Hold Tight is the second book in the Embrace Series by Cherie Colyer. Things are finally settling down after the events that occurred in book Embrace (Book #1), or at least as much as things can settle down when you are a witch. Isaac is helping Madison develop her powers, and they are working really hard on trying to help Madison be able to reel in her power so they can kiss without shocking the daylights out of one another. After reading one of Isaac's book, Madison decides she is going to cast a little spell to get some help around the house with her chores since she is busy watching her little brother Chase so much. Well, she ends up getting a lot more than she bargains for, to say the least. Little does Madison know, but her actions set have off a sequence of events that results in the disappearance of her friend, and puts her, as well as those she loves in danger. Meanwhile, there are two new hotties on the scene, Caden and Reed, who prove to both be far more than ordinary humans. Isaac also has a history with Reed that doesn't help things one bit. As Madison tries to resist the power that she is slowly losing herself to, Isaac and her friends Josh and Kaylee are doing everything that can to prevent it. Then things really begin to get nasty, and Madison finds herself in precarious and dangerous position, having to make a decision on how much she is willing to sacrifice in order to safe someone she loves. What remains to be seen, is just how much this decision will cost her in the long run.

I really enjoyed Embrace and have been looking forward to reading Hold Tight. Cherie Colyer takes us on another suspenseful journey with Madison, Isaac, and their friends into the world of the supernatural where magic is abundant and supernatural beings walk and live among humans, seemingly normal, yet far from it. I like Madison's character. She is still learning about magic and her powers. She messes up, but she is also determined to correct her mistakes, and progresses to being quite the heroine. Isaac is the hottie boyfriend who is also the most powerful in their coven. He cares for Madison deeply and is willing to do whatever it takes to protect her. We are introduced to a couple of new characters in Hold Tight, Caden and Reed, who are really hot themselves, but both are also very different and very dangerous in their own right. The romance between Isaac and Madison is continuing to grow and progress to the next level, both physically and emotionally, and I enjoyed seeing where the author took them and their relationship. Then there is the matter of Caden and Reed, the mysterious and dangerous hotties who pose a threat to Isaac and Madison's relationship, as well as to Madison's future. Cherie Colyer has delivered a great sequel that is filled with action, suspense, and romance, and is both thrilling, and entertaining. If you are a paranormal romance fan, then this is a fun series that you may want to check out.

Quotes:

“Lip-locking with a supernatural hottie to save your little brother doesn't count as kissing.”

“You sure you're not just trying to get into my pants?" I joked, but I was already trying to figure out what one wears to a detox session in her boyfriend's dungeon-like bedroom.”

“Oh my god! Madison, what is with you and non-human guys?”

“Three stupid pieces of chocolate can't mean a lifetime away from the people I love." Tears streamed down my face, and my body trembled. "I don't want to forget what I have here."
"I won't let that happen to you."
"I want it. The candy," I whispered, ashamed to admit it out loud and scared to death because the ache in my stomach was a hunger I'd never felt before. "Even though I know what it is, I can't stop thinking about it.” ( )

Hold Tight by Cherie Colyer
(Book #2: The Embrace Series)
Source: Author/Omnific Publishing
Rating: 4½/5 stars

Round two of Cherie Colyer’s Embrace series opens with a very stressed out Madison trying to figure out how she is ever going to balance everything in her life. The house is a mess, her dad is working later and later all the time, her school work is seriously lacking and, her younger brother is always in need of supervision. Add to all of this the fact that Madison and Isaac can’t kiss for more than twenty-three seconds at a time because she can’t hold back her powers well enough to keep from zapping Isaac and you sort of have a recipe for disaster. What is a young witch to do?

Isaac, still the leader of the Fearsome Four coven has spent countless hours helping Madison learn how to properly and safely use and control her powers. After all, getting zapped every time you kiss your girlfriend is so not cool! More importantly, as Isaac has explained time and time again, for some witches giving into the darkness and abusing ones’ powers is just easier than learning proper control and restraint. While Madison completely understand staying away from the darkness, she needs help and one little spell can’t cause that much trouble, right? More importantly, what Isaac doesn’t know can’t hurt him, right?

And so, after a particularly funny conversation around the dinner table at Isaac’s house, Madison determines that it is in her best interest to summon a fairy to help her manage the house and her chores. Shortly after completing her spell, Brea, a beautiful fairy from the Seelie court appears and the house has never looked better. Furthermore, Madison’s dad finally admits to needing help with the business and hires not one but two new employees. For the first time in ages, Madison feels like she has a bit of breathing room. It’s time to be a proper teenager.

Except . . . .

The big news around town is the story of a missing teenage girl, a girl who just happens to be friends with Madison and the rest of the Fearsome Four. All anyone knows is that she had a secret admirer and was not seen again after dropping her best friend off at home after a party. Searches turn up nothing but an abandoned car and understandably, everyone is freaking out. As the F.F. delve deeper into the disappearance of their friend they discover that magic most certainly was involved but even Isaac can’t understand how. That is, until Madison fesses up to having summoned a fairy. At this point, all Hell breaks loose and Madison finally begins to truly understand how critical it is that she understands and controls her use of magic. Not only has Madison irrevocably harmed herself in the summoning of the fairy but also her family and her friends. No spoilers; you’ll just have to read this one for yourselves 

The Bottom Line: Hold Tight is even better than Embrace with more character development, the addition of new and slightly surprising characters, more seriously cool magic, a more intense plot line and a pace that really doesn’t slow down from beginning to end. There is absolutely no sophomore slump here and by the end of the read I was absolutely ready to dive into book number three . . . .yep, the one that doesn’t exist yet  Colyer has hit a homerun with both this book and this series and I am excited to see what kind of mayhem the Fearsome Four get into the next time around. ( )