Book Review: Bourne by Lisa T. Bergren

Bourne by Lisa T. Bergren
#3.1 in the River of Time series
Release Date: February 27, 2012
Publisher: Bergren Creative Group, Inc.
Pages: about 160
Received: Review copy from author
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars, Special Shelf

This is a review for book #3.1 in the River of Time series and THERE ARE SPOILERS in this review for earlier books!

Don't want spoilers? Check out my reviews for the first three books:

Waterfall
Cascade
Torrent

Summary

From Author's Website: (highlight to read)

In this e-novella, River of Time #3.1, the dramatic tale about the Betarrinis and Forellis continues, picking up directly after where Torrent left off… The battle is done at the front, but the battle is only beginning back at Castello Forelli. Marcello fights for his life; Lord Greco fights to find his place; and Lia fights for love.

Review

Whenever I read an "extra" like a novella or short story, I always have a few nagging questions and, ok, I'll admit it, fears. The worst thing an author can do to a beloved story is stretch it beyond its limits, and oftentimes that's exactly what happens with little extras like this.

But...but it's the River of Time! Let's be honest here, I would probably gobble up anything even remotely related to this series.

But I'm also super picky and because I love these characters so much, I'm really protective over them. I can't bear to see them fall victim to series stretching. My heart would break to see them in filler stories or, worse, forced rehashes of the same old plotline.

So it was with an emotional mess of unbridled elation and gut-punch dread that I entered Bourne.

And thankfully, I had nothing to fear!

Is there a point to the story?

Yes! The fact that this is a novella and not a full-length novel plays zero part in the story's construction. This is not an "add on for fans"--the plot is original and makes sense as the logical fallout of the events in Torrent. I also finally got to learn more about the mysterious brotherhood! The best way to think of Bourne is to just forget that it is a novella and treat it like part one of the next full book in the series.

The story picks up almost immediately after the end of Torrent and it is essential that you read Waterfall, Cascade, and Torrent before reading Bourne (unless you want massive spoilers for the first three books). The same breakneck pacing mixed with tender character moments and thoughtful soul searching that characterized the first three books is present again in Bourne.

The only time I felt the limitations of the novella length was at the end. Yes, there is resolution, but the greater story arc that has been set in motion promises MUCH more to come. Seeds have been planted and threads have been left dangling, and of course I am dying to find out what happens next! I wouldn't say the end is a cliffhanger exactly, but Lisa is certainly a diabolical tease.

Do I get to see the characters I know and love?

Yes! All of my favorite characters make an appearance (except the ones who have DIED! Oh Fortino!), although for many it is a tantalizingly small appearance. Marcello, Gabi, and Greco all play a decent role but the meat of this story is Lia and Luca (yay!). Though, even there, the short nature of the book makes it so that none of the characters get as much page time as I wanted.

But that's not a criticism of Lisa. You see, this series is like a pastry shop. I love it so much that I want to scarf down everything all at once without waiting. But that really isn't possible (my mouth is, regrettably, just as small as the rest of me). The same goes for these characters. I want to absorb all of their stories, secrets, hopes, fears, desires, everything all at once. Like book osmosis. And that's not possible, so I need to learn how to be patient and savor what I do have.

And, oh my, what a treat I have in Bourne! I have always been a huge Lia and Luca fan, and I am VERY happy with the events of Bourne. It wasn't just that things finally happened (but, total YAY for things finally happening!), it was HOW they happened. Luca's personality was so perfectly displayed in the most adorable, swoony, heart-melting, giggle-inducing scenes of PURE WIN. The witty banter between Lia and Luca was everything I had been hoping for and more. I couldn't have daydreamed it better.

Does the author mess with a good thing?

Not much is different from the first three books, and that is a very good thing. There isn't any new girl causing love drama, Marcello and Gabi don't have a "misunderstanding" to carry the plot, and the characters don't suffer mysterious personality transplants.

What IS different is the inclusion of Lia's perspective! Gabi still narrates plenty (and it was such a comfort to be back in her head again), but the introduction of Lia's POV was thoroughly welcome.

I'll blushingly admit that Lia left me a little star struck in the first three books. She was just so darn cool with her arrows and calm reserve. I loved this opportunity to get into her head and see the "woman behind the mask."

Her voice is similar to Gabi's, but her caution and control seen in the previous books came through in her narrative as well. While I can't help but get swept up in Gabi's romantic view of the 14th century, Lia has always been the character my practical side can relate to. I hope more books are told from her POV in the future.

Bottom line

LOVE! More please!

Oh, and can someone magic me up a print copy please? That man on the cover would look so nice on my shelf.

Oh, and edited to add: The length is about 160 pages.

Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key 

Do you have any questions about Bourne that I haven't addressed? 
Feel free to ask in the comments!

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Author Interview: Lisa T. Bergren + Giveaway! (INT)

Please Welcome Lisa T. Bergren!

You're probably familiar with Lisa T. Bergren through my (obsessive) fangirling over her River of Time series, but what you may not know is that this series is by no means Lisa's first foray into writing. Check out her links below to see all of the books she's written and read on below to hear about what inspires her to write.

 There are NO spoilers here!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Inspiration from the Road & Research
By Lisa T. Bergren

I’m often asked by people how much my research reading and trips influence my books. The answer is a lot.

A. Lot.

Siena il Campo from above. Yikes!

Way back yonder when I wrote my first historical, The Captain’s Bride, the hubs and I went out to Maine for a long weekend—and my very first research trip. In a tiny village, reconstructed to be historically accurate for my 1880s era (hello, Answer to Prayer!), on the second floor of a sea captain’s home, I met a docent. This guy was a volunteer, but he was passionate about the village, about history, about sailing. And he told me the true story of a captain’s wife who sailed with her husband, and when he became ill, actually took the helm and led the crew around the Horn. That true story became the basis of my heroine, and I even used those scenes in the book (giving credit where credit was due, of course).

I read about how a fire can turn and overtake experienced firefighters in seconds. How it roars as it comes through, like a dragon. I used that as the basis of Firestorm, in which a fire scientist has to battle her fears after such a traumatic experience, in order to embrace love.

My sister-in-law, a counselor, told me how people were using “Christmas rooms” to treat Alzheimer’s patients, because memories of the holidays are often something even the worst Alz patient clings to. They might not be able to communicate any longer, but they can sing whole carols from memory. Combined with a weekend trip to New Mexico for some setting/sensory details, I had the genesis of Christmas Every Morning (just released as Mercy Come Morning).

Castello that started the wheels turning- Chianti, Tuscany

Italy captured my heart in 2006, when we first went with friends, and has pretty much kept my mind whirling ever since. The sheer depth of its history could spin a thousand stories. But it was in visiting a small castle atop a hill in Tuscany, that I began to dream of medieval lords and their ladies. From where we stood, we could see other fortified castellos, and in the city, the remains of towers. At one point, we climbed to the crumbled remains of a castle, long gone. My mind was rolling, then. What would it be like to live in a time when you had to defend what was yours on an active basis? Withdraw behind walls? Be ready to fight for what you believed was right?

From there I dived headlong into months of research, wanting to absorb all I could about medieval life. I learned about disease and treatments, religion pre-Reformation, guilds and political power. Much of what I learned went into six books—The Gifted Series (The Begotten, The Betrayed, The Blessed) and River of Time (Waterfall, Cascade, Torrent, and soon, Tributary).

Book ideas are everywhere. In songs. In conversations. In interviews. In articles. But in my research I often find the detail, the texture, the fabric of a believable world take form. Add characters with something to learn, a goal to obtain, a crisis to resolve, mix, and you probably have a solid story.

Lisa and her family in Italy

Thank you so much for stopping by, Lisa!


Wow, that story about the captain's wife sounds fantastic! I love when fact is as interesting as fiction. 

Oh, and did you catch that "and soon, Tributary"??? Yay! Bring on more River of Time!

What about you, do you like when authors draw upon real experiences, stories, and locations? If you write, do you use this approach when formulating your own novels?

Lisa is generously providing a copy of your choice from the first three books in the River of Time series for giveaway!

Click here to enter!

Info for the giveaway:

• As always, you do NOT have to be a follower
• This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL--if US winner, the book will be signed
• You must be 13 years of age or older
• One entry per person
• Your address is not required, but including it will help with sending the book out to you sooner
• I will contact the winner through email and the winner will have 24 hours to reply before a new winner is chosen 
• This giveaway closes on December 7th

Ruby is chatting today with another author + giveaways!

Check out our Historical Fantasy Jubilee full schedule of events and giveaways!

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Book Review: Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren

Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren
Book 3 of The River of Time series 
Release Date: September 1, 2011
Publisher: David C. Cook
Pages: 388
Received: ARC from author/publisher
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars, Special Shelf
Goodreads Page

This review contains NO spoilers for the series!

Click to see my reviews for:
Waterfall (#1)
Cascade (#2)

Summary

From Goodreads (spoilers for the previous books):

Gabi and Lia Betarrini have learned to control their time travel, and they return from medieval Italy to save their father from his tragic death in modern times.   But love calls across the centuries, and the girls are determined to return forever—even though they know the Black Plague is advancing across Europe, claiming the lives of one-third of the population. In the suspenseful conclusion of the River of Time series, every decision is about life … and death.  

Review

The perfect end

Series can be tricky things. The first part needs to hook you, the second part needs to sustain you, and the third part needs to knock your socks off AND satisfy you.  

Torrent is a win all around. Lisa T. Bergren so totally knocked my socks off and left me beyond satisfied (except for the fact that I want more, but I'm a glutton like that). Torrent was everything a concluding book should be and more.

Picked up right where Cascade left off

Torrent starts with a bang and doesn't let up until the very end (those were the tensest final 20 pages of my life!) There are some sweet moments where the characters get to rest, but these rests are very brief. All of the pulse-pounding action that I loved so much in the first two books is here in Torrent times ten. This is the end and the stakes are HIGH! No holds were barred and it felt like anything could happen.

If you read Cascade already, then you know something BIG happened right at the end. I loved this plot twist. It really enhanced my enjoyment of the story and led to a lot of awwww moments for me. I'm so happy Lisa T. Bergren did this for Gabi and her family because it couldn't have been more perfect. It was like putting in the final piece of a puzzle to make everything fit exactly how it should. 

Expanded (a lot!) on the enigmatic Lord Greco

I like this guy! Ok, so I'm not giving him my heart (Luca has it, then Marcello), but there's not much I wouldn't do to get more Greco. Or should I call him Rodolfo, because, yeah, we're totally on a first name basis now. 

Though I'm still not exactly sure if I want to make out with him like crazy, or slap him silly. 

One thing is for sure, I love the role he played in this book. Gabi's experiences with him helped sort out my own feelings for Marcello, and I've gotta say, I finally fell for Marcello. Hard. I had always liked and respected him, but wowza, he's darn near perfect now.

What does this have to do with Greco? You'll see. Let's just say that Lisa T. Bergren knows how to write a love triangle in such a way that I actually like it (when usually I HATE them). Best part about it is that it rings true and Gabi never felt like a floozy. 

Made me cry, and RAGE, and fist pump!

Yes, I actually did all three of those things. Including the fist pump. I know, so lame, right? Who actually does that?! But, um, yeah, I totally did it (and then I did this little ducking and furtively looking around me to see if anyone saw kind of move). I also exclaimed--out loud--"That's SO COOL!" on at least two occasions. 

These were completely involuntary actions. It was like the sheer level of awesome packed into Torrent possessed my body and I lost all ability to maintain the appearance of "collected cool" (like I rock that look normally? Yeah, whatever).

Arrgh, and the rage! Lisa T. Bergren can seriously write bad guys. She puts poor Gabi and her loved ones into these awful situations with these characters who I hate so freaking much that I wish someone would cut off their ears! 

Which only makes the books that much more filled with win when that sort of comeuppance actually happens! It's surprising how rare it is to have both bad guys worthy of despising on such a level where you want to curse their entire lineage AND have them get theirs. Lisa delivers on both counts. Score!

Ooooh, but I also said I cried. Prepare yourselves, because as much as I love how awesome Lisa T. Bergren is with the vengeance, and as much as the books are riddled with moments that make me want to hug puppies they're filled with so much Awwww--these aren't perfect fluff stories. 

BAD stuff happens. And to good people, too. Your heart is going to swell with happiness, but it's also going to feel like it got ripped out of your chest and stomped on. But as much as I HATE these bad things happening to characters I love, it does make the story so much richer than it would have been without these tragedies.

Of endings...and beginnings?

The River of Time series is everything I ever wanted in a YA book, and so much more. It's a rare thing to read a series that is so consistently good, but The River of Time series is one solid win after another. If anything, each book only improves as the stakes grow ever higher, more characters are introduced, and Gabi grows from a likable teenager into a strong young woman worthy of massive amounts of respect. 


Now here is my plea to you: BUY IT! Please. I'll be honest, I'm being totally selfish here. I want more books, plain and simple. I want Lia and Luca's story. I want Greco's story. I want a prequel about Marcello's secret brotherhood of kick-butt warriors (how cool would that be, right?). I want more adventures with Gabi and her family. I want to (spoiler for Torrent) see Gabi flex her muscles as the lady of the castello because I think she has grown into a woman who would totally own as a Lady in Charge. Bottom line, I want more! 

And YOU can help me! Yes, YOU! How? Buy The River of Time. Tell your friends. Tell your librarians. Ask your local booksellers to stock the series. Nominate the series for your next book club. Spread the word however you can. Because that's how we'll get more books, and I NEED more! Curious about the potential of more? Click here to read an excerpt for the potential fourth book!

I'll even bribe you (click this, it's a link to a giveaway. Yeah, I'm serious about the bribing. Updated prizes!) 

Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key 

Do you have any questions about Torrent that I haven't addressed? 
Feel free to ask in the comments!

Want more River of Time fodder?

Check out the book trailers!

Waterfall

Cascade

Read the beginnings of each book!

Waterfall

Cascade

Torrent

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Book Review: Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren

Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren
Release Date: June 1, 2011
Publisher: David C. Cook
Pages: 399
Series: Book 2 in The River of Time series
Received: ARC from author
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads Page

This is book 2 in a series! 

This review may contain slight spoilers for the first book. 

Click here to read my review of the first book, Waterfall.

Summary

From Goodreads. Highlight to read. May contain spoilers for the first book.

Gabi knows she’s left her heart in the fourteenth century and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, weeks have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Florentines will go to great lengths to see them dead. But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever.

Review

I wanna marry this book. This whole series. It's like Lisa took everything I want out of a book and put it all together to make the best series EVER! Even if you don't like historical fiction or time travel, this series is so much more than that. The River of Time defies simple categorization and gives readers something they so rarely get.

But this is a second book in a series, so you probably have some questions. Second books always sort of scare me, especially when I loved the first book like I did with this series. Will the sequel measure up? Will it spoil the happy feelings the first book left me with? Reading shouldn't be so dangerous, but when you're as emotionally invested in a series as I am with The River of Time, then the idea of opening up the sequel can be scary!

I'm going to try to answer the questions I had when I started reading. I'm going to try to avoid any spoilers for both Cascade and Waterfall, but some things can't be avoided (like if I mention a character appearing in Cascade, then you kinda know they didn't die in Waterfall...) So if you haven't read Waterfall yet (WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?!), then you might not want to read this review.

Do the characters I love show up?

Oh yeah! Of course Gabi, Marcello, and Luca have plenty of page time, but Lia is also elevated to MC status (and she is totally awesome!). Romana and Fortino make a small appearance, but they're not really present much. I know, I was bummed about the lack of Fortino, too. You know who does show up and totally surprised me? Paratore. I thought we had seen the last of him, but that jerk is back for more...and I love it!

We're also introduced to two more characters who were totally awesome additions: Momma She-Wolf and Lord Greco. Momma She-Wolf is Gabi and Lia's mother who travels back in time with them. She is kick butt! I love that Lisa included their mother. Parents are so often ignored in YA, but when you're torn between living in the 14th century or going back home without the love of your life, well, that's kind of a decision you'd want to talk over with your mom, right?

Lord Greco is such a great character. I love hating him and I can't help admiring him (and finding him attractive. Yeah, there's another hot guy). Is he bad? I'm not sure. I can't tell if he's good or if I'm just trying really hard to make him good because I like him so much. I'm not even sure if I want him to be good or bad. He's such a great villain, but he is totally swoon-worthy so, you know, having him be a villain might complicate things.

Will I be happy with the romance?

Ugh, middle books usually suck when it comes to romance. You have all the happy "Yay the couple got together!!" coming off the end of the first book, but usually authors try to complicate things in the sequel. Love triangles, misunderstandings, anything to make the honeymoon end.

BUT NOT LISA! I just want to give her a huge hug for not putting me through that agony. Gabi and Marcello are just as awesome together in Cascade as they were in Waterfall. Not only that, but Lisa also totally avoids the annoying "Gazing into each others eyes for pages" thing that also usually happens when couples have been together for too long in books. You know how it can get boring seeing a couple just be together? Not here. Their relationship is growing and it's tender and sweet, but also realistic and still totally clean. Marcello is a 14th century guy, and while that provides a lot of perks, he also has a very different approach to relationships than we have today (like marriage age, divorce, etc).

I loved the scenes where Gabi and Marcello hashed out these differences. The fact that Gabi is actually considering these differences and how profoundly her life will change is so refreshing. YA girls are so quick to throw away everything in their life for their paranormal insta-love guy. This gets old and I can't help but lose a little respect for those girls. Gabi acknowledges how much she loves Marcello, but she also carefully considers all of the ramifications to both herself and her family if she chooses to stay with him in the 14th century.

And Lia and Luca? *Squeeee* SO adorable!

How's the action? Is it as good as it was in Waterfall?

It's better! Waterfall was a battle. Cascade begins a WAR. The stakes are super high and, honestly, I never knew what was going to happen next. There's secret passageways, espionage, heart-pounding escapes, double crossing, and plague! The political intrigue is so intense I had my eyes glued to the pages and was left gasping in surprise. I couldn't believe some of the things the characters did! Let me tell you, the 14th century is filled with JERKS. Conniving, horrible, ruthless jerks.

My poor, wonderful characters go through so much in this book. I was so worried about all of them, and with good reason! We're lulled into a false sense of security with some cute but benign scenes in the beginning, but before long bad things start happening and we don't have a moment's rest. The action kicks into high gear and stays that way throughout the rest of the book. Once you hit that spot you won't be able to put the book down. I'm talking taking a sick day at work because you don't want to stop reading kind of feeling. 

How are the Christian fiction aspects?

If you like Christian fiction, then I think you'll be happy with the progression of Gabi's dawning faith. If Christian fiction isn't your thing, then I don't think you'll be bothered at all. The presence of Christian elements is very subtle in both Waterfall and Cascade. While Gabi slowly comes around to embracing the idea of God and God's plan, the story stands just fine on its own without these elements.

What I mean is, you know how sometimes in Christian fiction the entire premise is based on religion. It's a major plot point and the book doesn't work if it were removed. That's not the case here. Gabi is a strong character and able to do what she does because she's a strong, capable girl.

Will I be able to survive until September?

This is where I'm at right now:

But with longer arms. And like times infinity. The idea of waiting--waiting at the edge of WAR where everything hangs in the balance and I don't know if **** and how **** and whether or not **** and how **** will pan out...well, this is also where I'm at:

So, if in your travels you happen upon a mad woman raving about a castello and Italian hotties and the She-Wolves of Siena, please don't worry. That's just me trying to carry on the best I can until September.

And if you want to get a piece of this beautiful agony, make sure you enter the giveaway for a copy of Cascade!

Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key 

Do you have any questions about Cascade that I haven't addressed? 
Feel free to ask in the comments!

Looking for the first book in the series? Or a character interview with Gabi?

Click on the pictures to go to the posts.


Click here for the Small Special Week schedule including reviews, interviews, and giveaways! 

Don't believe it's THAT good? Check out Logan's review!
She's also holding a giveaway for a copy of Cascade! 

Check out these super cool buttons! (Notice MY quote?!?! *Happy dance*)

You can use them too! Just save a copy to your computer and then upload them like a normal picture.

 

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Character Interview: Gabi from Waterfall + Giveaway

Please Welcome Gabi Betarrini!

You're all probably familiar by now with how totally in love I am with Lisa T. Bergren's amazing book Waterfall  (first in the River of Time series), and so you can imagine how mind-blowingly honored I am to be able to welcome Gabi Beterrani, one of the She-Wolves of Siena, to my blog today!

 There are NO spoilers here!

Q:

What was the most striking difference between our time period and Marcello’s? What were you most surprised to discover hasn’t changed all that much between fourteenth century Italy and the modern world?

A:

It was crazy--cuh.ray.zey--how different women are treated back in Marcello's time. Seriously. Women have it so much better in contemporary times. But, that said, life was a little more simple for girls back in time. It was, like, just get married and have kids. In 2011, you have to think about college, career, and if you want to get married/have kids at all. What hasn't changed, really? People are pretty much the same. Good and bad. Generous, greedy, compassionate, cold, friendly, distant...there are good and bad people, no matter what year it is.

Q:

I know it’s not the most original question, but I have to ask, if you could have brought any objects with you when you traveled back in time, what would you have brought and why?

A:

I totally miss my computer. But it pretty much doesn't matter because it wouldn't do me a whole lotta good to have it without Internet and electricity. Oh, and same with cell phones. Do you know how much easier cell coverage makes life? Phones at all! To be able to pick up a phone and call 9-1-1, or your friends? Huge. But I wish I'd brought real underwear. Comfy ones, like Hanes. What they have here is, uh, well, lame. And scratchy. And I wish I'd brought a bunch of mousse and hair spray. Not to mention shampoo and conditioner. And soap. Soft, silky, good smelling soap. This stuff rakes your skin apart...

Q:

When you traveled through time, you didn’t know how it happened and if you would be able to return to your own time and family. How did you feel about this? If it turned out you were truly stuck in the 14th century, what would you have done with the rest of your life?

A:

I was pretty much freaking out for a while. But I just got focused and concentrated on finding Lia. I was so scared I wasn't going to find her...that I would be all alone there. Forever. But then...well, there's more to the story, obviously. And in terms of having to stay in the 14th century forever? I don't know. That's just too big to think about. I can barely figure out where I want to go to college and what my major should be. But then, leaving Marcello forever...yeah, I'm a little conflicted. Okay, a lot conflicted.

Q:

I admired your drive to do things on your own, but you did discover that sometimes you needed help. Why was it difficult for you to accept help? Are you glad you finally did?

A:

Yeah, I tend to go first and think later, sometimes. But even I reach a point where I know I'm hurting myself if I keep trying to do things on my own. And the people who jumped in with me? Seriously cool. That helped.

Q:

Traveling through time is an incredible experience! What impact did this have on you in terms of personal development? Are you a different person now than you were before your experiences?

A:

Totally. For one thing, I get my parents' obsession with the historical. It's like discovering not just things about other people--but yourself too. It's kinda hard to explain. We're all woven together on this deeper level, impacting one another...And being there, when life is so fragile, when people die in all sorts of ways, it made me appreciate life itself more. I mean, since my dad died, I'd understood that, obviously. But I still felt like I was just existing, making it through each day rather than living-living, you know? Everyone in Marcello's time seems to get it. It's like they understand that life is precious, that it can be lost at any moment, so they put more into living. I decided, in my own time, I was living on a surface level, not on that deeper level. It was really moving. It changed me forever.

Q:

You were close with both of your parents and they taught you many things that proved useful in the 14th century. What was the most helpful thing your parents taught you? Was there anything about them that you used to roll your eyes about but now realize you’re actually thankful they taught you?

A:

Well, if Dad hadn't insisted on the dorky fencing lessons, I would've been dead, many times over. I mean, fencing is way easier than fighting with a sword, but at least I had a start. And Mom had taught us some things about herbal medicines that came in handy, but I couldn't remember as much as I wished, once I needed it. That was roll-the-eyeballs learning. You have to understand my life...when your parents hold three-and-a-half PhDs between them, they tend to think that life is a constant teaching moment. Lia and I always wished we could sit down and just play games with them, or watch a DVD. Or just talk. But it always had to be educational, with them. When they weren't working, that is. But I don't mean to sound whiny. Especially since my dad's gone and all. If I had even a half hour with him and I had to listen to him teach me the whole time, I'd take it. It's just who they are. And my dad was super-wise, and would say the same phrases over and over; I repeated a lot of them to myself to cope. If I hadn't had that piece of him in my mind and heart...I don't know. I think I probably would have dissolved.

Q:

You met so many gorgeous guys with equally winning personalities. What was it about Marcello in particular that called to you?

A:

If there's one thing that Italy should export, it's seriously hot guys who are into girls like you and me. But Marcello...it was like, internal. I've never experienced anything like it. Like we were pulled together from inside. Not that he's tough to look at. He's hot. But his hotness goes more than skin-deep. Which makes him totally impossible to leave forever. But there's this other girl he's kinda promised to marry. And it makes me wonder how I'm going to encounter anything but a crushed heart...but I'm in deep, Small. Way deep. Which is horrible and fantastic, all at the same time, you know?

Oh I hear you Gabi! Thank you so much for stopping by!

Now for all of you readers who haven't read Waterfall yet, what are you waiting for?!?! I'm totally book pushering this one on you. Here:

My review

The Goodreads page

The awesome video trailer

The Facebook page

A FREE sneak peak!

For those of you who have wisely already read Waterfall, you can get excited with me over the release of Cascade! It's coming out TOMORROW!!

But in case you don't want to wait even one more day, you can enter here for a chance to win a copy of Cascade from the author! I've already read Cascade and it is FANTASTIC! If you loved Waterfall, then you are going to love Cascade! Don't believe me? Check out this free sneak peek! I'll have my review up on Thursday.

Click here to enter!

Info for the giveaway:

• You do NOT have to be a follower
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Book Review: Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren
Series: #1, The River of Time series
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Publisher: David C. Cook
Pages: 369
Received: ARC from publisher/author
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Special Shelf!

Goodreads Page

Summary

From Goodreads: 

Lisa Tawn Bergren's new YA series, River of Time, is romantic, historical fiction in which the plucky heroine doesn't have to fear a vampire's bite but must still fight for her life.

In Waterfall, American teenager Gabi Betarrini accidently finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy . . . Knights. Swords. Horses. Armor. And Italian hotties. Most American teens want an Italian vacation, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives there with their archaeologist parents. Stuck on yet another hot, dusty dig, they are bored out of their minds... until they place their hands atop handprints in an ancient tomb and find themselves catapulted into the fourteenth-century—and in the middle of a fierce battle between knights bent on killing one another.

Review

Can you say *SWOON*?

I’m trying to hold back the OMG squeeeeeees here, but it’s kinda hard. You see in the description where it mentions Italian hotties? Notice how it’s plural? Oh wow is it plural! There are three guys in this book that I would risk plague and travel back in time for. Yet, delightfully, there isn’t any annoying love triangle. The main character loves her guy and sees the other two as good friends (which means I can have them then, right?)

Ah, they’re physically attractive, but they also have super attractive personalities. The main character travels back to the 14^th century, so these guys aren’t the modern guy who will share his feelings with you over a latte (not that there’s anything wrong with that). 

Oh no, these are the kind of guys that make you let out a primal groan and call them MEN. They’re all commanding and manly and make me want to say really dorky things like “Oh take me you big man you” (I’m ready for my romance cover shot, please). They also have swords—one of the most popular accessories of hot men everywhere—and they’re totally willing to get all sweaty and sexy using them.

But, come on, am I superficial enough to give a book a five star Special Shelf rating on the basis of hot guys alone? Um, yeah, ok, I actually so am. But this book has other redeeming features, I promise.

Girls rock too

How about that main character? As awesome as the men are, she’s pretty kick butt herself. So fine, maybe I’m not buying that being a fencing champ makes her able to wield a 30 pound sword, but hey, it’s the thought that counts, right? And the thought is really great. The guys are all like, “Lady, you need to stay in the castle and let us do man work” and she’s all, “Yeah, whatever. You think I’m going to miss out on this? Pfft!” 

But you know what’s great? The men aren’t peeved by this. They’re impressed! Again, maybe not so historically accurate (they probably would have burned her as a witch or sent her to a nunnery or something), but I don’t care because I was having so much fun.

Oh, I probably should mention that the main character isn’t a Mary Sue at all though. I realize I might have made her sound like that a little, but she’s not. She makes a ton of mistakes and has a lot of “Oops!” moments. There was one scene where she was all, “Hold my lance and watch this!” but the guys and me are face-palming like we’ve never face-palmed before. She recognizes her mistakes and learns from them. She reminded me a lot of Meliara from Sherwood Smith’s Crown Duel (please tell me you’ve read this book. No? Ok, go get that book ASAP. Seriously).

Can I be so lucky?

Great characters are wonderful and all, but you really do need a solid plot to back them up in order to be a 5 star book, right? Well, the plot here was so, so good. How’s your knowledge of 14^th century Italy? Yeah, mine sucks too. So I don’t have a clue what is based on truth (if anything) and what’s the author’s creation. Either way, it doesn’t matter.

The plot starts out fun enough with the main character trying to fudge her way through 14^th century life, a plot device I always find amusing. Add in a missing sister she needs to find and a romance with a super unattainable guy and the plot would have been solid. But there’s more! War, battle, political intrigue! Ah, I just had this silly grin on my face that kept getting wider and wider the more I read.

But wait, isn’t this Christian fic?

This sounds all good and everything, but…maybe you heard this book is considered Christian fiction. Maybe that’s not your thing (it’s not my thing either). No problem! There are a few lines here and there where the main character wonders if she was sent back in time by God. The guys pray sometimes, but I don’t think that would be out of place in any historical fiction book because that’s what they would likely do anyway in the 1300s. That’s pretty much the extent of it. If Christian fiction isn’t your genre, please don’t feel turned off from reading this book. I really don’t think you’ll be bothered.

What are you still doing here?

This book ended up taking me a really long time to finish (5 days!), but that wasn’t because I wasn’t into it. I was completely into it. I never wanted it to end. I kept carrying the book around with me and not reading it because I didn’t want the story to be over. Thankfully, there are two more books and they’re both coming out this year, which I immediately added to my Goodreads list as soon as I finished Waterfall (Cascade in June and Torrent in September). All of the main events of the story wrap up pretty well so I don’t feel like I’m hanging on a major cliffhanger, but the stage is set for the sequel. If you like those courtly intrigue books with manly men and a strong heroine, then I highly recommend Waterfall.  

Still not convinced? Really, don't you have any faith in me? But fine, fine, check out this equally glowing review by Logan E. Turner if you still need a little more nudging. 

Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key 

Looking for another fun time travel romance? 

You might like: 

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

My reviews for the rest of the River of Time series:
Cascade
Torrent

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