Having in view the closeness in time and space of the events, 1730 Pennsylvania and 1693 Massachusetts, and also the subject of Goddess Born, it is impossible to not connect the story‘s events with what remained in the American history, and in the universal one too, as the „most notorious cases of mass hysteria”: the Salem witch trial. In fact, it is imperative that such a connection shall be made. That's because the heroine’s fear - of death- , of being accused of witchcraft and her desperation to find a haven (next to the "fragility" of the women social position in that era) is what ignites and feeds the events of the story.
In a time of great despair, Selah – the heroine from Goddess Born, will make decisions that will be considered ideal at the time. When everything seems to be ruined, when it seemed that there was no future for her, the chance comes with a stranger even if not in the best moment of his life himself. But the chance is one with two faces: the possible happy ending of the contraption that Selah brews can be replaced at any time with the more probable disastrous finale that could lead not only to her dishonor and loss of the welfare state, but even to the incarceration or death of those involved.
Slowly, but surely, the social drama gives place to a romance impossible to fulfill, reaching to closely intertwine with it and to influence each other. The social reactions are manipulated by the main characters, Selah and Henry, but the secrets that each of them conceal threaten the very success of their plan.
The paranormal side of the story is present from the beginning, being kept somehow hidden through veils, without being pushed in the eyes of the reader, but not less generating, directing motivations and reactions. The author offers the possibility of developing several ways of the story keeping you curious about what will be her choice and whether the fantasy element will belong to other characters too.
The main characters evolve, you will feel them and love them. The story being told in the first person, by the heroine, you will always know her thoughts and fears, but the author will take care to show you also Henry's intentions even if in the roller coaster of events, Selah will misinterpret them.
Various types of human natures, religious fanaticism and naivety, ignoble interests and desires for vengeance, but also kindness, loyalty and a deeper understanding of the world from some of the characters will intervene and provide confrontations and attacks, lethal dangers and miraculous salvations, but also unexpected twists in a story whose pace is kept alert, the rarest slower moments existing only to point the suffering brought by an impossible love.
Goddess Born denouement seems to solve some of the problems, but will also bring other issues whose resolutions will have to make the subject of another book, a story that will take place at an entirely different level. I cannot wait to read it.
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About the author:
Kari Edgren did not dream of becoming a writer. Instead, she dreamed of everything else and was often made to stay inside during kindergarten recess to practice her letters. Despite doting parents and a decent school system, Ms. Edgren managed to make it through elementary school having completed only one book cover to cover – The Box Car Children, which she read approximately forty-seven times. Things improved during high school, but not until she read Gabrielle Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude in college, did she truly understand the power of a book. Ms. Edgren aspires to be a Vulcan, a world-acclaimed opera singer, and two inches taller. She resides in the Pacific NW where she spends a great deal of time torturing her husband and children with strange food and random historical facts. Ms. Edgren hasn’t stopped dreaming, but has finally mastered her letters enough to put the stories on paper.
Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/22/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway
