Spirits Smirits

Demons Series #2

by K.B. Draper

Addison Jo (AJ) Mattox, ex-cop turned super-spirit-infused demon hunter; Ashlyn Parker, an on-leave park ranger and AJ’s current love nugget; and Danny Whitefang, the rightful heir of AJ’s hunter’s spirit, know one thing for sure: they’d take demons over diapers any day. Unfortunately, they’re battling both at the moment. Because that’s what happens when you’re on the run with a kid fated to be the bringer of the world’s death and destruction and his, we’ll go with dirty mud flap of a mother, the Queen of Hell, who is sending legions of demons to retrieve him.

Exhausted after weeks of running, hiding, and endless fighting, the merry band of demon-hunting misfits hit a wall. Literally. A dark, malevolent, surging wall of insurmountable evil fog that snatches Baby Apocalypse aka Apoc from his protectors and steals him through a nearby hellgate.

AJ always knew there was more than a 50/50 chance that she would end up in hell—60/40, if the ultimate ticket taker was paying attention to the details that one night in Tulsa after a two-for-one tequila special shared with a set of twin trapeze artists. But what she hadn’t considered and had absolutely not added to her bucket list was that she would visit ground evil zero while she was still alive and kicking (ass). But hey, what’s the worst that could happen …

Genres: Fantasy, LGBT, Lesbian, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 31, 2017

About the author

In 2008, K.B. Draper discovered a talent for storytelling after drinking a bottle of cheap wine at a Christmas party. One of her equally intoxicated friends said, “You are so freak’n *burp* funny. You should write a book.” The idea stuck and so did a cocktail napkin (in an inappropriate place) but that’s a totally different story. After that, K.B. Draper taught herself to write; which was challenging because she was a bad student and an even worse teacher -- but words started to make sentences, sentences made paragraphs and paragraphs eventually made a story, which came to be her first book, The U-Haul Diary.

The U-Haul Diary is a comedic, loose interpretation (okay, completely one-sided view) of the women she dated who moved in and out of her life (and house). Writing was cheaper than therapy so she continued to tell stories in her stylized rambling humor-- but her second book Close-Up is more of a modern day, will they-won’t they, oh no they didn’t, fantasy series, featuring Kanyon and Daylen, two heroines out to save the world from sin-infused articles and the supernatural bad guys. If you are looking for something a little darker then check out the Demons Series, book 1 Demons Shemons.

K.B. Draper is not a classically trained writer but she fakes it pretty okay and hopefully inspires a few chuckles along the way.

Reviews

[AnnMaree Of Oz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An installment to Demons Shemons and back with our wise-cracking AJ. Kindle Unlimited.

Set just a few weeks after the adventures in book 1, and we run fast paced and head on right into even more action! Apocalypse Baby is thriving, but tonnes of demons from hell are after him, on his Mommy Dearest's behalf - who just so happens to be Lucifer's wife. She has plans to set about usurping The Devil with her half angel-baby. But AJ, along with her lover Ashlyn and best friend and side-kick Danny, are not about to allow that to happen. Despite the constant threats and danger to themselves in protecting little Apoc.

They seek further information from Danny's grandfather and his tribe, discovering that they will have to take the fight to them. Into Hell itself!

It's thrilling, action-packed, and again our AJ never quite knows when to shut her motor-mouth, but you can't help but find her charming, too. Her and Ashlyn are sweet and hot together, committed and raw at times.

Throughout the journey we delve deeper into AJ's psyche and fears, but also her past. And also the mysticism surrounding her demon hunter gift and how it was bestowed plus some further history and backstory to satisfy.

An entertaining read and installment.

[K. Aten · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 - A** kicking with a side of snark, don't miss this!

AJ is the most annoying character that I still manage love. Because she seems to be two parts baddass babe and one part teenage boy, being in her head throughout this series is a comedy in and of itself. Her girlfriend, Ashlyn, is funny, sweet, and highly capable in her own right. And Danny Whitefang is more than a sidekick. He's a demon hunter without the benefit of a fancy hunter spirit inside, and he's the little brother than anyone would be glad to have. Draper does an excellent job keeping the action fast and the humor flowing. And believe me when I tell you that action and adventure is certainly at the forefront of this novel.

One thing that annoyed me a bit was the way the pre-Hell prep was drawn out. The constant delays and procrastination highlighted by AJ's constant childish humor was a little irritating and I yelled at my kindle to get on with it already! But within a few pages Draper dropped me right back into the action.

I don’t usually see a lot of solid action books with those speculative fiction elements that I so love. I needed a pick me up and some fairly mindless entertainment, and the fast pace of Drapers second Demon’s novel certainly delivered. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who likes action and adventure as well as urban fantasy/mythological inspired speculative fiction. Oh, and a boatload of sarcastic humor, let's not forget that.

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was ok. I mean I love the characters. I'd totally have a beer with AJ and Ash and Danni and the tribe. They're all super cool and like before AJ's snark and sass make it a pretty fun read. I just wouldn't have that beer with them in hell. Which is where we spend the majority of the book. Which is not really my thing, I think the setting for this just doesn't work for me. Hopefully book 3 will have everyone together instead of AJ going off solo.

[XR · Rating 5 out of 5]

EDIT 2021 : Changed the rating from 4 stars to 5 stars 'cause this is just so bloody good. AJ, Ashlynn, Danny, baby Apoc and Six... plus Grand, Nana, Michael and the rest of the tribe. I just want to be part of this awesome family.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

a witty sequel, well worth the time. the mc is snarky, self deprecating, just flat out hilarious. the running commentary is definitely chuckle inducing.

[Heather Henkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny story

I really enjoy these characters. I find the wild and crazy things that she says to be incredibly fascinating. I love the adventures that AJ gets into .

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

An fantastic sequel to Demons Shemons. I loved experiencing KB’s version of hell. She made me feel sorry for the queen of hell which by the end of the first book I thought would have been impossible. I want Six! I’m still deeply in love with AJ and her sarcastic, witty personality. Some of the things she comes up with kills me. I really hope to be reading a third book to the series soon.

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wise cracking demon hunter takes her show on the road to hell.

Spirits Smirits brings back favourite characters and storylines from Book One of The Demons Series. I really enjoyed reading the first book and the sequel is a hoot. AJ cranks out one liners like a comedian on crack. Her life fighting demons and saving innocents demands a heavy dose of humour in order to survive. She shares her overwhelming burdens with her lover Ashlyn, her partner Danny and her demon hunting spirit Norm. Now she's got Baby Apocalypse to protect from his less than ideal hell queen mother.

As hard as they all fight to keep Apoc, his hellish mommy drags him home. AJ's only chance to get him back is to take a trip "downtown" as she calls it. The plot concerns the risks and rewards of her nightmarish quest. The cute jibber jabber of AJ's dialogue tends to go a little over the top. The other characters act like the straight man in a comedic duo, but they all resist, complain or indulge her verbal antics. As her lover and an ex-Park Ranger, Ashlyn provides loving care and a steady influence. With their unwavering teamwork, Danny, Nana, Grand, Norm and the Elders give AJ their vital love, support and encouragement. Spirits Smirits is one hellova book and supernatural slugfest. I bet a third book will bring all the remaining plotpoints to their conclusion.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad sequel but I liked the first book better. The characters are still full of witty repartee and pop culture references. I really liked the first book. It was like Buffy met Deadpool. AJ is all sass and inappropriate, yet really funny, commentary. Danny, the unflappable brother from another mother, who somehow not only puts up with AJ's shenanigans but seems to thrive. And Ashlyn's, who has the uncanny ability to handle the major curve balls with grace and bada$$ness.

Sadly, this book spent the majority of the book with AJ off on her own adventure instead of with the Scooby Gang, which lost its appeal real fast. I like AJ, but I like her a lot more when she is interacting with Danny and/or Ashlyn. AJ's inner monologue can be really funny, but it can get a little too much. I found myself skimming through it and not really feeling like I was missing anything important. Which, given about half of the book was almost all AJ monologuing, I skimmed a fair number of pages.

All in all, it wasn't a bad sequel and I am still very much interested in the sequel, but I am unlikely to revisit this one. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the first book, you should definitely read the first one before checking this one out.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y'all, this one started with a bang! My goodness we enter the story in the thick things, shit is hitting the fan (hihihi) and from there things only escalated. It wasn't even like going from 0 to 100, it was more 100 to 200 and back and up and back again. Damn! Got me dizzy (in a very good way) and they had me holding my breath for a loooong time.

I love AJ so much, I'm already dreading having to say good bye next; to say goodbye to everyone if I'm being honest, everyone is great, even the villains are awesome. And they all came back in all their glory and anyone who hasn't read the 1st book yet, go now!

Yo, I'm bad with filtering spoiler, so the next paragraph you may want to skip because it has some (light).


Finally, y'all I'm a sucker for some fictional women, even knowing she was the devil incarnated, I wanted the Queen to live hahaha, unlike Marybeth.
Okay, I wrote this right after the whole cocoon thing; the second time she really died I was actually glad with the outcome, hope she got her redemption.

[J H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one fun paranormal series!

SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO: out of your comfort zone, unusual job, not a romance, butch character

In Demons Shemons, we met AJ and the ensemble. This was a sequel, and I had at least as many LOL moments as I did with the first book. Draper writes a great plot, and even if the hilarity and romance were removed, it would have been a worthy paranormal read. I compared AJ to a combination of Deadpool and Wynnona Earp in the first book review, and it still stands for this story. There were many 80's and 90's pop culture references in her humor, and she even had a new pair of shotguns to name. (Yet another fun pop culture reference.)

I'm looking forward to the next fantastic sequel.

[Ginger Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great follow up

It is rare for a second book in a series to be as good as the first. This one is and also just as funny. Side splitting laughter funny. No big hang ups for these characters. Very little sentimental B.S., thanks you soooo much for that. A really good break from the norm, no pun intended. Same story different writer does not apply here, as it so look often does. Do authors not have original thoughts anymore? This one does and does it well. Not a stand alone book. Need to read the first one because this writer does not waste a lot of time on the backstory, again, thanks. Treat yourself and read this series. It will be well worth your time.

[Colleen Corgel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like the first book, AJ and the crew throw down some wisecracks and action as AJ is sent to hell to save a half demon baby. I so enjoyed this series, as it feels like an urban fantasy book as opposed to a romance with some fantasy elements in it. The romance between Ashlyn and AJ is sweet, however, which allows AJ's character room to grow. We don't see much of the crew as AJ is sent virtually alone into the Kingdom of Hell. Norm comes with her, and we get to experience the growth of their two spirits together.

I hope we get to explore more of the world that was built in the Demons books.

[Issy Waldrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable continuation of the series, with AJ and co having to look after Apoc while trying to deal with the Rayna trying to reclaim the child. Demons aplenty, and that's just the beginning of it.

Very much in the same style as the first book, and the dialogue and attitude of AJ very much hits the point. Lots of action and humor, and the plot deepening as more things become clear.

Note however, that AJ takes a trip to hell, and its portrayal is very descriptive. Things down there aren't fun, and the book hit a number of triggers for me, which spoiled it a bit for me. Not so much to stop me from reading the last book in the trilogy, though.

[Riana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally give books more than four stars.

I don't normally give books more than four stars, but this book is totally worth it. It's a nice mix of comedy, drama, and action with a sprinkle of heart string pulling.

K.B. Draper does a really good job of putting her characters through hell without making me feel like the characters lost a part of themselves in the process.

I definitely have put this book in the would read again category.

[Philomel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a good read

I was halfway thru the first book in this series when I purchased the second! Apparently, I have a thing for sacarstic, badass women (who are occasionally "occupied" by spirits!). I enjoyed the action as well as the character interactions and relationship development. I really hope this continues for another 10+ books!!

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny as hell

Loads of fun to read! Can someone please make this series a movie or an audio book for now with Hollie Jackson narrating?! Looking forward to the next book and every future books from K.B. Draper.

[Rachael Spooner · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much awesomeness

I'm in love with this series, the humour, the rambling, the characters are so much fun.
I could not put the book down.

[Marty Preslar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and fast paced

Like the first book, this one is full of great one liners, action packed fight scenes, quirky humor, and a plot that actually makes sense. It's awesome!

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this and Demons Shemons in one sitting it was so good I could not put it down at all. I love the main characters they are very likable. Thank you for sharing.

[Natalie C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow.