SKINDANCER SERIES, BOOK 1: FROST MOON
Anthony Francis
March. 2010
ISBN: 9780984325689
Bell Bridge Books
Trade Paperback
Urban Fantasy

Dakota Frost is the best magical tattooist in the Southeast. The very talent that fuels her life also pinpoints her as a prime target for a serial killer who is hunting and brutalizing people possessing magical tattoos. The Feds and the Atlanta police enlist Dakota’s help as their intelligence indicates that the killer is on the way to Atlanta next.   The killer may be the least of her worries, however, as Dakota traverses the dangerous streets of Edgeworld, trying to separate friend from foe in order to help a mysterious werewolf obtain a magical “control” tattoo before the next fast approaching full moon.

Anthony Francis is a first time author who has hit the urban fantasy world with a dazzling new series in the Urban Fantasy genre.  To create a protagonist with a unique talent in this crowded genre is amazing enough.  To create a character as fascinating as Dakota Frost is a triumph indeed.  While the requisite group of were-creatures and vampires are very present and vital to the storyline, Dakota shines uniquely as a very successful magical tattooist with a tattoo shop in Little Five Points in an alternate version of downtown Atlanta, Georgia. I was fascinated by her craft and was delighted, as were a number of the characters she encountered, when her tattoos moved and came alive. Who wouldn’t be enchanted with a tattooed flower that bloomed on one’s arm or a beautiful butterfly that actually flapped its wings?

While the cover of Frost Moon is very striking, I also loved studying the author’s own black and white inked sketch, appearing opposite the cover page of the novel, depicting his image of Dakota with many of her fabulous tattoos.  The author also creates an appealing cast of colorful supporting characters including a blind graphomancer, a lesbian ex-girlfriend-turned-vampire who relishes bondage, and a very appealing orphaned teenage were-tiger.  Francis paints a vivid world where the evil is very evil.  I would not recommend reading the Frost Moon prior to bedtime due to the very real possibility of the scenes containing graphic violence creating some horrific nightmares. Notwithstanding, the violence is only one aspect of the fast action throughout the novel, and I can’t wait to start reading Book 2: Blood Rock which just released last week. Highly recommended and my pick of the month!

Francis was the worthy recipient of the 2011 EPIC award for Fantasy/Paranormal Fiction for Frost Moon.  This award, from the Electronic Publishing Industry Coalition, honors exceptional eBooks.

Reviewed By:

Let's see.. what to tell you about me.... well I'm an academic librarian and deal with stuffy boring books (I'm a mathematics librarian) so fiction is my fun outlet. My passions include ballroom dancing, bichon frise rescue work, reading (duh!) and if I had time, I'd get back to my quilting, scrapbooking, jewelry making, etc. Sigh. I really need to find my rich prince who tells me I never have to work again. LOL. Genre's that I prefer: Inspirational romance, gentle romance (Like Harlequin Medical, etc), romantic comedy and paranormal (unless they get too dark and gritty) to name a few. I love books with themes/characters of animals, librarians, dancers, trainers, ministers/missionaries, etc. Having said this, I read pretty broadly from the inspirational fiction line all the way to Blazes and chick lit. The only thing I don't really care for it erotica. I don't care for the starkness of the erotica genre. I guess I just like things wrapped up and tied with a prettier satin bow. :-)

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