Monday, May 21, 2012

Pulse of Heroes by A J Sweeny Blog Tour Review

A. Jacob Sweeny holds a degree in History with an emphasis on Ancient Near East. Her immersion in world myths and her archaeological fieldwork provided the initial spark that led to the development of The Pulse Myth series which is a trilogy that includes Pulse Of Heroes, Of Blood And Pulse, and soon to come Pulse Genesis. Adding to this collection is a new series of novellas and shorts called- Pulse Historia. A Sword for- His Women available in kindle version is the first short. Besides writing, A. Jacob Sweeny loves to cook and Italian and Indian foods are some of her favorite cuisines. She has always been immersed in the literary world and will read anything from Shakespearian plays, philosophy and spiritual books, to comedy and modern thought.  She is a strong advocate for the protection of women and children worldwide. And is active in animal rights groups. She suffers bouts of writer’s insomnia, and is delighted to share those hours with her pug and two cats.
Pulse Of Heroes
Sometimes I will come across a novel which I classify as a rare jewel: a book that captivates me from beginning to end… an amazing story that it is impossible for it to not capture my heart and Pulse Of Heroes is a rare jewel. There are only two other series' that I consider rare jewels: the Twilight series, and Vampire Academy... I was wondering when the next book would come along that would really pull me in, make me feel emotionally attached to the characters, make me care about them in such a way that I would think about them weeks, months after I had finished reading the story and Pulse of Heroes did just that.
-Alishia, Treasured Tales For young Adults Blog-Page
I love this book! Move over Edward and Bella, a new power couple has hit the scene! Michelle and Elliot from Pulse of Heroes by A. Jacob Sweeny will give Stephanie Meyer's characters a run for their money! I have read so many books, and it takes a lot to knock my socks off but A. Jacob Sweeny did just that! With her original storyline and unforgettable characters she has an award winning series in the making.
-Dawn Hagan, I love Books Blog-Page
I have been waiting for a book to come along that has a new paranormal twist to it, Pulse Of Heroes is exactly that book! This book made me laugh, I wanted to slap characters, hide or cry out for help, and most of all it made me cry. Happiness, loss, pain, terror, and true love brought on an arsenal of tears that I couldn't stop no matter how hard I tried. I am absolutely on the edge of my seat for the next installment of this powerful moving series. I loved this book the same way I loved Twilight and The Hunger Games. The author signed my book "Enjoy the adventure and fall in love a little too". Her words were far shortcoming of what I experienced. Mirabolante the Italian word for astonishing is only cracking the surface of the multitude of words I really want to use.
-Anne, Paranormal Book Club
Of Blood and Pulse
My mind has been blown! Of Blood and Pulse is an epic and exciting continuation in The Pulse Myths series and I enjoyed every second of this phenomenal adventure.
It is every bit as magical as Pulse of Heroes, only better. It is rich with history that has been researched tediously which make the series even more outstanding, and enjoyable at the same time. A. Jacob Sweeny is one heck of a writer. She weaves a tale so vivid and powerful that I can see the things she describes in my head. Also, the already well developed characters become even more so. We get an insight into everyone's past, especially Elliot's, and we get to meet some new and very interesting characters. Of Blood And Pulse is the perfect mixture of romance, suspense, paranormal, and history, along with exquisite and lyrical writing. Definitely one of the best books I have read in 2012!
Kristina Haecker -Kristina's Books & More

Of Blood and Pulse by A. Jacob Sweeny did not disappoint. It picks up where Pulse of Heroes leaves off and Michelle and Elliot continue on their journey together. Sweeny's descriptive writing put me right back into the story without a missed beat. The lands, the history, it just comes alive! I am still in awe of the way the author manages to make the story flow while teaching me all about history. The excitement level of this book revs up the series a notch and the romance is also advancing, at a pace that makes the story believable, never leaves me wanting. New characters are introduced and each one is a living, breathing person to me. I find the balancing act of supernatural/paranormal world to human quite well done. You always believe in the story, the characters, and this is no easy feat. It's the little nuances that make this story evolve so well. While adventure, history and excitement are definitely evident, this story, at its heart, is one of true love. I can't wait until the next book!
Dawn Doyle
Oh Myyyy!! THIS NOVEL CERTAINLY HAD MY BLOOD AND PULSE RACING A. Jacob Sweeny has done it again! More mythology, more history, more characters and so much action I'm sure the kids on the pinball machines would get a run for their money. AJS will take you to places you have never been to and her descriptions were easily envisaged. Like a roller coaster ride she will take you on many twists and turns and have you guessing in which direction the author is taking us next. The romance certainly took on a new level, one that had my heart doing flips and my toes curling along with Michelle's. A must read series that will leave you gobsmacked, your heart palpitating, and have you anxious throughout. It will leave you contented, yet sheepishly grinning and also raising an eyebrow at the ending.
Can’t wait for Pulse Genesis!
Katrina- pageflipperz.blogspot.com
A Sword For His Women
A Sword For His Women is the brilliant story of how several of our favorite heroes from The Pulse Myth series meet and develop friendships that will last a lifetime. It is a tale that is riveting, haunting, as well as thrilling and fascinating. This novella really shows A. Jacob Sweeny’s talent and diversity as an author.  She can write a tender, romantic scene and then do a complete 360 and write about war and impaling people on sticks in detail. Here she gives us a dark and grimy truth that is horrifying at times, and yet you cannot put the story down. The Pulse Historia series a bit steamier than The Pulse Myth series, yet just the same, it has equally heartbreaking scenes. A Sword For His Women will leave you exhausted from feeling all the emotions that the heroes felt, as we get a glimpse into what they've been through in their long lives. This story will stick with you long after you have read the last word.
Kristina Haecker -Kristina's Books & More
First, let me tell you of the brilliance of A. Jacob Sweeny’s writing, as she literally can make history not only interesting but also completely enthralling. I loved reading about the events that have taken place in the past, and how the characters that I adore from The Pulse Myth series fit into them. This novella brings to light a time when battles were settled with swords and blood. It not only tells of these events, but also recounts how people suffered, lived, and flourished through such tragedies. I absolutely devoured this story and finished it in one sitting, all be it a short story, it is lacking not one single detail. Did you love Haden, Rion, Elliot, and Ando in Pulse Of Heroes/ Of Blood And Pulse? This story will only make you love them more.
Anne-Paranormal Book Club
The Pulse Myth series

E-mail: lyviavi@gmail.com

GOODREADS LINKS:
Pulse of Heroes:
Of Blood & Pulse:

A Sword For His Women: (Pulse Historia)

AMAZON LINKS:
Link that includes all works:

Pulse Of Heroes:                     
Of Blood & Pulse:
A Sword For His Women: (Pulse Historia)

B&N:
Link for both:

Pulse Of Heroes:

Of Blood & Pulse:


Book blurb via Goodreads
WINNER OF 2011 INDIE BOOK OF THE YEAR!!!! At Paranormal Reads!
A suspenseful, passionate, paranormal romance that sweeps through the emotions of first love and heartache as it traverses centuries and continents.

Michelle used to feel like she was behind in everything, especially school and relationships. Her great aunt from the old country says she is like a bland meal, "no salt or pepper". But in junior year, everything changes. Her father takes a position on the Town Council, a popular boy in school becomes interested in her, and most importantly, the Hekademos Learning Center, a private school for 'troubled' students, moves into her quiet neighborhood amidst the protests of the entire town.

After an embarrassing fall over the school wall, Michelle meets Elliot and her ordinary ‘bland’ life changes its course forever.

Elliot is no ordinary human. In fact, no one at the Hekademos Learning Center is. Beautiful and fierce, they have survived throughout the millennia by weaving in and out of human events. Through them, Michelle learns that history and myths from around the world are dotted with references to their kind. Michelle falls madly in love with the ever-striking and mysterious Elliot and, as much as he tries to fight it, he develops strong feelings for her as well. Although Elliot carries numerous painful memories from his many pasts, he disregards his own better judgment and the advice of his friends, and finds himself falling for Michelle‘s offbeat personality. Their feelings grow in intensity, but when History catches up with them, the difference between their life paths threatens to destroy any future that they might have had together.

Michelle learns that there are infinite shades of gray between black and white, and has to deal with the bundle of contradictory emotions called love. She has to trust her intuition in order to face the danger and uncertainty of being drawn into Elliot’s wondrous world. Ultimately, it is up to Michelle to make the split-second, life-altering decision that will either tear them apart forever, or give them another chance
My review

A lot of hype surrounds Pulse of Heroes, so it was with reluctance that I started reading the book.  In my experience hype usually equates to disappointment.  So I started on Pulse of Heroes, ready to be disappointed and soon find myself really liking Michelle, you really get to know her.  Really well.  Then enter the love interest - Elliot.  By now the reader has come to know Michelle well enough to no longer think of her as a snooty teenager.  She is extremely well behaved, well anchored and mature.  This came in very handy with Elliot in my point of view.  Because, people, I have always had trouble with a man that is a few hundred, or in Elliot's case a few thousand years old, who falls in love with a school girl.  Anybody able to say - pedophile. 

With the introduction of Michelle, her way of life, her maturity etc it becomes clear why Elliot would fall in love with his best friends great, great, great, great, great, great granddaughter.  So that nagging in my mind was relieved. 
Now the story gets interesting, Michelle gets drawn up in a life not known, at one stage in the book she thinks to herself that she wished she paid more attention in History class and I was laughing out loud.  I myself, share this misgiving. 
Life is however not easy, not even in fiction and Michelle gets caught up in a situation which very few of us would have handled differently or better regardless of our age.  Michelle is involved with another man, this man, abuses her mentally and later physically and then blames it on Michelle, who immediately thinks to herself, that he has a point.  A better description of an abusive relationship is hard to find. It is not a focus in the book or story but is rather masterfully interwoven with the rest of the story.  He isolates Michelle, convinces her that she is in the wrong and threatens her not with more violence but the withholding of his affection.  Brilliant.  I loved this part of the book and its very simplicity in the greater scheme of the book was brilliant. 

Another major plus in this book is the historical facts that are thrown in to enrich the characters as well as the story line.  I adored this facet and only wished that it was brought into the story line earlier. I give this book a 7 *** *** * review, I finished reading it last Sunday and could not wait to write the review and tell you all to go get your copy this is a must read.  Due to the blog hop, I had to wait.  It has been a very long week.  So now I have my chance, go, go get a copy, now.  It is an epic read and soooooo worth it. 

2 comments:

  1. What a wonderful review, Wanda...and you are the first to bring out my very careful handling of our sexy yet awful villain: Hadeno. You have seemed to really pick up on all the psychological delicate work and details that I put into his relationship with Michelle. I wanted an abusive man, not a monster, so thank you for noticing all that I put into it-from the fist time he interacts with her, the car scene I rewrote till it left us as confused as Michelle felt... and of course everything that takes place later. I hope you enjoy Of Blood And Pulse just as much if not more...It's pretty much a nonstop ride ;)

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    1. I really did like the simplicity of the scenes. The ease he has in convincing her. I have a pet peeve regarding people saying, that will never happen to me. I wont let it. I always think, seriously? You will know? Your depiction was spot on and it truly drove the point home of how such abuse starts and catapults forward. Thank you for the history lessons, as well, I adored that. I love history but is totally oblivious to much of which makes up our own past.

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