Review: The Advent of Lena by Neil M. Campbell

ISBN #: 9781451509250
Page Count: 331
Copyright: 2010

About the Author:

(Taken from inside back cover)

Neil M. Campbell attended school in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, and Edinburgh.  He spent over twenty five years working in the City of London before returning to the Scottish west coast.  He is married with two sons and three grandchildren.

Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

For Park, spiritual bankrupt with the perfect looks, only beautiful women count until he insults Chloe, a stranger, and the ugliest female he has ever seen.  At once he is struck down by Eddie, her friend and protector.

Park, on his knees, perceives in an epiphany that solely with the help of the woman he has outraged can he find deliverance from the bonds of nihilism and self-regard.

He resolves to win Chloe.  But, bewildered by his attentions and repelled by his egotism, she wants no part in his quest; until his persistence and her own curiosity about his motives eventually soften her distrust of his sincerity.

Tentatively, she allows him into her life, thereby initiating trajectories of self-discovery, commitment, and betrayal along which all involved - including tormented, Park obsessed, Miriam - hazard toward nemesis ... or redemption.

My Review:

I was initially drawn to this novel because it was a rewriting of the classic tale, Beauty and the Beast.  There are some major differences between the classic and this novel (received from the author for review).

When I first began the book, the characters who depicted 'Beauty' and 'Beast' were quite obvious.  Park played the role of 'Beauty' and Chloe played the role of the 'Beast'.

Park, an extremely handsome man, could have any woman he wanted ... and pretty much did.  He was so full of himself that when he saw Chloe, he made fun of her and promptly got put in his place by Chloe's protector, Eddie.  That's when Park has this epiphany about Chloe being the only one who could save him from himself.  He sets out on his spiritual pilgrimage, beginning with trying to win Chloe's trust.

Chloe, one of the ugliest women ever seen by anyone, is understandably unsure of Park's sudden interest in her ... especially given the fact that she overheard his comment about her ugliness.  Eventually though, through Park's insistence, Chloe gives in and gives him a chance.

Over the course of the novel, you got the sense that the lines between Beauty and Beast became slightly blurred.  I still believe that Park and Chloe were the physical representations of Beauty and Beast respectively.  However, soul-wise, the roles were reversed.  Park was so callous and, let's admit it, stupid in how he made his decisions and how he handled various events on his pilgrimage.  Chloe, on the other hand, tried to take everything in stride and handled each situation with grace and aplomb.  So, I think it's safe to say that both 'Beauty' and 'Beast' were represented in both Park and Chloe.

I love the fact that this novel made me think outside the box and beyond physical appearances.  I also love that 'Beauty' and 'Beast' weren't so easily evident as I first thought.  Anybody that loves the classic Beauty and the Beast will definitely enjoy this twist on the classic tale.

Oh My! My Very First Award!!!

STYLISH BLOGGER AWARD

I have been graciously awarded the Stylish Blogger Award by Mandy at Mandy's Escape.  Thanks Mandy for honoring me with my very first award!!!! =)

Now that I've received said award, rules must be followed.  Here they are:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
2. Tell us 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and let them know they have won!

Since #1 was taken care of up above, let's move on to #2 ... I get to tell you 7 things about myself:

1.)  It's been mentioned a couple times, in emails to me, that upon search of my real name on my blog it cannot be found.  I did that for a reason.  I like my anonymity.  However, since I am in such high spirits from receiving my award, I shall tell you my real name.  It is ........ Mandy.  =)  Strange that it should be the same name as the giver of my award, but it is my real name.

2.)  Lately I have been getting a strong affinity for the English/British language.  So much so that I desire to reside in England until I have conformed ... accent, verbiage, everything!

3.)  Strange as this may seem, I love regular plain ole potato chips with a side of cottage cheese.  There's just something about that combination that I absolutely adore.  It is so yummy!

4.)  I play the piano.  Granted, I'm no Mozart, but I do like to tickle the ivories every so often.  It brings me peace.

5.)  I didn't get married until I was 30 years old ... by then, I just gave up and succumbed to the man.  That's right ... he got me by wearing me down.  LOL =)

6.)  P.S. - I'm only 33 so I've only been married for 3 years.  We got married on Halloween, so this year will be our 4th year together.

7.)  I currently reside in Georgia, but I was born and raised in northeast Ohio, right on the edge of Lake Erie.

Now that my soul-bearing session is at an end, it is time for me to pass the award, and fun, along to 15 others.  You can click on their blog names below to view their blog.  If you've got the time, why not check them out? =):

For What It's Worth

Pensive Bookeaters

Book Couture

Deranged Book Lovers

The Wolf's Den

Books for Company

Lost in the Library

Mission to Read

Hooked to Books

The Reading Housewives

Poisoned Rationality

The Creative Geek

The Bursting Bookshelf

Book Whispers

The Lovely Getaway

Book Blog Hop Friday #8

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jennifer at Crazy for Books.  This is a chance for people to visit other book-related blogs that they normally wouldn't find and/or visit on their own.  To participate, a question must be answered. 

Before we get to the question, I would like to welcome any new viewers/followers to my blog.  If you're an 'oldie but goodie' ... welcome back! =)

Now, this week's question is:

"Why do you read the genre that you do?  What draws you to it?"

My answer:  I read all genres.  I like to see what's out there and to open myself up to new stories that I normally wouldn't have read otherwise.

If I had to settle on one genre, it would have to be mysteries and/or horrors.  I've always loved trying to figure out who did it.  I've always loved trying to find books that scare the mess out of me too.  =)  I guess what draws me to these genres is the fact that I am awed by how some authors' minds work.  How twisted they can seem to be ... I love it.  =)

Happy Hopping!

Review: The Watcher by John Brinling

ASIN #: B0043GX1C6

E-Book Page Count: 248

Copyright: 2010

About the Author:

"I lived and worked in Europe for seven years. I met my wife In Italy where we both worked for the same company, and were married in 1975. The contract we were working on ended that year and we took two years off to live in England, in a 300 year old farmhouse in Wiltshire."

To view the complete bio for John Brinling on the AuthorsDen website, simply click here.

Summary:

(Taken from Smashwords.com)

Janet Stapleton – widowed, confined to a wheelchair, living in a remote Connecticut farmhouse - didn’t believe in out-of-body experiences until she had one and witnessed a brutal murder. The second and third ones were no less horrific. Her investigation into why she was chosen to see these murders soon has the demonic killer pursuing her.

My Review:

This is the second ebook I've read written by John Brinling and, I must say, I am not disappointed.

This is a murder-mystery/whodunit/paranormal experiences all wrapped up in one.  Once I began this book, I was quickly intrigued and did not want to stop.

I will say that the reader pretty much knew who was committing the murders early on into the story, but that did not take away from the story!  All it did, for me, was to make one wonder how everything was going to work out so the evil person/people would be found out.  Would good triumph over evil?  Would Janet have a happy ending?  These questions and more kept me aptly reading until the end.

If you enjoy a murder mystery with a slightly different twist to it, then trust me when I say that you will enjoy reading The Watcher.

Teaser Tuesday #7

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Mizb at Should Be Reading.  To participate, you need to:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers
• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser

This week's teaser comes from:

"Miriam hesitated.  Not again, alchie nympho.  Booze and the boys, how many times had her heedless, needy, hormones led her astray.  But she found this one so fanciable, with his self-assured grey eyes, gravel voice, lovely hands, nice nails too.  Oh, the hell with it.  She gave him her mobile number, smiling through the rush."