This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Writers begin as readers. I think before it can dawn on a person to sit down and type out thirty chapters of creativity they first have to have an appreciation for the written word. At least that’s how it was for me. Loving books always came easy, and getting drawn into different storybook worlds only made me want to be a storyteller of my own.
As far as my reading tastes go, they’re pretty eclectic; Jane Austen is my hero, I can always go for a good mystery, and a well-crafted fantastical world makes my heart happy. Ultimately I want a fairytale ending though; a conclusion where we leave our characters with all being right in their worlds.
For a touch of the personal; being a mom and wife always keeps my hopping, coffee and music are constant companions, and I love baked goods, a little more than I should, but it all works out since I can’t bake or cook to save my life, as in - struggles with boiling water - can’t cook. I also love connecting with others about books, and even have an ‘ask the author’ page on my website because I could talk all day about plot, characters and inspirations (but no spoilers!).
Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite
Hleo is the first book in the Hleo series by Rebecca Weller. Seventeen-year-old Hannah Reed helps her boss, Carmen, clean up East Halton’s clothing store, The Patch, at closing time. While checking that all stock had been removed from the change rooms, Hannah inadvertently walks in on semi-naked Ethan Flynn, who hadn’t realized the store had closed its doors for the night. Hannah is aghast when she discovers Ethan has just enrolled at her school, where she is about to complete her senior year. While the female students fruitlessly throw themselves at the handsome new student, Ethan only has eyes for Hannah. When unexplained attempts are suddenly made on her life, Hannah feels both relieved and uneasy that Ethan always seems to be there to save her. Then she witnesses him murder a man before her very eyes. While trying to flee, she learns that Ethan is no ordinary boy and that she is no ordinary girl. Hannah will soon make a decision that will either save or destroy the earth and Ethan has been sent to protect her at all costs. For he is a Hleo – one of the many supernatural bodyguards whose job it is to protect those who are exceptional. Hannah now needs to figure out what monumental action on her part will make such a difference to the future of mankind, while trying to rein in her feelings for Ethan and determining the role of another new face in town, Adam, whose smile lights up any room ... if she can survive the frequent assassination attempts on her life.
Wow. Just wow. Rebecca Weller’s incredibly imaginative and action-packed tale kept me hanging on every single word. Hleo is a total whirlwind of adventure and an emotional roller-coaster ride. The main character had lived a normal, ordinary life for seventeen years before being thrown into a life of danger, carnage and fear. Hannah’s determination to make sense of what is going on around her, especially in the middle of trying to find out who her biological parents are, is impressive. I very much enjoyed the special bonds within Hannah’s close friendship circle, with typical teenage girls wanting to know ‘all the goss’ every single time Hannah is seen with Ethan or Adam. Although the story is paranormal in nature, each of the characters is presented as realistic and easy to engage with. Hleo is, without a doubt, one of the best young adult fiction books I have ever read. I look forward to the next book in the series and recommend this book to readers who enjoy fast-paced action, adventure, humor and suspense in a romantic thriller.
