'Sunspots' by Karen S. Bell Blog Tour and Review.

Sunspots by Karen S. Bell

Sunspots follows the healing journey of a young woman thrown into the horror of losing a spouse. It is a love story of loss and redemption and the ghosts that haunt our lives and our houses. Skirting the genres of magical realism and romance, Sunspots, explores the existence of the afterlife and the paranormal. The story takes the reader on a path of high emotion as the narrator, Aurora, uncovers her husband Jake’s secret life and her own internal conflicts as she matures to self-awareness.

The novel’s tone vacillates from irreverent humor to solemnity as Aurora relates her previous life with Jake and her present challenges. The title refers to the solar maximum which became the backdrop for Aurora’s conception when her hippy parents went to Canada to observe the Aurora Borealis. In name and in spirit, Aurora is connected to the observable and unobservable energy around us. With the help of friends, family, and the ghost of Viola Parker (her home’s original owner), Aurora accepts her fate and the secrets revealed about Jake’s true character. She realizes that in this life she will finally break the cycle of pain caused by her love for this man, Jake Stein, through the centuries.

Click here to buy this book – UK

Click here to buy this book – USA

Author Bio:

Walking with Elephants was my debut novel in 2010, although I am not new to writing. I was a theater critic and celebrity interviewer for a weekly tabloid in Jacksonville, Fl and I earned a Master’s in Mass Communication from Oklahoma State University. For 15 years I worked in Corporate America as a technical editor/editor/writer. I experienced first hand the politics and intrigue that goes with that territory and the balancing act that comes with being a working mother. I salute all those mothers who are the glue that holds their families together while pursuing the nine to five brass ring. That experience was the inspiration for Walking with Elephants.

With my second novel, Sunspots, I continue to be in awe of the magical and wondrous phenomenon called life. As an observer and obvious participant in feminine values and approach to our human challenges, I bring this perspective to my work. Fascinated by the mysteries of the unseen forces that perhaps play a role in guiding our choices, I search for answers in the mundane as well as in the cosmic forces that surround us.

I am working on my third novel and live in Ponte Vedra, Fl. with my husband and our two furry kids.

Book Review - 'Sunspots' by Karen S. Bell.

I can find no other way to describe ‘Sunspots’ than it being a stunning piece of literature. It is a beautiful and heartbreaking story of a young woman Aurora who loses her husband Jake in a car accident and, during her battle to move on, is confronted with information showing her late husband wasn’t as deserving as she believed.

This story took not only Aurora on a journey but also me as a reader. I felt myself connect so strongly to Aurora and her pain, feeling heartbroken at her grief and a strong desperation for her to find peace with herself at the sudden end of her marriage. Sunspots was so cleverly written and I applaud Karen Bell for taking me on such a journey through her writing that when I finished it I was shaking and sobbing, feeling as though I’d been going through the same trials as the characters.

I sometimes feel sad when I read books where we are made to dislike the main characters original love interest immediately, and then spend the rest of the book looking for her new one, so it was a wonderful and refreshing change to see the development of Aurora and Jake’s relationship from the start, which makes us also in a way connect to Jake and feel hope that he too loved Aurora as much as she did him. This also made me more strongly connect to Aurora as a character, and grieve with her as she starts her new life without her husband.

What I really loved about this story was the glimpses of the past we were given throughout the novel. The switch from the present to the past was expertly done, and I greatly enjoyed how the two storylines unfolded. I was stunned by how cleverly the switches in time were placed within the story, as the chapters of Aurora and Jake’s beautiful courtship and their obvious love for each other coincided with chapters set in the present where Aurora was grieving for the lost love that she thought was perfect, and then as Aurora began to realise that her life with Jake had some issues, the flashbacks to the past showed the less deserving side of Jake which had always slipped through Aurora’s rose-tinted view of her husband. This was incredible storytelling, and helped lead to some brilliant character development.

The paranormal and spiritual side to ‘Sunspots’ was wonderfully balanced and whilst being an important feature in the second half of the book, wasn’t unrealistic in its role. It was instead a beautiful and poignant reminder that there is more to this world than we always realise, and didn’t at all detract from Aurora’s storyline of her finding acceptance. I loved the past-life elements that were infused within the story and there was some brilliant use of foreshadowing in the flashback chapters that all adds together in the final chapters.

I cannot recommend ‘Sunspots’ enough, and if I could give it more than 5 stars, then I definitely would. It is a beautiful journey of love, loss, grief and acceptance, which portrayed a realistic and heartbreaking view of the world that we live in today.

5 Stars!

 

Sunspots is available to download on Kindle and to buy in Paperback.

 

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sunspots-ebook/dp/B00ANBR4TQ/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1371817760&sr=8-1

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Sunspots-ebook/dp/B00ANBR4TQ/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1371817760&sr=8-1

Book Review - 'The Sea of Tranquility' by Katja Millay.

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 Book Review - 'The Sea of Tranquility' by Katja Millay ~ 100 Stars!

The Sea of Tranquility has been sitting on my Kindle for far too long. Everyone has been raving about how brilliant it is, so I made myself a deal that I would wait until I'd finished University to read it so that I could really throw myself into the story without any distractions.

I can quite honestly say that 'The Sea of Tranquility' is one of the best books I have ever read, if you know my love for Harry Potter and I say that this book was up there on my scale of 1 to amazing, then you’ll know just how much I loved it (a clue: it was a lot). It is very rare that you read a book that speaks to you in such a way that you feel as though your heart and soul is being scrutinised as you turn each page. Reading Nastya and Josh’s story was very much like that. It was a beautiful reminder that no matter what you are going through, there is someone who will be there for you. It was so true to real life and that made the journey all the more wonderful. Everything about this book was pure genius and it was one of those stories that will stay with me forever.

Katja Millay’s writing style was beautiful and so clever. When we first meet Nastya, her narration is short and to the point. Her sentences are rarely longer than a few words, and straight away I knew we were being introduced to a character who was deeply emotionally scarred. I was so deeply engrossed in Nastya’s inner turmoil, that I didn’t even notice the most defining thing about her. It was stunningly clever writing, and I honestly had chills as I read.

“I am so sorry. You must be Nastya.”

This time I nod.

“You don’t talk.”

The transition of the style of Nastya’s monologue’s was incredibly moving to see, as she grows stronger in herself, and finds herself a home and family with Josh and Drew that her descriptions become more colourful, her sentences longer, and the blunt, daggered tone that we first saw from her became softer and gentler.

I loved the relationship Nastya had with both Josh and Drew. At first I was expecting to greatly dislike Drew, having the suspicion that his respect for Josh wouldn’t be enough for him to stay away from Nastya, so I absolutely loved how Drew, whilst still flirting and generally being his typical male self, really wanted the best for Josh and Nastya. The way Drew seemed to see himself as Nastya’s older brother was wonderful to read. In these kind of books we often get swept up by the main romance of the story, but Nastya and Drew’s relationship was a beautiful reminder that true friends will be there for you, no matter if they are your boyfriend, brother or friend. The Leighton’s kindness to Nastya, by inviting her to Sunday dinner was a real golden lining in Nastya’s world. She is so submerged in pain and rage and anger at what another human being did to her, that she found it hard at first to accept the selfless generosity and kindness that the Leighton’s gave her.

Nastya’s relationship with Josh was such a beautiful journey that had me crying, smiling, laughing, sobbing and just generally an emotional wreck. Their connection because of the trials of their past was heartbreaking, and it was wonderful to see how they both opened up to each other in ways that they couldn’t to anyone else.

“There’s no reason to keep hiding in the bathroom. Hide here. There’s a force field, you know.” He lowers his voice when he says it, like he’s telling me a secret and then just barely hints at a smile that no one but me would catch before he puts it away and sobers, adding quietly, “No one will bother you.”

There story was a rollercoaster ride, but one that had true meaning in its ups and downs. The scenes when we saw them together, when in Josh’s garage, eating ice cream, wishing with pennies at the fountain, was perfection. Even the scenes when they are arguing or furious with each other, I never felt that it was uncalled for. Everything was placed perfectly.

Let’s just say that after reading such utter perfection, I put my Kindle down and had a long cathartic sob. It was such an incredible piece of writing that took me on a wonderful journey through the highs and lows of life and reminded me to be lucky for what I have, and to never take advantage of it.

And the ending line, wow! Let’s just say that summed up the whole novel in two words. Go and read it to find out what those words were.

A stunning piece of perfection is the only way I can describe this book. I can’t wait for it to be released in Paperback, because this is definitely one that I will be rereading for the rest of my life.

It seems kind of devastating that I can only rate this 5 Stars! In a perfect world, with a scale of 1 to 100 stars, this would rate at 100.

You can pre-order a Paperback copy of 'The Sea of Tranquility' here:

UK Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sea-Tranquility-Katja-Millay/dp/1476730946/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369071694&sr=1-1&keywords=the+sea+of+tranquility

US Link: http://www.amazon.com/Sea-Tranquility-Katja-Millay/dp/1476730946/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369071694&sr=1-1&keywords=the+sea+of+tranquility

Book Review - 'Edgar Wilde and the Lost Grimoire' by Paul Ramey.

Book Review - 'Edgar Wilde and the Lost Grimoire' by Paul Ramey ~ 5 Stars!

'Edgar Wilde and the Lost Grimoire' was such a delight to read! A lot of the time with short books I feel like the story and character development can be rushed in order to keep to a lower wordcount, but Paul Ramey wrote this book expertly, with the storyline and character development perfectly balanced!

The storylines alternated between the 1700s and the present day, and the manner in which it was done was brilliant as it didn't detract from the present day story, instead giving you another small clue to solving Edgar, Corinthian and Shelby's present day mystery.

I loved that Edgar is not your typical teenage hero, and for that reason I found myself really connecting to his character. It was nice to see a fifteen year old boy who wasn’t worried about school, girls or social status, but was enthused by historical research, and had a goal that he wanted to achieve. This really made him stand out from his peers, and it was nice to see that not all teenage boys are as arrogant as the ones I used to go to school with. I also chuckled reading some of Edgar's narrative about Shelby, both bewildered and taken with her female charm. It was a refreshing change to see the strange creatures that men see in women.

Shelby is a brilliant example of a young girl who I'd have wanted to be friends with in school. The way she started off by teasing Edgar for his fashion sense and constant presence in the local library made me laugh. A classic example of how girls act when they don't want to seem too obvious! I loved how fiercely loyal she was to Edgar when her friends teased him, and I whooped with delight when she put them in their place.

“We’ve already kissed,” Shelby boasted defiantly. “Last night, in fact. I don’t know where he learned to kiss like that, but he’s pretty amazing. You two don’t know what you’re missing.”

You go Shelby! Loving a bit of girl power!

Corinthian's character was also great fun. I liked seeing how fond he was of Edgar, but how little things made us begin to doubt him. Despite some of the bad things he does, I really felt sorry for him. His whole life had been consumed by his desire to find the lost grimoire and when he fails, it makes you wonder what he will do with his life.

The storyline of the healers and witches was one that I always find thought provoking. Being Pagan myself it breaks my heart to see how these people were treated all because of their desire to help heal the sick. It is often a common reaction to place blame with the church, so it was a wonderful change to see how the reverend was not involved in the witch hunting, and saved the woman he loved despite the fact that it was against the teachings of his religion.

A wonderful, fun, thought provoking read. A definite recommended read and 5 stars!

Book Review - 'Firefight in Darkness (Dryad Quartet #2)' by Katie Jennings.

Book Review - 'Firefight in Darkness (Dryad Quartet #2)' by Katie Jennings ~ 5 Stars!

‘Firefight in Darkness’ is the second book in the Dryad Quartet, and is another wonderful piece of art that I find it hard to express just how much I loved it!

I loved reading from Blythe’s point of view, and it was such a dramatic change from Capri’s sweet and innocent narrative in ‘Breath of Air’, that I’m very impressed with how Katie Jennings managed to switch between the two narratives so flawlessly. I loved the differences in how I connected to the characters when switching to Blythe’s view point, and it was refreshing to have the feeling that Blythe is not always right, where with Capri it was easy to see the logic behind her every decision. Instead, Blythe is fiery, demanding and stubborn, and it was great fun to see how she clashed with Jax with her tendency to run into a situation head first without thinking about the consequences.

It also broke my heart to see how Blythe thought of Rhiannon. I loved Rhiannon’s sensitive but lonely character in ‘Breath of Air’, and I found it desperately sad to see how she is shunned by Blythe, through no real fault of her own. I can’t wait to read more about Rhiannon’s character and her story in the third book of the Dryad Quartet.

This story was brilliantly timed, and didn’t rush into the action. We were given time to get an idea of how Blythe thinks and feels, and the desire she has to escape from her problems on Euphora. In many books this stage of storytelling tends to be rushed, but it was perfectly balanced in this story, as I came to really sympathise with Blythe having seen how hard it was for her on Euphora since Brock’s return.

Jax was the perfect hero for this story. Whilst Rian still remains by favourite ever book boyfriend, Jax was perfectly matched for Blythe and I loved that he was good friends with Rian, which was a brilliant device to give Blythe some much needed girl time with Capri. Capri’s excitement at Blythe’s romantic life was brilliant and so true to real life, and I loved how the romantic Capri began to make her friend less cynical, as Blythe finally comes to realise that being in love doesn’t make you a lesser person. The image of Jax and Blythe spending evenings on the porch of his house with Dog, Cooper, for company was heart warming.

I also liked seeing how Capri has grown in this book, becoming more confident in herself, no doubt through help from Rian *sigh* Oh how I love him. Her helping in the final battle by creating a storm was badass and great!

What struck me most with this book was Bristol’s storyline, as told through her diary. It was desperately sad to see how she had been used by two men in her life, and then banished from Euphora, and I felt instantly bad for all the bad things I’d thought about her previously. It was a genius plot device when we see what really happened in the alleyway the night of the raid, and it really hits home in reminding us that not everyone is what they seem, and we should not judge people before we have the whole story.

Yet again I am awestruck by the beautiful world that Katie Jennings has created in her Dryad Quartet, and it is honestly a world that will stay with me forever. 5 Stars!

Book Review - 'Breath of Air (Dryad Quartet #1)' by Katie Jennings.

Book Review - 'Breath of Air (Dryad Quartet #1)' by Katie Jennings ~ 5 Stars!

I couldn’t wait to read ‘Breath of Air’ after reading all the amazing reviews for it, so after throwing down my dissertation in annoyance I allowed myself to pick up my Kindle, hoping to lose myself in a different world for an hour before getting back to work.

Needless to say, I was hooked and that hour soon turned into four hours, and I was so engrossed with the beautiful storytelling that I didn’t even realise what the time was until my Mum came into my room to tell me she was going to bed.

Whoops. Not much of my dissertation got done that night.

Reading Capri’s story was such a wonderful journey for me. I can’t express how much I loved this book, the characters and the brilliant storyline. The imagery that Katie Jennings used to describe Euphora was purely magical, and I felt almost as though I was there, sleeping in one of the comfy beds, in a beautiful castle that was light, open and peaceful.

I also loved how Capri really grew into a strong and more confident woman throughout the story, after being very shy and timid when she first returns home to Euphora. I also loved her relationship with Blythe and Liam, and how she desperately wanted to help fix the relationship between Blythe and Rhiannon. Her relationship with her father was also beautifully written, and the scenes between these two were so beautifully written that you could feel the emotion coming off the page with Clynn’s relief that his daughter had been returned to him safely and Capri finally feeling that she belongs.

The mystery storyline was brilliant and the writing was so clever that I was second guessing all the different characters that we had seen, feeling as though no one could be trusted blindly, just like Capri was starting to feel. I loved how the reactions to Capri’s return from the different groups within Euphora had us suspicious about certain individuals from the start, but who ended up being perfectly innocent.

But most of all, my favourite part of this book was Capri and her relationship with Rian. I was only about 20% into the book, and we had only seen briefly seen Rian twice, when I found myself longing to know more about him and rooting for him. I spent a few of the early chapters in the book worrying that Capri was going to be with Liam and I was getting a little too overinvested in Rian’s character, so I was so happy when I saw Capri’s relationship with Rian develop, slowly but beautifully. The story of Capri giving Rian a flower when she was a baby, and her upset when he refused it, had me ‘awwwing’ in my mind. For me, it seemed that Capri would be the perfect person for Rian, her openness and loving nature a perfect match for Rian’s fiercely loyal but independent manner. Their story was so beautiful, that I had tears in my eyes seeing how Rian began to open up to her and how Capri began to feel as though she’d finally found the family and love that she had been searching for in all her years on earth.

A brilliant start to the Dryad Quartet. It's difficult to believe that this was Katie Jennings debut novel, as it is such a wonderful piece of art! An absolute pleasure to read. 5 Stars and a definite recommended read. Go buy it NOW!

The New Melody

Entry for the Dark Fairy Queen Bridal Shower!

Congratulations to Anna and Michael! I wish you every joy and happiness together! Here's my gift to you.

Title: The New Melody

Author: Sorcha O'Dowd

E-book: Yes*

Her fingers gently caressed the keys of the Piano, the thin layer of dust coating her shaking finger tips as she drew them softly over the smooth keys, careful not to press too hard. She stopped, as her right thumb automatically took its place on Middle C, a movement still so natural. Even after so long.

“Breathe.” She reminded herself silently, before taking a deep shuddering breath.

She pressed lightly and the echoing sound of the long-since tuned Piano reverberated through the dusty, abandoned room.

Heaving a sob, she pulled her hand back quickly, covering her mouth as she waited for the pain of remembrance to slice through her heart.

It didn’t.

She waited another minute.

Still nothing.

It took another minute before she laughed. A laugh of surprise and...was it hope?

Reaching forward again, she placed both hands on the keys and cautiously began to play.

The notes grew stronger as her fingertips flew across the keys, not at all hindered by the years of abstinence. Notes that told her story. The story of the helpless girl who’d fallen madly and naively in love, the pain of her heart being cruelly crushed, and the despair so deep that she’d existed through a layer of numbness.

But then the sharps and flats of G minor stopped suddenly, replaced by a sweet melody in G major that spoke of friendship, loyalty, and an overwhelming love that had fixed her.

She didn’t stop playing as she sensed him enter the room, just closed her eyes, letting the music flow through her, hoping he would understand the meaning of the melody.

He’d fixed her.

Him.

As the notes began to slow, and gradually faded to nothing, she took a moment to revel in the charged stillness of the room. The echoes of the notes rang, disturbing the dust particles which shone like fireflies in the strip of early morning sunlight that beamed through a gap in the thin, dilapidated curtains.

Finally she turned, smiling softly as she saw him hastily wipe at his eyes. Because he’d been through it too.

He’d been hurt by love.

And she’d fixed him.

Just like he had her.

“Ready to go?” She asked quietly, unwilling to disturb the peace in the room with unnecessary words.

Words had never been necessary with them. A look, or a soft touch to the arm spoke more to them than any words ever could.

So she knew what he was asking from the way he walked towards her, his eyes desperate as he reached for her hand, caressing her fingers softly with his thumb.

“Yes.” She replied to his silent question, feeling her eyes blur with tears of happiness.

“I haven’t asked you yet.” He chided, tears of his own now falling even as a smile grew on his face.

“So ask me then.” She teased.

“I don’t have a ring.” He said, his ice blue eyes apologising even as they twinkled.

“Just ask me.”

So he did.

*

Brief Review: 'Afterlife Academy' by Jaimie Admans.

Afterlife Academy by Jaimie Admans.

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Humour

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SYNOPSIS

Even being dead isn’t enough to get you out of maths class.

Dying wasn't on sixteen-year-old Riley Richardson's to-do list. And now, not only is she dead, but she's stuck in a perpetual high school nightmare. Worse still, she's stuck there with the geekiest, most annoying boy in the history of the world, ever.

In a school where the geeks are popular and just about everything is wrong, Riley has become an outcast. She begins a desperate quest to get back home, but her once-perfect life starts to unravel into something not nearly as great as she thought it was. And maybe death isn’t really that bad after all...

Welcome to Afterlife Academy, where horns are the norm, the microwave is more intelligent than the teachers, and the pumpkins have a taste for blood.

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Afterlife Academy is a Young Adult paranormal romantic comedy, suitable for approximately ages 14 and up.

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 'Afterlife Academy' by Jaimie Admans ~ 5 Stars!

Afterlife Academy was a fantastic, amazing book! I know it is said to "never judge a book by its cover", but I'm not ashamed to admit that the beautiful cover of this book only increased my excitement to read it. Add that to Jaimie Admans gripping first paragraph, and I am hooked.

"I have always been a good girl. I’ve always been a girl who never gets into trouble. In fact, the one and only time that I do something even vaguely wrong, do you know what happens? I die."

I was prepared to greatly dislike main character Riley from the start, we learn very early on that despite her opening description of herself, she is not what you would call a 'good girl'. Having been one of the bullied once upon a time, I gritted my teeth at the idea of warming to Riley, a self-confessed bully who revels in the awed attention of others, but I found it impossible not to. Jaimie Admans gives us a beautifully heartfelt insight into the mind of someone who needs redemption, and I loved following Riley's journey to find peace within herself, and with her death and new life in 'Afterlife Academy'.

Another reason that this book is a must-read is the wonderful creation of Anthony, who was very quickly added to my list of fictional crushes.

5 stars and a definite recommended read.

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Jaimie Admans

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