The Taken (Spirit Walkers Series #3) by Donnette Smith | Book Review ~ #FantasyRomance With a Dash of #Paranormal and #Mystery
@GoddessFish @Donnettetxgirl @authordonnettesmith
A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.
Book Details
The Taken by Donnette Smith Series: Spirit Walkers Book 3
Published by Wild Rose Press on November 6, 2023
Genres: Adult Fiction 18+, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 231
Source: Goddess Fish PromotionsAll Jenna Langley wanted was a chance to finally marry the man of her dreams. But when the spirit of a dead girl shows up at her wedding that only she can see, it becomes clear Jenna’s latest brush with death has caused the heightening of her psychic abilities to reach an unfamiliar and frightening level.
Her new husband, Detective Cole Rainwater, vows to do whatever it takes to get to the root of Jenna’s disturbing sightings. But before he can investigate this mystery, his bride is taken right under his nose.
What started as a romantic honeymoon has turned into a fight for Jenna’s life. And the only path to freedom is through the help and guidance of a dead girl who was once the victim of the sex traffickers that have stolen away with Jenna.
Content Warning: Murder, Human Trafficking, Sexual Assault, Open-Door Romance
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Excerpt from The Taken
“Who’s there?” she demanded, taking measured steps toward the bathroom.
Dead silence.
As Jenna stumbled into the bathroom, the hairs on the nape of her neck stood on end. A presence lingered here. There was no doubt about it. A sudden chill bit into her flesh; puffs of cold smoke billowed from Jenna’s mouth. She hugged her body to fend off the cold, but the arctic environment was nothing compared to the adrenaline that lit her up.
She scrutinized all three bathroom stalls. All the doors were shut, but her psychic ability drew her to the one in the center. Her hand shook like a leaf in a storm as she lifted it up and placed it against the door. As she gave the door a shove, the hinges creaked—ever so slightly. A flash of dread twisted her gut as the door slowly drifted open.
The sight of an ill-defined something, perched on the lid of the toilet, sent out an ear-splitting scream.
Jenna back pedaled, thudding against the cold, porcelain sink.
The shape took form before her eyes. The edges became sharper, clearer—until the girl with blood oozing from a hole in the center of her forehead shot to her feet like a rocket, her dark eyes as big as saucers. “You can see me, can’t you?”
Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.
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Purchase Links for The Taken
Amazon – OneLink for every country
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My thoughts on The Taken
Donnette Smith’s “The Taken,” the third installment in the Spirit Walkers series, seamlessly weaves elements of fantasy, romance, paranormal, and mystery into a captivating narrative. Jenna Langley, the protagonist, faces a chilling escalation of her psychic abilities after a near-death experience, turning her dream wedding into a nightmare as the spirit of a dead girl becomes a haunting presence only she can perceive.
The story takes an unexpected turn when Jenna is mysteriously abducted, thrusting Detective Cole Rainwater, her newlywed husband, into a desperate search for answers. As he delves into the investigation, the plot unfolds with suspense, revealing a connection to sex traffickers and a deceased victim who becomes Jenna’s unlikely guide.
The book delves into dark and challenging themes, including murder, human trafficking, and sexual assault, with an open-door approach to romance. Readers should be mindful of the content warning, as these elements are presented in a manner that is integral to the plot.
The narrative’s strength lies in its relevance to contemporary issues, with a storyline that feels ripped from today’s headlines. The author skillfully maintains a balance between the gripping mystery and the heart-wrenching moments, creating a compelling reading experience.
While the bedroom scenes may have a slightly wider open door than some readers prefer, they are skimmable without losing the essence of the story. The relationship dynamics between Cole and Jenna occasionally tiptoe towards traditional gender roles, with moments of overprotection. Still, these instances are skillfully navigated, revealing an underlying motive of love rather than control.
One of the book’s standout features is the seamless integration of difficult themes with flashes of humor, providing moments of relief amidst the tension. This combination contributes to the overall readability, making it difficult to put the book down.
In Conclusion
“The Taken” is a thrilling addition to the Spirit Walkers series, earning a solid 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. Readers seeking a blend of fantasy, romance, and mystery with a contemporary edge will find themselves riveted by the compelling narrative and well-developed characters.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!
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About Donnette Smith
Although not a native Texan, Donnette Smith has spent more than half her life living in the Lone Star State. She is an entrepreneur and former business owner of Tailor Maid Services LLC. After spending a few years working as a journalist for the Blue Ridge Tribune, she realized her love for writing romantic detective novels.
Her stories cover a wide range of genres, from horror, time travel, mystery, fantasy, paranormal, and thriller. But one theme stays the same, there is always a detective solving a crime, and a gorgeous victim he would lay down his life to protect. Donnette’s biggest fascination is with forensic science and crime scene investigations.
Her novels include, Cunja, a horror/mystery/suspense that debuted in 2012. Book 1 of The Spirit Walker Series, Killing Dreams, a fantasy/romance story with a paranormal element became available in September of 2021. Book 2 of The Spirit Walker Series, Buried Alive, was published on March 14, 2022. And her latest, book 3 of The Spirit Walkers Series, The Taken.
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Purchase The Taken online from a local bookstore.
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Easy Amazon Info Link
Amazon – OneLink for every country
If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:
Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share.
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Giveaway!
The author will award a golden book box with magnetic closures. Inside will be book 1 of The Spirit Walkers Series, Killing Dreams, and book 2, Buried Alive. One of the books will be autographed. Also in the box will be a specialized bookmarker, the Spirit Walkers Series coffee mug, Chai tea, and a scented, therapeutic candle.
Visit more stops on this Goddess Fish tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for The Taken
Full Tour Schedule:
November 7: Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!
November 7: travel the ages
November 14: Sandra’s Book Club
November 14: Maggie Blackbird
November 21: Novels Alive
November 21: Iron Canuck Reviews & More
November 28: Gina Rae Mitchell
November 28: The Avid Reader
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Goddess Fish Virtual Book Tour Host
Sounds like a really good read.
Thank you, Sherry. I hope you get an opportunity to check it out.
This book and series, sounds very intriguing, Gina. Nice post.
Thank you.
Thanks Carla. It worked as a standalone but I want to go back & read the earlier ones.
Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog, and reviewing The Taken.
We appreciate you reviewing and featuring today’s book.