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Showing posts with label Donna June Cooper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Donna June Cooper. Show all posts

Tuesday, 17 February 2015

{Review} Making Magic (Books of the Kindling #3) by Donna June Cooper

23341547Posted by Melanie
Release Date: January 20th, 2015
Finished Date: January 31st, 2015
Publishers: Samhain Publishing
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Romance
Source: For Review
Format: EBook
Pages: 305
Buy: Amazon UK Amazon US 

Sticks and stones may threaten bones, but her words can conquer both body and soul.

During his law enforcement career, Sheriff Jake Moser has been called to Woodruff Mountain a few times to deal with some rather weird situations. Now, recovering from a bullet wound that should have killed him and fending off his mother’s ravings about the evil that lurks on the mountain, he’s making alternate career plans.

Just as those plans begin to take shape, someone starts kidnapping newborn babies, then returning them unharmed. To make things even more interesting, an irritating adversary from his past has returned to bedevil him in a whole new, delightful way.

After her erratic psychic gift forced her to abandon her home and a promising musical career, Thea Woodruff has spent years trying, unsuccessfully, to atone for the death of Becca Moser, Jake’s sister. Once she has mourned those she’s lost and apologized to those she’s failed, she intends to flee her mountain once again. 

Jake would rather she stay to compose a new tune—with him. But their complicated harmony reveals a guilty secret that threatens not only their future, but their lives…

Warning: A temperamental flute-player returns to torment an old flame, but he has other ideas, and the music they make together is combustible—and magical.

The review: Making Magic is the third book in the Books of the Kindling series and really made me wish I was up on that mountain making sweet, magical music with Jake, Jake, hotcake ;)
So, we head back to Woodruff Mountain and rejoin Grace, Nick, Daniel, Mel and all of the gang as they prepare for Daniel & Mel’s wedding and that is what brings the final Woodruff sibling back into the fold….. Thea is a corporate lawyer who is working for her father – or was – because she quits in the first part of the book in an eerie fashion and we get to see just what impact Thea’s gift has. Thea heads of to finally join her brother and sister on the mountain while she contemplates her next move.
Jake Moser, town sheriff and recovering gunshot victim is happily making plans of his own and it looks like he is contemplating a career change too. Jake and Thea have history, they used to make music together with Jake’s brother and sister but that dream died along with Jake’s sister Becca and was the catalyst for Thea’s departure from not only the mountain but from music….. until out of the blue, she returns.
Thea’s arrival brings old feelings to Jake but brings out worse feelings in others who have certain ideas of what is going on at Woodruff and to top it all off….babies start to go missing and someone Thea would rather not see again shows up and things start to get a whole lot of complicated.
As always with this series, it is so easy to get into these books and the characters are beginning to feel like old friends. The author has a wonderful way of bringing to life the mountain and everything in it, making me really wish that I lived there. I wasn’t sure I was going to like Thea because what we knew of her, sort of indicated that she sided with her father on issues against her siblings but we quickly find out that is not the case. She was quite the schemer, willing to take risks with herself for the better of others but once you get to know more about her, she seems to have had the worst deal out of the Woodruff siblings. Her power is quite unique and just the same as the other books – makes you think a lot about what would happen to people with a ‘gift’ like that…. It has to be one that can do the most damage and its consequences are limitless, I have no doubt that in the wrong hands, a power like this would corrupt and be abused for the owners gain.
Although the connection and past she shares with Jake is tinged in sadness, I loved the easy camaraderie they had with each other – the teasing and love of music gave them a bond that was still there years later and they really suited each other, it definitely had a will they, won they, friends to lovers kind of vibe and it was sweet to read about their changing feelings and also hot to see what kind of tension was between them.
The storyline was a good one, not as in your face or violent as the previous two but great all the same. I liked that this time we are seeing the corporate angle of the environmental issues and how they try to find out about their competition plus I’m curious as to how a man whose children took in all of the lessons learned from their grandfather didn’t take heed himself, does he not have a gift? Did he ignore it? Or was greed too powerful for him to resist? Because the location is all about the town around Woodruff, we get to meet some townsfolk and see their way of life, for the most part they all seem to be down with taking care of the environment and some may even be ‘special’ but as always, you get a few who see things differently and that is where the threat comes to the story….. because not all people are who you think they are. I enjoyed the musical aspect to the story also and thought that it was a great way for Thea and Jake to reconnect, I also liked that Thea’s love interest turned out to be someone she knew and had strong ties to the community plus Jake has a little something, something going on himself. By the end of this I was feeling like a story arc had finished but a new one was beginning, I felt that we would be venturing farther afield now and that they all have a direction for finding those fireflies and coaxing the light out of them and that thought makes me very happy. I will always be back for more from this enlightening series.

Thank you to Donna June Cooper for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

Monday, 12 May 2014

A Review for Mostly Magic (Books of the Kindling #2) by Donna June Cooper

21845506Posted by Melanie
Release Date: June 3rd, 2014
Finished Date: May 4th, 2014
Publishers: Samhain Publishing
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: For Review
Format: eBook
Pages: 355
One terrifying premonition brings them together. Another will threaten their future.

Books of the Kindling, Book 2

Do dreams come true? Dr. Daniel Woodruff hopes they don’t, because his dreams predict a devastating future for him, for those he loves—and for the planet.

His latest premonition, which blows a huge crater in his eroding sanity, holds a singular horror—the loss of a wife and unborn child. Yet another reason he can let no one into his chaotic life, least of all a perky, persistent investigative reporter he finds simultaneously frustrating and fascinating.

Mel Noblett leaves no stone unturned in her one-woman crusade to save the environment. When a whistleblower in Italy proves too frightened to talk, Mel turns to a fall-back lead, an extremely eccentric, beekeeping professor who might just make the trip worthwhile.

Despite their instant attraction, Mel is relieved when Daniel keeps her at arm’s length. After all, she has a secret of her own—one that makes her preternaturally good at her job. And, when Daniel’s terrifying visions prove uncannily accurate and begin to revolve around Mel—it is a gift that could put her life in danger.

Warning: Reluctant seer of a bleak future meets petite force of nature who lights up the heart of his darkness. Where there’s smoke, there could be an unpredictable blaze of passion, but the rewards are oh, so sweet…

The review: Ah, it’s great to be back on Woodruff Mountain……
This time around we head to Italy first and to Mel Noblett, a journalist for all things environmental, a woman determined to shed light on any wrongdoings or environmental impact of pharmaceutical corporations… which is why she is in Italy, after been given a tip off that one of their own will turn over evidence that a certain company is not taking its responsibilities seriously and warning that the impact will be massive. When things don’t go according to plan, Mel heads off to hopefully get an interview from the elusive Daniel Woodruff - brother of Grace from book one and commonly known in his profession as ‘the Bee Whisperer’ – to see if he will hopefully shed some light on the plans to add antibiotics to honey, Mel is confident she can get him to talk….after all, she has a gift.
Daniel Woodruff is having dreams again, bad dreams that rob him of his sight and predict really bad things for the future both personally and environmentally. He knows he needs to head back to Woodruff, Grace is urging him to make peace with his gift and visit the ‘cave’ but to be honest – it’s a curse and he wishes he never had it! Especially now, it’s evolving, he’s having visions through touch that leave him debilitated but determined to stop events happening, if he can save only one person then it’s worth it right? But then he meets her, the one from his dreams, the one in danger, they have an instant connection and he wants her so badly ….. but he knows it can never be, he has to change the future, not just for her but for everyone and if he leads a lesser life because of it…so be it! Daniel thinks he can stop fate, but will his decisions affect the future for better or worse and will his feelings for Mel force him to take that chance and either live a life in love or loneliness?

As I said, it was great to be back in Woodruff but I enjoyed both locations and Florence sounds amazing!
I loved both Mel & Daniel and thought they shared a really good chemistry, it was clear to see that they would make a great couple. Mel had a vivacious character & demeanour and I liked her gift. Daniel came across as guarded which is understandable, but he was leading a half-life, letting his visions lead it, not allowing himself to actually have a life or take risks which is again understandable especially when he finds out the future and needs to stop things from happening and also trying to protect people by giving up his own chance of happiness. This is precisely why Mel and Daniel both do the dance of who will not allow the other to suffer – in different ways of course but with the same outcome and it’s only the interference of the mountain that will guide our two kindred spirits together.
The storyline was just as good as book one, it blends in so well with the overall feel of the series and the magical place that is Woodruff Mountain. One of the things I liked about book one so much is that it brings environmental issues to the attention of a romance reader and I really like this, book one was the effect of running a meth lab and its debris having an effect on the surrounding earth; who knew the impact it would actually have? This time around, it’s Daniels speciality – bees – and through this we are enlightened about how damage could be done through them dying out and also how corporate companies can interfere in a huge way with nature, whether it’s through GM crops or pushing meds into food sources – this is scary stuff and it really makes you wonder just what is going on and what these corporations can actually get away with. We automatically assume that the government will protect us and we won’t have to do anything to prevent these situations but I’m not so sure, I think we all need to heed the lessons on these books. As for the impact on the storyline – well imagine you gain some sensitive knowledge that could do a lot of damage to the reputation and livelihoods of people in powerful positions if leaked, then imagine what they would do to keep that knowledge from the public eye…. Yeah, our lead characters are about to find out but hopefully Daniel will come to terms with his gifts beforehand, before the horrible events that he has predicted unfold and possibly ruin us all. There isn’t as much focus on the mountain magic in this but its effect is felt throughout and there are some really good discoveries about how the mountain and Grandmother Lily expects peopIe to use their gifts. There are also a few startling discoveries that could affect everyone because as we all know – good is also balanced with evil – and just as people with gifts are willing to do good, there are also some willing to use them for their own purposes, which opens up lots of possibilities for future books and adversaries. For all I love Woodruff Mountain, I did appreciated the change of scenery too but when we returned, it was great to see what Grace & Nick have done following the events of book one by helping the land heal and making things right with the buildings. I also love the progression for Jamies’ character and seeing her blossom slightly, I’m expecting big things for that girl and hope one day, she will not only get gifts but also her own HEA. I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel though! 

Friday, 7 February 2014

A Review for More Than Magic (Books of the Kindling #1) by Donna June Cooper

20388225
Posted by Melanie
Release Date: February 4th, 2014
Finished Date: January 22nd, 2014
Publishers: Samhain Publishing
Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance
Source: For Review
Format: Kindle
Pages: 386
"A malignant secret could turn her mountain sanctuary into their tomb."

DEA agent Nick McKenzie is sure magic exists - a dangerous drug called Smoky Mountain Magic that's wreaking havoc on the streets of Atlanta. He's also sure that locating and eliminating the source could mean his death.

When he arrives undercover on Woodruff Mountain, the beautiful owner's anxious attempts to scare him off tell him something's afoot, and it s not her secret patch of a rare, ancient species of ginseng.

As her dream of seeking medicinal plants in the Amazon fades into the distance, Grace Woodruff struggles to come to terms with an inherited magical gift she didn't want, and searches desperately for the meaning behind her late grandfather's final, cryptic message.

The last thing she needs underfoot is a handsome, enigmatic writer recovering from a recent illness. Until an accidental touch unleashes a stunning mystical force and Grace senses the wrath of a malicious blight at the heart of the mountain. Now she must choose between her need to hide her gift from the world and her desire to save Nick s life.

Warning: This book contains a fiery redhead whose magic cannot be contained and a handsome DEA agent whose final case might give him a second chance at life.

The Review: More Than Magic was a great introduction to the ‘Books of the Kindling’ series by debut author Donna June Cooper.
We head to Woodruff Mountain as the setting and are introduced to Nick McKenzie/Crowe an undercover DEA agent who never fails to solve a case and this time he is on the trail of a drug that’s sweeping through the streets of Atlanta known as ‘smoky mountain magic’. He knows he will find answers at Woodruff, he has a feeling in his bones, but he also feels it will be the death of him. So, posing as a writer he sets off to find those answers. However, sparks fly and a connection is made when he gets there and meets the owner, red headed Botanist & doctor - Grace Woodruff – but she is the suspect in his case and he must remain impartial. Grace is on a hiatus following a couple of life changing events and has not only put her dreams on hold but has also had to halt the production of Woodruff produce because something is not right on this mountain, not only are the tests on their produce coming back tainted but she has been having dreams, warning her of the poison spreading through the mountain and one of the last things her Grandfather said to her was that very warning, but she just can’t figure out what’s wrong. As suspicion on Grace lifts, they will both come together to solve the mystery of what’s killing the land & just who is behind the production of Smoky Mountain Magic but they’re both keeping secrets from each other that will take a leap of faith to believe.
I was very impressed with this book and it really got my curiosity going. Grace was a good character and I liked everything about her, I liked who she was and what she did, I liked her outlook on life and I especially liked her gift. Same with Nick, I appreciated what he was about, a good moral person whose fight against the drug world wasn’t only about his job. He was an admirable person, driven to make things right and I liked that he had a little something, something going on too. I really liked the romance between them, they both seemed to be in an unhappy place that soon changed & I thought that they brought the best out in each other & complimented each-others character giving you a couple that you could really route for to achieve a happy ever after. I also loved Jamie’s character, I love when young kids are shown to be the best they can be, have ambition and are encouraged appropriately, Grace was an excellent mentor/babysitter for Jamie and I loved her nurturing approach and teaching attitude that spurred Jamie on even more.
Now, I absolutely loved the setting, everything about it. I love how they lived, the environmental issues, the botany, the medicinal research, all of it was so interesting and I was really impressed with the authors descriptions & details about the botany & processes involved in testing the mountains produce, it sounds like she knew a lot about it or has done a great amount of research making it more realistic. I like how the threat was a real world issue and is shown to not only affect people but also showed how it affected the environment too & I thought it was great, the way the magic was telling her that the mountain was being poisoned. I loved everything about the mountain & it’s power, very magical in a mother nature way, in fact it’s like Grace was the mother nature for Woodruff mountain and it had rewarded her with magical gifts in which to protect it and people who she thought deserving. I also loved Graces ancestry, how it all ties to the mountain and goes even beyond Native Americans, it’s always fascinated me how the land & people can be so in tune and to be able to live in harmony, which lets face, we are not doing so maybe it’s time we tried & I really want to know more about Nicks connection to the mountain, what is hiding in his ancestry too? There is a lot about the mountain still not known, it has a mind of its own and seems to use the people in tune with it as its vessels.
I would say that the first 50% of the book was about building the relationships, getting to know the mountain & sneaky peaks at the magic & threat involved but that soon changes into a more dangerous feel as the secrets of the people & the mountain begin to unravel leading to a rather action packed showdown. I don’t think it was hard to gather who the culprits were but it wasn’t all cut and dried as we a thrown a few surprises and I know most of it had my heart pounding right up until the very end. So, this book has mystery, intrigue, action, magic, a nice dose of romance & definitely left me with food for thought, a happy feeling in my heart and an urge to go and find this mountain and remain there for the rest of my days.
 
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