Queen of The Hill

Knight Games #3

by Genevieve Jack

It's good to be the queen!
Book 3 in the Knight Games series.

After saving her caretaker, Rick, from certain death, Grateful Knight is ready for their happily ever after. The date is set and wedding plans are in the works. But when the witch responsible for the candle that almost ended Rick's life shows up in Red Grove expecting payment, the price is more than Grateful can bear.

To make matters worse, Logan is barely speaking to her, and a murder at the Thames Theater leaves everyone reeling over the future of Julius’s vampire coven. She’s finally ready to walk down the aisle, but first Grateful must face the greatest challenge of her life.

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Witches, Ghosts, Vampires

302 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2014

About the author

USA Today bestselling and multi-award winning author Genevieve Jack writes wild, witty, and wicked-hot paranormal romance and fantasy. She believes there’s magic in every breath we take and probably something supernatural living in most dark basements. You can summon her with coffee, wine, and books, but she sticks around for dogs and chocolate. Her novels feature badass heroines, fiercely loyal heroes, and fantasy elements that will fill you with wonder. Learn more at www.genevievejack.com

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Reviews

[Kimmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first two books in this and this was no exception Grateful is back and could not be more in love with rick but Rick made a big mistake when he made a trade for the candle Tabatha is a witch too and Grateful's sister and she is power hungry and in trade for the candle she wants rick and that dose not go over well with Grateful she tries to bargain with her only to find out Tabitha has sunk her claws into Logan and now Grateful has to find some way to save them both plan a wedding get married and take on her sister as usual Grateful is strong and will not give up her mother told her she may have to let Logan die but she can not except that even though Logan is being mean to her she knows she has to save them all and the vampire coven is missing there leader and she has to take care of that to as if a wedding isn't stressful enough wat is she going to do to make sure she saves them all and quite likely the world to if you have not read the other books in this series get them it is truly a great read and recommend to any who love the paranormal and romance wrapped up in one truly great book

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I read the first 2 books in this series (Ghost and the Graveyard and Kick the Candle) awhile back and have anxiously been awaiting this book. Genevieve Jack doesn't fail in this next installment of Grateful's and Rick's journey together. The way she writes and the twists in her story take you were you never dream of. I was saddened when I finished the story, I wanted it to go and can't wait for the next one!

[Kim Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story. Lots of plot twists. Definitely kept me on my toes and on the edge of my seat. Looking forward to the next book of this story!

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two words come to mind when I finished this book (and the series) - book hangover. I cannot give enough praise to this series of books. When I first started reading The Ghost and the Graveyard (first installment in the series), I was a bit concerned as I thought the book moved way too fast for my liking. Luckily, as you dive into Genevieve's Knight Games Series you understand why!

This time Grateful Knight is planning her wedding with the love of her life, and her caretaker - Rick. Life is great; Grateful has the house of her dreams - which just so happens to be her throne - she has the love of her life back in her grasp, and things at work at going great. Nothing could go wrong as the events of their wedding begin to unfold into her happily ever after.

Unfortunately, things couldn't go more wrong when the Salem witch, Tabetha, arrives to collect her debt from Rick. Before Grateful had said yes to his marriage proposal, the caretaker had given up on ever being with Grateful again. Collecting a magic candle - that would turn him back into his mortal form - from the Salem witch seems to be more of an issue than they ever thought possible. Grateful's life takes a turn when the murder at Thames Theater leaves them all scratching their heads.

I don't want to spoil the ending - I may have said too much already! Be sure to check out the series starting with The Ghost in the Graveyard. You won't be disappointed with this outstanding author who takes an aspect of the Salem Witch Trials, and puts a clever paranormal adult romance twist on them!

[Sela (Skullinda) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat: 🌶🌶

The story continues from book 2 and this time Grateful is faced with battling a new witch that has her eye on Rick. Gah, that woman has some tricks up her sleeve, but it was interesting to see how Grateful dealt with the situation at hand. I love how this story consumes you to the point of breaking and then the author easily puts the last pieces of the puzzle in place. Each book has faced an unbelievable battle that’s only preparing you for the war that’s coming.

I love the thrill and the action built into this story! Genevieve Jack is easily becoming one of my new favorite authors. I listened and read along to a paperback copy. Brittany Pressley’s voice will easily capture your attention. Her performance made this story so much more compelling that I didn’t even take a break from listening to this audiobook.

[Cathy Olliffe-Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better and better. Author Genevieve Jack had me hooked with the first two books in the series (Ghost in the Graveyard and Kick the Candle) but she really seems to be hitting her stride with Queen of the Hill. Characters are richer and even more well-rounded, the action is more intense and the plotting is full of surprises. I burned through this novel in an afternoon, in a fever of "can't-wait-to-see-what-happens-next." I don't think I've ever said this about any other series, but I can't wait to see what happens next. And also? This would make a phenomenal movie, Hollywood. Grateful Knight is a character who will sell a lot of popcorn.
Highly recommend this novel and the entire series.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. Not the outcome I had anticipated. But that isn't a criticism. The nature of her relationships with all of the main men in her life has changed. One, who has already harmed her, can enter her sanctuary, another an uncomfortable yet necessary ally (who's political interest may have turned courtly). And one changed in such a way that makes her frighteningly vulnerable by possibly changing everything. Even her father has his eyes opened.

The next book is sure to be a doozy.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book, in love with the series!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love. I need more! Love this series. Love the writing. Love the characters. Please HURRY with book 4!!

[Marion Over · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about supernatural bad luck...... happy endings and not happy endings all in one. Bad vampires, good vampires. Bad witches and good witches. There's just about everything in this book. Did I mention suspense? I wish I had a Poe.

[Tasha Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queen of The Hill is nightmare inducing. Things are not going to plan in Grateful's world, the supernatural world continues to be a dark and disturbing place. The maker of the candle is demanding payment and she is definitely no good witch! This was a great read and I could not put it down. Everything is up in the air. Rick, Logan, the supernatural community at large. Seriously, you wouldn't want to be a character in this book!
This is not a series that you can pick up part way through, though it is well worth reading, listening to. (the Audiobooks are really well narrated.) If you are new to the series then go back to The Ghost In The Graveyard and be careful what you eat!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can there ever be enough of Grateful (and Rick)?! I love this series, and the latest installment keeps up the momentum. Can't wait until Mother May I (fingers crossed for a "happily ever after" for Grateful and Rick)

[Laura Monson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story in the series. Can't wait till the next one..

Another great story in the series. Can't wait till the next one..

Love the story line. they continue with the story of the people. great read. glad to see she has a vamp to back her up.

[Lee Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not my normal genre but I really enjoy this series. Hoping for a 4th bk.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series, but could do without the sex. I skip all those scenes.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn...I want book 4!

[Angela Strozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Awesome

Another hit! I am looking forward to the next chapter in Grateful's life. Hopefully it will out soon. I can't wait!

[Christina Massengill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reese book

This book is awesome. Anyone who lives supernatural books will love this one. Can't wait until the fourth book comes out.

[Cari Rhoades · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has certainly settled in to the world she has created, there is more certainty about locations and the characters interact in far more realistic ways. This made it easier for me to subsume myself in this fantasy world and really enjoy the story. Yes, there are still some things that bother me about the writing and the scenarios but I have found that they are becoming fewer as time passes and the series continues.

Grateful is certainly responding well to her new situation live and is now beginning to accept the responsibility for the town on to her shoulders. This is never more clearly demonstrated than when she "interferes" with the choice of leader for the Vampire Coven, I particularly enjoyed the way she argued with herself about the rights and wrongs of doing so, really brought the character to life in ways that she hasn't in previous books. The downside to it all was that the truth of what happened was pretty obvious from Grateful's first visit to her sister's house (remind anyone else of Grimm's fairytales?)

I have to admit I raced through this book and was intrigued to find out what happened next. Even if I find Grateful's relationship with Rick extremely uncomfortable - the co-dependent nature of it makes me feel that it is neither of their choices and that without the magical element of their want their would be no relationship. Not that she would be any better off with Logan.

The character of Poe definitely brings some much needed light relief. He is one raven with attitude and his snarky comments really break the tension in a way that does not detract from the story. In all honesty, the bits incorporating him in to the story are some of the best bits of the book.

This is a good solid, fantasy read with a magical system that is clearly explained and allows each magical character to have their strengths and weaknesses. Because of this any challenge that comes up has multiple solutions and you can never be sure which way Grateful is going to go - although she does seem to favour the violent Nightshade led approach.

[Emily Maynard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better and better.


After almost losing Rick forever in Kick the Candle Grateful is happily planning their wedding. Things are finally starting to fall together for her: her and Rick are committed to each other, she is in no more danger of losing her home, she has the help of her new familiar, and she is starting to get the hang of this whole witch thing. Naturally, that’s about the time that the bottom should fall out, right?


Julius, the leader of the local vampire coven, goes missing, leaving nothing behind but the mutilated body of a woman he used for a regular feed . Bathory, her big bad from the last book hasn’t shown her face lately either. When Grateful goes to investigate she finds nothing but more questions instead of the answers she was hoping for. A standout moment for me was the encounter she had with the murdered girl later in the book; she sees her entire life, and releases her soul on, but the whole encounter was very well written. Julius missing poses more problems than you would think; if he does not return quickly then the vampires will choose a new leader for their coven. There are some within the group that were Bathory’s flunkies and them coming into power would prove even more troublesome for Grateful and Rick. Gary, Grateful’s ex, and now a vampire, is her inside man in the coven, and has no love whatsoever for either Bathory or her supporters. Grateful is determined to do what she can to help Gary fight his way to the top, for her sake and his. I really despised Gary at the beginning of this series, but I find in this book that he’s starting to grow on me.


That’s not all of the trouble Grateful is facing - Tabetha, the Queen of Salem shows up on her doorstep demanding payment for the candle that she created for Rick in the last book. In a moment of overblown man-drama Rick went to Tabetha searching for a way to release the bond between him and Grateful. Tabetha created a candle that was engineered to turn Rick back into his human self. He promised himself to her as payment, being sure that he would die in the process. He came very close to it, but Grateful realized what he meant to her and agreed to marry him, which broke the spell.


That was all well and good, until Tabetha showed up to collect. She says she is owed blood, and she wants Rick for her own, and nothing else will do. That completely enrages Grateful, understandably. I would be violent myself, if some chick showed up saying she was taking my man. Tabetha is powerful, older, and more experienced than Grateful. She has the benefit of being immortal, having no caretaker of her own. Most witches wouldn’t sacrifice their immortality for the benefit of having one. Tabetha has already taken over a nearby territory from another witch who “mysteriously” disappeared. So she has her own powers plus those she absorbed when she took on the new territory. All together she is someone not to be messed with if you can help it. Grateful doesn’t have much of a choice here though. Tabetha gives her only so long to satisfy her “debt” to her and agrees to meet with her later to hash out a price.


That’s not all - Grateful hid her spell book, The Book of Light, at Logan’s apartment in the second book, for safekeeping. Logan has a thing for Grateful, but she shut him down in the last book, both to his face and by agreeing to marry Rick. He’s got his panties in a wad about it, and is acting out - not wanting to answer her calls, to never being home for her to come get her book. When she finally puts her foot down and comes to get it she finds Logan distant and cold to her, and protective spells that she placed around her book have been tampered with. Also Logan has a new girlfriend whom he won’t elaborate on. She feels any connection she had with him slipping away, which saddens her. She has a meeting with Tabetha to hash out the deets of her “debt” and finds out who Logan’s new girlfriend is - it’s Tabetha, and she intends to use her fondness of Logan to force Grateful to give her what she really wants - her territory. Her territory, or Logan dies.


Hecate - the real one, the mother goddess - appears to Grateful in a dream, and tells her that she has to defeat Tabetha. Tabetha is stuffed with power that is not her own, and not meant to be hers -adding Grateful’s territory would give her power over air and earth, when she already has power over wood (her own natural element) and metal (inherited from Polina, the witch whose territory she took over). Hecate gives Grateful permission to kill her. She doesn’t tell her how, however, which frustrates Grateful to no end.


Meanwhile, back in the city, vampire attacks are on the rise, as Julien has not returned and the contest to determine the new leader hasn’t happened yet. Grateful winds up convincing Gary to fight for the leadership position, although his opponent, Kace, is bigger, older and exponentially meaner than him. Grateful’s dad is also attacked by a vampire, and winds up in her hospital, dropped off there by Gary, who found him afterwards. Grateful loads Gary up with protective spells and the next night is the battle for the leadership of the coven. Tabetha shows up too, and is helping Kace. The battle between the vampires turns into more of a battle between the two witches. From then on, this book only gets more intense. Rick and Grateful’s wedding day is approaching quickly, which is also the date that Tabetha set for her payment. Her dad awakens from his coma, and knows what attacked him. Turns out that Tabetha was in on that too.


Grateful winds up telling him about her being a witch, and assures him that the vampires are under control for now. She devises a plan to keep Logan safe, and before she knows it her wedding day is here. The day is beautiful, everything is perfect…...until. Rick drops a bomb on her, right there in the church. He says he can’t do this, he needs time, he has to prove to himself that she doesn’t own him. O.O!!!


And I’m not going to spoil the best part of the book. It was frigging awesome. Epic. Phenomenal Buffy would have been proud. Like I said, this series just gets better and better with every book. I’m actually wondering if the next book will have to have a new rating system made up for it - because surely it will be a six star event. This books ends on a...well, not a cliffhanger, but there are definitely consequences that will have to be dealt with in the next installment. The next book is called Mother May I, and it is supposed to be coming out sometime in March 2015. Ugh, I don’t know if I can wait!!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Tear-jerker alert

This is more emotional - complete with sadness invoking tears. Grateful finally consents to marriage but planning the wedding, stress over Rick's blood agreement with Salem's witch Tabetha Van Buren, concern over saving friend Logan from witch baddie Tabetha, and worrying over missing King Julius of the vampire free coven has Grateful busy. So much is going on that more you read the more involved you become with Grateful's troubles. Toward the end many I mean MANY unsolved questions and mysteries are answered or resolved. However where one problem is fixed another rises up. Determined to reclaim her mate (her caretaker) Grateful sets out to met out justice. However she needs a miracle to pull him back to her. It's heartbreaking. So onto book 4 to see how Grateful will win back her man.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

i stumbled upon this series by accident. i think the first book was free on amazon. i'm so glad i did. i was hooked by the second page, which is rare for me. Grateful, asides from being a witch, is a relatable character. shes insecure, doubts herself too much, and is always afraid of something going wrong. i enjoy reading that, it makes her real. this book was just another amazing addition to a great series. it felt like we were growing along with Grateful. shes an amazing character to read and i cant wait to read the next one. i only wish Michelle was in it more. shes a great friend and doesn't get enough time.

[Livey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just gets better and Better

Yes, this series has improved. Grateful is preparing for the wedding and still has some cleanup to do from the fallout with the vampires. Now she has situations that need repair, Michelle, Logan and Grateful are still tiptoeing around love and happiness. Suddenly Silas is back because a murder has occurred, he needs Grateful’s help. This murder has the vampires at the forefront but another supernatural shows up and she is a witch. I especially like how she digitized the book of light.

[Lynnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everytime I think she is done for, another surprise comes around the corner along with another blow. This next issue, I can see, will help her grow, but at what cost? I know that power can ruin everything and everyone, but it is especially damning when it is you family to do so, no matter how estranged or deranged. Cannot wait for the fourth book.

[Brandy Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprised

This book was a surprising. Grateful has her hands full with the wedding. Things seem to be always on her way. She can't get far without trouble finding her. I think she has more to learn and look forward to reading how she fixes her new problems in the next book.

[Vickie]

Wow

I love Genevieve Jack' s stories. My intro was the "Treasure of Paragon" Enjoyed that series and I was sad when it stopped. I wasn't sure when I started the "Knight Games series. But yes this series has been just as good. Happy reading

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this was a really good installment of the series. I enjoyed it! And I'm in love with Rick. (sigh)

[Dorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting series so far! I’m really looking forward to starting the next book!
The characters are very interesting and I feel like I know them!

[Christine Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good addition to the series