Book Review of Koishi: Gatekeepers
Book One
Sponsored by Bewitching Book Tours
Welcome to Books, Books, and More Books. I am pleased to share my review of this book
with you. Thank you for visiting and
please come again.
Koishi
Gatekeepers Book One
Annie Nicholas
Genre:
Paranormal Romance
Publisher:
Lyrical Press
Date
of Publication: Feb. 4th 2013
Word
Count: 40,000
Cover Artist: Renee Rocco
Blurb
:
Never make a deal with a dragon.
Sandra’s
sister is dying. All the doctors agree that nothing more can be done, but she
can’t give up hope. After using all her resources searching for a cure, a
little bird whispers in Sandra’s ear about secret worlds, Gates, and the
Keepers who protect them. A dragon Gatekeeper, who hoards magical treasure
within his volcano home in Japan, can possibly hold an item to cure her sister.
Gates
choose their Keepers and Koishi thinks his did an excellent job in picking him.
Not many dare to cross and none who try survive. However, one tiny human female with either
the courage of an army or the intelligence of a gnat has arrived on the island
asking for him. Curious and not wanting to disappoint, he waits for the locals
to steer her to his human ‘servant’, which is him in his man form.
Let the games begin…
About the Author:
Annie Nicholas hibernates in the rural, green
mountains of Vermont where she dreams of different worlds, heroes, and
heroines. When spring arrives the stories pour from her, in hopes to share them
with the masses one day.
Mother, daughter, wife are
some of the hats she happily wears while trudging after her cubs through the
hills and dales. The four seasons an inspiration and muse.
Contacts:
Facebook:
Twitter:
@annienicholas
Other Tour
dates and locations:
February
4 Guest blog
Words
of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess
February
4 review
Fangs,
Wands & Fairydust and Winged Effigy
February
5 Guest blog (possible review)
February
5 Promo
Simply
Infatuated
February
6 Guest blog and review
Keeping
Up With The Rheinlander's
February
6 Promo
Victoria
Danann
February
7 Guest blog and review
Romance
Book Junkies
February
7 review
Second
book to the Right.
February
8 Interview and review
Crazy
Four Books
February
8 Promo
All I
Want and More
February
9 Guest blog
February
9 Guest blog
Reading
Between the Wines
February
9 Review
Books
& Other Spells.
February
10 Guest blog and review
Reader
Girls Laurie, Meg & Caity
topic:
Dragons, gatekeepers, volcano and a human female--tell us about Koishi and how
you world build, especially in the first book of a series
February
10 Interview and review
Happy
Tails and Tales
February
11 Promo and review
A Bibliophiles
Thoughts on Books
February
11 Spotlight
Deep In
The Heart Romance
February
14 Guest blog
Reginamayross's
Blog
February
14 Promo
Book
Lovin' Mamas –
February
15 review
BeLoved
Books
February
16 Promo and review
Always
a Booklover –
February
16 review
Books,
Books, and More Books
February
17 Interview and review
TBQ'S
Book Palace
February
18 Interview and review
February
18 Promo
Excerpt:
“Thank
you.” Sandra shifted the weight of the pack on her back and marched toward the
street.
The
stranger twisted as she passed him, his gaze weighing heavily on her. “It’s
about a three hour walk to the nearest hotel. If you run, you might beat the
storm.”
She spun
around. “What?” she wanted to smack that stupid grin off his face. The trip
across the strait had been harrowing enough. She wasn’t in any shape to hike in
a storm. “Do you have cabs?”
“Yes.”
He approached her. “During tourist season.”
“Then
how do people move around the island? There have to be buses.” She peered at
the storm clouds, which appeared closer than before. She hadn’t considered the
consequences of rushing here. Time was running out and she’d jumped on the
first flight out to Japan.
“They
walk or bike. There are a few buses, but I don’t know their schedules.” His
gaze lowered to the opening of her blouse. “Maybe we could come to some kind of
arrangement.”
Gasping,
she clutched the edges of her blouse shut. “I don’t think so.” She must look
better than she felt or smelled. How could anyone be interested in her in this
state?
He
rolled his eyes. “I meant your necklace.”
“Oh.”
The heat of her mortified blush almost blistered the skin off her cheeks. Of
course, he wasn’t making a crude pass at her. He was only trying to swindle
her. Nice.
He gave
her a crooked smile as if he knew exactly what she’d been thinking. “The gold
reflects the light very nicely.” Reaching for her jewelry, he bypassed her
swatting hands until he held the small heart-shaped pendant in his palm.
She yanked
it away. “It’s not up for trade. My mother gave it to me.” She’d died in her
sleep a year earlier after a long, happy life. Out of all the things from her
estate, Sandra had only wanted this necklace. Her father, who’d passed years
ago, had given it to her mother when they’d first met.
“It has
a nice weight to it and is well crafted.” His gaze lingered on her necklace for
a second longer before meeting her stare. “I have a truck. I could drive you
into town where you would have a pick of fine hotels.”
“That’s
very kind of you.”
“For the
necklace.”
She
growled like a rabid dog. Yes, it had been that kind of day. “I said no. Nain!”
“Nine?”
“What?”
She threw up her arms and abandoned all hope of help.
“That’s
what you said. Nine what? Rides? I usually don’t play taxi for tourists, but…”
His gaze grew heavy with darker promises. “For you, I’d offer a ride on me.”
She
blinked. Did he understand what he’d just said? “I think we lost something in
translation.” In both their cases. “I’ll manage on my own.” Stalking to the
road, she ignored his laughter and pulled out her phrase book. Lost and tired,
all she wanted was a room. Maybe she could stay in someone’s home for the
night. But how did she ask? These sentences were more tailored for people who
had already arrived at their destination. Where is the bathroom? Where is
the phone? She didn’t see a Can I spend the night? written anywhere.
Then again, that could translate improperly and she’d end up in a worse
situation.
Reaching the road, she
turned right and kept searching for some kind of help. Another American
tourist, an embassy, or even a flipping McDonald’s would be welcome.
A
pick-up truck slowed next to her and the window rolled down. “Maybe you have
something else to trade?”
The
stranger had followed her and she gave him a what-the-hell look.
“I’d
hate for you to walk all that way after such a harrowing boat ride.” He winked
at her.
“That’s
very kind of you.” She stopped walking, forcing him to slam on the brakes to
maintain their conversation. Could she trust this stranger who exhibited a
touch of stalker tendency? Flashes of serial killer music sang through her
thoughts. She glanced around at the mostly empty road. What choice did she
have? At least he spoke good English so when he murdered her she’d understand
his evil monologue. “Maybe you could offer to drive me for free?”
He
stared at her with mock surprise. “There’s such a thing?”
“Yes.”
She dropped her pack to the ground, her shoulders already aching, and tried her
best to not smile back at the jerk.
Leaning
forward, he tilted his head to the side. “Why?”
She
shook her head. “It must be a cultural thing.” Kneeling, she rummaged inside
her bag and pulled out her wallet. She was on a tight budget. All her savings
had gone to purchasing information. “How much?”
“Money?”
He grimaced. “I don’t like paper. Don’t you carry anything valuable?”
“Most
people would consider money valuable.” She mumbled under her breath as she
shoved her wallet back into her pack. With a little more digging, she found her
small carrying case and held out two silver earrings. “That’s all I’ve got.
Take it or bug off.” She laid them on his outstretched hand.
He
sniffed at the metal. “There’s not much silver in this.”
“How can
you tell?” Her shout echoed over the water.
“I just
can. Get in. I’ll give generosity a try.”
She
climbed inside the old cab with peeling leather seats before he could change
his mind. “It’s only charitable if you don’t keep the earrings.”
He
dropped them in his breast pocket. “Believe me, this is charity.”
Review
Okay,
so I had never read a shifter book about dragons… and I love dragons, always
have… and I have one word…Fabulous!!! I loved the dragon lore, the whole gate
between world’s concept, and I loved that it was set in Japan where dragon lore
is so prevalent. Interesting take on the
shifting and the tie to the gate. Really
enjoyed the whole book, especially the twist at the end. I can’t wait to read more books in the
series.
I think
my favorite thing about the book was the slow understanding that everyone and
everything, including generally solitary dragons, need “people” (read that with
an open mind about what constitutes people) in their life and people and things
to care about and for. That whole change
of mindset was subtle, yet underlying everything, even the mother/child
relationship and the sibling relationship.
It was handled with a deft and delicate hand.
My
favorite quote was from the information about the author at the end of the
book, “Annie Nicholas still believes dragons exist. They are crafty and hide
well, but she smart enough to not pursue them because she is crunchy and would
taste good with ketchup. If any would like to come over for tea, she would not
be amiss to the idea as long as she wasn’t the snack.” I like the part about ketchup best ;)
I give
this book 4.5 out of 5 clouds.
This
product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my
opinions or reviews.
