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 

The Basement - Part One

   With one hand upon the door, Andie pushed open the entrance. Below her, the basement loomed. Cold and musty.

   Echoing inside her mind the click of the light switching off echoed from five years ago. But the light was on. Why is the light on? Who’s been down here? Who’s down here now?

   Tense fingers tightened around the railing. Her plimsoll gave a soft scrape as it left the top step as she started her decent down the stairs and Andie froze.

   Her eyes darted around the dimly lit basement, across the once white painted walls that were now chipped and yellowed with age. As she scanned over the room her eyes missed the darkened hidden corners. Her heart thumped in her chest as her inner voice screamed; what are you doing?

   Andie took the second step towards the end. This is it, the realisation that she was walking towards the finale descended on Andie like a darkened cloud. Whatever happens down here? The end has arrived.

   Each new step echoed into the silence. The sound grew faster, louder, as though someone was coming up behind to pass her on the stairs.

   “There’s no one here” Andie chanted as she tried to slow her rapid pulse. She failed. Her heart beat with the increase rhythm of the fantasised footsteps. “There’s no one here.”  

   Her hands covered her ears but they couldn’t block out the the noise drumming louder and louder in the forefront of her mind. Andie squeezed her eyes shut and yet she still saw that person pass her on the stairs. She didn’t want to remember her.

   But the drumming continued and a footloose carefree Andie bounded down the stairs excitedly calling her parents. Their housekeeper said Andie’s parents were archiving business documents in the basement office when she left to do the grocery shopping. Andie couldn’t wait to share her fantastic news. She called to them again. There was no reply.

   A strange stillness had fallen on the basement. One that she’d never experienced in their family business headquarters before. But with no footsteps in the rooms above and no noise from the gardens outside it was like even the air had stopped moving. A spider-like tingle crawled up Andie’s spine. The basement might be empty, but Andie wasn’t alone.

   “Mum?” She tried to hide the shiver in her voice as she called out to her parents again. “Dad?”

   Slowly, Andie turned. The rise and fall of her feet splashed against the ground. “What the …” Creases pulled in her forehead as she stared at the trail of dark liquid on the floor. “Mum?” A knot of panic twisted inside her stomach as stared at the dark stream slowly painting red ripples over the toes of her white plimsolls. “Dad?”

   Andie’s heart began to race. Her head whipped around, her body straining to follow as she tried to find where this leak was coming from. The trail leading her eyes towards a wall of heavy duty cases stacked side by side from floor to ceiling. A ball of fear clogged up the back of her throat. There was nothing behind the wall that could leak. No pipes. No paint pots. Nothing!

   As she stepped towards the stack of disturbed boxes Andie’s heartbeat crushed the wall of her chest. The moisture evaporated from her mouth leaving nothing but the bitter taste of dread and it intensified with every step.

   Andie stiffened against the wall of cases. Straining beyond the blood thumping in her ears she waited, held her lungs still, while she listened for signs of the intruder’s presence. She didn’t want whoever was behind there to know she had found them. But there was nothing. She let the breath silently leave her lips.

   “There’s no one here.” She told herself again and took a shaky step around the corner and behind the wall.

   “Mum!” Andie’s heart stopped. “Dad!”

   Her hand smothered her gasp.

   A shiver ran down her spine.

   Andie eyes widened with horror. Her parents were... they were together... they were in each other arms. They held hands and from ear to ear a long red slice decorated under their chins like a smile.

   “Oh god” Terror tore through Andie’s airway. Her lungs burned as Andie dropped to her knees. Her trembling fingers reached towards her mother’s still hand.     “Mum?”

   Her hand was cool. Andie’s gaze drifted along her mothers arm towards her face. Her skin was pale and grey. Her mouth a tight thin line, her lips blue. But her face was perfectly relaxed and gentle. If her hazel eyes had been closed she could have been mistaken for sleeping.

   Fighting against her tears Andie turned to her father. “Dad?” The word caught on a sob in her throat. “Dad?” She reached towards his shoulder gently rocking him backwards and forwards “Dad!”

   The panic exploded as she shook harder on his shoulder, his entire body following the motion. “Dad!” The strangled cry burst from Andie’s lips followed by choking sobs. “Wake up!” An afterthought had her snatching at his wrist searching for a sign of life. A faint one responded to her touch.

   From behind her footsteps echoed through the cavernous basement. Andie looked up “Help!” She crawled towards the sound “Someone help me!” she was reaching out for whoever might be there.

   The footsteps ran up the stairs. The basement door closed. A Key turned in the lock.

   Oh God! Andie scrambled to her feet. They’d locked her in! She scrambled up the stairs and rattling the door handle. The door wouldn’t open. Andie pounded her fists against the door. “Please!” She slammed her shoulder into the door. It didn’t budge.

   Her Dad had the keys.

   Andie ran back towards the boxes. He always had them on him. Her trembling hands tapped him pockets; nothing. Slowly Andie sunk to her knees beside her parents taking their hands in hers.

   “Hold on Dad” A cry shudder through Andie.”Just hold on.”

Read Part Two 

Erin

Posts You May Have Missed 

Novel Extract - Tainted Love 

Life Begins at...  

Check Out My New Website 

Life begins at ...

Today is a huge milestone for me. Its the day many people, especially the ladies who reach this day, (sorry girls but its true) sob into their cereal, eat a ton of chocolate and wash it down with copious amounts of wine. 

Today, I turn 30.  

And I don't think I've been more excited about a birthday than I am about this one.

You see, when I was little - and I'm talking really little - I always said I would get my A-Levels and go to university. When I discovered Danielle Steel at 14 I said I wanted to be a published author. These were my aspirations in life. 

7 years ago I went back to college and I worked a 30-35 hours and attended 15 hours of classes and then I sat down to do my homework, and lets not forget about neglecting love of my life, the house we share, my enormous family and my non-existent social life. It was the hardest two years of my life and there were times I didn't think I'd make it. 

But I didn't quit and I obtained 3 A-Levels at the end of it all. And I learnt something incredibly powerful. You can achieve anything you put your will and determination behind. 

At the same time I discovered 3 things I'm crazily passionate about. Writing, Social Media and Web design and I'm now turning my passion for social networking and web design into a BA(hons) in New Media. September sees the start of my 2nd year towards achieving number two on my list of goals. 

But I think the most exciting part of this birthday for me is the last on my list. The becoming a published author. When I began my first novel 5 years ago, I said I'd like to have my 1st novel published by the time I was 30.  

12 months ago I was toying with a fictional wedding in Las Vegas. It didn't work for the project I had in mind but the concept captured my imagination and I ran with it. An actress met a showbiz reporter in Las Vegas and yes, they got married, and no, no one knew about it...And boy are there days when I regret it now - Ha ha - Just kidding! 12 months ago, Valentina Secrets was born. 

The series has grown there's now 10 novels in the series and I'm bouncing off the walls with excitement. The first novel in the Valentina Secrets Series is being edited this month ... squee! 

Read and extract of Tainted Love: The Faith McKenzie Story. 

Erin

.