From New York Times bestselling author, Scarlett Dawn, comes the third installment in The Cold Mark Saga, Stop, where tipping points are reached and surprises lurk…
Braita Valorn is stuck. She has no real freedom, her existence dependent on what the men of Triaz decide. Her fate is not her own. But she desperately wants it to be and will do anything to make it so.
When a chance for freedom arises, she does what she must. Hard choices of theft end as a careless endeavor, leaving her life on the line. Will the Plumas of Triaz stop her downfall or will they thirst for retribution?
New York Times bestselling author and award-winner, Scarlett Dawn, is the mastermind behind the Forever Evermore fantasy series, the Origin paranormal dystopian stories, the Vampire Crown paranormal romance thrillers, the Mark science fantasy saga, and the Lion Security contemporary romance series.
She lives in the Midwest, adores her music loud, and demands her fries covered in melted cheese.
3.5 Stars. Stop is the third installment in author Scarlett Dawn’s new adult, sci-fi serial: Cold Mark Saga. I adore Scarlett Dawn and will read anything she writes, but this serial business is getting kind of old. Sorry, just being honest in my reading experience. Before the Cold Mark Saga, I had never read serials before so this was new and I thought I could handle it. But getting such short snippets of a story every few months is starting to wear on me. Partly because each piece ends in a climactic scene (which is really what's driving me crazy) and partly because Ms. Dawn is such a strong storyteller that I want the whole story, not just pieces of it.
The Cold Mark Saga is coming together as quite an engaging and interesting story as a whole, but I'm feeling like I might just wait and read the books back to back once they've all been released. So hurry Ms. Dawn, please hurry!!!
What can I say, the Plumas of the west & most certainly those of the east, continue to enthrall and delight me;-)
Both Vaq pairs are ruthless, but honorable rulers over their subjects, yet adorably soft when it comes to fulfilling Braita's - to them - ludicrous demands;-)
I enjoyed Killeg's and Phila's gentle flirtation and subtle posturing for Braita's heart. As for Phila's whispered message: Let's just say I WILL need to read about how he fulfills his promise at some point;-)
I felt for Malik and Leo too, though, and I am very curious to see just how both set of Plumas will be dealing with certain TSTL individuals from Joyal... I mean, come on, how did they think the Mian would react?!
Now that Braita has put her four Mian's loyalty to the ultimate test, it will be curious to see how she'll be able to cope with their wrath and vengeance. After all, she's only ever witnessed them on their best behavior and never seen their warlord personalities.
Is it too much to hope for that the five of them will kiss and make up... together? ;-)
Could she be lucky enough to get two pair of Vaq's eventually? If not, I call dibs on Killeg and Phila. Yeah, you heard me, Scarlett Dawn: May I have them? Pretty please? :-)
Hasn’t following the perils of Braita been one heck of a ride? Our brash and brave heroine is still at the mercy of the men of Triaz, but she does give them a run for their money as she finds little ways to test both her limits and theirs. Braita almost seems like she is acting like a willful child at times, is it part of her plan for escape? How has Braita tamed the warrior plumas? Does someone have a secret to divulge? How will Braita be affected? Has she taking her daring hopes of escape too far? A woman as independent as Braita can only take so much fawning, or has she found these plumas have come to mean something special to her?
Stop by Scarlett Dawn is the third installment of this novella series, quick, intense and filled with some humor and outright quirkiness, there is never a dull moment when Ms. Dawn takes pencil to paper. Braita’s reactions to little surprises are priceless, and the way she handles her keepers? Kind of make one wonder who is the captive and who isn’t, well, except for the fact that Braita isn’t allowed to go home. Great writing, fast pace and a lot of story for a quick read! Will the next installment be the end of this roller coaster?
Series - Cold Mark - Book 3 Publication Date: February 4, 2015 Publisher: Scarlett Dawn Genre: Romantic Sci-Fi Print Length: 58 pages Available from: Amazon Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
I loved the first book and liked the second but as they go on my enthusiasm for this series seems to fade.
This is the third book in the series and it still feels like the author is just skimming the surface of the Mian world. The installments are just too short and because of that I don't feel the story has progressed and developed enough.
My main problem with this book was Braita. In the first book Braita came across as feisty and headstrong but in this installment I struggled to see her as anything more than a little girl. The scene with the fair made me think of a young child guilt tripping her parents into buying her things. Candy and puppies are just a little too cute and fluffy for my liking.
I'm still crushing on the Pluma's (even though we still don't know much about them apart from they are amazingly good looking). I do think I prefer Killeg and Phila , I love their witty banter with Braita and the sparks that fly ;)
I didn't love it but I'm still curious to see how this series wraps up.
What a disappointment.I love this story but i really like a book with twists and turns.Unfortunately in this book you'll only get a twist and a turn then it leaves you hanging for a couple of months again were you'll be highly anticipating its release but the might be even shorter than the one before.
Another fine installment in this sci-fi serial. They might be short, but she always chucks some good surprises in there, and always a good dose of humour appropriately injected.
The characters have stood up well to their defined and unique personalities, which continue to develop strongly through the story, and as always, the plot thickens.
There's no way I'm going to put any spoilers in here, and I shall add that all up the cliffhanger isn't as awful as it could be.
I understand the next book is due around April/May, so let's hope that timetable stands.
Can't wait, as I've been hanging out in excitement for this book, I shall hang on to my sanity for the next.
You give me this intriguing universe that I'm dying to know more about, these characters that I care about and this situation that keeps me hooked, and yet I'm so frustrated.
I know cliffhangers. I love a good cliffhanger. This isn't a cliffhanger this is you stopping in the middle of the climax. These are not books they are sections, by the time all five parts come out you will have enough material for part of a book.
I really do love what you've given me so far, but I want to know more. I want to know about the history of the different planets, I want to hear more about the culture and how they came to be, I want more.
I understand that sometimes authors like to leave some mystery and questions up to the reader, this doesn't feel like that though. This feels like uncompleted work.
Once again I want to emphasize I really really love what I've read so far, it's just not enough.
This is definitely a series that is better read one after the other--unless you have a really good memory for books.
I read book 2 around Christmas and had forgotten a lot of what had happened previously when I bought this a couple of hours ago and decided to read it straight away.
I remembered the east and west and the two members that ruled each side, that she had belonged to one but seen something that shocked/hurt her and she had run off to the other...and that was about it.
Sci-fi is not one of my favourite genres and because of that I think I'm going to end my reading of this series here at book 3.
This book was chock full of excitement but I now officially Dislike Briata and Jax I mean... They just... I dunno I just can't like them. They are showing no forethought at all and they are unbelievably selfish.
Coz I'm a freak I'm gonna finish this 'saga' as I kinda have too... but I'm not sure I'll enjoy it...
I will still be looking out for ANYTHING by Scarlett I do love her writing and her style... Just not this time :(
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review
That has to be one of the most intense reads I've had in a while...and that's saying something...because I read like ALOT! Stop picks up right where Sink left off. So if you haven't read this series yet, be aware that there will be minor spoilers to the previous books in this review. Braita must come face to face with her Vaq and confront the feelings she has for them. They seem remorseful and even apologetic but I find it a bit funny that they can be after she caught them in bed together AND not to mention all the things they've kept from her. Will Braita forgive them or will she stay with the "enemy" or will she just find a way to escape?
I've said it before and I'll say it again....I love Braita! She is such a fun character to experience. She is naive to the world's ways as a result of her upbringing (in this dystopian world, humans don't touch or make love...everything is done through science and I do mean EVERYTHING) and so when she winds up on Triaz and finds her Vaq, she's overwhelmed. Over the last two books we've seen her slowly come to grips with the reality of her situation and she's opening up to touch and feelings she's never had before. In her mind it's all still taboo which just adds to her cuteness and I think the appeal she has for the Vaq. In this book, we see Braita come to terms with her embarrassment and feelings of betrayal after catching her Vaq in bed together. I think she handles it rather well.
Oh the men in Braita's life!!! Let's address them in order of appearance shall we ;) First the Plumas of the East, Killeg and Phila, who are half-brothers and Vaq. For some reason, these two (who I like much better than Braita's Vaq pair) are extremely interested in her. I'm not sure whether I trust them or just WANT to trust them. They are wily pair for sure and in this book they keep as close an eye as possible on Braita without breaking any laws.
Second we have Jax, Braita's best friend and only human she knows on Triaz. Jax has a plan and at the end of book two slipped Braita a note about being ready to run. She has no clue what this means and Jax doesn't let her in on anything until close to the end...no spoilers there ;) Honestly, I want Braita with Jax, I like him and he's her species, also who doesn't love a best friend romance?!
Lastly the Plumas of the West, Malik and Leo, the lovers and Braita's Vaq. Needless to say I did feel sorry for them when Braita sees them for the first time. The situation is beyond uncomfortable and they are exhausted from worry and searching for her. They are sweet and kind to Braita, but I have to wonder if that will continue or if it's just a show for those handing her back to them. They've never harmed her, but they lied by omission ALOT! I have to wonder where their interests lie.
Overall this book is amazeballs (is that a word?)! Seriously, it's amazing. And the ending...OH!!!! What are you doing to me Scarlett?!?! The ending is just I can't discuss it. I need the next book ASAP. If you enjoy science fiction and the new adult genre, I highly suggest you check out this series. You will not be disappointed.
This is the 3rd in this series and you have to have read the first 2 before picking up Stop
I think I liked this installment the best of the 3 so far. Jax and Braita's rollercoaster of a story continues, you never quite know where it is going to take you.
I love Braita's conflicting emotions, love her and Jax's friendship.
The only thing for me though - way too short! Just as I was really getting into it, it ended :( I think maybe I will wait till the next two parts are out before continuing - but this might not worry anyone else, but I hate the waiting!
Ohmygoodnessohmygoodness....that ending. Just. WTH was that?!?! Seriously, this series is going to kill me with those endings. I swear. Wow. Just. Wow.
I have so much love for this series and with each new addition, I get sucked further into the awesomeness. Scarlett Dawn truly is a gifted writer, that she can pull me in the small amount of pages that she has...it's just awesomeness.
Braita is a really cool chick, seriously. And holy crap on crackers but her male suitor list is growing. I'm very perplexed over who she will end up with in the end. I'm really not sure. At all. Craziness. Those Pumas are something else....
Aside from the messy romantic entaglements, there is a fun and involving story going on, the cliffhanger from Sink is mostly resolved...kinda, sorta. It kind of just sets up the brutal cliffhanger ending of Stop.
I love this series. Big crazy love. I wish it was longer and that these were full length novels, but honestly I'll take what I can get from Scarlett Dawn and the Cold Mark Saga is pretty freaking awesome. Can't wait to see what happens next!
This is a hard book to review because 1. it took me a chapter or two to remember what I previously read from the other series-to long of time between book releases-this isn't a bad thing 2. the length was to short. Maybe in terms of word count it compares to other seriels but the picture the author paints is too complex and has to many people and moving parts to be this short of a book. In short, I feel like I missed a lot of the story because of the length. To have happier readers and have a successful series, the author needs to lengthen the books or decrease the time inbetwen books so if it "feel" like a longer book and increase the installments. I think there will be two more short books after this series and I question if the author can complete and give justice to the story line with two more short books. I feel like this book series should have been three full length novels like the King Hall Series. The story line requires it!
Despite my objections after the last book in this series, I decided to read this one. I still stand by opinion of not liking this new trend of taking one book and dividing it into many, but having started the story I find myself wanting to know how it ends. This was just another chapter or two of the story though, it had some entertaining moments some more questions answered. I felt it was lacking something though, it seemed rushed and not as much care or thought was put into it, and that Scarlett was trying to force the humor in this story, I haven't felt that with any of her other stories so maybe it is a one off. So I give it two stars because it was ok, nothing more nothing less. I'm not a big fan of the lead female character, she is supposed to be one of the best from her world yet she comes across as dumb and childish.
*** I received this ARC from the author in return for my honest opinions. ***
NOTE TO READERS....... Be prepared to be blown away! Not only has she done it again but she has left us hanging and waiting anxiously for the next installment! ! OMG Jax....well you just read it for yourselves! I'm rating it five hearts!!
For all those who read this my one burning questions is not Do the carpets match the drapes... we already know that. hehehe The question is Were they made in a factory with little to no carbon footprint Braita ? LMAO
I'd give this a 5 star except cliffhanger
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was really looking forward to this one. I liked it OK. I am a little torn on what I want to happen all around. The beginning is good. We are getting the lay of the land so to speak. Stiller, the voice of reason, who knew.
I noticed the change in Braita the most in this book. In fall and Sink you know she is a fighter but you can tell she is emotionally child like. I watched her grow in this book. There was a moment were I was like "Oh look our little girl is growing up" It was nice to see. By the end of Stop there is one thing I know. There is no way Braita and Jax..Human or Alien are coming out of this unscathed. I am feeling the heart break already. Now on to other things.
I know that these are more like chapters to the bigger story. A story, which I am very interested in, but this one just ended so wrong for me. I really like the world that this is in. There is so much there. I could read about these characters for years. I really don't mind the serials. They are like tv shows. Sink ended cliffy but there was enough story before hand to keep me satisfied. It felt more of an ending than this one did. It was way cliffy. It wasn't mid sentence (like I have seen by other people), but if there was just a little bit more it would have worked just as fine as Sink's ending.
Over all it kept my attention and even made me do a "Oh no I can't read this next part" kindle shut. I am worried and sad for every character in this story. Mother Joyal help them all. Two months seems so far from now for the next one. I will read this one again.
I was so excited to get my hands on part 3 of this series! I could NOT STOP reading this until I was completely finished! Which came much too soon of course as I was thoroughly engrossed in the chaos the Mian seem to crave. As always Scarlett Dawn brought the awesome & I fell right back into the story I missed so much. I'm grateful for the short glimpses into this take, because I know it would take much longer if we had to wait for a full length novel to be released...but at the same time, as soon as I'm right smack in the middle of it all we are dropped off that beloved cliff once again. Owell...such is our love hate relationship. :D At least I know it is always worth the wait!
Stop began right where Sink left us.; answering some questions while bringing up even more. There is so much going on in this story: emotion, drama, comedy, action, suspense, & conspiracy The plumas had me under their spell once again, & the twist Scarlett through at us...well I NEVER saw that coming! I'm not a fan of spoilers, so you won't get those details now....but That Ending!!!! Aaaaargh!!!! I am so unsure of how this will end. I long, of course, for that Happy Ever After ending, but there are so many ways this could play out & I foresee someone(s) getting a not so HEA no matter what. Seriously, how can you choose between the plumas of the east or the west?!? That is such a hard choice when Braita's body, mind, & soul literally aches when she's not near the leaders of the west. But...those from the east sure know how to make a gal tremble hearing their flirtatious comments & inside jokes. I will say that Jax totally surprised me in this one! And Rule...oh I really like him! I know there is much more awesome to come, so now I am going to keep myself busy until we get the next installment in April. ;-) http://jenisbookshelf.blogspot.com/20...
I feel like I have so many questions after reading Stop, Braita is finally reunited with her Pluma, sort of. And I quite enjoying reading the inner struggles of Braita, and her growing attractions for the Eastern Pluma, which I have to say I much prefer for Braita, rather than her own Pluma anyway. Base on what I read so far, I am not sure if the Western Pluma could love Braita like how the Pluma pair love each other. I though with the Western Pluma, the situation was more of paranormal, rather than a natural attraction that shared between Braita and the Eastern Pluma. There is a plot twist towards the end, and this novella does end with a cliffhanger.
Overall I thought the story have progress a little more with this novella, although I still have issues with the length, Stop was fairly short (85 pages according to Amazon), perhaps the shortest installment so far. Since I tend to enjoy a book much more when it's more well-rounded, where as the last installment focused little more on Braita and her interactions with the two Eastern Primer, in Stop we were giving a fleeting scene of Braita's reunion with her Souls. Then almost immediately there is the plot twist, I feel the reunion was cut far too short, and there weren't enough preparation that to lead to the plot twist.
I am not sure how many books will be published for the series, but I do hope to see more interactions between Braita and the Eastern Pluma. Also something have occur in this novella that pique my curiosity, I look forward to see the meaning of the situation.
I enjoyed the first two books so I was kind of expecting something in this third installment.
I was disappointed about Braita's journey here. I didn't mind when she left her Vaq because of some misunderstanding and a lie of omission. But seriously, I was contented with both Leo and Malik already. I felt that the bonds were in place but I know it's their fault. My problem was that Braita might actually have new additional potential lovers and her phrase not mine that technically her Vaq weren't really together so it's okay for that type of skin contact. I can't even imagine how her relationship between this two pair of Vaq will be. Plus, there's the Soul thing, it kind of makes it more complicated because of it's meaning.
I don't mind Killeg and Phila, I found out that they were also the good variety but do they have to make Braita's love life more complicated? I really hated Braita from here and also she was acting like a child. I understand her love and friendship for Jax. I'm surprise about Jax too and I'm happy for him.
I won't spoil what goes on from here but there's that little twist near the end that leaves you hanging.
I received an arc from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Ok I'm kind of in two minds about this one! Again it is a quick read.
The way the series is going - I liked book 1, loved book 2, liked book 3! My feelings about the series seem to be going up and down constantly as I read them.
This obviously is book 3 in the series and the previous two books must be read first.
Stop features, to me, a very different Braita than we have seen in the previous books. She appears very childlike, is constantly changing her mind about she wants, and seems more eager to follow rather than lead. This is why I am still undecided as to exactly what I feel about the book.
The story goes off on a different tangent to what I was expecting. We find out that some characters have been keeping secrets, and their intentions aren't what we first believed.
The ending had me wanting to throw my kindle at the wall, what a cliffhanger.
I am enjoying the series, but I hope the author releases it as a full length story once all parts have been released. I would definitely buy and reread the series then as I'm struggling with having to wait so long between each novella.
I received this ebook directly from the author in exchange for an honest review. My first reaction: But.. but... too short!!! too deranged!!! too much of a cliffhanger!!! *go screaming into the night* After a long time, in a more sane state of mind: I love Scarlett Dawn's writing and I love the Cold Mark serial with a vengeance. Sadly, I was disappointed by Stop. In this chapter, my all-time favorite heroine, Braita, is an insufferable, spoiled brat. I believe, now, that it was intentional... but I hated how she thinks only of herself and not of the consequences. Now, like an alien Helen of Troy, she brought war to her planet... I'm dying to see what happen next. If it was me? 4 hot boys that want me and to have hot sex with me? Where do I need to sign? Surely I would NOT run, lol. Vote: 3.5 stars
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It was so exciting to have this show up in my email the day the book released. I had been looking forward to it! Especially because Scarlett Dawn is a sadist. She likes to end her books on cliff hangers and cackle as her fans wait in anticipation for the next book.
Just like the other two books in the series, I was completely taken off guard by what happened in this book. I did NOT expect any of what I read. Which is why I love this series so much!
The beginning did put me off a bit. I felt like it was just a rush to get to the good stuff.
OH! And you'll never guess how this one ends... oh wait, A CLIFF HANGER! *woe*