Book Review: Touched by Darkness by Catherine Spangler

Book Title: Touched By Darkness – Sentinel Series – Book One
Author: Catherine Spangler

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

“After seven years on the run, Dr. Kara Cantrell believes she and her son, Alex, are safe.

She’s wrong”.

If you are looking for an steamy, yet action packed summer romance with a little paranormal, this Urban Fantasy Romance is just right for you. As the first book of a series called “Sentinel Series”, Catherine introduces us to characters who have their roots in Atlantis – yes, the mystical, often wrote about dissappeared city/continent – but manages to do so in a unique and fresh way, that is intreguing and well constructed. Yes, there are some steamy scenes, yes, there is romance, but there is also action, that keeps the reader on its toes. Perfect book for this summer, if you enjoy romance novels that are not the traditional kind.

 

 

Sentinel Series, Book One

After seven years on the run, Dr. Kara Cantrell believes she and her son, Alex, are safe.

She’s wrong.

Camp NaNoWriMo

Anyone else exited about Camp NaNoWriMo? For those who are not familiar with this writer’s version of summer camp, here is the short version of what it is:

Camp NaNoWriMo is associated with the National Novel Writing Month, which occurs every year in November, trying to aid and motivate writers to finish their books, by giving advice, and peer motivation. The associated Camp happens every year April and July, and allows writers in a more open environment do the  same, not limiting the projects to novels, but also including scripts, non-fiction or collections.

This year will be my first year, I will have time to participate. I am planning on updating the process of the work on the Camp website, but also here.

The Project For This July’s Camp Session:

The Keeper – Book One of the World Walker Series – An Urban Fantasy

A Short Synopsis Of The Series:

We are People of Magic. We live amongst you, hiding our abilities from your sight, because you choose not to see us as we are, unless you need our help.

We are much like you, some good, some evil, but we are also not the same as you. Our abilities scare you, you fear our powers, you tell stories about us, in the dark, shadowy nights, frightening your children, forcing us to hide our true identity.

Then the turmoil began.

Now it is time to tell our story, the story of The Conflict that changed everything.

Before The Conflict began, we were simply two magical families, two of many, the Historians, collectors and keepers of the knowledge of our kind and the Guardians, meant to protect us. But that role is no longer enough. Hunted by some of our own kind, hiding from those who do not understand, we changed, we evolved, we learned.

We became The World Walkers.

We have not abandoned you. We will not allow those of our kind, with bad intentions to harm you or one of our own. We will hunt them down, bring them to justice.
One after the other.

This is a war – a war we did not choose. A war that chose us.

A war we will win.

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2014

Are you participating in the Camp NaNoWriMo this year? What are you writing about?

 

Book Review: Hyde, An Urban Fantasy by Lauren Stewart

 

Title: Hyde, An Urban Fantasy
Author: Lauren Stewart
Publisher: Off The Hook Publishing
Release Date: July, 8th 2012
Rating: 5/5 Stars

With a hook, that gets you right from the start, this fast paced book is a wonderful, suspenseful adult read. Unlike Lauren Stewart’s Young Adult novels, this book is written for the less faint of heart, with some cursing, and love scenes, both placed efficiently, and without being too overbearing.
The main characters are a unique twist on the traditional Jekyll and Hyde story, placed charmingly in a modern setting. Chilling scenes, laced with humor, and plenty of action, the Author delivered a very great start to a promising Trilogy. If you have never read anything by Mrs. Stewart, you are missing out on very well-developed stories, that will grip you, and never let you go.

The Farm

She was really pretty, in a dead sort of way, her milky eyes focused upon him, as she searched for a flicker of hope, or recognition.
“Do you know me?”
He smiled reassuringly, reaching out to help her from the last three steps that lead from the front porch of the main house onto the center circle driveway of his farm.
“You don’t know your name? Who you are?”
The normal disorientation of re-materialization, occurred each and every time, he welcomed a new visitor to his place, but it was never easy to not openly show his compassion, and sadness for their situation, but rather stay reassuring.
“I am not sure, Nickie maybe?”
He nodded, remembering the notice he received just a second before she came to be up on his cluttered porch. Two white overstuffed garbage bags framed his red front door, leaving almost no sight onto the small red plants one of his other residence has placed on it. It was the middle of spring cleaning week, and nothing was exactly yet back to where it was supposed to be.

Not the best way to make a first impression.

And he always wanted to make a good first impression.

“Nickie Garson. Your name is Nickie Garson. Welcome to The Farm.”

She cocked her head sideways, which made her look even prettier, her shoulder length red hair framing her face with perfect curls. She must have had the most beautiful eyes. Green most likely.
But with all of his residence, the eye color never showed its full power, as it has when they were alive.
It did not make her less attractive.

At least to him.

He almost shook his head at himself, but managed to continue with the reassuring smile.
Not a good idea to fall in love with one of the Spirits.
Not that there were rules against it.
It just did not make any great sense.

The hell with sense.

“You are beautiful.”
“Thank you.” As her face lit up with gratefulness and a little shy smile, his heart pounded hard enough that he swore she could hear it.
“I am Sam by the way.”
“Nice to meet you, Sam.” She glanced around the manicured front yard of his 50 acre property. The sun appeared, as if on que, caressing the trees and perfectly placed flowers, giving a sence of serenity to the entire space.
“What is this place?”
He stretched out his hand toward her, grabbing onto it, as if never wanting the let go.
“It is your new home. Your sanctuary. A safe place for those who have not let go off this world, because they still have something to finish.”
Her eyes widened, as she tightened her grip upon his fingers.
So cold, so dead, yet so ALIVE.
“Am I…?”
“Indeed, you are. Welcome home, Nickie.”

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2014

This flash fiction is a part of the back story to two of my characters in my dark urban fantasy series. It is also a part of the Daily Prompt for today – “pressure”, which ask

Do you thrive under pressure or crumble at the thought of it? Does your best stuff surface as the deadline approaches or do you need to iterate, day after day to achieve something you’re proud of? Tell us how you work best.

Photographers, artists, poets: show us PRESSURE.

Writing a book, let alone a series can be a daunting task, which can be intimidating and time consuming. But I have made it my mission to finish it – it might take longer then I originally intended, but it will be finished, one book at a time, and it will be polished and tight. So bring on the pressure. I can handle it, it’s all good.

Have a great day everyone!