Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
Kindle Price: $4.99

Save $10.00 (67%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Susie M. Hanley
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

MUSE (Shelby Hammond Muse Prophecy Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Susie M. Hanley (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 54 ratings
See all formats and editions
In a world not unlike ours, Muses and their Guardians have walked alongside humankind since the beginning of time. From birth Muses assume they are just like everyone else. Not until their twenty-fifth birthdays do they discover their talents have a special purpose, and that Guardians, with their superhuman abilities, will help them in that purpose whether they want that help or not.

Shelby has worked hard to make a life for herself. Her parents died when she was young, and her husband left her with two kids. When her ex-husband comes back to town, he has more to say than just “I’m sorry”: he's a Guardian, and his new assignment is her. She is a Muse now, one coming into her own no matter how hard she fights it, and trouble stalks her wherever she goes. Her ex-husband can't keep up and, with their history, she doesn't want him to. To complicate matters, there’s another Guardian around when she needs help, and they are falling for each other. He has a dark past that’s trying to reclaim him, and Shelby is in the way. But she has to accept her Museness and figure out fast what being a Muse really means if she is to keep herself and her children alive.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    339 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    September 6, 2012
  5. Reading age
    16 - 18 years
  6. File size
    466 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next page
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Susie M. Hanley is a native Oregonian where she has always slept best curled up with a good book and the sound of the rain pounding against her window. Her love of worlds beyond her own led her to complete a degree in communication and cultures and to begin creating worlds of her own for others to enjoy. When not working on Shelby's next impassioned quest, she can be found chasing her kids, cuddling her hubby, and randomly organizing everything into submission.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0096X3VBW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pocket Kitten Productions; 1st edition (September 6, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 6, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 466 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 339 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 54 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Susie M. Hanley

Susie M. Hanley

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Susie M. Hanley is a native Oregonian where she has always slept best curled up with a good book and the sound of the rain pounding against her window. Her love of worlds beyond her own led her to complete a degree in communication and cultures and to begin creating worlds of her own for others to enjoy.

When not working on Shelby’s next impassioned quest, she can be found chasing her kids, cuddling her hubby, and randomly organizing everything into submission.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
54 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Melisa R
5.0 out of 5 stars Great First Outing!
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2014
Verified Purchase
I read this book several months ago, reviewing it on my blog at blogspot. I'm quite impressed with Ms. Hanley's writing, the way her story flows, the characters and their interactions with each other, and the explanations for things one wouldn't normally have, given this book has beings not of this world (at least that we know of!). Therefore, given this is Ms. Hanley's first written work, I'm quite impressed and see nothing but great things coming from her in the future.

The Main Character is very well written, explained, she's articulate, strong and independent. She could be anyone you know in your every day life that makes you feel like you are a better person for knowing them. I know, I have a few friends like that.

The Male Characters that the Female Lead comes in contact with give just enough tension to make the story flow well, then as we come to the climax of the book, and more information is revealed about who and what they are, the question still remains as to which one, or IF one should stay in her life.

Her friends are awesome and like any good friends, are there to help her deal with life. What she doesn't know is life isn't what she thinks it is. So, this is definitely one of those books that reels you in and you can't put it down until you finish it. At least I couldn't, and I've been patiently waiting for the next installment..... PLEASE HURRY! - Melisa Rechenmacher
Helpful
 Report
Zac W
4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly entertaining.
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2012
Verified Purchase
I'm almost irritated that this was so enjoyable. For the most part I don't care for the genre and have openly mocked it. I rarely connect with female leads unless they go above and beyond to not be girls, but that wasn't the case here. I found Shelby's down to earthness, believable amounts of control regarding her emotions, and ability to stand on her own but still take help when needed realistically well crafted. Aside from the instant familiarity with the locations setting me at ease, I really enjoyed the introduction to a new realm of fantasy. The whole of the Muse/Guardian species(?) seems very well constructed and to have a depth to it that has barely been exposed with this installment. I very much so enjoyed the snippets and quotes at the beginning of each chapter and look forward to not only learning more about them, but also what MAGRA really does and why, the Captain and crew (Who? What? Where? Why? Pirates?), and OMG what did Malcom do? The only "complaints" I can think of are as follows;
Why is that blue? Can I click it? I can't click it. Why is part of this blue?
A few minor typos.
Seriously, why is this blue? Is it blue in the book?

Be fun, Have Safe.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Deanwmn
5.0 out of 5 stars Great first novel
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2012
Verified Purchase
Finished this last night and I was really impressed by her writing. The characters were well developed, the story kept you interested from the very beginning and the excitement kept building to the very end! It's hard to believe this is her first novel, I hope just the first of many more. She could actually make you feel the different emotions expressed by the different characters in the story. The only thing that detracted from the story were the misspelled words, words missing, or the wrong word used (passed instead of past). The problem seemed to increase toward the end. Better proofreaders? All in all, I'm looking forward to reading more of Shelby's novels and would recommend this to anyone!
Helpful
 Report
J. Sasse
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable urban fantasy romance
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2012
Verified Purchase
This novel was a pleasant surprise with muses and guardians being an original twist. I am very much looking forward to Shelby's further adventures.
Helpful
 Report
Roxanne Crouse
3.0 out of 5 stars I've always liked stories about muses
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2012
Verified Purchase
Muse by Susie M Hanley is an urban fantasy set in modern times in a world similar to ours, except in this world, muses are real, and they have superhero like people called Guardians that protect them. The book is in first person point of view from the main character, Shelby's POV. The book is well written and well formatted. There are, however, many sentences with missing words. I would find one about every other page or so for around 37 editing issues. This book could use another editing pass.

I did enjoy the book and knew I'd read the whole book just from its beginning pages, but it does have issues. Muses and Guardians exist in this world and everyone knows about them. They aren't a secret. So why does the main character know nothing about them. It seems to me in a world like this Muses and their Guardians would be like celebrities and news about them and movies and media about them would be everywhere. Most likely, they would teach about them in school, too, hence the encyclopedia at the beginning of each chapter. Even if Shelby hates Guardians and wants nothing to do with them, she would still have picked up some information about them from TV and other media outlets. Her being clueless doesn't make since unless they are secretive and nothing in the novel suggested they were secretive.

I like that Shelby the main character is a strong single mom, does what she wants, and doesn't let the ex-husband stand in her way. Young Adult books need more strong female characters like this one. One problem I had with her decisions dealt with Tiffany, the way Shelby rolled over and did what Tiffany commanded seemed out of character. Yes, Tiffany had items that supposedly belonged to Shelby's children, but there was no proof those items did. I think Shelby should've at least questioned it first before suddenly changing over. Tiffany could have purchased duplicates at a store.

Near the end, we start to get a lot of action. Shelby rescues herself from something horrible and finds out her son is in danger. You would think they'd be on the road ASAP to save him. It takes forever for the characters to get through their personal stuff and organize to go save the boy. Putting the boy's mortal danger on the backburner like that seemed again out of character for a strong mother.

I like the main character and secondary characters and their personalities. I think they are well developed and have baggage just like real people would. I did groan a bit when the girl with two guys plot made an appearance. It seems like every YA novel coming out has the same love triangle and I'm ready for something new. Please writers, I beg you, stop the girl torn between two guys theme and all its variations.

So, overall, what did I think of this book? I did like it and would recommend trying it. It has an interesting idea and world that has lots of potential. Will I read the next book? I'm not sure. The author has a proven ability, she can write. I'm worried that the next books will be full of the two guys playing tug of war over Shelby. I've read that story before, in Twilight. I enjoyed the twilight series, but I don't want to keep reading it repeatedly in other forms. At this time, I'm not sure if I want to continue with the second book. I am interested in other books the author may put out if the description promises something new.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Jo T
5.0 out of 5 stars Muses and Guardians
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 11, 2019
Verified Purchase
Shelby is 25, single mum to 2, abandoned by her husband, and quite capable of looking after herself, thank you!
But now she's a Muse, her ex is a Guardian, as is her boyfriend, and her kids are in danger.
Looking forward rounding out what happens next.
Report
Jeannie Zelos
4.0 out of 5 stars excellent unusual paranormal romance
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 21, 2012
Verified Purchase
I wasn't sure about this book to begin - the premise seemed totally different to the usual paranormal romance, being about Muses and Guardians - something very new to me but it was a really enjoyable novel, and they added a new slant to an old favourite genre.
The characters are well rounded and easy to like or dislike, essential for me to enjoy a book - if i don't empathisise with the characters i just don't enjoy the book. I loved Shelby and her confusion about suddenly finding her life changing and how she stood up to take control of it as much as she could. Malcolm....oh Malcolm was a dream and just what she needed while her ex Cal came over as a real tosser and yet as we got to know him and what he'd been through we understood more of why he did what he did. The plot and subplots well written and with the right tough of drama - none of that great build up and then let down finale that so many books seem to have. Loved the ending and the way its left open for further books - i'll certainly be looking out for them.
Report
Vicky D
4.0 out of 5 stars A promising first chapter
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2013
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this. You can feel the characters waiting to grow in further installments. And as a refreshing change it wasn't filled with massive sex scenes which though I love this genre are now wearing thin lol. Will definitely buy the next one
Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report