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"I do not think it is a question of where, but when." were the words that Charis left my mother with thirty years ago when I disappeared from Meric . . . before I was born.

Shortly after being sent back I've been attacked by man-eating Vaipes. I've learned that my father was a power wielding Guardian. I've discovered that the silvery-blue eyes intriguing me my entire life belong to my Watcher, Shaw who is without a doubt the most handsome man I have ever seen. And somehow I need to stop a war mongering tyrant who can manipulate people's thoughts.

So my question isn't where or when. It is how? How can I help the people of Meric when I can't stop myself from falling in love?

199 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 30, 2010

2 people are currently reading
44 people want to read

About the author

Jennifer Hartz

22Ìýbooks14Ìýfollowers
Jennifer Hartz is the author of over a dozen novels spanning the speculative genres and covering multiple age ranges. From demon-fighting teen superheroes, to fantasy lands with mythical creates, to Biblical historical fiction, Jennifer runs the gambit with the tales she weaves. Formally an eductor, Jennifer now spends her days homeschooling her children. Recently, she’s donned the hat of Editor-in-Chief for Shelves of Shalom Publishing. Outside of writing, editing, and teaching, Jennifer loves spending time with her family, in depth Torah and Bible studies, conspiracy theory rabbit holes, everything Irish, and (even though the NFL is most likely rigged) watching Pittsburgh Steelers football. Learn more about Jennifer at her website:

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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Sara.
217 reviews25 followers
June 17, 2012
Look at the review from my book blog

How can I start this review? Conception was certainly one of the book I loved the most this month!! I found it so original and full of amazing characters that it was impossible to face a week of exams, having this book waiting for me!

The first original thing that I found was Christina, a THIRTY years old physical education teacher! Maybe this sounds strange to me because I haven't read many books yet in my short life but, she was not the ordinary brave teenager. One day, the day of her thirtieth birthday, while she was having lunch, she's suddenly transported into a new world: Meric. There, she immediately met Shaw, her guardian, who had always protected her during her whole life, and Charis, her real mother's most loyal friend. Yes, I wrote real mother on purpose: infact Christina will be informed that her real homeland had always been Meric,and that she was not the daughter of the family she used to live with in Pittsburgh. Her real mother was the queen of the elfs; she had been teleported to Pittsburgh to protect her from a looming threat, Leticia, who wanted to subjugate the peoples of Meric.But now Meric needs her, the Savior, the only one who can stop Leticia from destroying everything.

I don't think there was actually something I didn't like about this book; it was full-packed with action moments, emotional events and well-developed characters. I was completely stunned by the infinite imagination of the author who created a completely new world, populated by all sorts of imaginary creatures. I don't want to spoiler too much, because this book really needs to be read, but, you really can find everything in it: waterkins, giants, warriors, elves, dwarves and so on!
The most beautiful thing was that the author widely described not only their physical appearances perfectly, but also tried to give us the idea of how each of them lived and the difference between the political/social organisation of these extraordinary creatures.At least one member of each mythological race was part of the protagonist's escort and each one of them had a different personality. At the end of the story you, unconsciously, grow fond of each of them.
Beside the amazing ambientation and the characters I also enjoyed the harshness of the several battles that appear in the book. I noticed that every time there was a fight you could actually feel that something was changing: some of the charaters were forced to grow up, some of them lost their lives to save others and, the worst moment of all, when the battles had ended, the sense of lost for some of the dead characters. I really couldn't imagine I could have been so involved in this book.
Moreover I'm sure everyone will love so far the tough love story between the (too) handsome Shaw and Christina; could he fall in love with the girl he's supposed to protect? Could she fall in love with her guardian? Certainly the hard circumstances won't leave them time to clarify their feelings: they need to fight Leticia, there's no time for love.
I'm sure the ending will leave everyone of you speechless; will Christina remain forever in Meric? I'm afraid not.

Future Savior was a fantastic new discovery for me; I should thank the author a million times for offering me the possibility to get to know this amazing new world. And well, I'm looking forward to see how she will develop this wonderful series and of course, I'll purchase book 2 as soon as possible!!

For those of you who loves fantasy books this is a must read, trust me! ;D
Profile Image for Victoria Smith.
AuthorÌý51 books512 followers
March 30, 2012
Amazing tale here, my friends! This book I really enjoyed. The romantic tension is amazing between the characters of Christina and Shaw and the world building is amazing. I love that we take an ordinary girl from Pittsburg and drop her into the fantasy world of Meric! It was such a fun read and really interesting to see such a funny character and her reactions to this new world and being the savior of it. I can't wait to see more :)
Profile Image for Caitlyn Santi.
AuthorÌý4 books97 followers
June 3, 2012
The authors imagination and passion leaps not only from the pages but from every single word of this mesmerizing read! Christina is such a believable and realistic character and the author is so talented that I could feel everything, every emotion, every plot twist, every struggle in this story so strongly it was as if I was living it myself! In fact when Christina had no one to spend her birthday with, my initial instinct was to call her up and invite her to go to the movies or something, because I could feel how lonely she was! And I really wanted to be a friend to her! Christina's reaction to arriving in Meric is very realistic, I loved watching her change from being a worldly, slightly cynical character to starting to become the woman she was intended to be throughout the course of the novel.

The land of Meric is beautifully created by Jennifer, it blends gorgeous landscapes and fabulous characters that you fall in love with instantly, with things that are considered impossible in our world such as green chickens, elves, unicorns etc. It is also fascinating because you do not know where Meric is in relation to America and whether it is the same year there as it is here or if by going to Meric you are time traveling. To me it felt like a mixture of The chronicles of Narnia and Alice in wonderland but with a story and history all it's own.

As a horse lover I loved all of the different horses that exist in Meric, this includes unicorns that were written so wonderfully that I could picture them standing before me. I also appreciated that all the horses have names, and that the characters refer to them by their name instead of referring to them as 'the horse'.

The romance is very tender and touching. It was a very interesting twist on the traditional love story in that the heroine has known the hero her whole life without realizing it.

Words cannot begin to describe Shaw's awesomeness, so I will just say that I admired his modesty and humility. Plus he drinks tea, any man who drinks tea is okay in my book! Needless to say I found myself falling for him.

Another thing that makes Conception absolutely perfect is the underlying message that God is in control, Jennifer wrote this in a way that I as a strong christian loved, but it was definitely not preachy so I don't think anybody would find it offensive. Jennifer's attention to detail was wonderful and I loved that she provided details and logistics (for example what Shaw had to do to avoid drawing attention to himself in America as he 'watched' Christina) that many authors don't bother to include in their stories.
I also love a Good vs Evil battle and I love scenes that occur in thunder storms. I must stop myself now to keep from giving away too much of the plot.

I know this review is all 'pros', but I honestly could not find a single 'con' in this story, it is absolutely flawless! I could go on forever about how amazingly incredible Conception is, it truly is a must read, and I cannot wait to read the next book! With five books in the Future Savior Series I am psyched at getting to spend a lot more time with these beloved characters in the enchanting and mesmerizing world of Meric.

I give Conception: Future Savior Series book one, 5 stars!
On second thought scratch that... because Conception really deserves all the stars in the sky!! Jennifer Hartz knocked my socks off and completely blew me away! I only wish I had more hands so I could give it more than two thumbs up!!! Read it and you'll see, it is superb!





I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review but simply to express my feelings and opinions of this book. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
Profile Image for Fred Warren.
AuthorÌý22 books15 followers
August 13, 2012
Christina Vaughn is having a bad day. She's just turned 30 and feels as if she's peering over a cliff into the abyss of spinsterhood, doomed to spend the rest of her productive life teaching phys-ed at a Pittsburgh high school. Some birthday. No date, no prospects, no family, nothing in store but a silent, lonely meal in a cheap café.

Then a wave of vertigo overwhelms her in the café's bathroom, and she finds herself in a green, forested world full of strange people and fantastical creatures. It's like she's stepped into a dream torn from the pages of a fantasy novel.

People are calling her the Savior, their only hope against an evil queen threatening to overwhelm the world with her army of monsters. Christina isn't sure what to make of all this, until she discovers that she isn't dreaming, and this strange yet familiar new world, Meric, is her true home. She was whisked away through time as an infant to grow up in safety, watched and guarded in secret by a shape-changing warrior, but now it's time for her to fulfill the prophecy that has destined her to become Meric's champion. Christina has a legacy of incredible power, but she'll have to master it quickly if she's going to save Meric and live to tell the tale.

Her new friends think she's the answer to their prayers. Her enemies are terrifying--and they want her dead. Living single in Pittsburgh suddenly doesn't seem like such an awful fate.

Conception is Jennifer Hartz' first novel and the first volume in her Future Savior series. It's an entertaining story blending elements of fantasy, science fiction, romance, and Christian allegory. I found the worldbuilding reminiscent of Terry Brooks' Shannara novels as Christina gradually discovered the nature and history of Meric. The setup will seem very familiar to readers of both speculative and Christian fiction, but Ms. Hartz also made some fresh and unusual choices which I enjoyed, and the melding of different genre elements kept me interested. Characters were interesting and likable, though I felt they could have benefited from more depth and complexity. This being the first volume of five, with lots of groundwork being laid and introductions happening all around, I expect there will be more emphasis on character development in the books to come.

The story is told from Christina's point-of-view in first-person narrative, which provided a more personal and urgent tone, but it also caused a few discontinuities as we jumped about in time. The romantic aspects of the story felt a bit like schoolgirl gushing now and again, which didn't seem age-appropriate for Christina, but I admit I'm ill-equipped to comment on the secret musings of a maiden's heart. Ahem.

I thought Ms. Hartz handled the action scenes well, and Christina's application of her evolving powers to the battlefield was both ingenious and logical. There were some interesting and surprising plot twists, including a decent cliffhanger at the end that provided strong motivation to continue to the next volume in the series.

All-in-all, a fun read by a promising, imaginative new author. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Another nice touch--Ms. Hartz is donating a portion of her royalties from the Future Savior series to the A21 Campaign, an organization involved in the fight against human trafficking.

>>This review is based upon an electronic copy of the book provided to me free of charge by the publisher, a courtesy I appreciate, but which does not guarantee my recommendation. I strive to evaluate every book I review purely on its intrinsic merits.<<
Profile Image for Bekah.
301 reviews10 followers
May 4, 2016
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY ON MY BLOG FOR A CHANCE TO WIN 1 OF 3 E-COPIES OF CONCEPTION BY JENNIFER HARTZ!! HURRY, GIVEAWAY ENDS 7/23/2014 AT MIDNIGHT.


Christina Vaughn is just a normal woman leading a fairly normal life. She lives alone in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and teaches high school. A day that starts off like any other quickly changes her life when Christina is transported to the magical land of Meric, along with a man with piercing blue eyes she recognizes. She soon learns that the blue-eyed man is her Watcher, the father she never knew was a great Guardian King, she has inherited powers, and apparently she was also destined to save them all. With fierce battles, strategic training, budding romance, beautiful and mysterious lands, captivating new friends, and epic fantasy adventures� Conception will take you on a ride you won’t want to leave.

I’m a big fan of fantasy and sci-fi movies/shows/books such as The Chronicles of Narnia, Star Wars, and Once Upon a Time. I knew as soon as I read the description to this book that I was going to like this series and I was wrong. I loved it! It’s definitely one of my new favorite fantasy series!

I am usually not a fan of the first person narrative� probably because I’ve had quite a few bad experiences with other books. Conception was definitely the exception for me� it was highly engaging and I truly felt like I was reading more than just an account of someone’s life, which is how I normally feel about the narrative, and more like I was reading it as it was happening. I very much enjoyed the writing style and am really excited to read more from the very talented Jennifer Hartz! Another big high point from this book was the charismatic, well-developed characters. I immediately loved Christina and her almost snarky sense of humor. Blue-eyed Shaw was just as lovable with his warrior skills, protectiveness, and obvious affection he held for Christina. The romance was totally swoon worthy... *sigh*. I also should mention that I had a couple of late nights where I just couldn’t stop reading this book long enough to sleep!

Perhaps the only thing I didn’t love about this book was that while there was a large emphasis on a loving Creator that I really appreciated, there was also some dark undertones to the story that unnerved me a bit (e.g. mystical creatures and phenomena) and reminded me of my bittersweet feelings for Narnia. I loved the fantasy story and the idea of it, but not necessarily all the things it came with, if that makes any sense.

Conception is a fast-paced, wildly captivating, addicting, and epic fantasy adventure that will truly transport your imagination right into the fantastical land of Meric. You will love the romantic tension, beautifully imagined setting, and heart-pounding action and adventure! I need need need to see what happens next in book two. In fact, I don’t think I’ll be able to concentrate on anything else until I get my hands on it! If you are a fan of fantasy, adventure, romance, or just a really engaging story that will put you on the edge of your seat, I recommend you check out Conception and The Future Savior series ASAP!

**I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are completely my own.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY ON MY BLOG FOR A CHANCE TO WIN 1 OF 3 E-COPIES OF CONCEPTION BY JENNIFER HARTZ!! HURRY, GIVEAWAY ENDS 7/23/2014 AT MIDNIGHT.
Profile Image for Andrea.
46 reviews10 followers
Read
June 3, 2013
Thrown into a world full of green chickens and unicorn horses, Christina Vaughn is thrust from the present day world into the reality of Meric. Taken from it thirty years ago to protect her from an evil queen, Christina is the princess of Northern Meric. Hailed to be the "savior" she is suppose to be able to have powers similar to her deceased father, King Davis. But having been raised in a world with nothing magical, Christina clueless. In Jennifer Hartz's first Future Savior book, Conception readers become introduced to flurry of creatures and characters. And are enticed by the romance, and the journey that Christina must make to become the prohesized "savior".

Unable to basically defend herself in Meric, Christina has to rely on a man she never known in actuality except for his blue eyes. Shaw, Christina's Watcher with these silver-bleu eyes, has been her protector since conception. And has been following her since, even being transported with her into the present and back to Meric again. Due to Shaw's ability to shape shift he has been a teacher, student, and many other individuals throughout Christina's life making sure she was safe. When Shaw is revealed to her in his true identity, Christina is immediately taken with him and his blue eyes.

Reality soon settles in though that Christina is not here just for fun and games. But, to save a land that neither have been to in thirty years. Shaw, a great warrior of the elves, is gladly welcomed back to Meric for his skills in battle are hailed throughout the land. Christina, however, is expected by the communities of northern Meric to save a land she's never actually stepped foot in, until now. And it might be a little too much pressure for someone that has only handled teaching health and physical education her whole life. Guided by a handful of other charactres and a seer named Charis, Christina must some how gain the courage and ability to fight an evil queen. One that killed her father, destroyed her home, and that will kill Christina at all costs.

Conception by Jennifer Hartz is an original romance fantasy that will intrigue readers to continue past the first book and dive into the series. An enjoyable change to the typical fantasy, Christina's journey shows more than just a developing of her own power and romance. But also how her ability to cope with her surroundings will lead her to plausible victory. The Future Savior series also has several other published books, including: Resurrection, Evacuation, and Desecration.
Profile Image for Renee.
794 reviews
April 27, 2012
Christina, a teacher from Pittsburgh, enjoying her dinner at the local greasy spoon suddenly finds herself in the magical land of Meric where dwarfs, elves, and kindly giants are battling an evil queen and her army of Vaipes (basically zombies, EEK!) for control. Little does Christina know that she holds the key to saving the entire world and that the land of Meric could hold the key to her heart. With characters like Shaw, Christina's Watcher guardian and a spectacular fantasy kingdom that showcases Ms. Hartz's vivid imagination, Conception is a book for anyone who likes fairy tales, sci-fi, fantasy and so on.

So here goes. I haven't been reading a lot of fantasy lately. The last fantasy book I read left me completely underwhelmed so I was a bit skittish about accepting another book in the genre when my schedule was already so jam-packed but, boy, am I glad I did! Not only was Conception partially set in Pittsburgh (best place in the USA) Franco Harris was also mentioned and the hero in the book was a total stud muffin! Did I mention the story actually kept my attention and I didn't have to keep flipping back and forth to keep the characters straight in my head?

The conclusion of this book left me hanging so I am definitely happy that books two and three are readily available. It will be interesting to see what Christina has to do to save her kingdom and what will develop between her and Mr. Hottie (yeah, that's what I call Shaw). There is violence and some mild language (don't worry, no four letter words) that might not be suitable for the younger reader but this has sort of a young adult fiction feel that older teens, not just adults, can enjoy too. With a little more concise editing this book could be a five star read.

NOTE: This book is only available in digital format so you will need an e-reader, smart phone, PC or Mac to read this.

~ My Rating: 4 stars ~

*I received my complimentary PDF copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting this honest review.*
Profile Image for Lena.
AuthorÌý1 book53 followers
September 25, 2015
Conception

"I do not think it is a question of where, but when." were the words that Charis left my mother with thirty years ago when I disappeared from Meric . . . before I was born.

Shortly after being sent back I've been attacked by man-eating Vaipes. I've learned that my father was a power wielding Guardian. I've discovered that the silvery-blue eyes intriguing me my entire life belong to my Watcher, Shaw who is without a doubt the most handsome man I have ever seen. And somehow I need to stop a war mongering tyrant who can manipulate people's thoughts.

So my question isn't where or when. It is how? How can I help the people of Meric when I can't stop myself from falling in love?
(Blurb from Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ)



Conception was an interesting read set in a beautiful fantasy world.

Characters

I thought the characters were pretty good. They were well developed and were all pretty lovable. There was one character that I didn't care for, but the rest were portrayed well.

Plot

The plot was very exciting. There was a lot of foreshadowing, which really makes me want to read the next one. The action was relatively fast-paced, and I enjoyed the battle scenes.

Overall thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. It has an exciting storyline, and the descriptions were lovely. I was appalled, however, by the apparent lack of any editing whatsoever. There were so many typos and misuses of words that it really distracted from what would have otherwise been a good book. I would like to advise anyone who is writing a book, please edit!

Would I recommend it? Yes, if you can get over the grammatical errors
Would I let my kids read it? Yes
Would I read the other books in the series? Yes, if only to find out what happens!

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Stephanie Burkhart.
AuthorÌý44 books417 followers
July 23, 2012
Hartz pens a story full of adventure and discovery with "Conception," book 1 of the Future Savior Series. Christina Vaughn is the daughter of one of Meric's Guardians. She possesses extraordinary powers, but is she truly the "savior" the citizens of Meric believe she is?

The novel is set in the fantasy land of Meric, though the heroine, Christina, has grown up on Earth. When she turns 30, she's transported to Meric where most think she is the "savior" who will bring peace to the land and defeat Leticia, the evil Guardian.

Shortly after her arrival, Christina sets upon a journey through Meric with her companions, Charis and Shaw. She meets dwarfs, fights vaipes, and finds a sanctuary with the elves. Christina also embarks on a journey of personal discovery, learning how to interpret her premonitions and use her telekinesis. Christina falls in love with Shaw, her watcher, but dare they have a future together knowing her destiny?

Hartz's writing style is engaging and easy to read. The story's pacing is pitch perfect and while the dialogue could have been tighter at times, capturing a bit more authentic fantasy feel, it did not take away from my overall enjoyment of the story. The descriptions never linger allowing the reader to paint vivid pictures of Meric in their mind.

The characters were interesting. Shaw is heroic and honorable � a true hero. Christina is accepting of her heritage. Her heart is open and she carries herself with true nobility once she begins her journey. The ending will leave the reader breathless.

The story is "sweet" for romance readers with Christina and Shaw exchanging meaningful looks and lingering touches. Overall, "Conception" promises to take the reader on the adventure of a lifetime and leave them anxiously awaiting the next installment. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Phyllis Wheeler.
AuthorÌý21 books32 followers
July 20, 2011
This book concerns Christina, who is somehow zapped from another world into ours as a fetus of four months. When she is born after five months� gestation at 8 lb, everyone thinks it’s strange, but they just shrug. Funny she doesn’t look like her parents at all. They’re blonde, she’s not. They’re short, she’s tall. So she grows up and becomes a high school physical education teacher. At the age of 30, she finds herself whisked to the other place, Meric. The people of Meric figure out who she is, a princess, and expect her to save them because of a prophecy about her. At first she rejects the idea, but comes to accept it. She does, after all, have some unusual powers–ability to move things around just by waving her hands, and premonitions of things that are just about to happen.

Of course there is a romantic interest, her bodyguard Shaw, who had shadowed her even in our world. And there is a very creepy bad guy with greater powers than hers who plans to kill her.

What do I think?

This book is not as polished as the books from mainstream publishers, but I don’t find that a big drawback for a good story. As the beginning of a series, it ties up one story thread and then begins another, ending with a cliff-hanger. I guess I can live with that. And Christina’s faith journey is not very evident yet, but the author assures me it will continue.

The story unfolds with good pacing and great characterization. There is a mystery at the root: where is the land of Meric, and how is it related to our world? Pretty cool. So, I recommend this book and would love to read the next one.
Profile Image for Debbie.
2,454 reviews4 followers
June 29, 2014
I am giving"Future Savior Book One: Conception" by Jennifer Hartz five stars! I must say that I am really surprised that I am because I don't usually like fantasy but the more I read this book the more I really liked it. The ending really makes me want to read book two in this series.
I have to be honest and also say I did have my doubts when I first started reading this, whether I would even be finishing it or not. The first event in the story was just too far out of my imagined. I mean how can a four month fetus be removed from it's mother's womb and replaced into another woman body, but it happened in this story!

Christina is a high school Physical Education and Health teacher who is suddenly transported to Meric and learns that most think she is the savior and who will bring peace to the land and defeat Leticia, the evil Guardian.

This book has references to the one True God, who Shaw believes in. Christina is falling in love with Shaw. Does Shaw love her also, or is he just keeping his promise to her father and mother to protect her? He has been her protector for thirty years, she just didn't know!

The story except for the event I have already mentioned is easily followed and the characters are described so well it's almost like you are there watching the scenes unfolding before your eyes!

The ending leaves this reader wanting to know more about these characters!

This book has war and evil and happiness and sadness. I really cannot wait to read the next book
"Future Savior Book Two: Ressurection" which is waiting on my kindle.
Profile Image for Once.
2,344 reviews80 followers
April 14, 2016
Conception: Book One of the Future Savior has just about everything. Time travel, a kingdom in distress, magic and a man who puts your life above everything and anything else …what’s not to like!

The heroine of Conception is Christina Vaughn, a thirty year old teacher with a seemingly normal life in Pittsburgh, PA. That is until she is transported to Meric, a strange land filled with elves, giants, dwarfs and unicorns. As she tries to come to grips with this strange land and how it plays a role in her past, present and future she also has to deal with her growing feelings for her friend and Watcher, Shaw. Their relationship however is on the outskirt of the story as both Christina and Shaw are bound by their duty to the people of Meric. After all, we are talking about the greater good here so love can wait. There are still four more books in the series so I am sure there are a lot more twist and turns their relationship has yet to face.

When I first got Conception to review I wondered if this was going to be preachy. I mean sure it looks like a fantasy book but it’s called Conception Book One of the Future Savior for crying out loud. So, yes there is a religious undertone; however Conception is not a book standing on a soapbox pounding out bible verses to tell a story. The Christian themes are there but they do not overshadow the story. That said the book is a very nice start to a series. Besides, the ending has a nice little twist which definitely made me want to keep reading.

Profile Image for Shawna Williams.
AuthorÌý6 books50 followers
October 17, 2010
Christina's ordinary life as a single thirty-year-old school teacher takes a twist when she is unexplainably transported from current day Pittsburgh to a mysterious place called Meric. There, she discovers great wonders; from the beauty of the land, to the secret of her birth and the magical powers she unknowingly possesses. She also learns why a pair of mesmerizing blue eyes has followed her throughout her life.

However, not all is glorious in the land of Meric. A dark evil threatens its people, an evil that thirty years earlier killed Christina's father and drove her into hiding before she was even born. Now that she has returned, Christina must fulfill her destiny or Meric will be doomed under evil's rule.

I can't believe this book was Jennifer Hartz's debut novel. It was pure adventure from start to finish. Jennifer masterfully weaves humor, mystery, action, and romance into a fantastic tale. The pacing is just perfect, dropping hints here and there as deep mysteries are unveiled. At the same time we get to know a host of delightful, well-rounded characters, who I grew to love. The tension builds and builds and I was literally holding my breath at the end.
This book is the first in a trilogy, and I will definitely get the next on the first day it releases. If you enjoy fantasy with elements of faith (Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, Kingdom of Arnhem) then you'll love this.
Profile Image for Melanie.
2,192 reviews591 followers
July 5, 2012
4.5 stars

Christina Vaughn's 30th birthday starts out normal enough (with her teaching the students in her class), but soon she finds herself somewhere bizarre - the Land of Meric.

With giants, unicorns, elves, and more, Meric is anything but ordinary and Christina is about to start a very interesting journey.

"Conception" was a great fantasy/speculative fiction novel! I enjoyed reading it almost right away and it definitely held my attention throughout.

The characters were great and I especially liked Shaw, Matthias (he was very funny) and Jonus (I wasn't sure what to think about him at first, but ended up really liking his character).

There were a few things I didn't like - mostly just words used (i.e. savior, messiah, etc.) and when "my G**" was said a couple of times - it didn't seem like the characters were talking to or about God, but just saying His Name.

That said, the story was great to read and I found it very interesting/enjoyable. If you enjoy reading fantasy/speculative fiction novels (with some romance), then I think you will enjoy "Conception". The ending leaves me really wanting to read "Resurrection" (book two in the "Future Savior" series).

*I won a Kindle copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a review, but I was asked if I would. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

Profile Image for Dani.
78 reviews6 followers
October 12, 2014
First up, that ending was torture. I NEED to know what happens next!

Anywho, about the book itself. It has pretty much all of my favorite genre's and they were woven into the story beautifully.
Romance, Time-Travel, Fantasy & Sci-fi. Awesomeness.

If I was only allowed one word to describe this book, it would be 'Intriguing'.
The world building was really interesting, especially the description of the different creatures and people, how different they are from our own world. They were written in such a way that wasn't over descriptive but you could picture them perfectly, as was the scenery and such.

Now, I adore the main character Christina. She's no whiny damsel in distress. She doesn't mope about, though she has a fair few moments of self doubt, she doesn't let that drag her down. It's fun to travel along with her, discover her new powers along with her and even drool after Shaw with her. ;)

The Creator aspect of the book was interesting too. I freely admit that I am not a Christian but I do believe that there is a higher power at work, I am also very open minded.
Although this book is Christian, I believe that anyone would enjoy this book as the main character is also not sure where her belief lies at the beginning and watching her slowly come to believe is quite lovely.

All in all, I believe this is a wonderful series & I can't wait to read the other books! Especially after that ending!
Profile Image for LynnMarie.
856 reviews79 followers
October 31, 2010
Clare's Review

Christina's life while not exciting is full filling. A High School PE teacher she is amused when one of her students asks her to the High School Prom, although she knocks back the request she can't get his blue eyes out of her mind. She's seen them before several times over the course of her life. That night she passes out in a restroom and wakens in a magical world to find she's not who she thought she was and her student isn't who she thought he was.

Russell is in fact Shaw, a shape shifter who has been watching over her the whole of her life. Transplanted into another woman's womb to keep her safe, Christina has been called to her homeland of Meric to save her people.

This story has everything a sci-fi or fantasy lover will enjoy. Elves, dwarves, (but not the ones Christina imagines from Earth culture) mythical creatures, not to mention green chickens and Biblical parallels, as Christina discovers who she is. The descriptions of Meric are wonderful, the country and it's people coming as alive as Tolkin's Middle Earth.

The first of a series of 4 books, this one ends on a cliff hanger. I shall definitely be looking out for the next one in the series. Well worth reading.



5 Tea Cups!

Profile Image for The Pen & Muse.
203 reviews9 followers
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November 19, 2011
Christina is happy to be a normal single woman in our world, but at thirty she is mysteriously transported to Meric, a world that holds the secret to her past and her destiny. A Romantic connection with the man who has been guarding her in our world all her life provides the salt to the meal, while the rest of the flavour is the well thought-out and original storyline.

This novel is everything an adventure story should be: it has interesting, likeable and well-rounded characters; a unique and captivating storyline; a fantasy world we love to imagine; and a pace that keeps you reading from start to finish!

Christina’s story is magical and romantic, while touches of humour and mystery keep you interested and wanting to read without putting the book down at all! Mythical creatures are the order of the day and a special drawcard for those who love fantasy novels, and the people and culture of Meric come alive in your imagination easily and with poignancy.

This novel is highly recommended if you’re looking for an entirely unique fantasy/science-fiction that plays with the Biblical parallels with ease and creativity. Being one of a four-part series, the novel ends on a bit of a cliff-hanger, but I am sure the wait for the next novel will be well worth it!
Profile Image for Laura A. Grace.
1,863 reviews267 followers
October 22, 2014
This was an interesting story to say the least! It definitely contained many different elements invoking romance, action, humor, surprise, and imagination by far.

When beginning to read I was super surprised to find that Christina was a 30 year old woman rather than a 17 year old teenager. For whatever reason I had gotten it in my mind that this was a YA novel with a younger heroine (not sure where I got this idea from). Since I had this expectation previously, it did take some time for me to actually really bond with Christina as it was hard for me to relate to her.

However, I really loved the world-building that Jennifer creates, especially the many different races. I think that was my favorite part of the entire novel was the different people Christina met as well as seeing the unique animals!

Overall, this was a good story that had fun characters with some romance and a huge amount of action. I am curious as to what is going to happen next since the ending was a huge cliff hanger!
Profile Image for Marylin.
1,221 reviews36 followers
January 25, 2016
If you enjoy books like, Lord of The Rings, by JR Tolken, Narnia, by CS Lewis, The Ryn, by Serena Chase, or River of Times, by Lisa T. Bergen, then you'll love this story!
There's action, suspense, time-travel, romance, and Good vs. Evil.
This book is packed with so much I couldn't put it down! I know I want to continue reading the series.
What will happen in the future.....or is it the past? I guess I'll just have to see.
Way to go Jennifer, I'm now a new fan!
Profile Image for Ashley.
162 reviews4 followers
March 24, 2012
The author does a beautiful job of slowly developing the characters and the plot. I was absolutely addicted from the beginning and finished all three books in the series in a couple days.
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