Thirteenth Daughter. Heritage Witch. Demon Slayer.
They say every town has its secrets, but that doesn’t even begin to describe Whispering Pines. The townsfolk are a superstitious lot and the mystical disappearance of a local teen has everyone murmuring about a centuries old witch’s curse.
Sixteen-year-old Shiloh Ravenwolf is a heritage witch from the Broussard family, a family both destined and cursed. When she takes a summer job at Ravenhurst Manor, she discovers a ghost with an agenda. That’s where she meets the new town hottie, Trent Donovan, and immediately becomes spellbound by his charms. Yet she is determined to discover the connection between them.
Finally, Shiloh's met someone who is supercute and totally into her, but Trent may be the next victim on the supernatural hit list. And Shiloh is the only person with the power to save him. Complicated much?
It sucks to have a destiny, especially since Shiloh would rather spend her summer being a normal girl who worries about clothes and boys, not the supernatural. But she’s never been normal, and the stranger things become the more her own magical senses awaken.
With cryptic messages from a pesky wraith, she will begin to understand the mysterious significance of the strange mark branded on her wrist and decide how much she's willing to sacrifice to protect the other teenagers in town.
Unfortunately, for Shiloh, not all ghosts want help crossing over. Some want vengeance.
Book title: Beautifully Broken
Release Date: July 01, 2011
Publisher: Firelight Publishing
Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal
Look for Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule being released for purchase today! And followers! Hurry to Shadow People, Guest Post by Sherry Soule and add your comment for a chance to win a copy of Sherry's book Beautifully Broken. Giveaway ends today!
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My view and Review by Cynthia ~Beautifully Broken is a Young Adult Paranormal Romance and can easily be considered a Gothic read. In fact, I'm counting this one towards my Gothic Reading Challenge. While there is no castle per say, there is a Gothic mansion Ravenhurst, and the descriptive details is a large part of the story where much of Shiloh's time is spent and the story is told from. There is an absolute existence of suspense and mystery through out the entire book for over the years kids have disappeared from Whispering Pines, and Shiloh uncovers family secrets, unveiling truths about her own magickal powers. Without a doubt there are Supernatural or otherwise inexplicable events when the shadows come to life and that causes plenty of emotion. A terror to be exact, and I absolutely found myself breathless and a bit panicked.
Shiloh is 15 turning 16, and she does go through a difficult time naturally that would put a character of that age in distress. Her parents are a bit self absorbed, especially her Mother that also seems to be in denial and hiding something dark, so from Shiloh's point of view she most likely feels abandoned. I found her more to be of a heroine with strength and struggling to find her place as she holds tight to her individuality. That very strength may be what makes her a lone or lonely as she labels herself a weirdo.
Taking all of the Gothic detail into consideration, there is a connection. That which causes the mystery and suspense in Beautifully Broken is the very essence that makes Shiloh's parents keep secrets and act so stand offish with her and then creates a chain of events that continues to roll itself into this elaborate paranormal read.
Shiloh has a certain knowing and gift. She is guided and helped through this horror of the shadows with the ability to see and hear spirits. It is that communication skill that saves her from what is lurking in the dark.
+++++++++++++
This is a great book! I absolutely loved it and was blown away with Sherry's strong descriptive narration. Every chapter made me hunger for the next and it was an incredible richly written paranormal romance. Soule did not scrimp on ways to bring out the story line with color and flare. This is one of those YA books that I would highly recommend to anyone that loves reading, even those that do not normally pick up a paranormal. For YA and Paranormal Romance fans, this will shoot straight to the top of your favorites list, along with the entire Spellbound series.
5 Pendulums out of 5
About the Author:
Sherry Soule has won numerous awards for her short stories and now writes full time. She adores cats, loves scary movies, and lives on peppermint mochas. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family and her black cat, Charm. She is hard at work on the next book in the Spellbound Series.
Whispering Pines History
http://whispering-pines-history.blogspot.com/
Sherry' Blog
http://sherrysoule.blogspot.com/
Sherry's Author Website
http://sherrysoule.com/
Sherry's Blogger Profile
http://www.blogger.com/profile/03160718470964787048
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My copy is an PDF read on my Nook and provided to me by the author Sherry Soule. This read counts toward my Gothic Reading Challenge and Outdo Yourself.
