QUICK REVIEW: "Soul Protector" (Soul Protector series) - by Amanda Leigh Cowley

“SOUL PROTECTOR”

by Amanda Leigh Cowley

REVIEWED BY: Books4Tomorrow

OVERVIEW

After being dragged on a night out to celebrate a friend’s birthday, Gracie discovers a unique talent; one that makes her doubt her sanity. She decides to keep it to herself until she can make sense of it.

Gracie tries out her gift a second time, but unaware of a visible aura, she is abducted off the street. Her kidnapper is Dan; a handsome, charismatic ‘monitor.’ Once he establishes Gracie didn't understand what she was doing, he helps her, introducing her to the secret world of the Soul Protector.

Gracie knows she must find strength to embrace what she is, but she will have to dig deep because a secret from the past is waiting to catch up with her. And it will take all her courage to face it.

REVIEW

“Soul Protector” was not what I expected it was going to be. Reading the blurb, I was expecting something more in the vein of fast paced action and heart stopping suspense, but what I got instead was so much better!

Believable but imperfect characters finding themselves in true-to-life daily situations; and subtle, yet intense, romantic moments between the main characters – not to mention the unique theme of “soul swapping” - were only a few of the things that made this an enjoyable and memorable read. I could identify with the daily struggles of the main character Gracie, and I often found myself nodding in agreement thinking “oh I hate when that happens,” and “yes, I know, I’ve been through that.”

The author did a remarkable job creating scenes in which the reader can experience all sorts of different emotions. I, along with Gracie, fell in love with her monitor and cried with her when things took a turn for the worse; I hated her supervisor and ex-boyfriend; was angry at her sister’s betrayal; felt my heart break at her mother’s loss and also had pity for the different victims in the different scenarios. The romance between the main characters was subtle, yet passionate at times. It had my heart racing and wishing that I could be the one in Dan’s arms.

I found the story to be a nice blend between paranormal romance and chic lit, which is so right up my alley! It reads at a leisurely pace, but never once did I feel that it was dragging along. I was riveted from the very first chapter and mostly so because the characters are so real. In most of them I recognized someone in my life and I could easily put a face to each person. I didn’t want the story to end and actually felt sad when it did. It was like saying goodbye to friends.

The only reason for the 4 stars is the slight grammatical errors I found in a few of the chapters, but it didn’t take anything away from the story, and can be easily overlooked. “Soul Protector” is the first novel in this series and with this Amanda Leigh Cowley proved that she is a talented author with lots to offer. I am looking forward to reading more from this author and am breathlessly anticipating the next book in this series!

BOOKS4TOMORROW star rating:  4/5

READ more REVIEWS

“Soul Protector” by Amanda Leigh Cowley has 17 reviews on GoodReads. Read it here - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12361729-soul-protector

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Protector-ebook/dp/B005CNGEGY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1321520748&sr=8-2

Amazon.co.uk - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soul-Protector-ebook/dp/B005CNGEGY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321968524&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/soul-protector-amanda-leigh-cowley/1104699512?ean=9781908481719&itm=1&usri=amanda+le

OTHER LINKS:

The opening chapters are FREE to read on Amanda’s awesome blog at:

http://amandaleighcowley.blogspot.com/p/soul-protector-first-two-chapters.html 

SHOWCASING: "In Search of Lucy" - by Lia Fairchild

“IN SEARCH OF LUCY”

by Lia Fairchild

OVERVIEW
Lucy Lang’s life is spiraling out of control. For years she sacrificed her own needs to care for her half sister and alcoholic mother, only to be abandoned by both. Now, at age 30, Lucy finds herself held back by memories and regret as she struggles to find her own purpose in life. But when her sister needs a kidney transplant, Lucy is the only one who can save her life.

With the help of new friends and a man who won’t give up on her, Lucy sets out on a journey to reunite with her sister and find the answers she so desperately needs. Can she get past her emotions and have a chance at happiness? With its colorful, endearing cast of characters, In Search of Lucy takes readers on a rollercoaster of emotions from sadness and heartache to happiness and hope.

In Search of Lucy will be re-released Feb. 28, 2012 by AmazonEncore!

READ the REVIEWS

“In Search of Lucy” by Lia Fairchild has 27 reviews on GoodReads. Read it here - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11404701-in-search-of-lucy

PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon - http://amzn.to/i1uX06  
Barnes and Noble - http://bit.ly/h1cdPb  
SmashWords - http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/50303  

AUTHOR LINKS
Website - http://www.liafairchild.com/ 
Blog - http://www.ahintofmurder.blogspot.com/ 
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/lia.fairchild.author 
Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/LiaFairchild 

GUEST POST: "Wrestling the Muse" - by SHAUN ALLAN

SHAUN ALLAN author of “Sin” talks to Books4Tomorrow about “WRESTLING THE MUSE”

The Muse. Now there's a character. If you could picture him, what would he be like? I imagine him with an eye mask and a sly grin. A long dark coat that has a lining of more colours than Joseph's Technicolor garment of choice. His hair is just so except when you catch him out of the corner of your eye. Then it's wild and unkempt, a nest of Medusa-like proportions.

Then the mask drops and you see him juggling words, deliberately dropping them into a pile at his feet that he dances upon. As each falls, he plucks another out of the air, smoother than David Copperfield or Blaine.

The Muse. He stands before you, but you're tied to the chair. You want to reach out to him, but he stands just beyond your grasp, his eyes watching you and his sly grin taunting you.

"You want a piece of me?" he asks.

But then, you manage to slip free of your bindings and launch yourself forward. He skips out of the way, giggling, but you catch him with your foot and he falls with you. A scuffle ensues and you succeed in pulling the mask from his face.

Of course, he looks like you. Who else would taunt you with words and ideas tossed into the air and piled at your feet?

But you have the mask in your hand and the coat is torn open to reveal its multi-coloured interior. Woven into the fabric are the words that his sleight of hand made appear from nothing.

Your smile matches his own as you don the Coat of Many Characters and take up your pen.

The Muse pours you a coffee and pulls up a chair beside you. After all, he was only messing. He can't just GIVE you the words.

You have to want them!

SHAUN ALLAN is the author of:

“Rudolph Saves Christmas”

Rudolph, that famous red-nosed reindeer, is accused of blowing up Santa’s sleigh and attempting to sabotage Christmas.  He must escape from North Pole Prison and find the real culprit before Christmas is cancelled!

Throw in a host of wacky poems such as Spider on my Present, A Zombie Christmas and The Not-So Christmas Elf and you have a collection perfect for children of all ages this Christmas!

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/Rudolph-Saves-Christmas-ebook/dp/B00687HSTK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323463487&sr=1

SmashWords - http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/singularity

Lulu.com - http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/shaunallan  (printed copy)

QUICK REVIEW: "The Lilean Chronicles: Redemption" - by Merita King

“THE LILEAN CHRONICLES: REDEMPTION”

by Merita King

REVIEWED BY: Ellen Fritz

OVERVIEW

Two ancient prophecies, both foretelling the extinction of a race. Two sides racing to their appointment with destiny. A terrible tide of evil laying waste to their world. So much rage, fear and a baby crying. A single baby prophesied to save Lilea and many other worlds from extinction by the Transmortal Army. One single man who will bring an end to the evil that almost wiped them out and in doing so, save many worlds from their darkness. Vincent worries for his sanity as he suffers the nightmares and hears the voices in the dreams. As he battles with the nightmares and the source of the voices in the dreams is revealed, he begins to discover his destiny and finds that there are other forces at work against him. 

Many worlds away Farra discovers her part in his great task. Can she survive the terrors that lurk in the tunnels and can she unmask the mysterious killer? The ancient spirit people take them on a journey through space and time as they both race from world to world to meet their date with destiny and fulfil the prophecy.

REVIEW

This book is set in a futuristic world where travelling from planet to planet and even between planetary systems is an everyday occurrence. The main character, Farra, is chosen for a task which will require courage and self sacrifice. Having grown up during the reconstruction on earth and then joined the deep space core of the military, she is well suited for the job. The other protagonist, Vincent, also survived a life of hardship to prepare him for the monumental task which he must perform. Separately these two characters journey from destination to destination to reach their ultimate common goal which had been prophesied many centuries before. 

The idiom which came to mind while I was reading the story was: 'one good turn deserves another'. Both main characters show remarkable bravery, self sacrifice and a willingness to help others. This gains them the help and gratitude of the Drycenian nation and numerous others. Yet, despite their positive actions, they are still the victims of jealousy, revenge and suspicion. 

Although this book has a healthy dose of the usual technology and phenomena common in most space science fiction books, the author masterfully balanced it with a very appealing, unique and original setting.  All the characters are human with slightly differing powers and physiology, and not the weird beings so common in many space fantasy books.

QUICK REVIEW: "Guardian" - by Gillian Joy

“GUARDIAN”

by Gillian Joy

REVIEWED BY: Wanda Hart

OVERVIEW

Headstrong and determined, Hannah always knew that she would become the Guardian. She was the keeper and the protector of all supernatural beings. What she didn't expect was that it would mean she would have to endure the agonising death of her mother first hand as their supernatural connection brings her to her knees, or that it would mean that she could never be with the man she loved. 

Blond haired, blue eyed Gabriel was her handsome childhood friend, but would circumstances prevent her from ever being able to explore her true feelings for him? 
Jesse, the dark alluring but incorrigible vampire would give anything to be with her, but as the guardian Hannah is forbidden to fall in love with the supernatural. 

With her life in turmoil over her conflicting emotions about Gabriel and Jesse and her frustration at being unable to exact revenge for her mother’s horrific death, Hannah flees her life in an attempt to start over. But can we ever really escape from ourselves? 

There is no escaping destiny no matter how hard she might try and Hannah must learn to reconcile her commitment to her family with her responsibility as the Guardian and her duty to her heart.

REVIEW

Hannah is the girl next door. She is pretty, some would say very pretty. She has as best friend a boy named Gabriel. He is the IT boy in town. His father is the sheriff and thus a truly influential man. And so begins the story like most other stories with a boy and a girl. Oh and a kiss.

But Hannah is not the girl next door. She is pretty yes but she has a destiny. She is the Guardian - the Venatorcustos. She was born from a line of Guardians. Her mother, Susannah served the world in this capacity for 600 years and her mother before her, well maybe as long as 3000 years. Hannah has a past, a destiny and a responsibility that would cost her everything she holds dear.

Guardians are responsible for Crudelitas!  They are to make sure that they do not harm humans, that they do not take dominance over some group or the other. She is the keeper of order. Tough job when dealing with Vampires, mermaids and witches. To name but a few!  Oh sorry. I did not mention that, that is what a Crudelitas is, did I? Luckily Hannah is born with all the collective memory of every proceeding Guardian.

But Hannah's memory could not save the life of her mother, her super human powers could do nothing to save the life of her father Jonathan and her love did nothing to chance the fate of her beloved Gabriel!

SHOWCASING: "The Forgotten Isle" - by L.E. Engler

“THE FORGOTTEN ISLE”

by L.E. Engler

OVERVIEW

Before Arthur was king, the legendary ruler of Britain, before the Round Table, before Lancelot and Guinevere... Arthur finds himself transported back to 2200 B.C., the Bronze Age. An evil power has entered the Emerald Isle and Finias is under attack. The people are being hurt and killed, and the villagers flee from the demon power. Danu, the Earth Mother, is sworn to protect her people, but she has run out of ideas. So she reaches 2700 years into the future and transports young Arthur of the Britons to her time. Someday Arthur will unite all of England and be king, but right now he is only 12. Does he have the knowledge and power needed to save her people?

PURCHASE LINKS

Barnes & Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-forgotten-isle-l-engler/1036216403?ean=9781466202320&itm=1&usri=the+forgotten+isle

Amazon.com – http://www.amazon.com/The-Forgotten-Isle-ebook/dp/B0067CUJDS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325358707&sr=1-1

SmashWords - www.smashwords.com/books/view/104819

AUTHOR LINKS

Website: www.lyndaengler.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/203257876417514/

FEATURED AUTHOR: "The Spirit Box" - by JH GLAZE

“THE SPIRIT BOX”

by JH Glaze

About the Book

Review

Author Interview

GIVEAWAY!!!

“THE SPIRIT BOX”

When Walt Turner's mother died, he inherited her apartment and the antique shop below. After losing his job due to the treachery of a co-worker, The Spirit Box calls to him from the darkness of the shop with an offer of revenge.

Lured by the promise of ultimate power and eternal life by the prisoner inside the box, Walt agrees to help it gather the final spirits it requires to return to human form.

John Hazard is investigating a series of murders and missing persons in this otherwise quiet town. His perceptions of reality are about to be altered in a life changing confrontation that will force him beyond the boundaries of darkness and ancient evil.

It is a spiralling descent into madness, where you may have everything you desire, if only you are willing to sacrifice all that you believe.

When you look into The Spirit Box, be prepared to have more than your breath taken away.

WARNING: This book is not recommended for readers below the age of 18.

REVIEW for “THE SPIRIT BOX”

by Books4Tomorrow

I finished reading “The Spirit Box” in less than two days, as it was an effortless and magnificent read! This is another one of those books which I would purchase straight off the shelf of a bookstore, on the stunning cover alone. So let me jump right in and tell you everything I loved about this book.

The two main characters, Walt Turner and Detective John Hazard, each have their own story line which comes nicely together at the end of the book.

Walt I can only describe as strange. I didn’t know whether to love him or hate him! On the one hand I felt sorry for him because of all the bad things that happened to him due to his naivety, but in a heartbeat he also repulsed me with his blasé attitude (mostly to the end) towards offering up human souls to the spirit box. It made for some interesting reading though, and entertaining as heck each time his wishes came true, but not exactly how he wanted it, so you sort of feel it serves him right for what he did, while having a good laugh at his reaction.

Walt’s over the top use of profanity might be offensive to sensitive readers, but I found it suited his character. He is a really complex person, but not difficult to understand. I often asked myself what I would do if I was in his shoes, though my answers were not the same as his.

Then there is tough-as-nails Detective John Hazard, the unlikely hero. His character alone will keep you entertained until the end of the book, especially with some of the laugh out loud things that happen to him. He is also not your typical small town detective, but quite rough around the edges and it took some time for me to get used to him. As yet I’m still undecided whether I like him or not, but I cannot argue that he isn’t intriguing.

Overall I found “The Spirit Box” a highly entertaining read. A few pages into the book, it was clear to me that the author had put a lot of time, effort and imagination into crafting a well thought out plot; as well as creating strong characters with relatable flaws and to whom irony is no stranger. More often than not you’ll find yourself laughing at the shocking situations the characters find themselves in – not because you want to, but because you can’t help it! The unpredictable plot twists kept me terrified and thrilled; and the action-packed ending made every minute spent reading this book, worthwhile.

From the next up-and-coming master of suspense, “The Spirit Box” by JH Glaze will have even Stephen King fearing the dark. So whatever you do, hurry and get yourself this one-of-a-kind book, but “do not look into the box”!

BOOKS4TOMORROW star rating:  5/5

READ more REVIEWS

“The Spirit Box” by JH Glaze has 16 reviews on GoodReads. Read it here - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12602129-the-spirit-box

MEET this week’s FEATURED AUTHOR

CHRISTMAS WISHES from AUTHORS to READERS

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S !!!!

  CHRISTMAS WISHES FROM AUTHORS TO READERS

 Shah Wali Fazli

Teresa Geering

Laura Wilkinson

L Anne Carrington

Kristen Stone

Philip Whiteland

Gerry McCullough

SHOWCASING: "Nate Rocks The World" - by Karen Pokras Toz

“NATE ROCKS THE WORLD”

by Karen Pokras Toz

OVERVIEW

Nate Rocks can do it all: part super-hero, part all-star athlete, part rock-star… part fourth-grader?

Ten-year-old Nathan Rockledge cannot catch a break. After all, life as a fourth-grader can be hazardous what with science projects to deal with and recess football games to avoid. Everyone, including his best friend Tommy, seems to have bad luck when hanging around Nathan. Throw in an older sister who is a royal pain, a dad who is stuck in the past, and a mom who keeps trying to poison him with her awful cooking, and poor Nathan’s life as a fourth grader appears to be completely doomed.

Armed only with his sketchpad, his imagination, and his wits, Nathan Rockledge navigates the perils of the fourth grade in style, to emergeheroic, as Nate Rocks, proving that even a ten-year-old can accomplish great things.

Follow the quirky and imaginative adventures of ten-year-old Nathan Rockledge as his cartoons come to life.

QUICK REVIEW: "Anathema" (Cloud Prophet Trilogy) - by Megg Jensen

“ANATHEMA” (Cloud Prophet Trilogy #1)

by Megg Jensen

REVIEWED BY: Books4Tomorrow

OVERVIEW

Sheltered from the outside world with no hope for escape, slave girl Reychel dreads her fifteenth birthday - when her master’s symbol is burned on the back of her bald scalp. Her best friend disappears the night before, leaving her to face the branding ceremony alone. She soon discovers nothing is as it seems when people desperate for freedom beg for Reychel's help. 

Can Reychel learn to believe in herself?

REVIEW

The first book in the Cloud Prophecy series, “Anathema” was an awesome read! I downloaded it as a free book from kindle, and wasn’t in a rush to read it. But once I got started, I was hooked! Before I got to the end of the book, I was already looking forward to the next two books in this series by Megg Jensen.

GUEST POST "On Growing Up" - by SHAUN ALLAN

SHAUN ALLAN author of “Sin” talks to Books4Tomorrow “ON GROWING UP...”

What's all that then? Growing up? Not heard of that one.

Nor sure I want to, either. It sounds like something you catch from biting your nails after playing in the mud. Oh, no. That's worms. But close enough. It still wraps around your insides and takes all your nourishment.

Why do people do it? Lose their innocence. Forget their sense of wonder. For what?  You don't need to be sensible to be sensible, if that makes sense. Which it probably doesn't...

Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional, so they say. They also say you don't stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.

I agree. I act the daft dad with my children, regardless of who might be watching.  Well, in context of where we are, of course. If I ever meet the Queen (or King by then) for my MBE for services to British Literature, I won't be cracking cheeky jokes.  Well, I wouldn't think I would, anyway. But grow up?

QUICK REVIEW: "Danger Danger" - by Gerry McCullough

“DANGER DANGER”

by Gerry McCullough

REVIEWED BY: Ellen Fritz

OVERVIEW

Two lives in parallel – twin sisters separated at birth, but their lives take strangely similar and dangerous roads until the final collision which hurls each of them to the edge of disaster.

Katie and her gambling boyfriend Dec find themselves threatened with peril from the people Dec has cheated. Jo-Anne (Annie) through her boyfriend Steven finds herself in the hands of much more dangerous crooks.

Can they survive and achieve safety and happiness?

REVIEW

As this story starts with a bang and never quite let’s up on the tension, it will hook you right from the beginning and keep you spell bound until you have read the very last sentence. This suspense laden and exciting tale takes the reader to the back streets and pubs of Belfast, Northern Ireland; to the wealthy homes of the same city and away to Switzerland - as well as into a Swiss bank. Drug dealing, theft and black mail are key elements in this highly addictive book.