Eden from Swept to Sea by Heather Manning

Hi Readers!

I’m so excited to share with you a book I’m absolutely in love with!  Heather Manning’s Swept to Sea!  It took me a while to decide what image I wanted to create to go with a review for it because there were so many great scenes! 

Swept to Sea is an exciting romance set during the year 1696.  Lady Eden Trenton is engaged to a horrible man who abuses her when she doesn’t offer him favors before their wedding.  In a desperate act, she flees to the shipyard and stows away on a ship.  Will she be in more danger or finally make her escape to a better life?

As it turns out a little of both along the way before arriving at this story’s very happy, satisfying, ending.  When Eden is discovered on the Dawn’s Mist, she couldn’t be in better hands with Captain Caspian Archer looking out for her.  It doesn’t take long for him to fall in love with her as he watches the tender way she cares for his young son Reed along their journey, but having been in an abusive situation Eden is far less trusting.  There’s plenty of adventure and swashbuckling to keep any fans of the pirate genre as happy as Jack Sparrow with a pile of rum, but the best part is the endearing way Caspian treats Eden.  As with any great romance, the relationship is the key, and there are just as many tender moments as there are action-packed ones.

My favorite scene is when Caspian offers to teach Eden how to swim.  I’d be terrified to go in water so deep, but as the scene proves, the right man will do wonders for courage.  He finally coaxes her into the water with these words:

"Trust me just for once, ‘Miss Eden’.” He hoped she noticed the wink he offered when he called her by the same name his son always did. Maybe she enjoyed answering to that name. She certainly liked the boy much more than she liked him. Maybe she would like him more now, too. It could not hurt to try. “I will take care of you. Let someone besides you take care of you for once. You may find that you enjoy it, milady."

I can’t profess how much I enjoyed this story.  It’s one of my favorites, and I hope that Heather will continue writing great stories!  She was kind to send me a review copy of this book, but that has nothing to do with why I love it so much.  ;)  Thanks for a great story Heather!

Check out Heather Manning’s blog to learn more about her:

http://heathermauthor.blogspot.com/p/swept-to-sea.html

Storm Siren Blog Tour & Giveaway!

I'm very excited to be participating in my first blog tour, and present to you this great new read!  (My apologies for those of you following the blog schedule for posting late having it up for the 26th instead of 25th.  I had some technical difficulties.)

Storm Siren is the first in a fantasy trilogy written in the first person narrative of our heroine, Nymia.  I can't remember reading a story in this genre being written in first person before, and it's usually not my favorite style, but for Nym's story it was perfect.  I was completely drawn in to her world by experiencing it through her eyes.  She really had an attitude in the beginning and feelings that could have been hard to relate to so getting into her head through the narrative helped me understand her.

Nym was born into a world at war, where orphans become slaves and people with powers, called Elementals, are feared.  Elementals are said to only be male, yet Nym is one.  With white hair, blue eyes and the power to summon a lightning storm, she is one dangerous girl.  When she becomes a slave to Adora, a powerful woman with influence in the war, Nym is ordered to train with another Elemental, Colin under Eogan to become the tools that will turn the tide of events in their country’s favor.  Colin has powers over earth, and Eogan has a unique ability to bring calm to both Nym’s internal and external storm.

Her owner, Adorda is eccentric and throws lavish costume parties.  I was amused how Nym thought of her as the Frog Lady through most of the book.  She’s an interesting character, but not likable in the least.

When I think about Nym's story what struck me the most was her struggle with sin & guilt.  She had so much guilt over taking lives through her uncontrollable powers.  She had a desire to change, to control her powers and not hurt anyone, but she didn't know how.  She never meant to hurt anyone, yet she did.  I think it hit a cord with me because I feel that the sin in our lives can be that way.  If there's something we struggle with, and have trouble with repeatedly, it's often hard to know how to stop even when we want to.  It was a wonderful journey following Nym as she learned control over her powers and triumphed over her guilt.


I absolutely loved the story.  It was a fast, exciting, emotional read.  It’s a definite must for young adults & teens who are into fantasy.  I can’t wait until the next book is out!

Giveaway!

 Check out the other blogs on the tour & enter the giveaway for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

-Monica