Review of “Charmeine” the 1st book in “The Light-Bearer Series” by Author Jemima Pett
During my illness this summer. I was unable to see all my fellow Author blog posts and like I usually TRY to do. This review was virtually unseen by me. I was stunned to find it on a Google search of all things . . .
WOW!
I was dancing around my living room last night like a crazy person. What a surge to know that an Author you respect and admire has reviewed your book and didn’t throw it in the rubbish bin!
“Charmeine” along with the other books in “The Light-Bearer Series” has been revised and re-edited. I am so glad that my Indie Authors and Published Authors respect that. THANK YOU!
Book Review: Charmeine by Emily Guido
August 22, 2013 · by Jemima Pett
This isn’t my usual sort of book. It is a YA/Adult Fantasy story with powerfully written paranormal romance and action sequences. But it is well constructed, with a well-thought out backstory and world mythology, and it kept me interested.
Charmeine is the first in the Lightbearer series. Emily Guido introduces us first to the origins of the Light-Bearers and Blood-Hunters, with some mythology in their original world, then we find Tabbruis on his own, trying to make sense of the earth. Blood-Hunters live here, encouraged by their Elder Council to make the most of the blood provided by the population of humans that spawns everywhere. Tabbruis and some friends decide that humans are, for them, off-limits, which is a slight relief if the reader’s stomach is not up to the bloodthirstiness of their usual lifestyle.
Charleen (who we discover is really Charmeine) and her friend Shane are woven into the story deftly. Two lost souls who ended up caring for each other as they grew up in an orphanage, Shane gets a job to drive Tabbruis around New York City while he’s visiting. It’s fortunate that Tab has felt the need to be there, as Char has been singled out for an attack by other Blood-Hunters, who envisage a very nasty end for her indeed. Tab fights them off, with Char discovering her own amazing powers that assist in very special ways. And then Tab and Char realise their mutual attraction, against all Tab’s instincts as a Blood-Hunter – since he realises that Char is a Light-Bearer.
The rest of the story covers a few more attacks and how they grow to understand each other better. There are plenty of loose ends to be followed up in the rest of series.
On the whole I felt the story was well written, fast-moving and full of excellent imagery. I cared what was happening to the characters; I wanted to know how it would be resolved. I found the typesetting confusing since sometimes italics was used for thoughts, and other times it may have been used for intensity or emphasis, but there was no clear distinction. I wondered if they thought-read at one stage, and thought that would be a nice power, but I think I was wrong.
I felt it was an excellent introduction to a story and a world with new rules. If it’s your sort of thing, I think you’ll be driven very quickly to the second in the series. It’s exciting, pacy and thought-provoking, with delightful characterisation. Well done Ms Guido!
http://jemimapett.com/2013/08/22/book-review-charmeine-by-emily-guido/
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LOVE, this song!
I think of Tab and Char . . . “I Melt With You”
AND IT IS ONE OF MY
ALL TIME FAVORITE SONGS EVER!!!!
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Now I am PAYING IT FORWARD
FOR AUTHOR Juli D. Revezzo
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Battling mounting debt, Stacy Macken is determined not to lose her historic art gallery. When Aaron Fielding appears and offers to help, she fights to keep the attraction sizzling between them from clouding her judgment. He may be her savior in disguise–but can she trust him?
Aaron intrigues her with tales of the Tuatha dé Danann, sworn warriors who protect humanity from the monsters seeking their destruction. If Aaron can prove what he claims, she would give up anything to help–even the gallery he claims is sacred ground. But with her property set to stage the next epic battle, she needs answers. An old family diary will confirm the ancient legend is true, if only they can find it in time.
If the battle is lost, the enemy will take control of Earth for the next five hundred years. Stacy and Aaron’s budding love might only complicate things.
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The buy link: http://smarturl.it/xc5d7a
Charmeine (The Light-Bearer #1) by Emily Guido – Review by Susan’s Book Reviews
Older Editions of “Charmeine”
Okay folks… I had to re-post this review because I wax poetic about this past year as life is a tornado with little reprieves to take a breath… and a major birthday is coming.
Originally,I wrote the ONE big book “Charmeine” and self-published in January 2012. I had no knowledge of Publishing and because of that, getting reviews, was very hard. For all these reasons:
1. I didn’t know how to request reviews or where I should go.
2. My book “Charemine” was unedited and not formatted.
3. “Charmeine” was a monster book, 600 pages 150,000 words.
4. I had no publisher.
Since then, my publisher, PDMI Direct Publishing, split the book “Charmeine” into three = “Charmeine,” “Mactus,” and “Accendo.”
This review is one of the most important reviews I ever had. It was by a reviewer who didn’t know me and read my unedited large book in its entirety.
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Review by Susan’s Book Reviews
Originally reviewed in May, 2012
I started following https://emilyguido.com/
She is the author of “Charmeine,” the first book in the new “The Light Bearer Series.”
Everyday I would impatiently check my email waiting for another excerpt from her book “Charmeine.” When I found out that the next book in the series is going to be released soon, I decided that I needed to read the entire book, not just the snippets. So I purchased my copy (first book I’ve bought in ages) and started to read…
In Heaven, Charmeine and Tabbruis are worried. Charmeine, an Angel of Harmony, has a mission to provide harmony and peace in times of trouble. Lately she feels a serious drain on her power and her ability to provide harmony was lessening daily.
Tabbruis is the Angel of Self-Determination and is several levels higher than Charmeine. He allows us to use our free will and inspires us to think of new ways to do things. He must help an Archangel to have conviction in his beliefs and will therefore be unavailable to the family for most of the day. They are waiting to hear what the Prophecy will bring but neither believes it will be good news.
We then go back, back to a time before Tabbruis and Charmeine have met. When Tabbruis used another name and Charmeine had no idea who she really was or what her real name was. Back before love had finally made them complete.
Tabbruis is a Blood Drinker, a vampire. He believes his destiny is to walk earth always in need of blood. Human blood is best, but Tabbruis has learned to use wild animal blood instead to curb his craving. He can go out in sunlight, but prefers the darkness, he seldom sleeps, he is very wealthy and very handsome. People usually bend to his will with little or no problem. He prefers to be alone. The sound, the smell and the action of the sea calms him.
Charleen (aka Charmeine) has beautiful brown eyes and a very sweet nature. Summer is her favorite time of year, she loves the feel of sun on her skin. She learned Judo so she will never be a victim. She has never really dated and has never really been attracted to any man, and she has no interest in finding out why. She tries to tell herself she is happy but she knows that really she wants a man in her life, someone to share with. Charleen loves to go and watch the waves at the sea-shore. it’s very peaceful.
Tabbruis and Charleen meet. They stare deep into each others eyes, and they know. They have found the other half of themselves.
But will it be enough to overcome all the obstacles both known and unknown in their paths?
Can there be happiness between two such different creatures?
I am very satisfied with this story.
There were many things to like such as vampires, the supernatural, action scenes, good characters who throughout the book evolve and a very emotional romance involving two people of different races/cultures.
I did at times feel the writing was a little stilted (the kindle edition needs some editing) and that did affect the flow of the story.
Overall, this is a great read, and a terrific debut novel for Emily Guido!
I look forward to the next book in the series.
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The Light-Bearer Series by Emily Guido 