Book Review: The Magic of Cape Disappointment by Julie Manthey

The Magic of Cape Disappointment

by Julie Manthey

Paperback, 258 pages

December 12th 2015

Is it possible that love is the most powerful magic of all?

Growing up, her family insisted upon her destiny as a powerful healer based on a two-hundred year old prophecy. But Kay Baker was always more interested in forging her own path.

After completing medical school, she’s ready to leave her “medicine woman” status behind in favor of a new life in New York City.

However, Kay finds herself back in her hometown near Cape Disappointment after tragedy strikes—facing a new set of responsibilities and the legends she’s tried so hard to leave behind.

As the truth behind her powerful destiny is revealed, Kay discovers that magic is hiding everywhere—even among life’s greatest disappointments.

Who or what is in control of your life? You or Fate? Do you believe in "signs"? Is everything you feel or do bringing you closer to your predestined place in this world? No matter how you fight for independence is something steering you with relentlessness?

Sure that her nickname "Coyote girl" is just an endearment used because of her independent nature, Kay dismisses all tribal lore and sets out to find something unique and challenging to do with her life. Sailing through medical school (only to appease her mother) she turns away from the medical field and takes up art as a profession. Her painting of the "motorcycle man" brings rave reviews but little does she know that this painting will bring her more than popularity...it is a prediction of things to come.

Set in Washington state, this story affords us a glimpse into Indian lore about skinchangers, magical powers and the link carried through generations. An easy, enjoyable read with just the right amount of characters, drama and romance. Enjoy the "alpha" female who needs a soul mate to temper her magic that she was unaware she even possessed. Talk about persistence! Her motorcycle man must be a saint to weather her cynical sometimes obstinate and rude behavior while coming to terms with her "calling".

I loved the portrayal of family challenges and the little bit of history (made up or real?) I gleamed from this book. It was easy to read, although not necessarily an obsessive page turner, and I really enjoyed it.

Will she embrace her heritage? Will she choose freedom from the strong pull of responsibility to her tribe? Follow Kay through her thought processes and perhaps relate to her struggles as she comes to peace with her decision. We all may not have magical ties to our past but I am sure many of us can relate to major life changes that chart the course for our destiny.

I give this 4 "close to the veil" sheep

Jeanie G

About the Author:

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Julie Manthey started writing stories for her family and friends as soon as she could hold on to a crayon. She is a proud Hoya alumna of Georgetown University.

Julie thinks that the best part of writing fiction is imagining alternate worlds and mixing up a small echo of reality with a very large dose of fiction to create a fun, magical reading escape. She hopes that you enjoy the magical and fictional world she created in The Magic of Cape Disappointment. Julie is also currently writing the second novel in the Cape Disappointment series.

Why “HeyJoule?” Well, a Joule is a unit of energy and there was much energy and enthusiasm transferred into this novel. Besides, “Jule” as a nickname only makes sense for this very busy novel gal if you spell it as Joule.

Book Review: SEAL's Code: Bad Boys of SEAL Team 3 Book 3 (SEAL Brotherhood 10) by Sharon Hamilton

SEAL's Code: Bad Boys of SEAL Team 3 Book 3 (SEAL Brotherhood 10)
by Sharon Hamilton

June 30, 2015Pages: 194
Romance (with paranormal elements)
Plot:
Danny Begay has tried to drive out the voices of his ancestors for most of his young life, but the life springing from his Navajo roots will not die. He is summoned back to Arizona to visit his dying grandfather, one of the original Navajo Code Talkers. Ashamed he has disappointed his hero grandfather he buries himself one more time in the arms of a stranger before he goes back to his home in Northern California.

Luci Tohe teaches at the reservation school, safeguarding the health of her ailing mother and little sister’s future, at the temporary expense of her own. She doesn’t expect the young Dine warrior she meets to be anything but a distraction from her loneliness. She knows she will dream about their hot encounter for years.

Danny cleans his life up, joins the Navy and becomes a SEAL, where he becomes the man he knew he was destined to become. Between deployments, he goes back visit the girl he cannot get out of his mind. The reservation has become a dangerous place for Luci’s family and soon Danny is embroiled in not only saving Luci, but her whole family as well.

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I really would like to first and foremost point out that SEAL's are the super badass, as all branches of the military are. When they are also sexy as hell, well, it helps!

Though I didn't get the chance to read the previous books in this series, I didn't feel lost at all. Kudos to the author for that. You can certainly read from this point with ease. But I will add some caution, this is not a tale of fluffy romance. There are some really dark elements stacked in here. Sexual assault, violence against women and some very questionable parenting. Luci's Mom is not winning any Mother of the Year awards, that's for sure. This tale is no doubt for those who like a harder hitting romance, because it is absolutely rated R.

While our main character Danny does join the SEAL team, the story is more so about the Native American world and culture. There are loads of details about some historic involvement, life on reservations and the many colorful traditions and family life. The SEAL team and their action takes a backseat to the overall flavor of the Native feel.

I did have a hard time connecting with the lead pair, it may be due to some differences of personal beliefs or lack of understanding. whatever it was, I struggled to make that mesh. However, I still enjoyed the overall world that was developed. There's loads of mystery and twists you wont see coming, all these parts kept me entertained and interested to read how everything would turn out.

Overall, if you like darker adult romance with hints of the paranormal and Native American history, then check this one out for sure!

Getting 3 and 1/2 Sheep 

KD

About the Author:

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Sharon Hamilton is a NYT and USAToday bestselling author most known for her SEAL Brotherhood series.

Her Golden Vampires of Tuscany are not like any vamps you've read before, since they don't have to go to ground and can walk around in the full light of the sun.

Sharon's Guardian Angels struggle with the human charges they are sent to save, often escaping their vanilla world of Heaven for the brief human one. You won't find any of these beings in any Sunday school class.

All of Sharon's books are available on eBooks (most formats), print and Audible.

A lifelong organic gardener, Sharon lives with her husband in the Wine Country of Northern California, where most of her stories take place. When she's not writing, she's getting verra verra dirty in the mud or wandering Farmer's Markets looking for new Heirloom varieties of vegetables and flowers.

Sharon is represented by Jill Marsal at the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Spotlight: Dark Heir (Jane Yellowrock #9) by Faith Hunter (Exclusive Excerpt #2)

To follow the tour and all the excerpts: http://goo.gl/vvoNKr

Dark Heir excerpt #2

Still moving at speed, we emerged from the alley, clanged the gate shut, and made it to the SUV, Eli beeping the vehicle open. The trapped heat exploded out. We opened all the doors to let it air, which gave us time to take in the scenery. Traffic clogged the streets in the French Quarter, so bad we might not be able to get out of the parking spot unless someone was looking for one and let us out so they could get in. It was bumper-to-bumper gridlock. I’d be glad when my Harley was repaired and I could again weave through the New Orleans traffic. “We’re gonna hafta hoof it to HQ, Alex,” Eli said, “but we’re not going in wearing street clothes. We’ll change here. Give us details as they firm.”

“Copy. Better you than me, in this heat, dude.”

Eli got behind the wheel and synced up our cells to the vehicle. I took the back seat and started gearing up—leathers, weapons, boots. Not easy in the back seat of an overheated SUV with windows tinted vamp-black, even one as roomy as the brand-spanking-new one Leo had provided for my use. Eli turned on the cab lights and the AC, but it would be forever cooling off. I shook out a handful of baby powder and tossed the container to Eli, both of us liberally powdering the sweat down and sliding the leathers over our limbs as Alex began to give us the particulars .

“Looks like it started in the sub-four basement about three minutes ago. Two fangheads fighting over a human woman. She’s hurt. Del sent down reinforcements, but they got caught up in it and now it’s a brawl.”

Eli spat a curse under his breath, sliding on his new, high-tech combat boots and yanking on the laces. He had a point. Injured humans meant we had no choice but to intervene.

Dark Heir (Jane Yellowrock #9)
by Faith Hunter

Mass Market Paperback, 336 pages
April 7th 2015 by Roc

Shapeshifting skinwalker Jane Yellowrock is the best in the business when it comes to slaying vampires. But her latest fanged foe may be above her pay grade…

For centuries, the extremely powerful and ruthless vampire witches of the European Council have wandered the Earth, controlling governments, fostering war, creating political conflict, and often leaving absolute destruction in their wake. One of the strongest of them is set to create some havoc in the city of New Orleans, and it’s definitely personal.

Jane is tasked with tracking him down. With the help of a tech wiz and an ex-Army ranger, her partners in Yellowrock Securities, she’ll have to put everything on the line, and hope it’s enough. Things are about to get real hard in the Big Easy.

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About the Author:

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Faith Hunter, fantasy writer, was born in Louisiana and raised all over the south. The Skinwalker series, featuring Jane Yellowrock is taking off like a rocket withSkinwalker, Blood Cross, Mercy Blade, Raven Cursed, Death’s Rival and Blood Trade. Her Rogue Mage novels, a dark, urban fantasy series—Bloodring, Seraphs, and Host—feature Thorn St. Croix, a stone mage in a post-apocalyptic, alternate reality, urban fantasy world. These novels are the basis for the role playing game, Rogue Mage.

Under the pen name Gwen Hunter, she writes action-adventure, mysteries, and thrillers. As Faith and Gwen, she has 20+ books in print in 28 countries.

Hunter fell in love with reading in fifth grade, and best loved SiFi, fantasy, and gothic. She decided to become a writer in high school, when a teacher told her she had talent. Now, she writes full-time and works full-time in a hospital lab, (for the benefits) tries to keep house, and is a workaholic with a passion for travel, jewelry making, white-water kayaking, and writing. She and her husband love to RV, traveling with their dogs to whitewater rivers all over the Southeast.

Cover Reveal: Dark Heir (Jane Yellowrock #9) by Faith Hunter

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Dark Heir: A Jane Yellowrock Novel

by Faith Hunter
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Roc (April 7, 2015)

Shapeshifting skinwalker Jane Yellowrock is the best in the business when it comes to slaying vampires. But her latest fanged foe may be above her pay grade…

For centuries, the extremely powerful and ruthless vampire witches of the European Council have wandered the Earth, controlling governments, fostering war, creating political conflict, and often leaving absolute destruction in their wake. One of the strongest of them is set to create some havoc in the city of New Orleans, and it’s definitely personal.

Jane is tasked with tracking him down. With the help of a tech wiz and an ex-Army ranger, her partners in Yellowrock Securities, she’ll have to put everything on the line, and hope it’s enough. Things are about to get real hard in the Big Easy.

Be sure to pick up your copy of Broken Soul next week so you will be ready for Dark Heir next April!

Broken Soul (Jane Yellowrock #8) 

by Faith Hunter

October 7, 2014
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Jane Yellowrock is a vampire killer for hire—but other creatures of the night still need to watch their backs....

When the Master of the city of New Orleans asks Jane to improve security for a future visit from a delegation of European vampires, she names an exorbitant price—and Leo is willing to pay. That’s because the European vamps want Leo’s territory, and he knows that he needs Jane to prevent a total bloodbath. Leo, however, doesn’t mention how this new job will change Jane’s life or the danger it will bring her and her team.

Jane has more to worry about than some greedy vampires. There’s a vicious creature stalking the streets of New Orleans, and its agenda seems to be ripping Leo and her to pieces. Now Jane just has to figure out how to kill something she can’t even see….

Sunday Swag: Faith Hunter

Sunday Swag Team!
Riverina Romantics 
 I Smell Sheep 

Today's feature author:
Faith Hunter

About the Author:

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Faith Hunter, fantasy writer, was born in Louisiana and raised all over the south. The Skinwalker series, featuring Jane Yellowrock is taking off like a rocket withSkinwalker, Blood Cross, Mercy Blade, Raven Cursed, Death’s Rival and Blood Trade. Her Rogue Mage novels, a dark, urban fantasy series—Bloodring, Seraphs, and Host—feature Thorn St. Croix, a stone mage in a post-apocalyptic, alternate reality, urban fantasy world. These novels are the basis for the role playing game, Rogue Mage.

Under the pen name Gwen Hunter, she writes action-adventure, mysteries, and thrillers. As Faith and Gwen, she has 20+ books in print in 28 countries.

Hunter fell in love with reading in fifth grade, and best loved SiFi, fantasy, and gothic. She decided to become a writer in high school, when a teacher told her she had talent. Now, she writes full-time and works full-time in a hospital lab, (for the benefits) tries to keep house, and is a workaholic with a passion for travel, jewelry making, white-water kayaking, and writing. She and her husband love to RV, traveling with their dogs to whitewater rivers all over the Southeast.

bookmarks, two business cards (one that you can't get anymore) a sticker and two buttons. The Have Stakes Will Travel can't be found anymore!

Head over to Riverina Romantics and win more Swag!

Guest Post: Krista Holle: Vampire, Werewolves, and Native Americans? + Giveaway!

Vampire, Werewolves, and Native Americans??

Vampires, werewolves, and Native Americans, oh my! Wait, backtrack a moment. Native Americans have no place in paranormal literature—or do they?  This is something I wondered while preparing to write a paranormal romance about a fifteen-year-old Native American girl who can communicate with the wind spirits. Since writing The Wind Whisperer I’ve learned a lot about Native American culture. It doesn’t matter how we would catalog a novel about Native Americans—the ancient natives did believe in things we would consider paranormal.

One thing that struck me in my pre-writing research was just how superstitious the ancient Native Americans really were. Most tribes believed in a variety of demi-gods that had the ability to either grant favors or punish at will. The jealous and angry gods needed to be pacified on a regular basis and required a regular tribute at the temple. The demi-gods were also known to make an occasional hair-raising encounter among the humans.

I also learned that there were those individuals who were elevated in status for their great magic. A tribal medicine man was revered for his ability to heal the sick and appeal for help from the “Great Spirit”. A priest’s job might be to create rain through prayer, drumming, and burning incense. If the priest got tired of trying to capture the rain god’s attention, he might recruit an apprentice to take over. Whichever man produced rain would be forever celebrated for his great magic. The superstition goes on and on.  A crow flying east in the morning might mean good luck while a bone figurine would hold a powerful protection against an enemy.  

One of the most important Native American beliefs for my novel, The Wind Whisperer, was the idea that everything has a spirit. This includes: rocks, trees, squirrels, and even the wind. It wouldn’t have been such a stretch for the natives to believe that one of them might be able to hear what the wind spirits were saying. Anaii, my teen protagonist has heard the wind spirits talking for as long as she can remember. One moment she may learn that the raccoons are rooting through the trash, the next moment she may learn that an enemy is preparing to attack.  This gift makes Anaii the most valuable member of her tribe—and the most unlikely.

You won’t find any werewolves or vampires in The Wind Whisperer but you will find a Native American culture that’s packed full of mysticism and superstition. You may disagree that Native Americans have a place in paranormal literature, but there’s one dispute you will lose—Native American culture is absolutely magical.

Author Bio
Krista Holle is an award winning author who stepped up her writing after reading Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series.  It occurred to Krista that there is an insatiable audience of women and girls who want to read books filled with stories about true love—not just vampires.  When Krista is not writing, she loves to collect seashells, watch movies, and eat obscene amounts of pizza.  Krista currently resides in Montpelier, Virginia with her husband, four daughters and an eccentric cat with a weird attachment to the family’s socks. 

***GIVEAWAY***

One lucky winner will receive a paperback copy of The Wind Whisperer and a beaded Native American bracelet. *Please note, bracelet may not be in one of the colors above. 

US and Canada ONLY

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