Title: Prime
Series: Riftkeepers #1
Author: Carrie Whitethorne
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release: October 3, 2017
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34517316-prime

Blurb:
One night. One taste. Pure Magic.

Stressed and tired, Charlotte needs a break. Raising twins single-handedly often takes a toll that even a glass of wine can’t cure.

And when Charlotte is reunited with the gorgeous and captivating Callan McAidh— who showed her what true passion and pleasure really were years ago— Charlotte knows her life is about to be turned upside down once again.

But when Callan reveals the truth about himself, and about her past, Charlotte is catapulted into a world of danger and mystique. Now, it’s up to Charlotte to accept her destiny while holding on to the only man she’s ever loved.

Charlotte soon learns that some legends have dark origins; some so dark it is impossible to evade their touch.

Buy Links:
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This was a fun little read! This did have too much sex, definitely not a clean read, for my clean readers. I had to skip a few pages. There is also strong language here. That being said, the bulk of the story was fine and enjoyable - no pun intended. The characters were well written and just when I thought I had them figured out, they surprised me, which was part of why I really liked this book. Can't wait for the second installment. 

***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive one. These thoughts and opinions are my own.***

Carrie is a mum.  An author.  A creator of worlds. A dreamer.  A friend.

At her childhood home in Yorkshire, Carrie was encouraged to utilize her imagination, to see things for what they could be, and to ask the question “what if?”  Her mum introduced her to worlds filled with magic: Barrie, Lewis, Tolkien, Blyton.  That magic evolved and continued to inspire her when she discovered Rowling and Sanderson.  They all asked the question and explored the possibilities, opening doors to new adventures that would forever change generations to come.    

Even as a child, Carrie preferred creative outlets and writing.  But as an adult, Carrie had not yet had that moment of inspiration to begin writing a novel of her own.  That all changed one normal morning, on a normal walk to school, when a small boy slipped from the pavement and on to the road.  There was no accident. No horror.  Just a near miss that later formulated into one question: what if he was able to save himself?  Fueled by this question and Carrie’s love of fantasy, European folklore, and mythological creatures, The Riftkeepers emerged.  This world answered her question.  The series gave birth to characters that took on a life of their own, many telling continued stories in novellas and spinoffs.

When Carrie isn’t writing and annoying her editor with endless typos, she barely sleeps, thinks about her characters, indulges in an unhealthy Facebook addiction, exploring the beauty of the Lake District as her backyard, and contemplating which she loves more: pizza or wine.  Definitely wine. Considered to be one of the most boring people she knows, writing her own biography was a definite weakness. Her first draft was rubbish and was picked apart by friends who insisted she was funnier and far more interesting than she gives herself credit.  She was no longer allowed to write her own biography, so she provided input.

Carrie now resides in West Cumbria with her husband and two children.  They are her inspiration.  Her world.

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Whitethornebooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/C_Whitethorne
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitethornebooks/
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16044748.Carrie_Whitethorne
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Carrie-Whitethorne/e/B01N7K0YK7
Website: http://www.carriewhitethorne.co.uk

Meet Irene Nylander, a frumpy housewife from Finland … and a yo-yo dieter. She feels trapped in an unhappy marriage, looking after her domineering mother-in-law and living vicariously through romantic movies.

Meanwhile, in Florence, Mimi Kavanough’s star is rising. She has the body of a Barbie princess, the iron will of an army sergeant – and Hollywood in her sights. 

On her fiftieth birthday, Irene discovers her husband is having an affair. Devastated, she prays for a way out: she wants to die.

In heaven, a mischievous angel called Aaron hears her prayers. He decides to make Irene and Mimi swap bodies.

How will the two women cope with their unexpected, and very different, second lives? And will Aaron’s meddling get him evicted from heaven? What will happen if he has to transform into a human being and live on Earth?

We've all wished we lived someone else's life at least a few times throughout our lifetime. For me, I'd love to trade a quiet evening with someone who didn't have children. But someone else who wishes they had the chaos, would want to trade places with me. I think it is only in seeing, and living in another person's shoes that we maybe appreciate our dysfunctional life. I'm also a firm believer in guardian angels but to have a different picture of Heaven being bureaucratic and business like was a little too much for me. Then again, I'm not sure I like the idea of all singing, all praises that someone else imagines it to be. These angelic creatures Katarina West have imagined have their own rules, their own thoughts, fears and justifications of following said rules. I love love Aaron. If I could have a guardian angel, it would be him. I'd want someone in my corner that looks at life a little different, and would find humor in just about anything. 
I've never read any of West's books but this may not be the last. Her words painted the setting so beautifully for me and switching thoughts between Aaron, Irene and Mimi without getting lost in the shuffle was a wonderful relief. But overall, I enjoyed this book! It's not everyday you have the opportunity to read 'A Thousand Tiny Miracles of Living Twice," with some Angel Aid, of course! 

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review. However, these thoughts and opinions are my own. I'm not required to write a positive review.***

​Katarina West is the author of Witchcraft Couture and Absolute Truth, For Beginners. She was born in Helsinki, Finland, into a bilingual family that in addition to humans consisted of dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs, canaries, rabbits and – thanks to her biology teacher mother – stuffed owls and squirrels. She spent time travelling in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and went on to study at Queen Mary and Westfield College in London and the European University Institute in Florence, where she completed a PhD in political science and published a book based on it, Agents of Altruism. During those student years she started work as a journalist, and continued writing for various Finnish magazines and newspapers for over ten years, writing on various topics from current events and humanitarian issues to celebrity interviews and short stories. She also briefly worked as a university lecturer on humanitarian issues in Northern Italy. Katarina lives in an old farmhouse in Chianti with her husband and son and when not writing, she is fully immersed in Tuscan country life, from jam-making and olive-picking to tractor maintenance.

Social Media and Website Links
Website http://katarinawest.com
Blog http://www.katarinawest.com/things_I_know_about_life
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/katarinawestwrites?ref=hl
Twitter @WestKatarina
Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1201091.Katarina_West
Amazon.com Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Katarina-West/e/B001KHHKNW/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Amazon.co.uk Author Page http://www.amazon.co.uk/Katarina-West/e/B001KHHKNW/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0 Instagram https://instagram.com/westkatarina/

This book had magic, and mystery, and action, and I'm satisfied with how it ended. That being said, it's not my cup of tea and had to force myself to read this dark and twisted story. Lonnie keeps having visions and I was so lost in the back and forth. Was he high during the entire time? Was he finally coming down from his fix? It was too in your face and detailed. I told my husband that this was literally "Dresden on crack." Soo, if you happen to like that sort of thing, this book has it all. Intrigue, power, lust, revenge.....all to Hell and back. 

I'm giving this read 3 stars, in part because it's not the type of book I'm used to. It's dark and horrific and bloody. But Kenny Soward did a phenomenal job with details and there were twists I didn't see coming. 

***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive one. These thoughts and opinions are my own.***

This was quite a fast read. I read it in less than four hours, I think. But just because I happen to be a fast reader didn't mean the author himself didn't take his time. J.C. Roberts took his time in the build-up of this fun horror mystery and it had just enough action to keep the pages turning. It certainly is reminiscent of the Goosebumps series that I read as a kid. 

This was an excellent start to a series, or rather, the first case for Warren High's Paranormal Investigation Club. There were plenty of surprises and perhaps, its the superstitious part in me that shivered along with the characters, but I did not want to keep reading this book at midnight! Roberts did an excellent job with imagery. I'd recommend for those of us who want a throwback to the old Stine classics; or for those who want to introduce your children to a quick read that it's okay to be different, and to stand your ground amidst the sway of the crowd.

I laughed. I ducked under my covers. I was reminded that some walls we need to tear down ourselves. And like most people, however far removed we are from high school, we still remember who we were: the bully, the geek, the nerd, the popular kid...... and in Warren High: an Elephant never forgets.

​J. C. Roberts is a young author who was born and raised in Houston, Texas. From a young age, he's always been fascinated by old legends, mythology, and folklore and wishes to seek out their origins. For a short while, he was a teacher at a private school for children with social struggles called Focus Academy, where he primarily taught English and Mathematics. 

He has a pet prairie dog named Stormy, and enjoys practicing archery. When he's with friends, his favorite thing to do is play board games (his favorite being Betrayal at the House on the Hill) and he has a deep love for puzzles and mysteries, especially logic puzzles. His favorite author is Annette Curtis Klause, and he always loves corresponding with his readers. You can email him at JCRobertsFanMail@gmail.com with any questions or comments you may have.

Social Media links:
https://jcrobertsauthor.com/
Twitter: @JCRobertsTweets
Facebook: @JCRobertsAuthor

The third act of a play is where it all usually comes together. The waiting, the mystery of two forces, and the inevitable meeting and fighting back ends here. Right here in this third and final book of the Mentalist Series. The gang is officially tired of running away. I don't like giving away spoilers, so I won't say a whole lot about this book. I will say that this was written in both Russ and Gemma's point of view. We can hear Russ' running internal dialogue of being galant trying to find a way to protect his lady love, and then the reality that he's still just a teenage boy and he's afraid. And he's not as strong or equipped to protect his love as he wants to think he is. The world he knew as a kid is not the same one he's been running around in. Bad guys do exist. Powers beyond our control can be manifested to hurt us and others. Words and alliances can be twisted. 
Gemma's internal musings are no different. One the one hand, she has accepted whatever fate lies ahead but she is still just a girl who wants to be home and safe with Russ, and her dad. She does gets braver and takes more risks with each book. More action, foreshadowing, a looming threat, and perhaps, a happy ever after........but one can never be sure what's in store for these twins! Once again, thank you, Kenechi Udogu, for supplying me with this book. I was sweating bullets there for a while but way to end the series! I can't wait to read more of your work!

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 
* For my review on BOOK ONE, click here.
* For my review on BOOK TWO, click here. 

​Kenechi lives in London and enjoys writing short stories, paranormal and fantasy fiction (some of which she posts on her blog - http://caeblogs.wordpress.com). She also hates the cold and hopes to one day figure out how to hibernate in winter.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KenechiUdogu

Twitter: @KenechiUdog

Ahh book 2. The second book of a trilogy is usually a little more slower. We get to know more about Gemma, and more about the world of Mentalists. In the previous book, there was enough mystery to keep us interested. In Sentient, we started getting bombshells! So much happens in this one, and I'm not going to spoil anything!! Just trust me when I say that the second book of ANY TRILOGY are usually my favorites (Catching Fire for Hunger Games, and the Scorch Trials for the Maze Runner just to name a couple).

Gemma and Russ, we learned at the end of Book One, are Sentient Twins. This would explain why they both are pulled towards each other. She learns more about some secrets her dad kept from her, and a little more about why she's "special." In this one, we meet quite a number of people that pull the story along. There are more actions, but also a lot of waiting around for the other shoe to drop. 

It's this waiting for the other shoe to drop that drives Gemma. She's more anxious and more on guard. In this book, we also get to know more about Russ. Russ has become my favorite! He stays grounded, stays calm, and is the voice of reason to Gemma's runaway thoughts. Together, they realize the strength they have. Apart, well.....apart, Russ is still the voice of calm, and Gemma is still anxiety filled. Although she's the "special one," and the one with the abilities, you realize it's Russ that grounds her, and allows her to focus on what really matters. Chasing bad guys, fine. Giving bad guys a taste of what you can do when you put them together? Priceless. What more could you want in a Sentient? .

* For my review on BOOK ONE, click here.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

​Kenechi lives in London and enjoys writing short stories, paranormal and fantasy fiction (some of which she posts on her blog - http://caeblogs.wordpress.com). She also hates the cold and hopes to one day figure out how to hibernate in winter.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KenechiUdogu

Twitter: @KenechiUdog

*I received this book from the author in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

In Book 1, Aversion, we are introduced to Gemma Green. She’s your typical teenage outcast. You know the one: beautiful but doesn’t believe she is, smart, and keeps to herself? She has this ability to avert people’s actions by mind control, and comes from a line of Averters. Only, she’s a girl, which is unheard of. Averters are almost always male. She already knows she’s different being what she is, and then to know you’re also an anomaly in a world of “abnormals?”

On her first day of becoming an official “Averter,” she feels like she messed it up because the person whose mind she was controlling, was supposed to forget about her. Only he doesn’t. And he’s not just any person, he’s the school’s tennis champ. And he starts to follow her around, and starts asking questions about who she is.
​
This series was so great that I ignored my family that was visiting for Spring Break week! It was quick and fast paced enough for me to keep turning the pages – er swiping the screen – and well written enough that I was mesmerized by Gemma, and whatever she actually is. I’ve read enough YA paranormal to already know how *most of them turn out. But this series? The concepts weren’t anything new – Empath, people with abilities, people with abilities being chased by powerful people, but I like how  Kenechi Udogu paced this book, and wrote out Gemma’s 15 year old thoughts without sounding too cliché and too cheesy. Yes, there was some teenage angst about not fitting in, but she was mature enough to understand the whys of their situation. Any 15 year old would have cause to rebel, but Gemma doesn’t. There is loyalty in her father, faith in what she is, and what she’s meant to do, and enough strength to question those loyalties, her abilities, and who she could become.
​
You are some kind of special, Gemma Green, and not just because of all these things that people say you are or aren’t. This was my first foray into your world, and I can say, you are definitely not an aversion! 

Aversion - Book One
Sentient – Book Two
Keepers – Book Three
Broken Ties – Prequel
 
Aversion Synopsis
For Gemma Green’s first time, things should have been straightforward. Find your subject, hold their gaze and push a thought into their head to save them from future disaster – Aversion complete. A pretty simple process given that the subject was to have no recollection of the experience. But Russ Tanner doesn’t seem to want to forget. In fact the more she tries to avoid him, the more he pushes to get to know her. Gemma knows she has a problem but is she facing the side effects of a failed Aversion or has the school’s tennis champ really fallen for her?

Kenechi lives in London and enjoys writing short stories, paranormal and fantasy fiction (some of which she posts on her blog - http://caeblogs.wordpress.com). She also hates the cold and hopes to one day figure out how to hibernate in winter.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KenechiUdogu

Twitter: @KenechiUdogu