Seeds of Discovery by Breeana Puttroff

Seeds of Discovery (Dusk Gate Chronicles, #1)  by Breeana Puttroff

Publisher:  Musefish Independent Press

Publication Date:  September 16th 2011

ISBN:  0983993017

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Book Synopsis:  Quinn Robbins' life was everything she thought a teenager's should be. She has good friends, a family that she loves, good grades, and an after-school job she enjoys. And, she's just been asked out by Zander Cunningham, a popular football player and great guy. But one day when driving home after picking up her little sister from the baby-sitter's, she nearly hits a boy who, after running blindly into the street, mysteriously disappears.


The mystery only deepens as she figures out who the boy is; William Rose, a reclusive, awkward boy from school who always has his nose in a pile of books.


As she becomes more aware of his behavior it becomes more obvious how out of the ordinary William is and how hard he deliberately tries to blend into the background. This only intrigues her more and she finds herself working to find out more about him, and exactly where he keeps disappearing to.


On a whim one night she follows him and suddenly finds herself in a new world. One where William is a prince, literally, and she is treated like a princess. She also discovers that she is stuck; the gate back to her own world isn't always open.


Quinn finds herself smack in the middle of a modern-day fairy tale, on a course that will change her life forever.

My Thoughts:  What first attracted me to this book was its lovely cover - so very attractive!  Then, when reading the description it mentioned a "modern-day fairy-tale".  I absolutely adore books with a fairy-tale twist!  So, I knew I had to read this one - and I was not disappointed!!


First off, I want to say how believable and easy to connect with that I found the main character, Quinn.  And, the way that the author told the story, I often felt like I was right there with her.  From the start, when Quinn almost hit the boy - and then he vanished - I was caught!!!  I could not put the book down, I just had to know where he got to. 


The fairy-tale aspect - Quinn finds herself in a whole new enchanting world, and yes, as the synopsis states, she is treated like a princess - so why would she want to go back to her every-day world?  This is a big decision that she has to make.  The characters in this new world were amazing, and I was fascinated with the background that went into everything!!!


Only a couple of things that I felt off with:  the first couple of pages were slow in moving, but it didn't take long (only a few pages - honestly) for me to be hooked.  Then, the ending, while I understand it is the beginning of a series - was too immediate - almost abrupt!  This does not however discourage me in wanting to read the next books in the series, Roots of Insight and Thorns of Decision.  On the contrary, I cannot wait!!!!  

To see what others have to say about Seeds of Discovery and see the tour schedule, click on the tour banner at the top.

About the Author:   Breeana Puttroff has loved making up stories since she could talk. For many years, her biggest audience for those stories was the fantastic students she had the privilege of teaching.
One summer afternoon, while she was picnicking in the beautiful mountains of her Colorado home with her little girl, Breeana saw an old, broken stone bridge, and she just knew there was a story inside. Six months later, the Dusk Gate Chronicles was born.


Breeana now runs a small business and writes full-time, and is a busy, single, homeschooling mom to her beautiful daughter.


Breeana holds a B.A. in English from the University of Northern Colorado, and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction and Literacy from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA..

The Binding by L. Filloon

The Binding by L. Filloon

Publication Date:  December 11th 2011

ASIN:  B006L960EO

Genre: YA Fantasy 

Synopsis:  Two nights after her eighteenth birthday, Lily is attacked while out jogging, but is saved by Tharin Lunar, a Sidhe prince. When she discovers that her attacker is her own brother, Lucas, who disappeared four years ago, Lily refuses to believe that her brother would truly hurt her and becomes determined to find Lucas and bring him home. Lily finds that Lucas’ disappearance is somehow tied to Tharin; so when he informs her that she is his betrothed and must return with him to Velesi, fulfill a treaty between their families and unite the two strongest clans through their marriage, Lily agrees. However, she’s not going to Velesi for a wedding, but to bring home her only family, Lucas.


On their journey to the borders of Velesi, the realm of the Thirteen Clans, they’re pursued by a Sidhe assassin group call the Ange, meet with an ogre crime lord that ends badly, deal with a sleazy troll motel manager, and when they discover that there’s a bounty on their heads, they must keep one step ahead of every assassin, bounty hunter and low-life criminal in Velesi.


Protecting Lily has become the biggest challenge of Tharin’s life. Lucky for him he has help in the form of his twin brother, Tolan, Lily’s best friend Julia and his three bodyguard cousins.

My Thoughts:  Another fun, fast-paced novel.  I sat yesterday and breezed right through this one.  I am so glad this is only the first in the series, as I am very attached to the characters, and unfortunately left hanging at the end.  I just need to know what more can happen.  I guess I will anxiously wait for the second installment!!


If you are into fantasy novels, this one is for you.  I don't recall ever reading an "elf" story before, but I can now say I have deeply enjoyed one.  A huge plus for this book - short chapters, and two perspectives.  The fact that the story is told in two perspectives made me feel as if I were seeing the complete picture - loved it!!  Short chapters let me take a breath as I am reading - not that I really needed it with this one!!


Lily has been raised human, but she comes to find that she is a princess to an elf clan.  She also finds out that she is betrothed to one of her rescuers, Therin.  Who was she rescued from, her brother - who had been her caretaker.  Wow!!!  


Lily is very multi-faceted.  She often did not react in a way that I was expecting, however, I often loved the outcome!  Therin, I did not think I would like in the beginning, but I found myself drawn to him as the story progressed.   The contrast between Therin and his twin was amazing.  And Julia, I just adored her. 


Love the action.  So much seemed to pop up - again, often unexpected.  The twists and turns - awesome!  I honestly don't know how the author kept up with everything!!!  Kudos to her!!!  There was not much in the way of romance in the story-line.  Maybe there will be in the future.  Although, honestly, I guess I really didn't miss it too much!


You just gotta take my word for it - this is a must read!!!


About the Author (from her blog):  I was born in Samoa, spent my 6 to 11 years in Hawaii (Oahu), grew up and finished school in California, and lived my adult life from the age of 30 in Las Vegas, and here is where I have been since. I have been writing since before I even knew what writing meant. Maybe it was that Christmas when we lived in Hawaii and we each recieved one gift (my oldest and youngest sisters and me) and I remembered unwrapping that very small gift only to find a pen. And not even a new one. I remember wanting to cry, but my mama said, stop crying and go write something. And I have not stopped since.


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