Wednesday, August 31, 2011

OKLAHOMA RENUNION

Title: Oklahoma Reunion
Author: Tina Radcliffe
Publisher: Love Inspired (September 20, 2011)
Pages: 224


I was pleasantly surprised when I won a contest on author TINA RADCLIFFE’S site. I received some pretty cool things, but
I was most excited about the copy of her next release, OKLAHOMA REUNION. I waited with bated breath in anticipation of its arrival. I can’t say enough about her first book, THE RANCERS REUNION. If I were one to reread books, this would be at the top of my list.

Kait Field is back in Oklahoma for the first time since she left eight years ago. Sure, she has business to tend to…but she also has a secret that needs to be revealed. She was the last person Ryan Jones expected to see. After all, she left suddenly with no explanation, leaving his heart shattered. Could they both forgive the past enough to have a future?

I knew once I started OKLAHOMA RENUNION I’d have a hard time putting the book down, and sure enough, it wasn’t until page eighty that I was able to do so. Ryan isn’t one of your typical cowboy characters. He says exactly what’s in his heart. I loved that about him. Love the characters and the plot as well as MS. RADCLIFFE’s writing. Can’t wait for her next book.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

HADES

Title: Hades
Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends; 1 edition (August 30, 2011)
Pages: 432


When I discovered I had the chance to read HADES by ALEXANDRA ADORNETTO, I grabbed the opportunity. My fourteen-year-old daughter read HALO, the first in the sequel, some months ago, and insisted that I read it as well. I was pleasantly surprised with HALO.

I found HALO to be a refreshingly different read from the typical romance I’m accustomed too. The writing was amazing, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well the faith and evil aspect was presented without being preachy. I appreciated the lack of foul language and inappropriate behavior.

I was shocked to discover the author ALEXANDRA ADORNETTO is just a teen herself. I don’t particularly care for a lot of detail, but I was in awe of Ms. Adornetto’s unique description as well as her distinct characters and accurate portrayal of teens.

Where HALO had many five and four star reviews on Amazon, HADES had only one. If the lack of stars wasn’t deterrent enough, the reviews were. But I’d already committed to reading HADES and after HALO, I needed to know the rest of the story.

As I began to read HADES I was shocked to discover it not only to be good but better then HALO. The poor reviews baffled me, because it was just as well written as HALO and for me, the story itself was intriguing and captivating. For a period of time, HALO’s pace was slow, though wonderfully written, where HADES was packed full of action that didn’t cease until the last sentence.

In HALO, Bethany Church is sent to Earth with her siblings to keep dark forces at bay. Angels weren’t supposed to fall for human but that’s exactly what happened when Bethany met Xavier Woods, the High School good guy. Jake Thorn, a demon, has other plans for Beth.

In HADES, Jake tricks Beth into his underworld, a world no Angel has ever gone before. Beth is forced to make a decision that could quite possible destroy her, and threaten Xavier’s love for her.

I highly recommend HALO and HADES not only for preteens and teens, but for adults as well. As an aspiring writer I found myself wanting to reread these books to capture the author’s unique play on words.

And talk about a cliffhanger…

Saturday, August 20, 2011

HALO

Title: Halo
Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends; 1 edition (August 30, 2011)
Pages: 496



My fourteen-year-old daughter read HALO by ALEXANDRA ADORNETTO some months ago, and insisted that I read it as well. Like in the past with her suggestions, I didn’t warm up to the ideal immediately. But just like the others she suggested, I was happy I did.

Bethany Church is an angel sent to earth with her archangel brother, Gabriel and sister, Ivy. They’re on a mission to bring goodness back to the small town of Venus Cove, ridding it of its dark forces.

Bethany attends Bryce Hamilton High School and falls for the schools good guy, Xavier Woods. Angels aren’t supposed to be attached to humans in a romantic way, but her undying love for him has her seeking approval from the Convenant, a group of archangels. All seems well until a new student named Jake Thorn arrives. But the good-looking guy who seems to have it all isn’t what he appears to be. He wants Beth and isn’t about to take no for an answer.

I was shocked to discover the author ALEXANDRA ADORNETTO is just a teen herself. I don’t particularly care for a lot of detail, but I was in awe of Ms. Adornetto’s unique description as well as her distinct characters and accurate portrayal of teens.

I found HALO to be a refreshingly different read from the typical romance I’m accustom too. The writing was amazing, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well the faith and evil aspect was presented. I appreciate the lack of foul language or inappropriate behavior.

I highly recommend HALO not only for preteens and teens, but for adults as well. As an aspiring writer I found myself wanting to reread this book to capture the author’s unique play on words. I look forward to the sequel, HADES.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

UNBROKEN CONNECTION


I’ve been a huge fan of Angela Morrison’s ever since I was introduced to her writing with TAKEN BY STORM about Michael and Leesie, a story that I loved. After I finished TAKEN BY STORM, I couldn’t wait to begin UNBROKEN CONNECTION, the next book in the series. Unfortunately it didn’t come out for some time due complications in getting the book published.

Though it had been some time since I read TAKEN BY STORN, Michael and Leesie’s story was still fresh in my mind because the characters were so alive and their story amazing. It didn’t take me long to get back into their continued story in UNBROKEN CONNECTION.

Like Angela’s other books, which are well written fast paced stories with three-dimensional characters that you fall in love with, this book was no different.

In UNBROKEN CONNECTION, Michael is away in Thailand, living his dream as a diver. Leesie is at BYU living hers. Thought they had parted as friend, they soon find themselves back together. Their relationship grows deeper than ever and Michael decided to take it to a whole new level.

UNBROKEN CONNECTION will leave you loving Michael and aching for Leesie. I can’t wait to receive my copy of the final book in the series, CAYMAN SUMMER, to see how things end up for Michael and Leesie.