Pre-Release Review of Witch Born, by Amber Argyle

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Aug 242012
 

Product Details:

Title: Witch Born (Book #2 in The Witch Born Series)
Author: Amber Argyle
Paperback: 330 pages
Publisher: Starling Books (September 5, 2012)
Genre: YA Fantasy
ISBN-10: 0985739401
ISBN-13: 978-0985739409

FTC FYI: I was given a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description:
Publication Date: September 5, 2012
Brusenna thought it was finished. She defeated the Dark Witch, saving the Haven Witches from imprisonment and death. She found love and a place to belong. She was wrong. Haven is not the sanctuary it appears to be. Even love is in danger of slipping away like water through cupped hands. Some things can’t be saved. A new threat merges with the old as the Witches’ dark history begins to catch up with them. Only Brusenna knows the extent of the danger and how to stop it, though doing so might cost her everything. Including her life. Will Brusenna be required to make the ultimate sacrifice?

 

Product Details:

Title: Witch Song(Book#1 in the Witch Song Series)
Author: Amber Argyle
Reading level: Ages 11 and up
Paperback: 325 pages
Publisher: Rhemalda Publishing (September 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1936850168
ISBN-13: 978-1936850167

Book Description:
Publication Date: September 1, 2011 | Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up

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.
I was so lucky to be able to read both books, one right after the other. If I hadn’t been able to, I would have gone a little crazy! I had to start book two immediately to see what would happen. I let the author know how I felt about her books when I sent her a message on Facebook, here is what I said…

“There is something missing in your books…a warning at the beginning that your stories are so addicting that you won’t be able to put the book down.”

When I wrote this to Amber I truly meant it. I took my Kindle to work and it was so hard not to sneak a peek when I shouldn’t during the day. I did read it during Silent Reading Time and during my lunch time. That is my warning to you also, once you start reading this series, you won’t want to stop reading.

Things I Liked:
–Beautiful Writing Style: Amber has such a beautiful way with her words. The Witches in this series cast spells by singing. I loved the words sung by the witches as they cast protection spells. I hate to admit, even when they cast spells to hurt their enemies. Here is an example of main character Brusenna’s, or Senna as she is called mainly in the story, her spell casting…

“Let not the curse of Witches
Destroy a land of natural riches.
Plants, preserve life in thy roots,
Seeds sleep in earth, send forth
no shoots
Until the Witches shall disperse
This terrible and unjust curse.”
I am a singer, so I loved that singing was the method of yielding the Witches power. To cripple a witch and put a stopper to her powers, they gag her. But, you will be amazed at everything the witches can do with their powers.
-Great Main Character Senna: Here is why I loved this character;though she is a truly powerful witch, she is still very “human” in many of her actions. She is not perfect. She has doubts about herself and what she can accomplish. She has feelings and often puts them on the line. In other words, she is very relatable. I like this in a character. It is very easy to put yourself in her place with what she is thinking and feeling.

–Interesting Magic System and History: I loved figuring our how the witches gain power, and what the power is. I also was intrigued with how the witches could control the natural elements.  The history also unfolds in the second book, Witch Born. By no means does this make the book boring. It only enhances the story as events unfold.

Gorgeous Covers: 
Do I need to say more???

–Great Love Story: 
Senna and her Guardian, Joshen, have a very sweet, but normal relationship. They share a great love, but they also have their share of arguments. Through most of both books there is no love triangle; and that is all I am going to say. ;)

–Refreshing and Original Storyline:
I have been reading a lot of fantasy and paranormal stories the past two years. The Witch Song Series is very different from other stories that have witches in them. If you’re tired of vampires, this is a great choice! The author states at the beginning, “The Author wished to use America’s resonance with the Salem Witch Trials. Therefore, the technology and setting for Nefalie are loosely based off of seventeenth century New England” and this time period has always fascinated me. There is also a lot of action that leaves you sitting on the edge of your seat, from chapter to chapter. I couldn’t read fast enough!

Overall, I really loved this series full of interesting characters with such a refreshing and unique storyline. I recommend Witch Song and Witch Born to ages 11 and up. With a main character that grows and matures, you grow to love and admire her. This is a fantastic read which I will read again!

We are excited to announce that we will be participating in the “First Five Chapters Free”” event that author Amber Argyle will be hosting on September 5th. That is the day that Witch Born is officially released. You will be able to go to several blogs to read the first part of Witch Born. Make sure that you come back to get a first look at this exciting second book.

If you are feeling lucky, you can go here to enter to win an e-copy of Witch Born. The contest is going on through September 5th.

 

About this author

Amber Argyle grew up with three brothers on a cattle ranch in the Rocky Mountains. She spent hours riding horses, roaming the mountains, and playing in her family’s creepy barn. This environment fueled her imagination for writing high fantasy.

She has worked as a short order cook, janitor, and staff member in a mental institution. All of which has given her great insight into the human condition and has made for some unique characters.

She received her bachelor’s degree in English and Physical Education from Utah State University.

She currently resides in Utah with her husband and three small children.

Purchase your own copies of Witch Song and Witch Born at Amazon.com.

Two Reviews: Caribbean Crossroads by Connie E. Sokol and The Keeper’s Calling by Kelly Nelson

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Jul 062012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: Caribbean Crossroads
  • Author: Cobbie E. Sokol
  • Paperback: 270 pages
  • Publisher: Sokol Publishing (June 8, 2012)
  • Genre: Romance
  • ISBN-10: 0615651860
  • ISBN-13: 978-0615651866

 

 

 

 

 Book Description:
Publication Date: June 8, 2012
New college grad Megan McCormick just got dumped. Hard.
Swearing off men and relationships, Megan is coaxed into performing on a
cruise ship where she meets the star performer, Bryant Johnson.
Handsome and charismatic, he looks like trouble, but she can’t deny the
intense attraction between them. Urged to find a wife and run the
family lumber business, Bryant is torn between his family’s expectations
for his life and his own. However, when he meets spunky, but
love-skittish Megan McCormick, settling down doesn’t look so bad. Just
when Megan begins to trust again, and Bryant makes some big decisions
regarding his future, her former fiance returns with a malicious
surprise, taking Megan and Bryant to their own CARIBBEAN CROSSROADS.
My Review: 
 Caribbean Crossroads is another book that I’m classifying as a fun summer read. I loved how the book begins, with Megan as a performer with a talented group of young people on a cruise ship. There she meets the good-looking and charming Bryant, whom she is desperately trying NOT to fall in love with him. I liked the feeling and fun atmosphere that the reader feels on the cruise ship. I also liked their experiences together as they visit different stops in the Caribbean. There is excitement on the ship as Megan and Bryant are falling in love. It fits the beauty found on the front cover of the book. 
After the cruise ends, a different feeling is found in the story. It is almost like the let down after you come home from a vacation. Megan and Bryant go back to their “real” lives and the family drama and pressures awaiting them. This is also the part where Megan and Bryant falter in their relationship. Talk about romantic angst! I was very frustrated with both of them as they tried to work out things in their relationship. This is where the novel shows realism as Megan is scared about getting hurt again. Readers may think she is being stubborn or stupid for not falling for this talented and handsome man. The thing that really works here though, is that the superficiality of the characters found at the beginning is wiped away. The author deepens the characters,and what is really going on inside of them. Even though you get fed up with Megan and her resistance to Bryant, you can relate if you have ever been hurt in a relationship. At the end of the book I wanted to scream as I read about the Thanksgiving dinner. I also wanted to string a few people up by their necks, namely Megan’s Mother, sister Kara and her husband Jackson. After reading the book you will know why I say this. 

Overall, this book is recommended to fans who like a quick, romantic read. It will bring out many feelings,in you the reader, as you cheer on Megan and Bryant as they cruise towards love.

You can purchase Caribbean Crossroads at Amazon.com in paperback or Kindle.
 
 About the Author:
Connie Sokol is a mother of seven—a
national and local presenter, and a regular speaker at Education Week. She is a
monthly TV contributor on KSL’s “Studio 5” and regular blogger for LDSLiving
online. She is a former TV and radio host for Bonneville Communications, and
columnist for Deseret News and Utah Valley Magazine. Mrs. Sokol is also
the author of Motherhood Matters, Faithful, Fit & Fabulous, and Life is Too Short for One Hair
Color, as well as talk CDs and podcasts. Mrs. Sokol
marinates in time spent with her family and eating decadent treats. Visit her
website at www.8basics.com/   
You can also find Connie on FB http://www.facebook.com/8basics
Review of The Keeper’s Calling:

 

Product Details:

  • Title: The Keeper’s Calling
  • Author: Kelly Nelson
  • Paperback: 312 pages
  • Publisher: Walnut Springs Press. (February 20, 2012)
  • Genre: YA Fantasy/romance
  • ISBN-10: 1599928442
  • ISBN-13: 978-1599928449

 

 

 

 

 

Book Description:

Publication Date: February 20, 2012 | Series: Keeper’s Saga (Book 1)
They come from two different worlds. One fateful discovery
will bring them together. Neither of their lives will ever be the same.Chase
Harper’s to-do list for senior year never included fall in love and
fight for your life, but things rarely go as planned. Tarnished gold and
resembling a pocket watch, the counter he finds in a cave during the
summer of 2011 will forever change the course of his life, leading him
to the beautiful Ellie Williams and unlocking a power beyond his wildest
imagination.In 1863, Ellie Williams completes school in Boston
and returns to the Utah Territory only to discover that her grandfather
and his counter, a treasured family heirloom, are missing. When Ellie is
abducted and told she must produce the counter or die, an unexpected
rescuer comes to her aid.

My Review:
The second I read the back cover and realized that there would be time travel in this book, I was hooked! Some people are skeptical about time travel in novels, but for me it’s a sure way to get me to read. Let’s just say I liked the device used to time travel and how it was used. But I am getting ahead of myself…
Chase Harper is our protagonist, a normal, 17 year old boy, who plays soccer, and has a girlfriend. Life changes for him while on a camping trip when he finds an old watch in a cave. Immediately, the story moves ahead with a lot of action, as Chase is transported back to 1863 where he meets Ellie. Kelly does a fun job with her two main characters. Though they come from different time periods, they start forming a great connection. The reader picks up on this way before the characters do.
Here are the main things I really liked about the story:
 -Kelly does an incredible job of writing the POV of a 17 year old male.
-Very interesting story behind the time travel device and what it means to be a “keeper”.
-The story keeps moving throughout without a lot of lagging moments; in other words, it was hard to put down.
-Though the main characters are teenagers, adults will be pulled into the story because of the depth of the plot.
This first book ends well, but still leaves you excited to read the next book in the series. The Keeper’s Calling is full of action, angst, and romance as Chase Harper travels through the centuries on his quest of duty and love. Readers will enjoy traveling along with Chase as he forges relationships not bound by time.
**I was given a review copy of The Keeper’s Calling by Walnut Springs Press. In no way did this influence the honest review that was given.**

About the Author:
Kelly Nelson was raised in Orem, Utah, and now resides in Cornelius,Oregon, in the heart of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She enjoys lifeon a ten-acre horse property with her husband, four children, and, ofcourse, lots of horses. Kelly has a bachelor’s degree from Brigham YoungUniversity. She worked as a certified public accountant for several years before opting to stay home and raise a family. As a young girl, she was an avid reader and had a passion for creative writing. Her travels to England, France, Egypt, Israel, West Indies, Mexico, and
across the United States sparked a love of history, adventure, and exotic places. This led to the inspiration behind her debut novel, The Keeper’s Calling, the first book in The Keeper’s Saga.


What Inspired Her to Write The Keeper’s Calling:

“When I tell people I wrote a book, many are interested in how the idea for the story came about. The concept for The Keeper’s Calling
sprouted during the summer of 2007. I had the rough idea of someone
finding a time travel device. It solidified on our trip through Zion
National Park when we pulled off the side of the road to take
pictures. Being an explorer at heart, I began wandering, climbing down a
rocky hillside into a wash. Calling and waving, I convinced my family
to abandon the car’s air conditioning to go on a hike. The rock walls
rose up on both sides of us, at times so high that we were completely
shaded. Kicking through the sand and dragging our fingertips across the
rough sandstone, we walked through the narrow wash. When it opened up, I
saw a couple of shallow caves in the red sandstone cliffs. Hot, tired,
and thirst, everyone else wanted to go back. I was barely getting
started; I could have hiked for another hour. We climbed into one of
these caves and took a picture. While I walked I began to daydream . . .
“What if?” One thing led to another. By the time I went to bed that
night, I had daydreamed the events that would compose the first few
chapters of my book. “


What About a Second Book?:

“The Keeper’s Quest is scheduled to be released early November
2012. I am busy editing it and look forward to everyone reading the
ongoing adventures of Chase and Ellie!”

To learn more about Kelly, please visit her at her website…http://kellynelsonauthor.com/