Reviews

Touched: Elemental Passions Book One by C.J. Pinard, Melissa MacKinnon, Sloane Nicole, April D. Berry, Darlene Tallman, Danielle Jamie, Machelle Hanleigh, Skye Turner, Livell James, Julie Morgan

aylaphipps's review

mysterious fast-paced

5.0

Wow oh wow. First off, the incredible authors that wrote this book have a level of talent beyond imagination. Personally, the book was seamless and impossible to tell that it was written by ten authors. The flow was pure perfection, and every chapter pulls you deeper into the hidden world of New Orleans and Laric. Dual perspectives of Aeris and Callum. 

Aeris is a Fae that lives within the wards of her colony, Laric. She has always been a bit of a rule breaker. The world is so big that she wants to explore all of it and thus sneaks out of the wards on the regular. She flies around New Orleans watching the “humans” and walking amongst them. With her glamor in place, she is invisible to all humans with one surprise. Callum, a New Orleans Detective on the verge of a big bust of the Trahan Brothers. Suddenly walking on the sidewalk to meet his informant he feels someone behind him. Seeing nothing he turns around only a moment later to feel a jolt and come face to face with the most beautiful woman he has ever seen in his life. Completely stunned Aeris doesn’t know what to do she fears her glamor has failed and now this human can see her. Hours later they came face to face again, her less worried after confirming he was the only one that could somehow see her. Only its more body to truck, as he accidentally hits her with his. Pedestrians think he is crazy seeing him act like he hit someone and talking to himself. The next day she promises to tell him everything if he meets her only, he has a surprise for him too. 

What is Callum that allows him to see Aeris? They are Kindreds but what does that mean? How many other magical, or mystical beings will be revealed? Having been to New Orleans it truly has an other worldly feel to it. The mingling of all walks of life found in such a small area is interesting in the most inspirational ways. The way the authors capture that mystery and magic makes you smile and believe with all your heart that you never truly know what or who someone truly is beyond the glamor they show you on the street. I certainly cannot wait for book two, Enveloped, later this year. I am joining the fan group now. This is only the beginning, and I cannot to see what happens next. 

allycaat_'s review

4.0

Get ready for a wild ride from the begining! This book hooks you in from page one, mixing love, loss, and a whole lot of action into one addictive story. The forbidden romance between the main characters keeps you flipping pages, cheering them on. You'll be marking the days until the next book. 

shannlynn's review

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

The cover of this book grabbed me immediately, and after reading the synopsis, I knew I had to dive into it! This is the first book in the Elemental Passions series, and what an astonishing beginning indeed. It took me a chapter or so to find my groove, but once I did there was no stopping. I finished the entire book in a day (sorry, responsibilities!) I love a good romance novel as well as anything even remotely related to Fae, so this was right up my alley. The chemistry between Aeris and Callum is marvelous! Aeris is Fae and Callum is a detective. A union between them is absolutely forbidden, but will that be enough reason for them not to pursue this? I won’t give anything away, but this book is worth your time. I am waiting on pins and needles for the next installment of this series!

tarajohnson's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 

Touched is Book One in the Elemental Passions Series. It is unique in that it is written by ten different authors who came together to write one story as one author. The book is full of action, magic, danger, drama, adventure, paranormal elements, mystery, passion, forbidden love, destiny, and romance. The story centers around Aeris, who is a fairy, and Callum, who is a detective. The two are attracted to one another, but Fae and human relationships are strictly forbidden. Aeris and Callum are from very different worlds and never should have met, but it is destiny that has brought them together. Although the two seem fated to be together, can they overcome the conflict and impending danger? Can the two overcome all obstacles and be together? 

rosemccaskey's review

adventurous informative medium-paced

4.0

Aeris a fae is not supposed to leave Laric, a warded colony for fae. Aeris enjoys seeing human things and frequently leaves the safety and sanctuary of Laric thinking humans can not see fae. That is until she encounters Callum, a human detective who can see her. There is an immediate attraction between the two that pulls them back to each other. How can Callum see Aeris when humans are not supposed to see past their glamours? 

I found this book to be interesting. It’s not like other fantasy books involving fae that I have read. I kept reading just wanting to know what was going to happen next. It's a great story filled with mystery, attraction, forbidden love, and intrigue. I look forward to a continuation of the series.

rwhite334's review

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

What a fantastic read! I went in blind reading this book and am so glad I did. The storytelling and the vivid description of the different places, especially Laric.
Callum and Aeris are the main characters in this book, and this is where the 2 world collide. Callum is a detective and sees Aeris but soon realizes he is the only one who can see her. Aeris is a fairy. They are drawn together, and they zinged, meaning they are fated.
There is a secret war happening, and they plus an army of otherworldly creatures united to defeat the bad guys. I cannot wait till the next book comes out!
#touched
#elementalpassionsseries
#callumandaeries
#laric
#skyeturner

jaimie0459's review

adventurous emotional hopeful informative mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

One book written by 10 authors!! What a fun way to write a series! First book I have ever read that was a 10 author collaboration. And it certainly didn't disappoint!! Aeris is a Fae from the mystical realm of Laric. She has unique air abilities and uses glamour to walk around New Orleans. Not being aloud to leave her realm and being forbidden to be around humans doesn't stop her one bit. One day while out in the world she bumps into Detective Callum, which would normally be fine. Written off as a stumble or someone else just miss stepping into him, but not this time! Callum can actually see Aeris! No human has ever been able to see past her glamour. None! This is bad. So, so bad. Fae-Human unions are forbidden and her secrets are also her realms' livelihood. Callum has never seen anyone like Aeris. She's captivating, mystical, and of course beautiful. His life is about to be turned upside down and he has no clue. A world of magic has been hidden in plain sight and he never knew. He certainly does now!! Will these two face what's lerking around New Orleans? Fated love is fated for a reason right? Will destiny stand in their way? This is book one of the five book series and I can tell you right now that I can not wait to read the rest!! This one was so good!! It hooks you right in and keeps you on the edge of your seat to see what's going to happen next! I loved the elemental side to the story and I'm excited to see more in the series.

blndbombshell's review

5.0

Touched was a quick, entertaining read. It takes place in New Orleans, LA and, at first, is very reminiscent of the Wicked series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Which also takes place on New Orleans. I found LeBlanc and many of the supporting characters fun to read. Though this has multiple authors, it reads as though there was only one. I look forward to reading the next installment when it is released. 

palomafe's review

adventurous medium-paced

3.0

 

Callum LeBlanc is a detective in New Orleans, and getting the bad guys into the place they belong is his number 1 priority, until destiny happens. Finding out that a world of fantasy and myth are an intrinsic part of himself and of the object of his curiosity will lead him to an unexpected adventure.

Aeris is part of the fae world, where magic and life partners are real, but so are the very tight rules that keeps such a universe steady. Always the misfit this girl likes adventure in the human world, and one of those will lead her to find out a possibility beyond her wild imagination.

A romantic combination of adventure and make believe this book is a page turner.

 

terrijomac's review

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

 Set in New Orleans, Detective Callum LeBlanc learns there’s a whole other magical world hiding in plain sight. Aeris is the Fae female who has a connection to Callum, but human-fae relations are forbidden. Callum learns more about himself and his magical roots as they both fight against the forces of dark magic.