What do you do when the gate hell opens and all the creepy crawlies come rushing out?
I failed.
But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up. My heart may be shattered by Colin’s betrayal, but I refuse to let humanity pay the price.
After a disastrous trip to a self-professed expert in the Lost Colony, I’m running out of ideas.
Taunted by vengeful demons, all I have to fight them is a vague memory of the curse passed through my family and the practically useless information I find on the internet. Every day brings the world closer to being overrun by demons.
I fear I will have to face the god Okeus’s wrath alone until an unexpected offer of help comes from the most unlikely of places. I’m terrified to trust him, but with the fate of the world on the line, how can I say no?
The second book in The Curse Keepers Series ratchets up the romantic tension and raises the stakes to impossible heights as Ellie races to save not just her friends, but the world.
Once again, I found myself utterly engrossed in this series. The world continues to evolve, and I can't get enough of it.
Ellie's journey to find her path and uncover answers about the curse is enthralling. Her unexpected alliance with the charismatic David adds an exciting twist to the story. The looming presence of demons only deepens the intrigue.
A standout for me was the introduction of Big Nasty and its recurring role throughout the book. It added a layer of suspense and mystique that kept me captivated. I never knew which way Big Nasty would take.
Now, the anticipation for the next book begins. I can't wait to see where this incredible story leads next.
Because I have to go start the next book! I’ve never been an Urban Fantasy reader. This is my first series. And I couldn’t love it more! DGS knocked another one out of the park! After the first book, I was hoping for an Ellie and Collin love connection, but not now! I love how DGS still wraps in some romance into the UF books!
This book was even BETTER than the first book in the series! Ellie is coming to terms with her role as a Keeper making the story more layered. As Ellie’s journey to figure out how meet the expectations of her role continues the story picks up the pace. This well crafted tale introduces new characters and allows readers to see deeper into Ellie's friends, family and support system. I'm not normally drawn to books with a supernatural theme, however this series is an exception because once I started reading, I couldn’t put this book down and I can’t wait for more!
Ellie is at war with demons that are taking people’s lives and the gods who want to own her soul. Determined to save humanity without the help of the other Curse Keeper, Collin Dailey, Ellie seeks knowledge from the smart, sexy, easy-to-look at professor of Native American Studies, Dr. David Preston. Together they delve deeper into the history of the Lost Colony of Roanoke and the curse associated with it.
This is such a captivating story and Book 2 of the series goes deeper into the backstory of the curse and the clues left behind by Ellie’s father. Of course, Collin Dailey is still in the picture and there is an interesting love triangle (which I love) between Ellie, Collin, and David. I’ve already started the book 3!
Ok, I am reading this series for the second time, and I really can’t remember much about it. That’s OK, because it’s almost like reading it again. This time I know that Ellie bothers me just a little bit as she can be a little bit immature. That’s fine because I’d probably be the same way if there were demons after me. LOL! I am a little peeved about some actions in this book, but it’s not in a bad way. I’d explain but that would spoil something, and I don’t want to do that. I will say that I’m curious to see how this will end since I can’t remember. This is a well-written urban fantasy with a little paranormal romance mixed in. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
LOVE this series!!!! The second book in the series does not disappoint. It continues where the first ended and immediately draws you in again. The story is engrossing and kept me turning the pages. Denise is an excellent storyteller and writes characters in a way that you feel connected to them, and you can't help but feel the emotions of what they are going through. Ellie is determined to find answers and learn as much information about the curse and Native American history as she can. Will she find the help she needs? Now impatiently waiting for the next book!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.
The main character starts to come into her own in this second instalment. Taking responsibility for her powers and doing her own research are top priorities after the heartbreak of the last book. Her character arc really makes this second book stand out.
5+ 🌟 Adventure & Action packed ride with all the feels. 🔥
🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅾 🅻🅾🅾🅺 🅵🅾🆁🆆🅰🆁🅳 🆃🅾: 💌 Paranormal Romance/ Urban Fantasy 💌 Generational legacy 💌 Racing against time to defeat the demons escaped from hell 💌 Crackling sparks of chemistry 💌 Legend of the Lost Colony of Roanoke💌 Dangerous Secrets & mysteries 💌 Thrilling ride
This is book 2 in the Curse Keepers series and my goodness even if I'm reading this one after quite some time yet I felt like I had read the first book just yesterday and was thrilled to be back in this wild ride with Ellie.
After that devastating and shocking ending in book 1, I knew things would never be the same especially between Ellie and Collins but I was so surprised and loved the best new comer we get in this one.
When new unalivings of animals start happening around where Ellie lives, she knows the spirits and demons that escaped after the gate was opened, are wrecking havoc but at the cost of innocent lives.
Her fellow curse keeper has no interest in helping her and Ellie knows that Collin is the only other person who knows all things Curse related.
I loved how brave and resilient Ellie was in this book. Even though she regrets not listening to her dad when he wanted to teach her about the curse, yet she doesn't let that fact deter her. She might not know anything but she does her best as we join her in searching every clue or bit of information she can find.
This book certainly doesn't let go of you even for a single second and I loved how we experience Ellie in her quest to not only fight the demons, in this case the bad spirits including the giant badgers that are ready to go against Okeus's orders of not stealing Ellie's manitou and end her.
Those fights had me so on the freaking edge of my seat as I was FREAKING TERRIFIED for Ellie and those scenes were so fascinating to read because they are written so perfectly that I felt like I was watching a Paranormal/magical action scene.
Dr. David Preston is definitely one of my top favorite parts that we get in this book and honestly when we first meet him, I had no idea how integral he was going to be a part of both the story and for Ellie.
Ahh... I have to confess I'm in LOVEEEE with the hot British professor and it's definitely not only because of his accent (that too😉) but that man... Oh my freaking heart, he is so caring and the kind of man you can count on no matter what. David is always there for you and he's the perfect gentleman who's rough where he needs to be 😉🥵 and so sweet where it's the most needed. 😍
Absolutely gripping, almost felt like a treasure hunt kind sometimes but instead of treasure make it searching for old secrets and ridding of curses and symbols of gods. Every page felt like an adventure into the unknown and my goodness what an adventure it was.
Can't wait to dive into the third book, as I'm over the top excited but before that we have two more books. I don't know their order of reading so I'm just going to read them togther. They are prequels, one about Collin and the Curse and the other is about what happened to Ellie's mother. Abso-freaking-lutely loved loved this one. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
This is the second book in this series. It can be read as a standalone but as with most series I would encourage you to read the books in order. I honestly felt this book (as many second books in a series do) moved a bit slower than the first book, The Curse Keepers. Maybe that’s because in the author’s attempt to make it easily readable as a standalone much of the information she revealed in the first book was again repeated in this one? Our female protagonist Elenora “Ellie Dare-Lancaster is heartbroken over the betrayal of her fellow Curse Keeper and lover Collin Dailey whom she bound a piece of her soul to. Now that Collin has tricked her into releasing the gods and demons from Popoogosa rather than closing the gate revealing his allegiance to the evil god Okeus and Okeus has sworn to make her suffer for the next 400 years she feels abandon and alone without Collin and their combined Curse Keeper power and his superior knowledge of the ancient gods. The supposed benevolent god Ahone has claimed her but has done next to nothing to protect her or guide her. It is in this book that Ellie evolves from the frightened young woman who refused to believe the curse is real to a woman determined to do what she perceives is her purpose and against all odds send the unholy gods and spirits back to Hell. And while she’s attempting to end the evil spirits killing of innocents along with herself she must also continue to avoid the thugs sent by Marino the crime lord to kidnap her because he believes she has information regarding the “Ricardo Job.” If that’s not enough she has to avoid the questions of a good friend Tom who is a police officer who suspects she’s somehow involved with all the mysterious brutal deaths of pets and people and is in over her head in danger. But how can she tell Tom what is really behind the mysterious deaths? Collin Dailey plays a much smaller but important role in this book. It’s clear he still cares about Ellie and tries to protect her while trying to convince her to pledge herself to Okeus. Collin is blindly loyal (I would say delusional) when it comes to Okeus and believes that given time the killings by the newly released gods and spirits will dissipate and things will settle down as the balance in the world between the good and evil gods is restored. Ellie can’t convince him that the cost of countless innocent lives until this so-called settling occurs is unacceptable. Ellie is still drawn to Collin and their powerful physical chemistry but his seeming lack of a moral compass when it comes to anything but Ellie’s well-being is a wall that prevents them from being together. A new character is introduced in this book, David Prescott Ph.D. a professor of Native American history at U.N.C. at Chapel Hill. Ellie desperate to discover what Ahone’s sign is so she can have it tattooed on her to protect her Manitou (life-force) from being taken by other gods travels with her BFF Claire to Chapel Hill to talk to the professor. But he more or less blows her off. Later when he comes to stay at Ellie’s B&B while in town with other university researchers to investigate the recently reappeared Lost Colony Village he and Ellie meet again. After seeing the Native American runes Ellie has drawn on the inns doors to protect it from the evil spirits his interest in the beautiful green-eyed redhead is peaked. Eventually he convinces Ellie to tell him her story and agrees to be her partner in sending the evil spirits back to Hell. Ellie tries to keep their relationship professional because she’s already made a mistake giving her heart to Collin which he still very much holds a piece of despite all of his betrayals. But she also feels a strong attraction to the handsome David who in his honesty and willingness to help and share information is everything Collin wasn’t. And Ellie desperately needs to feel not alone in her battle against Okeus and his hordes. Ultimately, I found the Curse Breakers a worthy sequel to the Curse Keepers. There’s plenty of action and suspense. The romance and steamy stuff comes late in the book but its there. I thought Swank did an excellent job of describing Ellie’s competing feelings for Collin and David. Just like the Curse Breakers this book more or less ends in a cliff-hanger that may or not be resolved in the next book. When this series was released over a decade ago it was described as a trilogy but I have reason to believe it goes on well past the first three books.
Second book doesn’t disappoint. Possibly better than the first.
We start 3 weeks after the gate to hell has been opened Ellie’s grief at the loss of her father and Collin’s betrayal is palpable in the beginning of this book.
Ellie has some big nasties after her and visiting her. She can’t rely on Collin and her previous searches have not helped her find what she needs which is a way to send all the demons, spirits and gods back to hell. She even tries to talk to a Professor who is known for his knowledge of Native American history at a nearby university but gets an amusing brush off.
With the recent arrival of the lost colony, Myra, Ellie’s “mom”, is so busy at the family owned Bed & Breakfast that she needs to rent out rooms in the main house for all the researchers and academics coming into town. While helping Myra, Ellie gets information from her she never expected to get. Items and information that may help her return demons back on her own. She just has to find them as her father hid these things while under the throws of Alzheimer’s.
With help of memories prior to her mother’s passing coming back to her, she is able to find some things but is it all of it? She is not alone in her search. A handsome man staying at the Inn takes a shine to our Ellie. She’s afraid to let him in to the matters of the curse for his safety and afraid to let him into her heart because of Collin.
Can Ellie send spirits back on her own or does she still need Collin to send them back? If so, she will have a fight on her hands as Collin believes they should be free among the living.
This one has it all. Humor, action, spice and a love triangle. Sit back and enjoy!!
5+ 🌟 Adventure & Action packed ride with all the feels. 🔥
🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅾 🅻🅾🅾🅺 🅵🅾🆁🆆🅰🆁🅳 🆃🅾: 💌 Paranormal Romance/ Urban Fantasy 💌 Generational legacy 💌 Racing against time to defeat the demons escaped from hell 💌 Crackling sparks of chemistry 💌 Legend of the Lost Colony of Roanoke💌 Dangerous Secrets & mysteries 💌 Thrilling ride
This is book 2 in the Curse Keepers series and my goodness even if I'm reading this one after quite some time yet I felt like I had read the first book just yesterday and was thrilled to be back in this wild ride with Ellie.
After that devastating and shocking ending in book 1, I knew things would never be the same especially between Ellie and Collins but I was so surprised and loved the best new comer we get in this one.
When new unalivings of animals start happening around where Ellie lives, she knows the spirits and demons that escaped after the gate was opened, are wrecking havoc but at the cost of innocent lives.
Her fellow curse keeper has no interest in helping her and Ellie knows that Collin is the only other person who knows all things Curse related.
I loved how brave and resilient Ellie was in this book. Even though she regrets not listening to her dad when he wanted to teach her about the curse, yet she doesn't let that fact deter her. She might not know anything but she does her best as we join her in searching every clue or bit of information she can find.
This book certainly doesn't let go of you even for a single second and I loved how we experience Ellie in her quest to not only fight the demons, in this case the bad spirits including the giant badgers that are ready to go against Okeus's orders of not stealing Ellie's manitou and end her.
Those fights had me so on the freaking edge of my seat as I was FREAKING TERRIFIED for Ellie and those scenes were so fascinating to read because they are written so perfectly that I felt like I was watching a Paranormal/magical action scene.
Dr. David Preston is definitely one of my top favorite parts that we get in this book and honestly when we first meet him, I had no idea how integral he was going to be a part of both the story and for Ellie.
Ahh... I have to confess I'm in LOVEEEE with the hot British professor and it's definitely not only because of his accent (that too😉) but that man... Oh my freaking heart, he is so caring and the kind of man you can count on no matter what. David is always there for you and he's the perfect gentleman who's rough where he needs to be 😉🥵 and so sweet where it's the most needed. 😍
Absolutely gripping, almost felt like a treasure hunt kind sometimes but instead of treasure make it searching for old secrets and ridding of curses and symbols of gods. Every page felt like an adventure into the unknown and my goodness what an adventure it was.
Can't wait to dive into the third book, as I'm over the top excited but before that we have two more books. I don't know their order of reading so I'm just going to read them togther. They are prequels, one about Collin and the Curse and the other is about what happened to Ellie's mother. Abso-freaking-lutely loved loved this one. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I really liked the mystery and suspense in this book. The characters are well thought out with interesting quirks. Since Collin betrayed Ellie, she seems to be the only one getting threats against her life by the spirits, demons, and native American gods. Unfortunately, the demons, spirits and gods are getting stronger and humans are getting murdered. Ellie is running out of time! This action-paced book is filled with danger, demons, spirits, gods, magic, Popogusso, mystery, symbols, nightmares, legacy, an antique ring, antique watches, Dr. Preston, suspense, murders, thugs, Ricardo Estate collection, battles, and more!
The storyline progresses in book 2 where book 1 left off. David’s character was a nice welcome. He is the ideal partner though there does seem to be an intensity in his character that is missing when it becomes his pursuit that I found captivating in Collin. The mystery slowly unravels with plenty other worldly action. Ellie’s inner circle is in danger and like any good heroine she steps up to the plate to face issues head on. Looking forward to book 3.
I fell in love with the cover; then I fell in love with this Series!
The continued story of the Curse that was broken, with magic and loss. I’m loving the two men that are trying to help Ellie. They may be helping our heroine in different ways, but I like them both. I love the twists and turns. I cannot wait to read the next book.; to see how Ellie finds out her past, and perhaps how to use her own magic. This is such a fun read. Thank you!
Well now that Ellie has accepted her fate and is forced to find her big girl panties, she has to make some seriously questionable decisions about how to make things right, find the truth about her past & then there’s that little thing about saving the world. No problem.
She starts out feeling alone and abandoned once again by the events from book 1. She is now forced to think outside the box and in the process she finds friends and allies in strange places… as well as enemies.
Her power is increasing but there are so many puzzle pieces missing and only days to figure it all out. Not to mention staying alive from threats both mundane as well as paranormal, all while keeping those she loves safe.
I loved Ellie’s journey to reclaim her past and uncovering her connections to the colony of Roanoke. He childhood memories are slowly returning and bring light to some of the mysteries around her and her family. She is also becoming more confident after stumbling so much in book 1. Her heart is in pieces and yet she is able to lean on those she loves to keep going. Her strong need to make her Dad proud and find a way to become something she cannot even understand just yet. She has no idea how powerful she truly is, but she is tenacious and protective of those she loves.
This book is about her finding her power and the journey of healing her past. A new man comes into her life and I admit, just like Ellie, I have trust issues. I hope he is the knight she needs and deserves because I really do like him, but until book 3, The Curse Defiers, I won’t know for certain. 🤞🏻
Two months ago the Lost Colony of Roanoke reappeared. Ellie Lancaster is searching for answers to save humanity and her life. Having been betrayed by Collin Daily, Ellie no longer trusts him to give her the answers she needs. She is searching for the mark of Ahone as well as answers to defeat the Native American spirits, demons and gods that had escaped before the gate closed that are threatening all of humanity. Ellie seeks the help of Dr. David Preston a professor who is the head of the American Studies Department at NCU. He is considered an expert on North Carolinian Indians. After seeing the Lost Colony of Roanoke, David is willing to help Ellie search for the answerers she seeks. The man Marino continues to hunt for Ellie because he believes that she knows where the stolen Ricardo artifacts are hidden. The Curse Breakers is extremely action packed and exciting. Part of an urban fantasy trilogy it cannot a stand alone. Once again, Denise has uniquely created a fantastic breath taking thriller!
When Ellie was trick by Collin, her soul mate and second curse keeper, the gods and demons were released into the world. While Ellie has to choose and is trying to figure out which god to align with manly are losing their lives. Two particular demon/cursed humans are out to kill Claire. They don’t care what the gods say. They want revenge. As Claire try’s to understand more about what and how she is to stop what her and Collin have released it leads her to finding David. World renowned historian and professor. English, handsome and single. I’m torn between these two men and can not ever imagine how Claire will ever make a decision! I’m heart broken for both men and can not get enough of either. The intensity that the author makes you feel when Claire is with Collin is amazing! Yet David you can’t help but want him and Claire to make it through all of this and be together. Between all the action, close call situations, death and Romance this is a fast read and I can’t put the book down! I can not wait to get started with book 3 and see where this story ends.
A great sequel to The Curse Keepers! I really enjoyed the character development shown with Ellie (and even some with Collin). Then we have the introduction to David, who is such a sweet guy. Everything you’d want in a man. I love his character and know Ellie would be best with him, but am still drawn to Collin for some reason. Maybe I’m just too much of a sucker for the jerk turned nice guy cliché, but regardless, in the back of my head this entire novel I was secretly rooting for Collin. But then I really like David, so ugh. I don’t even know. Anyway, I was glad Claire and Drew were back for book 2, even if they played a much smaller role. I’m also happy about getting some more answers to questions and seeing everything start to fit together. I have no idea what I want out of book 3, but am excited to see what happens next!
The Curse Breakers is the follow up to The Curse Keepers and must be read in order. Basically, as soon as I finished the first one, I dove right into the next. After Collin tricked Ellie into opening the gate, she can no longer trust him. While he did help her shut it, he believes that things will equalize and won't help Ellie send the spirits back even as they are threatening to kill/torture her. So she attempts to find answers on her own.
I enjoyed this book more than the first - Ellie has started to come into her own and isn't just letting things happen to her anymore. We learn more about the history of the curse, but still don't get to know all of the answers. Collin left Ellie with some trust issues, but the sweet professor David is willing to help her with both that and the curse. Once again, as soon as I finished, I started on book #3!
This book was much better than the first one. I’m beginning to like Ellie more. She is, I don’t want to say maturing, but leveling out in her actions and not acting like a brat or sex starved nympho. She is trying to figure out how to send the evil spirits back and has the help of Dr. David Preston. Collin is still not one of my favorite characters but at the end of the book he redeemed himself. Hopefully it holds through book 3. Evil spirits are trying to kill Ellie and even Okeus has his own evil plan for her. She is basically working alone in sending the evil spirits back to Hell. Collin won’t help her at all. Enter David, who she sought out to get information as he was an expert in the field. I like these two together more. I’m excited for book 3 to see what happens next.
That fateful day that Ellie and Collin met in the diner, the curse finally broke along with the barriers between the human and spiritual worlds. They are destined to live up to this ancient prophecy and defend humanity against evil. Ellie is now stronger than ever before, and must prepare for battle against the spirits. The Curse Breakers has deep historical roots that become even more prevalent when Ellie enlists the help of Dr. David Preston, a professor of Native American studies. They work together to finish what the Curse Keepers started in book one. A very well written, interesting, historical story that will hold your interest from start to finish. Five stars!
I love book 2 in this series more than book 1. To me the storyline has come together more, you have a good idea of all the characters, and it's just more exciting to me. Book 1 focuses on the backstory (nothing wrong with that since that's how it should be), but now that the backstory is kind of out of the way its really getting into the guts of the storyline and that's what I enjoy.
This installment follows Ellie trying to figure out how to save herself and the rest of humanity from okeus. She has so much more backbone in this book and I love to see it. Be sure to have book 3 ready to go because you're gonna wanna jump right in!
Just like the first book, I dived right into this book. While I was ready to see how the dynamics between Ellie and Collin had changed after the events of the first book ending, I would have to wait a while for this to happen. Although, Collins's presence was never that far away from Ellie.
Ellie is still trying to learn all she can about the curse and how to keep the demons and Okeus from coming after her. She is joined by David, a professor who has knowledge of Native American history. Together they try to figure out how to stop Okeus.
Collin does make an appearance in the last couple of chapters. I look forward to reading book three.
Ellie and Collin have opened the gate and sealed it but what has come out? Things that have been locked away for more than 400 years and they want revenge. Can Okeus (god) keep them at bay while he charms Ellie? Was the sacrifices that Ellie and Collin did going to be enough? Must read to see what happens. Absolutely loved this ride of learning more about the curse and more about what they must do to save the world. Can Ellie overcome her feelings of betrayal to do what must be done? Go read it to find out.
The sequel to The Curse Keepers It's mandatory to read that first. No exceptions! This story was more focused on Ellie and her journey after the gates opened. I was super interested to learn what happened with the relationship between Ellie and Colin. You can really tell and feel in the writing that she is struggling. You feel her pain and her frustration in the beginning. This one is less romance-relationship-oriented, but it doesn’t remove it completely. I have no idea how they are going to manage to fix the curse.
I enjoyed this book beyond what I expected with a reread. I was so excited to see we get a revamp of Ellie's world. She is one of my favorites of Denise's. This book picks up right where the other stops. Ellie is trying to find out more on the curse. She and her new friend David are awesome together. I love what he has added to the story. I think I was along for the ride with this book. I just could not put it down. I can't wait for the next book. Ellie has a lot of stuff she needs to figure out and we need to see where David and Collins are going to be at in the end.
The storyline progresses in book 2 where book 1 left off. David’s character was a nice welcome. He is the ideal partner though there does seem to be an intensity in his character that is missing when it becomes his pursuit that I found captivating in Collin. The mystery slowly unravels with plenty other worldly action. Ellie’s inner circle is in danger and like any good heroine she steps up to the plate to face issues head on. Looking forward to book 3.
Wow book 2 is awesome, at least to me it's better than the 1st..... The action really kicks up in this one. The gods are testing Ellie and are determined to have her choose one of them. But it's hard she has only 7 days or at least by first light on the 7th day before all H E Double Hockey Sticks breaks loose.... This is a definitely a no putter down book..... I Very Highly Recommend This Book...... Now gotta go read the 3rd book.........