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Persuasion

(The Heirs of Watson Island #2)

Martina Boone (Goodreads Author)

3.92 · Rating details · 869 ratings · 157 reviews

Grieving the death of her godfather and haunted by her cousin Cassie’s betrayal, Barrie returns from a trip to San Francisco to find the Watson plantation under siege. Ghost hunters hope to glimpse the ancient spirit who sets the river on fire each night, and reporters chase rumors of a stolen shipment of Civil War gold that may be hidden at Colesworth Place. The chaos tur ...more

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Hardcover, 442 pages

Published October 27th 2015 by Simon Pulse

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· 869 ratings · 157 reviews

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Dec 01, 2014 Martina Boone rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, paranormal, southern-gothic, romance, magic, fall-2015, october-2015, 2015-releases

I need more stars to thank all the people who are responsible for pulling this book together! My editor and the amazing team at Simon Pulse, my critique partners and beta readers, and the wonderful Compulsion street team members who helped out with ideas, reading, and mental health support! You all ROCK! Thank you! : ) ...more

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Dec 01, 2014 Liza Wiemer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc

Cover: Absolutely GORGEOUS! ❤️❤️❤️

We have kissing like THIS:

Hold on to the edge of your seat, because PERSUASION takes you on a ride that will leave you breathless. Martina Boone does an extraordinary job weaving together history, magic, mystery, and modern times. She unspools questions like the Fire Carrier unspools his ball of flames across the river. Readers will swoon over Eight and Barrie, pray that they'll make it as a couple. Is Eight with Barrie because she wants him and he wants to give ...more

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Nov 14, 2014 Jaime (Two Chicks on Books) rated it it was amazing

Just as magical as Compulsion! Martina sure knows how to write a beautiful story with compelling characters, mystery, magic, romance, and southern recipes that make me hungry!

I can't wait for the third book in this series! And I hope we get to see more of Berg! I have a new crush!

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Jun 04, 2015 Lindsay Cummings rated it it was amazing

Amazing sequel! video review coming today

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Dec 06, 2014 Reading Teen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult

Beautiful, lyrical, haunting, mysterious, romantic, rich, thoughtful, dangerous, atmospheric and complex.

I love this book.

(Review to come)

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Dec 04, 2014 Alyssa rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2015-releases

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Persuasion by Martina Boone
Book Two of The Heirs of Watson Island series
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: October 27, 2015
Rating: 2 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss

Summary (from Goodreads):

Grieving the death of her godfather and haunted by her cousin Cassie’s betrayal, Barrie returns from a trip to San Francisco to find the Watson plantation under siege. Ghost-hunters hope to glimpse the ancient spirit who sets the river on fire each night, an ...more

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Dec 05, 2014 Beth (YA Books Central) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: the-wait-is-killing-me, waiting-on-wednesday

"Perceptions were fickle things, as formless as smoke and just as dangerous. Weeks ago, when Barrie had first seen the plantation her mother had run away from in her teens, the light clawing through the the haunts of Spanish moss along the avenue of ancient oaks had seemed ominous, and the down-at-the-heels mansion beyond the trees had appeared forbidding."

Persuasion is the sequel to the phenomenal book Compulsion about a young girl who has the ability to "find" lost things. Persuasion picks
"Perceptions were fickle things, as formless as smoke and just as dangerous. Weeks ago, when Barrie had first seen the plantation her mother had run away from in her teens, the light clawing through the the haunts of Spanish moss along the avenue of ancient oaks had seemed ominous, and the down-at-the-heels mansion beyond the trees had appeared forbidding."

Persuasion is the sequel to the phenomenal book Compulsion about a young girl who has the ability to "find" lost things. Persuasion picks up right where Compulsion left off and Barrie is recovering from her godfather, Mark's, death and she is still trying to figure out why Cassie betrayed her when she is thrown into another intriguing mystery at Watson's Island.

I was completely and utterly wrapped up in Compulsion and had no idea how Persuasion could be any better.....and then I opened the book.

Persuasion is so full of emotion and heart and the writing is so lyrical and descriptive and I really felt as though I was experiencing each moment right along with Barrie and Eight. The story is an breath-taking family saga with deep dark secrets that can affect every aspect of Barrie and Eight's lives and their friends and family. The secrets and twists are so much more intense in Persuasion and really dig into human nature and real life issues.

I loved the introduction of new characters and all the new mysteries that came along with them...and of course I LOVE the southern aspect of the story since I am from the South and totally understand the charm that really sets the atmosphere for this amazing book.

The one thing that bothered me a little was how much turmoil that was going on within Barrie and Eight's relationship. They seemed to be so tense with each other and so many issues kept occurring that seemed to pull them apart. I really wanted Barrie and Eight to experience happiness and hopefully the 3rd book will reflect this!!

"At that moment, the gifts didn't matter. There was only skin, and breath, and touch. For that moment, in that moment, they were each enough."

The whole story was so fascinating and I just felt like the intensity just continued to build throughout the whole book. Each chapter was so engaging and a new twist was introduced and just totally had me engrossed in this phenomenal story.

I still feel as though there is more to Seven & Barrie's Mothers story and I really hope we learn more about their past in Book 3, Illusion.

Southern charm meets spell-binding mystery in this amazing sequel to Compulsion....full of suspense, magic, intrigue, and secrets...this book will have you turning pages deep into the night. ...more

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Apr 09, 2015 Lelia Nebeker rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya, dc-va-authors, pub-2015, southern-gothic, read-in-2015

So much love for this series! Book 2 is very different from 'Compulsion,' but still completely engrossing. Martina Boone does an amazing job of exploring more of the characters introduced in the first book--especially Cassie and Seven. We also learn more about the curse and its conditions, as well as the history of Watson Island. It has more of an eerie feel than the first book, and the stakes are definitely even higher in the sequel. And of course, there's plenty of the stalwart and sassy Eight ...more

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Jan 05, 2015 Alicia Marie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: edelweiss

Dark voodoo magic, southern charm, family secrets, complicated love, southern folklore, buried treasure, and ancient curses. This combination makes for an amazing second book to a wonderful series. Read my full review at www.booklovinalicia.blogspot.com

Thanks to Edelweiss for allowing me to read a digital ARC!!! ...more

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May 26, 2015 Sandee added it

THE RAINBOW READATHON: Violet

I'm changing the violet book I originally planned on reading for the readathon. Since I got approved for this arc, I can't help but not want to read this first.

Thank you Simon and Schuster for approving my request.

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Jan 02, 2015 Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle-books, arc-book-read

It is funny how a story can grab you right from the beginning and you really can't say why. Not because the writing isn't good, because it was, nor because the characters weren't quirky and lovable, because again, they were. But just because for whatever reason, the story, while not completely original but totally unique in design, was just so much fun to read and had you eagerly turning the pages.

That is what book one, Compulsion, did for me. So it was without a second thought, that I picked up ...more

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Jan 24, 2015 Amanda rated it it was amazing

Oh my word!!! Martina's writing is just wonderful and spot on. I love it.

Barrie and Eights story continues with no less drama and action along the way.

From this book:

I'm more in love with the yunwi!

Cassie holds a spot in my heart.

I love the memories from some references mentioned.

I'm dying for the rest of this story!!!!!

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Nov 17, 2014 Kristi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc

Amazing, as fantastic, if not better, than Compulsion! Review closer to publication date!

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Dec 01, 2014 Britt rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, favorite-authors

Beta read and it was fantastic. Can't wait for the final product and i just happen to make an awesome cameo! HA!

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Jan 08, 2015 Andrea rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, sciencefiction-fantasy, romance

I absolutely adored Compulsion and was thrilled when I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Persuasion. Martina absolutely knows how to write a paranormal mystery in her own way. There are no cliche troupes or been-there-done-that scenes. She creates a complex narrative that builds and builds throughout both books.

Barrie is dealing with the death of Mark, Cassie's betrayal, and her growing knowledge of her family's history all while trying to find her footing in her life, which is now being ove ...more

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Jan 26, 2015 Amanda rated it it was amazing

Gahhh I am a huge fan of Martina Boone's and Compulsion was my favorite YA book of 2014. I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of Persuasion from Edelweiss and boy could I not have been more excited to read the next installment. I'll be sure to post a fuller review closer to October, but here's a little preview.

"You're torn between wanting to be closer and wanting to push me away," he said, "So I vote for closer. I'll always vote for closer."

The romance between Eight and Barrie is heating up, b ...more

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Jan 01, 2015 Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2015-release, books-i-own, arcs, 2015-reading-challenge, mundie-moms-reviews

COMPULSION hooked me with it's alluring Southern Gothic charms, beautiful writing, and made me fall in love with it's richly rooted Southern history. Then PERSUASION came along and swept me off my feet with it's enchanting mysteries, magic, and oh so addicting romance! This sequel was everything I loved about COMPULSION and a whole lot more!

Read my FULL REVIEW here http://mundiemoms.blogspot.com/2015/1... ...more

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Dec 07, 2014 Samantha (WLABB) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, arcs, ya, paranormal

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Persuasion has all the magic and beauty and wonderful things that I loved about Compulsion, but we get a lot more insight into the origins all the lore surround Watson's Island. In this book, we get more details about the curse, the gifts, and the impact of these things on the lives of the Barrie and Eight (and Cassie too). We are introduced to Obadiah and his voodoo, which I am sure we will learn more about in the next book. Relationships are emerging and changing. Barrie and E ...more

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Jan 20, 2015 Rhea Dsouza rated it really liked it

Shelves: edelweiss, favorites-2015

*rubs hands* Okay then, let’s do this! For those of you who haven’t read Compulsion, reading beyond this point may be a bad idea because spoilers. BEWARE.

I have A LOT of things to say about Persuasion. And since, being me, I love to dissect the books that I love, Persuasion is going to pretty much get the same royal treatment :P

Persuasion begins with Barrie Watson, our protagonist, coming back to Watson’s Landing from San Francisco. And that was amazing, and exactly what I hoped for, because she ...more

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Nov 22, 2014 Erin Cashman rated it it was amazing

Shelves: coming-of-age, gothic, magical-realism, mystery, fantasy, young-adult, romance, romantic-suspense, legends

I adored every page of this contemporary fantasy. Although Persuasion is an action packed mystery, filled with twist and turns, heartache and longing, it is primarily a story of a young woman, Barrie, coming to terms with who she is and what she wants. Magic abounds in this paranormal romance, but it is Barrie’s strength and determination, even when she faces impossible choices, that is the most compelling. If you’re looking for a beautifully written, deliciously atmospheric novel that captivate ...more

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Dec 05, 2014 Lisa Green rated it it was amazing

Martina did it again! I fell right back in to Barrie's beautiful world. The writing is so gorgeous but somehow it doesn't detract at all from the fast paced storyline. I especially enjoyed seeing Barrie and Eight's relationship grow and cover some rocky ground. Cassie was wonderful too. She's such a deep character now! And I have to say I think Obadiah is one of my all time favorite villains.

The book covered heavier subject matter in just the right balance to deepen the world and story. I'm so ...more

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Dec 01, 2014 Wendy Higgins added it

Another piece of gorgeousness from Martina Boone!! *happy sigh*

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Aug 19, 2015 Teri rated it really liked it

Having lived in South Carolina for so long, diving back into this series was like coming home for me. Again, the author manages to capture the rich history, Southern charm, and eerie magic of the Charleston Low Country area.

This book gives the reader a better understanding of the gifts of the Watsons and Beauforts and the Colesworth curse. Some questions are answered, but other emerge and there are still secrets to be exposed and the motivations of some characters to be learned.

Some of the chara ...more

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Oct 26, 2015 Dark Faerie Tales rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviewed-by-bridget

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Gorgeous sequel filled with action packed adventure, a lush setting and an unforgettable romance! This is a series you do not want to miss!

Opening Sentence: The last miles of the journey stretched eternally, and Watson’s Landing pulled more and more on Barrie’s finding gift.

The Review:

Barrie Watson has a unique gift where she has the ability to find anything that is lost. She was born with the gift and eventually she figures out that it’s a fami Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Gorgeous sequel filled with action packed adventure, a lush setting and an unforgettable romance! This is a series you do not want to miss!

Opening Sentence: The last miles of the journey stretched eternally, and Watson’s Landing pulled more and more on Barrie’s finding gift.

The Review:

Barrie Watson has a unique gift where she has the ability to find anything that is lost. She was born with the gift and eventually she figures out that it’s a family trait that has been passed down for generations! After losing her mother and beloved godfather Barrie leaves the only home she has ever known to live with an aunt she has never met! With its mysterious magic and interesting history Barrie has never felt like she belonged anywhere until arriving at Watson Island. It turns out that she’s not the only person to have a special gift. The Beaufort’s across the river have the ability to sense what people want and the Coleworth’s next door have been cursed with bad luck. There is a lot going on at Watson Plantation but Barrie can’t imagine ever wanting to live anywhere else!

But Barrie’s not the only person to find Watson Plantation fascinating. There are some ghost-hunters that have been snooping around trying to catch a glimpse of the mysterious fire catcher that lights the river on fire each night. Then a group of archaeologists show up to look into the rumor of buried treasure at the Colesworth Place. Finally, a mysterious magical man appears and claims to know how to break the curse that has plagued the Colesworth’s for all these years. But in order to break the curse he will need Barrie’s help finding something that has been lost for centuries!

Barrie is a wonderful and interesting protagonist. She is smart, witty, and a very independent girl that is easy to admire. She’s also a sweet girl and always tries to see the best in everyone. Sometimes her willingness to always help others gets her into trouble, but her kindness is one of her best qualities. The one thing that I didn’t particularly love about Barrie was how insecure she is about her relationships with other people in her life. I get that growing up she didn’t really have many examples of good relationships, so it has been hard for her to make strong connections with others because she can’t open up easily. She has so many fears of being hurt, so she tends to push people away. The only reason this bugged me was because I felt it caused a lot of unnecessary drama in the story. But overall, I loved Barrie and I really enjoyed being inside her head.

I fell madly in love with Eight in Compulsion and it was no surprise to me that I fell even more in love with him in Persuasion! Not only is he ridiculously good looking, he is also sweet, charming, and just overall amazing. He has an abundance of patience when it comes to Barrie and he seriously treats her so good. But he also has his own set of insecurities that make him imperfect but relatable. He has dyslexia, which has caused him to struggle academically but he hasn’t let that stop him from fulfilling his dreams of going to college and making something of himself away from the Beaufort family. I really admire and respect Eight and he has become one of my favorite book boys! (Just read the excerpt below and you will see one of the many reasons why I love him so much!)

In Compulsion you get to experience the start of the relationship between Eight and Barrie. That beginning of a relationship is always fun and exciting because everything is so fresh and full of promise. But sometimes after the newness wears off relationships can become dull and boring. Unfortunately, this not only happens in real life, but I find that my interest in book couples will wane at times once they have been together for a while. I’m so happy to say that this wasn’t the case with Eight and Barrie. I fell even more in love with them as a couple in Persuasion. They went from having a timid new beginning of something that could be great to an epic romance that is the forever kind. I loved watching them fall in love and create everlasting memories. But their relationship isn’t all peaches and roses. They both have insecurities they have to work through and of course there are things/people that threaten to tear them apart. But through their struggles they become better people and they grow closer together. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for them in the final book!!!

Persuasion is filled with action-packed adventure, a lush setting and an unforgettable romance! Surprisingly in my opinion it was actually better then the first book in the series. I really enjoyed Compulsion but I loved Persuasion. The plot had some great twists and it easily kept my interest until the very last page. There was never a dull moment and I honestly didn’t want it to end. Speaking of endings this one had a pretty terrible cliffhanger, which is frustrating because now I have to wait an entire year to read the next book! But if you can’t tell by my raving review, I am really looking forward to reading Illusion in 2016! If you are looking for a great paranormal story filled with adventure, humor, and amazing characters you should definitely check out this series!

Notable Scene:

“Even if I got to USC and I date every girl in Southern California,” he said, “I’m not going to find another girl like you. Not in a year, or ten, or even a hundred years. I’m not stupid enough to let that go without a fight, so whatever assurances you need, I’ll figure out how to give them to you.” He tossed her one of his careless smiles. “I’ve been out with enough girls to know what I want. I know. You and me together? We’re not the same plain vanilla let’s-date-while-we’re-in-high-school, let’s-go-to-prom, let’s-promise-we’ll-talk-in-college relationship. We’re more like those fireworks on the Fourth of July that keep exploding with new bursts every time they’re done. Before we know it, we’ll be in rocking chairs side by side on the porch, holding hands and watching a houseful of great grandchildren chasing blue ghost fireflies on the lawn.”

FTC Advisory: Simon Teen provided me with a copy of Persuasion. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more

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May 04, 2015 Wendy rated it really liked it

Recommended to Wendy by: Goodreads Recommendations

"Persuasion" the second book in "The Heirs of Watson Island" blends family myth, magic and romance in a mystery that began in Watson's Landing with a curse placed on three founding families- the Colesworths, Watsons, and Beauforts.

After returning from San Francisco with her godfather's ashes so they can be buried on the plantation, a grieving Barrie Watson is disturbed when her finding ability draws her to a disk engraved with a raven. When a stranger in a dark suit with dreadlocks snaking over "Persuasion" the second book in "The Heirs of Watson Island" blends family myth, magic and romance in a mystery that began in Watson's Landing with a curse placed on three founding families- the Colesworths, Watsons, and Beauforts.

After returning from San Francisco with her godfather's ashes so they can be buried on the plantation, a grieving Barrie Watson is disturbed when her finding ability draws her to a disk engraved with a raven. When a stranger in a dark suit with dreadlocks snaking over his shoulders confronts her, Barrie is coerced into making a bargain that could mean not only finding the treasure but removing the Beaufort/Colesworth curses. If she doesn't agree he threatens to take away the Watson curse which would mean losing her ability and her bond to the land and yunwi who she's grown to love. When Barrie and her Aunt Pru attend the funeral of Cassie's father she finds a team of archaeologists have been hired to excavate beneath the mansion ruins which could endanger her deal with Obadiah.

Set in the South where three families suffer a curse that gives them a magical ability and binds them to the land, Barrie is not only determined to help find the treasure so the Colesworth curse can be lifted but to help Cassie overcome the trauma of her kidnapping and sexual assault at age thirteen when her father tried to leave the drug cartel he worked for. The plot progresses smoothly and quickly after she makes a deal with Obadiah, only to find that Cassie has hired archaeologists to excavate the land which infuriates the spirits that protect the spot near the ruins where Barrie senses intense loss. Mystery infuses the plot from the first page to the last while suspense and intensity is heightened with the added dimension of PTSD and trauma from a sexual assault that often makes Cassie catatonic.

Although they're constantly arguing Barrie and Eight have grown closer, their passion escalating. In this story he has refused the baseball scholarship to the college in California because he wants to stay closer to home, but Barrie is afraid his ability may have influenced his decision. With their feelings being forbidden because of their family curses, Barrie's filled with doubts and uncertainty. She begins not only keeping secrets but making choices that affect Eight, forgetting that he has a right to make his own decisions. After an explosive confrontation with a Colesworth adversary Barrie finally confronts the depth of her feelings for Eight but it could be too late.

As in "Compulsion" Martina Boone creates characters that are realistic, fiery and complex as they face one challenge after another. Barrie who's kind and considerate continues to fight for what she feels is right, impulsively making decisions because she wants to make those she loves happy. Eight who struggles with dyslexia is insecure, wanting to be appreciated by his family for more than his baseball prowess. Logical but stubborn, he wants his opinion to be respected enough to make his own decisions. Cassie hides a great deal of pain behind bravado and a hot-temper. Often she makes reckless decisions without thinking. Berg Walters is the quiet, controlled archaeologist who often helps Cassie recover when she seems unaware and lost. All these characters and more add energy and drama to a story that keeps you breathless until the end.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Persuasion" with its tragic family legacy, corruption, mystery and magic. Although not new in concept, its brilliantly conceived, well-developed and completely mesmerizing.
...more

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Apr 08, 2015 Kami rated it it was amazing

I knew that would happen at the end! I think at the beginning, it is a little slow but right at the middle it speeds up and the goes a bit fast. It is more creepy than Compulsion. I was shivering at points. I kind of feel bad for Cassie. There's a lot more about her that we don't know. And the "flashback/memory" scene? I almost started crying with Barrie. I can't wait for Illusion though!

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Dec 04, 2014 Stephanie Ward rated it it was amazing

Shelves: for-review, owned, print-arc

'Persuasion' is the enchanting second installment in a young adult paranormal series that will leave readers begging for more. The story picks up where the first book left off - Barrie returns to Watson Island to find the plantation overrun with ghost hunters and reporters all trying to get a piece of the paranormal action and the story of lost treasure. When Cassie hires a team of excavators to dig up the land beneath the mansion - they find a lot more than they bargained for. Then a stranger w 'Persuasion' is the enchanting second installment in a young adult paranormal series that will leave readers begging for more. The story picks up where the first book left off - Barrie returns to Watson Island to find the plantation overrun with ghost hunters and reporters all trying to get a piece of the paranormal action and the story of lost treasure. When Cassie hires a team of excavators to dig up the land beneath the mansion - they find a lot more than they bargained for. Then a stranger with magic shows up on the island and convinces Barrie and Cassie to cast a spell on the ground beneath the mansion - but what they've conjured might just prove to be deadly.

After reading and loving the first book in this series so much, I have to admit that I was both incredibly excited and a little wary to read this book. I was afraid that it wasn't going to live up to the expectations and hopes and I had from the first one. Luckily, I didn't need to worry. Unlike some second installments in series, this book was just as good as the first - and continues to keep this series at the top of my all time favorites list. Barrie continues to be a great main character for the series. She's intelligent, determined, devoted, and willing to do anything to protect who and what she loves. We get to see her character grow even more in this book - both emotionally and mentally. I enjoyed watching her handling difficult situations with a more level head and with greater maturity. The bit of romance threaded throughout the novel continued to be juicy - I loved watching Barrie and Eight together as their relationship continues to grow and change. Cassie remains another great character in the story and seems to be the one always causing trouble for Barrie.

The plot was once again original and full of fascinating twists and mystery. I always try to figure out what's going to happen next or what's really happening in a story before the characters do, but I wasn't able to do that with this book. There were lots of turns and surprises sprinkled throughout the novel, which is always a huge plus for me. I was easily pulled back into the world of Watson Island from the very beginning of the book, and I didn't resurface until I had finished the entire things - which ended up only taking a few hours since I couldn't stop reading. The author's writing style along with the detailed descriptions and imagery made the book come to life right before my eyes - it felt like I was right there beside Barrie while everything happened. I absolutely adored the Southern Gothic feel that it has - I think it brings everything together perfectly and adds that certain "je ne sais quoi" to the series as a whole. Overall, this is a magnificent second book in a phenomenal series that continues to surprise and impress me. I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the next book - the wait being the only downside (why does it have to be so long?!). I very highly recommend this book and series to fans of the genre along with those who enjoy fantasy, paranormal, ghost stories, mysteries, and suspense/thrillers. If you haven't read these books yet - do it - now! I promise you won't be disappointed.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Dec 30, 2014 Rachel rated it really liked it

Shelves: for-review, edelweiss

PERSUASION is the intriguing and fascinating second installment in the Heirs of Watson Island series that takes readers back to a world full of mystery and magic, gifts and curses, dark secrets, envy, and enmity. New threats arise, more complications emerge, and greater challenges must be faced in this instantly captivating sequel.

Returning to Watson Island after attending Mark’s funeral, Barrie realized there is no place she’d rather be. Even with traumatic events that occurred that almost ende PERSUASION is the intriguing and fascinating second installment in the Heirs of Watson Island series that takes readers back to a world full of mystery and magic, gifts and curses, dark secrets, envy, and enmity. New threats arise, more complications emerge, and greater challenges must be faced in this instantly captivating sequel.

Returning to Watson Island after attending Mark’s funeral, Barrie realized there is no place she’d rather be. Even with traumatic events that occurred that almost ended with Eight and her deaths. She missed the connection she had with the land and the spirits that reside there. She missed seeing the Fire Carrier.

But her return reveals that things at the Watson plantation have changed, and not for the better, and that she was kept in the dark by those she trusted. Anxious to regain the privacy and security they once had and to find a way to reopen the Tearoom, Barrie will have to move past their betrayal if she’s to have any hope of getting things back to the way they were.

Though with the arrival of a mysterious man who claims to be able to break the curse and remove their gifts, and insists upon her help in making at least the former happen, it doesn’t seem likely that a return to the way things were will ever be possible.

Forced to choose between secrets and honesty, kindness and vengeance, trust and doubt, mistakes will be made, lives will be put at risk, and Barrie could lose the one person she can’t imagine her life without.

PERSUASION moves the story forward while at the same time introduces a new twist - the possibility of breaking the Colesworth curse and removing the Watson and Beaufort gifts. More will be uncovered about the Colesworth’s history. The search for the hidden gold continues. Something from Cassie’s past will come to light. And Barrie will learn more about her gift and discover something about Eight’s, something he doesn’t know but that could change everything.

Martina Boone introduces a number of interesting and thought-provoking issues in her story - compassion toward those that might not deserve it, choice and free will, a human’s capacity for evil, for kindness, and for forgiveness, and the need for faith and the ability to trust. She creates conflict between Barrie and Eight, adding in the need for secrets and heightening Barrie’s insecurity about their relationship, which makes for a bumpy ride for the two. And she leaves many questions still to be answered about the magic, the spirits, the curse, the gifts, about the newcomer’s true intent, and about Barrie, Eight, Cassie and all the families’ futures in the next installment in the series.

PERSUASION is an enchanting and engaging and beautifully-written read. The world is magical and danger-filled. The characters are appealing. The mystery is gripping. It is a sequel that is sure to leave readers anxious for the next book. ...more

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Jan 13, 2015 Kaitlin (Next Page Please!) rated it really liked it

Shelves: priority-tbr

If you are not aware, I am a huge fan of Martina's books. I love her writing and the awesome plot and story she has come up with. I loved how in Persuasion everything came as a surprise. All these twists and turns and how all these secrets and new information was constantly being dug up. That really contributed to wanting to keep reading to find out what happens next! We got to see more of Barrie and Eight and it all made for a great read. Persuasion is a perfect mix between uncovered secrets, a If you are not aware, I am a huge fan of Martina's books. I love her writing and the awesome plot and story she has come up with. I loved how in Persuasion everything came as a surprise. All these twists and turns and how all these secrets and new information was constantly being dug up. That really contributed to wanting to keep reading to find out what happens next! We got to see more of Barrie and Eight and it all made for a great read. Persuasion is a perfect mix between uncovered secrets, a mysterious curse, and a story that is more to what meets the eye. Definitely a read I would recommend for all contemporary lovers.

Persuasion picks up right after the ending of Compulsion and Barrie is learning more about her curse and the family's past. Things are changing with Cassie, Eight, Watson's Landing, and there is this shift in energy in the book because of what has happened in Compulsion. Now that Barrie knows that there is more to the curse than what people talk about, she's curious! She wants to know more! That's what I really love about this book; how the more knowledge about a death or event was dug up, the more exciting this book got. (And let me tell you, there was a lot of that kind of stuff!)

A lot of Barrie's personality is mentioned in my Compulsion review so here, I am just going to talk about what has really changed in her. Barrie has always been a curious person but her curiosity really just goes over in this book and to the point where I do think she was getting a bit reckless. Sometimes these decisions she made would just bug me because of how reckless they were. This is what lowered my rating. Even though the things she did helped her learn more about her past, she still shouldn't have done what she did. Hopefully she does become wiser with her decisions because it has already caused certain people so much burden with them AND THEN there is me, who is slowly dying from all the damage Barrie has caused with all this damage and ah! I think the real problem with her is that she just needs to step out of the thought that she has to do everything by herself and GET SOME HELP. Or you know, at least let someone know on what she's doing!

One thing I needed to mention before I end off this review is how excited I am to get the next book. The ending left me so surprised and GAH! Really need another book because this series is starting to get sososo great. I really can't wait to uncover more about the curse and I honestly need to find out more about Barrie and Eight because to finally see these two in a "normal" relationship was the best thing ever and I honestly need more of it.

I gave this book 4 stars because I loved everything about it except I was annoying with the decisions Barrie made in this book.

Full review: http://next-page-please.blogspot.com/... ...more

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Apr 23, 2015 Michelle rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle, review-on-blog

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**

Persuasion is the second book in the awesome southern Gothic romance, the Heirs of Watson Island series. I read, reviewed and completely and totally LOVED Compulsion last year. So, I was super excited to dive into Persuasion. If you have not checked out the series yet, now is the perfect time because Compulsion is releasing in paperback and Persuasion releases next month. I think it is a good idea to read these books **You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**

Persuasion is the second book in the awesome southern Gothic romance, the Heirs of Watson Island series. I read, reviewed and completely and totally LOVED Compulsion last year. So, I was super excited to dive into Persuasion. If you have not checked out the series yet, now is the perfect time because Compulsion is releasing in paperback and Persuasion releases next month. I think it is a good idea to read these books back to back because they really do build on each other. It took me a moment to get back into the swing of things and to remember what each of the three families "gifts/curses" were. But once I did, I was once again completely swept up in the magic that Martina Boone weaves with her words.

I love how vivid and rich this series feels. I can feel the mansion, the fire, the spirits, and all the tensions among the families. Not to mention the suspicion and distrust that was a tangible force on every page. I could literally feel it surrounding everyone, and especially Barrie. I swear, I still am not 100% sure who I can trust. I second guessed my intuition more than Barrie did! Martina Boone is amazing at subtly and character building and atmospheric writing. With a new character that will leave your head spinning (Obadiah) and all your old favorites back in the game with even more secrets of their own, Persuasion will leave you questioning intentions and will keep you totally riveted.

The gifts of the families are something else. They still have me totally fascinated. They will mess with your mind. I can totally sympathize with Barrie. How does she know for sure what Eight really wants? Does he want it because she wants it or because he does? That is a hard one to get past for a relationship. What I loved the most about Persuasion was that the storyline was a perfect continuation of Compulsion. It didn't feel forced, or like they had to push a new problem on the characters to keep things interesting. Obadiah and the continued mysteries of Watson Island built on the foundation of the first book perfectly. Old and new fans of the Heirs of Watson Island series will love Persuasion. It is every bit as good as the first book! I cannot wait to see what the third book will bring.

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs ...more

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About Martina Boone

Martina Boone

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Martina Boone was born in Prague and spoke several languages before learning English. She's the award-winning author of feel-good romances set in magical places, including COMPULSION and the Heirs of Watson Island trilogy from Simon & Schuster/Simon Pulse and the Celtic Legends series starting with LAKE OF DESTINY. ...more