Seers by Heather Frost — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Sep 212011
 

Seers

Heather Frost

Publisher: Cedar Fort

To Be Published: October 2011

Hardcover: 330 pages

ISBN13: 9781599557922

FTC FYI: I received a free copy from publisher/Netgallery

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads summary: “For Kate Bennet, surviving the car wreck that killed her parents means big changes and even bigger problems. As she begins to see auras and invisible people, Kate must learn to trust Patrick O’Donnell, a handsome Guardian, or risk her life being overrun with Demons. She soon realizes that both she and her heart are in big-time trouble.”

I was really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Seers.  For those of you that read my reviews, I really enjoy a great YA fantasy, this book definitely fits that category.

Kate is just getting back to school after a devastating car wreck.  She is having a hard time getting back to normal.  Her boyfriend, Aaron, tries to do all he can.  But she just doesn’t feel normal.  The only person she can really talk to is her best friend Lee.  Kate has told her that since the accident she has become psychic, and can see people’s auras.  Every day Kate picks up Lee to go to school, after they drop off Kate’s twin sisters.  Every day is the same until Kate suddenly slams on the brakes, and almost hits a young hispanic kid.  There is something off about him, he has a slight silver aura, and most importantly, Lee doesn’t see him.  Great, now she is seeing ghosts.   At school, a new student arrives.  Patrick O’Donnell, but he has a silver aura too.  What does this mean for Kate and her new ability?  She can’t help wondering if she is in danger…

I thought this book was great, and well written.  This is the author’s first book, and I was very impressed.  Find out more about Heather here.  The characters were well written, and enjoyable.  My favorites were Toni and Kate’s Grandpa Henry.  Toni had some really funny things to say, and at times I even laughed out loud.  Grandpa even has some surprises of his own.  Kate too is a great character.  As she gets to know Patrick, she is torn between her feelings for him and Aaron.  It was hard for me as well, because Aaron is a great guy too.  Sometimes in books, the current boyfriend is a jerk.  This time he wasn’t, resulting in a tough choice for Kate.  I was happy with the end result though.

4 stars out of 5.  I am excited for book 2!

I would like to thank the author of Seers, Heather Frost, for doing a quick interview with me:

How long did it take to write ‘Seers’?

The first draft was completed in the space of two weeks: seven days spent researching, another seven to crank out 300 pages. It was an awesome writing experience.

I really enjoyed your book, how many are in the series?

There will be three in the Seers series. I’m planning for the second book, “Demons”, to come out sometime next year.

What was your inspiration with seers and guardian angels?

I love creating puzzles to solve in my writing, and before I’d even thought about writing Seers I wondered about immortal people, and how I could write a unique take on YA immortality. (i.e. no vampires, werewolves, etc.) I mulled the dilemma over, and eventually got the inspiration for Guardians and Demons. But then, I needed a way to introduce them in the story, and I developed the idea of Seers. That way I could pull in the reader while I was pulling my protagonist (Kate) into the fray as well. And it’s really as anticlimactic as that.

I loved Toni, will he be around a lot in the next book?

Toni is one of my favorites as well. :) I’m always trying to stick him in more places, just because I never quite know what outrageous thing he’ll say or do next! I’m happy to report that he’ll get a bit more attention in the next book, and he’s going to have some killer lines for us.

Do u have any Irish relatives?

Not that I’m aware of. My family is more English and Dutch. But I love Ireland all the same, and Irish accents . . . Don’t even get me started!

Did you ever think because of your age, it would of been harder to be published?

Certainly. The publishing world is very competitive, and intimidating enough without adding the fact that I’m younger than most authors. I was worried that my youth would be a red flag that screamed: inexperienced! Luckily, I’ve been extremely blessed, and my hard work has paid off.

Click on these links for more blog tour information.

Seers Book Cedar Fort Books Follow Cedar Fort on Facebook


Gifted by Karey White – Countdown to Summer 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jun 012011
 

20 days until summer!

LDS Women’s Book Review is excited to kick off our Countdown to Summer 2011. We can’t wait to introduce you to several talented authors with some amazing summer reads. You could win a $50 Amazon gift card as well as several books donated by the authors. See details below!

Karey White was born in Provo, Utah. As the oldest of eleven children, her life has been full of useful and often ridiculous experiences. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University.

She endures housework; enjoys traveling, reading, and baking treats; and loves spending time with family and friends. She lives in Cedar Hills, Utah, with her husband, Travis, and their four wonderful children. She is currently working on her next book. Find out more about Karey at kareywhite.blogspot.com.

Learn more about Gifted by Karey White on the Gifted website and on Facebook. Follow Karey White on Twitter: @kareylwhite

LDSWBR: If you had an entire day to read (on the beach, at the lake, by the pool, etc.), what book(s) or genre would you reach for first?

KAREY: A clean romance.

LDSWBR: What book(s) do you look forward to reading the most this summer?

KAREY: Jane’s Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World, by Claire Harmon; Our Culture, What’s Left of It, by Theodore Dalrymple; Water for Elephants, by Sarah Gruen

LDSWBR: How would you describe the perfect summer day?

KAREY: Floating in the Lazy River for a few hours, reading for a few hours and eating a toasted BLT and Rocky Road milkshake. Oh, and a nice movie in a cool theater would be nice. I’d like to do all of these things with my family.

LDSWBR: Thank you, Karey. Have a great summer and enjoy the Lazy River!

Gifted by Karey White (Cedar Fort, Inc; February 2011) is available for purchase on the Gifted website, Amazon, Deseret Book, Barnes & Noble, and cedarfort.com.

Do you enjoy relaxing in the Lazy River? Where is your favorite Lazy River located?

***

***Countdown to Summer 2011 Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on June 25, 2011 for a $50 Amazon gift card, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors featured in the Countdown. This will be a raffle-type drawing, so more entries means more chances to win. There are several ways to enter the Countdown to Summer 2011 contest. See details below.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors:

  • The Upside of Down by Rebecca Talley
  • Gifted by Karey White
  • Bumpy Landings by Donald J. Carey
  • Captive Heart by Michele Paige Holmes
  • The Perfect Fit by  Michele Ashman Bell
  • River Whispers by Kathi Oram Perterson
  • Hazzardous Universe by Julie Wright & Kevin Wasden
  • Hearts Through Time by Marie Higgins
  • Double Deceit by Stephanie Humphreys
  • The List by Melanie Jacobson
  • The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum
  • The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah H. Eden
  • Blackberry Crumble by Josi S. Kilpack
  • **Bonus Prize** An autographed copy of BLOODBORNE by Gregg Luke (released August 2011)

Do ANY of the following to enter:

  • Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Summer 2011 author posts. Comments can be added on any of the author posts anytime during the contest period (June 1, 2011 through June 24, 2011). Only one comment per person per Countdown to Summer author post will be entered into the drawing. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you’d like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.
  • Send LDSWBR an email to ldswbr AT gmail DOT com telling us which of the following you have completed. If you already do these things, email us and let us know. Each item gets you 1 entry.
  1. Follow LDS Women’s Book Review on Facebook
  2. Follow @LDSWBR on Twitter
  3. Subscribe to LDSWBR by email (see top right sidebar on website)
  4. Follow LDSWBR with Google Friend Connect (right sidebar beneath “Follow LDSWBR”)
  • On each Countdown to Summer author post, leave a comment telling us which of the following you completed or already do. Each item gets you 1 entry.
  1. Follow the author’s blog (if they have one)
  2. Follow the author on Twitter (if they tweet)
  3. Follow the author on Facebook (if they have a Facebook page)
  • Tweet this message each day. One entry per day. Just copy and paste into your twitter message window to send it (LDSWBR needs to be able to see the tweet): LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw @ldswbr
  • Blog about this contest on your blog then send us the link to your specific blog post. You can find the Countdown graphic badge/button to include in your blog post here. (5 entries)
  • Post the following on your Facebook page (3 entries) then send us an email (ldswbr AT gmail DOT com) telling us that you did: LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw

Here are the rules:

  • Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MDT on June 24, 2011.
  • Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MDT on July 2, 2011 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.
  • Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.
  • LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a “thoughtful” comment.

Let’s keep counting down to summer with some great reads!


Pillage by Obert Skye

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Jan 062011
 

Pillage

Author: Obert Skye

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: 2008

Hardcover: 312 pages

FTC FYI: I purchased my own copy

Beck Phillips is kind of a trouble maker, he’s been to many schools in a short periods of time and this time, he wants to start off “buzzing.” Things don’t go as planned, but instead of getting in trouble, Beck hears some sad news. His mom has died, and he is shipped to Kingsplot to live with an uncle he has never meet. On his long train ride, he meets Kate, who isn’t very friendly. She is his age, and is headed to Kingsplot too.

Beck wakes up from a 12 hour rest, and notices that they are the only ones left on the train. Beck thinks it’s strange, but Kate isn’t too worried about it. When he arrives, Beck meets Thomas, who drives him to his new house, oops, I mean mansion. Seven floors, with stables, and a huge garden. Right away, Beck is told to stay away from certain places for his own safety. Do you think he’ll stay away? If you answered no, you would be right! Beck meets Milo who asks many questions about the manor, mostly about the basement. But, there is no basement…

At school there are some boys who pick on Beck and Milo. Milo is new to Callowbrow, too. However, Beck can do some weird tricks with plants that makes his life easier. Beck’s family has a secret, and if you look at the front cover, you’ll be able to figure it out. But, what happens with the secret is really exciting and page turning.

I really enjoyed this book. Full of exciting twists and surprises! I liked the history of Beck’s family a long the way too. A gloomy, but interesting history full of plants, stones, and pillaging.

4 out of 5 stars.

Obert Skye also has written the sequel to Pillage. Choke was released in June 2010. I have read that as well and it’s just as great as Pillage. Mr. Skye also wrote the Leven Thumps series. There are five books in that series, all of which I read and enjoyed. Purchase them here.

Enchanted, Inc. by Shanna Swendson

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Sep 022010
 

Enchanted, Inc.

By: Shanna Swendson
Ballantine Books
Published 2005
Paperback – 320 pages
ISBN13: 9780345481252
FTC FYI – Borrowed from a friend
“Enchanted Inc.” is the first of a four book series. This very clever and funny series is all about Katie Chandler. When she arrived in New York a year ago, she just thought that all the strange goings on around her were just that – strange. Not for one minute did she think that it was real. Katie works for a not-so-nice-boss, doing a not-so-exciting-job. Until one day she notices something out of the ordinary on the subway. Right away she is approached for a new job opportunity. But, she has never heard of the company MSI, and is very skeptical. At her current job, she is at the end of her rope, so she decides to at least talk to the new company, just to see what they are all about. Katie learns that she is immune to magic, that is why she sees all that she does. Spells do not work on her, and magic can not be used against her. Katie is very valuable to the magic community, but possibly dangerous. There’s a cute guy in the office, who could possibly be the most powerful wizard of all, and her new boss is someone you might recognize from round tables.
The rest of the books are just as great as the first. Without revealing the plot, I can’t tell you much more, but they are worth checking out. I think they get better and better. There is a bit of language throughout the first, and the last, but nothing that stopped me from reading. Book 4 takes a different turn, that at first I wasn’t sure I would like for the character, but, it turned out to be one of the best of the series. I was really entertained by this series, and hope the author gets the go ahead to continue with more.
4 stars
I recommend this and the rest of the series.
“Enchanted, Inc.”
“Once Upon Stilettos”
“Damsel Under Stress”
“Don’t Hex With Texas”
Shanna Swendson has written other books as well.

Dragon Spear by Jessica Day George

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
May 252009
 

The wait is over and now we can all read Dragon Spear by Jessica Day George. The book was released this month and is the final book in the Dragon Slippers trilogy.

Here is a teaser about Dragon Spear I found on Jessica Day George’s website, http://www.jessicadaygeorge.com/

The exciting conclusion to the Dragon Slippers trilogy

As far as Creel is concerned, all is finally right with the world. The dragon king, Shardas, and his queen, Velika, have made a comfortable home on the Far Islands. And with a tentative peace declared between dragons and humans, it seems the perfect time for Creel and Prince Luka to plan their wedding…or maybe not. Because when Velika gets kidnapped, Creel and Luka will join their dragon friends on their most dangerous adventure yet–only to discover that the real enemy may be one of their own. And if dangerous new foes and volcanic eruptions weren’t enough to throw off the wedding, add in a bushel of unwanted relations and a little accident involving not one but two wedding gowns, and Creel’s dream wedding might be turning into a nightmare. Filled with humor, heart, and feats of derring-do, this newest novel from Jessica Day George will delight both returning fans and new readers alike.

BUY THE BOOK:
local independent bookstores
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble

There will be a Dragon Spear launch party on Saturday, May 30th, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in West Jordan, UT at Jordan Landing. Jessica’s launch parties are a lot of fun. I took my kids to the Princess of the Midnight Ball launch party and we had a great time. My daughter even won a copy of the book that night. Plan on going that day, purchase the book and get it signed by Jessica. If you have never met Jessica she is a very funny and a very nice lady. I plan on going. See you there!!

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