If you have not yet checked out this series, you should...It is AMAZING...and I wanted to give you a peek into the Angels...
Crossroads
Angelology....the breakdown of the angels from high ranking, to the
Atkins...who's who...that sort of thing...
Royal Council: God’s original
angels.
The
Twelve: 12 angels who
oversee the Earth angels, alkins and venators.
Nephilim: Term used for half human/half angel
beings.
Guardian
angel: Appointed by one
of the Twelve to protect a human being.
Earth
angels: Assigned to
human beings, to guide and protect.
Curators: 100 Earth angels, each representing a
state or a country, who oversee other Earth angels.
Executors: Earth angels (Priests, pastors) who
issue assignments to the
Earth angels.
Alkins: First generation of nephilims sent to
Crossroads. They are unable to sustain themselves on Earth for a long duration
of time.
Venators: These nephilim live on Earth and hunt
for demons and fallen.
Watchers: First group of angels sent to interact
with humans. They are bound to the
Twelve, to help
them in times of war. They are like statues until called and are forbidden to
interact with humans.
Angelus
Pugnators: Also known as
angel fighters. Earth angels who aided Aliah’s cause and looked for beings with
holy souls.
Demons: Spirits from the dead. They take over
human beings’ bodies, minds and souls.
Fallen: Angels created by Aden, one of the
Twelve. They are also God’s first angels that fell with
Lucifer.
Holy
soul: A child whose soul
is special due to having a parent on the Royal Counci.
Crossroads: A spiritual place where Philip,
Margaret, Agnes and alkins reside. Halo City is located in
Crossroads.
Island of
Eden: Austin’s place.
Originally called Garden of Eden. Situated in the middle of Bermuda Triangle.
Home to Tree of Knowledge.
Nubilus City:
Above Grand View Hotel.
Katherine resides there along with the venators.
Title:
Crossroads
Author:
Mary Ting
Publish Date: Published July 29th 2011 by World Castle (first published April 6th 2011)
Synopsis:
Claudia Emerson has a good friend who shares the same first name and last name. That friend unfortunately dies in a tragic accident during homecoming dance. Claudia is distraught at the loss of her friend, but is even more disturbed by her dreams, which seem to take her to another place called Crossroads. Unknown to her, Crossroads is like a second heaven, a place between heaven and earth. It is where the souls of humans in comas or near death experiences may wander. Where, Claudia meets Michael, a nephilim, a half angel, half human, whom she often meets in her dreams. It turns out that this isn’t her first visit to Crossroads, which is an enigma for no human can ever travel there until Claudia. Now the fallen and demons are after her, suspecting she must be special and it is up to Michael and the other nephilims to protect her. Her dream becomes a nightmare as more secrets are revealed, about who she really is, and the true identities of the people she loves most. Can Michael fight his growing feelings for Claudia and protect her as a guardian angel should? The answer awaits you! Follow the exciting path to Crossroads!
Angels, fallen angels, nephilims, and Claudia…an amazing group of characters to make and incredible story that you will fall in love with instantly.
Claudia is distraught over a close friend who just so happened to have the same name as her. As she is comforted by friends, and exhausted from the grief, she falls asleep and dreams of a dirt road with a field of tall grass to the side. A woman tells her to leave, that she does not belong there. Claudia wakes up, trying to decide how real the dream was.
She discovers herself dreaming of the crossroads often, where she meets Michael. She discovers that her dreams are real, and Crossroads is a place between Heaven and Earth. Claudia gradually learns about the Angels, Alkins, and the Fallen. The alkins do not understand why Claudia has been able to come to the Crossroads, and decide that she needs a guardian angel to protect her, and assign Michael to that job.
As the Fallen learn of Claudia, she becomes in danger. Michael and his nephilim friends protect her and battle the Fallen. Claudia learns more about herself and truths that have been kept secret. She cannot control the feelings that she has for Michael, even though it is forbidden.
As I read this story, I seriously do not remember seeing the actual words in front of me. I found myself actually seeing the story unfold. I loved the history of the angels that were created and how they are tied to the humans. I could actually feel the nervous butterflies in my stomach as Claudia and Michael’s relationship flourished. Mary Ting’s way of describing the scenes was that wonderful for me. In addition, the battle scenes will make you *gasp*. I will be PATIENTLY waiting for the next book in this series…and I stress that word patiently because seriously, I can’t wait! So if you love fallen angel and Nephilim stories, you will not be disappointed…
My Over All Rating:
Title:
Between
Author:
Mary Ting
Publish Date: January 12th 2012 by World Castle Publishing
Synopsis:
As the alkins head back to Crossroads, Claudia leads her normal life; but not for long. Having a special soul, Claudia attracts danger, and she soon finds out who Gamma asked to watch over her. The Twelve, known as Divine Elders on Earth, are very much involved when they find out that Aliah, one of the God’s first angels, escaped from the Abyss when the gates were opened by Aden. Needing Claudia’s soul to escape the only place Aliah can reside–a place between Heaven and Earth–he sends his demons in search of all Claudia Emersons on Earth. Taking her soul will enable him to be released from Between and cross over to Crossroads, which would give him immense power. As more secrets are revealed Claudia learns about the venators—nephilim, demon hunters. Now two opposing forces must work together in order to save Claudia and humanity from the most dangerous angel ever created. But along the way, trust becomes a big issue. Will love be enough to keep Claudia and Michael together? Who will make the ultimate sacrifice? Who will betray them all?
Between takes the Crossroad Saga to a completely new level of intense story telling!
Claudia and Michael’s story continues in Between. New characters are introduced, the Venators. Who are they? Good? Bad? A love triangle unfolds for Claudia. Who could the third be? A new villain is after Claudia and her holy spirit. Will you despise this villain as much as Aiden? Intrigued yet? You should be.
I love a good story with an amazing plot. Mary’s descriptive writing made the words on the page disappear for me. I was IN the story. Watching the battles, hearing the clanging of the swords, and feeling the adrenaline pumping made it come to life. There were points where I laughed, and how can you not with Davin’s personality. In addition, other situations where I literally cried, having to put the story to the side and regroup myself before I could continue. What I mean by crying is the tears flowing, the snotty nose and the whole bit! Ahhh….when you read this story and get to this point, you will know exactly what I’m talking about. So not only is the superb descriptive writing take you into the story, the emotional writing will grab your soul.
The ending of this story was so intense; I am literally bouncing in my seat waiting for the third installment of this saga.
On a personal note, I want to add how special this saga is to me. If you did not know, Mary wrote this book to help her deal with the loss of her grandmother. I too, lost my grandmother shortly after reading Crossroads, so it holds a very special place in my heart and I cherish that connection that I have with Mary. The passion I have for this story has created a beautiful friendship that means the world to me.
My Over All Rating:
Author: Mary Ting
Publish Date: Expected publication: September 12th 2012 by World Castle Publishing
Synopsis:
Torn between the past she can't remember and a future she isn’t ready for, Claudia feels at a loss. With unanswered questions, she is certain there is more to her past than just being a venator. Finding the missing pieces in her life won’t be easy because duty calls. When mysterious dark shadows get released, an apocalypse sets in motion. The venators and the alkins must work together once again. Knowing Claudia would be the key to destroying the demons that were released, a familiar stranger appears to protect her. Drawn to the beautiful angel, Claudia finds she must unravel the mysteries of her past in order to help save the world. Who is the angel assisting her and why does she feel a strong connection to him? Time is running out. Will she discover all the secrets before it’s too late?
The Crossroads Saga continues with Beyond, the third installment in the series.
Claudia is healing after the last battle and Austin has been taking care of her. She laughs at his teasing and flirting, but is ready to start training again with the Venators. Although she is physically healed, she feels there is something different. She does not remember everything and Austin explains to her that she has selective memory.
Dark Shadows were released, who invade human souls and become demons. The Venators and Alkins team together on missions to right this horrible wrong. However, whenever Claudia finds herself in trouble, this person always shows up to save her. She never sees his face, but feels a deep connection to him.
Claudia becomes a little defiant when she decides to go off on her own seeking some answers. Through out the story, she find clues to her past, and tries to piece together those clues to trigger her memory.
I must say the Crossroads Saga is one of my very favorites! Beyond takes the story a bit deeper and darker, with so much action that you will be unable to put it down. My heart would break everytime Michael would show up to the rescue, but unable to be with Claudia the way they should. Davin as usual, is his funny self, and I was extremely excited that he had a bit of his own drama. Austin, well, words can’t describe how I feel about him, only that I hope that someday he finds his “Claudia”. Beyond is written differently than the rest, with a couple different stories going on at once, which collided at the end into a massive finalle. The writing is beautiful, with the images so vivid in my mind that I could swear that I was there. Mary Ting without a doubt knows how to pull the emotions from your soul. With all the Crossroads books, they end with a cliffhanger, which leaves you begging for more.
My Over All Rating:
Please note, I am reposting these reviews. So the first 2 covers have been redesigned..
Meet Mary Ting
Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing Crossroads was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother. It was inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl.
Stalk Mary
Giveaway
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