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Shadows
No longer published under this title or series. Will be re-released with new cover and fully edited edition, later this year. Now known as the Beautiful Curses trilogy.
- GenresTime Travel
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
J. Dorothy
8 books7 followersHi all,
I live in Australia and I'm very proud to be the mother of two very lovely boys who keep me very busy.
I have been writing for the past six years, and have two romances and a twisted fairy tale now published on Amazon.
I love hearing from readers, I think as an author it is such a buzz to know someone has taken the time to read your book.
I hope to re-publish the eternal curse series this year, with new titles, covers, and a re-edit. After losing my publisher last year, I've decided to self publish the series and freshen them up.
Cheers all and have a great day.
Jxxx
I live in Australia and I'm very proud to be the mother of two very lovely boys who keep me very busy.
I have been writing for the past six years, and have two romances and a twisted fairy tale now published on Amazon.
I love hearing from readers, I think as an author it is such a buzz to know someone has taken the time to read your book.
I hope to re-publish the eternal curse series this year, with new titles, covers, and a re-edit. After losing my publisher last year, I've decided to self publish the series and freshen them up.
Cheers all and have a great day.
Jxxx
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 21, 2013
Sequel to “Reflections”, “Shadows” is a captivating story full of romance, love and unpredictable twists.
Just before marrying James, Jo is forced by her aunt Rowellyn, an evil sorceress, to go back in time and undo everything good that has happened in her life, otherwise James and everyone Jo loves will suffer.
Jo does as Rowellyn asks, but then finds that her attempt to lead an estranged life doesn’t work out, and she ends up with James again. After she tells him her story, they decide to find a way to deal with Rowellyn and her curse.
This is an excellent story that I enjoyed as much as “Reflections”. Well written, the narrative flows well, making the reading effortless. Jacoba Dorothy’s really great at creating true-to-life characters, excellent dialogue and plotline.
I look forward to reading Book 3 of the series when it’s out.
This series will definitely appeal to fantasy lovers, both young adult and adult.
Just before marrying James, Jo is forced by her aunt Rowellyn, an evil sorceress, to go back in time and undo everything good that has happened in her life, otherwise James and everyone Jo loves will suffer.
Jo does as Rowellyn asks, but then finds that her attempt to lead an estranged life doesn’t work out, and she ends up with James again. After she tells him her story, they decide to find a way to deal with Rowellyn and her curse.
This is an excellent story that I enjoyed as much as “Reflections”. Well written, the narrative flows well, making the reading effortless. Jacoba Dorothy’s really great at creating true-to-life characters, excellent dialogue and plotline.
I look forward to reading Book 3 of the series when it’s out.
This series will definitely appeal to fantasy lovers, both young adult and adult.
February 10, 2014
[Full disclosure: I received a free ebook from J. Dorothy in exchange for an honest review.]
Sorcery? Time travel? A realistic romance? Shadows had pretty much everything going for it in terms of what I like to see in fantasy, but it fell flat in some respects.
That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy it overall. I loved how even though Jo was broken-hearted at being sent back to the past to break up her relationship with James, the man she was going to marry, she stayed pretty strong. Jo was a great character in that despite her best efforts, she could not let go of the man she loved. That’s loyalty right there! And her desperate attempts to defeat Rowellyn definitely made me cheer for her every single step of the way. Along with other three dimensional characters like James, Spencer and Beth, Jo really gave it her all and it was such an enjoyable story for that reason alone.
I liked the whole time travel aspect, but I felt it wasn’t adequately explained at all. How did Rowellyn come by these powers? What on Earth does the curse do to make someone a sorceress and why does it always isolate the other sister? What’s the history behind making sorceresses? Is there some sort of reason the other sister has to suffer as well? These were all touched on, but definitely were not explained to my satisfaction. I felt that there was so much more potential for world-building and giving Rowellyn depth here that J. Dorothy missed out on. At the same time, the things that were explained like sorceress’ time travel powers were fascinating and felt like a glimpse of the potential of the novel.
For the most part, the pacing was awesome. We still got to see Jo suffer and develop as a character but the plot did move on fairly constantly. There was enough action to keep me interested, but not so much that the character development suffered. However, when it came to the climax J. Dorothy seemed to be rushed to finish the book because after the reasonable pace of the rest of the book the frantic pace of the end was a let-down. Of course the climax should be faster, but I still don’t fully understand the ending. I would have loved for a little more explanation of well, everything.
Overall, Shadows was good but maybe it would have been a good idea for me to read Reflections (the prequel) first or for J. Dorothy to explain a little more.
I give this book 3/5 stars.
Sorcery? Time travel? A realistic romance? Shadows had pretty much everything going for it in terms of what I like to see in fantasy, but it fell flat in some respects.
That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy it overall. I loved how even though Jo was broken-hearted at being sent back to the past to break up her relationship with James, the man she was going to marry, she stayed pretty strong. Jo was a great character in that despite her best efforts, she could not let go of the man she loved. That’s loyalty right there! And her desperate attempts to defeat Rowellyn definitely made me cheer for her every single step of the way. Along with other three dimensional characters like James, Spencer and Beth, Jo really gave it her all and it was such an enjoyable story for that reason alone.
I liked the whole time travel aspect, but I felt it wasn’t adequately explained at all. How did Rowellyn come by these powers? What on Earth does the curse do to make someone a sorceress and why does it always isolate the other sister? What’s the history behind making sorceresses? Is there some sort of reason the other sister has to suffer as well? These were all touched on, but definitely were not explained to my satisfaction. I felt that there was so much more potential for world-building and giving Rowellyn depth here that J. Dorothy missed out on. At the same time, the things that were explained like sorceress’ time travel powers were fascinating and felt like a glimpse of the potential of the novel.
For the most part, the pacing was awesome. We still got to see Jo suffer and develop as a character but the plot did move on fairly constantly. There was enough action to keep me interested, but not so much that the character development suffered. However, when it came to the climax J. Dorothy seemed to be rushed to finish the book because after the reasonable pace of the rest of the book the frantic pace of the end was a let-down. Of course the climax should be faster, but I still don’t fully understand the ending. I would have loved for a little more explanation of well, everything.
Overall, Shadows was good but maybe it would have been a good idea for me to read Reflections (the prequel) first or for J. Dorothy to explain a little more.
I give this book 3/5 stars.
December 19, 2021
Shadows-Eternal Curse was a page-turning paranormal romantic suspense novel that is aimed at the young adult and the new adult. J. Dorothy does an excellent job of bringing an alternative reality into light. This is a reality that is much like our own, except sorceresses, who practice dark magic, exist.
I loved the premise of the book, which was that the lead character, Jo, must go back in time to change things so that her sister becomes a sorceress - the chosen one from the family. Only one catch - Jo cannot be with the one that she loves, James, and she must make sure that her cousin, Spencer, does not get together with the one that he loves, Beth. It was very interesting watching Jo try to negotiate this change of events, as she had to pretend not to know things that she knew from her other timeline.
The only problem that I had with this story is that Jo comes off either as incredibly naive or reckless, as she doesn't try very hard to stay away from James, despite the warnings from the evil sorceress who sent Jo back. Nor does she try very hard at keeping Spencer and Beth apart. Considering the consequences for Jo if she doesn't do at Rowellyn asks, I kept thinking that Jo was living just a little too close to the edge.
However, despite these misgivings, I really enjoyed the story. It picked up steam towards the end of the book, and I found that I couldn't put it down. The main characters are believable for the most part - Jo is only seventeen when she's sent back, and only twenty in her current timeline, so this explains the carelessness. And James was a very solid sort, letting Jo make her own decisions and being very supportive along the way. Jo was spunky and occasionally sassy, so she's appealing in her own right. Gabriella the baddy could have been drawn out a little more - as it was, she came off as a selfish brat, but it turns out that she is so much more than that.
And the ending is not to be missed. I only assume that there's another book coming after this one, and I must say that I'm anxious to find out what happens. Hopefully the ending will be explained in the next book.
I really hope to hear more from this author!
I loved the premise of the book, which was that the lead character, Jo, must go back in time to change things so that her sister becomes a sorceress - the chosen one from the family. Only one catch - Jo cannot be with the one that she loves, James, and she must make sure that her cousin, Spencer, does not get together with the one that he loves, Beth. It was very interesting watching Jo try to negotiate this change of events, as she had to pretend not to know things that she knew from her other timeline.
The only problem that I had with this story is that Jo comes off either as incredibly naive or reckless, as she doesn't try very hard to stay away from James, despite the warnings from the evil sorceress who sent Jo back. Nor does she try very hard at keeping Spencer and Beth apart. Considering the consequences for Jo if she doesn't do at Rowellyn asks, I kept thinking that Jo was living just a little too close to the edge.
However, despite these misgivings, I really enjoyed the story. It picked up steam towards the end of the book, and I found that I couldn't put it down. The main characters are believable for the most part - Jo is only seventeen when she's sent back, and only twenty in her current timeline, so this explains the carelessness. And James was a very solid sort, letting Jo make her own decisions and being very supportive along the way. Jo was spunky and occasionally sassy, so she's appealing in her own right. Gabriella the baddy could have been drawn out a little more - as it was, she came off as a selfish brat, but it turns out that she is so much more than that.
And the ending is not to be missed. I only assume that there's another book coming after this one, and I must say that I'm anxious to find out what happens. Hopefully the ending will be explained in the next book.
I really hope to hear more from this author!
June 2, 2013
Just minutes before her wedding, Jo is faced with an impossible choice--give up her true love forever and live her life alone, or face the wrath of her cruel Aunt who vows to harm everyone Jo has ever loved. What choice is there, really? Jo decides to go back in time, before she ever met James, and before her sister, Gabriella, gave up her powers of sorcery. Rowellyn wants Jo to make certain Gabby embraces the family curse, ensuring Gabby is a great sorceress, while Jo is resigned to an empty, lonely life. But, Jo isn't the person she used to be two-and-a-half years ago. She makes mistakes. And, soon, her secret is revealed, plunging Jo headlong into danger. Can she find a way to defeat Rowellyn? Can true love prevail? Jo learns that some things cannot be changed.
Having read Reflections (the first release in the Eternal Curse series), I was a bit nervous about reading this. I wasn't sure I would enjoy a book that involves going back in time. (I loathed the movie, Groundhog Day.) All my worries slipped away the moment I began reading Shadows. This book was magical and charming, just like Reflections. Though some events were a bit similar to the other book, the re-telling was entirely different. It wasn't long before Jo's new timeline completely veered away from the past. New characters and settings were introduced in this book, and new secrets revealed. A unique mystery unfolded and it was hard to know who to trust. Only true love and true evil were constants from one book to the next. The dramatic ending was icing on the cake of a brilliantly crafted novel.
Having read Reflections (the first release in the Eternal Curse series), I was a bit nervous about reading this. I wasn't sure I would enjoy a book that involves going back in time. (I loathed the movie, Groundhog Day.) All my worries slipped away the moment I began reading Shadows. This book was magical and charming, just like Reflections. Though some events were a bit similar to the other book, the re-telling was entirely different. It wasn't long before Jo's new timeline completely veered away from the past. New characters and settings were introduced in this book, and new secrets revealed. A unique mystery unfolded and it was hard to know who to trust. Only true love and true evil were constants from one book to the next. The dramatic ending was icing on the cake of a brilliantly crafted novel.
October 25, 2014
When Jo is faced with the 'choice' of going two years back in time and undoing all the hard, good work that happened in the first book, I was so angry and antagonised. I felt desperately sorry for Jo, especially as she is given this choice on the morning of her wedding. The consequence of not doing what is asked of her? All of her loved ones will be terribly injured. A no-brainer. But then, nothing is ever as it seems.
This book took me a while to get into, but once I had gotten into it, the events seemed to whisk me away into a magical land. The modern-day and magic are entwined fabulously throughout the novel, and the aspects of love and adoration had me pining for more. Although it was a bit slow at times, and wandered through muddled paths, the end destination was quite good. The ending blew my mind, and I wanted to throw the book across the room, at Rowellyn.
This book took me a while to get into, but once I had gotten into it, the events seemed to whisk me away into a magical land. The modern-day and magic are entwined fabulously throughout the novel, and the aspects of love and adoration had me pining for more. Although it was a bit slow at times, and wandered through muddled paths, the end destination was quite good. The ending blew my mind, and I wanted to throw the book across the room, at Rowellyn.
February 2, 2014
Personally, I found the plot a little slow, but it may be that I was at a disadvantage by not having read the first book in the series.
There was nothing intrinsically wrong with it apart from that, on the whole well written and little in the way of errors or bug bears. Just a bit predictable.
I couldn't get excited about it, therefore 3 stars from me. If the rest of the series comes my way at any time as a freebie download I would probably give it a go, but as it stands I wouldn't spend any money on it.
The full review for this is on my Blog #419 in January 2014 (it was a DSOA book from April 2013).
There was nothing intrinsically wrong with it apart from that, on the whole well written and little in the way of errors or bug bears. Just a bit predictable.
I couldn't get excited about it, therefore 3 stars from me. If the rest of the series comes my way at any time as a freebie download I would probably give it a go, but as it stands I wouldn't spend any money on it.
The full review for this is on my Blog #419 in January 2014 (it was a DSOA book from April 2013).
September 19, 2013
Super page-turner!
Shadows - Eternal Curse by J. Dorothy
I was given a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Shadows - Eternal Curse is tale of true love, choices and magic.
The story has a traditional feel to it, with magical powers of sorcery mixed with romance, evil and time-tripping.
Fans of this genre will love the wonder in these pages that Dorothy has crafted.
The book is an emotional roller-coaster of events, which helps you bond with the characters within Shadows.
Readers will be gripped to this super page-turner!
A really great story 5*****
Shadows - Eternal Curse by J. Dorothy
I was given a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Shadows - Eternal Curse is tale of true love, choices and magic.
The story has a traditional feel to it, with magical powers of sorcery mixed with romance, evil and time-tripping.
Fans of this genre will love the wonder in these pages that Dorothy has crafted.
The book is an emotional roller-coaster of events, which helps you bond with the characters within Shadows.
Readers will be gripped to this super page-turner!
A really great story 5*****
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews