Soul Protector by Amanda Leigh Cowley

Book Description :

Gracie doesn't know she's a Soul Protector. After being dragged out on a night to celebrate a friend's birthday, she discovers she can switch into other peoples bodies. Within minutes she manages to switch back, but doubting her sanity, decides to keep it to herself until she can work out why it happened. On a second switch she is abducted by monitor, Dan. Who explains to Gracie how Soul Protectors are bound by a code to only switch for the benefit of vulnerable people. Gracie falls in love with Dan, but finds he has hang-ups of his own. Finally understanding the rules, Gracie switches for a third time to help someone in need. During this switch her past catches up with her, and a chain of events unfold which shock her to the core.

As I read a bit about "Soul Protector" by Amanda Leigh Cowley, I was intrigued by her idea of the "Soul Protector" someone who can switch bodies with another person to help them through a difficult time. True to the genre of paranormal romance, we see the familiar story line of a young woman finding her way through heartbreak to discover her "true love" despite their differences and her new found skill. This book brings nothing new to the genre;however the author's idea of a "Soul Protector" is uniquely hers and makes this novel stand out a little bit more than the rest.

The story follows Gracie, a young woman in the midst of a break up, that she can't seem to get over. Who then discovers she has the gift to switch bodies with people. We see Gracie learn to cope with this new gift as it brings new people into her life. One in particular "Dan" who guides her through the learning process of being a Soul Protector. Along with this new relationship there is danger as there are rouge Soul Protectors on the loose and it is the monitors job to catch them. Gracie has to make a decision whether to walk away from Dan and the prospect of being a Soul Protector or live life as normal. Which she soon finds out just isn't in the cards.

I felt the story line between Gracie and Dan was a bit flat as it takes up the first half of the book without much excitement. Grace's longing and need for Dan was a bit overbearing for it took over all of her thoughts and slowed the pace of the story. However the second half of the book picks up and we see several sub plots come to light.  It is within these sub plots where we finally hit a bit of excitement as the world of the Soul Protectors draws Gracie in and affects those close to her. Most of the characters are one dimensional, except for Gracie. The author did a great job of giving us the background story of Gracie's abusive past at the hands of her father, her mother being a victim of domestic violence and her sister's betrayal. This was the only part of the story that drew me in, as I felt what Gracie was going through as a child, and how the hurt still affected her as an adult. I would like to acknowledge the author's underlying message about domestic violence that speaks volumes through Gracie's story.

The novel was very well written and this is evident in the second half of the book, where the author's writing style shines through and carries this book through to a very interesting finish. It almost felt like the author was holding back a bit and then broke through a barrier. All in all this book was an easy read, and as it brings nothing we haven't seen before in the romance department. Though the idea of the "Soul Protector" is worth giving it a go.  With that said I give this book a 3.5 Stars.

                                           3.5 Stars

You can find Amanda Leigh Cowley here :

http://amandaleighcowley.blogspot.com/

Facebook page for Soul Protector

Reviewed by Witchofthemists.

Faerytale by Rachael Fuller

Book Description :

Faerytale, told in narrative rhyme, centers on two sisters, Ellie and her older sister Lucy. While playing, Lucy finds that Ellie has disappeared down a rabbit hole and is lost in a dangerous land of twisted fairy tales. A darker account of the classic tales of Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White, Faerytale is a chilling story of Lucy's journey to find and rescue Ellie before the land is swallowed by impenetrable darkness.

Faerytale by Rachael Fuller takes us back to our childhood where the magical world of fairies, wood nymphs and characters that graced our bookshelves comes to life. After reading the synopsis of this story I knew that I could not just "read" this story, but that I had to read it out loud. Told in narrative rhyme I was immediately pulled into the rhythm of the story. The cleverness of the author's words engaged my imagination and I became Lucy on her quest to find her sister. So real were the fairies that flitted to and fro, along with the wood nymph that told her where she must go. I found my voice take on a life of it's own; I knew in that moment that this is a book that everyone must own. I guess I should mention that reading this book will cause adults to burst out into spontaneous rhyme. 

The author does a brilliant job of capturing the almost jaded like feeling as innocence turns to skepticism in the character of Lucy, who no longer believe in fairies, princes or happy endings. In Ellie we see the childlike wonder that sees magic in everything. The plot is very well put together and flows without a break in rhythm or rhyme, which is why I recommend reading this tale in one sitting. True to her Brothers Grimm inspiration, the author does a superb job of putting a dark twist on familiar stories and one that will leave you very much surprised. The illustrations in the story are beautifully done add much to help bring the story to life.


This book is such a fun read and suitable for all ages, even with the dark twists and turns to the story. For as a child I know I liked reading and listening to tales that made me a wee bit frightened, for in the depths of fear we find our courage. And in this story Lucy finds enough courage for herself, her sister and the world that is being swallowed by darkness. There is so  much more that I could have covered but I did not want to give anything away. I highly recommend this book to everyone, it is a MUST read. Faerytale is set to be released October 31, 2011 by Safkhet Publishing and will be available on Amazon.   I look forward to reading more of Rachael Fuller's future works.  I have a feeling in years to come my grandchildren will be reading her tales.  This book deserves 5 stars!
                                           5 Stars! 

Preview the trailer for Faerytale : 

Pre-order with Amazon : Faerytale by Rachael Fuller


About the Author :  http://www.rachaelfuller.co.uk/faerytale/index.php

Rachael Fuller grew up in West Somerset, UK, where she spent her teenage years acting, singing, writing poems and daydreaming of fair maidens and knights in shining armor. Looking to the Brothers Grimm for inspiration, Rachael spurs her vivid imagination by sharing her stories and rhyme with anyone who understands the need for good old-fashioned story-telling, not just for children but for adults who long for more than just the reality they live in everyday.


Reviewed by Witchofthemists

Nephilim by Martyn Housley-Smith

In the war with the Fallen, three teenage nephilim and the priest who raised them battle to prevent those cast out of Heaven making Hell a reality on earth. But when their mentor is fatally wounded he is forced to reveal his true identity as one of those he fought so hard against. His dying words send them on a dangerous journey to uncover their origins and into the lair of the darkest of angels. 

Book Description

Nephilim follows the adventures of Sebastian, Catherine and Paddy as they fight against the Gregori (Fallen Angels). The fact that they are half human half angels gives them an edge. They are led and trained by a Priest named Brother Tobias and base themselves from Venice. The book uses Christian Mythology as ingredients for face paced adventure story. Everything is told from the perspective of Sebastian and he narrates the action throughout the book.

I wondered for a while how to categorise this book. Most tales in which Fallen Angels are the enemy are at least borderline horror. After all Lucifer and his fellow fallen angels are the ultimate symbols of evil. But Nephilim doesn’t fit into this genre; this is an adventure story pure and simple. Tame enough to be read by young adults there is not much here that would prevent the squeamish from reading it. In fact there isn’t a trace of horror within its pages and the Gregori lack any form of dread, even when Lucifer makes an appearance he fails to instil any form of fear.

I really wanted to enjoy this book. The storyline had a great deal of potential which sadly failed to appear. What the story lacked most was any kind of depth. Nothing was treated with more than a cursory glance. The novel is filled with questions that begged to be answered and you are left wanting. Brother Tobias whose background motivates much of the tale is given very little explanation. The story of the Gregori is barely outlined and this lack of detail created other issues. The three main characters differ greatly in physical detail and each has a unique power. Sebastian has the ability to see future events, Catherine can feel and follow other’s pain and Paddy is a berserker. But these powers are little used and aren’t used as story hooks. Worse still is the fact that all three characters seem to be personality clones. The author sadly didn’t distinguish between the three different personas. They all reacted and responded to the events around them in pretty much the same way, never arguing or disagreeing about their course of action.

Christian mythology has a wealth of readymade background and detail that just wasn’t used within this tale. The Gregori seemed no more than gangsters with guns. I think these fallen angels were banished from heaven because they were chronic underachievers rather than for their rebellion. In conclusion Nephilim is an OK book but there are much better Angel books out there. I award this 3 stars.

The Pendragon's Quest ( The Last Pendragon Saga) By Sarah Woodbury

Book Description :

Although the dark forces of Arawn are defeated, the Saxons have massed on the border of Wales, aiming for nothing less than the subjugation of the Welsh people. Meanwhile, the fickle god Mabon, loose again in the human world, searches for the Thirteen Treasures of Britain. With each one he collects, his power grows. With the other gods forbidden to interfere in the human world, it is up to Cade, Rhiann, and their companions to stop Mabon and the Saxons.

And time is running out.




The Pendragon's Quest is the second book in the "The Last Pendragon Saga" by Sarah Woodbury. This story picks up right where the first book "The Last Pendragon" leaves off. We find Cade, Rhiann, Taliesin and their companions facing a threat far greater then the forces of Arawn ; the Saxons and Mabon who seeks to destroy them all.

Sarah Woodbury outdoes herself  with "The Pendragon's Quest", which I thought was impossible because the first book was so good.  I was wrong, this book surpasses the first as the author brings us deeper into Cade's world and those of his companions.  Again I was caught up in the brotherhood of warriors whose mettle was tested time and time again in battle. The story explores and adds more depth to the Characters of Cade's most trusted Knights; Dafydd, Hywel and Gornowry whose loyalty to King and country could cost them their lives. We see the true meaning of courage and the will to never surrender flow from the pages of this novel.  We see the love grow and strengthen between Cade and Rhiann along with the respect they have for each other and their vulnerably in their need for each other. And last but not least Taliesin who in this story has his own demons to fight, as Cade journeys with him to a place where only few have gone before in search of something that was lost.  The author also introduces two new female characters which add depth to certain characters. These subplots within the story all weave together beautifully at the end. 

The author's love for Wales and the Welsh people can be felt with every word that is written. I found myself wanting to take up arms and fight under the Red Dragon banner. Staying true to the Welsh historical facts the author blends them seamlessly with the Welsh myths, legends and her characters within the story. One can truly feel the pride and determination of the Welsh people fighting against submission to the invaders from the North and their desire to be united under one King. 

Having a love affair with Wales myself, I was so excited to see so many familiar places that I have visited in the book, the familiar feeling of the landscape transported me deeper into the story as I envisioned the battles that were taking place. It made the story that much more real to me. Wales is truly a land of mist, myth and legend and Sarah Woodbury captures it all within her tale.

The novel is extremely well written, and Sarah Woodbury is a true Bard in every sense of the world. Her storytelling ability and true to life battle scenes puts her right up there as one of my favorite authors.  The cover artwork for her book is amazing and just helps fuel the imagination as the story unfolds as myth and legend come to life.  I give this book 5 stars.

5 Stars

                                      


Reviewed by Witchofthemists.

The Last Pendragon 

The Wayfarer King by K C May

Book 2 of The Kinshield Saga

Beyonders, evil beings that materialize without warning from the realm of chaos, continue to invade the world of men, destroying everything -- and everyone -- in their path. The most powerful of them all, Ritol, has been confined for two hundred years inside the palace in Thendylath, trapped by King Arek's magic.

Having newly claimed the right to rule Thendylath as king, Gavin Kinshield has no money or army, but he's determined to protect his people from the beyonder attacks. With his new power of Wayfarer, Gavin has the ability to journey to all seven realms. To end the invasion, he must travel to the realm of chaos and summon Ritol. But can he escape before the beyonder champion kills him, devours his soul and takes his place as Wayfarer?

If wizard Brodas Ravenkind has his way, Gavin will never make it that far. Not only does Ravenkind want the throne for himself, he wants revenge for his cousin's murder too. After all, he made a promise the first time Gavin crossed him…


Book Description

I was looking forward to reading The Wayfarer King as I had reviewed the first in the series a while back. The first book “The Kinshield Legacy” told the tale of Warrant Knight Gavin Kinshield as he discovers that he is destined to be the Kingdom’s new ruler and his struggle to come to terms with his new role as King. Against him stands the wizard Brodas Ravenkind, who would steal the crown and rule in Gavin’s place. The first books sees Gavin defeat the plot to steal the crown and in doing so gathers a small band of trusted allies around him. It received an excellent 4.5 star rating which it fully deserved and I was looking forward to the continuation of Gavin’s story. There is always a worry when reading a sequel to a great book that the second will not live up to standards of set by the first. Thankfully I was not disappointed in the slightest with The Wayfarer King.

The series is continued in this book which is also the concluding part. This is a departure from the normal trilogy pattern that abides within the fantasy genre as this series is only two books long, although I am sure we will see more of Gavin in future works by K. C. May. There is plenty of scope for more tales of high adventure within this world created and so lovingly detailed by the author.

Once again there are no great surprises within the format of a fantasy novel, although the concluding scenes were not what I had expected. We get to travel briefly to other worlds and other times within this story and this gives us a tantalizing glimpse of K C May’s boundless imagination. She weaves her story through time and worlds with ease and skill while allowing the relationships of Gavin and his crew, as well as Brodas Ravenkind’s team, to draw our emotions deep into the story. At times we are left heartbroken, while at others we are thrilled with scenes of exciting adventure. Balancing these out is a love story which puts you at times on the edge of your seat.

The pacing and flow of the book is faultless, while the worlds described leap out of the pages and grow in detail within your mind. My only complaint and it’s only a minor one, is I would have liked a little more depth to some of the supporting cast. I know that the confines of a two book series leave little time for such details but I was left intrigued and wanting with regards to characters like Daia, Edan and Red. As I said this is a minor niggle that I am sure will be remedied in future books.

When I read an ebook that I have enjoyed I then buy the physical book version to add to my bookshelves. What can I say, I am a bit of a traditionalist. The Kinshield saga in defiantly going to make it to my shelves at the earliest opportunity. Awarded a worthy 4 stars.

  


Reviewed by Darkiss

Symphony of Blood by Adam Pepper

Book Description :
Hank Mondale, a rough-around the edges P.I with a small drinking problem and large gambling problem, needs a break. With his landlord threatening eviction and his bookie threatening worse, things look bleak. Until a real estate mogul Thomas Blake calls with an incredible story: a monster is trying to kill his daughter. Hank figures she's probably some whacked-out spoiled brat, but desperate, Hank takes the case to track down the supposed monster. It seems that people around Mackenzie Blake are disappearing. It is obviously no coincidence. Was Hank hired to unwittingly aid a wealthy murderess? Or is there really someone..or something, trying to kill Mackenzie Blake?


A symphony plays that only IT can hear. But there will be a special performance just for her.


Symphony of Blood written by Adam Pepper is a perfect example of a great detective's story with a supernatural twist. Hank Mondale is a down and out Private Detective who is broke and in need of his next case and cold hard cash. With everything falling apart he has no choice but to take a case from a high profile client and his debutante daughter who take Hank on a wild ride in search of a "monster".


I love a good detective story and following in Simon R Green's footsteps Adam Pepper had me hooked from the very first chapter. I loved the almost slap stick feeling the author created with his writing. For every bad decision that Hank made, there is an immediate reaction which does not always bode well for him. Through the first half of the story  I was unsure of what exactly classified this book as "Supernatural", but as the story unfolded "It" was revealed.  Told from the Hank's POV the story line is fast paced and filled with suspense as the author takes you down a clue filled path with coincidences and events that can only lead to one outcome.  Just when I was thinking I had this story line all figured out, the author throws in a brilliant twist, by switching the POV abruptly as the plot is reveled from a perspective that is completely  unexpected and unique. 


Because the story moves at such a fast pace, the author does not delve deep into each of the characters, except for Hank. In Hank, we see glimpses of his personality and morals through his interactions with other characters in the book. Through Hank's detective persona we see others through his eyes. His thoughts, feelings and deductions give us insight into the motivation of others. The true character development comes from a very unique POV, in which we see this character learn, develop emotion and understanding of a world that is alien to it. This particular POV shift is truly the best part of the story, I found myself feeling for this character in a way that I might not have if it was written differently. Seeing the story though it's eyes we see who really is the monster,and who is just trying to survive in a world that it does not understand. 


I have to say I loved Adam Peppers writing style, there were times I found myself laughing, on the edge of my seat, horrified and enjoying the quirky maleness of Hank. I must admit I have a soft spot for P.I's  There was so much more I could have added but I didn't want to give away any of the great bits!  All I can say is this is a MUST read. A great big thank you to Adam, for he  rekindled my love for a good supernatural detective story and I look forward to more of Hank Mondale's cases. So if you are looking for a fast, fun and adrenaline filled read, then this book is for you.  I give this book 5 stars! 


                                          5 Stars

You can find Adam Pepper here :
http://www.adampepper.com./




Reviewed by Witchofthemists
  

Night of the Fox by Ashley Barnard

Jared Dunefaellan, Captain of the king’s standing army, has managed to carve out a name for himself. After several victories, he is feared and respected, and is about to reclaim Wiekken’s most prized city, Lleweyan. But he is running out of time; already his genetic disease is maturing, changing him into the hateful man his father became. Before he can win the war, however, he’ll have to first conquer his addictions of alcoholism, sexual dysfunction and extremely distracting feelings for his best friend. In the meantime, Tarika is being forced to wed a tyrant, and Nathaniel reveals a shocking secret that throws their world into chaos. Everything comes to a head on a pirate ship of all things, and the prophecies surrounding Jared and Tarika play out in surprising, and occasionally disastrous, ways.


Book Description

The first book I reviewed here on DarkissReads was Shadow Fox by Ashley Barnard. In fact it was Ashley who inspired me to create this blog in the first place. While talking to Ashley I saw how hard it was for new authors to get their works noticed. For those lucky few writers that have landed themselves a publishing deal the trial don’t stop. Few publishers have the resources or the will to spend money on new unknown writers and they are left to do their own marketing. Not an easy task when competing against the big names that we are all familiar with in our bookstores. So I created DarkissReads.com to help good new writers get a voice in a industry where money shouts the loudest

I have followed the Shadow Fox series from the start and now we come to its close. Night of the Fox is the final instalment in the trilogy that has seen us follow the exploits of Jared Dunefaellan as he slowly falls to the madness that plagues his family. In the final book we see if Jared manages to avoid the fate that seems laid out before him and which of the two prophecies will be fulfilled. Accompanying him on his journey and sharing his tribulations are Tarika and Nathaniel, both of who are often the victims of Jared’s bouts of insanity. Their love triangle becomes more and more entangled and complicated as politics, war and Jared’s curse drive wedges between their relationships.

As with the previous two instalments the writing is excellent and the narrative carries you on by the seat of your pants. Ashley has blossomed as a writer and this shows in her style and skill in developing the emotional relationship that abound throughout this tale. Her talent in making you care for a character even when they is far from anyone’s idea of heroic or good is well defined in her portrayal of Jared. It is a rare thing to come across a character that you can often dislike and yet care so deeply about. It is the creation of these two emotional opposites bound up in one person that shows the elegance with which Ashley can manipulate your senses. Night of the Fox will drag you to the extremes of your emotional spectrum leaving you feeling like you have just been hit by a truck.

Once again some of the subject matters dealt with within this book will not be to everyone’s taste. Ashley’s writing is gritty and uncompromising, dealing frankly with subjects like rape, child abuse and sexual humiliation. No punches are pulled throughout the whole Shadow fox series and this continues right up to the end. Few fantasy/paranormal writes offer such dark insights to the human soul. There are no monsters to blame the evil on, just the human soul and the depths to which it can sink. This is not a book for adolescence reader with a craving for the cartoon darkness of books like Twilight. This book is for adults who don’t mind being shocked and don’t want their fantasy realms sanitised into some bland, tasteless, unrealistic nightmare. The sad thing is, it is this uncompromising style that may prevent the Shadow Fox series reaching the mass market. Most books within this genre that make the bestsellers list are those that tone down the darkness. That being said the first in the series did get awarded Champaign Book of the Year. So well done Champaign for supporting a book that pushes the boundaries of the genre.

I give this book a 4.5 star rating and look forward to Ashley’s next project which I hope won’t be too long coming.

You can buy Night of the Fox at:
http://champagnebooks.com/shop/

Available on Amazon soon

Ashley has also published another book that really fall outside of the realm of DarkissReads but which shows her versatility as a writer. In Byron’s Shadow harks back to a style of storytelling more to the taste of those who love Austen, Shelly and the Bronte sisters.

We will keep you up to date with all Ashley’s developments but for those who would like to follow her themselves you can find her blog at:

http://wckdwriter.blogspot.com/

And her dedicated website at:

http://www.ashleyjbarnard.com/

The Superiors by Lena Hillbrand

Book Description

Two hundred years after a stronger, faster, nearly invincible race takes over the earth, the Superiors rule humanity with scorn and an iron fist - or iron fangs. Though Superiors raise humans simply as livestock to state their hunger and sustain their immortal lives, Draven Castle, a discounted lower-class Superior, will never have enough finds to purchase his own human. One night Draven captures Cali, a human runaway, and defies society's strict laws by feeding on her. The continuing consequences of his small criminal act forever altar the course of his mundane life. 

Draven vows to purchase her no matter what the cost. Soon he begins to take more and more risks to ensure her safety and gain possession of her. But will he risk everything, even his life, for a chance to own a human girl?

Let me just say, this book was a surprise. I had no idea what I was getting into when I decided to review this book. "The Superiors" Is not your everyday run of the mill vampire story. It is dark, gritty and at times very disturbing. This is the first book in the series written by Lena Hillbrand. She introduces us to  a world run by Vampires, and a highly complex society with hierarchies, rules and strict laws for Vampires and humans. Where do humans fit in I am sure you are wondering?  At the bottom of the food chain in the form of livestock.

In this new world where Vampires "Evolve" into their current stations in life, the story follows Draven Castle who is part of the lowest order of Superiors.  Who soon finds himself mixed up with a "Sap" named Cali who attempted to run away from the Confinement camp. Draven is driven by the need for her blood and it sets him on a path of self- discovery and purpose, which doesn't always match what his society deems as acceptable. Not only does he battle himself, but his "Superiors" as well, which can have grave consequences.

The author takes her time in revealing the plot of the story, which moved it along perfectly. Slowly laying the groundwork for the series and building the suspense and anticipation of what was to come. The Characters are well developed as much as they can be within the drab existence that they are forced to live in.  This atmosphere the author creates helps fuel the unique relationship between Draven and Cali, and their interactions bring the only lightness to the story. Where as their relationships with supporting characters only breed mistrust and secrecy. This book is not a feel good book and takes you into the dark and keeps you there, only to give you brief glimpses of humanity through Draven's dealings with Cali. 

There is so much more I could say about this book, but I don't want to give away the story. But I highly recommend it to those who are looking for a different type of Vampire story.  I finished this book in one sitting and I was left hanging at the end wishing I had the next book in the series "The Vigilantes" to read.  This was a fantastic book for many reasons and deserves a 4.5 stars. 

                                          4.5 Stars

Reviewed by Witchofthemists