Audio Book Review: Bound Together

Bound Together

By:  Stormy Smith

Publish Date:  December 1, 2015, Audiobook Release December 22, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 1 hr
Narrated By:  Kristin James

Genre:  YA Urban Fantasy

Series:  3.5 in Bound series; 1st Book ~ Bound by Duty, 2nd Book ~ Bound by Spells, 3rd Book ~ Bound by Prophecy

First Impression:  So much Christmas love. *sigh*

Synopsis:
After weeks spent on the road tracking down Immortals still in hiding, Amelia and Aidan are finally ready for some down time. Holed up in a cabin at the base of Mt. Shasta, they prepare to celebrate their first Christmas together.

While Aidan makes secret plans for the celebration, he and Amelia create their own holiday traditions, finding surprises around every corner as they embrace each other and their future together.

Enjoy this short novella (40 pages) and celebrate the holidays with your favorite characters from the Bound series.

**Make sure to read this AFTER reading Bound by Prophecy. It is book 3.5 in the series.**

First Sentence:
This won't be awkward.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I requested to review a copy of this audiobook for an honest review from the author or narrator.

Amelia and Aidan have been searching for more Mages, AniMages, and Hunters among the world for over a month. Now, they return to a log cabin Micah has given them to be their home for rest for a few months. It feels awkward to have a place to call their own, but Aidan and Amelia are determined to make it their own. Especially for Christmas, the holiday where they both can share the love they feel for their friends and family.

Kristin James is the narrator that has become the voices of all the characters in this series. She started with the first audio book, followed through and has finished with this novella. The voices and enthusiasm of all characters is present as it has been with each book. I'm thrilled to hear the accents once again and the voice of all the characters.

This is a short novella, so I'm going to do a short review to not give anything away.

Oh young love. *sigh* They are still getting to spend their exploratory time together. Loving in the flirting and teasing ways. They are so in love. They are soul mates.

Christmas is a time to remember those you love, and Aidan is a strong influence for Amelia to experience Christmas to the fullest extent. Neither have had a true, happy Christmas with loved ones and traditional celebrating. They think on those they love, every ornament having a meaning when placed on the tree. Everyone is enjoying their holiday, sharing love with so many people. They are all spreading the love and cheer. This is the love that all should feel at the holidays.

Listening to these two together, in love, and enjoying every minute has made me smile the whole time. I enjoyed their excitement. Through all the smiling I even had a moment where I started to tear up. It's such a heart filled moment. So much love in these characters and after all they've been through, they get to enjoy it.

We do get a quick glimpse at Amelia being an Elder, Amelia's power is a beacon for all mages. Aidan worries that all who come seeking her will have good intentions.

This story feels like the concluding ending that we should have. It ties in the roles Amelia and Aidan and others come to rest at.


**If you found this review helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible.

Audio Book Review: Bound by Prophecy

Bound by Prophecy

By:  Stormy Smith

Publish Date:  November 12, 2015, Audiobook Release December 3, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 8 hrs 42 mins
Narrated By:  Kristin James

Genre:  New Adult Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Series:  3rd in Bound series; 1st Book ~ Bound by Duty, 2nd Book ~ Bound by Spells

First Impression:  You are bound by your decisions and choices in life, not always by what people put in motion for you. Amelia, Aidan, and Micah start to see this for themselves as they rise to be who they really are.

Synopsis:
Amelia Bradbury is finally free from Queen Julia and Cresthaven, but she isn’t safe yet. The Keeper power runs rampant inside her and it will take an ultimate act of selflessness to contain the darkness that threatens Amelia’s sanity and the future of the Immortal race.

Aidan Montgomery refuses to give up on Amelia. Once she’s rescued from the Keeper’s hold, he intends to prove his love is more than a side effect of the prophecy, even if doing so leads him away from his pack and on a journey that will irrevocably change them both.

When the past and the present collide and the shocking origin of the Immortals is revealed, Amelia and Aidan are forced back to Cresthaven to end a war that never should have started.

First Sentence:
He was here.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I requested to review a copy of this audiobook for an honest review from the author.

Amelia has locked herself away inside her mind. It's all she can do to keep the Keeper from harming anyone she loves. Aidan is determined to get her back to herself, even with the terrible news of what happened in the battle at Cresthaven. The whole group of friends have many heartaches to overcome, but they will need to and work together to stop Queen Julia and free all the mages to live as they should. Once Amelia learns about the magic she carries in her, she will have to make a choice to do what she wants or what is needed.

Kristin is always a treat for me to listen to. Her favorite voice for me, Bethany and her sweet southern accent. And oh, the strong personality for Bethany that pops with the accent. lol. And Micah's accent. I love it! This is a great cast that Kristin makes fun to listen to and easy to differentiate the characters as they speak. The different characters personalities and attitudes ever present in their voices. Male and females are all different in accent, tone, and feels as we listen. Oh! When two sing a song, we get both voices! The harmony of the two together. I love when we get these little extras that makes the story feel more alive with the characters.

I was so relieved to get back to Amelia and Aidan's world. Amelia was left in a bit of a secluded spot and I wanted to know if she gets out along with if they figure out Aidan is her special person. In the beginning, I was surprised that Amelia and Aidan seem to know they are the prophesied couple. It almost seemed as no one knew who her 'man' would be and that he'd have to be found at the end of Bound by Spells. But, we get back into the story here, where a few of the characters are left in moments of pain; physical or emotional.

In the beginning everything is tough and people are sad or scared and hurting in some way. We start to see a small flicker of light spark when trying to find a way of helping Amelia. Having Amelia moving among the people would influence moral, giving a solid, positive direction to things. But things don't happen as hoped and Amelia feels she's a curse more than a prophecy that the people need. It's sad and some huge mountains for the characters to figuratively climb to overcome.

Not only do we journey through the prophecy of what's to come of Amelia and Aidan, but we also get to the root of Amelia's Keeper power mystery. Amelia has grown! I was worried going in that the book would fall flat for getting us through Amelia's Keeper powers. Yet we get something a little different other than her finding a way to work with what she has. I enjoyed this. She's come into her own with help from someone we didn't expect. She finally faces the magic and love that she's been scared of for so long. We even end with a fight that's not as deadly as it could have been. It moves quick and keeps us listening yet with Amelia and Aidan in the place they are now, it doesn't need to be bloody. It's more than that.

I really liked this ending!

A wonderful YA read of letting yourself love and accept who you are. Even when in battles, it doesn't always have to end ugly. There are options and choices in life that you get to pick from even if it doesn't seem that way. You need to accept and live by your choices.

I love the feel of the theme in this story. How Amelia is bound by what was set in motion, through prophecy, for her. But in the ending, all learn they are not bound by others but that they are bound by their choices in life. It felt like it really hit to the heart for me.



If you found this review helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible.

Cover Reveals & Releases:

So with all that's been going on and not being around for a few weeks, I'm trying to get caught up with covers and releases. You may have seen them, but I had to have it on my blog too. :)


Cover Reveals:

Bound by Prophecy

Bound series #3

By:  Stormy Smith

Due Out:  November 12, 2015

Description:

Amelia Bradbury is finally free from Queen Julia and Cresthaven, but she isn’t safe yet. The Keeper power runs rampant inside her and it will take an ultimate act of selflessness to contain the darkness that threatens Amelia’s sanity and the future of the Immortal race.

Aidan Montgomery refuses to give up on Amelia. Once she’s rescued from the Keeper’s hold, he intends to prove his love is more than a side effect of the prophecy, even if doing so leads him away from his pack and on a journey that will irrevocably change them both.

When the past and the present collide and the shocking origin of the Immortals is revealed, Amelia and Aidan are forced back to Cresthaven to end a war that never should have started.

~~~~~~~~~~

Of Flame and Promise

Weird Girls series

By:  Cecy Robson

Due Out:  January 12, 2016

Description:

Cursed by a spell meant to destroy them, Taran Wird and her sisters instead developed unique magical talents. With the power of fire and lightning literally at her fingertips, Taran doesn’t fear much. Demons, vamps, whatever—bring ’em on! Only one thing terrifies her: commitment.

Taran is crazy about her boyfriend, Gemini, a sexy were with the incredible ability to split into two separate wolves. But after watching her sister go through heartbreak with the pack’s Alpha, Taran knows not to count on happily ever after—despite Gemini’s desire to claim her as his mate. Reluctantly, she agrees to meet his very traditional and conservative parents. Taran’s a badass with a mouth to match, and Gemini loves her for it. She’s just not positive these attributes will please Mom and Dad.

Unsurprisingly, every attempt by Taran to bond with Gemini’s folks proves disastrous. But in the end, Taran finds that winning them over means unleashing her powers . . . and proving that this foul-mouthed fire-starter is a force to be reckoned with.

I'm so excited to see more of the Wird girls through another sister's eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~

The Demons We See

#1 Dark Abyss of Our Sins

By:  Krista D. Ball

Due Out:  ?, 2016

Description:

Society was rocked when the Church asked Allegra, Contessa of Marsina, to negotiate the delicate peace talks between the rebelling mage slaves and the various city states. Not only was she a highborn mage, she was a nonbeliever and a vocal objector against the supposed demonic origins of witchcraft. Demons weren't real, she'd argued, and therefore the subjugation of mages was unlawful.

But that was all before the first assassination attempt. That was before Allegra began to hear the strange whispers in the corridors. Before everything changed.

Allegra and her personal guards race to stabilize the peace before the entire known world explodes into war - not just with itself, but with the abyss from beyond.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Newly Released:

Ngaire and Whakamua

By:  Philippa Ballantine

Due Out: NOW!

PICK UP AT AMAZON

Description:

New Zealand like the rest of the world, has been broken and remade by the zombie apocalypse. Humanity is scattered, sheltering as best it can in isolated settlements. However, there is hope, and it rests with one old woman and her machine.

Whakamua, the track laying train's mission is to connect Ngaire's home to the rest of civilization. As they set off for Wellington, where they hope to find more survivors,Ngaire knows it is going to be a long road, but she can't anticipate the dangers that are waiting for them just outside the gate.

~~~~~~~~~~

Heart of the Rose

A Tale of the Black Rose Guard

By:  K.L. Bone

Due Out:  NOW!

PICK UP AT AMAZON

Description:

In this sequel to Black Rose, reunite with the captains of the Immortal Guard and witness Mara and Edward at the beginning of their epic love story, which spans more than a millennium of heartache, pain, and undying devotion.

When Edward is sent on a mysterious quest by the ruthless queen, nineteen-year-old Mara—the youngest sub-captain to ever serve the Royal Guard—vowed to await his return, never anticipating decades would pass without word of his fate. The noble captain is taken prisoner by a rival court where he is forced to endure years of brutal torment at the hands of his captors. His life clings to but a single thought—Mara.

Refusing to accept that her love will never return, Mara clutches to a hope which defies the bounds of reason. However as years pass, memories fade from comfort to unbearable grief. As Mara prepares to accept the unimaginable loss, a sinister creature of roses and shadow haunts her dreams. Dreams of blood. Dreams of torment. Dreams of Edward.

The dark presence lingers, and Mara finds herself trapped in a certainty she fears no other will believe—even those closest to her heart. She must choose between honoring her vows to the immortal courts to which she has sworn her life, or leaving to search for the man who possesses her soul.

Dive into the beginning of the tale that shapes the most feared, most loved, and most revered captain in the history of the immortal courts.

~~~~~~~~~~

The Demon's Librarian

By:  Lilith Saintcrow

Due Out:  NOW!

PICK UP AT AMAZON

Description:

When demons are preying on schoolchildren in her city, Francesca Barnes does what any red-blooded librarian would do-she does some research and goes hunting. But the books she finds in a secret cache don't tell her the whole story. Chess has no idea what she's just stepped into-or just how special she really is . . .

Orion (Ryan) is Drakul, part demon, and a loyal servant of the Order. He doesn't expect a motorcycle-riding librarian to be messing around with demonic forces, and he doesn't expect her to smell so damn good. But Ryan's got bigger problems. His partner has disappeared, and the forces of Darkness are rising. Now Chess is Ryan's only hope of finding his partner, and Ryan is Chess's only hope of survival, because the demons now know Chess exists-and that she is the heir to a long-lost power that could push back their dark tide.

If Ryan can keep her alive long enough, she just might be the key to destroying the demons completely. But Ryan doesn't know he's been betrayed by the very Order he serves. And if Chess does, by some miracle, survive, he won't ever be able to touch her again . . .

....

Audio Book Review: Bound by Spells

Bound by Spells

By:  Stormy Smith

Publish Date:  March 15 2015, Audiobook June 10, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 9 hrs 53 mins
Narrated By:  Kristin James

Genre:  New Adult Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Series:  2nd in Bound series; 1st Book ~ Bound by Duty

Impression:  Young love divided for what is right for their people. A young man taking his first steps into the magic world, learning his abilities as the young woman struggles with the power inside her.

Synopsis:
Aidan Montgomery hadn’t been prepared for Amelia Bradbury to walk in and then out of his life. He also hadn’t expected to find the powerful magic hidden deep within him for the last nineteen years, but he’s embracing it — finding more control and more answers every day. Now, with the help of Amelia’s best friend, Bethany, Aidan is on a quest to understand his destiny and find Amelia.

Amelia decided to stand by her duty, which meant walking away from her first chance at love. Trapped in Cresthaven at the Queen’s mercy, she spends her days with Micah — an ally she still holds at arm’s length — struggling to manage her heartbreak while keeping her mind focused on the task at hand. As she continues to unlock the secrets of the Keeper power, Queen Julia’s true motives reveal themselves, forcing Amelia to decide, yet again, how much she’s willing to sacrifice.

Will Aidan get to Amelia before it's too late, or will the very power that sustains them keep them apart?

First Sentence:
I woke up naked -- again.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I purchased this book and audiobook because I so enjoyed the first one!

Aidan's heart aches over her willing to leave him just hours ago, with Micah. All he wants, is to follow his heart and rescue Amelia from the grips of the mad Queen. Aidan needs to connect his wolf with him by breaking the bind placed on him to learn if he's what the Animages believe he is, even with each day's passing he becomes more magically powerful than the previous day. Aidan needs to be able to use his powers and his wolf to help the hidden Animages and his love, Amelia, before the war starts.

The magic room she stays in at Cresthaven quells the pain of the Keeper's power, but "She", raged inside her at leaving the place that became her hearts home. Amelia's on the inside now. If she can control the Keeper and her magic, and play the Queen's games, she might be able to find out more information to help all Mages. However, in a place she's told repeatedly that she's not safe, is the one person that claims he can protect her here, in the Queen's home, trustworthy?

Kristin once again draws me into this world with her talented voice. With different voices and tones for each character I'm able to drop right into the world once again and not get lost. The best part, the characters from the first book return and all sound EXACTLY the same as book one! Kristin's voice acting is so impressive, I don't feel I have to see facial expressions to know how the characters are feeling. Her voice tells it all. And I feel she has connected with this story and characters on a level that feels this story is hers and lives as them. So much emotion! Well done!

We are drawn further into the world of Mages here. We learn more of the Mage magics along with the Hunters and their abilities. There is more here that we didn't know, or Amelia as well. The things plaguing the mages are deeper than expected. There is also a twist with the Hunters. There was a brief mention about the Hunters when they were bound to Queen Julia and that some may not agree to her ways, but there is a hint of it coming to life here. I'm curious what will come with the Hunters in the future story.

This story is from the POV's of Aidan and Amelia. Both are in different places in this book. Both are learning different things. Though much of what we learn here solidifies the ideas we had from book one and gives more details of those impressions, along with uncovering additional troubles for Mages. Aidan is learning first hand of the Animages and his own abilities. Amelia is seeing Hunters and learning pieces of her mother, an Elder. Amelia still struggles with the power in her and hopes to learn something that will help calm and control the Keeper in her, that seems to be a dangerous entity. Both these characters, and many along with them, are determined to fight for what they believe in and what they want. The strength of this determination will help keep them going.

Aidan's thoughts in the beginning are a reminder to us of the important people and events of what had happened with them, friends, and family. Amelia does touch on some history, but I'm glad she doesn't to much as it would be repetitious of what Aidan remembers or learns.

We get the insight into Aidan and his thoughts. We learn of when Aidan first started changing and what brought it about. But! There is a bind on him that needs further breaking. Oh the history that belongs to Aidan. I'm so glad he got to learn the things he does about his family and what happened to them. Aidan is more than he ever imagined, and is trying to understand it all as it hits him as fast in this book as it did in the last for Amelia.

Bethany, oh Bethany. I love her sarcasm and direct path of discussions. She brings a smile to my lips, even when she's hurting from her boyfriend leaving. Bethany is the only human in the battle here. And she's more determined than any to do something about her friend being held by the mad Queen.

We meet new characters! The one that sticks out in my mind is Dylan. He's so adorable! I love his personality and his attraction to Bethany. He's extremely loyal to Aidan, Bethany, and a few others. He tries his hardest to be proper calling people Mr. and Ms. (Mr. Aidan, Ms. Bethany). He's young, you can tell but he's just a cutie-pie.

I'm loving this world and the characters. I need to know how it all works out for everyone, Amelia, Aidan, the Mages, the Hunters, and even the crazed Queen Julia. This book does end on a bit of a moment that makes me say, 'No, it can't be the end of the pages.' But I'm also happy where Amelia ends up, it's just... well, it leaves me anticipating the next book like the first book did.

I'll be counting down, waiting for it's release!

Audio Book Review: Bound by Duty

Bound by Duty

By:  Stormy Smith

Publish Date:  July 24, 2014, Audiobook January 8, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 9 hrs 33 mins
Narrated By:  Kristin James

Genre:  New Adult Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Series:  1st in Bound series

Impression:  Young girl of remarkable power as her power grows. She also grows to feel and experience things of college life, but so much more than she ever expected comes at her sooner than later.

Synopsis:
Amelia grew up in a world of half-truths. She knows she's an Elder but has no idea what that means. Her father reminds her daily that she must maintain control but he refuses to explain why. Even worse, she's betrothed to the prince of the Immortals and she doesn't even know his name.

Finally breaking free to live a few normal years at a community college, the last thing Amelia expects is to find her best friend in a cheeky Southern girl and to fall for a self-assured human who sees her for who she is and not what she'll be.

As she learns more about herself, Amelia realizes the line between love and duty is a thin one. As her power continues to increase exponentially and her questions are slowly answered, Amelia must make the ultimate choice. The question is, will her head or her heart win the battle?

First Sentence:
Her stark white hair fell down around her face.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com, at my request.

Amelia has moved to Brighten to escape her crazy father, obsessed with her learning to control herself and her powers, to go to college and try to live a life of her own experiencing things. Her older brother, Cole, lives near and helps her with anything she needs, even to calm her when her powers start to escalate. Trying to live a 'normal' life, before the Queen calls on her to fulfill her betrothal to the Prince, Amelia finds she wants other things in life. And one of them is a young man named Aidan. Amelia has to decide between protecting her mage kind and accepting she could be used for no good by the Queen, of who whispers say she killed off the other Elders, by marrying the Prince. Or do as she wants, putting herself and others in danger.

Kristin is the narrator for this story. She fits right in to Amelia's part and all the emotions the poor girl feels. Amelia's attitude when she's angered, even if unintentional, comes out in Kristin's voice. All the characters become beyond four-dimensional with Kristin as the voice (three dimensional for the character development, fourth for the voice we hear). Kristin even has a different sound for Amelia when she's thinking in her head, a slight echo-y sound of an empty room. I like it as I know when Amelia is talking or thinking with easy differentiating. Kristin also gives each character a different tone or accent, making listening so easy.

We start with a prologue that gives us a taste of Queen Julia and the Hunter. She is looking for something, some information. Then we learn of the prophecy. I like this book starts right off with telling us the prophecy given and how it's come to be seen. We don't have to figure it out or wait for it. We know, now to see the story of how it'll unfold. Or not.

Amelia does her best at staying her path, to keep Aidan at a distance and do as she's to do. To continue waiting for her betrothal to come to pass. Amelia has high hopes that she could use good with her power as married to the Prince. But the more Amelia learns of the history that's not taught or talked of, held deep as a secret of those who know, Amelia is angered at what has happened to her people. The lose of the Elders and other Mages. Also, the more Amelia spends time with Aidan and her powers call to him, the more she falls for him.

Amelia is divided between what to do. Do what she wants, love who she wants? Or do as she's told to do, follow as she's to do as betrothed to the Prince and let them lead her on? Or...is she strong enough to stand up to the cruel Queen Julia? And help her people come out of the isolation age they've been living in.

The world of the mages has been torn apart, and the young don't know exactly what was done to their kind. The older are keeping the secrets quiet. What Amelia learns of a Mage that was all but destroyed is heartbreaking to learn what happened to the Elders and Mages by Queen Julia. It's interesting the Mages present in the world and their powers, but how they are all isolated as well.

Between Kristin's acting and the story, I was drawn into the story and wanted the words to go by faster. I would have wanted the same as reading, and I know listening is much faster than my reading. I couldn't wait to get more and more. I will be looking for the next book!