Featured Ebook : Crystal Shade: Angeni, Volume 1 by Istvan Szabo Ifj & Orlanda Szabo

Ebook : CRYSTAL SHADE ANGENI (Volume 1)

Genre : Young Adult, Epic Fantasy

Authors : Istvan Szabo Ifj & Orlanda Szabo

Author Website : http://www.crystalshadeangeni.com

Amazon Stores : Kindle and Paperback 
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00660MU8I 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9630826879 

Createspace : https://www.createspace.com/3753679

Retailer Link : http://www.crystalshadeangeni.com/cstore/index.html

ISBNs:978-963-08-2683-9 (Kindle Edition)
978-963-08-2684-6 (Epub Edition)
978-963-08-2685-3 (Lit Edition)
978-963-08-2686-0 (PDF Edition)
978-963-08-2687-7 (Paperback Edition)  

Smashwords Store : http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/104029

Barnes and Noble Store :  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crystal-shade-istvan-szabo-ifj/1111394876

Lulu Store : http://www.lulu.com/shop/crystal-shade-angeni-volume-1/ebook/product-20271193.html

Sony Ebook Store : http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/istvan-szabo/crystal-shade-angeni-volume-1  

Apple iTunes Store : http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/crystal-shade-angeni-volume-1/id490082352

Diesel BookStore : http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/SW00000104029/Szabo-Ifj.-Istvan-Orlanda-Szabo-Crystal-Shade-Angeni-Volume-1/1.html

Kobo Book Store : http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Crystal-Shade-Angeni-Volume-1

Reviews : Multiple 4.5-5 stars (at Amazon, Smashwords, Kobo and Goodreads)

Blurb : "Thousands of stars could tell thousands of stories."

Seven year old Grace always dreamt of becoming a guardian angel; like those who guarded and guided her people and prepared to bravely fight in a dreaded mythical event, the Crystal Shade - which never came. It's not like Grace ever wanted to see Demons. Or wants to know what evil and darkness is - things that no one ever faced on her world and as the legends says, the Crystal Shade carries within -, nor does she want to die to be reborn as a guardian. 


But she thinks the mysterious life of angels is so noble, a fable that it sounds exciting - until it actually happens.

Crystal Shade: Angeni, Volume 1 explores the early life of a young daydreaming soul who is destined to reveal the forgotten past of her home world and to seek the answer to the eternal question; what the legendary Crystal Shade really is.

IMPORTANT: Please be advised that Crystal Shade: Angeni and its episodic release, Crystal Shade: Episodes is not a fast and easy mainstream read. You can't quickly skim through and read it in one night, but you have to absorb the words and create the fantasy in your mind. Therefore, if you don't like slower-paced books or non-mainstream storylines, please read the excerpt before making any purchase.


Amazon Reviews (View all reviews)

Smashwords Reviews (View all reviews)

Sony EBook Store-Goodreads Reviews (View all reviews) 

Additonal review snippets: "Reading Crystal Shade was both an adventure into a complex world of angels and a thoughtful beautifully written work of art. Seldom do I find a young adult novel with both a good story which will capture the hearts of its readers presented with language that will challenge and entrance the reader. This author has done both. In fact I was so captivated by the story I read it three times." - Karen Bryant Doering, Parent's Little Black Book

"I read it in a sitting...a long sitting, but a sitting nonetheless. I was captivated with the world described and the complexity of the storyline. There are times when it's not so fast moving but I think this is a novel in which the reader gets lost so let it last forever, I say. I think all ages will enjoy this entrancing narrative with beautiful settings and age appropriate dialogue. I would give this novel to my 10 year old to read." - T. Dewhirst

"This was such an interesting story concept for me, I remember when I received the book for review, and I remember thinking to myself how is a story being told by a seven year old going to work. I mean even in the YA genre seven is a little young, I wondered if I was going to be able to identify with the character, and for me as a reader I need to be able to identify with the characters in the book. But the book is really so much more than I thought it was going to be." - Kathryn S. Steves, UFR Review

"The concept is not like anything I have read before which is very refreshing these days! Crystal Shade is beautifully written with an almost historical feel to the book. The writing style is, in my opinion, more complex than other YA writers I have read." - Amy, Following the Reader
"This book is a change from everything I've read recently. The story itself unfolds more gently, the action moving at a slower pace most of the time. The writing is beautiful. Elegant, even." - Rebecca McKinnon, The Crooked Word / Goodreads Review

"Beautiful writing. A story line that is well thought out." - David Allan, Tumbling Books

"Crystal Shade: Angeni, Volume 1 is beautifully written with detailed descriptions of both the people and the world they inhabit. An intriguing and complex fantasy novel which will leave you breathlessly anticipating the next Volume." - Star, Bibliophilic Book Blog / Amazon US Review
 
"A detailed, descriptive and imaginative fantasy story." - Krista Burnbright, Cubicle Blindness / Amazon US Review

Featured Ebook : Destinies by Karleene Morrow

Ebook : DESTINIES

Genre : Historical Fiction

Author : Karleene Morrow

Author Websites : 3 websites 


WRITING BY THE SEA- http://www.karleenemorrow.com

BLOGGING BY THE SEA- http://www.karleenemorrow.com/blog

SHOWBOAT POMERANIANS- http://www.showboatpoms.com 

Autographed Paperback from Author’s Website:  $12.99 

http://www.karleenemorrow.com 

Amazon  Stores : Kindle Edition

http://www.amazon.com/Destinies-ebook/dp/B0055OI3M8 

Amazon  Stores : Paperback Edition $22.50

http://www.amazon.com/Destinies-historical-novel-Karleene-Morrow/dp/1475139624

ISBN: 978-0-9837711-1-1 (.mobi ) and 978-0-9837711-0-4 (.epub)

Barnes and Noble Stores : $4.99 Nook Edition

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/destinies-a-novel-karleene-morrow/1103654312

Kobo Stores :  $4.99 EPUB Edition

http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Destinies 

Reviews : Multiple 5 stars (16 on Amazon, 2 on Barnes and Noble) 

Blurb : Destinies is a semi-finalist in the Kindle Book Review’s BEST INDIE BOOKS OF 2012.  It is an epic tale of royalty and rural family. Catherine II seizes the crown of Russia and a thousand miles away a Rhineland boy’s life changes forever.

Uprooted from his home near the Rhine River and taken to a hostile land on the Russian steppes, Christian comes up against adversity and setbacks as he attempts to make a new life for himself and his family. His efforts at enlisting a blacksmith and Gypsies to help a Russian girl sold into servitude put all their lives in deadly peril.

Meanwhile, Catherine, in her new role as empress, is surrounded by court intrigue and secret plots to overthrow her; rumors of her lover’s infidelity; an army of wild Cossacks and escaped serfs thundering down on Saratov intent on burning the city, sacking Moscow and locking the empress in a convent. Now Catherine must find a solution to the challenges she faces at court – as Christian must find his own solutions in the colonies.

Destinies is a compelling, multi-layered story of power, love, deceit and betrayal, and the extraordinary strength and determination of the human spirit in common people thrown into uncommon situations. 

Barnes and Noble Reviews (Click on the link) 

Amazon Reviews (Click to view all reviews) 

Treacherous Journey, February 28, 2012
By The Kindle Book Review TOP 500 REVIEWER

This historical novel is written with such grace, compassion and attention to detail that it is like no other I have read before. The story is expressed from two viewpoints, Katherine II, Empress of Russia and Christian Kehler a young boy who departs Germany with his family for a better life in Russia.

Katherine II, Empress of Russia, offers free land and homes to those who come to Russia. She is a strong, complex woman who wishes to populate Russia's Eastern frontier. Her personal love exploits provide a glimpse into her frailties and insecurities.

Christian Kehler is the main character in this story as he comes of age throughout the course of the book. Christian travels from Germany across the Rhine River with his family and neighboring families full of hope and determination. His journey is long and arduous as he encounters obstacles beyond his imagination. He is a strong, insightful and intelligent boy whose contribution to the journey and the eventual settlement of the people is invaluable.

The additional characters are rich in description and extremely well defined. They play an integral part is this story and add to its complexity. Each one experiences their own personal tragedies and triumphs. Each character has a personal story of their own which is portrayed with clarity, compassion and resolve.

The descriptive writing of the journey itself and the landscapes that are encountered are vividly drawn in such a way that you will make the journey as well. This story is very fast paced and surprises you at every turn of the page. I felt a great sense of compassion and trepidation for the characters in this story which is a direct result of the tremendous writing in this book.

I highly recommend this book to all readers. It is not merely a book of historical fiction but a book of families, hardships, love and determination. It portrays the best and worst of human nature and their struggle for survival.

Destinies by Karleene Morrow is truly a MUST READ.
Marilou George – The Kindle Book Review

Katherine the Great, June 10, 2012
By Mary Crocco – book reviewer / writer
This review is from: Destinies (Kindle Edition)

 

Becoming the Empress and Ruler of All the Russians, Sophie Auguste Friedrike, was only fourteen when her mother made sure she became princess of Russia. The tsarina of Russia, Elizabeth Petrovna, was searching for a wife for her nephew who would inherit the crown.

Leaving her small town of Stettin, Poland, she met the tsarina and her heir in Russia. In 1762 Sophie became Katherine II. Known as Katherine the Great, the Empress was literate, cultured, and loved the arts. Throughout Destinies, Karleene Marrow proves how she painstakingly researched every event during Katherine's 34 year reign.

To not only enlighten her readers with facts and knowledge, but to entertain at the same time, Karleene Morrow writes her historical novel, Destinies, using Katherine the Great's point of view plus a young boy, Christian, who emigrated from Germany to Russia with his family and friends searching for a better life. The way Morrow skillfully does this is what makes this book extraordinary.

Katherine II is known for her sex scandals and her desire for power. Morrow includes her political decisions and many of her lovers. During the day Katherine II was a powerhouse of a political leader, and at night she could not go without a man.

We see Christian grow up from a boy into manhood in Destinies. We meet and love his family and friends. He has strong family values and morals that he struggles with on his journey. His relationship with the Gypsy's is my favorite. His life, along with his family and friends, is not an easy one. Emigrating from Germany and putting down roots in Russia was an unbelievable feat.

Going back and forth between Katherine the Great and Christian's life was easily done. There is never a time where I got lost or confused. This is a longer book than most, but it never felt like it. I could not put it down. The story is terrific!

I recommend this book for readers of all ages. In my opinion, reading a historical novel that is well researched and written, is the best way to learn. I'm hoping Destinies will have a sequel. I would love to read another historical novel by Karleene Morrow.

You will savour every page., January 3, 2012
By Masquerade Crew
This review is from: Destinies (Kindle Edition)
BEC'S REVIEW  

Historical novels are a tricky subject to get right. Unlike most novels they require a lot of research in order to ensure that events and characters stay as close to their real life counterparts as possible, and that those who have researched or know of the characters won't get upset by them acting in strange ways. 

As such it's a genre not every author can pull off but one that Morrow does with such ease. I found myself eagerly turning the pages of this book and finishing it in a short time despite its large size. Do not let the size put you off either, this is a real page turner.

Dealing with the story of Katherine the Great and the European settlers she invited to immigrate to Russia, this story is told from two perspectives, that of Katherine but mostly that of a fictional immigrant teenager, Christian, who grows up over the years that this book is set in. Each of the characters has trials they must face, successes and failures, and life changing decisions. Each of the characters is a refreshing read, with individual voices that combine the story telling in an enchanting read.

There were some parts of this story that amused me, and some parts that had me worried for the characters but no matter what was happening I couldn't put it down. At times it did get frustrating when it would switch to the other character, especially when something good was happening with the first one, but this only added to the suspense. 

I believe Destinies can stand it's ground against other historical novels that have graced book store shelves, and would highly recommend it. Don't let the fact that it's a rather long book put you off, as you will savour every page.