In this series set in the same world as the Jane Yellowrock novels, New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter introduces Nell Ingram, who wields powers as old as the earth. When Nell Ingram met skinwalker Jane Yellowrock, she was almost alone in the world, exiled by both choice and fear from the cult she was raised in, defending herself with the magic she drew from her deep connection to the … from her deep connection to the forest that surrounds her.
Now, Jane has referred Nell to PsyLED, a Homeland Security agency policing paranormals, and agent Rick LaFleur has shown up at Nell’s doorstep. His appearance forces her out of her isolated life into an investigation that leads to the vampire Blood Master of Nashville.
Nell has a team—and a mission. But to find the Master’s kidnapped vassal, Nell and the PsyLED team will be forced to go deep into the heart of the very cult Nell fears, infiltrating the cult and a humans-only terrorist group before time runs out…
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This is the second series I’ve tried of Faith Hunter’s and I’ve loved both. But I think I might like this one a tich more than the Yellowrock series. I like the heroine and I love the worldbuilding. I can’t wait to read more in Nell’s world.
I love books with kick butt woman and this series is wonderful.
The first in a new series, set in the same world as the Jane Yellowrock stories, Blood of the Earth was an outstanding introduction to Nell Ingram and her magical connection to her home and its forest, Soulwood. Nell was raised in God’s Cloud of Glory Church, which most people considered a cult, but she left it when the old pastor tried to take her as a child wife, and hasn’t been back since. When Jane Yellowrock sends agent Rick Lafleur and his unit of PsyLED to Nell, she is introduced to a whole new world of investigation, paranormal creatures, and very real danger that is very different from her isolated life on her land. There are kidnapped girls to find, a terrorist organization to stop and Nell is just learning what she can do with her magical connection to her forest and land, as well as getting to know her new allies in PsyLED, who are becoming friends as well. She also has a chance to reconnect with her family, who are completely different than she thought they were. I really liked Nell and her family, especially brother Sam and her Mama. It was nice to see the familiar Rick Lafleur in his new life as a were and as a PsyLED agent. The team was a diverse group, and I especially enjoyed Occam, the werecat and Tandy, the empath. I’m looking forward to reading more about Nell’s adventures with this interesting and unique team.
Read them all..I was hooked from the beginning…
Big fan of Faith Hunter and the Jane Yellowrock series and was really interested to read this spinoff. She did not disappoint!
Once again Faith Hunter has set a great stage for a long running series. Each book stands on it’s own but leaves you craving more. What happens next? I can’t wait to find out!
It wasn’t on the level of Jane Yellowrock, but it was decent.
As good or better than the Jane Yellowrock novels. I am already drawn in and want to learn more about the secrets of all the characters.
I loved this book! The reason I gave it 4stars instead of 5 is because its a spin off of the “Jane Yellow rock” series While you don’t have to read the series first, I think it would help to understand some of this book if you did.
this book is a spin-off from the jane yellowrock series. some of the characters from the one series are in the other. this is very different in some respects, no incredibly dangerous woman saving the world, rather a team of special people saving the world in a quieter way. it’s a change of pace,m yet within the same world view. i like the series. i like this book
I love Faith Hunter. The Soulwood series and the Jane Yellowrock series are the absolute best. Best writing, plotting, and storytelling. Faith’s books are an automatic
buy for me!
I’m such a fan of the Jane Yellowrock series, I jumped in with both feet when I heard about this spinoff. I have to say, it’s nothing at all like the series it came from, but it was absolutely engaging and entertaining in its own right. We met the heroine, Nell, in “Off the Grid” in Black Water, but if you missed that story, don’t worry; you’ll catch up. Jane Yellowrock fans can also expect at least one really familiar face, as Ricky Bo plays a major role in the story. (More on that in a minute.)
Nell is a young woman who lives mostly off the grid, who escaped from a religious cult that practiced polygamy. She didn’t get away unscathed. She married at 12 to man with one other wife, and, well… suffice it to say, her life could have been worse, but it should have been much better. That husband took her out of the church, and now that he’s dead, she has an independence she never could have dreamed of. But the church wants her back. They make life difficult. And on top of it all, if they knew what she could do, they’d burn her as a witch.
Nell has a special affinity with the earth. She communes with her land and her trees. She’s something special, which is part of the reason PsyLed comes knocking at her door –that and the fact that she’s got an inside track at the church. And they’re at the center of an investigation involving missing girls.
There were so many things I liked about this book. Nell is really like no other UF heroine out there. She is a mass of contradictions: backwoods yet smart, sheltered yet world weary. She’s never been on a date, never been in love, yet she’s been a wife. She’s young, yet lived beyond her years. Then there’s her power, which at times feels gentle and earthy, but it’s also bloody and dark. There’s a lot of dark in this book, actually; much of it’s from her history and the cult where she grew up. Faith Hunter doesn’t shy away from the darkest scenarios. But she also manages to find balance. Not everything is as cut and dry as it seems.
And I didn’t forget that I said I would come back to Rick. I’ve made no secret of the fact that I hate Rick and all he’s put Jane through. But strangely, I didn’t hate him here (just like I didn’t really hate him in his novellas.) I realize that I only hate him in the context of Jane and as a potential love interest for her. I really do stand firm in that. But in this book, it’s just different. I don’t love him or anything, but I almost feel sorry for him.
I do, however, love the rest of the PsyLed team. There’s no love interest in this book. With what I learned about Nell’s history, I wouldn’t have been ready for that. But there is camaraderie and a potential for a relationship down the line. I loved the empath Tandy and the shifter Occam. And while Occam is the obvious choice for an eventual romance, I wouldn’t rule Tandy out just yet. I’m really interested to see how that will all play out.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It’s every bit as layered and complex and entertaining as a Jane book, but it definitely has its own flavor. Would recommend.
Rating: B+
*Also love, love the fantastic ‘slow burn’ romance.
I love all of the characters whether good or bad, they played their parts well.
It’s one of my favorite series
I loved this book so much I bought every book in the series and read them ALL. Highly recommend.
I love Faith Hunter’s books! She is a wonderful author.
Awesome this author never fails me