Elaine White's Life in Books

The Author

 

 

Elaine White is the author of multi-genre MM romance, celebrating 'love is love' and offering diversity in both genre and character within her stories.

Growing up in a small town and fighting cancer in her early teens taught her that life is short and dreams should be pursued. She lives vicariously through her independent, and often hellion characters, exploring all possibilities within the romantic universe.

The Winner of two Watty Awards – Collector's Dream (An Unpredictable Life) and Hidden Gem (Faithfully) – and an Honourable Mention in 2016's Rainbow Awards (A Royal Craving) Elaine is a self-professed geek, reading addict, and a romantic at heart.

 

The Reviewer

 

I’m an author and reader, who just can’t get away from books. I discovered the MM genre a few years ago and became addicted.

Top #50 UK reviewer on Goodreads
#1 reviewer on Divine Magazine

Spell Fall

Spell Fall - Jacob Z. Flores Length: 200
POV: Drake, 1st person
Star rating: ★★★★★

Boy, that was one explosive episode in the ever continuing saga of the Warlock Brothers of Havenbridge!

I loved revisiting Mason and Drake. They're just as perfect as in book 1. Drake's story however, took us to a brand new location, away from Blackmoor Manor, and into the heart of the witch hunter's operational base. The revelations and secrets that journey revealed were astounding, shocking and monumental to the further plots of this series. But, at the same time, they're so huge that I can't tell you anything about them without ruining the story with massive spoilers, so you're just going to have to trust that it's amazing!

The way both Mason and Drake grew in maturity in this book was incredible. It was so well written that even the smallest hugs, glances and touches helped me understand just how much they were growing up and coming into their own. But their relationship – that was the real highlight. For two boys still in high school, their love was beautiful, strong and although Drake had doubts at certain points, he never gave in and abandoned all hope that he and Mason really are soul bound. It was lovely!

I loved the twist at the beginning of the story (which I'm only sharing because it's in the excerpt on Dreamspinner's website) where we're told that there is actually one chink in Drake's immunity to spells and magic – Mason! That was a brilliant piece of work, because after thinking about it, I realised that Mason had never once used magic against Drake, so there was no way for us to have known that until now. Genius.

I will warn you, however, that I was crying at 11% so you might need tissues for this one. Drake (and Kale) will always grab me by the feels and hold on tight. I can't tell you what made me cry except that this quote pretty much summed up the end of my fighting against it and had me shedding those tears:
“I don't want to be alone again.”

I'll admit that I had a few theories about what was going on, but I was so wrong and so thrilled that I was. Finding out the truth was way more interesting when I had been expecting something else.

Although this story didn't tie up all the loose ends, I didn't want it to either. There was enough mystery and adventure to keep the characters and me busy enough, without adding on more weaves to untangle within its pages. I'm looking forward to reading the next few books to solve them, though, and finding out how the other characters manage to put all the pieces together.

~

Favourite Quote

“My heart swelled. I might not know what was coming or where we were going, but Mason's love was like a compass.
It would always guide me home.”

~

OVERALL: The Warlock Brothers of Havenbridge

This series is an incredible feat of remarkable skill; from the world building and characterisation to the depth of emotional connection between the reader and characters and the way that each book focuses on one adventure, without cancelling out or forgetting about the bigger picture, there is so much to love here.

The growth of characters that can be seen as you go from book to book - revisiting characters from the previous story in minor, but important, ways - allows the reader to appreciation the subtle changes in their attitude, the overall atmosphere of the story and the mood of each adventure, whether that be hopeless or full of belief that it will end in victory.

Each adventure takes us into a new aspect of what it's like to be a warlock in this world, visiting other worlds, other supernatural creatures and all the chaos that comes with both. On top of that, they all have to function as regular human people, with Mason and Drake having to go to school and his brothers having college or work to complicate things.

Honestly, I'm a puzzle addict, so when there are problems like this series gave us – Who is the Warlock Hag? Who was Ica–? Who was the member of the Conclave doing shady work? What was the end goal? What was going on with the Blackmoor boys magic? – I want to figure it out before I'm told. I get very frustrated if I can't figure it out, but I love it when I'm wrong, because it means the author got one over on me. Though, to be honest, I love it just as much when I'm right, because...hello, who wouldn't love knowing they're able to spot all the clues and figure out the bigger picture? Well, I ended up with a 50/50 success rate and I'm thrilled about that. It's not often that a mystery can keep me on my toes the way this series did.

I loved the Introduction and Dramatis Personae, though I read each book one after the other. It's a great tool that would really help readers who took time between the books or who read it as they were released. Not enough books provide this important information, especially when there is a complex weave of characters like there are in this series.

The blend of adventure, romance and magic was skillfully wrought through every page. No matter which story you pick up, you'll find yourself hooked from page one, as you evolve with each character and move from one adventure to another, wondering just how much more these boys can take before they break or explode from the protective cocoon of the Conclave and finally see their destiny through.

Most of all, I love the refreshingly different take on soul mates that this series provides. I'm used to reading paranormal shifter, vampire and wolf stories where there are mates, soul mates and magical bonds drawing two people together. But, in this series, Flores makes it feel so much more organic and genuine than a magical force pushing two strangers together. The way that their love for their mate draws their power into focus and ramps it up a hundred degrees is such clever writing and genius world building.

This series is my new obsession and I'll be buying them in paperback as soon as I get paid.

Don't borrow it to 'sample it'. Don't go out and buy book one. BUY. THEM. ALL! Trust me. This is one series you want to binge read, one after the other.

~

O-kay, I'll confess. I checked out the website www.havenbridge.me and so should you. I took all the quizzes. In Which Magical Species Are You? I came out with Warlock. Win! Plus, I got an Active Power of water. So, double win! Oh...and BOOM! I got Kale Aquilo in Which Character from the Warlock Brothers of Havenbridge Series Are You? which is awesome, because he's my absolute fave!

And one more awesome thing – the website tells you the information about the following books in the series and I. Am. So. Frickin'. Excited!