Book Review: Phantom by Laura DeLuca

Phantom by Laura DeLuca

Publisher: Pagan Writers Press

Pub Date: March 30, 2012 

Paperback, 262 pages

ISBN: 9780984680092

My rating: 4.75/5.0

My Review:
I will be quick to admit I am only familiar with Phantom of the Opera through the musical and the movies not through the book so I can't attest to this book according to the actual book. But I must say I am impressed. Ms. DeLuca has managed to weave a story that parallels a story without becoming too something that would make the story over-the-top or just too much like the original. Ms. DeLuca makes the story work with the current day and time and fit in the young adult genre quite well.

I loved the characters, especially Justyn and how he played the Phantom role and how he was the goth boy/outsider as well in the book. I like Rebecca as the surprise voice that had never stood out before, the girl who had never been noticed as a perfect Christine. And Tom as the perfect boy-next-door popular guy as Raoul. Each played their part in the book which parallels their part in the play. I have to admit Justyn was my favorite, there was just something about his character that called to me. But I liked Rebecca and could relate to her. She was torn, some might see her as indecisive, but who hasn't been there as a teenager. I just saw her as a caring girl who wanted to follow her heart but cared about others as well.

The plot was fascinating. It could have been the typical teenage adaptation, but the twists and turns were amazing. I started this and was halfway done in a matter of hours. I could not put it down. I found the novel and story line well written. Great suspense and interesting character development move this book along very well. It's fresh and exciting and hard to put down.

When I accepted this book for review I was expecting a story I would enjoy, I ended up with so much more with this book. It was deeper and so much more enjoyable than I ever thought. I think it will be one of my most recommended books of the year, at least so far. It was fast-paced, refreshing and very interesting with wonderful characters that I think will appeal to all ages whether you have read, listened to or watch Phantom before or not.

About the Book:
The “Phantom” was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting. She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her obsession. When her high school drama club chooses “Phantom” as their annual production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle and the target of a sadistic stalker who uses the lines from the play as their calling card.

Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her character, she is torn between her two co-stars—Tom the surfer and basketball star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist.

Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both on and off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life the twisted character of the phantom? Or in real life are the roles of the hero and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn’t know who to trust, but she knows she’s running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty first century phantom finally be revealed.

***I received this book through Sizzling PR for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***

Guest Blog: Gothic Belly Dancer Laura "Tempest" Schmidt (Laura DeLuca, Phantom)

 Gothic Belly Dancer Laura “Tempest” Schmidt

 One of my favorite scenes in Phantom includes a belly dance routine. I can't say any more than that because I don't want to give away information about a pivotal scene in the story. But I can tell you a little about the amazing woman who inspired the scene. Her name is Laura "Tempest" Schimdt, and she is a world renowned Gothic Belly Dancer.

I consider myself truly blessed to have not only met Tempest, but to have shared Sacred Space with her on a few occasions. About three years ago, I was introduced to Tempest through my best friend and coven sister, Donna. She was taking her belly dance class at a local gym, and convinced me to come along.  Now, I am just about the most uncoordinated person in the world, and learning even the simplest steps was a challenge for me. But Tempest had the patience of an angel, and always took a few extra moments to try to help me get it right. I was only able to go to few classes before I got pregnant with my daughter and was on bed rest. By the time she was born, Tempest had moved, but those few classes were an experience I will never forget.

In addition to taking her class, I also attended a few professional performances that Tempest arranged in our area. The class was fun, but was nothing compared to watching Tempest perform live. When she begins to move, it’s like she is magically transformed into the Goddess herself. Her movements are fluid and graceful. Her costumes (which she often designs herself) are enchanting. She has created her own version of Gothic Belly Dance that is elegant and breathtaking. It literally brought tears to my eyes. Even as a writer, I find it hard to express just how amazing it is to watch her perform.  Tempest is one of the most beautiful women I have had the privilege to meet. It is a beauty that emanates from her soul and is transferred to the fluid movements of her body. All the wisdom of the ages is expressed in the poetic motions of her dance. She is a true artist.

If you would like to learn more about Tempest, you can visit her website, Darkly Dramatic. There you can find dozens of beautiful photos in her gallery. Both the costumes and the poses are stunning!  If you want to learn how to belly dance, she has several DVDs available for purchase. You can also check out Med Devi to purchase her own unique accessory and costume designs.

***My review will be coming later today***

About Phantom: 

The “Phantom” was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting. She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her obsession. When her high school drama club chooses “Phantom” as their annual production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle and the target of a sadistic stalker who uses the lines from the play as their calling card.

Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her character, she is torn between her two co-stars—Tom the surfer and basketball star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist.

Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both on and off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life the twisted character of the phantom? Or in real life are the roles of the hero and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn’t know who to trust, but she knows she’s running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty first century phantom finally be revealed

Come Chat with Steve Berry at BookTrib.com

Do you love suspense thrillers?   Do  you love Steve Berry?  If you answered yes to either one of these, I suggest you join in on the chat with Steve Bery at the BookTrib on Wednesday.  Just click below to RSVP!  They are giving away 10 copies of The Columbus Affair during the chat.

Pick Your Thon Starting Line

 

You know I love a read-a-thon, so when I saw the Pick Your Thon, I had to join in.  Pick Your Thon is being hosted by The Book Monsters and it's up to you what you do this week.  You can do a read-a-thon or a review-a-thon or both.  So come join in.  There are prizes and just general fun.  Check out the main post for more information.

 

1. Which thon are you choosing? Readathon, Reviewathon or both? And why?

I'm doing both because I have a lot of reading and reviewing to catch up on.

2. Where are you from? You can be vague or specific, up to you. 

I'm from coastal NC from around the southern end of the outer banks.  I love it here, we're right at the beach and while we don't actually go to the beach, we do typically head out in the boat every weekend.  I wouldn't trade living here for anything.

3. Say a little bit about yourself so we can get to know you if we don't already! 

I work as a research assistant in marine science and work with hurricane modeling.  I love it.  I have a husband I have been with for 20 years and married to for almost 15 years.  We have two boys, one is 11 and one is 7.  We are pretty laid back.  All four of us love to read. Mitch is reading the Game of Thrones series at the moment.  The 11-year old is obsessed with anything R.L. Stine and the 7-year-old loves Magic Treehouse.  As I mentioned earlier on weekends we can usually be found anchored up out in our boat near Cape Lookout with friends.  Beautiful view and fun for the kids to play.  I obviously will be found lounging with a book in my hand when not chatting the afternoon away. :)

4. What are you currently reading or about to pick up to read?

I am currently reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and it is amazing so far.  I'm not sure what is next . . .

5. What are your goals for this Pick Your Thon?

I'm planning to write at least two reviews a day (not to post each day, just to write and schedule them) and then to read as much as I can (hopefully finish Gone Girl and read 1-2 more books).

Author Interview: Peter Leonard (All He Saw Was the Girl)

Today I have Peter Leonard, author of All He Saw Was The Girl visiting My Reading Room.  Make sure to check out his interview and the excerpt from this great new book.

What's the first sentence of All He Saw Was the Girl?

McCabe watched Chip offer the long-haired guy a cigarette, the guy surprising him, taking the pack of Marlboros out of Chip's hand.

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

I wrote ads for twenty-five years, and it became extremely boring. I started writing fiction in 2006, finished Quiver a year later and I got a two-book deal with St. Martin's Press in the U.S, and Faber & Faber in the UK.

If you had to pick one book that turned you on to reading, which would it be?
Hemingway short stories, and Of Mice and Men by Steinbeck.

What are some of your hobbies?

I play tennis, cook, collect wine, read. I go to concerts and movies. I love college football and basketball, and professional baseball. I have season tickets to the Detroit Tigers home games. I also love to go to interesting places. 

If you had to pick a favorite character in All He Saw Was the Girl who would it be?

McCabe is the main character, and he's my favorite.  There's a lot of me in McCabe.

Describe what All He Saw Was the Girl is about.

I think the copy on the back cover sums it up pretty well. Rome: McCabe and Chip, two american exchange students are about to become embroiled with a violent street gang, a beautiful Italian girl, and a flawed kidnapping plan. Detroit: Sharon Vanelli's affair with Joey Palermo, a Mafia enforcer, is about to be discovered by her husband, Ray, a secret service agent.

If you could take one trip, no expense spared, where would it be to?

Patagonia in southern Argentina. It looks spectacular. It's definitely on on list of places to go.


What do you have in the works right now?

I've written a sequel to Voices of the Dead, and I just finished another novel based on my time hanging out with Detroit Police Homicide.


SYNOPSIS:

Rome:

McCabe and Chip, two American exchange students, are about to become embroiled with a violent street gang, a beautiful Italian girl, and a flawed kidnapping plan.

Detroit:
Sharon Vanelli’s affair with Joey Palermo, a Mafia enforcer, is about to be discovered by her husband, Ray, a secret service agent.

Brilliantly plotted and shot through with wry humor, ALL HE SAW WAS THE GIRL sees these two narratives collide in the backstreets of Italy’s oldest city.

 

AUTHOR BIO:

Peter Leonard’s debut novel, QUIVER was published to international acclaim in 2008, and was followed by TRUST ME in 2009, and VOICES OF THE DEAD in 2012.

AUTHOR SITES:  Web Site 

Amazon link    B&N link

Partners In Crime Tours: All He Saw Was The Girl by Peter Leonard tour page.

Excerpt:

Sharon was thinking, who was this guy lived in a five-thousand-square-foot house – not that his taste was any good – on Lake St. Clair, had nothing but leisure time or so it seemed? He called her four, five times a day, said, “How you doing?” And Sharon would say, “Same as I was when you called fifteen minutes ago.” “Baby, I miss you. Tell them you’re sick, we’ll go to the casino.” Or he’d be at the track or a Tigers day game, he’d say, “I gotta see you. Take the afternoon off, I’ll send a car.” She’d been going out with him for three weeks and it was getting serious. They’d meet at noon, check into a hotel a couple times a week and spend two hours in bed, screwing and drinking champagne. It was something, best sex she’d ever had in her life. He did things to her nobody had ever done before. She’d say, where’d you learn that? And he’d say, you inspire me, beautiful. The only bad thing, he called her Sharona, or my Sharona. Everything else was great so she let it go. They’d take his boat out on Lake St. Clair and she’d sunbathe topless. Something she’d never done in her life and never imagined herself doing. She felt invigorated, liberated. He always told her she looked good, complimented her outfit. Showered her with gifts, bought her clothes and jewelry. She felt like a teenager again. They’d meet and talk and touch each other and kiss. She was happy for the first time in years. She had to be careful. Ray, the next time he came home, might notice something and get suspicious.Why’re you so happy? she could hear him saying – like there was something wrong with it. But this relationship with Joey also made her nervous. Things were happening too fast. She was falling for him and she barely knew him, and she was married.

Character This or That: Connor from Crazy by Amy Reed

Today I'm playing This or That with Connor from Amy Reed's Crazy, which comes out next Tuesday and I must say if you don't have it on your wishlist, you must put it on there.  I read it in one day over a week ago and I'm still thinking about it.  But anyway, back to Connor:

Deer or squirrels?

deer

Sports car or sedan?

sedan

Twitter or Facebook?

facebook

Hardcopy of a book or ebook?

hardcopy

Apple or Orange?

apple

Android or Iphone?

iphone

Pizza or Tacos?

tacos

English or Math?

english

Salty or Sweet?

salty

Cats or Dogs?

dogs

Sunrise or Sunset?

sunset

Movies in theater or home?

home

About Crazy:

Connor knows that Izzy will never fall in love with him the way he’s fallen for her. But somehow he’s been let into her crazy, exhilarating world and become her closest confidante. But the closer they get, the more Connor realizes that Izzy’s highs are too high and her lows are too low. And the frenetic energy that makes her shine is starting to push her into a much darker place.

As Izzy’s behavior gets increasingly erratic and self-destructive, Connor gets increasingly desperate to stop her from plummeting. He knows he can’t save her from her pain... but what if no one else can?

Book Review: The Best Friend by Melody Carlson

The Best Friend by Melody Carlson
Publisher: Revell
Release: June 1, 2012
Paperback, 215 pages
ISBN:  9780800719630

My rating: 4.25/5.0



My Review:

Another fast read in the Life at Kingston High series by Melody Carlson. Since it had been a few months, it took me a little be to become re-acclimated to who was who in this book but after about 15 pages I realized who Lishia was and who Riley was. The main characters from the previous book have small roles in this book, but mainly this book has a new cast of characters from the same high school.

As with all of Melody Carlson's YA books, she tackles an issue that faces teenagers head on. This time it is loneliness, popularity and what a girl (or boy) will go through to get friends. I could definitely relate and although I wasn't fond of Lishia in the first book (The Jerk Magnet), I found myself very sympathetic to her in this book. And also though she brings all of the consequences of her actions on herself I also could see how easy it was to get sucked in.

While just a little on the cutesy side at times and a little over-the-top, I still really feel like this book can get it's point across while being an entertaining story. I read it quickly in one sitting and had to know what would happen to Lishia, Gillian and Riley. It's sad to think that girls can be that manipulative, but it really is a fact that some can be. But the truth is some can overcome and be true friends as well and that is a good point to be made as well.

I think this is a great series especially for the younger teen set that is just starting to face some of these issues and I look forward to reading the next book in the series. Ms. Carlson is great at getting right to the heart of the matter and telling it like it is without being too preachy. I really like that about her books and think teens will as well.

Available June 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

About the Book:

Lishia Vance is flummoxed. One day she has friends. The next day everyone has turned against her. No explanation. Just complete social isolation. Even her best friend Janelle isn't giving her the time of day. When she makes a connection with Riley Atkins, a popular cheerleader, things start looking up. But is Riley really as good a friend as she seems? Or is Lishia better off without her?
With her signature insight into the lives of teen girls, bestselling author Melody Carlson explores the treacherous world of friendship, loyalty, and choices girls face in high school.

***I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***