Review: Lucky Charm by Marie Astor

My Rating: VG, B, L

Published: 2011
Publisher: Self Published

Author's Website: marieastor.com

Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Smashwords.com Barnes and Nobles

Twenty-eight-year old Annabel Green is about to tie the knot with her college love, an aspiring author Jeremy Blake, but her plans for an ideal wedding are rudely interrupted when she catches Jeremy kissing his gorgeous book agent.

Shell-shocked by Jeremy’s betrayal, Annabel retreats into the quiet routine of TV dinners and solitary evenings. It is then that Annabel’s best friend, fashion designer Lilly Clayton, sets herself on a mission to draw Annabel out of her shell. In an attempt to persuade Annabel to keep an open mind on dating, Lilly takes Annabel for a stunning makeover, but after Annabel passes on a date with a dashing entrepreneur, Lilly decides that more drastic measures are needed. Lilly invites Annabel to see a palm reader who gives Annabel a lucky charm that is supposed to help her find true love.

A few weeks later, during her trip to Paris, Annabel meets a handsome Parisian, and as the two embark on a whirlwind romance, she starts to believe in the power of the talisman the palm reader has given her. But what Annabel doesn’t know is that Lilly is hiding a secret that could unravel her faith in her newly found luck in love.

Lucky Charm by Marie Astor is a charismatic and endearing tale of falling in love.

Annabel has just found out that her fiancé is nothing but a lying and cheating rat. Not only that he is a scrounging rat that has been living off of Annabel for years trying to reach fame through his writing career. Poor Annabel is heartbroken and bravely pushes Jeremy aside to try and get on with her life; but she can’t let herself totally let go. Enter Lilly, Annabel’s best friend in the world and fashion designer. Lilly is going to France for a fashion competition and drags Annabel along to try and perk her up from her post-break up blues. Annabel is reluctant at first but soon finds the idea of visiting another country and seeing some of the wonders of the worlds exhilarating. She finds a lot more wonders that she could ever imagine.

I absolutely loved Annabel and Lilly. Their dynamic relationship is invigorating. It’s not very often you can find someone that you can be truly yourself around but this friendship is one of them. Lilly helps Annabel realize that she needs to move on and Annabel does the same for Lilly: by making her realize that she needs to let go of her grudge. Lilly is such a funky free spirit and I love her wit. Annabel is more of the shy one that takes some time to come out of her box. The only annoyance I had with this book was that about half way through there was a lot of spelling errors.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would happily read more of Astor’s work. It has a light fluffy feel to the plot and I like that every once and a while. Everyone wins in the end and it’s the perfect book to start me on my summer holidays (even though I am a bit late this year).

Disclaimer: I was sent this book for review as part of a book blog tour held by The Bookish Snob Promotions. I have not been paid to review this book and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.

Add on disclaimer: The spelling errors are duie to uncorrected copy being supplied for review.

Book Excerpt: Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress by Christine Schulze

As part of the 'Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress' book blog tour hosted by The Bookish Snob Promotions, I have an book trailer from Christine Schulze to share with you all. You can find my review and links to where to purchase the book here.

 

Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress Excerpt from Chapter 1, "Curiosity"

"I pushed my hair behind my ear like I always did whenever I was very nervous and unsure what to say.

"Um..." I stammered.

"What is that?"

His voice turned suddenly sharp, and I realized the mistake I'd just made.

"Nothing," I said, trying to pull my hair back over my shoulder.

"Oh, no, you don't," he said firmly. "Look at me."

Reluctantly, I flipped the hair back and turned towards him.

I could see his green eyes flaring wildly as he hissed, "Who did this to you?"

"Aaryn, it's okay," I said quietly as I looked down at my lap.

"Okay? It most certainly is not. Now you tell me who's done this to you. Was it
Oric? If that jerk's come back, I'll--"

"Aaryn, it wasn't Oric," I said, looking up at him.

His temper calmed and melted into concern as he noted the sorrow in my eyes.

"Chrystine," he said gently. "Tell me. Who is it?"

I hesitated, then said softly, "It's my dad."

For a moment that seemed to last a very long time, he just stared at me. Then he said slowly, "Your dad?"

"Yes."

"How long."

"About two years."

More silent staring. He looked both shocked and struggling to keep his temper under control at the same time. "Sarah and Grace?"

"They know."

"Why didn't you ever tell me?"

The question didn't sound angry, but a touch of hurt tainted his beautiful voice.

"I was afraid of what you might do."

More silence. And then, "Is it very bad?"

"No," I lied. I dared not tell him it was getting worse.

"Isn't there somewhere else you could go?" "Where?"

"You could live with us," he said, and at first I was surprised, but his eyes showed his sincerity.

"No, I couldn't," I said softly.

"Yes, you could. I could talk to my parents. They'd understand."

I hardly knew what to say. Aaryn had always gone out of his way to protect me, but this...

"Please don't say anything," I said. "Not to anyone. If I decide otherwise, I'll tell you, but for now, please don't."

His flickering eyes reflected his struggle, but he said, "Alright, I won't do anything. For now."

Another moment of silence passed between us, and then it was followed by another moment that I shall never forget.

His earnest green gaze pierced into mine as he said softly, "If you ever need me, just call, and I'll be there. If he ever...if you're ever afraid that something might...happen, I'll be there to protect you."

I shivered as his hand crept up to caress my face. I shivered for two reasons: it was the first time he'd ever touched me, and his hand was unexpectedly cold. He suddenly withdrew as if reading my thoughts. He turned away and jumped up quickly.

"I have to get to class," he muttered.

"Okay," I said. "Do you want me to walk with you? Our class was pushed back an hour again."

"No," he said quickly, and a bit more harshly than usual.

I would have been offended by his harsh tone, but I could tell by that familiar scowl that he was annoyed with himself, not with me.

"No," he repeated more gently. "I'll be fine. See you tonight?" He smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

"Sure," I said and watched as he walked off. Then I sat staring at the wall for a few moments, trying to grasp what had just happened. Aaryn caressed my face, and it had sent a thrill to my heart. Yet it had also sent a chill through my skin; what could these things mean? Could the girls be right? Could he really like me? But why was he so cautious about touching me? Everyone had cold hands from time to time, I tried to reason. Mine were nearly always cold. And yet, his were cold in a somehow strange, unsettling way.

I broke out of my reverie as I felt the seat beside me; something smooth and cool lay beside me. I looked down. It was his leather jacket.

I don't know why I didn't think to wait to give it to him until the next day.
Something inside me just made me grab that jacket and spring off the bench, racing down the hall, hoping I could catch him in time.

I rushed outside; he was several yards in the distance already, but I knew he'd be able to hear me; he always did somehow, no matter how far away I was. One of his unique special abilities of course--heightened senses.

I called his name. As he stepped from the shade of the tree, he stumbled. As if seeing him falter wasn't jarring enough, the sprinkler he tripped over sprayed water all over him, and his white skin transformed into a brilliant shade of green. He came to a dead halt, stiff as stone. His face reflected anger at his blunder. Now I understood why he never wanted me to follow him in the rain--unless he carried an over-sized umbrella big enough for the two of us. The non-magical folk gawking at him would brush the transformation off as a "fairy or elf thing".

He stood still a few moments, as if contemplating what to do. He knew I'd seen him, of course. Then he smiled, but shadows stirred in his powerful green eyes; he had not intended for me to see him like this."

Ooo this is where Chrystine comes to realise there is more than meets the eye with Aaryn..well more than what she first thought anyway."

About Christine Schulze

Christine E. Schulze has been creating books since she was too young to even write them in words. Her collection of YA fantasy books, The Amielian Legacy, is comprised of series and stand-alone books which can all be read separately but which weave together to create an amazing fantasy. Her fanatsies also incorporate many other genres, such as Christian fantasy, romance, and even a spark of horror at times. She hopes to inspire readers throughout the world with these books by publishing in both traditional and electronic formats to make them available to all readers.

Christine has published several stories with Calliope and Kalkion magazines and is an active member of the WEbook online writing community. She has also published several Christian/fantasy books which are available at various online retailers, as well as publishing several eBooks via Writers-Exchange.

Her latest and most exciting venture includes her publications with Old Line Publishing: Bloodmaiden and Tears of a Vampire Prince: the First Krystine. She also anticipates her upcoming publication with Old Line, Lily in the Snow, as well as releasing The Chronicles of the Mira with Writers-Exchange in both paperback and electronic forms.

Christine currently lives in Belleville, Illinois in her first and most thrilling apartment.

Tomorrow's blog tour stop is with The Wormhole. Be sure to stop by!!

Book Excerpt: Carry On The Flame: Destiny's Call by Jodine Turner

As part of the 'Carry On The Flame: Destiny's Call' book blog tour hosted by The Bookish Snob Promotions, I have an excerpt from Jodine Turner to share with you all. You can find my review and links to where to purchase the book here.

Blurb: Carry on the Flame: Destiny’s Call Book One is a YA/adult magical urban fantasy, paranormal romance novel.

Carry on the Flame: Ultimate Magic Book Two releases October 31, 2011.

In Carry on the Flame, humanity is in the midst of the greatest crisis in their evolution. Sharay is the one chosen to show the way forward and help humankind move through the fear and dark times of today’s world. Born into a lineage of priestesses in modern day Glastonbury, England, Sharay’s way is blocked by her jealous Aunt Phoebe, who uses black magic against her to steal her fortune and magical power. When Phoebe commits Sharay to a psychiatric ward and accuses her of murder, Sharay struggles with the temptation to fight Phoebe’s vengeance with her own. Through the ancient Celtic ceremony of Beltaine, Sharay experiences profound sacred union with the Welshman Guethyn, who shows her how to open her heart. But Sharay must learn to transform her hatred for her aunt in order to claim the mystery held deep within her cells that will allow her to fulfill her destiny and prove that the ultimate magic is the power of love.

Excerpt

"Dillon’s knobby hands scratched his scrubby gray beard. Index finger curled, he motioned for Sharay to join him at his table.

Sharay hesitated. The old man pointed to the spread of cards before him and chuckled. He held one up for her to see, and furtively laid it back down again. Curious, Sharay stood and scuffled across the room, the closest she could come to walking while on her medicine, making her way past the vacant gaze of a middle aged female patient. She sat in a worn wooden chair across from the old man, the table and mysterious cards between them.

“Dillon.” He proffered his weather beaten hand in welcome. “Dillon Emrys. Born in the North of Wales, high in the mountains in a town no one has ever heard of. Born and raised there.” His voice was deep but carried the musical lilt of a heavy Welsh accent.

Sharay extended her hand and watched it tremor. Another side-effect of her medicine. She quickly withdrew it, embarrassed.

“The shaking is nothing to be ashamed of. Easy to remedy. Here, try again.” Dillon’s hand hung over the cards, waiting for hers.

Timidly, Sharay offered her hand again. She was surprised at the strength of the old man’s grip. He pressed his thumb against the top of her index finger and held on as if he awaited a return gesture.

“Ah, I thought perhaps you remembered the greeting of the ancients, but sadly not.”

Sharay leaned her head to the side, wiped the drool from her mouth against her shoulder, leaving a wet stain on her sweater. The old man must be crazy, she thought.

“Sure, some call me crazy. Others call me wise.” Dillon smiled, a full grin this time. Two dimples appeared in his deeply creviced face.

Sharay pulled her hand away, her eyes opened wide. How did he know what she was thinking?

“Nothing to be afraid of. Anyone can learn to read another’s thoughts. You’ve done it sometimes, too.”

Sharay didn’t answer. She wondered if she could get away from Dillon without creating a scene.

“All right, I’ll give you this piece of advice, and then maybe you’ll trust me.” Dillon leaned in close to Sharay. “Cheek your medicine,” he whispered.

“What?”

“Cheek it. Take the medicine in your mouth, roll it with your tongue to the back of your cheek, near to your gums. Nurse will check your mouth but won’t see it. Then spit it out when she leaves.” Dillon leaned back, obviously pleased with himself.

“Nurse won’t see it?”

“No. Just do it. It will stop that silly drooling of yours.”

Sharay giggled nervously. Of course. It was so simple. “How did you learn to do that?”

Dillon shrugged and stroked his beard. “I know many things. Take this card for example.” He held up the card he had tried to show her before.

“Tarot cards,” Sharay said, recognizing the trump from a similar deck her mother had allowed her to play with as a child.

The cards were divinatory. When shuffled and laid out in a pattern, they could be interpreted, often giving readings that made accurate and profound pronouncements about one’s life situation.

Sharay took the card he offered her. Its edges were worn, the colors faded. It showed the picture of a young man and woman facing each other with hands clasped, standing under a rose trellis and being blessed by a hooded figure of a Goddess. The word LOVERS was printed across the bottom of the card. Sharay felt a fluttering in her womb, as if the card fanned the flames of the burnt out embers of her inner strength there. She had almost forgotten about this power spot in her body, hadn’t felt its heat since the day she met Dr. Deluth a full six months ago.

“Yes, Tarot. But this is a very old deck, a special deck. That card is for you. Keep it with you. Sleep with it under your pillow.” Dillon lowered his voice. “Don’t show it to anyone else.”

Sharay touched the outline of the figures with her fingers, inexplicably intrigued by the faded picture.

Dillon coughed. Sharay looked up to see Dr. Deluth walk toward her, clip board in hand, two interns following obediently behind. She shoved the card under her sweater and tucked it inside her bra. Dillon laid a magazine across the top of his card spread, his movements betraying none of the anxiety Sharay felt whenever she saw Dr. Deluth."

I love this scene. I think Dillon has got to be one of my favourite characters from this book after reading this excerpt. Reminds me how funny Dillon was in the book and how he made Sharay feel sane.

About Jodine Turner

 

Jodine Turner is an author of YA/adult fantasy, paranormal romance, and magical realism. She is also a therapist, and a consecrated priestess. While living in Glastonbury, England, the ancient Isle of Avalon, Jodine began writing the Goddess of the Stars and the Sea series about priestesses who had lived in Avalon throughout the ages and today.

Jodine’s series is a dark and edgy saga of a young priestess who's reborn during three different critical junctions in history in order to help humankind move through fearful and bleak times - the demise of Atlantis, the Dark Age's suppression of the feminine, and today's turbulent world.

Each novel in the series is a standalone read. First in the series is the highly acclaimed The Awakening: Rebirth of Atlantis. The second novel is the award winning The Keys to Remember. The third novel, Carry on the Flame: Book One Destiny’s Call, is already award winning. The story of Carry on the Flame concludes in Book Two, Carry on the Flame: Ultimate Magic, which comes out October 31, 2011.

Here is a link to the book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G3Jst5VHQo

Tomorrow's the blog tour stop is with All Things Books.

Review: Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress by Christine Schulze

My Rating: V, P, B

Published: 2010
Publisher: Writer’s Exchange E-Publishing

Author's Website: christineeschulze.webs.com

Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Smashwords Barnes and Noble

He leaned his head close to my ear and whispered, "Are you afraid?"

Chrystine had had more reason than any other time of her life, even when facing one of the rampages of her drunken father. But she wasn't afraid. And that was odd, because although Aaryn, the person asking her that question, was her best friend, he was also a vampire. In fact, she was surrounded by hundreds of vampires.

But they weren't your typical vampires. They were Stregoni Benefici, the good kind. Nor was Chrystine your typical elf. She was the Golden Healer, and she alone could save the Stregoni Benefici from the Dark Enchantress. But can Chrystine figure out the Dark Enchantress' secret and defeat the evil vampires without destroying the good ones as well, without destroying Aaryn? Can Chrystine unravel the dark secret Aaryn keeps so carefully guarded and show him that by choosing to serve good instead of evil, he is still capable of being loved and his past is forgiven?

Find out as you read for yourself the story of the first vampire.

Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress is the first book in ‘The Amielian Legacy: The Stregony Sequence’ series by Christine Schulze. Enchanting and intriguing story that delves into fantasy mixed with the supernatural.

I loved the characters in this book, especially the female and male protagonists, Chrystine and Aaryn. Chrystine is an elf living in the human world where bumping into other fantasy and supernatural creatures is the norm. Aaryn is Chrystine’s neighbor and they soon become firm friends along with Chrystine’s other friends, Grace and Sarah (humans). Life is as normal as it can be until Chrystine’s birthday when he father gives her a gift that pin points her as a target for the Dark Enchantress.

I really enjoyed the plot of this book but at the same time it was a very predictable plot for me personally. I think this book would be more suits to young teens. I loved Schulze’s take on vampires and their history. It was very unique and look forward to reading more about them in ‘Tears of a Vampire Prince’.

Disclaimer: I was sent this e-book as part of a book tour via The Bookish Snob Promotions. I have not been paid to review this book and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.

Review: Carry On The Flame: Destiny's Call by Jodine Turner

My Rating: G, P, B

Published: 2011
Publisher: TAG Publishing

Author's WEbsite: jodineturner.com

Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Barnes and Noble

Humanity is in the midst of the greatest crisis in their evolution. Sharay is the one chosen to show the way forward and help humankind move through the fear and dark times of today’s world. Born into a lineage of priestesses in modern day Glastonbury, England, Sharay’s way is blocked by her jealous Aunt Phoebe, who uses black magic against her to steal her fortune and magical power. When Phoebe commits Sharay to a psychiatric ward and accuses her of murder, Sharay struggles with the temptation to fight Phoebe’s vengeance with her own. Through the ancient Celtic ceremony of Beltaine, Sharay experiences profound sacred union with the Welshman Guethyn, who shows her how to open her heart. But Sharay must learn to transform her hatred for her aunt in order to claim the mystery held deep within her cells that will allow her to fulfill her destiny and prove that the ultimate magic is the power of love.

Carry On The Flame: Destiny’s Call is the first book in the ‘Goddess of the Stars and the Sea’ series by Jodine Turner. Fast paced journey of self discovery with a side order of romance to boot.

Sharay is one of the most strongest heroines I have come across in a while. Not only does she bounce back from her drug induced existence for the past six months but she steps up to the challenge to help her sistren and brethren against the forces of evil (and Aunt Phoebe).

Guethyn is a sweetheart. He is a very reluctant participant in his uncle’s magical journey but soon his calling is awakened in him and he steps up to his part in Shary’s destiny. Dillon (Guethyn’s uncle) is brilliant. I love his witty repertoire and interaction with Rosheen. He is a very strong character and faces any challenge head on.

I enjoyed reading this book because of the different use of magic and history behind it. I am not a religious person at all but I like that fact that authors are intertwining religion in with their stories as long as it’s not over the top. There were a few moments where I didn’t understand what was going on at all and I think that was because it was such an implosion of information to me and I just don’t think I could get my head around it. I’m not sure it’s a series that I would continue reading but I would certainly recommend it to the right reader.

Disclaimer: I was sent this e-book as part of a book tour via The Bookish Snob Promotions. I have not been paid for this review and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.