Book Review : The Peasant Queen by Cheri Chesley

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Cheri Chelsey's debut book The Peasant Queen, where a simple farm girl discovers that even the humblest of peasants has the power to change the world.

Cheri's writing style is fast and fun, and you feel like your eyes just fly down the page, and that the pages turn themselves.

The story is about a young woman named Krystal who enjoys being in charge of her choices until suddenly she isn't anymore. Her brother makes a choice for her that makes her want to run away. In the act of doing so, she is kidnapped and magically transported to another kingdom far from her home. There a tyrannical king wants to take Krystal's hand in marriage, and the throne which belongs to another. Krystal's deep sense of independence rises up to thwart King Gregory at every turn. But still he yearns for her, even when her heart is snared by Jareth, the rightful heir to the throne. But King Gregory still will not relent. In a world where magic binds and the unexpected happens, Krystal is forced to choose between her heart and her desire to protect an entire kingdom. It is wonderful to see the twists and turns that make you want to keep reading until the very last page.

Cheri's characters were fun, interesting, rich with life and I was left wanting to know them even better. King Gregory was one of my favorite characters in the story. It's not often I am so drawn to the antagonist. It's funny but I found that I was half in love with him half way through, even though he is the villain. There is something about him that draws the reader to almost root for him, even though he is evil. He was handsome, lovable and deeply in love with Krystal . Cheri portrays that passion very well, you feel his yearning. I wanted him to be understood, and maybe desire to change and be better, you see so much humanity inside his evil streaks.

Krystal, the heroine, she was strong, feisty and courageous. She knew herself, and knew what she wanted and was never afraid to go after it. Even when it meant she would have to sacrifice things that she held dear. I loved that she never gave in and always found a way to keep her ability to choose, no matter the circumstances she found herself in. I admired her ability to stay true to her principles.

I found that Jareth, the prince, was lovable, but I wished I could get to know him better, but still I loved his determination to fight against the odds. He was determined to save both Krystal and the kingdom, and made sure that he cared for those in his charge.

The struggle for the throne in the story was filled with intrigue and strategy, made stronger by the power of choice no matter the circumstances surrounding it. It is a reminder that we are always free to choose how we will act in the face of both our trials and our triumphs. I felt that Cheri portrayed that with all her characters as they made vital choices and grew as a result of the decisions they made. Cheri did a beautiful job of showing us how we can be resilient no matter the situation.

The Peasant Queen is the first of a trilogy and I look forward with eager anticipation the next parts of the story. To get a chance to delve into the world of Fayterra once more, and to escape into a world where fantasy and dreams collide. There are some questions left unanswered that I hope will be answered. I wanted to know more about the magic and how it worked. To know how it affects people who do not possess it. I look forward to learning more about why it was so vital for Krystal to become queen, and I am excited to see more use of magic and what role it plays in the next books.

I would recommend The Peasant Queen to anyone who wants a fun fantasy story, with a bit of romance, some sword play and magical abilities set in medieval times. This story is a clean romance and is appropriate for all ages. I highly recommend you visit Cheri's web site here. There are a lot of fun things to see there! You can receive your own copy of The Peasant Queen by clicking here. Don't miss this wonderful story, you won't be disappointed. I wasn't!

Disclaimer: Although I sometimes receive copies of books to be reviewed it in no way influences my opinions, they are and always will remain my own!

My Blog awards Yay!!!

My very first Blogging award was given to me on Sept 5 2010, by Rachelle Workman but since I just figured out how to post it I wanted to add it in to today's post. It is so cute! I love it!




I just wanted to say thanks to Rachelle Workman for giving me this coolStylish blogger award. It is the second one she has so wonderfully given me! She is so great for my blogging esteem! She is always there to help me navagate my way around big things like Blog fests and how to add new gagets, and all the technical mumbo jumbo of the blogging world. And another super huge thanks to Elizabeth Mueller for awarding me the Stylish blogger award a couple a days ago! It is very exciting, it is my third award. Thanks Elizabeth for guiding me through the basics. =0)

YOU BOTH ROCK!!! Go check out their amazing blogs! I know you won't be disappointed when you see what cool things they have on them!

1. Thank and link back to the person who nominated you, only do not re-nominate them.
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Pass along this nomination to 10 recently discovered stylish and cool bloggers
4. Contact them and tell them about their nomination

Seven things about me:
1~ I have always had a secret dream of being a movie star.
2~ I love singing at the top of my lungs with the music at full base so I can feel it bumping through my body.
3~ I really want to take a cruise and go to Hawaii!
4~ I would love to have a lucky streak and win the lottery!
5~ I love to dance, and choreograph too!
6~ I am working on writing a paranormal y/a novel, and a suspense romance too.
7~ I love teaching, and public speaking and performing(dancing, singing, etc)...wierd huh? Even though I don't get a lot of opportunity to do it, But I like to be in front of a crowd and being the center of attention.

Now to award 10 very awewsome people the Stylish blogger award!
Gail Zuniga
Brent Westcott
LeAnne Dudley
Tamara Hiener
Rebecca Blevins
Rachelle J Christensen
Carolyn Frank
Ali Cross
Danyelle Ferguson
Heather Justesen

Romance Blogfest, Love At First Sight...Or Not So Much

Yay! I am so excited, this is my very first blogfest. What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than with a romantic scene. The theme is Love at First Sight . . . Or Not So Much hosted by Jordan McCollum, be sure to check out the other bloggers participating by clicking HERE I am going to take it from part of a scene from my WIP when Kieryn and Aric just as bit after they meet for the first time. It's in Aric's point of view. I hope you like it!

~*~*~*~

Aric could no longer resist her and took a step forward, closer to Kieryn, holding her trusting gaze with his. The warmth of her body radiated off her as he drew nearer to her. He relished it, allowing it to warm him. It had been a very long time since he last felt anything close to it.

There wasn't a need for his heightened powers of persuasion. As he lowered his head slowly keeping her eyes locked with his, fascinated by their ever shifting change of colors, he came closer still. Gently, carefully, he pressed his lips to hers, and closed his eyes.

An electric shock coursed through him. Never in his entire existence as a mortal or immortal had he ever experienced anything like it. It filled him with life and light renewing him. The taste of her lips was more than he could ever have imagined. Sweeter, more delicious than he had anticipated. The kiss was just as enticing as the blood racing through her veins. He was instantly addicted. He wanted more. He deepened the kiss, pressing his lips more firmly on hers and held her body close to his. Her warmth radiated out to him, penetrating his clothes, alleviating the emptiness inside him as nothing else had in over a century of imprisonment, or even before that. He knew the minute she responded, melting into his arms. The echo of her surrender flooded his thoughts through the link they now shared.

He was confused by the immediate and violent possessive reaction surging through him with regard to the girl in his arms. No one but me will ever have her! He emphatically determined. It was an unbreakable vow that with an unexpected eagerness he covenanted with himself. It was imperative that he keep her safeguarded at all costs. He assigned himself as her sentinel and would always watch over her, protect her. In order to ensure her safety he would move heaven and earth if he needed to.

The sweet ambrosia that was her kiss swirled in endless delight inside him, every sense filled to overload with its pure enticement. It was hard to believe how she threatened to overwhelm him with her essence, to be his complete undoing. Nothing, no experience in his life had prepared him for her.

Yes I am a Ninja!!

I am a Ninja! What does that mean? That I can do cool funky martial arts? You know it! Kick boxing and bowing to a sensai in a dojo? ABSOLUTELY! Chasing hidden warriors in the light of the moon, waiting with eyes dilated and ears open for any slight movement, relying on my inner instinct to know when I am about to be attacked. YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT! I do those things, I can take some one down in a fight if I have to, I have worked hard to teach others to kick butt and teach them to yell from their gut a resounding HIYA! Soothing, energy filled, and tension relief all in one. But that is not what I mean when I say I am a ninja.

I am a ninja in that I am now a part of Feb NiNoWriMo. I am joining in with other ninjas, writing ninjas to accomplish a goal. The goal to keep writing in my book, to get it finally finished, so I can work on edits. So the way I plan to use my mighty stealth and slay some major word counts and move steadily ever closer to finishing my manuscript, is to write everyday, to work toward a min of 1000 word a day word count. And if I am a mighty warrior with words and get more done and write 5000 words in a day, I will bow to my sensai (Ali Cross) and bow to my dojo at alicross.blogspot.com and say thank you my honorable sensai for teaching me the ways of words and writing with a warrior spirit. Now I must be off to slay the word dragons and bring honor to those who have taught me to show my fighting prowess with a determination to not fail and bow to them as I leave to honor my promise and kick some major writing butt!

Cool contest!

Check out a cool contest that you can win some fun stuff for and even get a chance to go to a double book launch party if you are able. Click on www.jenniferkclark.blogspot.com There is some very fun things going on there, you don't want to miss out on it! She has the rules for participation lined up and it's easy to do! Good luck!