Author Serendipity #1: Melanie Dickerson

This is a new monthly feature which will hightight those authors I have recently discovered, and whose books I would love to read.  Such discoveries might come about through browsing on the Internet, a chance encounter with an interesting book in a bookstore (I no longer go to libraries -- it's much too painful), or through other bloggers' recommendations.

The authors I choose will be those who write in my favorite genres: paranormal romance, fantasy, science fiction, young adult, literary fiction, Christian fiction, historical romance, urban fantasy, and contemporary romance.  (Although I also love to read classics, this genre will not be included for obvious reasons.)  These writers might have been in print for a while, but will be completely new for me.

Here's my first discovery!!

Melanie Dickerson

Christian Author

Goodreads Bio

Melanie Dickerson is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). Her novel has been a finalist seven times in RWA-sponsored contests, including winning the 2007 Fiction from the Heartland Contest over all categories. Melanie earned a bachelors degree in special education of the hearing impaired from The University of Alabama and has worked as a teacher and a missionary. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Huntsville, Alabama.

This is Dickerson's new novel,

to be released later this month!

The Merchant's Daughter

Melanie Dickerson

Trade Paperback, 304 pages

Zondervan

Expected Publication Date: Nov. 29, 2011

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Romance

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf's bailiff---a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past.Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff's vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf's future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.

The following book is Dickerson's 

first novel, which received

 the Christy Award,

which honors and promotes 

excellence

in Christian fiction!

The Healer's Apprentice

Melanie Dickerson

Trade Paperback

Zondervan

October 1, 2011

(first published Sept. 10, 2010)

Christian Fiction, Historical Romance

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Rose has been appointed as a healer's apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter's daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her---a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she's never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose's life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.

Waiting On Wednesday #17: Dreaming Awake, by Gwen Hayes

This is a weekly book meme, hosted by

Jill at Breaking the Spine,

which features future releases that we 
book bloggers

are eagerly anticipating!

Here's my pick for this week!!

Dreaming Awake

(Falling Under #2)

Gwen Hayes

Trade Paperback, 336 pages

NAL Trade

Expected Publication Date: 

January 3, 2012

Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy,YA

From the Goodreads Synopsis

She fell for him in a nighttime world. But the time for dreaming is past—and the here-and-now can be just as fragile their love…

When Theia Alderson first encountered a mysterious, handsome boy in her dreams, she never imagined how finding Haden Black—and falling in love—could change her life. To save Haden, Theia sacrificed everything. And the dangerous bargain she made could have lasting repercussions.

Now Theia has returned to Serendipity Falls, and she finds herself struggling with the same deadly hungers that have tortured Haden. When students at their high school fall prey to a mysterious illness, Theia can’t help but wonder if Haden’s control is slipping—and how much longer she’ll have a grip on her own....

I have the first novel in this series, Falling Under,

which is, of course, in my TBR pile!!

So here's yet another sequel I'm groaning for,

without having even read the previous book! 

That's my "book addict nature" kicking in....

The more terrific books I have,

the more I want!!!

Greedy little bookworm, aren't I?

Can't help myself....

I was born with the readin' and collectin' genes!!

And by the way, don't you just love that cover?
(I covet that hair and dress!!!)

What extra-special sequels

(and non-sequels)

are you all breathlessly craving

this Wednesday?

Book Review: The Academy, by T.P. Boje

Title: The Academy
Author: T.P. Boje
Format: Trade Paperback, 266 pages
Publisher: Create Space (Amazon)
Publication Date: October 10, 2011
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance



Reviewer's Note: I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.


When I first saw this book on Goodreads, I was immediately attracted  by the cover, which is haunting and touching at the same time (no pun intended).  There is a quality of longing in the two hands, one from a living human being, the other from a spirit, that speaks of a forbidden love.  This, of course, sparked my interest right away.

The story is told by Meghan, a sixteen-year-old girl who inexplicably finds herself being transported somewhere on a steamboat.  She can't remember how she got on the boat.  As she looks around, she doesn't recognize anyone.  Then she leans over the top deck railing, expecting, of course, to see water beneath the boat.  That's when she realizes that it's actually flying through the air...

Meghan has died, and is now on her way to a school run by angels, called, simply, "The Academy", located in a heavenly castle.  She discovers this through Mick, another spirit, who, like all the steamboat passengers, is on his way there.  Being a more experienced spirit (he's been dead for over a hundred years), he explains that it's normal for her not to remember her parents, or her life back on earth.  Meghan is completely bewildered by it all.

As the plot moves along, Meghan begins to learn about the afterlife at The Academy.  She and the other people on the boat are put in different groups, according to age.  She has a roommate in the girls' dorm.  She eats meals magically prepared by Mick, who turns out to be the cook at the heavenly school.  One of her classes covers how to go through walls and other solid objects.  (This started me wondering as to why such a class would be necessary for a spirit.)  The course is titled "The Art of Transition", and the teacher is Mrs. Ohayashi, a Japanese woman who immediately dislikes Meghan. There's also a magical "thinking chair" that will take Meghan anywhere she wants to go within the castle, whenever she's lost, which can easily happen because of the castle's many rooms and passageways, as well as the magical ladders that sometimes purposely lead nowhere.

By this time, I was already feeling disappointed due to the many similarities to the Harry Potter books.  Mrs. Ohayashi was an obvious parallel to Snape, one of Harry's teachers, who actively disliked Harry.  Even Portia, a student who is also hostile to Meghan, is an obvious twin to Draco Malfoy.  

I would have enjoyed this novel much more, had it not been for all the HP referernces.  The story itself is poignant, for it does concern a forbidden romance -- between Meghan and a human boy she meets when she goes against school rules regarding interactions with the earthly plane.   She and Jason fall madly in love, and she must end up making a fateful decision that will change their lives forever.

Meghan is a very appealing character.  Her innocence and candor immediately endear her to the reader, although her narrative style seems to be more like that of a much younger girl.  Jason, too, is a great character who courageously endures his horrible family situation.  As for Mick, he obviously cares quite a bit for Meghan, although he tries to keep his feelings for her in check.

The other characters are more sketchily drawn.  Salathiel, the school's headmaster, is somewhat like Dumbledore, while Rahmiel comes across like a fairy godmother, which is not necessarily a bad thing.  I would have preferred for both of these characters to have played more active roles in the book, though.

I have some problems with the believability of the whole story, as well.  Spirits having to be taught how to go through solid objects is bad enough, but they eat and drink, sleep, dance, and engage in everyday activities, just as if they were alive.  At one point, Meghan and Mick dance, and they are described as if they had physical bodies. 

Another bothersome aspect of the book is the fact that, although Jesus is mentioned (in fact, one of the more moving scenes made me cry), and the characters are in the afterlife, they can still be seduced to the dark side.  This is a bit confusing.  I was under the impression that these were all good spirits, in training for their eventual entry into heaven.  It seems as if the author has mixed Christian and New Age concepts, which is fine, I suppose -- to a point.  She walks a very fine line, however, since some of the ideas expressed in the novel do contradict each other.

To sum up, I feel that this novel had great potential, which was not fully realized.  The activities of the spirits in the next world are just not believable, and the plot should have been more complex, the characters more well-rounded.  

Despite my mixed feelings, the book did capture my interest, and I was able to finish it.  Perhaps, if the author reworked it, removing all the similarities to J.K. Rowling's novels,  as well as adding more depth to the plot and characters, this novel would really stand out as another fantasy classic. 


MY RATING:

On My Bookshelves #7 (11/5 - 11/7)

This new weekend feature highlights the books

that we have purchased, placed on one of

our bulging shelves, and put off reading

until we finished our current ones...

except that we somehow never did read them!

This book meme will also highlight those books

we have already read,

and would love to re-read, because

they're absolutely wonderful!!

If you'd like to join in, write your own post,

grab my meme button (or create your own),

and add your post link to the list!

Have fun hopping over to other blogs to see what

books others want to either read or re-read!

Here's my list for this week!

Possession

A.S. Byatt

Hardcover, 555 pages

Random House

October 17, 1990

Genres: Romance, Suspense,

 Literary Fiction

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Possession, for which Byatt won England's prestigious Booker Prize, was praised by critics on both sides of the Atlantic when it was first published in 1990. "On academic rivalry and obsession, Byatt is delicious. On the nature of possession—the lover by the beloved, the biographer by his subject—she is profound," said The Sunday Times (London). The New Yorker dubbed it "more fun to read than The Name of the Rose . . . Its prankish verve [and] monstrous richness of detail [make for] a one-woman variety show of literary styles and types." The novel traces a pair of young academics—Roland Michell and Maud Bailey—as they uncover a clandestine love affair between two long-dead Victorian poets. Interwoven in a mesmerizing pastiche are love letters and fairytales, extracts from biographies and scholarly accounts, creating a sensuous and utterly delightful novel of ideas and passions.

I can't believe I haven't read this yet!

And I've owned it for several years now...

I came across it just the other day,

as I was rearranging some books on a shelf.

So I sampled the first few pages,

and the lush, rich prose totally mesmerized me!

Now I don't know what to do...

I'm in the middle of a novel and two

non-fiction books right now!

Help!!

Revolution

Jennifer Donnelly

Hardcover, 472 pages

Delacorte Books for Young Readers

October 12, 2010

Genre: YA Romance, Science Fantasy

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

Jennifer Donnelly, author of the award-winning novel A Northern Light, artfully weaves two girls’ stories into one unforgettable account of life, loss, and enduring love. Revolution spans centuries and vividly depicts the eternal struggles of the human heart.

I recently purchased this one at a Borders branch,

just before they went out of business.

I've heard great things about this book,

so this is another one I have to

get to one of these days!

The Mists of Avalon

Marion Zimmer Bradley

Hardcover, 876 pages

Alfred A. Knopf

December 12, 1982
Genre: Fantasy

From the Goodreads Synopsis

.... a retelling from the point of view of the women behind the throne. Morgaine (more commonly known as Morgan Le Fay) and Gwenhwyfar (a Welsh spelling of Guinevere) struggle for power, using Arthur as a way to score points and promote their respective worldviews. The Mists of Avalon's Camelot politics and intrigue take place at a time when Christianity is taking over the island-nation of Britain; Christianity vs. Faery, and God vs. Goddess are dominant themes.

Young and old alike will enjoy this magical Arthurian reinvention by science fiction and fantasy veteran Marion Zimmer Bradley. --Bonnie Bouman

I really want to kick myself for

not reading this one yet!!

How could I, a true lover of Arthurian fiction,

have failed to dive into

this highly-acclaimed novel?

Sigh...I might have to stop buying books completely,

so that I can get to all the treasures

I have been piling up for years and years....

What wonderful books are waiting

for you to read them?

What beloved books would

you like to re-read?

Waiting On Wednesday #16: Charmfall, by Chloe Neill

This is a weekly book meme, hosted by

Jill at Breaking the Spine,

which features future releases that we book bloggers

are eagerly anticipating!

Here's my pick for this week!!

Charmfall

(Dark Elite #3)

Chloe Neill

Trade Paperback, 352 ;pages

NAL Trade

Expected Publication Date: Jan. 3, 2012

Genre: YA Urban Fantasy

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Protecting Chicago from the dark side can be an exhausting job, especially when you’re a junior. So when the girls of St. Sophia’s start gearing up for Sneak, their fall formal, Lily decides to join in on some good, old-fashioned party prep—even if it means not giving demons, vampires and the twisted magic users known as Reapers her undivided attention.

But when a Reaper infiltrates the school, Lily doesn’t forget what she’s sworn to protect. She reaches deep into herself to draw out her magic—and finds that it’s gone. And it turns out she’s not alone. A magical blackout has slammed through paranormal Chicago, and no one knows what—or who—caused it. But Lily knows getting back her magic is worth the risk of going behind enemy lines...

I was browsing in
Amazon's Book Department today...
(which I do, like, every day!)
and came across this novel, which
immediately caught my eye!
Not only is the cover stunning,
but, when I read the synopsis
(for which I had to go to Goodreads)
I was absolutely blown away!!

So this one just has to be mine as soon as it emerges
from the publisher!!!!

Now, all I have to do is get the first two books
in this series, so they can be devoured
well before this one comes out...



What wonderful, scintillating,
exhilarating, and just plain great books
are you all eager to get
your bookworms' hands on
this Wednesday?