What do you think?
Rate this book
Shadow #5
Soul Kissed
The great mage Houses battle for control of magekind as the modern world plunges into Shadow...
When a fatal plague sweeps through magekind, no one born with Shadow in their blood is immune to its ravages. At the mage Council's bidding, Cari Dolan, scion of her House, and Mason Stray, an outcast seeking refuge for his young son, are tasked with identifying the fiend responsible.
Together, they track the killer with Cari’s rare aptitude to see into the past, while Mason uses his craftsman’s gift of ingenuity with magic to protect her. Trust is nearly impossible between them, but both remember a breathless moment long ago, when things could’ve been different.
As they grow ever closer to their quarry, Mason and Cari cannot deny their growing connection and the desire burning between them. But a true partnership is hopeless. She is a daughter of wealth, privilege, and power, while he has been forced to make dark deals with magekind to merely survive.
Beset by dangers on every side, the hunt leads them into the darkest of futures, between fractured alliances and growing fear. The fae creep ever closer to crossing into the mortal world. And Cari and Mason are at the center of the tumult. Will their incendiary union be their salvation…or their doom?
Each book in the Shadow Series is a stand-alone urban fantasy romantic thriller. Contains mature themes.
When a fatal plague sweeps through magekind, no one born with Shadow in their blood is immune to its ravages. At the mage Council's bidding, Cari Dolan, scion of her House, and Mason Stray, an outcast seeking refuge for his young son, are tasked with identifying the fiend responsible.
Together, they track the killer with Cari’s rare aptitude to see into the past, while Mason uses his craftsman’s gift of ingenuity with magic to protect her. Trust is nearly impossible between them, but both remember a breathless moment long ago, when things could’ve been different.
As they grow ever closer to their quarry, Mason and Cari cannot deny their growing connection and the desire burning between them. But a true partnership is hopeless. She is a daughter of wealth, privilege, and power, while he has been forced to make dark deals with magekind to merely survive.
Beset by dangers on every side, the hunt leads them into the darkest of futures, between fractured alliances and growing fear. The fae creep ever closer to crossing into the mortal world. And Cari and Mason are at the center of the tumult. Will their incendiary union be their salvation…or their doom?
Each book in the Shadow Series is a stand-alone urban fantasy romantic thriller. Contains mature themes.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
5 people are currently reading
690 people want to read
About the author
Erin Kellison
53 books704 followersErin Kellison writes epic romantic fantasy where gods meddle, magic has a price, and love defies every power that seeks to control it.
She is the author of the Indulgence Series, an epic romantic fantasy saga, as well as the Shadow Series, the Dragons of Bloodfire Series, and the Reveler Series. Her stories are known for their layered mythology, dangerous worlds, and emotionally intense romance woven through sweeping arcs.
Erin lives with her family in sunny Arizona, where she spends much of her time imagining other worlds.
She is the author of the Indulgence Series, an epic romantic fantasy saga, as well as the Shadow Series, the Dragons of Bloodfire Series, and the Reveler Series. Her stories are known for their layered mythology, dangerous worlds, and emotionally intense romance woven through sweeping arcs.
Erin lives with her family in sunny Arizona, where she spends much of her time imagining other worlds.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 1, 2024
SOUL KISSED is part of the Shadow series and I recommend you read these in order, otherwise you might miss out on some of the other storylines.
Mason Stray finally gets his story! We have met him in previous books and he's not had it easy. He will do anything to make a life for his son, including putting him into an archaic fosterage to protect him from the plague that is killing mages. Cari knew Mason years ago but their paths diverged. Now she has to work with him, with the old flame rekindle or be snuffed out forever?
This was such a fantastic story! I was hooked from the very beginning. Maybe because it was Mason's story or maybe because the writing is that good. Cari is a great character - mage royalty if you will - but doesn't lord it over anyone. Her sisters and stepmother are all brilliant supporting characters that I would love to hear more of in the future.
One character I definitely need more from is Stealth!!! He stole my heart.
Such an outstanding addition to the series that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 1, 2024
Mason Stray finally gets his story! We have met him in previous books and he's not had it easy. He will do anything to make a life for his son, including putting him into an archaic fosterage to protect him from the plague that is killing mages. Cari knew Mason years ago but their paths diverged. Now she has to work with him, with the old flame rekindle or be snuffed out forever?
This was such a fantastic story! I was hooked from the very beginning. Maybe because it was Mason's story or maybe because the writing is that good. Cari is a great character - mage royalty if you will - but doesn't lord it over anyone. Her sisters and stepmother are all brilliant supporting characters that I would love to hear more of in the future.
One character I definitely need more from is Stealth!!! He stole my heart.
Such an outstanding addition to the series that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 1, 2024
August 19, 2013
Everyone ready for an exciting new adventure? Ready to fall in love all over again? Ready to be captivated and captured? If so then you seriously want to read Erin Kellison's Soul Kissed!
Soul Kissed is the most recent in the fabulous Erin Kellison's Shadow Series and yet another series that I am baffled, bemused and confused by the fact that I have just now heard of it! Seriously, I saw the blurb on Netgalley and thought.. eh it looks interesting. Then once I sat down and started reading.. yeah so very much more than merely interesting!
The world of the Mage has come alive and humans are more than a little interested in those of the Shadow. There is a deep distrust because it has been discovered that the Mage do not exactly have souls. The human population is at a loss as to how to deal with them. But a few brave souls have made an effort to live in peace. Of course there are too many who want more. When mages are suddenly being attacked by mysterious shadows.. Humans go on the warpath.. trying to protect themselves. More than a little clueless as it's the Mages who are being destroyed. Now a mysterious illness is killing off more and more of them. A Mage's only protection is behind their wards.. A place where only family and clan is accepted.
Cari Dolan has survived the plague and is now the head of her family. A Strong Mage family with a history of purist ties. But things are changing and Cari needs to either step up or loose it all. When the head of the Mage Council comes to her and asks for her help, Since Cari has a gift of "seeing" what powers have been at a scene she is being asked to work with another "survivor" of the plague and find a way to end it. Dealing with Mason Stray, a rogue with no family ties and yet the boy who once held her teenage heart, is going to be a challenge. But what's one more challenge for the head of a household to deal with?
Mason Stray was abandoned by family and when he attempted a relationship in his teens he was mocked. When a child came out of that relationship that child was denied and Mason has spent the past almost decade doing everything he could to make a better life for his child. He has networked, done jobs others sneered at and slowly become a mage one could trust.. Only thing is, it seems Mason isn't a mage.. he's a Maker. *grins* so not gonna tell you what that is. Now the council is asking him to work with Cari and find out what is causing this plague and to stop it.
Cari and Mason together manage to stir up a whole lot of everything while this investigation is going on. Both of them have to learn exactly who they are.. what they are capable of and where they stand in the Mage world and to each other. Cari who comes from a place of strength, or so she thinks, discovers that Mason Stray (and yes his name is Stray because he has no family) has connections many would (and probably have) killed for. That he is respected and admired in some very powerful circles.
Mason has one allegiance, it is to his son who always comes first. When the chance to foster him to a Mage Family, give him the kind of life he deserves Mason accepts it. But he is a father and has a father's heart.. to hand his son over to another family was the hardest thing he had ever done. Now it turns out that family has questionable objectives and Mason has to call on all that he is to protect and save his son..
The question becomes what will Mason do for Fletcher? And what is he willing to sacrifice? Will Cari be an ally or an enemy? Is there hope for them? Does Mason or Cari hold the answers? Do either of them? Oh, there is so much to this simple (ha) story and you all should read it and savor all that Ms Kellison offers.. You betcha.. I am off to catch up on this series!!
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Soul Kissed provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on September 3, 2013
Soul Kissed is the most recent in the fabulous Erin Kellison's Shadow Series and yet another series that I am baffled, bemused and confused by the fact that I have just now heard of it! Seriously, I saw the blurb on Netgalley and thought.. eh it looks interesting. Then once I sat down and started reading.. yeah so very much more than merely interesting!
The world of the Mage has come alive and humans are more than a little interested in those of the Shadow. There is a deep distrust because it has been discovered that the Mage do not exactly have souls. The human population is at a loss as to how to deal with them. But a few brave souls have made an effort to live in peace. Of course there are too many who want more. When mages are suddenly being attacked by mysterious shadows.. Humans go on the warpath.. trying to protect themselves. More than a little clueless as it's the Mages who are being destroyed. Now a mysterious illness is killing off more and more of them. A Mage's only protection is behind their wards.. A place where only family and clan is accepted.
Cari Dolan has survived the plague and is now the head of her family. A Strong Mage family with a history of purist ties. But things are changing and Cari needs to either step up or loose it all. When the head of the Mage Council comes to her and asks for her help, Since Cari has a gift of "seeing" what powers have been at a scene she is being asked to work with another "survivor" of the plague and find a way to end it. Dealing with Mason Stray, a rogue with no family ties and yet the boy who once held her teenage heart, is going to be a challenge. But what's one more challenge for the head of a household to deal with?
Mason Stray was abandoned by family and when he attempted a relationship in his teens he was mocked. When a child came out of that relationship that child was denied and Mason has spent the past almost decade doing everything he could to make a better life for his child. He has networked, done jobs others sneered at and slowly become a mage one could trust.. Only thing is, it seems Mason isn't a mage.. he's a Maker. *grins* so not gonna tell you what that is. Now the council is asking him to work with Cari and find out what is causing this plague and to stop it.
Cari and Mason together manage to stir up a whole lot of everything while this investigation is going on. Both of them have to learn exactly who they are.. what they are capable of and where they stand in the Mage world and to each other. Cari who comes from a place of strength, or so she thinks, discovers that Mason Stray (and yes his name is Stray because he has no family) has connections many would (and probably have) killed for. That he is respected and admired in some very powerful circles.
Mason has one allegiance, it is to his son who always comes first. When the chance to foster him to a Mage Family, give him the kind of life he deserves Mason accepts it. But he is a father and has a father's heart.. to hand his son over to another family was the hardest thing he had ever done. Now it turns out that family has questionable objectives and Mason has to call on all that he is to protect and save his son..
The question becomes what will Mason do for Fletcher? And what is he willing to sacrifice? Will Cari be an ally or an enemy? Is there hope for them? Does Mason or Cari hold the answers? Do either of them? Oh, there is so much to this simple (ha) story and you all should read it and savor all that Ms Kellison offers.. You betcha.. I am off to catch up on this series!!
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Soul Kissed provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on September 3, 2013
September 4, 2013
I loved it. I'm so happy that I came a crossed this series last year. It's a must own series for me! I'm amazed by how well the world Erin built and continues to build with each book. I love seeing my favorite characters from previous books pop up (Khan!). She bring something new with each book nothing is ever boring or repetitive. Each book is fresh, exciting and for me always a one sit read.
Mason and Cari were so great together. They both brought out the best in each other and were perfect. What can I say I actually liked the villain Maeve aka Mad Mab aka fae Queen aka Cari's (lots of greats) grandmother who possesses/lives inside her grandkids. Maeve was hilarious I couldn't get enough of her. I wish she would have been a bit more reasonable but I guess that what's happens when you have lots of power you go a little Mad. The real villain for me was Liv Mason's ex and Fletcher's mom. When she jumped back into the picture I could have screamed. Really didn't like her. Which leads me to Fletcher aka Stealth (coolest name ever for a really great kid) I didn't know how he was going to fit into all of this and really he was awesome and I hope one day he'll have his own book. Not yet he's to young.
Okay now I need to go back and read all the books again. You don't know what you’re missing until you start reading a very well developed creative world and characters! I hope this series never ends!
Recommend for any paranormal romance and urban fantasy fans!
ARC courtesy of Kensington via Netgalley
Mason and Cari were so great together. They both brought out the best in each other and were perfect. What can I say I actually liked the villain Maeve aka Mad Mab aka fae Queen aka Cari's (lots of greats) grandmother who possesses/lives inside her grandkids. Maeve was hilarious I couldn't get enough of her. I wish she would have been a bit more reasonable but I guess that what's happens when you have lots of power you go a little Mad. The real villain for me was Liv Mason's ex and Fletcher's mom. When she jumped back into the picture I could have screamed. Really didn't like her. Which leads me to Fletcher aka Stealth (coolest name ever for a really great kid) I didn't know how he was going to fit into all of this and really he was awesome and I hope one day he'll have his own book. Not yet he's to young.
Okay now I need to go back and read all the books again. You don't know what you’re missing until you start reading a very well developed creative world and characters! I hope this series never ends!
Recommend for any paranormal romance and urban fantasy fans!
ARC courtesy of Kensington via Netgalley
November 27, 2025
A plague is sweeping through the magekind. Cari Dolan and Mason Stray must join forces to discover the plot behind this mysterious and deadly illness.
The attraction between Cari and Mason have always burned hot but their stations in life have always kept them apart. Now working intimately on this investigation, the carefully constructed walls start to crumble.
I have to admit that this being the second book in this series and me not reading the first, I had a lot of “catching up” to understand what was going on. Once I understood the concept, I was intrigued by this amazing parallel world Kellison created.
A great premise, this series has huge potential. The plot is completely original with the Fae/Mage combination and the entire shadow conjuring...I found it refreshing to read something so unlike anything I've ever read before. (Hey, with me that's saying something)!
A good amount of closure without the perfect HEA, Kellison created a book that still has unresolved world issues and leaves you thinking of what will happen next. I will be anxiously looking for more to come in this series.
I received this ARC copy of Soul Kissed from Kensington Books - Zebra in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication September 3, 2013.
The attraction between Cari and Mason have always burned hot but their stations in life have always kept them apart. Now working intimately on this investigation, the carefully constructed walls start to crumble.
I have to admit that this being the second book in this series and me not reading the first, I had a lot of “catching up” to understand what was going on. Once I understood the concept, I was intrigued by this amazing parallel world Kellison created.
A great premise, this series has huge potential. The plot is completely original with the Fae/Mage combination and the entire shadow conjuring...I found it refreshing to read something so unlike anything I've ever read before. (Hey, with me that's saying something)!
A good amount of closure without the perfect HEA, Kellison created a book that still has unresolved world issues and leaves you thinking of what will happen next. I will be anxiously looking for more to come in this series.
I received this ARC copy of Soul Kissed from Kensington Books - Zebra in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication September 3, 2013.
September 20, 2013
This is one of the very few PNR series with an incredible world built around the love story. I'm never sure what grabs me more... well, no, I know. I'm a sucker for a great, intriguing, almost bleak world. And all of Erin Kellison's books in the Shadows/Shadow Kissed series have such.
The romance is there, is right but it's never shadowing the plot and the world. Or, if you prefer, it's not The plot/world, but just part of it.
The fantasy created by this author is stunning: mages, humans, angels, fae. No one is exactly what you'd expect, except maybe the fae :)
I had loved Fire Kissed, and Soul Kissed was as good.
There's a lot going on in this series, but I never felt the action overwhelming.
In this particular novel I did feel the action lagging midway, the reason -I believe-lies in the Maeve/Cari split personality that calls for a different kind of tension.
Like many other readers, I was charmed by Fletcher and happy to see a parent figure as a hero. :) And the story is full of children, but then Shadow Bound was all about the consequences due to the birth of a child, wasn'it? < grin >
ARC courtesy of publisher via NetGalley.
The romance is there, is right but it's never shadowing the plot and the world. Or, if you prefer, it's not The plot/world, but just part of it.
The fantasy created by this author is stunning: mages, humans, angels, fae. No one is exactly what you'd expect, except maybe the fae :)
I had loved Fire Kissed, and Soul Kissed was as good.
There's a lot going on in this series, but I never felt the action overwhelming.
In this particular novel I did feel the action lagging midway, the reason -I believe-lies in the Maeve/Cari split personality that calls for a different kind of tension.
Like many other readers, I was charmed by Fletcher and happy to see a parent figure as a hero. :) And the story is full of children, but then Shadow Bound was all about the consequences due to the birth of a child, wasn'it? < grin >
ARC courtesy of publisher via NetGalley.
May 29, 2024
Wow such a captivating world this author has created . Humanity now knows that Mages walk amongst them with the ability to use Shadow as a weapon. Does this mean a descent into all out war ? Certainly the Mage Houses are unsettled but a plague has been unleashed and its targets are Mages ! Cari saw her father attacked and killed by this insidious evil but is called to work with her teenage crush Mason Stray to stop anymore deaths . Can they truly discover what is behind it ? Cari is pulled in so many directions as she’s now head of her House but Mason has even more problems as he’s been forced to give up his son in order to keep him safe behind wards . Cari has always had the world at her feet but Mason is a stray, an outcast and yet is powerful and strangely charming ! Two very different backgrounds and yet together they just might save Mage kind .
This series is definitely going in directions I could not possibly predict and I very much like that previous characters still have a part to play . I won’t spoil this for others but oh my I felt quite upset at one point but luckily the author had it planned perfectly so I could breathe a huge sigh of relief . The romance whilst integral and ultimately satisfying didn’t cloud the storyline and I thoroughly enjoyed all the background characters each with their own agenda . I definitely recommend reading this series in order and wouldn’t start here but it’s a journey that’s well worth it and hugely unpredictable which has me eagerly turning the pages
This series is definitely going in directions I could not possibly predict and I very much like that previous characters still have a part to play . I won’t spoil this for others but oh my I felt quite upset at one point but luckily the author had it planned perfectly so I could breathe a huge sigh of relief . The romance whilst integral and ultimately satisfying didn’t cloud the storyline and I thoroughly enjoyed all the background characters each with their own agenda . I definitely recommend reading this series in order and wouldn’t start here but it’s a journey that’s well worth it and hugely unpredictable which has me eagerly turning the pages
September 3, 2013
I can’t honestly say I have never met an Erin Kellison book I didn’t love. Not. One. Once again Kellison has transported me to a world of dark fantasy and passion… you know my happy place. Soul Kissed is the second book in The Shadow Kissed series, which is a spin off from her Shadow series trilogy. I say this in every review of this series; I am completely captivated with the world of Shadow Kellison has created.
Background about Shadow- you can skip this part if you have read the other books
****
The world was once cloaked in Shadow (magic), but it was banished into Twilight, a place between our world and the afterlife leaving the Mages cut off from their source of power. There live the fae creatures of dreams and nightmares. The Order of Angles protects humans from those who try to access and use Shadow. Now Shadow is leaking into our world again and the Mages are coming into their power and they want to bring in the Dark Age where they will rule over humanity once again. One Mage family, the House of Brand (their story is in Book #1 Fire Kissed) has made a shaky alliance with The Order of Angels to stop the Dark Age and the destruction of our world as we know it.
****
This story, as with all the Shadow books, is the perfect blend of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. I really appreciate the complexity of the story. It isn't a linear. There are many sub-plots layered within and you get POVs from all the characters involved. The PNR element revolves around Mason Stray and Cari Dolan and their forbidden love story. But my favorite parts were the sub-plots involving the insane fae queen, Mad Mab, and Mason’s young son Fletcher. The way these two characters were written was genius. And I love that my favorite characters from the other Shadow books are also part of Soul Kissed giving the story more depth, especially if you have read the previous books in Shadow world.
You don’t need to read the first book to enjoy Soul Kissed, but then you would be missing out on one of my all-time favorite romance couples, Jack Bastian and Kaye Brand. I won’t go into the plot of Soul Kissed because there are some surprises I don’t want to ruin, but like all Kellison’s books, it starts out with an intense opening setting the dark tone of the story, and then lots of action, passion from all the characters. One scene near the end, when Cari makes a sacrifice, packs a hell of an emotional punch.
Gushing time over.
Quote-a-licious-ness:
“He was careful with her hurts and possessive of her secret places, priming with soft strokes that incited recklessness.”
“Maeve crouched, her fingernails lengthening to scratch out the crow’s eyes.
Shadowman.
How she hated him. He’d gone into the service of the Order ages ago, ferrying souls from this world to the great gate of the next. Of course he would take up with the angels at the first opportunity. Fool. No matter how he groveled at their feet, he would never be one of them. No light for him, unless he stole it and ate it.”
“Maeve pushed the girl’s chin up with her thumb. Her head still lolled a bit to the side. “She’s broken.” Ally. Hmm. “Do we shed tears of happiness, or do we weep?”
“His dad was trying to get Cari down from the throne. She was going to need clothes, like right away, because he could totally see her boobs and belly button and down there, too. He’d have to tell his dad that with this and the humping thing, he was officially scarred for life.”
5 “Stealth” Sheep
http://www.ismellsheep.com/2013/09/bo...
Background about Shadow- you can skip this part if you have read the other books
****
The world was once cloaked in Shadow (magic), but it was banished into Twilight, a place between our world and the afterlife leaving the Mages cut off from their source of power. There live the fae creatures of dreams and nightmares. The Order of Angles protects humans from those who try to access and use Shadow. Now Shadow is leaking into our world again and the Mages are coming into their power and they want to bring in the Dark Age where they will rule over humanity once again. One Mage family, the House of Brand (their story is in Book #1 Fire Kissed) has made a shaky alliance with The Order of Angels to stop the Dark Age and the destruction of our world as we know it.
****
This story, as with all the Shadow books, is the perfect blend of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. I really appreciate the complexity of the story. It isn't a linear. There are many sub-plots layered within and you get POVs from all the characters involved. The PNR element revolves around Mason Stray and Cari Dolan and their forbidden love story. But my favorite parts were the sub-plots involving the insane fae queen, Mad Mab, and Mason’s young son Fletcher. The way these two characters were written was genius. And I love that my favorite characters from the other Shadow books are also part of Soul Kissed giving the story more depth, especially if you have read the previous books in Shadow world.
You don’t need to read the first book to enjoy Soul Kissed, but then you would be missing out on one of my all-time favorite romance couples, Jack Bastian and Kaye Brand. I won’t go into the plot of Soul Kissed because there are some surprises I don’t want to ruin, but like all Kellison’s books, it starts out with an intense opening setting the dark tone of the story, and then lots of action, passion from all the characters. One scene near the end, when Cari makes a sacrifice, packs a hell of an emotional punch.
Gushing time over.
Quote-a-licious-ness:
“He was careful with her hurts and possessive of her secret places, priming with soft strokes that incited recklessness.”
“Maeve crouched, her fingernails lengthening to scratch out the crow’s eyes.
Shadowman.
How she hated him. He’d gone into the service of the Order ages ago, ferrying souls from this world to the great gate of the next. Of course he would take up with the angels at the first opportunity. Fool. No matter how he groveled at their feet, he would never be one of them. No light for him, unless he stole it and ate it.”
“Maeve pushed the girl’s chin up with her thumb. Her head still lolled a bit to the side. “She’s broken.” Ally. Hmm. “Do we shed tears of happiness, or do we weep?”
“His dad was trying to get Cari down from the throne. She was going to need clothes, like right away, because he could totally see her boobs and belly button and down there, too. He’d have to tell his dad that with this and the humping thing, he was officially scarred for life.”
5 “Stealth” Sheep
http://www.ismellsheep.com/2013/09/bo...
August 26, 2013
I received this early copy from the author in exchange for an honest review, I was in no way compensated for this review.
Erin Kellison's Soul Kissed is the second book in her Shadow Kissed series, which is sort of a continuation of her Shadow books. Basically the series as a whole is Shadow, but the series is broken up into smaller series...possibly trilogies but will have to wait til after the third Shadow Kissed book.
Moving on...I still very much enjoy this series! Calling it Dark Fantasy is the best category choice! It's not quite Urban Fantasy or even Paranormal Romance, but there are "strange" or "paranormal-like" elements to it, hence the "Fantasy" part and the "Dark" is there because, well, it's filled with Shadows and other baddies that just scream dark side!
This time around we have Cari, a young woman mage, dealing with the death of her father caused by a magical plague. She is now the ruler of her mage house. She is determined to find her father's murderer and bring about justice and to help is her Mason, a Stray, the product of a human and mage. It's a complicated mess to say the least, but Erin tells it remarkably well so that you aren't confused. Mason has a son who is his whole world and does everything he can to protect him.
Mason and Cari shared a connection years ago as teenagers, but alas, Mason had a girlfriend, a bitchy one too who basically left Mason with his son, Fletcher. Fletcher is a very powerful boy for eight years old and he will only get more powerful as he grows older.
Cari also has her own secret, a powerful fae possesses her. It's more like a cohabitation thing, but Cari does lose time, loses moments of herself when the fae decides to take control. It's not a pleasant thing. Especially when it becomes the reason why the angels want to kill her.
Cari and Mason were quite the pair. Both were stubborn in their own rights, but they have a shared past with one another. It didn't take too long before old feelings returned. I loved the romance between them. It was sort of a forbidden love since Mason is a stray and Cari a mage, but they didn't care. Like really, truly didn't care!
It was great seeing returning characters from the series such as Kaye and Jack from the previous book in this series and even the gang from the previous series like Talia, Adam, Custo and even Khan! I like that this series continues to connect even if they are separate on some level.
The pacing to this one was good as well! Another seductively, dark fantasy meant to suck you into its world! Erin Kellison can write a wickedly good novel that's for sure, and there's no question about it that Soul Kissed was wickedly good!!
The ending to this one was nice as well! Not quite a HEA ending, but enough of one. There are still many problems going on in this world of Shadows Erin has created and I look forward to following them to the very end! Which hopefully won't be for a long while!
Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars
Soul Kissed releases September 3, 2013
Erin Kellison's Soul Kissed is the second book in her Shadow Kissed series, which is sort of a continuation of her Shadow books. Basically the series as a whole is Shadow, but the series is broken up into smaller series...possibly trilogies but will have to wait til after the third Shadow Kissed book.
Moving on...I still very much enjoy this series! Calling it Dark Fantasy is the best category choice! It's not quite Urban Fantasy or even Paranormal Romance, but there are "strange" or "paranormal-like" elements to it, hence the "Fantasy" part and the "Dark" is there because, well, it's filled with Shadows and other baddies that just scream dark side!
This time around we have Cari, a young woman mage, dealing with the death of her father caused by a magical plague. She is now the ruler of her mage house. She is determined to find her father's murderer and bring about justice and to help is her Mason, a Stray, the product of a human and mage. It's a complicated mess to say the least, but Erin tells it remarkably well so that you aren't confused. Mason has a son who is his whole world and does everything he can to protect him.
Mason and Cari shared a connection years ago as teenagers, but alas, Mason had a girlfriend, a bitchy one too who basically left Mason with his son, Fletcher. Fletcher is a very powerful boy for eight years old and he will only get more powerful as he grows older.
Cari also has her own secret, a powerful fae possesses her. It's more like a cohabitation thing, but Cari does lose time, loses moments of herself when the fae decides to take control. It's not a pleasant thing. Especially when it becomes the reason why the angels want to kill her.
Cari and Mason were quite the pair. Both were stubborn in their own rights, but they have a shared past with one another. It didn't take too long before old feelings returned. I loved the romance between them. It was sort of a forbidden love since Mason is a stray and Cari a mage, but they didn't care. Like really, truly didn't care!
It was great seeing returning characters from the series such as Kaye and Jack from the previous book in this series and even the gang from the previous series like Talia, Adam, Custo and even Khan! I like that this series continues to connect even if they are separate on some level.
The pacing to this one was good as well! Another seductively, dark fantasy meant to suck you into its world! Erin Kellison can write a wickedly good novel that's for sure, and there's no question about it that Soul Kissed was wickedly good!!
The ending to this one was nice as well! Not quite a HEA ending, but enough of one. There are still many problems going on in this world of Shadows Erin has created and I look forward to following them to the very end! Which hopefully won't be for a long while!
Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars
Soul Kissed releases September 3, 2013
September 3, 2013
Action-packed from the first page on!
Mason Stray is a man of independence, a man with skills that only some have witnessed and known how to utilize. Most of all, Mason is a father. His son Fletcher is his life, his world, and when a plague among the Mage threatens him, he does what any good father would do – gives him up to protect him.
Cari Dolan has survived the plague when many others haven’t, including her father. Now the head of Dolan House, she has the weight of the world on her shoulders and is determined to find the fiend responsible for bringing this race-ending plague to magekind. Soon she discovers that her Shadow has grown stronger and nearly out of control, a voice in her head becomes clear. The voice belongs to Maeve, a fae queen who isn’t there for good.
Cari and Mason work together to find the villain that threatens not only their lives, but their world. With the plague, Shadow is in the open and the humans are not happy about it. Danger lurks in every turn of their investigation and the question of who to trust becomes first, and foremost, in their minds. Second, perhaps, to their growing attraction that by mage rules can't happen.
SOUL KISSED by Erin Kellison is action upon action from the first page straight on through to the end. If you read the first book in the series, FIRE KISSED, you will already know some of the characters and their stories. Whereas with some series, you must read from the beginning, and in order, and although I do recommend reading the first before the second, it’s not imperative that you do because they work well as stand-alone reads.
SOUL KISSED is powerful, action-packed, and Erin has created a world that intermingles with human lives in such a way as to believe it could very possibly exist just the way she’s written it. The character relationships, such as that between Mason and Fletcher, are believable, sensitive, and loving when they need to be and powerful, aggressive, and protective when needed to survive. The characters are three dimensional, easily related to even with their extraordinary abilities, and long lasting. I have no doubt that we’ll see more of Mason, Cari, and Fletcher in the books to come.
I highly recommend SOUL KISSED by Erin Kellison if you’re a lover of dark and dangerous, magic seeping from every corner of the page, good versus evil plot lines, and urban fantasy with enough paranormal romance heat that you’ll be begging for more as soon as you close this book.
Print ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.
Mason Stray is a man of independence, a man with skills that only some have witnessed and known how to utilize. Most of all, Mason is a father. His son Fletcher is his life, his world, and when a plague among the Mage threatens him, he does what any good father would do – gives him up to protect him.
Cari Dolan has survived the plague when many others haven’t, including her father. Now the head of Dolan House, she has the weight of the world on her shoulders and is determined to find the fiend responsible for bringing this race-ending plague to magekind. Soon she discovers that her Shadow has grown stronger and nearly out of control, a voice in her head becomes clear. The voice belongs to Maeve, a fae queen who isn’t there for good.
Cari and Mason work together to find the villain that threatens not only their lives, but their world. With the plague, Shadow is in the open and the humans are not happy about it. Danger lurks in every turn of their investigation and the question of who to trust becomes first, and foremost, in their minds. Second, perhaps, to their growing attraction that by mage rules can't happen.
SOUL KISSED by Erin Kellison is action upon action from the first page straight on through to the end. If you read the first book in the series, FIRE KISSED, you will already know some of the characters and their stories. Whereas with some series, you must read from the beginning, and in order, and although I do recommend reading the first before the second, it’s not imperative that you do because they work well as stand-alone reads.
SOUL KISSED is powerful, action-packed, and Erin has created a world that intermingles with human lives in such a way as to believe it could very possibly exist just the way she’s written it. The character relationships, such as that between Mason and Fletcher, are believable, sensitive, and loving when they need to be and powerful, aggressive, and protective when needed to survive. The characters are three dimensional, easily related to even with their extraordinary abilities, and long lasting. I have no doubt that we’ll see more of Mason, Cari, and Fletcher in the books to come.
I highly recommend SOUL KISSED by Erin Kellison if you’re a lover of dark and dangerous, magic seeping from every corner of the page, good versus evil plot lines, and urban fantasy with enough paranormal romance heat that you’ll be begging for more as soon as you close this book.
Print ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.
May 18, 2024
Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
*eARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Just wow... I've been drawn in by the captivating magic of Erin's darkly poetic prose since day one, but this is definitely my favorite book of the series. Erin somehow managed to mesh dark urban fantasy with sweet paranormal romance in a heartfelt, dangerous, sexy miasma of literary goodness. Fan-freaking-tastic!
Now that the 'Shadow People' are out and humans are aware things aren't as quiet as they used to be. Not only are the mages at war with themselves and the Order, but now they have yet another group to be worried about. When a magickal plague starts targeting magekind, things get even more intense and unlikely alliances must be formed to try and catch the murderer.
Cari Dolan, new head of one of the most established and powerful mage houses must pair with childhood crush Mason Stray (an unaffiliated mage) to catch the culprit. This in itself was exciting. Not only do you have the dynamic of a shared past, but the whole Romeo and Juliet 'forbidden love' vibe as well, but when Mason's son is added to the mix you get even more intensity from the parent vibe, wherein a parent would do just about anything to keep their child safe. If that wasn't enough, Erin added some super heavy-duty antagonists to the mix to make things even more exciting and suspenseful.
In short, because I can't tell you more without seriously spoiling the story, Soul Kissed was wonderful and I highly recommend it. I do, however, recommend reading the entire series before taking the plunge. The book is able to be read alone, but there are characters re-introduced from earlier books of the series and some things referenced that make the novel so much more meaningful when you understand the history.
*eARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Just wow... I've been drawn in by the captivating magic of Erin's darkly poetic prose since day one, but this is definitely my favorite book of the series. Erin somehow managed to mesh dark urban fantasy with sweet paranormal romance in a heartfelt, dangerous, sexy miasma of literary goodness. Fan-freaking-tastic!
Now that the 'Shadow People' are out and humans are aware things aren't as quiet as they used to be. Not only are the mages at war with themselves and the Order, but now they have yet another group to be worried about. When a magickal plague starts targeting magekind, things get even more intense and unlikely alliances must be formed to try and catch the murderer.
Cari Dolan, new head of one of the most established and powerful mage houses must pair with childhood crush Mason Stray (an unaffiliated mage) to catch the culprit. This in itself was exciting. Not only do you have the dynamic of a shared past, but the whole Romeo and Juliet 'forbidden love' vibe as well, but when Mason's son is added to the mix you get even more intensity from the parent vibe, wherein a parent would do just about anything to keep their child safe. If that wasn't enough, Erin added some super heavy-duty antagonists to the mix to make things even more exciting and suspenseful.
In short, because I can't tell you more without seriously spoiling the story, Soul Kissed was wonderful and I highly recommend it. I do, however, recommend reading the entire series before taking the plunge. The book is able to be read alone, but there are characters re-introduced from earlier books of the series and some things referenced that make the novel so much more meaningful when you understand the history.
January 4, 2014
Shadow is restless and there is a deadly sickness sweeping through magekind. It has already killed Cari Dolan's father but some how she was spared. Someone is behind this monstrous disease and Cari must use her daunting magic to track the villain down. But she can't do it alone. Mason Stray, a mage without a House, is cajoled to join the hunt by Kaye Brand (Fire Kissed) in exchange for House protection for his young son. He'd do anything to spare his son from contracting this lethal ailment, even if it means being forced to work with the beautiful but spoiled and haughty head of Dolan house. But with their close proximity comes the revival of a teenage attraction. As the mage houses panic and fight for power, and the humans turn their fear into an uproar, a demented Fae rises from Shadow. Mason and Cari seem to be the only ones capable of saving magekind, but can they save their hearts in the process? Or will they be lost to each other?
Dark and enchanting, Erin Kellison is a master of spinning age-old fairy tales into a powerful and unique story encompassed in the captivating world of Shadow. Soul Kissed is the second book in the Shadow Kissed series which is a spin-off from Erin Kellison's riveting Shadow trilogy. Soul Kissed can be read as a stand-alone but there are characters that interconnect. The Shadow trilogy is one of my all-time favorite series so I definitely recommend you reading them if you haven't already.
Soul Kissed was faced paced and filled with danger and suspense. Each page brims with action and passion; you can almost imagine this magic being possible in the real world through the author's intricate story-telling. The relationship between characters are impressionable and believable. I absolutely loved Mason, his dedication and protectiveness, and I cannot wait for book three to see what unfolds next!
Dark and enchanting, Erin Kellison is a master of spinning age-old fairy tales into a powerful and unique story encompassed in the captivating world of Shadow. Soul Kissed is the second book in the Shadow Kissed series which is a spin-off from Erin Kellison's riveting Shadow trilogy. Soul Kissed can be read as a stand-alone but there are characters that interconnect. The Shadow trilogy is one of my all-time favorite series so I definitely recommend you reading them if you haven't already.
Soul Kissed was faced paced and filled with danger and suspense. Each page brims with action and passion; you can almost imagine this magic being possible in the real world through the author's intricate story-telling. The relationship between characters are impressionable and believable. I absolutely loved Mason, his dedication and protectiveness, and I cannot wait for book three to see what unfolds next!
November 5, 2013
Can an outcast mage find love with a Mage Princess?
That question is answered in Soul Kissed, the fifth novel set in Erin Kellison's world, where Shadow has infected this plane and non-magical humans remain mostly ignorant of the dire environmental changes. In this installment the mages have been outted on a large scale by a highly contagious, deadly plague that affects only them. Soul Kissed combines the excitement of that bio-terrorism with a sweet wrong side of the tracks romance.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/1...
July 8, 2013
This was my first time reading a book in this series and I was intrigued with the concept. Having no background on this supernatural world, it took me a little while to get into the book, but once I became involved withe the characters, I really started enjoying it!
Loved how the author dealt with social class issues and equality in this fictional world. Also loved that we got to see some of the younger kids of this world use their powers and how the develop.
I'll be reading more by this author and this series!
Loved how the author dealt with social class issues and equality in this fictional world. Also loved that we got to see some of the younger kids of this world use their powers and how the develop.
I'll be reading more by this author and this series!
June 2, 2024
The Dark Age is coming and there are those (like Kaye) who want to work with the Light to keep things from going totally ballistic and then there are the others (the powerful houses) who are planning on ruling over their own personal fiefdoms in a way that will likely not benefit humans. Cari is caught somewhere between. At least at first. When the plague takes her father and nearly kills her, she's suddenly the head of Dolan house and that comes with...intricacies.
Thanks to her surviving the plague, she's also tapped (by Kaye) to head the investigation on where it came from. Paired with her? Mason Stray. Who survived the plague for reasons that have nothing to do with a hearty constitution and everything to do with his uniqueness amongst magekind.
And, yes, Mason is unique. He's also a worried father who is willing to do anything to keep his son safe. Including pairing up with Cari, who he had a moment with years ago and who is now the head of a very powerful house. Considering he's a stray, things are a little tense when they start out.
Dark power, rogue angels, alliances, powerful fae, death (and also Death), familiar faces, dangerous times, a man who will cross any line to see his son survive, and a lady who has a slew of secrets suddenly revealed to her. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Thanks to her surviving the plague, she's also tapped (by Kaye) to head the investigation on where it came from. Paired with her? Mason Stray. Who survived the plague for reasons that have nothing to do with a hearty constitution and everything to do with his uniqueness amongst magekind.
And, yes, Mason is unique. He's also a worried father who is willing to do anything to keep his son safe. Including pairing up with Cari, who he had a moment with years ago and who is now the head of a very powerful house. Considering he's a stray, things are a little tense when they start out.
Dark power, rogue angels, alliances, powerful fae, death (and also Death), familiar faces, dangerous times, a man who will cross any line to see his son survive, and a lady who has a slew of secrets suddenly revealed to her. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
May 28, 2024
All Mason Stray wanted was to keep his son safe yes he was a master of shadow but he had secrets and one of them was he was part human with a soul something that mages do not have but without a house of mage with wards to keep his son safe he will do what’s required of him so he can secure a house and a future for his son Fletcher as the world around them is changing as there is a unnatural plague amongst the mage which is killing them off and Mason and Cari Dolan from the house of Dolan have been appointed by Brand and the council to figure out who is behind it an why but Cari has her own problems yes she wants to solve who’s behind the plague that is killing her kind including her father however since her fathers death Cari has came into a power of shadow so strong that it could kill her.. Cari and Mason have history is it possible for the attraction they once had to develop into something new and will it be the reason why Cari has a new reason to fight what’s to come to contain the evil that wants to take over the world!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2024
Soul Kissed is the fifth book in this complicated Shadow Series by Erin Kellison. By this time in the series I think it would enhance the enjoyment of this book if some or all of the previous books had been read. Not that Shadow would be entirely understood at least not by me. However, I am only human seeking to comprehend this complex world that has been created. I do hope that I would understand it better than some of the human protestors outside the Dolan House.
If this wonderfully intricate story does nothing else it serves as a reminder that one can chose to do the right thing, no one group is completely bad or good. Well maybe the wraiths are all evil but then that was a choice be each former person too. I was as unsure about Mason but that was almost cleared up early in the story. As for the magekind control battle, Cari Dolan lived up to all the heroines who came before her in this series. I expected no less. Then there is no way you couldn’t just love Fletcher aka Stealth. However, I was totally blown away by the conclusion, hoping that book six in now in the works.
If this wonderfully intricate story does nothing else it serves as a reminder that one can chose to do the right thing, no one group is completely bad or good. Well maybe the wraiths are all evil but then that was a choice be each former person too. I was as unsure about Mason but that was almost cleared up early in the story. As for the magekind control battle, Cari Dolan lived up to all the heroines who came before her in this series. I expected no less. Then there is no way you couldn’t just love Fletcher aka Stealth. However, I was totally blown away by the conclusion, hoping that book six in now in the works.
June 1, 2024
Fae foe and unexpected love
This is one wild ride of a short novella. So much happens here that I can't even begin to summarize it. Just say that there's a brink-of-disaster vibe throughout that kept me glued to the story. The threat to mages begins it, but by the end it's clear that Shadow's unrestrained entry into the world threatens mortals, mages, fae, and angels. It also threatens the assorted hybrids who have found lives, loves, and their purpose under the umbrella of the Segue Institute. Mages Mason and Cari, Segue's latest reluctant recruits, are the source of the final conflict as well as the catalyst for its resolution. That they begin as frenemies and end as lovers is a steamy bonus to a magic and mystery imbued thriller of the first order. Call this one UNMISSABLE paranormal romance read. This is my voluntary independent ARC review.
This is one wild ride of a short novella. So much happens here that I can't even begin to summarize it. Just say that there's a brink-of-disaster vibe throughout that kept me glued to the story. The threat to mages begins it, but by the end it's clear that Shadow's unrestrained entry into the world threatens mortals, mages, fae, and angels. It also threatens the assorted hybrids who have found lives, loves, and their purpose under the umbrella of the Segue Institute. Mages Mason and Cari, Segue's latest reluctant recruits, are the source of the final conflict as well as the catalyst for its resolution. That they begin as frenemies and end as lovers is a steamy bonus to a magic and mystery imbued thriller of the first order. Call this one UNMISSABLE paranormal romance read. This is my voluntary independent ARC review.
May 22, 2024
Interesting magic ideas, cool world building, and fun action! Plus, love a bit of mystery going on with finding out who’s responsible for a horrible plague that is killing mages. Cari and Mason are teamed up for the task of finding the culprit. Love how kick butt Cari is! She’s dealing with a lot; being a leader and you know, just a bit of possession, but her tenacity keeps her going. Mason is an outcast of sorts and has a son he’s worried about with the plague around; he doesn’t have the protection those belonging to mage houses have with their protective wards and such. Mason is willing to do whatever he needs to in order to help his son. Cari and Mason have a connection, but have many factors working against them. An entertaining read!
June 2, 2024
This is such an amazing world that the author has built. You definitely need to read the prior books in the series to know what is going on. And there is a lot going on.
Mason, considered a stray, has to work with Cari, an influential mage from a high standing house, have to work together to find the culprit that is killing mages with a “virus”. Masons son, Fletcher, plays a big part in the story. He was one of my favorite characters.
Lots of intrigue and mystery, and of course, the building romance. Love this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
Mason, considered a stray, has to work with Cari, an influential mage from a high standing house, have to work together to find the culprit that is killing mages with a “virus”. Masons son, Fletcher, plays a big part in the story. He was one of my favorite characters.
Lots of intrigue and mystery, and of course, the building romance. Love this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
June 6, 2024
eviewed in Australia on 6 June 2024
Mason is definitely unique. A worried father who is willing to do anything to keep his son safe. Including pairing up with someone he would normally avoid.
Interesting story that has you turning the pages long after you’d normally put the book down and get some sleep.
If you love tales of Angels, mages, a touch of romantic interest, and loyalty beyond expectations, this is for you,
Mason is definitely unique. A worried father who is willing to do anything to keep his son safe. Including pairing up with someone he would normally avoid.
Interesting story that has you turning the pages long after you’d normally put the book down and get some sleep.
If you love tales of Angels, mages, a touch of romantic interest, and loyalty beyond expectations, this is for you,
May 24, 2024
Absolutely Amazing!!
Erin Kellison truly has a gift for storytelling. I loved this entire series and am not sure if, with these re-releases, she's planning on revisiting this world; but I definitely want more!! Definitely start with the first book in the series. Otherwise, none of the latter books will make sense.
Erin Kellison truly has a gift for storytelling. I loved this entire series and am not sure if, with these re-releases, she's planning on revisiting this world; but I definitely want more!! Definitely start with the first book in the series. Otherwise, none of the latter books will make sense.
December 2, 2019
A long twisty tale. Sometimes I feel her books aren't edited right and the flow of the book is disruptedand it gets confusing. But all in all, the advenure is great and she has great ideas for plots.
Always enjoyable stories.
Always enjoyable stories.
May 28, 2024
Cari and Mason have a past. A connection. This is their story of how they finally found each other. Fletcher may be a child and Mason's son but he is smart and has a few tricks of his own. A detailed story that is a pleasure to read.
June 2, 2024
Love these characters and this setting! Cari and Mason are amazing together. Love the interactions and the way they handle the other Houses. Fletcher is an absolute gem of a kid, and will be a better adult!
July 31, 2021
This series keeps getting better and better! Just one question: where is Annabella?!
August 21, 2025
Since birth, the heroine has been groomed to succeed her father as head of their royal House but nothing can stop the anger and pain of having her father die. Especially because of a cursed disease that's sweeping across all magic kind. But mourn she will and then she'll become what she was always meant to be.
The position of power is balanced on a thin scale between order and chaos. Alliances, pride and the need to fill her fathers shoes leave the heroine with a daunting job ahead of her. This is made that much more difficult with the appearance of the head chair, a woman who is enemy to her family and whom the heroine eagerly anticipates putting an end to. But as it happens, the woman comes with news of a bargain and a chance at revenge.
The heroine, one of only a select number of mages who have survived the plague, must use her families gift to hunt down the one responsible. Her parent in this mission is none other then the Stray who captured her attention and her heart all those years ago and then vanished.
The hero has just recently comes to terms with the fact that he's human, meaning he has a soul. This means his son, the best thing that's ever happened to him risks being discovered as having tainted blood and killed by the purists of their race. He's kept him son safe until this point without a House or wards to protect them but he knows time is against them. Eventually, his love will not be enough to save him. So, he takes the bargain presented to him that if he hunts down the master of the plague, his son will be foster in a strong and protected House.
The hero meets the heroine, who he affectionately calls princess, and games of control being. Gone is the tender and easy going girl of youth and in her place is the cunning, ruthless and powerful head of her House. On one had he greatly admires her and on the other he worries for her. This fae who speaks to her and compels her with unimaginable power threatens to consume the woman he's come to love. He tries to dissuade her from accepting this power and it turns out his reputation as an honest man aids him. She begins to realize that this fae is not a good thing, that with this surge of power comes recklessness and dark things.
The heroine is prideful and strong but she is not stupid. And she is not weak. She will not be the weak link in the dynasty. In fact, she will be better than her father, better than anyone who came before because with her cunning intelligence and power magic comes mercy and compassion. She's her own woman and she'll make her own choices. This includes having the hero, an outcast and Stray, as her mate. But before she can conquer the game of politics she must find a way to destroy her fae ancestor else it mean the end of the world.
I found that this book, while decent enough, even quite got over that hill into remarkable territory. Rather, it felt kind of monotone and one note. There was a lack of spark that ignited Adams' story and made me love that book so very dearly. I can't say I disliked this book but it was pleasant. The characterization was spot on and I greatly admired the heroine as a lead and succumbed to the hero's sweet love for his son. Together they were just good. I felt the love between them but, I don't know, something was off.
The heroine was such a strong female character who had vulnerabilities but pushed through them and never once did she let anyone other the hero see them. She was firm and commanding without being a power hungry b***. The hero was a good man who wanted the best for his son and he everything he could while being a social outcast and looked down upon by the mages he served. Neither the less, he was a cool customer who knew what to do in each situation and was someone to be relied upon to be honest and forthcoming. He told the heroine flat out not to trust him, that his loyalty was to his son and the man fostering him but that didn't prevent him but also being extremely loyal to the girl he cared for all those years ago.
Together they had a great working relationship that blossomed into something more. 4 stars for the characters and 2 stars for the less than pleasing storyline. 3 star average and as such I think a fitting rating for the overall experience.
The position of power is balanced on a thin scale between order and chaos. Alliances, pride and the need to fill her fathers shoes leave the heroine with a daunting job ahead of her. This is made that much more difficult with the appearance of the head chair, a woman who is enemy to her family and whom the heroine eagerly anticipates putting an end to. But as it happens, the woman comes with news of a bargain and a chance at revenge.
The heroine, one of only a select number of mages who have survived the plague, must use her families gift to hunt down the one responsible. Her parent in this mission is none other then the Stray who captured her attention and her heart all those years ago and then vanished.
The hero has just recently comes to terms with the fact that he's human, meaning he has a soul. This means his son, the best thing that's ever happened to him risks being discovered as having tainted blood and killed by the purists of their race. He's kept him son safe until this point without a House or wards to protect them but he knows time is against them. Eventually, his love will not be enough to save him. So, he takes the bargain presented to him that if he hunts down the master of the plague, his son will be foster in a strong and protected House.
The hero meets the heroine, who he affectionately calls princess, and games of control being. Gone is the tender and easy going girl of youth and in her place is the cunning, ruthless and powerful head of her House. On one had he greatly admires her and on the other he worries for her. This fae who speaks to her and compels her with unimaginable power threatens to consume the woman he's come to love. He tries to dissuade her from accepting this power and it turns out his reputation as an honest man aids him. She begins to realize that this fae is not a good thing, that with this surge of power comes recklessness and dark things.
The heroine is prideful and strong but she is not stupid. And she is not weak. She will not be the weak link in the dynasty. In fact, she will be better than her father, better than anyone who came before because with her cunning intelligence and power magic comes mercy and compassion. She's her own woman and she'll make her own choices. This includes having the hero, an outcast and Stray, as her mate. But before she can conquer the game of politics she must find a way to destroy her fae ancestor else it mean the end of the world.
I found that this book, while decent enough, even quite got over that hill into remarkable territory. Rather, it felt kind of monotone and one note. There was a lack of spark that ignited Adams' story and made me love that book so very dearly. I can't say I disliked this book but it was pleasant. The characterization was spot on and I greatly admired the heroine as a lead and succumbed to the hero's sweet love for his son. Together they were just good. I felt the love between them but, I don't know, something was off.
The heroine was such a strong female character who had vulnerabilities but pushed through them and never once did she let anyone other the hero see them. She was firm and commanding without being a power hungry b***. The hero was a good man who wanted the best for his son and he everything he could while being a social outcast and looked down upon by the mages he served. Neither the less, he was a cool customer who knew what to do in each situation and was someone to be relied upon to be honest and forthcoming. He told the heroine flat out not to trust him, that his loyalty was to his son and the man fostering him but that didn't prevent him but also being extremely loyal to the girl he cared for all those years ago.
Together they had a great working relationship that blossomed into something more. 4 stars for the characters and 2 stars for the less than pleasing storyline. 3 star average and as such I think a fitting rating for the overall experience.
November 15, 2013
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.
Quick & Dirty: A mage and a Stray must work together to stop a deadly plague in this enchanting and engrossing novel by Erin Kellison.
Opening Sentence: Mason waited for his son to climb out of the car, then slammed the back passenger door shut.
The Review:
I’ve officially found a new favorite author! It’s going to be hard for me to write a coherent review because I currently feel like running around the room screaming “Oh my God, this book was awesome!” I will do my best to put my thoughts down in some semblance of order though.
Mages, angels, fae, and humans all exist in this wonderful world Erin Kellison has created; however, they do no co-exist peacefully. Someone has unleashed a plague that only targets mages, causing all of magekind to retreat to the safety of their Houses, which keep out the plague by way of the ward-stones that protect each House and its inhabitants.
Cari Dolan’s father has died from the plague, leaving her the official head of Dolan House. Amidst the turmoil of her grief and the humans’ rising displeasure with mages, Cari has also begun to hear a voice in her head, which is never a good sign.
Mason Stray has no house to claim him. Because of this, he has sometimes had to take unsavory jobs in order to provide for his 8-year-old son, Fletcher. When the head of the mage council offers Fletcher a fosterage in a House in return for Mason’s help tracking down the culprit behind the plague, he readily agrees.
Mason and Cari knew each other as teenagers, and both remember the night they almost became more than friends. Now, they must work together to find out who’s causing this plague before it’s too late.
I loved Cari as the heroine. She seemed very realistic to me, and it was fascinating to watch her struggle with her grief for her father, her desire to live up to his wishes for her, and her wish to be her own person. She is the very definition of a strong heroine.
Mason is an amazing leading man. It’s not often you see a single father in paranormal romance, and this makes Mason all the more attractive. His entire existence is centered around his son and his desire to keep him safe. From the moment I “met” him in the prologue, I was completely invested in this man getting his happily-ever-after.
The narration in the book covers multiple points of view, although events are most often told through the eyes of Mason and Cari. The switch in points of view did not negatively affect the flow of the book in my opinion. It was actually very interesting to see a different perspective from time to time.
It should also be mentioned that this is the second book in a series, and that this series is connected to Kellison’s earlier Shadow series. This is the first book I’ve read in either series, and I rarely had a problem understanding what was happening. What little confusion I had certainly didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book.
Suffice to say, I absolutely loved this book. It had my attention from page one, and by the time I read the last page of the epilogue, I was sad it was over. I will certainly be reading more books from this series and the series that came before it!
Notable Scene:
“Mayor Bingham has this idea that we’re all basically the same. And in many ways we are. Family, for example, is very important to us. And loyalty is one of our most prized character traits. Power, too, is highly sought after among my kind.”
Mason glanced over long enough to see the mayor’s smile faltering. Yeah, buddy. Little late now.
The crowd was utterly silent.
“But it’s best you know that we’re fundamentally different, so much so that there can never really be peace between us.” Cawl continued, “Point of fact, you humans have souls. We don’t. We have dark magic within us. There was a time when you humans used to hunt us down and burn us alive. It’s time for Shadow now.”
FTC Advisory: Zebra/Kensington provided me with a copy of Soul Kissed. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: A mage and a Stray must work together to stop a deadly plague in this enchanting and engrossing novel by Erin Kellison.
Opening Sentence: Mason waited for his son to climb out of the car, then slammed the back passenger door shut.
The Review:
I’ve officially found a new favorite author! It’s going to be hard for me to write a coherent review because I currently feel like running around the room screaming “Oh my God, this book was awesome!” I will do my best to put my thoughts down in some semblance of order though.
Mages, angels, fae, and humans all exist in this wonderful world Erin Kellison has created; however, they do no co-exist peacefully. Someone has unleashed a plague that only targets mages, causing all of magekind to retreat to the safety of their Houses, which keep out the plague by way of the ward-stones that protect each House and its inhabitants.
Cari Dolan’s father has died from the plague, leaving her the official head of Dolan House. Amidst the turmoil of her grief and the humans’ rising displeasure with mages, Cari has also begun to hear a voice in her head, which is never a good sign.
Mason Stray has no house to claim him. Because of this, he has sometimes had to take unsavory jobs in order to provide for his 8-year-old son, Fletcher. When the head of the mage council offers Fletcher a fosterage in a House in return for Mason’s help tracking down the culprit behind the plague, he readily agrees.
Mason and Cari knew each other as teenagers, and both remember the night they almost became more than friends. Now, they must work together to find out who’s causing this plague before it’s too late.
I loved Cari as the heroine. She seemed very realistic to me, and it was fascinating to watch her struggle with her grief for her father, her desire to live up to his wishes for her, and her wish to be her own person. She is the very definition of a strong heroine.
Mason is an amazing leading man. It’s not often you see a single father in paranormal romance, and this makes Mason all the more attractive. His entire existence is centered around his son and his desire to keep him safe. From the moment I “met” him in the prologue, I was completely invested in this man getting his happily-ever-after.
The narration in the book covers multiple points of view, although events are most often told through the eyes of Mason and Cari. The switch in points of view did not negatively affect the flow of the book in my opinion. It was actually very interesting to see a different perspective from time to time.
It should also be mentioned that this is the second book in a series, and that this series is connected to Kellison’s earlier Shadow series. This is the first book I’ve read in either series, and I rarely had a problem understanding what was happening. What little confusion I had certainly didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book.
Suffice to say, I absolutely loved this book. It had my attention from page one, and by the time I read the last page of the epilogue, I was sad it was over. I will certainly be reading more books from this series and the series that came before it!
Notable Scene:
“Mayor Bingham has this idea that we’re all basically the same. And in many ways we are. Family, for example, is very important to us. And loyalty is one of our most prized character traits. Power, too, is highly sought after among my kind.”
Mason glanced over long enough to see the mayor’s smile faltering. Yeah, buddy. Little late now.
The crowd was utterly silent.
“But it’s best you know that we’re fundamentally different, so much so that there can never really be peace between us.” Cawl continued, “Point of fact, you humans have souls. We don’t. We have dark magic within us. There was a time when you humans used to hunt us down and burn us alive. It’s time for Shadow now.”
FTC Advisory: Zebra/Kensington provided me with a copy of Soul Kissed. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
October 10, 2013
The mage world is divided, but both sides will have to rally if they want to stop the plague that kills indescribably. Cari Dolan becomes the leader of house Dolan when her father is struck down by the plague. She survives the sickness, and is asked to discover who is infecting the mages. The catch is that she must work with Mason Stray. Mason hasn’t been touched by the plague, but is deeply worried his son might get it. He is desperate to enter a mage house where there is protection for his child. Bran house sets up a deal for his son to foster at Webb house if he teams up with Cari to put a stop to the sickness.
Soul Kissed is book two in the Shadow Kissed series. It’s a novel that can be read alone, although characters from Fire Kissed, the first book, do make an appearance. Both books are set in the same world as Kellison’s Shadow trilogy. Each book has so far featured a different couple. The events of the Shadow Kissed series take place after the events of the Shadow series. Mages no longer hide from the public, and the clash between their great houses takes center stage in this series.
The novel starts in a prologue from Mason when the plague makes its first appearance. It’s easy to feel for Mason. While other mages can hide from the sickness in great houses, warded by family stones, Mason is a Stray, belonging to no house. That leaves him and his boy, Fletcher, open to the plague. He ends up leaving Fletcher at Webb house, not knowing when the next time he’ll see the boy will be. Heart bleeding over his own loss, he teams up with Cari, who is still grieving over her father’s death. He liked her before, when they were just teens, but as time goes on and they help one another a true bond forms.
The plague isn’t Cari’s only problem. When she goes to the scene of her father’s death, she starts to hear a fae in her head. The fae tells her that she is Meave, and that she created the Dolan family line. Meave grants her more shadow power than she’s ever had before. Along with her working with Mason, and trusting him more and more, she has to discover whatever she can about Meave. More importantly, who is using who? There is a lot about this situation that I’m not going into, in fear of spoilers.
Kellison uses a lot of fairy tale type situations in her stories. Soul Kissed has some Cinderella qualities in that Cari has a step-mother and two step sisters. Though they are far from evil, but then again, they weren’t very essential to the story. None of the trio felt very developed. If anyone were a Cinderella it would be Mason who fights tooth and nail forever inch, until Cari (in a way) saves him. He saves her as well. There are some things in the novel, like the step-family, that had little weight into the plot, and some simple miscommunication that seemed to drag the plot forward.
On a whole Soul Kissed was an enjoyable read. I liked the story more than I liked the last one, but I still want more out of this series. Kellison’s Shadowman is still my favorite of her novels, and I’m hoping the next one will blow it away.
- Beth
Soul Kissed is book two in the Shadow Kissed series. It’s a novel that can be read alone, although characters from Fire Kissed, the first book, do make an appearance. Both books are set in the same world as Kellison’s Shadow trilogy. Each book has so far featured a different couple. The events of the Shadow Kissed series take place after the events of the Shadow series. Mages no longer hide from the public, and the clash between their great houses takes center stage in this series.
The novel starts in a prologue from Mason when the plague makes its first appearance. It’s easy to feel for Mason. While other mages can hide from the sickness in great houses, warded by family stones, Mason is a Stray, belonging to no house. That leaves him and his boy, Fletcher, open to the plague. He ends up leaving Fletcher at Webb house, not knowing when the next time he’ll see the boy will be. Heart bleeding over his own loss, he teams up with Cari, who is still grieving over her father’s death. He liked her before, when they were just teens, but as time goes on and they help one another a true bond forms.
The plague isn’t Cari’s only problem. When she goes to the scene of her father’s death, she starts to hear a fae in her head. The fae tells her that she is Meave, and that she created the Dolan family line. Meave grants her more shadow power than she’s ever had before. Along with her working with Mason, and trusting him more and more, she has to discover whatever she can about Meave. More importantly, who is using who? There is a lot about this situation that I’m not going into, in fear of spoilers.
Kellison uses a lot of fairy tale type situations in her stories. Soul Kissed has some Cinderella qualities in that Cari has a step-mother and two step sisters. Though they are far from evil, but then again, they weren’t very essential to the story. None of the trio felt very developed. If anyone were a Cinderella it would be Mason who fights tooth and nail forever inch, until Cari (in a way) saves him. He saves her as well. There are some things in the novel, like the step-family, that had little weight into the plot, and some simple miscommunication that seemed to drag the plot forward.
On a whole Soul Kissed was an enjoyable read. I liked the story more than I liked the last one, but I still want more out of this series. Kellison’s Shadowman is still my favorite of her novels, and I’m hoping the next one will blow it away.
- Beth
September 10, 2013
This book is a stand alone novel, which is more its downfall than its strength. This is the fifth book in the Shadow universe and the second Shadow Kissed book but it feels very disjointed from its predecessors. I have not read the Shadow series, but I did read the first book in this series Fired Kissed. This book felt so different from the last, I forgot that it was part of the same series. I wish the book had started with a brief synopsis and a glossary of terms. Fire Kissed came out more than a year ago, and I forgot so much, a refresher would have been nice. Kaye Brand does make an appearance at he beginning of the book but it is more in passing. A bit more than half way through the book we are shown an in-depth interaction with past characters, but it doesn’t solve the problem.
Cari is a okay herione. When we are introduced to her she is dealing with a major amount of stress. There is a disease ravaging mage kind, she has just lost her father, and she is thrust into the role of head of her house. However I never felt like I got see her personality. She just sort of blurred into the typical urban fantasy/paranormal romance lead female character that is strong but truly desires a alpha male to lean on.
Mason is a cool hero. No brooding, but a lot of suspicion on his part which as a stray is justified. However I wish there’d been time spent delving more into his past. For instance we know that his father was human but who was his mother? What house was she from? Did she raise him? If not who did? Why didn’t any of the angels at the Segue tell him he had a soul? And most importantly why was he so quick to sign Fletcher over to Webb? I know it was for his safety but there were several problems with the deal. It was brought to Mason by the angels, a group he doesn’t trust because until very recently the goal was to wipe mage kind from the earth. So knowing how manipulative the houses are why didn’t Mason fight more for the choice, especially since he already has a relationship with Brand house. Why didn’t Mason even suggest that Kaye take Fletcher? Also why don’t the strays form a alliance, even though they may not have ward stones there is safety in numbers. And they can still make wards. Mason even had a home and land where he could’ve built a “Stray House”.
The story has a very slow start, and felt tedious at time, but more than half way through the book the action picks up. The ending was good and there was no cliffhanger. I don’t know who the next book will follow, but I do know that Fletcher was a trip. That kid was my favorite character and I can’t wait to see what kind of man he becomes. I like this world so I will read the nest book, and I give this one 2.5 stars.
Cari is a okay herione. When we are introduced to her she is dealing with a major amount of stress. There is a disease ravaging mage kind, she has just lost her father, and she is thrust into the role of head of her house. However I never felt like I got see her personality. She just sort of blurred into the typical urban fantasy/paranormal romance lead female character that is strong but truly desires a alpha male to lean on.
Mason is a cool hero. No brooding, but a lot of suspicion on his part which as a stray is justified. However I wish there’d been time spent delving more into his past. For instance we know that his father was human but who was his mother? What house was she from? Did she raise him? If not who did? Why didn’t any of the angels at the Segue tell him he had a soul? And most importantly why was he so quick to sign Fletcher over to Webb? I know it was for his safety but there were several problems with the deal. It was brought to Mason by the angels, a group he doesn’t trust because until very recently the goal was to wipe mage kind from the earth. So knowing how manipulative the houses are why didn’t Mason fight more for the choice, especially since he already has a relationship with Brand house. Why didn’t Mason even suggest that Kaye take Fletcher? Also why don’t the strays form a alliance, even though they may not have ward stones there is safety in numbers. And they can still make wards. Mason even had a home and land where he could’ve built a “Stray House”.
The story has a very slow start, and felt tedious at time, but more than half way through the book the action picks up. The ending was good and there was no cliffhanger. I don’t know who the next book will follow, but I do know that Fletcher was a trip. That kid was my favorite character and I can’t wait to see what kind of man he becomes. I like this world so I will read the nest book, and I give this one 2.5 stars.
July 10, 2014
I received this for an honest review~
The multifaceted world Mason and Cari live in is much like the world today. Just add a touch of Shadow magic, angels, mages, wraiths and you almost have it. Mason Stray is facing the most difficult decision of his life; with a plague killing off magekind can he leave his son to find the cause, knowing that Fletcher (his son) doesn’t stand a chance without a warded house to protect him. Mason and Cari have history, he was the “Ungettable get” “The one that got away” in their youth. Cari now the “Dolan”, mage royalty in her own right and Mason is just considered a “Stray” unclaimed and basically lesser to magekind, you can imagine what a union between them could unravel. With chaos and death at every turn, this is the perfect opportunity to see what they could become! Now both working together to face the maker of this terrible epidemic, will they prevail or will the world as they know it be cloaked in darkness?
" He initiated a conversation in an old language she didn't know, but in spite of the thumping of her heart, found she could understand perfectly. His mouth said, I want you. I need you. I'm hungry for you. And she responded by wrapping an arm around his neck and repeating the words right back in her own feminine dialect"
Cari’s so complex in her struggle: Can she keep her royal house together? Will she make her late father proud? Will Maeve aka Mad Mab surface and claim all the pretty things for herself? Damn being a woman is hard enough, but tack on these issues and the woman can’t help but erupt.
" Maeve pushed the girls chin up with her thumb. Her head still lolled a bit to the side. "She is broken."Ally. Hmm. Do we shed tears of happiness, or do we weep?"
Mason Stray though he had love once, but it turned against him and now his son. Both cast side by Liv aka baby mama, is he more than what she and everyone else thinks or just another Stray? God I love an underdog! Battling not only the dark forces but also everyone’s lesser opinions!! Provem’-wrong-kinda-attitude!!!
This was one of the best paranormal series I have read. The romance doesn’t overshadow the action; it just builds up and then erupts. So carefully written is this other world humans mingle in, so many angles this series can sprout. I started this book and 6 hrs later I am itching to get my hands on another book by Erin Kellison. She has a flair for keeping it simple and yet complex. You don’t get lost in translation with this new world of hers you blend right in. So easy to follow and let yourself get completely engrossed. If you like Epic Paranormal reads this is a series to add to your MUST HAVE LIST!
The multifaceted world Mason and Cari live in is much like the world today. Just add a touch of Shadow magic, angels, mages, wraiths and you almost have it. Mason Stray is facing the most difficult decision of his life; with a plague killing off magekind can he leave his son to find the cause, knowing that Fletcher (his son) doesn’t stand a chance without a warded house to protect him. Mason and Cari have history, he was the “Ungettable get” “The one that got away” in their youth. Cari now the “Dolan”, mage royalty in her own right and Mason is just considered a “Stray” unclaimed and basically lesser to magekind, you can imagine what a union between them could unravel. With chaos and death at every turn, this is the perfect opportunity to see what they could become! Now both working together to face the maker of this terrible epidemic, will they prevail or will the world as they know it be cloaked in darkness?
" He initiated a conversation in an old language she didn't know, but in spite of the thumping of her heart, found she could understand perfectly. His mouth said, I want you. I need you. I'm hungry for you. And she responded by wrapping an arm around his neck and repeating the words right back in her own feminine dialect"
Cari’s so complex in her struggle: Can she keep her royal house together? Will she make her late father proud? Will Maeve aka Mad Mab surface and claim all the pretty things for herself? Damn being a woman is hard enough, but tack on these issues and the woman can’t help but erupt.
" Maeve pushed the girls chin up with her thumb. Her head still lolled a bit to the side. "She is broken."Ally. Hmm. Do we shed tears of happiness, or do we weep?"
Mason Stray though he had love once, but it turned against him and now his son. Both cast side by Liv aka baby mama, is he more than what she and everyone else thinks or just another Stray? God I love an underdog! Battling not only the dark forces but also everyone’s lesser opinions!! Provem’-wrong-kinda-attitude!!!
This was one of the best paranormal series I have read. The romance doesn’t overshadow the action; it just builds up and then erupts. So carefully written is this other world humans mingle in, so many angles this series can sprout. I started this book and 6 hrs later I am itching to get my hands on another book by Erin Kellison. She has a flair for keeping it simple and yet complex. You don’t get lost in translation with this new world of hers you blend right in. So easy to follow and let yourself get completely engrossed. If you like Epic Paranormal reads this is a series to add to your MUST HAVE LIST!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews