Legend of the Oceina Dragon Book Review

Legend of the Oceina Dragon

by JF Jenkins

Synopsis:
Lord Oceina approaches the island Of Oceina when it is time for the giving of a sacrifice. This sacrifice enables the island people to live without fear of the other dragons nearby, and live life without worrying about the lives of their people.

The sacrifice must be a virgin, no older than 18 years old, of pure blood; this sacrifice is given to Lord Oceina as a trade for peace, safety and protection for the island residents. The residents find the sacrifice is just and acceptable and even the bearer considers them self to be worthy and special to be chosen. They approach their day of sacrifice to only find it is not what the past has portrayed but a whole different meaning to the word sacrifice.

There are four dragon species, representing different elements and each having their own qualities and abilities which are indescribably mystical.

Darien is the youngest of his species, Lord Oceina being his father hands Darien his sacrifice on his 18th birthday. His birthday gift if you may call it that - her name is Tai. A sacrifice I'm sure they will both remember.


My Review:
I've read a few of J.F. Jenkins books and this one definitely doesn't disappoint. I really love reading books that are in a series because I think it allows the reader time to get to know a particular character. J.F. Jenkins does an excellent job on allowing the characters enough room for growth as well as the plot. It is a YA romance novel, but it shouldn't be labeled with just that because its full or mystery and suspense. 

The characters are well thought out and really likeable. The setting is amazing and I would love to see into the mind of J.F. Jenkins because I don't know how she came up with Oceina.

Darien was a great character and my favorite in the book. He is definitely a great guy and I can't wait to read more about him and to see how he matures, because he has a lot on his plate. 

Tai is just a regular girl and is chosen to be the "sacrifice" to the dragon king. She obviously doesn't know what that means and ends up having a hatred for Darien even before she meets him. Talk about being confused when she finds herself falling in love with the "enemy". That's always a fun time isn't it?

I can't wait to read the next installment in the series and hope it is as good as this book, although I'm sure it will be.

You can find J.F. Jenkins books over on Amazon.com: HERE
Also at Barnes & Noble: HERE

Mirrored Book Review

BY FREDERICK J, ARCENEAUX

Mirrored has a lot going on - murder, suspense, romance, and voodoo? Set in Thibodaux, Louisiana on an old plantation that was the scene of double murders. It's new owner, Christine Albright, doesn't know what she is getting into. She meets the only survivor of the murder, Celestine Badeau who is now a teenager and seems to have more in common with Christine than she knows. Both women have had a run in with some bad paranormal stuff, and I definitely wouldn't want to be either of them.
Meeting Celestine actually opens up some really bad old wounds for Christine and it threatens to undermine everything she has overcome thus far. Thrown into the mix is a budding romance with a gentleman named Jonathon. The paranormal element in the story is well written and thought out. This book could have made out well without the romance part in it because it kind of hurts it. The way Jonathan and Christine address each other kind of turned me off. I really couldn't deal with someone calling me honey, sweetheart, and darling when I've just met them. Also the length of their romance left a sour taste in my mouth. It was just way too short for me to see a couple falling that deep in love in such a short period of time. That could just be my opinion, but for me it would not be the norm. 

Overall the supernatural elements save this story as I loved being scared at 1am after reading it. Those parts were really put together well and if Frederick were to rewrite the romance part, I'd be completely sold.

Shadows Over Taralon Book Review

Shadows Over Taralon

by Jacquelyn Webb

Shadows Over Taralon is not your regular romance story, its a mystery as well. Jacquelyn Webb really did a great job in combining the two genres into one smooth plot. Jenny Flemming is a strong willed young woman hired by Bill Williams to help with book keeping as well as a caretaker for his children. Bill owns a seemingly prosperous horse ranch and is a widower after his wife died in a car accident. Jenny finds out really quick that things aren't what they seem at the horse ranch. She also runs into Bill's brother, Wayne, and finds she has a little interest in him. Things see to be going alright until cattle starts missing and the Williams' race horse gets poisoned. Jenny obviously has to get to the bottom of the things. Well let's just say she does and she may have to pay for it. 

I am new to Jacqueline Webb's writings and she definitely didn't disappoint. It was a great short read that had me guessing until the end. I really would like to see more on what happened after the story with Jenny. It was pretty safe as it had no sexual acts or even swear words. Pretty tame in that sense when it comes to romance novels. So if you're looking for a sweet romance with some mystery thrown in then check out "Shadows Over Taralon" by Jacqueline Webb.