Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Episode 10

Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Episode 10 by Chautona Havig

Past Forward is a serial novel released weekly on Kindle.

Alone without friends or family to comfort her after the death of her mother, Willow Finley’s idyllic life is over—and just beginning.

When Willow Finley awakes on a hot summer morning, she is unprepared for the grief that awaits her. Jerked from a life of isolation with her mother, Willow learns what alone really means when she finds her mother still in her bed, never to awaken again in this life.

From the moment Willow arrives in the police station with her startling announcement, Chad Tesdall fights the friendship he knows he can't avoid.

In this episode, the hijinks around Willow's house escalate into a surprising climax. Cheri introduces Willow to the all-American female sport of Shop-till-you-drop, and a late-night call sends Willow out into the freezing cold... on foot.

Warning: Here We Come spoilers in this episode.

Follow as Willow's story unfolds past forward.

Released weekly as a serial novel.

Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Episode 10 is another perfect episode. This one goes by so fast because the drama is so engrossing. Solari plan comes to an abrupt ending. It made me laugh.

 

This episode illustrates just how unique Willow is. Things that would shake most people give Willow strength and resole. Solari machination are quickly turning him into a twirling mustachian villain; backfiring at every turn and he doesn’t even realize it.

 

Length wise it’s on par with previous episodes but it doesn’t read that way. At sixty-seven pages I blazed through this novel. This ends the most upbeat and hopeful of any previous episode.  With Willow saying yes, I’m guessing the story will be heading toward the wedding.

 

It will be interesting to see how the Solari situation will play out. If anyone will find out that everything happening to Willow is Solari’s fault?

I give Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Episode 10 5 out 5 Gs.

Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Volume 2

Past Forward- A Serial Novel: Volume 2 by Chautona Havig

Alone without friends or family to comfort her after the death of her mother, Willow Finley’s idyllic life is over—and just beginning.

  

When Willow Finley awakes on a hot summer morning, she is unprepared for the grief that awaits her. Jerked from a life of isolation with her mother, Willow learns what alone really means when she finds her mother still in her bed, never to awaken again in this life.

  

From the moment Willow arrives in the police station with her startling announcement, Chad Tesdall fights the friendship he knows he can't avoid.

  

This collection includes episodes six through nine of Past Forward. Willow, battling grief and anger, drives Chad from the farm, but he finds himself drawn back, despite her determination to keep a wall between them. An accident and the chance of a lifetime threaten everything she thought she held dear. As the walls crumble, Chad and Willow's friendship deepens into something truly special, but to what end? Everyone around him pushes Chad into a relationship he both wants and fights, knowing that Willow simply is not ready.

  

Someone is wreaking havoc around her farm. Afraid for Willow's safety, the police take turns guarding her place when off duty and she finds it hard to endure the disruption of her tranquility.

  

And then, Chad asks her to dance. Can she trust him? Find out in this second volume.

  

Follow as Willow's story unfolds past forward.

  

Past Forward is a serial novel released weekly on Kindle.

Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Volume 2 is the collection of episode six through nine of this serial novel. If you don’t like reading in little snippets this is for you. Encompassing about three hundred pages its novel length and the story isn’t even over. If you missed any episode since five this is also for you. The drama is revved up in this volume.

 

At first I was so disbelieving that Willow would be that naïve. Then I remember that she IS that naïve. Then it was like WOW. We live in a world, which the public has fostered us, to be intrusive on Public Figures’ personal lives.

 

More so than the previous volume I feel like a voyeur, reading about the development of a woman kept in captivity. I’m excited that she’s starting to adjust to being around larger groups. Even when nothing’s really happening I’m too invested to be disappointed.

 

When Christmas takes place its interesting how Chautona Havig addresses Willow’s isolation during the holidays. Her apparent naïveté to Christmas traditions is refreshing as a seven year old on Christmas Day. Willow’s grandparents are one of the “elephants in the room.” Their characterizations fall into the suspected coloring with their previous introduction to the reader. I’m shocked at the deceitfulness and depravity that doesn’t become known until the nearing of this volume.

 

It wasn’t until Aggie and the kids came over for Christmas that I realized this was interconnected in the same world as Chautona’s other works. There’s a plot developing subplot that I just can’t figure out it purpose. I don’t understand the motives of the character that’s driving this device or why.

I give Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Volume 2 4 out 5 Gs.

Darkly Dreaming Dexter (Dexter Morgan 1) by Jeff Lindsay



The Basis for a New Showtime® Original Series Starring Michael C. Hall  

Meet Dexter Morgan, a polite wolf in sheep’s clothing. He’s handsome and charming, but something in his past has made him abide by a different set of rules. He’s a serial killer whose one golden rule makes him immensely likeable: he only kills bad people. And his job as a blood splatter expert for the Miami police department puts him in the perfect position to identify his victims. But when a series of brutal murders bearing a striking similarity to his own style start turning up, Dexter is caught between being flattered and being frightened–of himself or some other fiend.  

From the Trade Paperback edition.

After spending two weeks rewatching 60+ hours of the serial killer we love. I was still jonesin’ like a crack addicted; God I can’t wait for Season 7 to start. So I decided to read Darkly Dreaming Dexter the book that inspired the series. I usually don’t read the books that inspire television show. With nearly a month between when I finished season 6 episode 12 and season 7 episode 1, my craving would have made me start the series over again.  

Okay. So when I started I expected a condensed version of the television show. This is not it. For the most part you get the broad strokes of the Dexter season 1 in this novel with several changes. Dexter Morgan seems less principled in the novel than in show. I didn’t really like that aspect of the character. His Dark Passenger is also more of an entity than an aspect of his personality. It makes him seem more schizophrenic than psychopathic.  

Even Deborah seemed less confident and capable in the novel. At least the show writers still managed to bring Deborah’s foul mouth. I think that was one of the highlights of this novel. Her foul mouth is a creation of Jeff Lindsay and not the show writers.  

For the majority of this book it reads like a very condensed first season of the television show. It made for a very boring read. But it does have few twists toward the end that makes it worth the read.  

There are several differences but two major ones that firmly separated the novel from the series. The death of a character at the end of this book; along with Debs discover of Dexter’s secret. It changes the dynamic of the novels going forward. Debs discovery is just now only being address whereas the novels has five or six more books to deal with this complication in Dexter’s life.  

After reading this novel I’m less in enthused to read the next novel but at some point I will finish the series. As I sit here and write I’m starting to ask questions that weren’t addressed. Some come from the differences in the novel and series and others come from the novel itself.  

I recommend this novel to those dedicated fans that love Dexter. Casual fans may not appreciate the differences between the two. I know that the novels came first and I still don’t like some of the differences, they enriched the characters.


I give Darkly Dreaming Dexter 3 out 5 Gs.

Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Episode 9

Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Episode 9 by Chautona Havig



Past Forward is a serial novel released weekly on Kindle.  

Alone without friends or family to comfort her after the death of her mother, Willow Finley’s idyllic life is over—and just beginning.  

When Willow Finley awakes on a hot summer morning, she is unprepared for the grief that awaits her. Jerked from a life of isolation with her mother, Willow learns what alone really means when she finds her mother still in her bed, never to awaken again in this life.  

From the moment Willow arrives in the police station with her startling announcement, Chad Tesdall fights the friendship he knows he can't avoid.  

In this episode, Christmas at Willow's brings confrontation between Chad and Christopher and Chad has to wonder if his father isn't right. Is he ready for that kind of commitment? Is she? Strange things are happening around the farm, destroying the peace and simplicity that Willow values--needs.  

Warning: Here We Come spoilers in this episode.  

Follow as Willow's story unfolds past forward.  

Released weekly as a serial novel.


Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Episode 9 finally addresses the growing elephant in the room. I have read this serial from the beginning. It wasn’t until Aggie and the kids came over for Christmas that I realized this was interconnected in the same world as Chautona’s other works; how’s stupid in deed.  

There’s a plot developing subplot that I just can’t figure out it purpose. I don’t understand the motives of the character that’s driving this device or why. I don’t know that it definitely brings out the fight response in me. Willow is strong and intelligent, yet she can’t understand the dark passenger darkness that people carry.  

If Chad and Willow would get out of their own way it would be less frustrating as a reader but then there wouldn’t be a book. It also makes this more interesting than anything that television has to offer in the network hiatus.  

Seriously if you’re reading this review and you haven’t already started this series you should. It’s already going into its second volume, collecting Episodes 6-9.


Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Episode 9 4 out 5 Gs.

Rise of Nine (Lorien Legacies 3)

Rise of Nine (Lorien Legacies 3) by Pittacus Lore



Until the day I met John Smith, Number Four, I'd been on the run alone, hiding and fighting to stay alive.  

Together, we are much more powerful. But it could only last so long before we had to separate to find the others. . . .  

I went to Spain to find Seven, and I found even more, including a tenth member of the Garde who escaped from Lorien alive. Ella is younger than the rest of us, but just as brave. Now we're looking for the others—including John.  

But so are they.  

They caught Number One in Malaysia. Number Two in England. And Number Three in Kenya. They caught me in New York—but I escaped. I am Number Six. They want to finish what they started.  

But they'll have to fight us first.


After nearly two days shy of a year Rise of Nine (Lorien Legacies 3) comes out. To me, it’s a resounding disappointment. Setrákus Ra is a Huckabee (see: Katt Williams’ It’s Pimpin Pimpin) villain. The revelation in this book answered many of the debated questions of the past year.  

Setrákus Ra really isn’t a villain as much as he’s just a straight up bully. I understand villains’ not fighting fair. Setrákus Ra’s villainy comes across as common, uninspired and lacking the depth portrayed in the previous books. So far he’s only had to fight one Lorien at a time. If he faces three or more, he’s done. It won’t be much of a fight.  

There are so many revelations in this book, but they really only add to the confusion of the mythology. One revelation I’m glad came out will end Sarah debate. Hopefully it will put an end to the Sarah hating. Man is there a lot of it.  

The one that takes the cake is the governmental co-conspirators. You’re telling me the United States is that power hunger that they would side with the Mogadorians for technology. Not to mention none of the government agency seem to have a rational thought in their heads.  

I just don’t know what happen to this series. The first two were amazing. I can’t consider it even okay. The character views were constantly changing with no regard for the reader. It would be several pages before I had a context of whose point of view I was reading.  

There were too many narratives being told. It reads like someone with multiple personality disorder or dissociative identity disorder. Whatever you want to call the narratives need to be reined in. Pick two or less and tell it from their perspective. At the very less identify when changing perspectives.


I give Rise of Nine (Lorien Legacies 3) 2 out 5.

The Mystic Wolves (Mystic Wolves 1)

The Mystic Wolves (Mystic Wolves 1) by Belinda Boring (Book 1)



What would you do if a simple errand takes a deadly twist, turning you from cautious prey to dangerous predator?  

Someone is trying to send a deadly message to Mason, arranging the deaths of those he loves and it puts the entire pack and Alpha on high alert. Darcy understands the primal instincts driving her beloved Mason's commands. With the help of those he sets as protectors, she learns about herself and the things she'll need to help support her Alpha and pack. When events turn dire however, one truth offers her strength - once given, oaths are unbreakable ... even if it means risking it all.  

Author Note ~ This is the combined NOVEL LENGTH version of the Without Mercy, Cherished, and Blood Oath installments. It is approx. 66,265 words long.


I purchased The Mystic Wolves (Mystic Wolves 1) for my Kindle just from the cover art and title. It wasn’t until after I finished reading that I read the description. I learned that it’s a combination of three short stories. Learning this explained a lot because it felt like two distinct stories being told. It was a reading rollercoaster.  

Although this novel takes diggs at the Twilight Saga is like re-reading it with all the gushing and swooning, the demanding and overly protective mate in Edward Mason, and the perpetual damsel in distress, Bella Darcy. It even has a James archetype in Avery and even a Jacob too. Having the werewolves in the lead is a wanted change. But the fact remains even being a werewolf Darcy comes across as helpless as Bella.  
Avery, and not to mention James, would fit perfectly with the vampires of Thicker than Water. His appearance is a pure delight to read. The way he incited chaos is worthy of calling him Loki, much to the chagrin of the one in Thicker than Water.  

The highlights of this novel are the way Belinda Boring makes use of the werewolf and vampire mythology. It’s nothing new to paranormal readers but those subtle differences made it worth reading. After Avery leaves the story I was really disappointed until the very last chapter. That finally paragraph guaranteed that at some point I will read the next novel, Forget Get Me Not (Mystic Wolves 2). I can only hope that there’s a tonal change in the next book.


I give The Mystic Wolves (Mystic Wolves 1) 2 out 5.

Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Episode 8

Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Episode 8 by Chautona Havig



Past Forward is a serial novel released weekly on Kindle.  

Alone without friends or family to comfort her after the death of her mother, Willow Finley’s idyllic life is over—and just beginning.  

When Willow Finley awakes on a hot summer morning, she is unprepared for the grief that awaits her. Jerked from a life of isolation with her mother, Willow learns what alone really means when she finds her mother still in her bed, never to awaken again in this life.  

From the moment Willow arrives in the police station with her startling announcement, Chad Tesdall fights the friendship he knows he can't avoid.  

In this episode, Chad wrestles with truths he's not ready to acknowledge while Willow becomes a little better acquainted with both sets of grandparents, discovering things about each she wasn't prepared to handle.  

Follow as Willow's story unfolds past forward.  

Released weekly as a serial novel.


Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Episode 8 is perfection. But this episode also has to be prefaced with the other seven episodes. This is the defining episode that marks the identity of this novel.  

Unlike last weeks, this one had me engaged from the start. Taking place just before Christmas its interesting how Chautona Havig addresses Willow’s isolation during the holidays. Her apparent naïveté to Christmas traditions is refreshing.  

This episode addresses one of the “elephants in the room,” Willow’s grandparents. Their characterizations fall into the suspected coloring with their previous introduction to the reader. I’m shocked at the deceitfulness and depravity that doesn’t become known until the end of this episode. And yet I should have, I mean if you can raise a man to rape a woman, that’s an reflection on the people you are.  

The drama and conflict in this episode is more subtle than in the previous ones and you know it’s about to rise to the fan. It’s also developing more branches of conflict as ones from previous episodes come to a close.  

If you haven’t started reading this serial novel you really should. I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy taking the time to invest in a serial novel. As this is the first one I’ve ever read coming back to it is quickly becoming one of my sweet of the week.


I give Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Episode 8 5 out 5.

Married by Mistake

Married by Mistake (Harlequin Super Romance) by Abby Gaines



Do not adjust your set. That really was Casey Greene being jilted by her fiancé on live TV! And that really was Memphis's most eligible bachelor who stepped in to marry her instead.  

Millionaire businessman Adam Carmichael wanted only to help Casey save face. He isn't prepared for the news that their "fake" wedding is legal and binding.  

While they secretly wait for an annulment, media and family scrutiny forces them to put on their best loving-couple act. Except by now, neither one is quite sure who's acting....


Married By Mistake is as formulaic as 2+2=FISH. There wasn’t anything compelling or driving about the story. Once you get past premise of the jilted bride is saved by the “roguish knight in rusted armor” it falls predictable and hollow. The contrived problems of our protagonist couple are nowhere as interesting as the subplot relationship of the older couple Eloise and Sam. Even the conflict with Adam’s family is more interesting.  

Is this the formula for written romance? I’ve read this same formula more times than I care to count. Even in movies they follow this formula. Touted as Harlequin Super Romance, where was the SUPER? I remember as a kid seeing Harlequin novels, knowing they what they were but never caring what was on those pages. Does that mean my younger version of myself is smart than my current version of myself?  

This review isn’t knocking Abby Gaines, because it was the writing that kept me reading. It’s just the predictability of the romance genre. For most romance novels if you’ve read one you’ve read them all. There are notable exceptions which made me think romance novels aren’t that bad. But I’m starting to realize this really was the exception and not the rule.  

I read this book based solely on the title, Married by Mistake. Who even gets married by mistake? This couple is so in love with each other that it doesn’t make since when they breakup. Which I knew from the first page; don’t they always?  

For the entire book I teetered on whether I thought it was okay or didn’t like. One thing shattered any chance. I don’t care how gentlemanly or in love a guy is two months to retrieve his car especially a 400,000 dollar car is unfreaking believe. I know women eat this stuff up. Love is a form of insanity; it overrides the natural tendency of self-preservation.  

This is only for those that jonesing for the romance genre. It has an interesting premise, but I think I’m nearing my limit of “romance” novels for this year.

I give Married By Mistake 2 out 5.

Past Forward- A Serial Novel: Episode 7

Past Forward- A Serial Novel: Episode 7 by Chautona Havig



Past Forward is a serial novel released weekly on Kindle.  

Alone without friends or family to comfort her after the death of her mother, Willow Finley’s idyllic life is over—and just beginning.  

When Willow Finley awakes on a hot summer morning, she is unprepared for the grief that awaits her. Jerked from a life of isolation with her mother, Willow learns what alone really means when she finds her mother still in her bed, never to awaken again in this life.  

From the moment Willow arrives in the police station with her startling announcement, Chad Tesdall fights the friendship he knows he can't avoid.  

In this episode, Chad discovers a way to help Willow deal with her grief, while Willow experiences her all-American Thanksgiving. While she makes plans to reconnect with her grandparents, Chad connects even deeper with the beauty that is her life.  

Warning: Here We Come spoilers in this episode.  

Follow as Willow's story unfolds past forward.  

Released weekly as a serial novel.


And cue the meddling family... Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Episode 7 is the seventh episode is this amazing serial novel. The second episode after Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Volume 1 which encompasses the first five episodes. This episode takes place in November; it finds Willow being included in Chad’s Thanksgiving celebration.  

More so than any other episode I feel like a voyeur, reading about the development of a woman kept in captivity. I’m excited that she’s starting to adjust to being around larger groups.  

This episode highlights that Chad Tesdall is comfortably living not in Fairbury or Rockland but a town named Denial. He’s so much deeper than he can imagine. When he realizes it’s going to be like a slap and punch to the face, and a kick in the gut. Even when he starts getting close, he doesn’t even try to trim the hedges of the bush.  

Even with nothing really happening I’m too invested to be disappointed. Every episode is just that an episode to be enjoy. It’s more entertaining than anything offered on television. If you haven’t invested in Willow’s story, Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Volume 1 will get you caught up with episodes 1-5, volume 6 and 7 are out now.


I give Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Episode 7 3 out 5.

Past Forward- a Serial Novel: Volume 1

Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Volume 1 by Chautona Havig



Alone without friends or family to comfort her after the death of her mother, Willow Finley’s idyllic life is over—and just beginning.

When Willow Finley awakes on a hot summer morning, she is unprepared for the grief that awaits her. Jerked from a life of isolation with her mother, Willow learns what alone really means when she finds her mother still in her bed, never to awaken again in this life.

From the moment Willow arrives in the police station with her startling announcement, Chad Tesdall fights the friendship he knows he can't avoid.

This collection of the first five episodes of Past Forward starts with Willow's life-changing discovery and gently guides the reader through aspects of her life--the past weaving through the present and into the future. Experience her first morning in church, her first movie, and the culture shock of her first trips to the city. A birthday party and a street faire add welcome diversion from butchering, canning, and the beating of area rugs. Disaster strikes. Will she be able to continue her life, or will an offer in the city change it all? Find out in this first volume.

Follow as Willow's story unfolds past forward.

Past Forward is a serial novel released weekly on Kindle.


Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Volume 1 is the first five episodes of Chautona Havig’s thoroughly engrossing serial novel released weekly. These first five introduce us to Willow Anne Finley, a character whose character and upbringing illuminated just how convoluted out lives really have become.


There’s a quote something like “You can never have time, if you never take time.” This is the philosophy of Willow’s life. Kari, her mother, has raised her in an almost Amish life style. They are as self-sufficient as one’s in modern society can be. Together they developed their own world. When Kari died it shattered.

This world they created isn’t without problems, this introduce Chad Tresdall, a sheriff’s deputy on the Fairbury force. It’s through his eyes that we see Willow. It’s their friendship that is the driving force behind these first five episodes and the new experiences that Kari’s misguide ways sheltered Willow from.

For me it was a journey that I looked forward to read. During the fourth and fifth episode I lost my uncle, he left as sudden as Kari. It helped me to empathize with Willow more. As Willow finally started to process her mother’s lost, I was in the throes of grief. These past couple of weeks, it wasn’t just an amazingly written story. It’s an escape for me to clear my head and read about how this character is continuing their life after a lost.

If you have missed any episodes or you want to catch up, this is the perfect for you. At the time of this writing there is only one more episode out, Episode 6. I hope you find the time to join the rest of us, Past Forward.


I give Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Volume 1 4 out 5.

Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Episode 6

Past Forward- A Serial Novel: Episode 6 by Chautona Havig



Past Forward is a serial novel released weekly on Kindle.  

Alone without friends or family to comfort her after the death of her mother, Willow Finley’s idyllic life is over—and just beginning.  

When Willow Finley awakes on a hot summer morning, she is unprepared for the grief that awaits her. Jerked from a life of isolation with her mother, Willow learns what alone really means when she finds her mother still in her bed, never to awaken again in this life.  

From the moment Willow arrives in the police station with her startling announcement, Chad Tesdall fights the friendship he knows he can't avoid.  

In this episode, the foundations of Willow's life are shaken from several sides. Suffering from a blow that will take months to recover from, Willow is also given the opportunity of a lifetime. To accept would change everything, but is she ready for her life to turn upside down?  

Follow as Willow's story unfolds past forward.  

Released weekly as a serial novel.


Released on 02 Aug 12, Past Forward- A Serial Novel: Episode 6 is just as good as the previous five episodes, but I think the real conflict of this novel was revealed. At first I was so disbelieving that Willow would be that naïve. Then I remember that she IS that naïve. Then it was like WOW.  

We live in a world, which the public has foster, to be intrusive on Public Figures’ personal lives. How couldn’t you see it coming? I’m literally three hours away from Mayberry. I could see this one coming. Why couldn’t Chad, maybe he really isn’t ready for Rockland.  

This episode just makes me feel sad sympathy for Willow Anne Finley. I don’t pity her, that’s exactly what comes to your mind as you’re reading this. She’s like a child discovering Santa Claus isn’t real. [If this just shattered your reality, I’M SORRY. It hurt when I realized it too.] The secret that has defined her life is out there for the public.  

Intentional or not Chautona Havig gives an example of how desensitized we have become. It’s the reporters fault but I really can’t blame him he was just ‘doing his job.’ You can’t blame the vulture for pickin’ at a carcass. It’s just another example of how old world values clash with modern values.  



I give Past Forward- A Serial Novel: Episode 6 4 out 5.

Winter's Storm: Retribution (Winter's Saga 2)

Winter’s Storm: Retribution (Winter’s Saga 2) by Karen Luellen


Born into evil.  
Raised for violence.  
Searching for truth.  
   

In the second book of Winter’s Saga we meet Creed Young. He’s a metahuman, like Meg, Alik and Evan Winter, but unlike the Winter children, Creed wasn’t rescued by a goodhearted doctor from the experiments and traumas at the hands of the evil Dr. Williams. No, Creed wasn’t that lucky. Instead, he was raised along with hundreds of other metasoldiers in a militant compound to be a lethal, bloodthirsty assassin. His first assignment: To kill the thief, Margo Winter, who stole three children from Dr. Williams’ institute twelve years ago, and return those stolen assets.


Winter’s Storm: Retribution (Winter’s Saga 2) is just as good as the first one. The majority of this story deals with a new character Creed Young. With the focus on Creed it doesn’t hurt the story as much as you think. It works because for the majority of the book the Winters’ are reacting to their new reality. And those life changes events just keep coming throughout this novel.  

I wanted to hate Creed Young, as a new character and his purpose. I couldn’t even when he was being puppeteered by the evil Dr. Williams. (As a character, I visualize Dr. Williams as Dr. Doom, without the metallic suit. And please don’t leave comments about how this is incorrect. I personally don’t like the Fantastic Four. The Avenger, X-Men did better jobs fighting their villains, except in the Ultimate Universe. For whatever reason they disbanded, Johnny joining what’s left of the X-Men fit him better.) Creed and Gavil are a literary example of dysfunctional. I’ve wanted to beat the living crap out of my brother, but to literally HAVE to kill him. I couldn’t do it, even if I was trained in a hell-hole like the Facility.  

There is a reveal, that took shape in the first book and continue in this one. Each incident you could see it happening. I’m surprised that it didn’t happen sooner. But holding it off until the end made the anticipation for the next novel, Winter’s Wrath: Sacrifice, that much sweeter and panged. I can’t wait to read what came from his choice. If you haven’t read it yet, check out Winter’s Awakening: The Metahumans Emerge.


I give Winter’s Storm: Retribution (Winter’s Saga 2) 5 out 5.

Winter's Awakening: The Metahumans Emerge (Winter's Saga 1)

Winter’s Awakening: The Metahuman Emerge (Winter’s Saga 1) by Karen Luellen



Created for evil.
Raised to protect.
Searching for truth.

******

Extraordinary teen Meg Winter and her brothers Alik and Evan are shoved into a new reality when they discover life is not what they thought it was: there is evil hunting them, they are not normal teens, and their mother's captor wants them back to continue his plans for the perfect race.


First let me start by say Ah-Maze-ING. Winter’s Awakening: The Metahumans Emerge should definitely get the Hollywood treatment. If they are going to continue to remake crap like Total Recall, this should be on a studio’s list. It’s Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Identity meets X-Men: First Class. Warning: Set aside time to read, YOU WILL NOT WANT TO PUT DOWN.  

This is a fast pace and surprisingly quick read. I never questioned the good or bad of the characters. Karen Luellen’s writing allowed me to visualize the action surrounding the characters. For me I kept imagining Jennifer Lawrence’s character from Winter’s Bone as Meg. Alik (cool spelling btw), and Evan were generic based on their descriptions.  

These kids are intelligent, capable, and lethal. Their “mother” made them self-sufficient. It really doesn’t read artificial or farcical when these 15, 14, and 12 put a plan in motion.  

The backstory is exactly how I imagine metahumans will spontaneous come into existence. It’s the noblest of intentions warped by the ‘GOD complex’ of man. Having been watching the Olympic, there are a few, I think are either metas or on the cusp of being one.  

The ending isn’t a cliffhanger but it does left you hanging. I do have my suspicions. I usually like to add a buffer between books in a series but I think I’m going to just go into the next one, Winter’s Storm: Retribution (Winter’s Saga 2) .


I give Winter’s Awakening: The Metahuman Emerge 5 out 5.