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STORM
The FBI blackmailed Storm Crandall; but only after Storm hacked their database. At sixteen, she’s under cover at a high school, looking for clues involving five missing girls. Besides computer skills, Storm has game in the magic department. A sect of the Temple of Set soon finds out power comes in many guises. With two FBI agents posing as her parents in the city of Warren, Ohio, Storm finds love, allies, and tragedy in her hunt for answers. By fulfilling her end of the bargain, Storm can buy her way out of spending the days until her eighteenth birthday in a juvenile detention facility. The FBI agents discover their young charge can do more than type fast. Their first encounter with the creature behind the disappearances shows the agents they need Storm for far more than information gathering as a high school spy. With Storm’s FBI handlers shadowing her every movement and conversation, small breakthroughs in the case come to light. Three girls from the high school visit Perkins Park at night where the disappearances had happened, playing a dangerous game of dare. Two of the girls, Nancy Alverson and Chris Vasquez, leave their friend Carol Wangden alone in the park after an argument. They walk to the local Burger King only blocks away, hoping for a ride from Logan Stanfield. Finding Storm there with Tracy Washington, they explain the game they had been playing. Logan drives to the park with Storm and Tracy to find Carol. Agents Dixon and Holloway, listening in, head for the park too. Logan holds off the monster they find chasing down Carol long enough for Storm to cast an impromptu invocation which disperses the demon in front her companions. Teaming up with the enigmatic Logan, Storm begins unraveling a horror no one anticipated. When the case morphs from serial kidnapping into a supernatural witch hunt, Storm and her friends, under the guidance of the FBI agents, scramble to stay alive while tracking down monsters both human and inhuman.
- GenresThriller
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2011
21 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Bernard Lee DeLeo
111 books92 followersBorn and raised in Warren, Ohio, Mr. DeLeo writes Pulp Fiction in many genres. Seventy of his novels are available on the Amazon marketplace and are free for Kindle Unlimited members. He served aboard the USS Ranger (CVA61) from 1969 until November of 1972. After the Navy, he earned an AA degree in Auto Technology from Chabot College in Hayward, CA, and a BA degree in English from Cal State Hayward.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 9, 2012
STORM rolled in and blew me away! As a frequent reader of YA fiction, it is hard to find authors who manage to take the best elements of YA fiction and craft something that is fresh and interesting to adults as well as young adults. And since paranormal YA fiction is hot, hot, hot right now, there is a flood on the market - some good, some not so good and every once and a while one pops up that is truly creative and stands out for unique elements. STORM happens to be one of those stories.
Storm Crandall makes for one unusual heroine. As a self professed queen of the nerd herd, I firmly espouse the believe that smart chicks rule. But Bernard DeLeo creates an uber smart chick who solves the mystery, saves the day AND gets the guy. All highly key elements in a YA story and the winning combination seems to include just enough of the right stuff - just enough mystery, just enough paranormal, just enough romantic storyline without going overboard and becoming a parody of it's adult fiction counterparts which occurs all too frequently. Her friends are interesting and eclectic and Logan the scarred Marine hero saves the day over and over. They make the perfect odd couple!
Well written and edited, this story takes on the flavor of many of the classic campy television shows it frequently references: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and X-Files in particular. There are moments of truly humorous dialogue that makes the reader laugh out loud. There are also moments of true terror when mysterious paranormal elements occur during the joint FBI/student body investigation into the missing teens of Warren, Ohio. The interactions between the brilliant, sassy teen and her unconventional FBI handlers are priceless and some of the best moments. DeLeo captures the lingo, social interactions and emotional intensity of today's teens without sounding forced or trendy. The disciples of the Temple of Set as the evil villains are an excellent choice - capturing some current event type scenarios that have a realistic feel while still walking that fantastical paranormal edge.
For fans of Buffy and X-Files, STORM will speak to you. For the YA set and the adults who gravitate toward YA stories, it's completely appropriate and highly enjoyable. While the main character was female, ultimately the cast was an ensemble and there were enough male characters to offset this as "chick lit" and make it quite universal. Provided the readers aren't potential hackers in the making, I think STORM makes for one fantastic read - fast paced, high intensity, and full of mystery and wit. Here's hoping STORM's first encounter with the literary world isn't her last!
I give this supercharged story Five Chocolate Dipped Strawberries. This review was originally written for the Guilty Indulgence Bookclub: http://guiltyindulgencebookclub.blogs...
Storm Crandall makes for one unusual heroine. As a self professed queen of the nerd herd, I firmly espouse the believe that smart chicks rule. But Bernard DeLeo creates an uber smart chick who solves the mystery, saves the day AND gets the guy. All highly key elements in a YA story and the winning combination seems to include just enough of the right stuff - just enough mystery, just enough paranormal, just enough romantic storyline without going overboard and becoming a parody of it's adult fiction counterparts which occurs all too frequently. Her friends are interesting and eclectic and Logan the scarred Marine hero saves the day over and over. They make the perfect odd couple!
Well written and edited, this story takes on the flavor of many of the classic campy television shows it frequently references: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and X-Files in particular. There are moments of truly humorous dialogue that makes the reader laugh out loud. There are also moments of true terror when mysterious paranormal elements occur during the joint FBI/student body investigation into the missing teens of Warren, Ohio. The interactions between the brilliant, sassy teen and her unconventional FBI handlers are priceless and some of the best moments. DeLeo captures the lingo, social interactions and emotional intensity of today's teens without sounding forced or trendy. The disciples of the Temple of Set as the evil villains are an excellent choice - capturing some current event type scenarios that have a realistic feel while still walking that fantastical paranormal edge.
For fans of Buffy and X-Files, STORM will speak to you. For the YA set and the adults who gravitate toward YA stories, it's completely appropriate and highly enjoyable. While the main character was female, ultimately the cast was an ensemble and there were enough male characters to offset this as "chick lit" and make it quite universal. Provided the readers aren't potential hackers in the making, I think STORM makes for one fantastic read - fast paced, high intensity, and full of mystery and wit. Here's hoping STORM's first encounter with the literary world isn't her last!
I give this supercharged story Five Chocolate Dipped Strawberries. This review was originally written for the Guilty Indulgence Bookclub: http://guiltyindulgencebookclub.blogs...
January 17, 2018
Storm
It was a calming book. I can't wait until my husband reads this. When I say calming, I don't mean there wasn't any excitement because there was. I guess it was just what I needed in the paranormal surge. It kept my interest from the beginning and that's important to me. Just sad there wasn't more.
It was a calming book. I can't wait until my husband reads this. When I say calming, I don't mean there wasn't any excitement because there was. I guess it was just what I needed in the paranormal surge. It kept my interest from the beginning and that's important to me. Just sad there wasn't more.
December 26, 2018
Fun for all!!
This was a great story! I could hardly put it wn!! Characters were very likeable!! You found yourself rooting for them the whole time!!! Loved it from beginning to end!!
This was a great story! I could hardly put it wn!! Characters were very likeable!! You found yourself rooting for them the whole time!!! Loved it from beginning to end!!
September 3, 2019
Fun
A fun snarky, paranormal, read. Storm a high school sophomore computer whiz, helping the FBI look into 5 missing girls. Penance for hacking into homeland security on a lark. Next -satanic cult, daemons, oh my. Great read
A fun snarky, paranormal, read. Storm a high school sophomore computer whiz, helping the FBI look into 5 missing girls. Penance for hacking into homeland security on a lark. Next -satanic cult, daemons, oh my. Great read
July 5, 2012
This book was real interesting, from the characters to the plot line. Things happen that I didn't expect it to happy the way it did and just the overall feel of the book kept me reading till the end.
Our main character Storm has a really unique name for a character in a book. First time I’ve seen one in a story so it caught my attention right away when I read the summary. For being a new kid for a week she has already made friends with a couple different people and it started by talking to one person in particular which is Logan. There is one problem I found with this character it’s that For one character, she has too many nicknames. It becomes frustrating keeping track of them all. Even Storm is frustrated by all the nicknames she has:
“I‟m going to forget what my name is if I stay around this place much longer,” Storm muttered, hanging up the phone.
Sure, people have nicknames, but usually only by a small group of close friends and family. They don’t get a nickname from everyone they meet.
The side characters all work together to make the story work. Logan with his background in the army did well in helping Storm when she needed it. Not to mention that he really is a good guy despite what people think due to his scars. As for the FBI agents they are both a good laugh, there names are Ted and Janet but Storm loves to make fun of Janet and call her Scully from X-files. They both know how to do their job and how to stay undercover until the need to present themselves came around. Then you have the four other girls, which are Tracy, who Storm met and talk to first becoming quick friends. Then you have the three silly girls Carol, Chris and Nancy, the reason they are silly is because they went to the park where the killings happen by themselves.
I had one problem that I found a little surprising in this story. Storm and Logan only began talking a week after Storm moved to the school, and somehow after the event in the forest, they turn from just being friends to being something more when Logan kissed Storm. Yes, there was some attraction between the two of them, but that kiss was too fast. It seems like the author wanted the romance to happen right away, placing it in the beginning of the book rather then the middle or end. The focus up to that point was on the monster of the park. This romance appears out of left field. At this point in the book (page 104 of 213), Storm's only had friends for two days after being at the school for a week, and now suddenly she has a boyfriend. Yes, this is a fantasy book, but that's not what happens in a real high school situation.
I did enjoy the plot, it was interesting but a bit to predictable. I was never surprised by anything that happen. Not to mention that it had a lot of let down scenes, where you expect something bad to happen but something else always stops it before it does happen. Besides that I could tell that the author did plan it out the best she could for what felt like a short story. Oh, one thing did surprise me, I never clued in on there being actually witches in this story so I did like that twist.
Our main character Storm has a really unique name for a character in a book. First time I’ve seen one in a story so it caught my attention right away when I read the summary. For being a new kid for a week she has already made friends with a couple different people and it started by talking to one person in particular which is Logan. There is one problem I found with this character it’s that For one character, she has too many nicknames. It becomes frustrating keeping track of them all. Even Storm is frustrated by all the nicknames she has:
“I‟m going to forget what my name is if I stay around this place much longer,” Storm muttered, hanging up the phone.
Sure, people have nicknames, but usually only by a small group of close friends and family. They don’t get a nickname from everyone they meet.
The side characters all work together to make the story work. Logan with his background in the army did well in helping Storm when she needed it. Not to mention that he really is a good guy despite what people think due to his scars. As for the FBI agents they are both a good laugh, there names are Ted and Janet but Storm loves to make fun of Janet and call her Scully from X-files. They both know how to do their job and how to stay undercover until the need to present themselves came around. Then you have the four other girls, which are Tracy, who Storm met and talk to first becoming quick friends. Then you have the three silly girls Carol, Chris and Nancy, the reason they are silly is because they went to the park where the killings happen by themselves.
I had one problem that I found a little surprising in this story. Storm and Logan only began talking a week after Storm moved to the school, and somehow after the event in the forest, they turn from just being friends to being something more when Logan kissed Storm. Yes, there was some attraction between the two of them, but that kiss was too fast. It seems like the author wanted the romance to happen right away, placing it in the beginning of the book rather then the middle or end. The focus up to that point was on the monster of the park. This romance appears out of left field. At this point in the book (page 104 of 213), Storm's only had friends for two days after being at the school for a week, and now suddenly she has a boyfriend. Yes, this is a fantasy book, but that's not what happens in a real high school situation.
I did enjoy the plot, it was interesting but a bit to predictable. I was never surprised by anything that happen. Not to mention that it had a lot of let down scenes, where you expect something bad to happen but something else always stops it before it does happen. Besides that I could tell that the author did plan it out the best she could for what felt like a short story. Oh, one thing did surprise me, I never clued in on there being actually witches in this story so I did like that twist.
August 11, 2014
This paranormal books gives you a bit of everything that makes a great witch read. You start off with the high school normal stuff, you know, bullies, the loner who stands up for the underdog and the new girl who gets harassed then BOOM everything you think you have figured out by this beginning gets thrown right out the window. What you really have is a conjured demon, a witch sect, a cougar who lures young men into the cult to do her bidding and a young girl who got herself in trouble for computer hacking to save the day.
Great read all the way around. I very much enjoyed this one.
Great read all the way around. I very much enjoyed this one.
December 17, 2015
Pure entertainment
How, you may ask, can a story about witches and demons, teenagers both alive and dead, and the FBI be entertaining?
This is not a run-of-the-mill paranormal story. Storm is assisting the FBI in their investigation of five missing teenagers. The agents, Janet and Ted, are posing as Storm's parents and are in constant contact with her, even when it becomes inconvenient for Storm.
I cannot divulge more without spoiling the plot, but this is a real page-turner. Give it a try; I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
How, you may ask, can a story about witches and demons, teenagers both alive and dead, and the FBI be entertaining?
This is not a run-of-the-mill paranormal story. Storm is assisting the FBI in their investigation of five missing teenagers. The agents, Janet and Ted, are posing as Storm's parents and are in constant contact with her, even when it becomes inconvenient for Storm.
I cannot divulge more without spoiling the plot, but this is a real page-turner. Give it a try; I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
August 12, 2015
Great Book
I found this to be a fun read! Storm is a very interesting character! This book was easy to read, and I'd love to see if there will be more stories with Storm in them. (Like will her and Logan be able to find out where their relationships goes now that Storm's assignment in Warren is over with? Will she continue working with the F. B. I.)??
I found this to be a fun read! Storm is a very interesting character! This book was easy to read, and I'd love to see if there will be more stories with Storm in them. (Like will her and Logan be able to find out where their relationships goes now that Storm's assignment in Warren is over with? Will she continue working with the F. B. I.)??
March 21, 2015
unbelievable but funny. over the top. teenage witch and hacker helps fbi solve crime in small Ohio town and finds romance with an underaged marine corp hero while chasing a demon who is killing humans. called by a demon obsessed teacher seducing her students.
July 19, 2013
Enjoyable reading if you are into paranormal. I wasn't until recently and I have started reading some paranormal and found it interesting.
June 25, 2014
Great read
I started this book thinking I would probably not finish it because I'm not a fan of the supernatural. But boy was I surprised fast moving and great characters.
I started this book thinking I would probably not finish it because I'm not a fan of the supernatural. But boy was I surprised fast moving and great characters.
July 2, 2012
review to come but rating is 3.5
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews