From New York Times Bestselling Author, Kristen Proby, comes an all new paranormal romance set in the mystical city of New Orleans… way to stay sane. Everything changes the day Cassian Winslow joins my ghost walking tour and knocks my world off its axis with green eyes the color of the stone around my neck.
An unspeakable evil is loose in New Orleans, taking young women and leaving a bloodbath in his wake. More shadows lurking for me. More unhappy dead. There might be a way to stop it.
Open myself up to Cassian.
If I do, it could spell his death.
But if I don’t, it’s mine.
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Shadows is the beginning of the Bayou Magic series that will have you on the edge of your seat right from the beginning of the book.
Brielle is the host of a ghost walking tour and can see the shadows of people who have died. The day Cassian joins her tour, everything in her world seems to change. As more and more shadows start to show up trying to tell Brielle something, she becomes determined to find out what they are trying to tell her. As bodies start popping up, Brielle and Cassian team up together to try to solve what is happening before someone else ends up dead.
This book had me on the edge of my seat through the whole thing with the suspenseful creepiness. It was nice to get back to the paranormal universe as I have been away from it for a while. Brielle and Cassian had an almost instant connection that worked for them. The ending keeps you hooked for book two but was a little too soft for the creepiness of the rest of the book. I do want to pick up Spells to see how the story continues.
Audio: Lee Samuels and Samantha Brentmoor did a great job of telling the story of Cassian and Brielle and Samantha had me thinking she was from Louisiana. Jason Clarke gave me goosebumps with his deep and creepy character.
This was my first book by Kristen Proby and came highly recommended to me. I’m new to the PNR genre, so I went into this book with an open mind and no expectations. I really liked all of the characters in the story and found that they each brought something to the table. The cross over between paranormal and taboo was intriguing and kept my mind occupied on all of the events that were taking place. This story had it all! Shadows/spirits, spells, potions, witchcraft, possession, and more.
The author didn’t put the romance component of this story on front street, which worked well for the story. It was more of a secondary component of the novel. I found that really it made it easier to accept the “instant love” vibe that Brielle and Cash gave off.
I liked that the author left the story with somewhat of a cliffhanger, but the most important aspects of the story were resolved by the end of the read. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series.
Shadows: A Bayou Magic Novel
By: Kristen Proby
Narrated by: Samantha Brentmoor, Jason Clarke, Lee Samuels
Series: Bayou Magic, Book 1
This is exactly the kind of ghost story I love! The perfect setting, amazing characters, an incredible plot and the narration spot on! Kristen Proby’s first book in the Bayou Magic series had me drawn in and no one was allowed to talk to me until I was finished! The story features Brielle, one of three sisters, each having a gift. Brielle’s gift is being able to see the dead. When she notices new, young girls showing up in the shadows, she is piqued that something is terribly wrong. With the help of Cash, an FBI profiler, her sisters and local law enforcement, we are taken on a trip inside the paranormal side of New Orleans! It’s creepy, horrific, has strong family ties and the romance is hot! I loved this original take on a relevant issue and truly enjoyed the book. I can’t wait to listen to the other sisters’ stories!
Narration of this book is incredible. Samantha Brentmoor comes in with a Cajun accent that would make you think she grew up in the bayou! She bring Brielle’s personality to life, letting us see and feel all the things her “gift” brings to her. Jason Clarke shows his versatility as the evil Horace and boy does he pull it off. And Lee Samuels comes in as Cash, the loving, supporting profiler giving us all the anger, frustration and love. It’s a fantastic cast and wonderful listen.
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***** AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *****
I started Shadows by Kristen Proby the day I received my copy. I finished the very next day. The storyline quickly pulled me in!! I’m finding that I really enjoy paranormal way more than I thought I did. Really this is a shocking revelation for me. I just thought Iiked a few, here or there but the last few I’ve listened to have been hits IMO. The characters in Shadows are really likeable and I was thrilled to see that this is going to be at least a trilogy. The minute the end of the audio played I was searching out the audiobook for Spells (book 2) on Audible. I quickly grabbed the second book and started into Millie’s story. I am a bit bummed that I’ll have to wait for the third book but that happens!
Back to Brielle and Cash though… these two have an instant recognition during the ghost tour Brielle is taking a group on, Cash included. Brielle has always had some magic but her skills change and begin to scare her. This is where Cash comes in and protects but he also has insight to offer as an FBI agent. From here the story continues to pick up pace and women go missing, things are changing, and weirdness is all around! Proby really brought out the creep-factor in New Orleans. I loved the peek into the lives of witches or the gifted… I’m not sure what term to use. I loved the spells, the potions, the dream walking, the circles, the coven… it’s all just fascinating to me. It kept me engaged until the story was over!
This novel has three narrators and I just SO APPRECIATE how perfect each was for their character. Samantha Brentmoor was the BEST southern belle meets witch. Her New Orleans accent was SPOT ON! Perfection y’all, perfection! I felt like I was down there visiting and right in their story with them. That is the skills of not just a fabulous author creating an amazing story but superb narration as well. Lee Samuels is our ‘bad’ guy and he sounds perfectly creepy! He really captured the I’m-off-the-rocker-vibe while still sounding real. Great, great job. Then we have the swoonable Jason Clarke coming in and being our strong alpha FBI agent. Clarke just rocks the alpha man… at this point, we all know it. He’s able to capture this lusty, in love voice with a man on a mission to keep his woman safe… did we swoon yet?
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… my opinions.
My first Kristen Proby, but definitely not my last!
This book brought my three favorite things together…the paranormal, crime, and romance!
I’m not sure I can put into words how much I loved this book! I’m an avid romance reader but I’ve never found an author that could weave a story quite like this one. It is by far my top read of 2019, maybe ever!
Without giving away too much our main character Brielle is a Louisiana girl, using her bayou roots to make a living in the French Quarter of New Orleans. While working she meets Cash, a man she has an instant undeniable connection to. Unbeknownst to her, Brielle’s past is about to collide with her future
Women across the French Quarter are going missing at an alarming rate. Bodies begin to turn up with an uncanny resemblance to Brielle…Brielle looks to her two younger sisters for help, each of them have their own set of special abilities that could help to find the killer.
The author has crafted a story for the ages, and I highly recommend giving this book a chance even if it isn’t your usual. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Wow Kristen did an amazing job with book 1 of this new PNR series. This story between Cash and Brielle kept me enthralled until the end. It was a nice change of pace for me. I liked that even though there was an instant love connection, the story didn’t solely focus on that. It has so much angst, suspense, and drama. Excited for book 2!
I am so happy I read this book. Now the second installment is available and I just loaded it to my Kindle.
Spooktacular!!
Don’t turn out the lights! Shadows is absolutely terrifying and completely addictive! Kristen Proby pulls you right in and delivers a goosebump raising story. My heart was racing, as I devoured page after page.
A chill inducing, phenomenal read! I’m so ready for book 2!!!
Holy crap!! This book totally blew me away!! I had book two on pre-order before I dived in and at about 25% discovered I could pre-order book 3!!
I could not put this down, I was drawn in from the first page with Brielle, her sister’s and their gifts. I knew something sinister was going to happen and I was not disappointed!! Holy moly!!
*5 stars*
I haven’t read many paranormal books lately but something about them really fascinates me and when one of my favorite authors writes one, of course I’m excited to read it. It was so good and the story just draws you in, trying to make sense of what was going on and unlock the mystery which was very essential in this story. Only at the end I figured it out alongside the main characters. It was a gruelling read at times but it really made your mind think in every way and trying to keep up, hoping for to have a good ending. I truly cannot wait to read what is next!
Brielle has paranormal powers but it’s not for the fainted heart as she sees dead people. When growing up with her sisters, she hasn’t had the best childhood and always felt something around her. Working in the French quarter of New Orleans, leading tourists through the history of the town on ghost tours, it has always been something special but she always sticks to the same routes trying to protect herself from the higher powers. When she meets Cash, there is something about him that draws herself to him and everything about him seems so familiar. And with getting to know him more, she feels like she has always known him. But when doing her normal routine, she sees a new figure standing by the road that she cannot make any sense off and when more and more happens around her but also in her dreams, the mystery gets even bigger. With the help of Cash and her sisters, they try to figure out what is going on and where the missing girls are she sees and it’ll even take her back to her past but will they be able to find out who’s behind the disappearances and bring it all to an end….
I received a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Shadows
By: Kristen Proby
REVIEW
Paranormal romance and Kristen Proby pair nicely together, and that is a delightful surprise. Shadows is my favorite type of paranormal story with a haunted city and all that. In this case, the place is New Orleans. This story absolutely captures the eerie tableaux of creeping paranoia and doom that make the atmospheric presence seem like a living thing.
Three sisters with gifts, not normal gifts fyi, means three books, right? Shadows is told in three points of view, one of these being the psycho killer, and this perspective really topped off the story as awesome. It is chilling and crazy and works well for this story. There is a love interest for the two main characters, but it’s not a romance story. I’m glad that paranormal is truly the focus here. Shadows is a different vibe for Kristen Proby, but she executes this story perfectly. I can’t wait to read Spells!
I haven’t read this genre in a long time and had forgotten how much I like the exploration of the paranormal….great characters around a great story…cant wait for the next sister to have her story told!
Can not wait till the next one comes out “Spells”
Shadows is the first book in the new Bayou Magic series by Kristen Proby and is a standalone title. I’ve been a long-time fan of Kristen Proby’s. There aren’t many books of hers that I won’t 1-click, most without even reading the blurb. However, I will admit that I had to take a moment to read the blurb for Shadows as it’s a bit of a different type of story than she’s written in the past. But she also seems to be stretching her writing wings lately, and I’m always up for a new adventure with her, so I dove right in.
And holy cow…was I surprised in the best possible way. It was spooky and at times, horrifying, and I should NOT have read it at night. It was twisted. It was emotional. It was heartbreaking. It was steamy. And it was full of amazingly strong and savvy female characters. It also contained some absolutely revolting characters but they are hauntingly necessary for this storyline. And with that ending, it absolutely has me not-so-patiently waiting for the next book in the series, Spells. You’re going to want to set aside several hours where you will have minimal interruptions before you start this book because once you start, you are not going to want to put it down. Needless to say, as her first true paranormal story, I’d say she hit it out of the park. And just in time for Halloween!
NICUnurse’s Rating: I give Shadows by Kristen Proby 4.5 out of 5 stars!
Fun book to read. Edgy from the very beginning with psychics and a serial killer and an FBI agent. Good first in a series that can explore the sisters’ various psychic abilities.
Fun read. Keep you on the edge of your seat!
“Sometimes monsters walk among us, and there’s just nothing we can do about that”
I was extremely excited that I finally got chance to read this, I’ve been a huge lover of this authors writing for a long time now, so when I found out she was writing one of my favourite genre’s PNR I really couldn’t wait…
Shadows does not disappoint, its a brilliantly written spooky read, full of thrilling suspense and witchcraft add in a special touch of steamy romance and you’ve got yourself a gripping pnr read that will hook you from the first word all the way to the last.
Highly enjoyable read thats left me definitely needing more.
I could not put this down! The suspense in it is remarkable! This is such a different type of book from what Kristen normally writes. But she nailed it! We still get our romance. But there’s so much more as well. When Brielle and Cash first meet, they both knew it wasn’t going to be the last. Brielle knew she should stay away from him, but there was this pull there that wouldn’t let her do that. Cash also knew he couldn’t stay away from her. They were drawn together. Even after Brielle told Cash what she was and what she could see, he didn’t leave. He felt he needed to protect her. Especially, when woman start to disappear. He’s actually scared. When he meets Brielle’s sisters, he is welcomed into their little circle almost immediately. With the help of the girls and the NOPD they begin to search for the woman. Brielle ends up getting help in the most interesting way. With her abilities and help from her sisters, and Cash will they be able to solve the mystery? Or will they become victims themselves? My heart was pounding so hard reading this book. I loved the suspense in this paranormal thriller. I am so excited to read Spells. Do not wait and grab this one today!
Two words to describe Kristen Probys SHADOWS is Holy Crap. I thought I heard of witches and spells but Kristen Proby sure scared this reader and enchanted her. I loved that no matter how tough these spells, murders and lies get with each chapter Kristen Proby still adds a little sense of normal for Cash and Brielle. These two together may seem like a whirlwind courtship but something about their chemistry speaks of two souls finally finding each other. Loved it and cannot wait to see what she does with the other sisters.
“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”
creepier than I usually read but pretty good