Tag Archives: Mature YA

The Guardian’s Keeper by T.R. Raven-a review

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THE GUARDIAN’S KEEPER (The Guardian Trilogy #1) by T.R.Raven

Blurb: Kidnapped by the handsome young vampire Nikoli, eighteen year old Claire discovers she holds the relic capable of resurrecting the most dangerous vampire in history. Claire should be repulsed by her kidnapper, but instead she’s irresistibly drawn to him-and he to her as well. Claire wants to explore their feelings for each other but Nikoli resists, worried their romance will distract him from his part in the dangerous task at hand.

Together they must seek the help of the Gypsy Queen Renka in order to destroy the relic. Their lives are on the line as they travel across the globe in search of Renka and her Gypsies while safeguarding the relic from those who would use it to resurrect their Master.

Claire and Nikoli must also struggle with a possessive unwanted suitor, surprising news about Claire’s lineage, and a meddling ancient Greek Goddess-all while holding the fate of the world in their hands. They must destroy the relic- but at what cost to them both? Is the Gypsy Queen’s prophecy about their love true?

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THE GUARDIAN’S KEEPER is the first storyline (November 18, 2012 release) in T.R.Raven’s mature young adult Guardian Trilogy. We are introduced to Claire following her graduation and the subsequent death of her grandfather. But unbeknownst to Claire, she comes from a long line of Keepers. Keepers are the protectors of the Fangs of Stavros. Stavros was an ancient vampire killed and cursed (never to return) by gypsies, only now his descendants have located the final fang-which is said to bring Stavros back to ‘life’. And low and behold, Claire’s graduation gift from her grandfather is the Fang of Stravros.

Nikoli is a two hundred year old vampire whose attraction to Claire is immediate and strong. As a Guardian, it is his responsibility to protect the Keeper of the Fang. Nikoli believes his feelings for Claire will compromise his duty but Claire’s feelings for her vampire guardian grow with every encounter. When the pair must set out for Romania as the last step on the journey to destroy the Fang of Stavros, Nikoli and Claire will profess their love for one another only to be ripped apart when their whereabouts are discovered once again. In Claire’s attempts to save Nikoli, she will put both of their lives at risk, and neither one will ever be the same.

THE GUARDIAN’S KEEPER is a simple and quick read. The relationship between Nikoli and Claire develops rather quickly and is initially explained as a Keeper’s attraction to her Guardian. Nikoli fights a losing battle with his emotions and their relationship is unwelcome by the very people needed to help destroy the Fang. I would have liked to see more character and world building- I want to know my characters; to make a connection but I felt I didn’t have a chance to get to know Nikoli and Claire as a couple. There is little in the way of descriptive narration. Parts of the storyline felt rushed. There are some heartbreaking moments as Claire loses everyone she has ever loved, but her reaction to losing the love of her life didn’t sit well with me. This particular part of the storyline felt forced and didn’t belong under the circumstances.

But overall, The Guardian’s Keeper is an interesting storyline with some fascinating and eccentric characters. T.R.Raven writes a twist on the standard vampire novel and with an ending you never saw coming.

ORDER LINKS: Amazon

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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EASY by Tammara Webber-a review

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EASY by Tammara Webber-a review

ABOUT THE BOOK: A girl who believes trust can be misplaced, promises are made to be broken, and loyalty is an illusion. A boy who believes truth is relative, lies can mask unbearable pain, and guilt is eternal. Will what they find in each other validate their conclusions, or disprove them all?

When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she’s single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.

Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex’s frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night–but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.

When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he’s hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.

Easy Collage

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REVIEW: I guess I am a little late on the EASY review train but when I read so many 5 star and A ratings for this ‘mature YA’ or ‘new adult’ contemporary storyline I had to take a chance and….. it was well worth it.

EASY is not the usual YA storyline: First, it is mature YA-there are a few non-graphic sex scenes; all of the characters are over 20 years of age. Secondly, there is no love triangle (get down on my knees and gives thanks). Thirdly, most of the storyline takes place on the university campus and involves third and fourth year students and, their family and friends.

The storyline begins with a sexual assault against our heroine Jacqueline Wallace and progresses through the emotional turmoil, a women must face, when her personal space and private life have been violated. We are taken on a journey that follows Jacqueline as she refuses to file charges against her ex-boyfriend’s frat brother and the ensuing changes that her life will follow at the hands of her ‘knight in shining armor’. Only this knight’s armor has a few blemishes that Jacqueline hopes to discover.

Lucas is our reluctant hero. After rescuing Jacqueline from her would-be rapist, Lucas seems to be everywhere Jacqueline is-coincidence? Jacqueline is unsure but she will soon realize that Lucas has long been a part of her everyday curriculum at school and she had never taken the time to look at the world around her-so wrapped up in her previous relationship, she hadn’t even noticed they were barely speaking to each other.

As the storyline develops Jacqueline’s friendship with Lucas strengthens with each encounter and it helps that Lucas seems to be everywhere on campus and involved with a myriad of events and volunteer programs where Jacqueline has become involved. Luke has a few secret of his own including a dark past that hits too close to home with Jacqueline’s assault.

Tammara Webber weaves together the lives of friends who must endure the humiliation of rejection and betrayal, fear of potential retaliation and the love and support of roommates and pals. There are some fascinating and colorful secondary characters who lives intertwine on a daily basis especially Jacqueline’s tutor and, her roommate Erin. But not everyone is who he or she seems to be.

EASY is a well-written and personally engaging storyline that grabs you from the very start. Tammara has written a novel that is worth the price of admission and one that every young woman should read. Sexual assault and rape must be reported and, the old boys clubs and fraternities must be held accountable for their actions when one of their own hides behind the power of old money and the public persona of institutions and the elite. EASY is an amazing storyline from the pen of Tammara Webber.

ORDER LINKS: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository / KOBO /

Reviewed by Sandy

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