Fire on the Island by J.K. Hogan Review and Giveaway for Reading Addiction Blog Tour

Paranormal Romance

Title: Fire on the Island

Author: J.K. Hogan

Date to be Published: 8/2/12

Publisher: Sapphire Publishing

Synopsis

“She who wields the mark is the barrier between man and monster. She is the daughter of gods, the mother of man, protector of all. Vigilati Usque Ad Mortem”

All Isla Macallen wanted was a simple existence on her little Scottish island, free from her mother’s insanity and the prying eyes of neighbors. What she got was embroiled in a war for the souls of mankind. A war of good versus evil, of witches versus demons, and Isla learns that she alone can end it.

Dr. Jeremiah Rousseau was a self-proclaimed nomad, traveling the world researching paranormal phenomena. He doesn’t expect his research to lead him to Scotland, and to the woman who will turn his world upside down.

Together with a facetious shapeshifting animal spirit guide, Jeremiah and Isla discover that she is part of an ancient bloodline bred to protect the gateways between the human world and the spirit world, to keep evil demons from destroying them. They must find the key to defeating Alastore, the demon king, and closing the gate before Samhain, when the veil between the worlds is lifted. As the war for their souls wages around them, Isla and Jeremiah will risk it all for love—a love neither had ever thought possible

Author Bio

J.K. Hogan has been telling stories for as long as she can remember, beginning with writing cast lists and storylines for her toys growing up. When she finally decided to put pen to paper, magic happened. She is greatly inspired by all kinds of music and often creates a “soundtrack” for her stories as she writes them.

J.K. resides in North Carolina, where she was born and raised. A true southern girl at heart, she lives on a farm with her husband and their three horses, one miniature donkey, one cat, and two champion agility dogs.

In addition to writing, she enjoys training and competing in dog sports, spending time with her large southern family, camping, boating and, of course, reading! Please feel free to visit J.K.’s contact page—she’d love to hear from you!

Publisher Website

Author Website

Twitter: @JK_Hogan

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Read an Excerpt:

            "It's a whole hive of the things," Jeremiah whispered. The auchrim merely stared at them, unmoving. Through the enveloping mist, they were strangely androgynous. Multiple copies of the original, a perfect similacra of Alastore.

            The creatures parted, making way for a lone figure to step forward. Well, if it wasn't the original himself.

            Alastore was dressed impeccably in steel gray trousers and a black dress shirt. His black hair was swept away from his face and slicked back. He looked every bit the gentleman, from the sharp, patrician features, all the way to the tips of his black Gucci loafers.

            He was the proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing.

            Squeezing between Callum and Amy, Isla moved to stand in front of her friends. Jeremiah and Marduk flanked her on either side, bracing for the worst.

            While the three of them knew exactly what they were dealing with, the rest of the searchers had been left in the dark. Callum's gruff voice echoed in the cavern.

            "Just who in the hell is this joker?"

            Fiddling with his diamond cufflink, Alastore raised an eyebrow and his lips quirked in a half smile. Rich, disembodied laughter bounced around the recesses of the cave.

            "Legio nomen mihi est, quia multi sumus," came the quiet answer.

            "What? What did he say?"

            Jere cleared his throat and flicked a nervous glance behind him at Callum. "He said 'My name is Legion, for we are many'."

            "Demon that quotes the Bible. Cute," Amy said.

            Alastore glided closer to where Isla stood, causing Jeremiah to surge forward. He was stayed by a calm hand on his arm.

            "It was generous of you, witch, to bring us all of these extra souls. I can assure you, they will be put to good use." The demon smiled his gruesome, serrated smile, and actually winked at her. Winked. This time Jeremiah was the one who had to restrain her from going for his throat.

            After a brief moment of stillness, Alastore executed a crisp about face and walked back to his minions who, again, made way for him. Just as he passed the front ranks, he paused and turned his head toward the auchrim closest to him.

            His voice was as gentle as it was deadly when he spoke.

            "Take them."

My Thoughts:

As I love anything to do with Scotland and witches...anything that falls into those categories as far as reading material always grabs my attention. Fire on the Island fits right into these categories. It takes place on an island off of Scotland, Arran, and involves witches, one of them being the main character Isla. Isla is owner of Expeditions, a company on the island that guides interested parties in kayaking or hiking . She is a pariah on the island as people can and will be superstitious of things they do not understand. The reason for this?? Isla has a small tattoo on her neck that suddenly appeared one day when she was a child of eight. Her mother has a problem with the drink and goes maniacal and tries to kill Isla by slitting her throat. So because of her distrust of the villagers and her longing for a quiet life on the island, she keeps to herself when not working, in her little cottage in the woods.

Dr. Jeremiah Rousseau, a parapsychologist from New Orleans, has decided to take a vacation to this small island to take a break from his writing. He also has another motive for the visit and that is to explore the stories of a witch (who is part of a race of witches called Bruixi) that is rumored to be on the island. Then he meets Isla, is she the rumored witch? Sparks fly when Isla and Jeremiah meet, but will they be able to have a relationship?? You will have to read the book to find out. The underlying story has the couple battling an evil entity that is determined to destroy mankind.

This first book in the Vigilati series is a well written, imagined story of good versus evil, with a likeable cast of characters, well most of them, that if you are a fan of the paranormal, you will want to grab this book to read. This is also a love story with sex scenes so I feel it is for the over 18 reader..I enjoyed it for the scariness, romance and because of the paranormal aspect. I highly recommend it. 

I look forward to the next in the series..Blood In The Valley (Vigilati, Book 2 to be released May 2nd 2013.

And now for the Giveaway!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*