‘Keeper’ (The Morphid Chronicles #1) by Ingrid Seymour

4 supernatural stars!

Ingrid Seymour’s ‘The Morphid Chronicles’ falls somewhere between ‘The Mortal Instruments’ and ‘Harry Potter.’  She has skillfully created a whole new species that co-exist with humans.  Morphids are supernatural beings hidden amongst humans on Earth.  Their population has always been small, and for generations, a Regent has overseen Morphids, in order to protect their secrets and ensure their existence. 

All Morphids were predetermined, by Fate, into their caste.  Some are Companions, who have a soul-mate, an Integral, with whom they bond, marry, and have children.  Other Morphids are born into being Sorcerers, Seekers, Warriors, Caretakers, etc.  Fate is the guiding force that determines a Morphid’s role in life, and once they ‘morph’ into that role around 16 years of age, their mind and body is never the same.

With ‘Keeper,’ Seymour gives us something to think about; free will vs predetermination.  Morphids rely heavily on their inner instinct; a caste-determined instinct.  At times it seems there is a secondary voice in their minds, insisting that something is right or wrong.  As a Keeper, Greg feels a connection to his charge, Samantha, but he is not her Integral.  Instead, another young man by the name of Ashby, is Sam’s Integral.  Despite his Keeper status, Greg retains more of his own mind than most Morphids, and retains his own feelings towards her.

‘Keeper’ is also a nice coming-of-age story revolving around the three teenagers.  We see Greg, Samantha (Sam), and Ashby with their parents, in three very different home situations.  We see the teens interact with their friends, and go through a tiny bit of normal high school drama.

‘Keeper’ is a clever and well-written YA fantasy.  Highly recommended for fans of YA, coming of age, and fantasy books.

Thanks to author Ingrid Seymour for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

'Keeper' (and its sequel) are currently available as part of the Kindle Unlimited program!

‘Forever Layla: A Time Travel Romance’ by Melissa Turner Lee

5 time bending stars!

Breathtakingly brilliant!  This clever, all-encompassing YA time travel romance is an exciting page turner. Author Melissa Turner Lee has perfected the art of making each and every detail count, with a time travel mechanism simple enough for readers to follow.

What begins as a fun and light week of spring break for a high school senior and his friends, complete with witty banter and PG-rated jokes involving teenage hormones, turns into an epic love story spanning across decades. 

E-book available on Amazon for only 99 cents!

'The Alchemists of Loom' by Elise Kova - Cover and Synopsis Reveal

Elise Kova, author of the amazing 'Air Awakens' series has released the cover and synopsis of her new high fantasy series, 'The Alchemists of Loom' - releasing on January 10, 2017!

Synopsis:

Her vengeance. His vision.

Ari lost everything she once loved when the Five Guilds’ resistance fell to the Dragon King. Now, she uses her unparalleled gift for clockwork machinery in tandem with notoriously unscrupulous morals to contribute to a thriving underground organ market. There isn’t a place on Loom that is secure from the engineer turned thief, and her magical talents are sold to the highest bidder as long as the job defies their Dragon oppressors.

Cvareh would do anything to see his sister usurp the Dragon King and sit on the throne. His family’s house has endured the shame of being the lowest rung in the Dragons’ society for far too long. The Alchemist Guild, down on Loom, may just hold the key to putting his kin in power, if Cvareh can get to them before the Dragon King’s assassins.

When Ari stumbles upon a wounded Cvareh, she sees an opportunity to slaughter an enemy and make a profit off his corpse. But the Dragon sees an opportunity to navigate Loom with the best person to get him where he wants to go.

He offers her the one thing Ari can’t refuse: A wish of her greatest desire, if she brings him to the Alchemists of Loom.

Preorder 'The Alchemists of Loom'

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‘Daemoneum’ (The Primordial Principles #2) by Laney McMann

4 stars

‘Daemoneum,’ sequel to author McMann’s ‘Crystallum,’ is another exciting adventure.  Set just days after the first book leaves off, Kade, Cole, and their friends are searching for answers while trying not to tip off the entire Primordial race that the danger has escalated.

This book, the second entry in ‘The Primordial Principles,’ adds several point-of-view narrating characters, through which readers get to see a bigger picture of everything that happens, rather than just from Kade or Cole’s point-of-view.  McMann continues to build on the intricate world of angels and demons that she has created.

I recommend this page-turner to any reader who enjoys YA, supernatural, and fantasy.  Look for it in stores in July 2016!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

‘Vernal’ (The Royal Protector Academy #1) by Randi Cooley Wilson

4.5 supernatural stars!

Gargoyle Princess Serena St. Michael is the last of her regal bloodline and destined to live within the confines of royalty.  Though she has her father wrapped around her finger and wants for nothing, her future is not her own.  Duty requires that she study and train with the other gargoyle protectors, and that she must eventually marry to create a new alliance to maintain peace between various supernatural races.  This plan does not sit well with the rebellious and free spirited 20-year-old princess.

In the third and final year of her training at the Royal Protector Academy, her family has secretly assigned her a new and additional personal protector/bodyguard, in anticipation of an assassination attempt from a source of evil long-ago wronged by the St. Michael’s.  However, the family never expected that Serena and her new guard would fall for each other.  Tristan Gallagher has a shady past and secrets of his own.  He’s also gorgeous and off-limits.  How could Serena possibly not be attracted? 

Tristan has various connections in the supernatural world, and responsibilities of his own to uphold, but he cannot deny the strong pull he feels towards Serena.  As much as he tries to convince himself that ensuring her safety is simply his current assignment, he can’t help but feel deeply for her.  Tristan knows, better than anyone, that he is bad news for Serena and would only end up hurting her, that he cannot claim her, mate with her, or keep her once the assignment ends.  But heck if he doesn’t want to, with every fiber of his being.

The Royal Protector Academy feels like a college atmosphere, with the gargoyle students adding witty banter to the already sarcasm-laced dialog.  Despite the seriousness of their purpose, and the impending threat of attack, the tone among classmates is light and fun.

Author Randi Cooley Wilson has successfully managed to combine many different types of supernatural beings into one coherent NA love story.  Perfect for fans of Laura Thalassa’s ‘The Unearthly’ series and anyone who enjoys a good NA paranormal romance.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Vernal will be available on June 24th!

‘The Watchmaker's Daughter’ (Glass and Steele #1) by C.J. Archer

5 stars!  Amazing story!

Set in 1890 London, ‘The Watchmaker's Daughter’ is the first entry of a new series by the skillful wordsmith C.J. Archer. 

Handsome American Matthew Glass is visiting London, desperately seeking the watchmaker who created a timepiece that is near and dear to him.  The watch is breaking, and if he is unable to find its maker in time, it could be big trouble for Mr. Glass.

‘The Watchmaker’s Daughter’ begins with one of Matthew’s numerous visits to watchmaker shops in London, however, ownership of this specific shop has just changed hands.  Eddie Hardacre had convinced Miss India Steele into accepting his marriage proposal, and successfully tricked Mr. Steele into bequeathing the shop to Eddie.  Two weeks prior to the opening scene, Mr. Steele had finally succumbed to his illness and passed away, unintentionally leaving India to be dumped by Eddie, broke, and also homeless.  India arrived at her family’s former shop to let Eddie have a piece of her mind, only to run into Mr. Glass as he makes inquiries about his own watch.

Inspired by India’s feistiness and knowledge of London watchmakers, Glass convinces Steele to work with him in his search for his watch’s maker, and to move into his London house for the duration of their collaboration.  India has her reservations against strange men, after her former fiance Eddie, however, her current situation put her in a desperate situation of needing both a place to live and an income.  Her mind is put somewhat at ease when she meets Matt’s female cousin, also residing in the home, and eventually, his Aunt as well.

With ‘The Watchmaker’s Daughter,’ author C.J. Archer has cleverly crafted a steady plot and several complex characters.  Matthew Glass keeps both India and readers in suspense over his secrets throughout most of the book.  His friends help to keep the tone light, and if you’re familiar with Archer’s ‘Ministries of Curiosities’ series, you’ll understand; none of Archer’s background characters are dull, and her main characters are full of mystery and surprises.  As a leading lady, India Steele is independent and has a mind of her own, not to be controlled by the many men in her life foolish enough to attempt it.

Though Glass and Steele do occasionally flirt, this is not purely a romance novel.  It is part romance, part mystery, part magic; all of which a joy to read.

Thanks to talented author, C.J. Archer, for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

‘The Watchmaker’s Daughter’ will be available on June 28th!

‘Dust in the Desert’ (Flipped Fairy Tales) by Starla Huchton

5 stars!

Starla Huchton has done it again!  'Dust in the Desert' is a beautiful re-imagining of 'Aladdin,' complete with Huchton's trademark swapped genders.  This time, a female street-rat must face a brainwashed sultana and evil sorceress buzzing in her ear, all while the sultana's son, the prince, gets caught up in the cross fire.  Huchton changes more than just genders, and the tale is truly heartwarming.

Strongly recommended for fans of fairy-tale retellings.

'Dust in the Desert' is currently available on Kindle Unlimited!

‘The Facefaker's Game’ by Chandler Birch

4 stars!

Debut author Chandler Birch has created a rich and imaginative alternative world with various types of magic.  Well thought out and easily understood, ‘The Facefaker’s Game’ is a delightful new world in which to slip away from reality for a while.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

‘The Facefaker's Game’ will be available on Amazon November 1, 2016.

‘Amber Frost’ by Suzi Davis

3.5 stars

‘Amber Frost’ begins with the perfect and beautiful 18-year-old Grace Lynn Stevenson.  Readers learn about her high profile and high society family, and the demands upon her to keep up appearances and manage a perfect image at all times.  The book’s opening is a wonderfully descriptive narrative of Grace’s private moment in Art class at a prestigious and private high school in Canada.  And then fellow student, Sebastian, draws Grace out of her private thoughts and her life begins to change forever.

Sebastian has lost his memory, but begins to remember bits and pieces as he gets closer to Grace.  All he knows, at the start of their friendship, is that he has a magic-like ability to get what he wants if he only wishes for it.  He can remain young and healthy if he continues to wish it.  As memories unfold, he remembers just how many hundreds of years he has been wishing to be young and healthy, and the two re-discover a shared ancient past.

While ‘Amber Frost’ was not the most well-written YA novel I’ve read this year, it was indeed a good read.