A story as beautiful as the cover!
932527
First off, let me just say I'm obsessed with this cover. It's *gorgeous* and terribly fitting to the book. The heroine, Adeelah, is a mirror image of so many young girls I know. No, I'm not saying I'm friends with a bunch of genies (although, how cool would that be???). She has her walls high and refuses to get close enough to let anyone's cruelty get under her skin, all the while pining after a lost love she believes with all her heart defines her. It isn't until her new master shows her humility and kindness exists outside her bottle that she realizes she is her own person outside of the relationship that she's clung to for a thousand years. I love Adeelah just as much as I love the cover. And Nathan, well, let's just say I have a brand new book boyfriend. His unselfish nature coupled with his true gentleman nature makes him undeniably swoon-worthy. Carol's writing also deserves a standing ovation. The words are beautiful, well-paced, and deeply profound. A simple sentence holds a thousand wise meanings, and I found myself enchanted with her style from page one. She currently has two other books out with Entangled, and I've already purchased them both. I'm just saying, so should you.
3532291
I was lucky enough to win a digital copy of 'The Secrets of Eden' in the social media contest! I had no idea what to expect going in, but I really enjoyed discovering the adventure within the alluring, floral cover. The author paints a complete picture with their attention to detail and allows you to truly transport to The Kingdom of "Rolaria". Our hero, Eden, is both cunning and endearing as he discovers the love, secrets, and surprises hidden inside the castle walls. I can't wait to read this beautiful, inspiring, MAGICAL tale to my future children. - Yessy
880540
This is the first book by Laura Elliot that I have read and it definitely will not be the last. This story absorbed me completely, so that, by the middle of the book I was living this tale, lost to the real world. The writing is so beautiful that I will reread this book just so I can celebrate every exquisitely constructed sentence. And what a story! It grabs hold of you from the first page, not letting go until the last. Forgiveness and betrayal, love and loss, courage and cowardice, a wide spectrum of human emotions are failings are covered in this fabulous book. The writing sparkles and shimmers like the lost bracelet, it burrows its way right into your heart. A beautiful story, written with heart. I will be recommending it to everyone.
2907527
Beautiful story that draws you in from the first chapter!  The author describes the characters and their stories in such detail that the book is hard to put down. You will not be disappointed when you pick up this one!
2831201
The beautiful cover reflects the beautiful story within.

I love books in which the author has a deeply held personal philosophy to convey and they are able to do so through a beautifully conceived and carefully crafted story which doesn't preach but rather entertains. Natasja Hellenthal has done this magnificently in "Skywhisperers."

The world of Lorian is earth-like in a dystopian fashion and very greek in its belief system.  This is something that resonates strongly with me personally. The message of the power of love is timeless and tireless.  Natasja has found within herself a unique voice to convey this message.

Thank you, Natasja for sharing this wonderful story with us.

I think she left a nice opening for a sequel. :)
2028474
I fell in love with the cover of The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden the minute I saw it.  I felt drawn into the beautiful artistry and colors, the homey house lit by firelight and the open door asking me to enter and find out what this magical tale was all about.  I became even more intrigued as I read this book's synopsis. I came away eager to explore the pages of this adaptation of a new-to-me Russian fairy tale.

While it started out a bit slow for my taste,  I soon found myself lost in the richness of this tale, the gorgeous descriptions and it's engaging characters. As so often with fairy tales, the story's basis is fantasy but within that frame work are deep glimpses of Russian history, human nature, religion and so much more!

The Bear and the Nightingale is truly a beautifully written story and I am in awe that this is Ms. Arden's debut novel. I am very much looking forward to reading more of her work.

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Del Rey Publishing, Ms. Arden and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
3680273
*Disclaimer: I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Steady As The Snow Falls by Lindy Zart is a beautiful story about finding love and acceptance. Harrison has shut himself away from the world, but when he needs a writer, Beth accepts the job and comes to like the gruff man with a deadly secret. The characters are so real that there were a couple times I had to put the book down because I heard my ex in my head as I was reading something Ozzy said! The descriptions are vivid; I could feel the cold snow under my feet and feel the embrace of the darkness. Zarts writing never fails to evoke emotion in me, and this story was no exception. Steady As The Snow Falls is as much about loving and accepting oneself as it is about finding love and acceptance from others, which made it all the more beautiful. The premise was one that Ive never read before and it immediately had my interest. This is a book that I highly recommend readingjust be sure to have some tissues handy.
3438634
First off, can I say how much I love the cover of this book? It's not only beautiful but it fits the story too! That's quite a rare treat in today's crazy publishing world, LOL.

This was my second read by Ms. Dee and it was another winner. I'm not familiar with her backlist - but I definitely plan to be - so I don't know if this is her niche in writing, but I loved how she wasn't afraid of tackling "controversial" subjects in the two books I've read. So refreshing!

Captive Bride takes place in San Francisco, 1870 - which is an unusual setting in Romancelandia. Just so you get a better understanding of that time and place, here's an excerpt of the Author's Note:

"In 1867 the Pacific Mail Steamship Company began regularly scheduled runs between Hong Kong and San Francisco. Between 1870 and 1883 an average of 12,000 Chinese were arriving in San Francisco each year.

In 1870 California passed a law against the importation of Chinese, Japanese and Mongolian women for the purpose of prostitution.

The Chinese Exclusion Act, passed by Congress in 1882, was the only U.S. law ever to prevent immigration and naturalization on the basis of race."

Chua Huiann is one of those Chinese women who are taken from their home country to be a prostitute in San Francisco. The difference is, she and her parents have been lied to and believe that she's to marry Xie Fuhua, a Chinese businessmen who's made his fortune in America. When Huiann is taken to Xie's Pleasure Palace and finds out what he really wants from her, she pretends to be resigned to her fate in order to buy some time. She manages to escape before her virginity is sold to the highest bidder and runs to hide inside the first shop that catches her attention.

Alan Sommers is a solitary man who's still trying to forget the horrors he suffered during the Civil War. When Huiann bursts through the door of his shop and starts talking to him, he doesn't understand a word she says, but the desperation he sees on her face is enough to convince him to give her shelter from whoever is after her.

And so it begins... Huiann and Alan's relationship is very tentative at first, as one can't understand the other's language and have to communicate through drawings and signs. Alan hires Huiann as a housekeeper so she has a safe place to stay - and hide from her "owner" Xie - and they soon find themselves irrevocably attracted to each other. But what good can come from that? Xie's a powerful man, he wants his "property" back and, on that matter, the law is on his side. And even if Xie wasn't a threat in itself, the "good citizens" of San Francisco wouldn't compliment Alan on marrying Huiann, a woman of "inferior" race. Are Huiann and Alan destined to live in hiding?

This was one of the most romantic books I've read. Yeah, romance books are supposed to be romantic, I know, but this one was different. I don't know how to explain it, I can only say that I was very aware of Huiann and Alan's love for each other during this read. Something in Ms. Dee's writing struck a chord with me, even though I thought it was too poetic now and then.

I did have a problem with the pacing of the story, though. The first half was too slow and very descriptive. I could see why it had to be that way, considering that Huiann couldn't speak English and had to rely on her other senses to understand the new and sometimes frightening world that surrounded her, but I found myself wishing for a faster pace.

Overall, I really liked this book. It had great characters - yes, I mean not only Huiann and Alan, but the secondary characters too - and an engaging story. What's not to like?
2884335
Laurel Savilles new novel, NORTH of HERE (Lake Union Publishing) should not be picked up by a reader looking for something to quickly breeze through. When I received my copy, I immediately fell in love with the beautiful cover; the sense of tranquility, hope and promise of life it presented. Once I started reading NORTH of HERE, I found myself encountering something much more complicated, a narrative not so easy to explain. Laurel Savilles lyrical voice mesmerized me. Sentences flowed together as if part of a poem, celebrating the Adirondack Mountains, where the book is set. Soon I found the story developing into something I couldn't have predicted.

At the heart of the drama are four unforgettable characters:
Miranda: A young heiress who discovers that the mountain property she has inherited is encumbered by her fathers debts and misdealing.
Dix: A self-assured mountain man who is really an educated, financially secure son of two accomplished professionals.
Darius: A preppy trust fund refugee who turns his own quest for meaning into a dangerous back-to-nature cult bent on healing lost souls
Sally: A brassy, street-smart social worker who, despite being perpetually unlucky in love, ultimately has the foresight to see the perils of loving Darius.

In an interview on her website, this is what Laurel says her novel, NORTH of HERE is about. I suppose its about the allure and mystique, as well as the romance and reality, of a particular landscape; the emotional perils of trying to help someone bent on self-destruction; misunderstandings between class and culture; the different ways people try to find or make meaning in their life; the unforeseen impacts of a random meeting with a seductively charming person. And in the end, like so many things, its about the power and limitations of love.

I certainly cant explain it any better. NORTH of HERE is something you definitely want to put aside some time for.
4250066
The stunning cover of this book would have made me want to buy it had I not been awarded a copy as a prize in a competition. It has to be one of the best covers Ive seen in a long time. The contents of the book don't disappoint either! Set on the East Coast of Ireland, the cast of colourful characters are pretty unique too, from initially-understated heroine Mia Flanagan; her film star mother, Fenella, actor Archie; who might or might not be Mias father; Leela, the lynchpin of the often chaotic household and many more, including the delectable American, Ross Power and his loveable niece Pearl. The setting was beautifully etched and made me want to visit, especially to meet the characters! The action revolves around something that happened one summer some years before, and this is told in retrospect by various characters, building up to a climatic conclusion. A wonderful book and one I didn't want to end and was sad when I did so.
4658199
Rarely does a children's story book engender such immediate joy and love, but this marvelous tale certainly did. Author Jean Hanson and illustrator Launie Parry have put together a beautiful and enchanting story about a girl with a love of books that I believe will become one of your favorites. It's already one of mine.

Illustrated in a style that is warm and soft, reminding me some of the "Lyle the Crocodile" series, with lots of small details to marvel over yet never become encumbered with the larger purpose. The story is a rhyming tale of mistaken assumptions that end up with the revelation of the power, mystery, magic, and glory of books. There are plenty of references to children's classics for the knowing reader, as well as a straightforward message about prejudice and understanding.

I can't say enough how lovely this book is, from the spot-on cadence (practically Seussian) to the endearing artwork, this is a book I can't wait to read to my students, over and over again.

Reading level is primary (4-8 years). Enthusiastically recommended!
4709279
An absolutely beautiful book with an even more beautiful message! The writing is wonderful, the illustrations are superb, and you will fall in love with the story. If you're looking to create a library of diverse books for your kids, this one belongs at the top of your list!
627519
Simply beautiful.  I read the book when it first came out and every time I see the cover I smile.  The characters are heartfelt and stunning in their sincerity.  The story unfolds slowly and so naturally it was a joy to read.

Just wonderful.
2620759
How any reader could give this enchanting book less than 5 stars is a mystery to me! An Enchantment of Ravens is one of the very best books I've read this year -- and I read a lot of books! The story is delightful, romantic without being sappy or sexual. The characters are fascinating, the "fair folk" always are. I fell in love with Rook, the Autumn Prince, right along with Isobel - but I'd still like to know her "true name!"

The cover is every bit as beautiful as the story's writing. I'll be looking forward to Margaret Rogerson's books for years to come!
453790
What first drew me to this book was the beautiful cover!  A gorgeous cover always peaks my interest.  I also learned that Ashley is from South Carolina which was another bonus for me.  Going in, I knew there was no way that I wouldn't love this story!

This truly was a haunting tale of friendship and loyalty and all of the things that can go wrong in between.  I loved the relationship between Katherine and Ben!  Reading about a brother and sister being so incredibly close was refreshing and sweet.  Their relationship was strong until Katherine's roommate in college, Emma, entered the picture.  Ashley did a phenomenal job of creating the character of Emma.  She was sweet, obsessive, scary, and revengeful all wrapped up in a pretty package.  I went in thinking this would be another college love story, but I couldn't have been more wrong.

The story starts out with a mystery of a disappearance on New Year's Day and then backtracks to fill us in on the story that brought us to that point.  There were relationships explored between brothers and sisters, roommates, childhood friends, and parents and their children.  The book ended up turning me into an emotional wreck and I loved every twist and turn of the plot.  From the incredibly complex characters she created to the surprising plot, Ashley Farley has written a haunting tale you won't soon forget!

I am anxious to see what Ashley has in store for readers next and she has taken an official place on my "authors to watch" list.  Also, you must go and check out her website.  It's a wonderful resource for readers and writers alike and I'm following it closely for new information daily!
2030865
In the region of Vorarlberg, in Austria, a young boy is traveling in the back of a car.  As he stares out the window, he glimpses a mystical black lake out his window, and begs his father to pull over so that he can get a better look at the beautiful scene.  When he and his father get closer to the strangely mesmerizing lake, an old man is sitting there, and tells them the story of a young girl named Katharina, and how the black lake came into being.

This is how, literally, one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read begins.  I was completely enthralled with the young maiden, who spent most all of her days walking, standing, and resting beside the lake.  The water was pure, crystalline; she could see all the way to the bottom, as if waiting for a gorgeous underwater world to appear before her eyes.  She also spent her time talking to the lake, telling it all about her happiness and sorrows.

One day, a young man by the name of Paul is already at the lake when Katharina arrives.  He is a handsome man - with skin as black and magical as the night.  He exudes kindness from every molecule of his body and soul, and Katharina soon finds herself running back to her home in order to bring the man food and water.  You see, Paul doesn't want to go with her to her house, because he says that people are frightened of his color.  But Katharina simply doesn't understand.  After a while, she begs him to come meet her parents because she truly feels as if she is madly in love with Paul and wants to spend the rest of her life with him.

I will say no more about the beautifully written words that this author has provided to the children's literary community.  I truly want everyone to go out and buy this book, sit down with their children, and REALLY read the wonderful tale of Paul and Katharina.  For me, I have always believed that to see people - really SEE people - we have to use our hearts to see the good that's contained in a person's soul.  If everyone could do that, prejudice would be wiped from this earth and we'd all be a happier, less violent people.

I was fortunate enough to read this author's first book titled, Mozart in the Future, and loved that one, as well.  This storyteller has quite a bit to say, and I really pray that everybody will take the time to read and listen!

Until Next Time,
Amy
2733821
I was sucked into the story right from the beginning and I loved the passionate, gritty, complicated characters.
Despite just missing a 5-star rating, this is a beautiful story and fans of Katie McGarry will love it. And just look at the cover! I  it!
@Crushingcinders