The Awakening of Leeowyn Blake by Mary Parker

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place to be when life comes a callin' and you want nothing more than a time out for reading.  Time out...granted!

Today, today...well, it's been a busy day!  Aside from the usual mayhem, I'm coming up on a few days off from both jobs (YAY!) which means relaxation in abundance but also the oh-my-goodness-do-I-have-everything-in-order-so-it-runs-smoothly panic.  So far, so good.  ^_^  Now, a quick reminder....CONTESTS CONTESTS CONTESTS CONTESTS CONTESTS galore now running on the site!  Several happening right now (one that ends tomorrow...hint hint) and more still to come (VERY soon)!  Don't miss your chance to get in on all the fun; check out the right hand side bar under Current Contests for all the links you need to know.  Now, back to today's post...

Today, we are going to explore a Young Adult ebook that came my way that sounded promising and turned into something so much more...plus it was chosen today for another reason.  Most of what happens centers around the main character's birthday, and guess who is celebrating a birthday today?  (hehe  ^_^)  So in the spirit of celebration and sharing all things bookish, let's take a look at today's book of choice....

The Awakening of Leeowyn Blake

by

Mary Parker

From the publisher...

I’m a normal teenager. I have a normal teenage life with normal teenage problems. The summer is my heaven. I live with my mom during the summer months. We stay in her tiny condo in Jacksonville, Florida. My parents split up when I was little. I’m not sure why. My mom never talks about it. Whatever it was, it was bad enough to make my mom pack me up in the middle of the night when I was four years old and run to my Gran’s condo.My mom got the condo after Gran died. From that time on all I had known my entire life was beach life.
Until four years ago.
Until my uncle found me.

Strange name, FABULOUS book...though the cover I'm not "in love" with 100%.

So, pronunciation wise for her (the main character) first name, I'm at a loss officially, but in my mind I went with something phonetic...Lee-o-win.  My apologies to the author if I butchered it.  Ms. Blake is a 14 year old going on 18 year old with a bright future indeed....in a much more literal sense than she knows!  With the passing of the father she hasn't seen since she was four, events are set into motion that are beyond her control (supposedly, but what teenager do you know that gives up that easily when told they can't do something?  That's what I thought.) leading her to a fork in the road the size of New York City.  No really, if the forthcoming change or decision were laid out in blueprints, it'd be THAT big, or BIGGER.  So many people are depending on her...for so many reasons that she DOESN'T EVEN KNOW.  What's a girl to do?  I mean, there's only so far you can keep someone in the dark before they either A) go insane or B) break free of the ties that bind them and find their own way into the world...for better or worse.  Let's just hope that the lack of information shared (and all the mind wiping a certain "best friend" performs to stop a potential love interest from revealing those hidden secrets) doesn't lead her to her doom.

Sounds exciting, right?  It was!  This was one of those books that I had to wait on reading for a bit (due to my schedule...my own fault though) and once I started, I couldn't put it down.  I had to read a little more, another page, another passage, another chapter....until finally all 384 pages of it had flown by and I was looking for more.  (Yes, about that...umm, WordCrafts?  There will be a sequel, right?  Please?)  Story wise, we have a classic case of girl with a future beyond her wildest dreams, gobs of people that are aware of said hidden future but aren't sharing and dire straights of which she again knows not (and are rather frightening!) if things don't work out as planned.  Add in a heritage that includes more than a few dusty old books (though I'll take them off your hands!  ^_^), a power only dreamed of in passing when your imagination went REALLY wild and a decision to be made that affects everything (and I do mean EVERYTHING) and POOF....you've got the bread and butter of this story.  It's fascinating really, the world within worlds (within worlds) that the author created here; even though we don't get to explore all of them or even the possibility of all of them in this book...that is if they survive. (dun dun dunnnnn)  Let's talk characters...

Leeowyn is a blast.  From her show-no-mercy teenage attitude (when necessary) to the heart of gold that beats within, she's a puzzle made of pieces that have had to fit together in order to make life in general work.  Too bad for her the glue holding it all together is about to check out...permanently...but lucky for her that she won't be all alone.  She feels things strongly and with her whole being (probably why some of that power is so volatile) making it easy to gain her trust but almost impossible to gain back if you break it (or her heart...Mr. Sunshine....).  Life hasn't been easy for her, but she's made it work and I've no doubt she can handle whatever comes her way....as long as she believes in herself.  No room for doubt when dealing with people (well, sorta people) like this.  Moving forward...

Though Leeowyn is our star, she's not the only player here...otherwise this wouldn't be a story per se but some type of biography or monologue.  The cast is pretty extensive so I won't divulge all the players to you but there are a few that I simply must mention.  First up, Perennial, aka Peach; she's a bundle of unending energy and yet obviously hiding something....not a good stance to take when making friends but a necessary one (again, supposedly) in this case.  She's also a bit of a rule bender...but she's nothing compared to Alex.  *sigh*  Oh Alex.  Leeowyn almost saw right through you and your gorgeous, stomach flipping, heart racing self...almost.  You had her til the change when she was no longer tongue tied by your charms.  I must say though as much as you want to hold his secret holding against him, he is the only one that actually tries to set things straight despite "the rules".  You gotta give him credit for that...even if it was slightly self-centered (the truth of which remains to be fully seen).  Last but not least, we have the Empty Princess; a character that resides much more on the other side of the character coin.  ~shudders~  She's not present for most of the story, only in memories and reflections, but she's potent nonetheless.  If I were you, I'd keep an eye on her...

Now, while characters make the story, it has to take place somewhere so let's spare a moment to discuss setting.  There's something to be said about the right location.  I don't know about you but I find that when I'm reading a book sometimes the setting can draw me into the story even further, especially if its an area I'm familiar with.  The bulk of the story takes place in (or around...sorta) Jacksonville, FL and while not personally acquainted with the area, I've traveled through it (and to it for a Matchbox 20 concert...yeah baby!) plus its in my current home state...thus instant connection.  Being a non-native Florida resident, I find that same connection with works taking place in my original home state, Pennsylvania.  Anyone else find this odd yet interesting connection between books they've read and where they reside?  That being said there's also a plus to keeping the setting anonymous so that readers can imagine it wherever they like.  Thoughts? *curious*  Anywho...

In conclusion (because if I don't draw one soon I'll probably talk forever, this is a story you should read sooner as opposed to later.  It has all the elements of a fantastical read with real world ties that anchor it to our own reality with a story line that will quicken the pulse, catch your breath and leave you wanting more.  I see no mention of a second book at the time of this post but you can best believe...I'll be watching.  Recommended read for teens through adults; no foul language or racy scenes, but there is a death none too pleasant that little ones may not take in stride.  Get lost in the world between worlds as Leeowyn Blake makes her presence known...you'll be glad you did!

Ebook for review received courtesy of WordCrafts Press.  (THANKS!)  Haven't heard of this publisher before?  Allow me to acquaint you....

WordCrafts is a small, independent publishing company dedicated to the idea that there is no greater means of communicating truth than the medium of story. Great stories lift us out of the mundane, exhilarate us with adventure and passion, open our minds to great ideas, and remind us what it means to be human. We publish both novels and non-fiction.
We invite you to take a break from the daily grind, turn off the television, brew up a cup of hot tea, open a book and read for a while. Who knows, you might find a whole new world to explore.

For more information on this title as well as their full catalog, be sure to stop by their site, or like them on Facebook.  This title is available now in both print and ebook formats so no matter what your preference, you can partake in this magical adventure.


Until next time...happy reading!