First Blade

Awakening #1

by Jane Hinchey

Georgia Pearce possesses remarkable psychic abilities. When she discovers an ancient dagger hidden in her workshop, she knows it can only mean one thing. Trouble.

Trouble arrives in the form of Zak Goodwin, an entity more powerful – and definitely sexier – than any she’s come across before. However, when a horde of dangerous vampires show up and threaten Georgia and her sister, she has no choice but to ask Zak for help.

Along with a shifter cop, a band of vampire warriors, and her own psychic skills, Georgia sets out to stop the awakening of an immortal vampire who has the power to destroy the world -- and discovers that staying alive isn’t nearly as dangerous as falling in love.

If you like fast-paced paranormal romantic suspense, thrilling heroes, and sassy, kick-ass heroines then you’ll love the first installment of the Awakening series by Jane Hinchey.

Buy First Blade to begin the breathtaking adventure of Georgia and Zak today!

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Vampires, Fantasy, Audiobook, Magic, Paranormal Romance

233 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 19, 2015

About the author

Jane Hinchey is a best selling author of over twenty paranormal cozy mystery and urban fantasy novels.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2w1Txsu
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2Cb1Klq
Website: http://bit.ly/2OjB1a2

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

The description of the story sounded promising, but I couldn't read past the first few chapters. After the heroine meets the ubiquitous drop-dead gorgeous, sexier than hell, can make you orgasm with a look hero, they have a handful of interactions that each include him making dumb-ass sexual come-ons and her being really mean back (even though, of course, she wanted to rip off his clothes and have his babies). Then, after an bad incident, he holds her in his lap because she is upset (and then tries to get in her pants - ulterior motives much?), and she starts thinking "Oh, I think I'm falling for him because of his sexiness and hidden sensitivity". Really? That is enough to start a relationship? You finds out nothing about who he really is (as an individual) and his character is flat as a pancake, although I guess the part of him that ISN'T flat is supposed to make up for this. I'm sorry, but good looks are completely based on genetic and luck-of-the-draw, and eventually everyone gets old, fat, farts and wets themselves (oh, unless they are an immortal hybrid thingy). I know this is fiction and make-believe and all, but I feel that the last twenty books Ive read have all had these same two characters with slightly different descriptions, and the too gorgeous to live man-slut has sex with the stupid heroine one time and is instantly in love, monogamous, and willing to pleasure her at least once an hour. If the world really worked like this EVER I would enjoy it more. And I admit that I loved the first few hundred books that I read with the same plot, but it is getting redundant. Maybe I'm getting jaded in my old age..

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Georgia Pearce is different she can catch a glimpse of a persons future from a touch, see the past from inanimate objects, tell what people are (werewolf, vampire etc) and now she's having dreams but not normal dreams someone is invading her dreams and she's waking up hot, bothered and aroused.
The dreams started after she found and cut herself on an antique dagger and now all she wants is a good nights sleep.
Zak Goodwin is a famous author who's actually half vampire, half angel and he knows the minute the dagger has been found.
Georgia is a fabulous feisty take no prisoners female
“Okay, I’m telling you twice. Don’t touch me. Ever. Understood?”......
"I’ve asked you twice. Agreed?......
"You did,”....
"Ok then.” A loud crack and he was lying on the floor, blood streaming from his nose.
So Georgia is not a woman to be pushed around and Zak is used to women falling at his feet, they've been doing it for as long as he can remember so Georgia comes as a bit of a surprise.
This book had so much going for it, great characters and an interesting story, romance between a hot powerful male and a strong worthy female, although if I'm being totally honest she came close to stupid a couple of times but since she was brilliant the rest of the time I forgave her.
So why not 5*?
It was a bit jumpy, the pacing was all over the place and while I really hate it when authors drag their books out beyond what the story itself can cope with, this really could have done with being longer, the end seemed rushed and I'm left with lots of questions.
I did check before starting this if it was a first in series and found this:

'At the moment First Blade is a stand alone paranormal romance / urban fantasy, though there is the possibility of continuing on the story in the future.'

So it's not as if my questions will be answered anytime soon.
It's a good sign that I wanted more and I'll look out for other books from this author in the future.

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sexy, sassy and bloody exciting. An enjoyable paranormal story full of danger and drama. The plot was great but the story was paced a little off. I was hoping for more action. The characters were great! I loved how Georgia was a kickass heroine. She didn't back down from a fight and didn't take any crap. Zak was an arrogant alpha male who was hot, badass and protective. They fit together like fire and ice and their chemistry sizzled off the page.
I'd recommend this book to lovers of alpha vampire bad boys.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Debra Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prch Amz 11/17/2020

First Blade Jane Hinchey is an Adult Suspense/Thriller Paranormal Romance. About 230 pages long and a fantastic read!
Let's get the negatives out of the way. I saw a negative review on Amazon that made no sense to me AFTER reading this book. Its apparent the reviewer highlighted certain scenes out of their proper context. They even got the main female characters name wrong. As far as TRUE negatives go, there are a couple of editing errors and two places that were just a tad bit repetitive. That's it.
Georgia Pearce is a 'Hell Raising, Butt Kicking, Bad Ass' kind of girl. When she says 'NO' she means it. If you don't back off you are in for a world of hurt. Georgia style! Here is my favorite quote from the book.
"She hoped her dad wasn't angry that she'd punched the idiot. She'd done what he taught her. Ask them twice. Make sure you ask them twice and then hit them.
See dad? I remembered."
Zak is a fantastic character and immediately drawn to Georgia. I wont get into the reasons he initially sought her. That would give away to much of the story and I hate spoilers! But, he really didn't expect the attraction. Not only does it throw him for a loop, but it makes it even more important to find out who is after his ring and trying to destroy him.
There is mystery, suspense and horrifying moments when you really don't know what will happen next. The story keeps you on your toes. There is ADULT romance that is so hot it will melt your kindle and possibly your glasses (if you wear them). The story flows so perfectly that before you know it, you are at the end screaming "More! More!"
I hope she makes this a series. It was, without a doubt, an absolutely GREAT READ!

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[Lexy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this book was good

[Jamoz23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A very good story in the genre that I love but with the type of TSTL drama I do not like.
This book had it all but took a silly turn with the heroine.
Georgia started off as this great heroine with Psychic powers that I really loved. Georgia was kickass, smart, capable and so totally likeable even if she was a bit of a lush.
This book had so many good things in it, Zak, vampires, Georgia, her sister Skye and their best werewolf friend Rhys, not to mention all those yummy warriors we didn’t really meet.
I was enjoying this book very much with the interaction and chemistry between Zak and Georgia until we had the TSTL, (too stupid to live) roll my eyes moment. Georgia cannot fight against vampires no matter how good she is as a human.
Even though I read it to the end and did enjoy it and how it all wrapped up, the aggravation of Georgia’s stupid behaviour just spoilt it for me. Blaming her behaviour on being hot headed, stubborn and quick to fly off the handle doesn’t work with me. Causing upheaval once was bad enough but acceptable to keep you on edge, but she does it again without thought or care for anything or anyone but herself.
Also Georgia’s powers never really came into play that much.
The thing that redeemed this book slightly was Georgia at least admitting it was all her own fault for what happened earlier because she did not listen and stay in safety.
Some people will love all this drama but it annoys me no end to ruin a really good heroine.
I will be looking at more work from this author to watch how she does.
I received this book free from the author ages ago but have reread it through KU as I will be reading the rest of this series.

[Damian Southam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zak and his colleagues were all coated in demon gore. Between severed heads, limbs, and sulphur stinking bodies missing the various parts hacked off during the battle, it was getting more difficult to move around the number of corpses building up. Whichever way you looked, there was barely any place where dead demons couldn't be seen. With their bloodlust sufficiently provoked, the 'yet-to-be-killed' were only too happy to climb over their counterparts with nary a downward glance. Zak's boots were coated in the blood and guts of the already felled, there'd be no washing it out. It was testament to his hunters' skills that they were even still standing amidst the greatest concentration of demons he'd ever seen. Cooperative attacks weren't the sort of attributes you'd find on demon CVs. If it weren't for the extensive training and abilities he'd drummed into his squad, he might be concerned and more heavily involved in the time taken to heal their wounds as they fought. But as it stood, he knew they could handle the present workload.

Only six including himself were among the his Elite Fighters. After several explosions which shook the foundations and walls of his home, it was another of his childe, Veronica, who alerted them to the burgeoning awareness of the booby traps obviously set. Once outside, he'd barely noticed they'd all successfully retreated before his house was completely raised. Peering at the dust, it was then that he saw the fifty further demons still waiting to attack on the opposite side of his house had stood. He guessed in some ways that he and his team should consider it a small blessing that they'd exited on this side. Presumably the reinforcements were being held in reserve, the only question being whether they were originally meant to join their brethren inside, or await to see if he and his team successfully made it outside. Events now pointed undeniably to a trap having been set whilst they'd been away from his house. With ire building up, Zak couldn't maintain complete control over his magic. His backup that prevented him from worrying about his own chances of making it out of missions alive, he could feel the apprehension of his comrades as they too noticed the pressure in the air, caused by his magic winding up.

Revelling in the sensations almost completely forgotten, Zak let his control slip for just a short moment. His magic had been restrained for too long, and it wanted to consume with madness. He watched in glee as it reaped havoc on not just his foes, but also the remaining debris of his house; whatever had been completely demolished in the explosions a short moment ago. The essence of the raw power that pulsed outward in a wave was felt in the concussion leaving nothing behind, as it completely obliterated the remaining demons. For only the shortest moment could he afford the luxury of bathing in it's glory, to experience the full range of sensations heralded, before once again wrapping it back up in the tighest of controls. Most times he and his colleagues only saw the near instantaneous healing it wrought. Absolute control is necessary, because it'd just as sooner destroy the world, as it would be used to heal. When the dust settled once again, nothing but the ash of the things it consumed was left. All signs of the home, the battle that had littered his home, and the remaining demon foes had been wiped clean. As he acclimated to the feeling of his magic being held back so tight that it was as if it never existed, he couldn't help the internal smile as his friends stared in slack-jawed awe.

This was short-lived however, for in the aftermath he was alerted to the most chilling observation of the night. The coloured bands on the rings that adorned his finger had experienced a change. The band pertaining to the first blade had shifted to blood red. Only one meaning could be drawn however impossible it seemed. Not only was the first blade found, it had also been activated by the taste of first blood. It'd been so long since even the records of its existence has fallen to the whims of time let alone its actual location. Whilst the facade of his exterior self remained passive and unchanged, his voice calm has spoke orders, his internal anxiety flourished. The chill is a reflection of possible times that now approached, that someone had wielded the first blade. Given magic always had a balance which precipitated unknown and unimaginable loopholes in the spells cast, he should know that he was not to be surprised. But complacency is the cost of immortality, hell, even mortals could make the same mistake and their lives are so fleeting.

Georgia noticed by complete chance that there is an odd brick making up one of the stable walls. Whilst shifting boxes as part of renovations began five years ago she now happened to notice it sat differently to it's neighbours. Closer examination identified a predesigned movement in its position, revealing a purpose built cavity. The blood welling on her finger was proof, yet again, that she'd shown no restraint in blindly going forth before she knew the risks of what she faced. But unlike in this hidey-hole, other finds over the course of the years since she and her sister had received the small inheritance in the wake of the tragic accident that took their parents, had all been benign. If she were being honest with herself she knew it had nothing to do with the other things she'd found; no, it had everything to do with her very poor impulse control. It might've gotten better since she and her sister had had only each other to look after them, but it still remains a part of her life.

After cleaning the cut up to see it wasn't that deep, she proceeded with a previously absent caution. A flashlight revealed the culprit as being a cloth wrapped blade, now smeared with her blood along an inch of it's length. The faint notion of serendipity bloomed as the dagger revealed an obvious medieval design that could be matched with the theme of the antiques shop they'd bought, Between the Times. The handle's decorative design drew most of her attention. It reminded her of a medieval period artifact, with ribbons embedded in it that appeared to shift and change colour almost at once. This became more prominent, along with a slight glow the more she polished it back to its (likely) original luster. Already it started to feel like an old friend. Roughly the size of her forearm, it therefore had to be a weapon and not the general sort of dagger you'd carry in a bag, or a replica place as an ornament holstered on the mantle.

With her curiosity piqued her psychic gift provided the barest hint of an impression that it was the smearing of blood that mattered most. That because it was her blood which had awoken it, that in a fashion the blade now belonged to her. Furthermore, she had an inkling that it must be wielded by her to reveal the true purpose that had been created for. Holding it out in front of her she amazed at how light in weight, and right it felt, in her hand. Despite its substantial presence she couldn't believe how light it felt. Even what first appeared to be a simple cloth turned out to be leather that had designs in keeping with the hilt. Unfortunately these had degraded so significantly that getting answers from the wrapping was starting to look like a dead end. Had she not seen the hilt she'd likely have missed most of the etchings in the leather that had wrapped the blade.

Beginning the first night after finding the blade, until even the month later that it is now, the blade was influencing her life. Georgia wouldn't consider anything to have been of any benefit, save the double-edged fashion of just one development. Whilst the dreams with their coincidental nature of having started that first night is somewhat disconcerting in that the effects on her sleep were seeing a decline in her appearance of general health, there's an aspect that has captured her attention to a distracting degree. A presence exists within her dreamscape of a beguiling and completely sensual male that could be interpreted on face value as a benefit. The raw magnetism of male allure is the epitome of sensuality. Where his hands or body touches her skin it burns with a need for greater tactile stimulation, hinting at reaches of sexual heights drastically wanted following his touch. But it is definitely dual edged: the stirring of her dreams are now having a toll on her health and appearance; and the absence of a progression to acts that could produce her needed climax were absent.

Her best friend Rhys and younger sister Skye, both absent the notion of tact, though she is as well, were starting to comment on her tired appearance and lack of appetite. Given Rhys's werewolf nature, Georgia had to ignore the idea that he might've also been able to detect her frustrated arousal as well. Even alcohol-induced blurring from passing out after overzealous nights of consumption, whilst taking the edge off in some fashion, still fail to keep the drama of the blade from influencing her nightly escapades during sleep. Awaking horny and frustrated on a daily basis worked surprisingly well at reiterating her increasingly severe dry spell, about as well as an abscess did at letting you know you needed to get around to that dentist visit you'd been happily procrastinating about.

Georgia was definitely now beginning to believe that sating her needs with anyone but the dream-man would actually assuage that need anyway. Hitherto unimaginable allure was leaving her with a bad taste. During her life she has never met a man with even the smallest hint of a comparable magnetism, making it hard to comprehend how someone like him could exist anywhere but in her dreams. She'd been aware of the things that go bump in the night since she was a kid learning she had a psychic ability, and she still couldn't fathom meeting anyone like him. She can but hope, but doubts it will happen and that its a unrealistic to do so.

Perhaps her oracle/seer psychic abilities might be capable of helping her to one day encounter dream-man if only they could be manipulated to work in that way, which they cannot. She still suffered the harsh awareness of this fact. If it could be she would've been granted a vision that'd kept her parents from getting into the car accident that stole their lives too early. Also, it'd require the necessary touch that prompted a vision to begin with, at which point the vision would be redundant. Being in his presence would be enough if her dreams were anything to go by. She remains unsure, though, of the connection between present events and visions prompted by her gifts. Whilst encountered rarely it isn't unheard of for Georgia to experience the absolute smallest glimpse of the past associated with objects in lieu of people. What is presently taking place doesn't feel as though it is the same thing. The blade and her dreams were undoubtedly connected, its the mechanism at play where her doubts reined, not the connection itself. Thus, the blade doesn't appear to actually belong to dream-man, even if its associated with him in some way.

Despite the hellish drain of her present hangover she navigated her way to their antiques business following a wake up-you're late phone call from Skye. Whilst her generous boob endowment pushed against the restraint of the top she wore, they'd learnt shortly after opening the doors to their business that it offered an unexpected advantage of quickly closing sales with male customers at Between the Times. Swallowing her ravenous gluttony of the burger breakfast, a meal championing the morning after for untold numbers of revelers who took one (or more) too many drinks the night before, it was Rhys who delivered the best news they'd had since opening for business; along with her already nearly finished breakfast.

She hadn't failed to notice that her sister's eyes became consumed in Rhys's presence whenever he was around, nor the touches endemic to female crushes; although she'd not yet been granted any visions to show a romantic union in either of their futures. But just as the visions are fallible they can also be absent, her parents case in point. The easy-on-the-eyes six foot tanned skinned and broad shouldered werewolf working for the local constabulary shared the news of her favourite author's purchase of the nearby acreage neighbouring her own. Following the strange destruction of his former abode he'd decided to move right the way to the other side of the country. Perhaps, disregarding the episodes now related to finding the blade, her life might be looking up if none other than the sister's favourite fiction author, Zak Goodwin, is moving to put him just ten kilometres from her humble home.

Adding to the hints of the world of angels, if only in snippets, First Blade offers both a gutsy drama combined with the tantalising action and imagery in the worlds of urban fantasy. With a combined cast of characters from several branches on the supernatural tree of life, the story combines absolute sheer magical power with the magnitude of power that comes from having an unassailable force of will. Not always given it's due credit, the capacity of will power to affect the course of events even in the face of things like magic and seemingly unbeatable odds, often someone's will underlies the effectiveness of anything that seeks to prevail. With fortitude, cunning, intelligence, and sufficient motivations even the weakest link can turn out to be the strongest of an arsenal. Add in the experiences of a person who has for years been dealing with the sort of self appraisal you wouldn't wish on an enemy, and you find the answers of having on your team the sorts of players who long ago forgot what it is to give up and give in. With the correct number of resources on your team, you often have the necessary mixture of elements to prevail over even the greatest odds.

If you then bring into the equation the sort of motivations that arise when a person is forced to fight for the life of someone who is being used to manipulate their conformity, then you have the recipe needed for a person to fight until their last breath. The mindset of damned if you do, damned if you don't, is the last situation your foes should instill. If they do create a fighter who'll never give up, no matter how hard the fight is, or what's been lost, they can be seen to create the very situation necessary for their demise. Fortunately for those we often want to win, sometimes the bad guys are too stupid to not know when enough is enough. Perhaps this often fails to register because the A-holes don't see the world in the same way, or wouldn't commit to a situation in the same way. Lets face it, someone prepared to hurt the people we love, are hardly the sort of people who know how to give a goal your hardest fight, no matter the personal risks involved.

Sizzling intimacy, vivacious females, demure supporting roles, powerful male counterparts, lunatic predators, hot male cameos, and a number of other attributes would make up a decently sized list of reasons to buy and read First Blade, if that's all reviews required for readers to get a better idea about a new book they seek to buy; which its not. With natural storytelling style that integrates rotating and valuable changes in points of view, First Blade has you well gripped after the first few chapters, which shifts to intrigued and ogling eyes as you flick from page to page in an effort to devour what will happen next. Action aplenty, this first fiction novel by Jane Hinchey has promptly added her to the list any dedicated readers create regarding the names of authors you know will have created the books you want to, and should read. The potential that's been created in this first of a series creates intrigue in the wonderment of how Jane will direct the next book.

First Blade almost feels like a prequel, although there are several aspects of the mentioned historical contexts that could be fertile soil to grow a prequel, or two, to cover those hinted factors at a later stage. As a complete book in and of itself, all the checkboxes can be ticked off, and yet you can't help but predict there'll be more to come. The greatest surprise I have with regards to the book and reviewing why I read it, is the presence of 1 star reviews that I fail to comprehend. I guess in a nutshell it just goes to show that every reader has their own set of values, and the way they interpret a book. Being able to predict that is about as easy as picking the numbers of a cross-lotto before the balls are spun. I'm personally quite smitten with the leading female and male roles, with a hankering to see some greater involvement by the second leading lady.

Skye is an outlined character but I get a strong sense that there's oodles of ground to give her greater involvement in possible plots. Whilst the following observation is far from a criticism, I would nonetheless like to see her more heavily developed in future books. I could certainly see a spin-off fashioned for her as well, there's a demure strength to her. Similarly Rhys and his sparingly used supernatural race could also bring more into the story arc, at least from an external perspective if nothing else. You know wholeheartedly that the moment you want to see a plural number of character developments that you've hit upon a story with great potential to continue improving beyond expectations. I usually like to give four stars for new finds, if for no other reason than to allow me to add to the rating once I've read another book by the same author. But in this case it just doesn't feel write to not give a five, so I guess if I want to distinguish later additions I'll just have to find a way to do so in my words instead. If its not obvious, then I'll tell you plainly that its because I've got to go with five, four just doesn't feel right.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was serviceable, but I wouldn't recommend it, unless you generally love all things vampire and are looking mostly for a steamy romance novel. At the risk of sounding like a PC Millenial, it was difficult for me to buy this "romance." I understand the appeal, and therefore subsequent use of, hot badboy womanizing love interests in romance novels, but the courtship was more harassment than anything else. Then the author expects us to think Zack is a good guy (half-angel, half-vampire ::eyeroll::) for only going to third base in an alley with the drunk main character but not having sex with her because she couldn't provide consent.

Anyway, other than that, this is pretty standard paranormal romance fare, and I appreciate that the author at least tried to tie things together with a plot (magical ring and magical dagger to summon a Powerful Vampire). There isn't much character development, even if I appreciated the sister relationship. It seemed silly and merely a plot device to get the extra dude out of the way that the Georgia forgot about her best friend for weeks. Georgia and her sister seemed to be perfectly fine throwing away the lives they'd built up so they could become vampires. Then again, vampirism in this book was portrayed as being the bomb, except for not being able to go out in daylight. Georgia was suddenly incredibly more attractive and able to have "full out" and "pounding" sex, in addition to leveling up her fighting power from 10-40 in a few nights. There was also a cringe-worthy section of physical and sexual abuse, that aside from making me cringe at it being used as a plot device, provoked no emotional response in me.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Georgia has known about the paranormal world since she was a child getting flashes of people's future when she touched them or sometimes seeing the past when she touched an object helped her to realize the truth of the world very quickly in life. Working on her property to update it she stumbles upon a hidden panel in the wall and finds a blade that brings about a lot of changes very quickly in her life.

Zak is a very old vampire angel hybrid he together with his warriors work to keep the supernatural world at bay punishing those who would harm people. The ring he wears foretells of a Master vampire who if ever awakened things would be very bad for everyone.

With events unfolding around them they will have to trust each other very quickly in order to save each other and those they care about most.

The story itself is interesting and intriguing however I do wish that the paranormal world would have been better explained so that you can feel like you knew more about it instead of just getting bits and pieces throughout the story.

The characters in some ways you feel like you know them but in other ways too I would have liked to see more of.

Overall and interesting fast paced story with some very steamy scenes and a lot of action!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First page! That was all it took to engulf me in this book. Page 1 was filled with action, demons, vampires, and a very powerful half-breed. I could not put this book down, or at least I didn't want to, but of coarse my e-reader has to die sometime.

If you are looking for a book with huge amounts of action, vampires, and some very sexy romance scenes than I would definitely recommend this book to you. This book is not for someone for the faint of heart. This is a book for someone who wants to loose sleep with one heck of a book.

This book had it all. It was completely unpredictable and for that reason it had me hooked in, and flipping pages every chance I got. I got to become the characters. I got to be a part of the book, and live it all. This book had surround sound so huge that not even a TV, or anything else could pull you away from. I chose to read, instead of eat dinner; more like I forgot about dinner until 9:00pm and then said oh well, the book is my number one priority now.

That being said this book was great. I will tell you this book is strictly an adult book due to extreme violence and mature content.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of action, likeable characters. I'm interested in reading the next book.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start to a series. The main characters are really likeable and the storyline is fast paced.
If you like vampires and werewolves then this series is for you.

[Verity Eliane]

Dnf at 60%.

I tried

[Ricki · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first, this seemed like a cool, new take on the supernatural genre, then it devolved into a standard paranormal romance.

[Ahima Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75 stars for Zak and Georgia

Mental gifted woman finds ancient dagger. Not long after trouble finds her. The story line was good. With the small cut on her finger Georgia starts a chain of events that's reawakes something piwerful. Loved that part of the book very much. The chemistry between Zak and Georgia didn't convince me. There was just no spark for me and suddenly they land in bed. Also some aspects of the story were over so fast, that the impact of what happened couldn't go through to the reader. I will rersad the story and try to catch on.

[Kathrine]

it had the potential to be really great. could not continue after half the book :(

[Ola Adamska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good story with kicka$$ heroine and Good paranormal theme.
I enjoyed reading this story.

[Mo · Rating 2 out of 5]

First Blade

I like Zak. I'm not a fan of Georgia. She's not endearing. The story could have played out much longer with Marius. He was a vampire god? Yet he died so easily? Ehhhhhhhh.....

[Dana Busenbark · Rating 4 out of 5]

We start the book off with Zak and his band of merry vampires killing demons. What happens, and where are they when they are fighting these demons? Who or what is Zak? Is he a vampire too? Enter Georgia and her sister Skye. They own an antiques shop across the country from Zak's destroyed home. What is happening to Georgia since she started renovating her barn and home? What happened when she found a false wall inside the barn? What happened with Zak and his people across the country after Georgia's discovery? What happened to Georgia and Skye 6 years ago? What do the ring that Zak wears and the dagger that Georgia finds have in common? What happens when a thug comes to pay her a visit and he breaks his nose? Who and what is he? What does he want? Why? Who is Erik? What happens at the club with Zak and Veronica? What happens to 'incentivize' Georgia into doing what Erik demands of her? When Georgia has a premonition about something, what does she think? What happens when her sister is taken by Erik and his leftover band of vampires? What decision does Georgia have to make that will drastically alter her life as her sister's life was so drastically altered? What does she decide to do? You're going to have to read this book to see just what Erik and Veronica were up to, what Zak is, who his buddies are, what happened to Georgia and her sister Skye, and everything else. I'll say only this much. It is very much worth the read!

RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M.Brennan.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world thinks Zak is just a writer of great supernatural books. Little do they know he is supernatural. When demons destroy his home he also find his ring is activated. It could only have been activated if the dagger, which has remained hidden for years, had drawn blood. Now he had to find it before something worse than a destroyed home happens.
Georgia has found an old dagger hidden in a wall of a stable on the property she owns. Cut herself on the darned thing. Oh well, nothing a bandaid won't cover. Georgia and her sister own a shop where they sell, well, junk. Old junk and furniture that she refinishes. Some times she gets a commission to construct something new. Zak Goodwin has commissioned her to build a bed. She is pretty sure he plans to get her in it, but she has no intention of being another notch on his bedpost, so to speak.
Zak has managed to enter Georgia's dreams, but she has kept him from finding out what he needs to know. She doesn't understand her strange dreams, but she does understand when vampires tell her to steal Zak's ring, or else. She knows that stealing the ring of of his finger is impossible, but maybe she can figure something out.
When Zak sees the knot the vampire left on her forehead he demands to know how she got it. She uses the "I ran into a door" excuse, but he isn't buying it. He uses his power to heal her and admits that he is half vampire and half angel.
OK, that is all you get. I think you will enjoy the story of you like paranormal books at all. I am hoping for a sequel.

[T.L. Searle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Downloaded this book for free from the author (perhaps that's why the formatting on my kindle was a little funky?)

Ok, so this is a paranormal romance... Duh, and it's good. I liked it but I didn't love it love it, if you catch my drift.

So read the blurb for the synopsis lazy people, I'm not rehashing it in my review; no spoilers here. The characters are well written, the storyline is interesting. The only issues, other than the formatting, was the pacing - which was all over the place - the 3rs person tense, which had issues (like, who said that?) and a je ne sais quoi that's hard to describe . . . I don't know what it was but sometimes things just felt a little cliché, like a certain aspect was put it for the sake of being put in because of the PNR genre (Rhys, for example). Also, not too sure about Zak's big reveal at the end...?

Stop being negative? Well all righty then!

The good bits!

Georgia is kick-ass
Zak is a hot, sexy vamp/angel hybrid... just yum
She doesn't let him control her - score one for feminism
It kept me hooked, read it in a day

[Shannon]

So I tried really hard to finish this book, like really really hard - but alas, it was not meant to be. I found myself continuously getting so angry and frustrated with the heroine as well as the love interest. This book definitely had "lust at first sight" that caused the love interest, Zak, to turn into a complete jackass and not respect Georgia when she would say "no". Maybe its just me, but I'm not into that s***. I can stand love interests who would go "you say you don't want me but I know you do" but then never actually act on anything until they have the girls full, SOBER consent for even something as small as kissing. This guy though, WTF?!?! And the heroine, WTF?!?! I don't care for heroines who are ruled by their libido when it comes to the relationship progressing with the love interest. And how quickly the relationship progressed after the deed, SERIOUSLY?? It felt forced. This is a warning to those who look for books with more meaning to relationships, because this one had great promise but it felt like the author skimmed over it and just wanted the two characters to be together having steamy sex already.

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mechanically this was fine. But there is just literally nothing about it that isn't super cliched. There is zero originality here and it has several of my least favorite PNR occurrences in it. Most notably, the only female vampire is stereotypically sexy and a villain because she wants the hero and has been spurned. This makes me want to scream, especially when female writers fall into this trap. As if women can only be heroines and villainous sex kittens (or rabbits, as she is literally referred to as Jessica Rabbit at one point), no in between. Plus it constantly perpetuates the myths that other women can't be trusted, men are all we care about, and sex is only a weapon or a tool. I expect more and am getting increasingly frustrated and decreasingly patient when authors are too lazy to break out of this BS rut.

Add to that big one (big for me anyhow) the fact that the female main character is a psychic who has one vision in the whole book and the male lead is super skeezy for most of the book. All in all, this is a big fat fail for me.

Having said all that, the narrator did a fine job.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

(WARNING: This book contains potential triggers - Threats of rape & very light torture.)

While there were some things about this book i didn't like overall this is a decent book. I'd say it's worth a read if you like vampires, don't mind or enjoy sex scenes and have nothing better to read.
I listened to the audio version and think i would have enjoyed it more if i had read it instead.

The setting and plot is decent enough in this book along with some characters. The magic and supernaturals are a little different than is typical which is nice. I like that Georgia's occupation and work skills are different from what I typically read in this genre. I also like Georgia's and Sky's living situation as it feels realistic. Unfortunately the shifter cop isn't that relevant in this book but i'm hoping that will change in the following books in this series. There are some good lines, witty remarks, questionable and stupid decisions but overall it's a decent read.

[Tamara Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was great. Georgia was real. She is aware that there is more in the world than humans- and she struggles with guilt at not being able to help her parents. When she finds a knife- she has no idea of how much her life is about to change.
Zak is 1/2 Angel and 1/2 vampire. He is a warrior working to keep the world safe. He knows that there is a strong vampire trying to come back- and he is the only one to stop it. He also knows he is being betrayed - but he doesn't know by who.
The story was great. It was fast paced and intriguing. You like the characters from the beginning- and you want to know more of them. I am looking forward to book 2- and hope we get to see more of Georgia and Zak- as well as her sister Skye.

[Poetic Puppy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really couldn't get into this book. I got around 20% in before I gave up reading and skimmed to the end to see how it ended and if what I thought would happen did. The basic story itself was promising, it was the way it played out that didn't work for me. The story seemed to leap forward in ways that made no sense, with the main characters suddenly doing a 180 degree turn, as such it just didn't seem to flow right to me. I obviously won't be continuing with the Awakening Series. Sorry Jane.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vampires, warewolf, vampire cross angel and a whole lot of trouble for Georgia! When Georgia activates the first blade and is tracked down by Zak and his Vampire warriors, it just leads another Vampire group to Georgia and leads her and her sister Skye into a heap of trouble and a whole new world. Georgia is such a kick ass character willing to take on anyone. And what a cool being Zak is. And there is sex, lots of hot sex. Overall a fun read!

[Helen Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS BOOK HAD A FEW TWISTS AND TURNS. I HAVE TO SAY I HATED VERONICA FROM THE START TRYING TO TWIST THINGS BUT LOVE THE ENDING. WELL WRITTEN AND KEPT YOU ON YOUR TOES WANTING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED NEXT.

[Mara · Rating 1 out of 5]

The plot is all over the place. Characters are shallow, there's no world building nor any foundation to the story.
Many TSTL moments, instalust, useless powers. Can't recommend it even at this price, sorry.

[Julie Pederick · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Blade : (Book # 1 First Awakening) Jane Hicnhey.

A great first attempt writing a book thoroughly enjoyed had good flow action and pace. I loved the characters All but 3 and love to hate them so Mrs Hinchey did her job well. that was lacking in something i'm not sure what it is as the world was pretty much the same as the human world it's not the world building it was missing the action was fantastic the characters were great but this some sort of something missing from the book maybe a little bit a heart with the characters a bit of feeling or emotional something i'm not sure what it is a can't hi put my finger on it but i can't wait to find out what happens in book 2 and see how this wonderful talent changes, learns and adapts.

What are completely loved about this book : I only found one spelling mistake throughout this entire book I devoured in just a few short hours.
Made me feel like my old days of reading pre migraines & knocking over this book in a few short hours.

Thanks Jane for quick thrill ride taking me to places and experience things impossible for one with injuries.

I was completely absorbed in the book not noticing my surroundings or the noises around me.
Was 100% in the book in the lead characters roll of Georgia "Skin Walking" as if i was the character myself!

Takes a mighty author to be able to pull this off, this "Skin Walking" feat for me!

This is the first book I have read by Jane Hinchey, but definitely won't be the last!

I Rate First Blade 3.9🌟 out of 5🌟
A great start to what I hope is an amazing series by a brilliant author.

Can't wait to get into the pages of Book 2 as I read Book 1 in a matter of hours! Had trouble putting it down!
5A great read on the beach or anywhere and the sex is pretty damn Hot Hot Hot!

Who needs the sun to make this book SIZZLE, Mrs Hinchey's words in Georgia & Zak & her imagination do it all on it's own!

One of my favourite things about this book is hearing a lot of the Aussie colloquialisms & phrases, it's a nice to read something so close to home rather than all these books that are situated in the US or Europe!

You Go Girl!

I Recieved An ARC Copy of this Book & this is my fair, honest & impartial review.

Reviewed By : Jewelz Pederick
🙋‍♀️ ❤ From The 🤪 🇦🇺 📖 🐛❗
(Bye Love From The Crazy Australian Bookworm)!