Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely love this book! Yes, it has dark and crazy moment but I was hooked especially the second chapter really hooked me and gave a good back story. I’ve not read anything by her but I’m definitely a fan.
Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Shield and Shade had me hooked from the beginning, I could not put it down! Misty Hayes did an incredible job, bringing this characters to life in every way. I truly fell in love with Zoey, Corinth, and Cruz. There were some twists and turns that I didn’t see coming and it had me going back over to make sure I read it right! This book was hands down one of the very best that I have read this year. I did not know this was a spin off series but I will definitely be checking into the Blood Dagger trilogy, after reading this I have no doubt in mind it won’t be amazing.
Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This story was captivating. When I started reading, I didn’t want to stop. The world building and characters were fantastic! It kept me guessing and wondering what was coming next. It was fantastic and I was on the edge of my seat while I was reading.
Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
THIS WAS A FREAKIN’ AWESOME ADVENTURE! The main Character Zoey is definitely on a roller coaster of dark twists and turns, angelic loops, and devilish corkscrews, and a story wouldn’t be complete without a boy dilemma in Fort Worth, Texas! (Not Cowboys, oil companies, and horses anywhere in sight!) Zoey and her group face when an infernal demon decides on revenge and destruction of humanity as they know it! Ms. Hayes has written an extreme action-packed adventure, where the reader can view the action from ALL her characters, and I have never seen the action scenes with this detail and raw emotion on every page. The love the characters show for family and close friends is undeniable, and even though the characters are tested and brutally challenged, however, family and love is the strongest bond of all is what I read through this book. Join Zoey Taylor and others on this roller coaster adventure for a one-of-a-kind experience!
Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
At fifteen, Zoey Taylor is different compared to normal high schoolers. Zoey, as a freshman, takes AP (or Advanced Placement) courses hoping that she can graduate high school early. She is always studying, and with a nighttime curfew of 7:30, she doesn’t have a lot of friends. Plus, there’s her secret. She’s afraid of the dark because that’s when she gets night terrors of the time when she wandered out of her house at night at the tender age of five.
The one person she considers a friend is Trevor. He has creamy skin, auburn hair, and chocolate brown eyes which he hides behind square rimmed glasses. You would think he was nerdy, but his athletic build and self-confidence made the girls fawn over him at every chance. His parents never seem to be home, but since his parents are mansion rich, he has money to do whatever he pleases or whatever his parents wish for him to do.
Zoey’s life has a dose of reality on Thanksgiving when she finds out the truth about the night when she was five. Read this amazing story about demons and Nephilim to find out how Zoey, her family, and friends acclimate to an ordeal that is definitely not “normal”.
Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
From what I understand, this is connected to the Blood Dagger trilogy, which I haven’t read. However, after finishing this book and loving it as much as I did, I plan to read all of her work! It was fast paced and easy to get sucked into the book. The characters had good development and felt very real. I always love when a book is told from different viewpoints; and Hayes accomplished it seamlessly. A very suspenseful and exciting read. I can’t wait for the others!
Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Zoey Taylor is just a normal girl on her way to graduating early, she studies hard and is a bit of a loner apart from one friend who she hangs around with, this is due to being an introvert by nature, but also because her family are really overprotective ever since she walked out of the house and into the woods behind in the middle of the night when she was five years old. As Zoey goes through her normal routine of school, studying, more school, more studying and maybe meeting her friend at the local diner for a snack before heading home, she is coming to terms with her desperate need to escape from it, to escape from her family and its drama which comes from being the only girl surrounded by four brothers, its loud and distracting.
One of the days she goes to the diner, her friend did mention that one of the guys who works there has a crush on her, but she didn’t believe it, she is too plain for anyone to notice her, but when she starts talking to him, she realises he is actually a nice guy under the uniform and permanent scent of sugar and grease from the fryers. When her friend turns up she is annoyed with herself bevuase of asking a stupid question which pretty much wrecked any chance of further conversation and she regrets it so she decides to leave early, unknowingly leaving her bag charm behind, her friend isn’t overly fussed and just proceeds to chat up the girls in the diner instead.
As Thanksgiving approaches, Zoey is worried that she won’t be able to study with everyone being in the house and tries to extend her curfew a bit so she can get some work done at the library, but her parents are having none of it, so she struggles ahead like normal. When her older brother comes home a couple of days after school has broken up, she is happy, but when a friend of his comes to see him, things start to turn odd, so she calls on her friend to come over to help her investigate what is happening and he agrees to come over on Thanksgiving itself.
When the day arrives, the family is preparing the meal, but unknown to her, the guy from the diner is going to turn up as well to return her charm and bearing cake, while she is talking to him, tensions rise between the two guys when her friend arrives and she asks one to leave. However, the day proceeds to become more shocking when someone she never expected turns up on her doorstep, Gabriel Stanton is wealthy, popular to the point of celebrity status and a philanthropist in his spare time and completely out of place in her living room, but there he is nonetheless. How will Zoey react when he manages to turn her life upside down with answers she never expected to hear and what will happen in the aftermath of these revelations? This is a thrilling tale of secrets, revelations and family bonds that is a rollercoaster of emotion and action as the story unfolds to reveal its final conclusion.
Reviewed by @roxsannel
Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a great spin off, especially if you haven’t read the original trilogy which I have not but i definitely will now. If you love The Mortal Instruments series you will absolutely enjoy this Young Adult paranormal fantasy. It has great strong characters and there is twists, suspense and drama round every turn. you will not be disappointed.
Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ok. I knew from the description that this book was right up my alley. But I was unprepared for the adventure that unfolded before me. Wow. What a book. Just full of detail and amazing characters. I loved how the story was set up. Couldn’t wait to find out how everything would come together and get answers to the questions set in the beginning. The author brilliantly provided a new world to dive into. My only complaint is that i have to wait for the next book. Wonderful.
Reviewed by @heatherlovelace
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Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the BEST paranormal book out there for 2021. If books similar to Supernatural had a category, this would be up there (even though it is way better), This author has done a phenomenal job putting together the plot. It is good vs evil with angels, demons, nephilims, etc. Holy cow! I found myself chuckling through some and holding my breath through the others. Her action packed scenes between Zoey, Cruz and the gang are classic. Zoe is a young woman who shows her family that she is stronger than they give her credit for when she learns they have been lying to her. Her friends haven’t been much help. She is an introvert and prefers studying and reading (I feel her). This is a book that will have you counting down the days to read the next one.
Tangled Roots by Denise D. Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 stars!
Fun paranormal read. I really enjoyed this book, the characters were easy to fall in love with and the story was interesting. There are many different connections between the different characters and the author introduced the connections seamlessly, everything flowed so nicely. I don’t know how I would feel if I were Cassie, living in 1974, then after being put under a spell wake up 45 years later. It is nice that she finds Nick and their connection is cemented and their relationship starts to bloom. The reason why Cassie shows up the year she does after being “asleep” for so many years is a nice twist to the story. It seems she is there to help Nick solve the reason why his Grandma and mother have gone, and then with the way his brother Evan played a role in everything, I was completely lost in the story. I can’t wait to see what happens next with these characters and their adventure.
Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Shield and Shade, the first book in the Ascended Guardians Series by Misty Hayes is actually the first book by this wonderful author that I have read and it did not disappoint at all! I have to say that it has been a while since I have read a paranormal book, a genre I use to read ALOT of, and now thanks to Ms Hayes my love for the genre has been reignited and I will be reading more especially from this creative author.
I read this book not knowing that it was a spin off from a previous series until I had completed it and went looking for more books by Ms Hayes. I don’t feel that my not having read the Blood Dagger series has hindered my experience at all. In fact now I just want to go buy the other series and start reading. I wanted to mention that important point, as I have seen a lot of reviews address the fact that it is a spin off but I don’t want people thinking you have to read the other series first. If you wanted to by all means do but I don’t feel that you absolutely have too in order to follow the story line or characters. You WILL absolutely love this book either way.
There is an endless mixture of wonderful, fascinating creative characters and worlds, loads of action and even some moments you will second guess your feelings…am I really feeling for one of the bad guys here?? seriously?? hehehe!! I was totally hooked on the story from start to finish and hated it each time I was forced to take a break from reading it.
i really hope you will join me in reading Shield and Shade…I just know you will be hooked too!
Carnival of Shadows by Leslie Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Book 2 in the series. I so enjoy immersing myself in this world where there’s witches, demi-demons, ghosts, werewolves, and more.
Teagan is a kick ass witch who is still exploring who she is as a woman, and now add on being the new Swamp Witch, and all that entails. She cares deeply about her renters and local community, and will put herself at risk for their safety. And the sexual tension Teagan experiences will have you panting for more!
I loved how the focus of the book was on the mystery of who the Carnie people are and what do they want, but tinged with romance. The Carnies were alluring in their creepiness, as well as in their capacity to care. I loved the contrast between those ruling the show and those who were just “along for the ride.”
I also enjoyed reading more about supporting characters Shelley, Oliver and Anna, and how those relationships have grown to have formed a community.
I cannot wait to read more featuring Teagan and gang!
Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Shield & Shade (Ascended Guardians Book 1) by Misty Hayes – Review by Michelle Collier
My rating 5 of 5
So this is a spin off to The Blood Dagger trilogy, which I haven’t read…yet. It is now on my TBR list! This book was wonderful. There is nonstop action and the characters are so real and full of secrets. I was in the edge of my seat for most of the book just waiting fir the next twist. I am now on the edge of my seat waiting on the next book!
Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
FYI: This was my first Hayes novel and I learned this is a spinoff series from the author’s The Blood Dagger Trilogy AFTER I read it. So be warned it won’t make for a good read, in my opinion, if you haven’t read that triplet first. If I have time this summer, I will go back and read the original series, because it has awesome ratings, and then update this review. With that said, I read this book believing it was the beginning of a new series since it isn’t linked to the other in any way or sold as a spinoff. With that said, Hayes had a really FREAKING cool plot/world idea and I was truly excited to get into the meat of it, but (and here it comes), BUT the book could have spent about 100-150 pages filling the reader in on the world and characters, rather than on more battle scenes. I’m sure a lot of my questions and frustrations would have been answered had I read The Blood Dagger Trilogy first, but since I didn’t it just felt like the first 20% was crazy jumpy, going from several people’s POVs that didn’t quite make sense at first but really set the stage for an awesome adventure with a possible romance in the making. Once all the players were a little more fleshed out and the world was built as well as it was going to get, it became a really intriguing and fresh idea…super intense action, angels/demons/vampires/”magic”/mystery, a feeling like you didn’t know what the climax was going to be, but you were on the edge of your seat to get there, and more action!! Then around 50% it was all action (no world or character building) and descriptions of everyone’s eye color/hair/what they were wearing and was it her brother or not her brother? Throw in an excessive amount of lightning bolts knocking people (mostly the humans) across the room where they landed in a ball on the floor, but SHOCKER they live through a serious butt-kicking from freaking demons, for hours on end…and you have the basics of the story down. So, having not read the original stories and understanding the different rules of Hayes’ world/characters, I just truly felt lost, annoyed, and disappointed that this storyline had sooo much potential but didn’t ever get there if that makes sense. Maybe I’m not the reading demographic she was writing for, and it really should NOT be considered a standalone, but it was just ok for me. I am hoping to go back and read the first 3 books because I think I could have loved this action-packed adventure had I understood her world better. Who knows…Hayes has a way of sucking you in and I did finish the book, I just wish the selling page stated that it was a spinoff of another series.
@pippawoods
Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I started this book and feel like I was dropped right smack in the middle of a new world with no preparation. From the beginning things were written with a sort of familiarity, like I as a reader should know what’s going on. Once I learned this was a spin-off it made much more sense. That didn’t hinder my reading though, I fell into the story pretty quickly. There is so much happening on every page. When I say action packed, I mean ACTION PACKED! I personally enjoyed it, enjoyed going with Zoey on her wild ride of finding the truth. Misty Hayes really writes beautifully, her descriptions make it so easy to picture every scene!
Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Shield & Shade is the first book by Misty Hayes that I’ve read and it did not disappoint at all!!! The main characters are awesome- engaging and so interesting! The villains are the bad guys you love to hate and hate that you love em’! Intense action makes this a page turner that I did not want to put down (and often did not until very very late). I’ll be back for the next installment and will definitely be reading her first trilogy series!!
Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this young adult paranormal story. It is full of action and adventure and danger around every turn. The author does an amazing job with her characters. Her descriptions of the characters and their world is so detailed that it really brings them to life. The story is one that keeps you in suspense and gripped from beginning to end. I love the fight between good and evil and how they overcome adversity.
There are lots of secrets and deception which all unravel and make this story even better. People aren’t who they appear to be and romance springs up in the most unlikely of places.
This book is a spin off from The Blood Dagger triology and even though I haven’t read those I was still able to enjoy and follow the story. However I feel if that series is read first then some of the characters would make more sense.
Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
So, this was the first book by Misty Hayes that I’ve read. She currently has 4 books out, 3 are a trilogy and Shield and Shade are the start of a new series. It’s the story of a girl who’s life gets turned absolutely upside down- and shattered by family secrets. It’s full of so much action, and it’s such a page turner! I seriously cannot WAIT to see what the next book’s going to be about- and I’ll be reading her trilogy here soon! I can’t tell too much of what happened in the book without giving any spoilers, but if you’re someone who LOVES plot twists- this is definitely the book for you, and you will NOT regret it!!!!!
Shield & Shade by Misty Hayes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A new take on Angels versus Demons. This book is a spinoff of the Blood Dagger Trilogy. Having not read that trilogy, I would still say this is a very good beginning to this part of the story. Zoey, a 15 year old high school student is just trying to get high grades and thinks of the day she can leave home. Having always suffered horrible nightmares and not knowing why it all starts to become clear when she learns about her family’s true nature.
Cruz is a 17 year old boy who divides his time between school, working at an ice cream shop and caring for his ill mother. When he and Zoey meet he is soon embroiled in things that are way over his head.
This book had solid world building and writing that keeps the reader engaged and wanting to know what else could possibly go wrong!
Of Fire and Bone by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Of Fire and Bone by Natalina Reis
Four Stars
Of Fire and Bone is the third book in the Of Magic and Scales series by Natalina Reis. This is the final book in the series featuring Aiden and Naël, although I did see a blurb about a fourth book. This series should be read in order because they build on each other and you may miss some vital backstory if you miss a book. Aiden and Naël gather friends and family in this final battle. This book is filled with mystery, action, magical characters and a great romance. If you like MM or just great romance and adventure, I highly recommend this series. Natalina Reis is one of my one-click authors. I love how all of her books are different and exceptionally written.
Review by @sunbarn
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Shield & Shade: Ascended Guardians Series by Misty Hayes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I’m afraid I’m going to be a critic on this one. It made me want to read Cassandra Clare’s shadowhunter series again; similar genre that I enjoy.
To start, Shield & Shade is not a standalone book. It’s technically a spinoff of her Blood Dagger trilogy, but it has little story of its own. It constantly refers to the events in the previous series leaving holes in the back story that one hopes would be filled by reading the Blood Dagger Trilogy. Second, this book is action scene after action scene. There was only a few “chill, get to know you” scenes at the beginning of the book, the rest were action. And, while I enjoy the changing POV, I found it jarring to start the book off with switching back and forth between benign high school life to running for his life; maybe if it had continued alternating action/calm throughout the book, it might have flowed better. As is it felt disjointed. Overall, I found this a hard book to enjoy. Though the idea of the story was intriguing, I feel it needed more polish. I’m sorry!
reveiwed by @ammaflory
Tangled Roots by Denise D. Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely loved reading this novel. From beginning to end I felt as though I was part of the story being told. Denise D. Young has a magical talent when it comes to writing fantasy novels. The emotion that is written can be felt. I recommend this novel to anyone who likes to read.
Shield & Shade: Ascended Guardians Series by Misty Hayes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Shield & Shade: Ascended Guardians 1 is one of those books you pick up not really knowing what you’re getting into. I want to mention that yes this is the first book of the series, but this series is a spin-off of another one –The Blood Dagger. I didn’t realize when I started it. Well written with twists and suspense, I didn’t know what to expect when I turned a page. I loved the way the book started with the mystery around Zoey’s disappearance when she was a little girl. Definitely built the suspense. I thought the author did an incredible job with the characters and the wide range of emotions they went through. Several times, I found myself audibly muttering “what???”, “oh here we go”, or “I can’t believe that just happened.” I did feel I landed into a different world, and in the middle of the action. After getting several chapters in, I looked it up and found that indeed a prior set of books was written. If I had known, I would have started at the beginning with that series. This book was great, but I feel like reading the previous series with prior knowledge of characters and situations would have made this one an easier read. It’s a lot to take in at once. This book isn’t a sunshine and roses kind of book. It’s a guts and gore survival kind of book with good vs evil save the world kind of characters. Speaking of characters, can we get to know Nakir better?
Reviewed by @vegatina20
Of Fire and Bone by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I give Of Fire and Bone (Of Magic and Scales Book 3) by Natalina Reis, 4 stars.
This book really makes you feel for Aiden. He is not the man he once was, and he has no desire to be since his boyfriend makes him want to be a better person. But he still struggles with what he was. This is something most if us who strive to be better deal with. Then there are things he always believed since he was young that have scarred him. He is coming to realize that maybe he didn’t know the whole story. Now he must decide if he can forgive and move on. This book really focuses on him and his boyfriend and their love for each other. You can tell their world revolves around one another. But the other characters in this book really complete this story. Oh and don’t forget the bad guys coming to destroy everything Aiden holds dear. This adds lots of action to the story and makes it even more interesting.
This is a paranormal M/M steamy romance, so it is definitely different from what you might be used to reading. The story is quite good and unique. I recommend it and the series.
Carnival of Shadows by Leslie Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Carnival of Shadows (Black Water Magic Book 2) by Leslie Scott – Review by Krista Vaughan
I love a good paranormal story with strong characters and strong bonds between characters. This book has a unique and interesting story of Teagan the new Swamp Witch and her challenges in getting used to new and unfamiliar powers while battling a carnival of demons looking to destroy her town and kill the people. Teagan has a scary ex, and a new love interest that is just as scary. I guess the powerful women go for the dangerous guys? This was really a great escape into a battle between saving the good from evil. Definitely recommend.
Carnival of Shadows by Leslie Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Carnival of Shadows by Leslie Scott is the second book in the Black Water Magic series. It should be noted that I did not read the first book, but that did not take anything away from this book. It meshed well and did not make me feel bad for coming into book two. I will be gong back to read book one, if only to get more of a backstory.
Teagan Blackwater is a witch, that much is for sure, but she is so much more. When a paranormal carnival comes to town, Teagan is given a few warning to get out of town. Teagan being the willful independent woman she is, does not heed these warnings. The excitement and story that ensues is one that was not easy to put down.
This book was filled with action, drama and romance. Not to mention all the paranormal that comes. This is a book that will be going on my re-read list for sure.
Carnival of Shadows by Leslie Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
After Teagan’s grandma dies, she is left with a magical inheritance to work with. Then, the carnival comes to Firewater Springs, FL, and, with it, a whole host of awesome, paranormal characters. This is the second book in the Blackwater Magic Book series, and I admit to not having read the first one beforehand. That being said, it was still super easy to fall into the pages and get wrapped up in Teagan’s story and the stories of her friends, specifically Oliver. I had no problems keeping up with the story and enjoyed all aspects despite not having read book number one. This is a quick read, but it is not lacking in imagination and creativeness. I took in this book quickly and need to get my hands on the first book in the series. I give Carnival of Shadows by Leslie Scott 4 out 5 stars.
Sure As Hell by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Jaru and Larkspur will give you all the feels with their love story. Each new book is better than the last. I couldn’t lay this book down. I read it in one day, love it. I can’t wait for the next one.
Carnival of Shadows by Leslie Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Teagan Blackwater is a young woman with extraordinary power, she is still reeling from the loss of her grandmother and the reality that it was her mother who killed her, she is finding the house too quiet and the routine impossible to settle into, not to mention keeping her young teenage friend out of trouble and running the trailer park in Firewater Springs she has inherited. Thankfully, she has her friends to help her out and keep her grounded, that is until a Carnival rolls into town and starts to disrupt the tenuous control she has over herself.
Talking of her teenage neighbour, she has a slight problem, her teenage hormones have gotten the best of her and she has managed to do something a little drastic when her current flavour of the month was moving too fast for her liking, it is easily sorted out, but the revelation which comes with it is less appealing. The cover up is a bit easier, a local police officer turns up after getting a call about a drunken teenager, however, after his vest camera is turned off, he asks for the truth of the matter, and when Teagan tells him some of the truth, he understand that things are not as they seem around there, that could be because he is one of those something else’s, he exudes a certain power which can only mean one thing, he is supernatural as well and he is smoking hot too! When he leaves, after asking Teagan on a date, he throws in that the MC club nearby is looking a bit too quiet and that maybe Teagan should go check it out seeing as she used to date one of them and owes a favour to another, however, when she gets there, things are definitely not good, she gets the feeling that she shouldn’t be there and that she also isn’t wanted there and she knows this means that when demi-demons are worries, that something is terribly wrong.
After this experience, she decides to ask the local hottie cop to meet her to talk about what she has just seen and heard and so she decides to go to a local watering hole to try and steady her nerves and meet him there to kill two birds with one stone, however, things don’t go to plan when she is given another warning by a set of supernatural twins and then is party to a show of the powers the Circus contains. This power is nothing she has seen before and it is so strong that everyone around her is affected by it, apart from her and the cop, their combined influence keeps them safe, but also opens them up to something even more dangerous, each other, especially when an ex brings out the testosterone in the group.
While Teagan and her friends come up with a plan to defeat this Circus of Shadows, Teagan is more and more drawn to the cop and asks him for help investigating the Carnival and the paranormal freakshow it contains, but when they find out who is behind it and what they are after, life becomes even more dangerous and complicated than it already is. Will Teagan and her friends be able to defeat the Carnival before Firewater Springs succumbs to its demands, or will the place they love fall into the clutches of the Shadows surrounding them? This is a paranormal romance with plenty of supernatural action which will pull you along with the investigation and have you rooting for Teagan and the others all the way to its conclusion, but to find out how it ends, you have to read it to believe it.
Reviewed by @roxsannel
