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The Elements Series #1
Fallen Elements: An Urban Fantasy Romance
A train ride, a beautiful woman, a possible romance… what more could anyone ask for? But there is magic in the air, old magic, and not everyone is happy about it. Ryan Myers’ life is on the fast track with a new career, a supportive group of friends, and an easy going relationship. Then an unexpected death, a diary that leaves more questions than answers, and a few family secrets turn her life upside down. Will Ryan be able to brave the elements and find the joy she has been searching for?
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2015
10 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Heather McVea
15 books48 followersHeather McVea was raised in a small town south of San Antonio, Texas. Prior to escaping to the big city, she raised Hampshire pigs, rode motorcycles at entirely too young an age, and once snow boarded behind a Ford pickup truck. She relishes a strong gin and tonic, or a well-made old-fashioned (but never at the same time). Heather and her wife have three furbabies, and divide their time between Texas and Maryland.
Visit Heather’s website www.heathermcvea.com and follow her on Twitter @HMcVea.
Visit Heather’s website www.heathermcvea.com and follow her on Twitter @HMcVea.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 27, 2015
For some reason, I always get happy when I see a book about witches. And for some reason, I'm always left a bit disappointed. I had high hopes for New Harbor Witches: Keepers and that was a long book where for a long time absolutely nothing happens and when the magic finally comes into play, it involves a hamster driving a toy car (true story) and some mind reading and a silly finale.
And the same applies to Fallen Elements.
It takes forever before the word magic even appears in the book. Sure, there are signs something's up, but it's buried in endless descreptions of scenery, drinking games and every day life. Only at about 65% in, we are introduced to what's really going on. Ryan falls madly, deeply and utterly in love with Leah from about page 2 and Leah does her best to keep Ryan at a distance. First it seems the age difference is holding her back (Leah is about 27 years older), then there is a shady family history that is a barrier.
Then there are the diary flashbacks. And to be honest, I thought those were the most intersting parts. It establishes the family history and gives a surprisingly interesting insight in the early days of the colonies, in this case Maryland. Of course, the diary touches the fear of witches and the resulting witch hunts. The justification that those people were doing God's will makes me almost furious, but recent events have shown us that 500 years still in'st enough to get these stupid ideas removed from todays society. But I digress.
Anyways, when all was revealed, again the magic disappointed me (although it was a big step-up compared to New Harbor Witches). Fallen Elements has a sort of HEA,but not quite. What I liked was that Leah had some (very understandable) moral issues with what happened. Ryan, meanwhile, comes to terms with her family's sordid history, but looses a valuable friend. Loosing that friend was of more concern to Ryan than what Leah did.
All in all, the story had some very interesting ideas and, overall, it was a decent story. But I have to tell you something. When I read something contemporary ( even if it's about witches) and the story brings me somewhere or describes something I don't know about, I look it up. Is the story taking place in Baltimore ( in this case) and it describes landmarks, important buildings or it mentions a sports team, I look it up. Is a character drinking something I never heard about, I look it up. I want to know.
But, this book bombards me with names. Shoes, purses, drinks, watches, paintings, buildings and whatever you can think of, this book gives me a brandname. Now, as a male, I pride myself that I even know what Jimmy Choo's are. But seriously, when someone is about to be killed in a most horrific way, does it really matter the culprit wears Cole Haan (forgive me for not looking up that particular designer; I just admitted I knew who Jimmy Choo is) heels? Or a Cartier watch? And it's not an isolated incident either. Every fucking piece of clothing or accessory starts with a brandname. I got tired of that really quick.
Another issue I had is that everyone Ryan meets, but who is of no importance to the story, is described as a 20-something attractive guy or girl. Everyone, from the bus boy to the waitress. The whole worl is beautiful and attractive. Well, after the 25th occurrence I really didn't care anymore.
Also there were some editing issues. The diary entries had some font issues (at least in the Kindle Cloud Reader). At some point, an entry had the wrong date; it jumped from 1628 to 1928 and back again. Ryan's Honda Civic changes into a Subaru and back again (at first I thought Ryan had taken Nicole's car, but when she got home it was a Civic again.).
Ok, I'll stop ranting now :)
Edit:
I can see the author made this ebook herself, but is it really that difficult to add a TOC?
And the same applies to Fallen Elements.
It takes forever before the word magic even appears in the book. Sure, there are signs something's up, but it's buried in endless descreptions of scenery, drinking games and every day life. Only at about 65% in, we are introduced to what's really going on. Ryan falls madly, deeply and utterly in love with Leah from about page 2 and Leah does her best to keep Ryan at a distance. First it seems the age difference is holding her back (Leah is about 27 years older), then there is a shady family history that is a barrier.
Then there are the diary flashbacks. And to be honest, I thought those were the most intersting parts. It establishes the family history and gives a surprisingly interesting insight in the early days of the colonies, in this case Maryland. Of course, the diary touches the fear of witches and the resulting witch hunts. The justification that those people were doing God's will makes me almost furious, but recent events have shown us that 500 years still in'st enough to get these stupid ideas removed from todays society. But I digress.
Anyways, when all was revealed, again the magic disappointed me (although it was a big step-up compared to New Harbor Witches). Fallen Elements has a sort of HEA,but not quite. What I liked was that Leah had some (very understandable) moral issues with what happened. Ryan, meanwhile, comes to terms with her family's sordid history, but looses a valuable friend. Loosing that friend was of more concern to Ryan than what Leah did.
All in all, the story had some very interesting ideas and, overall, it was a decent story. But I have to tell you something. When I read something contemporary ( even if it's about witches) and the story brings me somewhere or describes something I don't know about, I look it up. Is the story taking place in Baltimore ( in this case) and it describes landmarks, important buildings or it mentions a sports team, I look it up. Is a character drinking something I never heard about, I look it up. I want to know.
But, this book bombards me with names. Shoes, purses, drinks, watches, paintings, buildings and whatever you can think of, this book gives me a brandname. Now, as a male, I pride myself that I even know what Jimmy Choo's are. But seriously, when someone is about to be killed in a most horrific way, does it really matter the culprit wears Cole Haan (forgive me for not looking up that particular designer; I just admitted I knew who Jimmy Choo is) heels? Or a Cartier watch? And it's not an isolated incident either. Every fucking piece of clothing or accessory starts with a brandname. I got tired of that really quick.
Another issue I had is that everyone Ryan meets, but who is of no importance to the story, is described as a 20-something attractive guy or girl. Everyone, from the bus boy to the waitress. The whole worl is beautiful and attractive. Well, after the 25th occurrence I really didn't care anymore.
Also there were some editing issues. The diary entries had some font issues (at least in the Kindle Cloud Reader). At some point, an entry had the wrong date; it jumped from 1628 to 1928 and back again. Ryan's Honda Civic changes into a Subaru and back again (at first I thought Ryan had taken Nicole's car, but when she got home it was a Civic again.).
Ok, I'll stop ranting now :)
Edit:
I can see the author made this ebook herself, but is it really that difficult to add a TOC?
July 29, 2015
This was a quick easy read and I liked it a lot. Lesbians, witches, and secret family legacies, what's not to like? The only real down side was the author's excessive use of brand names. for me personally, it is enough to know that the character was wearing a blue sweater, I don't need to know it was from the Gap. this was my first book I've read by Heather Mcvae and I am looking forward to more.
August 16, 2016
This book had a great start. The author writes very well, and since I was also listening the audio book, the narrator had a lovely voice. So everything was going to a happy 5*.
But then, at some point, the story started to get confuse, to much "what?", "Not possible" and "come on!". In the end I was disappointed.. :/
But then, at some point, the story started to get confuse, to much "what?", "Not possible" and "come on!". In the end I was disappointed.. :/
December 25, 2016
Great love story.
I wasn't sure what I was reading when I started this one. I was looking for vampires, shape shifters and witches. I really liked the storyline and characters. I was hooked on page one. I would definitely recommend this book.
I wasn't sure what I was reading when I started this one. I was looking for vampires, shape shifters and witches. I really liked the storyline and characters. I was hooked on page one. I would definitely recommend this book.
September 29, 2021
I gave it three stars because Plot B was amazing enough to read the whole book.
So our central character, who has been estranged from her mother 'cause homophobia, has to attend her funeral. On the train she meets this enchanting woman and they have some eye contact chemistry. She looses her and can't help but think about her for two more chapters. Enter stage left the horrible family that was her mother's company; sly aunt, air head uncle, handsy male cousin, and dingbat but loveable girl cousin. Low and behold upon this scene, in the background a mysterious person lurks, its train woman. Oh, but what is the mystery of this train woman being at her mothers funeral. SOOOoooooo many chapters to find out the answers in the final breaths, of the final act, by a very Macbethian event. It does take a left turn into a paranormal book that you can kinda see coming because Plot B has alluded to it. It also pulls out a HEA in the last breaths of book.
So, Plot B, the whole reason why I am here for this book? Oh, this is a journal that has been written somewhat parallel to Salem witch trial times by a pregnant lady whose mid-wife is a maybe/maybe not a witch. Central character to Plot A reads this journal and takes no wisdom from the amazing story that is happening. We as readers are catching all the clues.
I recommend this for those who love a tortured lesbian love story or for those who love a juicy colonial page-turner they have to dig through another story to get.
So our central character, who has been estranged from her mother 'cause homophobia, has to attend her funeral. On the train she meets this enchanting woman and they have some eye contact chemistry. She looses her and can't help but think about her for two more chapters. Enter stage left the horrible family that was her mother's company; sly aunt, air head uncle, handsy male cousin, and dingbat but loveable girl cousin. Low and behold upon this scene, in the background a mysterious person lurks, its train woman. Oh, but what is the mystery of this train woman being at her mothers funeral. SOOOoooooo many chapters to find out the answers in the final breaths, of the final act, by a very Macbethian event. It does take a left turn into a paranormal book that you can kinda see coming because Plot B has alluded to it. It also pulls out a HEA in the last breaths of book.
So, Plot B, the whole reason why I am here for this book? Oh, this is a journal that has been written somewhat parallel to Salem witch trial times by a pregnant lady whose mid-wife is a maybe/maybe not a witch. Central character to Plot A reads this journal and takes no wisdom from the amazing story that is happening. We as readers are catching all the clues.
I recommend this for those who love a tortured lesbian love story or for those who love a juicy colonial page-turner they have to dig through another story to get.
December 31, 2018
Could have been a great story... but Ryan is the most useless protagonist. I liked how she separated herself from her family because they were... just damn and how she wasn't willing to accept being left in the dark when what was happening revolved around her.
Then when the truth came out, she just... floundered? I mean you find out so much about your family and the woman you love, you know what your mother and her sister was capable of and you focus on your relationship status?
I can't believe it that she couldn't have anticipated it, the dinner with Lucy lying and how Lucy was described to be manipulative should have already set alarms going off for Ryan to do something to safeguard Leah at least in the form of making sure what happened in the past did not happen again.
Instead, she pined. That was very frustrating.
It had potential so... 2.5
Then when the truth came out, she just... floundered? I mean you find out so much about your family and the woman you love, you know what your mother and her sister was capable of and you focus on your relationship status?
I can't believe it that she couldn't have anticipated it, the dinner with Lucy lying and how Lucy was described to be manipulative should have already set alarms going off for Ryan to do something to safeguard Leah at least in the form of making sure what happened in the past did not happen again.
Instead, she pined. That was very frustrating.
It had potential so... 2.5
February 26, 2015
Highly recommended
Another great book by Heather McVea. Ryan and Leah will take you in a rollercoaster of emotions. You are glad for them ,cheer them and even at times wanted to go inside the book and smack some sense into them. I love also the fantasy aspect of the book. Hopefully their story will continue in other books. I cannot wait.
Another great book by Heather McVea. Ryan and Leah will take you in a rollercoaster of emotions. You are glad for them ,cheer them and even at times wanted to go inside the book and smack some sense into them. I love also the fantasy aspect of the book. Hopefully their story will continue in other books. I cannot wait.
July 14, 2015
Good story too many brands
This is a well written story, the plot is entertaining and the ending, though obvious, welcome. The one thing I didn't like is the constant and repetitive use of brand names... it is very annoying, a flaw that is all over her other books as well. Clearly not enough to not make them readable, just bothersome and unnecessary
This is a well written story, the plot is entertaining and the ending, though obvious, welcome. The one thing I didn't like is the constant and repetitive use of brand names... it is very annoying, a flaw that is all over her other books as well. Clearly not enough to not make them readable, just bothersome and unnecessary
January 4, 2017
I was moderately enjoying this, although it had way too many conversations that led nowhere, and the 20 years age difference was bothering me. Then it just got ridiculous and i rolled my eyes through the last 50 pages. I feel like 3 stars is generous for the way i closed the book with a "ugh", but i guess i should take in consideration the early parts.
April 23, 2015
Oh yeah
From the first page I was hooked on this book. Loved it. The characters were very likable and I found myself hoping all ended well. Once done I wanted more so I quickly bought The Waking Forever Omnibus by this author. Great book!
From the first page I was hooked on this book. Loved it. The characters were very likable and I found myself hoping all ended well. Once done I wanted more so I quickly bought The Waking Forever Omnibus by this author. Great book!
September 2, 2015
Not the best work I've read, the writing is full of redundent details and it's sometimes unclear who is telling the story, sure it has lesbians and supernatural themes, but that's not enuogh to hold the book entirely
May 2, 2015
This book was ok, it wasn't what I expected, but it keep me interested.
May 10, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I enjoyed the fact that the women could still find a love interest even with the age gap between them. An altogether good read.
May 23, 2015
Finished too soon but that's perfect since I'm definitely coming back for more Heather McVea.
November 14, 2015
Oh lord what a hot mess.
October 2, 2015
This is a wonderful book. It grabbed me and held me throughout. Sequel? I hope.
April 3, 2016
Loved Ryan and Leah. Enjoyed the diary from the past and how it related to today's characters. Waiting impatiently for the second in the series.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews