Book Review: Runes by Ednah Walters

Title: Runes (Runes #1)
Author: Ednah Walters
Release Date: May 20th 2013
Publisher: Firetrail Publishing
Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley

Seventeen-year-old Raine Cooper has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s disappearance, her mother’s erratic behavior and the possibility of her boyfriend relocating. The last thing she needs is Torin St. James—a mysterious new neighbor with a wicked smile and uncanny way of reading her.

Raine is drawn to Torin’s dark sexiness against her better judgment, until he saves her life with weird marks and she realizes he is different. But by healing her, Torin changes something inside Raine. Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Half the time, she’s not sure whether to fall into his arms or run.

Scared, she sets out to find out what Torin is. But the closer she gets to the truth the more she uncovers something sinister about Torin. What Torin is goes back to an ancient mythology and Raine is somehow part of it. Not only are she and her friends in danger, she must choose a side, but the wrong choice will cost Raine her life.

My Thoughts

I thought that Runes was a pretty good start for a new YA series involving Norse mythology, even with a love triangle storyline (Gah - I’m kind of over the love triangle thing!).

I did find the writing to be a bit jumpy in places and I often felt mixed up, having to re-read portions in case I’d missed something; but for the most part Runes is well written with some interesting characters and ideas.

I thought Torin was a bit of a hottie, all that self absorbed brooding suited him well; but with the inconsistent writing flow I found it difficult to connect to the characters, most especially Raine.

The ending for me was a little rushed and almost too easy; I was expecting more from a bunch of angry ancient Norse Gods! But I am interested enough to want to find out what comes next.

Runes was a little bit wobbly for me, but gets a solid 3.5 stars :]

Book Review: Slow Burn by E.B Walters

*I hate spoilers in a review and therefore will only include the blurb for this book and refrain from giving away anything else for the benefit of those who may still have this on their TBR piles.*

 

Slow Burn

E.B Walters (aka Ednah Walters)

Source: Received from the author

 

She doesn’t want to deal with the past….

Ten years ago, Ashley Fitzgerald witnessed the death of her parents in a tragic fire and her mind blocked the memory. She pretends to have moved on, is a successful artist and photographer, until she opens her door to a stranger, assumes he’s a model and asks him to strip to his briefs.

He plans to expose the truth…

Wealthy businessman Ron Noble has the body, the jet, the fast cars and the women, but he hides a deadly secret. His father started the fire that killed Ashley’s parents. Now someone is leaving him clues that could exonerate his father and they lead to Ashley’s door. Blindsided by the blazing attraction between them and a merciless killer silencing anyone who was there the night of the fire, Ron can’t dare tell Ashley the truth. Yet the answer he seeks may very well tear them apart.

While a demented arsonist plots his ultimate revenge..

My Thoughts

I have to start off by clarifying how I received my copy of this book for the benefit of those people who will undoubtedly get the wrong idea and may even pooh-pooh the author or myself.

I entered a facebook competition to win a signed bookmark. 
The author was overly generous and sent me her book as well as the bookmark! 
Again, a very generous unsolicited gift from the author with NO strings attached. 

On with my thoughts...........

LOVED IT!!
Totally, absolutely, without doubt, LOVED IT!!!

The back story is great. The characters are strong, well fleshed out and real. 
There is just the right amount of mystery and intrigue, and of course romance.
I really felt Ron and Ashley's attraction. I understood them, and the reasons for why they were who they were because the author took the time to make them into real people that I easily cared about without drowning them in unnecessary and overly complicated explanations. 
This book had great flow, and at no point was I bored or disappointed.

For me, Slow Burn was like that first piece of chocolate cake. It wasn't enough. I want more. More Fitzgerald's that is!!!!
I read the teaser chapters for the next book in The Fitzgerald Series and I for one will be pre ordering it!!!


A well deserved 5 star read.