Heart Song by Desiree Williams

Having recently finished a fantasy series that consumed me for a bit, I wanted to read something a bit lighter, so I decided upon a romance.  As I buy many books that are free, I have a huge variety of genres of fiction on my kindle, and many of the romances are historical fiction from America: Texan Brides, Women of the Prairie and series like that. [I should input here, that I have no idea if those are genuine titles, but they are the type of thing I mean.]  I was expecting Heart Song to be of that ilk.

The other thing about choosing books from my kindle, is that I don't see the book cover when I choose, nor do I read the blurb.  I literally choose books based on the title and whether they sound like the type of thing I fancy.  And that'll be why this book wasn't anything like I imagined!

The blurb on Amazon states:

In Aldonnia, the evil of Varkadon overflows its borders. War ravages the lands…

For as long as eighteen year-old Alanna can remember she’s lived in hiding, sealed off from the outside world. Despite a future built around a steadfast rule of seclusion, Alanna dreams of the impossible. Of a life outside of her parents’ cabin. A life with more for company than just birds and woodland creatures. A life she knows deep down is impossible for someone with gifts like hers.

That all changes the day Alanna finds a man floating face down in a stream. Despite her parents’ warnings, Alanna pulls the injured man out of the water and heals him with her elemental talents. Just another good deed. Until the man wakes and Alanna realizes so much more has happened than simply a life saved. The healing she performed on the stranger bound her soul to Jerric, the prince of Aldonnia. 

Alanna’s heart wants to keep the prince, but duty and destiny intervene. Alanna’s world is rocked as her parents are lost. Left in the care of family she didn’t know, Alanna learns more than she wanted to about the evil threatening the lands. There is much more behind her parents’ drive to protect. Alanna learns her gifts were bestowed in order to fulfill a greater purpose. A greater calling. One her enemies seek to destroy at all cost. 

Alanna’s choice is clear. To either ignore her destiny and remain hidden, or boldly fight to keep what sings to her heart.

So, yes, this book is a romance, but it is also a fantasy book too.  There are different groups of people: some, such as Alanna, can manipulate air or water, earth or fire; some are shape-shifters and can transform into an animal according to their clan; and others have different skills too.

The ongoing war is the back-drop to the plot; there are battles, injuries and death, but the author doesn't delve into the gruesomeness and horror of war, so would be suitable for younger readers too.

Given that I only read one fiction book at a time (unlike non-fiction when I always have multiple books on the go), it was addictive enough that I read all three books in the trilogy in four days.  An enjoyable read and I think you'd get enjoyment if you picked it up solely for either the romance or the fantasy.

Undraland by Mary E Twomey

I've just read the first five books of this series.  As usual, I got the first one for free, then it had me hooked so I ended up buying the rest.  (Technically, there are four further books in the series, but the story seemed to end nicely there, so I've stopped for now.)

 Lucy is a normal human, with no magic of her own, who has a hard life after her parents and brother die, and gets transported to a different world, and discovers a mission that she needs to undertake with companions of a variety of races and temperaments.




The blurb on Amazon states:

Still reeling from the deaths of her family, Lucy Kincaid is struggling to get her life back on track. But when the short-tempered and sexy Jens saves her from an attack, Lucy is swept away to a world she's never imagined.

Suddenly, fairytale creatures are no longer make-believe--and adventure is hers for the taking. As Lucy delves deeper into this fantastical realm, she encounters oversized garden gnomes, warrior elves, Nøkken, Fossegrimens, and worst of all, Sirens with a vendetta. But can the irresistible garden gnome, Jens give her the "happily-ever-after" she's always dreamed about? 

Obviously, it's a fantasy book, and I would say it's aimed at teens and young adults.  There is a lot of romance, but equally there is adventure and battles to save the day. Not everything goes well, and there are some darker issues explored within Undraland such as sexism, slave trade, discrimination, drugs and unfaithfulness. One thing I particularly liked about this book is that it contains no sex, so I'd feel comfortable with older children/teens reading it.  There is a lot of kissing and a bit of rolling around on the bed... but the heroine is a virgin and it's not considered a negative thing.

So yes, I enjoyed it enough to keep buying the next book to see what happened next.  It's not a difficult read, and I could read a book in a day or two.

The Aliomenti Saga

I was talking to a friend yesterday about what books I have read recently that I couldn't put down. Instantly my mind came to The Aliomenti Saga by Alex Albrinck, Author.

It is described on Amazon as "A sprawling blend of science fiction, high technology, and fantasy, The Aliomenti Saga traces the rise and proliferation of a secret group of supernaturally gifted men and women through the life of their most dynamic member, Will Stark." and is full of twists and turns that kept you engaged throughout the whole series.

It's a page-turner from the very start, which begins "Will Stark is a phenomenally successful businessman, happily married, with a young son he adores. When he arrives home on his 35th birthday, he finds the guards to his gated community murdered, his home ablaze with his family inside, and his life nearly ended by those responsible. Will is immersed in the culture of the Alliance, a splinter group of the Aliomenti. He'll learn their secrets... and more about himself and his destiny than he ever imagined possible."

The first three books are currently free on Amazon:

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