Witch Song by Amber Argyle

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Aug 152011
 

Witch Song

Author: Amber Argyle

Published Date: September 2011

Publisher: Rhemalda Publishing

Softcover and Kindle; 325 pages

ISBN# 978-1-936850-16-7

Genre: YA Fantasy

FTC FYI: I received an ARC in PDF form that did not affect my review.

Goodreads Summary:

The world is changing. Once, Witch Song controlled everything from the winds to the shifting of the seasons-but not anymore. All the Witches are gone, taken captive by a traitor. All but Brusenna. As the echo of their songs fade, the traitor grows stronger. Now she is coming for Brusenna. Her guardian has sworn to protect her, but even he can’t stop the Dark Witch. Somehow, Brusenna has to succeed where every other Witch has failed. Find the traitor. Fight her. Defeat her. Because if Brusenna doesn’t, there won’t be anything left to save.

Overall Review

I have been looking forward to reading and reviewing Witch Song since I read a sneak peak of the first chapter months ago.

I liked Brusenna (aka Senna) and enjoyed getting to know her better. She is young (14 years old at the start), and knows next to nothing about the witchcraft the villagers accuse her of practicing. She and her mother, Sacra, live hidden in the nearby forest, maintaining a simple and secret life away from those who would harm them.

Hoping to protect her daughter, Sacra keeps Brusenna ignorant of the larger world of witches, telling her only the very basics of what she needs to know. When another witch, Coyel, arrives to beg for her mother’s help in defeating the Dark Witch, Espen, everything Brusenna has ever known begins to change and she finds herself on her own for the first time in her life.

With the help of friends like Bruke, her large canine companion, and Joshen, the young man who wants to be assigned as her official Guardian, Brusenna sets out to learn what she needs to do to defeat the Dark Witch and release her mother.

There is so much more to this story that there isn’t space in this review to cover even part of it. Those who like stories of fantasy, a bit  of clean romance and unexpected heroes overcoming evil will really enjoy Witch Song.

The Specifics

Witch Song has some great villians, including Wardof, an attractive witch hunter who has the power of the Dark Witch behind him. Every time he is caught, Espen helps him escape. He is obsessed with capturing Brusenna. There are several serious moments involving Wardof, and a few humorous ones as well.

One thing I found myself wishing for was a better portrayal of Brusenna’s time on the island, Haven, where she studied by herself for a year to become the witch she would need to be. I would have liked to have felt the passage of time a little more consistently. Also, I really wanted to see more of Brusenna’s successes and failures in her efforts to learn the spells and potions she needed to know. I wanted to have some confidence in Brusenna’s ability to hold her own against Espen even if Brusenna didn’t feel it herself, and I never really felt that.

I really liked Joshen and that Amber kept the romance clean. There are a few heart-wrenching scenes involving Joshen and Brusenna that held a lot of emotion.

Heads Up

There is violence (not gory) and death. Obviously there is use of spells and potions. No bad language that I can recall. There is mention of Brusenna’s shyness at being naked after a bath in front of another woman (modesty is promoted). After Joshen and Brusenna’s relationship has moved to kissing, a chapter begins by saying that Brusenna wanted more but Joshen stopped them (there are no details).

My Rating

I give Witch Song 3.75 stars out of 5. Witch Song is Amber’s debut novel and I’m looking forward to reading more from her. I would recommend Witch Song to readers 14+.

Below is the book trailer for Witch Song:

Montana Summer by Jeanette Miller

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Aug 032011
 

Montana Summer

Author: Jeanette Miller

Published Date: July 2011

Publisher: Covenant

Softcover; 274 pages

ISBN# 978-1-59811-909-1

Genre: LDS Romance

From the back cover:

Life has never looked so promising for Shelby Hamlin. After weathering a lonely childhood, her father’s death, and her mother’s rejection for joining the Church, she is now engaged to someone who appears to be the ideal man: Brad Thompson, an ambitious BYU student who’s stalwart in the gospel. And when Shelby travels alone to Brad’s hometown in Montana while he’s in California, she’s warmly embraced by her future in-laws—with the exception of Cameron, Brad’s resentful brother whose own engagement recently ended in bitter scandal. But as Cameron becomes Shelby’s increasingly frequent companion in Brad’s absence, their initial sparks of irritation become the glowing beginnings of a complicated romance. And as the two explore the breathtaking scenery of Big Sky country, Shelby’s heart pulls her away from her carefully laid plans. Can she have the love she’s always wanted without destroying the family of her dreams?

I adore a good romance and I have always wanted to go to Montana, so I was pretty excited to get my hands on a copy of Montana Summer.

First things first: I loved the way the relationship developed between Cameron and Shelby. Considering the plot, I was worried about the growth of their relationship feeling stilted or contrived. It didn’t. I really, really liked Cameron and was relieved to like Shelby as well. She sacrificed a lot (particularly her relationship with her widowed mother) to join the Church. Many of her friends alienated her as well. Other than a couple of her roommates and her fiance, Brad, Shelby is all alone in the world.

Brad’s mother, Millie, welcomes Shelby to the family home in Montana when Brad is called away early for an internship. Shelby plans their wedding with Millie’s help. Brad’s brother, Cameron, who is also a local park ranger, is called upon to take Shelby around to see all the sites. Thus begins a friendship that soon blossoms into something more for both Shelby and Cameron.

There were several romantic moments that I enjoyed, especially one in particular (that I won’t mention so as not to give anything away) that I read more than once. Okay, more than twice. Ahem.

Jeanette’s descriptions of the beautiful Montana setting were well-written, with just enough detail so the reader could picture it in their mind without slowing the story down. I would love to visit the places Cameron showed Shelby, especially Quake Lake.

Now the rest: Writing romance for the LDS market is tough. Sometimes it is difficult to avoid the cliche. Some of those cliches (i.e., BYU student engaged to straight-laced RM, sons who kiss their doting mother’s cheek twice in every scene they are together, etc.) are in Montana Summer, but they were minor and not a big deal to me.

The thing I tripped over most in Montana Summer was frequent mid-scene point-of-view changes. I know it’s technically not against the rules to change point-of-view mid-chapter with no discernible “marker” (like *** or a flourish), but I found myself finishing a page and glancing back to the top because I swore we were in Cameron’s head but I suddenly found myself reading things only Shelby would be thinking. I did come across a 3-sentence paragraph with a different point-of-view (including omniscient) for each sentence.

This is a personal preference issue and a lot of readers might not be bothered by it. Despite the frequent point-of-view changes, I enjoyed the romance between Cameron and Shelby so much that I’m adding Montana Summer to my romance shelf to read again in the future.

I hope Jeanette is working on another manuscript because I would love to read another romance from her.

My rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

FTC FYI: I received a free review copy that did not affect my review.

Watch a video interview with Jeanette Miller below:

Watched by Cindy Hogan – Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews, Special Features
Jul 202011
 
Today is the last day to comment on
The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook post to enter to win a Kindle!

***

Watched

Author: Cindy M. Hogan

Published: CreateSpace

Published Date: April 2011

Softcover & Kindle: 348 pages

Genre: YA Suspense

ISBN# 978-1453899151

FTC FYI: Free ARC from the author that did not affect my review

From the back cover:

It takes more than a school trip to Washingotn, D.C. to change fifteen-year-old Christy’s life. It takes murder.

A witness to the brutal slaying of a Senator’s aide, Christy finds herself watched not only by the killers and the FBI, but also by two hot boys.

She discovers that if she can’t help the FBI, who want to protect her, it will cost her and her new friends their lives.

I started reading Watched a few hours before bedtime. I made it through the first few chapters before deciding to continue in the morning because I wanted to be able to sleep without nightmares. Cindy opens Watched with a group of teens in front of a creepy hotel. It’s late night in Washington, D.C., and they are wandering unsupervised around the city after sneaking out of their hotel.

“I plastered a smile on my face, trying in vain to stop the shiver that traveled with slow determination up my spine.” (Watched, page 1, first line.)

Watched is told from the point-of-view of Christy, an inexperienced and insecure 15-year-old whose parents sent her off with a “see you in two weeks” and not much else. Not very popular in her high school, Christy is determined to be accepted by her tour’s mini-group of older and richer teens. She finds it more difficult than she expected to leave behind her “brainy” and “goody-goody” tendencies that she is convinced caused her to be so unpopular back home.

After witnessing a brutal murder, the group is forced to decide what they should do about it. They know they are dealing with professional and scary people who wouldn’t hesitate to hurt them or their families. The experience binds them together despite their decision not to talk about it after discovering a clever way to contact the FBI. The group continues on as normally as possible despite Christy’s suspicion that they are being watched.

The suspense carried well throughout the story, with only a few teen-angst-y parts distracting from it. I read the book quickly and only felt pulled from the story a few times. The writing style and voice felt consistent for an older YA audience (15+) though there were a few rough spots that could have been polished for the final version (I was reading an uncorrected proof).

Watched, as a suspense-novel, is more plot-based, and Cindy did a good job on the storyline. I do find myself wishing for a little more depth in the secondary characters close to Christy, but that could be because I am a character-driven reader and often find myself wishing for mystery-suspense characters with a little more depth.

I was relieved to see that Watched is part of a series because I was left feeling like I wanted just a little bit more after finishing the book. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I think Cindy Hogan has great potential and is definitely an author to watch.

Watched is available for Kindle and Nook (only $2.99) as well as in paperback at Amazon and Brigham Distributing.

Cindy is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card for commenting on her blog and telling her which blog sent you there. Don’t forget to follow Cindy’s blog while you’re there.

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Age: 15+

Content:

  • Language: none that I can remember
  • Sexual: one boy pressures Christy to come to his room but she resists; kissing w/little description
  • Drugs & Alcohol: others drink around Christy at a club and she “pretends” at one point but does not drink
  • Violence: three specific incidences of violence including a beheading and people being shot

Follow the Watched blog tour:

July 18th

July 19th

July 20th

July 21st

July 22nd

Get delicious food, find great reads AND win a Kindle! – The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews, Special Features
Jul 142011
 

The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook

Author: Christy Dorrity

Published: June 2011

Publisher: Dorrity Publications

Format: Kindle Edition

FTC FYI: I received a review copy from the author that did not affect my review.

Today it is my privilege to present to you The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook by Christy Dorrity.

Great books, bloggers, and recipes meet in this fresh and unique cookbook that helps you experience books, not just read them.

Books were selected from the author’s book review blog and paired with delectable recipes like “Fairy Touched Calico Brownies” from the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull, “7-Day Layer Dip” from Lauren Oliver’s Before I Fall, and “I Hate Chocolate Cake” from Amanda Hocking’s Switched. Mouthwatering photos complement every recipe.

The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook includes a foreword by Amanda Hocking, author of the USA Today Bestselling Trylle Trilogy and showcases over seventy reviews with links to book review blogs and author websites.

Whether you’re a food lover, an avid reader or a book blogger, there’s something for you in The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook.

If you like eating, this cookbook is for you. If you like reading, this cookbook is for you. If you like eating WHILE reading, this cookbook is definitely for you. And the fact that it’s for the Kindle means no leaving greasy fingerprints on the pages while cooking or eating all this yummy food.

Don’t have a Kindle? Christy can fix that for you.

To celebrate the release of The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook, Christy is giving away a Kindle! If you purchase a copy of The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook, you can also get a free BONUS recipe booklet. Contest details and the blog tour schedule are listed on Christy’s blog here.

Anyone who leaves a comment on this post is entered into the contest. Here are some of the details from Christy:

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post or any of the great blogs that are participating. Then, if you want more entries into the contest, tweet, facebook, or blog about the cookbook and leave a separate comment telling me what you did. You can say something like: Win a Kindle at the launch tour of The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook http://tinyurl.com/3vurm3a #bbcb Winners will be drawn using random.org on July 21st.

You don’t even need a Kindle to enjoy this cookbook. The free Kindle app is available for desktop, Android and iOS devices, so there’s no excuse not to try some of these tasty dishes. Even the price is unbeatable. Right now The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook is only 99 cents!

After reading through this cookbook (and drooling over the pictures of mouth-watering meals, desserts, and more) I not only added several new books to my to-read list, I also discovered some great book bloggers through their review blurbs.

When Christy asked if I would like to be a part of The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook, I was honored. I have had the opportunity to meet Christy in person. Not only is she sweet, she’s gorgeous, too.

See what I mean? I’ll tell you how she keeps her figure – Irish dancing. After eating all of these delicious recipes, I’m going to have to start Irish dancing, too.

I know which recipe I want to make first (and the one that is most likely to send me to Irish dancing class). It also happens to be paired with the book that has *ahem* my review blurb for Imprints by Rachel Ann Nunes listed with it. But before you leave to purchase your copy of The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook (only 99 cents right now!) check out these cookies that even Autumn Rain would eat.

***

Organic Imprint Cookies

1/3 cup melted coconut oil or clarified butter
1/2 cup honey
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon all-natural cornstarch or arrowroot
1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Zest of one orange
Jam or preserves (preferably fruit sweetened)

Preheat the oven to 350°. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, pour the warm, melted coconut oil over the honey and whisk in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl combine the flour, oats, cornstarch or arrowroot, sea salt, baking soda, and orange zest. Add the flour mixture to the honey mixture, stirring until just combined. Let the dough sit for 2-3 minutes. Stir once or twice again; the dough should be stiff.

Roll the dough into balls, one teaspoonful at a time, and place an inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. The cookies will spread. Use a pinky finger or the back of a very tiny spoon to make a well in the top of each ball of dough. Fill each well to the top with 1/8 teaspoon of jam.

Bake for 7-9 minutes or until the bottom and edges of the cookies are just golden.

Makes two dozen tiny cookies.

***

Oh, my. I can’t wait to try these cookies.

Go get your copy of The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook today.

Don’t forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a Kindle!


The Last Archangel by Michael D. Young – Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews, Special Features
Jul 112011
 

Xandir has been exiled to earth until the end of time. But when his cherub trainee disappears, Xandir makes a deal with rogue angels and giants that could restore life to the mortal woman he loves and end his assignment as a destroying angel in exchange for helping them bring about the end of the world and all of mankind.

You can ready more about The Last Archangel at: http://thelastarchangel.weebly.com

The Last Archangel is an unusual tale about Xandir, a destroying angel who uses two swords, one light and one dark, to do his work. Far from perfect but with good intentions, he performs the work assigned him until the End of Time. Long ago, he fell in love with a mortal woman. It did not end well and his heart bears the scars.

During one of his assignments he is assigned as Guardian Angel to Eden, a troubled woman who discovers she is expecting twins after her husband leaves her. Her search for her husband leads her to knowledge and darkness that she could never have imagined.

If you enjoy a fresh take on angels, giants, and demons, then you will want to check out The Last Archangel.

Michael is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in German Teaching and a minor in Music. He puts his German to good use by working to build online German courses for High School students. Though he grew up traveling the world with his military father, he now lives in Utah with his wife, Jen, and his two sons. Michael enjoys acting in community theater, playing and writing music and spending time with his family. He played for several years with the handbell choir Bells on Temple Square and is now a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

His first book, “The Canticle Kingdom”, was released in Feb 2010 through Bonneville Books. He is also the author of the inspirational pamphlet “Portrait of a Mother”. He has also had work featured in various online and print magazines such as Mindflights, The New Era, Allegory, and Ensign.

You can learn more about Michael and his writing at his blog: http://www.writermike.com

You can read more about The Last Archangel at the official site: http://thelastarchangel.weebly.com or http://thelastarchangelbook.com

You can purchase The Last Archangel by clicking here.

FTC FYI- PDF copy provided by the author.

The List by Melanie Jacobson

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
May 302011
 

The List

Author: Melanie Jacobson

Published Date: March 2011

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Softcover: 289 pages

Genre: Contemporary Romance

ISBN# 978-1-60861-051-8

FTC FYI: received free review copy that did not affect my review

When Ashley Barrett’s older sisters are both married before the age of 19, she decides not to follow in their footsteps. Instead, she makes a list of 25 things to do before getting married.

While spending the summer in Huntington Beach, Ashley’s determined to cross Learn to surf off her list. To do that she needs Matt Gibson, who is sought after for his surfing expertise as well as his good looks. Ashley may not be blond like most of the girls trailing after Matt, but she’s learned how to make the most of her best features. Despite being desperate for Matt’s surfing knowledge, she plays indifferent and succeeds in getting Matt’s attention.

Ashley realizes that she’s as attracted to Matt as he is to her. They both agree to have a summer fling with no strings attached (number 17 on Ashley’s list). They spend most of their free time with each other and have a great time together. Knowing they will go their separate ways at the end of the summer, Ashley starts working on another item on her list: Try internet dating. That’s where she meets the guy she hopes to hang out with occasionally when she returns to Utah for school in the fall.

There’s only one problem- Matt starts hinting that he doesn’t really want to let her go and Ashley finds herself more attached to Matt than she expected.

I had a lot of fun reading The List. There were several parts that were so laugh-out-loud funny I had to read them to my husband. I’m a big fan of the romance genre, but finding a good, non-cheesy, clean romance feels a little like Mission: Impossible. Thanks to authors like Melanie Jacobson, Sarah M. Eden, Michele Paige Holmes and Becca Wilhite, finding clean, well-written romance novels is getting easier all the time.

The List is a perfect summer read. Taking place on the beach, Matt and Ashley’s story is fitting to read by the pool, the lake, or the central AC vent (assuming it ever gets warm enough to use the AC). I really enjoyed The List and give it a definite 4 stars. If you appreciate a well-written, fun romance I suspect you will, too.

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