#ThrowbackThursday – author Melissa Stevens – Book Review

Renee began the Throwback Thursday meme on her blog, “It’s Book Talk“ to share some of her old favorites as well as sharing books published over a year ago. Sounded like a good reason to join! Hopefully, you’ll find either a story or author that interests you and you’ll check them out. And, if you’d like to join the fun, you’re welcome to use Renee’s pic from her website. Just provide the link back to her please).

This week I am highlighting author Melissa Stevens and stepping considerably beyond my comfort zone in genres (shape-shifting, fantasy). I met Melissa when I also had a table at the craft fair in Yuma at the Country Roads RV Park, probably my favorite of the delightful RV parks where I sold my grandfather’s books during the winters of 2013/14 and 2014/15. Melissa published Change, the first in the Kitsune series in January 2012 (which I reviewed on Goodreads), and was light years ahead of me in promotion. She obviously had a solid marketing plan and knew how to manipulate the ins and outs of Kindle and Smashwords. Change was newly revised in 2017. She is a prolific author who has gone on to writing stand alones, another series, as well as collaborating with another author. She was part of Wicked After Dark, a paranormal romance anthology that hit #13 on the New York Times Bestseller’s list in October of 2015. It would appear she is progressing nicely!

Originally posted April 1, 2014

Book Blurb:

A sudden life-threatening injury turns Nickie’s world on its ear, but not in a way she ever would have predicted. Nickie finds out that not only do shape-shifters exist, but she is one. The Kitsune are a race of shape-shifters that have been living in secret alongside humans for centuries. As Nickie struggles to master her newly discovered shape-shifting and the abilities it brings her, she learns that some of the people in her life are far more than she knew. Can Nickie handle all the changes headed her way on her own? Or does she have someone who can help her?

My Review:

Nickie and her friend Brandon are out for a lovely June romp in the hills when an accident happens that will change her life forever. Fortunately, Brandon is aware of the possible circumstance and knows what to do, so Nickie is not only protected but steered into all the proper channels for learning what she is and how to handle it, though learning you are a shape-shifter in your 20’s is not an easy thing to do!

Brandon has been a life-long friend and part of the Kindred pack from which she becomes a part. It is Melissa Stevens’ first book of the Kitsune, so she is careful to describe each development as it manifests in Nickie. Nickie is introduced to pack doctrine and hierarchy, members who can further teach her to handle the new pressures, struggles, and strengths she will confront.

Nickie also discovers Devon, a non-shifting member who was away for years serving in the Army until his own untimely accident and medical discharge. Nickie quickly becomes an integral and powerful part of her local Kindred pack and contributes her time as well as talents where they will be best served and gratefully acknowledged.

Obviously not a genre I usually read, but a book with quite the unique spin to a subject matter of interest to the younger generation. I love being introduced to new ideas that challenge the imagination and cross the genre aisles. No longer caught in a reading rut now that I’ve braved a shape-shifting book, I think I’m ready to tackle steampunk!

About the Author:

Born and raised in Arizona, Melissa has spent her entire life living across the southern half of the state. She’s found that, along with her husband and four children, she prefers the small towns and rural life to feeling packed into a city.
She started reading at a very young age, and her love for series started early, as the first real books she remembers reading is the Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner. Through the years she’s found that there’s little she won’t read, and her tastes vary from westerns to romance, to sci-fi/fantasy and Horror. In her downtime, Melissa enjoys knitting, crocheting, watching tv with her family and reading. She’s been writing since 2009 and published since 2012. She hit the New York Times Bestsellers list for what she hopes is the first time in October of 2015.

More Throwback Thursday Blogs

Renee at Its Book Talk

Jill at Jill’s Book Cafe

Rebecca at The Book Whisperer

Lynn at Fictionophile

Sam at Clues and Reviews

Holly B at Dressedtoread

Deanna at DeesRadReads and Reviews

Amanda at Literary Weaponry

Annie at The Misstery

Mischenko at Read Rant Rock and Roll

Laurie at Cozy Nook Books

Ann Marie at LItWitWineDine

©2018 V Williams