Showing posts with label Jennifer Donohoe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jennifer Donohoe. Show all posts

Friday, May 31, 2013

#BookReview ~ Fly Away ~ Teen Fantasy

Title:     Fly Away
Author: Jennifer Donohoe
Genre: Fantasy/Teen Fantasy
Rating: 4 stars







Robin Sullivan is given a magical book where she can experience a better life in a new world called Tearmann. She can finally escape the terrible reality of life with an abusive, alcoholic father, her mother's schizophrenia, and her best friend's Leukemia. Robin must choose between deserting her real life or living in a world promising a better one. Events come into play forcing Robin to make a decision. Will she be able to save those she loves and still save herself?



Amazon Kindle Link



My Review:


Robin's life hasn't been the easiest, raised by an alcoholic father after her mother disappeared from her life. Robin's in for some surprises as she finds out who she really is and where her family comes from.

Only problem is, Robin puts others in danger while trying to help someone she loves very much, and now she must risk her life to make things right. Along with a group of men who are given guardianship over her and help her, she goes on an incredible journey that is one of self-discovery as much as setting right the things she put in jeopardy.

The story has a lot of neat places to explore and was quite the interesting read. More for teen readers or those who enjoy teen books, it was a little younger in tone than my normal picks. However, I really did enjoy the fantasy elements. I also thought it had a good moral or message as far as following rules and the consequences of disobeying laws/rules. 

If this sounds like the genre of book you'd like, pick it up for some nice weekend reading. Have a great one!
~~ Chantel ~~

Monday, April 29, 2013

#NewRelease ~ Fly Away by Jennifer Donohoe ~ Contemporary Fantasy


Author: Jennifer Donohoe
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
Release Date: April 17, 2013



Synopsis: Robin Sullivan is given a magical book where she can experience a better life in a new world called Tearmann. She can finally escape the terrible reality of life with an abusive, alcoholic father, her mother's schizophrenia, and her best friend's Leukemia. Robin must choose between deserting her real life or living in a world promising a better one. Events come into play forcing Robin to make a decision. Will she be able to save those she loves and still save herself?

Note from the author concerning Fly Away: Fly Away is the mixture of Dante's Inferno meets The Neverending Story. Robin is a normal teen raised in an unpredictable situation which catapults into a lesson of facing your demons and not running away, or this case flying away. I hope you enjoy the story.

About The Author: Jennifer Donohoe grew up in Northeast Ohio until she moved away at the age of 23 to the panhandle of Florida. She stayed there for 14 years and after completing her masters degree at Troy University for Mental Health Counseling she moved back home to her beloved state of Ohio where she now works as a Clinical Therapist with Felony Juvenile Offenders.

Her passion for never wanting a life to be wasted has amassed itself into her writing. Writing Fantasy has allowed Ms. Donohoe to add elements of morals, values, and taking responsibility for ones choices into her stories. Her other love is photography where she uses the photos as a means of helping describe certain scenes or as inspirations for a story itself.





Twitter: @donohoejennifer 

Check out these author-created pictures of scenes from Fly Away!











Have a good week and happy reading!!
~~ Chantel ~~

Monday, November 26, 2012

#BookReview ~ Willow's Journey ~ Fantasy/YA

Title:      The Legend of the Travelers: Willow's Journey
Author:  Jennifer Donohoe
Genre:   Fantasy/Young Adult
Rating:  3+ stars


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Amazon Product Page

I really love the premise of this book and the idea of the Travelers. Willow is basically the last of her kind (unless her mother is out there somewhere). Travelers have the ability to move in time and see occurrences of the past. One of Willow’s ancestors hid the Four Jewels of legend, and everyone wants their hands on them. As only a Traveler can unlock the secrets to find the jewels, Willow is much sought after and has no idea who she can really trust. 

Willow has been brutally attacked and cannot remember her past. Many people claim to be her friends, but she gets conflicting information. No one seems to want to really help her, and Willow struggles to remember her identity and why the young man who lives in the same house as her, Ryuu, seems to hate her and blame her for anything and everything. 

I did have a few issues with this book. There is much mystery surrounding Willow’s past and that seems to go on too long, for me at least. I became impatient with everyone patting Willow’s head and telling her they would tell her things later. Also, Willow made a few questionable decisions that I felt created problems for herself where she didn’t need to. However, I am a reader of fantasy books, not Young Adult, so it could be that some of the things I had a problem with are actually normal for this genre and I am only judging it based on its fantasy elements. 

That said, once I hit about the halfway point, I literally could not put this book down. When Willow started figuring out what was really going on, I was captivated with the events as they unfolded. I like the mixture of different myths and legends woven throughout this book. There are many exciting magic/fantasy elements that are very fun to read. The final showdown is awesome and worth the wait to get there. 

Overall, I really like the concept of this story and can’t wait for the next in the series. Although the mystery surrounding Willow is answered, there is still much for Willow to do and many threads of the story I can’t wait to see played out in subsequent books.

Happy reading, my friends! Have a terrific weekend!
eeeChantelfff

P.S. Don't forget my policy to read the samples before you buy! Everyone's tastes are different. 

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

#Spotlight on Author Jennifer Donohoe


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Available at Amazon
http://amzn.com/1475033664


Today, Jennifer Donohoe agreed to stop by for a visit and tell us about her book. I just started reading, The Legend of the Travelers: Willow's Journey. So far, I really like it. Here's the blurb to tell you a little bit about it.


Left without a memory after a brutal attack, Willow struggles to remember what happened to her and who did it. Her mother is missing and Willow is the last traveler who can find the Four Jewels of legend. In a life filled with Celtic gods, Japanese legends, Native American folklore, and a guardian fairy that does more harm than good, Willow learns everyone she meets has a stake in the choice she will have to make. Surrounded by those who are torn between aiding her and killing her, she works to put the pieces together and figure out who she can trust. As the mystery unfolds into the ultimate betrayal, Willow has to decide if she can fulfill her destiny regardless of the consequences.


I’ve really enjoyed the first few chapters. Do you want to tell us a little bit about the book? Specifically, what is a Traveler?
A Traveler is someone who can travel to the past. They cannot change anything, but only observe it. The original Traveler hid the Tuatha de Danaan’s Four Jewels from impending invasion. Since that time, all Travelers who came after him have searched for them with no avail. An old witch placed a curse on the original Traveler adding to the treachery of finding the Four Jewels. They usually end up going insane and killing those they love. Willow, as far as she knows, is the last Traveler and the only one able to recover these talismans to give back to their rightful owners.

Wow! Sounds like a rough sort of life. I'm sure it must be hard on Willow to know this is her likely fate.

Who is your favorite character from the story and why?
I like Willow, but Saille is my favorite. She’s quite the character and has many secrets of her own. She doesn’t get along with many people and tries to help Willow, but often gets her into more trouble.

One of those situations where with friends like that, Willow doesn't need enemies.

What inspired you to write this story? Have you always loved the fantasy genre?
I’ve always enjoyed the fantasy genre, but I wanted something a little different out there. I read about the Celtic Legends and decided to add other myths like the Japanese legends of dragons and the Native American folklore of shape shifters. I tried to intertwine these legends into a story that is unique and different, but still teaches something to the reader. 

What do you love about writing? What do you hate?
I love writing in general. It allows me to create new and exciting places, people, and events. The process of creation has always inspired me. I grew up with a long line of writers and story-tellers. I guess it’s in my bones.

The one thing I dislike about writing is the grammar. I’m poor at it and have a hard time getting it right at times.

I think grammar's hard for all of us. That's what an editor is for, right? ;-)

What advice do you have for other aspiring writers?
Don’t give up. Always keep your hopes alive and be open to suggestions and honest feedback. It can only help make your story even better.

What’s next for you?
There are four more books to The Legend of the Travelers. The Dragon King should be out by late fall or early winter 2013. However, I do have an interim book I’ve written entitled, Fly Away. It’s an Urban Fantasy. Basically, it’s a combination of Dante’s Inferno and The Neverending Story. Some critters have called it the grown up version of The Neverending Story.

Awe - I loved The Neverending Story.  Sounds like your new book is interesting. Plus, I love that there are more books to the Travelers planned. I'm the kind of reader who finds an author I like and sticks to them.

Anything else you’d like to talk about?
Join a critique group. There are some great ones out there. The Internet Writing Workshop and Critique Circle have helped me tremendously.

Definitely! I suggest that to everyone I know too. Critique Circle has helped me learn a lot over the last year!

Thank you so much for being here today, Jennifer, and chatting with me! I wish you lots of success!


To connect with Jennifer, here are her links. 

Website: http://jenniferdonohoe.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferdonohoeauthor
Twitter: @DonohoeJennifer https://twitter.com/DonohoeJennifer
Author of: The Legend of the Travelers: Willow's Journey
Now available at: http://amzn.com/1475033664


Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a terrific week. Happy reading!

eeeChantelfff