Lightning in her Hands by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland-Review

Lightning in her Hands by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland-Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
Teal Flores is desperate for two things—control over her gift of weather, and a date to her ex’s wedding. The first isn’t possible until she finds her long-lost mother, but the second has a very handsome last-ditch solution: Carter Velasquez.

Carter needs Teal too. His chance at receiving an inheritance is dependent on him being married by age thirty (blame his traditional Cuban grandmother), so who better to pose as his wife than Teal? But fake marriage and cohabitation prove tricky when mutual attraction charges the atmosphere—quite literally for Teal, whose volatile emotions cause lightning strikes.

Together, Teal and Carter embark on a quest to find her mother and the answers she’s searching for. But along the way, they’ll discover something even better: a love that can weather any storm.

 

 

 

Review:

Lightning in her Hands by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland is the 2nd book in her Wild Magic series.   Having read the first book in this series, I looked forward to Teal’s story.  Teal was only 4 years old when her mother left the family, and she was the only one who saw her leave. Each of the sisters have their own magical gift, with Sage (the oldest) having an affinity for plants; Sky (the youngest) has an affinity for animals; and Teal’s gift is the weather.  Teal has no full control over her gift, which responds to her emotions; but she learns many years later, that her mother took something from her the night she left; which causes her to feel unworthy; Teal also has a bipolar issue.

Teal has been best friends with Carter Velasquez most of her life, and when she moved on with a new boyfriend, their friendship fell apart. Now that Teal is no longer with her ex, she tries to convince Carter to go with her to her ex’s wedding, as she wants to resume their friendship. At first, he says no, but a short time later, he agrees to go to the wedding, if she will help him gain access to his inheritance.  Carter needs a marriage of convenience, and after some thought, she agrees to the fake marriage with Carter, especially with both gaining some money.  When they get married, both Carter and Teal begin to feel strong feelings for each other (as Carter has always loved her). Teal moves in with Carter in his gorgeous house. Along the way, the sex scenes between Teal and Carter are very hot and spicy; they were great together. 

Teal knows she lost something all those years ago, which causes her gift to not be where it should be. Teal, Carter, Sage and Sky embark on trying find her mother, to get her power in full control.  I was happy that Teal slowly knew she needed to improve herself, as well as being less selfish.  If they can find the missing mother, Teal will fully restore her ability.  The three sisters will find their mother, and they will need to get Teal’s full power back from the mother. 

Lightning in her Hands was an intriguing, fun, emotional, romantic and sexy story. Lightning in her Hands was very well written by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland. If you enjoy a paranormal fantasy, with terrific characters, I suggest you read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

Share

Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland – a Review

Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland – Review & Giveaway

 

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
Legend goes that long ago a Flores woman offended the old gods, and their family was cursed as a result. Now, every woman born to the family has a touch of magic.
 
Sage Flores has been running from her family—and their “gifts”—ever since her younger sister Sky died. Eight years later, Sage reluctantly returns to her hometown. Like slipping into an old, comforting sweater, Sage takes back her job at Cranberry Rose Company and uses her ability to communicate with plants to discover unusual heritage specimens in the surrounding lands.

What should be a simple task is complicated by her partner in botany sleuthing: Tennessee Reyes. He broke her heart in high school, and she never fully recovered. Working together is reminding her of all their past tender, genuine moments—and new feelings for this mature sexy man are starting to take root in her heart.

With rare plants to find, a dead sister who keeps bringing her coffee, and another sister whose anger fills the sky with lightning, Sage doesn’t have time for romance. But being with Tenn is like standing in the middle of a field on the cusp of a summer thunderstorm—supercharged and inevitable.

 

 

Review:

Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland is a fun, interesting and romantic stand-alone novel, about a family of female witches, with a paranormal element. Sage Flores, our heroine, left home 8 years ago, after her youngest sister died in an accident. She has recently lost her job, and now returns to Cranberry Rose to live with her aunt Nadia and estranged sister, Teal. Each of the family women have different magic abilities, as they are witches; Sage is a plant whisperer; able to communicate with the plant’s souls; Teal, when angry, can create havoc on the weather/storms; Aunt Nadia has the ability to know things.  Both Sage and Teal do not get along, mostly due to the sister’s death.

Sage gets a job working where she used to work, at the Cranberry Rose Company to help find new plants and help increase the farm’s sales. She is shocked to find her high school crush (who broke her heart), Tennessee (Ten) Reyes is also going to work there, and now they have been teamed up to search for elite special plants.  At first, Sage was a bit sarcastic with Ten, but in a short time, the sparks between them sizzle, as they are both extremely attracted to one another. Ten went out of his way to work closely with Sage, also learning more about her plant whisperer abilities.  Working side by side, brought back memories of the past, and strong new feelings bringing them closer together.

Sage tries hard to solve her family issues, especially the past when Sky died. Sage, also has another secret, that she has not revealed to her family.  Seems her dead sister, Sky, appears quite often (she is a ghost), giving her advice or coffee. When she and Sky (who no one sees) visit another witch older witch, to find out why Sky cannot move on, which will bring them back to Aunt Nadia to use her knowledge to find an amazing and magical discovery.

Witch of Wild Things was a very good story with many things, such as dysfunctional family, romance, sisterhood, friendship, trauma and magical witches.  I loved Sage and Tenn together, as they were a great couple.  By the end, I loved all of the family and female witches, with their individual magical ability. Most of all, I loved the wonderful happy ever after ending.  Witch of Wild Things was very well written by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland. I suggest you read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

The Reading Cafe and Berkley are graciously offering a hard copy of WITCH OF WILD THINGS to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE:If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE/FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

4. Please LIKE and FOLLOW Berkley Romance on Facebook for an addition entry.

5. LIKE The Reading Cafe on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from September 11 – 15, 2023

 

 

Share