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Lia de Croissets #0.3
Skin Deep
A war mage in Las Vegas stumbles across an ominous magical ward that appears as a dragon on her skin--and has a mind of its own, in this paranormal tale from the New York Times bestselling author of the Cassie Palmer novels.
Lia de Croissets's mother is a werewolf--but Lia can't shift. Caught between the Human and the Were worlds, she has found a place for herself as a war mage, working to help solve magical crimes. But when her Were lover goes missing, Lia learns Weres are being killed for their skins. Now Lia and her magical, unpredictable dragon tattoo may be the only hope of finding him alive.
Skin Deep originally appeared in the anthology Inked.
Lia de Croissets's mother is a werewolf--but Lia can't shift. Caught between the Human and the Were worlds, she has found a place for herself as a war mage, working to help solve magical crimes. But when her Were lover goes missing, Lia learns Weres are being killed for their skins. Now Lia and her magical, unpredictable dragon tattoo may be the only hope of finding him alive.
Skin Deep originally appeared in the anthology Inked.
139 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 18, 2019
206 people are currently reading
697 people want to read
About the author
Karen Chance
62 books5,247 followersKaren Chance is the author of two New York Times bestselling series, plus a number of novellas and short stories, all set in the Cassandra Palmer universe. A full-time writer since 2008, she was previously a university history teacher, which comes in handy when writing the time-travel aspect of Cassie’s crazy adventures. She loves Las Vegas, the main setting for her novels, but currently lives in Florida near her family home. Visit her website or connect with her on Facebook here.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 19, 2019
Just as good the 2nd time! I love Lia and Cyrus! Jamie and Caleb are a hoot with that tat!
March 1, 2024
Historia muy interesante, aunque me descolocó no poco (sobre todo al principio) el que no conocía ni a Cristo.
Tuve que comprobar que en efecto era un libro de esta saga.
Interesantes personajes fueron presentados aquí, sobre todo la narradora, de una especie de la que hasta ahora apenas hablaron más que por encima, ni en esta serie, ni en su crossover. Supongo yo que tras semejante presentación, eso cambiará a partir de ahora. Autores en GL Bis
Tuve que comprobar que en efecto era un libro de esta saga.
Interesantes personajes fueron presentados aquí, sobre todo la narradora, de una especie de la que hasta ahora apenas hablaron más que por encima, ni en esta serie, ni en su crossover. Supongo yo que tras semejante presentación, eso cambiará a partir de ahora. Autores en GL Bis
October 8, 2019
Re-purchased. It's only $3 and this way I will (hopefull if the other 2 short stories are also split from their anthologies -- I can stick them in collection and not frantically try to recall which anthology I need to go to next.)
I like the heroine & pov.
I like the heroine & pov.
July 20, 2019
I love this author and love the entire world that surrounds this novella. I can't recall being introduced to the main characters of this story before, though it's been a while since the last book came out. They might have had small roles and I just forgot. I do love these new characters though. I would totally read a spin off series with them in it.
Lia's a war mage who's half werewolf, but can't shift. She's recovering from injuries right now, assigned to headquarters. Cyrus is her born-werewolf boyfriend. His brother is the head of all the werewolves, and he got the job partly by Cyrus and he staging a ruse that made Cyrus outcast, at least until the war is over. So Cyrus now spies on the outcasts for his brother. And Lia has been adopted by the brother's pack to protect her. There's a whole bunch of great flashback backstory for her character that could have been an entire novel. I wish it had been - it was intriguing and some of the scenes were hot.
In this story, Cyrus has disappeared, and four werewolves have been skinned alive by a hunter (for the magical properties of their pelts.) Cyrus seems to have been captured by the hunter, and Lia, as his mate, has a mystical bond that can lead her to him. Unfortunately, he's being held in the magical underworld, which is literally below the sewer system of Las Vegas in a pocket dimension. It's really sketchy, and the tunnels change directions all the time, so it's very hard to navigate. But Lia goes after him, injury or no injury.
The slapstick parts of the action are more violent than comical in this story, but they are still there. It's a pretty high-stakes story all around. Great character chemistry. Loved It.
Lia's a war mage who's half werewolf, but can't shift. She's recovering from injuries right now, assigned to headquarters. Cyrus is her born-werewolf boyfriend. His brother is the head of all the werewolves, and he got the job partly by Cyrus and he staging a ruse that made Cyrus outcast, at least until the war is over. So Cyrus now spies on the outcasts for his brother. And Lia has been adopted by the brother's pack to protect her. There's a whole bunch of great flashback backstory for her character that could have been an entire novel. I wish it had been - it was intriguing and some of the scenes were hot.
In this story, Cyrus has disappeared, and four werewolves have been skinned alive by a hunter (for the magical properties of their pelts.) Cyrus seems to have been captured by the hunter, and Lia, as his mate, has a mystical bond that can lead her to him. Unfortunately, he's being held in the magical underworld, which is literally below the sewer system of Las Vegas in a pocket dimension. It's really sketchy, and the tunnels change directions all the time, so it's very hard to navigate. But Lia goes after him, injury or no injury.
The slapstick parts of the action are more violent than comical in this story, but they are still there. It's a pretty high-stakes story all around. Great character chemistry. Loved It.
September 24, 2019
More mages babby! When will we get more of Lia (and on a sort of separate note, werewolves in general?!)? Haha I feel like a world-building junkie when it comes to Karen Chance. Add more, add more! Not enough, even More!
Read
July 19, 2019read in Inked
June 3, 2019
A fun magical tattoo story from another character in the Cassanda Palmer world. Lia only has a couple stories, unlike the main novel series that follows Cassandra Palmer and Dorina Basarab, but she too is a kick ass hero with sassy dialogue and a perseverence to her duties that deserves a medal.
July 27, 2019
Karen Chance is one of my favorite authors and she does not disappoint with her Lia de Croissets stories. They are set in the same world as her Cassie Palmer and Dorina Basarab series but they don’t intersect the timeline just yet.
One of the reasons I love the Lia stories is we get a look at this world from a different perspective. Cassie and Dory are dealing with the big dogs, the ruling bodies: the Circle and the Senate. But Lia is dealing with the people who have been cast out or are on the run from those ruling bodies. It’s an underground scene, quite literally. We get to see how the Circle/Senate’s laws affect the common magic user. And we get some interaction with the Weres of this world which is great since they have very little screen time in the Cassie/Dory books. Plus Lia just kicks ass! Highly recommend; an excellent addition to the Chanceverse.
One of the reasons I love the Lia stories is we get a look at this world from a different perspective. Cassie and Dory are dealing with the big dogs, the ruling bodies: the Circle and the Senate. But Lia is dealing with the people who have been cast out or are on the run from those ruling bodies. It’s an underground scene, quite literally. We get to see how the Circle/Senate’s laws affect the common magic user. And we get some interaction with the Weres of this world which is great since they have very little screen time in the Cassie/Dory books. Plus Lia just kicks ass! Highly recommend; an excellent addition to the Chanceverse.
July 18, 2019
War Mage & Werewolf.
I first met Lia and Cyrus in Wolfsbane & Mistletoe, a Christmas themed anthology. It was a great story. This is their 3rd story. All of them are complicated stories, filled with action. I love the relationship between Lia and Cyrus. Ive reread the stories many times for their humor. You can find the 2nd story in another anthology called Strange Brew. I recommend all 3 stories. Would like to read more about Lia and Cyrus.
I first met Lia and Cyrus in Wolfsbane & Mistletoe, a Christmas themed anthology. It was a great story. This is their 3rd story. All of them are complicated stories, filled with action. I love the relationship between Lia and Cyrus. Ive reread the stories many times for their humor. You can find the 2nd story in another anthology called Strange Brew. I recommend all 3 stories. Would like to read more about Lia and Cyrus.
August 7, 2020
Lia's recovering with Caleb and Jamie from a recent skirmish (which to be honest there's a lot of in this series), when Cyrus, Lia's boyfriend and brother of the Were warlord goes missing. There's a hunter on the loose and Lia's Cyrus' best bet...
Lots of action, snarkiness, some steaminess and well. I had fun romping around with Lia. Also, I love the idea of the magical tattoos in this world.
Lots of action, snarkiness, some steaminess and well. I had fun romping around with Lia. Also, I love the idea of the magical tattoos in this world.
January 27, 2020
Wolfs and mages oh my
Another fantastic story from Karen. Bad azz women are the best. It was fun seeing other characters from the Cassie world. Full of lots of action, and can't put down reading.
Another fantastic story from Karen. Bad azz women are the best. It was fun seeing other characters from the Cassie world. Full of lots of action, and can't put down reading.
February 4, 2020
Nice short read. The mystery was interesting, set in a world that I was both familiar with and liked a lot. It was a great short addition to the overall Cassie/Dorina-verse. The magical mystery kept me on the edge of my seat and loved all the actions!
November 4, 2020
Another fun story in the world of Cassandra Palmer & Dorina Basarab. I'm happy to have another kickass woman to root for and totally support the author in the further adventures of Lia de Crossets.
Want to read
June 18, 2019(Included in “Inked” anthology)
July 22, 2019
Great little spin-off!
This is a great little spin-off set in the world of Cassie Palmer. Inventive story-telling, fun, unpredictable, creative and humorous.
This is a great little spin-off set in the world of Cassie Palmer. Inventive story-telling, fun, unpredictable, creative and humorous.
July 30, 2019
A great story, really enjoyed reading it. Great characters, and as per usual, plenty of action and adventure.
August 2, 2019
Magic and werewolves
Karen Chance's characters pull me under with the first sentence every time. Don't miss the opportunity to see what happens next!
Karen Chance's characters pull me under with the first sentence every time. Don't miss the opportunity to see what happens next!
August 21, 2019
Loves this book. Has not read the prior series but based on this book I think I will. Enjoyed it.
August 24, 2019
Nice short
Lots of action that this author is known for. Fast paced, great characters, and Magic everywhere. Mages, werewolves, crazy tats.
Lots of action that this author is known for. Fast paced, great characters, and Magic everywhere. Mages, werewolves, crazy tats.
September 10, 2019
Novella from the Cassie Palmer world.
September 22, 2019
Great Read
Had fun reading this book, it has ups and downs. The main character is Awesome, Fearless, Reckless and Spunky.
I enjoyed this.
Had fun reading this book, it has ups and downs. The main character is Awesome, Fearless, Reckless and Spunky.
I enjoyed this.
September 28, 2019
Great side story from the Cassie Palmer universe.
January 2, 2020
This book was ok but did not keep my attention like other Karen Chance stories have. Was not bad just didn't flow for me as well. Still love her work but will probably not continue this series.
January 13, 2020
Good book even if it was a short. Great characters. Hope we get more from them.
March 11, 2020
War mages and werewolves and a main character who has ties to both. Strong action scenes and a nice twist made for fun reading.
May 24, 2020
Love this world. Would have liked more info about it (ie. Were societal structure and expectations), but it as a nice addition.
December 23, 2021
Interesting story. Plenty of action to keep my interest. Not entirely sure how it ties into the Cassie Palmer series.
April 16, 2023
3.5 stars
January 20, 2025
My favourite author. Fantastic series and hasn't written a bad book yet! I love her world, her rich array of characters, kick ass heroines, and the delightful chaos that drives it all forward.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews