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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Review! First Impression by Pauline Creeden

Chira Kelly thought she didn’t need anyone…until she met Ben.

Because of one ugly rumor, Chira lives as an outcast at her school. Which is fine with her, because she works better alone. Always has, always will. And at least she has her one and only true friend, Tasha. When Tasha insists that they join a group to visit a possibly haunted abandoned old schoolhouse, she's wary, but joins her friend. Because of that decision, their lives are in jeopardy as a malevolent spirit targets the group. Tragedies and accidents pick them off one by one, and Chira finds herself drawn to the one person who can see the truth. But can he protect her?
 



Title: First Impression (Shadow Maven #1)

Author: Pauline Creeden

Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Publication Date: March 31, 2014



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18482849-sundark 
     

The cover immediately got my attention. Everything about it drew me in, from the excellent color palette to the title treatment to the model’s expression. Then, I read the blurb, and I knew this book was for me.

First Impression is a perfect blend of paranormal and mystery, and characters with depth.

The story opens with a Harry Potter reference, which I find fantastic. At school, Chira is assigned the task of showing Ben, a new transfer, to his classes. He's quiet and mysterious, yet Chira finds herself attracted to him. As an outcast at school, Chira has only one friend, but Tasha is as loyal as they come. I imagine Tasha’s fierce loyalty stems from her rock solid home life with a close-knit, loving family.

It’s Tasha’s idea to meet a group of classmates at the old schoolhouse to check it out as a possibility for a Halloween party. After all, it’s supposed to be haunted. That’s where the mystery and fun begins. No spoilers here, though.

First Impression is a quick, clean read, and appropriate even for adolescents. It’s a perfect balance of paranormal and mystery, with just a dash of romance, which suits me just fine. I’m definitely looking forward to Shadow Maven #2, but I hope it’s just a bit longer so I can get my fix of Ben and his mysterious owl.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


 
In simple language, Pauline Creeden creates worlds that are both familiar and strange, often pulling the veil between dimensions. She becomes the main character in each of her stories, and because she has ADD, she will get bored if she pretends to be one person for too long.

Pauline is a horse trainer from Virginia, but writing is her therapy.

Armored Hearts, her joint effort with author Melissa Turner Lee, has been a #1 Bestseller in Christian Fantasy and been awarded the Crowned Heart for Excellence by InDtale Magazine.

Her debut novel, Sanctuary, won 1st Place Christian YA Title 2013 Dante Rosetti Award and is now available as an audiobook. #1 Bestseller on Amazon in Christian Sci/Fi and Fantasy (October 2013)

One of Pauline's short stories has won the CCW Short Story contest. Other short stories have been published in Fear & Trembling Magazine, Obsidian River and Avenir Eclectia. An urban fantasy short will appear in The Book of Sylvari: An Anthology of Elves from Port Yonder Press, and a vampire short will appear in Monsters! from Diminished Media Group. 



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