Review of Of Blood and Pulse by A. Jacob Sweeny

Synopsis from book:
After a rocky start, Michelle and Elliot's relationship seems to be teetering on nothing but a few fraying strings, despite the great love that they both feel for one another.
Haunted and scarred by the events of the past year, they both suffer from traumatic consequences. To complicate things even further, someone who knows far too much about Elliot shows up unexpectedly, bringing revelations that even Elliot as a 4700 year-old immortal has a hard time grasping. This visitor’s mere presence adds yet another strain to the couple’s already fragile relationship.
However before Michelle and Elliot can remedy and mend their love, they must heal themselves, and that task will not be as easy, or as safe, as it seems. Join Michelle and Elliot on an epic life-and-death adventure that will take them to the four corners of the world in search of the key to their survival.

My Review:
Of Blood and Pulse by A. Jacob Sweeny is the second book in the Pulse Myth Series and 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 never leaves me wanting. The romance is also advancing, at a pace that makes the story believable. No, girl meets boy, sex, sex, sex in this book! New characters are introduced and Sweeny made each one 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. For example, Elliot reacts to the “we’re over” scene in a way that is so typical of how a man would react and Michelle’s reaction to Elliot’s reveal of his injury is also a typical way for a woman to react. Elliot became so much more to me in this book than the older, wiser boyfriend of Michelle. He became more real. Seeing his emotions, his attachment to Michelle and hearing more about his past lives really brought Elliot alive for me, made me feel more of a connection to him. I also liked that Michelle got to travel with Elliot in this book. It added more to the story in that she got to see Elliot in a different light. Seeing him react to others of his kind, other than the “brothers” he lives with, shows Michelle a new side of Elliot. It also allows Michelle to become deeper involved in his life instead of sitting on the sidelines of his other side. While adventure, history and excitement are definitely evident, this story, at its heart, is one of true love and this second book shows that. It brings a whole new level of romance and relationship to the table. Great job A. Jacob Sweeny, I can’t wait until the next book! 

I give Of Blood and Pulse

                                                        5/5 Books

Buy this book:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Blood-And-Pulse-The-ebook/dp/B006455BJK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331586222&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/of-blood-and-pulse-a-jacob-sweeny/1106964014

Sweeny's Website: http://www.pulseofheroes.com/purchase-herebooks.html 

Read more on A Jacob Sweeny on her website: 
 http://www.pulseofheroes.com/index.html

Review of Pulse of Heroes by A. Jacob Sweeny

Synopsis from book:
Michelle used to feel that she was behind in everything, especially schoolwork and relationships.
Her great aunt from the old country says that 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 neighborhood amidst the protests of the entire town.
 
After seeing the School Regent out with a group of young guys just before Christmas, Michelle is convinced that there is something odd about them. Her curiosity gets the better of her and she embarks upon a mission to figure out what is really going on. 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. After some unexpected twists during a family trip to Europe, 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: 

Pulse of Heroes by A. Jacob Sweeny is the first book in the Pulse Myth Series and was quite the surprise to me. I had heard and saw many good reviews on this book so I decided to give it a try. This is not your usual boy meets girl, loves and loses girl, rescues girl story and that’s the end. This book is filled with many wonderful things. It is rich in history and transports you to other worlds through Sweeny’s vivid, descriptive writing. If you close your eyes, you ARE there; you experience all the adventures and the land that she talks about. What an accomplishment, to give me so many history lessons and have me enjoy it! Romance is abound, as is action and betrayal. Yes, Michelle is a bit of a brat, sort of immature, but what 17-year-old isn’t? As she grows and matures throughout the book she grows on you. She is young in years but her experiences help her to grow at a fast rate, after she gets past the confusion and conflicting emotions. I feel for Elliot, I mean really, I would never want to be an immortal. Living through so many deaths of those you love, seeing the horrors he’s seen and the things he’s had to live through. The worst part would be not even knowing where you came from, who and what, exactly, you are. He is very mature, not only in years but also emotionally. I really connected with Elliot. I felt that I really got to know him well. I love that the story is told from multiple POV's’ It's not only refreshing, but suprisingly fulfilling as it gives more depth to the scenes. The roller coaster ride of this book is excitement in its purest form. Your emotions will go through the whole gauntlet.
You will cry and cheer with Elliot and Michelle, scream at Haden and drool over the boys at The Hekademos Learning Center and that is just a start. Paranormal readers, Immortal lovers, History buffs and anyone that just loves a well told, plot filled story will really enjoy this book. What a great start to this series. I’m looking forward to more adventures with Michelle, Elliot and the rest of the boys.

I give Pulse of Heroes

                                                            5/5 Books

Buy this book:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pulse-Heroes-A-Jacob-Sweeny/dp/0615414168/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330733300&sr=8-1
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pulse-of-heroes-ajacob-sweeny/1105098795
Sweeny's Website: http://www.pulseofheroes.com/purchase-herebooks.html

Read more about A. Jacob Sweeny on her website:
http://www.pulseofheroes.com/index.html