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Guardian #2
Mind Games
River Weston thinks her problems are over. She managed to escape the virtual world of her video game―and the clutches of the Dark Lord who attempted to enslave her―with body and mind intact. But her return to the real world is anything but easy. Framed for monstrous crimes she didn't commit, and hunted by members of a dark government agency, it is all she can do to stay one step ahead of her pursuers. Guardian Chase Hawkins gained his freedom from the Dark Lord's prison, but it came with a heavy price. Trapped in another man's body, his soul slowly deteriorating, Hawk knows he must return to his world―and his body―before the damage is irreparable. Racing against time, River and Hawk know that in order to have a future together, they must work to reveal the secrets hidden in River's past.
356 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 13, 2011
140 people want to read
About the author
Taylor Keating
3 books44 followersTaylor Keating is the pseudonym of writing team Catherine Verge and Paula Altenburg
Catherine Verge
A multi published author in the romance genre under another pen name, Catherine is a wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend. She loves dogs, sunny weather, anything chocolate (she never says no to a brownie) pizza and red wine. She has two teenagers who keep her busy with their never ending activities, and a husband who is convinced he can turn her into a mixed martial arts fan. Catherine can never find balance in her life, is always trying to find time to go to the gym, can never keep up with emails, Facebook or Twitter and tries to write page-turning books that her readers will love.
A maritime native and former financial officer, Catherine has lived all over Canada but has finally settled down in her childhood hometown with her family.
Paula Altenburg
The other half of Taylor Keating, Paula grew up in rural Nova Scotia knowing that at some point in her life she was going to be a fiction writer. Swapping Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey books with her father guaranteed she wasn’t going to be the next Jane Austen, much to the dismay of her English teacher mother.
University followed. A degree in Social Anthropology from the University of King’s College and Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, again meant writing was the logical (meaning only) career path for her, although it did confirm her belief that learning is a life-long experience. She’s taken business courses, writing courses, and physiology of aquatic animals courses, all at the university level and all for fun.
She now works in the Aerospace industry, which surprises everyone who knows her. Happily married, with two terrific sons, she continues to live in rural Nova Scotia but makes a point of traveling as much as she can. New York and Brussels are tied for her favorite cities of all time.
She reads in all genres, which isn’t surprising considering her life is all over the board, but fantasy and paranormal romance are her writing loves. Sorry Dad, Louis L’Amour’s job was already taken.
Catherine Verge
A multi published author in the romance genre under another pen name, Catherine is a wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend. She loves dogs, sunny weather, anything chocolate (she never says no to a brownie) pizza and red wine. She has two teenagers who keep her busy with their never ending activities, and a husband who is convinced he can turn her into a mixed martial arts fan. Catherine can never find balance in her life, is always trying to find time to go to the gym, can never keep up with emails, Facebook or Twitter and tries to write page-turning books that her readers will love.
A maritime native and former financial officer, Catherine has lived all over Canada but has finally settled down in her childhood hometown with her family.
Paula Altenburg
The other half of Taylor Keating, Paula grew up in rural Nova Scotia knowing that at some point in her life she was going to be a fiction writer. Swapping Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey books with her father guaranteed she wasn’t going to be the next Jane Austen, much to the dismay of her English teacher mother.
University followed. A degree in Social Anthropology from the University of King’s College and Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, again meant writing was the logical (meaning only) career path for her, although it did confirm her belief that learning is a life-long experience. She’s taken business courses, writing courses, and physiology of aquatic animals courses, all at the university level and all for fun.
She now works in the Aerospace industry, which surprises everyone who knows her. Happily married, with two terrific sons, she continues to live in rural Nova Scotia but makes a point of traveling as much as she can. New York and Brussels are tied for her favorite cities of all time.
She reads in all genres, which isn’t surprising considering her life is all over the board, but fantasy and paranormal romance are her writing loves. Sorry Dad, Louis L’Amour’s job was already taken.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 19, 2012
‘Mind Games’ is the direct sequel ‘Game Over’ and picks up right after the events in ‘Game Over’. Hawk is free, but stuck in Nick’s body, River has learned who she truly is, and now they’re on the run from the authorities based on false accusations from someone who wants River desperately – as a lab rat. Now they are discovering Nick had some very unsavory connections and his soul is now trapped with the Dark Lord’s. Nick is also playing dirty pool to try to get his body back from Hawk. Meanwhile, back on the Guardian home planet, Hawk’s friend and researcher is trying to plead the case to keep Hawk in cryo-stasis for a while longer. River’s also desperate, not to clear her name, but to free the trapped souls she felt while in the lab setting in the game. They’re out there in real life and she needs to set them free to find peace. However, her combined Fae and Guardian powers are starting to wreak havoc on her and she needs guidance.
‘Mind Games’ is a story which moves along quickly because the foundation was laid down well in ‘Game Over’ (a must read prior to picking up ‘Mind Games’). The author has written a story full of twists and turns along with unexpected surprises. Also, the forbidden relationship between Hawk and River heats up intensely. Even back in the ‘real world’, Hawk and River are a formidable team. ‘Mind Games’ is well-written and the story flows along seamlessly from ‘Game Over’. Sometimes the first book in a series is excellent and the second book doesn't live up to the first, but this is not the case here. The author has kept the level of writing just as high as in the first book. I was excited as the author unveiled even more of the truth behind the secrets and lies, the action ramped up, and the book came to a spectacular end which will leave you begging for the next book in this series.
Guardian Series: Game Over (1), Mind Games (2), Fair Game (3)
‘Mind Games’ is a story which moves along quickly because the foundation was laid down well in ‘Game Over’ (a must read prior to picking up ‘Mind Games’). The author has written a story full of twists and turns along with unexpected surprises. Also, the forbidden relationship between Hawk and River heats up intensely. Even back in the ‘real world’, Hawk and River are a formidable team. ‘Mind Games’ is well-written and the story flows along seamlessly from ‘Game Over’. Sometimes the first book in a series is excellent and the second book doesn't live up to the first, but this is not the case here. The author has kept the level of writing just as high as in the first book. I was excited as the author unveiled even more of the truth behind the secrets and lies, the action ramped up, and the book came to a spectacular end which will leave you begging for the next book in this series.
Guardian Series: Game Over (1), Mind Games (2), Fair Game (3)
May 25, 2011
Mind Games is the second in Taylor Keating’s new exciting Guardian series. Taylor Keating is the pseudonym of the team of Catherine Verge and Paula Fox.
River escapes her video game nightmare against the Dark Lord and now she and Hawk (in Nick’s body) are on Terra Firma. She’s looking for answers, answers she needs for self preservation and who’s out to get her now. Hawk after being prisoner of the Dark Lord for how long he has no idea has “jumped” with River to her world and taken advantage of Nick’s death to take his body, a body that was once intimate with River and is giving Hawk a good amount of trouble both physically and mentally. They’re on the run for the murders of River’s tech gaming partners, always looking over their shoulders for the next catastrophe while racing the clock. Time is of the essence because they have no idea when Hawk will be pulled back to his world and they have only each other to trust.
In Mind Games the author(s) keep their multi-genre theme going with a mix of paranormal/ science fiction, urban fantasy and romantic suspense. The story line in this novel follows on the heel of Game Over, the characters continue their adventure on Earth and we get updated from time to time on the happenings on Hawk’s planet. The dialogue has a very urban feel as well as the author takes us to the underbelly of society on a post apocalyptic Earth and she does an excellent job describing to her audience the pallor of the world and it’s citizens. Her characters are once again bright lights in a dark setting and they continue to shine whether they be friend or foe. Her hero Hawk is fighting demons in his new and not improved body while fighting his intense feelings that continue to grow for River. River the heroine is a continuing lesson in self discovery as she continues the path of who and what she is and where she came from. As a team they are powerful together as they not only love but fight for each other. The romance is on a crash course and in which direction, the readers will just have to get on the ride and find out. The love scenes are sensual and rife with feelings that continue to deepen, they’re also filled with longing and love.
The author team of Taylor Keating has brought us another perfect example of two fertile imaginations along with amazing storytelling abilities to bring us part two of this saga. The novel is best read after Game Over as it’s the continuing story of this couple and their worlds.
Ladies, I can’t wait for round three, thank you for another must read.
River escapes her video game nightmare against the Dark Lord and now she and Hawk (in Nick’s body) are on Terra Firma. She’s looking for answers, answers she needs for self preservation and who’s out to get her now. Hawk after being prisoner of the Dark Lord for how long he has no idea has “jumped” with River to her world and taken advantage of Nick’s death to take his body, a body that was once intimate with River and is giving Hawk a good amount of trouble both physically and mentally. They’re on the run for the murders of River’s tech gaming partners, always looking over their shoulders for the next catastrophe while racing the clock. Time is of the essence because they have no idea when Hawk will be pulled back to his world and they have only each other to trust.
In Mind Games the author(s) keep their multi-genre theme going with a mix of paranormal/ science fiction, urban fantasy and romantic suspense. The story line in this novel follows on the heel of Game Over, the characters continue their adventure on Earth and we get updated from time to time on the happenings on Hawk’s planet. The dialogue has a very urban feel as well as the author takes us to the underbelly of society on a post apocalyptic Earth and she does an excellent job describing to her audience the pallor of the world and it’s citizens. Her characters are once again bright lights in a dark setting and they continue to shine whether they be friend or foe. Her hero Hawk is fighting demons in his new and not improved body while fighting his intense feelings that continue to grow for River. River the heroine is a continuing lesson in self discovery as she continues the path of who and what she is and where she came from. As a team they are powerful together as they not only love but fight for each other. The romance is on a crash course and in which direction, the readers will just have to get on the ride and find out. The love scenes are sensual and rife with feelings that continue to deepen, they’re also filled with longing and love.
The author team of Taylor Keating has brought us another perfect example of two fertile imaginations along with amazing storytelling abilities to bring us part two of this saga. The novel is best read after Game Over as it’s the continuing story of this couple and their worlds.
Ladies, I can’t wait for round three, thank you for another must read.
April 7, 2011
River and Hawk tearing up another entertaining read. Mind Games wastes no time delving back into the world of technology and fae-magic. Yet, instead of fighting the Dark Lord in his virtual realm they are on Earth. And the Dark Lord is not the only thing up against River and Hawk. The Earth that we live in is no longer the Earth River knows. After a viral pandemic and Global War monsters have risen out of the wood works and River is the target and the key to undo the horror.
The highlights are definitely the ending and the growing relationship between the two- Hawk and River. The ending because it's such a great exit- making the connections and seeing the twits and turns to completion. The ending has set up on heck of a third book but the Hawk and River I've come to know is up for the challenge and I;m up for the read.
The relationship between Hawk and River is still forming. They began in a virtual realm and now being on Earth there's a few problematic issues like Hawk using another man's body.
The passage of time seems to be the only hang up for me but as I pause to take inventory of my thoughts I'm thinking it's likely me who read to quickly. My original thought was that things happened awful quick to where I had to back up a line to reread. Uh, when you enjoy a book you tend to fly by each sentence way to quick. So.... perhaps, that's a plus.
Game Over (book one) and Mind Games (book two) are both chock full of happenings. The world created by the writing dual team, Taylor Keating, is made of magic and technology where you will find Fae, Guardians and Immortals. The combined elements make for one intriguing read. To be frank, there's a lot of things going on that it's best to just read it for yourself instead of me trying to write a short story explanation.
http://www.lovlivlifereviews.com/2011...
The highlights are definitely the ending and the growing relationship between the two- Hawk and River. The ending because it's such a great exit- making the connections and seeing the twits and turns to completion. The ending has set up on heck of a third book but the Hawk and River I've come to know is up for the challenge and I;m up for the read.
The relationship between Hawk and River is still forming. They began in a virtual realm and now being on Earth there's a few problematic issues like Hawk using another man's body.
The passage of time seems to be the only hang up for me but as I pause to take inventory of my thoughts I'm thinking it's likely me who read to quickly. My original thought was that things happened awful quick to where I had to back up a line to reread. Uh, when you enjoy a book you tend to fly by each sentence way to quick. So.... perhaps, that's a plus.
Game Over (book one) and Mind Games (book two) are both chock full of happenings. The world created by the writing dual team, Taylor Keating, is made of magic and technology where you will find Fae, Guardians and Immortals. The combined elements make for one intriguing read. To be frank, there's a lot of things going on that it's best to just read it for yourself instead of me trying to write a short story explanation.
http://www.lovlivlifereviews.com/2011...
May 23, 2011
They thought freedom was the answer. If they only knew...
The peril and romance of Game Over hasn't begun to climax...I had to grab a copy of Mind Games see what would happen next. I'm glad I did.
I have to say first and foremost, if you love urban fantasy, this book is the book for you. If you're new to the genre and want to try an urban fantasy book, then start here. There is plenty of action and a healthy dose of romance to keep everyone happy. Taylor Keating writes with dynamic, keeping the reader firmly in the seat. I had to know what would happen next for River and Hawk.
Now be it known, this is a complicated read. Taylor Keating has packed a ton into this novel. There were more than a couple occasions I had to go back and re-read what I'd read to make sure I understood and caught everything. I'd heartily suggest clearing your calendar for the evening when sitting down to read this book.
Another point of contention was the Hawk/Nick situation. That's a whole microcosm of struggle in itself. Hawk's in River's world to be free of the prison, but he's in Nick's body. Nick is her former lover. Both parts want her. I alternately rooted for Hawk while being frustrated with Nick. But really, it's kind of a fun struggle, two men wanting you.
I also want to note this book is part of a series, so the ending may not be for everyone. I got to learn that River was more than I'd expected, got to see into her lineage, but at the same time, there's a lot left open to -- you guessed it -- leave the reader craving the next story. Sign me up, I'm waiting.
The book is complex and we see the characters at their lowest and highest. It's an emotional journey and I'm glad I got the opportunity to read the book.
originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
The peril and romance of Game Over hasn't begun to climax...I had to grab a copy of Mind Games see what would happen next. I'm glad I did.
I have to say first and foremost, if you love urban fantasy, this book is the book for you. If you're new to the genre and want to try an urban fantasy book, then start here. There is plenty of action and a healthy dose of romance to keep everyone happy. Taylor Keating writes with dynamic, keeping the reader firmly in the seat. I had to know what would happen next for River and Hawk.
Now be it known, this is a complicated read. Taylor Keating has packed a ton into this novel. There were more than a couple occasions I had to go back and re-read what I'd read to make sure I understood and caught everything. I'd heartily suggest clearing your calendar for the evening when sitting down to read this book.
Another point of contention was the Hawk/Nick situation. That's a whole microcosm of struggle in itself. Hawk's in River's world to be free of the prison, but he's in Nick's body. Nick is her former lover. Both parts want her. I alternately rooted for Hawk while being frustrated with Nick. But really, it's kind of a fun struggle, two men wanting you.
I also want to note this book is part of a series, so the ending may not be for everyone. I got to learn that River was more than I'd expected, got to see into her lineage, but at the same time, there's a lot left open to -- you guessed it -- leave the reader craving the next story. Sign me up, I'm waiting.
The book is complex and we see the characters at their lowest and highest. It's an emotional journey and I'm glad I got the opportunity to read the book.
originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
January 31, 2013
Buku ni aku grab masa Big Bad Wolf 2012 (Mines Convention Centre). As a gamer, aku memang tertarik dengan blurb di belakang buku ni. A real person masuk dalam game and trapped inside is much interesting for me. Memandangkan buku ni along aku nak, so aku baca dulu sebelum bagi ke dia. Muehehehe...
Tapi malangnya, aku tak boleh nak habiskan. Aku tak boleh nak teruskan baca buku ni. It's too complicated for me. Aku confuse dengan major things in the plot which are latar masa & latar tempat. Dalam kepala aku imagine yang cerita ni berlaku masa zaman dulu. Tapi pada masa yang sama, gamer, programmer & komputer dah wujud. Untuk latar tempat pula, aku confuse certain situasi ni sebenarnya dalam game or realiti. It invoves Fae (witch I think) and Lords (aku confuse sama ada kerajaan atau ketua dalam alam game).
Aku fikir, daripada aku buang masa baca benda yang aku tak faham, baik aku stop. Banyak gila lagi aku perlu baca since banyak gila buku aku pinjam. Aku dah mula rasa bersalah. Haha. Dalam list 'currently-reading' aku pun banyak gila lagi yang tak habis baca.
But setakat yang aku baca, aku suka jalan cerita dan gaya penulisan Taylor Keating. Tapi otak comel dan kebudak-budakan aku susah nak menaakul mesej yang nak disampaikan. Sayang... :(
Tapi malangnya, aku tak boleh nak habiskan. Aku tak boleh nak teruskan baca buku ni. It's too complicated for me. Aku confuse dengan major things in the plot which are latar masa & latar tempat. Dalam kepala aku imagine yang cerita ni berlaku masa zaman dulu. Tapi pada masa yang sama, gamer, programmer & komputer dah wujud. Untuk latar tempat pula, aku confuse certain situasi ni sebenarnya dalam game or realiti. It invoves Fae (witch I think) and Lords (aku confuse sama ada kerajaan atau ketua dalam alam game).
Aku fikir, daripada aku buang masa baca benda yang aku tak faham, baik aku stop. Banyak gila lagi aku perlu baca since banyak gila buku aku pinjam. Aku dah mula rasa bersalah. Haha. Dalam list 'currently-reading' aku pun banyak gila lagi yang tak habis baca.
But setakat yang aku baca, aku suka jalan cerita dan gaya penulisan Taylor Keating. Tapi otak comel dan kebudak-budakan aku susah nak menaakul mesej yang nak disampaikan. Sayang... :(
May 23, 2011
reviewed by http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blo...
River and Chase are back in the real world and are running from their enemies. MIND GAMES picks up right where GAME OVER ended. Just like GAME OVER there is a ton of action and things happening at every turn. The pacing was great, I did find the passing of time in the book a bit funky but it didn't take away from the story. River and Chase's relationship continues to form and grow. River is on the search for answers as she continues to learn what and who she really is. Chase has to deal with being in someone else's body that is nothing like the real him. They really work well together and I can't imagine them apart. The ending wraps a great deal of the story up and throws in a fabulous layout to where book 3 is going to start and what its going to be about.
River and Chase are back in the real world and are running from their enemies. MIND GAMES picks up right where GAME OVER ended. Just like GAME OVER there is a ton of action and things happening at every turn. The pacing was great, I did find the passing of time in the book a bit funky but it didn't take away from the story. River and Chase's relationship continues to form and grow. River is on the search for answers as she continues to learn what and who she really is. Chase has to deal with being in someone else's body that is nothing like the real him. They really work well together and I can't imagine them apart. The ending wraps a great deal of the story up and throws in a fabulous layout to where book 3 is going to start and what its going to be about.
October 27, 2011
Very hard to put down, but I had to sleep sometime. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
September 4, 2012
I highly recommend this book for anyone
FTC: I received a free copy of this book and was not reimbursed in any other way.
FTC: I received a free copy of this book and was not reimbursed in any other way.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews