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Alchemy #1
The Keepers
Two days ago, Jo Davids was a waitress by night and a college kid by day, with the unnerving problem of things floating around her.
One day ago, Jo's sexy boss, Cormac, noticed her for all the wrong reasons when she witnessed a man transform into a monster in the basement of his casino.
Today, Cormac ordered her shot. If he's real lucky, she won't die. Because if she does, all hope is lost.
One day ago, Jo's sexy boss, Cormac, noticed her for all the wrong reasons when she witnessed a man transform into a monster in the basement of his casino.
Today, Cormac ordered her shot. If he's real lucky, she won't die. Because if she does, all hope is lost.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2013
411 people are currently reading
2494 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
July 7, 2013
I'd go a smidgen over 4, maybe even as high as 4½♥s.
Very unique premise; it was fresh, exciting, and enthralling. It really kept me guessing and there were some definite white-knuckle moments. I do need to warn readers... it's a bit cliffy. This is the first of a series, but I would recommend placing it on your TBR shelves, you don't want to miss this!
I feel I should warn others reading this review, I'm not particularly adept at noticing mild punctuation errors, or verb tenses, all that brouhaha... many of the reviewers that read this did mention some issues. I didn't notice them, or if I did it wasn't even enough to warrant making a mental note of them. The story, and the twists and turns and just plain innovative mythology kept me reading with no issue. So, maybe I'm just an 'easy' reader but I couldn't suck the story down fast enough by the end.
Sexual tension. In spades, but the actual act... eh, not so much. This book is a wee bit of a 'cock-tease' in the romance department. Hot, rich, alpha male: check. Apparent panty-melting talents: check. Vegas skimpy cocktail waitress outfits: check. Lingerie: check. All of these seem to indicate a HAWT book, and the tension alone will make you readjust your panties. But, why oh why did there have to be a but? The romance and/or between the sheets action is very drawn out. Like into the next book drawn out.
One other issue to address; while I find the storyline exotic and new, I still wished for MORE background, explanation, etc. This could also be tied into just being 'Book 1' in the series, and the answers may come with future installments. They darn well better, because I am seriously ready to continue this series and find out what happens!
Favorite Quotes:
"I'd always had a hard time with sarcasm. People told me I used it as a defense mechanism. I disagreed. I just thought it was funny."
"That's when my shopping spree had turned ugly, or awesome, depending on your viewpoint."
"This was beyond Murphy's Law. Lately, I felt like Murphy had written my entire life's script."
"We've all got skeletons, but I'm afraid you might have a whole god damn cemetery."
Book provided by the Author through PNR NaUBA group Author/Reader Exchange
Very unique premise; it was fresh, exciting, and enthralling. It really kept me guessing and there were some definite white-knuckle moments. I do need to warn readers... it's a bit cliffy. This is the first of a series, but I would recommend placing it on your TBR shelves, you don't want to miss this!
I feel I should warn others reading this review, I'm not particularly adept at noticing mild punctuation errors, or verb tenses, all that brouhaha... many of the reviewers that read this did mention some issues. I didn't notice them, or if I did it wasn't even enough to warrant making a mental note of them. The story, and the twists and turns and just plain innovative mythology kept me reading with no issue. So, maybe I'm just an 'easy' reader but I couldn't suck the story down fast enough by the end.
Sexual tension. In spades, but the actual act... eh, not so much. This book is a wee bit of a 'cock-tease' in the romance department. Hot, rich, alpha male: check. Apparent panty-melting talents: check. Vegas skimpy cocktail waitress outfits: check. Lingerie: check. All of these seem to indicate a HAWT book, and the tension alone will make you readjust your panties. But, why oh why did there have to be a but? The romance and/or between the sheets action is very drawn out. Like into the next book drawn out.
One other issue to address; while I find the storyline exotic and new, I still wished for MORE background, explanation, etc. This could also be tied into just being 'Book 1' in the series, and the answers may come with future installments. They darn well better, because I am seriously ready to continue this series and find out what happens!
Favorite Quotes:
"I'd always had a hard time with sarcasm. People told me I used it as a defense mechanism. I disagreed. I just thought it was funny."
"That's when my shopping spree had turned ugly, or awesome, depending on your viewpoint."
"This was beyond Murphy's Law. Lately, I felt like Murphy had written my entire life's script."
"We've all got skeletons, but I'm afraid you might have a whole god damn cemetery."
Book provided by the Author through PNR NaUBA group Author/Reader Exchange
March 24, 2016
I'll have to say The Keepers surprised me...pleasantly. I didn't expect to get hooked into reading it in one sitting, but that's what happened. Fantasy/PNR/SciFi type combos don't always work for me, but the author blended the world building, the plot lines, and the characters beautifully. The characters have depth and an air of believability to them and that says a lot given the fact that some are of "other worlds". Loved Jo and Cormac - their sexual chemistry is firing on all cylinders, and I'm a sucker for those love/hate relationships. Can't wait to see their story play out in future books. While I still had my doubts a couple of chapters or so in, I soon found myself totally immersed in this story as the suspense builds to an explosive climax. A Must Read!
January 10, 2016
Review on my Blog: http://camillarenate.com/2016/01/04/b...
I am always on the hunt for a new addictive UF/PNR series that I can’t put down for my auto buy list. I don’t find new ones that often anymore, I am happy if I find 1 or 2 a year. Last time it happened was with the Alexa O`Brien series by Trina M Lee. I am real happy to say I in this book have found another one for my best series list.
We follow Jo, she is a really messed up girl that has had a real hard life. Grown up in one foster home after another she is so damaged from it that she has no real friend except one sort of friend. No boyfriend and absolutely hates when someone comes to close or touch her. On top of that she has some strange abilities that make funny things happen around here. She can under no circumstances let anyone know or see it. So no friends and boyfriends seem to be the best option.
When Jo starts her new job at a casino she meet the handsome but strange Cormac. They do not get along as they do not start on the right foot to put it nicely. Trying to kill Jo in not the best way to start a friendship and do not invite to trust or romance. I have to say that scene was an OMG moment, I have seldom been so socked while reading. It was awesome, shockingly awesome!
The world building was steady and good, it has sci-fi elements in it too and I did not see any of it coming so it is quite different from anything I have read before. The sexual tension is this book was wonderful, I want to pick up the next book to see what is going to happen. That is one of the things I liked best about this book and it is so difficult to get right. It was very nicely done here. I could follow this series book after book just to find out if or when and how. I also like the sarcasm and humor in the dialog, I do love snarky fast talking heroines.
Cormac was a sexy nice ass. I loved him, he has that mix of nice bad boy without being an asshole. He could after a few books end up being one of my book boyfriends if he is not already on that list, he is going to grow on me when I get to know him even more.
If you did not already get it I loved this book, I could not put it down and I was supposed to do lots of other stuff including gardening that I really love to do. But I read this book almost nonstop instead. I did start to read it a while back I came a couple pages in when I had to put it down due to other circumstances. It was a pleasure to pick it up again and really start to read it. It is the first book I have read by this author and it is not going to be the last. I really liked the writing style and the words painted very nice pictures in my head while I read it. The only drawback is that the next book is not out yet and I would really like to get my hands on it right away, like yesterday. This is an author I am going to keep a close eye on in the years to come. I think this is the start to a real great series that could go on for years and years.
I am giving the book 5 stars.
I would recommend it to UF and PNR lovers, I would say it is UF with sci-fi elements.
Book provide by author for an honest review.
I am always on the hunt for a new addictive UF/PNR series that I can’t put down for my auto buy list. I don’t find new ones that often anymore, I am happy if I find 1 or 2 a year. Last time it happened was with the Alexa O`Brien series by Trina M Lee. I am real happy to say I in this book have found another one for my best series list.
We follow Jo, she is a really messed up girl that has had a real hard life. Grown up in one foster home after another she is so damaged from it that she has no real friend except one sort of friend. No boyfriend and absolutely hates when someone comes to close or touch her. On top of that she has some strange abilities that make funny things happen around here. She can under no circumstances let anyone know or see it. So no friends and boyfriends seem to be the best option.
When Jo starts her new job at a casino she meet the handsome but strange Cormac. They do not get along as they do not start on the right foot to put it nicely. Trying to kill Jo in not the best way to start a friendship and do not invite to trust or romance. I have to say that scene was an OMG moment, I have seldom been so socked while reading. It was awesome, shockingly awesome!
The world building was steady and good, it has sci-fi elements in it too and I did not see any of it coming so it is quite different from anything I have read before. The sexual tension is this book was wonderful, I want to pick up the next book to see what is going to happen. That is one of the things I liked best about this book and it is so difficult to get right. It was very nicely done here. I could follow this series book after book just to find out if or when and how. I also like the sarcasm and humor in the dialog, I do love snarky fast talking heroines.
Cormac was a sexy nice ass. I loved him, he has that mix of nice bad boy without being an asshole. He could after a few books end up being one of my book boyfriends if he is not already on that list, he is going to grow on me when I get to know him even more.
If you did not already get it I loved this book, I could not put it down and I was supposed to do lots of other stuff including gardening that I really love to do. But I read this book almost nonstop instead. I did start to read it a while back I came a couple pages in when I had to put it down due to other circumstances. It was a pleasure to pick it up again and really start to read it. It is the first book I have read by this author and it is not going to be the last. I really liked the writing style and the words painted very nice pictures in my head while I read it. The only drawback is that the next book is not out yet and I would really like to get my hands on it right away, like yesterday. This is an author I am going to keep a close eye on in the years to come. I think this is the start to a real great series that could go on for years and years.
I am giving the book 5 stars.
I would recommend it to UF and PNR lovers, I would say it is UF with sci-fi elements.
Book provide by author for an honest review.
May 12, 2017
Rate: 3.5/4 stars.
June 5, 2015
3.5
I feel I must point something out: This book is free. As in, I did not have to pay a cent. As in, I don't understand how I have had to pay for books that completely suck while this gem here didn't cost me a dime.
Reasons I read this book:
1)Brittain: She gave the whole series 5 stars and kept gushing about how amazing the books were.
2)The cover: hook, line and sinker.
Reasons I liked the book:
1)Jo: Lately I've been reading all these books that have the worst female leads. Weak, needy, and attention seeking, or worst of all, the fact that they need a man to be happy or safe. I'm all for having a man in a book (I need my dose of romance in all books) but to read about a character that can't even lift a finger because she might break a nail is kind of insulting- we do not need to be portrayed as a weak link. So you can imagine reading about Jo was a breath of fresh air. She is independent, strong, and by all that's holy this girl has a sense of self preservation.
"Don't start thinking I'm some little girl that is all soft in the center and needs some man to saver her."
"He proved he was honest. Only honest people take you at your word. Liars and thieves expect the same in return. Unfortunately for him, I didn't have a problem lying when it came to saving my own ass.
2)Cormac and Jo: Their bickering was hilarious and dear lord the sexual tension just rolled off the pages. I really did enjoy that their relationship was a lot more showing than telling. You knew how they felt not because they said anything but because actions speak louder than words.
3)The dialogue: Flowed freely and never once did it feel strained. It was addictive and funny.
One of my favorite scenes was definitely in chapter 14. Revenge is best served cold.
I'm not saying this book was perfect because it wasn't. In parts-like the end- it did feel stale. The book, in my opinion lacked a climax and I felt the end was really rushed but that does not take away from the book's strength. It is still worth a read.
So now let me get back to reading book 2.
I feel I must point something out: This book is free. As in, I did not have to pay a cent. As in, I don't understand how I have had to pay for books that completely suck while this gem here didn't cost me a dime.
Reasons I read this book:
1)Brittain: She gave the whole series 5 stars and kept gushing about how amazing the books were.
2)The cover: hook, line and sinker.
Reasons I liked the book:
1)Jo: Lately I've been reading all these books that have the worst female leads. Weak, needy, and attention seeking, or worst of all, the fact that they need a man to be happy or safe. I'm all for having a man in a book (I need my dose of romance in all books) but to read about a character that can't even lift a finger because she might break a nail is kind of insulting- we do not need to be portrayed as a weak link. So you can imagine reading about Jo was a breath of fresh air. She is independent, strong, and by all that's holy this girl has a sense of self preservation.
"Don't start thinking I'm some little girl that is all soft in the center and needs some man to saver her."
"He proved he was honest. Only honest people take you at your word. Liars and thieves expect the same in return. Unfortunately for him, I didn't have a problem lying when it came to saving my own ass.
2)Cormac and Jo: Their bickering was hilarious and dear lord the sexual tension just rolled off the pages. I really did enjoy that their relationship was a lot more showing than telling. You knew how they felt not because they said anything but because actions speak louder than words.
3)The dialogue: Flowed freely and never once did it feel strained. It was addictive and funny.
One of my favorite scenes was definitely in chapter 14. Revenge is best served cold.
I'm not saying this book was perfect because it wasn't. In parts-like the end- it did feel stale. The book, in my opinion lacked a climax and I felt the end was really rushed but that does not take away from the book's strength. It is still worth a read.
So now let me get back to reading book 2.
May 14, 2017
It's pretty rare for me to hate an urban fantasy novel.
I can't find it in my heart to be even the slightest bit benevolent about this novel.
The hero orders the heroine to be shot... dead by his cronies.
Much later in the novel, he attempts a moves on the heroine's only friend. And then tells her its her fault for not giving it up to him.
How gross.
I can't find it in my heart to be even the slightest bit benevolent about this novel.
The hero orders the heroine to be shot... dead by his cronies.
Much later in the novel, he attempts a moves on the heroine's only friend. And then tells her its her fault for not giving it up to him.
How gross.
May 6, 2013
(3.5 Stars)
When I read the summary for "The Keepers" I really didn't know what to think. The concept of a girl being hunted down by her boss was interesting but I really didn't understand how different the plot was going to be. Would it be another vampire/werewolf book with the standard plot or would this truly be something different? The answer is "The Keepers" is a totally unique plot with unexpected aspects built in. I will confess though, if I had known that it had alien aspects to it, I probably would not have read it because it is not my favorite genre. However, it was quite good.
Josephine "Jo" has been from one foster family to another because she was considered weird. Then when she was emancipated she changed her identity and began going to school for premed, living in a trailer and working as a waitress to pay her way. When one of her school acquaintances suggest she gets a job working with her in a local casino, she decides to take her up on it. While working at the casino, she sees something she should not and her boss, a six foot four piece of sex appeal,Carmac, orders her killed. Unfortunately or fortunately, she does not die even though they shoot her in the head five different times (Can you imagine that! A herione who actually bites the dust). Jo is dead for a moment but then comes back.
Needless to say Jo is not pleased with Carmac and his crew. He explains to her that she is a keeper and she is now under his supervision and keeping until he can teach her their ways. Additionally, she learns others are interested in her because of her abilities as an alchemist. Throughout all of this she learns that her abilities have the power to open a portal that allows a select number of aliens to come into this world from their dying planet. There are weres, fae and other creatures who are desperate to gain entrance.
Soon Jo will come face to face with her past and attempt to discover who she can trust and who she must avoid. She will also have to face that she can no longer live her life alone in the shadows and she just might be falling in love. What's a girl to do?
I enjoyed this story even though I am still not a fan of the alien connection. The writing was pretty good as well as the world building. I became a little irritated with the relationship or lack there of between Jo and Carmac but future books promise progress in this area. If you are looking for something a little different, this book really could be the one for you. Currently it is only .99 with amazon and is worth the read.
When I read the summary for "The Keepers" I really didn't know what to think. The concept of a girl being hunted down by her boss was interesting but I really didn't understand how different the plot was going to be. Would it be another vampire/werewolf book with the standard plot or would this truly be something different? The answer is "The Keepers" is a totally unique plot with unexpected aspects built in. I will confess though, if I had known that it had alien aspects to it, I probably would not have read it because it is not my favorite genre. However, it was quite good.
Josephine "Jo" has been from one foster family to another because she was considered weird. Then when she was emancipated she changed her identity and began going to school for premed, living in a trailer and working as a waitress to pay her way. When one of her school acquaintances suggest she gets a job working with her in a local casino, she decides to take her up on it. While working at the casino, she sees something she should not and her boss, a six foot four piece of sex appeal,Carmac, orders her killed. Unfortunately or fortunately, she does not die even though they shoot her in the head five different times (Can you imagine that! A herione who actually bites the dust). Jo is dead for a moment but then comes back.
Needless to say Jo is not pleased with Carmac and his crew. He explains to her that she is a keeper and she is now under his supervision and keeping until he can teach her their ways. Additionally, she learns others are interested in her because of her abilities as an alchemist. Throughout all of this she learns that her abilities have the power to open a portal that allows a select number of aliens to come into this world from their dying planet. There are weres, fae and other creatures who are desperate to gain entrance.
Soon Jo will come face to face with her past and attempt to discover who she can trust and who she must avoid. She will also have to face that she can no longer live her life alone in the shadows and she just might be falling in love. What's a girl to do?
I enjoyed this story even though I am still not a fan of the alien connection. The writing was pretty good as well as the world building. I became a little irritated with the relationship or lack there of between Jo and Carmac but future books promise progress in this area. If you are looking for something a little different, this book really could be the one for you. Currently it is only .99 with amazon and is worth the read.
October 28, 2013
Excellent premise with an encouraging start. Unfortunately, the angst of I had a terrible childhood and am forever damaged from the heroine became tiresome. After a while I just didn't want to hear about it. The hero is hunky and appropriately sexy but their relationship was marred by the heroine's continual, immature behavior. At one point in the book, the heroine runs away from the hero after informing him that nothing is ever going to happen between them, only to return to find him with a friend of hers. She gets mad. He says, "What did you expect?" Precisely. Grow up, little girl. Good plot. Interesting concept. Hated that you are forced to read the next book in the series to find out what happened. I won't. I had enough of the angst, thank you.
July 25, 2013
"He smelled too good, he looked too good and it was just completely unfair. Villains were supposed to be ugly."
I don't like mentioning other authors or books in a review. But this time I will make an exception because I hope, if the author ever reads this, that she will take it as a giant compliment.
So here it goes;
Jo reminds me of Cat in the first Nighthuntress book. And the cat&mouse chase between Jo and Cormac reminds me of Cat & Bones.
There, I said it.
"Maybe you can disappear from some People, but they aren't me." (For the record; I wouldn't hide....................Esp if Vitor was looking, I'd draw a frikkin map.)
This book was recommended to me by Savannahnorway. We have liked many of the same books so I thought I'd give it a go and I am glad I did. It contains paranormal creatures without being just about them and that is one of the things I like the most. (That, and Cormac without a shirt.)
Jo comes across as immature in some places. Normally I don't like that, but somehow it fits this story! And I recently read a blog post from the author saying she gives one of her characters room to grow so bear with (I'm guessing it's Jo?) her I also must say that I like how this author really seem connected with her characters. And for me, a book gets better when the author is likeable as well. ( I know it probably shouldn't matter, but for me it does)
This was a different kind of novel and I liked it a lot. It starts of with a bang. A real head-bang. (see what I did there?)
Now I just need #2! And more Vitor.... Can't help it.
May 7, 2015
Very different and such a good read! Loved Jo and the tension between her and Cormac. It kept me guessing for so long and wasn't predictable in the least! Dodd is another totally endearing character and the banter between Jo and Dodd is hilarious.....loved it all ❤️ Hope the next book is just as good :-)
May 1, 2013
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Right off, I need to say, that some things (cough cough shootings) shocked me! Totally not how I envisioned that going. This was another great story from Donna Augustine. Her writing style is easy, approachable and makes for an enjoyable read. I really appreciate how she creates characters who develop throughout the story. It makes them seem more real as well as enabling the reader to view them as the flawed characters that they are.
That being said, at some points throughout the book, I was a little annoyed by our heroine, Josephine (aka Jo). She was immature and indecisive at points but fun and quirky at others. Being a person who is more likely to err on the mature side I hope, as the series progresses, she will develop a maturity that I can appreciate. She was still very well written and consistent but I just had trouble connecting. Cormac, our hero, I liked. He was confident and sexy, while being sensitive to Jo's moods and issues. He is not the type to wait on our erstwhile heroine (who can't always make up her mind) but moves on when needed. I loved the tension in this book. A strong buildup typical of urban fantasy but the heat that Ms. Augustine infused the book with was perfect. There were a couple scenes that gave me shivers, they were so well written.
World-wise, we are based in Vegas with a interesting mix of characters and races. Jo's abilities seem to be tied to her emotions and she has difficultly developing them as a result. There was quite a bit of information revealed about the world background but I feel there is still a lot that we don't know yet. There was no cliff-hanger ending, thank god, but a definite feeling of lots to come. It feels a little bit like the calm before the storm.
All in all, I really liked this book (even while working through my issues with Jo) and am anxiously awaiting more novels from the author.
Right off, I need to say, that some things (cough cough shootings) shocked me! Totally not how I envisioned that going. This was another great story from Donna Augustine. Her writing style is easy, approachable and makes for an enjoyable read. I really appreciate how she creates characters who develop throughout the story. It makes them seem more real as well as enabling the reader to view them as the flawed characters that they are.
That being said, at some points throughout the book, I was a little annoyed by our heroine, Josephine (aka Jo). She was immature and indecisive at points but fun and quirky at others. Being a person who is more likely to err on the mature side I hope, as the series progresses, she will develop a maturity that I can appreciate. She was still very well written and consistent but I just had trouble connecting. Cormac, our hero, I liked. He was confident and sexy, while being sensitive to Jo's moods and issues. He is not the type to wait on our erstwhile heroine (who can't always make up her mind) but moves on when needed. I loved the tension in this book. A strong buildup typical of urban fantasy but the heat that Ms. Augustine infused the book with was perfect. There were a couple scenes that gave me shivers, they were so well written.
World-wise, we are based in Vegas with a interesting mix of characters and races. Jo's abilities seem to be tied to her emotions and she has difficultly developing them as a result. There was quite a bit of information revealed about the world background but I feel there is still a lot that we don't know yet. There was no cliff-hanger ending, thank god, but a definite feeling of lots to come. It feels a little bit like the calm before the storm.
All in all, I really liked this book (even while working through my issues with Jo) and am anxiously awaiting more novels from the author.
June 30, 2013
This 5 ***** star book was a bit of a surprise to me. I opened it on my kindle (at 1 AM) to check something and before I knew it it was 3:30 and I had finished the book! It pretty much picked me up and swept me along with it without me once realizing how late it was. It was amazing and thrilling - I haven't become that absorbed in a book in a long time.
Jo Davids seems like everyone else you hear about having been raised through a difficult foster system - self-reliant, determined to be and stay alone and never depend on someone else. She has one person she almost calls friend - a classmate who has been in a few of her classes over the years that she can tolerate. When this friend once again offers her a chance at a well-paying, better hours job at a local casino, she tiredly decided to finally take her up on her offer.
Two shifts later she is sent to the basement on a simple errand. She accidentally enters the wrong room and desperately tries to keep quiet as she sees "a man turn into a monster". Unfortunately she ends up in a world of regret as her actions draw the attention of the owner and he decides she has to be killed. Shot in the head right there and then. And....
Go read the rest of the book to find out what happens - trust me you want to know! This book absolutely deserves the accolades it is getting. Just make sure before you start that you have the time required to read the book from start to finish because you will not be able to put it down.
Book provided by the Author through PNR NaUBA group Author/Reader Exchange.
Jo Davids seems like everyone else you hear about having been raised through a difficult foster system - self-reliant, determined to be and stay alone and never depend on someone else. She has one person she almost calls friend - a classmate who has been in a few of her classes over the years that she can tolerate. When this friend once again offers her a chance at a well-paying, better hours job at a local casino, she tiredly decided to finally take her up on her offer.
Two shifts later she is sent to the basement on a simple errand. She accidentally enters the wrong room and desperately tries to keep quiet as she sees "a man turn into a monster". Unfortunately she ends up in a world of regret as her actions draw the attention of the owner and he decides she has to be killed. Shot in the head right there and then. And....
Go read the rest of the book to find out what happens - trust me you want to know! This book absolutely deserves the accolades it is getting. Just make sure before you start that you have the time required to read the book from start to finish because you will not be able to put it down.
Book provided by the Author through PNR NaUBA group Author/Reader Exchange.
May 23, 2013
I was so pleasantly surprised about this book.. I didn't even put it down.. Some surprises.. I love the lead charactor too..Now i have to wait until the next book..uggg
July 8, 2017
I'm still thinking on this one.
I'm not sure how I really feel about this one.
I'm not sure the emotional connections were there for me though I could feel the tension.
It's different, but I also felt how similar this is to me since I just read A Step into the Dark the Ollie Wit series. Their execution is very alike and similar I couldn't help but draw comparisons. Which I think made it slightly difficult to enjoy the unique story being told here. Fae/Aliens fascinating.
I think I'm interested in going forward with this book but I wasn't completely ready to move forward. I think I'll give this series one more book to wow me, but I'll wait until I can handle the content due to being a mood reader.
_____
Ok I think I'll give this 3 stars since I'm waffling so much. The book was slightly different in terms of the beings we are dealing with. Alien/Fae? That's kinda weird, but it totally can make sense. My issue, though, is that this book reminds me too much of Ollie Wit which means I was making comparisons while reading. And while it wasn't completely the same I felt like it was an outline. Though Ollie was written after this book I can't help but compare and wonder if this is the outline of how the author writes. You know those authors who write a bunch of different books but all their books are basically the same, if they were outlined.
As I said I'll probably read book 2, but I think I need to get out of this funk and make sure I haven't read something similar or by this author before reading the series. I can however say that the author has improved with making things more emotional and exciting. I was blown away by Ollie, but not Jo. I felt it kind of odd that she was suddenly, kind of in charge, and how she took finding out this new info with a mere shrug of her shoulders. And then embraced everything. I felt the development was slightly lacking in terms of world building. I know this author is good, so I hope I can get through the next book at some point.
I'm not sure how I really feel about this one.
I'm not sure the emotional connections were there for me though I could feel the tension.
It's different, but I also felt how similar this is to me since I just read A Step into the Dark the Ollie Wit series. Their execution is very alike and similar I couldn't help but draw comparisons. Which I think made it slightly difficult to enjoy the unique story being told here. Fae/Aliens fascinating.
I think I'm interested in going forward with this book but I wasn't completely ready to move forward. I think I'll give this series one more book to wow me, but I'll wait until I can handle the content due to being a mood reader.
_____
Ok I think I'll give this 3 stars since I'm waffling so much. The book was slightly different in terms of the beings we are dealing with. Alien/Fae? That's kinda weird, but it totally can make sense. My issue, though, is that this book reminds me too much of Ollie Wit which means I was making comparisons while reading. And while it wasn't completely the same I felt like it was an outline. Though Ollie was written after this book I can't help but compare and wonder if this is the outline of how the author writes. You know those authors who write a bunch of different books but all their books are basically the same, if they were outlined.
As I said I'll probably read book 2, but I think I need to get out of this funk and make sure I haven't read something similar or by this author before reading the series. I can however say that the author has improved with making things more emotional and exciting. I was blown away by Ollie, but not Jo. I felt it kind of odd that she was suddenly, kind of in charge, and how she took finding out this new info with a mere shrug of her shoulders. And then embraced everything. I felt the development was slightly lacking in terms of world building. I know this author is good, so I hope I can get through the next book at some point.
June 21, 2013
I tried to read an earlier story by this author and had to stop after four chapters because it just didn't grab me and the writing was rough around the edges, so I put off reading this one. Now I wish I hadn't. In a genre full of vampires and shifters Donna has written an urban fantasy with a bit of a different flavor. I was hooked instantly and emotionally invested before I knew what hit me. There were things I didn't see coming and the world building used a clever twist of science. You know how they say write the book you want to read? Well, I don’t have to because Donna Augustine did it for me! Readers have certain buttons they hope get pushed while reading a story and this one hit every single one of mine.
I absolutely loved the heroine Jo Davids. She is the typical snarky protagonist with a tortured past found in urban fantasy. What makes her different is the character stays true throughout the whole story. The sexy alpha Cormac doesn't break down her walls and have her jumping in his bed, much to his dismay. Her reactions to what happens around her make sense and feel realistic. And even though Jo is attracted to Cormac it doesn't dominate her every thought which I like because sometimes I want to smack a heroine and say “get a life girlfriend! Or at least a hobby.” You can feel the sexual tension between them as it simmers under the surface, waiting to explode. I think that is sexier than them jumping into bed without a thought to the consequences and lamenting about for the rest of the book.
This is first person POV so you have to love being in the protagonist’s head, which I did. The writing was a little rough in the beginning, but at some point early on it either smoothed out or I was so immersed in Jo’s head I didn't notice. The seriousness and tension at the end of Chapter 4 had me OMGing! Then the beginning of the next chapter had me laughing. It is one of the best chapter segues I've read.
Reviews are subjective. What works for me might not work for you, but I enjoyed the hell out of this story and can’t wait for the next one. Even with a few writing issues I still have to give this 5 Sheep.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“… and he was incredibly handsome in a deeply sexual way. He was nicely over six feet, with broad shoulders encased in a white tuxedo shirt that hung slightly open. But it was the power that seeped from him, not his size that made him alarming to even my senses, not that I’d ever show it, but I felt it in spades. It rolled off him in wave after wave until it practically smothered all my other senses.”
“I guess today I’d see how special I really was. Was I X-men special, or just a little different?”
“I followed him because, as I might have mentioned before, I don’t like desperate people. They tend to do desperate things. Desperate people should be placated until you can get as far away from them as humanly possible, because desperate people had a bad tendency of blowing up and taking you with them.”
“That’s when my shopping spree turned ugly, or awesome, depending on your viewpoint.”
5 "X-Men special" Sheep
http://www.ismellsheep.com/2013/06/bo...
I absolutely loved the heroine Jo Davids. She is the typical snarky protagonist with a tortured past found in urban fantasy. What makes her different is the character stays true throughout the whole story. The sexy alpha Cormac doesn't break down her walls and have her jumping in his bed, much to his dismay. Her reactions to what happens around her make sense and feel realistic. And even though Jo is attracted to Cormac it doesn't dominate her every thought which I like because sometimes I want to smack a heroine and say “get a life girlfriend! Or at least a hobby.” You can feel the sexual tension between them as it simmers under the surface, waiting to explode. I think that is sexier than them jumping into bed without a thought to the consequences and lamenting about for the rest of the book.
This is first person POV so you have to love being in the protagonist’s head, which I did. The writing was a little rough in the beginning, but at some point early on it either smoothed out or I was so immersed in Jo’s head I didn't notice. The seriousness and tension at the end of Chapter 4 had me OMGing! Then the beginning of the next chapter had me laughing. It is one of the best chapter segues I've read.
Reviews are subjective. What works for me might not work for you, but I enjoyed the hell out of this story and can’t wait for the next one. Even with a few writing issues I still have to give this 5 Sheep.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“… and he was incredibly handsome in a deeply sexual way. He was nicely over six feet, with broad shoulders encased in a white tuxedo shirt that hung slightly open. But it was the power that seeped from him, not his size that made him alarming to even my senses, not that I’d ever show it, but I felt it in spades. It rolled off him in wave after wave until it practically smothered all my other senses.”
“I guess today I’d see how special I really was. Was I X-men special, or just a little different?”
“I followed him because, as I might have mentioned before, I don’t like desperate people. They tend to do desperate things. Desperate people should be placated until you can get as far away from them as humanly possible, because desperate people had a bad tendency of blowing up and taking you with them.”
“That’s when my shopping spree turned ugly, or awesome, depending on your viewpoint.”
5 "X-Men special" Sheep
http://www.ismellsheep.com/2013/06/bo...
April 27, 2013
I title my review on this book ‘A rough cut Diamond’
I love this book and I also love Donna’s writing style. I was hooked on the first few lines of the book. Though I will say the Editing companies’ job has a lot to be desired! So please don’t be put off on their incompetence as this is truly a gem of a book and this is one of those books that you can’t put down and will leave you constantly thinking about it!
Jo is an orphan, abandoned as a baby; she has been pushed from Foster home to Foster home. Not wanted because of the weird stuff that happens around Jo has led to her no nonsense attitude, a tough skin and survival instinct that has built a wall around her. Constantly on her guard and building a façade of a quiet little mouse that hides in the shadows, Jo has learnt to suppress anything that will attract attention that Jo isn’t normal.
Now a young Adult, Jo is struggling to get herself through college to get into med school, keep her job at the Diner to pay rent on her trailer and put food on her table. Until her friend Lacey has a solution, to work with her at Lacard Casino on the Vegas strip.
Things are going well for Jo, great shifts and great tips until she witnesses something that she shouldn’t have seen. Taken to Hawking, he gives the go ahead to have her executed, shot in the head 5 times! Until she wakes up with a cracking headache, Hawking then realises what she is and Jo’s life is turned upside down, never to be the same again! Now a target and constantly on guard, Jo is put through her paces and she struggles with emotions, feelings and understanding as the foundations of her fortress is rocked!
The sexual tension, the suspense and this mystery of knowing what Jo is, is a great foundation of this book. The wonderful writing of the Author ‘Donna’ has the ability to make us the reader feel what’s going on. The struggle and fight is so real and natural for someone from Jo’s background, making the story believable. The story will make you laugh and give you butterflies too and the ending will leave you frustrated for more, and I do really want to read more.
I noticed at the beginning of the book that Thanks go to an Editing Company. I feel that this company has significantly let Donna down and do not deserve her (or the readers) Thanks, as they have not done their job properly. I am no expert and have never edited a book in my life, though with a simple education and reading a lot even I can pick up that the editors have not picked up on tense’s, grammar and spelling checks, with this done properly and the dialog made a little clearer as to whom is talking, this will be the most brilliantly, beautiful gem in everyone’s book collection.
I would also recommend Donna’s other book Obsidian Soul.
I love this book and I also love Donna’s writing style. I was hooked on the first few lines of the book. Though I will say the Editing companies’ job has a lot to be desired! So please don’t be put off on their incompetence as this is truly a gem of a book and this is one of those books that you can’t put down and will leave you constantly thinking about it!
Jo is an orphan, abandoned as a baby; she has been pushed from Foster home to Foster home. Not wanted because of the weird stuff that happens around Jo has led to her no nonsense attitude, a tough skin and survival instinct that has built a wall around her. Constantly on her guard and building a façade of a quiet little mouse that hides in the shadows, Jo has learnt to suppress anything that will attract attention that Jo isn’t normal.
Now a young Adult, Jo is struggling to get herself through college to get into med school, keep her job at the Diner to pay rent on her trailer and put food on her table. Until her friend Lacey has a solution, to work with her at Lacard Casino on the Vegas strip.
Things are going well for Jo, great shifts and great tips until she witnesses something that she shouldn’t have seen. Taken to Hawking, he gives the go ahead to have her executed, shot in the head 5 times! Until she wakes up with a cracking headache, Hawking then realises what she is and Jo’s life is turned upside down, never to be the same again! Now a target and constantly on guard, Jo is put through her paces and she struggles with emotions, feelings and understanding as the foundations of her fortress is rocked!
The sexual tension, the suspense and this mystery of knowing what Jo is, is a great foundation of this book. The wonderful writing of the Author ‘Donna’ has the ability to make us the reader feel what’s going on. The struggle and fight is so real and natural for someone from Jo’s background, making the story believable. The story will make you laugh and give you butterflies too and the ending will leave you frustrated for more, and I do really want to read more.
I noticed at the beginning of the book that Thanks go to an Editing Company. I feel that this company has significantly let Donna down and do not deserve her (or the readers) Thanks, as they have not done their job properly. I am no expert and have never edited a book in my life, though with a simple education and reading a lot even I can pick up that the editors have not picked up on tense’s, grammar and spelling checks, with this done properly and the dialog made a little clearer as to whom is talking, this will be the most brilliantly, beautiful gem in everyone’s book collection.
I would also recommend Donna’s other book Obsidian Soul.
May 11, 2016
Finally, and most ‘interestingly’ we find The Keepers, the first book in the Alchemy Series by Donna Augustine. Josephine “Jo” Davids, has had a brutally hard life. Abandoned as a child, she lived through the hell of the foster system, shuffled from home to home, lasting at the most a few months before her foster parents tossed her back into the system for being too “weird.” Once she hit eighteen and was dumped out of the system she enrolled herself in college and is fighting for her medical training, living in a rundown trailer in a rundown park on the outskirts of Vegas, working as a waitress and sleeping rarely. With great practice she has mostly been able to pack the weird away. Getting a job at a popular casino helps to bring in more cash than she made at the café, and she is as happy as can be expected for a worn down waitress with bills, student loans, and really sore feet. That is until she garners the interest of the scary casino owner. And sees something she shouldn’t have seen. Of course, when ‘Scary Boss Dude’ Cormac orders her shot, he really has no idea what a mistake that is . . . Here is the thing. Jo is one broken chick. Her life has been nothing but pain, suffering and loneliness, a deep crushing loneliness that defines her very existence. Cormac ordering her shot in the head was bad enough, but now her life is spinning out of control, and for someone who is used to controlling every second of her life in order to keep herself safe, well, let’s just say she isn’t taking it well. I stayed up, literally, all night long, forcing my eyes to focus, in order to finish this book. Then I downloaded the other three in the series. We will see if I like them as much as I did the first, though I have a feeling the level of angst and argument may get on my nerves eventually. But, they are all on KU, so I can just return them if I give up, so it’s all good!
July 10, 2016
Finally some original UF! Once I started reading I didn’t want to stop. Jo always knew she wasn’t normal. She found out the hard way what she really was. Jo was awesome! Physically strength wasn’t her strongsuit, but mentally she was tough. She never hesitated to let her opinion be known without managing to come off as an idiot who didn’t know when to keep her mouth shut. I would have been happier if Jo wasn’t a special snowflake. It didn’t bother me too much since she wasn’t all powerful. In some ways her magical abilities were lacking.
I didn’t want to like Cormac, but I couldn’t help it. I’ve accepted that I like assholes in novels. Cormac’s biggest fault was being too controlling. Aside from that he was a fairly decent guy when he wanted to be. I really like him but logically know I shouldn’t. First of all he ordered his men to The reasons for this made sense, but it’s a damn hard thing to forgive. Secondly he used That was a low blow. No respectable guy should do that. There are other ways to make someone jealous without hurting them as much.
The side characters were cool although I couldn’t get over their complicity in doing something horrible to Jo. Just like Cormac they had their reasons but they weren’t good enough. Jo did her best to get back at them, but their punishment was weak compared to what they put her through.
It didn’t end with a cliffhanger, but there wasn’t a resolution to many of the issues. It’s definitely a book that will make you want to read the next one right away.
I didn’t want to like Cormac, but I couldn’t help it. I’ve accepted that I like assholes in novels. Cormac’s biggest fault was being too controlling. Aside from that he was a fairly decent guy when he wanted to be. I really like him but logically know I shouldn’t. First of all he ordered his men to The reasons for this made sense, but it’s a damn hard thing to forgive. Secondly he used That was a low blow. No respectable guy should do that. There are other ways to make someone jealous without hurting them as much.
The side characters were cool although I couldn’t get over their complicity in doing something horrible to Jo. Just like Cormac they had their reasons but they weren’t good enough. Jo did her best to get back at them, but their punishment was weak compared to what they put her through.
It didn’t end with a cliffhanger, but there wasn’t a resolution to many of the issues. It’s definitely a book that will make you want to read the next one right away.
November 13, 2014
Cormac...my book boyfriend, forever and ever.
I read a lot of books. Too many probably and for some reason, none of the male leads has ever come close to Cormac for me. I guess it is because he is so jaded but still honest and capable of caring about others. He has to make hard decisions and even if it means doing something he doesn't want to do, he will always do it.
Jo is the perfect match for him, especially when it comes to wits and attitude. She is spunky and stubborn and rude and holds everybody at arms length but we understand her.
That's the part that always stands out for me with these books. I understand the characters. Their motivations make sense, their actions make sense. Nothing is "just because" and everything works out well. There aren't plot holes and the mysteries in their lives are legitimate. Sometimes books like to keep things hidden just to make things interesting. This story unfolds in front of you and draws you in, instead of hiding little details or twists just to mess with you.
It's a mystery novel wrapped up in a sci-fi novel covered in an urban fantasy novel and dipped into a romance. Nothing is overwhelming though and the writing is superb.
The characters are also laugh out loud funny. I am so over the snarky female lead but for this book, it works. She isn't rude just because she wants to be. She does it to keep people away from her and to deflect. It is really well done.
Full review at Tara Belle Talking
5 out of 5 stars.
I read a lot of books. Too many probably and for some reason, none of the male leads has ever come close to Cormac for me. I guess it is because he is so jaded but still honest and capable of caring about others. He has to make hard decisions and even if it means doing something he doesn't want to do, he will always do it.
Jo is the perfect match for him, especially when it comes to wits and attitude. She is spunky and stubborn and rude and holds everybody at arms length but we understand her.
That's the part that always stands out for me with these books. I understand the characters. Their motivations make sense, their actions make sense. Nothing is "just because" and everything works out well. There aren't plot holes and the mysteries in their lives are legitimate. Sometimes books like to keep things hidden just to make things interesting. This story unfolds in front of you and draws you in, instead of hiding little details or twists just to mess with you.
It's a mystery novel wrapped up in a sci-fi novel covered in an urban fantasy novel and dipped into a romance. Nothing is overwhelming though and the writing is superb.
The characters are also laugh out loud funny. I am so over the snarky female lead but for this book, it works. She isn't rude just because she wants to be. She does it to keep people away from her and to deflect. It is really well done.
Full review at Tara Belle Talking
5 out of 5 stars.
September 26, 2014
Magic and gambling. What could go wrong?
When it comes to Donna Augustine's Keepers, a lot.
It starts with a young waitress in a Vegas casino. Jo is doing her thing, paying her way through college, just living the life. And then it all gets sent right into the proverbial Twilight Zone when she sees a werewolf in the casino. From there it is like all bets are off as far as what genre elements will be introduced.
Werewolves, faeries, aliens, secret portals, alchemy, oh my. There are moments in the novel where things feel a bit muddled, like the story is still trying to find its footing, but Jo is presented as a pretty relatable and easy-to-root-for protagonist. She's a little brusk at times, but she's young and just now coming into her own as a "Keeper", a protector of portals that connect our world with others featuring a menagerie of "alien" species. And while there is the hunky boss who happens to be a werewolf and also happens to put a hit on her, Jo doesn't go all swoony or damsel through the story. She's a self-saving princess ... actually a self-saving alchemist.
Anyway, the blend of fantasy and sci-fi elements is handled nicely without bogging itself down or dissecting too much of the nitty gritty of the world building. It works really hard to keep the story moving forward. It's good, but really serves as primer for the greater story, as things definitely become smoother and more engaging in the second book of the series, which I should be reviewing soon. A lot of the familiar coming together to make something that feels very unique.
When it comes to Donna Augustine's Keepers, a lot.
It starts with a young waitress in a Vegas casino. Jo is doing her thing, paying her way through college, just living the life. And then it all gets sent right into the proverbial Twilight Zone when she sees a werewolf in the casino. From there it is like all bets are off as far as what genre elements will be introduced.
Werewolves, faeries, aliens, secret portals, alchemy, oh my. There are moments in the novel where things feel a bit muddled, like the story is still trying to find its footing, but Jo is presented as a pretty relatable and easy-to-root-for protagonist. She's a little brusk at times, but she's young and just now coming into her own as a "Keeper", a protector of portals that connect our world with others featuring a menagerie of "alien" species. And while there is the hunky boss who happens to be a werewolf and also happens to put a hit on her, Jo doesn't go all swoony or damsel through the story. She's a self-saving princess ... actually a self-saving alchemist.
Anyway, the blend of fantasy and sci-fi elements is handled nicely without bogging itself down or dissecting too much of the nitty gritty of the world building. It works really hard to keep the story moving forward. It's good, but really serves as primer for the greater story, as things definitely become smoother and more engaging in the second book of the series, which I should be reviewing soon. A lot of the familiar coming together to make something that feels very unique.
May 29, 2015
There were too many logic and world building holes here and the writing needed a really good polish to bring it up a level. Otherwise, pretty decent characters, not a lot of angsty romance garbage though there is quite a bit of ogling going on, respectably, the main doesn't generally let it get in the way of her own agenda which is refreshing. I get very tired of women panting after men and forgetting that they've got things to do, people to save (even themselves, often) and places to go because they're busy getting hot and bothered over their love interest. Added bonus, no love triangle. Those points elevated this from a low two to a three star.
January 12, 2021
I seems as if all the heroines in Ms. Augustine's books are the same women with different powers.
August 12, 2020
Did not like this much. Jo is retaliatory, selfish, mean, jealous, and doesn't even care about self preservation. She is a huge mess, which at least is very much acknowledged. I don't ship her and H. It almost feels like a father daughter relationship with how he gives her everything she wants and dotes on her, and she's just some angsty teen. Uhg.... Hope she grows up.
May 14, 2013
This book is a wonderful blending of physics and magic. Now before you say to yourself, "Damn, I thought it looked interesting but I'm no science geek," let me say this. I am no science geek. Hell the most scientific thing I can own to is cooking dinner and that not always well. But I enjoyed this book!
Jo, the heroine is an orphan with more emotional baggage than any one person should ever carry. Nor is she willing to set that baggage down just to get jiggy with the hotter than hot hero, Cormac. In fact, they never get jiggy in the whole book! (PS, if you're looking for a great sex scene you won't find it here.)
Cormac has a problem, Jo has an answer. Jo has a problem too and Cormac is trying to find the answers. Neither problems or solutions are compatible but these two, along with the secondary characters of the book, work to resolve them. Again not always in a compatible or cooperative way.
In fact, part of what made this such a refreshing read for me was the lack of seamless blending that is so common in books today. You get to read a true romance and at the end of the book we are at the part of the romance where the girl and boy have finally decided that they might just enjoy each other's company once in awhile.
Now, don't mistake my meaning. There is a lot of togetherness in this book, in fact Jo is forced to live in Cormac's home. But! She is not happy about it and she never develops that Stockholm Syndrome mush we read so much about. Thank God.
The Keepers is just plain fun to read but I would never call this a popcorn book. I gave it 4 stars for the either typos or misspellings however you want to call them. For instance, the use of effect when it should be affect. That sort of thing. And then only because I had to find some reason not to give 5 stars. I don't like giving 5 stars to any new for me author. But this one came close.
So, just to give an idea of what to look for in this book plot wise. Imagine Merlin living in today's society. He is not the wise old man we all imagine but a hotter than hot hero. Now picture Morgana Le Fay not as an evil seductress bent on conquering Merlin but as a young woman abandoned in infancy and forced to learn some less than attractive skills to get through life. Now put them together and tell them they have to trust each other and work together. Then, just to spice things up a bit, give them a really horrible initial meeting with gunplay and a really horrible headache involved. Then give them a break with some truly interesting and cute secondary characters. Now you have The Keepers.
This book is definitely, dare I say hopefully?, the first in a series of books. I look forward to reading the next one and can only hope it will be written in the same tone as the first. Good Job Ms. Augustine!
Jo, the heroine is an orphan with more emotional baggage than any one person should ever carry. Nor is she willing to set that baggage down just to get jiggy with the hotter than hot hero, Cormac. In fact, they never get jiggy in the whole book! (PS, if you're looking for a great sex scene you won't find it here.)
Cormac has a problem, Jo has an answer. Jo has a problem too and Cormac is trying to find the answers. Neither problems or solutions are compatible but these two, along with the secondary characters of the book, work to resolve them. Again not always in a compatible or cooperative way.
In fact, part of what made this such a refreshing read for me was the lack of seamless blending that is so common in books today. You get to read a true romance and at the end of the book we are at the part of the romance where the girl and boy have finally decided that they might just enjoy each other's company once in awhile.
Now, don't mistake my meaning. There is a lot of togetherness in this book, in fact Jo is forced to live in Cormac's home. But! She is not happy about it and she never develops that Stockholm Syndrome mush we read so much about. Thank God.
The Keepers is just plain fun to read but I would never call this a popcorn book. I gave it 4 stars for the either typos or misspellings however you want to call them. For instance, the use of effect when it should be affect. That sort of thing. And then only because I had to find some reason not to give 5 stars. I don't like giving 5 stars to any new for me author. But this one came close.
So, just to give an idea of what to look for in this book plot wise. Imagine Merlin living in today's society. He is not the wise old man we all imagine but a hotter than hot hero. Now picture Morgana Le Fay not as an evil seductress bent on conquering Merlin but as a young woman abandoned in infancy and forced to learn some less than attractive skills to get through life. Now put them together and tell them they have to trust each other and work together. Then, just to spice things up a bit, give them a really horrible initial meeting with gunplay and a really horrible headache involved. Then give them a break with some truly interesting and cute secondary characters. Now you have The Keepers.
This book is definitely, dare I say hopefully?, the first in a series of books. I look forward to reading the next one and can only hope it will be written in the same tone as the first. Good Job Ms. Augustine!
May 8, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. Once you pick it up you won't want to put it down. I love Jo's personality. She makes you laugh and at other times you feel her sorrow and pain even though she's a "do not pity me" person, you can't help but feel for her with her horrible upbringing and being different.
something she herself can't explain and you have to read to figure out.
Cormac the bad guy , so he's made out to be, brings balance to Jo, she's untrusting towards everyone and he makes her for the most part, trusting, secure and wanting to be loved. All the attraction between the two made me sure they would end up together ,fall in love and Jo would finally be happy. well you'll have to read it and see what happens..I'm not telling...but as for Cormac he's all sorts of things you think he's not. Besides, hardcore, powerful and known for it he's caring, loving , loyal and generous to those he cares about.
As for The book as a whole, its a great read...a different twist on fae, and different species , not your usual everyday read..but a great one that keeps you wanting more and at the end I definitely wanted more...I can't wait for the next book to this series.
The writing is great. pulls you into the story. As for Donna's editors, they need to
step it up. Donna Augustine is a great Author and for such small mistakes that the reader can spot is just unnecessary. I'm no Editor but I'm a reader and I can spot them so they can to , its their job. Do your writer a solid and fix her book before releasing it. She deserves it with all her effort that's you cannot help but notice in her writing. Not every author can pull off grabbing their reader and pulling them into the story as she has the ability to do.
I also reccomend Obsidian Souls. Another great book from Donna!
I was given a copy for a honest review and honestly its Great, read it you won't be disappointed!
you can also find a review on http://reader haven.WordPress.com you are welcome to add your thoughts on this book any any that are posted..more reviews to come from good reads.
something she herself can't explain and you have to read to figure out.
Cormac the bad guy , so he's made out to be, brings balance to Jo, she's untrusting towards everyone and he makes her for the most part, trusting, secure and wanting to be loved. All the attraction between the two made me sure they would end up together ,fall in love and Jo would finally be happy. well you'll have to read it and see what happens..I'm not telling...but as for Cormac he's all sorts of things you think he's not. Besides, hardcore, powerful and known for it he's caring, loving , loyal and generous to those he cares about.
As for The book as a whole, its a great read...a different twist on fae, and different species , not your usual everyday read..but a great one that keeps you wanting more and at the end I definitely wanted more...I can't wait for the next book to this series.
The writing is great. pulls you into the story. As for Donna's editors, they need to
step it up. Donna Augustine is a great Author and for such small mistakes that the reader can spot is just unnecessary. I'm no Editor but I'm a reader and I can spot them so they can to , its their job. Do your writer a solid and fix her book before releasing it. She deserves it with all her effort that's you cannot help but notice in her writing. Not every author can pull off grabbing their reader and pulling them into the story as she has the ability to do.
I also reccomend Obsidian Souls. Another great book from Donna!
I was given a copy for a honest review and honestly its Great, read it you won't be disappointed!
you can also find a review on http://reader haven.WordPress.com you are welcome to add your thoughts on this book any any that are posted..more reviews to come from good reads.
September 17, 2013
This book is the perfect 'guilty pleasure' read! It is fast paced, amusing, believable, has a great female lead and lots of sexual tension! What more could you want from an urban fantasy novel about aliens?!
I had never heard of Donna Augustine before I downloaded 'The Keepers' and was very glad not to be disappointed.
Fans of The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning will love it!
The story revolves around a young woman called Josephine; she lives in a trailer park, is study pre-med and is working in a casino to pay for her studies. However her past has left her scarred, abandoned at birth outside a church Jo has been passed from foster home to foster home. Nobody wanted her... because despite her perfect blonde looks Jo freaks people out.
When she witnesses the transformation of a man into a beast her boss is forced to execute her, however she doesn't die and they both learn she is not what she seems.
Jo is one of my favourite MCs in a long time. She is fiesty and defensive but has a pretty good reason to be so. Her developement throughout the book was enjoyable but obviously the best part was her relationship with Cormac. HE. IS. JUST. THE. BEST.
The story line was good enough to keep me interested, although it wasn't entirely original and it was really Jo's personality and her relationships that carried the novel.
The world building was ok, and I always enjoy reading a book about somewhere that I have never been. Her descriptions of Nevada and the desert made me really miss the sun. Too bad I live in scotland and winter is coming :(
I had never heard of Donna Augustine before I downloaded 'The Keepers' and was very glad not to be disappointed.
Fans of The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning will love it!
The story revolves around a young woman called Josephine; she lives in a trailer park, is study pre-med and is working in a casino to pay for her studies. However her past has left her scarred, abandoned at birth outside a church Jo has been passed from foster home to foster home. Nobody wanted her... because despite her perfect blonde looks Jo freaks people out.
When she witnesses the transformation of a man into a beast her boss is forced to execute her, however she doesn't die and they both learn she is not what she seems.
Jo is one of my favourite MCs in a long time. She is fiesty and defensive but has a pretty good reason to be so. Her developement throughout the book was enjoyable but obviously the best part was her relationship with Cormac. HE. IS. JUST. THE. BEST.
The story line was good enough to keep me interested, although it wasn't entirely original and it was really Jo's personality and her relationships that carried the novel.
The world building was ok, and I always enjoy reading a book about somewhere that I have never been. Her descriptions of Nevada and the desert made me really miss the sun. Too bad I live in scotland and winter is coming :(
June 22, 2013
I liked this book a lot. Enough, that even though at the end of the book, it says that the next in the series would be out in the summer of 2013, I went to the author's blog to see if I was lucky and it was out yet.
It had some issues, but when I am reading for enjoyment I can overlook many things. There were quite a few grammar issues and tense errors. The grammar were mostly as if the spellcheck had been used but it was the wrong word. Sometimes the tense from present/past/future or vice versa came up. If you have an issue with this, it could bother you a little. Thank goodness it doesn't bother me if I don't let it. There are too many good stories out there I would have missed if it had.
But as I said, if I'm focused on the story, then my mind catches the issues but I don't let it ruin the it for me. I liked the tension between the heroine, Jo and Cormac. I can only assume that because it's a series the author is trying to prolong the tension between the two. Looking forward to that.
Jo is tough, she's apparently had to be. I would have liked to know a little more about her past, in between the prologue and the next 15 years. Not anything in depth, but perhaps when she's in a confrontation or something triggers her past we could get a little more. I'm hoping that will flesh out more with the next book/s.
The story itself has some good elements, some memorable side characters. I would like to know more about the Fae and what their abilities are. We really only hear about Jo's (The Keeper/Alchemist) attributes. And what about any "other" people? Again, hopefully in the next book or two.
A good start to an Urban story that doesn't have a Vampire at the lead. It read fast for me. I'm ready for the next one!
It had some issues, but when I am reading for enjoyment I can overlook many things. There were quite a few grammar issues and tense errors. The grammar were mostly as if the spellcheck had been used but it was the wrong word. Sometimes the tense from present/past/future or vice versa came up. If you have an issue with this, it could bother you a little. Thank goodness it doesn't bother me if I don't let it. There are too many good stories out there I would have missed if it had.
But as I said, if I'm focused on the story, then my mind catches the issues but I don't let it ruin the it for me. I liked the tension between the heroine, Jo and Cormac. I can only assume that because it's a series the author is trying to prolong the tension between the two. Looking forward to that.
Jo is tough, she's apparently had to be. I would have liked to know a little more about her past, in between the prologue and the next 15 years. Not anything in depth, but perhaps when she's in a confrontation or something triggers her past we could get a little more. I'm hoping that will flesh out more with the next book/s.
The story itself has some good elements, some memorable side characters. I would like to know more about the Fae and what their abilities are. We really only hear about Jo's (The Keeper/Alchemist) attributes. And what about any "other" people? Again, hopefully in the next book or two.
A good start to an Urban story that doesn't have a Vampire at the lead. It read fast for me. I'm ready for the next one!
June 21, 2013
I received a copy of The Keepers from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
First of all I have to applaud Donna Augustine on the originality of The Keepers, while it had some of the usual supes in UF like the Fae and Werewolves it had no vamps and it was a really unique spin on the supes it did have. While in the beginning I wasn't too sure whether I would get into the story or not, I am very glad I stuck with it, it turned out to be a great read.
The main character Jo, was an orphan who personified self-sufficient, and to be honest her stubbornness got on my nerves...a lot! She had a lot of emotional baggage and sometimes threw it at everyone within range, Cormac in particular. Now Cormac didn't start out as the nicest of guys but you kinda got his point of view as the book goes on. The chemistry between he and Jo was definitely there but if you are expecting a hot PNR this isn't it. Sometimes their lack of communication made me want to smack both of them.
The story was very very good, it had just the right mixture of action and surprises and totally made up for the fact that I wasn't all that keen on the two main characters. I am really hoping this is the first in a series as I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely keep an eye out for the second book.
First of all I have to applaud Donna Augustine on the originality of The Keepers, while it had some of the usual supes in UF like the Fae and Werewolves it had no vamps and it was a really unique spin on the supes it did have. While in the beginning I wasn't too sure whether I would get into the story or not, I am very glad I stuck with it, it turned out to be a great read.
The main character Jo, was an orphan who personified self-sufficient, and to be honest her stubbornness got on my nerves...a lot! She had a lot of emotional baggage and sometimes threw it at everyone within range, Cormac in particular. Now Cormac didn't start out as the nicest of guys but you kinda got his point of view as the book goes on. The chemistry between he and Jo was definitely there but if you are expecting a hot PNR this isn't it. Sometimes their lack of communication made me want to smack both of them.
The story was very very good, it had just the right mixture of action and surprises and totally made up for the fact that I wasn't all that keen on the two main characters. I am really hoping this is the first in a series as I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely keep an eye out for the second book.
July 10, 2013
Donna Augustine book "The Keepers" was a breath of fresh air. I received this book as a first read. I loved the writing style and the voice of the book. I also like that it got right into the story. There was no holding back, she just jumped in and swam. She kept me glued to every page and I couldn't put the book down. It was that amazing.
I enjoyed the character so much. They felt real to me. I haven't read a book for awhile that made me feel that way towards the characters. I loved and hated them at the same time. To me that is good writing to make the readers feel something towards the characters.
The story itself was fun and exciting. I truly understand the concept of the plot and the imaginary intellect to the world of the paranormal. That was what made the story unforgettable to me. This is one of my new favorite paranormal books. I was sad when the book ended and can't wait for the second book. It was like a great song, "when it starts you wish it never ends."
I read for enjoyment and I am not the grammar police. If the story keeps my attention then it is a good book, but if the book grabs you and holds you tight even with some mistakes then it is a great book and this book is that. Donna Augustine has so much promise and with her very unique and imaginative mind I can't wait to see what else she will create.
I enjoyed the character so much. They felt real to me. I haven't read a book for awhile that made me feel that way towards the characters. I loved and hated them at the same time. To me that is good writing to make the readers feel something towards the characters.
The story itself was fun and exciting. I truly understand the concept of the plot and the imaginary intellect to the world of the paranormal. That was what made the story unforgettable to me. This is one of my new favorite paranormal books. I was sad when the book ended and can't wait for the second book. It was like a great song, "when it starts you wish it never ends."
I read for enjoyment and I am not the grammar police. If the story keeps my attention then it is a good book, but if the book grabs you and holds you tight even with some mistakes then it is a great book and this book is that. Donna Augustine has so much promise and with her very unique and imaginative mind I can't wait to see what else she will create.
August 13, 2015
Really enjoyed the story. I liked Jo because she is tough & smart & doesn't do crazy stupid things. I really empathized with her because of her history & her hang ups that she totally owns. Plus, she can really hold a grudge & doesn't fall into the first alpha man's arms that reach for her. She is very aware of her own abilities & limitations. Cormac was hot & everything but you would think someone with his experience would know better than to play immature games when females don't jump in his bed. I would like for him to wise up & be patient with Jo so that he can be the one to help her sort herself out. I didn't like how Lacey was used. Actually, Lacey was a jerk too because she knew Jo had something going on with Cormac and yet she still started a relationship with him. Also, initially Lacey didn't really seem attracted to Cormac as much as scared and weirded out by him. Suddenly she is feeling attraction & lust? How & when did that happen? However, the premise was original & I can't wait to read more.
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