Wendi L. Wilson's Blog, page 2

What Lies Inside by J.L. Myers

Wow. What a ride this book took me on. I was gifted a copy of this book by the author and, when that happens, you never really know what you’re gonna get. I am so glad I took a chance on What Lies Inside.

[image error]

I loved it, and I do mean LOVED, from beginning to end. I loved the characters, I loved the plot. I loved the fact that as I read, I felt transported into Amelia’s world and it was seamless. I could feel and relate to each of her emotions and I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next.

Ty…Ty is an amazing character. I fell in love with him just as quickly as Amelia did.

[image error]

The best part, for me, were the surprises. I’m usually very good at figuring out what’s going on and predicting the ending. With this book, I was just as confused as the main character, sifting through the clues, trying to figure out who the real bad guy was. I suspected it was this character or that and, in the end, I was partially right, but it was so well-written that I could’t figure out the why or how of it. The reveal kept me enthralled til the very last page.

[image error]

I must admit, I immediately bought book 2. I can’t wait to get started and see where the story goes from here.

Great story, great characters, amazing imagination. If you’re looking for a vampire novel with a different sort of twist- try this one! You won’t regret it!

10 Amazing YA Shifter Romance Books

I love shifters! There’s something amazing about a character whose life is split into two parts. On one side, they’re attempting to live a normal, human life and on the other, they’re a beast, savage or otherwise, trying to control their baser instincts.

I wrote a young adult shifter romance book because it’s what I love. It’s what I obsess over. It’s what floats my boat. The book doesn’t have to solely focus on a shifter, just so long as there’s one stuck in there somewhere it’ll make me happy.

Here are some of my all time favorite YA paranormal romance novels that include shifters (in no particular order):

Shiver

[image error] For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf–her wolf–is a chilling presence she can’t seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It’s her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human–or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

This is a great series. It’s been a while since I read it, but I remember it giving me all the feels. ❤ 

Born at Midnight

[image error]One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

I really enjoyed this entire series. Magic, mystery, romance, and…shifters!

The Gathering

[image error]Strange things are happening in Maya’s tiny Vancouver Island town. First, her friend Serena, the captain of the swim team, drowns mysteriously in the middle of a calm lake. Then, one year later, mountain lions are spotted rather frequently around Maya’s home—and her reactions to them are somewhat . . . unexpected. Her best friend, Daniel, has also been experiencing unexplainable premonitions about certain people and situations.

It doesn’t help that the new bad boy in town, Rafe, has a dangerous secret, and he’s interested in one special part of Maya’s anatomy—her paw-print birthmark.

I really loved this one, as well as the rest of the series, which includes The Calling and The Rising. Very fast paced and exciting, the Darkness Rising Trilogy will keep you on your toes! 

Tiger’s Curse

[image error]The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world.

But that’s exactly what happened.

Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.

Packed with magic, action-adventure, and romance, the epic Tiger’s Curse series will keep you breathless and yearning for more.

Tiger’s Quest
[image error]Back in Oregon, Kelsey tries to pick up the pieces of her life and push aside her feelings for Ren. But danger lurks around the corner, forcing her to return to India where she embarks on a second quest – this time with Ren’s dark, bad-boy brother Kishan, who has also fallen prey to the Tiger’s Curse. Fraught with danger, spellbinding dreams, and choices of the heart, Tiger’s Quest brings the trio one step closer to breaking the spell that binds them.

Tiger’s Voyage

[image error] With the head-to-head battle against the villainous Lokesh behind her, Kelsey confronts a new heartbreak: in the wake of the traumatic experience, her beloved Ren no longer remembers who she is. As the trio continues their quest by challenging five cunning and duplicitous dragons, Ren and Kishan once more vie for her affections – leaving Kelsey more confused than ever.

Fraught with danger, filled with magic, and packed with romance, Tiger’s Voyage brings Kelsey and her two tiger princes one step closer to breaking the curse.

Tiger’s Destiny

[image error]With three of the goddess Durga’s quests behind them, only one prophecy now stands in the way of Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan breaking the tiger’s curse. But the trio’s greatest challenge awaits them: A life-endangering pursuit in search of Durga’s final gift, the Rope of Fire, on the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal.

It’s a race against time – and the evil sorcerer Lokesh – in this eagerly anticipated fourth volume in the best-selling Tiger’s Curse series, which pits good against evil, tests the bonds of love and loyalty, and finally reveals the tigers’ true destinies once and for all.

I added the four books in the Tiger’s Curse series separately because I love each and every one of them so much! These books are chocked full of myths and mystery, romance, danger, excitement, heartbreak…I could go on and on. While reading these, I made all my friends read them, too. I had to share my love of these books. They are amazing!

Sanctuary

[image error]It’s survival of the fittest, but first you have to fit in.

Shae is sure the icy rage that claws at her is driving away her friends and pulling her closer to the wrong boy. After all, it’s Aiden she has always secretly wanted, not Callum, who has barely spoken to her in the last year.But, as her protected life unravels, she discovers the violent supernatural world that lurks in her quiet hometown and the ancient feuds that threaten to destroy both her friends and her family.

To save those she loves, Shae must succumb to her own fury and take on the Ravensgaard, the renegade warriors of the Order, but as the battle approaches her deepest fears are coming true, she’s becoming just like them. Shae’s not sure she can afford the price she’ll have to pay—her own humanity.

This is my most recent shifter read. I really enjoyed it- you can read my review here. 

The Twilight Saga

[image error]This stunning set, complete with five editions of Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, and The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella, makes the perfect gift for fans of the bestselling vampire love story.

Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, The Twilight Saga capture the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires.

Okay, I had to. I know this series doesn’t focus on shifters and they, in fact, don’t really show up til the latter two books (which is why I added this as a whole series instead of one book). Twilight changed everything for me. It was the first YA paranormal romance I’d ever read and my love of the genre sprung from this series (particularly Breaking Dawn). 

The Mortal Instruments

[image error]When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder — much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing — not even a smear of blood — to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy? This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know…

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare’s ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

This is another one of my favorite series that has shifters, thought they are not really the main focus, so I had to add it as well. Love these books!

So, there you have it. Tell me, what are some of your favorite shifter books???

 

Free Books! Free Books!

Hello lovely readers!

I’m so glad you’re here and reading this! You make my heart happy.

I’ve decided, on the spur of the moment, to offer not one, but two of the books in the Shadowed Series for FREE!!!!

Click here to download Shadowed Instincts and Shadowed Ascension for FREE on Amazon!!!

(Offer good 2/1-2/5)

[image error]

 

 

Jeremy has rescued Melanie from death, kidnapping, and even the local mean girl. Now it’s her turn to protect him. No matter the cost. (Book 2 of the Shadowed Series)

 

 

 

[image error]

 

 

Hard choices are made, mistakes are inevitable and Melanie learns that true love really does conquer all. (Book 3 of the Shadowed Series)

 

 

 

 

And of course, as always, all of the books are free to borrow through Kindle Unlimited as well.

If you do read the books, please let me know what you think by leaving a review, emailing me, or posting on my Facebook page! I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks a million,

Wendi Wilson

https://twitter.com/wendilwilson

https://www.facebook.com/wendilwilson/

http://wendilwilson.wixsite.com/author

Updrift by Errin Stevens

Updrift is a great love story and introduction to this series about sirens, community and the strong ties that bind them. I loved the characters and their relationships with each other. The story has romance, suspense, humor and drama, all woven together expertly to make you feel everything deep inside- and really care about them all, even the ones with suspect character traits and who make terrible, selfish decisions.

The first third of the book was a little tedious for me. There was a lot of descriptive backstory, starting when Kate and Gabe were children, then flitting from one milestone to the next- sometimes out of order, it seemed- until they were in high school and basically separated from each other. The pace picked up from there, moving through those years then on, finally reuniting them and starting the suspenseful intrigue part of the story.

I was riveted, hardly able to put it down as Kate and Gabe established their true relationship, faced adversity, and withstood the try tests of their love.

Overall, this is a solid and entertaining story. I’d recommend it to readers who like mermaids, paranormal romance- or any other kind of romance- and sweet, true love stories.

[image error] [image error]

We Love Jewelry and Shifters Giveaway!

Hello lovely readers!

For those of you who have read my books, you’ll remember that Jeremy gave Melanie a special family heirloom for her birthday in Shadowed Instincts– a silver bracelet with a diamond-encrusted crescent moon pendant.

I am so excited to announce that I am giving away a replica of that special bracelet to one of you!!

 

Also included in the giveaway are ebook copies of a couple of my favorite shifter books:

Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

and

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

Strange things are happening in Maya’s tiny Vancouver Island town. First, her friend Serena, the captain

of the swim team, drowns mysteriously in the middle of a calm lake. Then, one year later, mountain lions are spotted rather frequently around Maya’s home—and her reactions to them are somewhat . . . unexpected. Her best friend, Daniel, has also been experiencing unexplainable premonitions about certain people and situations.

It doesn’t help that the new bad boy in town, Rafe, has a dangerous secret, and he’s interested in one special part of Maya’s anatomy—her paw-print birthmark.

 

 

 

If you’d like to enter to win these prizes,  just visit my website. Good luck to you all!

Wendi

 

Free Book Friday!

Hello lovely readers!

I just thought I’d shout out a few free books I’ve downloaded from Amazon today! It’s December, and with the holidays upon us, we could all use some free stuff- and what’s better than books?

The Gatekeeper’s Sons by Eva Pohler

Dive into a world in which the ancient gods of Greek mythology are real.

Part paranormal romance, part epic urban fantasy, the first in this bestselling young adult series is the teen novel mythology lovers have been searching for:

Fifteen-year-old Therese watches her parents die. While in a coma, she meets the twin sons of Hades—Hypnos (the god of sleep) and Thanatos (the god of death). She thinks she’s manipulating a dream, not kissing the god of death and totally rocking his world.

Than makes a deal with Hades and goes as a mortal to the Upperworld to try and win Therese’s heart, but not all the gods are happy. Some give her gifts. Others try to kill her.

The deal requires Therese to avenge the death of her parents. With the help of Than’s fierce and exotic sisters, the Furies, she finds herself in an arena face to face with the murderer, and only one will survive.

 

That Moment When: An Anthology of Young Adult Fiction

Love YA paranormal, urban fantasy, science fiction and dystopian books?

We’ve gathered a handful of thrilling stories from all of your favorite genres and put them together into an epic anthology of young adult fiction. Some of them are just the beginning of a unique adventure, while others are complete stories that will spark your imagination.

With over 200,000 words (about three full-length novels) That Moment When will provide weeks of reading pleasure.

OUR THEME

Have you ever reached a moment in your life when everything changed? A crossroads of sorts… a point of no return. An event or realization so enormous you knew it would impact you forever in ways you couldn’t begin to understand? Discoveries so momentous they changed everything you thought you knew about the world, and yourself?

That Moment When is filled with exactly these kinds of moments.

If you read the stories in this anthology, I guarantee you’ll find at least a few that thrill and excite you. Make sure to follow the authors if you want to read more – most of us have at least one free book on our sites.

 

Shearwater by D. S. Murphy

“It’s like The Little Mermaid for adults. I couldn’t stop reading.” ★★★★★

When my parents died in an accident, they left me like a piece of furniture to a grandfather I never knew existed. In Ireland. As if moving halfway around the world wasn’t bad enough, I soon learned my mother had left behind some unresolved drama – dark secrets that were screaming to be uncovered. And then there are the things I can’t explain. Strange things keep happening around me. Happening to me. Is it because of Sebastian, the golden-haired stranger who showed up in town at the same time as I did? Or Ethan, the kid locals whisper plays with dark magic?

Maybe both. Maybe neither. But someone is definitely out to get me, and I need to figure out why, and fast… because I’m discovering powers of my own. Powers that I can’t contain. And no matter what I do or who is to blame, if I don’t discover the real reason my mother fled Ireland, more people are going to die.

MERMAIDS ARE REAL.

And they’re going to kill us all.

(This is part 1 of this book. The book in its entirety will be available next month and you can preorder it for $0.99 here.)

Soulmate by Kellie MCAllen

Most people search for decades to find their soulmate; Rachel Masterson was born with hers.

Rachel is fed up with being known as the crazy girl who talks to herself, so she’s thrilled when moving to a new town gives her a chance at a whole new identity, without the stigma of her “imaginary friend,” Rider, the soul who has shared her body for the last fifteen years.

Hit with the triple-whammy stress of trying to make new friends (and her first boyfriend) in a new school, far away from the only other person who has ever understood her, Rachel’s relationship with Rider is strained by the choices that she makes. When a tragic accident tears them apart, can Rachel live without her soulmate?

If you like unique and fascinating paranormal romance stories that make you laugh, cry, and cheer all on the same page, you’ll love Soulmate!

 

Shadowed Truth  by Wendi L. Wilson

He was handsome, charming, and sweet- everything Elaine could have asked for- but he also had a secret. One that would rip them apart just when they should have been starting their lives together.

Elaine is living a decent life when a charming scoundrel named Darren asks her out, sight unseen. She tries to resist him, but her attempts prove futile when he slips under her defenses and crawls into her heart. A shocking surprise leads to a string of confessions, misunderstandings, lies and betrayal. Sometimes, to do the right thing, you have to sacrifice your own happiness. Sometimes, it all works out in the end. Sometimes, it doesn’t.

A companion novella to the Shadowed Series, this story follows Melanie’s parents, Elaine and Darren, their whirlwind romance and the series of events that led to their ultimate separation.

**This story includes facts and surprises revealed at the end of Shadowed Strength, book 1 of the series and is meant to be read after Shadowed Strength.

 

Happy Reading and have a great holiday season!

Wendi

Blackheath by Gabriella Lepore

Hello lovely readers,

So, I just read Blackheath by Gabriella Lepore, and by “just read” I mean I read nearly the entire thing in one sitting. It was so good I couldn’t tear myself away. I had to find out what would happen next. It was so good, I bought the second book so I can start it right away.

Here’s my 5-star review:

I started this book yesterday and, unfortunately didn’t have a lot of time to read. I picked it back up this morning and could NOT put it down until I finished! I tried three or four times, only to pick my kindle right back up again. It was really that good!

I was instantly sucked in to Maggie’s world, where the people of the small town of Blackheath know there’s something weird about the Tomlins boys- rumors run rampant that they are all witches. When Maggie is told by a fortune teller that she has a hex on her, she goes to the only person who may be able to help her. Joel Tomlins. Childhood friends who drifted apart over the years, Maggie and Joel work together to figure out what the mark on her is and get rid of it.

I love Joel. He has this intriguing quality of being self-confident, yet at the same time not really sure of his, and Maggie’s, feelings. Maggie is a really great character who’s a good person, but also has a crafty side to her that will do what needs to be done to get what she wants. I found her likable and entertaining.

I became completely absorbed in this book and immediately one-clicked the sequel, Blackheath Resurrection, as soon as I read the last sentence. Though I have a ton of books on my kindle carousel waiting to be read, they’re gonna have to wait. I NEED to find out what happens next!

I guess it’s safe to say I recommend this book!

Touched by Elisa S. Amore

Hello Dear Readers,

I just finished reading Touched: The Caress of Fate by Elisa S. Amore and I loved it! Here’s my review:

This story is amazing! Evan and Gemma’s souls are drawn to one another, and they’ll fight to be together no matter what. I found the characters likable, the storyline imaginative and unique, and the intense emotions touched my heart.

My only problem with the book is its eloquent verbiage. I had kind of a hard time getting through the first half because the thought processes of the characters would go on and on, thinking about the same topic for several pages. It was beautifully written, but seemed a bit excessive to me in parts. That’s the only reason I’m giving Touched 4 stars instead of 5.

The second half picked up the pace quite perfectly and I HAD to keep reading to find out what was going to happen! It was amazing. Gemma and Evan’s relationship is flawed yet perfect, impossible yet unbreakable, forbidden yet required. My heart beat fast in time with Gemma’s every time he was near. I loved all the feelings this story invoked. This may now be one of my favorite fictional couples!

So, this book took me a while to read- almost two weeks! As I stated in my review, the wordiness (is that even a word?) in the first half put me off a little. I’d find my mind wandering as the deep, intense thought processes of the characters went on…and on. Now, don’t get me wrong: the writing is beautiful and emotional. I’m just one of those “a little less talk and a lot more action” kinda gals.

I am, however, SO glad I stuck with it and made it to the second half of the book- I got that action I’d been longing for and boy, Elisa Amore did not disappoint. It was amazing and I zipped through the pages, hungry for what would happen next.

Evan is….everything. He’s dark and mysterious, powerful and on a mission. Yet, he goes against his bosses (for lack of a better term), his instinct and his very nature just to get close to Gemma. I love him. A lot.

All in all, I’d definitely recommend this book. It gave me all the feels.

Until next time,

Wendi

Get the book on Amazon! It’s only $0.99 right now! GO!

Watch the official trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r55QyLjoISE

 

 

On this Day

Anyone use the “On this Day” feature on Facebook? I check it religiously, looking for insanely cute pics of my kids when they were smaller, funny posts about my day, etc, that I once again share with my friends. Nostalgia, baby. It’s the best.

When I clicked on it this morning, the first item that popped up was a Goodreads update, stating that I had made progress reading Inception by Bianca Scardoni. One year ago today, I was reading my favorite book of the last year, that one that thrilled me, made me feel joy, and then ripped my heart out as I screamed terrible swear words at an empty room. God, I love that book. Here’s my review:

I really, REALLY want to punch someone in the face right now. That being said, this book is amazing. I was a little thrown off at first by the descriptive verbiage- it seemed a little grandiose to me at the beginning- but soon, the feel of it swept me away into this world of magical and mythical beings mixed with high school drama. The story is well developed and well-written with very few typos (not enough to even blink an eye at, which is rare in self published books). The characters are mysterious, yet believable. There a twists and turns aplenty and I found myself reading ravenously to find out what was going to happen next.

Back to the face punching. Oh my dear God in heaven, I never saw that coming. I am usually very, very good at predicting plot twists, but that….that left me screaming expletives that made me glad my kids weren’t home. My heart is broken. Like seriously, thousand pieces on the floor broken. I am angry and yes, I know these are fictional characters in a fictional story but I feel very betrayed.

And that, my friends, is how you know you’ve read an excellent book. When hours later, it still affects you and you can’t stop thinking about it. Do yourself a favor and don’t pass this one up.

So here I am, exactly one year later, reading another book that reminds me a lot of Inception. This time, it’s Gemma instead of Jemma, angels of death instead of vampires….but the writing style is similar and the story is engaging.

Touched- The Caress of Fate by Elisa S. Amore is the story of Evan, an angel of death sent to kill Gemma, a girl he finds himself inexplicably drawn to, despite his orders to make sure she dies. I’m only about half way through, but I’ve been sucked into this world created by Ms. Amore. If you loved Inception- and I’m pretty sure you did if you’ve read it- I recommend giving this one a try as well.

I’ll be posting a full review when I finish it. Until then, have a great weekend!

Wendi

If you enjoy YA paranormal romance, check out my Shadowed Series, which starts with Shadowed Strength (currently an Amazon #1 bestseller), continues with Shadowed Instincts, and wraps up with my new release, Shadowed Ascension.

 

Release Day: Shadowed Ascension: Shadowed Series Book 3

It’s finally here and I am so excited! Shadowed Ascension, the third and final book of the the Shadowed Series is available today on Amazon! For you Kindle Unlimited subscribers, you can read it for free!

 

In celebration, I am offering Shadowed Strength, book 1, for free to everyone! Get your copy today, 11/8 through 11/12 and see why reviewers are saying things like:

“A WONDERFUL START TO A SERIES. CAN’T WAIT TO READ THE NEXT ONE.”

“Incredible characters and world building!”

“Great Love Story with Mystery-Must Read!”

“This book was wonderful, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!”

 

Shadowed Ascension picks up right where Shadowed Instincts ended, leaving Melanie and Jeremy to deal with the aftermath of their battle with the Oklahoma pack’s alpha:

After one terrible night, Melanie Johnson’s life is unrecognizable. Things have gone from bad to worse after a split-second decision changed the path of not only her future, but the futures of those closest to her.

Just as she, Jeremy and the rest of her friends and family start to come to grips with the repercussions of that night, two of their own go missing. Kidnapped by a mysterious stranger determined to ascend to the position of power, they must survive as Melanie and her loved ones fight to find and rescue them.

As the clock ticks down, hard choices are made, mistakes are inevitable and Melanie learns that true love really does conquer all.

Get your copy of Shadowed Ascension today on Amazon and through Kindle Unlimited!