Sandra @ My Fiction Nook

From the blurb:WHISPER CAPE is a town of secrets and Addison MacKenna soon becomes tangled in a web of them. Believing that her continual and worsening nightmares are both the key to her own new abilities and the clue to her father’s death, Addie knows she will not rest until she has the answers she craves.The only one who can protect her, instruct her in the use of her powers and teach her how to destroy the murderous monster is the same man who makes Addie’s heart race and her blood heat with passion. Cael Sheridan may be arrogant and mysterious but he's also undeniably gorgeous. A member of a secret society, he is sworn to protect the woman he believes to be the daughter of his recently murdered mentor. In the process, he finds it impossible to resist her magnetic sensuality, complicating his efforts to shield and guide her as she learns to manage her newly acquired skills. At the same time, Addison has much to teach him about trust and commitment. Fate has brought them together, but will it make them stronger or destroy them both in end? In her debut novel, Regan Walsh combines elements of the supernatural with a contemporary love story, and a cast of mostly believable characters. It's a story of good vs. evil, of falling in love, of finding out truths you never expected, all set against a romantic backdrop of a small coastal town. The writing is mostly crisp, though in some areas could use a little tightening and shortening. Some of the characterizations fell flat for me - they were one-dimensional and superficial. Take Darcy, for example, Addie's best friend and co-worker. Her only purpose in this book seems to be torturing her ex-boyfriend by flaunting her dates in front him, as punishment for his having cheated while he was drunk out of his mind, something he doesn't even remember. They've been broken up for a year, he's still in love with her, she still loves him but instead of having a real conversation and working things out, she just runs into other men's arms so he can be hurting as much as he hurt her. Vindictive, eh? She has no redeeming qualities I could see, and though she's involved in the eventual climax of the book, despite her tough chick exterior, she ends up the damsel in distress. And poor, mistreated, cheating, moping Jared. I felt sorry for him, but I was glad that he finally manned up and told Darcy how he really feels. Can you say Breakthrough?Gerry, Addie's 'Uncle', who dates her aunt, is her boss as well, and he is much too involved in his niece's affairs for my taste, almost to a point where he is treating her like a child. Towards the end, as his secret is revealed, I was able to forgive him for his antics because he had a good reason, but all throughout the book I wanted to punch him for butting in where his nose didn't belong. (I wondered for a while if this diner is the only place to work in this town, since four of the characters in this book worked there.)Then there's Cael. He's a great hero but plagued by the cliched 'man who cannot deal with his emotions'. He's fighting what he's starting to feel for Addie until his mother (!) sets him straight. Yeah...okay, then. Edward Cullen, much? I'll hurt your feelings but it's only for your own good. Jerk!And the insta-love - ugh, that irked me. After their first 'date', Addie and Cael have sex. Immediately after, both are thinking they are in love. But hey, let's not tell anyone because, you know, we just met. It's too soon. No - if it's too soon, then don't have your characters fall in love. Because they're not, if they are questioning it. Love does not equal lust. The best part of this book were the supernatural elements. That was some cool stuff. Teleporting? Healing touches/chants? Turning into any animal you want to be? Where do I sign up??? Regan Walsh also does a superb job with her descriptive writing of the town and surrounding area. I want to visit this place. It sounds amazing. Overall, this is a very good first effort. I couldn't find any plot holes (yay) and I enjoyed the story, some of which invoked some strong emotions. At about 80%, right at the climax, I was so involved, I couldn't stop reading until the end. This author also has a sequel coming out soon, which will tell Gerry (the uncle) and Maia's (the aunt) story. I'm looking forward to it. I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.