Viewing and Reviewing
Book Reviews & recommendations by LA POWERS for other author's work, as well as reference tools.
Click on and follow the pirate flag to the pirate LA_POWERS
.
Official Book Video Site.Have your comment posted on the LA POWERS website, please rate the video at LAPOWERSauthor video site.
There will be one or two videos for each of the books for your enjoyment.
Click on film logo above to view videos.
Video Reviews
The Gypsy CurseReviewed by earthxfriendly
"This looks interesting. Can't wait to get a copy!."
The Gypsy Curse
Reviewed by CINDYxHSM
"This looks like a great book. I'm looking forward to reading it."
S3C The White Dragon (version2)
S3C The White Dragon (version1)
Reviewed by spinserver
"I can't wait for this book to be released. It seems as though this is going to be an interesting story. I met the author and I must say she's a really nice lady and very very personable. Meeting her makes waiting for and reading the book all the better. "
***Thank you spinserver, it was a pleasure to meet you too. you are a well mannered gentleman.*** —LA POWERS
Click on blue apple to view video 2.
Book Reviews
S3C Book 1 The White Dragon
Reviewed by Rainee Morel, New York
"Shanton3 Chronicles; The White Dragon, takes you on an adventure that you do not want to end. You can not help but fall in love with the different characters. LA POWERS has outdone herself to keep the first book of the series, a fantasy quest on another planet, fresh and new like no other. Included is a tender love story that took my breath away, and reptilian enemies that stole my sleep! I could not put it down, it's in a class of its own."
Book Review by Chris Kane-----------reprinted with permission.
Review of Gypsy Curse
From the series Out of Ordinary People, copyright 2007
Gypsy Curse is a hefty work of novelist LA Powers, and as the title promises, the story delves into the intertwined lives of the main characters: Sue, Joe, and Bob. They are the reincarnated hinge pins of a past curse set upon their ancestors in a sticky and meandering love triangle. I’ve read books that don’t do a terrific job of juggling the relationship threads, and you end up feeling tangled in wire. However, Powers leads us down an ever deepening, complex path so that the climatic scene keeps you on edge.
The antagonist, Teta Beta, is an elderly woman of great wisdom and power who curses these characters out of spite. Revenge is a dish best served cold, and Powers does a great job of capturing the pure meanness of Teta Beta’s character. She is everything one would imagine her to be: strong, cunning, wise, and ruthless. It was chilling to realize this woman would stop at nothing and destroy everyone who got in her way of fulfilling the twin destiny. What’s not to like about such a purely evil antagonist? I feel it balanced the genuine good natures of the lovers Sue and Joe. The monstrosity of Teta Beta reveals itself as the story unfolds. Just when you think she can’t get more ruthless, she proves you wrong by continually stomping on the line drawn in the sand. Yet the twin of hate is love….at least initially, until it sours into unrecognizable destruction. We know that Teta Beta’s love for her dead/reincarnated son is what compels her to act the way she does. There is something awful and admirable about her maternal ferocity, if you judge her actions in the context of how much she loves her son. As in, she’ll do anything to avenge him and get him what he wants. Or maybe it’s what she wants because she’s nothing but self serving. At times it is hard to tell, and that makes the storyline interesting by blurring the line.Powers handled the character of the reincarnated son with complexity.
In his present life, Bob doesn’t realize his reincarnated roots and this discovery is thrust upon him. The old soul residing in him basically takes over, leading to inner conflict between the past Golden Child and the present Bob. His character shows many struggles: selfishness vs. selflessness, love vs. indifference, closed heart vs. open heart. Ultimately I felt pity for Bob, as he struck me as being nothing more than a pawn for Teta Beta’s diabolical designs. You could say the past Golden Child was also Teta’s puppet, and I find that sort of maternal manipulation disturbing.
Overall this was a good read, and the Gypsy customs and language is a testament to Power’s eye for authenticity and detail. This is also the first novel I’ve ever read that explores sexuality in a context that serves a true purpose: plot and characterization. Personally I have no problem with anything an author does, as long as it serves the story. The intimacy reflected the ever changing moods and levels of the characters: sometimes it was soft and nurturing, other times lustful, other times a soul connection to the past.
In particular I liked the relationship the wolves had with the Gypsy clan, and the descriptions of Belle made me feel like I stepped back in time. I could see a headstrong, beautiful and exotic young woman who captured the hearts of men. The copper ornaments twinkling in her long hair, the swirling skirts over laughter, the unapologetic sexuality and breaking of custom taboo—all of it captured a freedom and wildness of pure will.Powers conveyed old souls conversing within the mind of the present individual by doing a sort of magical double speak. This is something I’ve never come across and I found it incredibly creative. The double speak occurred at a climatic scene toward the end, and it left me holding my breath–hoping the elders didn’t catch on and thwart the plan to turn the tables on Teta Beta.
The 429 pages flew by, and Powers handled the theme of revenge, love, self-discovery and culture clashes with finesse.
*All quotes used with permission from those quoted.*
When you leave comments at the video site, you are leaving permission to be quoted elsewhere by the author.
