J. Lloyd Morgan's Blog, page 24
October 7, 2011
Review of "The Hidden Sun" by Katelyn Torrey
This review comes from Katelyn Torrey. She had some wonderful things to say about The Hidden Sun.
"This story came as such a wonderful surprise to me. I am fascinated with stories of far away kingdoms, princesses, and knights (or in the case of this book, guardians). Every author who writes about these far away places seems to bring something new to the table and that is most certainly true with J. Lloyd Morgan!
The characters in this book were rich, vibrant, and so full of life. There are so many characters that you are introduced to in a short amount of time but J. Lloyd Morgan does a phenomenal job introducing us to each and every one. With quirky names to match their quirky personality traits, I seemed to recognize every character with ease. I knew Rinan was a strong, protective, kind man. I knew Eliana was vibrant and full of life. I could tell from the very beginning just how sinister Abrecan could be. I was able to understand where all the characters were coming from and that made this super interesting. The awkward characters like Bertram made me laugh quite frequently. The evil characters like Abrecan, easily made my skin crawl. And then there are the lovely characters of Eliana, Rinan, Rayne, and Sunshine. They were such a joy to learn about, I loved meeting each and every one of them.
The story held my interest the whole entire time which is a huge plus! There were action scenes, mystery and romance, basically everything I need in a good book. The author keeps us on top of our toes by switching from character to character. Just when something big and epic is about to be revealed, J. Lloyd Morgan will flip to a different scene. While this would annoy me in many other stories, I found it added so much to The Hidden Sun!
On top of great characters and an interesting plot line, J. Lloyd Morgan did a PHENOMENAL job with his attention to detail. I could picture the characters in my mind. I could see the grand halls and tapestries of the castle. I could imagine the competitions playing out in my head. J. Lloyd Morgan did so well describing everything in his story that it was almost like a mental movie in my head while reading it!
In the end, I am so happy that I was able to read this book. At a first glance, I thought it was something I'd enjoy but I never would have guessed I'd love it this much.Beautiful, enchanting characters, a twisting plot-line and vivid visuals, what is not to love?
I would love to thank J. Lloyd Morgan for allowing me to be a part of his blog tour! This book turned out to be a wonderful read and I can't wait to see what is next from him!"
No, thank YOU Katelyn for taking the time to read and review my book. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
For more on her blog, click .
"This story came as such a wonderful surprise to me. I am fascinated with stories of far away kingdoms, princesses, and knights (or in the case of this book, guardians). Every author who writes about these far away places seems to bring something new to the table and that is most certainly true with J. Lloyd Morgan!
The characters in this book were rich, vibrant, and so full of life. There are so many characters that you are introduced to in a short amount of time but J. Lloyd Morgan does a phenomenal job introducing us to each and every one. With quirky names to match their quirky personality traits, I seemed to recognize every character with ease. I knew Rinan was a strong, protective, kind man. I knew Eliana was vibrant and full of life. I could tell from the very beginning just how sinister Abrecan could be. I was able to understand where all the characters were coming from and that made this super interesting. The awkward characters like Bertram made me laugh quite frequently. The evil characters like Abrecan, easily made my skin crawl. And then there are the lovely characters of Eliana, Rinan, Rayne, and Sunshine. They were such a joy to learn about, I loved meeting each and every one of them.
The story held my interest the whole entire time which is a huge plus! There were action scenes, mystery and romance, basically everything I need in a good book. The author keeps us on top of our toes by switching from character to character. Just when something big and epic is about to be revealed, J. Lloyd Morgan will flip to a different scene. While this would annoy me in many other stories, I found it added so much to The Hidden Sun!
On top of great characters and an interesting plot line, J. Lloyd Morgan did a PHENOMENAL job with his attention to detail. I could picture the characters in my mind. I could see the grand halls and tapestries of the castle. I could imagine the competitions playing out in my head. J. Lloyd Morgan did so well describing everything in his story that it was almost like a mental movie in my head while reading it!
In the end, I am so happy that I was able to read this book. At a first glance, I thought it was something I'd enjoy but I never would have guessed I'd love it this much.Beautiful, enchanting characters, a twisting plot-line and vivid visuals, what is not to love?
I would love to thank J. Lloyd Morgan for allowing me to be a part of his blog tour! This book turned out to be a wonderful read and I can't wait to see what is next from him!"
No, thank YOU Katelyn for taking the time to read and review my book. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
For more on her blog, click .
October 6, 2011
Review of "Fall" by Jennifer Hurst
Julia D. Halstead (primarily known as JD) is something of a paradox. She's a project manager for a construction company, yet she wears high heels and carries a zebra striped purse. She shows the ability of commanding a room full of contractors bidding for a project, while at the same time finds herself turning to jelly when one of the well built, young and handsome contractors smiles at her. While she has never had any use for religion, things from the spiritual world have use for her.
Fall tells of JD's first solo assignment--renovating an old school house in the small town of Torrey, Utah into a bed and breakfast. The project will take several months. JD finds life in the small town a far cry from life in LA. Soon, construction is underway, and despite her better judgment, she becomes romantically involved with Matthew, one of her contractors. Little does she know that Matthew's interest in her isn't just romantic, but he needs her to carry out his devious plans.
I was delighted when I was asked to review this book. I met Jennifer at the August Authorama where she was enlisted to do facing painting. I was blown away by her talent, and even let her work her magic on my cheek! Here's a picture of her in action painting my daughter's face:
Imagine my surprise when I was told she was a writer as well. It's not fair for someone to be that talented!
Despite my previous experience with Jennifer, I wanted to make sure to write an honest review of her book. I'm happy to say that she has decided to update the cover from the copy that I got. The first cover wasn't bad, it just doesn't have the impact of the new cover.
One of the first things I noticed was the details of what a construction project manager does on a day to day basis. I was impressed because it added a level of credibility to the story and the main character. It wasn't until I finished the book that I learned that Jennifer once worked in the construction industry. So I applaud her with using the experience from her life in the book.
JD, as a character, is hard not to like. At 21 years old, she is trying to prove herself in what is primarily a man's world. But at the same time, she is also a woman who finds herself attracted to one of her contractors--something which is a bit of a no-no.
I didn't look at the back blurb of the book before I started reading. It's something of a habit of mine. Too often, I feel, the blurbs give too much away. While I don't think that is the case with Fall, I went into the book not knowing what to expect. For the beginning part of the book, it started to feel like a romance. There are a lot of descriptions of how JD feels about Matthew and the conflicting emotions that come from following her heart and trying to show her Grandpa (the owner of the company) that she is able to handle a project on her own.
The story then takes a left turn and introduces that things aren't what they appear. And no, I'm not going to spoil it for you. Suffice it to say, JD is given much more to handle than a construction project.
I honestly enjoyed reading Fall. I thought the characters were well defined and interesting. The chapters were short, and the story was limited to very few points of few which helped it move along well. Even being a man, I felt what JD was feeling--which isn't easy for an author to get me to do.
The story delves into some pretty dark places at times--not graphic in nature, but there were times where things became downright spooky and creepy. At the same time, there are heroic characters who give you someone to cheer for and bring hope to the events that surround JD.
Who would enjoy this book? I'd say its geared for more of a mature audience--not really for tweens. There isn't any bad language, nor are there graphic scenes of sex or violence, yet the emotions and events may be too much for younger readers.
Overall, I would like to congratulate Jennifer Hurst on a wonderful book. I wish you the best of success and I look forward to reading more of your work!
Here is something Jennifer Hurst is doing to encourage you to read the book (though this review should be encouragement enough. Ha!) She is holding a contest. Basically, you need to answer three questions.
These questions are:
1. Which Holiday did JD celebrate with Liu?
2. What was the name of the truck driver's wife?
3. Who was the police officer that pulled over Matthew and JD?
For complete rules, go to this .
For more on the author, click .
To order the book, click .
**Disclaimer: while I did receive a copy of this book to review for free, it in no way, shape or form influenced my opinion.**
Fall tells of JD's first solo assignment--renovating an old school house in the small town of Torrey, Utah into a bed and breakfast. The project will take several months. JD finds life in the small town a far cry from life in LA. Soon, construction is underway, and despite her better judgment, she becomes romantically involved with Matthew, one of her contractors. Little does she know that Matthew's interest in her isn't just romantic, but he needs her to carry out his devious plans.
I was delighted when I was asked to review this book. I met Jennifer at the August Authorama where she was enlisted to do facing painting. I was blown away by her talent, and even let her work her magic on my cheek! Here's a picture of her in action painting my daughter's face:
Imagine my surprise when I was told she was a writer as well. It's not fair for someone to be that talented!
Despite my previous experience with Jennifer, I wanted to make sure to write an honest review of her book. I'm happy to say that she has decided to update the cover from the copy that I got. The first cover wasn't bad, it just doesn't have the impact of the new cover.
One of the first things I noticed was the details of what a construction project manager does on a day to day basis. I was impressed because it added a level of credibility to the story and the main character. It wasn't until I finished the book that I learned that Jennifer once worked in the construction industry. So I applaud her with using the experience from her life in the book.
JD, as a character, is hard not to like. At 21 years old, she is trying to prove herself in what is primarily a man's world. But at the same time, she is also a woman who finds herself attracted to one of her contractors--something which is a bit of a no-no.
I didn't look at the back blurb of the book before I started reading. It's something of a habit of mine. Too often, I feel, the blurbs give too much away. While I don't think that is the case with Fall, I went into the book not knowing what to expect. For the beginning part of the book, it started to feel like a romance. There are a lot of descriptions of how JD feels about Matthew and the conflicting emotions that come from following her heart and trying to show her Grandpa (the owner of the company) that she is able to handle a project on her own.
The story then takes a left turn and introduces that things aren't what they appear. And no, I'm not going to spoil it for you. Suffice it to say, JD is given much more to handle than a construction project.
I honestly enjoyed reading Fall. I thought the characters were well defined and interesting. The chapters were short, and the story was limited to very few points of few which helped it move along well. Even being a man, I felt what JD was feeling--which isn't easy for an author to get me to do.
The story delves into some pretty dark places at times--not graphic in nature, but there were times where things became downright spooky and creepy. At the same time, there are heroic characters who give you someone to cheer for and bring hope to the events that surround JD.
Who would enjoy this book? I'd say its geared for more of a mature audience--not really for tweens. There isn't any bad language, nor are there graphic scenes of sex or violence, yet the emotions and events may be too much for younger readers.
Overall, I would like to congratulate Jennifer Hurst on a wonderful book. I wish you the best of success and I look forward to reading more of your work!
Here is something Jennifer Hurst is doing to encourage you to read the book (though this review should be encouragement enough. Ha!) She is holding a contest. Basically, you need to answer three questions.
These questions are:
1. Which Holiday did JD celebrate with Liu?
2. What was the name of the truck driver's wife?
3. Who was the police officer that pulled over Matthew and JD?
For complete rules, go to this .
For more on the author, click .
To order the book, click .
**Disclaimer: while I did receive a copy of this book to review for free, it in no way, shape or form influenced my opinion.**
October 5, 2011
The formula and stepping on toes
Let me apologize up front if I step on anyone's toes with this blog. As with all my blogs that I write, what's written here is my opinion. I've become more involved in the writing community since the release of The Hidden Sun. I've made some excellent new friends and I've learned so much. There are all sorts of resources out there for authors. In fact, I've never met a bunch of people so willing to help each other.                              What people enjoy reading is highly subjective. Some people enjoy reading books that are very descriptive about the setting. Others enjoy character driven stories, while others focus on the plot. And then there are those who read a book as if it were an essay submitting to a college professor for grading. That's all good, and I'm not going to judge anyone for what they enjoy reading.                To that end, a lot of advice given from fellow authors focuses around some or all of the different aspects I noted above. Based on the reviews of The Hidden Sun, and including my own preferences in what I read and write, I'd say my style is more character and plot driven. Setting is in the background--admittedly, perhaps too much at times. Technically speaking, that is my weakest area. Thank goodness for excellent editors!
                          And now where I step on some toes. Over the last few weeks, I've run across a few articles and books outlining how a novel should be written for it to be successful. By this, I mean, these reference materials breakdown at what point during the book should you do this or that. (Examples: introducing a conflict, adding a twist, introducing a new character, and so forth.) In one case, the writer of the article actually referred to it as a "formula".                When I was learning to become a TV newscast director at BYU, we would have guest speakers from various fields to talk to us. I recall one news director of a local TV station relate this story:                       "When I took over as the news director, our station was last place in ratings. I asked the people who worked there why they thought that was the case. They didn't know. One person spoke up and said, 'I don't understand it. We watch other newscasts and we're doing everything they are doing.' You see, that was the problem. It's not enough to do what everyone else is doing. You need to do something different to stand out and be successful."                A comment I hear over and over about The Hidden Sun is that is it different from what people expected, and that it doesn't seem to follow "the formula". My response? GOOD! I wrote it knowing it was different. In the end, the reviews have been very positive.                So, as a fellow author who is still learning his craft, may I humbly suggest that you learn all you can from other authors, but in the end, write your own story. Don't follow a "formula", don't be predictable, do the unexpected. Only then, will you truly stand out among your peers.
                          And now where I step on some toes. Over the last few weeks, I've run across a few articles and books outlining how a novel should be written for it to be successful. By this, I mean, these reference materials breakdown at what point during the book should you do this or that. (Examples: introducing a conflict, adding a twist, introducing a new character, and so forth.) In one case, the writer of the article actually referred to it as a "formula".                When I was learning to become a TV newscast director at BYU, we would have guest speakers from various fields to talk to us. I recall one news director of a local TV station relate this story:                       "When I took over as the news director, our station was last place in ratings. I asked the people who worked there why they thought that was the case. They didn't know. One person spoke up and said, 'I don't understand it. We watch other newscasts and we're doing everything they are doing.' You see, that was the problem. It's not enough to do what everyone else is doing. You need to do something different to stand out and be successful."                A comment I hear over and over about The Hidden Sun is that is it different from what people expected, and that it doesn't seem to follow "the formula". My response? GOOD! I wrote it knowing it was different. In the end, the reviews have been very positive.                So, as a fellow author who is still learning his craft, may I humbly suggest that you learn all you can from other authors, but in the end, write your own story. Don't follow a "formula", don't be predictable, do the unexpected. Only then, will you truly stand out among your peers.
October 4, 2011
Review of "The Hidden Sun" by Chioma Nwuzi
This review comes from Chioma Nwuzi on her blog reviews.
Here are some of Chioma's comments:
"Definitely the epitome of fairy tales of the modern time. J. Lloyd Morgan weaves together a intrigue filled plot with enough twists, characters, and romance to keep you engaged until the very last page.
This book right from the beginning reminded me of a modern fairytale. All the little quirks and schemes presented in true fairytale fashion and I definitely love the fact that the story was one that could bring back the classics of a fairytale, yet keep its own original plot to it. The way I read it from the synopsis on various websites and on the back of the book, I thought I had a pretty good idea of how the story was going to begin, and I was ready to let the plot run its course. But that really is not how it went at all.
The romance plays a big role in this book especially since there is more than one romantic intermingling going on. I adore the fact the book actually went against the typical "princesses and princes fall in love" romantic theme and made it a little more...forbidden. I mean really, who can resist forbidden romance.
Those who were fans of the fairytales of back in the and of course all out there who just can't resists a forbidden romance, The Hidden Sun is the one to read!"
Thank you for taking the time to read and review the book Chioma Nwuzi.
Here are some of Chioma's comments:
"Definitely the epitome of fairy tales of the modern time. J. Lloyd Morgan weaves together a intrigue filled plot with enough twists, characters, and romance to keep you engaged until the very last page.
This book right from the beginning reminded me of a modern fairytale. All the little quirks and schemes presented in true fairytale fashion and I definitely love the fact that the story was one that could bring back the classics of a fairytale, yet keep its own original plot to it. The way I read it from the synopsis on various websites and on the back of the book, I thought I had a pretty good idea of how the story was going to begin, and I was ready to let the plot run its course. But that really is not how it went at all.
The romance plays a big role in this book especially since there is more than one romantic intermingling going on. I adore the fact the book actually went against the typical "princesses and princes fall in love" romantic theme and made it a little more...forbidden. I mean really, who can resist forbidden romance.
Those who were fans of the fairytales of back in the and of course all out there who just can't resists a forbidden romance, The Hidden Sun is the one to read!"
Thank you for taking the time to read and review the book Chioma Nwuzi.
October 1, 2011
Review of "The Hidden Sun" by Rachel Hoyt
Rachel Hoyt has posted a review for The Hidden Sun on her blog . What did she think of the book? Well, she gave it 4.5 stars (out of 5) so, I'm very pleased she enjoyed it.
Here are some of her comments:
"There are so many things I loved about the book. First, the plot. Oh, the plot the plot the plot. I wanted to die. There were lots of twists and turns, and things just kept happening that I didn't expect.
And the characters! Our villain, Abrecan, is just purely and insanely evil and power hungry. You will love to hate him. Eliana and Rinan are utterly adorable, but I especially loved Rayne. A girl can't help but swoon over such a guy. He stands up for the innocent and endangered, helps old women, and can fight to boot. Governor Nash was a fun character to read, always with a quip flouncing authority.
The Hidden Sun is a classic tale of good and evil. There is no magic afoot or dragons smoldering, just good ole human nature. This is the first book in a trilogy, with the second novel, The Waxing Moon, coming out next year.
The Hidden Sun is a hidden revelation; a chivalric novel well worth your time."
The full review can be found .
Thank you Rachel!
Here are some of her comments:
"There are so many things I loved about the book. First, the plot. Oh, the plot the plot the plot. I wanted to die. There were lots of twists and turns, and things just kept happening that I didn't expect.
And the characters! Our villain, Abrecan, is just purely and insanely evil and power hungry. You will love to hate him. Eliana and Rinan are utterly adorable, but I especially loved Rayne. A girl can't help but swoon over such a guy. He stands up for the innocent and endangered, helps old women, and can fight to boot. Governor Nash was a fun character to read, always with a quip flouncing authority.
The Hidden Sun is a classic tale of good and evil. There is no magic afoot or dragons smoldering, just good ole human nature. This is the first book in a trilogy, with the second novel, The Waxing Moon, coming out next year.
The Hidden Sun is a hidden revelation; a chivalric novel well worth your time."
The full review can be found .
Thank you Rachel!
September 28, 2011
Pet Peeves
I don't have a pet named Peeves--although, that would be a really good name for a dog now that I think about it. Keep in mind, this is from a man who named his little terrier-poodle mix "Armageddon". (He was so little, he needed a big name)
I do, however, have things that bother me, though I can't always explain why. In my years of management experience, I've always tried to teach the principle of "you can't always choose how you will emotionally react to something, but you can choose how you will act on those emotions."
I did some research and found some common pet peeves. From those, I noted some that I share with other people.
These include:
People who don't use their turn signal.
Let me be upfront about this: I don't trust turn signals. Just because someone has their turn signal on, doesn't mean they will actually be turning. However, when I'm at a stop light in one of those lanes that can turn or go straight, and the person doesn't turn their signal on until after the light turns green, it bothers me.
Being asked my telephone number/account number after I already entered in using the keypad on my phone.
This annoys me almost as much as listening to about every automated message start with "Please listen carefully because our menu options have changed."
Hand in hand with this one is the automated messages that "act" like you are talking to a real person. For example when they say, "Please wait a moment while I look up your information" and then you hear the recording of someone typing on a keyboard.
The plastic packaging that requires a degree in engineering to open.
IÂ can't count how many times I've cut my fingers on these types of packages.
Finding the end of a program hasn't recorded because its starting time was pushed back due to sports coverage running long.
This has gotten better over the years with DVR technology, but dang, for a while there, I would always allow extra time when recording things Saturday or Sunday evenings.
When someone leaves a voice message and they speak their phone number so fast there is no way you can get it from one listen.
Maybe it's just the dyslexic person in me, but I really struggle with this one.
Texting while driving
For heaven's sake! You are in control of a large moving object. Why not just put a blindfold over your eyes while you're driving. It's almost as safe.
People who blog about Pet Peeves
Oh, wait. . .
I do, however, have things that bother me, though I can't always explain why. In my years of management experience, I've always tried to teach the principle of "you can't always choose how you will emotionally react to something, but you can choose how you will act on those emotions."
I did some research and found some common pet peeves. From those, I noted some that I share with other people.
These include:
People who don't use their turn signal.
Let me be upfront about this: I don't trust turn signals. Just because someone has their turn signal on, doesn't mean they will actually be turning. However, when I'm at a stop light in one of those lanes that can turn or go straight, and the person doesn't turn their signal on until after the light turns green, it bothers me.
Being asked my telephone number/account number after I already entered in using the keypad on my phone.
This annoys me almost as much as listening to about every automated message start with "Please listen carefully because our menu options have changed."
Hand in hand with this one is the automated messages that "act" like you are talking to a real person. For example when they say, "Please wait a moment while I look up your information" and then you hear the recording of someone typing on a keyboard.
The plastic packaging that requires a degree in engineering to open.
IÂ can't count how many times I've cut my fingers on these types of packages.
Finding the end of a program hasn't recorded because its starting time was pushed back due to sports coverage running long.
This has gotten better over the years with DVR technology, but dang, for a while there, I would always allow extra time when recording things Saturday or Sunday evenings.
When someone leaves a voice message and they speak their phone number so fast there is no way you can get it from one listen.
Maybe it's just the dyslexic person in me, but I really struggle with this one.
Texting while driving
For heaven's sake! You are in control of a large moving object. Why not just put a blindfold over your eyes while you're driving. It's almost as safe.
People who blog about Pet Peeves
Oh, wait. . .
September 26, 2011
Book review of The Hidden Sun by Author Elizabeth Mueller
I'm very pleased to have the talented Author Elizabeth Mueller review The Hidden Sun. Not only does she have a book coming out on Oct 31 of this year called Darkspell, she did all the illustrations herself. (I would have tried something like that, but I doubt my stick figures would enhance my book.) For more on Elizabeth Mueller, you can check out her webpage .Here is what she had to say about The Hidden Sun: �
Whoa, this book knocked all 5 socks off of my feet!
I would leave it at that because that's how I felt after the experience of reading this wonderful novel.
Deception. Intrigue. Love.
A lovely princess dares defy the laws of the kingdom by a single act. From there, it's a wild roller coaster ride. No, it's not a pretty princess book. By far, but there is a true love story hidden within these pages.
I literally gripped the book and chewed my nails and held my breath as I read.
I groaned, angry with the author regarding the huge tangled mess he weaves in the tale, because I am so in love with his characters.
It was the hope of justice that drove me.
I wish I could let slip more detail, but the story must be tasted with your own eyes.
For more on her blog, click .
Thank you again to Elizabeth Mueller for taking time to read and review the book!
Whoa, this book knocked all 5 socks off of my feet!
I would leave it at that because that's how I felt after the experience of reading this wonderful novel.
Deception. Intrigue. Love.
A lovely princess dares defy the laws of the kingdom by a single act. From there, it's a wild roller coaster ride. No, it's not a pretty princess book. By far, but there is a true love story hidden within these pages.
I literally gripped the book and chewed my nails and held my breath as I read.
I groaned, angry with the author regarding the huge tangled mess he weaves in the tale, because I am so in love with his characters.
It was the hope of justice that drove me.
I wish I could let slip more detail, but the story must be tasted with your own eyes.
For more on her blog, click .
Thank you again to Elizabeth Mueller for taking time to read and review the book!
September 23, 2011
Review of The Hidden Sun by Mandi Slack
Author Mandi Slack (who wrote The Alias) reviewed The Hidden Sun and posted on her .
Here are some of the things she had to say:
"The Hidden Sun by J. Lloyd Morgan is definitely a book about good vs. evil. Set in the kingdom of Bariwon, Rinan is doing his best to be a loyal guardian and prove his skills with a sword. After winning a weekly sparring contest, Rinan is, however, stunned when he realizes that he is to become the princess's royal guardian. This is not a job he cares to take on, but as time passes his feelings toward the princess Eliana begin to change. They fall in love against their better judgment and soon they are forced to make a decision that will effect their lives and those they love forever.
I thought J. Lloyd Morgan's novel was a great read and a must for those who love fantasy, a little romance, a lot of action, and a bit of suspense. I enjoyed Morgan's writing style and I found his insight into human nature refreshing. His characters were well-developed and the plot moved along at a great pace. I would recommend The Hidden Sun to anyone. It was a clean, wholesome book with a beautiful cover. I give The Hidden Sun 4.5 out of 5 stars."
Her full blog can be accessed .
Here are some of the things she had to say:
"The Hidden Sun by J. Lloyd Morgan is definitely a book about good vs. evil. Set in the kingdom of Bariwon, Rinan is doing his best to be a loyal guardian and prove his skills with a sword. After winning a weekly sparring contest, Rinan is, however, stunned when he realizes that he is to become the princess's royal guardian. This is not a job he cares to take on, but as time passes his feelings toward the princess Eliana begin to change. They fall in love against their better judgment and soon they are forced to make a decision that will effect their lives and those they love forever.
I thought J. Lloyd Morgan's novel was a great read and a must for those who love fantasy, a little romance, a lot of action, and a bit of suspense. I enjoyed Morgan's writing style and I found his insight into human nature refreshing. His characters were well-developed and the plot moved along at a great pace. I would recommend The Hidden Sun to anyone. It was a clean, wholesome book with a beautiful cover. I give The Hidden Sun 4.5 out of 5 stars."
Her full blog can be accessed .
September 22, 2011
The Hidden Sun book review by Cindy M. Hogan
The next stop on the blog tour, or as they have also been called, "virtual book tour" is with author Cindy M. Hogan.
She is the author of Watched. For more information on her, you can visit her website .
Here is what she had to say about The Hidden Sun:
A beautiful princess.
A courageous hero.
A ruthless villain.
An impossible choice.
When Eliana and Rinan find a way to be together under the law, it would seem all would be well. Unfortunately, bad luck strikes again and again and again, allowing Abrecan to rule the kingdom and bring it into a steep decline. Rinan has one chance to right the wrong.
This is a fun read with a very satisfying ending. The characters are rich and you will love the ones you are supposed to love and despise the ones you should despise. This book is full of great description and you feel like you are there, in the story. With all the twists and turns woven into The Hidden Sun, near the end, I simply couldn't put it down. I had to find out how the hero was going to triumph when all seemed lost.
Click to be taken to her blog.
Thank you again Cindy!
She is the author of Watched. For more information on her, you can visit her website .
Here is what she had to say about The Hidden Sun:
A beautiful princess.
A courageous hero.
A ruthless villain.
An impossible choice.
When Eliana and Rinan find a way to be together under the law, it would seem all would be well. Unfortunately, bad luck strikes again and again and again, allowing Abrecan to rule the kingdom and bring it into a steep decline. Rinan has one chance to right the wrong.
This is a fun read with a very satisfying ending. The characters are rich and you will love the ones you are supposed to love and despise the ones you should despise. This book is full of great description and you feel like you are there, in the story. With all the twists and turns woven into The Hidden Sun, near the end, I simply couldn't put it down. I had to find out how the hero was going to triumph when all seemed lost.
Click to be taken to her blog.
Thank you again Cindy!
September 21, 2011
The Hidden Sun book review by Dawn Vanniman
The first stop on the blog tour is a review by Dawn Vanniman from her blog .
She wrote:
"THE HIDDEN SUN is a wonderfully crafted fairytale. There's a Princess, forbidden love, an evil overlord and a happy ending. What more could you ask for?
The plot moves along quickly and has great twists and turns. I was a little worried that it would be high fantasy at first, but it wasn't at all. It was a lovely story and one that I could easily imagine the author telling his four daughters.
The characters were well-written with their own voices. A few of the names were groan-worthy, but cute, nonetheless. Ofcourse in most fairytales the names mean something and they help the story along, the same is true here.
The plot revolves around the Book of Law and how it is interpreted, which was definitely interesting. It makes you think of our Constitution and how different groups use it to prove what they want proved.
All in all, a great book and I highly recommend it!"
I got a kick out of the comment about some of the names being "groan-worthy". But heck, if there can be a Princess Buttercup in The Princess Bride, then I think it's ok to have a character named Sunshine. *winks*
Thank you Dawn for your honest review!
She wrote:
"THE HIDDEN SUN is a wonderfully crafted fairytale. There's a Princess, forbidden love, an evil overlord and a happy ending. What more could you ask for?
The plot moves along quickly and has great twists and turns. I was a little worried that it would be high fantasy at first, but it wasn't at all. It was a lovely story and one that I could easily imagine the author telling his four daughters.
The characters were well-written with their own voices. A few of the names were groan-worthy, but cute, nonetheless. Ofcourse in most fairytales the names mean something and they help the story along, the same is true here.
The plot revolves around the Book of Law and how it is interpreted, which was definitely interesting. It makes you think of our Constitution and how different groups use it to prove what they want proved.
All in all, a great book and I highly recommend it!"
I got a kick out of the comment about some of the names being "groan-worthy". But heck, if there can be a Princess Buttercup in The Princess Bride, then I think it's ok to have a character named Sunshine. *winks*
Thank you Dawn for your honest review!
