Legend of the Inero Dragon – J. F. Jenkins

Twin brothers Jason and Matthias Inero are the favourite sons of the great dragon lord of fire. More often than not they get whatever they want. Matt wants to do great things for his people while Jason wants to go off and explore the world. Both can have what they desire, but not until they take a bride and enter into adulthood.

Enter Kat and Gwen, two girls from very different backgrounds. Kat is happy to leave her home when the royal guard comes to bring her to loving arms of her childhood sweetheart, Matt. Gwen on the other hand is livid to be taken from her farm only to be thrust into Jason's life, and he's not too thrilled with the idea either. They have one year to find happiness with each other, or else  they will be placed at the mercy of the ruthless dragon lord Lynx. Favourite or not, dragon law must be obeyed.

As their nation begins to prepare for war against a neighbouring tribe, the brothers find themselves as key components in the battle plans. A dark prophet has had a vision of Inero victory, but at what cost? Both must decide where their loyalties lie and what they're willing to sacrifice – including each other – to achieve their goals.

Such a stunning and an amazing read!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Legend of the Inero Dragon.

Jenkins had me captured with the title. Dragons are my favourite mythical creature and my love for them have grown even more. Reading them in a new light was amazing.

I was so fascinated with the world and the Dragons Jenkins has created. It was awe inspiring. The world that has been created is filled with dragons of four different nations. Some fly and others don’t. They all have different strengths and weaknesses and Jason and Matthias are two dragons that stand out big time.

They are twins/touched. They can communicate with each other through their minds. This type of communication usually occurs in married couples (those who have joined together as one). They have such a strong bond and it’s a bond that no one can break but one that at times Jason and Matthias struggled because of their new relationships with their wives. Matthias can communicate with Kat but Jason and Gwen don’t yet share that bond because they haven’t yet slept together.

It would be nice to share this type of bond with the closet person we have. Communicating via the mind would have its advantages but there would be disadvantages. Those would be the other person intruding in on your space when you wanted alone time.

I look forward to reading how this series continues. I believe this series is going to be really great. It is now a big favourite dragon read for me.

5/5

The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter: Part I-III Review

Part I:

Blurb:

Fourteen-year-old Chloe witnesses her mother’s murder at the hands of a vampire. Before the vampire can kidnap her, there is an unexpected rescue by a group of vampire hunters. Overwhelmed by the feeling of safety, Chloe passes out and they whisk her away to their small community.

When Chloe wakes, she comes face to face with the only other living relative, besides her mother, whom she has ever met: her grandfather. Chloe’s mother kept her hidden from the family; now, Chloe tries to unveil the family secrets.

Through her grandfather, she learns her mother was a vampire hunter. In fact, her entire family is descended from the powerful bloodlines of vampire hunters. Chloe agrees to join the family she has never known for one reason only: Chloe vows to kill the vampire responsible for her mother’s murder.

With vengeance in her soul, Chloe is even more determined to follow through on her vow when she discovers the true identity of her enemy and how he is connected to her.

Review:

What an amazing start to “The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter”!!!

Jennifer is a wonderful author and she has created another fantastic story and I love her style of writing.

Part I is the introduction of Chloe who is the main character and “The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter”. She’s going to be an amazing character to follow and get to know.  I can’t wait to see her in action against the vampires because her heritage really intrigues me.

This is going to be one interesting series.

Part II:

Blurb:

In the second instalment of The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter, Chloe Kallistrate’s life has been turned upside down. After witnessing the vampire attack that left her mother dead, she's adopted by her grandfather into a community of vampire hunters. Although she is directly descended from ancient, powerful vampire hunters, the rigorous training schedule begins to break her down. All she wants, all she has ever wanted, is to be a normal teen.

Chloe finds renewed motivation from an unexpected encounter with a fledgling vampire, the first she has seen since her mother's death. Staring into the glowing red eyes of the vampire, Chloe freezes, forgetting all her training. After the vampire is vanquished by her friend and mentor, Drew, Chloe resolves to train harder, to be the best, and to kill the vampire who had her mother killed. Finally mourning her mother, Chloe allows her revenge to drive her, accepting that her life will never be normal.

Review:

Mind blowing, beautiful and powerful!!!

We pick the story up 2 months after part I finished off. I found this to flow really well as it helped the story move forward and not drag on.

Chloe’s Vampire Hunting training has begun. She’s living with her Grandfather, Luke and Drew, who is a family friend and the one she’s training with.

There is still so much that Chloe doesn’t know about vampires and hunters. Her ancestory  is revealed to her and from this revelation she learns she could possibly be a very powerful woman.

I found the character of Drew a bit confusing. At times he comes across as a brother to Chloe, but at other times he comes across as he’s in love with her. We really don’t know that much about Drew. He is a bit of a mystery. He lives with Chloe and her Grandfather, as he was helping look after Luke before Chloe arrived.

I’d really love to know more about Drew and what his intentions towards Chloe are.

Part III:

In the third instalment of The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter, Chloe Kallistrate's first Christmas without her mother is difficult. As part of the grieving process she visits her mother’s grave for the first time and there, she is visited by Sostrate, the immortal demi-god from whom she is descended.

As she comes of age, Chloe is changing and developing the gifts unique to her heritage. She discovers a new power she must learn to use and control, as if being a teenager wasn't difficult enough. During this emotionally chaotic time in her life, the community is attacked, her grandfather injured and hunters are killed. After almost losing her only remaining family, Chloe questions whether her continued presence in the community will sacrifice everyone she has come to care about.

Review:

I am loving this series. It is fresh and exciting.

Chloe just keeps getting better and better throughout this series. She sure is going to be one very powerful woman. Once she learns all her skills she will definitely kick some vampire ass.

I found this quote to very good:

“Wars are not won because of hatred for the enemy; they are won because of love for what is being defended.”

It really stands out to me because it is so true. Hatred is the enemy itself at times.

My favourite part of the book was when Chloe was visited by Sostrate. It was a very powerful part. Her visit during Christmas and at Chloe’s mother’s graveside made it a very powerful part. It showed meaning and it showed her true heritage.

I look forward to seeing how Chloe’s new power of fire develops and I really want to know how her relationship with Drew develops.

5/5

Frost Fire by Kailin Gow

Frost Fire

Author: Kailin Gow

Published by: Sparklesoup

Reviewed by: Andrea
Frost Fire is the sixth book in Kailin Gow's extremely addictive Frost series. The story here picks up immediately after the end of Midnight Frost, whereby the war between Summer and Winter Fey is over, and the Fey are united under Breena and Kian. The only problem with the happily ever after scenario is that the twin suns of Feyland have gone dark. And Feyland is slowly dying.

A group of determined individuals sets out with the blessing of the palace to restore the suns of Feyland, and for most, to use the quest to fulfil other needs they have not yet met. Logan, Shasta, Rodney, Rose and Alistair set out on a long and dangerous journey that tests not only their will to put right what is wrong, but whether they can conquer their own fears and inadequacies in time to save Feyland and themselves.

I must have been one of a very few people that was disappointed with the predecessor of this book, Midnight Frost. I was hoping that this story would put back some of the sparkle and high adventure I had been longing for in Midnight Frost, but never really felt the book delivered.

Frost Fire is definitely a return to the adventure and comeraderie I had so enjoyed in the other books of the Frost Series! The slow decay of Feyland teamed with the desperation of both the King and Queen of United feyland, and the band of knights who set off to save it made a powerful base from which to begin, and reeled me straight back into the ongoing story.

The adventure plot of the book also worked well, and the trek across a vastly different and sorrowful Feyland was suspenseful and had a very different feel to the other books in the series.

For me, the only (and very small) gripes I had was that firstly; another love triangle is set up almost immediately, and this felt a little forced. It may have been better to allow the characters a little time to grow together first before plunging right in.

Secondly, there were a few editing and grammar mistakes that could have been caught by a more thorough edit before release.

But these were very minor, and overall the book was one of the strongest in the series so far. Can't wait to read Spring Frost!

4.5/5

Hawthorne by Sarah Ballance

Hawthorne

Author: Sarah Ballance
Published By: Astraea Press
Reviewed by: Andrea
Hawthorne details the story of Emma Hawthorne, returning to Hawthorne, the historical family home following an horrific accident, and a long absence. Emma is returning ten years later to sort out the inheritance following the death of her beloved grandmother.
But still at the manor, and holding a few surprises of his own, is Noah Garrett, the caretaker's son who still does the lion's share of the work around the sprawling estate.
Emma and Noah have a history, one that came to an abrupt end with Emma's accident and departure from Hawthorne. Over the course of the day, can Emma and Noah rebuild the relationship they once had, while solving the dilemma of the inheritance, and the presence of otherworldly spirits at Hawthorne or are they finished for good?
Hawthorne was a haunting love story, told with some lavish and beautiful description, that placed me deep in the story with Emma and Noah almost immediately. The southern setting came alive for me, and the story of Noah, and Emma, and the way the past affected their reunion was bittersweet and seemed very real.
There are some paranormal elements to the story that are unfolded with balance and skill so as not to ovwehelm the relationship between Noah and Sarah, and the combination of these elements made it a story I couldn't put down.
I can't talk much about the plot without giving it all away, so I'll keep it spoiler free other than mentioning that there is a surprise twist at the end. The story kept me captivated and guessing where it would go all along, and I loved each second of it.
My biggest complaint is that it is a short story, and with so much detail and backstory, I would have loved to have seen it explored more in a slightly longer format. A beautiful story though, and I would definitely love to read more from Sarah Ballance in the future.
Copy provided for review.
4.5/5

Captivated, An Affliction Novel: Wiinners

I am proud to say that Cecila and Terri_Dion  have both won an ecopy of Captivated, An Affliction Novel.

On a sadder note, only 3 ppl entered. If I cann't get people viewing reviews both on the blog and on the facebook page I will consider closing both poages down.

Please help us keep these alive by sharing and reading and leaving comments. Feedback will be appreciated :)

Tracey & Andrea

Andrea's Review of The Long Moon by Stephy Smith

The Long Moon

Author: Stephy Smith

Published by Astraea Press

When Carson Long hears what his friend and mentor has done, he knows he's in trouble.  Forced to share a ranch, partly now his own with River Moon wouldn't have been his first choice in the future he had mapped out for himself.  But when circumstances dictate that he and River need to work together to save the farm and themselves, old tensions, and the loves and hurts of a long ago romance boil quickly to the surface.  Can they ever forgive each other and move forwards?  And can they do it in time to save what they hold dear?

The Long Moon began with promise.  The character of Moon, in particular shines with authenticity, wit and sparkle, and he was easily my favourite character to read about.  The Long Moon combines a fast moving, dangerous plot to rid the central characters of their land and livelihoods, with the struggle of both River and Carson to regain the romance they thought was lost for good.

The plotline of the story was fast paced, and during the action and investigation sections of the book; kept me interested and enertained.  There were other moments in the book, such as the story of where River got her name that were thoroughly enjoyable and brought a smile to my face. 

Sadly though, I found the romance between River and Carson to be quite forced - I never really felt any great chemistry between them, and therefore I didn't get swept away by the quite significant romantic element in the book.  There's a lot of excess description in the book, and the author may do better in showing more and telling less.  There were also some editing/spelling/grammar issues that would have benefited greatly from a more intensive editing process.

There is some promise in the characters though, and with a little more polish,  I think it would have been a more enjoyable read.

3\5

Copy provided for review.

Andrea's Review of Reclaimed by Kim Faulks

Reclaimed

Author: Kim Faulks

Reviewed by: Andrea

Natalie was reluctant to take the job of guarding the mysterious and irritating Mr Ash.  She'd had a gutful of her sorry heap of an ex boyfriend, and wanted to make some changes in her life.  But the pay was phenomenal, and the assignment was short.  How bad could it be?  Natalie embarks on a journey of discovery where nobody, including herself is who she thinks they are. 

Reclaimed surprised me in many ways.  the central character, Natalie was believable and likeable, and I enjoyed makinng this journey with her.  Mr Ash, while mysterious, chauvinistic and emminently unlikeable commanded my attention for the first portion of the book, and I was very curious to see where the story went.

From halfway through the book, I feel obliged to give fair warning that it's an erotic suspense, and some of the scenes are quite graphic.  The party scenes built to a suspenseful peak in the book, and held my interest well.

For me the only real disappointment in the book was Malik.  I really, really wanted to like him, but in a shorter length novella like this one, there was little time to really get to know each character's motivations, and story, and in this case, it meant that I didn't really bond with the character, or what happened in the story after he arrived in it.

Still, there was enough in the story to keep me entertained and wanting a second instalment to see where they could possibly go from here.

3.5/5

Copy provided for review.