Girl Incredible by Patti Larsen

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Kit McLean.

She's funny, intelligent, and has an incredibly exciting past time as a paranormal super spy (even if that is inside her own head). I love her!
Like most high school kids Kit has to deal with the kids you shouldn't mess with, but in Kits case the kid you shouldn't mess with is being controlled by an evil manipulative psycho of a child who definitely gets his comeuppance. Thank god!

I was great to meet another of Larsen's character with whom I can fall in love with. It was fabulous to see Kit (and Patti) tackle the seriousness of bullying and cyber bullying with the sensitivity it deserves while also providing a powerful message to her readers both the young and young at heart. Don't suffer in silence, don't be ashamed of who you are, and talk to someone - anyone - and finally, you may feel it but you are definitely not alone.

I know there's more exciting adventures on its way and can't wait for book two!

Have you joined the Hayle Coven Universe Yet?

Yes? The you'll know how fabulous the stars of Patti Larsen's various Hayle Coven series are. 

No? Well you should! And for this weeks Friday Feature I'm going to tell you why I adore this series.

But first I have an awesome giveaway... and must say a huge thank you to Patti Larsen for her generosity.

I have a chance for you get your hands on the 1st three books in the Hayle Coven Novels series (e-book format), so that's Family Magic, Witch Hunt and Demon Child.

 

Same as always guys, comment on this blog to enter. :)

The Hayle Coven Novels

It all began with Sydlynn, daughter of an all powerful witch Miriam Hayle and Demon Lord of the seventh plain Haralthazar, or Harry in his human form. An outcast at school and weirded out by her family magic, Syd just wants to be normal. 

I'm on record saying how the beginning of Syd's story, Family Magic, changed my life. Both as a writer and as a reader, I'd never enjoyed the first person point of view until I picked up the first in this twenty novel series by Patti Larsen, and also discovered the Young Adult genre at the same time. I dropped my romantic genre prejudices and found a new favourite author. 

Every novel in this series seems just as good if not better than the one preceding it. The whiny teenage who rejected her family as much as she did her powers has blossomed into a fine young woman, coven leader and around super witch destined to save the world. 

But what's even more amazing is Syd, given her maturity, responsibility, expectations and nineteen novels has remained the same, side splitting funny and snarky character throughout, no matter where her journey has taken her, or the cost.

This universe is littered with the most endearing characters, I don't know where to start. But I guess it has to be the Cat. No ordinary house cat, Sassafras has a demon heritage and banished into the body of a Persian for his wrong doings on the demon plane. He's spent one hundred and fifty years with the Hayles and he's the most stubborn, snarky and entertaining cat you'll ever come across. Not content to let Syd have all the limelight he even has his own book.

Grams, love Grams. And although she spends the first four books locked inside her own mind, where at the time tequila and chocolate could only stop Grams from going on magical rampages, Syd has a special bond with Grams unlike anything you've seen before. The dialogue between Syd and her grandmother is laugh out load funny. And I cannot tell you how much I love Grams. 

Miriam, Syd's Mom, is a mighty powerful witch in her own right. She's often the  one the magical kingdom turns to in time of trouble and as much as Miriam is the one Syd turns to, Mom is the one Syd rebels against the most. Time and time again, Syd clashes with Miriam's authority as she fights for what is fair, for justice, and the right thing to do rather than taking the action deemed okay by magical law. 

Harry, Syd's  Dad, is fighting his own destiny. We're shown several times Haralthazar is a big, mean, scary demon, but he showers Syd and her sister with love and even calls his daughter cupcake, much to Syd's displeasure. That's just the start of the father-daughter relationship. Harry is Syd's hero and she fights for her parents right to their witch-demon relationship over and over. You need several boxes of tissues across several novels when it comes to Syd's relationship with her Mom and Dad. 

Meira, Syd's kid sister. Unlike Syd, Meems is more demon than witch and has to disguise her demonic form from the normals. We watch Meira grow from a little girl ashamed of her demon half and living in the shadow of her sister, to become strong and powerful as she embraces her own destiny. Syd and Meems have the true bonds of sisterhood. they clash, they fight, they slam doors in each others faces, but no one messes with the Hayle Sisters and they're a formidable force when they stand up for one another, or together as proven by the totally awesome First Plane. 

Syd sets out for one thing, and I think every teenager wants that same thing; to be normal, to fit in, to be accepted. Attending a 'normals' high school is tough for a witch. She's automatically a outcast because they know she's different, they just don't know why. But over the course of the series Syd gathers a group of friends, characters whom from the start are important, it's fascinating to watch them grow as Syd's destiny unfolds. Her future binds her to all magical races and Syd becomes recognised and accepted by them, but not without one or two battles to prove herself worthy along the way.

Just like every other teen, Syd faces the prospect of romance and heartbreak, and it all starts with a normal, football star Brad. Mix this with the complication of her demon half preferring new coven member Quaid and Syd's many boy troubles have just begun. As Syd's powers develop so does her heart, the yummilious boys just keep turning up, the attractions fed by the different powers and connections to the various planes that control Syd's future. Figuring out which one of these boys Syd is going to end up with in the end is part of the joy of HCN. Patti Larsen writes in a way that she never fails to surprise you and if you look on Patti Larsen's facebook page you'll see everyone has their favourite. Mine? The vampire. Don't ask me why. I'm not a follower of the recent vampire movement in the entertainment industry, to the point where I haven't seen an episode of True Blood, or a Twilight movie, I haven't even read the books. But, for me, there's just something about that vampire. 

We're now at book nineteen of twenty in what has been a rollercaster of less than two years. (Yes, people twenty books in less than two years.) I don't think I've laughed, or cried, or clung on, or craved the next book in the series so much. I drop everything when I get that email telling me the next HCN is waiting for me and recent the real world when I can't. I could not pick out a favourite from in the entire Hayle Coven Novels series. It's so sad that this series is coming to an end. 

But this isn't the end of the Hayle Coven Universe. There's the Hayle Coven Histories, the Hayle Coven Destinies and not to mention Sassafrass's book and Meira is taking centre stage sometime in the Autumn. 

I love the Hayle Coven Novels its almost always gets five stars from me. So here's your chance to discover why I fell in love with this series. Whether you're a die hard fan or just hearing about it for the first time comment below to enter for your chance to win these three e-books.

   

You can read all of my reviews for the Hayle Coven Novels here, and my reviews for Patti Larsen's other books here, and if you haven't joined the Hayle Coven universe, you start with Family Magic here.

Erin

Coven Leader by @PattiLarsen (HCN#19)

Warrior Bride

I felt Liam reach for me, turned again, train of worry broken, beaming, full of joy. And for a long, seemingly endless moment, it was he and I and the magic singing between us.

Congratulations, Ameline's mental voice broke through my happiness and slapped my temper so hard my demon howled in fury. For saddling yourself with further baggage. She laughed coldly. Well done.

I cut her off, Liam's power thrumming with concern as I shook my head, wedding night mood ruined.

The bitch.

Syd’s made her choice, marrying Liam, much to the pleasure of the High Council and her family. But her honeymoon is cut short when Fate comes calling at last. Syd’s final confrontation with the Brotherhood leads her into more danger than she’s ever faced—and throws her headlong into a last battle even her power might not be enough to overcome…My Swearword!

Coven Leader Review

I confess I wasn't overly impressed by Syd's choice. My preference is the vampire clan leader, Sebastian. But until now he's been awaiting Syd to rescue him from the clutches of the Brotherhood's inference with his clan. But Coven Leader opens beautifully and yet again Patti Larsen had emotions clogging up my throat. But the newlyweds are soon interrupted as Syd rescues Sebastian and no sooner is she home she's called into action again, leading her friends into the Enforcer Stronghold. Only to have Meira call to her from the Demon Plane.... And this is only the beginning of Coven Leader.... Yikes!

I'm warning you, you won't want to put this one down once you pick it up and you won't notice the hours sliding away because Coven Leader is a heart stopping, action packed, roller coaster. Syd finally joins forces with
Ameline to face their destiny. But Syd's family, the coven and the extended "family" in the other magical races she's adopted throughout her journey, which have become equally important to her, are threatened with tragedy beyond the Brotherhood. Syd's family and destiny collide in such away that Coven Leader is a painstakingly bittersweet investment worth every second .... And every teardrop. (Kleenex at the ready!) 

Buy Coven Leader (Hayle Coven Novels: Book Nineteen) at Amazon 

Erin

Enforcer by @PattiLarsen (HCN#18)

Difficult Choices

Erica Plower’s eyes widened as she set her cup aside, glancing sideways at Mom. The former second of my coven, now my representative on Council, wasn’t exactly on my side. “The law is clear, Syd,” she said, blonde hair, once a cute bob, now grown out to rival my mother’s long, black locks. “And you’ve broken it. We’ve pushed our willingness to accept a little leeway, but with the approach of conclave…” She sat back as the others—minus Mom—murmured their agreement. “You must get married.”

So that’s what this was about. They’re worried about saving face? I sent the tight mental question to Mom.

Witches are always worried about appearances, she sent with a heavy dose of laughter in her voice.

Nice to see someone found my imminent doom amusing.

Conclave approaches, a full two months after Syd’s twenty-first birthday. With no husband decision in sight, she instead focuses on the gathering of witches come from the four corners of the globe to debate and create law. Her plan to scour all of witchdom for Brotherhood influence encourages Miriam to open the proceedings to every magical race. But, in doing so, she leaves the door gaping for the enemy to come knocking...

Enforcer Review

 This is probably the best Hayle Coven Novel so far!

 Enforcer sees the entire magical kingdom descend on Winding Springs for a conclave to secretly scout out the true effects of the Brotherhood thrall. As we know, diplomacy and politics are not Syd's strengths. She's overwhelmed with the goddess worship from others, boredom, and not to mention that small matter of the responsibilities, duties and expectations of her cover leader role. Syd's running out of time to choose between the men in her life who want to marry her and the one who loves her, doesn't want her to marry anyone else and yet won't marry her himself. It's a good thing the Brotherhood have a few tricks up their sleeves to keep Syd and her allies occupied. It's time for the rest of the magical kingdom to wake up and taste the bitter Brotherhood coffee Sydlynn Hayle style.

 Syd and her egos are totally on form, I giggled so much through Enforcer. Once again I've devoured the entire book in one sitting, lost time (because its early hours and I'm sure that much time couldn't have passed since I picked up my kindle). I love the way Larsen pulls surprises on you, as much as I thought I knew where the plot was heading the words 'I so did not see that coming' crossed my mind quite a few times. Even Syd's choice of husband surprised me. There's so many great things I could tell you about Enforcer, but I don't want to spoil it. It's another magical must read for everyone. 

The preview first chapter of HCN 19: Coven Leader is a mixture of heart warming and heart breaking, its torture. I still feel a little emotional. I can't wait to get my hands on it. :)

Buy Enforcer (Hayle Coven Novels: Book Eighteen) at Amazon.

   

Erin

Schedule Madness!

I've been rather quiet this past week and for this I apologise. It's that time of year again when the Uni deadlines go super crazy for a couple of weeks and everyone, and I mean everyone wants their first assignment. So, I'm up to my neck in New Media and Digital Communications. Don't ask me why I do this to myself because right now I really couldn't tell you... but ... I love it!

If you don't follow me on Twitter and your not friends with me on Facebook, or haven't liked my Facebook Page, or you don't have me in your circles on Google+ hint hint!

Then here's what you missed last week.

• I gave an interview to Mummy Adventures on Sunday, 


• I talked about going from 4 years to write my first novel to just 2 weeks to write Tainted Love over at Bunny's Review on Monday, 


• I gave an interview to Blog-A-Licious Authors on Tuesday,


• Tainted Love's Faith McKenzie made a special appearance over at Patti Larsen.com on Tuesday


• I guest posted on the booked that have changed my life on Friday at Author's Friend, who also wrote an awesome 5 star review of Tainted Love.


• Eden Baylee interviewed me on Friday with the popular Get Inside the Mind of @erincawood 


• I gave an interview to Tribute Books on Saturday, 

Erin

Posts You May Have Missed

#FridayFeature - Dark Promise by Patti Larsen (HNC #13)

Friday's are about the end of the working week. They're about clocking off at the end of the day and knowing its the weekend. So each week I aim to bring a #FridayFeature that showcases a book or an author you can to enjoy at the weekend (or at any other time).

This weeks feature comes in the form of my all time favorite series Patti Larsen's The Hayle Coven Novels. I got my paws on Dark Promise less than 12 hours ago and here's why I recommend it for this weekend. 

Dark Promise - Hayle Coven Novels (Book #13)

Just before Christmas, tucked away in the back of Queen of Darkness (HCN#12) the sneak peek at Chapter One of Dark Promise revealed college student and all round supernatural super witch/demon/vampire/sidhe princess Sydlynn Hayle had been unwillingly ripped from the earthly plane, across the veil to the demonic plane and to her dying Grandmother's side, just in time to figure out the ruler of all Demonicon was murdered! 

My fan-girl brain went in speculation over drive! The power dynamics in Demonicon are so complex, Syd herself could possibly become the new ruler of the demon planes. If not then her dad, Harry, would become ruler and all hope of him telling Ahbi where to shover her second seat and going back to Miriam is lost. And if that is the case, there's the future stepmom and the half-siblings. .... These last six weeks have been the longest. Ever!

So I wasn't disappointed when Syd was accused of Ahbi's murder!  

Light and Shadow by @PattiLarsen (HCN#11)

 Come the Brotherhood. 

You must be careful. I turn toward the voice, see a shape floating next to me in the dark, glowing softly iridescent, all the colors of the rainbow and others for which I have no names.

Of what?

The sound and feel of the shape is feminine. She lifts her arm and points. I see them then, below and before me, two vast armies stretching out over an empty gray plane, facing each other. But they've not yet begun to fight. I recognize witches and vampires, Sidhe and demons, other creatures I've never laid eyes on, crowding one side. On the other side are humans, feeling empty and cold, though their power crackles around them like electric fire.

You must be ready. My companion's voice is very sad, makes tears rise in my eyes. The war is coming and you only have a little time left to prepare.

When Syd dreams of a terrible battle between sorcerers and all other magical races, she is tasked by a mysterious maji with protecting the Light and the Shadow, a pair of teenagers she rescues from the veil. Forced to track down the Chosen of the Light for assistance against this new threat, Syd teams with an unlikely foe turned ally in a stand against the rise of the sorcerer’s Brotherhood. 

Light and Shadow Review

Once again I'm lost to Wilding Springs until the small hours of the morning and left bereft when I'm finished. What am I supposed to do until the next installment? Syd and her family are so familiar now that it's like catching up with an old friend. :-)

Although, I do not have any friends with a life as quite as exciting as part sidhe, part demon, part vampire, and all over super witch Sydlynn Hayle. She's already been through the typical coming to age teenage angst stuff. She's pushed everyone away and rejected the world around her. But this time the fate of the all magical planes rest on her helping someone else through theirs. A brother and sister whose destinies are greater than Syd's. One to save the world from destruction. The other to destroy it. Did you just get chills?

Once again were treated to Syd against the rest of the world with her usual tenacity and style. But she's also realizing the limitations of those around her, like her mom, her dad, the lack of willingness to act in matters which do not affect them, and she's seeking ways of protecting the coven rather than her reckless old ways.

It was nice to see her outgrow her predetermined destiny with Quaid, let him go and be happy. And I have to admit I'm definitely on board with vampire clan Sebastian as a love interest. If this is where the developments within Light and Shadow are going. What with Meira's Kidnapping and Syd's retrieval of the vampire essence she now carries inside to save him from it in past Hayle Coven Novels, they've had a long dramatic history and unlike Quaid, yummy Sebastian isn't bored with the action in Syd's life.

Love Syd! LOVE The Hayle Coven Novels. Excited about the pending release of the Queen of Darkness. :-)


Erin

Posts You May Have Missed

First Plane - by Patti Larsen - Hayle Coven Novels #10

OH.

MY.

GOD.

Stop everything you are doing right now

GO READ THIS BOOK!

I know I only posted on book 9 of the HCN series, Divided Heart, last week but I was holding out until I'd finished my uni work and eventually caved in to read it. And even though I didn't love it, it was still an excellent read.

And after reading First Plane I've a million more questions and speculations about what is to come but this time I'm not sharing. I don't want to spoil First Plane for you.

We left a broken hearted Syd at the beginning of her first semester at college, with best friend Liam pinning for her to feel for him the way he feels for her. She has the vampire essence playing nice and the rest of the witch community running scared because she defeated a blood magic user. But she's got a new gang of witch friends and alls going good in her life. Even the relationship with her crazy busy high council leader mom is settling down.

Princess of the second plane?

Its Christmas and Syd has returned to Wilding Springs when her Dad crosses over from the demon plane and tells Syd and Meems he wants them to cross to the demon plane they have a whole family they dont know anything about, including their Grandmother who is the ruler of Demonicon and she would like to meet them.

Upon arriving in Demonicon Syd and Meems are assigned their ranks within the demonic world. They are now at risk of attack from other demons wanting their status and power. If they are to survive this world they most learn the ways of their demonic heritage and fast. 

Syd and Meems tag teaming and kicking demon ass is a book not to be missed! 

Divided Heart by Patti Larsen (HCN #9)

Oh my! We left Syd in Wilding Springs as the new co-coven leader of the Hayle Coven and about to embark on college. With no first chapter I had no idea what to expect from Divided Heart. 

So ... Here comes Harvard. Syd is looking forward to a life where being a witch is normal. People won't reject her and trouble won't follow her. But hey, c'mon this is our Sydlynn, perpetual trouble magnet wearing sore thumb. Almost immediately Alison's echo is stirring up trouble trying to get the Vampire virus that feeds her life force. Then a series of teacher lead embarrassments, a jealous stand off, arguments, witchy slap downs, the Dumonts twins, Vampire nests, jerky boyfriends, pouring out true feelings from best friends and Syd is having a really tough couple of days.

Syd's old school friends are here too. Maths genius simon and Mia's ex-Blood but they soon get involved with witches and Syd is concerned. And rightly so, they're normals. But this time no one has her back. Her mom is doing everything by the book. Quaid is being a jerk about everything and the only people Syd can rely on is Sass the Cat, Grams' advice and Liam. And then Syd is attacked by vampires also after the vampire essence. It breaks free of its prison and settles in Syd. Cool new power or poisonous virus?

Poor Syd is learning just how tough being an adult and a coven leader really is. 

I really love this series

Full Circle by Patti Larsen - Hayle Coven Novels #8

Patti Larsen always puts the first chapter in the back of the last book and when I read Miriam had been arrested by the crooked enforcers of the High Council I've been on the edge of my seat for WEEKS waiting for this book!  

So let me share with you my pre reading speculations: Syd's Mom is dead for sure!

The last 3 books have been about preparing Syd for taking over the coven, the challenges are getting harder, Syd's taking on more responsibilities, she's realizing her potential and her capabilities. Everyone in the coven is accepting her as the next natural leader.

There is NO WAY ON THIS PLANET is Syd leaving the paranormal witch centre of America known as Wilding Springs for the greener college pastures, especially not with The Wild sleeping in her back garden! 

Full Circle was definitely worth the wait ! ! !

Yet again Syd's quest for something normal, on this occasion a simple date, is hijacked by the magical world. This time it's her Mom who's in danger. All these end of the world events have finally caught up with the leader of the Hayle Coven and we all know the words 'witch trials' aren't a good thing. Syd has to take the place of coven leader and make friends with the other coven leaders in order to expose the corruption rotting deep within high council before her coven is no more and her family magic is consumed by an old enemy. Syd has to save her Mom's life.

After reading so many of Patti's novels, and speculating for so long, I honestly thought I knew which way this was going but ... OMG! The plot twists I didn't see coming got me at least three times! Once again I was kept guessing right until the end. Although all the usual characters make an appearance this one focuses on Syd and Grams, and their banter had me chuckling throughout the night. Love Grams! 

What I loved here was we saw what life would be like for Syd and Quaid. All powerful coven leader and the stay at home dad, Quaid really steps up and helps Syd out with Meem's and everything now their Dad's back in his own demon world. Loved Syd's Demonic Super-Dad crashing in, trying to save the day and scaring the crap out of all the witches. 

Love Syd's humor. She may be all grown up with responsibilities but she's still got a smart tongue and her commentary always makes me giggle. Her voice is like one of an old friend you don't talk to for ages but the second you pick up the book its like you spoke just yesterday.

There are 12 more in the Hayle Coven Novels but Full circle is this last in this quartet.So there are a few story lines that are closed up here, including Quaid's family, Syd's friends and Uncle Frank horrible torture at the hand of the Durmonts. There's also the return of some old faces. 

So am I wrong does Syd save Miriam? Or Am I right and does she give up college to become the new leader of the Hayle Coven? Well ... That would be spoiling it for you but I will tell you there are tears to be shed at the end so you may need tissues.

So sad that I have to wait months for the next one. 

Erin

Buy Full Circle at Amazon

Posts You May Have Missed 

Flesh & Blood - Hayle Coven Novels #7  

The Basement - Part One  

Why Can't You Write A Novel 

Flesh And Blood By Patti Larsen (The Hayle Coven Novels #7)

Prepare for battle because the attacks are on all fronts!!!

Syd's magical world has been quiet for a while. Her boyfriend is still on his quest for revenge and her best friend is out of town. So she spending most of her life with the Sidhe Gatekeeper and new friend Liam. But her Demon-lord-stuck-in-a-human-body father is about to make her life explode.

By using forbidden blood magic he transfers his demon power to the family cat and returning Sassy to his human form. Syd is suddenly battling to safe her father's life first from coven law and then from the threat of remaining a powerless human. Amidst jumping between Earth and Demonicon, Syd must face the enemies from both inside and outside the coven.

Right from the beginning you're swept up into the drama of Syd's life. The turmoil of her relationship with Quaid and then her Dad goes and does something THAT stupid! Blood magic - How could he? Flesh and Blood is concentrated more on the Hayles as a family rather than the entire coven. Its a refreshing change and we get to learn a bit more about Syd's demonic third. We also learn much more about Syd. She grew up a lot in the last book, learned a lot about what she was capable of as a person. In this Flesh and Blood she learns much more about what she is capable of magically. And she's totally AWESOME!!! I can NOT wait for Full Circle (book 8).

Oh and a word of warning... you NEED a box of tissues for Flesh and Blood. It's heartbreakingly brilliant!!!

Erin

Reviews You May have Missed


The Hayle Coven Novel - By Patti Larsen

Book Review: The Long Lost by Patti Larsen

SYD's BACK! ! !


And I was so hoping that Syd would be because the perfect world Syd fought for was left balancing on that frustrating edge authors like to call "leaving for the readers imagination".


It's amazing, its been 5 months since I read The Wild and yet the second I opened The Long Lost, Syd was there ... just like a friend you've not spoken to for ages!


I'm not generally a reader of series that follow a single Character (although Patti Larsen appears the exception to this rule) We're now on book 5 and Syd's still growing, she still makes me smile, laugh (out loud sometimes) I'm still routing for her and her struggles, and the secondary storyline developments are still really intriguing. I'm still trying to figure out what's going to happen and work out some of the clues but some of the twists just not expecting until that Ah yeah, the clues were there all along! moment.


I absolutely adore reading this series, its always fresh, always keeps me hooked from cover to cover no matter what I'm supposed to be doing.... It's incredibly addictive.


If you haven't read the previous 4 - Hayle Coven Novels, read them! They're a fantastic excuse for avoiding the real world. Escapism at its best! :)


Erin

Book Reviews You May Have Missed:


The Hayle Coven Novels - By Patti Larson

Best Friends Forever by Patti Larsen

Fasten your seat belt because Emily is going to grab your hand and drag you along a gripping ride. And you don't want to miss this!


Tragically touched by the loss of her best friends Emily is shocked from her cloud of depression when her brother goes missing. The police are useless but her parents are happy to leave them to do their job. The only ones willing to point Emily in the direction she wants to go are the ghostly apparitions of her friends. Has her depression and guilt finally drove Emily crazy or are her best friends trying help her find her brother before its too late?


I was hooked from start to finish. I didn't want to put it down. Absolutely loved every minute a would recommend to anyone who enjoys a read. Absolutely Fantastic!




5/5 - Best Friends Forever has shot straight to #1 of my top ten best reads of the year!


Erin 

Book Reviews You May Have Missed:


The Diamond City Trilogy - By Patti Larsen - Addictive YA Urban Fantasy


Me Before You - Jojo Moyes - Heart rendering Un-put-downable - Romance


The Dating Detox  - Gemma Burgess - Laugh Out Loud Comedy - Romance 




Posts You Many Have Missed:

Diamond City (The Diamond City Trilogy #3) by Patti Larsen

Fresco has something everyone wants; ultimate freedom. When the evil corporation attempt to replace a drug more lethal than Wasteland its Time for Fresco to take the fight off the streets and back to The Diamond City. Will Fresco trigger the hidden kill switch inside every genetically modified child and kill the experiment?


Nothing irritates me more than figuring out what's going to happen and going I knew it! But just when I thought I'd might have, something happened and blew my theory out of the water. Yet again, I was on the edge of my seat and lost in Fresco's world for hours! There was a scene where I almost shed a tear and I really felt for Fresco. I absolutely loved the last line! Typical Fresco... Perfect!


Erin

Book Reviews You May Have Missed: 


The Diamond City Trilogy - by Patti Larsen - Addictive YA Paranormal Urban Fantasy

A Girl Like You - by Gemma Burgess - Laugh out loud Comedy Romance


A Perfect Proposal - by Katie Fforde - Escapism at its best- Romance

Book Review: Wasteland by Patti Larsen

Fresco's Back! But he's tainted by the betrayal, abduction and loss of many loved ones. He has inner demons as well as outer ones. In taking on the corporation who destroyed the only place he found peace Fresco discovers the truth about the drug 'Wasteland', the experiment he was born into, and the heritage he is entitled to.


I was addicted to Wasteland. (LOL! Sorry, pun not intended!) My kindle went everywhere! I walked and read...I resented having to stop reading at the end of my lunch break... it draws you in from the first chapter and then its away and hours later you're coming up for air. If you've read Fresco, you're already prepared for this dark world but Patti Larsen gets darker. Wasteland takes a deep look at addiction through the eyes of when a user who doesn't see the wrong in what they're doing.... Exhilarating!


5/5 - Be prepared to resent "real world" interference!!!


Erin

Fresco - The Diamond City Trilogy #1 - By Patti Larsen

For those of you who know me, my writing and the books I read, you'll know I live in a rose tinted happy ever after, head in the clouds fiction kind of world. But you'll also know before Christmas I discovered a new author who had me on the edge of my seat and forgetting to go to bed. So when Patti's new Urban fantasy The Diamond City Trilogy came out around the same time as I broke up from University for Easter I thought what better way to relax. 

Meet Fresco, a typical suburban teenage kid. His Mom bakes him cookies, he plays on the school football team and his best friend is a bit of a jock too. Fresco even has a skeleton in the closet, his brother, Daniel, isn't at college like everyone else thinks. He's an addict and long gone, where? Fresco doesn't know. When Fresco survives a car accident that should have killed him all kinds of weird things begin to happen. He starts to hear people's thoughts and men in dark suits come for him in the middle of the night. Suddenly, his brother's choices are Fresco's reality. 

Deep in a dark new life on the city streets Fresco discovers his old life masked deception and betrayal. The real world is corrupted by a corporation cover up and there are many kids who are just like him, even Daniel. Fuelled by an addiction that will ultimately kill them and gifted with abilities they cannot use. But what makes Fresco special is he figures out how to break his addiction and use his gifts freely.

Patti Larsen takes you on a dark journey with Fresco's slip into all consuming addiction to the 'blue joy'. Its compelling, there were bits I didn't want to read but I didn't want to put it down either and you can't hide behind cushions when you're reading! Its not that Fresco is scary, far from it, but its real. Once I'd taken off my rose tinted glasses and Fresco was coming out of his darkest point I really enjoyed reading part one of The Diamond City Trilogy. I loved the combination of personalities. Fresco's love interest Parker is an interesting character who depicts the contrasting long term effects of an addiction to Fresco's new born ones. The chemist Medley is abrupt and quirky, she took up home in a place in my heart, but I particularly have soft spot for Apple. The cute sisterly type character who takes a shine to Fresco. She's sweet and a ray of sunshine in the dark clouds.

By the time I got to the end I explosive ending... exciting and upsetting... I was itching to get my hands on part 2 - Wasteland.

Erin

Buy Fresco (The Diamond City Trilogy #1) for Kindle at Amazon

You have to see this!

Family Magic Book Trailer

Click here  

Those of you who have been reading my blog over recent months know I have seriously fallen in love with Patti Larsen's Hayle Coven Series ... since I learned how to share Youtube videos on my blog 2 days ago I figured you all had to see this!

I think I'm abandonning my latest bedtime read tonight - AGAIN!

Erin

The Wild: Patti Larsen - Book Review

So Santa Claus brought me a Kindle for Christmas and I've been itching to try it out... but with University and my part time job my writing time it limited - I've been saving my procrastination days for the excitement that is Patti Larsen's The Hayle Coven Series.

Just as you'd expect with so much heartbreak at the end of book 3 The Wild (Book 4) is tense from right the start. Syd and her mum receive the warning in Chapter 1 Syd is going to bring trouble to the coven once more. But why would she? Syd has everything she ever wanted right? She's powerless, ergo... She's normal! Without the magical complication her love triangle has just been made so much simpler and there are no coven duties to interfere with her social life. Syd's about to learn a valuable lesson in life... whether a witch, a demon, a daughter, a sister, a friend... a girlfriend... or a centuries old Sidhe princess... whoever... its the being a teenager and having no control that sucks.

Its time to take some action Syd style! Not the insecure little girl who didn't know what she was doing we met in Family Magic. Not the frustrated teen who couldn't quite control what was going on Witch Hunt. Not the scared young lady who shied away from her ability in Demon Child. But a determined and mature young woman with no access to any magic but ready to fight for her cause anyway.  

Cast your mind over the three books before, everything that once was significant and seems forgotten is not. You don't need to have read these books to read The Wild, although I most certainly recommend you do for the sheer pleasure of it all. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the tiny attention to the details that keep these books real is amazing. The ending is both sad and yet so painfully real I wanted to cry for Syd.

Well I could go on all day! So sad my time with Sydlynn Hayle appears to have come to an end. But excited Patti is introducing a new Hayle shortly with Smoke and Magic.

5/5 -  Come on, would you expect I'd give it anything less?

The Wild is available for Kindle and other Digital Editions

Erin

The Hayle Coven Novels - reviews you may have missed

Family Magic - Book 1

Witch Hunt - Book 2


Demon Child - Book 3

Book of the Month: Demon Child by Patti Larsen

On the 17th December I learnt enthusiasm is infectious. I was over the moon to be asked to reviewing Patti Larsen's The Hayle Coven Series again.

Demon Child (Book 3) is explosive from the start. The chosen... the cleansing do gooders are out for revenge and Syd's demon half is no longer prepared to play nice with Syd. On top of this there's a new boy at school who's just waltzing in and swiping Syd's friends right from under her nose like he owns the place. Oh and that tasty little love triangle between Syd, the football star and the bad boy biker is tilting in the favour of.... well that would be spoiling it for you.

And this is just Syd's life! Add in the kidnap, betrayal, and coven apocalypse and you're in for so exciting stuff. There were times when I was actually on the edge of my seat. I was actually jaw dropped at the end... That so did not just happen! Thank God Patti Larsen publishes sequels within weeks because waiting for book 4 The Wild has been agony. Yes I know... its seems I may have a problem, but I'm a writer, words are my drug and Demon Child has been one hell of a rush!

So why is enthusiasm infectious? I tweeted as I went to bed at 4:00am  "Just read @PattiLarsen's Demon Child (bk3 Hayle Cove) 5/5 it just keeps getting better. On edge of stuff". I found not only my tweet but Patti's Book was also mentioned in the Alex Beecroft Daily.

5/5 - If you're not addicted already you will be - My smashwords review says it all! 

Demon Child is available for Kindle and other Digital Editions

Erin

The Hayle Coven Novels - reviews you may have missed 

Family Magic - Book 1

Witch Hunt - Book 2      

Book Review: Witch Hunt by Patti Larsen

Once again I have been given the great honour of reviewing Patti Larsen's The Hayle Coven Series.

Witch Hunt (Book 2), is set six months after Family Magic. Syd and her wonderful sarcastic wit is back and juggling her magic with homework, her human first crush on the football star with her demon desire for the bad boy, and her social life with friends for her coven rituals and traditions. And yes, she still fights with her mum. I think I love this part at the start of book 2 the most because after everything that happened in Family Magic, this tiny little detail keeps Witch Hunt tuned in to real life. 

Thoroughly enjoyed Witch Hunt as much as I did Family Magic. Again lost in Syd's world from cover to cover and rather disappointed when it ended. The sneak peak into book 3 - Demon Child, has me dancing with anticipation for the release date. Can't wait! I definitely have a new favourite author on my virtual bookshelf and a new genre on my reading list. 

5/5 - Recommended for the young adult in everyone!

Erin

Witch Hunt is available for Kindle and other Digital Editions

Reviews you may have missed

Family Magic - Book 1 - The Hayle Coven Series by Patti Larsen