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| "Do you still do that stuff? You know, tarot and that?" "A cautious frown spread over Aunt Beth's face. "Yes. Why?"... "Hmmm." Aunt Beth studied the card closer. "This is the High Priestess card." "What does it mean?" "Can you remember which way it was facing when you picked it up? Right side or inverted, I mean, upside down?" "Upside down. Is that important?" "It is. If a card's inverted it has a whole different meaning. I know you don't believe 'that crap' as you put it, but would you like me to do a reading of for you?... "A difficult choice where no one can win. It will involve the heart."... "There's danger all around. Lacey. You must take care. This card indicates a fight, a struggle or even..." English: An original card from the tarot deck of Jean Dodal of Lyon, a classic "Marseilles" deck. The deck dates from 1701-1715. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Angel's Bend
By L. A. Dale
Fascination with the occult, the mysterious supernatural, spirituality and all things unknown has always been with us. We want to know--and in not knowing, we creatively consider the possible, the potential of what might be...
In Angel's Bend, a little town perhaps near you, a young girl has just arrived, to live with her aunt. When her mother died, she went a little crazy--got into drugs, drinking and partying and gave her father so much trouble that he realized he couldn't deal with her. Although she has since straightened out her life, Lacey and her father are still not communicating well so they are taking a break--from each other. Lacey also needs to fulfill requirements for graduation since she hopes to get into art school. Moving in with her aunt seemed the best choice for all...
Arriving in the town, she decided to walk to her aunt's bookstore. On the way, she picked up something on the
bottom of her shoe--a card with a picture of a queen...
Not a good sign for the future?
Indeed, before long, she is told that her life will be in danger when she reaches 18, which was just a few weeks away!
Fortunately, Aunt Beth's friend Linda had a daughter who was the same age and she had arranged to have her hook up to introduce Lacey at school. Abbie was someone who Lacey was able to connect with, thankfully, and soon they were becoming friends. Interestingly, she had a relationship with a number of students that Lacey quickly met--all of them wore black, but she decided it was more than just the goth thing going... Zac was the leader and even Lacey realized her attraction to him, even with his groupies hanging all over.
It seemed that they were all members of a gang and soon both Abbey and Lacey were being invited to join... Abbey wanted to, especially after she had become involved with Ty, a class clown sort of guy. But Lacey was hesitant. She had her past experience and the knowledge that things can get really bad within some group activities...
And besides, she had met Cam... He was in town to rejuvenate the local cemetery and statues there. Everybody thought he was weird, but she had been thinking of doing her required art project featuring angels, so they had become friendly. Soon, they were somewhat involved, but Cam kept a distance while Lacey wanted to get to know him more...
Zac seemed to have taken their involvement as a challenge...
Torn between the physical attraction for Zac but knowing that she felt more comfortable, and safe, with Cam, Lacey was torn and constantly wandering back and forth in her thoughts. But then Abbey decided to join the "gang" and wanted her to at least be there at her initiation. Lacey, in the meantime, had found out something very important about Cam and he was the one who told her what the birthmark on her neck really was!
There is an underlying exploration of sexual love in relation to religion that may be offensive to some, but is also, in my opinion, an important issue for exploration within a YA novel...That is, what is the difference between erotic and agape love. No, there is nothing in the book specifically. Crossing the boundaries into sexuality seems common these days...helping teens consider this issue via a story to which they will relate is noteworthy, even if you aren't in agreement with the story as written.
This novel is well written and certainly reaches out to young adults in problems faced at their age. The fascination will always been there...what we don't know for sure, we want to explore in fantasy to help draw our own boundaries. The author does an excellent job of creating an exciting tale of good versus evil...and it's continuing! I, for one, will be curious to see what happens!
I caution age appropriateness be considered so that younger teens not be reading what they might not fully understand regarding the relationships... or at least have parental discussion re the religious aspect. With that qualification from this mature reader (LOL), it is highly recommended!
GABixlerReviews
About
L.A lives on an acreage in country Western Australia. She dabbles in the genre of popular women's fiction and chicklit with a little bit of spice and romance. Okay, okay ... a lot of romance but not the rugged cowboy or heaving bosoms kind. LA writes romance tinged with reality.
LA has been writing for the past ten years and has completed four novels entitled Heart of Glass, Perhaps...Perhaps, The Taming of the Bastard and Angel's Bend. She is currently working on a tragic love story, Aidan and Eloise which is based on the Dire Straits song, Romeo and Juliet.
When not writing, she loves reading, music, live theatre and watching a good game of rugby union.
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