Soul Weaver

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Book Review, Hailey Edwards, Soul Weaver

Soul Weaver is the first in a new paranormal series by Hailey Edwards.  Chloe McCrea has suffered from acute agoraphobia since she almost died in a car accident.  Nathaniel is a fallen angel who harvests the souls of corrupt humans – murderers, rapists, molesters, etc.  He is present at Chloe’s accident and realizes that she has a pure soul that for some reason will not go to Heaven.  Taking a step that could mean eternity in Hell for him if caught, he buys her time until paramedics can save her life.  Unbeknownst to him, his attempt to help taints her soul and marks her to be taken by a Harvester.  He must repair the damage that he has caused so that she can go to Heaven, if only he can resist her appeal.

 

Edwards weaves a realistic world where angels and half-angels walk among humans.  The history of Nathaniel’s family is rich and complex, with him making sacrifices for both his brother and nephew.   The relationship between the three is the heart of the story and of who Nathaniel is.  It wouldn’t be a romance if Chloe and Nathaniel didn’t fall for each other, but the family dynamic is what I was drawn to the most.

 

Readers are also given an interesting view of Hell, run not by the devil but by a complex fallen angel named Delphi.  He uses other fallen angels as Harvesters, whose job is to collect the soiled souls of humans who have done despicable acts.  I found him to be the most interesting of the characters as his purpose is for the good of humanity; however he is a scarily powerful being.  I hope for a better glimpse of what makes him tick in future stories.

 

The pacing is fast and I read the end of the book with my breath held.  Edwards did a great job giving you characters you care about and I was so anxious for them all.  I knew that that things had to end well for Chloe and Nathaniel, but I worried the entire time anyway.   Soul Weaver is a great start to a new series and I look forward to the next installment.

 

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All Summer Long by Susan Mallery

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All Summer Long, Book Review, Fool's Gold, Susan Mallery

All Summer Long is the newest book in Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold series.  Charlie Dixon wants to be normal.  A disastrous incident in college has left scars that stop her from having a successful romantic relationship.  The youngest Stryker brother, Clay, is known for his “assets” after spending years as a model, but now he wants to do more with his life.  When Charlie and Clay develop an unusual friendship, it looks like they might be the answer to each other’s problems.

I honestly did not expect to like this book as much as I did.  Before you even start reading it you know how it ends – the two come to a no strings arrangement that ends with them both falling in love – it wouldn’t be a romance otherwise.  The premise seemed a little strange and I wasn’t sure what to think of Charlie using Clay to get over her hang-ups about sex, just so that she could move on to having a relationship with a “normal” man.  But it should in no way surprise me that Mallery makes it work.  She deftly handles what could have been something awkward with humor, heat, and most importantly heart.

Charlie is awkward and insecure.  Her issues with herself and her mother are poignant and delivered in her straight-forward manner.  I know women like her who so badly want to show that they don’t need a man and how the more mainstream feminine ideals are worthless.  The trauma she went through, along with her delicate mother, make this attitude understandable.  I like the fact that she isn’t changed into a traditionally female character by the end.  Instead she is appreciated for the woman she is – strong, blunt and no-nonsense – and it is her caring and dedicated personality that draws Clay.

Clay is almost perfect, emotionally as well as physically.  He’s spent so much of his adult life being appreciated for what is on the outside that he now wants to be seen for what is on the inside.  He is afraid he isn’t enough, though, and it is hard, even in Fool’s Gold, to be taken seriously.  But the way he approaches Charlie’s request is very touching and the thought he puts into it shows the strength of his character.  He does research into what she is feeling and how best to work with her to overcome it, showing that he is more than just a gorgeous . . . face.

Once again Susan Mallery brings to life characters so real they feel like long-time friends, in a story that is both touching & funny.  All Summer Long is a wonderful addition to the Fool’s Gold saga and I highly recommend picking it up.

Hello

If you are here then you were likely just at Booktrib.  I’ve had such a good time reading and writing about books for the Review Crew that I’ve decided to create a place of my own.  The reviews will mostly be the same but I’ll also add a few thoughts on romances or romance authors here and there.

Welcome!  And I hope you find something great to read.