Remake by Ilima Todd — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Oct 212014
 

22299642Remake

Author: Ilima Todd

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: October 14th, 2014

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-924-6

Hardcover: 291 pages

FTC FYI: Received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary 

Nine is the ninth female born in her batch of ten females and ten males. By design, her life in Freedom Province is without complications or consequences. However, such freedom comes with a price. The Prime Maker is determined to keep that price a secret from the new batches of citizens that are born, nurtured, and raised androgynously.

But Nine isn’t like every other batcher. She harbors indecision and worries about her upcoming Remake Day — her seventeenth birthday, the age when batchers fly to the Remake facility and have the freedom to choose who and what they’ll be.

When Nine discovers the truth about life outside of Freedom Province, including the secret plan of the Prime Maker, she is pulled between two worlds and two lives. Her decisions will test her courage, her heart, and her beliefs. Who can she trust? Who does she love? And most importantly, who will she decide to be?

My Review

Nine was picked on for being different in her batch of 20, but she always had Theron around to stick up for her.  Something happens that forces them apart, and Nine has to learn how to survive without him and learn how to live a life she has never known.  I know that doesn’t make any sense now, but I don’t want to summarize anymore than that, every page is so important, especially when Nine meets with the Prime Maker.  What I thought was interesting was each batch member is waiting to be Remade when they are 17, they could even chose a different gender if they wanted.  Nine really struggles with what her life should become, until life chooses for her.  Those who live in Freedom think they are free to choose, but are so wrong.

This book is very cool and intriguing.  I wasn’t sure what to think of Nine and her life in Freedom when I started reading, but I really ended up caring about what happened to her and those around her, especially when the story takes a different, but enjoyable, turn.  I loved how the author threw this new situation in for her (again, can’t tell, sorry).  I loved the characters that she meets in her new life and LOVED the ending.  Also, what really was happening in Freedom is mind-blowing and creepy.

4 out of 5 stars.  I was excited to learn from the author that there will be two more books!

Author Links

Website / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Deseret Book / Barnes and Noble

 

 

A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Jun 052013
 

A Change of Plans CoverA Change of Plans

Author: Donna K. Weaver

Publisher: Rhemalda

Published: June 1st, 2013

Paperback: 326 pages

ISBN13: 9781936850778

FTC FYI: Received a PDF from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy and Sheila

Goodreads Summary

When twenty-five-year-old Lyn sets off on her cruise vacation, all she wants is to forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. What she plans is a diversion uncomplicated by romance. What she gets is Braedon, an intriguing young surgeon. He’s everything her fiancé wasn’t, and against the backdrop of the ship’s make-believe world, her emotions come alive.
Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship—on the very anniversary Lyn came on the cruise to forget. Lyn’s painful memories are too powerful, and she runs off in a panic.

But it’s hard to get away from someone when you’re stuck on the same ship. Things are bad enough when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise’s snorkeling excursions. Then paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped, and Lyn’s fear of a fairy tale turns grim.

Mindy’s Review

I thought this book was brilliant.  I loved it.  I also loved how Donna threw some of my favorite movie references in it.  Especially Hobbits.  But, I didn’t love the book just for those reasons.

I really didn’t know what to expect when I was reading A Change of Plans, but immediately I was drawn to the cover, and while reading, what was inside it.  This book has everything a reader could ask for.  Romance, humor, suspense, love, hope, strong, likeable characters, and a great fast-paced plot that will keep you reading until the end.  I read this book in one day because I couldn’t put it down.  I don’t want to give things away, but my heart would break for Lyn.  Many things happened to here, but I loved how her stunning character would help her through it.  Braedon was also a fav, and Jori too.  I could tell that all of Donna’s characters were important to her through her writing because of the way they all shine.  Am I gushing?  I’m gushing, but this book deserves it.  This book has it all, I laughed and I cried.

5 of out 5 stars.  I can’t wait to read more from this awesome debut author.

Sheila’s Review

I always love it when I’m surprised by a novel.  Most of the time readers think they know pretty much what will happen in a story.  Don’t do this when you read A Change of Plans.  This book is SO much more than your typical romance.  It has suspense, drama, adventure, and romance.  One more thing, it will make you cry at some point as you are reading.  (I’m not divulging where those moments will take place in the story.)  You can be assured that you will go through a variety of emotions before you read the last page.  This novel should be your first choice when you are looking for that perfect summer read.

Author Links

Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Rhemalda
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