Review: Kindred by JA Redmerski

Title: Kindred
Series: The Darkwoods Trilogy, #2
Author: JA Redmerski
Published: July 2012
Tour: No
Format: Ebook provided for review

Isaac Mayfair is hiding a dark secret. And just when Adria Dawson thinks the worst of her life among the werewolf world is over, she learns the secret that can rip her and Isaac’s love apart. Adria must come to terms with what the truth means for her. What it means for her life and how much time she has left to live it. She must choose between two different fates, neither of which can offer life as a certainty.

As if Isaac’s betrayal isn’t enough, Adria learns that there are things out there older and more powerful than werewolves could ever be. An archaic entity known only to few as the Praverian, unlike anything Adria has ever known or heard of.

As Adria struggles with her own fateful dilemmas, she must also try to find out why the Praverian is so interested in her and do everything in her power to stay out of its way.

Due to MATURE YA content, this book is recommended for 17+.

Because of scheduling issues it took me longer than I had wanted to get back to these characters and their story.  But as soon as I brought this book up on my kindle, it was absolutely no time until I finished it.  JA Redmerski is one of those authors whose writing style is just so right that your eyes eat the words up like... like book crack. haha. She writes with passion, and you can feel it in her words. This story brings us back to Adria and Isaac, and they are as close and together as ever.  Life seems pretty darn terrific overall for them.  

Adria still needs to learn to lean on and trust others a bit, but I still really like her.  But the poor girl is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, and it makes me clench my teeth in sympathy for her.  Adria and Isaac's relationship is definitely enviable.   Any why?

Well, Isaac, for one.  Can we say dream boyfriend? I have little hearts doodled by his name in my notes.  I think that means I'm into him lol. He cares so deeply and thoroughly for Adria, the rest of us can't help but be a bit jealous. Soul mates.

This second book in the trilogy introduces a few new characters, and I thought they were really fantastic.  At times I had to wonder what the heck was going on, like with Genna.  But I liked her.  Hell, I liked them all.  I am completely enamored by Adria, Harry, Genna, and the Mayfairs.

And of course there are some really great wolfy scenes with these larger than life and very scary beasts.  You definitely get an adrenalin rush several times in this story. I love the powerplays and drama involved throughout. If you are into wolves and you haven't latched onto this series, then you definitely need to.  It has everything: romance, drama, werewolves and other paranormalness, and big ol' trucks - gotta love that!!!

About the author....

J.A. Redmerski is a  Contemporary Fantasy and YA writer - author of THE MAYFAIR MOON and DIRTY EDEN. She’s  a mother, werewolf & zombie fanatic, book addict and a happy hermit obsessed with the Universe. Oh, and AMC's "The Walking Dead".

Jessica started her first novel at the age of thirteen and has been writing something ever since. Generally, she loves characters in life and on paper. She pays attention to people, especially those whose personalities make them different from the rest of us: the drug addict roaming the Laundromat that talks to himself, the young, inattentive mother in the park with the meanest kid on the playground - (the entire cast of 'Swamp People') - characters fascinate Jessica and she hopes that it shows in her  literary work.

Some authors that inspire Jessica are Neil Gaiman, Cormac McCarthy, Max Brooks, Anne Rice, J.K. Rowling, Richard Matheson, William R. Forstchen, Carrie Ryan, Stephenie Meyer and Lisa Smedman.

Find JA Redmerski Online!

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Pinterest

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Review - Mayfair Moon

Excerpt - Mayfair Moon

Review: Kindred by JA Redmerski

Title: Kindred
Series: The Darkwoods Trilogy, #2
Author: JA Redmerski
Published: July 2012
Tour: No
Format: Ebook provided for review

Isaac Mayfair is hiding a dark secret. And just when Adria Dawson thinks the worst of her life among the werewolf world is over, she learns the secret that can rip her and Isaac’s love apart. Adria must come to terms with what the truth means for her. What it means for her life and how much time she has left to live it. She must choose between two different fates, neither of which can offer life as a certainty.

As if Isaac’s betrayal isn’t enough, Adria learns that there are things out there older and more powerful than werewolves could ever be. An archaic entity known only to few as the Praverian, unlike anything Adria has ever known or heard of.

As Adria struggles with her own fateful dilemmas, she must also try to find out why the Praverian is so interested in her and do everything in her power to stay out of its way.

Due to MATURE YA content, this book is recommended for 17+.

Because of scheduling issues it took me longer than I had wanted to get back to these characters and their story.  But as soon as I brought this book up on my kindle, it was absolutely no time until I finished it.  JA Redmerski is one of those authors whose writing style is just so right that your eyes eat the words up like... like book crack. haha. She writes with passion, and you can feel it in her words. This story brings us back to Adria and Isaac, and they are as close and together as ever.  Life seems pretty darn terrific overall for them.  

Adria still needs to learn to lean on and trust others a bit, but I still really like her.  But the poor girl is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, and it makes me clench my teeth in sympathy for her.  Adria and Isaac's relationship is definitely enviable.   Any why?

Well, Isaac, for one.  Can we say dream boyfriend? I have little hearts doodled by his name in my notes.  I think that means I'm into him lol. He cares so deeply and thoroughly for Adria, the rest of us can't help but be a bit jealous. Soul mates.

This second book in the trilogy introduces a few new characters, and I thought they were really fantastic.  At times I had to wonder what the heck was going on, like with Genna.  But I liked her.  Hell, I liked them all.  I am completely enamored by Adria, Harry, Genna, and the Mayfairs.

And of course there are some really great wolfy scenes with these larger than life and very scary beasts.  You definitely get an adrenalin rush several times in this story. I love the powerplays and drama involved throughout. If you are into wolves and you haven't latched onto this series, then you definitely need to.  It has everything: romance, drama, werewolves and other paranormalness, and big ol' trucks - gotta love that!!!

About the author....

J.A. Redmerski is a  Contemporary Fantasy and YA writer - author of THE MAYFAIR MOON and DIRTY EDEN. She’s  a mother, werewolf & zombie fanatic, book addict and a happy hermit obsessed with the Universe. Oh, and AMC's "The Walking Dead".

Jessica started her first novel at the age of thirteen and has been writing something ever since. Generally, she loves characters in life and on paper. She pays attention to people, especially those whose personalities make them different from the rest of us: the drug addict roaming the Laundromat that talks to himself, the young, inattentive mother in the park with the meanest kid on the playground - (the entire cast of 'Swamp People') - characters fascinate Jessica and she hopes that it shows in her  literary work.

Some authors that inspire Jessica are Neil Gaiman, Cormac McCarthy, Max Brooks, Anne Rice, J.K. Rowling, Richard Matheson, William R. Forstchen, Carrie Ryan, Stephenie Meyer and Lisa Smedman.

Find JA Redmerski Online!

Website

Twitter

Pinterest

Google +

DeviantART

Facebook

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Review - Mayfair Moon

Excerpt - Mayfair Moon

Review, The Mayfair Moon by JA Redmerski

Tite: The Mayfair Moon (The Darkwoods Trilogy #1)
Author: JA Redmerski
Published: January 2012
Genre: Werewolves! (that's a whole genre unto itself, right???)

After a nightmarish encounter with a werewolf, seventeen-year-old Adria Dawson loses her sister, but gains the love of a mysterious young man and his legendary family.


Strange and tragic things begin to happen in the small town of Hallowell, Maine: residents come down with an unexplainable ‘illness’ and some disappear. In the midst of everything, Isaac Mayfair is adamant about keeping Adria safe, even from her sister whom he has warned her to stay away from.


As unspeakable secrets unfold all around Adria, impossible choices become hers to bear. Ultimately, no matter what path she takes, her life and the lives of those she loves will be in peril. As she learns about the werewolf world she also learns why her place in it will change the destinies of many.

This story definitely filled my need for werewolves in my life.  And it brought werewolves to me in a new aspect.  JA Redmerski’s wolves are big, I mean, huge.  They are snarly big mean looking monsters.

First thing I noticed about this book is that it read very easily.  It felt like I was talking with an old friend, and I really liked that.  I didn’t feel like I was being told a story, so much as I was there for it.

Adria and Alex are sisters living in Georgia with their mother and her boyfriend.  Life isn’t perfect, its downright abusive on some levels.  But Adria isn’t old enough to get out, and Alex is staying for her sister.  On top of that, Adria feels like she needs to stay for her mother.  Then one night while they are out walking they witness something terrifying and crazy, and they are attacked.  It gave me the creeps, and I loved it! 

After that, life is not the same.  And CPS steps in to remove Adria; they send her north to Maine to live with family.  Alex follows because that’s her sister, and they stick together.  But Alex hasn’t recovered to the same extent that Adria has.  She’s quiet and withdrawn, and just…different.

Adria is quick to make friends in Hallowell, Maine, and I loved them!  Ok, not all, but Harry.  Harry is a fantastic friend, the kind of friend that everyone should have at some time in their life.  He is honest and brave, and loyal to the core.  I loved Harry, and I would love to see more of him in the future!

Gratuitous Hot Truck

I have to admit, when Adria met the “bad guys” I was a bit excited.  Tattooed, tall, badass…. Lifted trucks.  I mean seriously, they were my dream guys.  Well, except for the whole bad part.  But even that was a bit exciting.  But in dealing with them we learn a bit about Adria, and I thought that was fantastic.  Adria might be young, but she isn’t some child.  She is older than her years, and I just thought her whole personality was really something beautiful.

In fact, the whole cast was fascinating.  They were colorful and vibrant, and each new character (and there were many!) brought a whole new facet to the story.  But its time.  It’s time for the namesake of this book, Isaac Mayfair.

Isaac is an enigmatic young man, who lives with just a ton of people.  There is instant chemistry between Adria and Isaac.  The first time they lay eyes on eachother you know there is something there. 

                “I think I had been in love with Isaac Mayfair all along, but now was the moment in time in which I knew it.”

Isaac and Adria are so obviously made for each other.  I love each of them separately, but together they are absolutely wonderful.  Sweet kisses and long embraces, that feeling that you are loved, wanted, needed… that’s the gift of Isaac.  But just why is he such a she-wolf magnet??  Geez, I just wanted him to push them all off of him!  It was making me jealous!!  Otherwise Isaac is everything you could hope for in a man, a wolf, and a mate.  I love him!  I think I’ve said that….

This book has a ton of information in it, but you don’t feel like you are just reading facts.  JA Redmerski did a superb job of weaving history and facts in with the story.  I was super excited to see that the expected publication date is July 20 for the second book in the trilogy.  Don’t quote me if that has changed, but either way I believe it is coming up real soon.  And I will definitely be on that auto-buy list.

So whether you are a fan of Zia, Sebastian, Harry, Nathan, Beverlee, Alex, Adria or Alex…. Or any number of the others, this book has something to offer everyone.  There are some fight scenes that are awesome, that really show the brute strength of these wolves.  There are elders in this book, and their story is also one to really dig into.  Honestly, I just couldn’t have asked for more.  If you like werewolves, I think you will love this story!

About the author....

J.A. Redmerski is a  Contemporary Fantasy and YA writer - author of THE MAYFAIR MOON and DIRTY EDEN. She’s  a mother, werewolf & zombie fanatic, book addict and a happy hermit obsessed with the Universe. Oh, and AMC's "The Walking Dead".

Jessica started her first novel at the age of thirteen and has been writing something ever since. Generally, she loves characters in life and on paper. She pays attention to people, especially those whose personalities make them different from the rest of us: the drug addict roaming the Laundromat that talks to himself, the young, inattentive mother in the park with the meanest kid on the playground - (the entire cast of 'Swamp People') - characters fascinate Jessica and she hopes that it shows in her  literary work.

Some authors that inspire Jessica are Neil Gaiman, Cormac McCarthy, Max Brooks, Anne Rice, J.K. Rowling, Richard Matheson, William R. Forstchen, Carrie Ryan, Stephenie Meyer and Lisa Smedman.

Find JA Redmerski Online!

Website

Twitter

Pinterest

Google +

DeviantART

Facebook

Review, The Mayfair Moon by JA Redmerski

Tite: The Mayfair Moon (The Darkwoods Trilogy #1)
Author: JA Redmerski
Published: January 2012
Genre: Werewolves! (that's a whole genre unto itself, right???)

After a nightmarish encounter with a werewolf, seventeen-year-old Adria Dawson loses her sister, but gains the love of a mysterious young man and his legendary family.


Strange and tragic things begin to happen in the small town of Hallowell, Maine: residents come down with an unexplainable ‘illness’ and some disappear. In the midst of everything, Isaac Mayfair is adamant about keeping Adria safe, even from her sister whom he has warned her to stay away from.


As unspeakable secrets unfold all around Adria, impossible choices become hers to bear. Ultimately, no matter what path she takes, her life and the lives of those she loves will be in peril. As she learns about the werewolf world she also learns why her place in it will change the destinies of many.

This story definitely filled my need for werewolves in my life.  And it brought werewolves to me in a new aspect.  JA Redmerski’s wolves are big, I mean, huge.  They are snarly big mean looking monsters.

First thing I noticed about this book is that it read very easily.  It felt like I was talking with an old friend, and I really liked that.  I didn’t feel like I was being told a story, so much as I was there for it.

Adria and Alex are sisters living in Georgia with their mother and her boyfriend.  Life isn’t perfect, its downright abusive on some levels.  But Adria isn’t old enough to get out, and Alex is staying for her sister.  On top of that, Adria feels like she needs to stay for her mother.  Then one night while they are out walking they witness something terrifying and crazy, and they are attacked.  It gave me the creeps, and I loved it! 

After that, life is not the same.  And CPS steps in to remove Adria; they send her north to Maine to live with family.  Alex follows because that’s her sister, and they stick together.  But Alex hasn’t recovered to the same extent that Adria has.  She’s quiet and withdrawn, and just…different.

Adria is quick to make friends in Hallowell, Maine, and I loved them!  Ok, not all, but Harry.  Harry is a fantastic friend, the kind of friend that everyone should have at some time in their life.  He is honest and brave, and loyal to the core.  I loved Harry, and I would love to see more of him in the future!

Gratuitous Hot Truck

I have to admit, when Adria met the “bad guys” I was a bit excited.  Tattooed, tall, badass…. Lifted trucks.  I mean seriously, they were my dream guys.  Well, except for the whole bad part.  But even that was a bit exciting.  But in dealing with them we learn a bit about Adria, and I thought that was fantastic.  Adria might be young, but she isn’t some child.  She is older than her years, and I just thought her whole personality was really something beautiful.

In fact, the whole cast was fascinating.  They were colorful and vibrant, and each new character (and there were many!) brought a whole new facet to the story.  But its time.  It’s time for the namesake of this book, Isaac Mayfair.

Isaac is an enigmatic young man, who lives with just a ton of people.  There is instant chemistry between Adria and Isaac.  The first time they lay eyes on eachother you know there is something there. 

                “I think I had been in love with Isaac Mayfair all along, but now was the moment in time in which I knew it.”

Isaac and Adria are so obviously made for each other.  I love each of them separately, but together they are absolutely wonderful.  Sweet kisses and long embraces, that feeling that you are loved, wanted, needed… that’s the gift of Isaac.  But just why is he such a she-wolf magnet??  Geez, I just wanted him to push them all off of him!  It was making me jealous!!  Otherwise Isaac is everything you could hope for in a man, a wolf, and a mate.  I love him!  I think I’ve said that….

This book has a ton of information in it, but you don’t feel like you are just reading facts.  JA Redmerski did a superb job of weaving history and facts in with the story.  I was super excited to see that the expected publication date is July 20 for the second book in the trilogy.  Don’t quote me if that has changed, but either way I believe it is coming up real soon.  And I will definitely be on that auto-buy list.

So whether you are a fan of Zia, Sebastian, Harry, Nathan, Beverlee, Alex, Adria or Alex…. Or any number of the others, this book has something to offer everyone.  There are some fight scenes that are awesome, that really show the brute strength of these wolves.  There are elders in this book, and their story is also one to really dig into.  Honestly, I just couldn’t have asked for more.  If you like werewolves, I think you will love this story!

About the author....

J.A. Redmerski is a  Contemporary Fantasy and YA writer - author of THE MAYFAIR MOON and DIRTY EDEN. She’s  a mother, werewolf & zombie fanatic, book addict and a happy hermit obsessed with the Universe. Oh, and AMC's "The Walking Dead".

Jessica started her first novel at the age of thirteen and has been writing something ever since. Generally, she loves characters in life and on paper. She pays attention to people, especially those whose personalities make them different from the rest of us: the drug addict roaming the Laundromat that talks to himself, the young, inattentive mother in the park with the meanest kid on the playground - (the entire cast of 'Swamp People') - characters fascinate Jessica and she hopes that it shows in her  literary work.

Some authors that inspire Jessica are Neil Gaiman, Cormac McCarthy, Max Brooks, Anne Rice, J.K. Rowling, Richard Matheson, William R. Forstchen, Carrie Ryan, Stephenie Meyer and Lisa Smedman.

Find JA Redmerski Online!

Website

Twitter

Pinterest

Google +

DeviantART

Facebook

The Mayfair Moon - JA Redmerski, Excerpt/Giveaway

The Mayfair Moon

JA Redmerski

After a nightmarish encounter with a werewolf, seventeen-year-old Adria Dawson loses her sister, but gains the love of a mysterious young man and his legendary family.

Strange and tragic things begin to happen in the small town of Hallowell, Maine: residents come down with an unexplainable ‘illness’ and some disappear. In the midst of everything, Isaac Mayfair is adamant about keeping Adria safe, even from her sister whom he has warned her to stay away from.

As unspeakable secrets unfold all around Adria, impossible choices become hers to bear. Ultimately, no matter what path she takes, her life and the lives of those she loves will be in peril. As she learns about the werewolf world she also learns why her place in it will change the destinies of many.

Excerpt – Werewolf at Finch’s Grocery 

I started to go back to the oatmeal boxes until I noticed a dark figure standing in the far corner of Finch’s parking lot. Moving out of the pool of light shining above from the fluorescent, I stood closer to the end of the shelf.

“Thirty more minutes and he won’t need to come anyway,” Harry said from behind.

I walked further up and edged my way toward the window to get a better look. The figure stood just out of the glow from the street light. He, if it was a man, wore dark clothes from head to toe. The way he stood there, still as a statue and staring toward the store, made my nerves short out like electrical wires.

“Me and Sebastian don’t hang out much anymore,” Harry went on, still shelving merchandise. “I mean, I get it and all, but it still sucks. Y’know?”

“Harry,” I whispered, as if the man could actually hear me from that far away, “come here.”

I felt him standing behind me then.

“Do you see that guy?” I said, taking my eyes off the parking lot for just a second.

“No,” Harry answered. “I don’t see anybody.”

I did a double take. The man was gone.

“No,” I said, moving quickly to the store window and almost pressing my face against it. “He was standing right there, off in the corner. He was staring this way.”

I turned around fully to face Harry.

“I can’t believe this,” I said.

“Don’t get so worked up, Adria.” Harry started to walk back to the aisle. “Could’ve been anyone; you’re really jumpy tonight.”

I turned around again. The man, with a grinning, maniacal face dripping with blood stood an inch from the glass.

I shrieked and stumbled backward, my foot catching under a metal newspaper rack. I fell hard on my side and newspapers came tumbling down.

Harry came running over.

“Holy shit!” he said.

Harry grabbed me and pulled me to my feet. The man’s eyes swirled black; his knifelike teeth glistening with blood.

Suddenly, Harry fell over the same newspaper stand that I did. He almost took me down with him, but let go of my arm just as he hit the floor.

“What the hell!” he shouted.

The man came closer to the window. His wicked, smiling face was like staring into the face of the Devil.

His hands were behind his back. He pulled his right arm out slowly and pointed his index finger upwards, the nail two inches razor-sharp and black like his eyes. His hand was covered in blood.

Blood stained the snow beneath him.

“I imagine uncles taste better than German Shepherds,” the man said so cold and menacingly through the glass.

I gasped. Harry had gotten to his feet and was trying to pull me backwards with him, but I pushed him away from me. I threw myself against the window, my face and the werewolf’s face separated by nothing more than a false sense of security. I banged my palms once against it, feeling the entire window shake and shudder.

“What did you do to him?” I screamed. “What did you do to my uncle?” I banged the glass once more; the palms of my hands stung.

The man grinned, revealing his deadly teeth even more to me in his malign expression.

Harry grabbed me more intensely and managed to pry me violently away from the window. I was mad with rage, trying to fight my way free, but Harry was too strong. I felt my shoes scraping across the floor as he pulled me into the nearest aisle.

The werewolf let out a menacing growl from outside, jerking back his head. The last I saw of him was how his hot breath had melted the cold from the glass.

Come find Jessica...

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