A Review for A Witteck's Dream (The Witteck Chronicles #1) by Mirelle Chester

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: July 13th, 2013
Finished Date: October 13th, 2013

Publishers: Self Published
Genre: YA Paranormal, Romance
Source: For Review

Format: eBook
Pages: Unknown

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

It's been five years since the Chosen One's war and Hayden's pack has been able to enjoy life once again. Of course, things can never stay calm and they soon find themselves caught up in another epic fight and this time it looks like Ternach might hold the key to winning.

Mortal since losing his powers in the battle of Paradin, Ternach decides to take a trip to Sageden in hopes that Hayden can help him get his magic back. Along the way, he meets Sarah; a woman with a secret and an agenda.

It doesn't take long before sparks are flying and Ternach starts to think that maybe being human has it's perks after all.

When he discovers Sarah's secret he needs to make a decision: Does he stay human so he can stay with Sarah, or does he attempt to become immortal again knowing he has what is needed to win

The Review: Awww it’s so good to be back in Quelondain!
Following the epic battle between Hayden & Braw, peace had settled on the land of Quelondain, it’s a tentative peace and holds a fine line as shifters & humans lack trust in each other and judge based on species & alliances – presumed or not – and none know this better than Ternach - former magical immortal and major player in the battle five years ago- as he sets out on his journey to finally face Hayden in the hopes she can restore his magic. On his journey he comes across many hostiles who readily believe the worst in him and beat him for his new found humanity, eventually he is taken by a pack and meets Sarah. As their time together progresses, a mutual attraction is felt and fondness turns to something special but Sarah has been holding out on Ternach and when he finds out, he is forced to make a difficult decision leading him straight into Hayden’s domain again as a new prophecy emerges and Ternach looks to be having a hand in this too. Running alongside Ternach & Sarah’s story is Red & Greg’s as they take tentative steps into a new life away from Paradin, after Red loses her mate in the battle & turns her back on her former life she is captured by a pack of humans of which Greg is a part and after a shaky start between them, their relationship slowly turns sweeter and it seems they have a hand to play in the events that are slowly unfolding elsewhere…. One thing is for sure, all need Hayden’s guidance and who better to help than the former chosen one.
I really enjoyed this book, as I said it was so good to be back in Quelondain, I’m familiar with the world and its characters so slipping back into this world was so easy. I liked that the main character was Ternach, he was and interesting character in the previous books and I like that we’re finding out what happened to him in the aftermath… which doesn’t seem to be good considering he has lost his magic & immortality. It has definitely affected him and he finds it difficult to adjust even after five years, always longing for his power back but even so, he still doesn’t jump at Hayden’s offer to hopefully restore his power… for Hayden always seems to bring him pain ;) it was nice when he met Sarah and they made a connection, warming to each other, she brought out a bit more life in him and made him feel like being human wasn’t so bad. Sarah was a good match for him and I liked how they got together, I think it’s more of a cosmic connection and we are witnessing the beginnings of a powerful couple. Sarah’s secret is quite interesting, I want to know more, again I feel that this will unfold more as the series goes on so I don’t feel we’re seeing her in her full potential yet. I really liked Red & Greg too, I felt more emotionally connected to those two because they seem to have been given a harder life, both being human, they are practically hunted and beaten at every opportunity when all they want is their own little piece of ‘perfect’. Red is a mysterious character, turning her back on her former self following the battle, we do find out a little about her but again, there is more to this lady than we get in this and I look forward to more from her. The relationship was just lovely between her & Greg and I really routed for them to be happy.
The storyline is only in its early stages so we only get fed snippets of what’s at play but what’s important is that there is a prophecy! And I’m all over that, I love prophecies and by the sounds of this one, I know I’m going to love it! Let’s just say, it involves magic orbs & mated couples… even just that makes me happy! This focuses on introducing a few of the players, building the relationships that will come into play, understanding the magic that surrounds the prophecy, its origins & how the chosen will come into play. I have a feeling that the other continents are going to be ventured into for this series, there are mentions of the possibility of some of the orbs being displaced to them and I’m glad of this because it will open up this world even more and I have been curious about them since ‘The Chosen One trilogy’. We are definitely getting a new bad guy which we have yet to meet but already appears to be sinister through the descriptive prophecy so I’m curious to see what his game is. I think this book was an excellent introduction to The Witteck Chronicles, obviously it opens up a lot more questions than answers but I know Mireille will follow through with what promises to be another epic adventure in the land of Quelondain. 

Excerpt for A Witteck's Dreams:

The question he’d been dreading was next.  “Are you shifters?”  He remembered how just a couple of years prior the question would have been ‘are you Namael or Maj’.  By the tone of the man’s voice, he wasn’t going to like the answer Ternach was about to give him.

“My friends are; I’m not.”  There was no use lying to them; all they had to do was get a look behind his ear to see he didn’t have either mark and he knew the beating he’d receive while they looked for it wasn’t going to be pleasant.  He frowned.  He’d gone from the most powerful being in Quelondain to this, a pitiful human dreading the next beating he was about to get.  Here, he’d sacrificed almost everything to save their kind and now he had to endure this.  He looked up from the fish and his white green eyes met the other’s light blue ones.

“What’s your name?”

Maybe he should just make up a name.  Maybe they’d leave him alone if they didn’t think he was trying to be the Evertimeless.  He decided against it.  Damn it, he wasn’t going to lie about who he was.

“Ternach.”

The light blue eyes widened and a few snickers could be heard from the men behind him.  Ternach took a deep breath.  Here came the beating.

“Prove it.”

Ternach’s temper flared.  This was ridiculous.  “By the moons, maybe it’s about time somebody sent out a note to let everyone know what happened in Paradin that day!  I can’t prove it!  I lost all of my magic when that blasted staff touched me!  Were you even there?  Maybe if you had been you’d have seen it happen!”  His tirade was ended by the fist that connected with his stomach.  He doubled over, his lungs screaming for air.  A knee came up and caught him in the face.  His head snapped back and he fell to the ground.  He could feel the blood running from his nose and he tried to scramble backwards to get away.  He looked back to make sure he wasn’t heading into the fire, his one eye already swelling shut.

“Stop!”

He frowned.  Who was that?

“Stop it!  He’s not lying!”

Ternach watched as a small woman with long auburn hair put herself between him and her pack.  She glanced back and her dark hazel eyes looked him over quickly as if to make sure she was right.  He couldn’t recall having seen her before today.  He stayed on the ground.  There was no point in getting up if they were going to ignore her and keep on with the beating.

“You’ve met him before?”  The blue eyed man frowned at her.

She shook her head and Ternach’s heart dropped.  The man made to step forward and she pushed him back before standing more defensively in front of him.

“I haven’t met him, met him, but I’ve seen him.  I was there in the courtyard when it happened.”

Ternach was so relieved he thought he’d cry.  He sat up, a bit more hopeful than a few minutes prior.

“When Hayden touched that staff, I was sure we were all going to die.  Ternach helped her kill the power.  I don’t know how he did it, but he did.  If he says that it killed his magic, then I believe him.”

“How do you know he’s not just some human who knows this story and is using it to his advantage?”

The woman looked back to him again and he could have sworn she was blushing.

“Because…well, because when a man looks like that, a woman doesn’t easily forget.”  There was a shocked, amused silence as everyone thought about this.

“Ternach!”

“By the moons, what do you think you’re doing?”  Peter and Cassandra came running to his side.  Peter stood by the auburn haired woman while Cassandra knelt beside him.  She looked him over and glared at the pack.

“They didn’t believe I was me.”  He tried to smile but the split in his lip widened and he stopped.  He shook his head and wiped a hand under his nose to wipe the blood that had soaked into the stubble there.

“Lay back and I’ll fix you up.”  Cassandra waited until he was situated and ran a green wave over his face.  He sucked in a breath as everything healed.

“What do you mean you had to make sure he was who he said he was?”  Peter sounded outraged.  “When’s the last time you saw a human, or even a shifter for that matter, with eyes that color?”

The dark haired man stood his ground, his face turning red.  “White Ones have eyes that color!  I’ve seen Queen Melana.  Hers are just like that but blue.”

Cassandra grunted from where she still knelt by his side.  “Well, obviously he’s not Queen Melana, and if you thought he was a White One, then you mean to tell us you were beating who you believed was to be the next king of the Namaels?”

“I didn’t say that’s what I thought he was.”

Ternach got up.  “Leave it be, Cassandra.  No harm done.”  He started off toward the creek to clean the blood off.  What he really wanted was to have a sliver of his power for just an instant so he could fry the idiot where he stood, or to have a fair one on one fight without the chance of the whole pack jumping in, but since that wasn’t going to happen, there was no use in getting everyone more riled then they already were.

He pulled his tunic over his head then knelt by the creek so he could wash his face.  When he was clean he submerged his shirt and tried to get all of the blood out of it.  Thankfully, the one he’d been wearing was a dark brown so any stains wouldn’t be too noticeable.  He wrung it out and set it to dry on a branch.

Maybe you should go back, he thought to himself.  Back?  Back where?  To the camp?  The Northern Regions?  Well, he planned on going back to the camp eventually; right after his adrenaline quit pumping and he knew he was going to be able to keep his mouth shut.  As for the Northern Regions… that too, was an eventuality.

He sat with his knees up, his arms wrapped loosely around them, and watched as the water ran by.

“Ternach?”  It was the auburn haired woman.  “Can I… I mean, do you mind if I sit down?”

He looked up and squinted in the sunlight.  “Not at all.”

“I’m Sarah, by the way.  I wanted to apologize.”

He frowned.  “For saving my life?”  He was fairly sure the dark haired captain would have taken things past the regular beating.

She blushed.  “For the others.  They get a little carried away when it comes to humans.  Robert’s mate was separated by Braw’s staff about five years ago.  I don’t think he ever forgave himself for not being home when they took her.”

He grunted.  “I’d love to say I can relate, but I can’t, never having had a mate myself.”  They were both quiet for a moment and he glanced at her.  The setting sun was making her hair look red.  “Doesn’t he realize that not all humans hate shifters?  There were quite a few humans in Hayden’s pack when we attacked Paradin.”

She shook her head.  “I’ve tried telling him, but he doesn’t want to hear it.”

Ternach grunted again.  She looked over to him.  He was just a breathtaking as she remembered him.  His hair was as black as the darkest night and his eyes were such a huge contrast with their white green coloring.  The high cheekbones, the tanned skin; she couldn’t stop her gaze as it ran over his wide shoulders and down his side to his narrow hips.  She fought the urge to poke him to see if the muscles in his arm were as hard as they looked.  She remembered one of the human girls talking about him after they’d attacked the keep of Paradin.  ‘Built like a Greek god’ was what she’d used to describe him.  Sarah had never seen a Greek god, but was sure she’d be able to tell if she ever came across one.

“Dog or cat?”  Ternach smiled in her direction.  He still didn’t understand women’s fascination with his looks.  As far as he could tell he didn’t look any different than the rest of the men; never had.  Now had he gotten stuck living as a rock man he might have understood the stares.

AUTHOR BIO:

Mireille Chester is a stay at home mom of three children and wife to an amazingly supportive husband. Her time is spent playing with the kids, reading, writing, and watching movies with her hubby.

Since starting her novelling debut, she has had the pleasure of getting lost in several worlds. Quelondain and Dorathan are where she likes to spend her time and she hopes others will enjoy going there as well.

Mireille's series come for those in all age groups.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4820829.Mireille_Chester

Website: http://mireillechester.blogspot.co.uk/

Blog Tour Stop for Chael's Luck - Character Interview + Excerpt + Giveaway

Today we have a VERY special post for you and as apart of Chael's Luck blog tour we have an awesome character interview. So read below!!

1.     So, how do you all know each other? When did you meet, etc.

Harry: Well, there we were, Hal and I, watching as the rest of the five year olds coming into the training arena, when this little runt of a boy gets off of his pony…

Chael: Hey, now.  I wasn’t that much smaller than the rest of you back then!

Hal: Ah, but you were.

Mac: No, really, Chael, you were.

Harry: Will you guys quit it.  I’m trying to answer the question.  <rolls eyes>  But honestly, Chael, you were. <grins>  Anyhow, he gets off of his pony and tells us his name is Chael.  Of course, we start to laugh, I mean, who names their son after the god of bad luck?

Mac: You forgot to tell her we were all five and that we were all there because our fathers were Knights.

Hal:  I think that was implied.

Chael:  No, I think Mac’s right.  You should specify that.  It might get confusing.

Harry:  Well, I don’t need to specify anything now that the three of you have been interrupting with your little bits of information.

<Everyone waits for the other to continue>

Ian: So you all met at the first day of the Knights’ training and the reason you were there was because your fathers were Knights.

Harry:  You make it sound so boring.  <sighs>  Yes.  That’s how it went.

2.     How did you feel when your Knight's trials were ruined?

Chael: Angry.

Harry: A bit confused, honestly.

Hal: In pain.

Mac: At least just your arm was broken.  I had cracked ribs to show for it.

Chael:  Bloody hell, I couldn’t wrap my head around any good reason why Caleb would stoop so low. 

Mac:  I mean, it was almost expected that he try to sabotage Chael’s chances of winning, but when he tried to take the rest of us out…

Ian:  You knew he would try to hurt Chael?

Chael:  No, no.  Nothing like that.  Mac would have warned me.  But Caleb’s been a thorn in my side since the day I got off my pony that first day.  He’s always hated me.  I just didn’t realize how much.

3.     What did you think of Chael's involvement and how it was dealt with?

Mac:  As usual, Chael put everyone else ahead of him.

Chael:  I didn’t do anything the rest of you wouldn’t have done.

Harry:  You still had a chance to win and you decided to help me get Mac back to the city.  And we all knew how much you wanted to win, Chael.

Hal:  Not to mention that you took a hit for Harry that almost broke your arm right before you were set to fight in the tournament.

Chael:  Caleb was about to hit Harry in the head even though he’d surrendered.  Harry didn’t see it coming.  I did.

Ian:  So what was done about everything that occurred?

Harry:  Chael was given the fight he asked for.  He fought Caleb for the honor of top Shadow Knight.  Caleb decided the sparring weapons weren’t doing a good enough job and switched to his dagger.  When he managed to get Chael on his back, he tried to choke the life out of him.

Ian:  Bloody hell!

Chael:  <grins> That’s what I thought!

Hal: General Krane ordered Caleb to leave the arena and the King banished him from the Knighthood.

4.    What did you think when you heard the news of Chael's father's demise?  Did you believe the rumours?

Hal: Definitely not.

Harry: Never.

Mac: It was obvious he was being set up, we just couldn’t think of who it might be.

Chael: <smiles gratefully>

5.     What did you think when Chael returned and you found out what was really going on?

Mac:  It was a lot to take in.  I mean, not only did he let us know what was really going on with the murders and why the book had been stolen, but he finally let us know what he’d been hiding all these years.

Harry:  That pretty much sums it up.

6.    How did you feel about the big secret?

Hal:  It was definitely shocking and yet in a way, it just made sense, yeah?

Harry: <nods> Yeah.

Mac: <laughing>  By gods, Hal, the look on your face when you realized what he’d done!

Chael:  Yes, I do believe Hal’s was the best reaction.

Hal: <grins> Yes, well, let’s just say I’ll never look at you quite the same way again.

7.    Did it change your views and loyalty?  Did you understand the need for the secrecy?

Harry:  I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we didn’t blame Chael for keeping this secret.  Had he revealed it, he never would have been able allowed to train for the Knighthood, much less become the top Shadow Knight in the class.  The fact that he had already proven himself as a man and a Knight definitely made accepting what he’d kept from us easier to handle.

<everyone nods in agreement>

8.    So, you all decided to follow Chael regardless.  Why?

Mac:  Like Harry said, we knew from years of training with him that he was a Knight of great honor.  Just the fact that he had come back to Gleama to warn us of what he’d found out even though he knew the city was looking for him in regards to his father’s murder was enough of an indication he could be trusted.

Hal:  He thought he would be judged, arrested, and maybe even killed for his lie and the crime he was being accused of, yet he still came to warn us.  There was no question whether or not to follow him.

9.    What were your first impressions of Ian? Did you trust him when you found out who he was and what his circumstances are?

Harry:  He seemed trustworthy enough and the fact that Chael vouched for him was good enough for me.

Hal:  I’ll admit I had a few moments of doubt.  I mean, he’d walked away from the Knighthood and disappeared.  It didn’t seem like a far stretch to think he might be in league with those who were seeking to destroy us.

Mac:  He saved Chael and helped him on his quest to get the book back from the one who had stolen it.  I trusted him.

Chael:  Though I had a hard time trusting him at first, I’m sure that had more to do with the fact that I didn’t know him and I was just finding out that most of the people I did trust were all turning against me.  But Ian’s proven himself to me, to everyone, time and again.  Quite frankly, he was a big part of why I finally revealed the truth.  When the time came when others questioned whether or not he could be trusted there was no doubt in my mind that he could be.  After all that’s happened, no one will be fool enough to question where his loyalties lie again.

Ian:  <nods his thanks>

10.  It seems like there is a lot of drama at court and amongst the Knights.  Did it surprise you when the truth was finally revealed?

Mac:  I think that with everything we found out, by the time we heard the why and the who that was behind all of this, it really just didn’t matter anymore.  We needed to end it before things got carried too far.

Ian:  I have to say, I was shocked.  After everything I’d been taught and how my walking away from the Knighthood had been received, to have this happen was mind blowing.

11.  What are your most memorable parts of the quest, good or bad?

Harry:  The best part of this adventure would have to be how it ended.  <grins>  You can’t beat a happy ending… well, happy for most, I suppose.

Hal:  The worst moment was by far the one where we found out what was going on.  That one moment seemed to shatter the Knighthood.

Mac:  I’ll have to go with Harry and Hal on this one, though a close second to the best moment would have to be the look on General Krane’s face when he heard Chael’s secret. <laughs>

Ian:  I’d have to say that going back to Gleama was both of those things for me.

Chael:  Finally being able to be honest with those I care for, though I have to admit it was nerve wracking to say the least.  As for the worst, well, my father’s death.

12.  If your story were to be told, how would you describe it?

Hal:  I’d say mine would have to be a bit of a comedy.  It can’t really be anything else when you’ve Harry for a twin.

Harry:  I’ll agree with Hal.  Though, you have to admit, brother, we did have quite an adventure.

<Hal nods, grinning>

Mac:  It’s definitely been exciting.  I won’t complain if the rest of my life stays completely normal.

Ian:  I think I’ll have to say that my story is sad, but turns into a very happy ending.  When the impending end of the world as you know it allows you to find the woman you love, well, it’s hard to complain.

Chael:  <smiles>  Well, I suppose my story has already been told, hasn’t it?  I’d say full of bad luck, life-changing, and, well, completely unexpected.

Excerpt

The sound of Klora’s nervous whinny put me on alert and I took a deep breath to try and pull myself together.  I pulled an arrow from my quiver and notched it before plastering myself to the door frame.  Whisk’s deep growl turned vicious.

“Hey, now, good pup.”

I peered curiously at the man that had saved my life.  One of his eyes was swelled shut and he’d managed to get cut along the top of his thigh, though not too deeply it would seem due to the lack of blood soaking into his dark brown pants.  His dark green tunic also had spots of blood on it.  I didn’t think any of it was his.  He brushed the dark blond bangs out of his eyes and reached into his pocket.

Whisk continued to bare his teeth, seemingly unaware of the fact the stranger could have been pulling a weapon.  I let my arrow fly and smiled as it dug into the tree just inches from his face.

“I’m quite fond of that dog.  I wouldn’t do anything stupid.”

He looked up and light grey eyes met mine.  He smiled and proceeded to pull a piece of jerky out of his pocket.  Whisk quickly put his teeth away and sat, his tail thumping the ground.  I rolled my eyes.

“Whisk, you’re a traitor.” 

“My name’s Ian.”  He patted Whisk on the head.  I turned and walked away, ignoring his shout of ‘wait, son, I want to help’.  I sat by my father’s body.  I registered the man’s light footsteps coming into the kitchen and I tensed, my hand on my dagger should I need it.  I looked across my father as he sat.

“My name’s Ian.”

“Chael.”  I tried to keep the tears from spilling from my eyes.

“Was this your commanding officer?”

I nodded then shook my head.  “Yes.  He’s my father.”  I could tell he was observing me.  “What?”

“I was just thinking you look a bit young to be a Shadow Knight.”

“I’m eighteen.  I’m just small.”

We sat in silence for a moment.

“Do you want help to get him onto a blanket?”

I nodded, unable to get any words past the lump in my throat.  Ian moved to his head and I took my father’s feet in my hands.  We laid him under one of the large apple trees.

After rummaging through the shed, Ian was able to find two shovels.

“Do you have any particular spot in mind?”

I nodded.  “The cherry tree.  My mother’s buried under one.”  I tried to take solace in the fact that my parents could finally be together again after such a long time apart.  I stabbed my shovel into the ground.

By the time the hole had been dug, I was aware my side was throbbing horribly.  I took a deep breath and tried to ignore the pain.  Ian sat to catch his breath.

“Are you alright?”

I bent over to ease myself to the ground and cried out as the throbbing turned into a sharp pain.  Ian rushed to my side helped me onto my back.  A nervous shiver ran through me at the shocked look on his face.

“What?”

His eyes wide, he lifted the hand he’d had under my back so I could see it.  It was covered in blood.  The memory of the pain as the masked man had tackled me, stabbing through my thick leather vest flashed through my head.  I realized Ian was pulling at the laces that held my vest together.  I slapped his hands away.

“Leave it.  I’m fine.”

“You’re bleeding.  Now take the damn thing off so I can have a look at it.”

I shook my head.  “Help me get my father in his grave first.”  I sat up and quickly lay back down as spots swarmed my vision.

“Chael!”  Ian swore under his breath, something to do with Chael’s luck, and I tried to protest as my vest was pulled over my head.  This was quickly followed by my tunic.

Ian paused for a fraction of a second before turning me onto my side to inspect the wound.  He pressed his hands over the wound and the last thoughts I had before I passed out from the pain was that this man must have amazing self-control not say anything about what he’d just seen.

A huge thank you to all the characters that joined us today and if you enjoyed this post, don't forget to add Chael's Luck to your Goodreads TBR list.

GIVEAWAY! 

The author is also offering an e-Book copy of this book. If you would like to be entered into the draw then, please comment on this post, leaving your name and email address. You can also be entered in a final draw to win one of five swag packs. So if you would like to be entered into that too but PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE  COMMENT for the swag pack. (International) Ends April 17th.

The next stop on the tour is My Book Chatter Blogspot. 

A Review for Chael's Luck (A Knights of Dorathan Novel) by Mireille Chester

Posted by Guest Reviewer Melanie
Expected Published Date: April 1st, 2012
Finished Date: February 6th, 2012
Source: ARC, For Review
Format: Kindle
Pages: Unknown
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The Blurb from Goodreads: When you’re named for the god of bad luck, you’re at least a head shorter than everyone else around you, and your horse is the only black one in a world where every horse is a grey, people are bound to talk. Chael has spent the past eighteen years of his life proving to those around him that he’s worthy of his family name; that he’s meant to be a Shadow Knight. Just when things are finally going his way, Chael’s luck strikes again. Now, Chael is in a race against time to find the one who has taken everything from him and who plans on destroying the one thing he’s worked so hard for, the knighthood. As if this weren’t enough, he’ll have to reveal the one thing he’s managed to keep secret for the past eighteen years. With help from some unexpected sources, Chael sets off on a journey that will test his will, his character, and his heart

The Review: This review is going to be sooo hard because there is a secret. . . .

Chael’s luck is the story of Chael McKinney, we read of his birth, we read of his first day at Knight’s training school at 5 years old and we read of his trials to become a Shadow Knight at 18 - when everything falls apart and the very existence of the Shadow Knights is threatened. Chael has always lived life abiding by a Knights code of honour, truth and putting others first. Chael is loyal to everyone and strives to always do what is right, the qualities that make a true Shadow Knight.

It was expected that Chael would follow in the footsteps of all the McKinney men because as long as there has been Shadow Knights, there has been a McKinney Knight and Chael would be no exception. So what if he was named after the ‘god of bad luck’ and was a little shorter and scrawnier than the other guys, that wouldn’t stop Chael – no, that made for more determination and harder work because Chael had a lot to prove and a secret to protect.

Chael is a very positive, admirable character who knows the world will be against him and takes every chance to prove his worth, that’s what the first 18 years of life have been all about. When everything is ripped away from him and his secret is revealed it doesn’t make for less of a person, just one with something extra to prove and a sense of duty. When everything seems to be going downhill will the person that Chael once was have done enough to ensure his past is considered when judged in the future?

For the first 1/3 of the book I thought I was getting a cool coming of age story from Chael and his friends as they take their tests to become Shadow Knights but oh, how wrong was I. During this time there was a secret mentioned, something that would jeopardise Chael’s future as a Shadow Knight and my curiosity sky-rocketed- who doesn’t like a good secret? And when it’s revealed . . . well, I’m still sitting shaking my head with a smile on my face as I write this because believe me, it’s a game changer. The thing is, the secret then changes the rest of the book and influences half of the remaining plot line so it really limits what I can say. Aside from that we are taken on an adventure as all of the Knights are threatened and it’s up to Chael to sort it out. I think anyone who reads this will be in no doubt as to whom the bad guy is but there are twists along the way to keep you on your toes. To be honest, this book would have still been enjoyable had it been the coming of age book I thought it was but when you add the secret, the twists and a few strange dreams, it makes it something special and I loved reading it. So, another awesome fantasy adventure book from Mireille Chester, she does these so well – they are well written and effortless to read and if you haven’t checked out her ‘The Chosen One trilogy’ what are you waiting for? Do it now! The worlds she creates are wonderful and even though we aren’t in Quelondain in this book, it is no less good. I enjoy the characters she creates, not as many different ones in this at the minute – just humans and elves – but who knows what she’s hiding for any sequels. Her heroes/heroines have all been fine people, admirable, selfless, willing to give up everything for the greater good, even their own lives, they are just great characters that a reader can look up to and Chael is no exception. I really want to tell you so much more about this and I feel as if I’m not ‘selling’ it as much as it deserves but just know that apart from everything I have mentioned, this book will also appeal to romance fans too as Chael finds love from someone unexpected. So, give this a go and let it surprise you the way it surprised me. 4.5 out of 5!

Destiny Blog Tour & eBook Giveaway (The Chosen One Trilogy) by Mireille Chester

Posted by Guest Reviewer Melanie

Published Date: December 1st, 2011

Finished Date: November 20th, 2011

Source: From Author to Review

Format: Kindle

Pages: Unknown

The Blurb from Goodreads: Rainen looked up in time to see my horse come crashing into the ground just a few feet away from her. Her eyes widened as she gazed into the sky. “Hayden! Shield!”

I threw my shield out to cover everyone who was closest to me. I felt my energy touch Rainen’s and I glanced at her before looking up to see what had made the screeching sound in the sky. My first thought was about dropping my shield and to welcome the dragon flying over us. My second thought was that this was no dragon. The creature in question had to be to same size as Faren, the fire dragon I was bonded to, who was about thirty feet long. Well, the same length as Faren. Whatever this was it was lacking the bulk of a dragon. It looked more like a snake with wings and ten sets of legs. It was covered from head to tail in oily looking brown feathers. I felt the push of magic come from up above and I pushed against it with my own. The energy receded as the creature flew past us. I started to pull back my shield and felt Rainen doing the same. The screeching sound came again. Rainen swore under her breath.

As the final battle draws near, Hayden must deal with personal loss, unexpected good news, and the usual attempts on her life. Was the prophecy right and can she do everything that is expected of her? Can she go through with her plan when just one mistake could wipe out everyone she loves?

The Review: After the events of book 2 Hayden and Jasper head to where they need to be as instructed by Damien to fight for their lives against Rainen but what they find isn’t the fight they thought they would be fighting, it is a fight and rescue and it leads to an uneasy truce with Rainen setting into motion an alliance of all shifters. They then must travel to Howel so that Hayden can try to help Damien and come to an understanding on how the Maj will help in the war against Braw and the humans. Some unexpected good news turns sour as Hayden and Rainen are forced to unite when they are attacked by dark forces; little do they know what they will be up against in their attempt to help Damien.

As preparations are made and plans drawn up things seem to be going ahead fine, that is if Hayden can stop being kidnapped. The pack faces some personal losses; discover atrocious acts and start having premonitions of devastating things to come that will affect them all. As they journey to the final battle Hayden finds help from an unexpected source who helps them in ways they never expected but when it comes down to it , Can she do it? Is she really the chosen one?

I knew I was going to love this, I really liked books 1 & 2 so it was obvious this was going to be the best, I had a feeling it was going to be epic . . . and it was! A lot of action going on in this book especially at the beginning and end as the plot gets going and the pieces slot nicely into place, just when you think things are going smoothly something pops up and makes you think ‘how much more can they go through ?’ 

The middle part of the book was where we really got into the characters again as they go through lots of ordeals that made you feel all the more for them and I was sad that I knew it was coming to an end. The things they went through here were quite sad and the losses where devastating, I had tears a couple of times, I feel like I’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster with them so of course I wanted my Happy Ever After.  For all it all boils down to one final battle that wasn’t the focus for me, It was the journey. . . the trials and tribulations they all went through so that they themselves could get to the point where they knew there was no other way and they weren’t only fighting for themselves and what had been done to them but for everyone, their way of life and what they really believe in.

Hayden is one inspirational lady who has dealt with everything thrown at her no matter how damaging it was to her, always thinking of the greater good and other people, truly selfless and a true heroine. She went from a loner type young woman to an inspiring leader with an amazing sense of justice and what was right and Jasper, what wouldn’t I give for a husband like him, loyal, protective, loving . . .  you pick a good trait and he has it! A stoic warrior and pack leader who followed his queen’s orders without question, transformed by love and the knowledge that things weren’t right within his world made him an excellent mate for Hayden. They deserve each other and I’m sad this is the end. I have loved these books, loving the imagination of the author that has took me on this fantasy journey, the world she has created and the Characters and species. I have loved the romance, the family dynamics, the morality of it and I would love to see this trilogy made into a movie, it’s that good! I would recommend them to anyone; these books are hidden gems that I’m so glad I discovered.

PS. Although Hayden and Jasper’s story has come to an end it is not the end for Quelondain and some of the characters I have come to know and love, there are chapters in the back for a new adult book AND a young adult book that will definitely be going on my ‘to be read’ list.

A huge thank you to Mireille Chester for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

Author Bio:
Mireille  Chester was born in Ottawa, Ontario in 1979 and moved to Saskatchewan when she was eight. Writing is one of her many passions which also include reading, drawing, painting, animals, and the outdoors. She is a stay at home mom and wife.
Mireille's first series, The Chosen One Trilogy, is made up of three novels, Crossover, Journey, and Destiny. These stories follow the adventures of Hayden Carlson when she suddenly discovers a world filled with magic and finds herself caught up in a war that could wipe out almost every being that lives there. She is also working on a Young Adult series titled Tales of Quelondain and a follow up series to The Chosen One Trilogy titled The Witteck Chronicles.
Mireille now lives in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan with her husband and their three children as well as multiple animals. She hopes to keep readers entertained with the world of Quelondain and all of its amazing beings.

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E-book Giveaway! 
One lucky winner will win a complete set of The Chosen One Trilogy! 
Want to enter? Fill out the Rafflecopter form below. 
Extra entries are optional but of course, it gives you more chances to win. 
The giveaway is international and will end on 14th December 2011. 
Good Luck!!!

A Review for Crossover & Journey (The Chosen One Trilogy 1 & 2) by Mireille Chester

Posted by Guest Reviewer Melanie
Published Date: May 16th, 2011
Finished Date: November 15th, 2011
Source: For Review from Author
Format: Kindle 
Pages: 337
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The Blurb from Goodreads: Life for Hayden Carlson had never been overly exciting and that was the way she liked it, so when she meets Jasper on a trail in the woods, it never occurs to her that life as she knows it is about to change.Suddenly, Hayden crosses over to a world she never would have dreamed existed and a future she never would have believed possible. Along the way, she discovers an affinity for magic; her ability to dream of the future and the craft of healing. She meets many beings that become her friends and family, as well as others who will try to capture her for her powers.Hayden must find a way to escape being captured, save the man she loves, and decide where she stands in the balance of good and evil.
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The Review: Hayden lives a normal everyday life, she’s studying to become a vet and the rest of her time is devoted to her other passion. .  . . horses. She has owned her own horse for over 10 years and spends a lot of her time with him and training other horses in. One day whilst she is out on her horse ‘Dodge’ she comes across a new trail in the forest and sees a man at the opposite end who she is strangely drawn to. She doesn’t pursue at that time and when she returns later with a friend the trail is gone but once she goes back alone it appears again so she decides to take it and see where it leads. Not only does it lead her to the mysterious man but it leads her to a whole other world, a simpler, more beautiful place filled with wonder and magic . . . little does she know that this is just the beginning of a huge adventure for Hayden in which there is a prophecy that has marked her as ‘the chosen one’ and brings enemies from far and wide in an attempt to capture and use Hayden in any way possible but what they didn’t bank on is Hayden’s blossoming powers, her being fated to Jasper ‘the Queen’s Captain’ and the friends she makes along the way.
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I didn’t know what to expect really when I said I would review this book (trilogy, actually) but I was really surprised because it was nothing like what I assumed it was going to be. I really enjoyed it actually, for some reason I thought it was YA but it isn’t. What it is, is a nice, easy to read fantasy with all sorts of creatures and magic users set in a not so far away place. We get really likable characters that you want to route for and want to know more about, lots of species, secrets, a prophecy which will interest most readers (who doesn’t love a good old prophecy), enemies galore coming from all over, loyalties are tested and new alliances are formed . . . everything a good fantasy should have and I really enjoyed it ! I LOVE the whole ‘fated’ thing, I’m a sucker for soul mates and these are proper soul mates, not the kind that would go off with someone else at the drop of a hat. NO, these are the ones who are in pain at being separated, only have eyes for each other, can’t keep their hands off each other, dream about their other halves for years before meeting them and lose all interest in the opposite sex once they start dreaming. They would do anything, live their lives and would die for their soul mates . . . . awww who doesn’t want that and it’s all sealed with their first kiss . . .perfect ! A really good start to the series and  I’m really curious to see where this all goes now because this is really just introducing the players and putting the plot into play, I want more on the prophecy, more on the enemies, more on who Hayden is meant to be, even more on all her friends . . .  I just want more!

PS. It really needs a new cover as the one it has doesn’t really do the book justice, this is definitely a ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover’ instance.

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Posted by Guest Reviewer Melanie 
Published Date: May 16th, 2011
Finished Date: November 15th, 2011
Source: For Review from Author
Format: Kindle 
Pages: Unknown
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The Blurb from Goodreads: Hayden has made up her mind. If she doesn't choose between the Namaels and the Majs then innocent beings won't die because of her. Of course, things can never be that simple and when she is taken prisoner by the humans a whole new problem arises. It doesn't take long before everything she thought she knew no longer makes sense. Could it be possible that the prophecy was wrong?

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The Review: 4.5 out of 5 - We start up right where we left the first book,  Hayden, Jasper and Dodge are on a quest to the northern territories so that Dodge can find his stone and become a ‘winged one’ and to keep Hayden from the clutches of the Namael’s Queen Melana and the Maj’s vengeful second in command, Rainen. Their journey however is filled with danger and betrayal but they find help from an unexpected source only to have Hayden fall into the hands of a new enemy, another that would use her as a weapon but in the most despicable way. Bonds are broken and re-forged as Hayden makes a discovery about who and what is really the threat to Quelondain and vows to unite the shifters against their true enemy. But her enemies won’t be easily swayed and for all there is loss, there is also gain as alliances are formed and people continue to flock to Hayden, willing to believe in ‘the chosen one.  Hayden & Jasper are put in some very life threatening dangerous positions and have no choice but to take themselves out of the constant danger and return to Hayden’s world to ready themselves for what is coming  . . . . . . but will they want to return ? and will they truly be safe anywhere ?
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Another really good book, full of adventure and love, hope, joy, sorrow . . . .  I don’t think there is an emotion I didn’t go through during this book. I love how the characters are growing and feel for them quite a bit. Hayden has blossomed from a person happy in her solitude to a determined woman who puts everyone else before herself, even enemies, even though her status puts her in constant danger, She rises to every challenge even if her path isn’t clear. As always Jasper is by her side, supporting her through everything no matter what, always believing in her. He has changed from a solitary person also, one used to taking or giving orders unconditionally until he became fated to Hayden and she became his world. Still loving the fated thing and love the way its brought to the reader, not just with the two main characters but with them all, you can really get a sense for the depth of emotions they are going through and it’s the type of love any romantic dreams of. I’m always wondering when we meet new people who they are going to be fated to, is it going to be anyone we know and even liked the little complication that arose concerning Alex. It was also good to see what happened when being fated isn’t a good thing and the downside of it.

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The plot moved along quite nicely and kept me really interested, we were introduced to more players and you get a feel for where it is going to go without it being too obvious, there was a nice little side plot there that wasn’t centred around Hayden that was good too. I really like the world that’s created and although we get answers, I also have questions that I hope get addressed in the next book. I want to know more about the Gysps and where they come from?  What they meant by what they said? Will Hayden travel to the other continent? Will we see more of Faren? Will she have to kill Rainen? Will she become the ruler of everything?  I have lots more too so I’m really excited about the final instalment . . . . . I have a feeling it’s going to be epic.

A huge thank you to Mireille Chester for giving me the opportunity to review this book. The review for Destiny, book three in the Chosen One Series will be posted on December 6th for the blog tour.