Reviewed by Taylin
This is a Series Review of Immortal Jewels Series (Books 1 – 2)
AUTHOR: Lee Colgin
PUBLISHER: Colgin Enterprise
SERIES REVIEW:
According to Amazon, the Immortal Jewels series contains three books, Beneath the Opal Arc, Across the Sapphire Sea, and Beyond the Ruby River. It is a paranormal series containing Vampires, Werewolves, Witches, and a few things in between.
In theory, each novel can be read as a standalone, though some characters overlap. Two of the series have been published, and for full appreciation of the storylines, the author recommends reading both. Laurence and Remy first appear in book one, and although their story is complete, they cross over to book two, which features Elias and Valeri. Mahu makes his first appearance in book two and, according to the blurb, is the feature of book three. Whether Valeri and Elias appear in book three remains to be seen, as with other characters. In essence – each story is standalone, but the series is better when all are read.
With each manuscript, the main characters have emotional and somewhat physical journeys. So far, each novel is told slightly differently. In Beneath the Opal Arc, memories are depicted in italics. In Across the Sapphire Sea, there is a named timeline – no italics. What comes in Beyond the Ruby River is yet to be seen.
Beneath the Opal Arc was a superb start to the series, whereas Across the Sapphire Sea felt like the padding before the big finish. Whether this turns out to be the case – Beyond the Ruby River will have the answers in June.
The Immortal Jewels series has the potential to be good, and for me, everything hinges on the final novel. While individually they are enjoyable, I believe that they will be better as a collection. I loved Laurence and Remy, whereas I wasn’t sold on Valeri and Elias. But every series needs a range of characters, and, from what I’ve read, Mahu could bring the ensemble together.
SERIES RATING: 
TITLE: Beneath the Opal Arc
LENGTH: 243 Pages
RELEASE DATE: November 12, 2020
BLURB:
As the battle rages around him, Laurence stops to witness a witch casting a powerful magical arc. Werewolves race past, running for cover, but Laurence can’t tear his gaze from the vulnerable spellcaster.
When Remy is injured, he doesn’t expect a vampire to come to his rescue. What is he to Laurence if not dinner? But Laurence carries him to safety, ensures he gets treatment, and protects him from a pack of angry werewolves.
No one knows how long the magical arc will only hold. Frightened by what might happen when it falls, Remy needs to escape the frontlines and find a safe haven before his own people hunt him down for treason.
As sparks fly between the unlikely pair, can they find solace in love, or will the supernatural war claim two more victims?
Beneath the Opal Arc
~A vulnerable witch lost on enemy soil
~A lonely vampire fighting to protect his charge
~A love story neither of them saw coming
Beneath the Opal Arc is an MM Paranormal Romance packed with adventure, a steamy love story, and danger at every turn. This novel contains violence and scenes intended for mature readers.
REVIEW:
Laurence was mesmerized by the man creating a protective arc like he’s never seen before. When werewolves attack, Laurence acts on instinct, saving the amazing witch. Remy – hated by those he saved with his magic and hunted by his own people – the men embark on a journey to the Vampire Council – the only ones who can protect Remy from other witches. Remy had to go against his brethren to stop the war. Creating the magical arc put a temporary halt to the fighting, but more significant problems are on the horizon – will he live long enough to see his creation fail.
Also, attraction sparks between Laurence and Remy, but Laurence cites age, experience, and a trusted lifestyle to keep his distance. Nevertheless, Remy’s bright, ever curious nature is more powerful than the man’s magic.
This story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Laurence and Remy. It involves witches, vampires, werewolves, and humans and is the introduction to a paranormal series. The author uses many aspects of the pop-culture versions of witches and vampires with only a couple of variations. And I’ll freely admit that I was engrossed in the tale enough not to take much notice of technical details.
The dramatic opening chapters are expertly crafted to hold attention and keep turning the page. The journeys Laurence and Remy take are filled with cultural curiosity, sexual tension, second-guessing, the threat of attack, and more. The scene-setting, too, is superb and visually drew me into the world that Laurence and Remy inhabit. My only gripe – and it’s only a small one is the repetitive nature of some descriptors such as Laurence’s ‘preternatural speed’ or ‘hairy chest.’ They were used frequently enough to become annoying.
Given that I genuinely enjoyed this book, I should say more, but to do so would spoil a simple, though not surprising, yet exquisitely executed storyline.
Overall, I found Beneath The Opal Arc to be an engaging read, with some excellent action scenes. It was a super introduction to the immortal world and characters that could arise in future novels. It left me looking forward to other books in the Immortal Jewels series.
RATING: 
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TITLE: Across the Sapphire Sea
LENGTH: 256 Pages
RELEASE DATE: April 14, 2021
BLURB:
Love at first… death. “Do it. Kill him for me. Take me with you.”
Elias—plucked from indentured servitude at nineteen and turned into a vampire—is caught in a spiraling relationship with his possessive sire.
Valeri—a damaged soul who guards his secrets and fledgling alike—balances on a razor’s edge of good and evil.
In a race to save one of their own from a deadly sickness, Valeri and Elias lead an unlikely team on a dangerous voyage to pry secrets from an ancient group of vampires—a group that’s been known to kill trespassers.
The closer they come to discovering the truth, the wider the rift between Elias and Valeri grows—until Elias doubts the relationship can be saved.
Will they find a cure in time? Can Elias and Valeri make it to the other side together, or will ancient secrets shatter their bond forever?
***
Across the Sapphire Sea is an MM Paranormal Romance packed with action & adventure, a steamy love story, and danger at every turn. This is book two of a series and contains its own story and HEA with no cliffhanger, but author recommends reading Beneath the Opal Arc first for the most enjoyment. Novel contains scenes intended for mature readers, full warnings inside.
REVIEW:
Mahu, the eldest of ‘The Dozen’ Vampires, is slipping away from reality, heading towards death. The only cure lies with a race called ‘The Ancients’. Having discovered where they live – Valeri and his lover, Elias, lead a team of vampires to retrieve the cure. Unfortunately, along the way, it becomes clear that their relationship is in trouble and may not survive the quest.
The story is told in the third person, present tense, mainly from the viewpoint of Elias. Valeri and Mahu also have occasional input. Given the tense, the number of perspectives and memories are used extensively, person and timestamp head chapters.
The story begins in the land of Mahu’s heritage – Egypt. Mahu is rarely heard of, but when he has page space, he is a scene-stealer. I thoroughly enjoyed these moments; they were atmospheric and heartfelt.
Valeri and Elias are the main protagonists. Valeri is Elias’s controlling sire, and even though Elias likes Laurence and Remy (from book one), he is jealous of the love between them. He wants what they have, only with Valeri. Valeri led Elias away from a life of slavery, and for all his faults, Elias loves Valeri. A hefty portion of the book is dedicated to their life since Elias was turned. The mission to save Mahu seems to be a secondary line. Valeri and Elias are needy individuals, and for the majority, Valeri isn’t painted in a positive light. As such, I struggled to connect to either man, preferring the supporting cast.
I don’t know if it’s a curse of the sequel, but as I’d already been introduced to the vampire world, the story seemed to progress slower. For me, the frequent change of the timeline between past and present interrupted flow and progression. The structure made the story more of a series of scenes rather than something to get stuck into. I’d be enjoying the mission when there’d be a skip to the past and another example of an argument between Valeri and Elias – just a different location. Elias and Valeri are sexual beings, and in these times, it is clear how much Valeri loves Elias. By the time the intent behind individual actions, and the journey of the main characters became clear, I’d lost what little empathy I had for them and struggled to regain it.
The last few chapters are mission orientated and contained more of what I cherish in a story. Here, the author’s ability to write a good action scene and get my heart pumping came into their own. Perhaps, I was also more vested in these because they included my favorite characters.
Overall, I admired the skill behind the story construction but found it frustrating to read. Like a jigsaw, the complete picture of the journey was only available at the end. It felt like a bridge between the first and whatever is to come in the third book. Also, the blurb for book three is already on Amazon and copied below – it left me with only the superbly written scene-setting and journey to enjoy. Then again, the way Mahu is depicted in this book gives me something to look forward to in Beyond the Ruby River. Maybe when I’ve read book three, I will appreciate his immortal jewel’s place in the series.
RATING: 
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