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http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092319/

Marked


By Bitten Twice


Start by reading First Stop of Tour to BRH if you missed it and Meet Bitten Twice!








If I were a writer, Marked would be something like I would write...I love cats, cat shape-shifter movies have been favorites, and, of course, I loved the TV show "Beauty and the Beast." Most importantly, the main character is the King of the Cats! How cool!

Let me start by sharing this beautifully written opening paragraph of the Prologue:

Since the beginning of time, the invitation for dusk was pre-empted by a glorious display of the sun’s magnificence. The light, in a breathtaking array of reds, oranges, and yellows, kissed the mountains, rocks, trees and grasses, in a promise of tomorrow’s possibilities before being consumed by darkness.

It is there in Africa that King Zor met the human woman he had marked. And later, she bore him three cubs but died during their birth. King Zor took them to the Queen of his pride and there Zan, Ari, and Ova lived until Zan was old enough. Zan was now King of the Cats!

 In New York City, the head of the Knights of Templar had called a special meeting. The future held even more dangers than the past and a council of agencies had been formed to provide safety and security. The United Nations, Interpol, FBI, CIA, et.al., were joined with representatives from those animals who could change into human form--the cats and wolves.

It was on his way to this meeting that Zan met Catherine... Catherine was the administrative assistant to the Council's chairman.(my own imagination led me to believe that this Catherine is the great-great-great granddaughter of Catherine, who bore Vincent his child, in the television show...LOL You'll see why when you see some of the things that the younger Catherine does. Actually, since they weren't explained, I'm hoping that there is going to be at least one sequel to Marked.)

Mutual attraction which quickly drew Catherine and Zan into a hot and heavy interlude led to the beginning of Catherine's being marked as Zan's...

However, just as the meeting was to begin, Ari, Zan's sister notified him that his palace was being surrounded leading to an attack--by Templar Knights! It was soon realized that what surrounded them was not even human and Ari led a defensive fight that soon defeated the invaders.

But the Council realized that this was probably just the beginning and immediately assignments were made to the various groups attending.

Preparing to leave, Zan first made sure that Catherine was safe. But the guards were unsuccessful and she was abducted, only to be quietly whisked away by Ova, Zan's sister. Ova is a character you will enjoy getting to know and, especially, watch as she comes into her own magical powers.

Thinking she was taking Catherine to safety, she took her to their home where large cats roamed, guarding the palace. Finally she went to sleep--to wake up next to Zan--As King of the Cats! Can't you just imagine her face as she awakens to long golden fur surrounding her...

It was an underlord of Hell who had found portals into our world and was stirring up trouble this time in a classic good versus evil action adventure. This is an exciting complement to the instinctive "mating" of Catherine and Zan. To add even more spice, Ari becomes interested in none other than the leader of the wolves...

If you love fantasy, this book is definitely for you. It is fun to imagine the catacombs that run under New York City, to see what sophisticated computer and electronic tools are used along with ancient magical swords, and to see the writer's creative shape shifts in the middle of life-threatening activities. Bitten Twice certainly knows fantasy and is able to provide a flawlessly created world into which readers willingly tumble. Highly recommended for your enjoyment.

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GABixlerReviews

Review: Fantastic Fantasy - Better than Harry Potter? My opinion--Yes!



Image via Wikipedia

Mark hung on the wheel as if he were part of the ship...



The Snowmelt River




By Frank P. Ryan










I simply cannot begin to give you an adequate overview of The Snowmelt River! It is, for me, undoubtedly the best fantasy novel I’ve ever read. From the front cover, which was beautifully created by Mark Salwowski , through to the back, Frank P. Ryan has created an epic adventure that just does not stop! The New York Times acclaimed the book “Book of the Year.” Better yet, this is the first of a 4-novel series, each completely different but with the same characters. Frankly, it is hard to believe that there could be more after the first—it is that expansive in the storylines.

And then there are the characters! The four children range from 17 down to 11 as the story starts. Each has become an orphan either early or later in life. I think it is fair to say that Alan Duval is the main character in this first book, although each of the children is amazingly spotlighted. Duval is the only American; having lost his parents just recently, he has been living with his grandfather, Padraig, who is an early but important character, who has the necessary knowledge to help the children...

Help them? Yes, for each of them have been having dreams and hearing a voice calling from far away. Through Padraig’s guidance, they begin to see that it is their destiny to follow and find that voice.

Kathleen Shaunessy had been Alan’s first friend when he arrived at his grandfather’s home and they soon became closer. Mark and Mo Grimstone are the other two children, who had been adopted, were not really from the same family and hated their stepparents—let’s just say readers will too, but I have a feeling their parents are going to be back, even after Alan, Kate, and Padraig helped them escape!

Without telling any of the details, soon the four are in a different world and when they wake up they meet Granny Dew...This is one cool lady, or at least I think she is a lady; I’ll just add, think spiders...

Immediately Granny Dew forces them to eat something so “icky” that they couldn’t help but gag... The three older children were given crystals, Alan received one that was pushed into his forehead—he’d had a birthmark that was covered thereafter! Mo, the youngest was not given a crystal. Strangely, Granny Dew gathered her into her arms, as if she was a baby, and cuddled her as if she were cherished...

But Granny Dew was just getting them ready...

Dressed in similar clothing as Granny Dew (think spiders again) they set out and next found themselves coming toward a village with bear-like people (you’ll find out just how closely they resemble that animal). Soon Alan realized that his crystal allowed him to immediately understand their language. He learned much from their Shaman and soon discovered they had been expected. In fact they were seen as the saviors of his people. Alan was soon deemed to be Mage Lord! Of course, not all of the people believed they should follow the guidance of the Mage Lord, especially Snakoil Kawkaw—I’m including his name because he is one of the lead “bad guys” and will continue far into the book. However, for now, he is defeated and soon it is decided that in order to be saved, the people would have to flee from their homes.

One of the very cool non-human characters is the Temple Ship, shown on the front cover. The ship was just as the name implied, it was the place of worship and had been there since before any of those alive now had lived; it was deteriorated and not seaworthy, and it was felt that they would have to use just their smaller fishing craft in order to leave. However, Alan received a message that they were to take the ship. In faith they were to proceed to use it and Alan would be the captain. Actually, Mark became most intimately involved and learned to love the ship; he was at the wheel most of the time, at one time in an amazing way! In fact, soon it appeared he was giving life back to the ship—for as they proceeded to set sail, the old parts and the body were renewed, new sails formed! That’s my one big example of the magic that is happening throughout this book—too much and too cool to share outside of the storyline as it actually occurs!

And I haven’t even introduced you to the Shee (an all-female culture, think big cats), the Storm Wolves, Shikarr, the villains, or who it was who called the four into this world! Readers, adventure, magic, fantasy and so much more await you in Frank P. Ryan’s The Snowmelt River! Some of the magic is downright wonderfully scary! Some of the beauty of the characters as they fight for their rights is eloquent in presentation.

And wait until you hear the Song of the River! This book is a powerful, outstanding book, dare I say far superior to Harry Potter? It’s true, in my opinion! Movies? I’m not sure...they’d have to create 3-4 movies to cover each book adequately, again, in my opinion. For me, books are the way to go to get the full hair-raising impact of this masterpiece of fantasy! I’m already looking forward to the next book and that doesn’t happen often for me. Given my age, I’d have to say the book is suitable for ages 9 to 99! A must-read for Fantasy Lovers. Will make a wonderful holiday gift!

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G. A. Bixler