Review: Beach Magic - The Elemental Keys by Lynne Cantwell

Editor's note: This is the second part of a Doubleshot Review. To get Judi Moore's thought, check out last Friday's review of the same book.

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Celtic Mythology/Humor/Adventure

Description:

“So there we were in Colorado – me, Raney Meadows, and my three Elemental teammates. We’d just put my father and his demon keeper on ice – well, actually, on the opposite of ice – and now we had to get past a sylph to grab the final Elemental Key from its hiding place at the top of Mt. Elbert. Then, I figured, it would all be over. The demon would have only three of the four Keys he needed to open the Door to the Very Bad Thing that Could Destroy the Earth. So we’d win. I mean, you can’t open a door without all the keys, right?

Yeah, no. I should have realized it wouldn’t matter whether we had the Air Key. That demon – and whoever his Master was – would do whatever it took to open the Door of Doom, even if it meant tricking our band of Elementals into going through a portal of fire to get it done...”

Author:

“Lynne Cantwell writes mostly urban fantasy and paranormal romance, with a dash of magic realism when she’s feeling more serious. She is also a contributing author for Indies Unlimited. In a previous life, she was a broadcast journalist who worked at Mutual/NBC Radio News, CNN, and a bunch of other places you have probably never heard of. She has a master's degree in fiction writing from Johns Hopkins University. Currently, she lives near Washington, D.C. Discover

You can connect with her at her website or on her Facebook page.

Appraisal:

I really appreciated the preface, How We Got Here, before the story begins. So much happened in Gecko Magic that it was nice to have a recap to get me in the proper frame of mind. Things don’t slow down in Beach Magic. As soon as our team of half-elementals enter cell phone range descending Mt. Elbert everyone’s phones start pinging with text and voice mail messages. Collum’s parents text that they are headed to Los Angles, California, and Rufus is alerted by text that Annie and Auntie Helen are headed there as well. Gail also gets a text message from Ben Gelber, her work colleague, saying that he is coming to LA as well. Raney gets a few voice mails from Mam who is at Raney’s house in Malibu where wildfires are threatening the area.

Each character had a significant role to play. There are more twists, turns, switchbacks, and dimensional plane hopping that I’m not sure how Ms. Cantwell could keep it all straight. I don’t think she dropped a thread, and you’ll find surprises around every corner all the way to the end. It’s an astonishing and enlightening journey for all of our half-elemental heroes. I loved Raney’s voice in this story. She’s a strong confident woman who thinks things through, but still holds onto a few insecurities about making the right decision. She’s a great character. Perspective and intent are two of the spiritual themes that really hit home with me.

This is a fun and entertaining series with diverse characters you’ll love and a few to hate. And a very outspoken cat who will never tell you all she really knows. However, she is a finicky eater, tuna or shrimp if you please. She also likes a clean litterbox, but honestly who wouldn’t?   

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Beach Magic is book 4 in Ms. Cantwell’s, The Elemental Keys Series. Following River Magic, book 1, Bog Magic, book 2, and Gecko Magic, book 3.

Format/Typo Issues:

I was given an Advance Readers’ Copy, so I can’t comment on the final product.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 50-55,000 words

Review: Treacherous Ground: Elemental Keys Book 2 by Lynne Cantwell

Editor's Note:

In case you missed it, in our last post Judi Moore weighed in with her review of this book. Now in the last half of this double shot review ?wazithinkin gives us her thoughts. If you missed the first half, check it out too.

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Celtic Mythology

Description:

“Can’t a girl get a good soak around here?

Raney Meadows, undine and out-of-work actor, is in Ireland with her no-name team of Elemental superheroes on a mission of mercy. They’re taking team member Collum Barth’s brother’s things to his parents. But they’re also on the trail of Raney’s father, Damien Jones. Daddy Dearest is possessed by an ancient evil, and the creature wants to destroy the Earth by unleashing a Very Bad Thing. The V.B.T. is behind a locked door, and Damien has the Key.

The team is in a race against time to find the door before Damien does. It could be anywhere – in a cave, in a passage tomb, maybe even in a bog. Collum’s father is a gnome who should know where it is, but he’s not much help. The fae have offered their help, but Raney is leery of their price.

And while the team tries to outrun Damien, Raney is trying to avoid him, lest he snatch her up for his collection of one-of-a-kind things.

It’s enough to make a half-undine like Raney go to pieces…”

Author:

“Lynne Cantwell is a contributing author at Indies Unlimited where she shares her knowledge about Indie publishing and promotion. She has a master’s degree in fiction writing from Johns Hopkins University and is a former broadcast journalist who has written for CNN and Mutual/NBC Radio News, among other places. Ms. Cantwell currently lives near Washington, DC.”

You can connect with her at her website or on her Facebook page.

Indies Unlimited:

Appraisal:

Are secrets and loyalties worth keeping when the fate of the world is at stake? Where is that line located before it crosses into treasonous for your species? Ms. Cantwell tackles these questions on a more personal level in what’s left of the Barth family as their relationship dynamics are explored. While our small team of superhero Elementals search for the Earth Key in the beautiful country of Ireland.

As an old soul, Collum has taken a liking to his new smart phone. Proving you can teach an old dog new tricks, which doesn’t necessarily apply to cats. I just stuck that in so readers would know Tiger finds her way to the home of Collum’s parents, Niall and Kate Barth, in Kilkenny. Tiger is just as much a member of our small team of half-breed Elementals. She is such a diva and adds humor when things get intense, because you know she’s going to be right in the middle of things.

I was glad Raney and Gail were able to get in a little sightseeing before all the action started. There are false leads, dangerous bogs to avoid, caves to explore, kidnappings, and golems to battle. Golems are demon made warriors of clay whom are propelled by fire, and are single-minded in their directives. Outwardly, they look like real humans, so when Raney tricks two into a bog she has a crisis of conscience thinking she killed two men.

The storyline twists around on itself as our team of superheroes chase and are chased by the demon riding Damien Jones, Raney’s daddy dearest. Each team member are becoming more dimensional and true to their personal elements. I am also enjoying the way Raney is learning how to use the new element Gail shared with her in the ritual joining ceremony from book 1, Rivers Run. If you haven’t read it yet, pick it up! These books build on each other. I’m looking forward to seeing more of the team learn to use their shared elements. I am looking forward to book 3. Will our team finally come up with a name that fits them all? And will they finally get team t-shirts? These questions and more, I hope, will be answered in upcoming books.

Buy now from:   Amazon US    Amazon UK

FYI:

Treacherous Ground is book 2, of the ELEMENTAL KEYS Series. Following book 1, Rivers Run.

Format/Typo Issues:

Nothing significant.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 50-55,000 words