Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT CookieBooker reviews Spirit Warriors: The Scarring By D.E.L. Connor

Today’s review comes from our Young Adult reviewer CookieBooker, who blogs at https://cookiebookreviews.wordpress.com/

Cookiebooker has been reading Spirit Warriors: The Scarring by D.E.L. Connor

The second novel in the Spirit Warriors, and just like the first, left me feeling multiple emotions.

All the characters have returned and have become more confident with their shifting, although, the more they practice, the more likely they are to be noticed by people. They can’t afford to be shot in their animal forms by hunters because then, both the animal and the human spirit will be gone.

Every time, I become more attached to the characters and it makes the read so much more intense as the feeling of reality is still there. You learn more about the characters Emme, Ollie, Charlie, Bets. Charlie and newcomers Jack and Raymond.

The cover for this is beautiful, the mix of colours fit perfectly and both warm and cold colours are incorporated.

I recommend this book to teens+ because of the adventure, relationships between the characters and the story itself.

Spirit Warriors: The Scarring is a fabulous book and once more, I could see this as a film.

Thank you D.E.L Connor for sending me the book to read and review, it was fantastic.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

My Book Reviews In November Issues of Fleet Life & Elvetham Heath Directory

I’m really lucky in that I have another outlet for my book reviews where I can help spread the word to others about some of the books I’ve read.

I get a page in each of these monthly local magazines, which benefit from on-line versions to reach a world wide audience.

This month’s Fleet Life books were;

The Soul and The Seed – Arie Farnam

Stranger at Sunset – Eden Baylee

Frenzy – Mark King

Seaside Dreams – Melissa Foster

How I Changed My Life In A Year – Shelley Wilson

View the online version http://www.fleetlife.org.uk. Click on the online directory tab and load the magazine. Find my reviews on page 27

This month’s EHD books were;

Lost Souls – Penny de Byl

Spirit Warriors: The Scarring D.E.L. Connor

The Landland Chronicles – Dallad Sutherland

Patriot – A.S. Bond

Bend With The Wind – Suraya Dewing

View the online version http://www.ehd.org.uk. Click on the online directory tab and load the magazine. Find my reviews on page 6

Please note this is a voluntary task I get no monetary rewards for my reviews and the editors decision about which books we use is final.

Mystery Book Tour Day 2 #MysteryNovember Spirit Warriors: The Scarring by D.E.L.Connor

Please welcome to the mystery book tour, Della Connor and her book Spirit Warriors: The Scarring

Where is your home town?

I live in a small town in Texas about 90 miles north of Houston. We jokingly say that we live “behind the pine curtain.” This area is home to immensely tall pine trees that seem to isolate us from the big cities, which are just a short distance from us.

This is book 2 in your series when did you start writing them?

I had the idea for the series about twenty years ago but I didn’t start writing them until 2012. I am a late bloomer or as I like to say I never grew up I just grew old.

What is your favourite sub-genre of mystery?

I would have to say historical mysteries. I love history, old places and buildings, and people who have been gone a long time.

Where is your book set?

In the state of Montana in the present time. If you have never been there you must add it to your bucket list. Words can’t properly describe the beauty of Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

Introduce us to the main characters in the book.

Emmeline Rima Belrose: Emme is the storyteller of the books. She is strong-willed, brave, and fierce. Her spirit animal is the majestic soaring osprey, Eros.

Charlie Hunt: Charlie is a seer and a gifted medicine man. Charlie is the leader of the group. He has the visions and the powers that guide the others. He is Emme’s protector, as he alone knows how valuable she, and her gifts, are to his people and to the future of their tribe. His spirit animal is the fierce grizzly, Hercules.

Lilly Grayson: Lilly is soft, petite, and kind. She is loved for her kindness and grace. She loves cheerleading and barrel racing with her spirit animal the beautiful mustang Arion.

Betsy Ross: (Bets) Bets is the beauty of the group with reddish blond hair and green eyes. She is the questioner of the group, always wanting to know why, and then wanting to make things better. Her spirit animal is the graceful mountain lion, Electra.

Lachlan Jackson Arrington: (Jack) Jack moved back to the family ranch in Montana when he was in high school. He came from Australia after his father was killed in a car accident. He is not a part of the spirit warriors, but he knows about them and he helps them. Jack is the listener and solver of the group. He is the one the others turn to when they need to talk about something. He is also the one to come up with solutions when things get tough.

Oliver Graves: (Ollie) Ollie provides all the fun of the group. He always has a joke or a smile to share. Ollie’s spirit animal is the fast coyote, Zephyr. Read more about them here: http://dellaconnor.com/character-bios/

 

What is the element of mystery in the book?

The kids must find and destroy an evil spirit, the machayiwiw, before he kills Emme. The only problem is they don’t know where or in what body they will find him.

What unusual skills do the children have?

Emme, Bets, Charlie, Lilly, and Ollie all have the ability to move their spirits into an animal host.

Tell us a bit about Em’s new power.

Emme has discovered that in addition to her ability to move her spirit to her osprey Eros, she can communicate with animals.

What was the best bit about researching this book?

Reading all of the Native American stories. They have stories to explain everything from the stars in the skies to the water in the rivers. I have started adding the stories to my blog. Read about the origin of summer and winter here: http://dellaconnor.com/native-american-stories/

Where can readers find out more about you?

My website www.dellaconnor.com, my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DelconnorSpiritwarriors, or follow me on twitter: del_connor and instagram: delconnor

Find a copy of Spirit Warriors; The Scarring here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com This book will be down to 99c November 8th -10th

I reviewed this book here on the blog. Follow the link to read the review http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5FG

Good Deeds Challenge Year 2, Week 28

Welcome to my second Year of Good Deeds, a challenge I set myself during April 2013. I decided to do at least one Good Deed a day for a whole year, now I an into my second year.

This week I’ve been doing the following;

October 26th – Posted a guest author piece for new author Mark Giglio. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5UF Spent all day getting lost in Moscow Bound by Adrian Churchward a mystery set in Moscow and very good.

October 27th – Posted my review of Moscow Bound and began reading Restless Spirits by Kathy Bryson

October 28th – Driving test day today for my eldest, so we were all on tender hooks, bought flowers for her instructor praying for a pass. Yay she did it! Fab book review today with a great picture gallery of Back Packs and Bra Straps, Savannah Grace’s second book about her family backpacking around some beautiful and eye-opening parts of the world. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5Qu

October 29th – Walked into town and picked up litter on both legs of my journey.

October 30th – There are big celebrations of the war veterans this year with the anniversary of the start of WWI. The annual Poppy appeal is getting extra support and I bought my own poppy today and gave to the poppy appeal charity.

October 31st – Cleared leaves from a shared pathway and spent a little time out in the warm autumn afternoon. Gearing up for the start of the mystery November book tour tomorrow.

November 1st – Mystery November is off with Joanne Phillips and her book Murder at the Maples. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5OZ We have this awesome imaginary tour bus covered in my orange roses going all over the world each day to pick up the tour authors. Overnight Saturday I magically drove from the UK to Texas making sure I didn’t fall asleep and end up on the Grand Prix race track in Austin. The bus is picking up Della Connor for Sunday’s book Spirit Warriors: The Scarring.

Spirit Warriors: The Scarring by D.E.L. Connor

Spirit Warriors: The Scarring by D.E.L. Connor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the YA Spirit Warriors series set in Montana. We meet the characters from the last book; Charlie and Archie, descents from native American Indians, Jack, Ollie, Bets and Em. They’re Charlie’s friends and he and Em have a special relationship which will be tested to the core.

These children have learnt the ability to join their spirits with those of animals in a battle against the Machayiwiw an evil medicine man spirit escaped and running a muck in the world today. Em has already had one close call with him at the end of the last book and nearly drowned.

In this book Em finds that her destiny is not with Charlie and both of them find this really hard to accept. Em has her own special gifts which she must learn to control and which will help them defeat the evil Machayiwiw. Others on the reservation help Em to prepare her for future battles. Meanwhile the children’s animals that they join spirits with are in danger from poachers and the children must move them to safety.

Other relationships move on too, Bets no longer wants to hang out with Em and her little brother Ben goes to LA to pursue his music career taking their Mum with him and putting extra strain on Em and her Dad.

This is another great book from Della and it left me tingling with the spiritual tensions at the end. I do think you need to read the first book in the series to fully appreciate this book and the story will continue on as well into the next book in the series. The setting is beautiful and the storyline really makes it a good read.

View all my reviews on Goodreads.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Good Deeds Challenge – Year 2, Week 17

Welcome to my second Year of Good Deeds, a challenge I set myself during April 2013. I decided to do at least one Good Deed a day for a whole year, now I an into my second year.

During my week I’ll also being updating you on My Kindness Challenge which I’m also doing. I read about a new challenge to make the world a better place to live in. “Speak Kind Words, Receive Kind Echoes” see the inspiration on  The Kindness blog . During my learning process I’m donating money to charity for my slip-ups to make me work harder to achieve results. I earn no money from any of my book reviews, so having little to spare should focus my mind.

This week I’ve been doing the following;

August 10th – Have been drafting up Romancing September posts, and a book review post. Had a lovely chat to the student who served me at the supermarket till about his new course he’ll soon be starting at University, made time to be interested in what he had to say.

August 11th – I’ve been spending my Amazon vouchers on books! Some for me and others to share with family and friends. I’ve read some great books in e-format which I would like to share with others, so today I bought Saving our Pennys and The Singing Bowl by Roy Dimond in paperback. I’m also looking forward to re-reading them. Both books really impressed me and got me thinking about life and I wanted to share them with others.

Augustt 12th – It’s been a hard day today, I posted my 3* review of a book for an author who took offence, ( 3* stars! I said there were parts I liked! Get a reality check) I have already put up with a rude e-mail and he has added a vile comment on Goodreads to my review. He posted a equally bullying comment on my blog which I removed. My review stays because I will not bow down to an author who behaves this badly. My book review policy clearly states “I’ll never try to degrade an author or their hard work, but we all have our own tastes, so please RESPECT MINE. Should you dislike my review, then we will have to agree to disagree. Any further ranting about it especially on any of my social sites will not help your cause.” Not clear enough for some people it would seem. The kindness challenge has gone out of the window today and the charity box is firmly closed, I will not pay out my money in this  situation, sorry, I will try harder tomorrow.

Good Deeds received ; Thank you everyone for you support at this trying time.

I’m pleased to say it hasn’t put me off reviewing, I have sent of a review for a lovely YA book Spirit Warriors; The Scarring by Della Connor. As you know I do like a book that has a bit of ghosts and spiritual connections, so this book was right up my street. I have also taken on 3 more books for review today.

August 13th – I’ve bought another book today, my Amazon vouchers have nearly all gone! Isn’t it a lovely feeling to just splurge sometimes? Today I bought How I Changed My Life In A Year by Shelley Wilson . Helped author Charles Yallowitz spread news of his book tour for his latest book The Compass Key I’ve signed up for a day and e-mailed a few others to ask if they can help out. Added a new book to the book review team list, this one is a little different and proceeds will go to those living on the streets. Gotta Find a Home: Conversations with Street People by Dennis Cardiff

Good deeds received: An apology from the author who had his temper tantrum of my 3* review.

August 14th – Have nearly finished all 30 drafts for the Romancing September Tour. Downloaded a free book from Author Rae Rivers who will be one of our guests on the tour, a quick prequel to her series, The Keepers: Sienna. Sent my youngest child out on a play date with chocolate cakes to share.

August 15th – A couple of friends birthdays today so we are off to deliver presents and best wishes. Wished another friends son good luck with his driving theory test tomorrow. My oldest is learning to drive too and so are many of her friends, its all the next step in growing up. A bit scary though, sitting in the passenger seat and not being in control of the car while she learns.

August 16th – Started a good tidy up of the house and garden, to help reflect the need to tidy up my life. Started reading Patriot by A.S Bond ready for a book review. Drafted up a couple more posts for later in the month.

 

Spirit Warriors: The Scarring by D.E.L. Connor July 21st

The Scarring (Spirit Warriors #2)

by D.E.L. Connor

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Booktrope

Published: July 21, 2014

Length: 244 pages

Blurb:

“One of us would finally end what had been started by the machayiwiw so many years ago. I would have to kill him. It was just that simple. I never thought I would want to kill anybody or anything, but maybe I never had anything worth killing for before.”

-Emmeline Rima Belrose, The Scarring (Spirit Warriors, Book 2)

In the majestic beauty of a Montana summer, Emme and her friends celebrate her near-drowning survival and their defeat of the powerful evil spirit, the machayiwiw. But even as they rejoice, things are amiss. Emme watches helplessly as her family divides, and her friends struggle to hold their relationship together. Worse yet, the love-of-her life, Charlie, announces that he will move back to the reservation, without Emme. Different nightmares take over and Emme realizes she must fight and kill—or watch those she loves be killed. Friends from the reservation reach out to Emme and show her what evil can steal from her. Emme believes that evil can never break her bond with the Spirit Warriors or the love she shares with Charlie. Or can it?

Goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Although this is the second book in the Spirit Warriors series, it can be read as a stand alone novel.

Excerpt

I looked back at him. “I finally figured out that Golden Flower gifted me with the ability to talk to and control animals.” I smiled questioningly at Charlie.

 

Charlie didn’t smile back. “What else have you done?” I told Charlie about Ollie and the church and the birds. Charlie paced around me. “This is not good. The machayiwiw will notice a display like the one you did in town. You must not ever do it again in a public place where others can see you. Do you understand me?” I nodded with my head down. Charlie leaned forward and grabbed my face between his warm hands. “I have to admit that it was an awesome thing to do for Ollie, but we have to be more careful.”

 

I laid my hands over his by my face. I leaned into this chest as he slowly lowered us to the ground. We laid on the ground facing each other. I stared into his eyes lost in his world. Charlie stared back at me and as the beautiful empty world and the warm wind eavesdropped on us, we talked. I told him about Bets, and Mom and Ben, and how hurt Ollie was at the church. I told him about Jack and the preserve and Rose and the baby. We talked laying down and facing each other with our fingers intertwined until the sun started its slow climb to the edge of darkness. The sky was an incredible shade of deep purple with shades of violet blue. Even in the beauty of the sunset, I felt the desperation creep over me. I started to shake. I didn’t want to leave Charlie. I never wanted to leave Charlie. Charlie leaned closer. I could feel his breath on my cheek. He laid his gentle brown hands on my cheeks. I closed my eyes. “Let me take the pain away,” he whispered. We stood up.

 

Charlie closed his eyes and he chanted in a low voice. I listened to his voice. I closed my eyes and leaned into Charlie. I laid my head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. I felt the desperation leave me and I was filled with a sense of peace and serenity. My breathing slowed, and my mind was filled with the beautiful times that Charlie and I had shared. We were like one in my mind, our thoughts joined and our spirits connected. It was the most incredible intense feeling. It was what I imagined making love would be like. I felt dizzy and my body felt it was on fire from the inside out. My legs gave way and I dropped to my knees. Charlie grabbed me and slowly lowered me down to the ground. “What did you do?” I asked Charlie. He stared back at me. “I showed you our love. I showed you what is worth fighting and dying for.”

As Charlie stood up, he staggered. I reached out and held his arm. “Are you okay?” Charlie put his hand over mine that rested on his arm. “Just tired. You wear me out.” He grinned broadly as I swatted his arm. “Poor me,” I told him. We held hands as we headed back to the main buildings.

 

Ollie and Jack were standing outside of the meeting room talking to Ryan and Hawke. Ryan looked up as we approached. “Hey, Em, can you come back next week? I want to run in the hills with you, and Hawke needs to start working with you on knife and lance throwing.” “Sure thing,” I told him. Hawke looked at Charlie and then at me. Charlie was leaning on the car while he talked to Jack. Charlie’s face was pale. Hawke walked the short distance to me and whispered in my ear. “Every time Charlie carries your pain, he gets weaker. Every time you feel better in Charlie’s presence, he pays the price for it. Is that what you want for him?” I shook my head “No.” I looked at my feet as Hawke said, “Don’t come back here. Walk away. His burden is too big to carry.” I shook my head. “I’m sorry I can’t do that. I just can’t. I love him too much.” Hawke shook his head and walked away.

We all walked to the car. I held Charlie’s hand as long as I could. I climbed in the back seat and Jack and Ollie sat down in the Mustang. As we drove off, I turned around and stared back at Charlie. He stood there watching us drive off.

 

An Interview with Author D.E.L. Connor

What was your favorite book growing up?

When I was old enough to read it was the Little House on the Prairie series. I must have read and reread each of them a hundred times. I honestly thought I was Laura Ingalls Wilder. Most girls my age were into dolls and while I liked dolls and playing house, my version of playing house always had a log house and a covered wagon. They are still my favorite books to read to children. Can’t you just picture yourself on a hot summer day bouncing along in the back of the covered wagon?

Who is your favorite author (living or dead)?

I have more than one. Obviously I love Laura Ingalls Wilder, but I am also a huge fan of Larry McMurray. I grew up admiring strong women writers like Margaret Mitchell and Harper Lee and more recently J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyers.

What inspired you to write the Spirit Warriors series?

Actually is has been a long time coming. I wrote the short story that the Spirt Warriors evolved from in college may years ago. The professor asked me to stay after class and he told me how good it was, but unfortunately, it was too dark to be a children’s story. I put it away and went on with my career as a nurse. Finally J.K Rowling and Stephenie Meyers came out with new dark tales and the young adult market was born. The time was finally right! I finished Book 1 in two weeks. The struggle to get it published took more time, but here I am with two books in the story completed.

What character do you most identify with in Spirit Warriors: The Scarring?

Probably Lilly, I tend to be kind to a fault, and love my friends and family unconditionally. I think as a child I wished I could have been more like Bets and Emme. They are headstrong, brave and willing to fight for anything or anyone they cared about. I was shy when I was young, although no one believes that today! LOL

Can you tell us about your next project?

Why of course. I am about half way through book 3 in the series The Burning. There will be 6 books total in the series. Book 4 will be The Lamenting, Book 5 The Ensouling and then a Prequel to be named later. In between those books or after them I’m not sure which, I plan to write a new adult romance novel about loss and finding the chance to love again.

The Concealing (Spirit Warriors #1)

by D.E.L. Connor

Release Date: November 24, 2013

Length: 191 pages

Publisher: Booktrope

 

Blurb:

Sixteen-year-old Emme Belrose has it all: four best friends, a horse of her own, a hidden tepee hangout, and a blossoming romance with tall and handsome Charlie. These friends also have a secret. They can move their spirits into animal bodies: an osprey, a mustang, a grizzly, a mountain lion and a coyote.

 

But when Charlie, who has a gift for seeing the future, has a vision of Emme drowning in the icy Yellowstone River, the Spirit Warriors must train their animal bodies to kill an enemy they know is coming… but know nothing about. Suspenseful, romantic, and awash in Native American magic, Spirit Warriors captures the tragic enchantment of the American West—and confirms the power of friendship.

Goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Della was born in South Dakota and raised in the vastness and beauty of Montana on a farm. When she longed for the big city life, she moved to Texas where she attended college and received a PhD in nursing. When not nursing people back to health you can find Della huddled over her Mac writing the stories that have occupied her mind for so many years, or traveling with her best friends, the NOLA’s, riding bikes across the Golden Gate bridge or exploring botanical gardens. She is the proud mother of a champion triathlete, two aging dogs and 1 grand-cat. Della has admittedly confessed to her coffee addiction and swears that her two hour coffee crawl while on vacation in Seattle –was the best two hours of her life!

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Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spirit-warriors-del-connor/1119969790?ean=9781620154564

itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/spirit-warriors-the-scarring/id899402196?mt=11

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Warriors-Scarring-D-E-L-Connor-ebook/dp/B00KZQ2N6S