Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Make Me Forget (Make Me #1) by Beth Kery

Review:

Make Me Forget - Beth Kery

Part One of the Make Me Serial

The New York Times bestselling author of Because You Are Mine, The Affair, and Glow is back with a tantalizing new serial novel about hidden pasts, dangerous obsessions, and uncontrollable passion...

 
Harper McFaddan has made her name as an investigative journalist by being both compassionate and fearless. After tragedy strikes her family, she moves to the shores of Lake Tahoe to find some peace. But when mysterious software mogul Jacob Latimer comes into her life, her thoughts turn from her own healing to an urgent need to get closer to him...
 
Jacob Latimer is the definition of a self-made man. The software entrepreneur built his corporation from nothing, but rumors abound about the shadiness of his rise to power  and no one knows what secrets lurk in his past. Harper is the last person he should let into his life. As an investigative journalist, she’s the one person who could expose his hidden origins. But Jacob knows things about Harper’s past that make him irresistibly drawn to her. He wants nothing more than to make her his—and Jacob is a man who always gets what he wants...
 
Don’t miss the next installment, Make Me Tremble...
 
Includes a bonus excerpt of Beth Kery’s The Affair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Review:

 

Make Me Forget is a great book because its not an actual full story, its an accumulation of serial novellas, which I really like because it allows you to enjoy reading on a busy schedule. Kery is great. She creates fantastic stories and she's given us something that many readers like all in one book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Rating:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Disclaimer:
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

Source:
Received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Penguin Publishing.

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Original post: kkmalott.booklikes.com/post/1388619/make-me-forget-make-me-1-by-beth-kery

Asking for More (Asking for It #2.5) by Lilah Pace

Review:

Asking for More - Lilah Pace

How far is too far?

Finally sure of each other's strength and love, Jonah and Vivienne continue to explore their darkest fantasies together. However, what should be a night of ecstasy takes a dangerous turn, injuring Vivienne. She shrugs off the incident, but Jonah is haunted by it, particularly by the fear that others may believe he abuses her, or even glimpse the truth of their erotic obsession.

Then Jonah receives a call from his younger sister, Rebecca, who's dealing with trouble of her own in South America. When Vivienne travels with him to aid Rebecca, she learns yet more about his tortured history—and Jonah opens up to Vivienne as never before.

Can Vivienne help Jonah cast off the shadows of his past forever?

 

 

 

 

My Review:

 

I am waiting for the author to really grab me again the way she did in the beginning of this series. The whole traumatized broken hero and heroine has gotten old and repetitive establishing issues that have already been established and repeated several times already.

Why this novella needed to be added to reestablish the same thing we've already read more than once didn't really feel organic to the flow or direction we were headed in the last book.

Pace had already begun a great story and I haven't felt the abuse background was even necessary to make this series great. If anything its taken away from what made it so good, but okay, I went with it. Now I'm waiting for the stall out that's been hanging on since the middle of the first book to find some sort of purpose.

We've beat this dead horse into the ground so many times I've stopped caring about their issues but the author has created something different and unique and I keep hoping for something to redeem or recapture what she had in the beginning.

I have mixed feelings for this short addition but I have to admit I'm still waiting. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Rating:

 

 

 

 

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Disclaimer:
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

Source:
Received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley Publishing

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Original post: kkmalott.booklikes.com/post/1388615/asking-for-more-asking-for-it-2-5-by-lilah-pace

Choices of Fate (Fate #1) by S. Simone Chavous

Review:

Choices of Fate - S. Simone Chavous

On her own since the day she turned eighteen and left the group home where she grew up, twenty-five year old Alexa Ryan has made a comfortable life for herself. She has a great job, the perfect apartment, every material possession a girl her age could desire. Unfortunately, she also has an unusual condition which has forced her to keep everyone at a distance.

Ethan Kellar has spent his entire life running from destiny. When he was just a boy, a powerful seer prophesied his role in events that would determine the outcome of the secret war his people had been fighting for centuries. A role he was determined not to accept, leading him to avoid letting anyone get too close, until the night Alexa fell into his arms.

Drawn to her in a way he has never experienced, Ethan decides to take the ultimate risk by trusting Alexa and revealing to her all he truly is. Thinking she is an ordinary woman, he believes she is the key to preventing the prophecy from being fulfilled and allowing him to live the life he has always wanted, one he chooses. Having been so consumed with the desire to determine the course of his own life he wants no less for Alexa and knows he must tell her everything, give her a choice. Before that happens they surrender to the intense physical attraction between them and he realizes too late that in trying so hard to change his fate, he may have set the events of the prophecy in motion.

In that moment, Ethan makes the most difficult decision of his life and does the only thing he can to save Alexa. He walks away.

Consumed by grief, Alexa falls into a deep depression until she learns her brief encounter with love resulted in a child and somehow finds the strength to put herself back together for the sake of her baby Chloe.

Nearly two years after Ethan walked out Chloe develops an unexplained illness which sends Alexa in search of anything that can help. Her pursuit leads her back to Ethan and thrusts her into his dark and mysterious world, unlocking the secrets of her past and revealing threats to their future. Together, Alexa and Ethan fight to protect Chloe and their love, but there is one battle Ethan fights alone as he struggles to choose his own path and avoid the choices of fate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Review:

 

As the first story in what I'll call a serial since its not quite a series its the story that continues into following books with a heavy cliffhanger between book one and book two. Choices of Fate lays the ground work to establish Alexa and Ethan's past and current lives. The author writes it well however I think that I would have preferred with as heavy as the background scenes are to have been gathered together as a prequel into a story of its own instead of cutting from present day to the past and back again. Chavous has done her homework to establish her characters and the world they're in so well in fact that's the main reason I kept reading the story. As a reader I could feel how much Chavous believed in her story and her cast and I respected that.

I look forward to reading more of her work in the near future and would suggest it to others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Rating:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Disclaimer:
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

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Received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from The Author

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If any of Krissys Bookshelf Reviews has been helpful please stop by to like or let me know what you think! Thank you!

 

Original post: kkmalott.booklikes.com/post/1388605/choices-of-fate-fate-1-by-s-simone-chavous

Unbound by Sara Humphreys (Part 3) - Free Newsletter Serial

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Without thinking, he reached out and brushed away the long strand of hair that drifted across her forehead. The pad of his finger grazed over her impossibly soft, smooth skin, reminding him of spun silk, and that ball of need in his gut tightened ferociously.

 

Chapter 3
 

A few hours ago, Zachary’s plans for the evening included some cold beers and a late-night swim in the ocean. A scream in the dark changed all of that and quickly turned his vacation into a rescue mission.

Zachary carried the unconscious woman into the living room of his beachside rental house and laid her gently on the oversized sofa. Stirring briefly, her brow furrowed as though she were dreaming, and a soft whimper escaped her lips. Recalling the sound of her cries, anger fired through him and he was furious with himself for getting out there too late.

By the time he got outside, the person who’d harmed her was disappearing around the corner. He guessed it was a mugging of some kind. The guy on the bike had a bag with him and Zach would bet a million bucks it belonged to her.

Whoever she was, she was absolutely stunning…and familiar. Even her energy signature, which was surprisingly thick for a human, pulsed with an almost recognizable hum. He attempted to sharpen his focus but found himself oddly distracted by her.

Long, thick, wavy auburn hair framed a stunningly beautiful oval face. Her large, almond-shaped eyes were the palest shade of green he’d ever seen, and in the light of the setting sun, he had noticed that they glittered with tiny flecks of gold. Her lush womanly body, that fit against his with ease, was curvy and filled out in all the right places.

She hadn’t said much, but he could tell she was American and probably here on vacation like he was. Once she woke up, he’d make sure she got back to her hotel or villa. Her friends or family were probably worried about her.

Family. Boyfriend?

Husband?

A sudden and unexpected wave of jealousy rose up when it dawned on him that she could have a husband or a boyfriend. Why wouldn’t she? The woman was simply gorgeous. Yet the notion of her being with another man bothered him. He had no idea why. It just did.

He swore under his breath when his gaze skittered over the trail of blood that trickled down her temple. She was hurt, and he was sitting here staring at her like a creep.

“Nice move, Zach,” he muttered, before rising to get a wet cloth from the kitchen. “Let the poor girl bleed to death.”

He came back and sat next to her on the edge of the couch. Gently, he brushed aside the long strands of hair that had fallen across her cheek and wiped away the blood that marred her creamy skin. He found the cut on her hairline and dabbed around it gingerly, relieved to see it had stopped bleeding. It always astonished him how much blood was produced by a cut on the head, even a small one like this.

When he wiped away the last of the blood, those big green eyes fluttered open and immediately latched onto his.

“Welcome back,” Zach said with a wide smile before tossing the cloth onto the coffee table. “How are you feeling?”

“Oh my God,” she whispered. Her eyes widened with fear and she immediately tried to scramble away from him. “You…you’re…”

“Whoa.” Zach rose to his feet, stepped back, and raised both hands in a sign of surrender. “Hang on, lady. Relax. I’m not going to hurt you. I heard you scream, and when I came outside, you were on the ground bleeding. I did see a guy racing off on his bike, and I had a choice. Chase him down or help you.” He shrugged and slipped his hands into the pockets of his cargo shorts. “Helping you took priority.”

“You helped me?” she whispered. Pushing herself to a sitting position, she wavered and her hand went to her head. Squeezing her eyes shut, she pulled her feet up onto the couch and inched into the corner. “Shit, that hurts.”

“Yeah, you took a hell of a tumble out there. I don’t think that cut on your head is gonna need stitches, but it sure did bleed a bunch. What’s your name?” Zachary sat on the coffee table and leaned his forearms on his thighs while keeping an eye on her. “If you tell me where you’re staying, I’ll be happy to take you there, or we can call—”

“No,” she blurted. She bit her lower lip, and her hand went to the silver chain around her wrist, as though she’d done it a thousand times before. “I can’t.”

“No? You can’t tell me your name, or you can’t tell me where you’re staying?” Zach tilted his head and his gut instinct went on high alert. She was in trouble. “Which is it?”

“No.” Shaking her head, she lifted one shoulder and looked at him through wide eyes. “I—I’m not staying anywhere. I was on my way to find a place to stay when that kid on the bike stole my bag.” She shut her eyes and let out a shuddering breath. “Damn it. That bag had all of my money, my identification. Everything.”

Tears filled her eyes, making them seem even greener than before. She swiped at them quickly before adjusting her top, which did little to hide her ample bosom. The silver bracelet glittered around her wrist, and he could see that there was something written on the tiny disk attached to it. Her hand settled over her chest as she stilled beneath his inspection. He squinted and leaned closer, trying not to look at her cleavage.

“May I?” Zach gestured to the bracelet she fiddled with.

As he reached over, her body tensed, and he sensed her heart beating like a jackhammer beneath the surface. He paused until she gave him a brief nod of agreement and held out her arm. Zach’s fingers brushed over her skin, and the brief whisper of flesh against flesh sent a zing straight to his crotch. Both of them stilled after the mere hint of contact, and he flicked his surprised eyes to hers. She’d felt it too. Her cheeks were pink, and he sensed her body was humming with tension.

Zachary breathed deeply as her distinctly feminine scent filled his head, enhancing the sudden and unexpected surge of desire. He couldn’t think of a time that his body had responded so strongly or so quickly to a woman—and he’d had lots of women. Holding her stare, he cradled her wrist in his hand and read out loud the name inscribed in flowing script letters on the silver disk. “Annabelle.”

“That’s me,” she murmured. “Annabelle.”

“Nice to meet you, Annabelle.” Zachary gently released her and sat up, needing to put some distance between them. He was having a hard time thinking straight because all the blood was rushing to his crotch. “You have a last name, don’t you?”

“Yes. Of course I do… It’s Johnson.” Her tongue flicked out and moistened her lower lip. “Annabelle Johnson.”

“Right.” He knew she was lying about her last name. There was too much of a pause, as though she were thinking one up as opposed to simply saying her name. She looked so scared and alone, it took all of his willpower not to gather her in his arms and comfort her. Instead, he stuck his hand out to her like some kind of dorky teenager. “Zachary McKenna.”

She looked at him for a moment, as though deciding whether or not to shake his hand. A hint of a smile played at her lips, and some of the tension eased before she finally put her hand in his. The instant her soft skin settled against his, warmth washed over him and need tightened in his gut. Zachary glanced down at their interlocked hands, and recognition flooded him. He rasped his thumb along the edge of her palm and turned it just enough so he could see her long, delicate fingers.

Clearing his throat, he quickly released her hand, the warmth of her flesh suddenly and noticeably absent. Zach’s gaze skittered over those deep auburn locks, and his muscles tensed as a vaguely familiar energy signature throbbed through the air. It was like music; a slow, light tinkling in the air that was almost unreadable but was growing louder with each passing moment.

He sharpened his focus, reaching out with his own energy. Zachary tuned in to her and, as the sound of the waves crashed in the background, he knew.

Memories of the dream realm came roaring into focus…it was her.

Annabelle was the woman from the dream realm—and his mate. Holy shit. She was here. Right here in front of him and he didn’t have the first fucking clue what he was supposed to do. How ironic. Zachary had been with countless women and was never at a loss for words. Yet here he was, with the woman he was destined to spend eternity with, and he was a tongue-tied boob.

Great. Thank God Dominic wasn’t here, because Zach would never live this down.

“Are you alright?” Her voice, soft and concerned, pulled him from his thoughts. “Zachary?”

Zach just nodded, holding her green-­eyed stare, and he noticed she was fiddling with her bracelet again. He was feeling a little fidgety himself. Rising to his feet, he started to pace the room, needing to put some space between him and the woman the universe had tossed at his doorstep. Her energy signature grew stronger and whirled around him in the air, faster with each second. It was both unsettling and oddly comforting at the same time.

“So let me get this straight.” He stopped in front of the breakfast bar that separated the kitchen from the living room and folded his arms over his chest. “You came to Mexico alone. With one bag. No clothes. No suntan lotion. Just a bag with your identification and some money? That’s it? And that bag, with everything in it, is now gone.”

“Yes.” She nodded and didn’t take her eyes off his. The woman was curled up on the couch and looked totally terrified again. Not of him, though. She was frightened of whomever or whatever she was running away from. At least, that’s what he suspected, and based on her reaction, there was no way she knew that he was an Amoveo. She would have said something, wouldn’t she? “You probably think coming to Mexico like that is something only an idiot would do.”

“No.” Zach pressed his lips together and leaned both hands on the back of an upholstered chair while leveling a serious look in her direction. “It sounds like something only someone on the run would do.”

She opened her mouth to say something but apparently thought better of it and snapped it shut. Fiddling with the chain around her wrist, she looked away from him and shrugged one shoulder. Bingo. Annabelle was on the run. Anger simmered beneath the surface at the notion of someone hunting down his mate, and in that instant, he knew he wasn’t going to let her out of his sight. No way.

What if she was running from a Purist who found out she was an Amoveo mate? What if the Caedo found out about her?

Shit.

He ran one hand over his stubble-covered jaw and let out a slow breath. What a clusterfuck. How the hell was he supposed to approach this whole mate business with her? He couldn’t come right out and ask her, Hey, do you know about the Amoveo? Seen any shapeshifters lately?

“Do you have a phone that I could use?”

“Nope.” He shrugged and gave her an apologetic look. “I don’t have a cell phone, and the one here at the house doesn’t seem to be working.”

“You don’t have a cell phone?” She looked at him like he was an alien from another planet. “Are you serious?”

“Totally. I don’t really care for them.”

“It figures,” she said with a curt laugh. “If I didn’t have shitty luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all.” Annabelle shook her head and stifled a yawn before giving him an embarrassed smile. “Sorry. I didn’t sleep much on the plane.”

“Yeah, well, I’m sure getting mugged took it out of you, too,” he said.

Sleep. The dream realm. That’s it. If she really was his mate, then he would be able to find her there tonight. Connecting with her before had been next to impossible, but now that they’d actually met, maybe he could get through to her. It would be a hell of a lot easier to tell her about the Amoveo if she experienced the dream realm with him.

“You could probably sleep for a week,” he murmured.

“I—I should go. I’m sure there’s a pay phone in town or something.” Annabelle made a pained expression while she pushed herself off the couch and slowly rose to her feet. “I’m sorry for the trouble I caused you.”

“No trouble.” He crossed to the couch and held his hand out to her. “Come on.”

“Where?” She looked at his hand warily before turning those haunting green eyes back to his.

“The bedroom.” Her big eyes got even bigger, and Zachary couldn’t help but let out a loud laugh. “Not like that. Believe me”—a grin cracked his face and he winked—“if I wanted to take advantage of you, I could’ve done that while you were passed out on my couch.”

“Oh really?” She folded her arms over her full breasts. The action had the delightful side effect of accentuating her cleavage, and when he finally looked back at her face, she was giving him a knowing look. Eyebrows raised, she waited for him to continue.

“I’m kidding.” He was partly kidding. The truth was that he wanted to wrap her up in his arms and discover every inch of gorgeous flesh hidden beneath that dress. He bet she tasted sweet, like a plum. He also bet that he had a better chance of winning the lottery than getting Annabelle in his bed. At least for now. “Listen, it’s getting late, and you’ve had a hell of a night. Whoever you want to call will be there tomorrow after you’ve gotten some rest. You can take the bedroom and I’ll crash out here tonight.”

“No.” She shook her head and waved him off. “I couldn’t. Really, I should go.”

“Where are you gonna go?” Zach rested his hands on his hips and gave her a doubtful look. He closed the distance between them, stopping just a few inches from her. He lowered his voice and met her challenging stare. “You have no money, no credit cards, no ID, and a lump on your head. You really don’t have a lot of options right now, and I’d like to think that crashing here with me is more appealing than sleeping on the street in Loreto, Mexico.”

“Why would you help me?” Annabelle asked in a quiet, almost reverent tone. She was shorter than he had first thought, probably not more than five-foot-three. The top of her head barely came up to his chin. Looking up at him with wary curiosity, she fiddled with the bracelet again, as though she was trying to detect if he had any ulterior motives. At least she wasn’t looking at him with fear. That was a step in the right direction, and with any luck, he would eventually get her to tell him who or what she was running from. “You don’t even know me, Zachary. I—I could be anybody.”

“I know you’re hurt and you’re alone.” Zach’s lips tilted at the corners. “And that you need help.”

Without thinking, he reached out and brushed away the long strand of hair that drifted across her forehead. The pad of his finger grazed over her impossibly soft, smooth skin, reminding him of spun silk, and that ball of need in his gut tightened ferociously. Her eyes widened, and she sucked in a slow breath while he trailed one finger along the perfectly sculpted edge of her jaw.

Dropping his hand to his side, he murmured, “That’s all I really need to know.”

Silence hung between them, and desire that was almost palpable crackled in the air. Dominic’s words from yesterday drifted through Zach’s mind as he stared into the seemingly limitless depths of those gorgeous green eyes. You can’t run from it.

Zachary was in so much trouble, because he knew what Dom said was true. For the rest of his life, no matter where he went or what he did, this woman’s face, scent, and energy would be forever imprinted on his psyche. And that scared the ever-living shit out of him.

“Thank you.” She stepped back and gestured to the couch before hugging her arms around herself. She felt the connection too. She must have, and he didn’t know if that was good or bad. “Zachary, you’re kind enough to let me stay here, so the couch will be just fine.”

“You’re sure?” He gestured to the bedroom. “I don’t mind. Really.”

“I’m sure.” Annabelle flashed him a shy smile that just about did him in and left him speechless. “Thank you for showing me such kindness. I wouldn’t expect it from an—from a stranger.”

After settling Annabelle in with a blanket and some Tylenol, he locked up the house and bid her good night. Lying in his bed, he couldn’t get those gorgeous green eyes out of his mind, and a million thoughts raced through his head. With the soothing sounds of the ocean surrounding him, Zachary drifted to sleep with one name on his lips. Annabelle.

 

***


Like what you've read? You can shelve this title on Goodreads and connect with Sara on Facebook and Twitter.

Like what you've read? Check out Sara Humphreys' new contemporary series, The McGuire Brothers!

 

Trouble Walks In
The McGuire Brothers, Book 2
Available August 2, 2016!


He could be the man to rescue her
Big city K-9 cop Ronan McGuire loves women, loves his dog, loves his job—but when old flame Maddy Morgan moves into his jurisdiction, he can’t think about anyone else. Ronan knows she’s way out of his league, but he’s determined to help Maddy live life to the fullest. 

In more ways than one
With tragedy in her past, Maddy has immersed herself in work and swiftly made a name for herself in the hot New York City real estate market. She’s looking for safety, not love, but Ronan McGuire is as persistent as he is sexy, and his crooked smile is hard to resist. But all other concerns are wiped away when Maddy goes missing and Ronan and his bloodhound K-9 partner are tasked with finding her and bringing her home.
 

Pre-order your copy here:
Amazon | B&N | iBooks | !ndigo

 

More by Sara Humphreys:

THE MCGUIRE BROTHERS SERIES

THE AMOVEO LEGEND SERIES DEAD IN THE CITY SERIES

 

Original post: kkmalott.booklikes.com/post/1388600/unbound-by-sara-humphreys-part-3-free-newsletter-serial

Unbound by Sara Humphreys (Part 2) - Free Newsletter Serial

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“Hey!” A man’s voice, deep and low, cut through the haze and asked the dumbest question in the history of dumb questions. “Are you alright?”

 

Chapter 2
 

Annabelle was almost free.

Squeezing her eyes shut, she let out a long slow breath as a smile curved her lips. In a few hours she would be in Baja, Mexico, sitting on a beach, with her family and their insanity far behind her. Guilt tugged at her, because in spite of her father’s crazy beliefs, she loved him very much. After Annabelle’s mother died ten years ago, she and her father had moved in with some of his cousins on the family ranch in California. They’d been left destitute by her mother’s medical bills, and her father was unable to find work. With no other options, he’d turned to his cousins for help.

She’d never met her Caedo cousins before that day. A decade ago, she and her father showed up with everything they owned in the back of a pickup truck. Looking back, it was clear that the Caedo compound was what most people would consider a cult.

The smile faded from her lips as the plane took off.

The Caedo family, the ones her mother never wanted to be around, was driven by their hatred of the Amoveo shapeshifters. In fact, part of the homeschooling she and her cousins received included lessons about these shapeshifters. At first she thought it was some kind of joke, but after seeing the surveillance videos…she knew the Amoveo were real.

However, unlike her cousins, Annabelle wasn’t frightened by the Amoveo—she was fascinated by them. She didn’t understand the Caedos’ hatred of these creatures, and when she’d expressed her curiosity, it was met with swift and immediate punishment. They’d sent her to her room and kept her there, totally alone, for three days. Her meals were brought to her by her father, and during his brief visits, he’d begged her not to argue with them.

She shook her head at the memories and ran her fingers along the sterling silver bracelet draped around her left wrist before gathering the oval disk between her fingers. Rubbing her thumb over the smooth surface, the one with her name engraved on the front, she wished so much her mother were still alive.

As the massive jet launched into the air, her father’s final words to her yesterday ran through her mind over and over: It’s your duty, Annabelle. You must use your gift to help us in our cause.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

“What?” Annabelle blinked, the flight attendant’s voice pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced at the two empty seats next to her and realized she had been so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she didn’t even notice that nobody else was seated in her row. “I’m sorry. I guess I was in my own world.”

“That’s quite alright.” The woman’s warm brown eyes smiled at her as she held out a napkin. Annabelle sensed sadness lingering beneath the surface. “What would you like to drink?”

“Coke, please.” Smiling, Annabelle took the napkin from the flight attendant. “Thank you.”

Twin boys. Blond hair. Laughing and running toward her as they giggled and shouted, “Mommy!” The screech of car tires. Weeping. Tiny caskets.

Annabelle, surprised by the sudden vision, sucked in a deep breath and fought the tears that threatened. This often happened when she touched an item someone had recently handled or an article of clothing they’d worn. Sometimes she saw beauty and love, and other times it was pure horror. Over the years she’d learned to shield herself from the unwanted visions, but sometimes, when she was tired or let her guard down, they were able to slip in.

She lowered the tray and quickly placed the napkin down. Turning her face toward the window so the woman wouldn’t see her tears, she pressed her fingers to her lips. This lovely woman had lost her twin boys in a dreadful car accident and yet she was still here. Still working on the airplane and still smiling. How was that even possible? After Annabelle lost her mother, she went into a full-on depression and barely left the house for six months. She couldn’t even begin to fathom the loss that this woman had suffered.

“Here you are.” The attendant leaned over and placed the drink on Annabelle’s tray. “Are you alright, miss?”

“Yes.” Annabelle nodded, turned to the woman, and captured her gaze. She wanted to get out of her seat, wrap the woman up in a hug, and tell her how horribly sorry she was for her loss. She didn’t, because how weird would that be? Instead, she quietly said, “Thank you.”

The flight attendant nodded and pushed her cart to the next row, moving along totally unaware that Annabelle had just seen her life’s worst tragedy in full color. Some gift, Annabelle thought, taking a sip of the cool, sweet liquid. I get to witness the past and can’t do a damn thing about it.

Her father and the Caedo cousins wanted to use Annabelle and her psychic gift to try and track Amoveo shapeshifters. It was ridiculous, because the last thing she would do was use her gift to hurt anyone.

She’d been planning on leaving for a while, but the thought of abandoning her father was the one thing that had kept her there. All of that changed, though, when the dreams started. For the past week, she’d been having bizarre dreams about a lion following her as she walked along the beach. Every day when she woke up from these dreams, Annabelle felt lost and lonely, as though something were missing from her life.

When she told her father about it, his reaction was nothing like she’d expected. Instead of being worried about her and her interrupted sleep patterns, he seemed oddly horrified and looked at her with something akin to disgust. It was the first time in Annabelle’s life that she was frightened of her father.

The last straw was when she overheard him talking with Silvio, the head of the Caedo family. Silvio was one of the most frightening men Annabelle had ever met. He was devoid of any compassion and driven entirely by hatred. He made her skin crawl from the moment she met him, and she did everything possible to avoid him.

The scariest part of the entire experience was the significant change in her father’s behavior. He’d become secretive and paranoid, and if Annabelle didn’t know better, she’d think he was on drugs or something.

Staring out the window at the billowy clouds below, she recalled hearing Silvio say something to her father about Annabelle being “tainted.” He was going on and on about Annabelle being some kind of a traitor—and to her horror, her father didn’t argue. He’d agreed with Silvio and told him that in the morning he would bring Annabelle to the basement for debriefing.

One other Caedo cousin had been brought to the basement for debriefing, and Annabelle never saw him again.

That was when she knew she had to leave. So she did. With only the clothes on her back, some money, and her passport, Annabelle left everything she had ever known. It was a frightening prospect to start over somewhere new, but not as frightening as staying at the ranch. The only person who knew she was leaving was her girlfriend at the restaurant where Annabelle worked. Grace’s family owned several eateries in California, and unlike most rich girls, she chose to manage one and actually work for her paycheck as opposed to living off her trust fund.

The girl worked her butt off, and in fact, most people didn’t even know she owned the place. She and Grace confided in each other about everything, and she’d been telling Annabelle to run for a while. Grace even offered to let her stay at one of the many rental properties her family owned, but Annabelle knew it wouldn’t be safe for either of them. She didn’t even tell her where she was going. The less Grace knew, the better off she’d be. Silvio was capable of anything, and she didn’t want to give that son of a bitch any reason to mess with Grace—her only friend.

She shuddered to think what Silvio and the other Caedo cousins would do if they got their hands on her. Running far away and hiding out was the best option. Hell, she thought with a wry smile, she’d rather face an Amoveo head-on than deal with her Caedo cousins and their debriefing. Her eyes fluttered closed, and as the veil of sleep drifted over her, she vaguely heard the captain’s voice over the intercom.

Soon she would be safe. No more Caedo craziness. No more talk of shapeshifters. Just a beach, some cold drinks, and time to think.
 

***


Annabelle paid the cabbie and stepped out of the taxi. He spoke broken English, although it was far better than her Spanish. Instead of dropping her at the center of town, he’d let her off at the end of what looked like the main street. She could have pressed the issue, but she was too exhausted.

Pushing her sunglasses onto her head, she smiled at the beautiful sunset casting a breathtaking orange-and-pink glow across the sky. The little town of Loreto was just as she’d expected, and for the first time in years, she felt relaxed. She adjusted the messenger bag that was slung across her chest and stretched her arms over her head, working out the kinks from her journey.

This particular stretch of road along the beach was dotted with several tiny houses with red-­tile roofs. High wooden fences prevented anyone from the street getting a look at what was on the other side. She hoped the fences were there for privacy and not because of theft concerns. The research she’d done online at the library assured her this town was safe, but now that she was here all alone…she hoped that actually was true.

The first order of business was to find a hotel room and buy some clothes. She’d been in such a hurry to get away that she hadn’t even packed a bag. In fact, before going to the airport, her only stop was at the bank to withdraw every penny she’d saved up from working as a waitress for the past four years. Then Annabelle put the money on several different refillable debit cards. She knew her father and the others would come looking for her, and she couldn’t leave any kind of electronic trail.

Shaking her head, she let out a sigh and patted the lumpy leather bag slung against her hip. Her entire world was reduced to the contents of that bag. She would have laughed at the ludicrousness of the situation if it weren’t so painfully sad. A balmy breeze from the ocean fluttered over her and she closed her eyes, allowing herself to sink into it for just a moment. The long black sundress fluttered around her legs, and she tugged the thin green cardigan around her. She wasn’t cold, at least not physically. She was tired, lonely, and scared.

The sun’s swift descent made the lights from the center of town seem both brighter and farther away than she’d first thought. As she hurried along the narrow street, the sound of gravel crunching beneath tires caught her attention. It sounded like a bicycle.

Just as Annabelle glanced over her shoulder to see who or what was coming, a young man slammed into her with his bike. In a matter of seconds, he’d grabbed her bag and sent her to the ground with a shocking amount of force. Annabelle cried out as her shoulder and then her head slammed into the sandy pavement. Sharp, searing pain shimmied down her back when she tried to get up.

Forcing herself onto all fours and fighting the dizziness, she watched helplessly while the little bastard disappeared around a corner with every single thing she owned. She grabbed a handful of sand and threw it, screaming with pain, rage, and frustration. Sobbing, she swiped at something warm that dripped into her eye, and her stomach roiled when she pulled her hand away and saw blood.

What the hell was she going to do now? She was in a foreign country, hurt, with no money and no clothes. She could call Grace, but that would mean involving her further. Even though she had no desire to do that, her choices were severely limited.

This was the definition of screwed.

“Hey!” A man’s voice, deep and low, cut through the haze and asked the dumbest question in the history of dumb questions. “Are you alright?”

Annabelle laughed with little humor and shook her head while she tried to push herself to her feet. She made it halfway up before dizziness and nausea took over and the world around her spun uncontrollably. Expecting to land on her ass again, she braced herself for the impact that never came. Instead, she was swept up by a pair of strong arms and instantly cradled against the warmest, firmest male body she’d ever had the pleasure of touching.

She let out a gasp that bordered on a shriek and instinctively grabbed him.

Big mistake.

The most devastatingly handsome man she’d ever seen in real life was holding her like she weighed nothing at all. Sun-bleached blond hair framed a pair of smiling hazel eyes. Annabelle’s fingers curled around the slightly damp fabric of his T-shirt at the very same moment she locked eyes with him. As those smiling eyes latched onto hers and she touched his shirt, a tsunami of images flooded her mind—but there was one that stood out among the rest.

His strong arms tightened around her, while the flashing slide show filled her head. Even though she wanted to scream, no sound would come.

Running. Gunfire. His muscular body slick with sweat. Running through the woods. Betrayal. His body shimmered and changed in a flash from man to beast. The roar of a lion filled the woods…the same roar that had resonated through her dreams.

“It’s you,” Annabelle breathed.

This man, the one holding her in his arms, could shift into a massive tawny-colored lion with a golden mane. It was the same lion from her dreams…and one of the very creatures her Caedo cousins had been searching for.

As the darkness closed in, a single word whispered through her mind: Amoveo.

 

***


Like what you've read? You can shelve this title on Goodreads and connect with Sara on Facebook and Twitter.

Like what you've read? Check out Sara Humphreys' new contemporary series, The McGuire Brothers!

 

Trouble Walks In
The McGuire Brothers, Book 2
Available August 2, 2016!


He could be the man to rescue her
Big city K-9 cop Ronan McGuire loves women, loves his dog, loves his job—but when old flame Maddy Morgan moves into his jurisdiction, he can’t think about anyone else. Ronan knows she’s way out of his league, but he’s determined to help Maddy live life to the fullest. 

In more ways than one
With tragedy in her past, Maddy has immersed herself in work and swiftly made a name for herself in the hot New York City real estate market. She’s looking for safety, not love, but Ronan McGuire is as persistent as he is sexy, and his crooked smile is hard to resist. But all other concerns are wiped away when Maddy goes missing and Ronan and his bloodhound K-9 partner are tasked with finding her and bringing her home.
 

Pre-order your copy here:
Amazon | B&N | iBooks | !ndigo

 

More by Sara Humphreys:

THE MCGUIRE BROTHERS SERIES

THE AMOVEO LEGEND SERIES DEAD IN THE CITY SERIES

 

Original post: kkmalott.booklikes.com/post/1388599/unbound-by-sara-humphreys-part-2-free-newsletter-serial

Unbound by Sara Humphreys (Part 1) - Free Newsletter Serial

Fall in love with The Amoveo Legend series
by award-winning author Sara Humphreys!

 

The forces that bind them can also tear them apart…

Zachary McKenna is a warrior shapeshifter from the Lion Clan, trying to catch a break in the sun and surf of Mexico. Mai Tais and scantily clad beach beauties are just what he needs after his last battle. But the fun doesn’t last long before a beautiful young woman is mugged on his doorstep and Zach is pulled right back into the fray.

Zach has no idea of the danger Annabelle has unwittingly brought to his doorstep, until he discovers that losing her will almost certainly destroy him…

 

Chapter 1
 

“Would you two please get a room?” Zachary teased Dominic and Tatiana. The Head Guardian and his mate were lip-locking again.

That sight wasn’t unusual here on the Montana ranch, because they were just like the other two mated couples who lived here. In fact, as the only unmated Amoveo at the ranch, Zachary was starting to feel like a fifth wheel.

“Do you guys ever stop pawing each other?” He winked at Tati, who was doing her best to wiggle out of Dominic’s grasp. “You’re gonna get chapped lips if you keep that up.”

“You’re just jealous,” Dominic growled. He kissed the top of Tatiana’s head and draped his arm around her shoulders as he fished the keys out of the pocket of his jeans. “See, Tati? Unmated Amoveo men are notoriously cranky.”

“Really?” Zachary laughed. “Then what’s your excuse?”

“Yeah, well…I’m a lot less cranky since I found Tati.” He straightened his back, and in that moment, Dominic looked a lot like he did when he was in his Tiger Clan form. “You’ll see what I’m talking about when you find your mate.”

“No thanks, man.” Zach shook his head and made a face of derision. “One woman for the rest of my days? I don’t think so. I know you guys are all into it, and that’s great for you, but I’m not a one-woman man. Never have been and never will be.”

“No sign of your mate in the dream realm?” Dominic asked, referring to the way all Amoveo first connect with their mates. “You haven’t found her there yet at all?”

“Nope.” Zachary pressed his lips together and shrugged while avoiding Dominic’s inspecting gaze. “No dream-walking Amoveo babes in my world.”

“So you don’t mind losing your powers? You’d trade sex with multiple different women for a life-mate and your Amoveo abilities?” Tati asked with genuine curiosity. “You’re, what, twenty-five? If you don’t connect with your mate by thirty, then you’ll lose all of your Amoveo gifts and live the rest of your life as a human.”

“That’s what I hear.” Zachary nodded slowly and looked from Tatiana to Dominic. “But five years is a long way off, and as you both know, a lot can happen between now and then. I’m not much for planning out the future, because it isn’t promised to anyone. Mate or no mate. I’ll just keep taking it one day at a time.”

Zachary hoisted his duffel bag into the back of Dominic’s pickup truck. When he released the bag, a sharp pain shimmered from his shoulder and down his right arm. The four bullet wounds he had gotten during a Caedo attack last month were almost healed, and yet his muscles still screamed in protest. He hated showing any kind of weakness, especially in front of Dominic. He pressed his fingers to his shoulder, and pain was quickly replaced by rage when memories from the attack came roaring back to life.

The Caedo family was their age-old enemy and among the select few who knew about the Amoveo, the secret society of shapeshifters who lived quietly among the humans. Having his people accosted right here on the ranch by the Caedo was bad enough, but it was made far worse by the betrayal of one of their own. Eric, a fellow Guardian for the Amoveo and a Panther Clan warrior, had sided with the Caedo and betrayed their people.

And he did it for money.

Zachary’s mouth set in a tight line, and he rolled his shoulder in an attempt to ease the pain. While the pain ebbed, Zachary recalled the silent promise he had made to himself that day. If he ever encountered another Caedo, he would shift into his Lion Clan form and tear them to shreds. No questions asked. No mercy.

In his opinion, the only good Caedo was a dead one.

“Whatever makes you happy, I suppose. Although he is right about one thing, Dom.” Tatiana elbowed her mate playfully, her voice pulling Zachary from his thoughts. “You can be cranky.”

“See?” Zachary let out a short laugh and glanced at them over the bed of the pickup truck. Without thinking about it, he pressed his fingers to the throbbing sore spot on his shoulder. “Even your mate knows what a pain in the ass you are.”

Tatiana’s smile faded when she caught sight of the pained expression on Zachary’s face. Slipping out of her mate’s embrace, she jogged around the truck and immediately went to Zachary’s side. Tatiana was a talented veterinarian and a human hybrid from the Wolf Clan, and ever since mating with Dominic, her powers had grown substantially. In fact, her healing abilities were no longer limited to animals, and if it weren’t for her, Zachary might not have survived his wounds.

“Hey.” Tatiana placed one hand on his shoulder and gently urged him to look at her. He squared his shoulders and held her concerned stare, trying to act as though nothing were wrong. “I thought you said the pain was gone. You know, the only reason I gave you medical clearance for this little jaunt to Mexico was because you said you felt totally fine.”

“I am fine, Doc.” Zachary let out a beleaguered sigh and tugged open the passenger-side door. “My muscles are just a little sore. That’s all. Some fun in the sun with a few bikini-clad babes, and I’ll be good as new.”

“I don’t know.” Tatiana folded her arms over her breasts, cocked her head to one side, and gave him a narrow-eyed look. “I’m not crazy about you taking this trip by yourself. You’re a Guardian, Zachary, and very important to the prince…to all of us.”

“Tati, he needs a break. Prince Richard and I agreed that Zach needs some time to heal and clear his head before resuming his Guardian duties,” Dominic said with a weary sigh from the driver’s side of the truck. “He’s a big boy. If he has any trouble, we can visualize ourselves to wherever he is in a blink. We’ve both imprinted on the kid’s energy signature, right?”

“Right,” Tati agreed, referring to the spiritual fingerprint of energy that all Amoveo had. “But still…”

“Exactly.” Zachary gave Dominic a nod. He wished he could use visualization to get to Baja, but because he hadn’t been there before to imprint on the damn location, he had to take a freaking airplane. He checked his watch and let out a low whistle. “We gotta go, man, or I’m gonna miss my flight.”

“Oh, fine. But call us when you get there.” Tati popped up and kissed his cheek. “And be careful.”

“Yes, mom.” Zachary rolled his eyes and laughed before getting in the truck. “Jeez. You guys need to have a kid so she can dole out that mothering stuff for real.”

“Whoa there.” Dom’s eyes grew as wide as saucers and he held up both hands. “We’re not having a kid yet. I mean, we just got hitched a month ago.” He leaned forward and looked at Tatiana, who was leaning in the passenger-­side window, giving him the stink eye. “Right?”

“Who knows?” Tatiana shrugged and winked at Zachary. “For all I know, I could be knocked up already.”

Zachary suppressed a grin and turned to Dominic, who looked like he might throw up.

“Shit.” Dominic swallowed and gripped the steering wheel with both hands. “Are you serious?”

“Nope,” Tati said playfully. “Just kidding.”

“That was mean,” Zachary said, chuckling.

“I know.” Tati sighed. “But the look on his face was priceless.”

“Very funny.” Dominic threw the truck into reverse. “When I get back, you’re gonna pay for that, Tatiana.”

“I should hope so,” Tatiana purred. She tapped the hood of the truck and waved at the two men while they backed up. “Have fun and be careful, Zach.”

Dominic and Zachary drove to the airport with the music playing and in a comfortable silence only shared by true friends. As the Montana scenery flew by, Zachary thought about what Tatiana had said. It nagged at him because he hadn’t been completely truthful. He knew that losing his powers was the price he would pay for remaining unmated, but that wasn’t the only way an Amoveo could lose their abilities.

Zachary would also lose his powers if his mate were human.

“Hey.” Dominic shut the radio off and switched lanes, heading toward the airport exit. “What’s going on with you, kid?”

“I’m only a few years younger than you.” Zachary checked the time on his phone again, anxious to get on that plane and get to Mexico. “Why do you insist on calling me ‘kid’?”

“I dunno.” Dominic shrugged and glanced at Zachary with a smirk. “I guess because as far as Guardians go, you’re on the newer side. I’ve been a Guardian for five years, and you’ve only been on board for a few months. Plus, you act like a horny teenager all the time and chase women like it’s your job. That’s something a kid does. Now, how about you tell me why you needed to get away from the ranch so damn bad.”

“Just need a break. That’s all.” Zachary rested his elbow in the open window and kept his eyes on the road. “I’ll be back in a week and ready to roll.”

“I smell bullshit.” Dominic pulled into the airport and headed for the departure drop-off. “I saw you flinch when I brought up finding your mate in the dream realm. Care to tell me why you lied?”

Zachary let out a slow breath as Dominic parked at the curb in front of the American Airlines sign. Tapping his fingers on the edge of the open window, he debated just how much to tell Dominic. Based on the tense silence in the car, not answering him wasn’t an option.

“Can you just let it go?” Zachary asked quietly before glancing at his friend.

“Nope.” Dominic shook his head and leaned back in the driver’s seat while keeping his intense gaze on Zach. “Start talking or you aren’t going anywhere.”

“Why is finding my mate or not finding her so damn important to you, Dom?”

“Well, aside from the fact that you’re my friend, you’re also on my team.” Dominic adjusted the rear-view mirror while he spoke in a quiet, commanding tone. “If you’ve got your head up your ass, then you’re not going to be much good as a Guardian. Trust me. I’ve been there. Now…what’s going on?”

“She’s human,” Zachary said quietly. “At least that’s what I think. She doesn’t seem to know I’m there, and I can’t even see her face, dude, because she’s always got her back to me. Ah, crap. I don’t know what I’m talking about, okay? For the past week, I’ve been dreaming about a curvy chick with long, wavy auburn hair, and the only other distinguishing feature is her hands. She’s always walking along the beach, picking up seashells, and every time I try and catch up to her, she gets farther away. She’s got these long, delicate fingers…”

“Why do you think she’s human?”

“Her energy signature.” Zachary pictured that gorgeous long hair and those hands. “Hers…this woman in the dream…it’s different. It’s not as thick as Amoveo energy, but it’s… I don’t know how to describe it. It’s like music or something. Lighter. There’s also something about her total unawareness of my presence. I guess I figured that if she were a full-­blooded Amoveo woman, or a hybrid like Tati, then she’d notice me there.”

“True.” Dominic nodded. “Tatiana knew I was there and the little minx hid from me. William too. He said that Layla ran away from him and told him to screw off. Most of the hybrid women, so far, have had some kind of awareness in the dream realm.”

“So I’m right?” He looked out the window at the various humans rushing to catch their flights. “My mate is probably human,” Zach murmured.

“Sounds like it,” Dominic said slowly. His eyes narrowed and remained locked on Zach. “Is that a problem for you?”

“No!” Zachary snapped his head around and locked eyes with Dom, knowing what he was really asking. He wanted to know if Zach was having some Purist Amoveo tendencies. Was he disgusted by the idea of having a human mate, like their friend Boris, or a hy-brid like Tatiana? “Damn, man. You know I’m not a Purist. I hate those assholes almost as much as I hate the fucking Caedo. That’s not the problem.”

“Then what is it? Are you worried about how to bring her into our world and tell her who we are?”

“Shit.” Zachary ran one hand through his short blond hair. “I don’t know, Dom. Maybe she’s better off if I leave her alone, y’know? What’s the point of mating with her? I’ll lose my powers anyway, and this woman—whoever she is—will get dragged into the middle of all the Amoveo troubles. Doesn’t seem fair. Seems kind of pointless, actually.”

“I guess, but don’t you think you should give her the choice?” Dominic asked. “Doesn’t seem right to just go ahead and make that decision for her. If Tati were here, she’d tell you that you’re being a jerk.”

“Maybe.” Zachary let out a slow breath. “I gotta get outta here for a little while and clear my head, man.”

“Right.” Dominic slapped him on the arm and jutted his chin toward the airport doors. “You better hurry up or you’ll miss your flight.”

“Thanks.” Zachary got out of the truck, shut the door, and grabbed his duffel bag out of the back. Before leaving, he leaned one hand on the open window and dipped his head so he could look Dom in the eyes. “You’re not gonna tell anyone about this, are you?”

“Not a word.” Dom made a motion as though he was zipping his lips shut. “Just one word of caution from someone who’s been through the whole mating process?”

“Sure.”

“You can’t run from it, Zach.” Dominic’s voice was low and edged with seriousness. “Trust me. You’ve got to face it head-on and deal with it one way or another.”

“I know. I’m going to deal with it in Mexico with lots of drinks and, with any luck, sex with some beach beauties.” Zach waved at Dom, who was chuckling and shaking his head. “I’ll see you guys in a week.”

As he started to walk away, Dominic called him back.

“One more thing.”

“Yes?” Zach slung the duffel over one shoulder and turned to face his friend.

“Enjoy that Lothario persona while you can, because when you do find your mate…you’ll never see another woman the same way ever again. In fact, the idea of being with anyone other than your mate will seem totally ludicrous.”

“What? No way, man,” Zach scoffed and rolled his eyes at the ridiculous notion before winking at a pretty little blonde who strolled by. He let out a low whistle and wondered if that cutie would be on his flight. “Dude. What are you talking about?”

“You’ll see,” Dominic said through a laugh.

As Zachary watched the truck pull away, he couldn’t help but chuckle, because if there was one thing Zachary loved, it was women—all women. He couldn’t even fathom the idea of wanting to be with only one for the rest of his life. Nope. Actually, it was probably better if his mate was human. It would be far easier to avoid the life-mate bond, and at the same time, he could keep his focus on the one job he could do with or without his Amoveo powers.

Hunting down the Caedo and making them pay.

 

***


Like what you've read? You can shelve this title on Goodreads and connect with Sara on Facebook and Twitter.

Like what you've read? Check out Sara Humphreys' new contemporary series, The McGuire Brothers!

 

Trouble Walks In
The McGuire Brothers, Book 2
Available August 2, 2016!


He could be the man to rescue her
Big city K-9 cop Ronan McGuire loves women, loves his dog, loves his job—but when old flame Maddy Morgan moves into his jurisdiction, he can’t think about anyone else. Ronan knows she’s way out of his league, but he’s determined to help Maddy live life to the fullest. 

In more ways than one
With tragedy in her past, Maddy has immersed herself in work and swiftly made a name for herself in the hot New York City real estate market. She’s looking for safety, not love, but Ronan McGuire is as persistent as he is sexy, and his crooked smile is hard to resist. But all other concerns are wiped away when Maddy goes missing and Ronan and his bloodhound K-9 partner are tasked with finding her and bringing her home.
 

Pre-order your copy here:
Amazon | B&N | iBooks | !ndigo

 

More by Sara Humphreys:

THE MCGUIRE BROTHERS SERIES

THE AMOVEO LEGEND SERIES DEAD IN THE CITY SERIES
 

 

Original post: kkmalott.booklikes.com/post/1388598/unbound-by-sara-humphreys-part-1-free-newsletter-serial

Monday, April 18, 2016

Awakened (Eternal Guardians #8) by Elisabeth Naughton

DAMON – For twenty-five years he’s served as a plaything for the gods. With no memory of his past, he has no way of knowing if this is his ultimate fate, but he senses there has to be more to life.

Damon’s hope for more comes in the form of the Sirens’ newest recruit. Elysia is unlike any trainee he’s ever met. Not only can she remember where she came from—an ability the Sirens block—but she has an instant connection to Damon, one he’s never felt and doesn’t understand. Soon Damon is willing to do anything to have Elysia. Even risk the wrath of the gods to break her out of Olympus so he can keep her for himself.

But Damon’s past isn’t a mystery to everyone. Evil forces are at work beneath the surface, and before long, Damon realizes that the connection he shares with Elysia isn’t a random coincidence. His fate—and the darkness it brings—was cemented long ago. And when it is finally revealed, no one will be safe.

 

 

My Review:

I am so ecstatic over Awakened. I have been dying to get more of this world because I've loved it so much from the birth of it. I am so happy that Elisabeth is continuing the journey and the characters because there is still so much potential in the Guardians world. I really loved Damon and Elysia because they weren't jaded, they weren't contaminated by their previous experiences in their lives, they were grounded, they were honest and they were heroes that you really wanted to dig into. You get a tad depth but I wish I'd gotten a lot more but there was so much to take in that I was happy with what we got. Elysia was great too because I was worried that our characters would wind up with the role reversal (Damon being the more feminine or weaker counterpart) but the way Elisabeth brought her to life they wound up being equals which was great.

I am glad you get the cameo mentions of the previous cast because there is still so much there but I was relieved that Naughton allowed herself to continue the generations and the responsibilities and burdens they carry and the way their world affects their lives... it all allows you to see what happens to their future which is interesting if you go back and start at the beginning after reading this book which I did because you get so much more of a bigger picture.

There is so much that I liked about this book but I can't list it all what I can say is that everyone should read this series.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Rating:

 

 

 

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Disclaimer:
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

Source:
Received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from The Author. (Review Crew)

Note:
If any of Krissys Bookshelf Reviews has been helpful please stop by to like or let me know what you think! Thank you!

 

 

Original post: kkmalott.booklikes.com/post/1386562/awakened-eternal-guardians-8-by-elisabeth-naughton

Life's Too Frantic

So I haven't been around to blog since late November early December, I hope you all are doing well. I am keeping busy wi...