Cassie Scot Paranormal Detective is a May 2013 release, published by Twilight Times Books. I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review.
Cassie comes from a large magical family. This was by design. Her parents wanted 7 children for a reason. Cassie, however, may have put a kink in the plan by never developing any magical skills. Although it wasn't for a lack of trying. Cassie desperately wanted to be a fully engaged member of the family. But, it wasn't meant to be.
Now, Cassie is working as a deputy, still living at home though. She has a boyfriend and a few close friends, but her home life is till uneasy.
When a young woman is found murdered and another girl goes missing at the same time, Cassie is on the case. But, to her great surprise, her old childhood friend, and a cousin of the murdered girl, shows up out of the blue.
Evan is mysterious and good looking and Cassie had a crush on him when they were in school together. But, she doesn't really trust him. He has a reputation for mixing love potions and using them to his advantage with the ladies. Cassie still finds him very attractive, even without a potion. So, she's on her guard around him. Evan makes it clear he intends to be a part of the investigation, since it was his cousin that was the victim.
Cassie's parents, especially her dad, do not like Evan, and don't even bother trying to hide it.
When another body is found, and it is obvious a vampire is involved, the case takes on another dimension.
Cassie is a young woman that has been plagued with self esteem issues her entire life because she is different from everyone in her family and to many others in this odd little town. She is easy to relate to. Her humanity and obvious care for others makes us root for her when it looks like she doesn't really have a lot of support from her other family members and her boyfriend doesn't really want the magical side of her family to be obvious.
Cassie is in search of her place and looking for her niche. Being a detective is something she is good at and she doesn't need to be "gifted" to do her job.
However, there are things beyond her control that hold her down and hold her back. The family dynamic is a mystery in this first book. We get the feeling there is more going on than we know, but for now, we are left feeling that Cassie is better off being with Evan, no matter what others may think of him.
I don't read a lot of YA novels. I am just way beyond the audience these books are geared toward. But, once in awhile there is a novel that, although it is labeled a certain way, can appeal to a universal audience. This is an Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance that features a young adult, single woman try to find where it is she belongs. That is a feeling we all have at one time or another. The themes are mature, but there is no explicit sex scenes and no harsh language or graphic violence. The writing is above average, as is the story. I was really moved by Cassie. I felt her emotions jumping off the page at me. I was riveted to the story from the first page to the last. This author is one to watch. I recommend this one to readers of YA, New Adult, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance.
Overall I give this one a A+
