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The Shining Ones #1
Watcher
A stranger walks into a bar sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but for Poesy Wharton, it's no joke at all.
For Poesy, a twenty-something waitress who's living paycheck to paycheck, life on Tybee Island is predictably normal until Adam Walker drifts into Paddy's Bar and Grill, the small town dive where she works. Unable to resist his quirky, English reserve and the strange tingling that plagues her every time they touch, Poesy finds herself drawn to Adam even against the advice of her two best friends, Birdie and Haylee Jane.
When bad things begin to happen including the brutal murder of another local waitress, Poesy finds herself caught between the man she wants and a secret world that could take away everything she knows and loves.
Poesy must choose her path wisely or lose everything... but did she ever have a choice?
Watcher is the first book in the new adult urban fantasy series, The Shining Ones, perfect for paranormal lovers and fans of Bella Forrest and Charlaine Harris.
For Poesy, a twenty-something waitress who's living paycheck to paycheck, life on Tybee Island is predictably normal until Adam Walker drifts into Paddy's Bar and Grill, the small town dive where she works. Unable to resist his quirky, English reserve and the strange tingling that plagues her every time they touch, Poesy finds herself drawn to Adam even against the advice of her two best friends, Birdie and Haylee Jane.
When bad things begin to happen including the brutal murder of another local waitress, Poesy finds herself caught between the man she wants and a secret world that could take away everything she knows and loves.
Poesy must choose her path wisely or lose everything... but did she ever have a choice?
Watcher is the first book in the new adult urban fantasy series, The Shining Ones, perfect for paranormal lovers and fans of Bella Forrest and Charlaine Harris.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
117 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Shawnee Small
8 books185 followersSHAWNEE SMALL is a two times USA Today bestselling author and the creator of the Shining Ones, the Shaded Veil trilogy, and the Night Kind series. She is currently working on the second book in the Shaded Veil trilogy.
Keep up with Shawnee via her website http://www.shawneesmall.com or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/shawneesmall...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 21, 2017
It took me a little while to truly get into this one but it was worth the wait, the second half of the novel truly picked up the pace and kept with the rhythm.
The protagonist, Poe(sy) is both flawed and loyal, demonstrating a perpetual confict which is frequently aped in real life. She is a complex character with which the reader can empathise displaying both credibility and complexity.
The novel continues to develop following the introduction of The Shining One who becomes both a friend and confidante, troubled by his position within the realm and his relationship with Poe. The characters surrounding Poesy offer good support and background material. She has a tight group of individuals surrounding her with colourful personalities and situations which hone the story and Poe's character to great effect.
The novel continues to develop into a more complex tale surrounded by the possibility of violence brewing on the island of Tybee. This location in itself paints a vivid picture of a tight and confined atmosphere where, to some effect, people are forced together in a confined environment. Of course, growing up in such a community comes with its pros and cons. Poesy is haunted by ongoing animosity and hositility from her past that continues from school experiences into the real world of adulthood. Nothing like a true life nemesis that can never be escaped or avoided through the fault of habitat. It's surprising, as a reader, how much these episodes give a birds eye view into most people's past, and that's all thanks to a talented author.
I've already got book two, so I'm intrigued to see where Shawnee Small and Poesy take us next.
The protagonist, Poe(sy) is both flawed and loyal, demonstrating a perpetual confict which is frequently aped in real life. She is a complex character with which the reader can empathise displaying both credibility and complexity.
The novel continues to develop following the introduction of The Shining One who becomes both a friend and confidante, troubled by his position within the realm and his relationship with Poe. The characters surrounding Poesy offer good support and background material. She has a tight group of individuals surrounding her with colourful personalities and situations which hone the story and Poe's character to great effect.
The novel continues to develop into a more complex tale surrounded by the possibility of violence brewing on the island of Tybee. This location in itself paints a vivid picture of a tight and confined atmosphere where, to some effect, people are forced together in a confined environment. Of course, growing up in such a community comes with its pros and cons. Poesy is haunted by ongoing animosity and hositility from her past that continues from school experiences into the real world of adulthood. Nothing like a true life nemesis that can never be escaped or avoided through the fault of habitat. It's surprising, as a reader, how much these episodes give a birds eye view into most people's past, and that's all thanks to a talented author.
I've already got book two, so I'm intrigued to see where Shawnee Small and Poesy take us next.
Read
February 6, 2017Certain words and stereotypes used made me uncomfortable. Also found the narrative clunky and issues with tense. And this just by 14%. I'm going to stop here because unless there is a major turn around, the track this book is taking isn't for me.
Merged review:
A repeated derogatory word (at least in my opinion) and some stereotyping in characterization made me uncomfortable. Narrative was clunky and there were some issues with tense and scene development. All this at just 14%. Unsure if the story levels out or not but the track author seems to be on doesn't look to be for me.
Merged review:
A repeated derogatory word (at least in my opinion) and some stereotyping in characterization made me uncomfortable. Narrative was clunky and there were some issues with tense and scene development. All this at just 14%. Unsure if the story levels out or not but the track author seems to be on doesn't look to be for me.
April 14, 2012
4.5 Stars
Tybee is a small southern island where everyone knows everyone and families have been there for generations. Poesy has no family except for the father who abandoned her years ago. Her close friends are her family and have been in her life forever. Poesy waitresses at a bar named Paddy’s. Her life is pretty unpredictable and safe until a stranger sits in her section.
Adam wanders into to Paddy’s and Poesy is immediately attracted to the stranger. He speaks differently from anyone she has ever met and although his looks can't be considered classic or handsome there is just something about him that draws her to him. He has purchased and old house on the island and seems like he is here to stay.
But as soon as the enigmatic stranger strolls into Poesy’s life things turn upside down. The quiet and predictable life becomes anything but. Poesy is forced to face the unbelievable and a gruesome murder.
When I first started reading this book, I thought it was going to be a lot like the Charlaine Harris Southern Vampire Series or for you HBO fans, True Blood. It starts off with the misunderstood waitress working in the local watering hole when a pale stranger comes in. That is very similar to how the Southern Vampire Series starts. Fortunately, that is also where the similarities end. While I love the Southern Vampire Series, I didn’t want to read another version of it. This book stands on its own and the author created a seriously great new series!
The supernatural in this book is of the non blood sucking type, well, at least the supernatural being we actually meet and get to know is non-vampire. I am not sure all that goes bump in the night has been uncovered yet in Tybee. There are a few mysteries that begin in this story and aren’t quite solved. When I came to the end of the book I groaned out loud. I wasn’t ready to be done yet! I think this is the beginning of what could be a fantastic new series. I am dying to have the answers to my questions and find out what is going on with Poesy, Adam and the rest of her crew.
Cherise Everhard, April 2012
Tybee is a small southern island where everyone knows everyone and families have been there for generations. Poesy has no family except for the father who abandoned her years ago. Her close friends are her family and have been in her life forever. Poesy waitresses at a bar named Paddy’s. Her life is pretty unpredictable and safe until a stranger sits in her section.
Adam wanders into to Paddy’s and Poesy is immediately attracted to the stranger. He speaks differently from anyone she has ever met and although his looks can't be considered classic or handsome there is just something about him that draws her to him. He has purchased and old house on the island and seems like he is here to stay.
But as soon as the enigmatic stranger strolls into Poesy’s life things turn upside down. The quiet and predictable life becomes anything but. Poesy is forced to face the unbelievable and a gruesome murder.
When I first started reading this book, I thought it was going to be a lot like the Charlaine Harris Southern Vampire Series or for you HBO fans, True Blood. It starts off with the misunderstood waitress working in the local watering hole when a pale stranger comes in. That is very similar to how the Southern Vampire Series starts. Fortunately, that is also where the similarities end. While I love the Southern Vampire Series, I didn’t want to read another version of it. This book stands on its own and the author created a seriously great new series!
The supernatural in this book is of the non blood sucking type, well, at least the supernatural being we actually meet and get to know is non-vampire. I am not sure all that goes bump in the night has been uncovered yet in Tybee. There are a few mysteries that begin in this story and aren’t quite solved. When I came to the end of the book I groaned out loud. I wasn’t ready to be done yet! I think this is the beginning of what could be a fantastic new series. I am dying to have the answers to my questions and find out what is going on with Poesy, Adam and the rest of her crew.
Cherise Everhard, April 2012
June 12, 2017
Nothing about this book made any sense. Not the mythology, not the relationships and not even the characters. It was like they all had multiple personality disorders. This series is definite no for me.
October 14, 2017
This review is of Watcher by Shawnee Small.
Note: this review contains spoilers!
Poesy is stuck on Tybee Island. Some people wouldn’t think that was a bad thing, but they didn’t work double shifts at bar and live in a trailer. Then a tall, thin man enters the bar one evening and everything changes. Because he isn’t a man: he’s an angel. And he’s supposed to be watching Posey, not interacting with her. Especially not getting to know her. Or save her life. Twice. And she isn’t supposed to know he’s an angel, but she does.
That’s not the only thing strange on Tybee. One girl is dead and another is pregnant and growing way faster than normal.
So there is an interesting plot. I get Posey and her two girl friends Haylee and Amanda. Birdie is supposed to be her friend and he claims he loves her, but he sure doesn’t act like it. I kept wanting to tell him to grow up! Adam, the angel, well, who would understand an angel? But he’s hundreds of years old and has been doing this watcher thing for a long time. I’m not sure I buy Posey making him risk everything.
My biggest problem with the book, however are the two main unanswered questions. And the are unanswered because they are never asked: what happened to Amanda’s baby when she was killed and why did Posey go into the water? Hopefully these will be answered in the next book.
You’ll have to read it and decide for yourself.
Note: this review contains spoilers!
Poesy is stuck on Tybee Island. Some people wouldn’t think that was a bad thing, but they didn’t work double shifts at bar and live in a trailer. Then a tall, thin man enters the bar one evening and everything changes. Because he isn’t a man: he’s an angel. And he’s supposed to be watching Posey, not interacting with her. Especially not getting to know her. Or save her life. Twice. And she isn’t supposed to know he’s an angel, but she does.
That’s not the only thing strange on Tybee. One girl is dead and another is pregnant and growing way faster than normal.
So there is an interesting plot. I get Posey and her two girl friends Haylee and Amanda. Birdie is supposed to be her friend and he claims he loves her, but he sure doesn’t act like it. I kept wanting to tell him to grow up! Adam, the angel, well, who would understand an angel? But he’s hundreds of years old and has been doing this watcher thing for a long time. I’m not sure I buy Posey making him risk everything.
My biggest problem with the book, however are the two main unanswered questions. And the are unanswered because they are never asked: what happened to Amanda’s baby when she was killed and why did Posey go into the water? Hopefully these will be answered in the next book.
You’ll have to read it and decide for yourself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2018
Shawnee Small is another author I discovered thanks to IG. Since I'm always looking to expand my reading range with new writers, I decided to give this, the first book in the Shining One series, a perusal. I was pleasantly surprised at what I read.
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Poesy is a waitress at a small restaurant on Tybee Island. When a stranger to town walks in, Poesy's life is changed forever. It turns out that Adam is a Watcher, an angel whose mission is to keep watch over humanity. The first rule of the Watchers is to not become involved with the humans. But Poesy makes it very difficult for Adam to follow the rules...
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This was a well-crafted story, with a cast of characters that the reader will enjoy following. The plot is a seldom-seen one, which makes the story feel fresh and new. The tension between Poesy, Adam and Birdie, Poesy' best friend, is riveting to the point of humorous. All in all, Watcher is a fun introduction to these characters, and a good beginning to what is sure to be a wonderful series.
.
My Rating: 4.25/5 stars
.
Poesy is a waitress at a small restaurant on Tybee Island. When a stranger to town walks in, Poesy's life is changed forever. It turns out that Adam is a Watcher, an angel whose mission is to keep watch over humanity. The first rule of the Watchers is to not become involved with the humans. But Poesy makes it very difficult for Adam to follow the rules...
.
This was a well-crafted story, with a cast of characters that the reader will enjoy following. The plot is a seldom-seen one, which makes the story feel fresh and new. The tension between Poesy, Adam and Birdie, Poesy' best friend, is riveting to the point of humorous. All in all, Watcher is a fun introduction to these characters, and a good beginning to what is sure to be a wonderful series.
.
My Rating: 4.25/5 stars
January 25, 2018
Ms. Small has outdone herself
With the Watcher. Intrigue and mystery abound making you extremely anxious to find out what happens with Posey, Adam, Haylee, and of course, Birdie. This book deserves to be read more than once and probably the whole series does also. A must read.
With the Watcher. Intrigue and mystery abound making you extremely anxious to find out what happens with Posey, Adam, Haylee, and of course, Birdie. This book deserves to be read more than once and probably the whole series does also. A must read.
June 12, 2017
Only part of a book. Something like the first third. No plot conclusion or character arc. Absolutely EVERYTHING left unresolved. Very back and forth and all over anyway, so I don't really care.
May 28, 2018
Blah
I honestly couldn't get through the first two chapters this is awful I see the story but its not being portrayed at all..
I honestly couldn't get through the first two chapters this is awful I see the story but its not being portrayed at all..
July 2, 2018
Kept me interested from page one
Easy good read I got vested in the characters on page one can't wait to read book 2 great story
Easy good read I got vested in the characters on page one can't wait to read book 2 great story
December 30, 2018
What an amazing story. Poesy just makes it from paycheque to paycheque. When she goes to a bar, life changes.
February 18, 2019
An interesting take on Angels, it was a slow start for me, but as I continued to read I began to enjoy the book more. An ending I wasn’t expecting, and will definitely be reading the next book.
November 12, 2020
Slow
Very slow story, everything seems a little dragged out, hopefully the next in the series will get a little faster
Very slow story, everything seems a little dragged out, hopefully the next in the series will get a little faster
March 22, 2025
Angels
I wasn't prepared for him to be an angel. I actually thought he was the serial killer lol guess we'll see!!
I wasn't prepared for him to be an angel. I actually thought he was the serial killer lol guess we'll see!!
April 16, 2016
I’m almost positive WATCHER is self-published. I couldn’t find anything on the publisher by name and considering the author’s last name it just makes me think it’s a formed publisher name for a self-published author. Certainly not an unheard of practice and not a problem since I accept self-pubs anyway. Just a FYI.
As for the book itself the premise is intriguing but it really doesn’t make much of an appearance in this story. WATCHER is ultimately plot/world set-up. There’s very little conflict, no known antagonist, no real problem for the MC to work through. If the story had gone out with a bang at the end I’d be more for it but it didn’t. Nothing was resolved because there was nothing to resolve. Well, the murders but those came pretty far into the book and the threat to the MC was indirect at best it was all ultimately rather dull.
I was really uncomfortable with the portrayal of the few people of color in the book. The best friend black woman was, of course, a sassy loud mouth who threw down the word ‘nigger’ a lot in describing people of her same race who were slimeballs. Use of the word cracker abounds too. The Asian best friend, while not herself wholly stereotypical, has a father who owns a Chinese restaurant who talks like every stereotypical Asian in every 80s movie you’ve ever seen. You have problem? You buy now. The best friend was also trying to escape an arranged marriage so there’s that too. These things just really stood out to me and really rubbed me the wrong way and genuinely made me feel uncomfortable.
Poesy, the main character, is an adult who hasn’t made much of her life, still waitressing on the island she grew up on. Her biggest problem is the token Barbie bitch who insists on giving her a hard time and rubbing her lackluster life in her face. Not sure why Poesy wasn’t like, ‘I see you’ve done a lot, still hanging around the same bar you did in high school’ but okay. Brianna, I think her name is. This woman is Poesy’s biggest source of conflict in the story.
Well, there’s Birdie too. A completely overbearing male best friend who has the hots for Poesy and grossly oversteps his bounds, especially when Adam comes into the picture. But as the book goes on Poesy calls him on his crap, which I liked. It was starting to get old by the time she did that.
Adam is the question mark in all of this, who Poesy is inexplicably drawn to. His secret is revealed probably about midway through the book but it’s not met with much of anything. There’s sort of an ‘oh my’ moment but it’s sort of brushed aside for more mundane things like Birdie’s band or . . . waitressing. Really, the story is mostly a ‘day in the life of’ for Poesy and you may get a sliver of something ‘other’ happening. But you’ll have to really watch for it.
You get two murders in the book. The first is super distant and isn’t even considered a murder for a short while. It acts as background noise and gets people a little on edge but not enough to disrupt their lives. The second hits Poe closer to home but seemingly has a culprit, albeit an unknown one. Still, it doesn’t knock things off kilter all that much. The very end of the book something happens to Poe that could possibly link everything together but it’s left hanging. She’s rescued, we don’t get any explanation for what happened to her, and the book ends. Not a whole lot going on here.
It’s not necessarily poorly written. For an indie I think it’s actually pretty well put together. I think too much focus is put on the mundane and not enough on what the story’s actually about but the writing itself is fine. I just don’t think the real story even started until more than halfway through the book and then it just ended. I didn’t even have much by the way of conflict to hang on to to want to lead me into the second book. Poe’s relationship with Adam was conflict-light, ending before it even began and then circling back around to Brianna for additional typical conflict but that’s about it.
I need more when I read a book. Adam doesn’t even have much of a role in the book other than to tell Poe what he’s doing there and then has a small moment at the very end. Other than that he’s background fodder. Poe has stuff happening around her and she reacts but it feels like she’s just coasting through it all. And when she does get active it’s in an overt, almost nonsensical sort of way. Almost a means to compensate for when she isn’t. Just not digging this one.
2
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
As for the book itself the premise is intriguing but it really doesn’t make much of an appearance in this story. WATCHER is ultimately plot/world set-up. There’s very little conflict, no known antagonist, no real problem for the MC to work through. If the story had gone out with a bang at the end I’d be more for it but it didn’t. Nothing was resolved because there was nothing to resolve. Well, the murders but those came pretty far into the book and the threat to the MC was indirect at best it was all ultimately rather dull.
I was really uncomfortable with the portrayal of the few people of color in the book. The best friend black woman was, of course, a sassy loud mouth who threw down the word ‘nigger’ a lot in describing people of her same race who were slimeballs. Use of the word cracker abounds too. The Asian best friend, while not herself wholly stereotypical, has a father who owns a Chinese restaurant who talks like every stereotypical Asian in every 80s movie you’ve ever seen. You have problem? You buy now. The best friend was also trying to escape an arranged marriage so there’s that too. These things just really stood out to me and really rubbed me the wrong way and genuinely made me feel uncomfortable.
Poesy, the main character, is an adult who hasn’t made much of her life, still waitressing on the island she grew up on. Her biggest problem is the token Barbie bitch who insists on giving her a hard time and rubbing her lackluster life in her face. Not sure why Poesy wasn’t like, ‘I see you’ve done a lot, still hanging around the same bar you did in high school’ but okay. Brianna, I think her name is. This woman is Poesy’s biggest source of conflict in the story.
Well, there’s Birdie too. A completely overbearing male best friend who has the hots for Poesy and grossly oversteps his bounds, especially when Adam comes into the picture. But as the book goes on Poesy calls him on his crap, which I liked. It was starting to get old by the time she did that.
Adam is the question mark in all of this, who Poesy is inexplicably drawn to. His secret is revealed probably about midway through the book but it’s not met with much of anything. There’s sort of an ‘oh my’ moment but it’s sort of brushed aside for more mundane things like Birdie’s band or . . . waitressing. Really, the story is mostly a ‘day in the life of’ for Poesy and you may get a sliver of something ‘other’ happening. But you’ll have to really watch for it.
You get two murders in the book. The first is super distant and isn’t even considered a murder for a short while. It acts as background noise and gets people a little on edge but not enough to disrupt their lives. The second hits Poe closer to home but seemingly has a culprit, albeit an unknown one. Still, it doesn’t knock things off kilter all that much. The very end of the book something happens to Poe that could possibly link everything together but it’s left hanging. She’s rescued, we don’t get any explanation for what happened to her, and the book ends. Not a whole lot going on here.
It’s not necessarily poorly written. For an indie I think it’s actually pretty well put together. I think too much focus is put on the mundane and not enough on what the story’s actually about but the writing itself is fine. I just don’t think the real story even started until more than halfway through the book and then it just ended. I didn’t even have much by the way of conflict to hang on to to want to lead me into the second book. Poe’s relationship with Adam was conflict-light, ending before it even began and then circling back around to Brianna for additional typical conflict but that’s about it.
I need more when I read a book. Adam doesn’t even have much of a role in the book other than to tell Poe what he’s doing there and then has a small moment at the very end. Other than that he’s background fodder. Poe has stuff happening around her and she reacts but it feels like she’s just coasting through it all. And when she does get active it’s in an overt, almost nonsensical sort of way. Almost a means to compensate for when she isn’t. Just not digging this one.
2
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2016
fun read!!!
This was a fun read! The book moves along at a good pace and has a fun plot line. Poesy Wharton is an interesting character, and I enjoyed reading about her. I can't wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens. The book is set on tybee island and focuses on a small group of friends. It really has the feel of what it feels like to be a local in a tourist area. I like the book very much, if I had any negative it would be that there wasn't enough backstory with certain characters, or that other characters are mentioned at the beginning but never mentioned again until right at the end. Overall I say give it a read! My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This was a fun read! The book moves along at a good pace and has a fun plot line. Poesy Wharton is an interesting character, and I enjoyed reading about her. I can't wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens. The book is set on tybee island and focuses on a small group of friends. It really has the feel of what it feels like to be a local in a tourist area. I like the book very much, if I had any negative it would be that there wasn't enough backstory with certain characters, or that other characters are mentioned at the beginning but never mentioned again until right at the end. Overall I say give it a read! My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
May 23, 2012
Time Taken To Read - 1 day
Blurb From Amazon
Poesy Wharton is a twenty something waitress whose life appears to be going nowhere until a mysterious stranger named Adam Walker enters Paddy's Bar, the small town dive where she works. When bad things start to happen including the murder of another local waitress, Poesy finds herself on a dangerous path - falling for a man she barely knows and whose very existence will challenge the world as she knows it.
My Review
Poesy is our main character, a waitress in a small town on the island where everyone knows everyone's business. She has a mundane routine until a stranger comes into the diner and slowly life as she knows it changes. Adam isn't like anyone Poesy has ever met and before too long she finds out this is an understatement and everything she thought she knew will change.
I didn't warm to Poesy at all, she acts like a confused mixed emotion teen despite being in her early 20s, is wreckless and irresponsible(drink driving for a start!). In fact, the first almost 200 pages, a lot of it surrounds her relationships with the towns people and friends and her dilemmas with who she likes and what ifs. I didn't get into the book and gripped by it until hitting about 200 pages in when Adam really came into play and more was revealed about his character.
It is an original idea and I love the potential for the story and Adam but there was so many questions left unanswered and I do hate that. I know this is the first in a series so I am hoping Poesy grows up a bit, the questions and incidents are explained and the focus is put on Adam who really I feel should be our main character (I would love to read more about him!). Really good for a first attempt and whilst people like mystery and cliff hangers I would like to see book 1s mysteries cleared up and addressed in book 2. 3/5 for me and I would try this author again, if your looking for something a little different then this might be right up your street.
Thanks so much to the author for giving me the opportunity to read and review their work.
Blurb From Amazon
Poesy Wharton is a twenty something waitress whose life appears to be going nowhere until a mysterious stranger named Adam Walker enters Paddy's Bar, the small town dive where she works. When bad things start to happen including the murder of another local waitress, Poesy finds herself on a dangerous path - falling for a man she barely knows and whose very existence will challenge the world as she knows it.
My Review
Poesy is our main character, a waitress in a small town on the island where everyone knows everyone's business. She has a mundane routine until a stranger comes into the diner and slowly life as she knows it changes. Adam isn't like anyone Poesy has ever met and before too long she finds out this is an understatement and everything she thought she knew will change.
I didn't warm to Poesy at all, she acts like a confused mixed emotion teen despite being in her early 20s, is wreckless and irresponsible(drink driving for a start!). In fact, the first almost 200 pages, a lot of it surrounds her relationships with the towns people and friends and her dilemmas with who she likes and what ifs. I didn't get into the book and gripped by it until hitting about 200 pages in when Adam really came into play and more was revealed about his character.
It is an original idea and I love the potential for the story and Adam but there was so many questions left unanswered and I do hate that. I know this is the first in a series so I am hoping Poesy grows up a bit, the questions and incidents are explained and the focus is put on Adam who really I feel should be our main character (I would love to read more about him!). Really good for a first attempt and whilst people like mystery and cliff hangers I would like to see book 1s mysteries cleared up and addressed in book 2. 3/5 for me and I would try this author again, if your looking for something a little different then this might be right up your street.
Thanks so much to the author for giving me the opportunity to read and review their work.
August 25, 2016
This is book one in The Shining Ones Series.....the setting is Tybee Island Georgia. Reading this book has made me want to visit this little seaside town. Lead female character is Poesy Wharton, a waitress at Paddy's Bar & Grill. Being that Tybee is such a small town means not much ever happens of great interest right? Yeah well, think again folks. Small towns mean everyone pretty much knows everyone. So, when the air stirs and she spies a handsome stranger enter her eatery......Poesy can't look away. There's just something about this mysterious hottie by the name of Adam Walker and our girl makes it her business to find all she can.
What can be said about Adam walker?....not a whole lot. He seems to be very well spoken and polite not wanting to reveal too much about himself. Yet it's obvious he has his eye on Posey and some really weird shit is about to happen in this southern town.
The story started out a little slow, but then it grabs ahold of you and pulls you in. I was very intrigued by this odd new addition to the population of Tybee Island. As the story progressed the more fascinated I was with Adam Walker. I do love a story that makes you think and I sure was wondering to myself....who and what was this guy! I felt so bad for Poesy as she's flung through the emotional roller coaster that her life becomes after meeting this complex stranger.
I thought the author did a great job of character development and amazing descriptive elements of each scene. I came to enjoy the banter of the secondary characters and Poesy's best friends Birdie and Haylee Jane. I look forward to discovering where the next book in the series takes us.....I do love a mystery!
What can be said about Adam walker?....not a whole lot. He seems to be very well spoken and polite not wanting to reveal too much about himself. Yet it's obvious he has his eye on Posey and some really weird shit is about to happen in this southern town.
The story started out a little slow, but then it grabs ahold of you and pulls you in. I was very intrigued by this odd new addition to the population of Tybee Island. As the story progressed the more fascinated I was with Adam Walker. I do love a story that makes you think and I sure was wondering to myself....who and what was this guy! I felt so bad for Poesy as she's flung through the emotional roller coaster that her life becomes after meeting this complex stranger.
I thought the author did a great job of character development and amazing descriptive elements of each scene. I came to enjoy the banter of the secondary characters and Poesy's best friends Birdie and Haylee Jane. I look forward to discovering where the next book in the series takes us.....I do love a mystery!
October 25, 2016
I simply loved reading the Watcher by Shawnee Small. I was pulled into the pages and the life of Poesy Wharton. Poesy is a waitress at Paddy's and she and her friend Haily Jane work together along with her other friend Birdie (James) Finch who is also a lead singer of a band. Poesy lives on the island of Tybee along with her friends. Then there is the mysterious Adam Walker who is very handsome and he is a mystery in his own way.
This book has mystery, excitement and wonder all tied into one. It pulls you in from page one and keeps you reading till the very end. It has it's moments of humor and laughter and I simply loved Haily's attitude she is one of a kind. I am excited to read the next book titled Protector... I can't wait to see what happens with Poe (Poesy) and her friends and the handsome and mysterious Adam Walker.
Watcher is a must read... I loved it and I know that you will love it too
March 23, 2016
Small town wonderment with big picture questions
This is a story that connects with the intrigue of TV shows such as 'True Blood' and other small town stories with mysticism (e.g. Josephine Angelini's Starcrossed series). Book starts in a way that triggers memories of John Hughes movies - the inferiority complex of the principle character (in this case Poesey) and the challenge of the incumbent love (who loves her, but she just sees as a best friend) and the new character... This is Pretty in Pink based in Tybee, Georgia with an otherness flair. Can't wait to read the second book as we're left hanging at the end of Watcher.
This is a story that connects with the intrigue of TV shows such as 'True Blood' and other small town stories with mysticism (e.g. Josephine Angelini's Starcrossed series). Book starts in a way that triggers memories of John Hughes movies - the inferiority complex of the principle character (in this case Poesey) and the challenge of the incumbent love (who loves her, but she just sees as a best friend) and the new character... This is Pretty in Pink based in Tybee, Georgia with an otherness flair. Can't wait to read the second book as we're left hanging at the end of Watcher.
September 17, 2016
Such a cool idea for a story.
I would never have thought that I would fall in love with these characters. Posey seemed a little to self center and Adam just strange in general. Birdie was always unpredictable but Harley was always loveable. This love hate relationship between Adam and Posey is great and works throughout the story. This story has enough suspense to keep everyone interested with well defined characters. Truely a 5 star story.
I would never have thought that I would fall in love with these characters. Posey seemed a little to self center and Adam just strange in general. Birdie was always unpredictable but Harley was always loveable. This love hate relationship between Adam and Posey is great and works throughout the story. This story has enough suspense to keep everyone interested with well defined characters. Truely a 5 star story.
April 12, 2016
I enjoy this genre of fiction and was immediately drawn into this story. I liked the characters which is a big thing for me - if I feel nothing for them then it's unlikely I will finish reading the book. I liked the characters in this one especially Poesy's friend Haylee Jane with all her great expressions!!
October 23, 2016
Fell into the story head first, coming up for air only to reach for the next book. Luckily, I had it on hand. A gritty compelling story of young love finding its way. There's more than enough suspense to keep you turning the pages, and mystery to keep you guessing. Ms. Small has won my heart with this one.
October 21, 2016
This was a fantastic read. Once I started it is couldn't put it down. The draw between Posey and Adam is what makes it so interesting. The evil that is lurking around Tybee can be felt when you read this story. Posey finds out more about the supernatural than she thought really exists. I really love the story and the history and can't wait to start book 2 to find out more.
November 30, 2016
Besides the usage of derogatory names and sentences like, "There's nothing worse than two bossy black women in a kitchen." the story as a whole was uninteresting and the characters were 2-dimensional and not really likable.
February 22, 2016
Watcher keeps drawing you in
Shawnee Small weaves her characters into the plot as she develops their relationships. The more you read the more riveting Watcher becomes.
Shawnee Small weaves her characters into the plot as she develops their relationships. The more you read the more riveting Watcher becomes.
October 10, 2016
Not an Alien
I was really frustrated with the characters in the book. Hauler was the only character I liked...The story was a bit weird too, there were more questions than answers
I was really frustrated with the characters in the book. Hauler was the only character I liked...The story was a bit weird too, there were more questions than answers
November 12, 2016
It took a little to get into this book but, by the end I was totally hooked. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
May 24, 2024
was a slow start but good storyline
April 10, 2017
Shining Ones Book One
Working at Paddy's Bar and Grill has never been as exciting or dangerous as it is now that Adam Walker has come to town. Poesy gets a tingling sensation every time he touches her, which happens more than it ever has in the past. This stranger both intrigues and annoys Poesy every time she sees him. When another local waitress is killed, the new guy in town is the first place the police look. However, Poesy cannot quite believe that Adam is capable of that atrocity. After she drops by his house unannounced, her world is changed forever.
If you're looking for a new urban fantasy realm with mystery and suspicious creatures, this is the book for you!
Working at Paddy's Bar and Grill has never been as exciting or dangerous as it is now that Adam Walker has come to town. Poesy gets a tingling sensation every time he touches her, which happens more than it ever has in the past. This stranger both intrigues and annoys Poesy every time she sees him. When another local waitress is killed, the new guy in town is the first place the police look. However, Poesy cannot quite believe that Adam is capable of that atrocity. After she drops by his house unannounced, her world is changed forever.
If you're looking for a new urban fantasy realm with mystery and suspicious creatures, this is the book for you!
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