Maggie Blackbird

Today, I’m hosting author Donnette Smith’s latest release The Taken, book three in The Spirit Walkers series, a paranormal romance. Be sure to read my review. And don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

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Title: The Taken
Series: The Spirit Walkers, Book Three
Author: Donnette Smith
Genre(s): Fantasy Romance, Paranormal Romance
Release Date: November 6, 2023
Length: 231 pages
Publisher: Self-Published

Blurb: All Jenna Langley wanted was a chance to finally marry the man of her dreams. But when the spirit of a dead girl shows up at her wedding that only she can see, it becomes clear Jenna’s latest brush with death has caused the heightening of her psychic abilities to reach an unfamiliar and frightening level. Her new husband, Detective Cole Rainwater, vows to do whatever it takes to get to the root of Jenna’s disturbing sightings. But before he can investigate this mystery, his bride is taken right under his nose.

What started as a romantic honeymoon has turned into a fight for Jenna’s life. And the only path to freedom is through the help and guidance of a dead girl who was once the victim of the sex traffickers that have stolen away with Jenna.

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She half sat half fell against the hard ground. Her hands worked their way down her calf, massaging the muscles that cramped so severely she wanted to cry out.

No one would hear her if she did. It was so dark out here. It was getting nearly impossible to tell if she was still following the vehicle tracks. Every patch of ground and tree appeared the same as all the others. There were no landmarks, no breadcrumbs left behind—like in the fairy tales—to ensure she wasn’t running in circles.

It was no use. She didn’t have a clue where she was and wouldn’t know the way out if the answer flew through the darkness at the speed of light and smacked her in the face.

Am I going to die out here?

Tears racked her body, and she lowered her head, shaking it. She was foolish enough to believe she was free when she ran out of that house and put a distance between her and the people in it. But she wasn’t free at all, only locked in a different kind of prison. And the enormous forest swallowing her up wasn’t going to come to her aid.

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I liked the blurb, so I was for reading and reviewing.  It is part of a series, so I suggest for better reading enjoyment start with the first book, but this book can also be read as a standalone.  What happened in the other novels is fed in through conversations, etc. so the reader has a good understanding of what had previously occurred.

I enjoyed the opening of the novel.  We get to meet Jenna, Cole, their daughter, and their families at the wedding.  We also get to meet a ghost in the bathroom stall, which disturbs Jenna.  The author quickly moves us to the honeymoon where the action takes place.

This moves at a nice pace.  It’s not too fast and not too slow.  As a reader, I enjoyed getting to know Cole and Jenna as they do their best to find strength in each other after all that’s happened to them (that’s why I recommend reading the other books).  Jenna feels she is weak, but Cole assures her she is strong.

Just as they are enjoying their honeymoon, the ghost at the wedding reappears.  There’s much mystery to what’s going on, and when the duo honeymoon with an older couple on a boat, the novel takes a big turn for Cole and Jenna.

I must say, I didn’t see one thing coming, and that was why the ghost was hanging around.  I mean, I had a good idea what had happened to the ghost, but where it leads is intriguing, along with who is friend and who is foe?

I also enjoyed the appearance of Cruz from the Texas Rangers.  He is a great addition to the novel as he assists Cole.

Everyone keeps uncovering clues as to who and the why of what happens.  I know I’m being vague, but I don’t want to give too much away.

This novel is filled with suspense, romance, and mystery.  It’s a great read and one I recommend.  Yes, there were a few places where the author feeds in backstory through “Do you know Bob?” conversations, but those are easy to overlook.  I enjoyed the pacing, the romance, and the characters.  Do yourself a favour and get a copy.  Even better, invest in the series.

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Although not a native Texan, Donnette Smith has spent more than half her life living in the Lone Star State. She is an entrepreneur and former business owner of Tailor Maid Services LLC. After spending a few years working as a journalist for the Blue Ridge Tribune, she realized her love for writing romantic detective novels. Her stories cover a wide range of genres, from horror, time travel, mystery, fantasy, paranormal, and thriller. But one theme stays the same, there is always a detective solving a crime, and a gorgeous victim he would lay down his life to protect.

Donnette’s biggest fascination is with forensic science and crime scene investigations. Her novels include, Cunja, a horror/mystery/suspense that debuted in 2012. Book 1 of The Spirit Walker Series, Killing Dreams, a fantasy/romance story with a paranormal element became available in September of 2021. Book 2 of The Spirit Walker Series, Buried Alive, was published on March 14, 2022. And her latest, book 3 of The Spirit Walkers Series, The Taken.

Follow Donnette: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Enter for a chance to win a golden book box with magnetic closures. Inside will be book 1 of The Spirit Walkers Series, Killing Dreams, and book 2, Buried Alive. One of the books will be autographed. Also in the box will be a specialized bookmarker, the Spirit Walkers Series coffee mug, Chai tea, and a scented, therapeutic candle.
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