Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige

I think Stealing Snow was supposed to be a novel about self-discovery and creating your own destiny, and while I liked the idea of the main character Snow finding her true self, I was very disappointed with the novel. Snow was a misunderstood teen living in a psychiatric institute but had no real business being there. Most characters, while eccentric, were one-dimensional. And the world building lacked so many elements that it made the story hard to follow.

I'm not very familiar with the Snow Queen fairy tale so I can't even begin to compare it to the original story. Fairy tale retellings are so common these days that I can't help but wonder if these authors are checking off a list until every story has been reimagined. I loved Danielle Paige's Dorothy Must Die series, her version of what happens after The Wizard of Oz. However, I'm not a big fan of this new release. It doesn't have the same finesse as her previous books. I had great hopes for this new series but I was left very disappointed.

Snow has lived most of her life in a psychiatric institute but in my opinion, I don't think she ever belonged there. As a child she tried to walk through a mirror, injuring herself and another girl whom she tried to pull through the mirror with her. Honestly, that singular event shouldn't have institutionalized her. A child's imagination is a special thing and it could have simply been Snow playing pretend and hurting a friend and herself in the process. These days, I think we are too quick to diagnose children with behavioural problems and drugging them senselessly. Obviously, leaving the institute is the best thing that happened to Snow and without the medication, she's the same sarcastic person. However, you have to wonder, as soon as she stops taking her medication she gets pulled into the magical world of Algid.

She runs away from the institute in search for Bale, the only person she ever felt a connection to. She saw him disappear through a mirror and she feels responsible for what happened to him, especially since their first kiss rendered him numb and uncommunicative. Honestly, I don't see Bale's appeal. Snow's one and only goal in the novel is to save Bale yet we know very little about him except that he's a pyromaniac. We end up knowing more about Jagger and Kai, two boys she meets in Algid, and honestly I don't blame Snow for feeling attraction to both boys. She had very little contact with boys her own age in the institution and now she meets these fantastical, however one-dimensional characters, and she can't help but feel some attraction.

Jagger is the reason she's in Algid, the reason she found her way through the tree portal into her native and magical world. Through many different teacher, Snow slowly begins to learn how to control her magic, her snow. She also learns that she's a long lost princess (gasp!) yet no one she meets seem very forthcoming with information. So many things happen, one after the other, and that's where the author really lost me. She tried to introduce us to her magical world yet with very little description it was very hard to follow. The lack of world building and the constant shift in scenes, without description and without transition really spoiled the book.

Danielle Paige will have to come up with something special for the sequel in order to redeem herself and her new series. You would think a story full of secrets, magical fury, robbers, witches and royalty would be captivating yet Stealing Snow really wasn't for me. I had a difficult time getting through the book because of the confusing writing style and the strange pace of the book. I liked the premise of the story but the execution is what failed in my opinion. I doubt I'll continue reading this series since its first impression wasn't a great one. I would encourage anyone to form their own opinion about the novel, but personally, I have very little hope in Snow and her entourage. However, many renowned writers had positive things to say about the novel so my opinion may be the aberrant one.

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 04:00

 Bloomsbury, Danielle Paige, fairy tale, Fantasy, Magic, Retelling, Review, Stealing Snow, Witch, young adult  1 Person left their mark

Spells and Scones by Bailey Cates

Bailey Cates has done it again. It seems like she has found the right recipe for the perfect magical cozy mystery and keeps switching up the ingredients to entertain us with a new story with each new release. In Spells and Scones, not only do we unravel a new murder mystery, but we also have the chance to delve deeper into the relationships between characters.

Katie Lightfoot is a witch. She has only known for the last couple of years yet she has grown into her power relatively fast. She's a hedgewitch, sourcing her powers from plants and their magical properties. As a baker, it comes to her naturally, and as part owner of the Honeybee Bakery, she practices her craft daily by mixing positive ingredients and sending positive thoughts into her food. She also happens to be a lightwitch, meaning she's attracted to situations that need help finding a resolution.

Katie often finds herself near murder scenes and it's definitely true in this book. Only this time, it seems like there's very little magic involved in the crime. A Dr. Dana, a self-help guru and famous radio personality is found dead in the bookstore next to Katie's bakery. Katie feels compelled to help solve the mystery, especially when she learns the main murder suspect is an ex-witch, who just happens to be the previous owner of her familiar, Mungo. Her little terrier seems convinced that Angie is not guilty and for Katie, that's enough to convince her to help the ex-witch.

With the amount of murder scenes she "attracts", you would think Katie could start a side business as a private investigator. However, her true passion is her bakery so I highly doubt she would ever be comfortable leaving her business for a new one. She is good at investigating, using her magical powers only when necessary and only using her skills for good. However, even though it seems like she has everything figured out in her business life, it's her personal life she has a hard time dealing with. Her wonderful boyfriend Declan seems to want more (wants to move in more) but Katie is hesitant because of a past relationship that failed miserably. On top of everything, Steve Dawes professes his love for Katie and will stop at nothing to prove to Katie that he has turned his life around for her. That would put a damper on anyone's one year anniversary!

I love this series because it's light and easy to read compared to some of the other darker books I tend to read. The small town feeling, the sense of community and the wonderful food keeps me coming back for more. One of these days I'll try one of the recipes included. The Pumpkin Spice Softies sound delicious and yes, I just happen to be one of those people obsessed with pumpkin spice anything. Perfect for autumn, fans of Bailey Cates and cozy mysteries will fall for this book.

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 04:10

 A Magical Bakery Mystery, Bailey Cates, bakery, cozy, food, Library, Magic, murder mystery, Mystery, NAL, Penguin, Review, Witch  Leave your mark

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Thorne

This is a book that needs no introduction in the literary world. As a true Harry Potter fan, I was so excited when I heard the news about the production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the simultaneous publication of its rehearsal script. In my mind, J.K. Rowling was done with Harry Potter but I always knew she would return to the magical wizarding world, somehow. I was surprised she returned not only to the world, but also returned with Harry.

Harry is older now, forty years old to be exact. He has a demanding job at the Ministry of Magic and also as the father of three children. His oldest, James, is the son everyone admires while Albus, his second, feels like an outsider. Albus has never fit in and has always felt like the odd one out. He doesn't really get along with his father and has never really been able to connect with his family members. Everyone is surprised when he's sorted in a house other than Gryffindor, but for Albus, it feels natural. He quickly forms a bond with Scorpius Malfoy and the two become the best of friends.

But as Albus is about to start his fourth year at Hogwarts, something is brewing in the wizarding world. Rumours about dark magic has been spreading and Harry's job as Head of Magical Law Enforcement has him buried in paperwork. To make matters worse, Albus has a plan to go back in time to right some wrongs. Personally, I hate time traveling stories but funny enough, The Prisoner of Azkaban is one of my favourite Harry Potter books. We were first introduced to time-turners in this novel but honestly, I'm not a fan of the way time-turners were used in this play. The characters go back years into the past and everything becomes a confusing mess as alternate realities are created because of the small changes Albus and Scorpius force on the past.

Voldemort definitely makes his presence known but a new enemy is introduced in this story. While characters like Harry, Ron and Hermione (and Ginny!) play major roles in this play, I love how we are introduced to a whole new set of heroes. I do wish we could have spent a lot more time in J.K. Rowling's world. This script was made for the theatre, and while I understand plays can only last so long, I think Harry and his progeny deserve more than just a couple of hours to recap the last 19 years.

Give me a novel before a play, any day. I have never been a fan reading plays, whether it was Shakespeare or Molière, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child hasn't changed my opinion about plays. On the other hand, I love going to the theatre and seeing a story come to life on stage. I imagine seeing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on stage would blow me away, because the scene descriptions and the magical special effects look great on paper. I'm definitely curious how they managed transforming the characters into other characters and how time traveling played out on stage. But I can't justify paying for the extravagant tickets that can cost over $1000 (and the costs of travelling to London, of course). Maybe I'll just wait for a movie? 

I'm a little bit disappointed with this book, but it still has a spot at the top of one of my book shelves, solely dedicated to Harry Potter books and paraphernalia. Fans Harry Potter will definitely read this book but I'm sure there will be a lot of mixed emotions and thoughts about the return of the famous wizard.

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 03:00

 Fantasy amp; Magic, Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, John Tiffany, Magic, Play, Purchased, Review, Scholastic, Witch, Wizard, young adult  Leave your mark

Shadow Rites: A Jane Yellowrock Novel by Faith Hunter

This is a review of the 10th installment to the Jane Yellowrock series.  A thus far intriguing and exciting series that I would not want to spoil for any of you who may not be current in it.  If that is you, stop reading this and start reading the first book right away, I'm sure you'll be hooked immediately.  When you've caught up, come back and read up on what's new with Jane.

The Big Cat is back!  Along with her partners Eli and Alex  and so many of her friends and acquaintances that we have grown to know and appreciate.  Still in the Big Easy and still Enforcer for Leo Pellissier and getting ready for the big meeting between witches and vampires.  The only problem is, two witches decide to visit Jane early and leave a mystery in their wake.

When it comes to stories about anything fantastical or paranormal in the U.S., it's hard to beat a New Orleans for the setting.  It is a city rich in cultures and the histories that surround them.  Faith Hunter makes good use of this setting every time she brings back to visit with Jane.  In this book, as well as the others, her use of scenery enhances the mood either by matching it or by contrast.  Well appointed offices, posh parlors and smelly swamps all do their parts to lull the reader into false security or to put the reader on guard for the next beastly attack.

One of the traps for a series of this depth is the possibility of a lack of growth in the characters.  At ten books into the series, the Jane Yellowrock series does not have that problem.  Jane herself continues to have enough mystique in both her future and her past that we may yet see a great deal more of her in books to come.  Her compatriots get similar treatment.  We still don't know much of Eli Younger's past and Alex Younger might be a future that bears watching.

The plot and pacing themselves are somewhat familiar but, don't feel forced or formulaic.  We have general ideas that conflicts will happen and resolutions reached.  Thing is, it may not happen in the order you expect.  Some resolutions may be from books past some conflicts remain in place.  Much like real life, you don't know when things will settle down.

Shadow Rites: A Jane Yellowrock Novel by Faith Hunter  maintains and actually boosts the momentum initiated by the previous installments of this series. Very entertaining though it lands comfortably in the PG13 rating for me.  There's very little in the way of language but, the violence and mature situations keep it there.

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 01:00

 Faith Hunter, Fantasy, Jane Yellowrock, Netgalley, Paranormal, Penguin, Review, Skinwalker, Urban, Vampire, Witch  4 People left their mark

Magic and Macaroons by Bailey Cates

Another sweet and magical treat from Bailey Cates! Since I've started reading this series a while back, I've really come to enjoy the characters and the small town feel of Savannah, Georgia. Personally, I don't know much about the practice of magic and Wicca, but I always feel like what the characters practice might actually be authentic.

Katie Lightfoot hasn't been practicing as a witch for very long but as a catalyst/lightwitch, her magical powers are curiously strong. Trouble seems to find her at every corner, but always for a good reason. With her intuitive mind and the help of her fellow coven members, she helps solve murder mysteries. This time, the murdered victim is particularly close to Katie and she feels it's her duty to help solve the mystery, especially since the victim's niece and protogée appears to be magically cursed into a coma. The niece's life might depend Katie fishing out the truth, but Katie's own life is at risk when she is targeted for asking too many questions. Since she suspects voodoo is part of the answer, she has been sleuthing around, asking questions about voodoo and black magic. Obviously someone isn't thrilled that Katie is poking her nose in the voodoo community. However, the near-death experience doesn't stop Katie for long.

In this book, Declan, Katie's boyfriend, seems to have embraced Katie's magical side and is more open to that aspect of her life. He almost doesn't have a choice because he has recently discovered that he, himself can channel his great-uncle from the after life. Katie's other "suitor", Steve, seems to have finally acknowledged Katie's rejection by getting engaged, which is a whole other story. Suffice to say, nothing is ever boring when it comes to Katie's love life.

I keep coming back to this series mainly because it's an easy and light read, but let's be honest, I'm also interested in the food. Although I've never tried any of the recipes at the end of the books, they have me salivating throughout the story. Since I love coconut, and macaroons are some of my favorite deserts, I've decided to try one of the recipes at the end of this book. I'll make sure to come back and let you know in the comments how they turned out.

MAGIC AND MACAROONS is the fifth book of the Magical Bakery Mystery series, and as the series goes on, we learn more about Katie and what her purpose as a lightwitch might actually be. The series is nothing too complicated but I do recommend reading the books in order. I would recommend this book and series to any fan of cozy mysteries. The magical elements makes it that much more original and adds a little flair to some of the eccentric characters. Personally, this book is the best of series so far. The last few chapters are particularly gripping and I hope the author is already working on the next book.

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 03:00

 A Magical Bakery Mystery, Bailey Cates, Library, Magic, murder mystery, Mystery, Obsidian, Penguin, Review, Voodoo, Witch  1 Person left their mark

Her Sinful Angel Blog Tour: Her Dark Angel Review + Giveaway

Honestly, as far as free e-books go, this one is good and steamy! I enjoyed it so much, I immediately purchased the next book of the series. I usually don't like novella length stories because I feel like I get cheated from long character development and back story. In this case, I simply went along for the ride and enjoyed the good paranormal romance that it is.

The hero and dark angel of this story is Apollyon and he is summoned by a witch in modern Paris. This witch, Serenity, inadvertently calls Apollyon to help her get her revenge on her ex, Edward , who cheated on her and broke her heart. Serenity's mother always told her to beware of angels, especially this one who is also known as Abaddon, the Great Destroyer. So when she first sees Apollyon, with his strong armor and majestic wings, she more or less freaks. Eventually, they gain each other's trust and begin to plan Serenity's revenge.

All Serenity wanted was to make Edward jealous. She never planned to fall for her guardian angel, although, with his incredible physique, it's kind of hard not too be attracted. More than lust develops between the two, but Serenity doubts strongly a future with Apollyon is possible, so she hides her true feelings. I loved the interactions between the two main characters. I wish we could have had more development and action, and as a whole, I was a little disappointed with the climax of the story (no pun intended). Actually, there's a lot of romance/love scenes in this story, quite a bit for a book this length. And they're very steamy! They're also very detailed but written in a classy way.

Overall,  I thought Her Dark Angel was a really good paranormal romance short, and I can't wait to meet more angels in the rest of the series. It's ebooks like these that allow you to simply get lost in a good romance with lovable characters. Her Dark Angel was a quick and easy read that was enjoyable despite its short length.

----------

I'm new to this series, so I was only able to provide you with a review of the first book, but the latest book in the series, was just a released a few short days ago.

Her Sinful Angel, book eight in New York Times best-seller Felicity Heaton’s hot paranormal romance series, Her Angel, was released August 1, 2015 and is now available in ebook and paperback. To celebrate the release, she’s holding a FANTASTIC GIVEAWAY on her website.

Find out how to enter the Her Sinful Angel international giveaway (ends August 9th) and have a shot at winning a $75, $50 or $25 gift certificate on her website, where you can also download a 5 chapter sample of the novel. 

Here's more about Her Sinful Angel:

Cast out of Heaven and now the king of Hell, Lucifer is a powerful fallen angel warrior with a heart as cold as ice and soul as black as the bottomless pit. For millennia, he has ruled his realm with an iron fist as he plots the demise of his ancient enemies. When one of those enemies dumps an unconscious mortal female in the courtyard of his fortress and leaves her there, Lucifer finds himself entranced by the beguiling beauty and tempted beyond all reason. But is the enchanting Nina an innocent pawn in the eternal game or part of a plot against him?

Tynga's Reviews is also hosting a giveaway for a copy of one book of the series. You can already grab book 1 for free at most major retailers so if you get hooked the first book like I did, now is your chance to win a copy of one the other "sinful" angels.

Read an excerpt

Purchase: Amazon

Felicity Heaton is also giving away one (1) ebook from this series to a reader from Tynga's Reviews. Winner gets to choose which book.

Open internationally

Ends August 9, 2015

a Rafflecopter giveaway

----------

About the Author

Felicity Heaton is a New York Times and USA Today international best-selling author writing passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! If you're a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.

If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, the best-selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series or any of her stand-alone vampire romance books. If you’re looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try the best-selling Vampire Erotic Theatre series. Or if you prefer huge detailed worlds filled with hot-blooded alpha males in every species, from elves to demons to dragons to shifters and angels, then take a look at the new Her Angel series.

Website │ Blog │ Facebook │ Twitter │ Goodreads

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 01:27

 angels, blog tour, Dark Rose Publishing, Felicity Heaton, Free, giveaway, Her Angel, Magic, Paranormal Romance, Review, Romance, Witch  4 People left their mark

Day Shift by Charlaine Harris

The more I read this series, the more I seem to fall in love with its characters. Mind you, it's only the second book of the series, but Day Shift has revealed a lot of background information about the citizens of Midnight, Texas. The more I think about it, the more I realize the series hasn't really settled with a main character. At least, not yet. It's almost as if the main character is the town, and its citizens are simply supporting the stories it's hosting.

To be quite honest, Day Shift wasn't very thrilling nor was it very engaging. I liked the book enough because I really enjoy the characters, but when it comes to the story, it's a little bit disappointing. The story really begins when Manfred is in Dallas for a working weekend in a hotel, where he plans to meet up with clients and do personal psychic readings. However, the night before he's set to start working, he notices another Midnight, Texas resident, Olivia, dining in the same hotel restaurant. He thinks little of it until the next morning when Olivia's dining companions are found dead in their hotel room. And things get even more complicated when Manfred's own client dies in the middle of the reading. The timing and the circumstances are bad for Manfred's business, especially when he is accused of murdering and stealing from his client.

As suspicions are raised, Manfred is the main focus of the murder investigation and reporters camp out in front of his house in Midnight. Along with the newly renovated and grand reopening of the Midnight Hotel, the town is getting more attention than the residents are used to. The people of Midnight like the fact that their little town is quiet and doesn't get many visitors, and all the action is making some of the residents anxious and unhappy about the unwanted publicity. Manfred and Olivia join together and decide to solve the murder, in order to get rid of the unwanted attention as soon as possible. The more they investigate, the more things get complicated and troublesome.

The main story and mystery surrounds Manfred but the other residents of the town also have their own problems to deal with. The town Reverend, simply referred to as Rev, is charged with the care of a growing boy; Joe finds himself in a situation where the only way to survive is to do something he promised long ago he wouldn't do; Olivia deals with her past and we learn more about who she is, and what she does for a living.

We also meet a few new characters who are living temporarily in the Midnight Hotel. One of these characters is actually linked to Sookie Stackhouse, the main character of Charlaine Harris' other bestselling series. With this link, we confirm our suspicions that this series is based in the same universe as the Sookie Stackhouse books. I highly doubt the author will push this link any further but it's good to know that things may get even more supernatural. Like Bon Temps, Midnight is a special town that seems to attract the supernatural, but the why of this has yet to be investigated.

Overall, I was a little bit disappointed with the main mystery but the various side stories add excitement to the book. For someone that hasn't finished Charlaine Harris' other series, I'm actually quite invested in this new one. I'm really looking forward to reading more about Midnight and its mysterious residents. Who wouldn't be attracted to a town with a witch, a vampire, a psychic, a shape-shifter, a talking cat and angels?

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 03:38

 Ace, angels, Charlaine Harris, Library, Midnight, Midnight Texas, Mystery, Paranormal, Penguin, psychic, Shapeshifter, Texas, Witch  2 People left their mark

The Shattered Court by M. J. Scott

I'm not a big fan of M. J. Scott's Half Light City series but she's completely won me over with THE SHATTERED COURT.  It's a compelling story and the start of what looks to be a truly engaging series. It's been a while since I've read a book that captured my attention as thoroughly as THE SHATTERED COURT has. The characters and mythology are so very interesting and Scott's done a marvellous job with them!

As always, mythology is a big thing for me and Scott has created a very strong setting for this series. Witches are an accepted part of the world, but their magic is highly constrained, at least in Anglion. It's a societal decision, though, restricting royal witches to "safe" magic, under strict oversight and magical bonds. And marriage, since the Crown marries royal witches off to nobles, depending on how strong their magic is. Outside of Anglion, witches are allowed to practice more than just earth magic, but these kingdoms are regarded as dangerous by Anglion leaders and citizenry. I love the subtext you can read into the story if you choose, much like the Hunger Games trilogy; you can, however, thoroughly enjoy the story without thinking about the real-word parallels. :)

The protagonist of THE SHATTERED COURT is Lady Sophia Kendall, thirty-second in line to the throne and handmaiden to the princess. She is a rather unassuming young woman in many ways - anxious about whether or not she'll come into her magic, and who'll she marry as a result. She's only a few days away from her birthday, the day when she'll discover if she has magic, but the usual ceremony gets cast aside when Anglion comes under attack. She is forced on the run, her only protection a member of the royal guard named Lieutenant Cameron Mackenzie. Sophia comes into her magic when she's on the run, which means she doesn't participate in the usual rites, and this is where it gets interesting. Sophia is outside of society's rules and has magic unlike other women in the kingdom. It doesn't make anyone happy, not even Sophia, who finds herself with questions and suspicions plaguing her. Religious and political leaders view her as a threat but she also finds herself with abilities denied other witches by the rituals they usually participate in. Sophia is forced to grow into her new role and her journey through this discovery, and through her new relationships with members of court, is what propels THE SHATTERED COURT forward. Her relationship with Cameron is particularly interesting because it's instantly intimate but also incredibly distant, but there are other relationships that need to be renegotiated after Sophia comes into her power that are just as compelling.

The book ends a bit abruptly to my mind, but it's not a cliffhanger. There is resolution for Sophia's journey but also set up for the next book in the series, leaving me with a mixture of satisfaction and anticipation.  Scott's writing makes reading THE SHATTERED COURT a dream and I think this is definitely the beginning of a wonderful new series. I'm already looking forward to the next phase of Sophia's journey.

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 03:00

 Adult, Fantasy, M. J. Scott, M.J. Scott, Netgalley, Penguin, Review, The Four Arts, Witch  2 People left their mark

Would-Be Witch by Kimberly Frost

I was very disappointed by WOULD-BE WITCH. Based on the description and the blurbs, I was expecting a Janet Evanovich-style story -- some sexy moments, lots of laughs -- but WOULD-BE WITCH was nothing like that for me. I can see where someone might have gotten that idea and perhaps this book will appeal to other readers who enjoy humorous stories but I was quite let down by this novel. It has pieces of what could be a good book but it largely fails to deliver, at least to my mind. This was quite sad since I thought the book opens with a great scene that really establishes who Tammy Jo is in a fun and memorable way.

My main problem is the stereotyping. WOULD-BE WITCH is rife with stereotypes. I don't mind that in a lot of cases -- after all, it's hard to reinvent the wheel with witches and werewolves as your main supernatural beings -- but that's not where I took issue with this novel. I also didn't mind the fact that we had the stereotypical mean girl, country bumpkin-types, Texan he-men, and all that. Caricature-type characters is something I would expect in an Evanovich-like novel and they fit into the style that Frost is using. But there's a line you have to walk when you have larger than life characters and I don't think that Frost succeeded in this novel. There were moments when I found myself taken aback by the way that the one Asian character was depicted. Johnny Nguyen Ho is Vietnamese, gay, and a theatre director. He's also a non-native speaker of English. None of this would be problematic, except for the way that Frost has written his speech. I hope that she was trying to produce a humorous character but to me, it came off as patronising. It reminded me a lot of the way that non-white characters would be depicted on TV in the 60s, with very broken English, because Johnny never use the verb be in his sentences, saying things like "You gorgeous" and "She not tall enough". (Yes, there are dialects where this happens and yes, non-native speakers of English can struggle with the language but this isn't at all accurate.) Unfortunately, I found myself getting more and more put off every time Johnny came onto the page because of the way he was written.

I also found the narrative and pacing to be inconsistent. There was something about the way things were written that felt very up and down and it was challenging to stay hooked on the narrative. I think this may be due, at least in part, to the fact that I found Frost's writing for Johnny so jarring.

There's a love triangle in this novel, among Tammy Jo (the main character), her ex-husband Zach the Deputy and Bryn the Forbidden Handsome Witch. I liked Tammy Jo's relationship with Zach and enjoyed the push-and-pull. I could have done without the Bryn aspect of it. It felt a bit forced at times, maybe because Bryn wasn't terribly well descriptive. I think he was supposed to be mysterious but he came off as rather two-dimensional.

That being said, there were things I liked about WOULD-BE WITCH. Like I said earlier, the opening scene is great. The plot is generally quite interesting -- I always enjoy stories that have that coming-into-your-own theme and Frost writes Tammy Jo's confusion well. There are some nice twists and turns in the main mystery and also in Tammy Jo's learning witchcraft. She's not at all adept at magic and I was quite curious to see how she would get a handle on things. We don't get answers in WOULD-BE WITCH but we do get to see some progress on that front. I also liked a lot of the characters, particularly Zach and Edie. Zach is a bit of a stereotype but a thoroughly enjoyable one. Edie's a family ghost with a lot of attitude. There are also some great new funny moments, particularly early on in the novel.

Although I didn't love WOULD-BE WITCH, I would suggest that you try it yourself to see if it's more your cup of tea.

Read an excerpt (and review snippets)

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 03:00

 Adult, Berkley, Kimberly Frost, Penguin, Purchased, Review, Southern Witch, Urban Fantasy, Witch  Leave your mark

Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris

This book is definitely interesting. There's something mysterious and captivating behind the story and the characters kept me engaged through it all. I'll be the first to admit that this book isn't for everyone. From the various Goodreads reviews, it's obvious readers will have different responses to this first book of the series.

Midnight, Texas is a very small town. It's home to a variety of interesting characters, including a psychic, a witch, a vampire, a gay couple with a dog, a straight couple with a baby, and other seemingly normal people. One thing they all have in common, however, is that they all have their secrets. Manfred the psychic, the newest guy in town, quickly learns that no one asks questions in this small community. Those who want to share do, but it's unseemly to flat out ask about people's history. Manfred is alright with that until strange things start to happen. Especially when the community finds a decomposing body on the outskirts of town. Questions are now guaranteed.

The main reason why this book won't be for everyone is the slow build up. Not everyone will appreciate the slow and detailed introduction to the characters. Personally, I really liked it because it allowed me to really understand the characters before things unraveled. I'll admit, the book isn't full of action. It isn't even full of paranormal stuff. I would classify this book as a mystery first, with paranormal elements infused to add depth and detail. It's almost as if the author couldn't get away from the genre that truly made her famous. But somehow it works and I'm glad for the paranormal stuff.

Enter this book with an open mind. Forget that Charlaine Harris is behind the Sookie Stackhouse books. I haven't read Harris' other series so I can't speak for those, but Midnight Crossroad is definitely different from the Sookie books. It kind of reminds me a little of Kelley Armstrong's Cainsville series with the murder investigation and the constant secrets. It also has the mysteriousness of a Stephen King novel with all its different characters and point of views.

I'm keeping this review short because I truly believe readers need to explore it on their own. Do I recommend this book? Yes and no. Yes, because I really enjoyed it, despite being a little disappointed with the very little amount of action it included. No, because I don't want to be responsible for recommending a book that you won't like. I will be checking out the next book, which is releasing this week because the residents of Midnight, Texas charmed me as much as the ones from Bon Temps, Louisiana did. I definitely want to know more about them and see where their stories will lead us.

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 02:38

 Ace, Charlaine Harris, Midnight Texas, Mystery, Paranormal, Penguin, psychic, Purchased, Review, Vampire, Witch  3 People left their mark

The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire by Molly Harper

Honestly, Molly Harper can do no wrong when it comes to writing paranormal romance fiction. She literally has me laughing out loud while reading her paranormal romance books. Combining snarky, remarkable and witty female characters with supernatural hot men is always entertaining, but somehow, Molly Harper is a genius when it comes to humor in paranormal romance. The funny banter and the hilarious situations is what keeps me coming back to this series or her books in general.

Realistically, the plot of The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire isn't all that extravagant, nor is it very detailed, but it does serve the purpose of advancing the story between Gigi and Nik. Gigi has landed the greatest summer job for a computer science undergrad and she's actually looking forward to working for the Vampire Council. However, she never expected to meet up with her mysterious vampire who kissed her and enthralled her during her last Christmas break. She was hurt when her mystery man left her after giving her the earth shattering kiss, without even saying a word. Now, what hurts even more is when Gigi and the mysterious man cross paths again, and he doesn't remember a thing about their heated kiss. Nik feels bad about his selective amnesia, but over time he starts to realize every thought in his mind about Gigi is muddled. Despite the mutual attraction, Nik can't stop trying to kill Gigi (involuntarily), and then forgetting about the attacks, almost as if he's being controlled by magic or something supernatural.

Amnesiacs are always fun to read because you never know how things will turn out. Reading about Gigi and Nik definitely was fun even though their relationship wasn't very believable. It felt too much like love at first sight. Gigi's older sister and brother-in-law forbid Gigi from seeing the centuries old vampire, but obviously forbidden love trumps over murderous fugue states from your vampire boyfriend. More scenes and more development between Gigi and Nik would have been fun and desirable.

The nerd in me is thrilled that Molly included so many pop culture references. Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, The Big Bang Theory, The Walking Dead, and Dr. Who references (and many more) were mentioned. Oddly enough, the references were not just thrown into the text for the heck of it. No, they were actually in context and they added an interesting layer to Gigi's character.

A light and fun supernatural read, this book is a definite read for any Molly Harper fans. It may not be the best book in the series, but it's a definite must if you want to read more about the comings and goings of the beloved vampires of the little town called Half-Moon Hollow. I'm glad the original Half-Moon Hollow vampire couple Jane and Gabriel were present, despite their brief appearances, because I really missed reading about their craziness. Gigi and Nik are a great addition to the gang, but I felt their story was a little bit too short, a little rushed for my tastes. I really hope Molly Harper has more vampire or werewolves stories to write because this girl needs her paranormal/pop culture fixes.

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 02:38

 Half Moon Hollow, Magic, Molly Harper, Paranormal Romance, Pocket, Purchased, Review, Shapeshifter, Simon amp; Schuster, Simon Schuster, Vampire, Witch  2 People left their mark

Take Two: Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson

Jenn reviewed this book when it released in 2013 and you can read her thoughts here, now it's my turn to give it a go!

Jessica has had a lot on her plate since this journey started (was it really just a week ago??) and this time won't be a vacation either. It's in fact her toughest challenge yet, but she must rise and shine if she hopes to save her mate from an angry, sadistic Goddess.

If I had one word to choose to describe Hot Blooded it would definitely be action-packed. From beginning to end there isn't a single down moment, so don't even think of taking a breath! Jessica sets on her mission with her twin brother, their friend Danny and a duo of unreliable vampire siblings. On their journey, they face challenge after challenge and the things they have to face are simply unpredictable. Carlson dug up some really old mythology to throw in the mix and surprise us, and she did it well.

If I had one complaint about this novel it would be how Jessica's blood always seemed to be the answer to every challenge they faced and how her 'instincts' were always right. She has no idea why she does this or that, but when confronted by Tyler, she just says she has no idea but it feels right. It just felt like an easy way out. I wish she'd made at least one or two mistakes, the whole thing would've felt more plausible. I mean, she's a newbie werewolf, with no idea what she's doing, facing a Goddess backed up by the Underworld and she makes no mistakes? Please...

The whole story revolves around a limited number of characters and it felt right in such a retrieval mission. Everyone contributed and felt equally important, even human Ray, whom I came to appreciate along the journey. Naomi (one of the vampires) also turned out to be a pleasant surprise and I hope we see more of her in the future.

I wish Rourke had been present, but since the whole deal was to save him it makes sense he isn't there lol But I would lie if I said I wasn't impatient to know more about him and to finally see Jessica and him as a couple. Their relationship has been pretty chaste thus far and it would be about time they get down and dirty hahaha

Overall, I liked this installment and I would definitely recommend this series to urban fantasy lovers. You will find sassy and loveable characters, action-packed encounters and thrilling plot-lines. I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 01:09

 Amanda Carlson, Hachette, Jessica McClain, Orbit, Paranormal Romance, Purchased, Review, Urban Fantasy, werewolves, Witch  1 Person left their mark

Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs

Shopping for a new horse should have been an uneventful event, but while visiting old friends of Charles, Anna and him stumble right into a fae mess. They must get involved because they targeted his friend's grandchildren, and nobody threaten children on Charles' watch.

It's been three years since the release of the previous book in the Alpha & Omega series, which is wayyyy too long if you ask me lol I love Charles and Anna and I am very happy I could finally visit them again. Briggs really has a talent for bringing a story to life, and even though I don't know a darn thing about horses, I still wanted to know which one Anna would choose in the end. Jokes aside, Dead Heat was another great installment in the series.

For unknown reasons, a fae held prisoner was released onto the world to wreck havoc. By inadvertence, he got tangled with the local alpha's family and the chase was thrilling. Anna's abilities to read and calm people and Charles fierceness work perfectly together to solve any mysteries they encounter. It's probably because Briggs' stories are always so engrossing, but her books always feel too short. I can't help but want more every time.

A & C are as amazing as ever, but one of the aspect I particularly liked was his interaction with his old friend. It was obvious he was dear to him and I felt his sorrow since he had to part from him. This story contained yet another trip to Charles' past and I always enjoy those, revealing more about the character.

The conclusion was heart-pounding and breath-taking. I loved every moment! I sincerely hope it won't take another three years before we get another Alpha & Omega book. If you haven't read Patricia Brigg's book yet, I strongly suggest you do, starting with Moon Called, the first book in this world (It's from the Mercy Thompson series).

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 01:00

 Alpha amp; Omega, fae, Fantasy amp; Magic, Netgalley, Patricia Briggs, Penguin, Review, Urban Fantasy, werewolf, Witch  6 People left their mark

Half Bad by Sally Green

I've been thinking about this review for a while now. Although I did like the novel because it's easy to read and the characters are likable, I'm on the fence about this one. I think I read it so fast because I kept thinking something BIG was going to happen, but it feels like nothing ever did. Except maybe in the last 30 pages or so.

On the surface, it's a very simple "boy vs the world" type of story but as you start to piece everything together, the novel is actually quite twisted. Overall, Sally Brown created a very dark and twisted world. In her magical world, witches live within the human society and the humans unaware of their existence. They govern themselves with a Council and as we learn more and more about the main character, Nathan, we slowly realize that this Council is just a bunch of fanatics that want to rid the world of Black Witches. Nathan is actually half White and half Black, and ever since he was born, he's been discriminated against because of his Black Witch father. Nathan has never met his father, yet other witches fear him because they assume he will grow up to be as evil as his father.

One of my major issues with Half Bad is its predictability and the fact that nothing much happens. Much of the book is about Nathan's upbringing. This book is very much like a superhero's origin story. The only way to completely understand Nathan's motives is to know about his childhood, but beyond his character's history, there isn't much of a story. Everything leads up to Nathan's 17th birthday because that is the day a witch is supposed to receive three gifts from one of his or her parents or grandparents, and drink their blood. This allows a witch to receive their "Gift", their one magical ability that defines them as a witch.

Personally, I think Nathan doesn't really help his case because he doesn't really go a long with the Council's wishes. He could have done exactly what they were expecting from a White Witch and his life could have been simpler and he could have avoided a lot of pain and suffering. Honestly, I'm not quite sure why he ends up in a cage. He didn't really do anything that bad, yet he's sentenced to suffering no teenager should endure. Nathan is quite a refreshing character since he's not your poster boy hero. He's awful in school. He's not really a great brother or grandson. He runs off to live and sleep in the woods countless times. He doesn't have much going for him yet he finds the strength to keep going.

Besides Nathan, I found all the other characters superficial. Some of them played a major roles yet weren't detailed enough, in my opinion. For example, Nathan's love interest, Annalise leaves much to be desired. The romance between the two is foolish and almost non existent. There's just nothing there! But Nathan would do anything for this girl. Annalise is simply boring, and it's kind of sad to say, but I really don't care what happens to her. I do love the relationship Nathan has with his brother Arran, however. The two youngest of the family, they get along quite well, and I love how Arran stands up for his little brother, when pretty much everyone else hates him for just being half Black. As for the many antagonists, it's easy to hate them all because they've always been against Nathan and they've all done horrible things to him, but I just wish we could understand their side of the story a little bit more. Are they really so much against Nathan because of half of his biology? Don't they have any hope that with a proper upbringing, the son of a killer could turn out to be normal?

I still don't know what to make of this novel. On one hand, I enjoyed reading it because it felt so natural. Nathan, as a narrator, was so easy to follow and I loved his no nonsense outlook on life. On the other hand, the story felt a little too fake and somewhat forced. It fell short of my expectations, especially since there was so much hype surrounding the book when it first came out. I'll be checking out the rest of the series, especially since the release date of the next book is right around the corner, but instead of purchasing the book, I might just borrow it from the library.

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 01:07

 Half Bad, Magic, Penguin, Purchased, Review, Sally Green, Viking, Witch, young adult  Leave your mark

Repossessed by Shawntelle Madison

When I saw REPOSSESSED on Netgalley, I was quite excited. After all, I've really loved the Coveted books so far. (You can see my thoughts on the first two books here and here). But REPOSSESSED didn't have the same magic as COVETED or KEPT, unfortunately. In fact, I had to force myself to complete it, which was really disappointing.

First, let's accentuate the positive to start: I love that Madison features an Asian main character. Rob is Korean American and I can't remember the last time that I read a book with an Asian lead. (No, wait, it was THE IMMORTAL RULES. :) But I'm still stymied about an Asian hero.) I really appreciate racial diversity in books, especially since it's unfortunately rare.

Another good point is the world. REPOSSESSED is set in the Coveted world but it doesn't involve any werewolves. Instead, it focuses on witches and warlocks. According to the fore matter, Madison wrote REPOSSESSED before COVETED and this is how she started establishing the Coveted world; there's really not much overlap since REPOSSESSED focuses on a completely separate area (likely also because her publisher owns the rights to the Coveted characters). In some ways, this made the book feel less well defined but I did enjoy exploring how magic works in the Coveted universe, with differences between warlocks and wizards, etc.

My big problem with this novel is that I didn't connect with the characters. I liked them okay and I felt bad for Tessa and her money troubles but I wasn't able to invest in their relationship or them as individuals. It's not that they were one-dimensional or poorly written; there was just something about the two of them that didn't click. I know it's a vague criticism and I wish I could be more specific about what left me so neutral but it's hard to describe something that doesn't really elicit a strong feeling one way or the other.  And in some ways, I think that's even worse because strong stories make feel, positively or negatively, and that truly was lacking for me.

REPOSSESSED is an okay book. It's not essential reading if you're following the Coveted storyline and there are far stronger examples of Madison's writing out there. Sad to say, but my suggestion would be to pass on this particular novel and invest your money and/or time in one of her other series.

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 03:00

 Adult, Netgalley, Review, Self Published, Shawntelle Madison, Urban Fantasy, Warlock Repo Man Chronicles, Witch  Leave your mark

Blog Tour: Review of Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper

Avery Roe's destiny has always been to be the next Prince Island witch. The whale hunters depend on her grandmother's magic to protect them at sea, and Avery is anxious to take over. Unfortunately her mother has other plans for her and is ready to stop her from becoming the next witch at all cost. Salt & Storm is the amazing story of a determined girl chasing her dreams.

Kendall Kulper's debut novel is an extremely original tale. She crafted a very potent and engaging lore and I have to command her for it. I loved how magic was passed down from mother to daughter and that a mystical element turns them into witches. Some perceive it as a blessing, others a curse, but the fact is, they can wield very powerful magic and the entire island depends on them.

The plot follows Avery's quest to reach her grandmother and become the next witch to stop her own murder. You see, she's a dream teller and she foresaw her own death. She is ready to anything to try and stop the prophecy, but her mother, determined to stop her from becoming the witch, won't make it easy. The young Roe goes as far as bounding with a strange tattooed stranger and using his wild magic to try and achieve her goal.

Of course the story needs a little romance and this foreigner will do just fine! Tanned, handsome and wild, Avery didn't want anything to do with him at first, but I loved witnessing their growing love and passion. Their story was full of surprises and I'm sure you'll love them as much as I did.

Surprisingly, the ocean held a very special position in this story, almost like it was an actual character. It is magical, mystical and dangerous and every character, even the sea witch herself, better beware of its power.

The conclusion was nerve-wracking and completely stunning and I would definitely recommend this great novel, especially if you love historical fiction with a flare of magic.

Hachette is offering 2 Hardcovers of SALT & STORM!

Fill the rafflecopter to enter

US Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Kendall:

Kendall Kulper writes historical fiction with a fantasy twist for teen readers and knows more about nineteenth century whaling than she ever imagined. Her debut YA novel, SALT & STORM will be published by Little, Brown September 23, 2014. She graduated from Harvard University with a degree in history and literature in 2008 and spent several years as a journalist before deciding to write full- time. She grew up in the wilds of New Jersey and now lives in Boston with her husband and chronically-anxious Australian Shepherd mix, Abby.

Website/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads/Tumblr

Week Two:

9/22/2014- Supernatural Snark- Interview

9/22/2014- About to Read- Review

9/23/2014- The Cover Contessa- Guest Post

9/23/2014- Imaginary Reads- Review

9/24/2014- Fire and Ice- Guest Post

9/24/2014- Once Upon a Twilight- Review

9/25/2014- Tales of the Ravenous Reader- Interview

9/25/2014- The Best Books Ever- Review

9/26/2014- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post

9/26/2014- Tynga's Reviews- Review

 

Visit Rockstar Books Tours to view the enter schedule!

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 02:00

 Fiction, Hachette, Hachette Children's Books, Historical, Kendall Kulper, Love amp; Romance, Magic, Netgalley, Review, Witch, young adult  2 People left their mark

Ante Up by Amanda Carlson

The Sin City Collectors is such a fun series! For those who don't know, it's a series of novellas written and self-published by a bunch of author friends. So far, there are novellas by Amanda Carlson and Kristen Painter, but more authors will join later on. Each novella is set in the same world, and featuring a different pair of main characters.

This time around we meet Diesel, a werewolf who completely looses control on the full moon, and Sofia, a witch hunted by an incubus. Once again a fun installment with great characters! With only 120 pages to build the plot and romance happens pretty quickly, but these two characters already met because they are part of previous novellas so it makes even more sense when the passion unravels.

Diesel was a great alpha male and even though I didn't fall unconditionally in love with him, I liked him just fine. He has an history that scarred him and made him more real and I liked his determination and desire to protect. His affliction also made things interesting. I really, really liked Sofia! I think she's fun, smart and brilliant. I loved how she dealt with Neve (a dhampir from a previous novella) and her attitude issues. She isn't a damsel in distress even though she needed help and I command her for it.

Fun but somewhat predictable, the plot still provided great entertainment. It's hard to build something intricate with such a small number of pages, but the story was well-rounded and the conclusion satisfying.

If I had one small complain it would be the secondary characters name. Diesel's brother is called Luke, and they work with a gargoyle called Jake. Both names were just too similar for a comfortable read, I kept confusing the two of them.

It seems novella #5 will feature Ginger and Luke and I can't wait to read it!

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 01:18

 Adult, Amanda Carlson, Author, novella, Paranormal Romance, Review, Self Published, Sin City Collectors, werewolf, Witch  6 People left their mark

Black Arts by Faith Hunter

I was a few books behind on this amazing series until last month, when I went on a Jane Yellowrock binge. Jane's most recent outing, BLACK ARTS, builds on the awesome foundation that Hunter laid in SKINWALKER and then grew with each subsequent novel. The seventh novel in the series, BLACK ARTS takes all of the best elements from the series and puts it into one amazing, exciting package.

In case you're not a reader (yet), you can get the main ideas of the series from my Daring You To Read... post. But here's a quick catch-up on some of the things that have happened to Jane since SKINWALKER (which means spoilers abound from here out). Leo is still the Master of the City but Bruiser is no longer his primo. Instead, he's now Onorio, which means that he's more than human and no longer tied to Leo in the same way. Jane now has business partners, two brothers named Eli and Alex, who've added an awesome family dynamic to Jane's life, filling the void left by the absence of Molly and her family, who have distanced themselves from Jane since the incident with Evangelina. Jane's also now Leo's Enforcer in addition to being a contract employee, which has added some interesting and complicated elements to Jane's life. Rick's adjusting to his life with the were taint and as a member of the law enforcement agency PsyLed. Jane's learned a lot about herself and Beast, and she/they are extremely torn on a romantic level since Jane/Beast is drawn to Leo, Bruiser, and Rick for different reasons.

BLACK ARTS starts up shortly after the end of BLOOD TRADE. Jane is back in New Orleans after her job in Natchez, living  in her loaner of a house with Eli and Alex. The drama and action start on page 1, when Evan (Molly's husband and not Jane's Number One Fan) literally blows into town, looking for his wife. I love Big Evan and I just knew that it was going to be an amazing story once he stepped onto the page, full of desperation and confusion. The Everhearts have been out of the picture for a few novels so it was great to have Molly and the rest of her family as the focus of BLACK ARTS. We finally get to see what's been going on with them since everything with Evangelina happened and, wow, is it every crazy. I don't want to say too much so that you can get really enjoy it but I will say that BLACK ARTS will throw you for a loop. The developments with Molly and the reasons that she went missing truly surprised me and really tie up some lingering questions. BLACK ARTS also forces Jane and Evan to come to terms with each other and discuss the tensions between them. We also find out just how Angie is progressing with her powers (she's scary strong), which is something I've been very curious about.

Another great aspect of BLACK ARTS is Jane's relationship with Beast. Things between them were so hostile at first (at least on Beast's side) but they've been progressing towards a more harmonious relationship as Jane now understands how she and Beast came together. Their interactions in this novel were so fraught with emotion and I love seeing Jane taking care of her spiritual side, not only because we get to see  Aggie One Feather, one of my favourite supporting characters in the series.

To be honest, BLACK ARTS was so good I'm finding it difficult to articulate what I liked most about the book. Everything is Faith Hunter at her finest: great dialogue, fast-paced action, emotional moments. There's no stand-out moment because the whole novel was just so incredibly satisfying. If you're a Jane Yellowrock fan, you definitely need to read this (but only after the others because you can't skip a book in this series). If you're not a fan yet (you crazy kid!), you need to dive into Jane's world. BLACK ARTS is a fine urban fantasy and I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for BROKEN SOUL.

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 03:00

 Adult, Faith Hunter, Jane Yellowrock, Netgalley, Penguin, Review, ROC, Skinwalker, Urban Fantasy, Vampire, Witch  1 Person left their mark

Dark Witch by Nora Roberts

I've read many Nora Roberts novels but I've never written a review here on Tynga's Reviews. Usually, Roberts sticks to contemporary romances, but once in a while, she'll dabble with the supernatural and come out with a wonderful trilogy about love, magic and defeating a paranormal evil. Honestly, I usually wait until the whole Nora Roberts trilogy is published before diving into it, but in this case, I couldn't resist. With it's magical setting of Ireland and characters that sounded genuine and magical, I thought I was in for a treat. While I enjoyed DARK WITCH, I feel like the book was missing a bit of that typical Nora Roberts charm that I've become so fond of.

The setting couldn't have been more perfect. If you want to read a good witch book, personally I find the best ones always have some sort of link to Ireland. It's almost as if the Irish countryside has this inherent magic and mysticism that translates into the characters. It really helps that Nora Roberts has a penchant for Ireland as so many of her books are either set in Ireland or have Irish characters. I think Nora Roberts might be one of the most published author of our time but it's her Irish and magical books that are some of my favorites.

My main issue with DARK WITCH is the main character, Iona. Although she did have likable qualities, I think it's her naivety about love that put me off. Her desire for perfect and true love made me doubt her authenticity. Sure everybody wants to be loved in some way and everyone has the right to search for that special one, no matter how they go about finding him or her. It's a little ironic that Iona's love interest, Boyle, comes waltzing into her live, brooding on a horse when she has such a strong connection with horses. Actually, I find Iona's connection with horses more believable than her love at first sight feelings for Boyle. We definitely don't have enough background information about Iona, especially since her past is really the main reason why she finds herself in Ireland at the beginning of this story. The lack of interest from her parents when she was a child, has apparently made her the way she is, but I feel her history could have been a little bit more detailed in order to understand her intentions and her immense need to be accepted and loved. I'll admit with the other characters of the book that her incessant need to apologize for everything is a little annoying, but it's something I'm willing to overlook since it makes her so likable. And personally, I do it all the time.

I admire Iona's relationship and connection with horses and probably so many young girls would love to have only a portion of her talents. Her link with horses is something magical that she inherited from her ancestors, and it's that link that makes her a stronger witch. We are also introduced to Branna and Connor, Iona's cousins that accept her the way she has always wanted to be accepted by family. With these two other witches, they form a trio that has been legend in the small town of Ashford, and they're stronger together. Iona with her horse, Connor with his hawk, and Branna with her hound. Together, with three other friends, they form a circle that might just once and for all defeat a dark spirit that has been haunting Iona's family for centuries.

Nora Roberts is known for her great characters and while I do have a few minor issues with the ones from this book, I do find them genuine and likable. My other issue with DARK WITCH is the story line. The battle between good and evil magic is obviously the main conflict in this book, and while we do have quite a bit of information about how the war began, I just don't find the "fight scenes" in this book are that engaging. They're very typical and lack in a bit of imagination. The lure of the dark side is obviously interesting but overall, the main conflict left me wanting more.

I might have been a little harsh with this review, but I think it's because my expectations might have been a little bit too high. This is the first book of the trilogy so I have high hopes that things will only get better from this point on. Personally, I have faith in Nora Roberts and I think DARK WITCH might simply be her way of setting up one of her epic trilogies.

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 01:50

 Ireland, Magic, Nora Roberts, Paranormal Romance, Penguin, Purchased, Review, The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy, Witch  4 People left their mark

Daughter of the Spellcaster by Maggie Shayne

Lena ran away after Ryan, her Prince, broke her heart. He has nothing of a prince in this life, but once upon a time, in another time and place, he was her Prince. Now she's pregnant, and when he learns 8 months later that he is the father he wants to help her raise their child, but can she really trust him?

Daughter of the Spellcaster, book two in The Portal series, was a fine read, but it wasn't extraordinary. The main flaw is its predictability. Honestly, there was no suspense whatsoever, I just knew everything that would happen right from the start, so it was kind of a let down. It wasn't a bad story, but the 'hints' were so obvious, Shayne left nothing to the imagination.

Lena and Ryan were two lovable characters and I enjoyed watching their relationship grow. It was nice to witness their coming together once more and the doubts and insecurity they felt made their story that much more believable. I particularly liked how Ryan took to fatherhood so easily, investing himself in the room decoration and what not. It was just really sweet.

I often found myself wishing this novel was more in continuity with the first book, Mark of the Witch. Indira made an appearance, but it would've been nice for her to play a bigger role in the story, and I hope both 'sisters' will be more present in the third novel, Blood of the Sorceress.

Despite its misgiving, I enjoyed this novel and plan to read the next installment. It's a simple, no-brainer, romance and it feels good in read one such book from time to time :)

Read More

Posted by Tynga at 01:50

 Adult, Harlequin, Maggie Shayne, Magic, Mira, Netgalley, Paranormal Romance, Review, The Oracle, Witch  Leave your mark