Title: Fireflies
Author: P.S. Bartlett
Release Day: April 3th, 2013
Genre: Historical Fiction/Paranormal/Historical Irish Fiction
Description:
However peculiar Ennis Whelan has been for the first six years of his life, not until the day he found the bird, did the degree of his strangeness become so tangible.
Dr. Owen Whelan and his wife Sarah, both Irish immigrants, have been living the American dream, as well as raising seven bright and expressive children. Their youngest Ennis, however, has since birth, been a bit of a mystery.
Ennis was always small, meek and frightfully odd but there is so much more to him than anyone could have imagined. His sister Teagan grows increasingly suspicious of his behavior but their mother dismisses her claims, until the day he starts healing people.
When Ennis ultimately reveals the gift of sight, he questions his father about visions of his past, including his voyage to America in 1844. Owen prayed he’d never have to share those tragic memories but he will share them, when he realizes he has no choice. Ennis’ life may depend on it.
Review:
I received a free ecopy of this book for an honest review.
This isn’t just the story of Ennis, who has supernatural gifts, but of his family. Since I read the prequel first, I already knew the stories of Sarah and Owen which made this book better for me. Both books could stand alone but they are very intertwined.
Fireflies has twists and turns, young romance, heartache, and a lot of family drama. I really liked it until the end which was unbelievable and disappointing. I’m glad I read Hope from the Ocean first.
Title: Hope from the Ocean
Author: P.S. Bartlett
Release Day: May 30th, 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction/Paranormal/Historical Irish Fiction
Description:
When Owen Whelan revealed his secret, he was set free from a haunting past and an uncertain future for his son, Ennis. However, in order to know the true depths of his heart, first we must follow him all the way back to a dirt road on a chilly and bitter spring dawn in Ireland. Behind the locked doors of his memories and hidden beneath shame, hunger and eventually escape, we learn the true meaning of the proverb, “There’s hope from the ocean but none from the grave.” Owen’s journey will teach him that sometimes you have to cross that ocean not only to survive but to finally find love, life and become the man worthy of your own admiration and respect.
There are turning points in life you cannot come back from but if you’re brave enough, you can begin again.
Review:
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
I got both books at the same time and since this was the prequel I read it first. It took me longer to read than many books because there was a lot going on. The dialogue slowed me down a bit, too, because the author tried to convey the correct accent for the characters, and I thought she did a good job.
I fell in love with the characters. They were well developed and I found myself cheering them on or crying along with them.
I don’t want to give anything away but I was a little confused for a bit when the story came to America. If I’d read Fireflies first, I wouldn’t have been confused but I’m still glad I read this one first.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who likes a good, well-told story.
About the Author:
I was born on Valentine’s Day a long, long time ago in South Baltimore, Maryland, less than a mile from Fort McHenry and Federal Hill. I’m the youngest of eleven children. I’m a very simple person. I love my life and am always striving to make it better for myself and my family. I write, I draw and I work full-time. I also paint beautiful watercolors with my three year old granddaughter.
I’ve been married for nearly 19 years and together we have two sons and a daughter. I’d call myself a football fan but I mostly only watch my home team, the World Champion Baltimore Ravens. I love super heroes and Superman has been my favorite since I was a little girl. June 2013 the new Superman movie “Man of Steel” arrives in theaters and it cannot get here soon enough for me. I love cats and I have a Maine Coon named Columbus.
Links:
Blog: http://psbartlett.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PSBartlett
Facebook: https://facebook.com/PSBartlett
GMTA: http://gmtapublishing.com/bookpages/fireflies.html
Fireflies Book Buy Links:
Bound 4 Escape