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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Mystik Warrior (Dark Alliance Series, Book 2)
by Brenda Trim, Tami Julka
My rating: 4.8 of 5 stars
Jace may be a doctor to the world around him, but he is a centuries old sorcerer with a heart of gold and scars that run deep. When he learns that Cailyn may be in danger, he is ready to run to her aid, even if thoughts of her sacre him to his core.
Ever since the day that Jace walked into her sister Elise's apartment with Rhys, to bring over a television, Cailyn has become undo. Her nice orderly world is in question. she thought she wanted safe and stable, but there is something in Jace that sets off every deep dark fantasy that she could ever dream of and then some!
Mystick Warrior is the story of Jace and Cailyn. How they learn to talk to each other, come together, over come their pasts and find that fated mates is something to enjoy and relish, not to run away from.
Mystick Warrior is the second book in the Dark Warrior Alliance Series, and in book one, we were introduced to Jace, the sorcerer and doctor, who lives at Zeum with the other Dark Warriors. Cailyn is Elise's older sister, and although she was in San Francisco most of book one, she does know what is going on, having been involved in a major fight outside a club on Elise's graduation. Still the whole fated mate thing, while she loves it for her sister, is scaring her just a little, and to that the fact that Jace doesn't seem to like her, she thinks.
In this story we learn Jace's history and the horrors and tortures that he endured, and with Cailyn's help, he might just learn to over come them, that is if he can release himself from the guilt and tell her about it all.
Let me just tell you, this series has me HOOKED!! I read book one in a couple hours, didn't even close my kindle, but immediately went and bought the rest of the series that was available at the time! Yes, I am one of those readers, when I find a writer - or team of writers in this case - that draws me into the characters to the point that I just have to know what is happening, then I have to read the whole series!!
Dark Alliance Series:
1. Dream Warrior
2. Mystik Warrior
3. Deviant Warrior
3.5 Mistletoe & Mayham
4. Scarred Warrior - (orginally slated for 2015 release - not released as of yet)
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Silver Moon Deja Vu
The Deja Vu Chronicles
by Marti Melville
My rating: 4.2 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite .
When we first met John he is a paramedic working on a patient, upon arrival at the hospital he sees a nurse that he thinks he knows, in fact he is sure she is someone from his past. Very quickly we find out that when he means his past, he means his long ago past life! Silver Moon Deja Vu is John's story. In a past life he was a pirate captain in love with an Irish lass named Kathryn. There are trials and setbacks, good times and promises and a romance that lives on past their lives. Add in some superstitious pirate crew members and a hussy lady pirate and you have a wonderful story. Marti Melville mixes Irish and Caribbean traditions, Druids and Voodoo to give a story that is part romance and part adventure, but all enjoyable.
Although Silver Moon Deja Vu is the second book in the Deja Vu Chronicles, it can stand on it's own quite easily. I had not read the first book and had no trouble following the story or understanding what was going on at all. Of course it is probably even better if you have read the first, but it was good without. John and Kathryn are characters that are so real, they have flaws that lead them to mistakes that hurt them, but they love deeply and have tempers. Marti Melville adds in some paranormal aspects into the story with the Irish folklore and ideal that Kathryn has a gift, she is a witch in the Irish tradition and able to heal. Her role on the pirate ship is the ship's doctor or healer. There is also some Caribbean Voodoo since the ship is traveling and Kathryn can't ask her grandmother questions, she searches out those where they are at, which just happens to be Trinidad. This is a wonderful story for those who love romance, adventure and paranormal or any of those. Definitely one that you want to check out.
The Deja Vu Chronicles
Book One: Midnight Omen Deja Vu
Book Two: Silver Moon Deja Vu
Book Three: Onyx Rising Deja Vu
Book Four: Cutthroat's Omen: A Crimson Dawn
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