The Collector of Dying Breaths by M.J. Rose | Review|

The Collector of Dying Breaths

by M.J. Rose

 

Release Date: April 8, 2014

 Publisher: Atria Books

Hardcover; 384p
ISBN-10: 1451621531

Description:

From one of America’s most imaginative storytellers comes a passionate tale of love and treachery, spanning the days of Catherine de Medici’s court to the twenty-first century and starring a woman drawn back, time and again, to the past.

In 1533, an Italian orphan with an uncanny knack for creating fragrance is plucked from poverty to become Catherine de Medici’s perfumer. To repay his debt, over the years René le Florentine is occasionally called upon to put his vast knowledge to a darker purpose: the creation of deadly poisons used to dispatch the Queen’s rivals.

But it’s René’s other passion—a desire to reanimate a human breath, to bring back the lives of the two people whose deaths have devastated him—that incites a dangerous treasure hunt five centuries later. That’s when Jac L’Etoile—suffering from a heartache of her own—becomes obsessed with the possibility of unlocking Rene’s secret to immortality.

Soon Jac’s search reconnects her with Griffin North, a man she’s loved her entire life. Together they confront an eccentric heiress whose art collection rivals many museums and who is determined to keep her treasures close at hand, not just in this life but in her next.

Set in the forest of Fontainebleau, crisscrossing the lines between the past and the present, M.J. Rose has written a mesmerizing tale of passion and obsession. This is a gothic tale perfect for fans of Anne Rice, Deborah Harkness, and Diana Galbadon. 

 Buy the Book:

Amazon US      Amazon UK      Barnes & Noble

 

THE AUTHOR

M.J. Rose is the international best selling author of fourteen novels and two non-fiction books on marketing. Her fiction and non-fiction has appeared in many magazines and reviews including Oprah Magazine. She has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, Time, USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio. Rose graduated from Syracuse University, spent the ’80s in advertising, has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and since 2005 has run the first marketing company for authors – Authorbuzz.com. The television series PAST LIFE, was based on Rose’s novels in the Renincarnationist series. She is one of the founding board members of International Thriller Writers and runs the blog- Buzz, Balls & Hype. She is also the co-founder of Peroozal.com and BookTrib.com.

Rose lives in CT with her husband the musician and composer, Doug Scofield, and their very spoiled and often photographed dog, Winka.

For more information on M.J. Rose and her novels, please visit her website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

THE REVIEW

I must start by saying that this is the sixth book in the Reincarnationist series by MJ Rose

but I definitely I read this book independent, and can be read so as an independent novel.

The Collector of Dying Breaths , attracted my attention thanks to that title without forgetting its cover. Your content certainly is magical and descriptive, and your senses will be the order of the day . This novel revolves around the scent , it describes the feel and scent of a perfume, and in another way that feeling of touch , not stop to play with our imagination.

I was very excited when I started reading it, the story is rich in every sense of the word and I decided to take my time with this book, I wanted to discover every note of the essence and every detail were worth the wait. His spins, time changes at times to tell this story were very well maintained and it's nice when a book gives you that managing emotions and make you part of thems.

Weaving a story should not be so easy, but it easily accomplished for the author and has his characters stand each uniquely, making it even more exquisite. Help your senses, and why not, your heart to connect with the feelings of each, is a twist of emotions enjoy even if they are sad.

Love, suspense, historical fiction and are framed well on every moment of them in a magical and fascinating site, is not boring and keeps you in constant motion, definitely a story you can not miss.

I recommend it for every sweet moment, a sunny day, a coffee on a rainy afternoon in this place dedicated to your reading and a few drops of your favorite perfume.

My Star Reviews: 4.8

 

P.S : I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review .

Bewitched in Oz by Laura J. Burns | Review |

Bewitched in Oz

by Laura J. Burns

 

SINOPSYS:

When Zerie Greenapple's friend is arrested for using her magic,

she knows she must do everything she can to protect her own magic...

even if it means traversing the dangerous landscapes of Oz a

nd encountering strange creatures along the way.

Zerie and two friends set out to find Glinda the Good,

in the hope that she can help them defeat the evil Princess Ozma.

But what they experience on their journey might just tear them apart.

Will magic be enough to save these three friends?

 

 

 

THE AUTHOR

 

Laura J. Burns is a Californian author originally from Long Island, New York. After being a YA book editor for a while, she now spends her time on the writing side. She often collaborates with fellow author Melinda Metz, with whom she writes the Wright and Wong mystery series, featuring a young detective who has Asperger's.

She was closely involved with the creation of the Roswell High series, and later became a staff writer on the Roswell TV series.

She likes vampires, werewolves, celebrities, and TV. And big dogs.

THE REVIEW

 

Hello!Today I bring a different book to what I 've been reading lately , I wanted to give a little variety to my challenge , you know, go in search of new horizons. I received an uncorrected copy  of Bewitched in Oz by Laura J. Burns, the cover drew me (It's beautiful , I mean a redhead, that eye, and the title), I read the synopsis and decided to give it a try .

Well this story had divided me , has interesting things on that road was YA but then I took a turn to a more minor degree , sometimes entertaining to me , others not so much. Has defined the framework of a magical story coming out of what is known as OZ , and characters that have that urge to become part of this world , I liked his style, his way of being and with something unique in them.

It has a simple writing is not complicated and you can read it at any time that you make easy, you can spend time entertaining and like you saw a little movie inside a book, you could take it as a: "Ok, let's see how is this book "maybe my problem is that not well defined for destined to age of a YA oficially, even so try to enjoy reading with their pros and cons.

Quickly I read it in a Sunday afternoon, has positive things if you are a person looking to hang out and give a book a chance, maybe the case or also you're a fan of the world of Oz, this book is good and if you have doubts definitely not take it.

For me the book is somewhere in between and maybe this was not for me reading.

My stars: 3

 

Follow the challenge:

Review of Wind-Up Hearts by Stan Swanson

Wind-Up Hearts

by Stan Swanson

Published February 7th 2014

by Curiosity Quills Press

Summary of Goodreads:

If one’s heart is constructed of metal and considered indestructible, can love and romance still find a place within? That is the question facing Henry Thackery who spends over a hundred years pursuing the woman of his dreams—Emily Harding. After Henry and Emily become recipients of the Merganthol Circulatory Assistance Device, we follow their journey from 1875 to the present day and Henry’s unflinching quest to convince Emily (the love of his life) to become his bride. Will Henry be successful in his pursuit of love or will Emily ultimately “break” his indestructible heart? A tale of romance more than science fiction, Wind-Up Hearts will tug at the strings of your heart whether it be mechanical or flesh and blood.

THE REVIEW

How to express that a small book with a soulful history, has made the mechanics of my heart was  captivated by with Henry Thackery and Emily Harding, saying that I've added the book to my favorites of 2014.

Well, despite the fact that the story is short, which could be one of its charms is the perfect mix of feelings and moments where the reader goes what may or may not be love.

Henry and Emily Merganthol were became recipients of the Circulatory Assistance Device, in short have a mechanical heart, and the two begin to share moments together since 1875 and the present, and we as readers jump from one point to another of Henry's hand, either remembering or telling the present moment, about her feelings for Emily and how life takes care to show everyone what it means to live, giving their tastes, emotions and fears, your search and especially the reason that, although either a mechanical heart, your heart beats for her.

Why became my favorite? I get emotional, I am filled with sadness and tenderness at a time, in a few pages, I found a beautiful story, without the need for it to twist or constantly changing, was direct, clear and the way sad or  not, makes you think. This little beauties is one that you should keep in mind, and not let through. Maybe this review is small, but particularly I  don't would  like to fill it with spoilers, the charm of this book is discover it, let than some of his phrases make you laugh, sometime doubt, or in the time required to make you mourn.

How to enjoy this gem? Disgusted with a cake of your choice and a cappuccino.

Alice

Review of Unbound by Georgia Bell

Unbound 

(All Good Things #1)

by Georgia Bell

SYNOPSIS:

After her father dies, Rachel realizes she is scared and stuck. Scared of heights, of cars, of disasters harming the people she loves. Stuck in a life that is getting smaller by the minute. Stuck with a secret she has kept all her life: Someone has been watching over her since birth. Someone who tends to show up when she needs him the most. Someone she believes is her guardian angel.Eaden is a 1,500-year-old immortal who wants to die. Drained by a life stretched too thin, he has requested his final reward – a mortal sacrifice bred specifically to bring him death. But something went wrong. Rachel’s ability to grant death has mutated in ways that threaten to upset the uneasy alliance between mortals and immortals. And utterly beguiled, Eaden discovers that although Rachel is the key to his death, because of her, he no longer wants to die. And he will do anything to protect her.

Swept into a world of legends, caught between the warring political factions of immortals, and carrying the future of mortal kind in her flesh and bone, Rachel must risk everything to save her world and the man she loves.

MY REVIEW

I had the opportunity to read this book for an honest review, I must say that at a time of reading, becomes somewhat addictive and many others had many doubts in the beginning and yet I loved it!

Although you start reading the synopsis of this book and see his beautiful cover, you see this cute part of the love story, not the fantasy and supernatural beings, do not worry are present and personally loved it, is a fresh air in this type of genre and different from what we are accustomed.

Ok, stung me curious to read this book, the content is interesting and in some parts with surprising twists and turns than you might want to find a story where mortals and immortals living together and in the midst of this the romance.

At first we met Rachel and part of what happened with his father (he dies), she is afraid of many things, She lives by live, until someone than was hidden in the shadows is presents formally in your life.  Maybe I had my pros and cons with her at first, we had a shock I like you but sometimes I despair. Still I'll be on the lookout for the second installment as it is an important point in history and I think we will get to surprise us of your evolution , since about half of the book begins to become aware of many things.

We also have to Eaden is a 1,500-year-old immortal who wants to die. WHAT? If it is something that surprised me, and I think is a favorable point in the story, I know, we have seen that there are immoral they want to die even when they are just beginning to be it, but never havia deepened and so started a book, suddenly that one of the protagonists would like that, But of course! the  Love saves even an immortal soul to commit sucidio, or perhaps have to change your idea and He wants to risk your life for someone else, in this case Rachel.

The story is very romantic, but has some tints of sadness,  You get to see the love in every page, is the meeting of two people who could be living by live, just because they are alive, mortal and immortal, that when  finally found them formally, find a way to live for. But nothing is easy in this life and will have to face a lot of things if they want that new meaning to life reality.

When it starts to get fancy and other supernatural creatures, including witches, excites me a lot! They are people who never go out of style and always that are present have several floors where you can pull ropes to continue to carry the story, also the world of the immortals, is a very cool change, the way that is leading the author attracts me, because it shows what we know about the supernatural beings but she added things I did not think that could be combined, but yet  she achieved it!

His writing is clear and calm, maybe at some points it lacks a little boost but when they arrive the moments of unexpected twists knows how to defend and highlight them greatly. I want to see the evolution of these characters to towards where here to guide them. And show us worlds coming.

This start is a great window to the author Start with a good road, has enough potential to be a good series, and to talk about for a long time, divide the taste for these stories and others, will be to pendiende his second delivery, and you can be discovering this book with a good evening with your favorite food or your favorite place to read.

My Stars 4

 

THE AUTHOR

Georgia Bell was raised on a steady diet of science fiction and fantasy, courtesy of her father, a man who loved his family, fishing, scotch, and science (although not necessarily in that order). Georgia is an avid reader of young adult fiction, and a lover of good wine, music, children, and cats (although not necessarily in that order).

 WEBSITE AUTHOR   GOODREADS   TWITTER

Thanks to Xpresso Book Tours and the author for the opportunity to review this book.

Review of Love Letter to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

Published by Farrar & Straus & Girouxon April 1, 2014
Genres: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 336

MY STARS: 4.8

SYNOPSIS:

It begins as an assignment for English class: Write a letter to a dead person.

Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain because her sister, May, loved him. And he died young, just like May did. Soon, Laurel has a notebook full of letters to people like Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Amelia Earhart, Heath Ledger, and more; though she never gives a single one of them to her teacher.

She writes about starting high school, navigating new friendships, falling in love for the first time, learning to live with her splintering family. And, finally, about the abuse she suffered while May was supposed to be looking out for her.

Only then, once Laurel has written down the truth about what happened to herself, can she truly begin to accept what happened to May.

And only when Laurel has begun to see her sister as the person she was; lovely and amazing and deeply flawed; can she begin to discover her own path.

Pre-order:

THE AUTHOR 

Ava Dellaira is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where she was a Truman Capote Fellow. She grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago. She believes this book began when she bought her second album ever—Nirvana’s In Utero—which she listened to on repeat while filling the pages of her journal. She currently lives in Santa Monica, California, where she works in the film industry and is writing her second novel.

WEBSITE AUTHOR   FACEBOOK   TWITTER

 

MY REVIEW

I was lucky, fortune or some supernatural magic (maybe Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin or Amy Winehouse helped me) of read this beautiful book, full of letters for each type of emotion wrapped in homesickness, melancholy and hope, and in them was stood the essence of the protagonist: Laurel.

Laurel is a girl who starts her first year of high school, at a time when everything around you is broken: his sister May died in an accident, her parents are separated, and she's at that time of life to define: who is she? and this path of self-exploration and gather those broken pieces begins with an assignment for class Inglés: write a letter to a dead person.

And what started as an assignment (undelivered), it becomes a habit of writing a letter to a famous person who died in fatal circumstances, starting with Kurt Cobain, whom her sister was a fan, and later to find more characters she takes as a link to go telling their story and are in some way related to the other characters, friends and his family, his first love, etc..

The author has a fine writing and good storytelling, moves fibers either within you feeling a little happiness by Laurel, or a desire to mourn, also angry at some point, and also you can see their environment and is not easy, both his parents have to part of the end of a relationship, lost her first daughter, and in  that facet something that catches my attention is that it might be also this book for a new adut  genre type.

The other characters are really magnificent and each with something you might like, flaws, virtues and also with their own conflicts, Laurel's friends: Hannah and Natalie, these girls play an issue as to the sexual diversity of each person and their acceptance as such and in which Laurel demonstrates that they are her friends regardless of labels, Tristan and Kristen, a couple of advanced course they begin their journey of "that's what I want to be" and "I wish to go "very cute and help to Laurel at times. Sky, the guy who will make the heart of Laurel passes nice and sad moments of first love, in particular was my favorite character including Laurel.

We also have to aunt Amy Laurel shows us that religious side in times like this can arise such beliefs (of any religion) and even if not alive, we have May, who made me be so angry with but in spite of it all was the engine Laurel to begin his journey.

I loved the book, reading is not a happily ever after type but has its charm. While minor adjustments needed in your very lightweight format and detail some points, the author takes very good point or situation you want to control with a good outcome. Loaded with lots of emotion, it's worth what you add to your reading of this year as we are probably listening or reading about this book soon.

I recommend you read it in the afternoon or evening, with a tea of ​​your favorite flavor and atmosphere in a moderate tone music you like, whether their favorite artist or group.

If I had that assignment for Spanish class (I add that my language is Spanish, but perhaps could be also in English) would have to choose between three people: Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo and George Harrison.

Alice

* E-ARC received from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review* 

Review of And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard

And We Stay

by Jenny Hubbard

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporany

Expected publication: January 28th 2014 by Delacorte Press

When high school senior Paul Wagoner walks into his school library with a stolen gun, he threatens his girlfriend Emily Beam, then takes his own life. In the wake of the tragedy, an angry and guilt-ridden Emily is shipped off to boarding school in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she encounters a ghostly presence who shares her name. The spirit of Emily Dickinson and two quirky girls offer helping hands, but it is up to Emily to heal her own damaged self.

This inventive story, told in verse and in prose, paints the aftermath of tragedy as a landscape where there is good behind the bad, hope inside the despair, and springtime under the snow

AMAZON   B&N   KOBO

My Review

This book is the first of my literary journey of challenges.

This book came into my hands through an ARC for your honest review, I was attracted the synopsis, and at this point I want to clarify that I have not read any book of Emily Dickinson, perhaps find a book on it for next reading, she in my opinion is more a reference to his fans and to connect the story of the protagonist with his taste for poetry, yet I think it was positive this first book  in my challenge.

The book shows us a part of the life of Emily Beam, where love, good or bad decisions, an age that is passed from childhood to adulthood, and a particular mixture with a literary character somehow make the story be strong, intense and interesting.

This is one of those books that I think will divide opinion a lot of people, on the one hand we have a strong emotional charge, and it's something I liked about the book, the poetry that was in each chapter was a big part of the history of Emily Beans and which ties in nicely. But on the other hand we have the story being told, ok, this part I was confused, first I could connect with the story and and at times the connection was blocked by something. Nor I define that  spent with that.

The characters are defined to some extent it easy to relate to the story of the main protagonist, the factors, the poems, the suicide of her boyfriend and several intense moments are very well managed, in the part of the suicide of her boyfriend I want to clarify that there  one more story  than you think, and although it clarifies why, maybe have a little doubt, but at some point I would think it is the fact age and time of momentum  and the confusing burden of emotions of the fact that make of  it that Paul commits suicide.

The story is interesting, and with very current issues that blend well with today's society, is subtle and strong, though perhaps I insist on some points that you feel disconnected from the story and Reloading. If you love poetry, you'll love it, I think it's the strong point of the author, and if you find a story told differently is a good choice for discovering your favorite type of reading.

Personally, I liked the story and I loved the poetry,The reading was for  mid-afternoon, with a touch of winter and a hot chocolate.

AllyCat

Welcome 2014, Readings Challenges: Goodreads and Alphabet Soup of colors

2014 is here and with it ,new challenges and this year I decided to make my first challenges (yeah!! Excited).

The first challenge is to Goodreads this year my trip will be: 70 books.

The Second and Third challenge are linked, but of that they treated?

The second challenge is 2014 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge:

This challenge is hosted by Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book.

It will run from January 1st, 2014 until December 31st, 2014.

 There are two different ways you can set up your own A-Z challenge:

A – How I plan to do it: Make a list on your blog from A-Z. Throughout the year, as you go along, add the books you are reading to the list. Towards the end of the year, you can check and see which letters you are missing and find books to fit.

OR

B – Make a list now of 26 books, picking one for each letter of the alphabet. For example: A – Assaulted Pretzel by Laura Bradford B- Buried in a Bog by Sheila Connolly C – Cat Trick by Sofie Kelly D – A Deal to Die For by Josie Belle etc.

My choice: I chose the A

Here I leave  the logo of this challenge,

 click if you want to participate:

And the colors?

Well there is a challenge that is about the colors of the covers,
with books in the previous challenge, I want to see how many colors meet
this year and so discover that colors of cover I read more!

I accept recommendations for this beautiful journey, comment, send me a tweet, an email, a homing pigeon?

Well these are my challenges as a blogger this year, the entries of the challenges will have the logo of the blog :Readings Challenges 2014 All things in the Cloud Sweet ,Click on the below image for see the list of books:

 The color of the cover, I  will add to the end

of  the name of the book in list.

and the  logo of  hosted  Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book this on one side of blog, in the section: Events 2014 

May the force and a book are with me!

AllyCat