Hi everyone! Thanks for checking out The Lebrus Stone by Miriam Khan. Today I have a review for you. Let me show you some goodies!! :)
Book &Author Details:
The Lebrus Stone by Miriam Khan
Publication date: November 28th 2014
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publication date: November 28th 2014
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Synopsis:
When eighteen-year-old orphan, Crystal Valdez, accepts an invitation to the small town of Blacksville, West Virginia, she hopes to have a summer to remember and a chance to learn more about her parents, to also get to know the family she never knew existed.
But the Lockes begin to act strange and erratic; eerie movements in the night fuel her vivid and gruesome nightmares. To complicate her summer further, she becomes attracted to the menacing yet handsome Cray Locke: her none blood related cousin.
He seems determined to keep his distance. The only bonus to her trip seems to be the housekeeper and gardener.
And when a local informs Crystal of the secrets buried at Thorncrest Manor, the kind consisting of a forbidden relationship and a war between hidden worlds, and witchcraft, she must decide whom to trust. Even if it means leaving behind those she has come to love.
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Excerpt
I lay back and tried not to over think things to calm the storm in my head, but a knock on my door moments later interrupted it.
"Come in!" I called out, sitting up to retrieve my book.
Syd entered, carrying in what looked like a sandwich and a glass of her homemade lemonade.
I could have done with a hot soup.
But I blew a sigh of relief it wasn't one of the Lockes.
"Isobel said to make sure you had some lunch by now," she said, placing the tray on my bedside cabinet.
"Thanks, Syd."
"Any reason why you're hiding in here?" she asked as she sat on my bed.
I tensed. Being told I was hiding annoyed me, but I wasn't annoyed at Syd, just at myself. I had come too far in life to start acting like a coward, especially over something clearly in my head.
I fingered the dog-eared cover of my book.
"I think I just need a quiet day to myself. It could be some type of…delayed jet lag." It could be partly true, I thought. It had taken two flights to get from Salt Lake City to Blacksville; six hours in total. I smiled, pleased with the conclusion. Exhaustion could have been why I had such a freakish dream.
"I see," Syd said, seeming unconvinced. "Well, do you think you'll be joining the Lockes for dinner?"
"Do I have to?" No matter how much I was becoming fond of Syd, she worked for the Lockes. They could try and make her tell me what do.
"No." She chuckled. "But I think you should try to interact. Cray's alright, by the way. A little scratch like that won't do a boy like him any harm."
Boy like him?
So, I had hurt him. My chest tightened.
"Oh, don't look so beat up about it, honey. The boy is as tough as old boots." She chuckled again. "And luckily for you, he's not as vain about his looks as you would think. He won't hold what happened against you." She patted my hand.
I gulped. "Has he…said something?"
"No. He left early this morning. He didn't say where he was going, and Isobel never dares ask these days. He's a very private person, as you've probably noticed. She respects that. We all do." She looked lost in thought for a moment, then smiled in her sad little way, and asked, "So, are you ready to talk about what happened last night?"
My mouth felt too clamped to begin
"I have to say, not many girls would have left home to meet so many strangers. I admire your courage."
Her comment only made me sound irresponsible. I gritted my teeth.
"I don't feel very courageous," I admitted. "I feel pretty stupid right now."
Thanks for the added comment to make me feel even more naive, I wanted to add.
"I don't think five months was long enough to think this through," I said.
She nodded. "Maybe. But everything happens for a reason. You followed your heart. It's all you can do in life. It's your only real compass."
I wanted us to keep talking. When Syd wasn't nicely pointing out my flaws, she had a way of calming me until I felt optimistic about my trip again. But she had dinner to prepare, so she reluctantly left me after insisting I get ready to face my evening with the Lockes.
Something about her was becoming familiar. It could have been the warmth in her eyes and how they reminded me of Selma. She had always been as hospitable and over helpful.
I still missed her. Talking to Syd was like getting back something that had been cruelly taken away, too. It wasn't just my parents I'd lost, but my pride, self-worth, my best friend, at times my composure. It had been an uphill struggle this past year or so. But I was finally feeling on top of things…I think.
I sure wasn't going to let it keep me down.
Coming to Blacksville was my new start as the new and improved me. I really had to keep believing that.
My Review
So, I originally did a blitz for this book, and it sounded so interesting, so when the author offered me a review copy, I of course said yes! It's gritty, dark, gloomy, full of intrigue and mystery. Crystal has a lot to learn about so many things. And she's leaving behind the few people she does know and trust to go on an adventure to meet new people she isn't sure about who claim to be her long lost family. And it isn't always so welcoming there.
Crystal has had a rough go at life. An orphan who lived in group homes, she's cared for herself for a long time. She doesn't trust or rely on anyone but herself. Then a woman shows up at her work saying she's her aunt, and she knew her parents and has some things to explain. Then she somehow talks Crystal into going across the country to where her home is. So Crystal is on a journey to see where her mother came from and why her mom ran away from it. As well as meet her cousins who aren't technically her cousins by blood. LOL It's complicated see. Crystal is an interesting character. She's hardened over time. She doesn't like emotions, she needs to be strong all the time, and yet she's an emotional mess on the inside. She feels like she needs answers about her parent's death, and she's stuck trying to figure out her past that she never really lives her present. Nor can she move on to her future. So she travels to the gloomy town of Blacksville, to Thorncrest Manor, or shall I say creeptastic Mansion LOL.
When Crystal arrives, it's like no one but the gardner and the cook care. No one even greets her. Plus the house and weather are gloomy all the damn time. When she does finally meet her family, no one really even gives her time to say hello, they don't care that she's there. It didn't start off so nice for her. And then Cray comes into the picture. Crystal is drawn towards him immediately. Things are not as they seem. There are so many secrets and unexplained things floating around.
The writing is well done. I loved the ghosts towards the beginning that totally freaked Crystal, and myself, out! And the family secrets and witchy things going on :) My only complaint is that I wish the characters and their relationships were explored a little more. Like Crystal and her coworkers. Yes, we are told about them, and we see a little interaction, but if these two people have been her only trust system for a while, I would have liked a little bit more, instead of just a description of Crystal's opinions. And with the whole Locke family, I know some explanations are given, but maybe a little more back story, or in depth interactions. I know it's just me and I like a good bit of detail to help give me a feel for each character, and that isn't always easy when told from the main characters pov. Anyways, the plot and mystery kept the pages turning, and there's such a wonderful way the gloom sucks you into the story. The dark, noir feel to the place keeps you on your toes. And things are explained, but not completely, so we'll be seeing more. I'm going to say I look forward to book two of this series. :) 4.5 WITCHY GHOSTLY PAWS :)
Dream Cast
AUTHOR BIO:
Crystal
Cray
Gal
Isobel
Sydney
TJ
Zella
AUTHOR BIO:
Miriam is from Cheshire, England and a family of six siblings. Her love for creativity led to acting at her local theatre before being a lead vocalist in rock bands. During those years, she often found solace penning her thoughts and feelings through lyrics or poetry. She chose not to continue singing in 2006, and two years later she woke up with the idea for The Lebrus Stone and began typing. revising and editing it for the next six years. She is now eager to see what readers will think.
I hope you guys check this one out! ;) Happy reading and later gators!
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