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    Tempest Rising
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    Tempest Rising
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    Tempest Rising
    Audiobook9 hours

    Tempest Rising

    Written by Nicole Peeler

    Narrated by Kate Reinders

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    During her nightly, clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean, a grisly find leads Jane to startling revelations about her heritage: she is only half-human.

    Now, Jane must enter a world filled with supernatural creatures that are terrifying, beautiful, and deadly—all of which perfectly describe her new “friend,” Ryu, a gorgeous and powerful vampire.

    It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: a dog can heal with a lick; spirits bag your groceries; and whatever you do, never—ever—rub the genie’s lamp.

    If you love Sookie Stackhouse, then you’ll want to dive into Nicole Peeler’s enchanting debut novel.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateNov 20, 2010
    ISBN9781441887481
    Unavailable
    Tempest Rising
    Author

    Nicole Peeler

    Nicole Peeler does not have any cats, kids, or husbands. Instead, she vexes literature in her new role as an assistant professor of English Literature at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Although she's excited to call Louisiana "home," she has previously set up shop in her native Illinois, Boston, Spain and Scotland. Nicole is ashamed of her dreadful potty mouth and fervently wishes that she were taller.

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    Reviews for Tempest Rising

    3.5/5

    283 ratings27 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Jane True is my new hero! Rather than being the typical urban fantasy heroine who is gorgeous, smart, strong, sassy, and kicks butt, Jane is a believable woman who actually screams when confronted by scary vampires and monsters! How refreshing is that? Most characters in this genre would claim to be scared, but still make a smartass remark to show how tough they are. While Jane still takes things better than I probably would, she is a breath of fresh air and I loved, loved, loved this book!Let me back up for a moment. In the interest of full disclosure, I have been waiting for this book for months! I follow Nicole Peeler on Twitter and her blog and was impatiently waiting for this book to finally come out. I can't believe how good it is, especially for a first novel! You know how sometimes you're reading along at a fast pace then BAM! you get hit in the face with a typo or inconsistency or something else that stops you dead in your tracks? Well, nothing like that in this book. Either Nicole is incredibly talented, she's conning us and this isn't really her first book, she has an amazing editor, or some combination of all of the above. This book was amazing!Now back to the story: Jane grew up in a small town, complete with a "history". Crazy mom disappeared. Big scandal when her boyfriend died. Always been a little weird. All in all, Jane has not had an easy life. Things start to make a little more sense after she meets Ryu, a sexy investigator who is more than he seems. Loved the interaction between Jane, Ryu, and the various people he introduces her to.Was originally going to give this book a 4/5 rating as while I enjoyed it, I didn't stay up all night to finish reading it. Then I realized that I've been talking about this book non-stop ever since I finished it, and recommending it to everyone I know. Figured that must be worth a 5/5 rating, as I really, really loved this book! Great writing, interesting characters, a plot that made sense, and a great beginning to a new series! Great job Ms. Peeler!
    • 4/5
      "Tempest Rising" is a the first in a fantasy series by first-time author Nicole Peeler and as such I am being a bit generous. The actual star-rating should probably be 3 & 1/2, but I erred on the side of being nice. That being said, the world is an interesting one, populated by Nahuls (shape-changers), Two-forms (beings who have elemental powers, but can only transform into on specific animal form), Vampires, Dryads, Fire Elementals, incubi and succubi and who are ruled over by the Afal, who look rather like elves. Into this mix is throne our heroine Jane True, who is a mixed-blood, her dad is human and her mom is / was a Selkie (a two-form that is a seal) and who knows NOTHING about these strange creatures who share the world with humans. On top of all this heritage broo-haha, Jane also has a tragic past, which causes her to be both hated and feared in the small Main seaside town in which she dwells. However, when a body shows-up, Jane ends-up getting a fast introduction into her mother's people. It would appear that someone is murdering mixed-bloods and Jane just might be next on the list.

      "Tempest Rising" is a good introductory novel. There was a bit too much sex scenes, it seemed like the author was using them to fill-out the book, but they were well-done, I would have rather had Jane exploring the new world she was discovering or learn more about her connection to the sea. However, a major villain was left unpunished at the end of the book, so Book 2 promises to have more resolution than this one. Book 1 is truly only the beginning. I really like the feel of this world and I hope that the next 3 books in the series continue to do the mythology justice.
    • 1/5
      I managed about a third of this before I lost interest. Jane was not a character that held a lot of interest for me and I just wanted her to find a backbone and stop being so mincey. What really got my goat was her attitudes towards sex. She kept talking about having a 'naughty' drawer where she kept all her 'naughty' things. Just made me feel like she was a little prudish. I think I enjoy reading material where heroines are a little more forthright about sex. :)
    • 5/5
      Move over, Mercy Thompson, Kate Daniels, Sookie Stackhouse, and the other strong, wonderful woman characters that populate today's urban fantasy landscape. I love you all dearly, and hold my breath for your new books, but it is time to scootch over a bit, as Jane True has come to town! I just found Jane while perusing my local bookstore, and I couldn't be happier.

      Jane is a very complex character. If you really haven't had any "life experience" (read here, if you don't understand loss, mourning, or the pain of living where everyone knows you, and holds your family's history against you) then you probably won't understand Jane. But if you do, her strength of character can absolutely rock your world, like it did mine.

      Jane is a reluctant hero, and yet her ability to roll with the punches and become more than she had ever thought she could be is a HUGE encouragement to women who have been drug through the tunnel and come out on the other side stronger than ever.

      The characters are well developed, the storyline keeps you guessing, and it is great fun watching how Jane grows and learns her own strengths - strengths she never dreamed she could possess. And she has a tremendous sense of humour, and a potty mouth to match. I have been spending my mornings, before work, sitting outside in the sun, reading Jane's exploits while laughing laughing like a loon at her hysterical dialog (her mental libido cracks have me rolling on the floor). She is strong, strong-willed, and one of the most likable of all the tough female urban fantasy characters that I adore.

      I can hardly wait for #4!!
    • 4/5
      As TEMPEST RISING opens we meet Jane True, a young woman living a quiet life in a small town on the coast of Maine, working in a bookstore and taking care of her single dad. Jane has faced some pretty major challenges in her life - the mysterious disappearance of her mother and the tragic death of her childhood true love chief among them - and she's come out the other side a better person: she's pragmatic, funny, and resilient. Her narrative voice is the chief joy of this novel; she's got a lovely, warm sense of humor, knows how to laugh at herself, and while she's always ready with a quip she isn't snide or snarky like some (occasionally very funny) more world-weary paranormal heroines.

      Jane's big challenge in this novel is discovering, and coming to terms with, her supernatural ancestry. It turns out that Jane's mother was a selkie, and Jane is a half-human with a particularly strong bond with the sea. Peeler's supernatural universe is wonderfully rich and imaginative, an alternate reality it's a joy to poke around in. I was totally absorbed as Jane met the stone spirit packing groceries and the barghest Anyan...but as Jane ventures to the fairy court at the side of handsome vampire Ryu, the parade of strange creatures started to feel a little bit more like a tour of the zoo than an adventure.

      I did think Jane had a few TSTL (too stupid to live) moments - she was especially blind where Anyan was concerned. I had him figured out very early on, and the biggest mystery of the novel, for me, was trying to figure out how Jane managed to ignore the obvious for so long.

      Still, I am definitely going to pick up the sequel to this one.
    • 5/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: A hilarious tale of a half-human’s introduction into the supernatural community, fraught with sex, danger, and one-liners. Opening Sentence: I eyeballed the freezer, trying to decide what to cook for dinner that night. The Review: Book series based upon mythological stories are a favorite of mine. That is why I was excited to start the Jane True series. Jane is a half-selkie that has been living as a human her whole life. After she discovers a body in the ocean, she is plunged into a world so unlike what she has ever known. Now she is helping a vampire investigate the deaths of other halflings like herself that are turning up dead. For someone as quiet and unassuming as Jane, she transitions quite well from ordinary to extraordinary. Jane’s life in a small town is isolating and suffocating. She is considered a freak to the other townsfolk in Rockabill mostly based on the actions of the mother that abandoned her and her father so many years ago. After the death of her boyfriend and first love, her status went from avoidance to contaminated. With a few friends, and a non-existent social life, Jane is content to leave her dreams for something different to stay within the pages of one of her books. When she discovers her true heritage, her dreams are given a second chance. She is introduced to others that are, in their own way, just as different and diverse as herself. Not that her current friends are not colorful enough. But she does feel the grip of isolationism lessen with this new discovery. Finding a people that may consider her one of their own is heady for Jane. Throughout the book, Jane’s character tries to reconcile her new identity, including that of her new relationship status with handsome vampire, Ryu Baobhan Sith. Ryu is hotness. Blowing into town and sweeping Jane off her feet makes him extra yummy in Jane’s eyes. He is her guide into this new world and becomes her lover in the process. It is hard to gage Ryu’s true feelings for Jane. On the one hand, he is enamored of her and her “special” blood. On the other, he is a man with a position of authority that carries responsibilities that may conflict with any relationship he has. Is this the type of man (er… vampire) that places duty over love? Though he expresses feelings for Jane, will they be able to work out all the details that being together entails? And of course, is there a chance that there is another person (or barghest) that may place Jane’s life and well being above his own? The big conflict in this story is about halflings and their rights. Some in Ryu’s world look to them as less than citizens. Others, including some of the royal Alfar, see halflings as the answer to their fertility problems. I love these types of conflicts that bring attention to inequality and civil rights. The conclusion of this novel does not resolve the larger issues at hand and it leaves the reader wondering at the larger implications of this topic. Whether or not this becomes a larger issue in later books, we shall have to wait and see. Overall, this book was funny, exciting, and well paced. I enjoyed reading all about Jane True and her trials. This is definitely a series I can fall into, maelstrom or not. Notable Scene: All in all, and except for Mister Crazy Eyes behind the throne, I think that went rather well, I thought, proud of myself for bearing up under the pressure of being introduced into this utterly foreign Court. You’re gonna get through this, I thought, suddenly feeling a wash of calm settle over me. It’s going to be okay. And so, of course, my feet chose that moment to get tangled on a little bump in the carpet. I tripped, hard, nearly wiping out. It was only the fact that Rye threw himself in front of me to catch me that I stayed upright. He was on one knee, steadying me, and I was almost aloft in his powerful arms. If we’d gotten only a smattering of attention on our walk in, all eyes were upon us, now. For a split second, I had the wild idea to tell Ryu to go ahead and hold me over his head, like Johnny does Baby in the climax of Dirty Dancing, but I managed to keep a lid on that suggestion.FTC Advisory: I purchased my own copy of Tempest Rising. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. The only payments I receive are hugs and kisses from my little boys.
    • 3/5
      The story revolves around a young woman named Jane True living in a small port town in Maine who discovers that her long lost mother was actually a supernatural being named a selkie and is introduced to the wonderful and dangerous world of the fae as a result. Yes, there is a hunky vampire present to spice up the proceedings. All in all its an okay book which takes its time setting up the supernatural world that coexists with our mundane one and while also leaving plenty of space for the sexy vampire romance element. By itself its fairly average but I reckon I'll have to read the second before I can really make up my mind about the series.
    • 4/5
      To begin I normally read a book within about a day or so, it keeps things fresh, and I try not to take longer than that because I have to read so much for school that I end up not remembering all the details of the books I read for pleasure. That being said I was finishing my senior Capstone classes over the summer and therefore this book took about two weeks to read.I enjoyed the book a lot, and I wish I had the time to read the book from beginning to end in a few days because it was very entertaining and the story line was certainly good enough to keep me wrapped up in the story. I am not familiar with the "supernatural scene" of this book at all, I have mainly stuck to vampire or shape shifter books that only mention the fae in limited degrees, so to read a book about a young girl who just finds out she is a selkie and her introduction into that world really helped as a way to introduce me to this kind of world. Much like Jane had Ryu (among others) as a guide to the world that she was suddenly a part of, Ryu also served as a guide to me, helping to explain the creatures and lore the book is based on. I really appreciated that as the reader I was no expected to already know the lore behind the book.In the beginning I felt bad for Jane, due to her past. She harbors a lot of guilt and a lot of pain that has caused her to essentially be trapped in her life and really never progresses as a person, never seeking a relationship, or more friends, just content to live a very basic and depressed existence; which is understandable when the circumstances are revealed. That being said at some point during the book, maybe about half way through I found myself being more annoyed with her guilt than anything else, it got a little tedious after a while.Jane is also introduced to this new world in a very fast pace as well as in rather gruesome circumstances, so Peeler using witty humor really helped to lighten the situations and make it more enjoyable for the reader. Although with that being said Peeler did sometimes try to make witty or humorous sex quips during strange circumstances and they kind of made me pause and think "huh" to myself. That's not to say that the sexual content in the book wasn't well written, it wasn't overly grotesque and fit in with both the characters and the plot, it didn't feel forced. Even Jane's holding on to human fears of pregnancy and STDs helped to show how Jane was not able to transition to the new life overnight.Ryu was amusing to me, he was a great guide for me to grasp what was going on, but he also came across as someone who really cared about Jane. Even so he still had his "other worldy" predilections, which really shined through at the end when he didn't seem to affected by the human Nyx brought to the celebration and so obviously abused. It was very telling to me that Jane had a similar reaction as I did to that situation. Peeler introduced a lot of characters in Rockabill that I really hope in future books of the series are revisited and further explored, especially with Anyan. I think the book could have used another editing pass and maybe some revisions. Some of the internal monologue didn't could have been better placed because in some instances it seemed out of place and detracted from the story line, but other than that I am interested to see how the series progresses and how the authors storytelling ability progresses as well. It was an entertaining read, and I enjoyed it.
    • 4/5
      Spotlight Reviews are my way of playing catch up. I read and didn't review a ton of of books from last year that I always wanted to share my thoughts on. These reviews will be short and sweet with just my basic thoughts and are my way of "catching up".From Goodreads:"Living in small town Rockabill, Maine, Jane True always knew she didn't quite fit in with so-called normal society. During her nightly, clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean, a grisly find leads Jane to startling revelations about her heritage: she is only half-human.Now, Jane must enter a world filled with supernatural creatures alternatively terrifying, beautiful, and deadly- all of which perfectly describe her new "friend," Ryu, a gorgeous and powerful vampire.It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: a dog can heal with a lick; spirits bag your groceries; and whatever you do, never-ever rub the genie's lamp."My Thoughts:I really enjoyed this beginning to a new urban fantasy series. Jane is such a great main character and she really made this book that much better in my opinion. She is a little unsure of herself and inexperienced but always up for a challenge. And what a challenge it is as she is drawn into the middle of a deadly mystery where her heritage (she is considered to be a halfing meaning half human and half supernatural) plays a huge role in those that are dying. This book was a fun read filled with humerous moments. My only problem with the book was the instant dislike to Jane's new boyfriend Ryu that I developed. I just don't care for him and had problems figuring out why Jane is so enamored with him. The mystery aspect of the story was really good and I was constantly turning the pages to see what would happen next. Overall, I thought that this book was a wonderful beginning to a new series and I was instantly ready to rejoin Jane's world in the next book. Recommended!Disclosure: I read this book last year but I'm 98% positive that I checked that out from the library. It was a good choice!
    • 4/5
      I love stories that have caring fathers who went through a lot to raise their daughter, and this is definitely one of them. Although the story does not revolve around Jane's love for her father it is very much evident. Jane True is not like every other protagonist in urban fantasy stories, she's half selkie for one (that explains her love for swimming), and not all powerful. To be honest, I wasn't even sure what a selkie was until this book, and when I found out I didn't expect to get into a book about a part seal. I was so pleasantly surprised to find this book engaging, I mean I was really charmed.Some people have compared Tempest Rising to the Sookie Stackhouse novels. I think it's because Rockabill, Maine has that small town, everyone-knows-everyone kind of feeling. This isn't necessarily good for Jane, who is trying to forget her past, but can hardly forget when everyone else won't let her. She soon realizes that her small town of Maine holds supernatural creatures that aren't all so friendly. With some new hot acquaintances, Jane ventures out of her comfort zone to help solve the murders of halflings across the country.
    • 4/5
      As the first book of this series, I say this is a fantastic start to what I hope is an ever continuing story. I think the main character, Jane, is about as fanstastic as possible. The book is a little more romancy than what I traditionally like in my books but with the Jane I feel like she could be one of my friends. This character seems to think alot like I do which makes her all the more attractive as a main character. The whole story starts with Jane finding a murder victim in area where she normally swims. The tale unfolds from there and gets all the more intense when others start getting murdered. Jane is introduced to the supernatural world after said murders and is educated in the world of her missing mother. She comes to find out about why her mother mysteriously vanished at her tender age of 6. The story unfolds with some interesting twists in the characters past and intersting look at how cruel people can be to one another. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and I recommend it for anyone who likes the supernatural/mystery/slightly romancy genre. Much thanks to Gail Carriger for putting the excert from this book in the back of her last book. I love finding new authors to read and the different prespectives they give on the supernatural world.
    • 4/5
      A snappy start to a new fantasy series as Jane True, the misfit resident of a seedy Maine tourist town, finds that she's barely scratched the surface of the life she's been living when coming across a murder victim draws her into a paranormal demimonde that might just be the death of her. While much of the vibe of this book is more paranormal romance than urban fantasy, the climax detonates with sufficient violence that it's safe to say that a deeper and darker epic is in the wings.
    • 4/5
      This is the first book in the Jane True series. There are at least 6 books contracted for this series with the third book, Tempest's Legacy, out in January of 2011. This was a very good start to this new series. It is a fun read with a great plot and interesting characters.Jane lives in a small coastal town in Maine. For the most part her life is fairly normal except that she loves to go swimming in the ocean, at night, in the cold. When some bizarre murders take place in her town of Rockabill a super hot man, err vampire, named Ryu gets in contact with her as a paranormal investigator. Ryu tells her that her mother was a selkie, so Jane is half selkie. Sparks between Jane and Ryu fly, but when they find Jane's name is next on the list of murder victims, Jane is drawn into the dangerous world of the supernatural faster than she ever wanted to be.This was a fun read and a good story. I enjoyed Jane's down-to-earth attitude and her sharp sense of humor. Jane is just your every day woman drawn into crazy circumstances and she tries to make the best of things. She does know her limits though, and backs off if things get too hot for her to handle. Ryu and Jane have a fun relationship, but it never seems totally serious. It seems like him and Jane are together for the fun of it, and that is fine.There are a lot of interesting characters in this book and you never know what new surprising creature awaits around the corner. It was fun to read about selkies, I don't think I have read a book featuring selkies before so that was very creative. The author treats supernaturals as just a bunch of separate races, so it ends up being an interesting and refreshing take on vampires as well.The book was easy to read, well written, and paced well. The end is tied up nicely but leaves some threads hanging for the next book. This book tends more towards paranormal romance than urban fantasy, although there is a lot of mystery and investigation here.Overall a fun read, kind of a fluffy read, but well done overall. If you are a fan of Molly Harper, the Aisling Grey series, or even the Sookie Stackhouse books you should enjoy this book. It is interesting, light and fun. The characters are never in too much danger and they all have pretty fun attitudes. A great read and I look forward to reading the second book, Tracking the Tempest.
    • 4/5
      We've all heard the saying don't judge a book by it's cover. To that I say bullsh*t. I picked up this book based on the cover alone (it jumped out at me and I just had to pick it up) and the book was fan-frakkin-tastic. Nicole Peeler has created a very interesting world and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Jane True is a truly original character (no pun intended) and I look forward to her next adventure. I'm totally thrilled that it seems like Tracking the Tempest will focus on Anyan who I fell in love with and really want to know more about. I love the strong, silent type. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the urban fantasy or fantasy/horror genre. It's well worth a read.
    • 5/5
      Good start to a series. Looking forward to next one.
    • 3/5
      Interesting. Love the art for the series, still trying to decide what I think about the writing...
    • 4/5
      Some of the characters: Jane True, Ryu, Anyan, and a wide cast of various supernatural characters.The story: Jane True lives in Rockabill, Maine. She thinks she is an average plain Jane and is an oddball compared to the town folks. Not only is she insecure in her own self but most of the people in the town look down on Jane because of the death of her boyfriend years ago (they blame her) and because the town folks think Jane’s mom (who ran off years ago) was some crazy woman.Jane tries to isolate herself, avoiding the stares of the town, enjoying the few friends she has and taking care of her dad (in a co-dependent way). Even though she tries to fit in, she knows that her desire to swim every night despite the fierce waters and cold temperature is a habit that she cannot break. It is Jane’s odd desire to swim, that opens the door to an entire world Jane was not prepared to enter.After discovering a body in the grips of a whirlpool, Jane is forced to cross paths with the supernatural community. This is where we meet Ryu, a very hot, hunky, slightly egotistic vampire, and Anyan, a hellhound that is much more than your average hellhound (is there such a thing?). Lost In the World: It was hard to keep up with the cast of characters. The author introduces the reader to the characters at the same time Jane learns about the creatures around her. I sometimes felt overwhelmed and wished I had a glossary of supernatural creatures so I could flip back to it.Will I read the next book in the series? This book was VERY funny at times. I rarely laugh aloud and I have to say I laughed more times in this book then I ever had before. I loved Jane’s personality, her wit, her one-liners, and her insecurity. Yes, that does sound like Sookie and it is a darn shame that people will compare Sookie to Jane. The Sookie Stackhouse series is a great series, it is original, and nothing can compare to it. Tempest Rising should not be compared to it. While Jane True is similar to Sookie, the series involving the two similar women is very different. I will read the next book and I can’t wait!
    • 4/5
      I first noticed Tempest Rising because of it's colorful and youthful cover. I always wonder how a book's cover will fit into the story itself. After reading Tempest Rising, the cover and the title makes perfect sense for this book.Tempest Rising has a good plot and colorful characters but it's not your typical Urban Fantasy novel. Oh, you'll read about a very interesting take on gnomes, selkies, kelpies, vampires, succubi, and more but you won't find a kick-ass heroine living in a dark and gritty city. No, what you'll find is Jane, who is a quiet and withdrawn on a journey of self discovery, needing to find away to accept her past. Jane is quiet and withdrawn with good reason. She has been shunned by the small-minded town folks of Rockabill for being different. For having a mother who was different and who disappeared without a trace, leaving her to take care of her ill father. And years later, she is still agonizing over the death of her first love. Jane doesn't always speak her mind but she has unconventional and funny thoughts - about everything. I loved the humor in this book, it had me rolling a few times. I even read out loud a couple of the passages to those around me while I was reading this book.Shy Jane starts to blossom while helping Ryu, a charismatic vampire, investigate the murder of a town visitor. While I liked Jane and Ryu, I didn't really like them together. I wanted to see more for Jane in the romance department. But with the romance aspect aside, the ending made this book for me. I can't wait to find out where Jane's new life is heading in the next book.Normally, I tend to lean towards bad ass heroines in my Urban Fantasy reads but I was pleasantly surprised by my liking of timid Jane True. Not everyone who comes through hardships in their lives ends up tough as nails, some take a different road.
    • 4/5
      Jane is a halfling...her mother is Selkie and her father is human. When Jane is six her mother disappears in the midst of a huge storm and isn't seen again. Jane is an oddity in her tiny town in Maine. She is the subject of constant gossip, due to both her mother and her involvement in the death of a beloved member of the community. Jane has a secret that she hides from the town because she knows things would be even worse if it was public knowledge. She swims in the Old Sow...a huge riptide no one could possible survive. She also swims in the coldest of temperatures but the water doesn't faze her. Her father knows all this but refuses to talk about it. One day Jane is swimming when she finds a body in the water. This begins a non-stop trail of events as Jane finds out what she is and what more is really out there walking among humans. I adored this book to start because I enjoyed the Selkie storyline and I thought Peeler did a great job being unique and bringing something new with the Selkie's as well as a bunch of other characters here...garden gnomes and djinn oh my! I liked the mystery as well thought it was quickly solved without many complications. The side characters both supernatural and town folk were quirky and charming. The thing that turned me off was all the romance/sex stuff. Jane hits it off with vampire investigator Ryu immediately. He was ok, by vampire standards. He was sort of cookie-cutter in that he was handsome, reasonably wealthy, charming, and liked humans well enough. Still he bland other than I thought he had a pretty good sense of humor. Jane was a fairly strong character except when it came to scenes with Ryu...then she became annoying and cookie cutter too. I can definitely see some threads hanging that could make the series interesting. I loved the dog and I hope he gets more of a storyline in the future. I gave this book four stars because I did like it. It would have been a five star if we could have edited out most of the sex, which wasn't even well done sex.
    • 5/5
      O..M..G!!! I have absolutely no idea what took me so long to buy this incredibly hellah fun book. It's been on the WWBL ever since I started reading Nicole's bloggage on League of Reluctant Adults and interviews here there and yon in anticipation of the release of TEMPEST RISING last November. I bought it when I joined up Literary Escapism's mini challenge to read as many League books as possible in February, preferably the League authors we hadn't read yet. Good enough to go book shopping and put this one in the cart. Then it became the next book after Jackie Kessler's HELL'S BELLES. I was two for two in new author 'YAY, I'm so glad I found this author' pool.I could empathize with Jane's outsider-ness and the small cache of friends she loved and who loved her. I'm glad Nicole didn't dwell on the sheer town bastards who treated Jane like shite at every opportunity. Rather, Jane glowed when she showed her strength of character, her love for her father and fab friends, especially the owners of the bookshop where she worked. And her love of the ocean without understanding why she felt so at home and at peace when in the water. Then she found the body on the beach and her world started to change. Anyan, the talking dog arrived as did Ryu, the uber hot vampire and investigator for the fae world. The body on the beach wasn't just any body, he was a halfling, half human and half...well, not human. As was Jane. I liked how Nicole gave Jane just enough 'Wuh-haaat?' incredulity and the right amount of common sense to go along with the flow of events as they occurred. And, oh the fab 'dirty drawer'....snort laugh funny throughout, excellent fight scenes, well written other world characters, both full and halfling varietal. The humans are pretty much secondary in the whole book and that's just fine with me. Especially since the majority of the humans in the book are aith-holes and life is too short to read about them...movin' on....not to say that the fae world is all la-la-la airy fairy nice. Nope, there's some eeeevil ones on that side of the bed, too. The good ones are good and ornery and funny and the bad ones are eeeevil. Fab mix. So...I changed up the rating..TEMPEST RISING gets to be the first five sparkly diamond rating....I'll still do coffee beans, but the really special ones from now on will get the diamonds....Here's five sparkly diamonds for Jane and the gang....
    • 3/5
      I first saw artwork on this book last fall, and just fell in love with the cover. I bought it right away, as soon as I could get it - mostly because of the cover. I rarely buy books based solely on the cover, but it's a cute cover. Tempest Rising is written pretty well. The humor is just non-stop, lots of quips and one liners. I love the way the Jane True not only talks to herself, but argues with herself. The thing that kept me reading in fact, was the humor. The dialog between characters was okay - especially with the humor. However, this book just wasn't as exciting as I thought it was going to be. It was a fun read, but there wasn't a lot of action. Correction, there's action - just not alot of adventure action.Jane True has secret swimming sessions on the ocean, and seems to be an outcast in her little hometown. Although there are some "townies" who are very supportive of her, she seems to focus on the negative reactions of people (hell, I probably would too). Her boss couple - Tracy and Grizzie both seem to have a checkered past. If I were to read any more of this series, it would be for these two characters. They are a lesbian couple, with lots of personality. One thing I found amusing about Jane's character is that she's not afraid to admit when she might be enjoying the attention of another woman, and she's not ashamed or all bothered about it - even though she is heterosexual. I found that refreshing.There are some other characters that are engaging, they are introduced in this novel and would be fun to read more about. The bagboy, (really a man) the couple who own a bar, and the family that runs the restaurant in town.Jane's character has not only suffered from her mother disappearing, and the disapproval of most of the town, but she's also been grieving for a boyfriend that she lost. This plays a pretty large part in her character. During one of her nightly swims, she finds a dead body in the ocean. This is just the beginning of quite a mystery. The discovery of a dead body brings about a revelation about her own heritage, and she ends up going out of town and being in the middle of a dangerous mystery. There is a lot of discovery in this novel, a little bit of actions (like fights and danger) and a lot of thought processes from Jane True. If you like mystery, with paranormal elements and some sexy situations, then this is a good read for you. If you like way more action...then you might be a little disappointed. The best thing about this book, for me, was the humor that flows throughout the pages. There were alot places where I just laughed out loud while reading. I like to laugh, I like funny books, I like the cover of this book.....I just felt like I had read a funny book. Which is okay...I feel like I read a romance that happened to have paranormal elements and a mystery, instead of an urban fantasy, or even a fantasy book. There's nothing really wrong with that, it's just not what I'm looking for personally in a book. Tempest Rising is listed as a fantasy/horror book, but I didn't feel like I was reading a horror book. Not at all. I think it should be marketed under paranormal romance. If this had been so, then I might have had different expectations going into reading this. A pleasant, light humorous read
    • 4/5
      How Jane discovered she's a selkie and got her groove back I'm a fairly prolific reader and reviewer, but my reading year got off to a terrible start. I couldn't seem to find the time to read, and what I was reading wasn't holding my interest. In short, I couldn't seem to finish a book. It was at this point that a friend recommended Tempest Rising. She said it was light, funny, and had a protagonist who worked in a bookstore. All points in its favor. On the other hand, it's one of those paranormal romance-type books that I generally hate. Vampires, werewolves, as a rule I avoid them like the plague. Nicole Peeler's debut has them, but the novel also has selkies, gnomes, kelpies, succubae, goblins, elves, and a whole bunch of creatures I've never heard of. Peeler embraces a broad cross-section of world mythology, but she makes it her own. She keeps the traditions she likes, and changes what she has no use for. The world she's created is interesting in its departure from the conventional mythology--for instance the vampire who's a lover not a fighter. More on him in a moment. I summarized the novel's plot in the title of this review: How Jane discovered she's a selkie and got her groove back. Okay, I was having a little fun, much as author Nicole Peeler seems to be. Tempest Rising is the story of Jane True of Rockabill, Maine. As the novel opens, 20-something Jane is living with her dad and despite being a total hottie is something of a pariah around town. It's partially due to her oddball mom who ran off years ago, but it's mostly to do with the role she played in the drowning death of her popular boyfriend. Jane's resigned to the life she leads and tries to take pleasure in her father and few friends. And then she finds another body in the water. It is this event that opens the door to a life and a world that Jane would never have dreamed of. A world where people she's known her entire life are not what they seem--including her long-absent mother. So begins an adventure and a romance with, yes, a hunky vampire. Be forewarned, this is not an innocent little cozy mystery. Peeler seems to delight in frequent, somewhat explicit sex scenes. Look, no one likes a bit of erotica more than me, but eventually it just became page-filler. Ultimately, the book managed to live up to expectations. It was light, funny, and a very, very fast read. Jane had an amusing voice. There really wasn't much to the novel, clearly the beginning of a series, but it was something of a palate cleanser for me. If I were looking for a bit of mindless entertainment, yeah, I would consider reading the next in the series. For readers who are really into this sort of thing, it would probably be a slam dunk.
    • 4/5
      I almost didn't buy this book as the cover seemed very juvenile but I had read several good reviews so I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did. I like the heroine Jane. She's not your usual tough as nails kick ass heroine. But she's been through a lot in her life - Jane's a survivor and has strengths she doesn't know about.My biggest complaint was that none of the secondary characters, including Jane's boyfriend Ryu were really fleshed out. Hopefully the author will do that in the next book. Overall it was a humorous book and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
    • 3/5
      A mildly entertaining but very unoriginal and predictable cookie cutter start of a new urban fantasy series. This first person narrative of a plucky heroine surrounded by mythical creatures, encountering a bit of suspense and a bit of romance is completely interchangeable with any number of other urban fantasy chick-lit novels of the same ilk.In a small tourist town in Maine, Jane True, half selkie, half human, is eking out an uncomfortable existance as the local pariah. Marked by a tragedy in her past she is ostracised and avoided by most of the locals, staying because her invalid father needs her. A violent murder of another half human results in her learning of her heritage, and meeting other supernatural beings.Having found the body Jane gets involved in the investigation, and with the investigator, a sexy vampire.This novel comes across as a blatant rip-off of the Sookie Stackhouse series, and seems more the result of a market analysis rather than an artistic vision.
    • 5/5
      I will say that I was hooked from the very first chapter! Nicole I don't know what's coming next in 'Tracking the Tempest' but I will say that Grizzie needs her own book LOL! (but maybe hers will be paranormal erotica or something LOL!) So our main character is Jane True and Poor Jane always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But this chick keeps her head up and keeps on going! Poor Jane learns of the 'supernaturals' through an unfortunate event which leads her to meet an amazing cast of characters and learn about her true self (get it 'true' self LOL). But her lessons of the 'sups' are taught to her by hunky investigator Ryu that not all 'sups' are the same. As we follow Jane through he story we meet an interesting array of characters.....selkies, dryads, and nagas, oh my! Nicole creates a world that only come to us in our dreams and books like this. The story was fast paced and exciting. This was one of those books that I couldn't put down. I myself can not wait for book two 'Tracking the Tempest'...where Jane's story will be continued. Nicole's book had me laughing out loud at times. It contained a lot of snarky comments and humorous moments. There was action and romance; there were twists and turns till the end. I give this book 5 stars and can honestly say I recommend it to all who love the paranormal/fantasy genre and who are looking for something different and fun!
    • 4/5
      This is another book which I enjoyed so much I was not able to put it down. I wanted so badly to stay up all night and finish reading it, thats how much I loved the humor and the characters.We meet Jane, who lives with her slightly ailing father to help take care of him in a small home town of Rockabill. The appearance and disappearance of Janes mother has the towns people a little wary of her. Then there is that dark past, or deed of eight years ago, that has the small town whispering and starring at her all the time. A small town that seems to never forget, let alone forgive. This has caused Jane to take to staying to the shadows and not catching anyones eye to prevent an uncomfortable situation with a few of her biggest fans.In meeting Jane you learn quickly she is a swimmer. But, not any ordinary swimmer. She is such an exceptionally strong swimmer she swims in the outskirts of one of America's deadliest whirlpools, in winter with freezing cold water, naked. But, during this particular swim she spies a body spinning around in the Old Sow, the name of the large whirlpool.This book introduces you to many great mythical characters with great potential abilities that could easily complement Jane. You have your share of supernatural creatures here; kelpie, selkie, vampires, nahuals, and many, many others.We are introduced to an Investigator, Ryu, who is investigating more than the dead body of Jakes and is more than what Jane realizes. Janes relationship with Ryu is a unique one with love. I have loved these two together with the tension and understanding they share, along with making me smile and chuckle at the humor shared.There is a lot of great humor in the book. I found myself smiling and chuckling at Jane and her little comments or thoughts. One of my favorite humor lines from Jane is, after being chased through the woods for a short while by some animal which she does not know what or why it is chasing her. "I wasn't running now so much as stumbling quickly, panting like a geriatric lion." There are a few references in the same scene that made me chuckle but this one almost got me in trouble for reading while at work. I could rather understand what Jane was feeling and felt it myself. Also, with the whirlpool being named Old Sow the town has adopted many pig reference names. Reading Ryus responce to these names and thinking on them myself as I read I got a little chuckle everytime.Ryu seems to be a huge influence on Jane with helping to bring her out of her shell, and letting Jane be who Jane is. Jane has a lot thrown at her at once in this new crazy world with different rules, and she handles all the news very well... by running. No she doesn't run away in the book, but when the battles start she does what many of us think of and that is run. However, even in her running she fights for what she believes. Through all the craziness Jane grows greatly as a character, both physically and mentally. Jane is now ready to grow to her full potential, or at least start moving down that path for book 2 in the series.There is alot of room for the growth on these secondary characters in future books to accent Jane and even additional storylines. There is a lot of growth for Jane to do as well. I have fallen for the books and will be faithfully waiting for the next book, Tracking the Tempest to come out. A great, enjoyable read.
    • 5/5
      My thoughts...I really enjoy this debut novel by Nicole Peeler. Let me start with the characters. Jane True, our heroine made me smile through out the whole book with her quick witt and her arguments with herself. Having endured a very traumatic experience and some very unfriendly neighbors she lives her life day by day. Then we meet Ryu, a vampire investigator who has come to town to interview Jane about a mysterious death. Ryu is everything we would expect, sexy, smart sophisticated, rich and did I mention sexy? Jane and Ryu are just the half of it. Nicole Peeler introduces readers to an incredible world full of some very interesting and unique characters. Some of them were truly frightening, others incredibly magical. She did a great with the characterization in the book. I enjoyed the storyline of Tempest Rising. There were quite a few unique twists and turns that kept me turning the pages until the very end. The story did not leave you hanging with a cliffhanger, however it did leave you wanting more of Jane True and her new friends, particularly Anyan who only makes several appearances in the first book. This book is geared for adults due to some graphic scenes which were steamy but still tastefully written. Overall, I enjoyed the writing style. As for cons...I am hard pressed for anything negative to say about this book other than the fact that I have to wait so long for the next in the series.