Showing posts with label A. Jacob Sweeny. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A. Jacob Sweeny. Show all posts

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Review: Pulse of Heroes - By A. Jacob Sweeny

Author: A. Jacob Sweeny
Release Date:
Purchase Info: Amazon

Michelle used to feel like she was behind in everything, especially school and relationships. Her great aunt from the old country says she is like a bland meal, "no salt or pepper". But in junior year, everything changes. Her father takes a position on the Town Council, a popular boy in school becomes interested in her, and most importantly, the Hekademos Learning Center, a private school for 'troubled' students, moves into her quiet neighborhood amidst the protests of the entire town.

After seeing the School Regent out with a group of young guys just before Christmas, Michelle is convinced that there is something odd about them. Her curiosity gets the better of her and she embarks upon a mission to figure out what is really going on. After an embarrassing fall over the school wall, Michelle meets Elliot and her ordinary ‘bland’ life changes its course forever.

Elliot is no ordinary human. In fact, no one at the Hekademos Learning Center is. Beautiful and fierce, they have survived throughout the millennia by weaving in and out of human events. Through them, Michelle learns that history and myths from around the world are dotted with references to their kind. Michelle falls madly in love with the ever-striking and mysterious Elliot and, as much as he tries to fight it, he develops strong feelings for her as well. Although Elliot carries numerous painful memories from his many pasts, he disregards his own better judgment and the advice of his friends, and finds himself falling for Michelle‘s offbeat personality. Their feelings grow in intensity, but when History catches up with them, the difference between their life paths threatens to destroy any future that they might have had together.

Michelle learns that there are infinite shades of gray between black and white, and has to deal with the bundle of contradictory emotions called love. After some unexpected twists during a family trip to Europe, she has to trust her intuition in order to face the danger and uncertainty of being drawn into Elliot’s wondrous world. Ultimately, it is up to Michelle to make the split-second, life-altering decision that will either tear them apart forever, or give them another chance.

OK....


So this book was hard for me to get through, I'm not going to lie. I guess there was just something about the flow of the book at times that seriously had me thinking, "What the...", or maybe that it just felt that somethings weren't explained enough.

I hate giving even semi-negative reviews, they're not fun. I feel like I'm crushing someones dream & they're going to come after me to with vengeance regardless of how nice I am. But I have to be truthful for the sake of everyone reading this & for the authors sake. 

In Pulse of Heroes I do like how the author created Michelle as a character & the important key Elliot plays in her life.  You can tell that all Michelle wants is to matter to someone, and when she finds that in Elliot you can feel how major it is for her. Yes Elliot makes me swoon, but he would make you swoon too. (it's those eyes, I swear) You can tell that this relationship is life changing from the beginning, and seeing what twists & turns they run into was probably what pushed me to keep reading. But I just kept getting distracted by the jumping around and extra things that I felt didn't need to be in there.
In the end I have to say that I am sorry that I didn't like this book more, because there are some great reviews out there. It just wasn't something that I connected with.



2/5




Friday, August 12, 2011

Interview & Giveaway - A. Jacob Sweeny

Happy Friday!!!

Today I have the pleasure of hosting my frist stop on the Romacing Your Dark Side Tour!

So everyone welcome A. Jacob Sweeny, author of Pulse of Heroes!


 


1. When did you start writing?
I started writing poetry as a young teenager, although I have been telling stories to others since before that.

2. If you could pick any character from any book as your sidekick, who would it be?
Being infatuated with Elliot, of course should be the obvious answer, however Elliot has a lot of who I am, built within his character. He is an Aries to a T. I am not sure if Aries men and get along with Aries women. We are both on the same crusades. When will we have to see one another? Although we are very loyal… so who knows. I adore Haneul and Kahl too.

3. What was your biggest inspiration while writing Pulse of Heroes?
The classical Hero journey intertwined with a believable coming of age story of an average girl.

4. Which actor would you see playing the hero/heroine in your book?
I haven't thought about that one. I have seen models that have some elements from Elliot, or Michelle but not the whole face nor persona. I think I'll pass this one for now.

5. How many books do you see in the series?
The Pulse series is a trilogy and Pulse of Heroes is the first novel in the long saga. The 2nd installment will be released on Halloween! Then just one more left.

Lightening Round:

Ferris Wheel or Merry-Go-Round?
Ferris Wheel

Cake or Pie?
Cheesecake Cheespie

Sunshine or Rain?
Sunshine

Sing or Dance in the car?
Sing

Flowers & Candy or Sweet handwritten note?
Show me the flowers boy!


Now for the giveaway!
A.J. is giving away an AWESOME Pulse of Heroes calendar magnet to a lucky winner!


All you have to do is tell me Ferris Wheel or Merry-Go-Round?

* Leave your e-mail*

Contest ends Wednesday 8/17/11, and is U.S. Only

Good Luck!