Publication: October 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc.
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: Paperback, 320pp
ISBN-13: 9781402258435
ISBN: 1402258437
(Received for an honest review from Sourcebooks)
Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound
Sara Humphreys on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter
Excerpt from Unleashed
Video:
Synopsis:
What if you suddenly discovered your own powers were beyond anything you'd ever imagined...
Samantha Logan's childhood home has always been a haven, but everything changed while she was away. She has a gorgeous new neighbor who introduces her to the amazing world of the dream-walking, shapeshifting Amoveo clans... but what leaves her reeling with disbelief is when he tells her she's one of them...
But shock turns to terror as Samantha falls prey to the deadly enemy determined to destroy the Amoveo, and the only chance she has to come into her true powers is to trust in Malcolm to show her the way...
Get swept away into Sara Humphreys's glorious world and breathtaking love story...
Thoughts:
Sara Humphrey's debut novel Unleashed is the first book in the Amoveo Legacy series, featuring the animal shape-shifting clans of the Amoveo people. Samantha Logan is an Amoveo-human hybrid, who has no idea that she is something more than an average young woman, down on her luck, returning to her childhood home in search of peace. When she meets her new neighbor Malcolm, Samantha learns of her true background and about the abilities that lie latent inside her. Together Malcolm and Samantha face a deadly enemy that threatens to destroy Samantha and the rest of the Amoveo clans unless she can access the true powers that lie within her.
This isn't your typical paranormal romance. Humphreys takes on the challenge of creating a whole new world and mythology for the shape-shifting Amoveo clan. I liked the fact that the author chose to feature several different animals instead of sticking to just one. She starts the series out with the Eagle clan, but leaves a lot of potential for future books in the series. Though Humphrey's does not delve too deeply into the Amoveo clans themselves in this book, she sets the series up well and draws the reader in dynamic characters and an action packed plot. I would have enjoyed learning more about clan culture and everyday life, but I think the author is wise to hold back a little bit and allow the reader to have a lot to look forward to.
Malcolm is a different sort of hero than I expected as well. Though he has the Alpha male mentality, he also has the patience of a saint. Here you have a man who must find his soul mate or face a lingering death, yet he still understands that Samantha needs to make the decision for herself and not for him. He is unsure of himself and how to interact with her at first and I thought was very endearing for a character who is obviously used to being in control of every situation. I liked the fact that Humphreys does not force the Amoveo on Samantha but allows her to decide her own future. Sam is a strong woman and has to deal with some serious revelations about her life and what's to become of her. Not something any character could take lightly. The romance between the lead characters builds at a good pace and doesn't seem forced or uncharacteristic of the characters themselves. The passion between them is honest and electrifying.
I usually give a debut novel or series a bit of grace because there is so much that has to happen to set up the entire series. A lot of back story, setting the scene, in this case, creating a mythology for more than one clan of shapeshifters. But, in the case of Unleashed, grace wasn't needed. It is a wonderful debut to a unique and different paranormal series. No vampires or werewolves to be found and in my opinion that's a good thing. It may start out a little slow, but once it picks up readers won't be able to put it down. There is so much potential for the future of this series! I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series. I recommend this one to paranormal romance fans who are looking for a fresh and original take on shape-shifting. I recommend it to fans of mainstream romance on the basis of the steamy passion that develops between the characters. There may be a lot going on in this book, but Humphreys pulls it together and will leave readers begging for more.
I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
Unleashed is Sara's first published novel and the first book in The Amoveo Legacy series. Sara is a graduate of Marist College, with a B.A. in English Literature & Theater. Her initial path after college was a professional actress. Some of her television credits include, A & E, Biography, Guiding Light, Another World, As the World Turns and Rescue Me. For the past several years Sara has been a professional public speaker and speaker trainer. Her career began with Monster's Making It Count programs, speaking in high schools and colleges around the United States to thousands of students. For the past several years Sara has worked with the College of Westchester in New York as the director of high school and community relations.
Sara has been a lover of both the paranormal and romance novels for years. Her science fiction/fantasy/romance obsession began years ago with the TV series Star Trek and an enormous crush on Captain Kirk. That sci-fi obsession soon evolved into the love of vampires, ghosts, werewolves, and of course shapeshifters. Sara is married to her college sweetheart, Will. They live in Bronxville, New York, with their four boys, two dopey dogs, and an extremely loud bird. Life is busy but never dull.
This isn't your typical paranormal romance. Humphreys takes on the challenge of creating a whole new world and mythology for the shape-shifting Amoveo clan. I liked the fact that the author chose to feature several different animals instead of sticking to just one. She starts the series out with the Eagle clan, but leaves a lot of potential for future books in the series. Though Humphrey's does not delve too deeply into the Amoveo clans themselves in this book, she sets the series up well and draws the reader in dynamic characters and an action packed plot. I would have enjoyed learning more about clan culture and everyday life, but I think the author is wise to hold back a little bit and allow the reader to have a lot to look forward to.
Malcolm is a different sort of hero than I expected as well. Though he has the Alpha male mentality, he also has the patience of a saint. Here you have a man who must find his soul mate or face a lingering death, yet he still understands that Samantha needs to make the decision for herself and not for him. He is unsure of himself and how to interact with her at first and I thought was very endearing for a character who is obviously used to being in control of every situation. I liked the fact that Humphreys does not force the Amoveo on Samantha but allows her to decide her own future. Sam is a strong woman and has to deal with some serious revelations about her life and what's to become of her. Not something any character could take lightly. The romance between the lead characters builds at a good pace and doesn't seem forced or uncharacteristic of the characters themselves. The passion between them is honest and electrifying.
I usually give a debut novel or series a bit of grace because there is so much that has to happen to set up the entire series. A lot of back story, setting the scene, in this case, creating a mythology for more than one clan of shapeshifters. But, in the case of Unleashed, grace wasn't needed. It is a wonderful debut to a unique and different paranormal series. No vampires or werewolves to be found and in my opinion that's a good thing. It may start out a little slow, but once it picks up readers won't be able to put it down. There is so much potential for the future of this series! I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series. I recommend this one to paranormal romance fans who are looking for a fresh and original take on shape-shifting. I recommend it to fans of mainstream romance on the basis of the steamy passion that develops between the characters. There may be a lot going on in this book, but Humphreys pulls it together and will leave readers begging for more.
Unleashed is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
Sara has been a lover of both the paranormal and romance novels for years. Her science fiction/fantasy/romance obsession began years ago with the TV series Star Trek and an enormous crush on Captain Kirk. That sci-fi obsession soon evolved into the love of vampires, ghosts, werewolves, and of course shapeshifters. Sara is married to her college sweetheart, Will. They live in Bronxville, New York, with their four boys, two dopey dogs, and an extremely loud bird. Life is busy but never dull.
1 comment:
Thank you so much for this in-depth review of Unleashed! I'm thrilled you enjoyed it!
Best,
Sara
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