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Avery Nolan #1
Swift as a Shadow
Avery Nolan has a secret. A secret she guards fiercely.
But everyone has secrets. Her mother who draws pictures of nightmarish creatures. Her grandmother with her padlocked shed. Her student with the pale eyes and brooding father.
Leaving Sacramento after her divorce, Avery retreats to Tahoe with her golden retriever, Basil, looking for change, but as her grandmother always told her, “Be careful what you wish for.” After Basil discovers a hidden clearing with three standing stones, everything that Avery thinks she knows is suddenly upended.
Each move she makes brings her closer to a world imagined only in fairytales and to unraveling the secrets her family has guarded for decades – secrets that will give Avery more adventure than she ever thought imaginable.
But everyone has secrets. Her mother who draws pictures of nightmarish creatures. Her grandmother with her padlocked shed. Her student with the pale eyes and brooding father.
Leaving Sacramento after her divorce, Avery retreats to Tahoe with her golden retriever, Basil, looking for change, but as her grandmother always told her, “Be careful what you wish for.” After Basil discovers a hidden clearing with three standing stones, everything that Avery thinks she knows is suddenly upended.
Each move she makes brings her closer to a world imagined only in fairytales and to unraveling the secrets her family has guarded for decades – secrets that will give Avery more adventure than she ever thought imaginable.
- GenresFantasy
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 20, 2014
63 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Hamilton
110 books422 followersML Hamilton taught high school English and journalism in Central California for 32 years.
Teaching students to appreciate literature made her career rewarding; however, she always dreamed of publishing her own novel.
In 2010, the dream came true. Her first novel, Emerald, was published by Wild Wolf Publishing. The sequel to Emerald, The Heirs of Eldon, followed the next year.
In addition to teaching and writing, she has three sons, two daughters-in-law, two dogs, and three amazing grandbabies.
Sign up for her newsletter at www.authormlhamilton.net for free offers and the latest book information.
Teaching students to appreciate literature made her career rewarding; however, she always dreamed of publishing her own novel.
In 2010, the dream came true. Her first novel, Emerald, was published by Wild Wolf Publishing. The sequel to Emerald, The Heirs of Eldon, followed the next year.
In addition to teaching and writing, she has three sons, two daughters-in-law, two dogs, and three amazing grandbabies.
Sign up for her newsletter at www.authormlhamilton.net for free offers and the latest book information.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 29, 2014
I loved this book! M.L. Hamilton does an amazing job of making fantasy feel real. Avery Nolan, a newly divorcee, has move up to Tahoe to start over but what she doesn't know is that she is going to get a whole lot more. This was a very quick, easy read that made me want more. I hope there are many sequels to this book as I can't wait to hear what Avery is going to do next!
June 10, 2018
This is my review of the audio version as posted on Audible:
Avery gets divorced and wants to start over so she moves to Tahoe with her golden retriever Basil - and that's when her life takes a really strange course...
It's a book I've found quite difficult to rate. On the one hand, there is not much happening at first (well, for about three quarters of the book:)) - Avery starts her job as a substitute teacher for a class of ten 6-year-olds, some of whom are a real handful, she gets involved in some of their problems more than others, has several meetings with one of the kid's father (because she suspects the kid may have some learning difficulties) and tries to somehow adapt to the way of life in that sleepy town... As I said, not much really happening; the pace is quite slow, the events unfold at a steady pace - nothing particularly unusual or fantastical/magical... And when the magical finally does start to happen, Avery obstinately ignores it or tries to rationalize it... She can be really irritating at that, too, I have to tell you:)
But, on the other hand, I just couldn't stop listening... I can't really tell you why - is it the mystery behind Duncan's behaviour? Is it that I really needed to know if Avery would finally accept the supernatural happening around her? I really, honestly don't know. I just know I am happy that I have part two waiting for me to listen - part one ends at such a point in the story that you just need to know what will happen next...
As for the narration by Ms Hazen, it's one of her best so far. She's always good at differentiating voices and conveying emotions, but sometimes she tends to overdo it. This time she doesn't; all the voices match the characters very well and the interpretation of the story is perfect.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Avery gets divorced and wants to start over so she moves to Tahoe with her golden retriever Basil - and that's when her life takes a really strange course...
It's a book I've found quite difficult to rate. On the one hand, there is not much happening at first (well, for about three quarters of the book:)) - Avery starts her job as a substitute teacher for a class of ten 6-year-olds, some of whom are a real handful, she gets involved in some of their problems more than others, has several meetings with one of the kid's father (because she suspects the kid may have some learning difficulties) and tries to somehow adapt to the way of life in that sleepy town... As I said, not much really happening; the pace is quite slow, the events unfold at a steady pace - nothing particularly unusual or fantastical/magical... And when the magical finally does start to happen, Avery obstinately ignores it or tries to rationalize it... She can be really irritating at that, too, I have to tell you:)
But, on the other hand, I just couldn't stop listening... I can't really tell you why - is it the mystery behind Duncan's behaviour? Is it that I really needed to know if Avery would finally accept the supernatural happening around her? I really, honestly don't know. I just know I am happy that I have part two waiting for me to listen - part one ends at such a point in the story that you just need to know what will happen next...
As for the narration by Ms Hazen, it's one of her best so far. She's always good at differentiating voices and conveying emotions, but sometimes she tends to overdo it. This time she doesn't; all the voices match the characters very well and the interpretation of the story is perfect.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
May 24, 2018
I love love love this series. In my ongoing collaboration with ML Hamilton, this is our first foray into fantasy adventure. I could not be more delighted. Her characters are rich and self-effacing. Funny, funny, funny. There's a dog who is a main character! And so much heart in this story. How can you not love an elementary school teacher trying to start her life over, looking for more? There is so much in this series to identify with. And the romance is strong, the adventure is strong, the magic is strong, the pathos is strong. I'm loving every second of working on The Avery Nolan Adventure Series. I can't wait for you to hear the whole thing. SHORT AS A DREAM is about to release and BRIEF AS LIGHTNING is in the can waiting for QC. We will start on MOMENTARY AS A SOUND on Monday! Enjoy!
May 26, 2018
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the narrator and found it enjoyable and intriguing. I've always enjoyed books about parallel worlds found in secret groves. The main character, Avery, just wants a bit of change. So she divorces her husband, quits her job and moves to the cabin she inherited from her grandmother with her old golden retriever. What could go wrong? With such well developed characters and plot, you'll just want to keep listening to see what happens next. A great start for a series, I'm looking forward to the next one already.
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October 2, 2019sort of soft, pervasive sense of the writing being ... old fashioned?
example: 1st grader asks why she is Ms. and says if not married should be Miss, and the MC does not correct that misunderstanding of the honorifics.
and MC makes an sassumption made that a teacher who is wealthy must have a wealthy husband (not a wealthy wife, not have chosen to teach after financial success in a different field, or whatever)
DNF
___
really like that the relationship with the ex is healthy
narration was OK
but just can't care too much about MC
nor about the relationship at the core of the story
a lot of telling instead of showing for the attraction part of the relationship (she says/thinks he is sexy, or someone else does)
example: 1st grader asks why she is Ms. and says if not married should be Miss, and the MC does not correct that misunderstanding of the honorifics.
and MC makes an sassumption made that a teacher who is wealthy must have a wealthy husband (not a wealthy wife, not have chosen to teach after financial success in a different field, or whatever)
DNF
___
really like that the relationship with the ex is healthy
narration was OK
but just can't care too much about MC
nor about the relationship at the core of the story
a lot of telling instead of showing for the attraction part of the relationship (she says/thinks he is sexy, or someone else does)
April 8, 2022
Seriously good book! This is a book that you’re a little skeptical of the first chapter or two, but before you even realize it you’re hooked. Definitely not action packed, but quickly starts getting intriguing. The kids are hilariously adorable, and I laughed out loud multiple times. I honestly haven’t been this giddy over a book in a long while! Practically foaming at the mouth to get my hands on the second book!
July 9, 2018
Swift as a Shadow (Avery Nolan #1) by M.L. Hamilton was a great read. Avery has decided to completely change her life. She decides to divorce her husband of ten years and move to Tahoe at her late grandmother's cabin. In Tahoe Avery meets Duncan and his son Bay. After meeting them everything begins changing for Avery. I can't wait to read more of this story and learn more about the characters.
September 21, 2019
A mixture of fantasy and reality
So very different than her other books. At first I was was disappointed as it wasn't what I was expecting but as I got into it and realized it was a different genre I came to appreciate the story for what it is. I will continue reading the series.
So very different than her other books. At first I was was disappointed as it wasn't what I was expecting but as I got into it and realized it was a different genre I came to appreciate the story for what it is. I will continue reading the series.
August 7, 2020
I do not read fantasy fiction, but gave this book a try as I loved the Peyton/Marco books, as well as Zion. In fact, when I first started the book, I wasn't sure I was going to stick with it, but boy, I am so glad I did. I truly enjoyed this book, and marathoned the remaining three.
In the event Ms. Hamilotn reads reviews, PLEASE write just one more book with Alberon and Duncan. PLEASE!!!
In the event Ms. Hamilotn reads reviews, PLEASE write just one more book with Alberon and Duncan. PLEASE!!!
May 9, 2023
Fantasy
I really enjoyed this book. It's different from the usual murder mysteries I enjoy. It's a fantasy with far away places. The characters are likable & it's still had lots of mystery. I'm curious to see what happens next for Avery & Duncan. I'll have to keep reading this series to find out.
I really enjoyed this book. It's different from the usual murder mysteries I enjoy. It's a fantasy with far away places. The characters are likable & it's still had lots of mystery. I'm curious to see what happens next for Avery & Duncan. I'll have to keep reading this series to find out.
March 17, 2020
I thought this was a good start to the series. It was good
September 7, 2020
I gave this book 3 stars. The characters was well written and likeable.
March 16, 2022
Eu imaginava que fosse uma narrativa de detetives, mas é, na verdade, uma história de fantasia que involve mitologia, mundos pararelos e diferentes dimensões. Muito bom.
September 25, 2015
We are introduced to the character Avery Nolan, who seems normal enough - she's a young teacher who inherits a cabin in Tahoe and wants to get away from Sacramento for a while. As she leaves in search of something more, the reader comes to learn that Avery is anything but ordinary. This book is very well-written and I finished it quickly. I'm glad I picked it up, and I can't wait to see what's next for our heroine.
April 28, 2016
Different
Lot of questions in this book that makes you want to read more. I enjoyed reading about Avery and her mysterious past
Lot of questions in this book that makes you want to read more. I enjoyed reading about Avery and her mysterious past
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews