• Paperback: 352 pages
• Jess Haines’ Website
• Publisher: Zebra; 1 edition (May 1, 2010)
• List Price: $6.99 US
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420111876
• ISBN-13: 978-1420111873

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Shiarra Waynest’s detective work was dangerous enough when her client base was strictly mortal. But ailing finances have forced her to accept a lucrative case that could save her firm – if it doesn’t kill her first. Shiarra has signed on to work for a high-level mage to recover an ancient artifact owned by one of New York’s most powerful vampires. As soon as Shiarra meets sexy, mesmerizing vamp Alec Royce, she knows her assignment is even more complicated than she thought.

With a clandestine anti-Other group trying to recruit her, and magi being eliminated, Shiarra needs back-up and enlists her ex-boyfriend – a werewolf whose non-furry form is disarmingly appealing – and a nerdy mage with surprising talents. But it may not be enough. In a city where the undead roam, magic rules, and even the Others aren’t always what they seem, Shiarra has just become the secret weapon in a battle between good and evil – whether she likes it or not…

Shiarra is the co-owner of a Private Investigation office with her friend Sara, usually they deal with cheating lovers and missing persons. All that changes when Veronica a member of The Circle (Mages) asks Shiarra to recover an item from vampire Alec Royce. Shiarra has her misgivings, she doesn’t want to deal with the Others but her current financial state and the high bonuses offered by Veronica make her say yes. Little does Shiarra know, the item she is to find, is an ancient artifact that every Other wants and they’re willing to kill her and everyone around her to get to it.

Hunted By Others is the first book in Jess Haines H & W Investigation Series and while I expected to enjoy it, I didn’t think it would turn into a five hour cover to cover marathon! I love when I get so involved in a book that time seems to fly by and it totally did while I was reading.

Right from the start I was drawn in, especially since Shiarra has all sorts of issues with Others. The Others came out of the “closet” right after 9/11 and while most of the population is okay with them, some are still pretty nervous around them, Shiarra included. The timing of the Others coming out made a lot of sense, they came out just after 9/11..the Weres to help find victims of the WTC attacks and vamps/mages to help with the financial impact 9/11 had. That alone made it a little bit more realistic to me as not many books deal with what people think of all these paranormal creatures coming out into the open. Shiarra has a hefty dose of fear that most of us would have, especially when she finds out her ex-boyfriend is a Were. Of course he chose the worst possible time to come out to her and she was scared to death.

Speaking of that ex, Chaz is a great character but I could feel all sorts of sexual tension between Alec Royce (vampire) right from Shiarra and his first meeting. I can’t wait to read more about how their relationship or lack there of turns out. There are a bunch of great characters in the book, even a magical belt…where can I get me one of those?

My only issue with Hunted by Others is that there was a lot of world set up and not enough action. I understand this is the first book in the series and it makes sense to set up the world, but at some points it was a little bit too much talk and not enough action. Regardless, it was still entertaining and a great foundation was laid. I can’t wait to see what happens next, I have a feeling its only going to get better.