Innocence Lost

Happy Tuesday, fellow readers! I hope that everyone is doing well. I am so over this stormy weather! Hopefully, there will be clear skies ahead. However, the good thing about rainy weather is the time it allows for reading. This week, I present to you an interesting paranormal adventure called "Innocence Lost" by Patty Jansen.

Let's start with the trigger warnings.

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Trigger Warnings:

Magic use

Religion

Death

Some explicit language

A brief adult scene

Cliff hanger

Mentions of the loss of a parent

I found "Innocence Lost" as part of an anthology called "Sword and Magic." It is my first book by Patty, and I definitely look forward to more in the future. It's is the first of a series called "Ghostspeaker Chronicles," and as I mentioned, there is a significant cliff hanger. But, fear not, as book two is readily available, and you can dive right in without having to wait.

Johanna is an interesting female main character (fmc). She's 24 years old, the only child of a successful merchant, and has a bit of magic ability. The world that Johanna lives in, is one where religion has taken hold and is creating distrust and outright hatred toward magic. Patty Jensen brought a very vivid and intriguing small trade town world to life. I love that Johanna is more into running her family business than settling down with a husband and that she would rather be comfortable and practical than pracing about in frilly dresses. I feel that it makes her relatable.

Johanna endures things both past and present that are heart wrenching and yet she endures through it all with surprising strength and a level head. She is surrounded by a colorful cast of characters including someone who may or may not be possessed. This lends to interesting elements in the story.

I went through emotions with this one and that's the sign of good storytelling. I was sad, proud of Johanna, scandalized, scared for her, and worried. I hope to follow her into book two at some point soon.

Here is my official review:

"Innocence Lost" is the gripping beginning of a series and absolutely leaves you needing more. Johanna is a strong, smart, business savvy woman in a male dominated world. I adore her as a main character. I was emotionally invested in her story and can not wait to read more.

If you'd like set sail with Johanna and her colorful crew, you can get "Innocence Lost" here: https://a.co/d/1Cz87ZN

Or, pick up the anthology Sword & Magic here: https://a.co/d/eLdQW56

That does it for me for this week, dear readers. Please join me again next week for another wonderful recommendation. Until then, curl up with a good book.