Willow

by Sue McMillin

What strange magic lies within?

Willow is gifted, her abilities subtle and strangely unnatural. But when she hears Jonathan’s voice in her head, it freaks her out!

Compelled by a mysterious prompting, Willow drops out of college and returns home to her father’s ranch on the remote Oregon Coast. She meets Jonathan, a man beautifully compelling, but secretive, and painfully aloof. He claims he’s come to protect her, and in spite of the chilling similarities he shares with the Phantom, an apparition who slithers from her nightmares to threaten her, Willow wants to believe him. She senses virtue in him, and something else - something extraordinary! Obsessed from the moment she lays eyes on him, she loses her heart. But given the danger and betrayal of lies that swarm to life with his arrival, she quickly learns that her heart is not all she could lose.

Jonathan knows more about Willow than he’s telling. A sacred code of law prevents him from disclosing the fantastic truth, demanding she discover it naturally and on her own. It will make her stronger. She will need that tough determination where she’s going. But as with every worthy journey, there are obstacles. Dangerous ones. And the stakes are high. With one wrong move, an unguarded moment, or a hasty choice, her sensational future could be ripped from her grasp.

"THIS IS IT!“ - I can see this turning into another social frenzy, with an enlightened theme rather than being pulled into the darkness. The romance is incredible and heartbreaking, with characters you will fall in love with.” Verified Amazon reader

"LOVED THIS BOOK!" - Wow, this book was such a pleasant surprise! I totally lost track of time and finished it in 2 days because I just couldn't put it down! … it really has that "Twilight" feel, makes you remember what it's like to fall in love, but is completely unique to its own story. Can't wait to read the other books!” Verified Amazon Reader

"THIS MUST BECOME A MOVE!!!! - I read this in two days … it was almost painful to put down!! It is so refreshing to read an engaging fantasy that integrates higher moral ground while deliciously weaving the passion of early love.” Verified Amazon Reader

“FABULOUS!” - While this book is fabulous for all ages … I think it is actually an important book for 16 and up …a force of direction and possibility in challenging times. Brava Sue McMillIn on so many fronts.” Verified Amazon Reader

"ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL! - I would recommend this book to all ages! Well written with a strong female lead who is enticing and fiery. Definitely a page turner." Verified Amazon Reader

"THE NEXT BIG BOOK SERIES! - I could not put this book down, it made me feel so happy when I read it, and when I couldn't read it ,I was thinking and dreaming about it. I couldn't wait to finish it to see what happened, but when it came down to it, I held off reading the last 5 pages because I didn't want it to end.” Verified Amazon Reader

"BREATHTAKING. INTRIGING. PASSIONATE. - I couldn't put this down - so much so that I have read the entire series TWICE within 2 months! (I loved it even more the second time!) My husband even read this and has LOVED IT (I think it even made him blush a few times!) … Willow has become my favorite book (along with the other three in the series) and it's been difficult to find another book that rivals this - so I might just be starting it all again for the third time.” Verified Amazon Reader

Willow is a paranormal tale of a different kind. Enlightened and irresistible; it will move under your skin and stay long after you’ve read the last word

Order Willow on Amazon Now! Be in on the Secret!

356 pages, ebook

First published January 26, 2015

About the author

Hi, I'm Sue.

I'm like a lot of people. I love food but hate to cook, I struggle with my weight (it's all that ice cream), I have so many interest and never enough time, I don't understand marketing or Goodreads, which is why I need a savvy personal assistant, I realize emojis are the lazy-girl's way to express emotions but I use them all the time, and in spite of challenges that come with getting older, I am just grateful to be here.

After years of facilitating the very serious art of mind management and spring-boarding into life, I jumped headlong into the world of fantasy. Here, I found I could control every detail of a situation without pushback, every twist and turn, every thought and action of every yummy character - that is, until they started talking back. The Divarian Secret had a mind of its own, just like all my previous clients did, except the story willingly dove into drama without hesitation! It was an absolute thrill! The hardest part was shutting down my computer when the books were complete.

“I'm done! Now we can go play,” I told my husband. Little did I know how extensive the editing and marketing process would be, which I've actually enjoyed. But the real work had just begun.

"At least you’re done writing the story,” my husband said, happily convinced that my writing days were over. That's when I told him about my plans for a continuing series.

"From Secret to Sensation," I said. "How can I let my readers forever wonder what happened to all those delicious Divarian men?" (And I'm thinking, I have to know too!)

Writing fiction was a marked departure from my previous life. And while my eight children and cherished family remain at the forefront of my life, and my beautiful, loving and crazy-talented children will always be my greatest accomplishment, writing fiction has hijacked my heart. The Divarian Secret is more than just a story. I hope you discover a very valuable part of yourself in the reading.

You can find the books on Amazon. Check out my author page at Amazon.com/author/suemcmillin
I also invite you to visit my website @ suemcmillin.com. Sue McMillin

The Divarian Secret series is a new adult, supernatural, paranormal romance that will lead you through the two-year transformation of a girl bound for greatness and a boy who risks everything to love her.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m giving this 3 stars mostly because I WAS able to finish it, though reading it felt like a chore at times. I also feel it’s necessary to give a critical review because in both Amazon and Goodreads reviews, there were nothing but positives which were major red flags. Almost as if the reviews were paid and not truthful. Especially given how confusing the synopsis of the book was in the first place. But I decided to go ahead and give it a try anyway.

There was so much that was never explained...right from the beginning. It’s as if the author forgot she was writing for readers who weren’t privy to the ideas in her head. She obviously had a storyline and background and other details in her mind when writing, but never bothered to explain to us. I felt like I was dumped into the story and then there were constantly all these missing pieces that either the author took for granted that she knew, were deemed unimportant or remained missing to add ‘mystery’ (which didn’t work. All it did was create frustration and disgust because the author’s primary vehicle for leaving things unsaid was ‘I don’t want to talk about it’ and the MC never pushed for answers or never thought to ask for them in the first place).

As for the two MCs. OH. MY. GOSH. Can you say FRUSTRATING? Willow falls head over heels, teenager-obsessive as soon as she lays eyes on Jonathan and Jonathan acts like a mysterious, VERY uninteresting (from a reader standpoint) aloof stranger. Even when he was supposed to be protecting and helping, he was confusing. He didn’t give many answers to things because Willow just ‘needed to figure things out for herself.’ (Writer cop-out) And he was wishy-washy with her at least as far as SHE was concerned. In reality, the tidbits he threw her to make her think she stood a chance with him weren’t even that interesting or noteworthy. She took more importance from them than I did as the impartial viewer. But, I digress. Jonathan would then turn around and act aloof, angry, irritated and cool to her and she’d go nursing her broken heart and run away and then come back and do it all over again as soon as she was in his presence again. GET A BACKBONE and some self-respect! Jeez!! THEN when the two FINALLY...FINALLY decide to give it a go, she flips and decides she shouldn’t be with him. NOW she’s got the strength to resist him!!!!?? Can we just say EYE...ROLL!!

The villain...stupid. Like the rest of the characters, not well fleshed out. Doesn’t make sense and the more I chew on and digest this book for this review, the more irritated I’m becoming and realizing I honestly just want to give this 2 stars because I just wasted so much of my time reading this book. Where was the editor? Is this self-published? There’s a reason authors HAVE editors and publishers...they’re not just for typos and grammatical errors. They’re to help critique the writing and make it better for readers...something authors NEED because they can’t be unbiased and outside of the story the way a third party can.

Again, I digress. In the end...don’t read this book. I don’t even know how it’s a 4 book series, but trust me when I say it doesn’t get better because yes... I tried out book 2. It doesn’t improve. Though I’d hoped.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathtaking. Intriguing. Passionate. I couldn't put this down - so much so that I have read the entire series TWICE within 2 months! (I loved it even more the second time!) This book got me through the roughest part of my pregnancy when I was bedridden - the time literally flew by! Sue's character development is surreal and her descriptions completely transport you to the beautiful Oregon coast and into the mystery. I was instantly intrigued within the first couple pages and was filled with passion and wonder the rest of the book. When I finished it, I couldn't wait to start the second book - so I bought it and all the rest on Kindle immediately!

The process the main character goes through throughout this book is a beautiful transformation that any woman can identify with. Her passion and love and genuine goodness is vulnerable and vibrant. It's hard to read this book without actually feeling what she is feeling. Her aches and pains resonate with each heart string. I have truly loved this book and where it has taken me. My husband even read this and has LOVED IT (I think it even made him blush a few times!)

Willow has become my favorite book (along with the other three in the series) and it's been difficult to find another book that rivals this - so I might just be starting it all again for the third time. I would recommend this book for ages 16 and up. I believe this book is the NEXT BIG ONE and I hope it becomes a movie one day!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!
I was going through particularly painful breakup when I picked up Willow and I can’t help but feel like reading this book helped heal me. Something about it just left me feeling good each time I read it, so thank you to the Author for that.

It’s a good sized book, but a surprisingly quick read, I was amazed at how fast I finished it. There is drama, humor, romance and spiritually in it, which made for a beautifully well balanced concoction of entertainment and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Currently reading Crossing, (but not going through a break-up, lol) and loving it, excited to finish the series!

[Ashley Tomlinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book was so engaging and really hard to put down. Willow was just the character I wanted to read about. She was sarcastic and quirky and made this book more interesting. I especially liked her and Jonathan. They had this chemistry with each other that was swoon worthy at times.

Sue McMillin did a great job creating a unique storyline that really captured my interest