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Guardians of Salt Creek #1
Jess, Rising
Previously published as Salt Creek Rising. New cover, new title, new bonus content!
Magic. Loves. Lies. Betrayal — High school is murder.
Seventeen-year-old Jess Flowers got more than she bargained for when she moved to Salt Creek, a podunk nowhere town with a dangerous secret. In Salt Creek, people aren't what they seem, and it's contagious. Jess is changing into something dark, something powerful, something more than human.
Will it be enough? A super-charged killer is closing in. She sees him in visions, slaughtering the helpless with fire and lightning, and she's next on the kill list. Gorgeous outcast Billy Combs is the only one willing to help her, but his troubled past may be darker than he's let on.
Can she tame the mysterious powers surging within her and identify the killer before it's her turn to die? Murder, lies, betrayal and supernatural powers collide in this dark YA love story for fans of Beautiful Creatures, Twilight, and Vampire Diaries.
Winner, 2016 Romance Writers of America Joyce Henderson Contest for Young Adult romance. (Under its working title, Girl with the Sun on her Heart.)
Magic. Loves. Lies. Betrayal — High school is murder.
Seventeen-year-old Jess Flowers got more than she bargained for when she moved to Salt Creek, a podunk nowhere town with a dangerous secret. In Salt Creek, people aren't what they seem, and it's contagious. Jess is changing into something dark, something powerful, something more than human.
Will it be enough? A super-charged killer is closing in. She sees him in visions, slaughtering the helpless with fire and lightning, and she's next on the kill list. Gorgeous outcast Billy Combs is the only one willing to help her, but his troubled past may be darker than he's let on.
Can she tame the mysterious powers surging within her and identify the killer before it's her turn to die? Murder, lies, betrayal and supernatural powers collide in this dark YA love story for fans of Beautiful Creatures, Twilight, and Vampire Diaries.
Winner, 2016 Romance Writers of America Joyce Henderson Contest for Young Adult romance. (Under its working title, Girl with the Sun on her Heart.)
222 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2017
83 people are currently reading
704 people want to read
About the author
D.M. Guay
22 books380 followersDenise Marie (DM) Guay writes monster comedies. She loves monsters, and she loves making monsters funny.
Denise lives in Ohio with her 12-foot skeletons and gives out full-size candy bars on Halloween. She is a former journalist, a retired roller derby girl, and a hobby urban farmer.
She loves Evil Dead 2, Rolos candy, and is Godzilla's number one fan. Her last name is pronounced Gay.
She is an active member of the Horror Writers Association and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA). Learn more about her at DMGuay. com.
Website: http://dmguay.com
Direct Store: https://payhip.com/authordmguay
Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B06XVFZ2X2
Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@dmguayshorro...
FB:https://www.facebook.com/DMGuay
Denise lives in Ohio with her 12-foot skeletons and gives out full-size candy bars on Halloween. She is a former journalist, a retired roller derby girl, and a hobby urban farmer.
She loves Evil Dead 2, Rolos candy, and is Godzilla's number one fan. Her last name is pronounced Gay.
She is an active member of the Horror Writers Association and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA). Learn more about her at DMGuay. com.
Website: http://dmguay.com
Direct Store: https://payhip.com/authordmguay
Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B06XVFZ2X2
Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@dmguayshorro...
FB:https://www.facebook.com/DMGuay
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
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January 26, 2020SPFBO dnf
After the death of her dad, her mom moves the family back to their hometown in Salt Creek, Ohio. Once there Jesse starts having vivid dreams that feel like premonitions or visions. She also finds her body is healing abnormally fast. If that’s not weird enough for you, it turns out she’s not the only one.
Fast-paced YA, looks to be fun. There’s a collection of high school kids that feel like high school kids hanging out, and I liked that Jesse reconnected with her best friend skipping the whole outsider misunderstood cliché that we usually get from these teen stories (at least up to the quarter I read).
So even though this had lots to enjoy with the friends and the superhero feel to their gifts, it also felt very barebones in places with lots of telling and very little showing. I wished for more fleshing-out of some of the events. For instance, we are told Jess was close to her dad but we don’t see it or feel it in the aftermath. Also, with the body that Jess found – I had actually started to wonder if it was a dream because of the time jump into the next scene before it is casually mentioned again. I had that feeling a few times with events that were somewhat glossed over, wondering if they were dreams and a bit lost by the jump. Especially with the fact that she’d been having vivid dreams since her arrival.
Where I left off Jess was just discovering her gifts, it could be that the story gets more involved exploring those gifts and the why of them as it goes, but up to that point, it was quite an easy no thinking read because everything is told to you, leaving me to think that it isn’t going to change a lot on that front.
The presentation of this one between the cover, summary, and editing (at 25%) are nicely done.
spfbo score-2.5/10
After the death of her dad, her mom moves the family back to their hometown in Salt Creek, Ohio. Once there Jesse starts having vivid dreams that feel like premonitions or visions. She also finds her body is healing abnormally fast. If that’s not weird enough for you, it turns out she’s not the only one.
Fast-paced YA, looks to be fun. There’s a collection of high school kids that feel like high school kids hanging out, and I liked that Jesse reconnected with her best friend skipping the whole outsider misunderstood cliché that we usually get from these teen stories (at least up to the quarter I read).
So even though this had lots to enjoy with the friends and the superhero feel to their gifts, it also felt very barebones in places with lots of telling and very little showing. I wished for more fleshing-out of some of the events. For instance, we are told Jess was close to her dad but we don’t see it or feel it in the aftermath. Also, with the body that Jess found – I had actually started to wonder if it was a dream because of the time jump into the next scene before it is casually mentioned again. I had that feeling a few times with events that were somewhat glossed over, wondering if they were dreams and a bit lost by the jump. Especially with the fact that she’d been having vivid dreams since her arrival.
Where I left off Jess was just discovering her gifts, it could be that the story gets more involved exploring those gifts and the why of them as it goes, but up to that point, it was quite an easy no thinking read because everything is told to you, leaving me to think that it isn’t going to change a lot on that front.
The presentation of this one between the cover, summary, and editing (at 25%) are nicely done.
spfbo score-2.5/10
Want to Read
May 14, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/14/2019)! 🎁
May 23, 2017
I received an Exclusive ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.
I am so happy with this story. From the first, it hooked me, and it annoyed me when I had to put it down to go to sleep and then to work this morning.
The story follows 17 year Jess Flowers. Her father has passed away and she finds herself stuck in Salt Creek, Ohio for her senior year. She falls for the school misfit, she begins to discover that she can do things that no human should be able to do... and, oh yeah, she starts dreaming about her death.
D.M. Guay has mixed paranormal, YA angst, and mythology to create a story that is infinitely intriguing and satisfying. Much in the same vein of Divergent, the main character is so much more than meets the eye. And I for one am begging and pleading that this become a series. I really want to know more and more about the world of Salt Creek and its people.
Great job!!!!
I am so happy with this story. From the first, it hooked me, and it annoyed me when I had to put it down to go to sleep and then to work this morning.
The story follows 17 year Jess Flowers. Her father has passed away and she finds herself stuck in Salt Creek, Ohio for her senior year. She falls for the school misfit, she begins to discover that she can do things that no human should be able to do... and, oh yeah, she starts dreaming about her death.
D.M. Guay has mixed paranormal, YA angst, and mythology to create a story that is infinitely intriguing and satisfying. Much in the same vein of Divergent, the main character is so much more than meets the eye. And I for one am begging and pleading that this become a series. I really want to know more and more about the world of Salt Creek and its people.
Great job!!!!
February 22, 2018
Unique and amazing!
I loved every aspect of this book. This is a cross between paranormal awesomeness and superhero crazy all wrapped up in one well-written story.
The characters and world building were well defined and fleshed out, leaving nothing to the imagination. While reading, it was like watching a movie play out in my mind.
The main character and side characters were so relatable and while they're teenagers, the author made them real, with pain, emotions you understand, angst, but not to the point where you want to reach into the book and slap the stupid out of them. They're simply awesome!
This book is five-star must read and I can't wait for book two!
I loved every aspect of this book. This is a cross between paranormal awesomeness and superhero crazy all wrapped up in one well-written story.
The characters and world building were well defined and fleshed out, leaving nothing to the imagination. While reading, it was like watching a movie play out in my mind.
The main character and side characters were so relatable and while they're teenagers, the author made them real, with pain, emotions you understand, angst, but not to the point where you want to reach into the book and slap the stupid out of them. They're simply awesome!
This book is five-star must read and I can't wait for book two!
June 23, 2022
Makes Twilight look pathetic
The author had developed an interesting and plausible story of teenagers developing amazing powers, while also explaining why anyone would willingly live in a small Midwestern town. The female protagonist kicks ass in a way that would make Buffy proud! She also manages to deal with all the normal teenage problems, homework, boys being jerks, finding dead bodies, etc.
The author had developed an interesting and plausible story of teenagers developing amazing powers, while also explaining why anyone would willingly live in a small Midwestern town. The female protagonist kicks ass in a way that would make Buffy proud! She also manages to deal with all the normal teenage problems, homework, boys being jerks, finding dead bodies, etc.
May 22, 2019
Jesse is unusual and in Ohio
When Jesse's father dies, her family moves to Salt River, Ohio. She does not want to be there, and strange things start to happen. Jesse is not what she thought and neither are some of the other residents. Add in a killer and things become chaotic. Looking forward to more.
When Jesse's father dies, her family moves to Salt River, Ohio. She does not want to be there, and strange things start to happen. Jesse is not what she thought and neither are some of the other residents. Add in a killer and things become chaotic. Looking forward to more.
July 2, 2019
Guess You Can Live Again!
This may sound cryptic, but read the book and you’ll know what I am saying! Great read. It kept me reading till I finished. Now I need to get the next in the series if I want to know what happens to the resurrected.
This may sound cryptic, but read the book and you’ll know what I am saying! Great read. It kept me reading till I finished. Now I need to get the next in the series if I want to know what happens to the resurrected.
December 25, 2017
This just fell a little flat for me. Was a little too insta lovey and everything felt rushed and not developed.
It was a fun, easy read and all but not for me.
It was a fun, easy read and all but not for me.
Read
January 9, 2018This book was a little young for me, so I gave it to my 21 year old granddaughter. She seemed very excited about it.
September 12, 2019
Good
This is a great start to a new (to me) series. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
This is a great start to a new (to me) series. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
June 14, 2019
An awesome book !!!!
Finally...a book that actually has people using magic......a great story lots of magic a great book can't wait for the next book .
Finally...a book that actually has people using magic......a great story lots of magic a great book can't wait for the next book .
February 9, 2020
It is a great book to read
April 10, 2017
I received this book from author in exchange for an honest review from LoP group.
For awhile into this book I was drawn but very confused. I didn't understand what was happening to everyone but as I got more into the book it started to make sense and I couldn't put the book down. I immediately liked Billy, wasn't sure about Steven but then he showed to be a good guy. The fact that the descendants of Salt Creek all have powers is cool.
I like the way the author put this all together to create a wild adventure that's hard to put down. I would definitely like to read the 2nd book.
Thank you for letting me read your book:)
For awhile into this book I was drawn but very confused. I didn't understand what was happening to everyone but as I got more into the book it started to make sense and I couldn't put the book down. I immediately liked Billy, wasn't sure about Steven but then he showed to be a good guy. The fact that the descendants of Salt Creek all have powers is cool.
I like the way the author put this all together to create a wild adventure that's hard to put down. I would definitely like to read the 2nd book.
Thank you for letting me read your book:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2017
I really loved this book!! Salt Creek is a town and some of the people there have special powers.
The young people have to learn to control them. It is a tale of how they do. How they find a murderer. It's a tale of young love. When it's over it's not it's only the beginning. You won't want to put this down once you start. It is action packed. Great read.
The young people have to learn to control them. It is a tale of how they do. How they find a murderer. It's a tale of young love. When it's over it's not it's only the beginning. You won't want to put this down once you start. It is action packed. Great read.
January 2, 2018
Salt Creek Rising is an interesting book well written by D. M. Guay. The author writes a captivating story that follows Jess and her friends. The plot is unique and well developed. The author has some nice twists hidden within and unravels them expertly. The pace is spot on and never leaves you feeling rushed through the story nor does it ever feel dragged out. The concept is unique and shows an interesting connection to history that I really liked a lot, making you wonder.
Jess is a strong character who really grows within this story. She has a strong support system, that even though she has a lot thrown at her she still manages to find her way, or does she? I am not one to give away much so read for yourself.
There are a few other strong characters in the story that really add nicely such as Billy, Big Joe, Vic Katie,.... I am not sure if his book is the start to a series, but it sure would make for a fun series since it has a lot to offer and many ways to go from where it ended, if the author chooses to!
All in all I really enjoyed this book a lot and can only recommend it to people who enjoy the paranormal thrown in with a nice mystery!
I have received this book from the author for an honest review. (LoP, Lovers of Paranormal)
Jess is a strong character who really grows within this story. She has a strong support system, that even though she has a lot thrown at her she still manages to find her way, or does she? I am not one to give away much so read for yourself.
There are a few other strong characters in the story that really add nicely such as Billy, Big Joe, Vic Katie,.... I am not sure if his book is the start to a series, but it sure would make for a fun series since it has a lot to offer and many ways to go from where it ended, if the author chooses to!
All in all I really enjoyed this book a lot and can only recommend it to people who enjoy the paranormal thrown in with a nice mystery!
I have received this book from the author for an honest review. (LoP, Lovers of Paranormal)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews