Witch Song By Amber Argyle

Witch Song by Amber Argyle is intuitive, creative and delightfully different. You can find it HERE

This story was BEwitching. Pardon the pun... I couldn't help myself. This story follows Brusenna, a young witch raised by her mother. In this novel, witches have the unique ability of controlling the elements and manipulating them to help others. Brusenna's mother is kidnapped and used to turn the elements against other humans by the "head" witch. Brusenna sets out on a quest to save her mother and liberate her fellow witch sisters.

Overall, I liked this book a lot. The characters were flawed, interesting and human. This made them more realistic. I loved the use of music throughout the book. Being a huge music fan, and wishing since I was little that I could somehow "wingardium leviosa" my books to make them follow me, this book alighted my imagination with sparks that I haven't had a for a while!

A Warrior's Tale: Imago Chronicles Book 1

I just had the pleasure of reading an epic novel entitled A Warrior's Tale: Imago Chronicles Book 1 by Lorna T. Suzuki. Exciting, thrilling, exotic and splashed with adventure, this book will leave you speechless! Find it HERE

This novel follows a young warrior Nayla Treeborn throughout her incredibly long life. The main character is a woman of mixed heritage and has an internal struggle throughout the novel detailing her need to belong, but failing to fit in with either ancestry. She is half elf, half human and is derogatorily called a half-caste. The elves think she is too human with her profound emotions and (not so) rapid aging. The humans think she is elvish with her pointed ears, keen hearing and incredibly long life. She witnesses generations of humans pass on throughout her life while aging very little. She escaped the abuse of her father to become a secretive Kagai warrior within a hidden community and uses her power to aid in the salvation of the people she has grown to love. She finds comfort in the arms of an Elvish lover, but true love is kept at bay from her vulnerable heart.

The main character was so real, so believable and so easy to identify with that I wonder if the author wrote her heart onto the pages. The men and elves that she works with are complex, intriguing and overall well written. I found the love story between Nayla and Joval to add a certain excitement to the novel that both intrigued and frustrated me. I was laughing out loud during portions of the book, and honestly almost yelled at it a few times too. I wanted to scream at the heroine, "Stop being an idiot! You know you love him!" Now if that is not an amazing book, I don't know what is. I was so emotionally invested in this book, I stayed up far past my bedtime in an effort to figure out what would happen next... Only to be left hanging at the end of the book. Oh well, time for book two!

The Only Good Roman Returns

The much awaited sequel to The Only Good Roman by Christine Elaine Black was a hit in my book (or at least in my blog) and more importantly concluded the cliffhanger from the first novel. You can find this novel HERE.

I was not disappointed in this sequel as I so often am with the second or third book in a series. Quite the contrary. This romance was a breath of fresh air. This novel follows the conclusion of the love story between Lia and Darius in a plot that left me guessing to the very end. You know those novels that you start reading and by about the third sentence or so you know who the good guy is, the bad guy and the... GASP... twist ending that you saw from a mile away? Well, this is not one of those stories. I am happy to say that I did not figure out what was going to happen until about 3/4's through the book. To me that is a winner! I also particularly loved the way the author wrapped up the story. It left me feeling both settled and happy. I can honestly recommend this book with both thumbs up... and toes and whatever else I care to raise. Well done Elaine! Can't wait for a new series.

Playing House By Donna Brown

This book was lighthearted and fun. Reading the synopsis, I wasn't quite sure if I would enjoy this book, but I was delightfully surprised. Playing House by Donna Brown can be found HERE.

The one thing I have to say right off the bat about this book is that it is short! I read the book in one day. One thing that I loved about this novella is that the main character was male, and it fits into the romance genre. You cannot often find a romance novel written from a male perspective. The book was based around a tragic story of young love falling apart in the face of adversity and pain. David and Emma lost a child in a violent attack while Emma was pregnant. The child died and Emma was seriously injured. For years, David blamed himself for the loss of their only child and slowly distanced himself from his wife. The story starts with their impending divorce. The story follows them through an adventure together to find a painting that will solidify their quiet divorce and forever separate them. Fate intervenes and reconnects these lost lovers. Overall the book was mostly lighthearted and made for a delightful read. The characters were well developed and thought out. A lot of young people would be able to relate to these particular characters in their struggles and inner demons. The book felt a bit rushed towards the end, leaving me wanted a more well rounded ending, but overall I feel the book was well written. 

Alora: The Wander-Jewel By Tamie Dearen

I just had the privilege of reading a very well written novel that sparked my imagination. Alora: The Wander-Jewel is a novel written by Tamie Dearen. It can be found HERE for purchase.

After reading the synopsis of this book, I immediately sensed it would be a book that would keep me engrossed in its delightful pages, and I have to say that I was not disappointed. The beginning of the book is well written, enticing and exciting. The author had me from the get-go and never let me escape! The main character was easy to relate to, even though she is only 15 years old. This is one of those books  you will not put down until the very last word, then you will beg for more!

This story follows 15 year old Alora as she discovers her amazing ability to transport herself and those around her to a mysterious other realm that is full of magic and conflict. She falls in love with a dashing 17 year old warrior with a heart of gold and finds out that she is his "soulmate". Once they form a soulmate bond, they cannot be away from each other for more than a day without suffering dire consequences. Alora finds herself in the middle of an age old war between clans that used to intermarry and now separate themselves and carry severe bias. Her biological father is an evil sorcerer that controls an entire clan through a blood bond he forces all of his subjects to take. Alora is the only woman alive that carries the ability to transport among other things. She is called a bearer and is valuable not only to those around her, but invaluable to her father as well. This novel focuses on her conflict with her father that turns into a devastating war that has far reaching consequences.

Overall I found this novel to flow very well and kept me within its grip for a solid 48 hours until I had it read from electronic cover to cover. I would suggest purchasing this book and look forward to the next novel by Tamie Dearen.

A Warriors Legacy: Orestes By J.E. Bell

A Warriors Legacy: Orestes By J.E. Bell can be found HERE.

So let me just start off this review by saying that this book was an awesome read. The beginning of this book, much like many adventure novels, was a slow start. I started and ended this book many times before I became intrigued by it. By a few chapters in the action begins to pick up after the backstory is given and the scene is laid out for the reader. Orestes, the main character, is a troubled youth with a somewhat concealed past. He lives in a town whose main purpose is to protect and serve. Every youth is trained in combat and encouraged to learn to fight. This book follows Orestes through his coming of age, marvelous battles, falling in love and finding the truth. The book was intriguing, exciting and had just a hint of romantic undertones. I enjoyed this read and look forward to the next novel in A Warriors Legacy. 

About the writing: The main character was deep, smart and easily identified with. I found him to be a well written character. Many of the other characters lacked depth or clear character. Orestes wife, while seeming interested mainly in books and writing, lacked that defining characteristic by the end of the novel. Many of the characters had little or no personality leaving the impression they left on me somewhat dimmed and shallow. I would suggest further character development on secondary characters in the future. The action scenes were well written. The details given painted a picture in my mind that linked my emotions in with the story in a very pleasant way. Overall I would give this book a solid B. Very well written by a talented new author. I can't wait to see this author's abilities develop and grow over the course of the next novel or two in the series.

The Only Good Roman By Christine Elaine Black

The Only Good Roman

By Christine Elaine Black

This is a review of an indie published book called the Only Good Roman by Christine Elaine Black. The book is available HERE. I read this book as a recommend on a tweet, and thought I might as well give it a shot. The book takes place during the Roman Empire. That period of history is a fascinating, dark and tumultuous period that can often produce exciting novels and epic story lines. This novel did not fail to please my curious mind. While the novel does take place in the past, it is not a history lesson, nor does it bore with overly descriptive language. The main character Lia, is a smart charming young woman fluent in three languages with a passion for teaching. The male lead Darius is the typical dashing, sizzling Roman captain with a hidden passion for writing and art. The story line was adventurous and not overly full of sexual overture, which I found a welcome relief from previous novels that I have encountered.

I thought overall this book was well written, exciting and a good quick read. I read the book in one sitting without a break, unwilling to put the book down for a moment. I couldn't wait for the second book, as the first book ended on a cliffhanger.