Series: Windwalker #1
Published by Untamed Spirit Publishing on April 21, 2014
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 316
Format: eBook
Source: Advance Reader Copy
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
She held no faith in magic. Now, fate is calling her…
Halle Rhoads has a terrifying gift--she can kill with the fury of the storm.
She should have known that kind of power wouldn't go unnoticed. Thrust into a world full of dark magic with a handsome stranger who claims he can teach her, she struggles to master her abilities and stumbles onto a dangerous truth. She's a windwalker, the chosen vessel of the ancient dragons who once ruled the world. Many will stop at nothing to possess the power in her blood, should they discover her secret.  With necromancers hunting her and Halle's closest allies guarding secrets, mastering her magic becomes a matter of necessity.
But accepting her destiny is altogether different. Â For doing so means she must sacrifice everything.
Claire Ashgrove delivers yet again with spellbinding, fresh urban fantasy story.
No matter how many contemporary or historical romances I read, I always love coming back to paranormal and urban fantasy stories. I love the complex world building and the characters with unique challenges to face and overcome. I have yet to be disappointed in a Claire Ashgrove novel, I fell right into Before the Storm and read the entire book in one sitting.
Halle is a young woman who is used to being on her own. She has street smarts, she doesn’t trust anyone, and she is both brave and loyal. Halle has a terrible past that kicked up her supernatural abilities, the ability to call lightning and storms. Kale is the person who begins to show Halle the supernatural world that she belongs to. He slowly gains her trust, but has secrets of his own. I love Halle’s character. She is a tough chick, very independent but willing to branch out and take chances. Things do not always work out for her, and she doesn’t always make the smartest choices. She has her flaws, but she doesn’t hide from them. I am very excited to see how her character continues to mature and grow as a person and in her magical abilities.
I love this supernatural world that Claire Ashgrove has created. The Windwalker concept is unique, as the origins of the magic are unique. The variety of paranormal abilities proved to be intriguing and fun to read. The entire book is very well written, with steady pacing, light-hearted moments to counter the more serious ones. Claire Ashgrove does an excellent job showing that Halle is not just a tough girl, she has a tender, sensitive side that she keeps hidden to protect herself from hurt.
Before the Storm is a fantastic first book in a new series. I am already hooked on the main character, Halle, I love the world, and there is just enough heat for the romantic that I am. It is clear that Halle’s story is just beginning. The series promises to get more complex and even more intriguing as the story continues. I can not wait for the next installment in this series, I will definitely be reading on!
Urban Fantasy and paranormal readers, you do NOT want to miss Before the Storm!
Before the Storm is out now! Get your copy today, 99 Cents for a limited time only!
