Book Review: The Chosen by Sheenah Freitas

Goodreads Summary: Kaia's entire life has erupted in flames after an assassin appears and burns her village down. She's rescued by a god from another planet who requests her help because she's the descendant of their last savior. Together with Reeze -- the only other survivor from her village and her appointed guardian -- they set off on a quest to find the treasures of the gods in hopes of preventing a dire prophesy.

Kaia and Reeze quickly meet the Tueors, a group of people many thought extinct, who are searching specifically for Kaia. Their intention: to protect the truth. As Kaia discovers more about the truth and her family's past, she also learns of the Tueors' bloody secret. Will Kaia be the savior the gods have been waiting for? Or will she let the prophesy come true?

Title: The Chosen
Series: Zincian Legend #1
Author: Sheenah Freitas
Publisher: Paper Crane Books
Release Date: 12th November 2010
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Format: eBook
Source: Author for review prior to blog tour of The Number.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Chosen and it was a fantastic introduction into the world that Sheenah Freitas has created. The creatures, worlds and the history associated are fantastic and I am hooked on this series. The growth that the characters have throughout is great and my attention was held until the end.

The story starts off with Catrina working in a bar, then at the end of her shift, she tells a story to the children of her village. The book is of the story that Catrina is telling of a 17 year old girl, Kaia and her adventure.

Kaia was a typical teenager living in a small village with her Mother. Her Father died early on and Kaia loved helping her Mother to bake Blueberry pies. This one particular day, Kaia went into the forest in search of berries for her Mother. Taking a side trip to a temple, Kaia went to give respect to the Priestesses and Gods that are worshipped. Heading back toward the village, Kaia smells smoke and starts running back to her Mother. She is too late; Kaia’s entire village is burned to the ground. The only survivors are Kaia and Reeze. Reeze takes Kaia back to the temple and they are summoned before the Gods of Earth’s sister planet, Zinc and rescued from the assassins that destroyed their village.

The Gods have given Kaia a quest to find all the treasures of the Gods. Reeze is burdened with the task of protecting Kaia. There is a prophecy that tells of The Chosen that will save the world and bring peace and Kaia is The Chosen.

How can a 17 year old girl be The Chosen and save the world? Will Reeze really protect Kaia from harm or does he have ulterior motives? Reeze seems to be hiding something and Kaia is determined to work out what it is. They find a guide to help them look for the treasures; Catrina is a young girl, but a demi-goddess. They accumulate friends along the way that are only too willing to help bring the prophecy true, but are they honest and trustworthy?

By the end I was hooked and with the twists and unexpected turns, I didn’t know who was a traitor or if Reeze can really be trusted. The Chosen is full of magical creatures from dragons, mermaids/mermen to vampires and elves. Discover with Kaia the full responsibility that she has on her shoulders and watch her grow and make hard decisions regarding the world and the people around her. This is highly enjoyable and I can’t wait to read The Number, book 2.

4 FANTASTIC FANTASY BOOKS

About the Author

A neek at heart, Sheenah Freitas has a love for the whimsical and magical. She looks to animated Disney movies and Studio Ghibli films for inspiration because of the innovative twists on fairytales, strong story structures, and character studies. When not writing, you might find her in a forest where she's yet to find any enchanted castles.

~ Website ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~

Come back tomorrow to see my review of The Number for the blog tour.

Book Review: The Last Keeper's Daughter by Rebecca Trogner

Goodreads Summary: Born into old money, Lily Ayres lives at Waverly, her family’s estate situated at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Paris, Virginia. She is a strange, small, almost mute, young woman who has no idea that her father has given her to the Vampire King Krieger. Walter Ayres is the King’s Keeper and part of a secret society of historians who unearth, preserve, and attempt to understand relics of long forgotten civilizations.

Lily has never felt comfortable in the human world, but after she suspiciously falls down a flight of stone steps, and is healed and claimed by Krieger, she realizes there is another world. In this Other Realm she feels a sense of belonging, and begins to untwine the mysterious event which left her mentally and psychologically damaged. When Walter disappears in England, Lily works with human and supernatural beings to uncover his whereabouts. With each new discovery, she is pulled deeper into the vortex of magic, intrigue, and dark desires that permeates the supernatural world. The revelations revealed unfold a story of deception and betrayal that threaten to tear the thin veil between the supernatural and human world asunder.

Title: The Last Keeper's Daughter
Series: The Last Keeper's Daughter #1
Author: Rebecca Trogner
Publisher: Crescent Moon Press
Release Date: 15th February 2013
Format: eBook
Source: received for honest review via Literary Quill Promotions and purchased Kindle

**please be aware that this book is meant for mature YA and adults with explicit language and graphic murder scenes**

WHOLLY COW! This is a fantastic book and I have discovered a new favourite author in Rebecca Trogner. The Last Keeper’s Daughter was a unique book with interesting twists and always kept me wanting more. I am extremely glad this is a series and cannot wait to see where the story goes in book two. The writing style of Ms Trogner has such an easy flow and the characters were very intriguing that I couldn't put it down.

My first impressions of this book were wow, so interesting and the prologue set everything up; explaining the title and where the characters come in.

Walter Ayres is the Keeper for King of the North American Vampire’s, Krieger Barnes. A Keeper is as the name suggests, keeper of secrets and history throughout the ages. With each generation of Keeper, it is the eldest son that all information and history is handed down. There is a society of Keeper’s around the world and they all communicate, sharing and helping one another. Searching for lost artefacts and keeping tabs on everything.

One night Walter went to Krieger and requested that he look after his daughter, Lily and protects her from harm. Walter is unwell and knows there is something going on that is dangerous. Walter is called away to England by another Keeper in search for a missing Keeper, Winston. It is all very mysterious and Krieger is intrigued enough to agree to protect Lily.

Lily has never really belonged anywhere. She is petite beautiful girl that hardly ever speaks. She is a highly unusual girl and doesn't really get along with Walter. Her Mother died during childbirth and Lily was raised by Martha, who is the estate caretaker of sorts.

Walter disappears and Lily believes he is on another of his trips. Not really knowing where or what he is doing, she carries on her normal life. A charity function is being held on her estate and during a walk, she falls down a set of stone steps. Krieger was never far away, always watching to make sure Lily was alright. He finds Lily broken and barely alive and his only way to keep his word to Walter is to share his blood with her. Magic healing didn't appear to work, perhaps Lily is not entirely human (?) and the blood is the only option.

Drinking Krieger’s blood has created a bond between the two and is highly irregular for Krieger to take a human and his subjects are curious as to why. Lily recovers from her injuries and feels drawn to Krieger; their bond is strong and their feelings of desire for each other are strong also.

Murder is committed and Lily seems stuck in the middle. Everybody appears drawn to her otherworldliness and Krieger is very protective. Lily is determined to discover who murdered the Keeper’s and why they keep disappearing.

A detective from England is brought in and told the secrets of the Other’s. He has never realised that Other creatures exist and that magic is real. Now trying to take in this new world and their customs, Hunter is trying to help Lily solve the murder.

“Really, so what are you, a spaceman? Is that what Stonehenge is, an astral landing strip?”
Loved this quote from Detective Hunter ~ loc 1321 - 20%

Will Lily and Hunter discover who is the real murderer and why? What really happened to her Mother all those years ago? Can Lily and Krieger let their basic instincts go and be together in every way? What is Lily really, human, Other or both? Can Lily overcome her shyness and old habits to speak her mind and stick up for herself?

This book was so full of intrigue you couldn't help but be drawn in. The creatures and world building that Ms Trogner has created was unique and amazing to say the least. The book has everything from betrayal, mystery and magic, to romance, fantasy and Lily’s ability to become the woman we want her to be. I highly recommend this book to EVERYBODY, it was awesome. I really want book 2 right now, please!

5 AWESOME FANTASTIC BOOKS

About the Author

Rebecca Trogner lives in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia, and frequently crosses the Blue Ridge Mountains that were the inspiration for Krieger’s home. She always dreamed of being a writer, but got sidetracked by the day-to-day adventures of life. With the encouragement of her family, she has finished her first novel and is currently writing the next book in The Last Keeper’s Daughter series. Rebecca lives with her husband and son, and a rescue dog named Giblet. To find out more about the author visit:

~ Website ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Blog ~

Thank you for stopping by!

Book Review: What's a Witch to Do? by Jennifer Harlow

Goodreads Summary: A suspenseful brew with a dash of passion
High Priestess might sound like an ’80s hair band, but its Mona McGregor’s life. She runs the Midnight Magic shop in Goodnight, Virginia, and leads a large coven. She’s also raising two nieces and hasn’t been with a man for fifteen years…until a handsome doctor takes an interest in her. But Mona’s life really heats up when Adam Blue, a sexy werewolf, arrives at her door. Adam informs her that someone wants her dead and he is there to protect her. Hell’s bells! When a demon begins stalking her, Mona has to suspect her coven members, and even her family.
With two handsome men and a determined demon after her, Mona teams up with Adam to find out who really wants her dead . . . and who really wants her.

Title: What's a Witch to Do?
Series: Midnight Magic #1
Author: Jennifer Harlow
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Release Date: 8th March 2013
Format: e-galley
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Challenge: Paranormal Reading Challenge

This sounded like such a fun read when I checked it out on NetGalley and I hadn’t really heard anything about it, so I though OK I’ll give it a go. WELL, it was so fun and funny and romantic. Jennifer Harlow certainly knows how to create characters that say “HEY, I’m here and my story is cool!” The atmosphere and world building that Jennifer has created was fantastic and so much fun to read.

Mona McGregor has always been a witch and since her Grandmother died, she took on the role at High Priestess to the coven in Goodnight. As a 35 year-old single woman, she is too busy to be thinking about relationships and only has time for her coven, her business and her 2 little nieces. Mona’s sister turns up one day and dumps the little girls with her and just leaves; ever since Mona has to provide for them and take care of them, but she loves them to death.

One night Mona awakens with a banging on her front door. Upon opening the door, she finds a werewolf that is beaten within a breath of his life. Adam claims she is in danger and that she must help him. Knowing Adam from when they were teenagers, she knew that she had to help him and find out what on earth is going on.

Adam is touch and go for a while, but when he is recovered, he explains everything to Mona. Apparently Adam was tortured and a Vampire is killed, but only because there is an assassination attempt on Mona. Why on earth would somebody want boring old Mona dead? Well, that is the question and the other piece of news is that it is one of Mona’s coven members.

So, Mona starts her investigation on who, what, when, why and so on. Adam is sticking to her like glue, being a werewolf, his Alpha has allowed him to protect Mona and separate from his pack for a week; after that he must return to his life and his pack. Mona and Adam spending so much time together, stirs up old feelings from their teenage years. Mona has an image of herself that she decides no man could love and tries to put Adam Blue out of her mind (but that’s easier said than done).

Follow the journey of Mona and Adam through their investigation and how they try to work out who the baddie is. Mona has some very strange friends and even stranger paranormal connections. Throughout this book, Mona has to make a decision about her life and her image. She learns to be happy with herself and how to love somebody.

I really enjoyed this book and Jennifer Harlow’s writing style. It was certainly a page turner and I loved Mona. I am glad that this is going to be a series and I can’t wait for the next book. I highly recommend this to paranormal romance readers for some witchy fun!

4 FUN BOOKS - GREAT

About the Author

Courtesy of Jennifer's website

Jennifer Harlow spent her restless childhood fighting with her three brothers and scaring the heck out of herself with horror movies and books. She grew up to earn a degree at the University of Virginia which she put to use as a radio DJ, crisis hotline volunteer, bookseller, lab assistant, wedding coordinator, and government investigator. Currently she calls Northern Virgina home but that restless itch is ever present. In her free time she continues to scare the beejepers out of herself watching scary movies and opening her credit card bills.

~ courtesy of Goodreads

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Book Review: Supernatural Freak by Louisa Klein

Goodreads Summary: When paranormal expert Robyn Wise is offered an outrageous sum of money to cure a boy who is turning into a dead tree, she's very sceptical. A politician ready to pay that much to make his son stop growing branches instead of hair? Come on! She's more likely to be abducted by aliens. This is a trap. Or much worse. And, of course, it's much worse.
The child is turning into a dark portal, created by a powerful entity determined to absorb Fairyland's power. This means that not only queen Titania and her court are in danger, but the very balance of the magic fluxes.
Robyn'd rather stick a pencil in her own eye but. to learn how to destroy the portal, she has to sneak into the Wizardry Council, a place full of wizards who are hiding something—though it’s certainly not their dislike of her.
There, she discovers a terrible secret that could help to overthrow Fairyland's enemies for good, but puts her in the midst of an ancient and deadly war, and not as a bystander, but as the main target.

Title: Supernatural Freak
Author: Louisa Klein
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: 9th August 2012
Format: e-galley
Source: Author for review - Thank You!

Supernatural Freak is a fast paced, action adventure novel that all has it all. This is a unique story involving a lot of different kinds of paranormal creatures and the imagination of Louisa Klein is just awesome. The creatures are so strange, but their descriptions so vivid that you can picture them so clearly in your mind.

Robyn (Rob) Wise is a “Supernatural Freak”. She has the ability to see ghosts, werewolves, faeries and witches and she can secretly speak the Faerie’s language (but don’t tell anyone). Strange things start to happen to Rob after she is booked to help heal a werewolf. From that night on, she is attacked non-stop and doesn't know why. Opening a cereal box, 3 dark genies pop out, not granting wishes, but trying to kill her.

Walking to meet a Detective friend, she is awoken on the footpath by a stranger asking if she’s alright. Apparently she passed out; Rob has been having visions and strange dreams and this is another one in broad daylight. A strange man in a bowler hat keeps appearing in her “dreams” and trying to show her things, puzzling them out, Rob is annoyed that she can’t piece everything together.

Rob receives a mysterious briefcase from a very famous politician; it contains strange items and an even stranger request. His son is in trouble and his hand is turning into a tree.  Not sure what is happening, Rob is going to investigate and this all seems to be part of the mysterious attempts on her life.

With the help of her friends, a witch, a wizard, a shapeshifter,  a ghost and her Uncle Terry, plus Rob herself, the Supernatural Freak, they start their adventure into the unknown and to find out who is behind the killings, kidnappings and attempts on Rob’s life.

Will this motley group be able to solve the mystery? Save Rob from being killed? Save the little boy from turning into a tree?

This was a fantastic read that has everything, action, adventure, humour, fantasy and paranormal creatures. There is a touch, just a tiny one, of romance, but it’s certainly not the centrepiece. Robyn is such a strong woman heroine and the hilarious way she carry’s on with her friends, is fantastic. The colloquial conversations used are such fun and so enjoyable to read that it is a definite page turner. I am extremely excited about this being a 4 book series and cannot wait for Supernatural Fog to be released.

One of my favourite passages from the book:

“Good Lord darling! How on earth do you manage to get yourself in such embarrassing situations?” Hey says, destroying with a ghostly spell an arrow on its way to sticking in my head.
~ loc 417

Tune in later this month for a interview and giveaway with Louisa Klein.

4 FANTASY BOOKS

About the Author

Louisa Klein is 25, lives in the UK but was born in Germany and brought up in Southern Europe by a German dad and an Italian and French mum, which made her a little confused at first. She has a degree in Medieval Studies and a postgraduate one in Marketing. She’s been working in publishing on and off since she was 17 and currently is a freelancer and an Urban Fantasy writer. At night she puts on a mask and fights British crime. She gets very little sleep.

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