BOOK REVIEW - CRAVED by STEPHANIE NELSON - GWEN SPARKS # 1

THE COVER GIRL I THINK
REPRESENTS GWEN VERY WELL.

By: Stephanie Nelson
Published By : Self Published
Released : Available Now
Details : Digital Book, 263 Pages

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

WITCH FOUND DRAINED
Gwen Sparks just wants to live a peaceful life in the supernatural town of Flora, but from the moment she read about the first murdered witch, all hope of peace was abandoned. Possessing the rare ability to read the memories of dead, she volunteers to help catch the culprit behind the string of drained witches. Gwen has to team up with the one man who broke her heart, deal with a ghost who pulls her into the deathly realm at will, and a fight off the advances of sexy but frustrating vampire who not only craves what runs through her veins—he wants her heart.

BOOK REVIEW:

Stephanie Nelson has fun with her debut novel, ‘Craved’ the first book in her Gwen Sparks series. Sure there were a few writing issues, but I am going to overlook them. Just innocent little things that didn’t stop the book being fun, but things the reader picks up on. I think being consistent with her characters witch powers and following them through would be an example. I enjoyed the storyline Stephanie fed to us and look forward to seeing where she takes us in ‘Deceived’.

We first meet the persistent 6 foot vampire, Aiden Blake, body of a swimmer with jet black hair, in Gwen’s potions and enchantments shop, aptly titled ‘Broomsticks’. 

Aiden, has known Gwen for a couple years and has been patiently waiting for her to be ‘mine’. If all else fails let those knickers be ripped to shreds to seal the deal.....errr I am getting a little ahead of myself....rewind.

Aiden wants Gwen but she is all hung up and sad and emotionally broken over Micah, her ex Wolf beau who is also a Detective with the FPD = Flora Police Department.

Micah, I love his character. He is a bit of a mixed up cookie with his love for Gwen, wanting his cake and eating it. I did however like how his character was written.

Gwen volunteers herself to help both Micah and Wyatt (the brother of Micah and next in line to be Alpha of the pack and also a rather dishy chappy...errr wolf) using her witchy mojo and her pussy cat, Aura.  Gwen’s cat gives her the extra oomph she needs to use her witch mojo to see the last moments/memories of the witches who are turning up dead, hoping to get a look at the killer through the eyes of the deceased.

Witches are being drained of their blood, it is being sold under the name ‘Brew’ a drug that gets young vampires high. I really liked the whole ‘Brew’ idea.

The one murder she should have grabbed her pussy cat and worked her mojo , she didn’t, I was rather puzzled by this as this person meant a lot to Gwen.

I think as the reader we have to also overlook some of the naivity of Gwen’s character. Gwen finds love in Aiden , yet he went MIA for a while and that was kind of overlooked. The guy did go to a lot of smoozing effort with flowers and a dress and an invitation, then, did a no show. Having Ian as stand in, was a bit dodgy as far as plot. Aiden pulled out all the stops and then did not make an appearance. I would have been looking for him asap!

I did like Aiden but sometimes I thought he could have been written better and with more emotion. Hot smexi is..well...hot, but it needs to be in context. I like to believe in the hunk of a man that is presented to me on a silver platter.

When Ian turns up out of the blue, you can’t help being suspicious, because, well, he turned up out of the blue with certain claims. Again I couldn’t help feeling Gwen was a little naive here.

Now,  onto the knickers......

Oh let the knickers fly in this book..hehe!! Gwen, aided by Aiden her now, vampire boyfriend, had an assortment of knickers ripped off her booty rather exuberantly.

If you want some hot smexi, at the most funnily timed moments...lol!!! This book caters very nicely.  Hey I am not complaining...the stake out I think was the funniest , when opportunity knocks...well , hey , why not  make ourselves some busy time, as really, stake outs are a tad boring.

This was a fun, smexi debut novel for Stephanie with murder, mystery, exploding knickers ( well tearing, ripping off....) ex love, new love, inbetween love, great sub characters, vampires, witches, hot lads ( the more the merrier) and a thing or two Gwen finds out about herself.

I am about to crack open ‘Deceived’ and see where Stephanie takes the handsome lads and the witches of Flora.

Michelle