Review Tour & Giveaway: Black Water Tales: The Unwanted (Black Water Tales #2) by Jean Nicole Rivers

Book blurb:

In the remote, eastern European town of Borslav there is St. Sebastian orphanage, a place where people discard their unwanted children. For the American, Blaire Baker, it’s the perfect place to volunteer her services. Paired with a cheerful volunteer nurse, Blaire is enthusiastic about the possibilities, but is quickly discouraged when she encounters the nefarious nature of the staff and the deplorable conditions of the facility and the children.

Upon arrival, one of the children informs Blaire, “There’s something in the basement.” It isn’t long before strange things begin happening, including Blaire’s flashbacks of the accident that killed her parents. The children soon suffer injuries that Blaire, first, fears may be the deeds of the callous workers but she soon thinks the abuse may originate from a source that is less than human, something unwanted.

The unwanted is coming but in order for Blaire to fight it, she must dig into St. Sebastian and herself in search of truth. Blaire wants nothing more than to help the children, but when discovers the tragedy that happened in the basement and learns that the same evil forces are still at work, it will be Blaire who needs help…There’s something in the basement.

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My Review:

4.5 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre:Ghosts, Mystery, Supernatural, Scary--

Blaire and her fellow volunteer Travis are stationed for the next year at a struggling orphanage in Russia. When they get to the orphanage, they realize that the living conditions are much worse than they expected and that the kids are suffering physically and mentally. The pair tries their hardest to help the kids, but they too start to fall apart at the dire circumstances the kids are in. Blaire thinks that there is more going on than what she has been told and won’t stop until she finds the truth.

I love how the story barely introduces the main characters before something spooky occurs, within just a few pages. It was just a minor thing, a dream actually, but it set the tone of what was to come perfectly. I can honestly say that I was drawn into this book right from the start, it really felt like I was watching a scary movie (and I mean that in a good way since everything was so visual and well described to me), with flashbacks and everything. I had pretty high expectations that the story would be scary, mainly because I read the synopsis and it is set at an orphanage. Kids in a horror story are always scary, and here is a big group of them smooshed together, in a dark dreary location. I was not disappointed in what I read and I have recommended this title to all my friends who like a little thrill (and a few who don’t, but shhh don’t tell, it can be a surprise how spooky I found this).

So yes, there was something creepy to set the bar off high right at the beginning, but the story had a slow build as to what was going on. The creepiness escalated subtly as did the questions the plot made me ponder. Blaire is the main character and the story is told through her eyes, but we don’t immediately know who she is. Her character too builds throughout the book, with her life as flashback memories to help create a better picture of why she is the way she is. Can I also say how I love that there is a psychological twist to the story that made me wonder if there was a supernatural element or just the imagination of a broken down mind? I love a good psychological mind messer, and this is just that. I pondered Blaire’s mental health and her memories and actions helped along the way to cause doubt on what she said and thought. I did mention a slow build a minute ago, but that is not a negative in anyway. I was completely engaged in the story and had a hard time putting it down, partly because I was interested in the answers and partly because I was terrified, and also just because it was just a really well written read.

I would gladly read more from the author, like the first book in the series which I now must find because I do enjoy a good scare, and that was what this was. I do recommend reading this with a light on, or maybe just during the day surrounded by people.

I received this title from the author in return for my honest review.

Author Bio:

I was born in the tiny, but lovable town of Centralia, IL which has a two screen movie theatre, one high school and still celebrates May Fete, so I had no choice, but to develop a fantastic imagination. Since childhood I have been writing everything from short stories to songs, but I have always aspired to compose a novel. Black Water Tales: The Secret Keepers is my first novel and the first book in what will be a series of thriller novels.

Philosophy was my study in college and I received a Bachelor of Arts in the subject from Florida International University. Writing is one of my most favored artistic pursuits, but my love for the arts does not stop there, I am also a vocalist and actress and participate in local theater in Houston Texas.

You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and her website

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