Modest Musings

Welcome to Modest Musings!

This is were we will tell you what books we have acquired this week.  Whether it is through purchases, NetGalley or one of our many book list emails.  Please feel free to tell us what you think and if there is a particular book you are interested in seeing a review of.  Hope you enjoy!

Jessica’s Musings

Clarity by Loretta Lost – Fiercely independent Helen Winters was born completely blind, but she vowed never to let her disability keep her down. She did not expect a traumatic event to devastate her life and force her to drop out of college. Disillusioned by the cruelty of people, Helen retreated from society to live by herself as a reclusive writer in the woods—where no one could ever hurt her again.

When a brilliant young doctor shows up on her doorstep, promising her that his new research can give her the ability to see for the first time, Helen stubbornly refuses. She has learned not to trust anyone, and to rely only on herself. But Dr. Liam Larson will not take no for an answer. He makes it his personal mission to rescue Helen from her loneliness, and bring joy into her world once more—the joy she has denied herself for so long.

Initiation by Imogen Rose – Welcome to Bonfire Academy! Set in the foothills of the alpine mountains in St.Moritz, this exclusive private school caters to a special kind of student. Enter at your own risk… but if you are human, you may not want to enter at all. WARNING: This YA story is set in a school for paranormals who are very different from normal human teens. Thus, the language and some scenes might not be appropriate for younger YA readers. Recommended for those sixteen and above.

Fate by Nikki Sex – How far would you go to get something you really wanted?

Emily Malone has had a crush on her brother’s best friend, Paul, all her life.  Unfortunately, he just sees her as his friend’s little sister.
Desperate and infatuated, Emily resorts to lies and deception.
She only needs one night with Paul, to finally get over this obsessive crush. But Fate has other ideas. . .

Possess by J.A. Howell – Stumbling off the bus in Midtown, Harley Martin thought she found an escape from her old life.

She soon realizes it was anything but that.  Low on cash and options, she manages to find herself a cheap but surprisingly nice apartment. The catch? The last tenant, Brody Walsh, killed himself.  Or did he?

As disturbing dreams and hauntings start to occur, Harley realizes there may be much more behind the previous tenant’s death than a simple suicide. She finds her life further entangled with his when she learns that her new boss, Nolan, was also his best friend. Could this handsome but evasive pub owner have something to do with Brody’s death?

Trying to piece together the events surrounding Brody’s death proves to be a daunting task, but Harley can’t give up. Brody won’t let her. He is still in the apartment with her, trapped in limbo until she finds his killer.  But he’s not waiting for revenge.  Harley’s next.

You Belong with Me by Shannon Guymon – Layla Kendall is the oldest of three sisters. She’s a burned out social worker one step away from a major depression and she needs a fresh start. When she and her sisters Kit and Jane inherit their grandmother’s bakery, she doesn’t know if she can trust her good fortune or not. Life has taught her that happiness is just an illusion. But the chance to be with her sisters and get away from the heart ache and pain she’s faced day in and day out is a chance she’s going to take. The fact that they don’t know anything about running a bakery won’t stop them. With Layla’s new life, come new connections and friendships including Michael Bender, a single dad and someone who wouldn’t mind getting to know Layla better. She doesn’t trust men and she doesn’t want to change her mind but Michael’s little girl Stella grabs her by the heart and won’t let go. When Layla and her sisters realize that there are people who want to see them fail, it will take a lot of heart and courage to keep going. Layla will have to let go of the past in order to grab onto the future if she’ll ever find the love she needs.

Lynn’s Musings

Crane by Stacey Rourke – The Horseman is unending,
his presence shan’t lessen.
If you break the curse,
you become the legend.

Washington Irving and Rip Van Winkle had no choice but to cover up the deadly truth behind Ichabod Crane’s disappearance. Centuries later, a Crane returns to Sleepy Hollow awakening macabre secrets once believed to be buried deep.

What if the monster that spawned the legend lived within you?

Now, Ireland Crane, reeling from a break-up and seeking a fresh start, must rely on the newly awakened Rip Van Winkle to discover the key to channeling the darkness swirling within her. Bodies are piling high and Ireland is the only one that can save Sleepy Hollow by embracing her own damning curse.

But is anyone truly safe when the Horseman rides?

The Stoker Sisters by Kailin Gow –

Book 1 – Daughters and Dracula

Book 2 – Angels and Hunters

Book 3 – Sisters of the Strigois

Two sisters… Born during the time of Jane Austen… Set to marry for advancement, but escaped their fates by becoming vampires. Now vampires in the 21st century, hunted by a sect of rogue hunters and governed by an ancient Romanian and Bulgarian vampire myth, the sisters live in a small beach town of California where they meet Keegan Knowles, a mysterious boy. For hundreds of years they’ve shared clothes, books, and their home, but will they share the same boy or is it there going to be war?

Maid of Secrets by Jennifer McGowan – Orphan Meg Fellowes makes her living picking pockets—until she steals from the wrong nobleman. Instead of rotting in prison like she expected, she’s whisked away to the court of Queen Elizabeth and pressed into royal service, where she joins four other remarkable girls in the Maids of Honor, the Queen’s secret society of protectors.

Meg’s natural abilities as a spy prove useful in this time of unrest. The Spanish Court is visiting, and with them come devious plots and hidden political motives. As threats to the kingdom begin to mount, Meg can’t deny her growing attraction to one of the dashing Spanish courtiers. But it’s hard to trust her heart in a place where royal formalities and masked balls hide the truth: Not everyone is who they appear to be. With danger lurking around every corner, can she stay alive—and protect the crown?

Gunship – The Series by John Davis – The complete Gunship series has finally arrived!

Gunship: Book I
Fly with Captain Adam Michaels and his crew of misfits as they do their best to avoid the strong arm of the law, while avoiding the Hunters(vampires). Adam will discover true love, though it will come with steep consequences.

Glimmeria: Book II
A civil war has arrived. With the desert planet of Glimmeria serving as the front lines, the crew will once again be tested. A most unlikely member remains sober for far too long, leading troops into battle while cursing the green sun above.

Reflections: Book III
A blood feud between the Benzans(mafia family) and Hunters(vampires) is inevitable. Adam finds himself right in the middle of things, though a love for both Sarah and Sasha may just prove to be his downfall.

Geartown: Book IV
Damn the walking dead. Fan favorite Dalton James enlists with a new crew, following promises of an easier job and better pay. Instead he finds himself in the middle of a zombie horde overrunning towns of innocent people. His military experience will come full circle and the whiskey will have to wait.

Roman: Book V
The legend of Roman Raines in battle is growing. Now he’ll face his toughest opponent yet, the champion of vampires. It’s an epic showdown that puts other fantasy heroes into a corner sucking a thumb, as giant blades and the will to survive prevail in this fight to the death.

Legendary: Book VI
The horde which first began in the Drifts, has now overrun the Skyla System. Longtime enemies will find themselves working together, forming a fleet that will escape into the stars once and for all. The series finale will leave you speechless!

Sea of Secrets by Amanda DeWees – After her brother is killed in the Crimean War, innocent young Oriel Pembroke finds herself alone in the world. Disowned by the cruel father who has always despised her, she has nowhere to turn until she is taken under the wing of a glamorous relative she never knew: the former Duchess of Ellsworth, who has scandalized society by remarrying soon after her first husband’s death. At the opulent seaside estate of Ellsmere, Oriel thinks she has found a safe haven—but the darkly handsome young duke, Herron, believes otherwise. Haunted by the death of his father, he suspects that Ellsmere is sheltering a murderer. Even as Oriel falls in love with the duke, she begins to fear that his grief and suspicion are turning to madness. When dangerous accidents start to befall both Herron and Oriel, however, she realizes that someone may be trying to stop them from discovering the truth about the past. And when her father comes back into her life, she learns that he may hold the answer to the most horrifying secret of all…

 

The Keys by Alyne de Winter

 

 

 

 

 

The Keys by Alyne de Winter

 

Book Description:  At six years old, Lissette attends a concert by the handsome and dazzling concert pianist, Armand Guy de Rais. She is instantly infatuated. Ten years later, their lives destroyed by the French Revolution, Lissette’s mother marries her off to a wealthy aristocrat living on a Caribbean island. Could Lissette’s childhood fantasy be coming true? Or is there more than a whiff of decay in the flowers, in the house, in the music of the keys?

 

My Review:  This is such a great story.  It really is.  It’s dark, creepy and you don’t know where it’s going to go.  My kind of story.  It is super short.  It was over before I knew it which was sad because I wanted to keep reading.

Lissette’s new home is almost a character its self.  Creepy doesn’t even cover the feeling.  It’s almost its own reality.  You really have to read it to understand.  This would make an excellent scary movie.  It even has a twist ending.  What more could I ask for?

Creepy new husband?  Check.  Insanely weird house?  Check.  Completely bizarre staff obviously hiding something?  Check.  Totally scary what the hell is going on moment?  Check.  Ending that you don’t see coming?  Check.  I can’t wait to read some more stories by this author.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R-  This is not a Disney fairy tale.  Do you see the blood on the cover?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Try these other haunting stories:

 

The Immortal Rules: Blood of Eden by Julie Kagawa

The Immortal Rules: Blood of Eden Book One by Julie Kagawa

 

 

Narrator:  Therese Plummer

Length:  14 hours 12 minutes

Unabridged

Genre: Young Adult/ Dystopian

 

Book Description:  Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what–and who–is worth dying for…again.

 

My Review:     Okay, I had my doubts.  I’ll admit that up front.  This story felt funny when I started to listen to it.  Not funny as in amusing but as in not quite right.  I was, however, wrong.  As the story progressed I wondered if it was not quite right on purpose.

As the story went on it felt like we were kept on edge for a reason.  This entire story hinges on our understanding of Allison, what she’s been through and how we think she’ll handle the situations she’s in.  This is the very thing that I loved about Awakening Foster Kelly.  Both of these authors allowed the characters motivation to guide the plot.  It wasn’t the other way around and I think that approach allows amazing things to happen.

The narrator did a great job.  At first I thought her voice was too old to be Allison, but as the book went on I noticed that it wasn’t the narrators voice that was out of place.  Allison was out of place.  She doesn’t have the same struggles that a normal seventeen year old would have.  She’s worried about finding food and that is a running theme in this book.

This book takes place in a future where vampires rule.  A virus has devastated the human and vampire races alike.  Not all humans are willing to be ruled though.  Some prefer to live off the grid and live a very rough life.  Not that the life of a registered is a walk in the park but at least that way there is a chance for food.  Allison is an unregistered.  She lives on the fringe.  She and her little gang of unregistered brethren spend each day looking for food and things they can trade for food.  This very problem is what leads to trouble for her.  She goes out to find food and by out I mean out to where the monsters roam free.  She finds food and brings her gang back to collect it but they attract rabid vampires.  Vampires didn’t die from the virus they became mindless predators.  I’m not giving anything away by saying that the rabid’s attack her group and most are mortally wounded including Allison.  As it happens, a vampire is passing by and he offers her a choice.  She can die or he can turn her into the thing that she hates most.  Interesting problem to ponder while she’s bleeding to death.

Allison chooses to live.  She spends the next several months learning to be a vampire.  The vampire that teaches her has secrets of his own.  Dangerous secrets that almost get Allison killed for a second time.   His secrets ensure that Allison will have to find her own way in the world one way or another.  He says something during her training that stays with her.  He tells her that she is without question a monster now but only she can choose what kind of monster she will be.  That is tested when she is left on her own.

Another interesting problem arises when she’s on her own.  She’s alone.  Completely.  She is forced to leave the city and once she’s outside the walls she doesn’t know what to do.  She’s free of the vampire society that brought her so much pain in her human life but now what?  She has to solve the problem of what good is immortality if you don’t have anything to live for?  She remembers her makers words that she needs to go out into the world and live.  She needs to become strong.  She needs to learn about the world that is still out there.

Another interesting concept is when she goes up against raiders.  Raiders are the bad guys.  They are bloodthirsty humans who steal, destroy and cause general mayhem in the name of their vampire king.  There is a scene where she comes upon some bad guys and they are shooting at her.  One of the bad guys stops to reload but isn’t fast enough.  I couldn’t help but think that situations is usually viewed from the other angle.  It’s usually the poor guy behind the gun that we root for in movies.  It was interesting to see the predator/prey relationship shifted.

I truly enjoyed listening to this book.  It was well written and well preformed.  I highly recommend it.

 

 

 

PG-13   This book is about vampires and what it means to be one.  There is plenty of blood.

 

 

Try these other reviews:

 

 

Chained by SK Fordham

Chained

by SK Fordham

Book Blurb: 

Stella is a recently widowed 34 year old mother of two; she struggles to move forward in her life, until she meets the sexy Doctor Dean. Sexual desire brings Stella back to the present, but will Dean be able to capture Stella’s heart and keep her? Or will Stella remain chained to the past? Stella is going to have the ride of her life, chance encounters may just have you trying to guess, where she is heading and who is trying to stop her.

My Review:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Okay so lets get right to the point.  This book is steamy.  I personally have some issues with Stella and the three men she has slept with in the past year since her husband, the love of her life, was murdered.  I guess everyone deals with death in there own way though.

We get to know about Stella’s husband threw flash backs. He treated Stella wonderfully and together they had two children.  Stella still has issues with her husbands death and sees a therapist.

Now in walks Doctor Dean and this is where the fun begins. Someone doesn’t want them seeing each other.  Stella gets a death threat, her therapy office gets taken over, and her dog gets “hit by a car”.  There is a good story line, and though I don’t necessary agree with Stella choices.  She is a good person who is just trying to start over.

If you like sex and romance this is a good one since it has a pretty good story line.  I do warn you though this is the first book and it ends just as things get a little crazy. 

 

 

R- I believe I mentioned it was steamy

 

 

 

About the Author:

SK Fordham is a wife, mother and nurse. SK grew up in an outer eastern suburb of Melbourne Australia. SK loves handbags, chocolate, dancing and all forms of hot drinks.
SK would love to hear from any fans.

 

 

 

Dragon Faye Saves the Day by Leela Hope

Dragon Faye Saves the Day

by Leela Hope

Book Blurb: 

Are you or your loved one being bullied? 
Or are you or your loved one a bully? 
Then this book is for you. 
Dragon Faye Saves the Day will make you cry 
and cower with Faye as she shies away 
from Jean the Bully. Read how she was able to conquer her fears 
and soar over them – and Jean . Read about what happened to Jean the bully. 
Appreciate the very vivid and colorful illustrations. 
Enjoy the rhyme and rhythm of the story. 
Feel how the characters feel through their facial expressions. 
Identify with any of the characters and through them, 
learn to face your own dragons and conquer them.

Viola’s Review: 

I like Dragon Faye.  She is nice and saves the princess.  Dragon Jean is mean to her and you shouldn’t be mean to your friends.

The pictures are nice too. I want to read this book every night. 

 

 

Jessica’s Review: 

This is a really well written book on bullying. It teaches children that it is wrong to be mean to your friends.  The illustrations are beautifully done and recommend this book for your children.

 

 

G

Modest Musings

Welcome to Modest Musings!

This is were we will tell you what books we have acquired this week.  Whether it is through purchases, NetGalley or one of our many book list emails.  Please feel free to tell us what you think and if there is a particular book you are interested in seeing a review of.  Hope you enjoy!

Jessica’s Modest Musings

Dark Matter Heart by Nathan Wrann – A new town. A new school. A new beginning. Seventeen year-old Cordell Griffin and his mother move from Los Angeles to the Pacific Northwest to deal with his “allergies,” and start a healthier new life. Cor has one goal: To blend in and be invisible. Unfortunately for him, no matter how far he goes, he can’t run away from his secrets. Secrets about who he is. Secrets about why he’s sick. And secrets about why so many people he meets end up dead, drained of blood. 

In “Dark Matter Heart”, the origin novel in the “Cor Griffin Bloodsuckers” Young Adult Paranormal Thriller series from filmmaker Nathan Wrann, Cor must uncover the mysteries of his past and conquer the secrets of the present in order to protect the girl of his future, and save himself

Shadow World by Chris Impey – McEvoy is a truth-seeker. He has moments when he sees through the surface sheen of the world to a deeper reality, and moments when his sense of self dissolves. The Scotsman is restless, a wanderer. He flings himself into new relationships, even as he flees family secrets. In Shadow World, we see through McEvoy’s eyes as he grows from boisterous youth to a man defined equally by darkness and light. We meet his demons and his lovers. His adventure unfolds like beads on a string, with each episode separate yet connected. His journey takes him from the Arizona desert to the wilds of Patagonia, from the Silk Road in China to the lush countryside of Ireland, ending in a twilight zone near the Arctic Circle. Shadow World is a first novel by noted popular science writer Chris Impey. Shadow World inhabits the boundary between narrative fiction and science fiction. It explores the tension between artifacts and natural forms, between reality and illusion, between the science that is and the science that might be. The novel is filled with intriguing characters. We meet a death camp survivor for whom music is everything, a relentless archeologist who is rewriting the story of human civilization, a mercurial sculptor who has a personality that mirrors her art, identical twins who inhabit parallel worlds of science and religion, a brilliant but raunchy astrophysicist, and an enigmatic philosopher who seems to know McEvoy better than he knows himself. By the end of his twenty-year odyssey, McEvoy has gained a startling insight into his reality, and perhaps ours as well.

Killer Cupcakes by Leighann Dobbs – Things are going great for Lexy Baker. She’s finally opened her dream bakery, gotten rid of her cheating boyfriend and settled into her grandmothers house with her perky dog Sprinkles at her side.

But her blissful life doesn’t last long. When her ex boyfriend is found poisoned with cupcakes from her bakery, Lexy finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation headed up by her hunky neighbor detective Jack Perillo.

With the help of a gang of iPad toting, would-be detective grandmothers, Lexy decides to take it upon herself to find the real murderer in order to clear her name and get her bakery back in business. 

As things heat up on the murder trail, in the kitchen and between Lexy and the hunky detective, it’s a race against time to put the real murderer behind bars and get back to baking.

Will Lexy get her man?

Leopard Moon by Jeanette Battista – How do you disappear when you come from a family of predators?

A wereleopard, Kess is forced to flee her home and family in Miami once her brother’s obsession with her turns violent. She runs from city to city, trying to stay one step ahead of the investigators her family has dispatched to bring her home. Kess ends up in the mountains of North Carolina and attracts the attention of Cormac, a young man with a secret of his own. As she attempts to live as normal a life as her were-nature allows, her brother Sek continues to hunt for her. He believes she is the key to revitalizing their weakened clan and is driven to extreme measures to ensure their continued existence. As Kess’ relationship with Cormac deepens, Sek closes in, threatening Cormac’s life and Kess’ freedom.

When the moon rises, the hunt is on….

Carpe Demon (Demon Hunting Soccer Mom) by Julie Kenner – Kate Connor used to be a demon hunter: Now she’s a stay-at-home mom, a “glorified chauffeur for pep squad practice and Gymboree play dates.” But when a demonic assassin shows up at her suburban home minutes before an important dinner party, the retired Hunter is forced back into action to save her town — and her freshly baked mini-quiches — from the invading fiend and his army of the undead.

Kate’s husband and her two kids don’t know anything about her demon-killing past — and she wants to keep it that way. So while doing what supermoms do — raising an inquisitive two-year old, dealing with a teenage girl’s myriad of social issues, supporting an overworked husband running for county attorney, etc. — Kate also finds time to unravel the mystery behind the sudden ghoulish invasion. It seems a master demon named Goramesh has come to town in search of an invaluable religious artifact secreted in a much-storied cathedral. But in order to obtain the relic, Goramesh must first find a suitable human subordinate

Lynn’s Modest Musings

The Yard by Alex Grecian – Victorian London is a cesspool of crime, and Scotland Yard has only twelve detectives—known as “The Murder Squad”—to investigate countless murders every month. Created after the Metropolitan Police’s spectacular failure to capture Jack the Ripper, The Murder Squad suffers rampant public contempt. They have failed their citizens. But no one can anticipate the brutal murder of one of their own . . . one of the twelve . . .When Walter Day, the squad’s newest hire, is assigned the case of the murdered detective, he finds a strange ally in the Yard’s first forensic pathologist, Dr. Bernard Kingsley. Together they track the killer, who clearly is not finished with The Murder Squad . . . but why?

Filled with fascinating period detail, and real historical figures, this spectacular debut in a new series showcases the depravity of late Victorian London, the advent of criminology, and introduces a stunning new cast of characters sure to appeal to fans of The Sherlockian and The Alienist.

The Violin Maker’s Wife by Luc Reid & Maya Lassiter – “The Violin Maker’s Wife” is a historical fantasy novelette, set in 1870s Missouri, and is about forty pages long.

Nora Warren always knew there was something uncanny about her husband Tom’s work. What she didn’t know what that his enchanted violins could be deadly. Tom’s friend has one of the exquisite instruments, as does Tom himself. So does Garrett, Nora’s only son.

But Tom has looked too deeply into his own magic, and Garrett is in danger. Now Nora must find the answers Tom can’t give her, even if it means searching for spells hidden in his workshop, questioning a secret society of musicians, and following dangerous lights out into the wilderness. Tom has looked where he shouldn’t, but to save Garrett it’s Nora who must find who–or what–has looked back.

Rose by Holly Webb – The grand residence of the famous alchemist, Mr Fountain, is a world away from the dark orphanage Rose has left behind. For the house is positively overflowing with sparkling magic—she can feel it. And it’s not long before Rose realises that maybe, just maybe, she has a little bit of magic in her, too. . . .

The first book in an exciting, get-lost-in-the-world series about orphans, alchemy, magical powers and sinister child-catchers.

In the Pulps by Rex Stout – “In the Pulps – 26 Short Stories” is a compilation of most of the short stories written by Rex Stout and originally published in the Pulps in the early 20th Century. Although these stories are not all mysteries, they all are suspenseful and very enjoyable. They already show the creative mind that devised later so many complex plots as well as Stout’s gift for creating characters with a few quick strokes. 
The stories, which are presented here in order of publication, are: “Excess Baggage,” “The Infernal Feminine,” “A Professional Recall,” “Pamfret and Peace,” “A Companion of Fortune,” “A White Precipitate,” “The Mother of Invention,” “Méthode Américaine,” “A Tyrant Abdicates,” “The Pay-Yeoman,” “Secrets,” “Rose Orchid,” “An Agacella Or,” “The Inevitable Third,” “The Lie,” “Target Practice,” “If He Be Married,” “Baba,” “Jonathan Stannard’s Secret Vice,” “Sanétomo,” “The Strong Man,” “It’s Science That Counts,” “The Rope Dance,” “An Officer and a Lady,” “Heels of Fate,” and “Annuncio’s Violin.”

The Adventures of Ellery Queen by Ellery Queen – For Ellery Queen, there is no puzzle that reason cannot solve. In his time, he has faced down killers, thugs, and thieves, protected only by the might of his brain—and the odd bit of timely intervention by his father, a burly New York police inspector. But when a university professor asks Queen to teach a class, the detective finds there are people whom reason cannot touch: college students.

Queen’s adventure on campus is only the first of this incomparable collection of short mysteries. In these pages, he tangles with a violent book thief, an assassin who targets acrobats, and New York’s only cleanly shaven bearded lady. Criminals everywhere fear him, whether they work in mansions or back alleys. No mystery is too difficult for the man with the golden brain.

 

Happy Birthday To US

 

One year ago today we posted our first review.  It feels like a lifetime.  We would like to thank our readers, the authors who have allowed us to interview them, and our fellow book lovers everywhere.  While it is true that we would be doing this anyway we are grateful that we can share our opinions with the people who matter most.  People who read.

Forgiven by Rachel Morgan

Forgiven (A Trouble Novella)

by Rachel Morgan

 

 

Book Blurb:

Three hundred and six days ago, Julia ran away from home. Abandoning her family, friends, boyfriend, and university plans, she fled with no explanation. She can’t hide forever, though, and now it’s time to face the mess she left behind.

 

 

My Review:

As I was reading this all kinds of things were running through my mind about why Julia ran away, boy I didn’t see that coming. Don’t worry I won’t give it away.  What I will say is sometimes when things happen people don’t know what to do and they feel trapped, so that being said Julia did what she felt she had to do.

When Julia comes home who knows what to expect.  This is a novella, so it reads quick and the twists and turns happen fast. However, they are very well done and the story is a wonderful set up for the start of this new series.  

 

 

PG-13 the reason Julia ran away is a little unsettling.  Even though they don’t go into graphic detail.

 

 

 

About the Author:

Rachel Morgan was born in South Africa and spent a large portion of her childhood living in a fantasy land of her own making. After completing a degree in genetics, she decided science wasn’t for her—after all, they didn’t approve of made-up facts. These days she spends much of her time immersed in fantasy land once more, writing fiction for young adults

 

She is the author of the Amazon bestselling Creepy Hollow series.

 

 

Similar titles you might enjoy:

Mortal Enchantment by Stacey O’Neale

“Mortal Enchantment spins a unique twist on elemental mythology. This series is not to be missed.” Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

In Kalin Matthew’s world, elementals control the forces of nature. They are divided into four courts: air, woodland, fire, and water. At sixteen she will leave the life she’s built with her mortal mother. Kalin will move to Avalon to rule with her father—the elemental king of the air court. Along the way, she’s attacked by a fire court assassin and saved by Rowan, a swoon-worthy elemental with a questionable past.

Worst of all, she learns her father is missing.

To rescue him, Kalin will have to work with a judgmental council and a system of courts too busy accusing each other of deceit to actually be able to help her. But, they aren’t her biggest challenge. With the Midwinter’s Ball only five days away, Kalin must take over her father’s duties, which includes shifting control of the elements—power Kalin has yet to realize.

As Rowan attempts to train her, a war looms between the four courts. If Kalin fails, her father will die and the courts will fall, but the betrayal she’s about to uncover may cost her even more…

Available Exclusively at Amazon eBook for $2.99 and Paperback for $8.99

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Supernatural Devices by Kailin Gow

Supernatural Devices by Kailin Gow

Talk about a fun romp through Victorian England.

Book Summary:

Scarlett was a sensible seventeen year old young lady or so everyone thought, but there was definitely more to her. The daughter of famous English Egyptologists and archeologists Theodore and Gemma Seely, she was prone to adventure and all the world had to offer.

It was the 1890s, and she had just received a letter from one of her parents’ dearest friend, a certain detective who lived on Baker Street, who needed her help on a case most bizarre.

As she embarks through the supernatural side of London, ventures into the forbidden realms bordering Victorian society; often accompanied by a dashing but infuriating Lord Darthmoor; Scarlett’s first case, which had seemed so innocent at first had taken a turn for the unexpected and dangerous.

My Review:

I really liked this book.  I’ll confess that in my opinion it’s more gaslamp than steampunk but this book is just the first in the series.  It’s the set up for the next book that sounds more like steampunk to me.  Scarlett begins searching for devices in the next book.  I can’t wait to see what happens next.

The characters were fun and distinct. Only a mystery would have brought all of these characters together.  I doubt that if they passed one another on the street they would give each other the time of day.  Scarlett can see what others cannot so she sees the impossible everyday.  It makes her a sot after commodity.  Since there are not a lot of people that can do what Scarlett can do Cruces (Lord Darthmoor) goes to extraordinary lengths to secure her help.  That kind of tells you all you need to know about Cruces.  He drags Scarlett into a mess of a stolen ring and a secret society call the Order.  His redeeming quality is that Scarlett awakens something in him.  He’s old in years and jaded.  I think she likes him more than the changeling but I am almost always team vampire.  Tavian, the Fey changeling completes the love triangle.  He is a gypsy and wants to help Scarlett solve her case since his sister is wrapped up in it.

This was a fun quick read at only 240 pages.  It would be a great beach read or a travel read.  I recommend it and I can’t wait to read the next one.

PG- Mild violence.  Scarlett kisses both boys but everyone knows that you can’t trust a changeling.