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The Embrace Series #2
Hold Tight
What’s one little spell?
When you’re new to magic, one spell can be the difference between getting what you want...and ruining the lives of everyone you love.
Sixteen-year-old Madison has just embraced her magical powers. The trick now is learning how to control them. She and her boyfriend -and fellow witch- can’t even enjoy a simple kiss without getting shocked when their powers collide. Instead of mastering her new skills, though, Madison is stuck watching her kid brother and doing chores.
But being a witch does have its benefits. With a simple spell, Madison instantly conjures the help she needs around the house. Or so she thinks. Her idea of “help” invites trouble of its own as a pair of dangerous yet enticing beings enter her life. When a classmate disappears soon afterwards, Madison discovers she's the next victim of a threat she's powerless to resist...and there’s nothing it won’t kill to make her surrender.
Caught in the crossfire between two dashing but deadly creatures, Madison must figure out which one to trust and how to rid her world of the other—before one of them destroys her and everyone she cares about.
When you’re new to magic, one spell can be the difference between getting what you want...and ruining the lives of everyone you love.
Sixteen-year-old Madison has just embraced her magical powers. The trick now is learning how to control them. She and her boyfriend -and fellow witch- can’t even enjoy a simple kiss without getting shocked when their powers collide. Instead of mastering her new skills, though, Madison is stuck watching her kid brother and doing chores.
But being a witch does have its benefits. With a simple spell, Madison instantly conjures the help she needs around the house. Or so she thinks. Her idea of “help” invites trouble of its own as a pair of dangerous yet enticing beings enter her life. When a classmate disappears soon afterwards, Madison discovers she's the next victim of a threat she's powerless to resist...and there’s nothing it won’t kill to make her surrender.
Caught in the crossfire between two dashing but deadly creatures, Madison must figure out which one to trust and how to rid her world of the other—before one of them destroys her and everyone she cares about.
259 pages, Paperback
First published August 18, 2013
3 people are currently reading
663 people want to read
About the author
Cherie Colyer
9 books672 followersCherie Colyer (CL Colyer) is an award-winning author of fiction with a paranormal twist. Her published works include books for children through adults.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 18, 2013
Oh my goodness, this is going to sound so bad coming from me, but I may have liked the evil guy better in this one. Well, both evil guys. I looked back at my review from way back in Jan 2012 of EMBRACE and saw how I gushed and swooned over Isaac. But when I started reading this one I realized he just wasn't doing it for me in this one. It was Reed and Caden that I found I was leaning towards. I don't remember what all Isaac did in the first book to make me fall for him, but whatever it was, he wasn't doing it in this one.
Ok, I take that back. He was pretty awesome in this one, just didn't have that swoonish vibe coming off him as he did in EMBRACE. I did however love the addition of Reed and Caden. Man those dudes added the hotness to the story. How Madison was able to withstand their charming ways is beyond me. Ok, so maybe she didn't totally withstand them....
Anyhow, back to the review at hand. I absolutely loved the first book and now I am head over heels for this one. HOLD TIGHT was engaging, engrossing and absolutely amazing. The storyline was addictive and I quickly and sweetly inhaled it. Colyer is a fantastic author who expertly brought together the world of witches and faeries in this awesome story. And the only thing I have left to say is....I NEED MORE.
I 100% recommend this story to any and all who enjoy a good witch/faerie read. I found it incredibly hard to put this one down and enjoyed every second of it while I was reading it. Looking forward to more work by Colyer in the future.
Ok, I take that back. He was pretty awesome in this one, just didn't have that swoonish vibe coming off him as he did in EMBRACE. I did however love the addition of Reed and Caden. Man those dudes added the hotness to the story. How Madison was able to withstand their charming ways is beyond me. Ok, so maybe she didn't totally withstand them....
Anyhow, back to the review at hand. I absolutely loved the first book and now I am head over heels for this one. HOLD TIGHT was engaging, engrossing and absolutely amazing. The storyline was addictive and I quickly and sweetly inhaled it. Colyer is a fantastic author who expertly brought together the world of witches and faeries in this awesome story. And the only thing I have left to say is....I NEED MORE.
I 100% recommend this story to any and all who enjoy a good witch/faerie read. I found it incredibly hard to put this one down and enjoyed every second of it while I was reading it. Looking forward to more work by Colyer in the future.
August 30, 2013
This review and more on My Book Addiction
Hold Tight picks up a month after Embrace ends. Things are finally back to normal in Madison’s life. Well, as normal as can be expected after learning she’s a natural witch. With their coven four strong, Isaac, Josh, Kaylee and Madison spend their days practicing their craft. Madison’s biggest problem is that she can’t kiss Isaac without sparks flying — literally. She must learn to reign in her powers to keep them from colliding with Isaac’s or she’s never going to get more than a feather-soft peck on the lips. Oh, such is the life of a teenage witch. Ha! But her problems grow exponentially when she decides to cast a little spell on her own. She was stuck doing everything ever since her dad became overloaded with work; constantly babysitting her younger brother, Chase, and always getting behind on her chores, not to mention the need to still pass high school. She just wanted a little magical assistance. What could it possibly hurt? Oh, if she only knew the world of pain she was bringing down on not only herself, but her friends and family as well. With everything quickly spiraling out of control, can Madison possibly repair the all the damage she’s done?
Do you want to know how I know this is one helluva good book? Because I feel like a twelve-year-old girl dying to tell you every single thing that happened. Like you’re my best friend in whole wide world and it’s killing me to keep my mouth from running a million miles per minute until I’ve revealed every last juicy detail. *Sigh* But I can’t. So how do I go about reviewing this book without spilling the goods? That is the question.
While I really liked Embrace this second installment blows it away. From the connection I now feel with the characters to the incredible witty charm of our main character, Madison, that makes me smile and chuckle. The intense storyline that kept me constantly guessing in this one, as opposed to having it mostly figured out in the first book. I could actually feel the difference in the authors writing; how it has matured and developed. Not that it wasn’t great in book one, but it was exceptional this time around. And because I was fortunate enough to read these back to back, I was able to feel the magic come alive. I even got goosebumps. Silly? Maybe, but I’m not ashamed.
So much happens in Hold Tight I don’t even know where to start. I guess the beginning would be a good place. Madison casts what she feels is a simple spell, but the devastation that follows is staggering. How could one little spell do all of that? Don’t mess around with magic, my friends. When a magical door opens, you better know what you’re inviting in! There are loads of magical creatures and paranormal characters in this tale. It’s amazing that so much detail and action could be packed into one story, and so flawlessly.
I’ll be honest, I’m really finicky when it comes to stories with faeries. Maybe because it’s so easy to become confused by too much folklore? I’ve come across books that have an overabundance of information that makes it difficult to process. That was not the case with Hold Tight. It was smooth sailing the whole way!
Cherie Colyer is a master of her own craft, making it simple to become enchanted by her story. She had me giggling, biting my nails, feeling chills run down my spine, tears running down my cheeks, goosebumps exploding across my arms, and my heart bursting with joy. What more could anyone ask for?
I don’t think I can say any more without spilling my guts so let me just say, “START THIS SERIES NOW!”
Hold Tight picks up a month after Embrace ends. Things are finally back to normal in Madison’s life. Well, as normal as can be expected after learning she’s a natural witch. With their coven four strong, Isaac, Josh, Kaylee and Madison spend their days practicing their craft. Madison’s biggest problem is that she can’t kiss Isaac without sparks flying — literally. She must learn to reign in her powers to keep them from colliding with Isaac’s or she’s never going to get more than a feather-soft peck on the lips. Oh, such is the life of a teenage witch. Ha! But her problems grow exponentially when she decides to cast a little spell on her own. She was stuck doing everything ever since her dad became overloaded with work; constantly babysitting her younger brother, Chase, and always getting behind on her chores, not to mention the need to still pass high school. She just wanted a little magical assistance. What could it possibly hurt? Oh, if she only knew the world of pain she was bringing down on not only herself, but her friends and family as well. With everything quickly spiraling out of control, can Madison possibly repair the all the damage she’s done?
Do you want to know how I know this is one helluva good book? Because I feel like a twelve-year-old girl dying to tell you every single thing that happened. Like you’re my best friend in whole wide world and it’s killing me to keep my mouth from running a million miles per minute until I’ve revealed every last juicy detail. *Sigh* But I can’t. So how do I go about reviewing this book without spilling the goods? That is the question.
While I really liked Embrace this second installment blows it away. From the connection I now feel with the characters to the incredible witty charm of our main character, Madison, that makes me smile and chuckle. The intense storyline that kept me constantly guessing in this one, as opposed to having it mostly figured out in the first book. I could actually feel the difference in the authors writing; how it has matured and developed. Not that it wasn’t great in book one, but it was exceptional this time around. And because I was fortunate enough to read these back to back, I was able to feel the magic come alive. I even got goosebumps. Silly? Maybe, but I’m not ashamed.
So much happens in Hold Tight I don’t even know where to start. I guess the beginning would be a good place. Madison casts what she feels is a simple spell, but the devastation that follows is staggering. How could one little spell do all of that? Don’t mess around with magic, my friends. When a magical door opens, you better know what you’re inviting in! There are loads of magical creatures and paranormal characters in this tale. It’s amazing that so much detail and action could be packed into one story, and so flawlessly.
I’ll be honest, I’m really finicky when it comes to stories with faeries. Maybe because it’s so easy to become confused by too much folklore? I’ve come across books that have an overabundance of information that makes it difficult to process. That was not the case with Hold Tight. It was smooth sailing the whole way!
Cherie Colyer is a master of her own craft, making it simple to become enchanted by her story. She had me giggling, biting my nails, feeling chills run down my spine, tears running down my cheeks, goosebumps exploding across my arms, and my heart bursting with joy. What more could anyone ask for?
I don’t think I can say any more without spilling my guts so let me just say, “START THIS SERIES NOW!”
August 6, 2013
Great sequel to Embrace. Full of YA sweetness, sexyness, and supernatural fun. Well, as fun as vindictive faeries, clashing witch powers, and ambiguously evil demons can be :)
September 3, 2013
CAUTION! This review contains some spoilers.
Witches and Faeries and Demons, oh my!
HOLD TIGHT, a fast-paced, YA paranormal romance, runs the gamut from steamy romance to chilling suspense. Cherie Colyer’s sequel to EMBRACE makes one point clear: paranormal male leads have got it going on!
As a new witch, Madison needs to learn how to control her powers.
Every time she kisses Isaac the magic within her strikes out. Bam! And folks, electro-shocked lips are NOT attractive.
Unfortunately, with schoolwork, household chores, and caring for her younger brother Chase while dad works, Madison’s practice time is next-to-nil. And she’d like to really kiss Isaac—preferably without the painful burns.
So she steals a spell from Isaac’s book. Just a small one. To summon a helper faerie.
This simple, selfish act unleashes the biggest karmic butt-kicking Madison could have ever imagined.
Poor Madison!
At first she thinks all is okay. A beautiful faerie arrives and cleans her house. Madison even befriends Brea—lending her clothes so she can explore the human realm. But Brea didn’t arrive alone. Her brother Reed came, too. And Reed wants Madison—badly. See, getting Madison to choose him over Isaac would be Reed’s ultimate revenge after their stand-off months before.
Reed’s plan is simple: trick Madison into consuming addictive Fae food and then yank her off to the Faery court…forever. Fighting off Reed’s advances requires all of Madison’s strength and Isaac’s ingenuity. But, Reed didn’t settle for a single-front attack, he’s tempting Chase as well. Madison realizes this just before crashing the family car and injuring Chase. In desperation, Madison enlists the aid of a crossroads demon to save her brother’s life.
Reed’s seduction of Madison escalates and her coven’s attempts to expel him are fruitless. Will Madison have no choice except to leave her family and love behind?
By holding tight to those she loves, Madison develops the strength to defeat Reed.
I just love how Colyer keeps the story turning. There's a missing girl, two new hunks, and a love square...that's gotta be twice as hot as a love triangle! And, yet, Madison controls her own fate throughout.
Witches and Faeries and Demons, oh my!
HOLD TIGHT, a fast-paced, YA paranormal romance, runs the gamut from steamy romance to chilling suspense. Cherie Colyer’s sequel to EMBRACE makes one point clear: paranormal male leads have got it going on!
As a new witch, Madison needs to learn how to control her powers.
Every time she kisses Isaac the magic within her strikes out. Bam! And folks, electro-shocked lips are NOT attractive.
Unfortunately, with schoolwork, household chores, and caring for her younger brother Chase while dad works, Madison’s practice time is next-to-nil. And she’d like to really kiss Isaac—preferably without the painful burns.
So she steals a spell from Isaac’s book. Just a small one. To summon a helper faerie.
This simple, selfish act unleashes the biggest karmic butt-kicking Madison could have ever imagined.
Poor Madison!
At first she thinks all is okay. A beautiful faerie arrives and cleans her house. Madison even befriends Brea—lending her clothes so she can explore the human realm. But Brea didn’t arrive alone. Her brother Reed came, too. And Reed wants Madison—badly. See, getting Madison to choose him over Isaac would be Reed’s ultimate revenge after their stand-off months before.
Reed’s plan is simple: trick Madison into consuming addictive Fae food and then yank her off to the Faery court…forever. Fighting off Reed’s advances requires all of Madison’s strength and Isaac’s ingenuity. But, Reed didn’t settle for a single-front attack, he’s tempting Chase as well. Madison realizes this just before crashing the family car and injuring Chase. In desperation, Madison enlists the aid of a crossroads demon to save her brother’s life.
Reed’s seduction of Madison escalates and her coven’s attempts to expel him are fruitless. Will Madison have no choice except to leave her family and love behind?
By holding tight to those she loves, Madison develops the strength to defeat Reed.
I just love how Colyer keeps the story turning. There's a missing girl, two new hunks, and a love square...that's gotta be twice as hot as a love triangle! And, yet, Madison controls her own fate throughout.
August 20, 2013
Having not read Embrace, I was slightly hesitant to read Hold Tight first (as I always am when I read book 2 before book 1). However, the author did a wonderful job of keeping you up to date on the previous goings on without being obvious. I really appreciated that.
I loved the portrayal of witches in this book. Madison was a fun and engaging character and I enjoyed reading some of her story. I thought the romance between her and her boyfriend was very nice and well done. It wasn't over the top, but it didn't take a total back seat either. I personally would have liked to see a touch more of it, but only because I'm a huge fan of all the kissing scenes.
The plot had a few predictable moments here and there, but overall, I didn't know what was going to happen. I liked being on the journey with the main characters and finding out what the deal was about fairies.
If you enjoy fantasy mixed with contemporary YA books, I would recommend this.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the portrayal of witches in this book. Madison was a fun and engaging character and I enjoyed reading some of her story. I thought the romance between her and her boyfriend was very nice and well done. It wasn't over the top, but it didn't take a total back seat either. I personally would have liked to see a touch more of it, but only because I'm a huge fan of all the kissing scenes.
The plot had a few predictable moments here and there, but overall, I didn't know what was going to happen. I liked being on the journey with the main characters and finding out what the deal was about fairies.
If you enjoy fantasy mixed with contemporary YA books, I would recommend this.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2013
In a word: A story full of intriguing supernatural creatures, with a delicious blend of conjuring, romance and secrets, snappy dialog and characters that will make you smile.
**Mild spoilers if you haven’t read the first book!
I was so looking forward to reading Cherie’s follow-up to Embrace, and I wasn’t disappointed. Hold Tight continues the story of Madison and her friends right after she has discovered she has powers, and when the story opens she’s still learning how to use and control them. I love the sense of family and friendship in Cherie’s stories. Not only do Madison and her close friends help and support each other, but they also form a coven and combine their powers when they use magic. Cherie adds a sense of fun to her stories that just makes me smile! Yes, there is danger, and tension and bad guys, but the overall flavor of Hold Tight is one of joyfulness. The author takes things further with this installment by introducing some slightly unsavory magical characters, who put our leading lady Madison in somewhat of a pickle.
Madison is overwhelmed with school, friends and family life. Since her father’s been working overtime, she’s been charged with caring for her six-year-old brother and doing housework. She decides to try summoning a fairy to help her clean the house, and that’s when the trouble begins. Even though Madison changes her mind and doesn’t finish the spell, something manages to slip through anyway: a seemingly benevolent and charming fairy named Brea. But when Madison’s friend Natalie suddenly goes missing, she begins to wonder exactly what got in when she read that spell. Now it’s up to Madison, her boyfriend Isaac and friends Kaylee and Josh to find Natalie before someone else disappears. And it’s not going to be easy, as Madison struggles to keep her family safe and herself from falling prey to a mysterious boy named Reed.
Let’s talk about the characters first. Madison is just the type of protagonist I can relate to: she’s a mostly happy-go-lucky girl with an adorable boyfriend, a hard-working father, and loyal friends. But she’s not perfect. She’s just begun to figure out her powers and she makes mistakes all the time. Madison reminds me a lot of Willow from Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer in Season One and Two, when Willow has just started practicing witchcraft and all her spells are going wrong. And even though she’s happy with Isaac and their growing relationship, she’s intrigued and even tempted by the arrival of two mysterious boys in town, Reed and Caden.
Madison and Isaac have a very unique problem: whenever they try to kiss, Madison’s powers go haywire and she winds up shocking him! Which makes make-out sessions very challenging! I loved that twist to their relationship and how they handle it.
My other favorite character is Caden, a new and mysterious boy in town. When he first appears at school, he’s practically stalking Madison. Plus he smokes, so she’s immediately turned off by that habit. But I loved Caden’s role in the story, and little by little Madison realizes that Caden can offer her something that no one else can. This event, hopefully, sets up some possible scenarios for the next book.
Cherie adds lots of fairy lore to her story, and if you’ve ever read anything about fairies, you will know right away where she’s going with her plot. I thought the mixture of witchcraft and fairy lore was so well done, and the author weaves the two together seamlessly. And just wait until you find out what Caden is! (and no, I won’t spill the beans).
The only thing I thought could have used more development was the relationship between Madison and Brea the fairy. I felt Madison let Brea into her life way too easily and trusted her way too readily, since Brea comes and goes whenever she wants, wears Madison’s clothes and sleeps in her bed! I did love the friendship they seemed to have, but it was just a little too sudden for me.
The story resolves almost everything at the end, and leaves just enough wiggle room for another book in the series. I’ve really come to love these characters, and I look forward to reading more about Madison and her friends. And as for Cherie Colyer? I will read anything she writes!
Many thanks to the author and publisher for supplying a review copy.
**Mild spoilers if you haven’t read the first book!
I was so looking forward to reading Cherie’s follow-up to Embrace, and I wasn’t disappointed. Hold Tight continues the story of Madison and her friends right after she has discovered she has powers, and when the story opens she’s still learning how to use and control them. I love the sense of family and friendship in Cherie’s stories. Not only do Madison and her close friends help and support each other, but they also form a coven and combine their powers when they use magic. Cherie adds a sense of fun to her stories that just makes me smile! Yes, there is danger, and tension and bad guys, but the overall flavor of Hold Tight is one of joyfulness. The author takes things further with this installment by introducing some slightly unsavory magical characters, who put our leading lady Madison in somewhat of a pickle.
Madison is overwhelmed with school, friends and family life. Since her father’s been working overtime, she’s been charged with caring for her six-year-old brother and doing housework. She decides to try summoning a fairy to help her clean the house, and that’s when the trouble begins. Even though Madison changes her mind and doesn’t finish the spell, something manages to slip through anyway: a seemingly benevolent and charming fairy named Brea. But when Madison’s friend Natalie suddenly goes missing, she begins to wonder exactly what got in when she read that spell. Now it’s up to Madison, her boyfriend Isaac and friends Kaylee and Josh to find Natalie before someone else disappears. And it’s not going to be easy, as Madison struggles to keep her family safe and herself from falling prey to a mysterious boy named Reed.
Let’s talk about the characters first. Madison is just the type of protagonist I can relate to: she’s a mostly happy-go-lucky girl with an adorable boyfriend, a hard-working father, and loyal friends. But she’s not perfect. She’s just begun to figure out her powers and she makes mistakes all the time. Madison reminds me a lot of Willow from Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer in Season One and Two, when Willow has just started practicing witchcraft and all her spells are going wrong. And even though she’s happy with Isaac and their growing relationship, she’s intrigued and even tempted by the arrival of two mysterious boys in town, Reed and Caden.
Madison and Isaac have a very unique problem: whenever they try to kiss, Madison’s powers go haywire and she winds up shocking him! Which makes make-out sessions very challenging! I loved that twist to their relationship and how they handle it.
My other favorite character is Caden, a new and mysterious boy in town. When he first appears at school, he’s practically stalking Madison. Plus he smokes, so she’s immediately turned off by that habit. But I loved Caden’s role in the story, and little by little Madison realizes that Caden can offer her something that no one else can. This event, hopefully, sets up some possible scenarios for the next book.
Cherie adds lots of fairy lore to her story, and if you’ve ever read anything about fairies, you will know right away where she’s going with her plot. I thought the mixture of witchcraft and fairy lore was so well done, and the author weaves the two together seamlessly. And just wait until you find out what Caden is! (and no, I won’t spill the beans).
The only thing I thought could have used more development was the relationship between Madison and Brea the fairy. I felt Madison let Brea into her life way too easily and trusted her way too readily, since Brea comes and goes whenever she wants, wears Madison’s clothes and sleeps in her bed! I did love the friendship they seemed to have, but it was just a little too sudden for me.
The story resolves almost everything at the end, and leaves just enough wiggle room for another book in the series. I’ve really come to love these characters, and I look forward to reading more about Madison and her friends. And as for Cherie Colyer? I will read anything she writes!
Many thanks to the author and publisher for supplying a review copy.
August 26, 2013
Hold Tight is the second book in the Embrace Series by Cherie Colyer. Things are finally settling down after the events that occurred in book Embrace (Book #1), or at least as much as things can settle down when you are a witch. Isaac is helping Madison develop her powers, and they are working really hard on trying to help Madison be able to reel in her power so they can kiss without shocking the daylights out of one another. After reading one of Isaac's book, Madison decides she is going to cast a little spell to get some help around the house with her chores since she is busy watching her little brother Chase so much. Well, she ends up getting a lot more than she bargains for, to say the least. Little does Madison know, but her actions set have off a sequence of events that results in the disappearance of her friend, and puts her, as well as those she loves in danger. Meanwhile, there are two new hotties on the scene, Caden and Reed, who prove to both be far more than ordinary humans. Isaac also has a history with Reed that doesn't help things one bit. As Madison tries to resist the power that she is slowly losing herself to, Isaac and her friends Josh and Kaylee are doing everything that can to prevent it. Then things really begin to get nasty, and Madison finds herself in precarious and dangerous position, having to make a decision on how much she is willing to sacrifice in order to safe someone she loves. What remains to be seen, is just how much this decision will cost her in the long run.
I really enjoyed Embrace and have been looking forward to reading Hold Tight. Cherie Colyer takes us on another suspenseful journey with Madison, Isaac, and their friends into the world of the supernatural where magic is abundant and supernatural beings walk and live among humans, seemingly normal, yet far from it. I like Madison's character. She is still learning about magic and her powers. She messes up, but she is also determined to correct her mistakes, and progresses to being quite the heroine. Isaac is the hottie boyfriend who is also the most powerful in their coven. He cares for Madison deeply and is willing to do whatever it takes to protect her. We are introduced to a couple of new characters in Hold Tight, Caden and Reed, who are really hot themselves, but both are also very different and very dangerous in their own right. The romance between Isaac and Madison is continuing to grow and progress to the next level, both physically and emotionally, and I enjoyed seeing where the author took them and their relationship. Then there is the matter of Caden and Reed, the mysterious and dangerous hotties who pose a threat to Isaac and Madison's relationship, as well as to Madison's future. Cherie Colyer has delivered a great sequel that is filled with action, suspense, and romance, and is both thrilling, and entertaining. If you are a paranormal romance fan, then this is a fun series that you may want to check out.
Quotes:
“Lip-locking with a supernatural hottie to save your little brother doesn't count as kissing.”
“You sure you're not just trying to get into my pants?" I joked, but I was already trying to figure out what one wears to a detox session in her boyfriend's dungeon-like bedroom.”
“Oh my god! Madison, what is with you and non-human guys?”
“Three stupid pieces of chocolate can't mean a lifetime away from the people I love." Tears streamed down my face, and my body trembled. "I don't want to forget what I have here."
"I won't let that happen to you."
"I want it. The candy," I whispered, ashamed to admit it out loud and scared to death because the ache in my stomach was a hunger I'd never felt before. "Even though I know what it is, I can't stop thinking about it.”
I really enjoyed Embrace and have been looking forward to reading Hold Tight. Cherie Colyer takes us on another suspenseful journey with Madison, Isaac, and their friends into the world of the supernatural where magic is abundant and supernatural beings walk and live among humans, seemingly normal, yet far from it. I like Madison's character. She is still learning about magic and her powers. She messes up, but she is also determined to correct her mistakes, and progresses to being quite the heroine. Isaac is the hottie boyfriend who is also the most powerful in their coven. He cares for Madison deeply and is willing to do whatever it takes to protect her. We are introduced to a couple of new characters in Hold Tight, Caden and Reed, who are really hot themselves, but both are also very different and very dangerous in their own right. The romance between Isaac and Madison is continuing to grow and progress to the next level, both physically and emotionally, and I enjoyed seeing where the author took them and their relationship. Then there is the matter of Caden and Reed, the mysterious and dangerous hotties who pose a threat to Isaac and Madison's relationship, as well as to Madison's future. Cherie Colyer has delivered a great sequel that is filled with action, suspense, and romance, and is both thrilling, and entertaining. If you are a paranormal romance fan, then this is a fun series that you may want to check out.
Quotes:
“Lip-locking with a supernatural hottie to save your little brother doesn't count as kissing.”
“You sure you're not just trying to get into my pants?" I joked, but I was already trying to figure out what one wears to a detox session in her boyfriend's dungeon-like bedroom.”
“Oh my god! Madison, what is with you and non-human guys?”
“Three stupid pieces of chocolate can't mean a lifetime away from the people I love." Tears streamed down my face, and my body trembled. "I don't want to forget what I have here."
"I won't let that happen to you."
"I want it. The candy," I whispered, ashamed to admit it out loud and scared to death because the ache in my stomach was a hunger I'd never felt before. "Even though I know what it is, I can't stop thinking about it.”
December 9, 2013
View the original review on my blog:
4.5....
Absolutely brilliant! Completely engaging and thrilling until the very last page. Perfect follow up to Embrace that makes you fall in love with this witchy world
There is not much about this book that isn't entertaining. From start to finish you re-acquaint yourself with Madison and everything witchy. Starting from where Embrace left off, it's been a while since I have read the first in the series. Needless to say, I wasn't confused one bit as we get caught up with everything that has happened to lead us into Hold Tight.
Not that this really matters much, but I knew this series as the old Embrace cover. Now seeing these new covers I am in love! I especially love the Hold Tight cover with the magic spark there.
Back to the book, all the characters are entertaining and we instantly connect/re-connect with them all. With Madison, we follow her through the journey of trying to further her relationship with Issac, as well as trying to maintain her powers and control them. With Issac, we feel just as protective as he does to Madison as well as love his compassionate and sweet side.
We quickly get suspicious of Caden when we first meet him, just as Madison does, and when we find out exactly who he is we are completely shocked! I really didn't expect that! It also brings forth a new element to what we thought was only Witches. Turns out now Demons and Fey get thrown into the mix as well, and it is brought in in a way that isn't too overwhelming as most of what happens is unexpected and we don't realize it until it's happening and we try to get a grip on this new reality.
I wasn't really too sure about Brea, the fae that Madison summoned from a book that Issac banned her from. I wasn't really that committed to her character as the others, it was kinda hazed for me when she stepped into the scene. But she does stand out a bit in the end as she ends up helping Madison and we understand her true side as well as her intentions.
This was the same with Reed, I didn't think that he was that big of a character until we realise who he truly is. At first, we just think that he's a character who is actually who he says he is, but of course we're wrong again haha! Another character surprise that takes a turn for the worst for Madison and also for her friends as well.
I love the action in this book, it's a good pace change from her learning and doing just girly things with Kaylee as well as let us get more of a handle on things. It was brought in at the perfect time, any longer and it would have felt like the book was dragging on and on until something completely hooked us. As we follow the action until all the way until the end of the book, I couldn't guess what was going to happen. Thinking that the gang will go with the plan until it turns back on them, I didn't even think of their true plan until it was unleashed.
Madison and Issac's relationship continues to grow, her family is trying the best they can to cope, and Chase is as cute as ever! The choices that Madison has to make in this book push her to the edge, and we really can see her developing to all the changes in her life as well as the challenges that she now has to face as she embraces her witchy side.
Kind of vague, yes, but there are too many things that I really want to give away!
4.5....
Absolutely brilliant! Completely engaging and thrilling until the very last page. Perfect follow up to Embrace that makes you fall in love with this witchy world
There is not much about this book that isn't entertaining. From start to finish you re-acquaint yourself with Madison and everything witchy. Starting from where Embrace left off, it's been a while since I have read the first in the series. Needless to say, I wasn't confused one bit as we get caught up with everything that has happened to lead us into Hold Tight.
Not that this really matters much, but I knew this series as the old Embrace cover. Now seeing these new covers I am in love! I especially love the Hold Tight cover with the magic spark there.
Back to the book, all the characters are entertaining and we instantly connect/re-connect with them all. With Madison, we follow her through the journey of trying to further her relationship with Issac, as well as trying to maintain her powers and control them. With Issac, we feel just as protective as he does to Madison as well as love his compassionate and sweet side.
We quickly get suspicious of Caden when we first meet him, just as Madison does, and when we find out exactly who he is we are completely shocked! I really didn't expect that! It also brings forth a new element to what we thought was only Witches. Turns out now Demons and Fey get thrown into the mix as well, and it is brought in in a way that isn't too overwhelming as most of what happens is unexpected and we don't realize it until it's happening and we try to get a grip on this new reality.
I wasn't really too sure about Brea, the fae that Madison summoned from a book that Issac banned her from. I wasn't really that committed to her character as the others, it was kinda hazed for me when she stepped into the scene. But she does stand out a bit in the end as she ends up helping Madison and we understand her true side as well as her intentions.
This was the same with Reed, I didn't think that he was that big of a character until we realise who he truly is. At first, we just think that he's a character who is actually who he says he is, but of course we're wrong again haha! Another character surprise that takes a turn for the worst for Madison and also for her friends as well.
I love the action in this book, it's a good pace change from her learning and doing just girly things with Kaylee as well as let us get more of a handle on things. It was brought in at the perfect time, any longer and it would have felt like the book was dragging on and on until something completely hooked us. As we follow the action until all the way until the end of the book, I couldn't guess what was going to happen. Thinking that the gang will go with the plan until it turns back on them, I didn't even think of their true plan until it was unleashed.
Madison and Issac's relationship continues to grow, her family is trying the best they can to cope, and Chase is as cute as ever! The choices that Madison has to make in this book push her to the edge, and we really can see her developing to all the changes in her life as well as the challenges that she now has to face as she embraces her witchy side.
Kind of vague, yes, but there are too many things that I really want to give away!
September 1, 2013
Hold Tight by Cherie Colyer
(Book #2: The Embrace Series)
Source: Author/Omnific Publishing
Rating: 4½/5 stars
Round two of Cherie Colyer’s Embrace series opens with a very stressed out Madison trying to figure out how she is ever going to balance everything in her life. The house is a mess, her dad is working later and later all the time, her school work is seriously lacking and, her younger brother is always in need of supervision. Add to all of this the fact that Madison and Isaac can’t kiss for more than twenty-three seconds at a time because she can’t hold back her powers well enough to keep from zapping Isaac and you sort of have a recipe for disaster. What is a young witch to do?
Isaac, still the leader of the Fearsome Four coven has spent countless hours helping Madison learn how to properly and safely use and control her powers. After all, getting zapped every time you kiss your girlfriend is so not cool! More importantly, as Isaac has explained time and time again, for some witches giving into the darkness and abusing ones’ powers is just easier than learning proper control and restraint. While Madison completely understand staying away from the darkness, she needs help and one little spell can’t cause that much trouble, right? More importantly, what Isaac doesn’t know can’t hurt him, right?
And so, after a particularly funny conversation around the dinner table at Isaac’s house, Madison determines that it is in her best interest to summon a fairy to help her manage the house and her chores. Shortly after completing her spell, Brea, a beautiful fairy from the Seelie court appears and the house has never looked better. Furthermore, Madison’s dad finally admits to needing help with the business and hires not one but two new employees. For the first time in ages, Madison feels like she has a bit of breathing room. It’s time to be a proper teenager.
Except . . . .
The big news around town is the story of a missing teenage girl, a girl who just happens to be friends with Madison and the rest of the Fearsome Four. All anyone knows is that she had a secret admirer and was not seen again after dropping her best friend off at home after a party. Searches turn up nothing but an abandoned car and understandably, everyone is freaking out. As the F.F. delve deeper into the disappearance of their friend they discover that magic most certainly was involved but even Isaac can’t understand how. That is, until Madison fesses up to having summoned a fairy. At this point, all Hell breaks loose and Madison finally begins to truly understand how critical it is that she understands and controls her use of magic. Not only has Madison irrevocably harmed herself in the summoning of the fairy but also her family and her friends. No spoilers; you’ll just have to read this one for yourselves
The Bottom Line: Hold Tight is even better than Embrace with more character development, the addition of new and slightly surprising characters, more seriously cool magic, a more intense plot line and a pace that really doesn’t slow down from beginning to end. There is absolutely no sophomore slump here and by the end of the read I was absolutely ready to dive into book number three . . . .yep, the one that doesn’t exist yet Colyer has hit a homerun with both this book and this series and I am excited to see what kind of mayhem the Fearsome Four get into the next time around.
(Book #2: The Embrace Series)
Source: Author/Omnific Publishing
Rating: 4½/5 stars
Round two of Cherie Colyer’s Embrace series opens with a very stressed out Madison trying to figure out how she is ever going to balance everything in her life. The house is a mess, her dad is working later and later all the time, her school work is seriously lacking and, her younger brother is always in need of supervision. Add to all of this the fact that Madison and Isaac can’t kiss for more than twenty-three seconds at a time because she can’t hold back her powers well enough to keep from zapping Isaac and you sort of have a recipe for disaster. What is a young witch to do?
Isaac, still the leader of the Fearsome Four coven has spent countless hours helping Madison learn how to properly and safely use and control her powers. After all, getting zapped every time you kiss your girlfriend is so not cool! More importantly, as Isaac has explained time and time again, for some witches giving into the darkness and abusing ones’ powers is just easier than learning proper control and restraint. While Madison completely understand staying away from the darkness, she needs help and one little spell can’t cause that much trouble, right? More importantly, what Isaac doesn’t know can’t hurt him, right?
And so, after a particularly funny conversation around the dinner table at Isaac’s house, Madison determines that it is in her best interest to summon a fairy to help her manage the house and her chores. Shortly after completing her spell, Brea, a beautiful fairy from the Seelie court appears and the house has never looked better. Furthermore, Madison’s dad finally admits to needing help with the business and hires not one but two new employees. For the first time in ages, Madison feels like she has a bit of breathing room. It’s time to be a proper teenager.
Except . . . .
The big news around town is the story of a missing teenage girl, a girl who just happens to be friends with Madison and the rest of the Fearsome Four. All anyone knows is that she had a secret admirer and was not seen again after dropping her best friend off at home after a party. Searches turn up nothing but an abandoned car and understandably, everyone is freaking out. As the F.F. delve deeper into the disappearance of their friend they discover that magic most certainly was involved but even Isaac can’t understand how. That is, until Madison fesses up to having summoned a fairy. At this point, all Hell breaks loose and Madison finally begins to truly understand how critical it is that she understands and controls her use of magic. Not only has Madison irrevocably harmed herself in the summoning of the fairy but also her family and her friends. No spoilers; you’ll just have to read this one for yourselves
The Bottom Line: Hold Tight is even better than Embrace with more character development, the addition of new and slightly surprising characters, more seriously cool magic, a more intense plot line and a pace that really doesn’t slow down from beginning to end. There is absolutely no sophomore slump here and by the end of the read I was absolutely ready to dive into book number three . . . .yep, the one that doesn’t exist yet Colyer has hit a homerun with both this book and this series and I am excited to see what kind of mayhem the Fearsome Four get into the next time around.
August 26, 2013
Also posted on Rally the Readers.
* A copy was provided for review for a blog tour.
I really enjoyed reading Cherie Colyer’s Embrace last year, and I was thrilled when I heard that there was going to be a sequel. Embrace was such a fresh take on witches and magic, and I loved how the book slowly revealed what sort of paranormal activity was going on. The mystery element was so much fun, and I looked forward to seeing what kinds of surprises awaited me in Hold Tight.
Madison, Isaac, Kaylee, and Josh are all back, and I really love the friendship between the four of them. Just as Embrace did, Hold Tight presents a balanced portrait of these characters; sure, the supernatural is very real for them, but we get to see them as regular teenagers, too. It’s the latter side of her life that ends up causing trouble for Madison. When juggling school, helping out at home, and dating Isaac start becoming overwhelming, she secretly borrows Isaac’s fae book and summons a faery to help her around the house. At first the arrangement with Brea, the faery who appears, seems fine, but all too soon Madison learns that one has to exercise extreme caution when dealing with these creatures.
The faeries depicted here are more the type who’ll trick you into abandoning the human world for theirs than the kind who grant wishes with no expectation of something in return. One faery in particular has an ax to grind with Isaac and is determined to exact revenge. The fae are a welcome addition to the series as adversaries, and pretty formidable ones at that, yet they don’t steal the book away from the witches. There’s still plenty of spell casting and other witchcraft, and it’s a thrill watching it go up against fae magic.
I’d hoped that there would be a twist in Hold Tight à la finding out that Isaac was a witch in Embrace, and Hold Tight didn’t disappoint in delivering one. A certain character totally caught me off guard; it was apparent that this individual was hiding something very important, but I never would have guessed what it was. I did try to puzzle it out, but I wasn’t all that upset over my lack of sleuthing skills because I really liked being surprised.
The tone of Hold Tight grows quite serious in places, and Madison faces some of her biggest challenges to date. Her trials, and she does undergo a lot here, only strengthen her, though. That’s precisely the sort of character development I like to see with a series, and this series moves forward very nicely.
* A copy was provided for review for a blog tour.
I really enjoyed reading Cherie Colyer’s Embrace last year, and I was thrilled when I heard that there was going to be a sequel. Embrace was such a fresh take on witches and magic, and I loved how the book slowly revealed what sort of paranormal activity was going on. The mystery element was so much fun, and I looked forward to seeing what kinds of surprises awaited me in Hold Tight.
Madison, Isaac, Kaylee, and Josh are all back, and I really love the friendship between the four of them. Just as Embrace did, Hold Tight presents a balanced portrait of these characters; sure, the supernatural is very real for them, but we get to see them as regular teenagers, too. It’s the latter side of her life that ends up causing trouble for Madison. When juggling school, helping out at home, and dating Isaac start becoming overwhelming, she secretly borrows Isaac’s fae book and summons a faery to help her around the house. At first the arrangement with Brea, the faery who appears, seems fine, but all too soon Madison learns that one has to exercise extreme caution when dealing with these creatures.
The faeries depicted here are more the type who’ll trick you into abandoning the human world for theirs than the kind who grant wishes with no expectation of something in return. One faery in particular has an ax to grind with Isaac and is determined to exact revenge. The fae are a welcome addition to the series as adversaries, and pretty formidable ones at that, yet they don’t steal the book away from the witches. There’s still plenty of spell casting and other witchcraft, and it’s a thrill watching it go up against fae magic.
I’d hoped that there would be a twist in Hold Tight à la finding out that Isaac was a witch in Embrace, and Hold Tight didn’t disappoint in delivering one. A certain character totally caught me off guard; it was apparent that this individual was hiding something very important, but I never would have guessed what it was. I did try to puzzle it out, but I wasn’t all that upset over my lack of sleuthing skills because I really liked being surprised.
The tone of Hold Tight grows quite serious in places, and Madison faces some of her biggest challenges to date. Her trials, and she does undergo a lot here, only strengthen her, though. That’s precisely the sort of character development I like to see with a series, and this series moves forward very nicely.
August 26, 2013
4.5 Stars
'Hold Tight' is the second installment in an exciting young adult paranormal series that continues to follow leading lady Madison as she continues to learn about her magical powers and how to use them properly. With the help of her boyfriend, Isaac, and her other magical friends, things are starting to get easier for Madison and her magic. Lured by the prospect of summoning faeries to do her bidding, Madison unknowingly opens the doorway for two interesting yet dangerous beings into her world. Soon after completing the spell, one of Madison's friends goes missing and it doesn't take very long for Madison to realize who the next target is. The only problem now is to figure out which of the two beings to trust in and how to thrust the other back into the realm it came from - all before things go very wrong for Madison and those she loves.
This was a fantastic second novel in a YA paranormal series that continues to wow me. I love any type of fiction that deals with witches and magic, and this book certainly did not disappoint. It's full of various types of magic, supernatural beings, and spells - both good and bad - and I loved learning as much about all of it as I could. Madison is a great main character for the series. She's smart, strong, brave, and completely devoted to her friends and family. She's also vulnerable and scared - and definitely having issues controlling her magical abilities. I loved watching her character continue to mature and grow throughout the book as she learns to deal with consequences to her actions as well as normal life problems. There is some romance in the book; but I didn't feel like it was too corny or overshadowed the main plot at all. It seemed like just the right amount and I liked seeing Madison and Isaac's relationship grow. The plot was really fascinating for me - I loved every bit of it. Like I mentioned earlier, it deals a lot with magic, spells, and supernatural beings - but there's also a bit of a mystery woven into the story when Madison's friend goes missing. She has to figure out what happened to her, who's responsible, and how to stop them. I enjoyed trying to figure out what might really be going on, but there were definitely some twists and turns that I didn't see coming - and they added some great layers to the story line. The writing was fast paced and thrilling with lots of adventure, action, mystery, and romance. I'm already eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series to see what Madison will get into next. I definitely recommend this book and the series to fans of YA paranormal fiction and those who enjoy fantasy and supernatural books as well.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
'Hold Tight' is the second installment in an exciting young adult paranormal series that continues to follow leading lady Madison as she continues to learn about her magical powers and how to use them properly. With the help of her boyfriend, Isaac, and her other magical friends, things are starting to get easier for Madison and her magic. Lured by the prospect of summoning faeries to do her bidding, Madison unknowingly opens the doorway for two interesting yet dangerous beings into her world. Soon after completing the spell, one of Madison's friends goes missing and it doesn't take very long for Madison to realize who the next target is. The only problem now is to figure out which of the two beings to trust in and how to thrust the other back into the realm it came from - all before things go very wrong for Madison and those she loves.
This was a fantastic second novel in a YA paranormal series that continues to wow me. I love any type of fiction that deals with witches and magic, and this book certainly did not disappoint. It's full of various types of magic, supernatural beings, and spells - both good and bad - and I loved learning as much about all of it as I could. Madison is a great main character for the series. She's smart, strong, brave, and completely devoted to her friends and family. She's also vulnerable and scared - and definitely having issues controlling her magical abilities. I loved watching her character continue to mature and grow throughout the book as she learns to deal with consequences to her actions as well as normal life problems. There is some romance in the book; but I didn't feel like it was too corny or overshadowed the main plot at all. It seemed like just the right amount and I liked seeing Madison and Isaac's relationship grow. The plot was really fascinating for me - I loved every bit of it. Like I mentioned earlier, it deals a lot with magic, spells, and supernatural beings - but there's also a bit of a mystery woven into the story when Madison's friend goes missing. She has to figure out what happened to her, who's responsible, and how to stop them. I enjoyed trying to figure out what might really be going on, but there were definitely some twists and turns that I didn't see coming - and they added some great layers to the story line. The writing was fast paced and thrilling with lots of adventure, action, mystery, and romance. I'm already eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series to see what Madison will get into next. I definitely recommend this book and the series to fans of YA paranormal fiction and those who enjoy fantasy and supernatural books as well.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2013
I liked Embrace, the first book in Cherie Colyer's engaging YA series, so much I read it twice. When I saw the tour for the second book in this series, signing on was a no-brainer. What I enjoyed so much about Embrace--truly likable characters, a fascinating take on the supernatural (in this case, witches), a driving plot, and a sweet, realistic romance--can be found in Hold Tight as well. The author informs us on what happened already so readers who aren't familiar with book one don't have to worry (but I would advise you to read Embrace, it's worth it).
One of my favorite YA witches, Madison, is back. Since she just embraced being a witch, watching her become frustrated when she wants to dabble more but has to watch her brother is realistic and funny. Housework? Sure, she can handle that with her newfound powers. But in doing so she invites trouble, literally. She begins a spell to call on a fairy to handle her chores but stops midway. Oh no. That beginning spell already opened up something and now Madison has to deal with two fae. Her dilemma? Which one dos she trust? Is Brea trustworthy or her brother, Reed? Are any of the fae? Of course, boyfriend Issac, friends Kaylee and Josh return to help Madison out. I really liked the blending of magic, spells, the fae, and being a witch, but besides all the hocus pocus we also get to see this group as real teens handling real human issues as well.
The author not only keeps us intrigued with these new developments in Madison's life, she adds in some nifty twists involving a demon. Poor Madison has to deal with two hot guys, a demon, her brother, life as a teen girl and witch and homework. If paranormal is your favorite genre, I cannot recommend Cherie Colyer's Embrace series enough. The allure of magic, the realism of human life, all combine into an addicting series. Embrace sets the foundation and Hold Tight only improves upon an engaging story.
(http://www.readergirlsblog.com/2013/0...)
One of my favorite YA witches, Madison, is back. Since she just embraced being a witch, watching her become frustrated when she wants to dabble more but has to watch her brother is realistic and funny. Housework? Sure, she can handle that with her newfound powers. But in doing so she invites trouble, literally. She begins a spell to call on a fairy to handle her chores but stops midway. Oh no. That beginning spell already opened up something and now Madison has to deal with two fae. Her dilemma? Which one dos she trust? Is Brea trustworthy or her brother, Reed? Are any of the fae? Of course, boyfriend Issac, friends Kaylee and Josh return to help Madison out. I really liked the blending of magic, spells, the fae, and being a witch, but besides all the hocus pocus we also get to see this group as real teens handling real human issues as well.
The author not only keeps us intrigued with these new developments in Madison's life, she adds in some nifty twists involving a demon. Poor Madison has to deal with two hot guys, a demon, her brother, life as a teen girl and witch and homework. If paranormal is your favorite genre, I cannot recommend Cherie Colyer's Embrace series enough. The allure of magic, the realism of human life, all combine into an addicting series. Embrace sets the foundation and Hold Tight only improves upon an engaging story.
(http://www.readergirlsblog.com/2013/0...)
March 18, 2014
I sooo loved the first book in this series... and while I was excited to read the second book, I worried it might not live up to the first. You know how that goes. Sophomore slump and all. But luckily, I had nothing to fear.
HOLD TIGHT does not disappoint. Cherie Colyer does a wonderful job in Book 2 of this series, introducing new characters and keeping both the action and tension running full steam ahead. I love this author's writing style, and her exclusive use of Madison's first person POV. Book 2 stays YA while ratcheting up the stakes in her life and the lives of those she cares for.
The book begins about a month after the end of the first book, EMBRACE. Madison has fully accepted her witchy powers, but still has problems kissing her boyfriend, Isaac. Like a "built-in parental control," their liplocks always end with powers colliding and electric shocks (not the good kind, either.)
The catalyst for this next adventure is Madison's curiosity, when she attempts to use a summoning spell to get a fairy to help with her housework and chores. Big mistake. The fae don't give favors for free, especially when one of the fairies you summon has a gripe with the boy you love.
Now Madison has to figure out how to send the Fae Prince of the Winter Court back to his world before he and Isaac battle over her. Throw in a crossroad demon and a Fae Princess of the Summer Court and Madison has enough trouble to keep her busy for the rest of junior year.
It comes to a head when her brother Chase in injured and only magic can save him...but choosing which magic will change Madison's life forever.
If you haven't read the first book in this series, I would recommend reading that first. And then grab this one in quick succession. The author is still at work on Book 3 - and I'm totally looking forward to reading and reviewing that one as well!
HOLD TIGHT does not disappoint. Cherie Colyer does a wonderful job in Book 2 of this series, introducing new characters and keeping both the action and tension running full steam ahead. I love this author's writing style, and her exclusive use of Madison's first person POV. Book 2 stays YA while ratcheting up the stakes in her life and the lives of those she cares for.
The book begins about a month after the end of the first book, EMBRACE. Madison has fully accepted her witchy powers, but still has problems kissing her boyfriend, Isaac. Like a "built-in parental control," their liplocks always end with powers colliding and electric shocks (not the good kind, either.)
The catalyst for this next adventure is Madison's curiosity, when she attempts to use a summoning spell to get a fairy to help with her housework and chores. Big mistake. The fae don't give favors for free, especially when one of the fairies you summon has a gripe with the boy you love.
Now Madison has to figure out how to send the Fae Prince of the Winter Court back to his world before he and Isaac battle over her. Throw in a crossroad demon and a Fae Princess of the Summer Court and Madison has enough trouble to keep her busy for the rest of junior year.
It comes to a head when her brother Chase in injured and only magic can save him...but choosing which magic will change Madison's life forever.
If you haven't read the first book in this series, I would recommend reading that first. And then grab this one in quick succession. The author is still at work on Book 3 - and I'm totally looking forward to reading and reviewing that one as well!
August 5, 2016
This was a brilliant second book in the Embrace Series! The first book was terrific and this one kept the series going strong and certainly didn't disappoint. Make sure you read the first one (Embrace) before reading this one so you have the attachment to the characters and then jump into this one right away.
This book did a wonderful job of keeping the characters alive from the first book. They are all carried over into this one and the author didn't skip a beat bringing them back as they were. You'll feel the same attachment you did from the first book (love or hate, you'll get the same here!) and be caught up in their lives immediately. The characters, especially Madison, are able to draw strong emotions out of the reader. At times you really wish you could reach in there and smack them up side the head and stop them, give them a great big hug, or give them a super high five depending on the situation. The author does a great job of keeping the characters acting the age they are meant to be so the mistakes they make are appropriate because if you think about it, what would you have done at that age? Maybe different in hindsight as the reader, but perhaps not. Oh, they are just so much fun to read and so addicting!
This story will keep you glued to the book so you'll have a heck of a time putting it down. You tend to become so absorbed into the "what happens next?" part of the story, you can't find a good place to break for things like food, coffee, etc. It's written in a fast paced action packed way that leaves you on the edge of your seat as one thing leads to another, to another, to another in rapid succession.
This book is a love story, a mystery, a fantasy, a YA paranormal thriller all rolled into one offering even more. It was a lot of fun to read and I'm looking forward to reading the third in the series.
This book did a wonderful job of keeping the characters alive from the first book. They are all carried over into this one and the author didn't skip a beat bringing them back as they were. You'll feel the same attachment you did from the first book (love or hate, you'll get the same here!) and be caught up in their lives immediately. The characters, especially Madison, are able to draw strong emotions out of the reader. At times you really wish you could reach in there and smack them up side the head and stop them, give them a great big hug, or give them a super high five depending on the situation. The author does a great job of keeping the characters acting the age they are meant to be so the mistakes they make are appropriate because if you think about it, what would you have done at that age? Maybe different in hindsight as the reader, but perhaps not. Oh, they are just so much fun to read and so addicting!
This story will keep you glued to the book so you'll have a heck of a time putting it down. You tend to become so absorbed into the "what happens next?" part of the story, you can't find a good place to break for things like food, coffee, etc. It's written in a fast paced action packed way that leaves you on the edge of your seat as one thing leads to another, to another, to another in rapid succession.
This book is a love story, a mystery, a fantasy, a YA paranormal thriller all rolled into one offering even more. It was a lot of fun to read and I'm looking forward to reading the third in the series.
December 30, 2013
I loved reading Embraceand was thrilled when the opportunity came to read the second. It has been awhile since I read the first book and honestly I couldn't remember many details. I was a little worried about how I would get up to speed in the second story. I worried for nothing, Cherie Coyler did a great job at bringing the me where I needed to be to get into and follow the story line.
Madison is intrigued by the fay. She wants a fairy to perform household chores for her in exchange for cream. After all, that is what she has been led to believe a fairy would like. Half way through summoning a fairy, she realized it was a mistake and stopped the spell, leaving it incomplete.
She inadvertently opened a gateway that is causing havoc in the human realm. A friend disappears and in her search for her friend, she realizes that there is much more at stake than on the surface. She is put in difficult situations where she has to determine what it is that she really wants. What price is she willing to pay to help the ones that she loves?
This is a fun book dealing with witches, spells, demons, and the fay. There are surprises for the reader leading to a fun reading experience.
This book contains mild swearing. There are also moments of intimacy without many details.
Madison is intrigued by the fay. She wants a fairy to perform household chores for her in exchange for cream. After all, that is what she has been led to believe a fairy would like. Half way through summoning a fairy, she realized it was a mistake and stopped the spell, leaving it incomplete.
She inadvertently opened a gateway that is causing havoc in the human realm. A friend disappears and in her search for her friend, she realizes that there is much more at stake than on the surface. She is put in difficult situations where she has to determine what it is that she really wants. What price is she willing to pay to help the ones that she loves?
This is a fun book dealing with witches, spells, demons, and the fay. There are surprises for the reader leading to a fun reading experience.
This book contains mild swearing. There are also moments of intimacy without many details.
March 23, 2015
The author provided me this book in exchange for an honest review. I recently read Embrace and enjoyed it enough to follow up with this one. Most of the time I find second books in a series a tad disappointing but that is not the case with Hold Tight. In fact, I found this one to be better than the first.
The old gang is back but this time with several new characters. A lot of the books is spent figuring out just who some of these individuals are, and I found the journey quite enjoyable. I really enjoyed Caden, and without giving too much away, thought his bad-boy character broke up the boredom I sometimes feel with Isaac. I also think Madison's characters is growing and developing over time and she is less like Twilight's Bella each page (a good thing in my book).
There is little I didn't enjoy about this book. Anyone who has read Embrace and might be hesitant to continue on, don't be. I don't know if there is another installment planned, but if so, I will definitely be picking it up.
This book also is one of the few books with fae in it that didn't drive me insane. These is just something with me and fairies which usually doesn't get along.
The old gang is back but this time with several new characters. A lot of the books is spent figuring out just who some of these individuals are, and I found the journey quite enjoyable. I really enjoyed Caden, and without giving too much away, thought his bad-boy character broke up the boredom I sometimes feel with Isaac. I also think Madison's characters is growing and developing over time and she is less like Twilight's Bella each page (a good thing in my book).
There is little I didn't enjoy about this book. Anyone who has read Embrace and might be hesitant to continue on, don't be. I don't know if there is another installment planned, but if so, I will definitely be picking it up.
This book also is one of the few books with fae in it that didn't drive me insane. These is just something with me and fairies which usually doesn't get along.
April 16, 2014
Hold Tight is the second book in the Embrace series and goes a definite shade darker than the first book -- in a very good way. Now that Madison is learning more about her powers, it's only natural that darker forces will find their way to her, and oh boy, do they.
Being a magical newb, Madison makes some beginner's mistakes, like....no way am I going to tell you -- that would spoil half the fun. Colyer does an excellent job of twisting and turning this plot to keep you guessing who's good and who's bad, and I love that the characters often end up not being wholly one or the other.
This second book also goes a shade sexier. There is something so enticing about Madison and Isaac having to be deliciously cautious while making out so that they don't sizzle each other. If you're a fan of Faeries, this book also gives you an intriguing brand of Fae.
Being a magical newb, Madison makes some beginner's mistakes, like....no way am I going to tell you -- that would spoil half the fun. Colyer does an excellent job of twisting and turning this plot to keep you guessing who's good and who's bad, and I love that the characters often end up not being wholly one or the other.
This second book also goes a shade sexier. There is something so enticing about Madison and Isaac having to be deliciously cautious while making out so that they don't sizzle each other. If you're a fan of Faeries, this book also gives you an intriguing brand of Fae.
May 3, 2014
Hold Tight continues right where Embrace left off. Madison is still learning to use her powers and has a lot to learn! I don't really know what to say because you really need to read this book to find out what happens. All I can say is that I loved this book just as much as the first one. This is another 5 star book for me!
October 18, 2013
Great series - love the characters and the fun, compelling plots. :)
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