paranormal – Book Dust Magic

Three spooky books I read this October #Halloween #Horror #Paranormal #Books

Hi Everyone,
It has been a while, probably over a month since the last time I wrote something for this blog. There were some scheduled reviews poping up, but I personally wasn’t active anywhere except on Goodreads, and I was pretty unactive there too.
The reason for that: I feel like I never have time to just sit and in piece and silence write and read in front of my computer, except in the very late evening when I am too tired to be productive, so I choose to read instead.

Today is Halloween, and I want to bring you my three reviews for the books I read this October. Non of them was given to me in an exchange for review, but all three of them I chose along with my friends because we wanted to give them a try.

Mexican Gothic was an October pick in the book club I am a member of along with other awesome book reviewers, when Cackle and House of Hollows I read along with Amanda from Chocolate Pages, who is also the member of previously mentioned book club.

So in conclusion, Amanda and I read together all of the three books I talk about today, so make sure to visit her BLOG too, to see what she thought about them.

Mexican Gothic

Mexican Gothic took the bookish community by the storm last year when it came out, and if there wasn’t the hype around it I probably wouldn’t pick it up.
It’s magnificent cover, although beautiful to look at, didn’t “speak” to me so this time I am thankful for the hype because now I am glad this novel joined my read shelf.

I, just like most of the readers I believe, have certain aspects of the story that are important for me to like the book, character development being in the first place.
What I’ve noticed lately is that the atmosphere in the story is slowly getting closer and closer to take that CD aspect from the throne.

And if there is something this book has fully developed, is the atmosphere. Gothic, dark, gray, wet… I could almost smell the damp when I was imagining being in High Place.

One more thing that makes this book special to me is that my favourite character was High Place.
Yes, you read it right. The big, cold house has such a strong presence it felt like it was a person itself.

As for other characters, I think our MC Noemi was fully developed and it was clear what was her motive, her reasons to act the way she did, and she was also likeable and the one to look up to.

On the other hand, I think some side characters could have been more developed or at least more presented.

The writing was good and easy to read, but if I am being honest, the story was boring at times and I caught myself yearning for some action, or at least for something to happen.

As we got closer to end and secrets started yo reveal I was little disappointed with the way the story turned, but at the same time I appreciate it because it does make it different from other stories in this genre (here I am mostly comparing it to movies as I am still new to horror genre in written form).
My personal opinion is that the movie would be great and I would like to absorb it for the first time in that format, but that ship has sailed, obviously.

In the end, I just want to warn you about some scenes that can be triggering like ones that can remind of sexual abuse, but there is long list on TW for this novel so make sure to check it out.
I don’t always recognize them, as they are personal to each reader, but I would say TW: sexual abuse, racism, substance addiction, and also some graphic and gory scenes.

I decided to give Mexican Gothic 3,75 stars because although it was good and I can’t find it many flows except maybe being too slow at times, it just didn’t wow me to give it a higher rating.

Cackle

Let’s make one thing clear: 👏This is not a thriller! This is not a horror! 👏
To be a thriller, it has to play with your (or at least the MC’s) mind, to be a horror, it has to have at least one character dead/murdered (or in danger of the same) and at least one gory scene.

(Not) Sorry to spoil you, but this has non of that.

This is cozy women’s fiction with paranormal (witchy, perfect for Halloween) elements that can also be categorized as feminist novel and that is it!!

It was weird, I’ll give it that, but it is definitely not disturbing (unless you hate spiders, who are here pets because why not throw something childish and unnecessary to make it unique)!

So yeah, if you consider Twilight a horror because it has vampires as characters, then this is the horror/thriller for you.
If you are looking for thrilling book that will keep you at the edge of your sit, this is not a book for you.

This is cozy, slow paced book, perfect for readers who are looking something to read for Halloween, but instead of being scared, they want to be relaxed.

It was entertaining, with characters interesting enough, and easy to read writing style.
It is written in first person.

I could spend my time overanalyzing the novel, telling you how Annie reminded me of my own friend which made me care for her on a higher level, how in my mind Sophie looks like Megan Fox, how I loved Sam and am sorry the writer ruined his character even though I understand why she did it, how I think cat would work way better then the spider and how absurd it was for MC to take everything like it was even though no sane person would do it.
I could also tell you how I really enjoyed the atmosphere and my friend Amanda who I buddy read this with, and me, we had great time and how this book was exactly what we both needed after finishing Mexican Gothic, but I won’t bore you more then necessary.

I will just recommend this novel to everyone who are looking for cozy autumn book with witchy/Halloween elements.

House of Hollow

As soon as I saw the cover for House of Hollows I knew I had to read it.
The design reminds me of Horrid and Wilder Girls, books I both enjoyed so much, and I have a theory that covers like this keep weird and brilliant stories between the pages.
This book proves my theory right!

The story is narrated by Iris, the youngest of the three sisters who disappeared one night and came back one month later not knowing where they’ve been, and clueless about the truth about what happened to them.

The story is written in first person, easy to follow and fast paced from the very beginning.
In fact, it was so fast paced at times that I was lost for moments (that often happens to me in fighting scenes).

Once again, my favourite part of the story was the atmosphere.
I noticed that that aspect in storytelling became of huge importance for me, so I loved this book for it.

I can’t say much about the world or things that happened, because I don’t know where is the line between reviewing and spoiling in this particular case, but I will say that my bets are the author found some inspiration in the movie Insidious.

The characters were all presented very well, and I love how the author played the game of good guy/bad guy masquerade.
I would tell you who’s side I was on, but then I would spoil you, so I’ll keep my mouth shout (or my fingers reserved, I should say).

The epilogue was the only part I didn’t like, as I find it unnecessary.

I should also mention I shared this reading experience with my friend Amanda, who I’m buddy reading so often lately, we should call ourselves bookish sisters.
She is not the one to pick fantasy, paranormal or ya on her own, but she really enjoyed this book too, so that says something, right?

In conclusion, I am sooooooo glad I’ve read this novel. It was perfect Halloween/October choice and I recommend it to everyone who is searching something spooky.

Witchy with great sense of humour: The Babysitters Coven by Kate Williams (Book Review) @PRHGlobal #partner #Halloween #paranormal

GIFTED / Today I want to talk about the only book I read during spookathon. It has been a while since I finished it, but my thoughts about it are still pretty fresh.
The Babysitters Coven was published on Septebmer 17th 2019 by Delacorte Press. It has 368 pages.
I want to thank the team from Penguin Random House Global for sending me an e-galley of this novel (in an exchange for an honest review).

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS / Seventeen-year-old Esme Pearl has a babysitters club. She knows it’s kinda lame, but what else is she supposed to do? Get a job? Gross. Besides, Esme likes babysitting, and she’s good at it.

And lately Esme needs all the cash she can get, because it seems like destruction follows her wherever she goes. Let’s just say she owes some people a new tree.

Enter Cassandra Heaven. She’s Instagram-model hot, dresses like she found her clothes in a dumpster, and has a rebellious streak as gnarly as the cafeteria food. So why is Cassandra willing to do anything, even take on a potty-training two-year-old, to join Esme’s babysitters club?

The answer lies in a mysterious note Cassandra’s mother left her: “Find the babysitters. Love, Mom.”

Turns out, Esme and Cassandra have more in common than they think, and they’re about to discover what being a babysitter really means: a heroic lineage of superpowers, magic rituals, and saving the innocent from seriously terrifying evil. And all before the parents get home.

Review:

The Babysitters Coven was my first pick to read during spookathon. I received this book during September, but wanted to save it for that readathon.
In the end, I suffered from major reading slump and this novel ended up being the only book I finished that week.
However, when I look objectively, this book was pretty fun and enjoyable, I just wish I read it when I was in a better place.

This paranormal young adult was pitched as Buffy meets The Babysitters Club. Therefore, I assumed there would be vampires in the book.
Oh, how wrong was I!
Vampires were not part of this story, but the similarity with Buffy is undeniable, and if you decide to give it a try, you will know exactly why.
It had the similar polity with chosen girls to protect the world and their teacher to guide them.
It really reminded me of the season where Buffy was not the only Vampire slayer in the show.

The writing style is really good, with lots of humour. It is really easy to read and I believe that, if I wasn’t in a reading slump, I would finish it in a day or two.
The story is written in first person, from Esme’s POV.

I liked Esme, she was great narrator to follow, and since I enjoyed all the characters, I hope to get even more attached to them in the second installment.

Since I can’t consider this book a master piece, I think good character development and thrive would take this series on another level.

Still, I very much enjoyed The Babysitters Coven and will gladly continue with the series.

Funny, spooky and moral: The Dark Lord Clementine by Sarah Jean Horwitz (Book Review) #Halloween #MiddleGrade #Paranormal

GIFTED / Today I want to talk about paranormal middle grade novel that I have read recently. It is perfect pick for October, when we prepare for the Halloween.
The Dark Lord Clementine was published today (October 1st 2019) by Algonquin Young Readers and it has 336 pages.
I have received a Netgalley invitation to read and review this book, and I willingly accepted it.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS / The new face of big evil is a little . . . small.

Dastardly deeds aren’t exactly the first things that come to mind when one hears the name “Clementine,” but as the sole heir of the infamous Dark Lord Elithor, twelve-year-old Clementine Morcerous has been groomed since birth to be the best (worst?) Evil Overlord she can be. But everything changes the day her father is cursed by a mysterious rival.

Now, Clementine must not only search for a way to break the curse, but also take on the full responsibilities of the Dark Lord. But when it’s time for her to perform dastardly deeds against the townspeople—including her brand-new friends—she begins to question her father’s code of good and evil. What if the Dark Lord Clementine doesn’t want to be a dark lord after all?

Review:

When I got an invitation to read and review The Dark Lord Clementine I was pretty happy because it sounded like a funny, paranormal middle grade book.
This turned out to be a perfect novel to open Halloween season with, because it has magical and spooky elements, but it is still pretty light and funny. A perfect middle grade in that genre, if you ask me!

The Dark Lord Clementine follows the story of a cursed Dark Lord’s daughter who would do anything to cure her father.
Clementine is only 12 years old, but in my opinion she is representation of a strong female, and could be a great role model to girls all over the world.
Even though her fate is to be The Dark Lord one day and to scare people from her village, she learned to think critically and question events around her, and she cares about people who are close to her and would risk her own life if it matters to save them.
I also like how her hair changed color while she was sleeping.

The moral of the story was on top, and with all the side characters who gave the light to this dark and spooky tale, this book talked about friendship that is more important than roles that society expects from us.

The writing style is similar to the one fairy tales were written in. There are lots of descriptions, equal dose of shows and tells, but very little dialogue.
In all honesty, it is the part of the book I couldn’t click with.
I just wasn’t a fan of this type of storytelling, and even though the more I read the more I got used to it, it still never settled with me.

Overall, I think The Dark Lord Clementine is a great book for the younger audience, and it would be a perfect pick to read during Halloween season.
It has good moral of the story, amazing heroine and I highly recommend it to middle graders.

Book Review: Tainted Luck by Cynthia Austin #BookReview #TaintedLuck #Halloween #Horror

Title: Tainted Luck

Author: Cynthia Austin

Publisher: Britain’s next bestseller

Date: July 30th, 2018

Pages: 129

Format: eARC

Source: from Author for a review

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Levi Kast was content living his life in the shadows. He didn’t want much, just his dad’s attention and the girl of his dreams to notice his existence.

Instead, he got more than he had bargained for.

Taylor James was the new student at Kennedy High. She was eccentric, impulsive, Gothic and…dark.

She always got what she wanted, and she decided instantly that she wanted Levi Kast. He became her obsession.

Despite Levi’s initial response to retreat from her other world presence, he was eventually drawn to this girl and her obsession of death and ghosts.

But Taylor had skeletons in her closest, including a dead boyfriend, and before Levi could understand them, he found himself her next victim.

Review:

Trigger warning: This book talks about suicide and mental illness.

This book is short, so I’ll try to make my review short as well.

I have to admit that if I haven’t been contacted by the author I would probably never read this book. It’s not that I wouldn’t want to, but because I simply haven’t heard about it before.
This is why reviews are so important.

Tainted luck is a story written from Levi’s POV, about a new girl in the school who is mysterious but also a bit addictive.
It has paranormal elements and talks about witchcraft in bits.
If you ask me, the biggest part of this book centers around mental illness.

The story itself is good. I loved how it was developed, from one atmosphere when everything was mysterious and cutesy to the other when it became dark and dangerous.
I loved that, and the whole story was really good. Yes, it had some problems and holes that could be easily fixed, but my main problem (and I hate to say this) lies in the writing style.

I really feel sorry to say that, especially because I was contacted by the author, but I feel that if the story was told in a different, better way it would be so much better.
It had potential to really become Britian’s next bestseller, but sadly, I don’t think it will.

It wasn’t just the writing, I had some issues with characters too.
Levi was not totally unlikeable, but he was annoying at times. However, I would ascribe it to the writing style. With his unpleasant comments he would throw on almost every time when talking about Taylor or describing certain situations.
One sentence even made me feel uncomfortable, and I am quoting it here for you, so you can get the picture what I’m talking about.

“…I turned to her, my patience as shaky as an anorexic supermodel…”

Taylor was unlikeable and rude. This is the was she talked to her own mother:

“Yeah, whatever Mom. How about doing your fucking job and put some dinner on the table?”

What is even more troublesome, that sentence right there made Levi see Taylor in a different way, he started to respect her because from then on.

As for others, they were just stupid most of the time. Didn’t have the courage to stand for themselves, but let that Taylor girl do whatever she wanted, even though their destiny was in question.
I don’t think that anyone could start a seanse in my presence against my will.

I won’t say anything else, I think you got the idea.

Even though you maybe wouldn’t say from my review, I am glad that I read Tainted luck.

I would recommend it to fans of paranormal and to those who want to read something quick and easy, since it has only 129 pages and it reads pretty fast.

Book Review: The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White @PHRGlobal #partner #BookReview

Title: The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

Author: Kiersten White

Publisher: Delacorte Press, Penguin

Date: September 25th, 2018

Pages: 304

Format: eARC

Source: from Publisher for a review

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Elizabeth Lavenza hasn’t had a proper meal in weeks. Her thin arms are covered with bruises from her “caregiver,” and she is on the verge of being thrown into the streets . . . until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, solitary boy who has everything–except a friend.

Victor is her escape from misery. Elizabeth does everything she can to make herself indispensable–and it works. She is taken in by the Frankenstein family and rewarded with a warm bed, delicious food, and dresses of the finest silk. Soon she and Victor are inseparable.

But her new life comes at a price. As the years pass, Elizabeth’s survival depends on managing Victor’s dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Behind her blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost . . . as the world she knows is consumed by darkness.

Review:

I think The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein was my most anticipated book of the year, when it comes to ya titles.
I do have to admit that I lack when it comes to that genre this year. I feel like so many books came out and after my blogging/reviewing slump that started last year and lasted until August this year, all I try to do is catch up, by trying to see/read what was popular and what still have to come out, I feel kinda lost. The struggle is real!

Reading this novel was a relaxing pleasure for me. This time I didn’t go blind into the book (I know, shocking!) and I liked it that way.
I have already watched/read other reviews so I kinda knew what to expect, but that didn’t ruin my reading experience. If anything, it made it even better.
Why?
Because I already expected a slow plot developing so it didn’t bother me.

The other reason why I wasn’t bored by the slow plot is that I knew this is a retelling of a classic, and most classics that I’ve read were pretty slow when it comes to plot developing and pace.

Character wise, this book was excellent.
Elizabeth was an amazing protagonist and I enjoyed reading her POV. I loved how everything she did was based on her purpose to survive in the best conditions possible.
I also liked side characters, but also Victor, who was likeable and mysterious.

The whole time I was reading I felt like the author was hiding something from readers, something important.
I didn’t understand why Elizabeth and Victor were connected on such a strong level, and I loved the feeling of the hidden mystery, of the atmosphere it created.

The writing style was great. This book reminded me how much I loved White’s writing in Paranormalcy.

Also, I chose the perfect time to read this book. Now when everything is in Halloween decorations and spooky books/movies are desirable, The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein came as the best option.

I would recommend this novel to lovers of retellings, spooky books and young adult genre.

Book Review: Freeks by Amanda Hocking

freeks-digital

Title: Freeks

Author: Amanda Hocking

Publisher: Tor Books HQ, Pan

Date: February 9th, 2016

Pages: 336

Format: Paperback

Source: from Publisher for review

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Welcome to Gideon Davorin’s Traveling Sideshow, where necromancy, magical visions, and pyrokinesis are more than just part of the act…

Mara has always longed for a normal life in a normal town where no one has the ability to levitate or predict the future. Instead, she roams from place to place, cleaning the tiger cage while her friends perform supernatural feats every night.

When the struggling sideshow is miraculously offered the money they need if they set up camp in Caudry, Louisiana, Mara meets local-boy Gabe…and a normal life has never been more appealing.

But before long, performers begin disappearing and bodes are found mauled by an invisible beast. Mara realizes that there’s a sinister presence lurking in the town with its sights set on getting rid of the sideshow freeks. In order to unravel the truth before the attacker kills everyone Mara holds dear, she has seven days to take control of a power she didn’t know she was capable of—one that could change her future forever.

Bestselling author Amanda Hocking draws readers inside the dark and mysterious world of Freeks.

Review:

Amanda Hocking won my heart with her Trylle Trilogy.
I never binge read series (in fact, I only binge read two series in my whole life: Trylle by A. Hocking and MacKinnon Curse by J.A. Templeton), but that was my first time when I read like a maniac, devouring the world and it’s characters within.

Since then, I knew Hocking will be the one author I will have my eye on, eagerly waiting for new books to feed my appetite.

Amanda Hocking did it again. She wrote yet another unputdownable book.
It caught my attention, kept me on the edge of my sit, my eyes were flying through the pages and, before I even realized, I finished a book.
My usual reading speed is 30 pages per hour, but with this book, it doubled (and it is not large print!).
You can say it’s because of simplicity of language, but I say it’s because of interesting plot.

This book was AMAZING!

With unique characters, unforgetable plot placed in 1987, Freeks is the book that stands out from other pieces in paranormal genre.

The story follows Mara, who works and travels with carnival. Her coworkers and family are paranormal, unusual or in contact with higher powers.
When they come to state Louisiana, small town Caudry, one of their members dissapears.
Not long after that, they discover that something/someone is after them, as well as their abilities start to weak.

I love how smart Hocking was when outlining this story.
She did her math well!
By introducing us to new characters, making them unusual but still very relatable, she made us care for every single “Freek”, and then she sent that mysterious thing after them, making us, readers, afraid for them.

She also wrote a good story line.

There was an insta love, be aware, but I liked it.
I also liked how main character, Mara, was 18 and her guy, Gabe, 19 (that’s why I didn’t mind things between them developing fast).

I loved the setting.
The vibe that small town gives was so well described.
Also, I welcome the fact that the story was set in 1987. It made a lot sense to put it in that time, because technology was not developed back then (so there weren’t mobile phones, and land lines weren’t on every step).
I can imagine that carnivals had more meaning back then, and pop culture references from that period also gave their charm to the story.

One thing that also needs to be stressed out: there’s a great representation of diversity.

The only thing that confused me a bit (and I bet most people don’t even pay attention to this kind of things) is the lack of Acknowledgments.

Let me tell you, this book is hard to put down!
Once you start reading it, it is very likely you will want to finish it in one sitting (but with almost 350 pages long book, that is hardly possible).

I highly, highly recommend this one to paranormal lovers out there!

Movie Monday: Ouija and Before the Flood

Movie Monday is a weekly feature here on my blog, in which I’m rambling about movies I’ve watched lately.

This week I watched two movies: one horror I chose to watch on Halloween evening and one highly anticipated documentary.

Ouija

ouija While Americans celebrate Halloween in the most amazing way we, European people, usually don’t celebrate it. That means there’s no costume parties (unless you’re kinky 😉 ) or candies (unless you buy them yourself), so what I like to do every Halloween is to watch horror movies.

Horror is my favorite genre when it comes to films, so it is a rare thing for me to miss a well known title in that genre.
I have heard about Ouija since it first came out on blu-ray and I wanted to watch it, but I kept putting it off.
It’s sequel literally just came to theatres in Croatia, so I figured out it was a perfect time to watch the first movie in this series, the one that came out in 2014.

I watched the movie with my father and he was the perfect company. We both called out director’s mistakes and naive scenes, as well as some confusing/neglected parts.

The story follows a group of high schoolers who’s friend killed herself after playing with Ouija board. As their way to say goodbye to their associate, the group of friends decide to play with the same Ouija board in the house she took her life.
As you probably can imagine, Ouija is their connection with paranormal force that starts to follow them and nobody is safe anymore.

Even though this movie has mistakes and confusing moments, it is overall an enjoyable piece and I am glad it was my choice as a Halloween entertaiment.

Before the Flood

before-the-flood Before the Flood is a documentary Leonardo DiCaprio spent three years in making. It talks about global warming and it shows so many places all over the world, places that are already affected by man’s abuse and overuse of energy and fossil oil.
Not only does it warn us about what life on Earth will probably look like decades from now, but it also tells us what we, as individuals, can do to make this process that destroys our planet slow down.
Maybe we think one can’t do much, but if many people start to listen, then there won’t be just one man listening but thousands, millions of people saving our planet.

I highly suggest to everyone: go and watch it. I encourage you to listen Leo’s speach at the very end of the movie. There’s so much true and passion in it.

Before the Flood was free for streaming everywhere last week (I watched it on Youtube) and it should still be available on National Geagraphic channel.

Note: Pictures in this post are not my property but taken from IMDb site and are property of Universal Pictures and National Geagraphic.

Movie Monday: The Conjuring 2

Movie Monday is a weekly feature here on my blog, in which I’m rambling about movies I’ve watched lately.

This week I watched a horror movie I anticipated for so long, and guess what? The anticipating was worth it!

The Conjuring 2

The Conjuring was one of my most anticipated movies this year, along with Sinister 2 (which I liked) and The Boy (which I hated). In case you didn’t know, The Conjuring 2 is the sequel of the same titled movie (only without “2”, of course) that came out in 2013, but it is also a companion movie to the well-known Anabelle, because it follows the same couple, Ed and Lorraine who work as paranormal investigators.
Do you want to know the creepiest fact?
All three movies are based on the events that happened in real life.

In the movie Conjuring 2 Ed and Lorraine travel to England to investigate the case of family who moved to a house that, in their words, is possessed. The case got big attention from the media who named it “The English Amityville”.
As the time progresses the furniture in the house moves by itself, children are having nightmares and see things that seem to be spirits, and as with time paranormal forces become stronger, they start to talk through one of the kids.

I had high expectations when it comes to this movie. I think that it’s predecessor was one of the best movies I watched the year it came out, and I hoped Conjuring 2 will be just as good.
It is my pleasure to tell you that my high hopes were conceded.
The plot was good, the story kept me on the edge of my seet the whole time, effects shaked me more then few times while watching and all in all, this movie was just what I wanted for it to be.

I watched it all alone and as you can imagine, it scared my guts, but the weirdo in me loved it to bits.
I don’t think I have to stress out how I still think about those demons from time to time, but everytime ugly thoughts sneak in my mind, I just sweep them under my imaginary carpet and I’m good to go.

I would highly recommend Conjuring 2 to horror lovers, but if you are a person who gets scared easily or has trouble sleeping after watching scarry films, I suggest you to avoid it.

You can watch the movie trailer for Conjuring 2 here.

Note: Picture in this post is not my property but taken from IMDb site and is property of Warner Bros. Pictures.

Serenity by India R. Adams: Excerpt + Giveaway (Blog Tour)

I am so happy to be today’s stop for Serenity blog tour. This book is perfect for ya paranormal fans and I want to thank Giselle from Xpresso Book Tours for giving me this opportuinty.
Today, you can read an excerpt from the book and decide whether you think this could be something you’d enjoy.

Serenity
India R. Adams
(Forever, #1)
Publication date: July 26th 2016
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

To say I know where this story begins is to say I remember what lifetime started it all…and why. What I do know is this lifetime is hard and cruel…maybe like the rest. That is until I meet him–the light that shines and guides me. To where I don’t know but my soul chooses to follow regardless. I believe it has done this before. I believe I will follow him…forever.

A destructive home life silently tears Serenity, a 16 year old girl, apart until her broken spirit is given a gift in the form of an old journal that sends her a visitor in the night.

Away from the sun I close my eyes
and release myself into the unknown
I hope she is there
I hope she is there…

The cloaked woman teaches Serenity that the lingering feeling of missing a part of her soul, may not be a figment of her imagination and with these words Serenity’s journey, of this lifetime, begins.

The toll on my spirit had slowly broken me down—day by day, night by night, drink by drink, hit by hit—to the limp, fragile, lost girl that Dereck Hamilton . . . carried away.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks

Excerpt:

Josh has Jolene wrapped in his arms, leaning against his old-timey blue Ford pickup truck, the only thing his dad left when he bailed years ago. Josh’s deep-set brown eagle eyes are already watching over Sky and me. Jolene is approximately five feet eight, so the top of her head fits just under his chin when they hold each other like this. I melt when watching them show affection. Their energies blend, making violet waves shine for me. I instantly want to intermix with their love because I know firsthand how healing it is.

Even if I’m weren’t able to read auras, the sun shining off Josh and Jolene would show how they’ve both fallen out of the Gorgeous Tree and hit every Stunning Branch on the way down. He has short, light-brown hair and a brooding, serious face. Jolene has similar-colored hair except it’s much longer and has golden tints throughout. The Wise Ones, together, are perfection. They may be financially poor, but they’re rich in many different ways. They also have this uncanny parental instinct when it comes to Skyler and me. Josh and Jolene watch over us as if they aren’t high school seniors, and we trust them implicitly because Jolene says to always follow my instincts.

Jolene glances over her shoulder with her model-like brown eyes when she hears Sky’s car slam on the brakes. Sky’s driving is horrendous and a danger to all other vehicles on the road. Exhibit A: she just forgot to put her car in park before opening her door.

As the car begins to roll, Josh yells, “Sky. Park.”

I jolt as Skyler slams on the brakes—again—doing as she’s told. She yells past me and out my open window, “Well! What the hell do you expect? You’ve got me all riled up! A damn bundle of nerves with your damn last-minute plan changing.”

He leans his head back and laughs. “That girl kills me!”

As we get out of the car, Jolene lets go of Josh and proudly coos, “There’s my baby girls.”

I know she says this every day, but hearing her speak of us so endearingly warms my heart. Maybe it’s also the fact that they let each other go to make room for Sky and me. And I’m in need of their attention, because I suspect Josh of being a troublemaker.

His smirk confirms our suspicions. “I can see your pout from here. Stop it.”

I mumble, “Says the pot stirrer.”

Jolene and Josh take hold of our shoulders that sometimes hold more weight than Sky and I can bear, and then they embrace us. Skyler’s face buries into Josh’s strong chest, unknowingly soaking up his violet rays as if starving. “You lecture us on our grades then ask us to skip school?” With her arms around his waist, she peers up. She has to. He’s six feet two. “What gives, o mighty one?”

His hugs never have hidden agendas, and his kisses are from the best, most overprotective big brother in the whole world.

His deep inhale informs me it’s worse than I thought. “Now, don’t freak out.”

“Oh. My. God.”

“Sky! I just said don’t freak.”

“Is it cancer? How much longer do we have you?”

“What? I’m not dying, Skyler. You’re always going straight to the worst scenario.”

She smirks. “The worst scenario would be Jolene having cancer.”

Author Bio:

India R Adams is an author/singer/songwriter who has written YA and NA novels such as Blue Waters (A Tainted Waters Novella), My Wolf and Me, Steal Me (A Haunted Roads Novel), Rain (A Stranger in the Woods Novel), Serenity (A Forever Series Novel) and also The Forever Series music.

India was born and raised in Florida but has also been so lucky as to live in Idaho (where she froze but fell in love with the small town life), Austin Texas (where she started her first book, Serenity, and met wonderful artist), and now Murphy, North Carolina (where the mountains have stolen a piece of her heart).

Being a survivor of abuse, has inspired India to let others know they have nothing to be ashamed of. She put her many years of professional theater background to the test and has written fictional stories with a shadow of her personal experiences. She says, “I’m simply finding ways to empower perfect imperfections.”

Another cause India feels needs change, is Sexual Slavery. She has joined forces with jewelers to design beautiful ways to raise money for non-profit organizations. Even though India writes about serious subjects such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, and Human Trafficking, she has a magnificent sense of humor, as do the characters she creates. Perfectly balanced between laughter and tears, her readers see how to empower their own perfect imperfections.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Giveaway (INTL):

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Organic soap and body oil (1 Bar and 1 oil. Scent: lavender and Patchouli) + paperback copy of Rain.
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Book Review: The Uninvited by J.A. Templeton

Title: The Uninvited

Author: J.A. Templeton

Series: The MacKinnon Legacy #1

Publisher: Self-published

Date: March 17, 2015

Pages: 200

Format: ebook

Source: from Author for review

Synopsis (from Goodreads): For readers who loved the international best-selling YA paranormal romance series, The MacKinnon Curse, here is a new spin-off series!
Madison Sinclair has a secret. She can see, hear and feel the dead.
At seventeen, Madison travels to Edinburgh to study and discovers that university is not the only adventure to be found there. The historic Scots city is a hotbed of paranormal activity and Madison’s talents and empathy are tested when she meets the spirit of a missing teen, Jaime.
Madison befriends Shane, a fellow student and very human charmer from her home town, who also knows a thing or two about ghosts and their ways.
Madison’s spirit friend, Jaime, has a flesh-and-blood brother. Haven is a sexy, tattooed bad boy with a dangerous reputation, but is drawn to Madison because of the enticing truth she could give him about his little sister.
Shane and Haven help Madison use her gifts to uncover the secrets surrounding Jaime’s disappearance, which puts Madison in danger from more than wayward spirits. The psychopath that killed Jaime now has Madison in his cross-hairs, and he has no intention of letting her reveal the truth.
THE UNINVITED is book one in The MacKinnon Legacy series and is intended for readers over 17+ due to language, sexual situations, and violence.

Review:

J.A. Templeton is one of my favorite authors for years now. I have read five of her novels before this one, and loved every-single one of them.

This one was no exception. I really, really liked it!

This story takes place five years after The Departed.

Although this is a spin-off, it is not fully tied to it’s predecessor. What I’m trying to say is that you are not obligated to read The MacKinnon Curse series in order to read this one.
Yeah, most of the characters are in both series, and stories are connected but are two separated pieces.

Regardless, if you still haven’t, I suggest you to read The MacKinnon Curse because it is an enjoyable read.

Our main character Madison is all grown up and she started college in Edingburgh. I enjoyed reading her story and getting to know the person she became. She is one interesting girl who’s still not fully independent but is on a good way to be.

It was so nice to see Shane again. I was always fond of him and I haven’t change my mind. I am really looking forward to read more about him.

Actually, it was nice to see everyone once again and to find out how Riley and Kade are doing. I only wish we got to know more about Cait‘s life.

I think J.A. Templeton is really good in creating likeable characters. There is really not one character that I didn’t like and although it could sometimes be a flaw, I don’t think it was in this case.
However, I am curious how the story will develop from this book on because what seems flawless now could easely became drawback later if not shaped right.

Do I think we should have more character development trough the series? I do.
But I have no doubt Templeton will do a good job, as she always does.

We do have a glimpse of a love triangle but I didn’t pay too much attention to it because to me, it was clear who should win in this love game. Still, I want to know if I was right and where the author will take us with it.

While reading this book I had a vibe I had way back when I was watching “Ghost Whisperer” TV show.
If you liked watching that show, I think you would like this book.

The novel ends with something I like to call The perfect cliff-hanger.
It makes you wonder what is going to happen’ next but doesn’t leave you desperate for the sequel. You don’t feel like you have to have it in your hands right away, but it does announce to you that the sequel will be soooo good and you are looking forward to read it because you know you’ll enjoy it more then this book you just finished.