Debate

Entertainment or controversy?

My editor  started a debate  at Goodreads as I keep getting controversial feedback on my novel Shadows of the Past.

Here's the link: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1382193-what-do-you-think-entertainment-or-controversy

Book Reviews (II)

Book Review: BORN IN VENGEANCE by Camelia Miron Skiba

Book Description

Legend has it … centuries after Spartacus another hero is born—Ilias, the bastard son of King Decebalus. 

Thirsty for revenge and eager to unshackle the Roman oppression, Ilias’ obsession to fulfill his oath has no bounds, even if that means kidnapping Nerva, the beloved daughter of Emperor Traianus. What he doesn’t know is his own heart threatens to betray his conscience.
 
What will prevail: his mind or his heart?

MY REVIEW:

A story of ancient times, revenge and love. The story of how the people living in present day Romania was born. I read it in a go. I simply couldn't put it down. 

Ilias is a strong leader who stands up for what he believes in. He's been planning on revenge, for over a decade, against Rome for destroying his family, and kingdom.  The time has come and there is nothing to stop him from following the course he has set. The story, told from Ilias POV lets us get closer to his thoughts and doubts and feelings.

Nerva is a strong heroine too. Traianus's relative, with her flaring temper and lovely face, will prove a more dangerous enemy to Ilias than the Roman soldiers. Will he manage to keep his word towards his followers and destroy the conquerors or will he be an easy prey for another enemy, close at hand, his budding feelings of love for Nerva?

My conclusion: Gripping. Fast paced. Cami Miron Skiba has offered the readers a quick and entertaining read and I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend it to those who love a historical/light romance story, and give it five stars.

More blogs for free reviews

Hello everyone! 

Though a bit late, but better later than never, here comes a new update to the list with free review blogs!

As a thank you, I'd appreciate getting followed on my blog or a comment by everyone who finds the info useful.


 

Reviews (XIII)

Monday, March 04, 2013 by Michikit

 

  Michikit rated it 5 of 5 stars

I always enjoy a good mystery story and Shadows of the Past had plenty or it. I initially did not know what to expect, but whatever I wanted from the book before I started it, I receive 10 times more. It was so good and I found myself thrown in two different lives.

The story was told from two points of view, two characters belonging to different times. I’ve usually read books that had characters from the same time, but not in this one. Genevieve lived in the 15th century and Anne’s story takes place in 1990. The thing is, I couldn’t decide whose story I was most eager to follow because each of them had its share of mystery. Every time I started with Genevieve’s story I wanted to see what Anne was doing and every time I went back to Anne I needed to see Genevieve again.

Genevieve’s story begins actually with the ending and afterwards her entire life is unfolded right in front of us. Her life was tragic, from the begging until the very end. She lost her father thanks to the cursed forest which triggered a chain reaction and soon, her entire family was dead. When she finally settled down she was forced to leave again because the forest managed to take another person that she grew fond of just see herself under the protective wing of Mother Superior.

I must say that I enjoyed the descriptions on the 15th century places, people, and the traditions. The way that everyone different was looked at with disgust because much like today, people would fear the unknown. But in those days everything was conducted to the extreme, different being associated with monsters and witches.

Anne’s story was the mild part of the book. She is a strong and independent woman, she knows what she wants and I simply loved her attitude when she caught her boyfriend with her best friend together. She is a strong business woman, clearly she is not that eager to show her weaknesses, but along with her normal life and appearance, she has also some paranormal abilities and with the help of them she can connect with Genevieve.

The love story was sweet and slow, full of some tender moments. The cover may not show it this way, but it is. It is based more on the emotional part and less on the physical one.

Of course that between Anne and Genevieve is a connection and of course I will not tell you which one because you will need to read it to know it. Trust me, I loved it and so will you, especially if you are into paranormal romance.

This was an amazing story, settled in the past and present, following the destiny of two women that are parted by 500 years.

Book Reviews (I)

Book Review: STEEL WINGS by Mia Darien 

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2012

 

It's been six months since Jesse Shantel got out of physical therapy. Ten years since she escaped the crumbling colony of Nevarreh. And it's been three years since she last saw Thomas Jameson. But how long will it take to put the broken pieces back together again?

Humanity has been at war against the merciless space-faring race known as the G'thaar for more than fifty years. In the struggle, Earth has developed heavy battleships known as battle cruisers and outfitted them with spacefighters, and the new breed of pilots that fly them.

Major Jesse 'Katana' Shantel is one of these pilots, and one of the best. She's been retired for three years, but has a second chance on the newly dispatched Perseverance. What she doesn't know is that the former love of her life, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas 'Dixie' Jameson - a love lost before it was ever truly had - is also on board.

There's one week before the Perseverance arrives at the border between humanity's colonies and the G'thaar, where the ship will be patrolling. Can the demons of the past be overcome before they encounter the demons of humanity's present?

How far should two people go to regain the chance of what was once lost?

 

My review

Steel Wings, set in a futuristic world, is a compelling story for the lovers of this genre. I can truly say Sci-Fi is not my favorite genre of books and yet, after a friend recommended it, I read it and it was worth the time. This book is about cyber warfare and romance and adventure.

          

Well-written, with a strong female character, Jesse, and a fast paced plot it is an enjoyable read for older teens and adult. It has interesting characters that have good depth to them. I really like the way the plot and the characters were developed. Will Jesse succeed in regaining what she once lost, the love of her life?

Steel Wings is a light romance story that, once again, reminded me that love is powerful and if two people are meant to be together, then they will find each other  in the end. 

 The only fault I find in this story is the fact it's too short. It ends too soon. I gladly give it what it deserves: 5 stars.  

Reviews (XII)

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Review Shadows of the Past - by Adriana Dascalu

The book is exactly what the blurb promises to be: a beautiful and touching paranormal love story that plays on the idea that love transcends time and soul mates will always search for each other.

First, I loved the premise of the book: the restless soul of a young nun from the XVth century leads Anne, its present day reincarnation, towards the place where the nun's body has been abandoned centuries ago without being aloud to find peace.

Secondly, I loved the shift between present and past, between Anne's and Genevive's stories and the way their stories are woven together. Carmen plays the visions/apparitions/dreams card and the fact that in spite of telling the story of two different female protags, she manages to create background for both Genevive and Anne.

Thirdly, I liked the descriptions the author used to put everything in place - I'm not usually a big fan of thorough descriptions, but this book is one of the few exceptions.

I'd say Carmen managed to write a beautiful, touching love story that transcends time, about overcoming adversity and one's learning, personal growth and transformation and a second love story about choices.

The end of the book is a happy one if just a little gloomy, which is understandable for such a tragic story (promising more, maybe? - I hope so).

I felt for Genevive's lack of luck, I loved Anne for her strenght and I loved the  book.

Reviews (XI)

 May 15, 2013  by Lori Zalewski

Shadows of the past

Review Requested by Author
By: Carmen Stefanescu
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing
Format: eBook
Pages: 231
Publication Date: December 4, 2012
ASIN: B00AK2D9I8
Genre: Paranormal Romance


 

The Review

Shadows of the Past is an entertaining paranormal romance that also perfectly blends in elements of horror and mystery. Original and intricate, this story with its many thrilling plot twists keeps readers at the edge of their seats. Alternating viewpoints between Genevieve, a nun living during medieval times, and Anne, living in the 1990s, Carmen Stefanescu creatively tells Genevieve’s story from childhood to adulthood as well as Anne’s attempt to reconcile with her lover, Neil.  Genevieve’s life is a difficult one filled with fear and loss, but it’s her amazing ability to overcome these horrible events that makes her such a compelling character. While haunted by ghosts, Anne shows great strength in sharing her fears with Neil, which endeared her character to me.

But, the most stunning part of this story is intensely creepy cursed forest and its connection to Genevieve and Anne. Advancing the plot, well-developed secondary characters complement Anne and her need to know what happened to Genevieve in the cursed forest. The introduction of these characters makes the reader wonder how they are connected to the people in Genevieve’s life, which adds depth to this story.

Complete with hair-raising moments, two captivating stories, and a shocking cliffhanger ending, Shadows of the Past is a well-crafted novel that leaves the reader wanting more.