Witchcraft Couture

BEAUTIFUL NEW COVER 7/15!

West, K. (2014). Witchcraft Couture. Self-published.

Adult / Fiction / Supernatural? / Magic?

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars.

SCROLL DOWN and ENTER TO WIN A PRINT COPY OF THIS BOOK, SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR!

Witchcraft Couture spins the tale of artist "Oscar" Federico Pellegrini, who has lost his confidence and creativity. When he faces his former love, who has now become a major player in the fashion world, the stress to succeed becomes too much for Federico, who goes into a panic of self-doubt, fleeing the country and drinking himself into oblivion. As he vacillates between reality and hallucinations, Federico gains possession of a machine - either divine or devilish -- which converts plain clothing into designs which have otherworldly qualities. In the process, Federico becomes obsessed with the machine as the public becomes obsessed with his pieces. Rather than feeling better about himself as he becomes a fashion world sensation, Federico suffers debilitating depression, paranoia, and guilt, as the voices in his head call him an imposter and the few people who love him are forced to distance themselves from his erratic and destructive behaviors.  Does something supernatural power the machine, or is it Federico's mind that creates via the crutch of the machine?

Katarina West has created a truly unique premise that will have readers drawing their own conclusions as to what is real and what is imagined, and no conclusion will be final. I found myself feeling strongly that Federico was simply a delusional, brilliant artist suffering from mental illness, but then West would provide some evidence that would taint my theories with doubt.  West built her characters so richly that we could feel they were going through the same struggles as the readers with what to believe. Conflicted friend Ben and designer Dante seem to be the only people who are clearly sane, but even they get swept away with the magic and success of Federico's designs. Federico's mother seems intentionally blurry for the reader, adding to the mystery of what is truly unfolding. Readers know only what Federico tells them through his journal, which is the format for most of the book, and we can't know for sure if its truth or only Federico's version of it.  When Dante asks, "Why can't you do ordinary things in an extraordinary way," Federico, in striving to do something extraordinary, can't grasp the possibility of escape from his self-imposed chains.  An epilogue written by Ben clears-up some issues, but muddles others so that the reader is left with MUCH to ponder. 

Clearly, author Katarina West has been deliberate in her word choices, creating beautifully descriptive scenes and characters, for a well-edited, cohesive, and captivating story. Witchcraft Couture explores the power of the mind and how experiences and expectations can drive people to extreme behaviors. 

Thank you to the author for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give. 

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE EBOOK THROUGH AMAZON 


Learn more about the delightful author KATARINA WEST on her website, and follow her on Twitter, Facebook, or Goodreads.

IT'S A GIVEAWAY! 

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER BELOW TO WIN AN AUTHOR SIGNED, PRINT COPY OF THIS BOOK. THESE COPIES ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ANYWHERE! (US ONLY)

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Congratulations to Cassidy S. for winning! Can't wait to hear what you think!

The Giver

Lowry, Lois (1993). The Giver. Bantam Double Day Dell Books.
Young adult, middle grade.  Dystopian
Newbery Medal Winner

I gave this 4.5 out of 5.0 stars.



I really wish I had read this when it first came out, as Lowry clearly planted a seed for many of the future generations of dystopian writers. She painted a very detailed picture of a world in which science and technology have developed to a point the government can create sameness for all its citizens. To swipe a line from Willy Wonka, happiness and harmony are what it's all about. Only a very limited few know what the rest of them are missing, but that's really all it takes for a yearning to start, and when there's yearning, there's change. Think Aldous Huxley's BRAVE NEW WORLD, minus the sex.

In all the harmony, the characters and this world are deeply disturbing, and the story poses many points to ponder about what makes us human -- free will, choice, guilt, sexuality, and morality to name a few qualities -- and what we are if those aspects are removed.

THE GIVER has an outstanding plot, intentionally written characters (we are only supposed to form specific feelings for those we do), and wonderful, rich writing. It has very minimal violence, no language issues, and no sexual situations -- only a reference to a teenaged boy's stirrings and no elaboration on that.

So why the 4.5 and not the 5.0? The ending. The ending just didn't do it for me and was a little disappointing, whether future companion novels were coming or not. I will probably continue to read the other three books, but I'm not sure they will mend the ending to the first. Want to see my signed copy? Click here.

UPDATE: Movie coming out in 2014! Watch the Movie Trailer HERE!

Used Book Store GOLD!

My copy!

I was browsing the COOLEST used book store, RECYCLED BOOKS in Denton, TX today, and came across an old copy of The Giver, by Lois Lowry.  Thought it was high time I gave it a read, and at $2, I was sold!

Imagine my THRILLLLLLL when I opened it up, and LOIS and behold, Ms. Lowry herself had signed this copy -- and in 1994, the year she won the Newbery Medal for the book. Check this out:

Found on inside cover!

Happy dancing! Happy dancing! I think she'd be pleased to know that this copy is still out there and her message is still being read in full force.  READ MY BOOK REVIEW and SEE THE MOVIE TRAILER.

Timeless (Transcend Time Saga #3) RELEASE

11/20/12

NOW ON SALE! Link for purchase on Amazon…

Amazon.com: michelle madow

click here to read my review of Timeless

In celebration of the release week of TIMELESS (November 20, 2012 – November 27, 2012), two special week long deals will be occurring: 

   1. The e-version of REMEMBRANCE will be reduced from $2.99 to $0.99 on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. VENGEANCE is $0.99.

   2. Anyone who purchases TIMELESS during the release week is eligible to receive a free personalized REMEMBRANCE bookmark signed by Michelle Madow. To claim a bookmark, email timeless@michellemadow.com with your name, mailing address (as it should appear on the envelope), and proof of purchase (a screenshot/photo of your purchase confirmation, or a photo of TIMELESS on your e-reader.) This offer is international. 

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11/5/12
If you are an email subscriber to michellemadow.com, you can pre-order and receive a signed copy of Timeless. Click here to orderClick here to order!

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10/1/12
Timeless trailer released! CLICK HERE to enjoy!


There is also a new give-away, says Michelle,

"I will be giving away a paperback, signed proof of Timeless. Besides the proof I marked up, this is the only copy of this exact version of Timeless in existence. If you want to own this one-of-a-kind item, the only way to try to get it is to enter this giveaway!"


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The back cover blurb has just been released along with some great give-aways! 

We're getting closer to this third and final installment in the Transcend Time Series that started with Remembrance  and was followed by Vengeance.

Here's the back cover blurb for Timeless:

IT'S A RACE AGAINST TIME.

In Remembrance, Lizzie and Drew changed the course of fate so they could be together. 

In Vengeance, Chelsea set fate back on its original, deadly path. 

Now, strange things keep happening to Lizzie. Things that are omens of darkness to come. A curse has doomed her to die an early death, just as she did in her past life. To make things worse, even if she can figure out who cast the curse, it's irreversible. There's only one option left for her to save herself. It's crazier than anything she's heard yet, and to do it, she'll need Drew and Chelsea's help.

Because to make things right, they must go back to when it all began …

To coincide with this just released back cover blurb, Michelle is doing some give-aways! 

- One signed paperback of Timeless (to be sent as soon as possible after the release date)

- A choice of one of these time travel novels: Waterfall by Lisa Bergren, Tempest by Julie Cross, Hourglass by Myra McEntire, TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow, Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone, or Timeless Love by Judith O’Brian.

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Visit Michelle's website to get your copy of Remembrance or to connect with her through social media.