Book Review: Shadow Touched (complete four novella series) by Erin Kellison

Shadow Touched
by Erin Kellison
“A dark and scrumptious treat.”—Alexandra Ivy

A darkness looms over humankind, lurks in mirrors, blurs boundaries—a twilight world ruled by powerful mage Houses.

It is bleeding into our world, bringing with it banshees, wraiths, fae from the twisting forests of Twilight. But Eleanor Russo’s problem is a very different kind of phenomenon. Her dark mirror image is a wild thing, willfully seducing the very man Ellie hoped could help her...

Dr. Cam Kalamos has devoted his career to exploring the boundaries between this world and Twilight. But nothing could prepare him for the mischief and mayhem of a soul split in two...

As Ellie and Cam explore their deepest desires and barely escape with their lives, there is only one certainty: Trusting in shadows is a dangerous game.

Includes the novellas “Shadow Touch,” “Shadow Play” and “Shadow Hunt,” plus the never before published “Shadow Burn.”

amazon

*fangirl squee* If you've read any of my reviews of Erin's Shadow books then you know how much I love her storytelling and writing style. First a little background on her Shadow book series. You can skip this part if you just want the review about the Shadow Touched novellas. I'm just going to explain how all three of Erin's series fit together.

background, you can skip this part

The Shadow series: Shadow Bound, Shadow Fall, Shadowman (series is complete)
-these books are about a place called Twilight, that lies between our world and the afterlife. All must pass through Twilight to get to heaven or hell. The magic in Twilight is called Shadow and it has started seeping back into our world. And with it, some pretty scary creatures called Wraiths. The books are about how the humans are dealing with this threat and some awesome romance between humans and fae/half-breeds.

The Shadow Kissed series: Fire Kissed, Soul Kissed, TBA (not complete)
-these books are about the Mages. When Shadow was part of our world long ago, Mages could use the Shadow and ruled...humans weren't treated very well. Then the Shadow was locked in Twilight and the Mages could no longer access it, but hid waiting for the magic to come back. Mages live in houses with a feudal like system and they don't like humans or half-breeds. The books are about mage society trying to rule again and bring Shadow back. Of course these are romances too and we get lots of forbidden love! Book one, Fire Kissed, has one of my all time favorite couples Jack and Kaye.

The Shadow Touched novella series: Shadow Touched, Shadow Play, Shadow Hunt, Shadow Burn (complete series)
-these stories are a bridge between the Shadow series and the Shadow Kissed series. The four novellas are a continuous story about Ellie and Cam's adventures. These stories are centered around the Segue Institute (set up by humans to study Shadow). This is where the Shadow world and the Mage world start to clash.

You can read the three series in any order and not be lost, they all stand on their own, but you might run into a small spoiler or two. If you want to read in order: The Shadow series, The Shadow Touched series, The Shadow Kissed series.

amazon link to all the series

Review

Shadow Touch, the first novella was released June 2011. And I loved it. Then came the next two in 2012 and 2013. I had to wait till Jan 2016 to get the last installment, Shadow Burn. Now it wasn't that bad of a wait because each novella has a complete story and no cliff hangers. But lucky you! The whole  four novella series has been released at once.

I adore the Shadow world Erin has created. You know I like them dark and this one is definitely that, but don't worry...they have HEAs. Not only do I like the story, but I also love the way Erin writes. I've mentioned this many times, but Erin's novellas are the standard I measure all novellas too. You really do get a complete novel experience in 100 pages (give or take). I'll stop gushing now, but I did warn  you I was a fangirl...

The four Shadow Touch novellas are one continuous story. It is fast moving, action packed with a dark edge. The romance is sexy, dangerous and passionate. Cam and Ellie are naive about the Shadow world in the beginning, but they both get pulled in and changed (for the better? Not saying). While dealing with their own issues there is the threat of the Mages. Segue (where Cam and Ellie work) is now at war with one of the Mage houses.

Reviews:
Shadow Fall
Fire Kissed
Soul Kissed
Shadow Touch novella
Shadow Play novella

5 "shadow, not Shadow" Sheep

SharonS

About the author:
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Erin Kellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Reveler serial, where dreaming turns dangerous. She also writes the dark fantasy romance Shadow series and Shadow Kissed series. RT calls Soul Kissed, “a dark fairy tale with a twist, perfect for readers who love passion with their fantasy.” And this year she expands her science fiction romance Sol series.

Link to all Erin's books on amazon

Lisa Shearin interview + give away

Today we have author Lisa Shearin visiting the Sheep. All Spell Breaks Loose is the 6th and final book in her Raine Benares series, a fantasy adventure with action, humor, magic and goblins! Make sure you stick around till the end because Penguin is giving away a copy to a US winner.

Sharon: Thanks for visiting I Smell Sheep Lisa. Grab a moonpie and some Kool Aid cause we got some talking to do.

Lisa: Oooo, is the Kool-Aid grape? Cause that’s my favorite. And I haven’t had a vanilla moonpie since I was a kid. Got vanilla?

Sharon: of course we do, we are a full service flock…

Sharon: I’ve seen your covers around, but hadn’t had a chance to take a closer look your series. O_O what have I been missing?! Your Raine Benares series looks like all that AND a bag of chips. Can you tell our readers a little about this series?

Lisa: Raine Benares is a seeker, which is basically a detective who uses magic to find missing people and stolen objects. At the beginning of the series (MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND) she inadvertently gets herself psychically bonded to the Saghred—a stone that gives the one bonded to it unlimited power, with a side order of insanity. Not crazy like an eccentric aunt, but take-over-the-world-and-kill-millions kind of crazy.

(Sharon-Note to self: to accomplish goal, find a Saghred of my own)

The entire series (all six books) takes place in an approximate three-month timeframe. That’s a lot of action in very little time, but thanks to the Saghred (and the evil megalomaniacs who want the stone for their own), Raine is in a lot of trouble with very little ways out of it.

Thanks to friends and allies (both old and new), and ill-timed romantic entanglements (it ain’t easy to fight for your life and have a relationship at the same time), Raine manages to stay one step ahead of the power-hungry elves and goblin aristocrats who want the stone and its power for their own. Unfortunately Raine can’t just give it to them. Once bonded to the Saghred, you’re bonded for life. Only death can break that bond. Yours. Understandably, Raine has a problem with that last part.

ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE is the finale of the Saghred storyline. In it, Raine and a small band of good friends, not-so-good friends, and one outright enemy (don’t ask), travel to the goblin capital of Regor in order to destroy the Saghred and kill the goblin archmage who has found a way to use the stone’s power to enslave the world. While there, Raine & Company must also put a renegade goblin prince on the throne. Piece of cake. Not.

Sharon: Should new readers start with the first book or can the stories stand alone?

Lisa: Basically, the Raine Benares series is one big book divided into six smaller ones. I pretty much start the next book where the previous one left off. So, it would be best if you read MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND first, and then take it from there.

The order is:

MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND

ARMED & MAGICAL

THE TROUBLE WITH DEMONS

BEWITCHED & BETRAYED

CON & CONJURE

ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE

I’ve been told that they’re really fast reads (kinda like light & crunchy potato chips). You can’t eat just one.

Sharon: Do they each end with a cliff hanger?

Lisa: Eh . . . not necessarily a cliff hanger, but you are left wanting to know what happens next.

Sharon: All Spell Breaks Lose, released May 29, is the last book in this series. Why are you ending it after 6 books?

Lisa: Now just because All Spell Breaks Loose marks the conclusion of the Saghred storyline, it doesn’t mean that the series has ended. I love these characters too much to stay away from them for long. I hope to be able to come back to Raine and her friends in the not-too-distant future and share more of their stories with you. As you can probably imagine, there are quite a few characters who have been lobbying hard for their own book or even series. I know Tam or Phaelan wouldn’t say no to starring in their own series. And those of you who are familiar with Talon know that kid isn’t going to stay quiet for long.

Sharon: My partner Katie couldn’t be here today so I am going to ask her “type” of question <G>. Is there man-candy in your books and are any of them available for a private interview?

Lisa: There’s all kinds of man-candy. Grown up man-candy, and teenager man-candy for my younger readers. I’m an equal opportunity entertainer.

Sharon: so the series will entertain adults and YA?

Lisa: Most definitely!

Sharon: Would you want to live in the world you have created, like for real?

Lisa: Uh, probably not. Not unless I could pick up some for-real magic.

Sharon: According to Baaart’s Laws of books: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. (okay, Baaart might have stolen this from somewhere else) This is a nerd way of asking…since this series is ending, is there another starting?

Lisa: I’ve just completed a proposal package for an urban fantasy/supernatural thriller/comedy series. I have the series premise written, as well as the synopses for the first three books, and finished the final sample chapter last week (for a total of six). This project is just pure fun. I can’t wait until I can talk about it (gotta sell it first).

Sharon: cool! Do you prefer to write with lots of humor and is there a dark story somewhere deep inside you?

Lisa: I think that people get enough “real life” living their lives. If I want to be depressed, I’d watch the news. I want my reading to be pure escapism and absolute fun.

Sharon: I was thrilled to find out you are a native NC like me! (Shout out to all the southern girls!) So I gotta ask…what color does your blood run? Puke Blue, Red or the most sacred of all, Carolina Blue?

Lisa: I married into a family who either went to Carolina, taught at Carolina, works at Carolina, or is a researcher at Carolina. As a kid, back in the 70s, I rooted for the Wolfpack back in the era of David Thompson, Tommy Burleson, and Monte Towe. But I now bleed Carolina Blue. Go Heels!

Sharon: oh, snap! I just got all warm and tingly...

Sharon: I love the NC State Fair, do you go? What do you have to eat and see every time you go? Did you know they have deep fried Moon pies?!

Lisa: I am a huge funnel cake and cotton candy fan – I tend to stick to the basics.

Sharon: You own 2 retired racing greyhounds, or do they own you? Want to give a shout out to the Greyhound rescue group?

Gracie

Lisa: They pretty much own us. We bought a king-sized bed and a sectional sofa so WE would have enough room to sleep and sit down. Greyhounds were VERY highly prized in ancient times—they have never forgotten this. There are three awesome greyhound groups in NC: Triangle Greyhound Society, NC Greyhound Friends, and Project Racing Home.

Sharon: I’ve heard they are couch potatoes and so gentle.

Lisa: And bed spuds. And snuggle bunnies.

Andy doing the cockroach

Sharon: When the zombie apocalypse comes, what fictional character would like to have your back?

Lisa: Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden. I’ve seen him take on zombies. I know that I’d be both safe and entertained.

Rapid Fire

Sharon: bacon or sausage?

Lisa: Bacon

Sharon: you either like bacon, or you are wrong…

Sharon: brownie edges or brownie centers?

Lisa: Definitely edges.

Sharon: Donnie and Marie or Captain and Tennille?

Lisa: Uh . . . uh. Is there another choice?

Sharon: Sonny and Cher?

Lisa: Okay, they’d work.

Sharon: hike in the woods or stroll through the mall?

Lisa: Depends on how much money or gift cards I have in my purse.

Sharon: lol, good answer!

Sharon: dagger or long sword?

Lisa: O_O Why can’t I have both?

Sharon: Rock or country?

Lisa: Yes.

Sharon: Is there anything you would like to add? Blog stops, signings, what you are having for dinner tonight?

Lisa: I have a book signing on Tuesday, June 26 at 7:00 at the Cary, NC, Barnes & Noble. Dinner tonight is a cookout with my husband’s family. Go Heels!

Sharon: I hope to be at that signing and I will definitely have a vanilla moon pie with your name on it and Baaart can get a picture with you.

*puts arm around Lisa and marches off singing the Carolina fight song…*

Give Away

Lisa's publisher Penguin is offering a print copy of All Spell Breaks Loose to one US or Canada winner.

1. leave a way to contact you

2. What kind of pet(s) do you have or want?

*followers get double entry

contest ends June 11 at midnight