will stop at nothing to get what they want. At first, I was a little worried that DJ would charge head first into everything, but she has really grown in these past few books and she showed here that she can throw around the doublespeak and plot with the best of them.

Jean Lafitte had a much larger role in Pirate's Alley and I just love that wily rascal. He and DJ have some pretty deep discussions about what they mean to each other and the nature of their relationship and it was nice to see a male and female pair discuss their situation rationally. Eugenie also has a huge role in this book and she has one whopper of a surprise! I'm very interested to see how her story plays out and I'm intrigued by the interest the fae prince Christof is showing her. Jake and Renee also make appearances here and their presence is always appreciated. We can't forget about Rand, DJ's husband of convenience, either. He drives me bonkers with the way he can go from a pretty decent guy to total douche canoe in 5 seconds and that trait was on full display here. I really want to like Rand, but he just makes it so hard! He can show that he has a sensitive and caring heart in one scene that makes me (and DJ) want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but then he goes and ruins it in the next by being narcissistic, selfish, and just an all-around terrible elf.

DJ and Alex have to face some hard truths about their relationship in Pirate's Alley. I found myself waffling between wanting them to break up because of their fundamental differences and wanting Alex to just get over himself and make a sweeping, grand gesture towards DJ to prove he loves her above everything else. I was happy with the way everything worked out, for now, but I think they still have some important conversations to tackle in the upcoming books. Alex is very much a black-and-white kind of guy while DJ lives her life in shades of gray. I feel like she has been doing most of the bending for the relationship and now it's Alex's turn to put his money where his mouth is. I really do like the two of them together, but I think that the success of their relationship is going to depend on Alex and how much he can trust and believe in DJ, especially where prete politics and his duty to the Council comes into play.

Though it took me a little while to really become immersed in Pirate's Alley, I think it is a solid entry in the series and it really did tear down everything we've come to know and expect. I'm super excited to see where Suzanne takes DJ in the next book and to see what DJ does now that she knows who she can really trust. The cliffhanger of this book is the total chaos we leave New Orleans in, but I trust that Suzanne has a plan to bring everything back around. Right now, things seem pretty dismal for DJ and Co., but I can't wait to see them get to work in the next book!

Thank you to Tor Books for providing a print copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

DJ's life is full of the good and the bad. For example: bad--last month she was bitten by a loup-garou; good--she was kept from changing by elf magic; bad--that meant a blood bond with the most annoying elf in existence; good--she was able to keep her friend Jake from getting in trouble. Bad--at the opening of PIRATE'S ALLY she's still injured and homeless as a result of the events in ELYSIAN FIELDS (EBR review). Good--she's living at her best friend Eugenie's place, Alex is still her boyfriend, and she's been able to avoid Rand for the most part.

But DJ knows that any of that can change in a heartbeat. Like when she discovers that Eugenie is pregnant with Rand's child. But it turns out that's not all she has to worry about.

Here we are in book four, and the momentum does not slow down. The story starts straight out of the gate and if you aren't familiar with the series, starting here will be disorienting. You'd mostly be able to follow events, but the impact of character behavior won't be what it should.

These are the characters we've come to love and loathe across the series. We get to know the oldies better, and there are a few new ones (yep it's a surprise). We watch as DJ grapples with the conflict between her sentinel responsibilities and loyalty to her friends. Particularly interesting to watch is the evolving relationship between her and Alex, how they deal with her bond with Rand, her friendship with Jean, and their differing views of how to deal with those in authority. I like how Johnson is willing to face it and that DJ is honest with herself as she struggles to figure out what she really wants in a relationship.

Despite the story jumping in with two feet from the beginning, the action level isn't as high-pitched as in previous books. Here the Council is dealing with the fallout from ELYSIAN FIELDS, handing out punishments, and attempting to establish a new treaty with the extant magical species (elves, faery, shapechangers, historical undead, vampires) so everybody can live in peace. Naturally everything blows up in the first meeting and DJ runs around trying to keep everything from falling apart and the news of Eugenie's pregnancy from the Elders who would try to control her friend's life. Council authority shifts around as a result, Elders trying to assert control in unfair ways, shifting alliances between magical communities, learning who can be believed and who can't. It's all a big political mess, and that means not as much action violence. Alas. Still, that doesn't mean the pace isn't as hectic as DJ runs around like a chicken with no head. Not that DJ isn't clever and resourceful, and perfectly capable of surviving even the most dire of circumstances.

As in previous books, the New Orleans setting comes alive, as it struggles with a magical winter. We get to see DJ work her magic in old and new ways as she works around her limitations. The magic in this series between the different species shows little by little how they're different and what they can--and cannot--do.

My favorite part of all the books is Johnson's narrative style and voice. It's told from DJ's first person PoV. Her observations are hilarious, descriptions are delightful, and her inner dialogue keeps me begging for more. PIRATE'S ALLEY is a great addition to the series.

Recommended Age: 16+
Language: Less than a handful
Violence: Scattered, but not gory
Sex: Referenced and a short scene

***Find this and other reviews at ElitistBookReviews.com***

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love urban fantasies and haven't read this series yet, you should!

Alex leaned over and treated me to a Rhett Butler kiss, slow and deep but not too sweet. He once told Scarlett something to the effect of how badly she needed kissing, and by someone who knew what he was doing. Alex knew what he was doing. By the time he finished proving it, I was breathless. I rested my head on his shoulder, basking in his warmth and filling my lungs with his scent. "What was that for?"
"That was to show you how glad I am that we got out of that mess in one piece and that we're here together." He extracted his arm from around my shoulders and sat back. "Now let's talk about your crazy stunt."
Damn it, Rhett did that, too. He'd kiss Scarlett silly, then lecture her.

PIRATE'S ALLEY by Suzanne Johnson is an excellent addition to her Sentinels of New Orleans series. I want to shout from the rooftops: I love Suzanne's Sentinels Of New Orleans series! It's a fresh, innovative, and addicting urban fantasy with wonderful characters and a well-paced, action-packed plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat. LOL! It kept me up until three AM two nights in a row! It includes a snippet of romance - just enough to make you want more.

I actually started this series out of order with book three and then immediately went back and inhaled the first and second book. I would not recommend jumping into the series with this book; You really need to have at least read book three. To enhance your enjoyment, I would recommend that you read the series in order (they're all fantastic!):
1. Royal Street
2. River Road
3. Elysian Fields
4. Pirate's Alley

It has been amazing to watch our wizard sentinel heroine, DJ Jaco, mature in this series. She has certainly taken huge strides in that direction from the first book when she struggled so learning about her powers and how to relate to the preternaturals and the historical undead. She's also come into herself with relationships. I feel that she's much more comfortable in her own skin now and she's not afraid to stand her ground when she feels strongly about something or someone. In this book, she shows that she's become one tough cookie as she's gotten a lot smarter about politics, prete, wizard, and otherwise.
My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Check it out here: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...

4 1/2 Wine Glasses (marked down 1/2 because I abhor cliff hangers when the next book isn't already available!)

[Kathy Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fourth book in the Sentinels of New Orleans is the most action-packed yet and DJ has more than her hands full trying to keep those she loves safe. There is a power struggle going on win the new Counsel. The wizards and the elves have a tentative plan to be allies but the fae, the vampires, and the other groups are also all jockeying for power.

Unfortunately, the leader of the wizards who is supposed to be her boss is just as morally bankrupt as the leaders of the other factions. When he demands that she cause her friend Eugenie to lose her child because the child could cause political difficulties, DJ finds the line that she won't cross. But it leaves DJ in a difficult position because there is no one that she can trust completely.

The elf that she is bonded to - Quince Randolph - doesn't want anything to happen to his child but he doesn't care at all about Eugenie who is the child's mother. She can't trust her lover and fellow enforcer Alex because he is still living in a black and white world and holding to his promises to the wizard's for some stability.

The Pirate Jean Lafitte is a potential ally but he has his own agenda too. They do get a chance to clarify their relationship in this one which amounts to friendship. Lafitte is also maneuvering to form his own core of allies because he sees that a war is coming.

This story was filled with plotting and betrayals and all sorts of political maneuvering all taking place in a New Orleans that is being hit with winter weather like never before experienced. And DJ has developed a new issue since her bonding with Rand, when she gets cold enough, she goes into a state of hibernation. This is so not the time for her to be at anything but her best.

This was an engaging story with a cliffhanger ending. I want another book in this series now!

[PepperP0t · Rating 4 out of 5]

Events from the last outing come to fruition in this outing. DJ's still homeless and more fashionably challenged than ever but doesn't skip best friend mode when consequences of Eugenie's dalliance with Quince are undeniable; Alex is reverting to butt-holery with the car situation, Jean is off healing and plotting, Quince is crowing his union with DJ. Plus there's a little matter of a council meeting or a trial.

As the trial portion of the council meeting begins, there's a surprise waiting for DJ... besides Alex, Jean and Quince eyeing her as she belongs to each of them. The first elder throws blame on DJ for the failed assassination attempt on her life but DJ turns the tables and the meeting falls into mayhem, murder and interspecies posturing.

With vampyres, fairies, elves, witches and all other of manner of pretes not only loose in New Orleans, the species are not getting along well after the horrendous meeting, they're in a cold war. As the plots for DJ's assassination and two species planning a secret alliance, the council needs realignment, the men still think they can lay claim to DJ and the council assigns DJ to babysit Jean.

The humorous writing style and the fast pace kept this read moving and exciting as it tended several threads and adjusted characters to get their just desserts. The convoluted political power struggle held enough intrigue, back-stabbing, half-truths and manipulations to keep one up reading the whole thing at one sitting!
Rating:4.5stars

[Miki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited to find this new series. I really liked the characters, and was looking forward to a long run. This book - fourth in the series - has dampened my enthusiasm a bit. There was so much political maneuvering, in-fighting, out-fighting, just plain fighting, that it was hard to keep everything straight. Everyone had a hidden agenda - the fae, the elves, the vampires, the wizards, the pirates, the shifters...and DJ - good grief! She's in love with one man, attracted to another, and "married" to a third.

If it was possible, I'd have given it 2 1/2 stars, just based on all that. Thank goodness it picked up about halfway through, and I was able to finish it without further taxing my brain and my patience.

It's worth reading - it just takes more effort than usual.

[Paris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for this book and boy was it well worth the wait. I love this series. There are so many interesting aspects of the world that Suzanne Johnson has built. The characters are complex and interesting and I love going on this wild ride with them. I really want more right now, especially after how this book ended. There is so much intrigue and backstabbing and magic and other things happening in this series, there really is never a dull moment, even when DJ’s just sitting around talking to someone. That’s when the humor comes into play. I love how witty DJ is and I love the different banter she has with different characters.

This is definitely a must read series for me and I cannot wait for more.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Well, this world went crazier than after the levees broke! Holy cow. Really enjoying this series. Lots of prete politics motivating this one with poor DJ doing what she thinks is right. Not always what she wants to do, but she is trying to keep her morality. Anyway, loving the characters, lots of action, lots of surprises and fun historical dead to keep things entertaining.
Now what?! I am so excited for the next book.

[Anya · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Wow what a fun ride! The pacing was perfect though I feel bad for how sleep deprived DJ ends up. I felt so invested in the plot and the tension stemming from relationships and friendships being severely strained. There is a bit of a cliffhanger ending but I was satisfied and am now just dying for book five!

[Alex(Books-In-A-Storm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

So there was just some thing about this one that I didn't really like.
I skimmed this book half reading it half skipping pages. I finished reading it but I just didn't love it like the other books. I was kind of board reading it but it wasn't all bad.
It had some good part to it.
Bu I'm not in a rush to read the next book.

[Brittain *Needs a Nap and a Drink* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look for a review this coming week!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Debrac2014 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it!