Book Review: Of Flame and Light

Of Flame and Light

By:  Cecy Robson

Publish Date:  October 18, 2016

Format:  eARC

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  7th in Weird Girls series; Novella 0.4 ~ A Curse Awakened, Novella 0.5 ~ The Weird Girls, Book 1 ~ Sealed with a Curse, Book 2 ~ A Cursed Embrace, Novella 2.5 ~ A Cursed Moon, Book 3 ~ Cursed By Destiney, Book 4 ~ A Cursed Bloodline, Book 5 ~ A Curse Unbroken, Book 6 ~ Of Flame and Promise

Impression:  Taran is a hot spark and you don't want to mess with her!

Synopsis:
Taran Wird holds the unique ability to conjure fire and lightning. She is mated to Gemini, Second in Command to the Squaw Valley Pack of the Lake Tahoe Region, and the sole werewolf to possess the ability to split into two wolves. And although they are mates, Taran's insecurities have driven them apart.

Devastated by an injury that left her with a zombie-like limb, Taran struggles to regain command over her magic. But when her arm and her power turn against her, lashing out on those she most loves, she knows she can no longer carry this burden alone. Not that she likes the alternative.

The only way to regain control of her magic is to align and learn from the local coven of witches―the very ones who sought to banish her when she and her three unique sisters first moved to the mystical region. But although Taran is trying, the teachings don't come easy, and the tasks leave her weak and emotionally shattered.

Yet Taran must learn and learn fast. Time is running out. The fire she once mastered so easily has become her greatest adversary and is now slowly burning her alive . . .

First Sentence:
You know it's going to be a bad day when you wake up in the morning and the first word out of your mouth is "fuck."

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

My Thoughts and Summary:
*This book was provided by the author or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review, at my request.

Taran's new arm is misbehaving, severely. It's protective yet deadly dangerous, and not under Taran's control. Aric takes Taran to the one person that could help her, and the one person Taran hates the most. Genevieve, the powerful woman in charge of the local coven. Taran refuses to stay to train, accept and learn control over her new limb. Seeing Gemini close to the coven leader sends Taran over the edge, not wanting to be near either of them. Taran takes the test offered. Retrieve a witch who's gone rogue, meaning she's given to the dark magic or gone crazy, proving she's one with her new arm and gained control of it. Taran makes a new friend yet ends up back at the coven. Taran's sparky personality and uncontrollable arm makes things interesting for her.

There is something about Cecy's writing that grips me and holds me to the page. Each sister has her own set of troubles to work through and each girl and troubles are different which makes the books so enthralling for me. I just want to forget the rest of the world and keep reading, not even watch my favorite shows!

Oh do I love Taran! She's my kind of girl. She's quick with comebacks and on uses swear words to the best they can be use. She has quick clips that are off the wall yet fit perfectly for the situation or moment. I am always curious what next she'll say. With her great personality, there's more. Poor Taran. She's struggling with much of the same thing Cecy did with Aric, her and Gemini are not doing well. But there seems to be more to this stalled relationship with Gemini and Taran, and it seems to have to do with her new arm.

All this with the new arm that's uncontrollable and protective. It reacts in a flash and things turn into a mess. Also, the power in her and the arm is building and could kill her. Taran is struggling with her magic and emotions, which sparks her magic. Oh the things that happen! LOL! And to see the coven that's so close to nature, and feed nature with their emotions. Oh Taran makes a hot mess of it all. And I loved it!

We get to see the witch coven of Genevieve. Wow! It's crazy here. lol. But the events that happen with the plants and water make me laugh too. Taran is one feisty lady. Taran's emotions run hot but many may not see that, they may only see a woman who's angry. Taran is hurting in a few ways and it shows, even it that's not what people see on the outside.

We do get to see Taran and Gemini together, though it's not as you would expect. Nice twist to the moment. And we do learn what is going on with Gemini and Taran. I'm even curious about Emme... there is something more there with her and another. And... Oh I need to see more with Emme! lol.

This is the next book in the series. We see Celia married and pregnant. I so love seeing the sisters together. They have a great relationship and try to take care of each other. We start out the gat seeing all the girls again but also with Taran's biggest trouble, her arm and her fire is eating her alive.

I enjoyed getting to spend time with Bren again too! We see him for a time in the book. I love his humor and connection with the sisters.

I'm so in love with these sisters and characters. I can't wait for more books!!

Author Info:
Cecy Robson is an award-winning author of magical realms, to-die-for Alpha heroes, and young adult adventure. A double RITA® 2016 finalist for Once Pure and Once Kissed, and published author of more than fifteen titles, you can typically find her on her laptop or stumbling blindly in search of caffeine.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads


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Excerpt:
My focus drifts to my sisters. “Do what you have to and stay safe. Don’t worry about me.”

It’s a stupid thing to say. Of course they’ll worry. For once in our lives I’m the one who needs coddling. Not that I don’t absolutely hate it.

My hiking boots press into the ground as we move away from the road. They’re not what I count as cute shoes. But since my cute clothes tend to end up covered with blood and smelly supernatural fluids, here I am in jeans, a long-sleeved shirt and vest, and yeah, the hiking boots.

Bren leaps over a thick section of brush, landing smoothly as I try to figure out the closest way in. “It’s clear,” he says. “Come on.”

He means the first few feet are clear. I can’t see jack over these thick brambles. I look hopelessly to Emme, wishing I didn’t have to. She regards me almost apologetically, realizing what I’m asking her to do.

Emme is good at a lot of things: baking, scrapbooking, and keeping up on all our collective bills. But her aim sucks. So when she throws me over the brush with her force, it takes all I have not to scream. Thankfully Bren is good at catching, no matter how bad the throw.

“Christ,” I mutter as he eases me down.

Shayna inherited a bit of were from Koda’s essence. And while she’ll never heal or run as fast as a were, he gave her enough agility to clear the thick brambles without Emme’s help.

Poor Emme. Her aim isn’t any better on herself. Bren has to “go long” to keep her from slamming into a tree when she launches herself forward.

Shayna and I jog ahead to where Bren is lowering Emme to the ground. He kisses her cheek, a show of affection he often demonstrates to us, but this time she doesn’t welcome it like she once did. She meets his eyes, backing away slowly, as if she’s afraid to step too close. Bren frowns, speaking low. Emme answers with a nod, but again steps further away from him.

Shayna doesn’t seem to notice, skipping across the rugged terrain as if we’re out for a stroll and not walking into some evil crap we may have to kill before it rips us apart. But I notice. Something is definitely up with Emme. I stiffen when he strokes her cheek. And son of a bitch, it may have to do with Bren!