Book Review: A Curse Awakened

A Curse Awakened

By:  Cecy Robson

Publish Date:  August 18, 2014

Format:  eARC from NetGalley

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Series:  .06 in Weird Girls series; .05 Novella ~ The Weird Girls, 1st Book ~ Sealed with a Curse, 2nd Book ~ A Cursed Embrace, Novella 2.5 ~ A Cursed Moon, 3rd Book ~ Cursed By Destiny

Recommendation:  A glimpse into the past when the girls come fulling into their powers.

Synopsis:
Discover Cecy Robson’s sensational Weird Girls series—or return to where the magic first began—with this eBook original prequel novella about four sisters coming to grips with their unique supernatural powers.

Celia Wird shouldn’t possess the ability to transform into a tigress. Her three sisters should never be able to burst into flames, heal wounds, or transform common objects into deadly weapons. And yet they do.

Before they were born, the Wird Sisters were cursed by a spell that was intended to destroy them, not endow them with extraordinary powers. The sisters’ magic is untamed and explosive at best, and time is running out for them to take command.

Vampires have targeted Celia’s sweet, tragically human ex-boyfriend Danny. The sisters rush to his aid, but in order to take down the vamps, first they must face their dark past and break a spell that’s screwing up their powers. Except this curse wasn’t meant to be broken . . . and the witch who cast it isn’t done toying with them yet.

Purchase At:
Amazon   /   Barnes & Nobles

**I read this for an honest review from the publisher.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Danny's desperate call for Celia's help gets Celia and the girls into action, days before leaving for their new home. Vampires are after him and his dad. A female vampire master has fixated on Danny's dad, feeding on him and now taken him. The sisters and Danny come across another vampire with the same target, looking to advance himself as a Master.

The sisters are determined and looking forward to the new move. They are growing and trying to control the touch of powers they have. The sisters don't want to get involved, but Celia wants to help the one person that has been good to them all. They try to avoid the paranormal world, but that isn't always possible. We see Celia struggle with her growing strength and control of her tigeress, especially with no prey to hunt. The stress of the moving have brought on the nightmares of her last hunt, and kill.

We see a bit of Celia's past with Danny, talk of their past relationship. Through Danny the girls learn a touch of curses and magic. He's been reading up on magic to help his friends, the sisters. And now, he believes the sisters are bound, holding their powers back along with their control of what touch they have.

This story touches on the girls previous experience with vampires and magic curses. The vampire experience is of both views, kind and horrid. Then the magic curse that was done to their parents, and them in turn. There is a nasty curse that is held over them. There is even a glimpse of what can happen to those that mess with the bad people of magic and powers.

Not the romance setting. But kicking on the action setting. The girls are a bit new on the fighting side of things, and it shows in the battles they get in. But I love that they are not perfect and are learning, even learning of their powers.

Cecy delivers with these sisters once again. They struggle, but fight strong and stick together. They are new to the fighting, but they fight hard. We learn more of the family curse set upon them, bringing a glimpse of the past with it.

Blurb & Book Review: A Cursed Moon

A Cursed Moon

By:  Cecy Robson

Publisher:  Signet Eclipse

Publish Date:  December 3, 2013

Format: ARC

Genre:  Urban Fantasy Romance

Series:  2.5 Novella in The Weird Girls series; 0.5 Novella ~ The Weird Girls, 1st Book ~ Sealed with a Curse, 2nd Book ~ A Cursed Embrace

Recommendation:  Ooooh yes. You'll want this one. Something new evolves here!

Synopsis:
Meet the furry big brother that the Wird sisters never had…

Bren is a cocky, brash hound of a werewolf who loathes the idea of belonging to Aric’s pack—much less finding a mate. But Bren’s hotheaded behavior lands him in the doghouse when he defies Aric’s authority in front of his pack, bringing up a sore subject that’s bound to make the Alpha wolf’s blood boil…

Luckily for him, no one can stay mad at Bren and his wild charm for long. And when some frightening ghosts launch a hostile paranormal takeover, Bren will team up with Celia to take down the evil ghouls before they hurt someone they both love…

Includes a preview of the upcoming Weird Girls novel Cursed by Destiny!

First Sentence:
"Damn it, Bren -- wake up!"

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

**I read this book for an honest review from the publisher.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Ghosts have been terrorizing the town since the Tribe appeared. The Pack and Vampires, unknown to the other, have been busy fighting them. Bren, the lone wolf friend of the Weird sisters, has been trying to adjust to being part of Pack. He's not doing so well. Bren antagonizes his roommate, Dan, to the point of a deal. To get a girl at the Watering Hole after work. Bren is very good at pushing everyone's buttons, even ghosts. On a visit with Celia, Bren and Celia have their hands full when a ghost appears. Thinking they are safe for the night, they head to the Watering Hole. Spirits continue to invade Ben's night of fun, keeping him on his toes and putting his dear friends, his Pack, in danger.

This book is through Bren's eyes. We do see Danny, Aric, and Celia, along with several others by name. But getting a book through Bren's eyes gives us a chance to see the situation among the characters a little differently.  We see Bren and Dan at their best. The great friendship here. We get Bren's view on Aric and being part of his Pack. We feel Bren's strong protection of Celia and the girls along with Danny. They are his Pack.

Bren loves to get a rise out of everyone and is great at it. I love this with Bren. The thing, after I think about it, he usually is telling them the truth but not in an over kind way. The truth hurts sometimes. Bren is a strong personality - fun and laid back yet fierce too. High on the testosterone too. Love him. Bren does learn a lesson, even a small hint of a lesson, as the day goes on.

The ghosts that pop up put Bren and his friend through some dangerous and deadly moments. The book gains momentum in the ghost plot as you go, and where it ends...well Surprise, surprise! I never expected that ending! Loved it!

We get thoughts on his friends and what transpired between a few of the wolves and the sisters. The thread of the series is here as well. We left A Cursed Embrace with some strong feelings. This helps give additional views to what happened and why. And Bren uses the topic of Celia to stir up some lovely trouble. It works so well here. We get to see the wide variety of emotions among them all as he visits and pushes buttons.

Could you read this without reading the previous novels? Well, I'd say no. This novella gives away Celia's relationship and why. But the story of Bren is of it's own. So, if you don't mind ruining your surprise with previous books, okay, have at it. But, you are warned.

I would suggest reading it with the series, in order. Bren is the friend that you expect trouble yet all that fun from. Enjoy him!


Author Bio:
Cecy (pronounced Sessy) Robson is a full-time writer, registered nurse, wife, and mother living in the Great Northwest. A member of Romance Writers of America, she attributes her passion for storytelling to the rough New Jersey neighborhood she was raised in. As a child, she was rarely allowed to leave the safety of her house and passed her time fantasizing about flying, fairies, and things that go bump in the night. Gifted and cursed with an overactive imagination, she began writing in May 2009. Her Weird Girls Urban Fantasy Romance series is published with Penguin Random House’s Signet Eclipse and released to stellar praise from multiple reviewers including: Publisher’s Weekly, USA Today, and Romantic Times. THE WEIRD GIRLS: A Novella, SEALED WITH A CURSE, and A CURSED EMBRACE are now available. A CURSED MOON: A Novella, releases December 3, 2013, followed by CURSED BY DESTINY, January 7, 2014.

Find Cecy Robson:
Website:  www.cecyrobson.com
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/cecyrobson
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/Cecy.Robson.Author
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomCecyRobsonAuthor

Cover Reveal: A Cursed Moon

Oh My Goodness!  Cecy has a new A Weird Girls Novella coming our way!  Eeep!  And it's from Bren's POV.  If you've read the series you'll know Bren is a friend of the girls who is a lone wolf.  Yes, no pack, and he likes it that way.  He is more present in the second book, A Cursed Embrace, and I really look forward to more of him!

A Cursed Moon

A Weird Girls Novella 2.5

By:  Cecy Robson

Due Out:  December 3, 2013

Description:

Meet the furry big brother that the Wird sisters never had…

Bren is a cocky, brash hound of a werewolf who loathes the idea of belonging to Aric’s pack—much less finding a mate. But Bren’s hotheaded behavior lands him in the doghouse when he defies Aric’s authority in front of his pack, bringing up a sore subject that’s bound to make the Alpha wolf’s blood boil…

Luckily for him, no one can stay mad at Bren and his wild charm for long. And when some frightening ghosts launch a hostile paranormal takeover, Bren will team up with Celia Wird to take down the evil ghouls before they hurt someone they both love…

Includes a preview of the upcoming Weird Girls novel Cursed by Destiny!

I'm enjoying the magic in this world and look forward to more. :)

Looking Forward To... (115)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down. Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

Next Book Is...

The Weird Girls
The Weird Girls Novella

By:  Cecy Robson

Due Out:  December 4, 2012

Yes, I've read it, and enjoyed it.  I reviewed it too.  It was neat to meet these ladies and what their curse is. ;)

Goodreads Synopsis:
Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other 20-something girls—with one tiny exception: they're products of a backfired curse that has given each of them unique powers that make them, well, a little weird… 

The Wird sisters are different from every race on earth—human and supernatural. When human society is no longer an option for them, they move in among the resident vampires, werebeasts, and witches of the Lake Tahoe region. Could this be the true home they’ve longed for? Um, not quite. After the sisters accidentally strip a witch of her powers in a bar brawl, they soon realize the mistake will cost them. Because to take on a witch means to take on her coven. And losing the battle isn’t an option.

Includes a preview of the first full-length novel in the Weird Girls series, Sealed with a Curse—as well as introductions to the Weird World, and a letter from the author.

Tour with Giveaway and Book Review: The Weird Girls

*****Giveaway Closed, Please scroll down to the Review*****

Today is the tour stop for the lovely Cecy Robson with her Novella, The Weird Girls, coming out December 4, 2012 and Novel, Sealed with a Curse (Love this title, reminds me of 'sealed with a kiss' great play with words here), coming out December 31, 2012.  A New Years Baby!

I'm thrilled to be able to share these with you today, and introduce you to a new magical series.

Who is Cecy Robson you ask.  I'm pleased to introduce you to Cecy.
~~ Cecy (pronounced Sessy) Robson is an author with Penguin's SIGNET ECLIPSE. She attributes her passion for story-telling back to the rough New Jersey neighborhood she was raised in. As a child, she was rarely allowed to leave the safety of her house and passed her time fantasizing about flying, fairies, and things that go bump in the night. Her dad unwittingly encouraged Cecy's creativity by kissing her goodnight wearing vampire fangs. Gifted and cursed with an overactive imagination, she began writing her Urban Fantasy Romance Series, Weird Girls, in May 2009. THE WEIRD GIRLS: A Novella, debuts December 4, 2012 followed by SEALED WITH A CURSE, December 31, 2012, and A CURSED EMBRACE, July 2, 2013. ~~

You can find Cecy, and chat with her to get to know her and about her books better in the following places:
Website:  http://www.cecyrobson.com/
Twitter:  CecyRobson
Facebook:  Cecy.Robson.Author
Goodreads:  Cecy Robson, Author

We'll start with a little bit about each book:

The Weird Girls
Novella introducing the magically cursed sisters.
Description:
Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other 20-something girls—with one tiny exception: they're products of a backfired curse that has given each of them unique powers that make them, well, a little weird… 

The Wird sisters are different from every race on earth—human and supernatural. When human society is no longer an option for them, they move in among the resident vampires, werebeasts, and witches of the Lake Tahoe region. Could this be the true home they’ve longed for? Um, not quite. After the sisters accidentally strip a witch of her powers in a bar brawl, they soon realize the mistake will cost them. Because to take on a witch means to take on her coven. And losing the battle isn’t an option.

Includes a preview of the first full-length novel in the Weird Girls series, Sealed with a Curse—as well as introductions to the Weird World, and a letter from the author.


Sealed with a Curse
First full length Novel with the sisters.
Description:
Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other 20-something girls—with one tiny exception: they're products of a backfired curse that has given each of them unique powers that make them, well, weird…

The Wird sisters are content to avoid the local vampires, werebeasts, and witches of the Lake Tahoe region—until one of them blows up a vampire in self-defense. Everyone knows vampires aren't aggressive, and killing one is punishable by death. But soon more bloodlust-fueled attacks occur, and the community wonders: are the vampires of Tahoe cursed with a plague?

Celia reluctantly agrees to help Misha, the handsome leader of an infected vampire family. But Aric, the head of the werewolf pack determined to destroy Misha's family to keep the region safe, warns Celia to stay out of the fight. Caught between two hot alphas, Celia must find a way to please everyone, save everyone, and oh yeah, not lose her heart to the wrong guy—or die a miserable death. Because now that the evil behind the plague knows who Celia is, it’s coming for her and her sisters. This Wird girl has never had it so tough.


They sound good, don't they.  Well, they are full of paranormal and much more.  On to my thoughts of The Weird Girls...

The Weird Girls

By:  Cecy Robson

Published By:  Penguin Group

Publish Date:  December 4, 2012

Format:  ARC, 132pgs

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  0.5 in Weird Girls series

Recommendation:  Oh yes, wonderful start to bring you into a new magic filled world with four sisters stuck in it.

Synopsis:
Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other 20-something girls - with one tiny exception  they're products of a backfired curse that has given each of them unique powers that make them, well, a little weird...

The Wird sisters are different from every race on earth - human and supernatural.  When human society is no longer an option for them, they move in among the resident vampires, werebeasts, and witches of the Lake Tahoe region.  Could this be the true home they've longed for?  um, not quite.  After the sisters accidentally strip a witch of her powers in a bar brawl, they soon realize the mistake will cost them.  Because to take on a witch means to take on her coven.  And losing the battle isn't an option.

First Sentence:
Emme placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.

Purchase At:

Amazon - Kindle   /   Barnes & Nobles - Nook

My Thoughts and Summary:
The four sisters are celebrating finally finding a place to call home since leaving New Jersey two years ago.  Such a place found in Lake Tahoe.  Somehow trouble and men find the girls, yet Celia is feared at a glance as human's realize instinctively there's a predator inside, with fighting and upsetting one witch by breaking her power talisman.  After a phone call Celia makes to her paranormal expert friend, she learns with one witch comes a whole coven, now with their eyes out waiting for them to show in the new home area they thought would be safe.  When the witches come, Celia makes a claim and fights for her sisters against the leader of the coven.  Celia will have three challenges to face for her and her sisters to stay safe in their home.  As long as Celia can win, but at what costs?

We learn what each girl's abilities are, as a result of a backfired curse on their mother.  Boy do we learn about these four ladies!  The history details here with each and their parents, and their abilities.  I wonder how much of this will come to surface again in the first novel.  That the world, knowing or unknowingly senses it, doesn't accept weird and Celia, Taran, Shayna, and Emme are just that.  Weird.  Something that doesn't exist even in the supernatural world of vampires, werewolves, and witches.  Great setting of the characters here.

Right off the bat we start with a fight with a witch.  We see weaknesses in each girl, but they can work together to win.  As the story goes we see the strengths as well, and that they avoid the supernatural world as much as they can.  These four sister stick together and stand up for each other, protect and fight for each other.  They are all they have.  We learn how they suffered and fought through school and how people, magical or not, sense they are different and fight or torment them, or at least try too.

This novella sets the stage for these ladies as a whole and individually.  They come out kicking and swinging.

This novella is from Celia's point of view.  Celia is the eldest and is the one that goes through an ordeal with the three challenges to try and save her sisters.  There are quick sarcastic snarky remarks through the read.  It gives a feel of Celia's personality, strong and has a sense of humor that's dry and could be negative but I like this humor.  Celia's not all roses, she does have a tigeress inside after all, and I like that about her.  Being that they stay out of the supernatural world as much as possible, they don't know what to expect or do with the three challenges.  These ladies might be a product of the magical world, but they avoid it or at least try to.

There are hints of things here that I do hope and look forward to learning more about.  Like Celia and her dream man.  Sounds like there is more there than she or I know.  I would like to learn more!  There are things hinted at with each lady that I'd like to see more about.

Veeeery good novella to give you a feel of these weird ladies, where they came from and what they are capable of.  I do look forward to seeing more of this in the novels to come.

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

Would you like to WIN some lovely Swag of this Sisters series?

Cecy Robson has graciously offered some up for One (1) commentor.

Comment and follow Cecy via Twitter or Facebook and enter in the Rafflecopter to win.

Easy to do as all her links are in the Rafflcopter and above as well.

Good luck!

This giveaway is open Internationally.

Ends 11/7/12, 12:00 midnight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**I received a copy of this novella for an honest review from the publisher.
**This review is a collection of my personal thoughts as reading it.