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Monday, October 8, 2012

GIVEAWAY!! "Amarok" by Angela J. Townsend~YA Fabulous!

SUMMARY
 





Emma's life has been hell since she moved from sunny California to a remote Alaskan town. Abandoned by her father and living with the guilt of causing her mother's death, she makes a desperate dash for freedom from her abusive stepfather. But when her car skids off the icy road, her planned escape leads to further captivity in a world beyond her imagining.

Dragged across the tundra by an evil mountain man and his enormous black wolf, she learns that love can be found in the most unexpected places. Amarok, as she's nicknamed the wolf, is a young man from the gold-rush era enslaved by an ancient shaman. Emma's gentle touch and kind heart win his love and devotion. When a vicious madman—trapped in bear form by the same Shaman—attacks the travelers and injures Amarok, Emma must find the strength to face her fears and free the wolf she's come to love. But that means she must face down the evil shaman, a Siberian mammoth hunter from the ice age, and he has no intention of giving up his power to her.


PARTICULARS OF THE BOOK :
Published by:  Spencer Hill Press
Pages:  181
Genre:  YA/Paranormal
Author:  Angela J. Townsend
Pre-order here:  Barnes & Noble  and Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR :
Angela Townsend was born in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Missoula, Montana.  As a child, Angela grew up listening to stories told by her grandparents, ancient tales and legends of faraway places.

Influenced by her Irish and Scottish heritage, Angela became an avid research historian, specialzing in Celtic mythology.  Her gift for storytelling finally led her to a full-time career in historical research and writing.

A writer in local community circulations, Angela is also a published genealogical and historical resource writer who has taught numerous research seminars.  Currently, she divides her time among writing, playing Celtic music on her fiddle and Irish dancing.  She resides on a ranch, in rural Northwestern, Montana, with her two children Levi and Grant.




THE BOOKISH DAME REVIEWS :

I wasn't expecting to love this book as much as I did!  I've been very selective with YA fiction lately, and this is one I chose hesitantly but carefully because it sounded out-of-the-ordinary.  Just a touch of the paranormal and much more in the mystery/suspense realm, I thought.  I'm so glad I took a chance on it.  It was a great read for a lazy Sunday afternoon.  It was absorbing as it moved along quickly, relating action and responses from the two main characters. Further, it was full of ancient mythological shadowings and very good writing.  I love Angela J. Townsend's style.  Her storytelling is first class.

Emma, her female protagonist, is feisty and resourceful.  I loved her determination not to be beaten by her ragged and violent captor, the brutal weather conditions, nor the supernatural odds stacked against her.  She fought through everything, but Townsend's handling of these situations didn't seem contrived or flippant.  They were natural and exciting to read.  The pace of the book was settled securely around Emma's story and her relationship with Amarok, the enchanted wolf/boy.  He's also a gorgeous character who wasn't made of the fluffy stuff you often encounter in other current mythologically-inclined books. 

For all its swiftly moving story, this novel has substance and is a great read.  Townsend packs a punch without mincing words, which I really treasure.  Her grasp of the natural settings of the mountains and tundra, and her abilitiy to translate that for us adds life and realism to the book...I could smell the pine and hear the river rapids, sense the animals in their habitats.  The way she employs the transitions from historical memories of the wolf/boy Amarok to present day Emma's world gives this book depth and interest, as well.

I'm not sure if she's planning a sequel to the book, but I would love to read it, if she is.  If not, the ending was too short and sweet; my only criticism. This is a very interesting book with a gentle love story and a believeable twist on the mythological.

I recommend it.  Now available for a pre-release purchase.  Released in November...

4.5 stars             Deborah/TheBookishDame




GIVEAWAY!!!!!     ENTER FOR A COPY OF "AMAROK":

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GIVEAWAY  ENDS       OCTOBER 31st


ALSO!!!!
 




Spencer Hill Press is offering a prize package to ONE winner throughout the tour that includes a copy of Amarok, a $25 Amazon gift card and wolf charm necklace.
 
Sign Up Here:

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

4 comments:

Reading Mind / The Loyal Book

I don't know if it's international or not, but this title intrigues me. I read plenty of YA but I'm very picky about the ones I really love. This review makes me feel that I should really give this book a try, especially as you described Emma as 'feisty'. I know I'm gonna love her!

GFC reading mind

aliasgirl at libero dot it

Deb

I failed to note that this is a US and Canada giveaway for my site...but I think it's all inclusive for the Rafflecopter!

MåїÐ»-(¯`v´¯)-»

I am intrigued by this book! I like the story and I LOVE the sound of the characters! Can't wait to get my hands on this! :) Brilliant review! Thanks for the giveaway! :)

GFC: MåїÐ»-(¯`v´¯)-»
Twitter: @MaidaLuv

maida-cool [at] hotmail [dot] com

~ Maida @ Literary Love Affair 

Chrissy

This looks awesome! I like that it's different and unique. I'll have to go pick this one up. I love fantastic storytellers! Thanks, Deb, for the fantastic review. I loved the trailer too!

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