The Demon's Angel
RTC
Angel Leya
Author, Blogger, Dreamer
Prophet of Doom: Delphi Chronicles Book One
Alicia was practically invisible - at least until one night at a party where she tripped into the future. And not to one of those fantastic futures where everything is techy and white and better. No, this future held abandoned skeletons, degenerated humans, and a remnant of humanity driven to destroy each other. Alicia needs to change that future if she ever hopes to have the happily ever after she'd grown up dreaming about. But even if she can change the future, after visiting it, will she want to?The story is incredible. I've read a few of the author's books, and of all that I read, this is the series I'm hoping he finishes first. There are so many great twists, and the author's take on an apocalyptic future and how it's achieved is wild. Really gripping and gut-wrenching, a true page-turner.
Fair warning, though - the book includes several elements that may not be appreciated - like smoking a pot-like plant, a fair amount of cussing, and a near rape situation (seems to be a common element in the author's writing). It's worth it for the story, though, if you're not easily offended.
**This book used to be called [b:Prescient|29547086|Prescient (Delphi Chronicles, #1)|Derek Murphy|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1458310643s/29547086.jpg|49850452].
The Clay Queen
Queen Nouei is trying to change her fate as a goddess disdained by rewriting history. But becoming a god is no easy task, and for Bridget Blade, it's pure torture. Bridget longs to be normal, to live a simple life with her husband. Follow their journey to see who will ultimately win.I have to say, I was a tad nervous about reading this book. It's not the type of story I'm generally drawn to, despite the gorgeous cover. Then I began reading, and the story was so unusual I worried my fears were founded.
But I found myself drawn into the tale, curious to see it unfold, to understand what was awakening, and what kept Bridget anchored even as she seemed destined to fly away. I sat the book down feeling like I'd read something profound and beautiful and moving. This book far from completes the tale, but that doesn't lessen the impact of what unfolds.
Honestly, I know little about the literary genre, but if I had to venture a guess, I think this book would fit nicely there. If you're on the fence, I'd suggest you give it a try. You have nothing to lose and a wonderful world to gain.
Elvira Wonders
The little town of Elvira may not be well known to the human world, but it's no stranger to the paranormal. Joshua and his best buddy Archie are ghost hunters, but when a faerie is gruesomely murdered, he'll be on a different kind of hunt. There are plenty of suspects, from werewolves to vampires, and the chaos comes amid the first push to drive tourism to save the little town.
Can they discover the killer while keeping the tourists and "newcomers" happy or will Elvira fall off the map permanently?
This book is a relatively slow paced read, the mystery of the killer not really taking full steam until about 3/4 of the way through. For the rest of the book, we get to explore the little town and the relationships being formed, from Joshua and Georgia, to Archie and Bobbi, and some of the younger ladies with the "newcomers", aka vampires. I loved all the nuances, like how only some vampires are sensitive to light, there are two different factions of faeries, and werewolves are pretty much a club for the families with the deepest roots in Elvira.
Besides the pacing, I found it a little difficult to get into at first, as we're thrown into the mix with several characters, we cycle through a few different viewpoints, and some of the terminology isn't consistent (naiads/nymphs, the vampires being called Mayans and Egyptians based on where they were from, and not being sure if the Egyptian temple/priests were paranormal or just human).
But overall, it was a fun read, great for anyone who likes cozy mysteries, paranormal/contemporary fantasies, and a healthy dose of romance.
The Fourth Law of Kanaloa
Maris thought she had escaped the worst of things when she came to live in Hawaii, using her music to make a life for herself. But her world changes when she's caught by the attack on Pearl Harbor, and a mysterious man comes from the depths to save her.I was expecting something interesting, probably good, maybe even great. What I got blew my mind.
This story packs a novel worth of emotion into a novelette worth of space. I love Maris's journey, the splash of Hawaiian mythology, and the touches of fantasy and history. It's a beautiful tale for anyone short on time or big on short stories and appropriate for a wide range of audiences. A timeless tale that will transport you through time without eating all your time. :)
Okay, I'll stop now.
But seriously, if you're on the fence, just go ahead and pick this book up. You won't regret it.
Clyde's Grand Day Out
Clyde. Snail shark, predator, simple... or is he?Clyde sneaks out of the back yard for a snack and a little adventure. But when a potential snack turns friend, and then prey to a new predator, Clyde has a decision to make. Will he lean on morals Penny has been teaching him or lean on his predatory instincts?
This was a fun little story for those familiar with the Penny White series. Throughout the series we see Penny's side of the story. Her not-so-little-anymore friend doesn't say much, and often has to turn to song to express himself, but he's certainly intelligent enough. In this short story we learn just how intelligent, and get a glimpse of some of his secrets.
But the story is only available to the author's newsletter subscribers. You can sign up here: ChrysCymri.com
Prescient
**This book has been renamed [b:Prophet of Doom: Delphi Chronicles Book One|37660002|Prophet of Doom Delphi Chronicles Book One|D.S. Murphy|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1514047043s/37660002.jpg|59258122]**Alicia was practically invisible - at least until one night at a party where she tripped into the future. And not to one of those fantastic futures where everything is techy and white and better. No, this future held abandoned skeletons, degenerated humans, and a remnant of humanity driven to destroy each other. Alicia needs to change that future if she ever hopes to have the happily ever after she'd grown up dreaming about. But even if she can change the future, after visiting it, will she want to?
The story is incredible. I've read a few of the author's books, and of all that I read, this is the series I'm hoping he finishes first. There are so many great twists, and the author's take on an apocalyptic future and how it's achieved is wild. Really gripping and gut-wrenching, a true page-turner.
Fair warning, though - the book includes several elements that may not be appreciated - like smoking a pot-like plant, a fair amount of cussing, and a near rape situation (seems to be a common element in the author's writing). It's worth it for the story, though, if you're not easily offended.
Emerge
Lia is a mermaid, a direct descendant of The Little Mermaid, and her life is in danger because of it. That's because The Little Mermaid unleashed a curse on all merkind, throwing the mer world into violence and war. Lia is part of a community of mermaids living on land, trying to blend in with the humans. But there are rules, one of them being that she can't date a human. Too bad her old friend Clay is so hot.But when he starts dating another girl who just happens to be a mermaid, there's bound to be some problems.
This was a neat story based on a more tragic Little Mermaid than some might remember. The romance is sweet and maddening, the magic is real, and the story is full of depth. A great read for fans of [b:The Little Mermaid|132391|The Little Mermaid|Hans Christian Andersen|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1309204955s/132391.jpg|245197] and young adults who love mermaids.
And if you happen to be looking for more great mermaid reads, check out this list: AngeLeya.com/mermaid-books-for-teens/
The Vengeance of Snails
Penny is at it again, navigating the inspiring, frustrating, and incredible world of Lloegyr. Her recent dismissal from a Lloegyr church and her brother's near-death experience has Penny and James stuck in an emotional holding pattern. The wedding is still on with Peter, though their arrangements keep getting attacked by unknown culprits. And they're about to discover that Clyde is revered by more than the lemmings.This book is yet another emotional ride on the fantasy train of Lloegyr, and I loved it. Penny has a lot to contend with, and is still avoiding dealing with her feelings for a certain dragon. But she's got a lot on her plate. We also meet a fun new character - a southern praying mantis who can understand more than the average creature and works as a bit of an interpreter. If you haven't started the Penny White series yet, you need to hop on the train!
The Cleanser (Vargrom Book 3)
Serell's life is honest and happy, his work fulfilling and useful, and his bride-to-be everything he could ever want in a woman. But good things don't last forever. Two elves and a gnome are trying to return home and undo their disgrace, but the Cleanser stands in their way.
Their stories intersect in a surprising way and leave you wondering who should win and what winning really looks like.
This is a creation story, and is both heart-wrenching and hopeful in its own rights. It worked well as a stand-alone, although there were a few characters and situations that I felt were left hanging. I enjoyed this short story (or 2, if you count the two parts), and feel it makes a good intro to the world the author creates, a world where gods are equal parts cruel and benevolent and their power and presence can't be ignored.
Fall Into Fantasy: 2017 Edition
This is a fun collection of short fantasy stories with a wide variety of subgenres for everyone to find something to like. Here are the stories that I enjoyed the most:--Six Degrees of Zombie Separation by [a:Molly Neely|15689540|Molly Neely|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1474901070p2/15689540.jpg] - A unique play on story structure as we enter the beginning of the zombie apocalypse.
--Kitchen Magic by [a:Susan Marcus|240643|Susan Marcus|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] - A random act of kindness brings one woman more than she could have imagined.
--Gbahali by [a:Mark Easterday|17107602|Mark Easterday|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1504747396p2/17107602.jpg] - The hunt to find his missing brother changes one tribe member's life.
--Child of the Roses by [a:Linda M. Crate|8122996|Linda M. Crate|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1439827880p2/8122996.jpg] - A chance meeting in the woods brings two unusual beings together.
--They'd be an Army in Autumn by [a:Shane Porteous|4100636|Shane Porteous|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1297277302p2/4100636.jpg]
I should also mention Gammer Lobstone by [a:Sandra Unerman|6566116|Sandra Unerman|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], which turned out to be my favorite of the collection.
The other stories certainly have their merit. My biggest problem with the anthology is that it held several typos that occasionally took me out of the stories, and a few could have used a little extra attention on the development side of things. But overall a fun look at the fantasy genre, and worth a read.
Ghost Heart
The group is scattered and broken, unsure how to move forward or if they even can. Fighting back is more crucial than ever, but they'll need to find the will and the wit to do so. And if they fail, their group won't be the only ones to suffer.Heart wrenching. This novel takes the knife and twists it through your heart. Just when you thought things couldn't get worse, they do. They must overcome the insurmountable and achieve the impossible. You'll be on the edge of your seat wondering if they'll ever make it. Seriously, get the series.
Ghost Hold
Olivia's escape from the CAMFers and her hometown allows for little reprieve. Samantha is next on the list, and the small group of PSS young adults need to convince her to come with them. Problem is, Samantha is rich, attending an affluent school, and entrenched in a cult known as The Hold. It's not going to be easy, and Olivia has no idea the surprises that await her... surprises that will challenge everything she knows.The story takes quite the turn here, and you won't believe what's in store. Everyone has something to hide. By the time this book ends, you won't want to stop, so save yourself the frustration and grab [b:The PSS Chronicles Complete Set|32947382|The PSS Chronicles Complete Set (The PSS Chronicles #1-4)|Ripley Patton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1478923256s/32947382.jpg|53571766] so you can dive right into book 3.
Ghost Hope
Just when it looks like the band is back together, they're split apart again, and this time Olivia has displaced an entire complex. Something big is brewing, and they'll need to figure out how to take advantage of the situation if they hope to change the world for the better.What a stunning conclusion. It's incredible, sweeping, and it will draw you in in the most astounding way. I have to wonder at the author's inclusion of the mural, as it seems to point to something that never occurred in this book. Does she have more planned for this world and series? It certainly would be welcome, as this series is an incredible journey through a fascinating world where the impossible is possible and the spark that lights humanity has the potential to brighten the world.
The PSS Chronicles Complete Set (The PSS Chronicles #1-4)
PSS (a condition manifesting as a ghostly portion the body) is a relatively new phenomenon in the world, the first case showing up around 20 years ago, but that hasn't stopped factions from forming, one bent on exalting those with PSS and the other bent on researching and exploiting the incredible potential this new substance has provided. A group of PSS young adults are fighting back, but with the odds stacked against them, how can they possibly change the world?Buy the series. You'll want to binge read the entire thing, I can guarantee you. The plot starts so simple, and then gets deeper and deeper as you travel down the rabbit hole of story. There are some parts of the story that are hard to take (I'm looking at you, Nose and Yale), but the richness and depth of emotion are hard to match. It took forever to pick this up because I knew I'd want to be glued to it until I got it finished, but it was so worth it. If you love young adult fiction, romance, thrilling plots, action, suspense, and the kinds of twists and turns that keep you up past your bedtime, you'll love these books.
 - Ripley Patton)
The Wrath of the Revenant (The Adventures of Tremain & Christopher Book 3)
Book three takes the cake (so far)!Tremain and Christopher are off on another adventure when a mysterious storm set to wipe out the planet and a mysterious structure shows up just after an indecipherable business card is handed to Tremain by a new friend. When they visit the site, they find out that a powerful being has been waiting and watching civilization expand on New Earth, and he's not happy. Tremain and Christopher are in for a few surprises, and if they don't figure out how to overcome them, New Earth may be wiped out.
I think this is the best book in the series so far. There are so many twists and turns, so many surprises and reveals, you'll want to keep reading to find them all out. Plus, the emotional impact was significantly greater this time as certain aspects of history come into focus. I think you'll love The Wrath of the Revenant (which I feel can be read first, if you want to grab it during the current sale), but definitely circle back to the first two books in the series if you enjoy this one.
 - Terry Marchion)
Currently reading
Marked (Running Toward Illumia #4)
Hunters of the Mortals (Hallows & Nephilim: Waters Dark and Deep #2)
Shadow of the Archworld (Hallows & Nephilim: Waters Dark and Deep #3)
