Monday, August 25, 2014

Review and #Giveaway of @monicamcgurk #DarkHopeBook via @Ascending1 #CleverGirls #Spon


Dark Hope: Book One of the Archangel Prophecies, Book Cover

































By now most of my butterflies know I'm obsessed with 'all things with wings', butterflies obviously, but things with wings include dragonflies, ladybugs and as a girl raised in the Catholic Church, the ultimate thing with wings? Angels. I grew up with this Guardian Angel Wall Plaque above my bed as a little girl:

Guardian Angel Wall Plaque


I never once doubted that we all had a Guardian Angel to protect us. One who watched over us, kept us out of harms way and helped us stay on our path. Over time I came to see departed loved ones as additional 'Angels on our Shoulders' and for my confirmation I studied the stories of all the Saints to help me determine which Saint name I would take for my confirmation. I read them all, and returned to class resolute that I wanted 'Saint/Archangel Michael'. I was none to happy to be laughed at by my teacher and class at my audacity and silliness to think I could take a male name. But I loved his story, he stood before the enemy, not just any enemy, THE ENEMY and won! Surely I possessed the same courage? My little inner feminist was not happy when I was told I had to select another Saint, A Female Saint. Not that their stories weren't equally powerful, but they didn't resonate as powerfully with me as Michael's story of defeating the ultimate enemy had.

I came home and explained my dilemma to my Mother who helped guide me to other Saints to study so I could make my final selection. But my fascination with Archangel Michael is still very much a part of me. So much so that I have a prayer card and Sword that I hold very dear to me:

St Michael Prayer Card and Sword, Espada de San Miguel


When the opportunity presented itself to read a book whose central theme was 'the love between a human and an archangel' and not just any archangel, but MY Archangel, MY Michael I just had to read it! Dark Hope: Book One in the Archangel Prophesies by Monica McGurk is categorized as a Young Adult Fantasy Novel, but it certainly touches on some very 'grown up' and important themes.

ABOUT:

A new young adult saga in the Twilight tradition about the love between a human and an archangel.
For years, Hope Carmichael, survivor of a shocking child abduction, has lived a sheltered existence under the protection of her fanatically religious father. Now, liberated by her mother, Hope prepares to start life over as a normal kid in an Atlanta, Georgia, high school.
Normal, that is, until Hope meets Michael, a gorgeous emancipated teen with a mysterious past and a strong interest in Hope. And soon, Hope’s life is filled with questions. What’s behind the angry looks Hope gets from Lucas, leader of a gang of students? Who’s responsible for sending Hope a strange valentine inscribed with Bible quotations? How does this relate to the sinister business of human trafficking that operates on the periphery of Hope’s suburban world? And is Michael really a protector, or something more sinister—and just why does he seem so familiar?
In an epic narrative that takes readers from the back streets of Atlanta to the height of Vegas penthouses and beyond, Dark Hope introduces readers to The Archangel Prophecies, a new young adult saga that blends the feeling of Twilight with a vast mythological scope and moral urgency, as well as to Hope Carmichael—a young woman instantly memorable for her endurance, heart, and determination—and Michael, Hope’s dangerous companion who’s fated either to save Hope—or to kill her.

Note: A portion of proceeds from this book will be donated to organizations that fight human trafficking. Now you know there is nothing that makes Ascending Butterfly happier than a 'Give Back' opportunity, A total win/win in my book. A great read for YOU and you are doing something to help victims of human trafficking as well.

Directly from the Author:




MY TAKE:

I am not going to give out any spoilers, I will say this is a must read. Even if YA is not your usual type of read I would highly urge you to give this book a try, it is a total page turner, and in my opinion is very much respectful to the Church, to how it handles biblical references and surprisingly to how it handles the story line between Michael and Hope. I really wanted to be mad at it, how dare they make MY Michael a romantic protagonist? and seriously with a teen no less? But Butterflies, the writing is TIGHT and the author does make so many unlikely and disparate elements come together cohesively. And in my opinion if it helps to shed light on just how rampant and dangerous the Sexual Trafficking Industry really is then all the better. I know it's not always easy to talk difficult topics, but if you are letting your teen read this, (my personal opinion is that YOU read it first just to make sure you feel comfortable), then use the book as a talking point to teach your teen to be careful in social situations and of their surroundings.

There is even a Pinterest board with a Hope Casting Wish List! (Is there someone you would add to that list that's not there?)

WIN IT:

Our awesome friends at Clever Girls Collective and the Greenleaf Book Group, want one lucky butterfly to win their own copy of this month's Book Club title, so use the rafflecopter form below to enter; and as always, the main entry is easy peasy!

One of the 'Extra Credit' entries is for you all to share your favorite (past or present) Young Adult Book - Remember to answer that here on the giveaway post so we can see your selection, but tick it off in rafflecopter so you get the extra credit entries! (I figured with back-to-school coming I'd get you in the mindset of thinking 'extra credit', sneaky right?)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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FTC Disclosure: I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and this is a sponsored post, the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. Sponsor will be fulfilling prizing directly. Neither Ascending Butterfly, Sponsor or Clever Girls Collective is responsible for lost or mis-directed mail. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

5 comments:

  1. I 'd love to win Dark Hope: Book One of the Archangel . I also had that Guardian Angel plaque over my bed and I hung one over my child's crib ! I've always love all things angels so I'd love to read Monica Mc gurk take on them .

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  2. Thank you for the opportunity to win this book, it sounds very interesting!

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  3. This sounds like a great book! I'll have to check it out :)

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  4. Sounds like a good read. I think some angels are big mean tough guys who will fight for us.

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  5. This looks really interesting! I'm entering for my daughter. I think she would really like this.

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