3 stars

It was a good read. I liked our fmc Mira a lot and it's an interesting aspect to see her converse with the demon inside her at a regular basis.
I have a feeling this could be a great long series in the future. I am also intrigued about Ty and their partnership...

Really excited to see Mira lead more investigations with Ty!

Will read the next book soon.

This author is new to me and I really enjoyed this new series by L.R. Braden. I did not read the author’s other series, Magicsmith, so I didn’t know that this series is set in the same world. There are references to that series but I didn’t feel lost reading this book. But I do plan on starting Magicsmith.
This book follows Mira who is a loner with a guarded secret. She’s a Rifter. She’s been possessed by a demon since age 11 however they were able to form a relationship and occupy the same body. Mira hunts other demons Rifters that do harm to humans. Mira is hot on the heels of a particularly bad demon when she runs across hot detective Ty Williams. Ty recently left the paranormal task force after losing his friend and is looking for a fresh start doing “normal” police work. Unfortunately, Ty is sucked back into the paranormal world when magic related deaths and disappearances occur in Baltimore. Ty and his new partner are tasked with solving the deaths.
I really felt for Ty. He is struggling with PTSD and getting through this investigation brings up bad memories. His professionalism is called into question when he discovers that he knows one of the suspects in the murders, Mira.
It was hard for me to like Mira. She has a truly sad backstory that has made her a stubborn loner that refuses help. She’s scared to death to form connections and possibly hurt others which I get but her attitude and extreme mistrust was somewhat annoying. However, I did really like the demon that possessed Mira. She is fun and funny and she is really the only friend and partner that Mira has. It will take all of them to solve this murder mystery.
This story is funny, sad, emotional, and action filled. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to the author L.R. Braden, the publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I absolutely love love loved this book I finally finished it last night it was fast paced well written didn't see the plot twist st the end that kept me reading

I loved this story! I was hooked and constantly needed to know what was about to happen. It was very unique in the way the demon has ahold of the main character Mira. Ty was a pretty good love interest in the story but I liked how it really focused on Mira instead of being drowned in a love story. I would recommend this to a friend in a heartbeat.

This is the first in a new series from the author, but set in an existing world. It follows a character who has been possessed by a demon, but is working with the demon. It’s a bit of a mystery and there’s also some spice at the beginning of the novel. Overall a pretty quick and fun read and I would recommend this book. I am planning to pick up the next in the series and maybe even go back to the first series that I missed. I would say if you read this book on its own before reading any of the other series, you’d be fine, it will say I had a little bit of a hard time, believing some of the naïve Tay of the main character and also some of the interactions between the main character and her demon. If she has been possessed for more than half of her life, I was confused why the demon seem to not understand cultural references that it seems like , it would’ve been around for. I look forward to the next book to see if I can learn more and get to know the characters a little bit better.

A bad to the bone heroine makes this an enjoyable read! Fast paced and very well written. Will hook you in and you get engrossed into the story. Great story plot Lots of magic. Love Love Love the characters! Thanks#netgalley and #BellBridgeBooks for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Please tell me the end of Demon Riding Shotgun means author LA. Braden realised she has gold on her hands and- hopefully - 10 new book ideas in her head where main character Mira plays 'angel' with her demon?!

As you've gathered from that very first sentence, yes, I'm quite enamoured by this standalone that was -in a way - a follow up of the “Magicsmith series”. A series I haven't read by the way, but certain mentions of Demon Riding Shotgun's magic history - like a Fae War and its human casualties, and human magic practitioners suddenly being treated like terrorists - made me realise I was definitely missing some background info. And, yup. GoodReads provided title & info of an earlier Braden series about exactly that :).

While I noticed those mentions as rather particular and thus probably as part of the same universe, you don't need to read Magicsmith before you can start Demon Riding Shotgun. It is indeed the promised stand- alone. And trust me, if you're new to L.A Braden, that's excellent news. You can start right away and lose yourself in the story.

[Hooked]
Losing myself in the story is exactly what I did; from the very first page. The best books – not a guarantee, but still - usually draw you in the moment you start reading. It only takes a few paragraphs to know who and what our bad-ass main character is and often a mere chapter to discover the beginnings of the possible mess she finds herself in – also known as the plot. Demon Riding Shotgun, an Urban Fantasy novel with a tiny touch of romance by price-winning author L.A. Braden does that too. And in this case it IS a guarantee.

I was hooked from the get go, and am not ashamed to say I was inwardly yelling - and even groaning out loud- things like "Ooooh SH*T!”, “ Yes, take thàt! ", “Dang, this is going to bite her in the tight denim clad behind!”, or "How could you be so stupid!??” In other words: I was thoroughly invested in Mira Fuentes trying to hunt evil, while being on the run herself. The story is so action-packed without becoming 'been there, done that', I would be surprised if you, like myself, didn't try to read this novel in one go...forgetting (or ignoring) you needed to pee.

[Mira (and) who?]
What's it all about? Mira Fuentes gets possessed by a female demon at age 11. Afraid to hurt her family as a newly minted rifter she runs away. As soon as she's more in control of her powers and turns out to be “balanced”, she occupies her time with saving humanity from evil. More specifically, she has been tracking other demon-possessed ever since. Rifters who aren't “balanced”, nor have a moral compass. While their body is decaying they cause chaos and kill.

When she unexpectedly encounters a very powerful rifter with scary plans for the city, Mira (and her sarcastic second soul) soon finds herself in huge trouble. She has no idea how to stop her adversary and while only trying to help SHE is suddenly on the Most Wanted list.

The core part of Mira's magic and why she is who she is and does what she does, is the Demon possession. You expect an anger, a bitterness towards the demon and a possible self- hate now that she's no longer the girl she was. While some blame gets pushed around, this is actually not what the author shows.

What I particularly enjoyed in Demon Riding Shotgun is the bond between the two, specifically the constant banter between Mira and her demon lifter. They've become bff's of a sort and Miss Demon's snarky remarks about Mira's behaviour - even in or directly after dangerous situations - had me both chuckle AND embrace both 'women'.

[Believable Balance]
Mira is damaged as a result of her childhood, all the years alone where she practically lived on the fringes of society – scared to be caught as an unregistered practitioner, a big no no - and because she can't escape the idea of being a killer emotionally. Even though she knows rationally she's preventing worse by hunting rifters. Plus, there's little else she can do to/ for them.

It's obvious L.A. Braden created a tortured soul with a self-created “job” that can be seen by others as vigilante behaviour, or even evil. Still, she's obviously inherently good. The fact her demon keeps trying to make her connect with others says a lot. And not just about their bond. It's a layered part of the book and ties in with the world, the 'Rift', the author created for demons and how they live and exist there. If I might go as far: it's even essential to the plot, in the most black- and-white way, though.

The construct Braden came up with to explain, and even show marginally, how the demon's and Mira's “balance” works as opposed to regular rifters was both original and interesting. Also very believable.
It makes the whole magical part of the book extra fascinating, not to mention the parts where the demon IS indeed riding shotgun.

[Action and layers]
And those moments do exist. They're needed to keep the balance between two souls and mostly when there's danger. But like every good writer would choose, 90% of those moments coincide with essential events. The action scenes in the book are well written, exciting. And when the demon needs to take control, even override Mira to be as powerful as can be, you won't hear a thing happening around you. You're there. Maybe wringing your hands?

Well, that could happen if the emotional chaos our leading lady is in during and certainly after some events hits you in the feels. It makes Demon Riding Shotgun an Urban Fantasy novel with deeper layers, if you let it. At times Braden indirectly positions the question; which perspective is right? Mira's or the demon's. The police's or our main character? What would you do, if you had the facts and the control? Are you black, white, or morally gray?

Before you think you might be buying a psychological drama... don't worry: Mira's psyche simply creates more dimension to what otherwise would be a typical bad-ass witch. You can focus on the moral ambiguity we see every now and then - and subsequently entertain certain questions - or just let the story flow. That's easily done.
What's more: her baggage influences her conscious decisions on a regular basis and I'm not afraid to say they're rarely the best. And lead to her getting in trouble more than you can count. These are the parts where I groaned out loud. But when emotions are involved, whether it's annoyance, appiness, sadness or satisfaction related to events and characters, we can usually speak of a good book. And I can only describe Demon Riding Shotgun as a fast-paced, engrossing, unexpected and tension filled magical work.

Some last, but not least points. Anyone not interested in, or fed up with the big romantic parts in most female written Urban Fantasy: this book barely has that. Romance. The term “tiny touch” is truly applicable. Yes, there is a man, and attraction, and in the end it is clear they are both interested. However, while this Detective (duh!) plays a big role in the story, that role isn't necessarily of romantic partner. It's of Police Detective, of someone with experience with paranatural practitioners, of another person with emotional scars, and of someone who could be – quite important- a potential ally. But you won't find the lovey-dovey story that's so common in other titles of this genre. This also means, despite major hints in that direction, there are no graphic sex scene(s).

While I enjoy the type of Urban Fantasy where the romance is well written and will eventually strengthen the character(s) [f.e. In the Kate Daniels series or Chicagoland Vampires] and storyline, I detest the gratuit yummy detective or hotty but scary supernatural that's Alpha male, not to mention in love within 2 chapters. Usually making the Fantasy storyline secondary. In that regard I could even say Braden's Demon Riding Shotgun was refreshing.

Also refreshing: I didn't see the true big bad coming at all. Even though as a reader you're in Mira's head all the time and know a part of the “Big Scary Plan” from the very beginning. It's the icing on the cake named Demon Riding Shotgun. The ending, it is a standalone after all, finds our balanced rifter safe and the bad guys gone. However, that same ending leaves a door wide open. A portal if you will. I wouldn't be surprised if Braden treats us to more stories from and related to the Rift. Actually, if they're just as action-packed and well written, one can only hope so!

Rating: do I still need to say it? Five stars, Demon lovers! A great read for every female lead Urban Fantasy enthusiast. Particularly if you don't want to be distracted by a full on love story. The magic wins, so do you.

I'm a fan of this author and was looking forward to this book. I was not disappointed! It reminds me of the work of Ilona Andrews, which I also love, with expansive world building and powerful characters. Mira may be possessed by a demon but she maintains her spirituality and humanity. Ty, a police detective with a history of working on a supernatural task force, has suffered loss and struggles with believing in himself. Their relationship grew and changed throughout the book and has plenty of potential. I loved this book and look forward to more adventures. I read this book on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Mira was 11 years old she was possessed by a demon. She becomes a hunter who kills humans possessed by evil rifters. Ty is a Baltimore police officer who has quit working with the paranormal when he lost his partner to a demon. Both are leery of each other but must work together to find a very powerful paranormal who enjoys killing humans. Part of the Magicsmith series. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Had a little problem getting into this book. Started strong and then for me the story lagged after the initial bang. I kept through it though as I’ve often found it pays off. This was one of those instances. Plus the lead character Mira and her demon are really likeable in their fallibility. The only part of the story that didn’t feel natural is the first time Garrett’s character and Mira’s conversation with him appear in this book. That part of the plot is needed to make the story but the way it was written made me feel like it was an after thought. That was so minor though and the book and story pulled through in the end with a strong resolution and why I think it rates 4 stars.

I haven't read any of the Magicsmith series (or realized that I was starting a spin-off), but this was a great novel and stood alone just fine. The world building and plot were straightforward, but unique and compelling. Told in a duology, both characters were nuanced and fascinating with overlapping timelines that added a push to the plot that kept it moving quickly forward. This was a fun but propulsive story. I can't wait for more (and need to go back and read the previous books).

#netgalley copy

I am a die hard fan of the Magicsmith series... So I was incredibly excited to read a new and hands-down equally engrossing story in the Magicsmith realm. Mira is a gritty kickass MC who has been aware of and living in the shadows of the non-human world most of her life. She was possesed by a demon at the age of eleven and I absolutely love the inner dialog with her inner demon.

I truly loved the uneasy alliance formed with Ty. Although they both had reservations about the partnership they made an amazingly affective team. I truly hope to see more of Ty and Mira this was a wonderful glimpse into a beloved world for me. I hope to see more from them and dare I say other Magicsmith characters.

I'm dying for more of this world it is incredibly compelling with vivid world-building and fasinating well developed characters! This is a must read! And if you haven't checked it out delve into the Magicsmith universe it's incredible you won't regret it!!!

I really enjoy reading this type of fiction but I couldn't get into this story. A demon possesses 11 year old Mira and they reside together in an uneasy alliance in the same body. The demon speaks to Mira telepathically and they converse constantly. I found it very confusing unfortunately.

When law enforcement is overwhelmed with the supernatural, the supernaturals have to take care of it themselves - especially when demons are up to their mischief and possessing people. Mira hunts on her own - and is hounded by the police for it.
In the conflict between law and justice, she meets a detective who doesn't really want to know anything more about the supernatural side.

I really liked the Magicsmith series, I didn't realize that this book was a spinoff of that series until I started reading. The world building was amazing and we got to know Mira’s backstory. I loved the dynamic between Mira and her demon. Very entertaining read!

I received a free copy of DEMON RIDING SHOTGUN by L.R. Braden, in exchange for an honest review.

I like this series and this was one of the best instalment: fast paced, highly entertaining, and gripping.
The world building and the character development are as good as always, the storytelling kept me reading.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Demon Riding Shotgun is part of the world from the Magicsmith series by L. R. Braden. This book does refer to events in the previous books, and has characters returning readers will recognize, but new readers could pick up the story line here fairly easily.

Possessed by a demon since she was eleven years old, Mira Fuentes maintains a fragile alliance with the snarky soul who shares her body. Together they hunt down unstable Rifters— demon-controlled humans bent on causing chaos in the mortal realm. But when a routine hunt leads to a powerful Rifter with plans for Baltimore, Mira quickly finds herself in over her head and at the top of the city's Most Wanted. Recently retired from the PTF after losing his partner, Ty Williams now works for the Baltimore PD and keeps his distance from cases involving magic. But when a person dies of clearly magical causes and the PTF doesn't have any agents to spare, Ty is the closest thing the department has to an expert. Saddled with a new partner he doesn't want and a mountain of self-doubt, it's his job to track down a suspect who looks suspiciously like the one-night-stand he brought home from the bar last night. Mira will have to set her trust issues aside and enlist the help of a man determined to uncover her secrets if she hopes to learn the identity of the demon's host and prevent the human race from becoming meat puppets for the denizens of the Rift.

Demon Riding Shotgun is a book that takes the Magicsmith universe and runs with great characters and a fresh angle. I enjoyed getting to see more of Mira, since she had peaked my curiosity in the previous books. I thought Mira, Ty, and the secondary characters were all dynamic and well crafted. The individual trauma and hang ups will be continuous factors and how they have been handled thus far has been fantastic, and I am eager to see how they shape the future of the characters and adventures to come. I will admit that I saw a twist or two coming pretty far off, but I enjoyed the ride. I thought the balance of explaining the world to newcomers and refreshing details to returning readers was very well done, and I never really felt like there were information dumps to slog through, which can sometimes happen in fantasy. I like the direction this story arc is going and I can see great potential for action, mystery, romance, and some serious character development as the series continues. I am intrigued by Mira and want to see so much more of here interacting with Ty- and how he copes with everything.

Demon Riding Shotgun is a great start to a new story arc and I am excited to see where it takes me.

I felt this book had a totally different feel from the Magicsmith series which has its pluses and minuses. I kind of miss all the the paranormal characters, but on the other hand it's good it has its own identity so one doesn't feel like they're reading the "same old, same old". Magicsmith was more fantasy and Demon is more paranormal suspense..

I liked Mira and finding out her backstory, then the action really kicked in and included a surprise.

I was a tad disappointed is the demon, which appears to be nameless unless I missed it. The demon just seemed too human.

I'm looking forward to the next book featuring Mira.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Demon Riding Shotgun by L. R. Braden, a good entry into a new series, Looking forward to more in this series.

This is the Author's latest 'Urban Fantasy book set in her Magicsmith universes

The previous Magicsmith books have mainly featured the Fae but this new series features Demons and are set in different area and city .
To save her life at 11years of age Mira shared her body with a demon ................. now they use their combined powers to hunt down Rifters preying on humans . When a routine hunt leads to the discovery of an extremely powerful
Rifter who has his own plans for Baltimore , Mira has to reassess her priorities .......... can she fully utilise her powers without killing herself or her demon and keep herself free from the Authorities who have added her to their most wanted list or will the powers be too much for her human body ....... she is in over her head !

This is an enjoyable , fast paced book , full of twists and turns - I look forward to the next in the series

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.