Autumn Thorns by Yasmine Galenorn – Review, Excerpt and Giveaway
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Description:
Fifteen years ago, I ran away from Whisper Hollow, Washington, a small town on Crescent Lake in the Olympic Peninsula. But truth is, if you were born here, you can never really leave. I’m Kerris Fellwater, and when I returned, I inherited my grandmother’s house—and her gift. As a spirit shaman, it’s my responsibility to drive the dead back to their graves, because around Whisper Hollow, people—and secrets—don’t always stay buried.
When I was little, I was told my mother ran off. But now it looks like she was murdered. With the help of my mysterious neighbor Bryan, we begin to unravel the mystery of her disappearance, and in doing so, unearth a dark force seeking to bury Whisper Hollow. Now I must work with the dead, rather than against them, because our enemy will do whatever she can to destroy the town, and she means to start with me.
Review:
Kerris had made a life for herself in Seattle, but when she started seeing signs, she knew she would have to uproot her life once more and head home to Whisper Hollow. When she received word that her beloved grandmother had died, she knew things would never be the same.
Upon Kerris’ arrival in Whisper Hollow, she’s not prepared for what awaits. Or is she? As she delves into her duties as spirit shaman, she soon figures out that things are not, nor have they ever been, as they seem. From her grandfather’s disdain for her, to the disappearance of her mother, to the group that she is fated to be a part of, Kerris embarks on a path to not only uncover the closely guarded secrets, but to unravel mysteries that surround Whisper Hollow. Even though she is met with resistance, Kerris faces some of her biggest fears with her newly formed inner circle and the results are otherworldly……
I read a couple of other series by Yasmine Galenorn, and really enjoy them. But this book renewed my love for the worlds that she builds. With Autumn Thorns being the first book in a new series, there is a lot of world building and introductions to the main, as well as supporting, characters. That’s where I got excited. The characters are multifaceted and complex without being too over the top and hard to follow. Kerris is a wonderful character who meets the challenges she’s handed head on. Bryan moves mountains to keep her safe and has a great back story, which I hope to find out more in future books. The possibilities are endless in this new series, from Kerris’ best friend to the spirits that guard different realms, and everyone in between, I can’t wait to read more. I LOVED THIS BOOK! Well done, Yasmine Galenorn. Very, very well done!
Reviewed by Vickie
Copy provided by Publisher
As I turned onto Bramblewood Way, the fog rose thick and fast to surround the car. It smothered the road in one quick swoop. I slammed on the brakes as a dark figure vaulted out from the trees on the side of the road, loping into the street. It looked for all the world like a huge wolf, hunched and misshapen. Another figure followed—this one human—and I skidded to the side as I tried to avoid hitting him. As I brought my CR-V to a halt, I lurched forward against the seat belt, almost hitting the steering wheel.
My ribs felt bruised and I was panting but otherwise unharmed. I gripped the wheel with one hand as I fumbled to shift the SUV into park.
What the hell had just happened?
Hands shaking, I slowly unfastened my seat belt, then reached beneath the seat for the crowbar I kept stashed there. Being a single woman in a big city, I had learned how to defend myself with whatever I had at hand. After a moment, I also grabbed the switchblade I kept hidden in my glove box and shoved it into my jacket pocket. Hesitating another moment—there could be anything out there from a coyote to a serial killer—finally, I opened the door and stepped out of the car.
I stood there, scanning the road around me, the crowbar clutched in one hands, while I kept the other free and near the knife in my jacket. I knew how to throw a punch, and I could use a baseball bat with decent effectiveness, but it all depended on who was on the receiving end.
The road was silent, a hush of fog. My house was a block and a half away, but right now it felt as good as a mile. As my breath coalesced into a cloud of white vapor, I tried to sort out whether I had actually hit anyone. No body in the road—check. No sign of what dog . . . wolf . . . whatever had launched itself in my path—check.
“Are you all right?”
Startled, I whirled around, raising the crowbar. To my left stood a man, around five eleven. He was lean and fit, and so close he could have grabbed my arm. I took one deliberate step back.
What the hell? I hadn’t seen any sign of him—or anybody else—when I’d stepped out of the car. Nor had I heard him approach, and I had good ears. “Where did you come from? Who are you?”
He held up his hands, gesturing to the raised crowbar. “I promise, you won’t need that. I’m not going to hurt you.” He took a step back and kept his hands out in plain sight.
As I slowly lowered the makeshift weapon, I looked him over. His wheat-colored hair was in a casually tousled shag, reaching his collar in back and on the sides. A well-trimmed beard and mustache shrouded his face. But something about his eyes caught my attention. I realized that, even this close, under the streetlamps, I couldn’t tell what color they were. And yet his gaze pierced through the fog. I frowned. There was something familiar about him . . . but I knew we hadn’t met.
He ventured a smile, still holding his hands where I could see them. “Allow me to introduce myself—and apologize for startling you.” His voice was soft but firm. I had the feeling he could sing with that voice. “My name is Bryan Tierney. I’m your neighbor.”
Neighbor? When I’d left Whisper Hollow, the estate next door had been empty and I hadn’t realized somebody lived there now.
I gazed at him calmly, but inside, alarm bells were going off—but I couldn’t tell what they were warning me about. I wasn’t afraid of him, not really. I didn’t sense danger from him, and he most definitely wasn’t a spirit—but something was tugging at the edges of my consciousness.
Hi, I’m New York Times, USA TODAY, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn. In April 2012, I won a Career Achievement Award in Urban Fantasy at the Romantic Times Convention.
I write urban fantasy/paranormal romance for Berkley: the Otherworld Series, (aka Sisters of the Moon Series), the upcoming spin-off series in the Otherworld altaverse–the Fly By Night Series, and the upcoming Whisper Hollow paranormal romance/suspense series. I also wrote the Indigo Court Series.
In the past, I’ve also written a paranormal mystery series (the Chintz ‘n China Series) for Berkley Prime Crime, a short-lived mystery series (the Bath & Body Series) under the name of India Ink, again for Berkley Prime Crime, and eight metaphysical nonfiction books (Llewellyn Publications and Crossing Press).
I’m represented by Meredith Bernstein of the Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency–I adore my agent and am thrilled to have her on my side.
And yes, I’m a shamanic witch and am considered an elder in the Pagan community, having been in the Craft since February 29th (yes, leap year day), 1980. I walk an eclectic path and consider my life to be a blend of teacups and tattoos–the former in my china closet, the latter on my skin–I’m heavily inked. I collect teacups, teapots, Old Country Roses china (Royal Albert), antlers and skulls (of the non-human variety), daggers and crystals. And of course, my bookshelves are overflowing with books. I cannot walk out of a bookstore without buying at least one book. My TBR pile is huge!
I’m a theatre major, a 1983 graduate of the Evergreen State College (Olympia WA). I started college when I was fifteen, skipping high school. I took extra time to finish because of money considerations and a hiatus when I was 17, to hitchhike to California where I lived with one of my sisters for a brief time.
On Beltane, 1993 (May 1st) I married Samwise and we’re still very happily married. We are the parents of one senior kitty and three young cats. Three of our senior gurlz went over the Bridge a few years ago and we still miss them terribly. We reside in the Seattle WA area.
Because so many people ask, you pronounce my first name this way: Yaz-mihn (NOT Jasmine–it’s a “Y”, not a “J”) and our last name is pronounced: Gal-eh-norn. The accent is on the first syllable. Interesting trivia: Samwise and I created our last name together after we got married. At first, he took my last name, but I decided I didn’t want to be stuck with my stepfather’s last name forever. So we decided to construct a name that would be ours alone and that would mean something to us. We created our last name out of the Elvish in LOTR. Galenorn means Green Tree in Elvish, went to court, and legalized it. And yes, Samwise is his *real* name.
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