Bachelor Number 1 or Number 2....

Hello, hello!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers….where the reading is fresh and always served piping hot.

It’s February…in case you didn’t know…the month of LOVE (or a grim reminder of what you’re missing out on…depending on if you’re a glass half full or half empty kinda person). Combine with that the fact that it’s also FRIDAY and BAM…you have the perfect recipe for today’s post. How so? Ah, you’re about to find out.

Today is date night to many and for those looking for a 2D version of the potential man of their dreams (or simply a read that just so happens to feature two hunky guys in its varied cast)…I offer today’s selection. It’s about a girl with a past, or rather many pasts, that has many a decision ahead of her…besides the obvious everyday of what to wear and how much or little to study. Without further adieu, today’s book of choice is…

Emblem of Eternity, Book 1:

Eternal Starling

By

Angela Corbett

From the publisher…

A love so strong, even eternity can't separate them
Evie Starling has lived a relatively uneventful life hanging out with friends, gossiping about boys, and driving her 1966 Mustang. All of that changes when she moves to Gunnison, Colorado, to start college and meets two mysterious men.

For centuries, Alex Night and Emil Stone have yearned for Evie—but they each have their own reasons for wanting to be with her. When both men claim to be her soul mate and tell her about an unbelievable past, Evie learns that she’s not the person she thought she was. Soon, Evie finds herself in the middle of an age-old battle between the Amaranthine Society—the soul protectors, and the Daevos Resistance—the soul destroyers. With a past she doesn’t understand, and a future rife with danger, Evie has to decide who she can trust. But Alex and Emil aren’t the only ones who want Evie, and her soul is about to become the rope in an eternal tug-of-war.

Sounds exciting, right? It is! Alex Night is a gentleman; considerate, kind and never wanting to push things too far despite any high voltage feelings floating about. He says he’s there to protect Evie…but very exactly what or whom, he can’t truly disclose…at first. Then we have Emil Stone, the bad boy; he’s edgy, more modern in his freedoms, and won’t say no to a kiss at first sight (yes, that DOES happen and it’s quite a showstopper considering where and how it happens). He seems to be your average Joe otherwise…but that temper that flares just beneath the surface seems to be hiding something oh-so-dark. Both are a great catch, some for reasons more apparent than others but in the end, the truth is SO much more than you could have guessed. Now let’s talk a moment about Evie, the actual “focus” of the story….

After getting around the eye candy, we can clearly see Evie; a modern woman of the times, she loves to hike, spend time solo or with close friends, and adores her muscle car. She’s not exactly a girly girl but hey, there’s no rule book saying she has to be and her friends and family love her for who she is….that’s why her relationship with Alex and Emil is that much more difficult to navigate. While she has feelings for both in one way or another they clash in the most unusual ways….some speak to her emotionally and physically, others but up against her sense of self. Oh, and that’s BEFORE the “visions” she encounters when they touch. Visions you ask? Yes…visions. They each feature a girl of about Evie’s age and appearance with each of these fellows but the outcomes are anything but happily ever after. *cue mystery theater music*

There were two parts I had a hard time swallowing though. First, there were a few sections of the book where Evie’s personality seemed to flip like a switch…leading me to believe that either her resolve to be herself wasn’t as strong as I imagined or perhaps it was a tiny character building flaw. Second, the birthmark or rather soul mark of the flowers. Umm, yeah…that’s QUITE the beauty mark….I mean if my parents told me I was born with THAT, I’d be thinking…yeah, you got me tattooed when you were out of it. I mean, it’s lovely….but for a fantasy type story somewhat set in reality, I didn’t quite buy it.

In conclusion, an interesting concept with enough emotion to spark fireworks in the month of July and enough back-story revealed to allow readers a comfortable viewpoint at this early stage in the planned trilogy. I know I’ll be coming back for more….how about you? Recommended read for older Young Adult fans through adult…like I said….fireworks. ^_^  ARC for review received courtesy of Pendrell Publishing.  (THANKS!) For more information, be sure to check out the publishers site.  This book is now available through your favorite retail outlet.

Until next time…happy reading!

The Yara Silva Trilogy: Indelible by Lani Woodland

Hi there readers!

How are YOU today?

Good I hope.  The week better be treating you right or you have my FULL permission to give it a good stern glare…okay?  Now that that’s settled, how’s about we delve into a good read.  Today’s featured title is the second installment in the Yara Silva Trilogy…and boy does it pack a punch!  Ready to read all about it?  If not, feel free to first check out my review of book one…if so, here goes!  Today’s book of choice is….

The Yara Silva Trilogy, book 2:

Indelible

By

Lani Woodland

First off, I gotta say it….the titles though wonderful and unique, certainly don’t roll off the tongue with ease, but it is part of their charm and really, once you hear/see them, they’re not easy to forget.  Moving forward….let’s start with a definition of the title conveniently provided for us in the front of the book.

INDELIBLE:  Making marks that cannot be erased, or removed.  That which cannot be eliminated, forgotten, or changed.

 

Yep…that certainly fits this book as well as the many storylines floating around in it.  Yara has more mysteries to deal with this time around of both the ghostly AND the earthly varieties.  Number one ghost contender…Sophie Pendrell; this is one family that just won’t quit!  Seriously, you’d think they created a school JUST so that they could cause trouble for kids of all ages in life and in death.  Sophie has some unfinished business to attend to thanks to her husband as well as her own sense of duty to a promise made long ago, but will she let Yara help her?  Eh, no…or more like h-e-double-hockey-stick-o no.  It seems she blames her for the mess that exists currently in conjunction with that promise and while it’s true, it is SOMEWHAT her fault…should that really matter?  I mean, she was tricked into discovering the location of the hidden object that would lead to the potential unraveling of all the good magic that binds the school grounds, locking in the evil brought by man that once tried to escape.  Gheesh!  Oh…wait…I’ve said too much.  O-O  Ahem…moving on….

The story is chock full of information about the addictive nature of gambling, the dangers in messing with Mother Nature, and what darkness can be provoked when the wrong person is given a LITTLE too much power.  We get reacquainted with the evil that is Thomas from book one, catching a glimpse of just how he became the way he was, what he hoped to accomplish, and the “gift” he left behind for Yara’s boyfriend, Brent.  Notice I said gift with quotation marks there….suffice it to say, it’s not a puppy.  School politics come into play a time or two as they discover further connections to both themselves and the past but don’t be surprised if you get caught in the web they are spinning.  They seem to have a knack for saying and doing the right thing at the right time even if it’s really the wrong thing at the right time….you know what I mean.  The powers that be are controlling and vindictive…case closed. 

Things are not all doom and gloom though.  The Silva family gains the spotlight a time or two, especially Yara’s Grandmother Vovo.  Oh how we’ve wanted and needed to meet her more fully!  She’s a wealth of knowledge, love, and power…and don’t let her sweet little old lady demeanor fool you either; she can be MAJORLY tough when the time calls for it.  It’s pretty impressive.  Outside of blood relatives, we catch up with Cherie (her best girl friend) and Brent (Yara’s formerly possessed…well, sorta…boyfriend) as they make their way through the school year and try to help Yara out as well.  Cherie is still curious about the paranormal, but is definitely a little more cautious after last year’s “fun” fest.  Brent…well, at times I wanted to strangle him for his reactions and actions (or lack thereof), while others, let’s just say that like the water and fire Yara and he are, together they make one steamy couple.  ^_^

Did I mention secrets abound?  No seriously.  American Wakers…the Council…the list goes on and on.  Why didn’t her grandmother TELL her about ANY of it?  Or did she even know?  Something to ponder (though it is answered in the book…well, at least the last question)…but I can pretty much guarantee we’ll be learning more about any and all of this in book three.  I would have never guessed the outcome for Sophie; as far as I was concerned this is one ghost that was written off.  What’s that old saying?  Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me.  Yeah, well how about try to kill me one or more times and still expect some help from me?  O-O  I can hear the crickets chirping now as you wait for that response that will never come.  ~shakes head~  I definitely can’t wait to see how Yara’s growing powers come into play…and even Brent’s…and whatever happened to….oh no, you’re not gonna make me slip up this time!  (hehe) 

In summary, book one introduced us to Yara’s world as she uncovered talents she didn’t know she had, and really didn’t want.  Book two gets us more intimately acquainted with the ways of the Waker and all it entails as Yara embraces her power more fully…even if reluctantly….and accepts her family heritage.  It’s a powerful role she has to play in the lives of those who’ve moved on unsuccessfully but one she must fully accept if she has any hope of controlling it as opposed to it controlling her.  Believe me; you don’t want it to control her….scary results.  O-O  My one line verdict….I DEFINITELY have to see how it all ends!

Recommended reading for teen readers and beyond.  The story will keep you under its spell from start to finish as it weaves a tale of magic, romance, danger…and school (the end of year prank is totally worth that exposure though).  You’ll laugh.  You’ll smile.  You’ll cringe at the reactions some show in response to decisions made (*cough* Brent *cough).  You’ll widen your eyes in shock as the scene turns from serene to dangerous in no time flat.  You’ll change your mind about certain characters a hundred times over.  In short, you’ll enjoy yourself and really, isn’t THAT what’s important?  This book was released a few weeks back so feel free to seek it out as well as its predecessor (Intrinsical…which I happened to review right here on the site if you would like a sneak peek) in a bookstore near you! 

ARC for review from the fabulous folks over at Pendrell Publishing.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their complete catalog of works, be sure to stop by their site, like them on Facebook or check out their Twitter feed.  To discover more about the Yara Silva trilogy (yes, I said TRILOGY…as in there is one more installment still to come!  Guess what’s on my wish list?  ^_^), check out the book’s official web page…and if your curiosity is still not quenched (which I totally don’t blame you for), pay a visit to the author’s site or follow along on Twitter (you won’t be sorry….she’s a joy to tweet with)!

Until next time…happy reading!