A fragile beginning, a past that won't let go, and a deadly enemy. Sometimes the only thing standing between life and death is pure grit, but that is no guarantee for a happy ending.
Don't miss this exciting, paranormal thriller!
Hoping for a bright future with the man she loves, Ella St. John begins her new life, only to find that a deadly enemy from her past is intent on getting his way. Drawn into a fight that isn’t hers, Ella must do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if it means going against everything she believes in.
Solving crimes with sass, suspense, and a splash of the supernatural. Colleen Helme is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, best known for her fast-paced, laugh-out-loud Shelby Nichols Adventure Series, where cozy mystery meets a dash of the paranormal. With over 19 books in the series and several more in her Sand and Shadow and the Love, Loyalty and Larceny series, she’s built a world in which readers love to escape.
I'm always excited when I see an email from Colleen in my email because it means there's another book coming! And as much as I love Shelby, I'm loving having these new adventures from Ella St. John and I love the series cross overs! This one took some very unexpected twists and I'm really excited to see where the series will go from here.
What I liked/didn't like:
I'm enjoying Ella learn more about her abilities and trying to find her purpose. I'm not a very religious person, so even in book 1 I was a little hesitant about the potential religious connotations of her abilities. But I'm finding that it works for me really well - I think that if you are religious it will work but as a non-religious reader it works because it's also really easy to just see her abilities and these players as supernatural characters. What I'm really interested to see is if there are any overlaps to understanding Shelby's abilities as we get this new lens for understanding Ella's abilities. Shelby has never really known WHY she can do what she can do... perhaps it is caught up in this world? I'm just speculating, of course, but since she and Ella are likely to have more and more run ins based on what I've seen in this book I think it's possible (and I'm excited for however it plays out)!
The actual story -- I marked it as a cozy mystery because that's how I've been categorizing Shelby, but I'm not sure if it really fits that classification now that I think about it -- was really strong as Ella and her new husband Creed navigate their new life together and also trying to help protect his sister who is standing witness to a powerful crime lord (from the previous book). There was lots of plot twists and action up to the very end! I love all the characters and am looking forward to getting to know them all better in future books.
Narrator thoughts:
The narration by Stevi Incremona really works well for me in this series. I continue to be really happy with the way Stevi voices Shelby's character - after years of listening to her with a different narrator, I'm surprised by how well that works! Definitely a good listen!
I absolutely loved Desert Devil! It was definitely a page turner with some definite twists I wasn't expecting! I love Ella's story and her healing hands. It was also fun to have a cameo from Shelby! If you love the Shelby Nichols Adventures, you definitely need to read the Sand and Stones spin off books! I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say that this book is a must read and I loved it! Can't wait to read the next one!
After showing signs of developing into a courtroom drama, it isn’t long before the action has moved dramatically in new directions. We have multiple bad guys competing for our attention, but there is no doubt about the pecking order as Gage Rathmore sheds his sinister light on proceedings.
Before you know what’s going on, there are bodies hitting the floor, and a sudden unexpected surprise to process.
I love Colleen's writing style and the fast pace of these stories.
Colleen Helme has created a true work of literary genius with this sequel. I'm not usually a fan of crossovers but Ella and Creed were in a bind and they definitely needed Shelby Nichols and Ramos' help and the blending between the two series was incredible. As is the norm with a Colleen Helme book, there are high stakes, danger and risk and always the devious mastermind that borders on being evil. This book has all that and so much more with boundaries being crossed and moral dilemmas in multitudes. The world building is masterful with a fast paced storyline. I enjoyed the ebb and flow of the bonds and alliances as some were made and others eviscerated all the while the goal was to make it thru everything keeping everyone intact. Get comfortable and grab a cozy to keep you anchored while you read this one. It is riveting and you won't be able to put it down.
Desert Devil is the second exciting book in the Colleen Helme's unique new series, Sands and Shadows. I loved the new book in the series even more than the first book, Angel Falls. With a unexpected plot, as well as awesome characters, Ms. Helme blends fun, adventure, and fear into an amazing tale that is sure to capture new readers just as it grabbed me and pulled me deeply into Ella and Creed's story. From Ella's healing touch to Rathmore's terrifying abilities, from their delayed wedding reception to a convenience store robbery, Colleen Helme held me in the palm of her hand leaving me smiling, teary-eyed, and breathless through the whole book.
This is the second in the Sand and Shadows Series and I am already impatient for the next book. Colleen Helme knows how to grab your interest from the beginning, build characters you relate to and care about. You don’t want to put the book down and are sad when you reach the end. This is the second series by Colleen for me since I first started with Carrots, the first book in her Shelby Nichols series - if you like strong women with a little bit of mystery and lots of adventure, you will love Colleen Helme.
Colleen Helme is an amazing author!!! Desert Devil: Sand and Shadows Book 2 is just another example of how Colleen's incredible mind works for us!! This is such a fascinating series... With some different twist and turns occurring throughout the book. I'm loving Ella and Creed more in each of the encounters we have. We learn much more of the mysteries behind Ella's gift with some shocks along the way! Plus some very special cameos that made me so happy... As always!!! Just a really great book and anxious for the next one!! Thank you Colleen, great job!!!
Book 2 was good, not as good as the first one but I still enjoyed it. Ella and Aiden are great together but I’m not sure about the LA life and him acting while she nurses it doesn’t feel right but I’m waiting to see where Colleen goes with this series. I will say I prefer Shelby and her series much more but it’s early days for Ella I need to give her time to grow.
This book should be a twenty star book I could not stop reading it and did not want it to end I have loved all of her books but this one was special I highly recommend this book to everyone and all of her other books Dorothy Schaefer
Desert Devil: Sand And Shadows #2 is filled to the brim with secrets, danger, and exciting twists! I love the fantastic turn the storyline took, and I’m absolutely attracted to the devilishly delicious bad guy.
Oh wow!!! I just loved this book. Colleen has always managed to entertaining and thrill her audience with her Shelby Nichols series (which is so worth reading or listening too) but Ella St. John has just taken her writing and imagination to a while other level. This is book two and all though you don't need to have read or listened to the previous book, I think as it deals with the aftermath or consequence of that book then you probably should and let's face it is just as good and sets up the characters and background in more detail. I love that Shelby, although only a very small part, does play a roll in the telling of this story. I must admit even with her warning I Never saw the twist coming. I really like the cast of characters and spent a good portion of the book wondering which star would play the character when it came to the big screen. Don't get me wrong I wasn't board and too much was going on for my mind to wander, it just that it has an unusual and captivating storyline it's sure to be a blockbuster. I can't wait to see what comes next in the series for them. Ella might have married the man of her dreams, Creed, but with there quick wedding, they cheated his family out of the big wedding they had always planned and with his sister, Avery, set to testify against a gangster, it seems right to celebrate again. The wedding goes well but the honeymoon is put on hold when they learn a contract has been put out on Avery and the trial has been brought forward. Then Avery gets kidnapped and Ella and Creed are the only ones who can keep her alive. In Ella's case literally, as a nurse her special talent has gotten her noticed by the wrong people. So in order to get Avery back she has to not only put a friend in danger but also use her special gift and go against everything she has ever believed. Can Ella and Creed find a way to get his sister back without owing the wrong people? I liked the narrator. She really uses her voice well to go bring not only the characters but the story to life. Two very talented ladies, well four in you count Ella and Shelby and there is no way they should be missed. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
Colleen Helme has done it again with “Desert Devil,” book 2 in the Sand and Shadows series. For this of you who are familiar with Helme’s Shelby Nichols series, Sand and Shadows is a spin-off featuring Ella a nurse who has been gifted with the ability to heal.
Ella and her new husband, Creed are basking in the newness of their relationship and marriage. Creed’s sister, Avery is being released from the hospital after being in a coma and is preparing to testy against the Las Vegas monster, Sonny.
Meanwhile, Ella is garnering quite a reputation at her job at the hospital for being present when miraculous healings have taken place but the attention is unwanted and she is now on the radar of too many people. She meets an order pay the hospital whom she soon becomes friendly with. She even invites this woman to her upcoming wedding celebration.
The course of Ella’s life has never run smoothly and when Avery is kidnapped prior to testifying in court, she and Creed will pull out all of stops to save her including contacting Shelby. There is a great threat than the mobster, Sonny and there is betrayal behind every turn. Who can be trusted? At this point Ella and Creed just have each other but that’s about to change.
I love paranormal reads and it is so refreshing to have one that brings in the idea of God and Faith as a source of power. There is plenty of action and intrigue and at times it is difficult to know who the good guys are and who are the bad. I am also quite thrilled about the possibility that Shelby Nichols might be included in future installments. That has the potential for making things even more exciting. I can’t wait to see where this series is heading. Ms. Helme has a knack for outstanding plots and storylines.
I need to preface this by saying that I am a huge fan of the Shelby Nichols series (all 16 books) and I did enjoy the first book in this new spin off. Where the problem came with this book was that the plot did not unfold in any type of a desirable manner. What does that mean? Well, it felt choppy....so very choppy.
The two MC's spent the entire book jumping from one disaster to the next. I know, I know, that is the total map of the Shelby Nichols series, but for some reason, it didn't seem to work as well as it does with Shelby. Maybe because this world is still being built (even though the greater world foundation has already been laid.) Honestly, I'm not even sure what it was other than I kept thinking "seriously?" Their behaviors and actions didn't feel natural. In a way it felt like they were TRYING to make bad decisions.
Obviously, I didn't hate the book and I am looking forward to seeing where this is going next, but I will say that this wasn't a smooth easy read. I was pulled out of the story many times by actions that just didn't feel believable. Without going into spoilers, an example of this was just the attempt to leave Las Vegas. It became almost comical in the end.
I do like Ella and I really like Creed and they make a great couple. The introduction of a new issue at the end is interesting and made me curious as to what is going to happen next, so that is good. Very good.
I love Ella and Creed together. They are a great team, but they still are so new that they need to work through a few things together. And they are doing that, getting use to Ella's draw to help and Creed's protective nature. There are lessons there, and it all leads to something new.
Shelby makes an appearance! Always nice to see Shelby walk on for a few scenes. And if only I could have learned what she heard. Wow, I'm sure she heard some amazing things with a new character.
The story took a turn I wasn't expecting with a new character, or two, that seem to be solid additions to the series. There's more to come and I'm curious to see how it all plays out!
I'm looking forward to so many possibilities in the future! When does the next book come out!?!
I’m so happy that Ella and John got married as they begin their new life. They are navigating everything together when an they come across a old enemy that is deadly. There is action, so much love, mystery and many things you don’t expect. Don’t start this oOk if you have to be somewhere cause you can’t put it down. I so can’t wait for the 3rd book. Thank you for another great book.
It's always a great story when you grab a book by Colleen Helme.
Ella and Creed find themselves in trouble again. This time Shelby Nichols isn't nearby to help. With the trial of Sonny from the first book looming, things start to get hairy.
Read tree first book in the series so you can start this one knowing the main players and backstory in each one. The is a lot going in and you don't want to be in the dark.
This is the second book in the series. I loved the storyline and the two main characters, the H\h. The h is the real hero, she has remarkable healing hands. In both books, there is a villain to deal with. And the situations where she heals people are inspiring. I don't quite get how the title of the book fits the story, but maybe that will become clearer as the series progresses.
If you were a divine healer without training or a user Manual how much trouble could you create! Add in a mobster that used to have your abilities and wants you to serve his less than stellar intentions. And let's not forget about your bunny actor husband that you met when you hit him with your car. Or that your father is a priest! More serious than the Carrots series, but still compelling!
Colleen Helme has written another wonderful series with entertaining characters! I love Ella and Creed, that are both fun, loving and interesting couple. I can hardly wait to read what their next adventure is and then when they connect with Shelby Nichols and crew it’s hard to wait for the next installment! Thank you Colleen you have a great imagination and your writing is amazing!
I love Shelby Nichols. I can tell an interesting and very different vibe with these books is taking shape. The books are good but different from what I’ve come to expect with Shelby. Shelby has a mystery to solve and she does it with panache and serendipity. Ella seems a bit adrift. She heals people but so far they don’t really fit into Ella’s overall arc. Still I enjoyed the book, just not a 5 star for me.
Colleen Helme has gifted us with another wonderful mystery filled with great characters. Ella St. John discovers who she truly is and begins using her gift to help others. Someone figures out Ella’s power and uses it for his own twisted purposes. I love that Ms. Helme gives a glimpses of faith in her characters and how they grow as human beings. I could not put this book down until I was certain Ella and Creed were safe for another book!
Wow, I loved this book, Ella and Creed take on a couple of mob bosses. Creed's sister is abducted just before she's due to go to court as a witness against Sonny. Ella and Creed have to bargain for her release and Ella finds another immortal. These books are full of action and keep you gripped. I can't wait to read the next book.
A rollicking good read, full of twists and turns, danger and excitement, love and acceptance, and even a little cameo from Shelby and Ramos. An excellent story that I really enjoyed, and I can’t wait for the next book to see where the author takes the characters next.
Interesting treatment of the trial and tribulations of having an extraordinary power to heal some people.
While Shelby Nichols and Ella St. John are existing in the same universe, the two heroines could not be more different in personality and life situation.
This spin off from Shelby’s storyline is getting better and better as well as more complex! Having a good idea about the Bible and Revelations and its author in particular brings an authenticity to its story although Jesus’s defender needs a wake up call!
I read all 18 books with Shelby Nichols as the "hero/detective" and now love the new spinoff with Ella St. John as a healer. Both series written by Colleen Helme have wonderful characters and interesting plots as well as humor and insightful stories. Love, love her writing.