Review: Tempest Rising- by Nicole Peeler

Living in small town Rockabill, Maine, Jane True always knew she didn't quite fit in with so-called normal society.

During her nightly, clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean, a grisly find leads Jane to startling revelations about her heritage: she is only half-human.

Now, Jane must enter a world filled with supernatural creatures that are terrifying, beautiful, and deadly- all of which perfectly describe her new "friend," Ryu, a gorgeous and powerful vampire.

It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: a dog can heal with a lick; spirits bag your groceries; and whatever you do, never- ever- rub the genie's lamp.
(Blurb from the back of the book)

Tempest Rising is the debut novel in the Jane True series by Nicole Peeler. Jane True is a book store clerk in Rockabill, Maine. She has never fit in with the rest of the town, mostly due to her outcast of a mother and her own strange ways. Now, she keeps herself secluded because she, along with everyone in the town blame her for the death of her boyfriend Jason.

The book starts off seeming to go through a normal day with Jane. She takes out dinner to defrost for her and her father, who she takes care of, and then she goes to work. Her co-workers and only friends Tracy and Grizzie are a blast! Grizzie especially. Tracy and Grizzie are a couple, but that doesn't stop Grizzie from flirting with just about everyone especially Jane, though what she wants most is for Jane to find someone and be happy.

After a run in with one of the nastier people in town, Jane turns to what calms her the most after she gets off work, swimming. That's when we see that things with Jane aren't quite so normal. Not everyone can go jump in freezing water, naked, and swim near a whirlpool that should be way to strong for her. Then things start to get even worse. Jane finds a body in the water and rescues it from the whirlpool. Not knowing what to do with it she leaves it on the beach to hopefully be found by an old man that lives there.

From there things get really strange. Jane ends up meeting a group of supernatural beings who inform her that she is half-selkie and that an investigator will be coming to ask her some questions about the murder, because it was related to the supernatural. The investigator's name is Ryu who is incredibly good looking and powerful, oh and a vampire. He wants Jane's help with the murder investigation, and the farther they get into the investigation, the more Jane goes into that world and the more dangers she finds.

This book was a very fast read for me, and I didn't want to put it down. The world was very intriguing with a list of all different types of supernatural beings apart from the usual ones. Even those had a bit of a different twist to them. There was a lot of humor and a lot of sex, but it still balanced out enough for me. The fighting in it was a bit light compared to some other urban fantasies, but that was a nice change. Most of the struggle was within Jane herself.

The characters are awesome! I absolutely adored Jane from beginning to end! Ryu was a lot of fun and can make a scene hot, but I don't think I want him with Jane. Jane's human friends are hilarious with strong personalities. Her supernatural friends are people I can't wait to find out more about in the next book, one in particular!! Overall, this book was fabulous and I can't wait for the next one, Tracking the Tempest!

Jane True series:
1. Tempest Rising
2. Tracking the Tempest (release date: July 1, 2010)
3. Tempest's Legacy (release date: January 1, 2011)