Naomi's Reading Palace: Review/Giveaway ~ Mystery Rises by Marilyn Phillips

Today I have the pleasure of bringing you my review of Mystery Rises, the sequel in the Mystery Falls series by an Australian YA Paranormal Romance author, Marilyn Phillips. I am also running a giveaway where you have the chance to win the books so you can enjoy the series like I have!!

Title: Mystery Rises

Author: Marilyn Phillips

Series: Mystery Falls #2

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Published: October 11^th 2013

After spending months apart due to an enforced separation, Samantha and Shadow are finally reunited. However, it is a reunion which may be short lived. As more secrets of the past are revealed, Samantha not only discovers her true heritage, but also how heavily intertwined it is with Shadow’s. Suddenly finding themselves on opposing sides of a feud which started long before either one of them was born, they struggle to remain together in a world which seems determined to keep them apart.

Neither one of them wants to enter the conflict started by their forefathers, but unfortunately, there may not be a choice. With Samantha’s true identity now known in the world of the angels, she has become a pawn in a deadly game of revenge. Desperate to hold on to the one person who truly matters to him, Shadow must find a way to protect Samantha... or risk losing her forever.

Mystery Rises is the second book in the Mystery Falls series and I thought that it was an enjoyable continuation of the story. The beginning of the book is a bit slow, as we recap some of the first book as well as see what Samantha’s life is like now that Shadow is not around. She is trying to carry on as normally as she can but she is eager for Shadow to return to her. Her relationship with her cousin Clare has improved and her best friend Mia tries to include her in all her plans. It saddens Samantha to know that their lives have moved on, where hers seems to be a bit stagnant at the moment.

The second half of the book is much better as things start to slot into place. Samantha forms a new relationship with someone who knows Shadow and it causes a bit of tension when Shadow finally does return. I liked this new character; he wants to prove himself worthy and is doing everything in his power to be accepted. Samantha also takes steps to prepare herself for the future. She doesn’t want to have to rely on others all the time and decides to stand up for herself and gets help from her friends. Samantha grew up so much throughout this book; she began all reserved and shy, but by the end of the book she was a much better person.

Some of our other favourite characters from the first book returned too, and I felt that they helped stable Samantha when she was starting to feel down. We met a few new characters and one in particular I didn’t like and in the end I figured out why.

The swoon elements of this book are so sweet and my heart melted each time. Samantha puts herself out there, like she wants to devour him, but Shadow tries to keep things slow. Marilyn has done a nice job of continuing Samantha’s story. The events that occurred in Mystery Rises are definitely building up for the final instalment of the series. I am keen to see how it will all turn out.

I received a copy of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review.

Marilyn lives on the outskirts of Melbourne (Australia) with her wonderfully supportive husband and two beautiful children. A fully qualified Secondary School Teacher, she spent thirteen years in the classroom before taking leave from her profession to become a stay-at-home mum and self-published author. Books have always been her passion and when not writing or reading, she likes to spend time with her family, take long walks in dark forests and watch movies with happy endings.

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