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The Extraordinary Life of Amy Winston #1
Pure Innocence
For some, Amy is an angel incarnate; for others, she is the child of Satan. In her early years, Amy learns the skills of a soldier and discovers she can heal with the touch of her hand. Upon the death of her beloved Uncle John, he stays as a protective ghost to assist the soldiers in their vigilant efforts to keep her safe. Never has a girl arrived at Madam Cousec’s School for Young Ladies with more charm, more friends, or greater protection. She’ll need them all to survive the head girl and set her future in motion.
179 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 5, 2018
About the author
Liza O'Connor
58 books92 followersLiza lives in Denville, NJ with her dog Jess. They hike in fabulous woods every day, rain or shine, sleet or snow. Having an adventurous nature, she learned to fly small cessnas in NJ, hang glide in New Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and raft a class four river in Tasmania. She’s an avid gardener, amateur photographer and dabbler in watercolors. Yet through her entire life, her first love has and always will be writing novels. She loves to create interesting characters, set them loose, and scribe what happens.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 5, 2018
I volunteered to review this book without any promises about the review (the rating or the posting).
I was completely thrilled to be able to get a new series from Liza. She’s always been an incredible writer and I was certain this would be no different. What I failed to realize (through no fault of the author) was that the genre included “historical”. Mind you I’m glad I didn’t know. I might have passed this book by since I’m not a huge history reader. And I would’ve missed out on an incredible book.
The following is my personal opinion and thoughts about many aspects of this book and its author.
COVER: ✯✯✯✯✯ - I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. The cover is completely perfect in every way for this book.
PLOT: ✯✯✯✯✯ - There were many twists and turns. Just when I thought things were figured out and would settle into a nice rhythm Liza sent me on another roller coaster. However, everything she did had a reason and the plot was very well planned.
WRITING STYLE: ✯✯✯✯✯ - I’m a descriptive person. I lean more in favor of lots of “flare”, but I love Liza’s style. It’s not overly descriptive...it gives just enough for you picture the scene in your mind. While I hoped for more I can’t fault Liza since I have my own preferences.
CHARACTERS: ✯✯✯✯✯ - Even with the multitude of characters I could determine the different personalities that brought them together as a collective. The strongest characters were awesomely sculpted and I found myself going further and further in love with them. And those who didn’t deserve my love...it was all for good reasons.
OVERALL FLOW: ✯✯✯✯✯ - This story flowed smoothly. I’ve read some books where the characters are in different settings and in this case different countries. However, unlike some of those books, Liza kept the reader informed and intrigued when moving from place to place flawlessly.
John’s niece was born out of wedlock. After her mother’s death and with the town rallying that Amy was the spawn of the devil, John protects and loves her beyond what could be humanly possible. And the words “humanly possible” are used for a good reason. No spoilers coming from me. With constant hatred pointed in Amy’s direction, John and other members of the family have conspiritists plotting around every corner.
I loved the “routing for the good guy” feel this book gave me. I knew going in that this was the start of a new series. I didn’t realize that it would end with a “need the next book now” effect. I personally will be hounding Liza till that next book is out so I can continue this incredible adventure that is Amy’s life. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good suspense story where multiple times you get the “ah-ha” moment.
Under no circumstances was I approached by the author to read or review this book. I offered without any agreement or promise for any compensation. I am voluntarily giving my opinion about this book. My only affiliation with the author is that I am a fan and want to support by reading and posting this review of my own free will.
I was completely thrilled to be able to get a new series from Liza. She’s always been an incredible writer and I was certain this would be no different. What I failed to realize (through no fault of the author) was that the genre included “historical”. Mind you I’m glad I didn’t know. I might have passed this book by since I’m not a huge history reader. And I would’ve missed out on an incredible book.
The following is my personal opinion and thoughts about many aspects of this book and its author.
COVER: ✯✯✯✯✯ - I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. The cover is completely perfect in every way for this book.
PLOT: ✯✯✯✯✯ - There were many twists and turns. Just when I thought things were figured out and would settle into a nice rhythm Liza sent me on another roller coaster. However, everything she did had a reason and the plot was very well planned.
WRITING STYLE: ✯✯✯✯✯ - I’m a descriptive person. I lean more in favor of lots of “flare”, but I love Liza’s style. It’s not overly descriptive...it gives just enough for you picture the scene in your mind. While I hoped for more I can’t fault Liza since I have my own preferences.
CHARACTERS: ✯✯✯✯✯ - Even with the multitude of characters I could determine the different personalities that brought them together as a collective. The strongest characters were awesomely sculpted and I found myself going further and further in love with them. And those who didn’t deserve my love...it was all for good reasons.
OVERALL FLOW: ✯✯✯✯✯ - This story flowed smoothly. I’ve read some books where the characters are in different settings and in this case different countries. However, unlike some of those books, Liza kept the reader informed and intrigued when moving from place to place flawlessly.
John’s niece was born out of wedlock. After her mother’s death and with the town rallying that Amy was the spawn of the devil, John protects and loves her beyond what could be humanly possible. And the words “humanly possible” are used for a good reason. No spoilers coming from me. With constant hatred pointed in Amy’s direction, John and other members of the family have conspiritists plotting around every corner.
I loved the “routing for the good guy” feel this book gave me. I knew going in that this was the start of a new series. I didn’t realize that it would end with a “need the next book now” effect. I personally will be hounding Liza till that next book is out so I can continue this incredible adventure that is Amy’s life. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good suspense story where multiple times you get the “ah-ha” moment.
Under no circumstances was I approached by the author to read or review this book. I offered without any agreement or promise for any compensation. I am voluntarily giving my opinion about this book. My only affiliation with the author is that I am a fan and want to support by reading and posting this review of my own free will.
January 25, 2018
Amy Goodheart's life has been turned upside down when she is cast aside by her father and the townspeople who consider her and her young infant the child of Satan.
John Winston believes that Amy is good and manages to save her child, whom he names Amy and does his best to raise her.
But John knows that Amy is able to see spirits and knows that no matter what is thrown at her that she tries to see the good in everyone around her. But when it is clear that John is ill, he puts her future in the hands of Nicholas. Will Nicholas abide by John's wishes and protect Amy?
This was an interesting book about Amy Winston and how she saw the good in everything, no matter how difficult things got for her.
I loved how John took Amy in and was so mad at how she was treated by others. He did his best to raise her in a good environment and he did such a great job. I was definitely worried when he got sick but I loved that Gunter and Father Duncan were there for Amy and how protective they were over her.
So I definitely had mixed feelings over Nicholas and Sicily and everything that happened with them. I was so mad at what choices Nicholas made and I could understand why John was so mad!
I'm curious to see whether the author writes another book on Amy and what she accomplishes with her winery or perhaps follows it up with something different.
John Winston believes that Amy is good and manages to save her child, whom he names Amy and does his best to raise her.
But John knows that Amy is able to see spirits and knows that no matter what is thrown at her that she tries to see the good in everyone around her. But when it is clear that John is ill, he puts her future in the hands of Nicholas. Will Nicholas abide by John's wishes and protect Amy?
This was an interesting book about Amy Winston and how she saw the good in everything, no matter how difficult things got for her.
I loved how John took Amy in and was so mad at how she was treated by others. He did his best to raise her in a good environment and he did such a great job. I was definitely worried when he got sick but I loved that Gunter and Father Duncan were there for Amy and how protective they were over her.
So I definitely had mixed feelings over Nicholas and Sicily and everything that happened with them. I was so mad at what choices Nicholas made and I could understand why John was so mad!
I'm curious to see whether the author writes another book on Amy and what she accomplishes with her winery or perhaps follows it up with something different.
January 5, 2018
Ms. O'Connor tells the tale of an extraordinary girl who has the power to heal with her hands and the power to change lives with her heart.
Amy grew up lost and alone after the death of her mother. Small minded people didn't understand the little girl. Instead they punished her for things outside of her control. But their anger and hate only turned her into a wonderful person. It takes extraordinary pressure and heat to make diamonds.
I loved how Ms. O'Connor gives us a child who loves no matter what else has come her way. Amy serves as an inspiration for so many of us who have faced tough times. I can't wait to hear more about Amy and her life!
Amy grew up lost and alone after the death of her mother. Small minded people didn't understand the little girl. Instead they punished her for things outside of her control. But their anger and hate only turned her into a wonderful person. It takes extraordinary pressure and heat to make diamonds.
I loved how Ms. O'Connor gives us a child who loves no matter what else has come her way. Amy serves as an inspiration for so many of us who have faced tough times. I can't wait to hear more about Amy and her life!
March 17, 2018
Liza gifted me a copy of Pure Innocence. She did not request a review, but I decided to support a fellow author.
From the tense beginning and through the antics of a delightful and intelligent young girl with a fabulous earl for an adoptive father and a silly earl she's in love with, plus just for good measure – some ghosts - both good and bad ones - you have to love a story with ghosts – Liza O'Connor's latest is a fun romp with clever twists and a heroine you will instantly fall in love with.
5 Stars. I recommend this book only if you happen to like a good read.
From the tense beginning and through the antics of a delightful and intelligent young girl with a fabulous earl for an adoptive father and a silly earl she's in love with, plus just for good measure – some ghosts - both good and bad ones - you have to love a story with ghosts – Liza O'Connor's latest is a fun romp with clever twists and a heroine you will instantly fall in love with.
5 Stars. I recommend this book only if you happen to like a good read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews