Tiger's Curse (Tiger Saga Book 1): A heart-pounding adventure...magical! [Paperback]

Kelsey is just looking for a summer job to save money for college when she finds herself working for a circus and spending time with a beautiful white tiger. Little does she realise that Ren is actually an Indian prince who was cursed and has spent the last 300 years as a tiger living in captivity. With Kelsey's help Ren must travel to India and try to find a way to break the curse.

As soon as I read the description of Tiger's Curse I knew I had to read it and I'm so glad I did! I love paranormal stories and shape shifters in particular but what I enjoyed most about Tiger's Curse is that it is so different from anything else I've read. Due to the curse Ren is only able to spend a short amount of time each day in his human form, the rest of the time he is a beautiful white tiger unable to communicate with those around him. I loved that most of the story takes place in India, this is somewhere I've always wanted to visit but now even more so. Colleen Houck has done a fantastic job of describing the settings and it was easy to picture the jungle and the temples Kelsey and Ren visited. She has also woven a lot of Indian mythology and legends into the story which I found fascinating to read.

I liked Kelsey as the main character, she was a little too naive to start with but soon becomes more aware of the dangers she faces. Throughout the book she is a strong heroine and she is determined to do whatever it takes to help Ren and free him from his curse. Ren is a hero to swoon over and I'll admit I may have fallen just a little bit in love with him! I loved watching their relationship develop but I was pleased that although Kelsey is immediately drawn to Ren she is also very aware of the fact that she doesn't know him well and doesn't instantly start declaring her love for him like some of the heroines I've read about. I've said before that instant lust I can relate to but instant love doesn't usually come across as believable to me. If the gorgeous Ren wasn't enough to make you weak at the knees you also have his handsome brother Kishan to contend with. I'll admit I'm still a bit wary of Kishan but I understand we'll get to see a lot more of him in the sequel and I'm curious to find out more about him.

Tiger's Curse is the kind of book I wanted to devour in one sitting (even if it does have 500 pages!), if I'd had a whole day free I would have done nothing but read the story and I'm desperate to get started on the next book Tiger's Quest. If you're looking for a story full of romance, in a beautiful setting with an adventure that will remind you of Indiana Jones look no further. I'd recommend this book to anyone and am off to read the sequel now!

As a reader, for me a story has to take you somewhere, it's not just about reaching the conclusion but about learning lessons along the way and that's exactly what Collen Houck has done in this, the first book in the Tiger Saga.

Within the pages is a reasonably paced plot with outstanding characters who grow emotionally alongside the reader as they tale wends its merry way and whilst at the beginning you doubt Kelsey's ability to handle the strange and unusual she steps up to the role that the fates have thrown her way. It's handled wonderfully, the characters have real traits alongside desires and when backed up with cracking dialogue and the twist of shape shifters (feline as opposed to the usual canus) it really steps out on its own.

Finally add to this a love story interwoven within with a feeling that eastern myth has also woven its way into this tapestry of words and it was a more than satisfactory book. I'll look forward to the second book.

Every so often you get a book that takes over your life. Normally for the following 48 hours, you stop living; your family lives off takeaways, your children wear the same clothes without you noticing, the house begins to resemble a refuse site and the dog takes himself off for a walk, whilst you keep your head down and read. Well Tiger's Curse is that book! I was desperate to read it and there was no way the book would be torn from my hands without sending me into a typical two year tantrum!

The cover begs to be stroked! I knew when I laid eyes on the cover, my book radar was onto a winner. As of yet, it has never let me down and this book was AMAZING!

Kelsey Hayes is looking for a summer job. Little did she realise, she would be looking after a tiger with a travelling circus. You would think that would be enough excitement, until she finds herself travelling to India to help break a curse that has held for 300 years. With Ren, the mysterious white tiger by her side, she sets out on a journey where magic and ancient prophecies intertwine with real life and lead her into dangerous situations. Can Kelsey break the curse forever?

Oh how I loved this book! So much so, that I got withdrawal symptoms when I had finished it. I may need therapy after falling in love with a ferocious white tiger. This is the first book in ages that has left me with the intensity and desperation I felt when I read the Twilight series in one week!

The plot is just fantastic. I have no idea which way Kelsey's heart will go and I believe that is what the author intended from the start. This book was written after Colleen had fallen in love with the Twilight series, however she didn't want it to be obvious where Kelsey's love would lie, so she created two hot Asian princes to lead the poor girl astray. At the present moment in time, I stand in Ren's corner, but I have been warned that I may change allegiance to Kishan, the black tiger. All of the characters come across as being well written and I found myself easily imagining how they looked. Both tigers were extremely swoonsome!( Which just doesn't sound right, does it?)

The ending of the book was climatic and I found myself shouting at Kelsey to change her mind. She didn't listen to me screaming at the book! The ending was such a cliff hanger that I am relieved to have the second book standing by otherwise the inner child in me might have shown herself up.

The setting for the book is extremely exotic and the author has worked hard to bring the visual images of India to life for the reader. Her writing is so detailed, that all your senses are hit at once causing an explosion. I picked up the book and stepped out of cold, wintry old Blighty, into the warm,sensual, atmospheric world of India. I would imagine that Colleen is spot on with her research, as it seemed so real to me, however I ever never been to India so I can't actually say if that is true or not.

If you don't believe me, then read it for yourself. This book will leave you wanting more. It will tantalise your nerve endings and engulf you in a spine tingling journey where the outcome with leave you in a frenzy! Did I mention I loved this book?