When rodeo star Beau Van Braugh crossed over after a losing battle with an angry bull, he took the one thing with him that he should have left behind - his ego. And it's that ego that gets the guardian angel in trouble. It isn't long before his behavior comes to the attention of his spiritual superiors, the Council of Angels. As a result, an enforcement angel, a female ninja spirit named Marren, is set on his tail. When Beau crosses paths with the angry spirit of Adolph Hitler, however, he sees an opportunity to banish the enforcement angel forever. He also recognizes the destruction that comes from living an egocentric existence, whether it's on the earth or spiritual plane. It's decision time for Beau. Will he choose good or evil?
My Take:
We all know the phrase: You can't judge a book by it's cover. In the case of Beau, you can't judge a book by it's back cover description. The book is much better than this makes it out to be. Many of the aspects which appear to be so random and a little bit out of left field (ninja spirits, Adolph Hitler), the way each of these elements is presented in the book feels surprisingly quite natural and they do make sense. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, it was very different from anything I've ever read before. The concepts presented in this book were new and interesting. I really enjoyed the characters, but I felt that some of the characters changed their, well, character, a bit too quickly and easily. There is a character that just does the most horrific things, then suddenly a change of heart happens, and it is difficult for the reader to stop hating him. When he does turn things around, I found myself feeling confused, because I still wanted to dislike him, yet I could tell that the writer intended for you to love him at that point. There were some other little things here or there that needed to be fleshed out a bit better to make it a great book. As I mentioned before, some of the changes were too abrupt, and some of the high concept ideas needed to be explained a bit further, such as the inconstant nature of time, dark space versus light space, to name a few. Also, much of the book was a bit too dark and depressing for me. It all worked out in the end, which I was happy for, but the depressing part was about 85% of the book, then the happy ending was too fast and too easy. Like I said, overall I really enjoyed the book, but I feel like the concepts need to be a little more thought out. While it was very interesting, and very entertaining, I am going to rate it a 4, Borrow from a Friend. I really hummed and hawed over the rating of this book, it was really borderline 3/4.
Do you agree with my review? Do you think I'm totally off base? Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!
And now a few words with the author, Lorraine Agnew:
The Book Buff: What author do you consider your own personal mentor?
Lorraine Agnew: Deepak Chopra.
TBB: Who is your favorite author? What really strikes you about this person’s work?
LA: J.K. Rowling. I love her imagination.
TBB: How would you describe your particular writing style?
LA: I am a romantic, whether it's science fiction, fantasy or children's books. I love a happy ending.
TBB: What gets your creativity flowing? What’s your muse?
LA: Classical music, on low, in the background.
TBB: Did you personally learn anything from writing your book?
LA: I learned to not be in a hurry to publish. Check, check and check again.
TBB: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
LA: Absolutely. Don't let your ego rule your life.
TBB: Anything else you’d like to say to your readers?
LA: I don't want my readers to put down my book when they are finished and say they love me, I want them to love their lives with a new perspective.
Lorraine Agnew: Deepak Chopra.
TBB: Who is your favorite author? What really strikes you about this person’s work?
LA: J.K. Rowling. I love her imagination.
TBB: How would you describe your particular writing style?
LA: I am a romantic, whether it's science fiction, fantasy or children's books. I love a happy ending.
TBB: What gets your creativity flowing? What’s your muse?
LA: Classical music, on low, in the background.
TBB: Did you personally learn anything from writing your book?
LA: I learned to not be in a hurry to publish. Check, check and check again.
TBB: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
LA: Absolutely. Don't let your ego rule your life.
TBB: Anything else you’d like to say to your readers?
LA: I don't want my readers to put down my book when they are finished and say they love me, I want them to love their lives with a new perspective.
To learn more about Lorraine Agnew and her upcoming work, visit http://www.lorraineagnew.com/
If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider supporting the Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!
7 comments:
This sounds just up my alley! I think I'll have to place this one on my ever growing must-read list. Thanks for the review!
After reading your review, I would read the book. I would have never picked it up based on the cover or the jacket. It is funny how sometimes publishers can be so off base when marketing a book.
Interesting, interesting. Beau sounds like a unique book for sure!
Ok so i am new to the twenty something blogger site and you sent me a message about your blog and I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO glad you did. I love love love reading new books and it's awesome to have a blogger critiqing so many different books. I always struggle with what I'm going to read next. hopefully not anymore :)
Makes me wonder why people make such a shoddy job of the cover (or the back cover)
Bookreviews at Bookrack
I think people have limited resources and do the best with what they have. As long as what is on the inside is good, then its all good :)
Just as singer Bobby Darin said, people hear what they see. They, or we, need a cover and jacket to pull us in, unless we already know we like the author.
I realize that sounds a bit like the prostitutes who dress up their windows in Amsterdam. Or maybe it sounds a lot like it, anyway competition is tough. So go for it, fellow writers, make sure your baby is well-dressed for the bookshelves!
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