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The Shepherd (YA Paranormal) Kindle Edition

by Travis Luedke (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.3 45 ratings

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Skate punks, kleptomaniacs, clairvoyant visions and reincarnation...

THE SHEPHERD is unlike any other Young Adult novel you have ever read.

For me, Mike Evans, a skate punk living in a white-trash trailer park, high school blows.

My dad's an out-of-work drunk. My ex-girlfriend avoids me like the plague. My best friend, Anita, won't keep her hands off me...then there's Moses Lake's champion wrestler. The a-hole is waiting for an excuse to beat my face into the skate park concrete.

Worse, my visions of grisly death are back again, and if I tell anyone what I've seen I might actually cause these terrible events to happen.

I'm in way over my head, and Natasha? The girl I rescued from a hit-and-run? The girl who's stalking me nightly and climbing through my window? There's something seriously wrong with that girl.

"A young adult, paranormal, romantic, bizarre and addicting story, and I could not put it down." - Stephanie, The Boyfreind Bookmark

"The Shepherd is different, unique, feels real and fresh and does not follow the usual boring and repetitive ingredients that YA books tend to have." - MissDevora, Lovers of Paranormal reviewer

"Travis has captured the look and feel of high school perfectly, teenage angst, cliques and first loves. I felt like a fly on the wall taking in all the drama of high school again." - Jackie, Goodreads reviewer

Sharp, witty, dark and gritty, The Shepherd is a paranormal thriller for all ages. Get your copy of this thrilling urban fantasy – paranormal suspense novel from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Travis Luedke

Editorial Reviews

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Travis Luedke is a NY Times & USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance, best known for his violently sexy NIGHTLIFE SERIES. Travis can be found catching a third degree sunburn in San Antonio, Texas, while plotting world domination through erotic paranormal badassary.
Most famous for his Nightlife Series novels, Travis lives vicariously through his writings. He invites you to enjoy his macabre flights of fancy, but be warned: The Nightlife Series is violent, sexy, and occasionally violently sexy.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00FK37LZO
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Travis Luedke (September 27, 2013)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 27, 2013
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 4049 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 179 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #3,250,988 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #4,833 in New Adult & College Fantasy (Kindle Store)
- #6,663 in New Adult & College Fantasy (Books)
- #20,740 in Dark Fantasy Horror

Customer Reviews:
4.3 45 ratings

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If you'd like to be notified of new releases, special sales, and get FREE ebooks, join the Readers Group: http://smarturl.it/ReadersGroup

Travis Luedke is a NY Times & USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal romance, best known for his violently sexy NIGHTLIFE SERIES. Find Travis catching a third degree sunburn with his wife and children in San Antonio, Texas, while plotting world domination through erotic paranormal badassery.

Most famous for his Nightlife Series novels, Travis lives vicariously through his writings. He invites you to enjoy his macabre flights of fancy, but be warned: The Nightlife Series is violent, sexy, and occasionally violently sexy.

Stalk Travis!

Social Media Hub https://www.rebelmouse.com/TravisLuedke/

Website http://www.twluedke.com/

Twitter https://twitter.com/TWLuedke or @TWLuedke

Twitter https://twitter.com/NightlifeNovels or @NightlifeNovels

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TravisLuedkeAuthor

Facebook Nightlife Series https://www.facebook.com/TheNightlifeSeries

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/TWLuedke

Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/twluedke/

Booklikes http://twluedke.booklikes.com/

Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/+TravisLuedke/posts

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4.3 out of 5

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Steven Ramirez

A Dark, Contemporary YA Funhouse

Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2014

Verified Purchase

Travis Luedke is an interesting writer. You might know him from his “Nightlife Series,” which celebrates vampires. When I learned that he had written a YA novel called “The Shepherd,” I went into it thinking it might follow the path of many of the other YA titles out there today—modern and edgy, but perhaps a little tame. Boy, was I wrong!

What the author has done is to give the reader something dark and fun. Because the characters are teens, you won’t find only raw, seething emotion just under the surface, but lots of raging hormones that drive them to do things they should have thought better of. Add to that some cool skateboarding swagger and a bloody, paranormal twist, and what you get is a story that you cannot predict. The main character, Mike Evans, is troubled for sure. But those around him don’t make his life any easier. Oh, and wait until you meet Natasha. Yeah, just what Mike needs—a sucker punch straight out of Russia.

What I really enjoyed about this book is the author’s ability to capture the immediacy of the modern teen. His dialogue is sharp, and absolutely rings true. As I was reading the book, I could picture high school students speaking this way—not sounding like TV-based stereotypes. I’m guessing that teen readers will find a lot of realism in this story, and will probably recognize some of their peers in characters like Anita, Justin, Rachelle and Tommy.

If you enjoy stories that send you grinding down a rusty handrail, I recommend grabbing “The Shepherd.” You won’t be disappointed.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Marsha Jeanne Thalleen

Just too much fun

Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2014

Verified Purchase

The Shepherd by Travis Luedke was such a fun read. Action, adventure, suspense and mystery all rolled together. As frightening as some points became, the ending is is just too darn cute. And making a cameo appearances...genius. I want a Natasha of my own...

Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2013

I must admit this book held my attention until I was three-quarters of the way through it...and that was where it lost me.

The author did a wonderful job of introducing the characters and giving them life. I quickly learned to like Mike and his best friend, Anita. The mystery surrounding Nadia, who or 'what' she was, and her obsession with Mike made for thrilling reading. I kept trying to put the puzzle together by her actions and the scripture at the beginning of the chapters. I was totally baffled and I loved it.

When the answer was revealed, it made no sense in regards to the scripture and I felt the details were not given as much attention as the events leading up to it. The whole aura-thing was strange. The fact that Mike got so upset when he discovered that Nadia was killing his classmates - even to the point of running from her in terror - and then seemingly forgiving her so easily and giving her a hug was unrealistic. I realize this is fiction but when you have a character do a complete 180 in the expanse of a chapter, it comes off as amateurish in my opinion. The book ends with Mike, his dad, Anita, and Nadia all having pizza together like a normal family. Mike's dad has accepted this stranger (Nadia) into their home with no questions or reservations, even though she looks to be fourteen years old.

I enjoyed this book up to a point. I just wish the author had given more thought to the reasons WHY and that the characters' reactions had been more realistic and less like a fairy tale.

One person found this helpful

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T.W. Barton

Ah Natasha, she will leave an impression.

Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2014

Verified Purchase

I’m not even sure how to start this one. Once again Mr. Luedke has managed to captivate me with his great writing, a wonderful cast of characters, and a fabulous story.

If I could give you some advice, don’t read the book blurb. Buy the book then read it. I’d purchased it a few weeks ago and forgot what it was about. I have to say it made the book even more interesting because I had no idea what was going on and couldn’t put the book down trying to figure it out.

As usual his characters were so well written that I had no trouble forming a mental image of them but he never once crossed that line that many authors do by overly describing characters and places.

Not knowing what was going on created lots of mystery and I was caught off guard by some of the things and characters over the course of the story. This one was a less adult geared story but was still hot enough to be good reading for those of us who have enjoyed his other titles.

Ah Natasha, she will leave an impression.

You will not be sorry for clicking the buy button, I promise.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

M. E. Wilson

Evocative and Intriguing!

Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2014

Verified Purchase

This dark YA Paranomral Thriller is easily enjoyable for adults. Mike Evans is an intriguing hero, with issues and responsibilities many kids don't have to cope with. Nadia, the girl who comes into his life, is enigmatic, a mystery throughout the book. The story is pure entertainment from start to finish.

Luedke's writing is evocative and gritty, which might surprise some people in a YA novel, but it's very realistic and true to character. His style is crisp, with realistic dialogue and believable characters in unbelievable situations.

Overall, I highly recommend this book.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Steven Ramirez

A Dark, Contemporary YA Funhouse

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2017

Verified Purchase

Travis Luedke is an interesting writer. You might know him from his “Nightlife Series,” which celebrates vampires. When I learned that he had written a YA novel called “The Shepherd,” I went into it thinking it might follow the path of many of the other YA titles out there today—modern and edgy, but perhaps a little tame. Boy, was I wrong!

What the author has done is to give the reader something dark and fun. Because the characters are teens, you won’t find only raw, seething emotion just under the surface, but lots of raging hormones that drive them to do things they should have thought better of. Add to that some cool skateboarding swagger and a bloody, paranormal twist, and what you get is a story that you cannot predict. The main character, Mike Evans, is troubled for sure. But those around him don’t make his life any easier. Oh, and wait until you meet Natasha. Yeah, just what Mike needs—a sucker punch straight out of Russia.

What I really enjoyed about this book is the author’s ability to capture the immediacy of the modern teen. His dialogue is sharp, and absolutely rings true. As I was reading the book, I could picture high school students speaking this way—not sounding like TV-based stereotypes. I’m guessing that teen readers will find a lot of realism in this story, and will probably recognize some of their peers in characters like Anita, Justin, Rachelle and Tommy.

If you enjoy stories that send you grinding down a rusty handrail, I recommend grabbing “The Shepherd.” You won’t be disappointed.

Leigha Craig

Luedke's Shepherd is Diamondz

Reviewed in Canada on December 18, 2013

Verified Purchase

Yeah, this review's title is my attempt to use skater slang. It doesn't quite fit me but it does fit this slick, fun, and enjoyable book so read on...

The Shepherd is Travis Luedke’s first foray into Young Adult fiction. In case you don’t already know this author, his works are usually far more “adult” than “young,” if you know what I mean… If I was tech savvy, this is where I would insert an emoticon waggling its eyebrows suggestively but I’ll be damned if I can figure out how to do that. If you were really lucky I would Google up a GIF for you but since it would take me a minimum of 12 years to figure out how the hell to insert one into this post I'm not asking you to hold your breath.

I read a lot and I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve been known to read a YA book or two (and to run to the theatres when Katniss or Harry or whoever finally hit the big screen) but I’ve had a run of bad luck lately. Yes, I’ve somehow ended up in a YA rut populated by crappy books churned out by people who think the only way to write this genre is by copying someone else and then talking down to their audience. You know the ones: they saw the success of the Mortal Instruments but couldn’t for the life of them come up with something original so they. just. didn’t. bother. trying. So what happens? Over and over again, the hot girl gets all gooey over the terse, angry boy who constantly pushes her away (while secreting loving her) and somehow all the while she totally overlooks the fact that her cute male best friend is totally in love with her. Throw in more than a few opportunities where the girl is described in minute physical detail right down to the colour of her (insert story-appropriate item of clothing here) and her long, glossy, black hair. (It can’t be red hair or Cassandra Clare might sue.)

…zzz…oh, I’m sorry, I bored myself to sleep there. Anyway, you get the idea.

Well that run of bad luck is over because nowhere in this book did Luedke resort to any of those craptastic cheats. This isn’t a Twilight/Mortal Instruments/Harry Potter/Hunger Games derivative. There’s no talking down and no handholding us through some oh-so-dramatic crisis of the main character’s conscience and/or heart. Luedke’s main character, Mike, is really the teen equivalent of Everyman…aside from the occasional prophetic vision, I mean. Is he the popular football star? No. The slick hipster? No. The dorky yet strangely likeable nerd? No. He’s a 16 year old skater with average grades and only a handful of friends. He’s “just a guy” (a psychic guy) trying to make it through high school without getting his head bashed in while trying to have some fun and maybe even have sex one of these days.

Hmm…now that I mention it, I’m pretty sure I dated Mike back in high school except my version wasn't very psychic or he would have predicted how I would react when he cheated on me.

Even though I was never a skater and I was definitely never a 16 year old guy, I thought Mike was a pretty relatable character. He just wants to be happy but his turncoat best friend, his alcoholic absentee of a father, and the school bully just keep bringing him down. Luckily, he has his friends, his bestie-come-girlfriend Anita, and then Nadia to keep him sane. Nadia is a somewhat mysterious figure for part of the story: I knew what she was (spoiler: she’s a VAMPIRE) but not why she was there or what she was doing and it was nice to have my expectations on those fronts turned on their heads as the story developed.

Just because this isn’t an action-packed, Die Hard-esque book full of explosions, testosterone and death don’t make the mistake of thinking it is boring. I wasn’t bored…far from it. In fact, I think Luedke really hit his stride in this book. Aside from one small thing, Mike’s voice is genuine (he used the word “lithe” to describe Nadia – I had to laugh when I read that because no 16 year old skater is going to use that word…that’s more the province of 40 something erotica authors used to setting church ladies’ panties on fire), the story is interesting as hell and it has a great flow.

This was, I think, more an NA book than a YA one for me (NA that means New Adult, for those of you not familiar with this relatively new term. It's a slightly older demographic). I know, I know, what's a little language and adult and/or sexual situations these days but I still won't be giving this to my 12 year old niece for Christmas because my sister would wear my innards as a scarf if I did. I can easily think of more than a few friends and older nieces and nephews who would enjoy this vampire story with a twist and because I enjoyed it, I'm giving it an enthusiastic thumbs up.

4.75 out of 5

Fantasia23

Brilliant story of love and loss.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 9, 2013

Verified Purchase

For those who love the fabulous and extraordinary, this is for you.
Mike has had a hard life, with his father turning to alcohol and his mother dying, he is about to have a twist of fate when a young girl stalk's into his world and everything begins to work out great.
But as in every story that just cant be it! But I think you should read that for yourself.
As YA's go this is definitely a brilliant read!

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The Shepherd (YA Paranormal) Kindle Edition

Skate punks, kleptomaniacs, clairvoyant visions and reincarnation...

THE SHEPHERD is unlike any other Young Adult novel you have ever read.

Sharp, witty, dark and gritty, The Shepherd is a paranormal thriller for all ages. Get your copy of this thrilling urban fantasy – paranormal suspense novel from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Travis Luedke

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Travis Luedke

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