Once a Gypsy by Danica Winters – a Review

Once a Gypsy by Danica Winters – a Review

 

Once a GypsyAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Even for a clairvoyant, the future is never a sure thing.

Helena has always struggled to fit in with her Irish Traveller family. It’s not just her opposition to getting married or her determination to attend university; Helena also has one talent that sets her apart from the rest of her clan―the gift of the Forshaw, the ability to see the future.

Graham is the groundskeeper at a manor in Adare, Ireland. Though the estate appears idyllic, it holds dark secrets, and despite his own supernatural gifts, Graham can’t solve Adare Manor’s problems by himself. Desperate for help, Graham seeks out a last resort: Helena, whose skills are far greater than even she knows.

When he promises to teach her to control her powers, Helena resists, afraid both of the damage her abilities might do and her increasing attraction to the handsome groundskeeper. Her entire way of life is at risk: Any involvement, especially romantic, with non-Travellers like Graham is forbidden. But Helena’s future is anything but certain, and fate has other plans for her family, her powers, and her relationship with Graham.

 

 

Review:

Once a Gypsy by Danica Winters is the 1st book in her new Irish Traveller series.  Helena, our heroine, is a traveller (gypsy) and we meet her immediately, as she goes to meet her father, who is being released from prison.  It is there she sees Graham, our hero, but she doesn’t pay too much attention to him, and leaves with her father to go home to their camp.  Helena has been studying for her exams, as she wants to be able to better herself. She loves her father & siblings very much, but her mother is an abusive alcoholic, making life difficult for her living in the strict world of the Gypsy life.    In dire need to pay off debts, her father accepts a job, which includes Helena, at Adare Manor.

Unbeknownst to them, Graham has initiated the job offer, as he knows Helena has the Forshaw (see the future), and possibly other powers, which will help his family, who are sick and possessed.  When Helena starts work at the manor, she begins to see visions, which she then realizes that she can see the future.  Graham explains to Helena the situation with his mother and brother, and others at the mansion.  Helena wants to help, but it will be Graham who will help her try to learn how to use her powers to help those who are ill.

At first, Helena isn’t sure of what she can do, until she meets a gypsy woman who has the same powers, and will help her harness her gift.   Though he admits he used her to come help them, Graham tells her he is falling in love with her.  However, Helena knows her family will not accept her getting involved with a Gorger (non gypsy).  What follows is an interesting tale of life in the restrictive gypsy world, and those that are affected by demons and magic.  I liked Helena a lot,  and enjoyed her and  Graham together, as they made a nice couple; but in this first book there was no true romance, even if they both know they are in love with each other.  Helena learning how to use her powers, and finally making decisions not to allow her mother to cruelly define her life was good.  I did not like the mother, and felt this part of the story with Helena and the other children having to deal with her was depressing.   I also thought the story dragged at times, with some redundancy.  I know in first books of a fantasy/paranormal story there is a lot of world building, which has a lot of details.  I just felt there were too many downers, and not enough good moments.  I will check out the next book in this series to see if it picks up the romance and excitement to another level.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Montana Mustangs Book Tour and Giveaway with Danica Winters

Montana Mustangs Book Tour and Giveaway with Danica Winters

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Series Spotlight

The Nymph’s Labrynth
The Nymph Series #1
by Danica Winters
Release Date: December 31, 2012

The Nymphs Labrynth

Purchase Link: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

A world shrouded in mystery and intrigue, the Sisterhood of Epione must not be exposed.

Shape-shifting nymph Ariadne Papadakis is tasked with keeping the truth of the group’s existence and their ancient mysteries far out of reach of the American archeologist, Beau Morris and his troublemaking son, Kaden. When forgotten and forbidden passions are awakened, Ariadne is forced make a choice—fall in line and continue to be overrun and pushed down by the sisterhood, or follow her heart and put Beau and Kaden’s lives in danger.

Can she have the man she loves or will the pressure and secrets of her past keep her from her heart’s desire?

••••••••••••••••••••••

Montana Mustangs
The Nymph Series #2
by Danica Winters
Release Date: May 2013

Montana Mustangs

Purchase Link: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

A nymph: a woman with the ability to seduce at will, shift to protect, but cursed with the fate to have the man she falls in love with die a tragic death. As one of these ill-fated nymphs, Aura Montgarten has spent her lifetime drifting from one place to another hiding from love. Until she meets Dane.

When a body washes up on the shore of a rural Montana lake, police officer Dane Burke is faced with the task of finding the killer—even if it means he will be forced to put his life and heart at risk by working with a drifter. As the truth of Aura’s Mustang-shifting nymph ways are revealed, Dane learns exactly the amount of danger he and Aura are in, but can’t force himself to leave a case unsolved when the truth is just outside his grasp.

When the killer decides he needs to take another victim—Dane—Aura must choose between their forbidden love and her immortal life. Can there be life without love or is death her only choice?

About The author

Danica WintersDanica Winters is a bestselling author who is known for writing award-winning books that grip readers with their ability to drive emotion through suspense and often a touch of magic.  When she’s not working she can be found in the wilds of Montana working on her patience while she tries to understand the allure of various crafts (quilting, pottery and painting are not her thing).  She always believe the cup is neither half full nor half empty, but it better be filled with wine.

Website | Blog | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook |

 

Other Titles by Danica Winters:
Love Under the Christmas Tree
A Christmas Miracle
The Vampire’s Hope
Curse of the Wolf
An Angel’s Justice

Coming Soon from Danica Winters (2013):

Winter Swans, The Nymph Series #3 (Crimson Romance)

Blog tour Schedule

 

 

 

 

Blog Tour-June 20 to July 20, 2013

7/07- Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviews (series spotlight & reviews)
http://literalhottiesnaughtybookreviews.blogspot.com/
7/08- Reading Between the Wines (series spotlight)
http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.com/
7/09-  The Reading Café (series spotlight & reviews)
http://thereadingcafe.com/
7/10- Sassy Book Lovers (series spotlight)
http://sassybooklovers.blogspot.com/
7/11-  Vampires, Werewolves & Fairies Oh My! (Interviews & reviews)
http://vampireswerewolvesfairiesohmy.blogspot.com/
7/12-  You Gotta Read Reviews (interview)
http://yougottaread.com/
7/13- Confessions of the Paranormal (series spotlight)
http://confessionsoftheparanormal.blogspot.com/
7/14- Page Flipperz (series spotlight)
http://pageflipperz.blogspot.com/
7/15- Book Lovin’ Mamas (interview)
http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com
7/16- Night Owl Reviews (guest post)
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Blog/Articles/Montana-Mustangs-by-Danica-Winters
7/16 – Riverina Romantics (series spotlight)
http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com/
7/17- Nette’s Bookshelf (series spotlight & reviews)
http://nettesbookshelf.blogspot.com/
7/18- Toot’s Book Reviews (series spotlight & reviews)
http://tootsbookreviews.blogspot.com/
7/19- Cocktails and Books (series spotlight)
http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/
7/20- Mimmi’s Musings (series spotlight)
http://mimmismusings.blogspot.com/

Rafflecopter Giveaway

 

 

 

 

Danica is giving away a the following prizes when her tour ends:

GRAND PRIZE:
$25.00 Amazon gift card

RUNNERS UP:
TWO runners-up will get a copy of An Angel’s Justice?

NOTE:  The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway.  If you have any questions, please contact the blog tour promoter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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