SCENT: A Paranormal YA Mystery and Romantic Suspense

The Delta Girls #3

by Juliet Madison

"Unique and Memorable. The Delta Girls is a compelling series." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Alli Sinclair, bestselling and award winning author, screenwriter and producer.

Five Sisters. Five Senses. One Gift. No Instructions.

“Love... I craved it, longed for it; something to bind me to another so beautifully, intensely, permanently; something to fill that big gaping hole in my heart from...”

Sassy Sasha is having an online interlude with a secret admirer. She's convinced it's the gorgeous Taylor Petrenko behind the romantic emails. There's little time for love, though. As new developments come to light around their father's disappearance, the Delta Girls start to question just how well they knew their father.

The five sisters experience increasingly detailed and troubling sensory predictions that bring fear and uncertainty, weighing them down with the responsibility of helping those in need. Sasha distracts herself with the excitement of newfound romance, refusing to partake in further analysis of the visions.

When Sasha’s sisters cover for her so she can sneak out for a date, her sense of scent becomes heightened and awakens the memory of a vision she shared with her sisters. Sasha realizes a moment too late that she is in danger, and must gather all of her strength if she is to save her own life.


"This series gets better and better!" - Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Not only did I find myself loving her character but I was rooting for her, crying with her, and falling in love along side her. If you’ve enjoyed the series up to this point, you will love Sasha’s story!" - Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Sasha's story is by far my favorite one yet, and I'm amazed by the overwhelming admiration I have found for someone who does not even exist, though she sure feels real to me." - Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Suspense, Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult

209 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 12, 2016

About the author

Juliet Madison is a bestselling and award-nominated author of 20 books with humour, heart, and serendipity. Writing both fiction and self help, she is also an artist and colouring book illustrator, a mind/body/spirit coach, and a writing course creator.

With her background as a naturopath and a dancer, Juliet is passionate about living a healthy and positive life. She likes to combine her love of words, art, and self-empowerment to create books that entertain and inspire readers to find the magic in everyday life.

Juliet lives on the picturesque south coast of NSW, Australia, where she spends as much time as possible writing books, drawing, teaching online courses, being with family, and as little time as possible doing housework.
She is represented by literary agent Joelle Delbourgo, and has been published by Escape Publishing-Harlequin/Harper Collins Australia, Sourcebooks USA, Dover Publications, Diversion Books, Bloodhound Books, and Once Upon a Book Club.
Juliet loves to interact online with readers and writers. You can contact her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JulietMadison..., instagram http://www.instagram.com/julietmadiso... and through her website http://www.julietmadison.com

Reviews

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Diversion Books, and NetGalley.)

“But I wanted Taylor.”

This was an okay paranormal story, but Sasha seemed to spend most of her time chasing boys!

"Oh wow, an actual proper date!"

Sasha seemed to have so many boys on the go in this book, with Taylor, Jordan, Alex and a mystery guy all hot for her! She also came across as a little full of herself; totally sure that her blog would become super-popular, and that her home-made body products would take off and make her a lot of money – if only it was that simple!

The storyline in this was about finding out a little bit more about what happened to the girls’ father, and Sasha’s new year’s resolutions, as well as boys, boys, and more boys! This girl seemed to get a lot of male attention without actually having a serious boyfriend, and she made some serious errors in judgment when it came to her secret admirer too. I really hope that real sixteen-year-olds don’t make similar errors as they could prove fatal.

The ending to this was of course a cliff-hanger!

6 out of 10

[Lillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Okay so let me be honest for a sec…I was really dreading reading Scent by Juliet Madison not because I didn’t enjoy the series or the author’s writing but because I really didn’t care for Sasha in the other books and this is her story. BUT let me be the first to tell you I was pleasantly surprised by vain little Sasha. After learning some distressing news about their father, the Delta Girls are feeling stumped and more determined than ever to solve the mystery around their father’s disappearance. At least all the girls except Sasha are. Sasha needs a new outlook on her life and with the new year she plans to find just that.

Sasha is the sassy sister, the one that is hip on all the latest fashion trends, spends way more than her allotted time in the bathroom, and the complete opposite of her sporty sister Savannah. She’s the eldest of the triplets making her the exact middle child. She also has what she considers the worst of the psychic abilities her and her sisters share — the ability of smell or scent. She literally smells the future. How lame is that?! Or at least that’s her thoughts on it.

For the new year, Sasha decides to start a blog about her new year’s resolutions. Of course as a blogger this appealed to me immediately. Sasha is a good writer too and easily takes her blog into her social media. An ominous warning from her mother about being carefully with her private information on the internet sets the tone of the book and gives the reader a bit of insight on what is going to happen to our Sasha.

As you’ve probably guessed (as I did from the moment Sasha announced she was starting a blog), Sasha has a secret admirer. This story revolves around her growing online relationship with the secret admirer. I have to say this the author does a fantastic job of showing the dangers of online predators WITHOUT having to spell it out. I was drawn into the story and it easily can become a teachable moment to preteens and teens that read the book. So kudos Juliet Madison!

Overall I really enjoyed Sasha’s story! Not only did I find myself loving her character but I was rooting for her, crying with her, and falling in love along side her. If you’ve enjoyed the series up to this point, you will love Sasha’s story!

[Stacy Sabala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review- Scent by Juliet Madison

In the third book of the Delta Girls series, Sasha is having a hard time seeing her father as a criminal. The girls aren’t any closer to finding out what happened to him. They hope the new year reveals more to them. In the meantime Sasha has made some resolutions for the new year. She wants to be with Taylor. She has yet to stop her stalkish ways and it looks as though he is interested in her. He plants a New Year’s kiss on her.
She also meets a cute college guy working the cupcake booth. He is truly intriguing. Sasha also has her past meet her present when the first boy she ever kissed moves to her school. It was a disaster and she doesn’t know how to react to him.
As time goes by the college guy, named Alex, continues to interest her but Taylor is the boy on her radar. In fact she is sure he is her secret admirer. She seems to be drawn to three boys at once. Jordan seems to genuinely care. Taylor is who she has wanted. Alex is older and an exciting mystery.
The girls get visions in the meantime that they believe may be Alex’s sister. They are trying to figure out a way to help her and find answers about their father at the same time.
When Sasha learns who and what the visons are really about, it is almost too late to stop what is going to happen. Her perceptions change as does what she views as important. Her life is never going to be the same.
This series gets better and better. Serena’s story was pretty tame in the danger department which was a nice direction. Then Sasha’s story comes a long and the reader is hit hard. Sasha refuses to deal with anything too deeply emotional which gives her a more shallow or superficial personality. She is presented with three boys and she has to decide what it is she really wants.
The story takes a serious turn that surprises me. I didn’t see that coming. I knew who her secret admirer was the whole time but wasn’t expecting it to end up the way it did. The author really hit how easy it could happen and how innocent Sasha’s actions were.
It really shines a light for readers the extent people can go to get what they want. It was an excellent story and a great addition to the Delta Girls series. I can’t wait to read the next one. I’m interested to see who is up next. This book gets a 4 out of 5.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have not read the first two books in this series, when I requested this one through NetGalley I somehow missed that aspect. Once I figured out it was a series, none of the libraries I go to had the first two for me to check out. =(.

Anyways...

I didn't particularly care for Sasha as a main character. She is vain, superficial, and totally self absorbed on social media. Whereas this most likely fits in with todays 16 year olds, I hope not everyone is like this. She did sort of grow as a character near towards the end, but only because something bad had to happen for her to open her eyes. As she and her sisters are psychic, she didn't even listen to what the visions were telling them to get herself out of the dangerous situation.

The plot took a long time to develop. I thought it would be more on the mystery of their fathers disappearance, but that was only a small part of the story. By the time we get to the turning point in the novel, the entire book is almost over. After the climax, there is about a chapter to tie up the book and leave enough for the next book to pick up where this one leaves off.

The only aspect I liked about this book was the message. The fact that online predators can target anyone, anytime is a serious issue that we have to face today. I liked how the author incorporated this issue into this book and how everything turned out.

Overall, this was an okay book. I probably wouldn't read it again unless I started from book 1, and that is if I really enjoyed it.

This arc was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Trish Drinkwater · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I finished the first book in this series I downloaded the other 4, then the 5th. I really appreciate being able to read them as one book because the stories continue. Each book is dedicated primarily to one sister but the whole family is involved along with close friends.
Essential, in my opinion, that they are read in sequence. I love the way Juliet Madison continues the theme, continues with the individual story without spending unnecessary time going over what we've read in a previous book.
Sasha's story is TENSE. I don't often enjoy too much tension in a book (I am capable of having vivid nightmares) but the way this is written is excellent. Nothing is forced, the events feel real.
Absolutely loving the series and the beautiful family that the girls come from.

[Ashley Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely not as good as the first two decent storyline just slow start

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sasha has impressed me with her growing maturity throughout this book. She has always been the lighthearted, unconcerned, girly girl of the group. Though while she still maintain her lighthearted personality, there is a depth to her that I was not anticipating seeing from her. I think that her story is by far my favorite one yet, and I'm amazed by the overwhelming admiration I have found for someone who does not even exist, though she sure feels real to me.

Here are some Updates on the girls' lives:

Sasha is ever present on Facebook, forever the social media queen, and she is also working on the long list of New Year's Resolutions that she has made for herself—Starting a blog (which she uses to stay on track with her NYRs), Dying her hair (A burgundy crimson), Starting a Blessings Journal (Like her Mom), Make/sell hand creams, and so much more. She's even decided to take up Taekwondo with her sister. I'll say one thing; that girl is DEDICATED.

Savannah is now taking Taekwondo lessons and personal training on the side from Riley (So cute!) She also seems to have taken on the role of "matchmaker," encouraging all the attention Sasha has been receiving from many guys lately.

Serena is getting more into her feminine side (perfume) thanks of her boyfriend (Sasha approves). She has also taken to outlining the events before their father's death and every related detail (in a flow chart), in the hopes of one day putting al the pieces together and finding his resting place.

Tamara is still the family chef, and we get to see a little more of her budding infatuation with the good-looking neighbor who is Savvy's boyfriend's brother.

Talia has become the new keeper/secretary of the Delta Girls journal, and we have begun to learn more about this [mysterious] oldest sister via Sasha; she is worried for her sister's emotional state and seeming fragility as of late, likely due to the new information they have just learned about their dearly departed father.

The more I learn about these girls, the more enthralled I become by them. They are each so very unique and their personalities and hobbies are constantly growing, while they still maintain their original characteristics that I first fell in love with in "Sight."

This family has been through the wringer, and I agree with Sasha that this year will be one to remember, full of trials and triumphs. The girls will continue to face tough times, but I have faith that the will continue to overcome them with a warrior's spirit and the love and support of their family.

[Bailee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was curious to see how the book played out, which mostly stemmed from the fact that I hadn’t had the opportunity to read the prior novels and so much my knowledge was pretty much off the cuff. Luckily I am pretty good at adjusting to novels that I haven’t read the previous texts. This was a pretty easy read to get into at first and I could adjust my understanding of the series as it progressed and I wasn’t too worried about the small details I had missed from the other novels. Some novels can throw me for a loop with the subtle hints to minor subplots and at least this novel had that going for it.

I have read several novels that follow along a similar sort of premise that this novel does and I wasn't too sure how original the plot would be; however, I was pleasantly surprised with some of the plot lines. The most original plot lines were fascinating and perhaps would have made the novel a ton better had they been brought to the forefront and not hidden behind the romantic subplots. It was overwhelming how much of the novel was bogged down by whether or not a boy liked Sasha and so on. While I do typically enjoy a romantic subplot, it has to remain a subplot that is either fueled by the plot or takes a backseat to the central conflict on the story. I think that if the romance took a slight step back, it would be a more manageable read for me.

Sasha has a lot of potential, similar to that of the plot. However, she was also bogged down by the potential of a romance that I often lost interest in any of her narratives. Boys are great, but boys aren't everything. I am hopeful that her character will improve in future novels and that she no longer fixates on boys so much.

Overall, I am disappointed because I had expectations as the novel continued and it failed to meet them. I wanted it to be more than just a romance where the story focuses on the romantic plot and forgoes all other important storylines. I think, though, that this story has the chance to be so much better than it was to be and that is why I gave it the rating that I did rather than giving it a lower score.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scent is the third in The Delta Girls series by talented Australian author Juliet Madison. It is a young adult supernatural series with a large dose of mystery.

The Delta Girls are five psychic sisters whose gifts relate to one of the five senses, and match the first letter of their name. Scent focuses on Sasha, one of the triplets, who has an intense sense of smell. She is at that stage in her life where she is becoming a little boy obsessed and the fact that her triplets have each recently found a boyfriend only exacerbates her desire for a boyfriend of her own. Though this is a major element of the story it is still quite tame and would be appropriate for a young teen audience.

The fact that Sasha is in the market for a boyfriend does form the basis for a lot of the story. It creates a vulnerability that is easily manipulated, and a love square that became a little hard to take at times.

New information has come to light about the disappearance of the Delta Girls father and the sisters are struggling to reconcile this info with what they remember of him. The mystery of their father is a thread running through the entire series and hopefully in the fifth book those threads will all be tied up. We have discovered through the series that he has passed away and the girls don’t understand why he isn’t helping them find the answers they need.

Read more: http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...

[Reelika Raimet · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was book about 5 girls, who have a supernatural powers to see visions. I liked the book so much, and it keeped me to read it. It was so natural and i like how author, was explaining what is life and how we can make it better. I know how hard is to lose your father and how to deal with it, thats why i loved this book so much.I really loved the reading and i think i want more read such books and i am glad that i had such opportunity form autor to read such good book. I really recommend that book to my friends and hope that i can read such books more. It was suprising, how main character chooses, the right way of her life. It was so nice that she choosed Jordan, because, he was all this what she wanted from boyfriend and she realized it, when she had so dangerous eventful day was with Alex, who was so evil man, i thought it will end good for everybody and it was like i wished. So good book!It was so AMAZING reading. I wish that i could read more books from this author!