Shadow Reaper

Gatekeeper #1

by Ann Gimpel

The dead are restless, and a whole lot less cooperative than they have been. That was true even before I drew the short straw and ended up with Vampire duty.

Since then, Reaping has taken way more time. So much, I'm worried I'll lose all the clients from the career that actually feeds me. I run a small private pilot school. It pays most of the bills and means I don't have to keep regular hours.

Death wants me to remain in one piece. She's bailed me out often enough, she's all but ordered me to find other employment. I just smile and nod after our little talks, and then I climb back into a cockpit.

Our last toe-to-toe didn't go so well. She went and assigned Vampires to me. That's when Reaping turned into a million-hour-a-week job. I can almost hear the Reaper who was stuck with them before, laughing his head off.

I shepherd souls to the other side. Vampires have zero interest in leaving, but I have a quota to fill. Means I have to trick them, but it didn't work for long. They're onto me. Damn Death, anyway. She painted a target on my back, and now the Vamps are out for blood.

In more ways than one.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Elves, Vampires

332 pages, Paperback

Published November 12, 2019

About the author

Ann Gimpel is a USA Today bestselling fantasy and romance author. She's also a clinical psychologist with a Jungian bent. Avocations include mountaineering, skiing, wilderness photography and, of course, writing. A lifelong aficionado of the unusual, she began writing speculative fiction a few years ago. Since then her short fiction has appeared in a number of webzines and anthologies. Her longer books run the gamut from urban fantasy to paranormal romance. She’s published over 75 books to date, with several more contracted for 2019 and beyond.

Reviews

[Diana Gagliardi Gagliardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rainbow Bridge

Cost is a Reaper, as in Grim Reaper, but actually she just shepherds would through the gateway. Where they go from there is judged by someone else. She works for the goddess Death and has no choice. But death placed her in charge of dealing vampires who are already dead and don't want to leave earth. Now she has a target on her back because someone has shared magic with the vampires and they want Cait. When she meets Liam, a Sidhe, he teaches her she has magic of her own and a relationship evolves into love. But first they have to track down vampire Sidhe and fight magic haters.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable beginning

Shadow Reaper is a great start to the Gatekeeper series with plenty of action, romance and interesting characters. The bad guys are bad and powerful and there are lots of different magical abilities and beings. The writing flows well and I was completely immersed until the last page, an enjoyable book for 18+.

[Jennifer Swan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have high expectations when I read a book from Ann, and this was another winner! Modern AU with supernatural creatures, and Cait - our heroine - is a reaper. She works for Death and her recent assignment is no fun – reaping the vampires.

Well written, great plotting, interesting characters, excellent world-building. Cait is both stubborn and headstrong – can she succeed in her job? Twists and turns, loyalty and betrayal, maybe some romance? Looking forward to reading book 2.

[Susan Warr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read!

This author created a believable world with characters that pull you in. I was happy to see there is a sequel, and am looking for it now. Highly recommend this book!

[Lorrie (Clockworkbookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book one in a new series called Gatekeeper, a well written story that kept me turning pages. This is Cait’s story there is suspense, drama, her boss Death, Liam,adventure, twists, turns, and a few surprises along the way. I want to read the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leslie Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! If you have ever read books by this author, you already know that it will be worth reading. I never thought much about what it would be like to be a Reaper, but this book puts a spin on things. Cait has been a reaper for quite a long time and did enjoy it. Until she upset Death and gets assigned to reap vampires. Not that easy, they do not want to go. There are numerous Reapers, but only one for vampires. So now, instead of Cait looking for vampires to cross them over, vampires are looking for Cait to change her. It's getting worse by the day. Liam is Sidhe and their vampire problem is out of control. So he is sent to find Cait and bring her to help them. There are parts that made me laugh and more that made me cringe. Liam and Cait find they need all the help they can get. Not only are the vamps after Cait, they have learned to walk in the sun and enter without invitation. Cait learns from Liam that she is stronger than she ever knew and Death has been keeping secrets. This is a fantastic start to this new series. I requested an advanced reader copy and am under no obligation to leave this review.

[Suez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Gimpel has come up with what promises to be a brilliant action-packed series!! Once you start reading this paranormal story you will not be able to stop! The storyline, the characters, the drama, danger and suspense absolutely capture your attention and transports the reader into a world they’ll never forget ... magic, vampires, gods, reapers, sidhe and much more. This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy

[Jennifer Ehninger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great new series by Ann Gimpel. Cait is a reaper, she helps the dead crossover. Lately she's also been battling vampires. The Gatekeeper series is amazing. I was immediately drawn into a magical world. I'm anxiously waiting for the next book! A must read for anyone who loves paranormal romance. I voluntarily reviewed.

[Deb Barringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow Reaper is a great start to Ann Gimpel's new series, Gatekeeper. This is definitely a new twist from Ms. Gimpel's usual format. Who new reaping souls was a full-time job? And who knew you could reap a vampire? How do you reap something that's already dead? That's Cait's job, reaping vampires. Unfortunately, they are very unhappy about it and are out for blood, specifically Cait's. Enter Liam and his group of Sidhe magic, chasing their our breed of Sidhe vampire--also out to get Cait. Suddenly it becomes a free-for-all!

Shadow Reaper is fast-paced, filled with magic and mayhem, vampires, danger, intrigue, violence and budding romance. The characters are well-developed and endearing. Cait takes head-strong to the extreme but is otherwise enjoyable. I can't wait to see what book 2 brings!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a refreshing series and had my curiosity going. Once you start this one you soon get caught up into this world and the way things are. Cait has two jobs but the one that is the interesting one is how she gets her self on the bad side of Death. The funny thing I think is she is assigned to vampires whom in most books have eternal unless they encounter something that takes them out. So I also would say there is a bit of humor in this also. This will sneak up on you and take you captive you get so into this one. My interest was out the window with the direction this goes in. Really enjoyed this it is different than your most paranormal out there.

[Heather Bane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Shadow Reaper. This is book 1 in the Gatekeeper series. The storyline is well written and the characters are as well. I’m looking forward to reading the next book. I recommend reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cait enjoyed her job as a pilot and her side job Reaping or are those the other way around? That is until she upset Death and was assigned to the Vampires. Liam shows up needing help with a vampire problem. There is more than one type of vampires, and they are after her. I really enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to read the rest of this series!

[Susan Landowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Couldn’t put it down and am waiting with baited breath for the next book in this series. Characters are well written with in depth emotions and interactions that are dynamic and magical. Love that it is set in a world of the paranormal coming out to humans and the plot is entertaining , thought provoking and mysterious. Love this book and hope you buy it.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New and Exciting beginning to a new "Gatekeeper" series that will scoop you up from the beginning and will keep you on your toes with Vampires , a sexy Sidhe and a feisty Reaper whose assignment is to deal with the vampires. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. I'm looking forward to reading more. I read an Advanced copy with NO expectation of a review.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cait is a reaper and has somehow angered Death just enough to be assigned to reap vampires. Liam shows up in her office one day with a request for her to come help the Sidhe with their vampire problem.

This book was a rollicking adventure from start to finish. I can’t wait for the second in the series.

I received an ARC of this nook from the author for an honest review.

[Elise Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Gimpel has created another interesting and exciting story to read. The Reaper has a job and nothing is supposed to get in her way! Death has given her another job! VAMPIRES. They want her gone but she is a fighter. With the help from the Sidhe she hope to survive.

[Dina Bushrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific book one of the authors' new series. Our heroine has a special paranormal gift that she's had since well birth. Because of that gift she was chosen by a Goddess to go to a special school to learn how to use them. She's been using that gift for quite some time now and has been doing okay blending it in with her own special passion. But oh no, the Goddess assigns her another job and it could be the death of her. One good thing it does is bring a very interesting, good looking, hero-type guy her way. The story is packed with action, discoveries, traitors; you mix these all together and you have one great story. The way I started this review, I but you thought you were going to get a bunch of spoilers you were wrong. I want to give you enough so you say more, more. Highly recommended. Get this book, read it, share it through your reviews.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow Reaper by Ann Gimpel is a wonderful story that I have had the privilege to read. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a brand new series that I have loved reading. I highly to recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about fantasy and paranormal romances.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Philleys Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this paranormal fantasy. I love kickass heroines like Cait and a great supporting lead like Liam to add the romantic element to the plot. An entertaining start to a new series worth following.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dawn Milligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one of a new series Ann is a new to me author and I really enjoyed her style! Well written story great characters and excited to see what happens next with this series!