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Today Sherry Soule, the author of the popular Spellbound Series, has some exciting news to share with us! All the previously published books in the series have been completely revamped with more epic romance, sizzling character chemistry, and thrilling new scenes!
The revised versions also include exclusive bonus material. To help promote the new editions, Sherry is doing this awesome guest post to share the update with fellow booklovers.
We have personal letter about the series from the author:
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the Spellbound series, which is set in the eerie world of Fallen Oaks. North of San Francisco, between Larkspur and Madrone Woodlands in Marin County, this coastal town’s magical charm and sweeping beauty is only a superficial façade. Nothing more than a smokescreen to conceal its murky history.
Those familiar with this area will realize I’ve taken some artistic freedom with this wooded setting. Ah, the power of a storyteller! I’ve chosen the backdrop of Northern California for an obvious reason. It is a beautiful area of lakes, forests, and wildlife.
On a special note, three amazing things really do exist in this locale: the lush forest of Muir Woods, the majesty of Mount Tamalpais, and San Francisco’s infamous roiling fog. I chose to retain these intriguing facets of the region because they contribute to the storyline in a very significant way.
In these serialized novels, you’ll learn the secrets of Fallen Oaks and more about the quirky inhabitants that populate this peculiar neighborhood, where it seems everyone has something to hide. Discover what skulks in the fog and prowls within the dense forest.
Meet the teenage residents that have good looks, lots of teen angst, and a fair share of supernatural intrigue. Read about Trent and Shiloh’s love story, which began with a mixture of lustful teen hormones and beguiling attraction. When Shiloh and Trent first meet, they both feel an instant connection, but at its core, it is a tale about the power of first love and the courage of two hearts that were meant to beat tremendous odds just to be together.
Happy reading,
Sherry
These are the new book covers created for the series!
Deadly Witchcraft. Ghostly Threats. Doomed Romance.
They say every town has its secrets, but that doesn’t even begin to describe Fallen Oaks. The townsfolk are a superstitious lot and the mystical disappearance of a local teen has everyone murmuring about a centuries old witch’s curse.
When sixteen-year-old Shiloh Trudell takes a summer job at Craven Manor, she discovers a ghost with an agenda. That’s where she meets the new town hottie, Trent Donovan, and immediately becomes enchanted by his charms.
Finally, Shiloh’s met someone who is supercute and totally into her, but Trent is immersed in the cunning deception that surrounds the mysterious Craven Manor. So much so that he may lose sight of what is truly important to him. And she can’t decide whether she wants to shake him or kiss him. Yet neither one of them can deny the immediate, passionate connection growing between them.
But underlying everything is the fear that Trent may be the next victim on a supernatural hit list, and Shiloh is the only person with the power to save him…
With cryptic messages from a pesky wraith, Shiloh will finally begin to understand the mysterious significance of the strange mark branded on her wrist and decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to protect the other teenagers in town.
Unfortunately, for Shiloh, not all ghosts want help crossing over. Some want vengeance.
Buy the new version of BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN (part 1):
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Dark Magick. Town Curses. Dangerous Secrets.
Shiloh Trudell wishes she were an ordinary girl. But for as long as she can remember, she has seen demons—otherworldly creatures that prey on the innocent—including her classmates.
Sure, she loves shopping, gossiping with her friends, rebelling against her parents, and her overwhelming attraction to the one boy that seems to ‘get’ her. Yet deep down, Shiloh knows she isn’t like other teenage girls. There’s the gift of Sight (Yes, she can see dead people), the new magical powers—oh, and the lessons on demon hunting.
With the body count rising, Shiloh resolves to learn more about the deadly curse on the town of Fallen Oaks, as well as the ominous shadows that seem to follow just a few steps behind Trent Donovan, local hottie and Shiloh’s current crush. For reasons, she can’t explain she’s inexplicably drawn to Trent and the haunting world of Craven Manor.
The dark secrets infused within the town have long tendrils, mostly affecting its teenage residents. Even Shiloh and Trent—especially Shiloh and Trent—are not immune from the darkness. And Trent’s not the only one hiding something.
Someone in Fallen Oaks has put out a supernatural hit list on the teenagers in town, and now it’s up to Shiloh to face her worst fears, and then fight like hell…
BUY SHATTERED SILENCE (book 2):
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Places you can cyberstalk Sherry Soule:
Official blog
Official Spellbound Series blog
FACEBOOK
Twitter ~ @WriterSherry
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Disclaimer: I bought this book to read for myself and to give it an honest opinion.
Life After Theft
Author: Aprilynne Pike
Hardcover
Pages: 345
Published: April 30, 2013
Publisher: Harper Teen
Overveiw:
Moving to a new high school sucks. Especially a rich-kid private school. With uniforms. But nothing is worse than finding out the first girl you meet is dead. And a klepto.
No one can see or hear Kimberlee except Jeff, so--in hopes of bringing an end to the snarkiest haunting in history--he agrees to help her complete her "unfinished business." But when the enmity between Kimberlee and Jeff's new crush, Sera, manages to continue posthumously, Jeff wonders if he's made the right choice.
My Take:
I've never read any books of Aprilynne Pike until now. My first impression on "Life After Theft" was that it was quite interesting take on a ghost. Most ghost stories that I have read swim towards romance, revenge or horror aspects. In Aprilynne's "Life After Theft" has the ghost geared towards more of realizing how you can affect someone. This book is contemporary with a light touch of paranormal.
First off Jeff moves to a state of the art school that is filled with rich students. He enters the school thinking all will be well. The first person he sees is a girl named Kimberlee who acts really strange to him as he thinks she's playing a joke on him since he's the new kid. Kimberlee is a ghost and has been trying to get someone to notice her for some time now. Jeff is the one who can see and hear Kimberlee! Kimberlee is quite happy about this and then wants Jeff to help her with her unfinished business. Jeff is not so thrilled about this concept since it's about returning all the stuff that Kimberlee stole when she was alive.
As the task begins and Jeff learns the story behind this. Both Jeff and Kimberlee have their good and bad moments. Jeff realizes Kimberlee is not the easy to get along with and was not really nice when she was alive. While dealing with Kimberlee, he also manages to snag a girl named Sera who has issues as well. Jeff learns about the issues of Sera as he sticks with her no matter what Kimberlee says about her. Jeff seems the type of guy giving everyone a chance which I found this to be quite a nice feature. Does Jeff help Kimberlee with the whole thing? Does Kimberlee change? Does the romance between Jeff and Sera actually work?
The book was a fun read. I enjoyed Jeff the most since he was just a great, round guy. Kimberlee took me some time to warm up to. Sera had me curious at times and then I was not sure if I could trust her or not. It was a game of Sera vs Kimberlee for I. Overall the characters were quite interesting and real. I think think book shows you a depth of everyone wanting to fit in somewhere. The plot was quite an adventure since all the characters connect to each other on one level or the other.
If you are looking for a simple and light read, then go pick up this book today. I'm glad I read "Life After Theft!" I look forward more of Aprilynne Pike's work.
PS: The cover is quite interesting!!
Story: B
Cover: B
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Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!
The Name of the Star
Shades of London #1
Author: Maureen Johnson
Paperback
Pages:400
Published: October 2, 2012
Publisher: Speak
Overview:
The day that Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London to start a new life at boarding school is also the day a series of brutal murders breaks out over the city, killings mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper spree of more than a century ago. Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him--the only one who can see him. And now Rory has become his next target. In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.
My Take:
I finally got around to this book! The entire book was quite an interesting read. The way the images just flew off the page was very vivid and great. I could see and feel what was going on. The story kept on going at a great pace. It was interesting to get to know the characters a bit here! A few reasons I grabbed this book was it was a young adult paranormal, takes place in England, Jack the Ripper, and ghosts! Who could not resist those reasons?
The main character is Rory who goes off to school to London. It takes her a while to adjust to the school and roommate. Once all settled in, the The Ripper mania continues to explode. The Cops are on the lookout of what is going to happen next? Can they solve this mystery?
Rory thinks she saw something related to the "Ripper" mania and reports it to the cops. Somehow the cops who get involved with Rory are rather unique cops and the next you know Rory is thrown into the world of ghosts! This was a lot for her to take in. Will Rory be the next victim? Will Rory figure out who it is? What will happen?
There were a few lines in the book that I enjoyed such as: "You told him I had period fever" I replied. "There's no such thing as period fever." This made me laugh. I loved it!
Another line is:
"Fear can't hurt you," she said. "When it washes over you, give it no power. It's a snake with no venom. Remember that. That knowledge can save you." This made me think of power. Knowledge is power!
Go ahead and pick up this read today! I will be getting book two soon! I need to see what happens to Rory!
Story: B
Cover: A
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Disclaimer: I bought this ebook to read to give it an honest opinion!
The Medium (Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy #1)
by C.J. Archer
ebook, 260 pages
Published July 2nd 2012 by Oz Books
Overview:
Seventeen year-old spirit medium Emily Chambers has a problem. Actually, she has several. As if seeing dead people isn't a big enough social disadvantage, she also has to contend with an escaped demon and a handsome ghost with a secret past. And then there's the question of her parentage. Being born an entire year after her father's death (yes, a year) and without the pale skin of other respectable English ladies, Emily is as much a mystery as the dead boy assigned to her.
Jacob Beaufort's spirit has been unable to crossover since his death. It might have something to do with the fact he was murdered. Or it might not. All he knows is, he has been assigned by the Otherworld's administrators to a girl named Emily. A girl who can see and touch him. A girl who released a shape-shifting demon into the mortal realm. Together they must send the demon back before it wreaks havoc on London. It should be a simple assignment, but they soon learn there's nothing simple when a live girl and a dead boy fall in love.
My Review
I downloaded this book onto my iPad and I thought it would be a fun read! Well my instinct was right. The story and characters stayed with me the entire time of reading this adventure!
I loved how Emily wanted to take matters in her own hand considering she was only seventeen and was living in London during the times where she should have been married. I found her to be quite a fascinating character. She took the adventure to a new limit. I love her interaction with Jacob who is a ghost and is also quite smitten with Emily.
Emily's sister seems to take the role of the mom in the book and tends to nag a little bit at times which I thought was irritating but that was her role in a way too. She was also protective of Emily which was a nice touch as well.
Jacob, what can I say? He's quite a dashing man for a ghost. For him to solve the mystery of who let loose of the demon was fun. It was interesting to get a bit of information of why he died and of his family. I hope we find the answers to that, perhaps they tie in with each other his death and the the demon?
The one aspect I thought was neat is that there was a waiting room for those who have passed and waited there. Anything is possible isn't it? I love ghost and mediums concepts and ideas that sprout out from the author's brains. Some are the same and some are refreshing! I think in this story it's refreshing!
The ending leaves room for a sequel and I so want to see what adventure Emily goes on next! Will the mysteries be solved? I'm looking forward to read the next book.
Story: B
Cover: A
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The Medium (Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy #1)
by C.J. Archer
ebook,
260 pages
Published July 2nd 2012 by Oz Books (first published June 30th 2012)
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Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!
Ghost Town: Saranormal #1
Author: Phoebe Rivers
Page: 160
Published date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Simon Spotlight
Series: Yes
Style: Paperback
Overview:
Sara Collins is a normal twelve-year-old girl with an abnormal secret: She is psychic. She’s had her abilities for as long as she can remember, but she doesn’t like to talk about them. She hopes that if she ignores them, they might go away. Sara wants nothing more than to have a normal life, and to her, “normal” doesn’t include anything paranormal.
But Sara’s life is about to be turned upside down, because she’s moving across the country with her dad to an old shore town in New Jersey. A shore town with a lot of history…and more than its fair share of ghosts roaming around. As Sara tries to settle into her new home, she discovers that for the first time, the ghosts around her can communicate with her. One ghost in particular desperately needs something from her and won’t leave her alone. Sara wants to help, but she’s scared. Can Sara put her fear aside and help the spirit? Will doing so put her in jeopardy?
My Take
So I picked this book up in the children's section of a bookstore while my kids were exploring the store at the time. The book caught my eye and made me think this is something I would so read when I was younger.
It took me about a day and half to read this book. As the overview mentions up above Sara is heading into a new town which is an older town and she isn't too keen on being there since she has the ability to be psychic and see ghosts. So she tries to not deal with her ability while being in the new town and so wants to be normal.
Sara ends up meeting another girl who she becomes friends with. She still haven't told anyone of her gift. Of course there is the kooky psychic lady that lives near by Sara and her dad which Sara is not sure what to make of the lady. Somehow while being in this town, she then somehow gets tangled in with a ghost who wanted her to do something. Does Sara eventually help the ghost or does she ignore her gift?
This book is great for elementary children and up! The cover is rather cute and catches the eye rather nicely. Another great find in books!
Cover Rating: A
Story Rating: A
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