Damned: A Magnus Blackwell Novel, Book 1
by Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed For Readers Favorite
Altmover Manor has sat empty and crumbling for over sixty years, but as an architect, it is a dream come turn for Will to be able to restore it to its former glory, and Lexie is willing go to along with her fiancé, until she walks into the house and realizes that something isn't right. Of course being the practical man he is Will doesn't believe in her feelings or ghosts, but as Lexie starts learning about the house, she learns of the tragedies that occurred there. Lexie also meets the ghost of the former owner, Magnus Blackwell, and from there things get complicated. Damned is the story of Lexie, learning to deal with her gift and helping the ghosts of the house, and Magnus finding redemption for his previous sins during his lifetime. It is a complex story with lots of twists and turns and just when you think its over you find its only half way through. Author Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor has created a multilayered story that is complex and compelling. As a reader you find yourself drawn in and wanting to know more and keep reading, until before you know it the book is finished and you are begging for another installment in the story.
Damned, A Magnus Blackwell Novel is the first book in a series. Given the titles one would assume that the series revolves around Magnus Blackwell and his exploits, but as he is dead already in book one I am note exactly sure what book two would be unless it goes back and revisits his life before his death. This is a complex story with two very dynamic characters taking the lead in Magnus and Lexie, Will plays a supporting role. The whole story speaks of life and death, atoning for your actions, and the actions you take having consequences. Author Alexandra Weis with Lucas Astor is an amazing team in that they have created a multilayered story that is complex and compelling, that feels like real life and that draws you in and makes you want to keep reading. There are some adult themes in the story because it does talk about the death of Magus and a few other people, and there is some talk of sex, so I recommend it for adults, but in reality it is probably nothing more than most high school students have already heard, but I would leave that up to parents to decide.
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The Binding
by Victoria Clapton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite
For most of her life Sybella Rose has never felt like she fit in. She was the only girl, raised by her father and six older brothers, who were all successful in their respective careers, whereas Syb isn't sure what she wants to do, so she packs up her life and moves to New Orleans, which immediately feels like home. Her apartment is above JoJo's Mojo voodoo shop, which becomes her first job. Josephine, or JoJo is also her landlord, along with her husband Al, who is the chef next door at Gumbo Gris Gris. On her first night in town she meets Demien. He might rub her the wrong way, but she feels these pull to him. The Binding is not only the title of the book, but a pull between two people fated, or meant to be mates. Author Victoria Clapton created a complex story involving magic, voodoo, ghosts, mates and protecting their home, New Orleans.
The Binding is such a complex and compelling book. I have read a number of books of the same title, but this book is completely different, other than the concept of a set of mates bound by something supernatural. This story is so full of layers and issues. First there is the resident ghost in Sybella's apartment, who has a mission for her. Then there is Demien, the strange pull to him that Sybella feels, his pushing her away, and the other people in town. This book had me turning paging over and over until the end. I loved every page and couldn't put the book down until it was done. Author Victoria Clapton was able to create such a complex story that is compelling and captivating. I recommend this book to anyone who loves New Orleans, the south, vampires, voodoo and food!
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Lara Adrian
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/Lara_Adrian
Website Link: http://www.laraadrian.com
Midnight Breed Series
0.5 A Touch of Midnight
1. Kiss of Midnight My Review
2. Kiss of Crimson My Review
3. Midnight Awakening My Review
4. Midnight Rising My Review
5. Veil of Midnight My Review
6. Ashes of Midnight My Review
7. Shades of Midnight My Review
8. Taken by Midnight
9. Deeper than Midnight
9.5 A Taste of Midnight
10. Darker after Midnight
11. Edge of Dawn
11.5 Marked by Midnight
12. Crave the Night
12.5 Tempted by Midnight
Dragon Chalice Series
1. Heart of the Hunter
2. Heart of the Flame
3. Heart of the Dove
Warrior Trilogy
1. White Lion's Lady (currently free on amazon.com as a kindle download)
2. Black Lion's Bride
3. Lady of Valor
The Ghosts of Rue Dumaine
by Alexandrea Weis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite .
Danica grew up in New Orleans, but moved away after her mother's passing, went to college and married badly. Now that she is free of the ex-husband, she is back wanting to rent her former home again. Not just for the memories, but because she left behind something else, her bet friend, a ghost that haunts the home, Gaston. Slowly Danica realizes that she is in love with Gaston, but can she truly be happy in love with a man that can not hold her or kiss her? As The Ghosts of Rue Dumaine unfolds more than just the ghost of Gaston will become evident, and this new ghost is not as welcoming to Danica as Gaston is. What is in store for Danica? Can she survive the ghosts and will she find what will truly make her happy? Alexandrea Weis writes a southern novel, set in New Orleans that resounds with the spirits of the area.
Alexandrea Weis takes the favorite local of ghosts and ghost stories, New Orleans and puts a real life family kind of story into it. Danica grew up and lived here, loved here and lost here. This is where she belongs and where she comes back to when she needs to find herself again. The Ghosts of Rue Dumaine has your typical good ghost and bad ghost, but you never quite know how is good and how is bad to whom, until the very end. Each has qualities that can make them both, but in the end it is what they are willing to give up for others that determines their status. This is a lovely novel that treats you to some local fare of New Orleans that is welcome in any story. Perfect quick novel for those wanting something to read whether you like the romance or not so much, and there are non-believers of the ghosts in the books, so if you are not that into the ghosts, you still might enjoy this book.
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Millicent,
Southern Hearts Series
Book One
by Felicia Rogers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite .
Travel back with me to the Southern United States in 1830 to the beautiful setting of our story, Millicent. Millicent is the oldest of three daughters of a plantation owner just outside of New Orleans. For the last eight months, she has been writing back and forth to Stephenie, by request of her tutor to strengthen her english skills. Now she is having a huge party for her birthday and wants Stephenie to come and be by her side for the whole event. The only problem with this is that, unbeknownst to Millicent, Stephenie is really Stephen. Oh what a tangled web Felicia Rogers has woven. Stephen secures and invitation to the party and plans to tell Millicent, but we all know what happens to the best laid plans. Deceit, treachery, stolen kisses and a house full of men wanting to meet Millicent stand between Stephen and his plans. Can he get to Millicent before she finds out on her own?
Millicent is a warm and touch, innocent story of two very shelter and innocent and trusting young adults in the 1830's that share a special relationship through letters. Stephen knows more about Millie than anyone else would and probably more than what a normal husband even would in that time period. In their letters they were free of the constraints of society to talk freely with each other and they did. Felicia Rogers takes a classic tale of a daughter turning eighteen and well, you gotten kinda marry them off, so you have a big party and show off what you have to interest somebody in her and you hope she is happen. In this case you have a loving family that wants the best, and it turns out kinda funny. This is good reading for adults, teens, young adults, really anyone with the time to read.
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