FREE RIGHT NOW - only hours left... Witchwood Estate books 1 & 2

Going Home shouldn't be so difficult. After twelve years away, Seventeen year old Alexandria Santorini is going home to Ferntree Falls to claim her inheritance - Witchwood Estate - The home she grew up in and where her parents were murdered. 

But there is something very evil lurking in the woods around Ferntree Falls that is quite content in making Alexandria's life more complicated than she ever imagined.

Whimsical, "TV" length episodes in an ongoing series. Witches, spells, ghosts, sprites, shape-shifters, wolves and more... For all those young at heart... An equal measure of both Magic and Evil.

Grab your broomstick and come along for the ride!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com 

Amazon.com: 4.6 out of 5 stars  

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical 

By M Medler - Published on Amazon.com

Format:Kindle Edition

I have a confession to make. I have put off writing this review for what feels like eternity, and I still don't think I'm ready. You see, my problem is that I don't trust myself to do these books justice.

When you find an author with a style so perfect, so entrancing, that you know full well you'd read their shopping list if that's what they decided to publish, what could you say to make a difference? I'm supposed to be good with words, but they fail me now. So I guess I'll just have to stick to being as objective and clinical as I can. Here's what I thought of the first two books in the Witchwood Estate series.

First impression: I would read this series 'till the world came to an end. I secretly hope Patti Roberts never ever stops writing. Her imagination is unequalled.

Voice: smooth storytelling, trance-inducing, the kind that seeps into your brain and surreptitiously replaces reality with a fantastic life you couldn't help but want to be a part of.

Plot: Oh, how many possibilities! From a simple intro and clear focus, the action picks up and threads of intrigue, mystery and hidden threats begin to weave into the main fabric. As more characters are introduced, their purpose and intent are implied, understood, twisted and finally revealed to be something no one could have foreseen. There are enough twists in there for at least another ten books! And I want to read them all.

Characters: perfectly formed, from the smallest secondary role to the protagonist. Alexandria is the kind of best friend all of us need. Andrew is so sweet, and his character has so much yet-untapped potential. Then, there is black magic, and shape-shifters, and ghosts.

Descriptions: original and just right for forming the right picture. I felt as if I knew my way around, right there, in the story.

Extras: Flick through the pages, and you'll find spells Alexandria has inherited from her mother. There are illustrations accompanying the spells, with lists of ingredients, method, verses and chants to make the spells work. Patti Roberts' artistic abilities are well-known, but still, this is a very inspired little detail that adds depth and value to the story.

Emotion: The author's ability to share a character's emotion is incredible. Living as an outcast, or at least someone different, comes across very well at the beginning of this series, and is presented with a kindness not many people are capable of. My eyes teared up because I could imagine or identify with many of the sentiments the characters were dealing with, even in this limited portion of the story.

The overall effect is of being at one with the book. Flawless in every way, the writing is exceptional. I fell head-first into the magic and I can't wait to see where the story is heading next. A beautiful, modern tale about a witch and what it takes to make your own way in life. This is a six-star book, at the very least.

5.0 out of 5 stars SPELLBINDING!!!! 

By Darlene Suber - Published on Amazon.com

Format:Kindle Edition

I have received this book as a gift, from the author Patti Roberts. In exchange for my honest review of her book.
I read this book a couple of weeks ago and have been trying to think how to give the book and Patti justice.
You see, the book is truly a work of genius!!!
The main character is a young girl by the name of Alexandria, by she goes by Alex. And after many years of being of being away from her home ; she is finally going home. She is going to claim her birth right. Witchwood Estate. a long her journey other she meets a young man by the name of Andrew(who is a ghost).
Now the estate has always belonged to her and is the home of all her family 's spirits.
The plot is pure captivating and imitative!!! The way that the author works the magic spells into the story is so awesome. The scenes and the characters come alive right before your eyes.

This book is totally Genius!!! And it is a MUST read for ya and even adults. I give this book a total of 20stars even though I can only put 5 stars . Patti Roberts you are awesome and Genius and your imagination is truly amazing.

5.0 out of 5 stars A story for all ages 

By Jennie Schroder - Published on Amazon.com

Format:Kindle Edition

I loved this story. It is beautifully written. It takes you into the life of a 17 year old girl on a journey to reconnect with her heritage her legacy. It is a must read for the goddess within.

US http://www.amazon.com/Witchwood-Estate-Books-Series-ebook/dp/B00CJDLY24/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1375530926&sr=1-1 

and UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Witchwood-Estate-Books-Series-ebook/dp/B00CJDLY24/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375583459&sr=8-1&keywords=witchwood+estate

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The Witchwood Blog - http://witchwoodestate.blogspot.com.au/

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Book review by Katie Shelby - Hidden Wings By Cameo Renae

How is Everyone? I haven't Posted in a while, I been busy with my new job, which I love by the way. Hope everyone is doing great. I've just finished reading Hidden Wings by Cameo Renane. If you have not read this awesome book you need to.

What's everyone else been reading? Anything that I would like?

Blurb:

What happens when Darkness and Light collide?

Seventeen is a life changing age for Emma Wise.

As her family's sole survivor in a car crash, she is left with a broken arm, and a few scrapes and bruises. But these are only outward marks; inside, her heart is broken and the pieces scattered.

Whisked away to Alaska, to an aunt she’s never met, Emma starts over. Secrets unveil themselves and now…she doesn't even know who or what she is.

A centuries old prophecy places Emma in the heart of danger. Creatures of horrifying and evil proportions are after her, and it will take Emma, her aunt, and six, gorgeously, captivating Guardians to keep her safe. But, if she can survive until her eighteenth birthday... things will change.

Amazon Link:http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Wings-Series-ebook/dp/B00B27GAC2/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1368801051&sr=1-1

My Review:

Once I started this book I could not put it down, I had to know what happen next. Cameo Renae, you did an Awesome Job With this story. Emma is a Seventeen year old girl, who finds out who she really is. Emma is in a really bad car accident and soon she finds out that her parents didn't survived the accident. She finds out that she does have family relatives who lives in Alaska  - her mom's half sister, and goes to live with her. Emma Meets Kade and soon she starts to fall for him. She meets her mother's half sister, soon she finds out something about her and her mothers half sister. I could go on about this book, But i do not won't to ruin it for you. If you haven't read this book you need too.


 

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Alexandria Santorini has gone home to Ferntree Falls to claim her inheritance - Witchwood Estate

Going Home shouldn't be so difficult. After twelve years away, Seventeen year old Alexandria Santorini has gone home to Ferntree Falls to claim her inheritance - Witchwood Estate - The home she grew up in and where her parents were murdered.


But there is something very evil lurking in the woods around Ferntree Falls that is quite content in making Alexandria's life more complicated than she ever imagined.

Whimsical, "TV" length episodes in an ongoing series. Witches, spells, ghosts, sprites, shape-shifters, wolves and more... For all those young at heart... An equal measure of both Magic and Evil.

This is what readers had to say:

All I can say is I loved this book - once I started to read it, I couldn't put it down!!!!! Jennifer Leblanc.

 There Be Witches Here ! April 17, 2013 By Leslie Hansford

Alexandria takes us through the pains of returning to the home she knew as a youngster; however, Ferntree Falls is not the same as she remembers it! Full of mystery, magick, mayhem and memories--Book 2 of the Witchwood Estates adventure introduces you to the good, the bad and the ugly characters that are now part of Alexandria's life.

Patti Roberts has a pristine talent for making characters on a page breathe. Love them -- Hate them ... you won't be able to help yourself from muttering under your breath about them, as you read. That is the way Patti Roberts creates. Another golden success for Patti Roberts with Book 3 on the horizon. Don't let the anticipation get to you, this one is worth the re-read!

 

 

What a delightfully magical read! For the young at heart or others who don't fear to dream. I enjoyed it so much! The wonderfully created world that you have so vividly written is easily envisaged! Katrina Whittaker

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun For Everyone! April 17, 2013 By T. Ormiston-smith

Ms Roberts truly never disappoints, and this second instalment of the Witchwood Estate story is certainly no exception. In Ferntree Falls, we are introduced to the scene of the main action, and meet some more of the nastier characters.

Roberts is at her best with the bad guys, and you cannot fail to hate Rotten Raymond and Vile Vera. The action moves quickly, but not too fast to give the reader a clear, detailed look at what is happening, and at the lovely, technicolour descriptions for which Ms Roberts is noted.

I enjoyed this episode very, very much, and the only thing I don't like about it is that I can't get my hands on the whole thing all at once! I keenly await the next instalment. The Witchwood Estate saga is exciting, it's well-written, but above all, it's fun!

 

 

 Megan rated it 4 of 5 stars.    

I wish it weren't a short story. I loved it and wanted to keep going. I will definitely keep reading the series. Patti has a magical way with words.

 

 

Conny rated it 5 of 5 stars Book 2 is sooo good, I could see it all, the house, the cemetery all of it. And OMG how I hated Raymond !!
I almost yelled at him ... (I did).

 

 

 

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Book review by guest blogger The Cabin Goddess - 5 ***** rating - Stranger Will by Caleb J. Ross

 

F-ING HELL, this book is AWESOME “Stranger Will”

 

Stranger Will by Caleb J. Ross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

THIS BOOK IS OMG awesome!
ANYWAY… WARNING, I use the F-word four times (which I thought I was restraining myself) and ASS twice.. but I don’t think one of them counts, and a couple of the FUCKS were wonderful alterations according to my friends.. so I am down with it! CARRY ON!
F is for a frightening experience (and the F-word)

This review rated M for mature as in Facebook said I swear more than 89% of all my friends. I am making sure I live up to their assessment in this review, and I promise, like Catch-22, it needs to be in here. I am still going “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot what did I just finish reading? WAIT not reading EXPERIENCING?!” Now, I am going to do something different, I am going to rate it first…

Five hundred million Bottles of Awesomesauce – there is nothing more, not even bacon at this point If language offends you … I really wanted to apologize ahead of time but I can’t! I tried to write this straight, but I can’t! I am still dealing with dropped jaw syndrome! So…*shrugging shoulders* this book would probably not be something you could handle if the occasional fuck bothered you anyway. It takes balls to take this book on! And I know a lot of you have them, so strap them on ladies and hitch them up, gentlemen and take it on, you will NOT be disappointed. Do not eat before you read, hug your children and be happy with your decision to breed and enter a world that extrapolates to the extreme ‘WHAT IF” and, what the fuck! and most importantly? Be careful what you wish for, sometimes someone really can grant your wishes, even if you didn’t mean it!

Ever read one of those books that sticks to you brain pan like duct tape on a shaved cats ass.. oh wait that may not mean something to all of you ummm OK that sticks like extra strength duct tape, let’s leave it at that! It is the foundation for a myriad of messed up bad dreams and unsettled sleep for the last week. I am deeply and quite deliciously disturbed by this. It has darkness in it, it oozes and gushes epically awesome frightening darkness. All manner of messed up people live in this town where  our protagonist Will now lives. And he is in charge of cleaning up behind their worthless lives.

He has a f-ed up but necessary job, he is a human remains removal expert. Car accidents, decomposing bodies stuck to their E-Z chairs… its.. fragrant and ripe with festive insanity. But the bodies are not there just what is left behind. We all wonder what kind of mark we will make in this world and I do not think any of you imagine it will be the puddle of decomp jelly where your fat ass fell asleep watching Jeopardy and stuffing Ho-hos in your gullet. Or spread across the scene that can be hosed away on the interstate. Give up your dreams and forget about clean underwear because it won’t matter at this point.

NOTHING I have read can compare to this except maybe.. read more HERE about the book, author and watch the book trailer.


I recieved this book as part of a Novel Publicity Tour for a fair and honest review. I do not think it gets more honest than this… I then went and bought it for five of my friends and demanded under pain of death to read or I would send the ninja squirrel assassin, Fred, to their house...


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What would you do! This book is AWFUL...

Recently, I received a message from a friend of mine (30 years in the editing business) who just finished reading a yet to be published book, and thought I would share it with you.

If you were the book reviewer in this predicament, how would you handle the situation?

If you were the author, how would you want to be told...?


Honey, I loved the title of the author's book so much I read a copy. Meanwhile, we've been messaging, but, honey, this book is AWFUL. Terrible writing. Breaks every rule in the book. It is actually uneditable... he just can't write. I need to tell the author something, in all honesty, but  not sure how to go about it.

The author will be slaughtered by reviewers if they keep this book out there in its current form. Any ideas on how to break it gently to the author without making them hate me?

Not only is the punctuation terrible, the sentence structure and dialogue and description are all atrocious. Worst I have ever read. Help!

(The sender of this message is anonymous for obvious reasons)

So what would you do? How would you handle this situation?

 I look forward to hearing your thoughts in the comment box, Patti

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The Hunger Games: Movie vs. Book - Review by Guest Blogger Carolyn Hockley

As an adult and a writer who is submerged in the YA world of books, I found myself counting down the months, then weeks, and finally days until The Hunger Games movie. 

We had pre-ordered tickets and stood in line for over an hour to get good seats – ‘we’ being my BF and my two children (who, by the way, had also read the books). Watching the young girls walk into the theatre with their long, dark hair braided to the side – their copies of the book clutched tightly in their hands, I felt a kinship with them – I felt part of a club, so to speak. Never before have I gone to such lengths to see a movie. I wasn’t disappointed.

The movie (nearly 2.5 hours in length) stayed true to Suzanne’s brilliant storyline. Knowing and loving the main characters so much, I had my first ‘cry’ when Katniss Everdeen volunteered to take her younger sister’s place at the ‘Reaping’. After that, my eyes and mind were glued to the screen as I watched the book unfold in front of me. The cast of characters were brilliant. I have not one complaint of the choices there. The crazy colourful hair and clothing worn by those living in The Capitol truly brought home the reality of the distinction between the ‘rich and the poor’. The cinematography was excellent.

The ‘Tribute’ deaths were quick and often a bit out of focus – which was fine by me since my 11 year old daughter was sitting in the theatre next to me. My second ‘cry’ was during **spoiler here** the most poignant, gripping scene in the entire book – Rue’s death. The sequence of events here was a bit different but well done. ‘Katniss’ laying the fresh flowers over Rue’s body was both touching and heartbreaking – well done.

After reading Suzanne’s 3-book series, my one suggestion or preference for the movie would have been an inner dialogue from Katniss’s point of view. There were many times during the movie when her thoughts of what was happening would have made the movie even better. Would I pre-order tickets and stand in line again for a second movie? Absolutely! I give The Hunger Games movie ***** stars.

 

YA Author

(902) 452-3310

www.smashwords.com

arazicrossing@eastlink.ca

www.gingertwistsandfairytales.blogspot.com

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Please leave a comment below in you have read books that you have reviewed and would like to have blogged.

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If you already have your own blog - that is okay.  You can have your review posted here too for extra exposure for you and the author... and have it linked back to your blog.

Authors, contact me if you have books that you would like to offer for honest reviews. 

And if you see any books on my blog that you would like to review, please let me know so that I can arrange that for you.

Authors and book reviewers, contact me HERE for further info

When you contact me, please leave an email address if you would like me to reply back to you.  Patti Roberts

Book Review By Tara: Beckoning Light by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Title: Beckoning Light (The Afterglow Trilogy)

Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

Publisher/format: Alyssa Rose Ivy, Kindle Edition

How I got this:  Received a free copy in exchange for fair review.

Synopsis (From Goodreads.com):

As Charlotte steps through the gate, she has a strong feeling that nothing will ever be the same again

Moving back to South Carolina after three years away, Charlotte knows she's going to have to face people from her past and adjust to a new high school, but she's completely unprepared for what else waits for her in Charleston.

Drawn through an old garden gate, Charlotte discovers a hidden world where she meets Calvin, a boy to whom she is inexplicably attracted. As Charlotte is pulled deeper into this hidden world, it's up to her older brother Kevin to rescue her. No matter how hard Kevin tries, the rescue depends upon Charlotte fighting her intense feelings for Calvin while mastering a set of abilities that she has only just discovered she possesses.

Review:

I have to admit, when I received this book, I approached reading it with trepidation.  From the synopsis, I could imagine it being a mish-mash somewhere between The Secret Garden and Narnia.  And I have to admit, after being forced to read it an over-analyze it in school, I’ve never really liked The Secret Garden.  However, you should never judge a book by it’s cover, and when I got around to reading this, I actually really enjoyed it. 

The story follows Charlotte, a girl who has just moved back to her hometown of Charleston from Alaska, and is once again living in a house that has been in her family for years.  She and her brother Kevin (the other main focus of the story) have moved in with their Uncle Monty (their dead Mother’s brother – this is important later) after their Father got relocated for research (he’s a Geologist). 

Everything in Charlotte’s life is fairly normal – she attends a normal high school, meets guys and has friends – except for a locked gate that the bottom of her garden.  Charlotte has noticed it before, but never as she is noticing it now, and is somehow drawn to it. 

Beyond the gate is the world of Energo, where it turns out her Mother’s family line is the royal family, and produces The Essence – a female of great importance and power in Energo’s society.  Charlotte finds herself on dangerous territory in Energo, and it’s left to Kevin and Monty to save her. 

One thing I will comment on with this novel is how well it was written – especially for an independent release.  I was really impressed with this, as I was with character development.  The Charlotte you see at the end of the novel is very different from the Charlotte at the beginning of the book, however, she doesn’t snap-change – it’s very gradual and organic. 

I also enjoyed the relationships between the characters in the novel.  I want to know what’s actually going on with Charlotte and Liam, and what will happen with Charlotte and Calvin.  I don’t even know which one of them I prefer right now if I’m honest! 

I have to admit, I did feel like there were references to both The Secret Garden and Narnia within the book, but it wasn’t overpowering.  I’m actually looking forward to the release of the second book in the series, Perilous Light which is due for release in 2012. 

I’d recommend this as a good bargain read on Kindle, and as a good relaxing read.  Definitely worth a look! 

Overall rating: 4/5

Writing: 5/5

Style: 5/5

Originality: 3/5

Characters: 4/5

 

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