Top Ten Of The Most Unique Books I've Read
Showing posts with label Karen Amanda Hooper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karen Amanda Hooper. Show all posts
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Of The Most Unique Books I've Read
Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books I Really Love But Feel Like I Haven't Talked About Enough/In A While
Ten Books I Really Love But Feel Like I Haven't Talked About Enough/In A While
Book Review: Taking Back Forever by Karen Amanda Hooper
The Kindrily Series #2
Author: Karen Amanda Hooper
Reading Level: Mature YA
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Released: May 31st 2013
Review Source: Author
Available: Amazon
Summary: (from goodreads) Forever is worth the fight.
Maryah erased all memory of her past lives, but she couldn’t erase her soul mate Nathan, or his undying love. Now, Maryah and Nathan have a second chance at a future together, but first Maryah must remember the person she used to be and embrace her supernatural gifts—more than one kindrily member’s life depends on it.
Maryah’s power is Harmony’s best hope of finding her kidnapped soul mate, Gregory. But Harmony isn’t big on asking anyone for help, and she’s tired of waiting, so she’s taking matters into her own hands. Heaven help anyone who stands in her way.
To say I was blown away again by Karen Hooper would be putting how I feel mildly. I was just wrapping up a re-read on Grasping at Eternity when my email alerted me to new mail. I had received the much anticipated sequel to Grasping which I had waited for now over a year. I quickly installed the story to my iPad and started the story up as soon as the last line of GAE was fresh in my memory.
Where GAE leaves off and Taking Back Forever picks up, Maryah is struggling to remember anything about her past lives with her kindrily and soul mate, Nathaniel. The key to remembering is awakening her ability to astral travel. She's only been able to astral travel since erasing after her last life when Nathaniel has been involved. So far, he's the only part of her past she's been able to remember. But now Harmony, another member of their kindrily, is needing Maryah's memory to ignite more than ever. Her soul mate Gregory's whereabouts have been unclear since their last life cycle ended. His star still burns in the sky next to Harmony's, suggesting that even if he had in fact been killed that he has not erased. So why has he not been reconnected with Harmony in this life cycle? She believes the key to discovering the truth is Maryah's ability to astral travel. If they could just get her to tap into her power as an Element again, Harmony's hope is that Maryah will be able to reveal where Gregory has been for the last eighteen years.
I adore this story and all of the characters in the kindrily. I love following along with Maryah and Nathaniel as they explore new and often times very sensual ways to ignite Maryah's memory of the past. The heat and love that they share is palpable. Nathaniel's decision to woo Maryah and win her affection the proper way, like suitors used to do is so beautifully romantic, it will have you absolutely melting.
I don't want to give away too much from the book but I will say a few things I loved. I loved Karen's note to her readers at the beginning of the book explaining how she doesn't believe in giving a lot of back story as she continues her writing. So I highly recommend not reading this one until you have picked up a copy of Grasping at Eternity. I am not a huge fan of overstressed back story in sequels. So, for Karen to admit this and write this way, she keeps me firmly on her list of admirers. Another thing I loved was the humor and free spirited way that the characters interact with one another. I just feel like I'm surrounded by old friends and get a huge warm and fuzzy feeling from them. Finally, the love story of course is epic and you all know I'm a sucker for toe curling romances. I still hold to my first review that this is the new standard for star-crossed love stories. Karen's writing continues to be impeccable and I remain a devoted follower. Pick up Grasping at Eternity and Taking Back Forever and you will become a fan as well!
Oh and last but not least ... if you choose to read the four chapters that follow Karen's note at the end of the Chapter named "Body and Soul", do so at your heart's expense ... because I continued and was left with that air knocked out of your lungs feeling. That being said ... I can't wait for Fighting for Infinity ... release date TBD!
Where Grasping was mostly geared toward the YA crowd, Taking Back Forever I would rate as strictly 17+.
Book Review: Grasping at Eternity by Karen Amanda Hooper
Grasping at Eternity
The Kindrily Series #1
Author: Karen Amanda Hooper
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Released: May 1st 2012
Review Source: Author
Available: Amazon
Summary: (from goodreads) Leave it to Maryah Woodsen to break the one rule that will screw up eternity: Never erase your memories.
Before entering this life, Maryah did the unthinkable—she erased. Now, at seventeen years old, she’s clueless that her new adoptive family has known her for centuries, that they are perpetually reincarnated souls, and that they have supernatural abilities. Oh, and she's supposed to love (not despise) Nathan, the green-eyed daredevil who saved her life.
Nathan is convinced his family’s plan to spark Maryah's memory is hopeless, but his love for her is undying. After spending (and remembering) so many lifetimes together, being around an empty version of his soulmate is heart shattering. He hates acting like a stalker, but has no choice because the evil outcast who murdered Maryah in their last lifetime is still after her.
While Maryah’s hunter inches closer, she and Nathan make assumptions and hide secrets that rip them further apart. Maryah has to believe in the magic within her, Nathan must have faith in the power of their love, and both need to grasp onto the truth before they lose each other forever—and discover just how lonely eternity can be.
X-MEN meets MY NAME IS MEMORY in Karen Amanda Hooper’s latest young adult release. Coming in May of 2012.
The first word that came to mind as I started reading this book was "refreshing". I could not put this book down. From page 1 to page 391 I was sucked in and did not want to put the book down. Karen Amanda Hooper weaves a very refreshing tale putting a new spin on the classic star crossed love story. Set within this beautiful and at times painful love story are a cast of characters as vibrant as the colors described in the pages of the book. They jump off the page and command your attention. I found myself very invested in the cast of characters and each of their abilities as they try to restore Maryah's memories.
I'd recommend this story to anyone who loves a really beautiful love story and wants to hear it told from a new perspective. If the love story doesn't draw you in, read it for the lore that she builds this story around. I loved this book and personally can not wait for the sequel in 2013!
Book Review: Tangled Tides by Karen Amanda Hooper
Tangled Tides
The Sea Monsters Memoirs #1
Author: Karen Amanda Hooper
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Released: November 4th 2011
Review Source: Author
Available: Amazon
Summary: (from goodreads) Yara Jones doesn’t believe in sea monsters—until she becomes one.
When a hurricane hits her island home and she wakes up with fins, Yara finds herself tangled up in an underwater world of mysterious merfolk and secretive selkies. Both sides believe Yara can save them by fulfilling a broken promise and opening the sealed gateway to their realm, but they are battling over how it should be done. The selkies want to take her life. The merfolk want something far more precious.
Treygan, the stormy-eyed merman who turned Yara mer, will stop at nothing and sacrifice everything to protect his people—until he falls for Yara. The tides turn as Yara fights to save herself, hundreds of sea creatures, and the merman who has her heart. She could lose her soul in the process—or she might open the gateway to a love that’s deeper than the oceans.
Young Adult fans of Mermaids, Selkies, Sirens and Gorgons will love this tale of the sacrifice one makes for genuine love. Love that could be lost at any moment to the ever-changing tides.
Tangled Tides is like when its summer and your hot and all you look forward to is jumping in the water to cool off and get refreshed, this book feels that way. This mermaid tale was so much fun to read. I was very excited to read this book because once again another author has used my name for their main character. So how could I not read it. This book and future series has several elements I really liked. Mermaids is the main element and thank goodness because I can count with less than one hand how many mermaid tales I love. Well now I have another I can add to my favorites.
Tangled Tides is the story of Yara Jones. The story begins with a great tempo. Yara is getting ready to weather a storm at the beach house she lives in. Then a mysterious stranger pops up out of no where and grants her a wish she agrees too. Well little does Yara know that the wish does come true and has just transported her to a whole new world. Yara is now a mermaid. She survived the storm by agreeing to go somewhere safe with Treygan. Treygan is the (Sexy) guy that just appeared out of the blue at her door steps. Well it turns out Treygan is a merman. Yara of course when she comes too and realizes what has happen is livid and appalled at the same time. She is a fish and doesn't want any part in that. Well its a little too late for changing her mind. All she has ever learned about merfolk is bad and now she misses her boyfriend Rowan and her Uncle too. She is worried if they are out looking for her or if they survived the storm. Well just like the hurricane and its force winds, Yara is about to discover many secrets that have been kept from her at the same speed as those winds. She will discover not everyone she thought she knew is who they really are. Can Yara learn to be one with her merfolk and embrace her new life. Yara also learns that merfolk are not the only fictional characters out there. See the short explanation is Yara is meant to unlock a gate that has been close for many years because of who she is and lets just say its not an easy task to make happen. Many lives are at risk including Yara's, will she survive or who will die in her place?
This book has it all, great energy, suspense, romantic tension and a beautiful underwater world. You'll be sinking your teeth into this one like a shark. I can't wait to see what next in the series.
Make sure to check back this Friday when you will have a chance at winning your own copy of Tangled Tides via Kick-Butt Characters Blog hop post on the blog. Don't miss out!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
