The Bringer by Samantha Towle
Published by Indie
Published on: May 4th, 2011
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 236
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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Lucyna is a Bringer. An emotionless being, whose role is to guide souls to the gate of Heaven.
Until she meets James.
In that moment, everything she knows changes, when she is struck with the sensation of feelings.
Curious and unable to help herself, Lucyna finds her herself drawn to James, against every instinct she has ever had, against every law of the universe.
Before she knows it, she’s fallen in love.
And for a Bringer, that's a terrifying fall.
Those of you that have read any of my reviews probably can tell that I have very eclectic tastes in reading. I love the different because same thing different day, just doesn’t work for me. There’s some genres that are just not my thing-fairy tales, Harry Potter and some kinds of fantasy just doesn’t do it for me. If Samantha Towle had not written this book, I might not have looked at it twice-well accept for the cover, which is pretty great. But Ms. Towle did write this book and since she is one of my favorite authors, I decided it was past time for me to read it. And it is really different.
Lucyna is a Bringer and is tasked with shepherding the dead to heaven. She has no feelings and doesn’t even know what she looks like. So when it’s time for her to take an older man to heaven and sees his son, James, her feelings wake up. The fact that only the dead can see her, means she can do nothing about her feelings for James. She’s in a quandary because the Elders of the Bringers can never find out what she is doing. And what she is doing is spending every minute with James when she isn’t working. Of course James can never see her, or maybe he can. Something happens and he does see her and she does look human to him. Lucyna knows her time is short on earth because any minute, the Elders could swoop in and take her back. This is the story of what happens while Lucyna is on earth with James.
I loved the romance in this story and of course really enjoyed Lucyna’s character as she tries to acclimate herself to the human world. Even though she has to visit earth for her work, she is pretty clueless about so many things. James was sweet, handsome, and an all round good guy. He’s grieving for his father, and is about to give up on his life when he meets Lucyna. Of course with all good books, there are a couple of villains and I do love to hate on villains. Oh and I haven’t even mentioned the Angels.
The story starts a bit slow and I think that’s because in the beginning, Lucyna has no feelings which makes her a bit robotic at times. The story picks up considerably after Lucyna actually is seen by James and I found it to be intriguing to the point that I read it to the end-really quickly.
The Bringer takes place in England so there are some British spellings of words at times and there’s the use of some words that are kind of ancient at times, but that’s because Lucyna is actually pretty ancient,so that worked for me. There is also some typos, but then most books have them. This is the first book written by Ms. Towle. If you haven’t read any of her books, I can recommend them all. She is now a best selling author and has written paranormal romances, rock star romances, and a contemporary romance. And yes I have read and loved all of them!
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
Awesome! I will put her on my authors to try list 🙂
She’s definitely worth a try 🙂 Her paranormal series is pretty great as well!
I’ve never read anything by her. I’ll have to check her out.
I hope you enjoy 🙂
Yay for female fantasy authors!!!!!!
Absolutely!
I really enjoy the different and unique as well and I think I would love this one too and yes, I admit the cover whore in me is loving that cover!
Great review and thanks for putting this one on my radar.
Thank you! Yes, I love the cover as well, even though in the book the flowers are purple 🙂
Hum…sounds interesting but I’m not sure it’s for me. I do like when authors I love try new things but they don’t always work for me as a reader.
I can totally relate to that. One of my favorite authors started a new series awhile back and I can’t get past the first couple of chapters-and it’s bestselling!
This sounds like an interesting read. I’m adding this to my TBR list. Lovely review, Lorna!
Thank you! I hope you like it 😉
I have to admit I was shocked by your confession regarding Harry Potter…LOL but totally get that it wasn’t for you, I feel that way about Twilight (don’t judge me!). This definitely sounds like a different read, thanks for sharing Lorna!
Confession time-I didn’t even try to read Harry Potter-the premise and all the parts they showed on previews just didn’t interest me. Maybe someday I will try one..um and maybe not! LOL!
p.s. I would never judge you-lol :).
Even though I get it I still think you should try it one day! 🙂 Hey, at least I tried Twilight…haha
that’s true-maybe I will. I didn’t read the Hunger Games either-should I admit that?lol
We’re even on that one! *me either*
Nice review Lorna, thank you. Not sure about it. The cover shouts Young Adult to me, is it actually a scene in the book, or just a random picture?
The flowers in the book are purple instead of white but yes there is scene with flowers. The two main characters are adults but I think it would be okay for a older teen audience as well. I know you don’t like YA, so you are right, might not be for you. And thanks!
The Bringer sounds wonderful, Lorna. And I’m a fan of Ms. Towle’s too, so I’m going to have to pick up this one. Great review!
Thank you! I hope you like it 🙂
Oh I think you convinced me to try this author. I’m very curious now about her writing!
I loved her paranormal series first, and then her rock star books just as much-if not more. They were 5 star reviews for me on another site. Hope you enjoy her books 🙂
The Bringer concept sounds really well done here and this is an author I should check out
I hope you like it if you do!
This is the first I’ve read of this author but this book’s premise is definitely interesting and I’m checking it out as we speak. the heroine sounds very different too! I’m glad you enjoyed this Lorna, now I have a new author to discover 🙂
I did enjoy it and hope you do too 🙂 If you like rock star romances-those are good too 🙂
This sounds like a very intriguing and unique book. Great find!
You’re right, it was unique 🙂 If you try it, I hope you like it!