READER BUZZ: Taken By Storm

Okay, hold your breath.

Here's the first book I'm going to talk about.

TAKEN BY STORM -- by Angela Morrison

*Applause*

So here goes.

Belonging to the only Mormon family in a tiny town means saying "no" to a lot of things. Seventeen year old Leesie Hunt learns it the hard way. She is harrassed by the jocks and mocked as the "Mormon Ice Queen". Her salvation lies in poetry; the Lord above; and BYU, her dream school, her escape.

Michael Walden, a free diver, arrives in Tekoa to live with his grandmother after a devastating tragedy snatches away his parents' lives. Disillusioned in a desolate world, Michael need Leesie to save him from losing himself.

But how can she give him what he wants when abiding by the Mormon rules she has to keep her feet firmly on the ground?

TAKEN BY STORM is beautifully written. A compilation of Leesie's poems, Michael's dive journal entries and chat logs, it's like a breath of fresh air drawing the reader in instantly. The characters are well fleshed out and relatable. It is easy to understand why Leesie wants to protect Michael. He is beautiful and broken, drowning in his own tragedy. Inspite of the religious undertones TAKEN BY STORM doesn't come across as preachy. Leesie isn't a fanatic. She is sensible, trying to hold on to her beliefs.

Angela Morrison writes like a dream. Lyrical and poetic, Leesie and Michael's story is heartrendingly touching as their very different worlds threaten to tear them apart.

This book is special. I loved it so much that I had to write a justifiable review which is why I started this blog in the first place.

Leesie and Michael might have two more books to them -- UNBROKEN CONNECTION and CAYMAN SUMMER. Here's wishing this exciting new author congratulations on her lovely debut and good luck for her writing career.

If you're interested in knowing more about the author or if you simply want to read the first chapter, log on to www.angela-morrison.com

So there's my first review. If you're reading this I hope you enjoyed it and will stick around for some more.

Until next time :D