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Blackwater #1
Burning for You
Book 1 in the Blackwater Series
**Mature Content Warning** 17+ for language and sexual content
When Leah Holt returns to Blackwater, she crashes into Ash Lavanne. He is her catalyst, a fire elemental from a strange family of crafters who control the Blackwater Coven. Leah is ignited by Ash. She can build, destroy, create and damage, making her one of the most dangerous crafters in existence.
Blackwater is a town with a dark past. Four hundred years ago, the witch trials that happened have left a deep impression on today’s inhabitants, splitting the town into two rival groups – the Coven and the Order.
Then Leah discovers that Ash isn’t the only one who ignites her. She is torn in half in a love triangle and learns just how powerful she has the potential to become, but could lose Ash if she dares to find out.
**Mature Content Warning** 17+ for language and sexual content
When Leah Holt returns to Blackwater, she crashes into Ash Lavanne. He is her catalyst, a fire elemental from a strange family of crafters who control the Blackwater Coven. Leah is ignited by Ash. She can build, destroy, create and damage, making her one of the most dangerous crafters in existence.
Blackwater is a town with a dark past. Four hundred years ago, the witch trials that happened have left a deep impression on today’s inhabitants, splitting the town into two rival groups – the Coven and the Order.
Then Leah discovers that Ash isn’t the only one who ignites her. She is torn in half in a love triangle and learns just how powerful she has the potential to become, but could lose Ash if she dares to find out.
296 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2013
7 people are currently reading
505 people want to read
About the author
Lila Veen
4 books37 followersLila Veen is a crazy cat lady living in the Chicagoland area. In addition to four cats, she also has two dogs named after people, two kids named after pets, and a husband who is named after a serial killer. She likes to read, cook, do outdoor things she has no business doing, community theater, hang with her family and watch awful reality shows on television.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 24, 2013
Well,well, well..
I did not expect that!
This book was sent by the author for a honest review.It sounded interesting yet it took a while for me to get round to it..THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY BOOKS TO READ!!
Burning For You is based around witches and a town called Blackwater. It has a gruesome past, four hundred years ago, the witch trials that occurred there seem to have left a deep impression on today’s inhabitants.At that time witches would be killed based on their element so if the witch was a water element they would be drowned, fire element would be burned and so on..
This book is fast paced and has some interesting and sometimes WTF twists and turn in it.Leah escaped from her mother and sister and went to Chicago. Now she has returned with a dark past that still haunts her.She is driving to her mothers house when she crashes into her catalyst yes she literally crashes into his car.A catalyst is a kind of soul mate, with your catalyst you are more powerful and you share a unbreakable connection.
Leah is a witty and fun character who never really fit in her family.When she returns to Blacklight a lot of things change her element comes to life and Ash fuels it.But there is soo much more to it than that, its not all good stuff a lot of bad happens.Wherever bad stuff happens there appears Gabe Ash's step-brother.
“Football is for boys, Ash. Don’t be a dork.”
“That’s the most sexist thing I've ever heard. How could you inflict these gender stereotypes on
our child before it’s even born?” He’s upping the bravado for the benefit of the poor salesman who has
no idea what to make of us, or perhaps he’s used to it in his line of work.
Ash is lovely! I really liked him and I cant wait for the next book to find out what happens between him and Leah.I really didn't like how Theo, Ash's brother became involved as I'm not fond of love triangles.I just wanted things to be simple!!
Even though there were parts I wanted changed, overall this was fantastic it kept me hooked and I really want to read the next book!
Check out my blog for more reviews!
http://zakirrahsbookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zakirr...
I did not expect that!
This book was sent by the author for a honest review.It sounded interesting yet it took a while for me to get round to it..THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY BOOKS TO READ!!
Burning For You is based around witches and a town called Blackwater. It has a gruesome past, four hundred years ago, the witch trials that occurred there seem to have left a deep impression on today’s inhabitants.At that time witches would be killed based on their element so if the witch was a water element they would be drowned, fire element would be burned and so on..
This book is fast paced and has some interesting and sometimes WTF twists and turn in it.Leah escaped from her mother and sister and went to Chicago. Now she has returned with a dark past that still haunts her.She is driving to her mothers house when she crashes into her catalyst yes she literally crashes into his car.A catalyst is a kind of soul mate, with your catalyst you are more powerful and you share a unbreakable connection.
Leah is a witty and fun character who never really fit in her family.When she returns to Blacklight a lot of things change her element comes to life and Ash fuels it.But there is soo much more to it than that, its not all good stuff a lot of bad happens.Wherever bad stuff happens there appears Gabe Ash's step-brother.
“Football is for boys, Ash. Don’t be a dork.”
“That’s the most sexist thing I've ever heard. How could you inflict these gender stereotypes on
our child before it’s even born?” He’s upping the bravado for the benefit of the poor salesman who has
no idea what to make of us, or perhaps he’s used to it in his line of work.
Ash is lovely! I really liked him and I cant wait for the next book to find out what happens between him and Leah.I really didn't like how Theo, Ash's brother became involved as I'm not fond of love triangles.I just wanted things to be simple!!
Even though there were parts I wanted changed, overall this was fantastic it kept me hooked and I really want to read the next book!
Check out my blog for more reviews!
http://zakirrahsbookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zakirr...
April 1, 2013
I received an ARC of this novel. Sophomore slump? Not this author. I actually liked this novel better than her first one.
The story is fresh and unlike anything else I've read in recent paranormal romance novels. I was instantly pulled in to the town of Blackwater. The characters are interesting from the start and the premise behind the storyline is extremely fascinating. The witch trials are a part of history that have always interested me, and so Blackwater, with its deep roots in the burning times and its modern day crafters, hooked me immediately.
Leah, the female lead, is witty and lively and I liked her instantly. I enjoyed watching her handle all the issues she faced in returning home. She didn't back down at anything despite being caught up in this strange new reality that she had been kept out of for most of her life. I can't wait to read the sequel, and I hope this will be a long series because it has so much potential. Fans of J.R. Ward, Meljean Brook, and Alyssa Day will feel right at home reading this novel.
The story is fresh and unlike anything else I've read in recent paranormal romance novels. I was instantly pulled in to the town of Blackwater. The characters are interesting from the start and the premise behind the storyline is extremely fascinating. The witch trials are a part of history that have always interested me, and so Blackwater, with its deep roots in the burning times and its modern day crafters, hooked me immediately.
Leah, the female lead, is witty and lively and I liked her instantly. I enjoyed watching her handle all the issues she faced in returning home. She didn't back down at anything despite being caught up in this strange new reality that she had been kept out of for most of her life. I can't wait to read the sequel, and I hope this will be a long series because it has so much potential. Fans of J.R. Ward, Meljean Brook, and Alyssa Day will feel right at home reading this novel.
April 2, 2013
Absolutely LOVED this book! From page one, I was completely sucked in to the characters. Leah really grows as the book progresses, and she starts to 'find' herself more. I found myself losing sleep just wanting to find out with happened next... and when Ash's brother came into the picture and turned everything upside down, I felt what I believe Leah felt. Can not WAIT to read the next book to see what unravels next. Big thumbs up on this read!
April 16, 2013
I like it, though I needed time to get into the storyline.
May be it was a bit too much of Harry Potter, too much of everything, too many characters, too many information, too much chaos. But I am happy I gave this book a chance.
Lila Veen can write and I like how she does it.
Now I am really looking forward to book 2.
May be it was a bit too much of Harry Potter, too much of everything, too many characters, too many information, too much chaos. But I am happy I gave this book a chance.
Lila Veen can write and I like how she does it.
Now I am really looking forward to book 2.
November 25, 2013
Leah literally crashes into Ash, she rear ends him at the lights while flipping off police cameras when running a yellow/red light. It was in that moment I knew I was going to love Leah and this book. When Ash kidnaps Leah from a date with weirdo Gabe, I knew I was going to like him too. They both have a lot of reckless energy, sass and their chemistry is ridiculous. I loved Veen's world of crafting - it's another way of saying magic - and the way she has created the powers revolving around the four elements. It's not your typical I have the power of fire, burn baby burn. Veen relates the elements to how they interact with the world so fire is the power to change - build, destroy, create etc. I LOVED this new take on elemental powers but Veen doesn't stop there she adds catalysts to the mix! Catalysts are like the magic version of a werewolf mate - it's them or no one and once you find them, you just know - but there is an added twist - children of catalyst's usually inherit crafts, children of random couples can turn out evil.... Dun dun DUUUUUUHHHHN. The twists and turns the story takes makes Burning for You a literary rollercoaster I was waving my hands in air screaming, "THIS IS AWESOME." All the characters are well thought out, layered, imperfect humans. You felt like you knew them even as they continued to surprise you and the relationships are realistic while still holding on to a fantastical edge. Veen creates complexity in her characters and their relationships which rules out typical emotional extremes of love and hate - Veen allows them to have back stories, to have reasons and to have the best intentions while committing heinous deeds.
If you can't tell I truly loved this book! I adored the world, the crafts, Ash and Leah, everything! I was a little thrown by the triad relationship and the connection to Olivia. I couldn't feel comfortable with how quickly Leah shifted to someone else but I guess that comes with being a catalyst. I was super mad at Ash for being a coward but you'll have to read to see what I'm talking about. The ending is definitely a cliffhanger type - you will WANT to buy the second book to have some closure unless you care nothing for Ash and Leah (which I 'm sure you will) so just be aware. This book is a breath of fresh air in the world of paranormal witch romance and it's like nothing I've read before. I highly recommend Burning for You and the Blackwater series, it is worth every cent! Click the buy link - you know you want to!
xxx
Literary George
A HUGE THANK YOU to Lila Veen for the copy in exchange for an honest review!
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September 19, 2013
I received a copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway. A fascinating read that runs you through a roller coaster of emotions. I found the idea of how a casters catalyst allows them to reach their full magical potential quite interesting. Of course there's the added twist that some casters might have more than one possible catalyst. For Leah this turns out to be true and only adds to her confusion and the rest of the chaos in her life. When Leah first gets involved with Ash I started thinking that there went any possible point of a story in the book. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the relationship ended up adding another layer of issues to the story/Leah's life.
I enjoyed the characters and was surprised to find that most of the relationships throughout the book had more depth then I expected. Of course that is not so obvious from the beginning of the book but required further reading before discovering the details. The relationships between Leah and her mother and sister are somewhat twisted and end up being a main focus in the book. It's not until you get a view from all three women that you learn how far from the truth a person can twist what others do/think.
I enjoyed the characters and was surprised to find that most of the relationships throughout the book had more depth then I expected. Of course that is not so obvious from the beginning of the book but required further reading before discovering the details. The relationships between Leah and her mother and sister are somewhat twisted and end up being a main focus in the book. It's not until you get a view from all three women that you learn how far from the truth a person can twist what others do/think.
August 15, 2013
Wow, I didn't expect this book to be as good as it was. It is about Crafters, those who can practice "magic" dependent upon their elemental i.e. Fire, Water, Air and Earth. It is also about finding their Catalyst, a person who brings out their powers with a force and who they are destined to be together with.
I liked all the characters and thought the main ones were rounded. I liked being surprised and really didn't expect
Ash Lavanne is lovely and I think a perfect match for Leah. Telling someone you love them after a couple of days is not really acceptable, however, because they are each other's Catalyst you get that they have been waiting their whole lives to meet one another, even if they didn't know it.
I liked all the characters and thought the main ones were rounded. I liked being surprised and really didn't expect
Ash Lavanne is lovely and I think a perfect match for Leah. Telling someone you love them after a couple of days is not really acceptable, however, because they are each other's Catalyst you get that they have been waiting their whole lives to meet one another, even if they didn't know it.
June 5, 2013
I received an ARC of this novel. That being said, it was awesome. This is the second book by Lila Veen and a completely different tone then the first. Both prominently feature sex scenes, but this book is less depressing. Lila has created a paranormal world with magic that has it's own rules and norms. She sticks to them and defines them well. Her answer to problems that her characters face isn't just to flash magic at the problem and it goes away. The magic actually adds complication to her characters lives.
She creates a small town called Blackwater that has it's own history with witch trials and the burning times. That history is a character of it's own that has created the characters as they are in the book, but also influences how they behave and react to each other.
The main character, Leah, deals with all of this in a realistic way, and her relationship with her mother and sister feels real. Nothing is white washed or made pretty. While this is a paranormal romance, the relationships feel legitimate and not forced.
When an author changes genres like this, often their first book in the genre is awkward. Not so for Lila Veen. She came in swinging and hit a home run!
She creates a small town called Blackwater that has it's own history with witch trials and the burning times. That history is a character of it's own that has created the characters as they are in the book, but also influences how they behave and react to each other.
The main character, Leah, deals with all of this in a realistic way, and her relationship with her mother and sister feels real. Nothing is white washed or made pretty. While this is a paranormal romance, the relationships feel legitimate and not forced.
When an author changes genres like this, often their first book in the genre is awkward. Not so for Lila Veen. She came in swinging and hit a home run!
April 16, 2013
Burning for you is a great read. I’ve been getting kind of sick of the typical Young Adult or New Adult formula lately and this story kept me interested from the first chapter.
It’s funny in a real way which is refreshing. So many books these days tell us the heroine is funny without her actually being funny but Leah Holt is truly laugh out loud funny.
The sex scenes are on another level of naughty. While some of them seem to end before they even get started others are so wrong and yet somehow possibly therapist-seeking hot.
The story is complex but in a way that opens up possibilities instead of just being confusing. There are so many ways the story can go it’s impossible to know what to expect in next book but I am super excited for it to come out.
It’s funny in a real way which is refreshing. So many books these days tell us the heroine is funny without her actually being funny but Leah Holt is truly laugh out loud funny.
The sex scenes are on another level of naughty. While some of them seem to end before they even get started others are so wrong and yet somehow possibly therapist-seeking hot.
The story is complex but in a way that opens up possibilities instead of just being confusing. There are so many ways the story can go it’s impossible to know what to expect in next book but I am super excited for it to come out.
July 25, 2013
I received an ARC of this book and am a sad slacker and forgot to post a review in a timely manner...better late than never!
I'll keep it short and spoiler free-- if you are looking for a funny, can'tputitdown, sometimes shocking, well written read that strays (in a very good way) from the standard paranormal romance formula, then this is the book/series for you. This first book in the series is a fine start to what has the potential to go in sooo many different directions.
Oh yeah...and if you think 50 Shades was racy? Have a fan (or 8) going and keep cold drinks handy, because this is a whole new level of steamy.
I'll keep it short and spoiler free-- if you are looking for a funny, can'tputitdown, sometimes shocking, well written read that strays (in a very good way) from the standard paranormal romance formula, then this is the book/series for you. This first book in the series is a fine start to what has the potential to go in sooo many different directions.
Oh yeah...and if you think 50 Shades was racy? Have a fan (or 8) going and keep cold drinks handy, because this is a whole new level of steamy.
May 11, 2013
More please~! I got this book on my kindle for free..most of the books that I've read so far that are free haven't been that great. This was good!!!! I loved the complexities of our heroines life. Out of the frying pan and into the fire comes to mind. Here I thought for sure that it would be a simple witch meets soul mate kind of thing...haha nope not for this heroine. I have sooooo many questions about what's going to happen to her and Ash or furthermore, what the hell, has her sister lost her mind. But no enters.Theo and Olivia..and viola we have a love triangle to boot. I loved it! Ready for the next one..hmmm is there going to be a next one. I sure hope so cause I'm hangin' here~
April 15, 2013
I was really enthralled with this book. A great story. Loved the complex & intertwined relationships that the characters have with each other. I'm really excited because this is the first in a family saga. Can't wait for the next one to be released later in the year and read the next chapter of their story.
November 11, 2013
I was given a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. Really enjoyed this story it was a little slow to start, but pick up a quarter or so in. Then it became a really good read that was hard to put down because you weren't sure what was going to happen next. Looking forward to the next book to see what happens between the characters.
May 6, 2013
WOW!! Absolutely loved this book. So different from what I have read. Can't wait for the other book to come out!!
May 5, 2013
This was a really great adult paranormal romance. I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
May 20, 2013
I really enjoyed this one and can't wait for the next. It was chaotic and with each chapter you had no idea what to expect next. Looking forward to how the rest play out.
July 10, 2013
Awesome!! I just want to keep being a part of Leah's world!! The author does a great job of really getting you involved and making you think you're there. I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel!
October 14, 2013
Wow, thos book was really somthing. Veen put together a very well written story with enough backround information so it all falls together.
May 26, 2019
I received this book for free from Goodreads Giveaways. A young woman returns to her hometown after her marriage hits a rough spot. She meets a man who ignites a flame inside her. Things get better after that.
January 2, 2014
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
I thought this was a great read! Very fast paced and exciting. Leah comes back to town after moving away when she was eighteen, she's actually running back to her hometown and away from her crazy ex husband. When she returns she finds out that her ancestors weren't the only witches in her family, that not only she is, but most of her family and her hometown are too. While discovering all of this her she literally runs into her Catalyst while also trying to run her ex husband out of town before he can hurt her again.
Leah is a pretty cool character, she deals with an immense overload of information and her onset of powers pretty well. She isn't a typical crybaby who has to go through a boat load of crap before she comes to her senses, lol. Ash is total Alpha, once he finds Leah as his catalyst he does everything he can to make her happy and keep her safe. After things hit a normal pace, they are totally thrown through a loop when Leah finds another catalyst. Once the duo becomes a trio, things get a little weird because part of the trio also has another catalyst, which happens to be his twin sister. There is an awkward steamy scene in the ballroom, at least I felt a little awkward reading it because I thought it was totally weird, since three out of the four people involved are related. Other than that little weird tidbit I thought it was a great read, and am looking forward to see what happens next.
I thought this was a great read! Very fast paced and exciting. Leah comes back to town after moving away when she was eighteen, she's actually running back to her hometown and away from her crazy ex husband. When she returns she finds out that her ancestors weren't the only witches in her family, that not only she is, but most of her family and her hometown are too. While discovering all of this her she literally runs into her Catalyst while also trying to run her ex husband out of town before he can hurt her again.
Leah is a pretty cool character, she deals with an immense overload of information and her onset of powers pretty well. She isn't a typical crybaby who has to go through a boat load of crap before she comes to her senses, lol. Ash is total Alpha, once he finds Leah as his catalyst he does everything he can to make her happy and keep her safe. After things hit a normal pace, they are totally thrown through a loop when Leah finds another catalyst. Once the duo becomes a trio, things get a little weird because part of the trio also has another catalyst, which happens to be his twin sister. There is an awkward steamy scene in the ballroom, at least I felt a little awkward reading it because I thought it was totally weird, since three out of the four people involved are related. Other than that little weird tidbit I thought it was a great read, and am looking forward to see what happens next.
December 2, 2013
When I first got this book, I was excited to see what the author had in store. For me personally, it got off to a slow start but gradually drew me in. The book begins with a woman leaving her D-bag husband and returning home to heal her emotions and mend family rifts. Before even making it home she has a minor accident with a man she is immediately drawn to. Throughout the story a relationship develops with this man, as well as another, and we learn why she left her husband. I feel I have to take this moment to make one confession, I do enjoy some romance in a story and while this book had a little more than I usually care for I did enjoy it. However it involved a love triangle…which I hate. But, with some context given as to why the love triangle occurred I found myself intrigued by this facet of the story and wanted to know more. Not who the protagonist chooses, it truthfully doesn’t matter to me, but how the scenario will play out. As the story progresses we learn more about her family, but this is where I wish there might have been a little more about her family’s history and the history of her people dating back to this area’s version of the Salem witch trials. The book finishes with a rather interesting twist and left me excited for the next book. While I’m sure there are readers out there who can and will be more analytical, I read it for what it was, an entertaining story. Kudos to the author.
January 30, 2014
I received the third book in a giveaway; therefore I must start at the beginning.
The book was little slow to start, however it does pick up in the middle. By the end there are some pretty interesting twists and turns. With that being said I will continue to read through the series, especially to find out what happens with Ash.
The book was little slow to start, however it does pick up in the middle. By the end there are some pretty interesting twists and turns. With that being said I will continue to read through the series, especially to find out what happens with Ash.
July 4, 2014
Perfect mix of paranormal and erotica. This author "gets it" when it comes to soulmates, twin flames, or as she terms it, "catalysts". Spot on description of the bond that occurs! Loved it and can't wait to continue reading the series!
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April 5, 2013Now live and available!
Amazon link:
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Amazon link:
http://amzn.to/10Bbt7G
Enjoy!
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March 30, 2016Free at Amazon 10 July 2013
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