The Silver Witch by Paula Brackston

A year after her husband’s sudden death, ceramic artist Tilda Fordwells finally moves into the secluded Welsh cottage that was to be their new home. She hopes that the tranquil surroundings will help ease her grief, and lessen her disturbing visions of Mat’s death. Instead, the lake in the valley below her cottage seems to spark something dormant in her – a sensitivity, and a power of some sort. Animals are drawn to her, electricity shorts out when she’s near, and strangest of all, she sees a new vision; a boatful of ancient people approaching her across the water.

On this same lake in Celtic times lived Seren, a witch and shaman. She was respected but feared, kept separate from the community for her strange looks. When a vision came to her of the Prince amid a nest of vipers she warned of betrayal from one of his own. Prince Brynach both loved and revered her, but could not believe someone close to him wished him harm, even as the danger grew.

In her own time, Tilda’s grief begins to fade beside her newfound powers and a fresh love. When she explores the lake’s ancient magic and her own she discovers Seren, the woman in her vision of the boat. Their two lives strangely mirror each others, suggesting a strong connection between the women. As Tilda comes under threat from a dark power, one reminiscent of Seren’s prophecy, she must rely on Seren and ancient magic if death and disaster are not to shatter her life once more. 

Goodreads Summary

The cover is beautiful and the summary really sucked me in.  Tilda moves into a cottage and immediately has strange issues popping up.  Little does she know that a powerful witch lived right by her over a thousand years ago.  The book is told from two different points of view.  The reader will grow to enjoy Tilda's easy mannerisms and kind-hearted nature.  Seren is a character with more of an edge.  She has a bit of a star-crossed lovers story arc going on.  She is more mysterious than Tilda and I wanted to know more about her.  

The plot was fast-paced and not overly complicated to the point where I had to look back in the book to make sense of the book as I read on.  It was interesting how the author connected various important symbols in the book and created a strong resolution in the end.  The love interests were intriguing, but not male characters that I fell in love with while reading.  Overall, this book is recommended to adult readers.

3 Stars 

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Firewalker by Josephine Angelini

Worlds divide, magic slays, and love lies in the second book of Josephine Angelini’s The Worldwalker Trilogy.

"You think I’m a monster, but my choices, as ruthless as they seem, are justified."

Lily is back in her own universe, and she's ready to start a new life with Rowan by her side. True, she almost died in the Pyre that fueled their escape from New Salem, and must hide her magic for the safety of everyone she cares about, but compared to fighting the Woven, the monstrous creatures inhabiting the alternate Salem, life is looking pretty good.

Unfortunately, Lillian, ruthless ruler of the 13 Cities, is not willing to let Lily go that easily. If she can’t persuade Lily to return to her world, she will force her to come back by doing away with the ones she loves.

Picking up right where Trial By Fire left off, Firewalker is another sexy, fast-paced, heartbreaking thrill ride from internationally bestselling author Josephine Angelini! 

Goodreads Summary

              

               The second novel of the Worldwalker trilogy is a continuation of Lily Proctor’s adventures and is thrilling and thought-provoking.  Lily is a witch, she is able to transform energy to heal, create, and fuel armies.  Rowan is Lily’s head mechanic and Lilian’s former head mechanic, it is his job to maintain Lily’s health and protect her.  After barely surviving “world jump” that brought her and Tristan to Lily’s universe, Lily wishes to live as normal a life as she can with Rowan.  However, Lilian is still alive in the universe they left behind.  Lilian, a different version of Lilian who rules the universe she exists as a dictator, is not willing to let Lily go.  As Lily recovers from the “world jump” back to our reality, Lilian shows her disturbing memories to explain how Lilian became a cruel dictator.  Lily must find the truth to save Rowan’s universe and her friends and family who live there.

               My summary of this plot and characters sound very convoluted and confusing.  That is because the Worldwalker trilogy is complicated, but it is also very, very good.  Lily, Lilian, and Rowan are extremely complex characters that all grow and change as the novel progresses.  Lily develops as a leader and we learn so much about Lilian’s past in this book and what motivates her.  Rowan changes less than Lily and Lilian, but he, too, becomes more “real” as you read.  Every character in Fire Walker is unique and interesting, especially the main characters.   

               Teens will enjoy reading Fire Walker and will look forward to the final novel in the trilogy.  I would not recommend this book for readers under the age of thirteen.  There is romance and violence in this novel that younger booklovers might not be ready to read.  However, when they are older, Fire Walker will definitely be on their lists of favorite books!       

*Reviewed by Kristin*

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

None of the Above by I.W. Gregorio

A groundbreaking story about a teenage girl who discovers she was born intersex... and what happens when her secret is revealed to the entire school. Incredibly compelling and sensitively told, None of the Above is a thought-provoking novel that explores what it means to be a boy, a girl, or something in between.

What if everything you knew about yourself changed in an instant?

When Kristin Lattimer is voted homecoming queen, it seems like another piece of her ideal life has fallen into place. She's a champion hurdler with a full scholarship to college and she's madly in love with her boyfriend. In fact, she's decided that she's ready to take things to the next level with him.

But Kristin's first time isn't the perfect moment she's planned—something is very wrong. A visit to the doctor reveals the truth: Kristin is intersex, which means that though she outwardly looks like a girl, she has male chromosomes, not to mention boy "parts."

Dealing with her body is difficult enough, but when her diagnosis is leaked to the whole school, Kristin's entire identity is thrown into question. As her world unravels, can she come to terms with her new self?

Goodreads Summary

This book was interesting and different.  Kristin feels like the typical girl.  She cares about homecoming and loves sports and school.  She also loves her boyfriend.  Unfortunately, things do not go well when she tries to express this love and she finds out that she has testicles inside her body and is not a typical woman (childbirth, menstruation, etc...).  This becomes a difficult situation for Kristin and she has to reevaluate and learn about her condition.  She worries about what people would think...she worries about what she should think.  

The author handles this unusual topic very well.  I loved learning more about "intersex" was.  I loved how the author portrayed Kristin as a normal person and not someone to be treated with kid gloves.  I didn't like everyones reaction, but I understand how peoples' reactions can vary over a wide period of time.  Kristin was a very brave person; she handled herself admirably.  This book is recommended to young adult/teen readers.

4 Stars


This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Jack Templar and the Lord of the Demons: Giveaway and Promo!

  Jack Templar and the Lord of the Demons (The Templar Chronicles #5). With two of the Jerusalem Stones in hand, Jack and his friends must race the clock to find the remaining Stones as Ren Lucre's Creach forces gather strength. With two of their group now with Creach blood flowing in their veins, the team will be tested as never before. They must unite together if they have any hope of surviving their journey to the Underworld and their battle with the vicious Lord of the Demons. The fate of the entire world hangs in the balance.

Grab Your Copy Now!

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Author Jeff Gunhus Jeff Gunhus is the author of the Amazon bestselling supernatural thriller, Night Chill, and the Middle Grade/YA series, The Templar Chronicles. The first book of the series, Jack Templar Monster Hunter, was written in an effort to get his reluctant reader eleven-year old son excited about reading. It worked and a new series was born. His book Reaching Your Reluctant Reader has helped hundreds of parents create avid readers. Killer Within is his second novel for adults. As a father of five, he and his wife Nicole spend most of their time chasing kids and taking advantage of living in the great state of Maryland. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel. If you see him there, sit down and have a cup of coffee with him. You just might end up in his next novel.

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  $50 Book Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 8/28/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ