Book Review: Easter's Lilly

Author:  Judy Serrano
Title: Easter's Lilly (1st of Lillly's series)
Genre: Romance, Action, Drama, Fiction 
Pages: e-book, 296
First Published: December 16th, 2010
Where I Got It: Given to me to read and review for Ever After Pr


"It was Easter Sunday; the day Lilly's life went from safe and comfortable to dangerously unfamiliar. Her transformation takes her from a small town girl having an affair with a low ranked gangster in the Montiago crime syndicate, to a woman of grace and fortitude married to the head of the organization.Easter's Lilly is an inspired journey from the idyllic to the darker side of self-discovery. Read as the over-privileged brothers embark on their journey that twists and turns down the road of unbridled passion in this first book of the series."


This is the first book I've read by Judy Serrano and the first book of the series. I'll admit it...I can't wait to read the next one! 


At first I was a little unsure if I would actually like this one or not. It was a little sluggish and I couldn't stand Lilly (the heroine). However, once the action and drama heated up I was drawn like a moth to the flame. It was hard to walk away from. Judy Serrano has a way with words and she did a wonderful job making the action and gun play seem realistic. Unlike a lot of books it seems forced and its hard for me to envision whats going on. 


Not only was I entranced by the words and action, but I was very interested in the darker side of the world. We've all heard of the drug lords and etc, but it was interesting to see "behind the scenes". You have to be careful each and every step or you'll end up dead. I loved the tension and the story of love between Max and Lilly. It was such a cute and innocent romance, buuut I can't stand Max or Lilly. How odd? 


I feel like Lilly is suffering from the Bella-Swan syndrome. I'll say it bluntly...Lilly is an idiot. However, every SINGLE man "falls" in love with her. How? Why? Yes, she's pretty, but she's an idiot. I don't understand it. Her personality is highly flawed, like Bella Swan from the Twilight saga, but every yahoo wants her and "needs" her. I simply don't understand. 


ANYWAYS, sorry for the rant up there.


The ending was a love-hate thing for me. I felt like there were many different ending the author picked, but she just added them all and ended with a ginormous cliff-hanging. I mean HUGE! I felt like I was running along with the story at full speed, then I tripped over a rock and slide off the edge of a cliff and now I'm dangling by with by a twig. That's how I feel with that ending. Yes, cliff-hangers are a good thing, but you can't just leave it the way she did! *SPOILER ALERT* She ended it with Lilly's first child being kidnapped! All you read is that they're looking for the child, while Lilly is cuddling with Little Diego's teddy bear. UGGGH! It's driving me bananas *END OF SPOILER* However, I loved the ending. It's a great way to make the readers wanting to read the next in the series. Brava, Judy Serrano! Brava!


Besides for Lilly and my love-hate for the ending, I really enjoyed this book. It was certainly an adventure and a drama! I can defiantly see this becoming a TV show or a movie. If it were to become either of the two, I would watch it. I would recommend this to those who would love a good action/drama, gangster lovers, and for those who just like a good book. Out of five stars I grant this one 4 stars. ^.^


Favorite Character(s): Hector (such a sweety), the beginning Max (a sweetheart) , and Little Diego (just a cute kid)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Lilly (she is suffering from Bella-Swan syndrome) and near the end Max (I have a bad feeling about him...)

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<3CaroleRae

Book Review: House Made of Dawn

Author: N. Scott Momaday
Title: House Made of Dawn
Genre: Historical Fiction, Cultural, War, Classics
Pages: 198
First Published: 1968
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Amazon)


 

"The magnificent Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of a proud stranger in his native land.

He was a young American Indian named Abel, and he lived in two worlds. One was that of his father, wedding him to the rhythm of the seasons, the harsh beauty of the land, the ecstasy of the drug called peyote. The other was the world of the twentieth century, goading him into a compulsive cycle of sexual exploits, dissipation, and disgust. Home from a foreign war, he was a man being torn apart, a man descending into hell."

This is the first novel I've read by N. Scott Momaday and probably not the last. I've heard mixed reviews about this, so I was ecstatic to read it and form my own opinion.

When I first began to read I found myself in love with the scenery that Momaday showed. Well, I had already a deep love for the scenery since I went out to California last year. I felt very connected with the world he described and showed me, however that was the only thing I could connect to.

I felt very distant with the characters and the plot. I was confused a lot because the book wasn't in chronological order, which really bugs me. It's hard to follow a story where events are happening WAY out of order. I'm a fast reader, but I had to slow myself down so I could try to place the events in order. I don't know why Momaday wrote it that way, but I know he probably has a good reason (or so I hope). Also, the way he presented the characters seemed like they were far away. I had a hard time connecting with them. The only character that I truly understood was Angela, who was a little nuts.

Besides for the oddly placed events and the distant characters, I really liked this book. It has a good, deep meaning about self-discovery and finding your place in the world. Abel is not only a man who is lost in his world, but he's also a War Veteran who is tormented by the war. I felt so bad for him, but through him and his life Momaday shows that anyone can find their way to self-discovery and enlightenment.

It took me a while to read, but I'm glad I read it. There may be some major issues that  are hard to ignore (at least for me), but I found Momaday's writing style to be like magic. He wove such a wonderful story with beautiful scenery. It's a good book and I'm glad I own it, because I might re-read this in the future. I wish I could give this 5 stars, but I can't. I have to give this 4 stars; it would be 3.5 stars but I don't give decimals. 

Favorite Character(s): Milly and Abel

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Angela

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<3CR