Illumine Her

<a href="http://www.iwillforkyou.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1379786262i/480711.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a><br><br><br><br>I was lucky enough to get the chance to read the book during pre-publication in its various forms! I loved the concept behind the book, I thought it was such a refreshing read. There is such a massive amount of YA Novels that flood the shelves nowadays and most of it is all drivel. The bit of mystery that surrounds Chase makes you want to keep reading and then finding out his secret made me want to jump up and down. Also, bravo for being able to keep it clean. A feat that seems almost impossible in this day and age! <br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1380406233ra/792333.gif" width="250" height="350" alt="Clapping" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>P.S. All the details about Samoa make me want to visit, please bring me back a lava-lava :) <br><br><a href="http://iwillforkyou.blogspot.com/2013/04/giveaway-illumine-her-by-sieni-am.html" rel="nofollow noopener">Blog Review</a>

I was a little hesitant to read Illumine Her when I received the review request from the wonderful Sieni A.M.. The story takes place in Samoa, and one of my most favorite stories of all time also takes place in Samoa. That book was the reason Samoa is on my list of places I want to visit in my lifetime. I was worried that this book might not live up to the hype I had in my head of Samoa and I was worried that I might not love Illumine Her as much as I wanted to. All my worries were unnecessary though because as soon as I got into the story, I was hooked.<br /><br />Illumine Her is a story that follows Alana Vilo after she returns home from college and is beginning to work at the nearby hospital on her island. One day, an extremely handsome and rich man named Chase Malek comes by to donate a large sum of money to her hospital's efforts. Alana can tell that this man is somewhat different from everyone else she knows, but even after seeing his differences for herself, she still gets no answers, and he leaves the island. However, after a series of circumstances, and his appearance at her house for his friends marriage to her sister, they are thrust in each other's paths once again. This time, she does get a chance to find out his secrets and she begins to fall for him. Unfortunately, they aren't meant to be, because his secret is one that requires him to be away from her, and he has rules that he must follow, rules that don't necessarily allow him to be able to fulfill his purpose and follow his heart at the same time.<br /><br />This story was so sweet and different and amazing. It was a love story in every sense of the word; love for one's family, love for one's purpose, love for one's partner, love for one's self, and love for one's country. I absolutely loved it. As a character, Alana has emotional issues that cause her to keep barriers up between her and others, and of course, Chase is able to knock down those barriers and save Alana. They love each other deeply and passionately. Their love is realistic, as are the events in this novel (with a few exceptions). Even the secondary characters were lovable. This wasn't one of those stories where the MC goes on some dangerous journey to fight bad guys and secretly kicks ass with only the use of a hairbrush and two chopsticks. No, Alana goes through life doing normal things, going to school, working as a nurse, hanging with friends and family and meeting a guy. She's just like me! There isn't so much drama so as not to be realistic, there's just the development of love, pure and simple, and it was refreshing in its simplicity.<br /><br />Then of course, there's Samoa. I must go there. This book portrays it so beautifully. I love the family dynamics (though I don't know how much I'd love them if I actually had to deal with them), and community nature of the people, the beautiful landscape and just everything about it. This book just bumped it up a few notches on my list of places I must go.<br /><br />There were only a few things about this book that I didn't absolutely love. The beginning was a bit slow and it made the story seem like it took too long to get to the point. I didn't see the plot points start until about one or two chapters in. It wasn't a big deal though and I still enjoyed reading those parts. There were also a lot of character speeches. Often, when having a conversation, one of the characters will talk for a long period of time, usually about how they felt about the other or about a particular subject and sometimes it felt a bit too lengthy for regular conversation. That too wasn't a big deal.<br /><br />I am a romantic, and love reading love stories. I love to fall in love and I love to see people fall in love. I definitely fell in love with this story, and with Chase Malek.I would recommend this story to those of you who love love. Those of you who, like me, are hopeless romantics. I teared up at the end of this story and how beautiful it is. I give it 4.5 stars. It wasn't absolutely perfect, but it was darn close!

I tend to rate a book based on how much I enjoyed it. This book, I LOVED. Every moment of it. It is a love story, with a touch of the paranormal, but it is also much more than that - at the core it is the story of one young woman's personal journey and growth toward adulthood. The ups and downs of young love, of figuring out one's place in the world, of dealing with tragedy, of the intricacies of friendships and family relationships, are all dealt with here against the backdrop of beautiful Samoa, a place you rarely experience in the world of fiction. <br /><br />But the real strength of this novel, in my opinion, is how deftly the author catches you up in the emotions of the main characters. I felt myself going through all the highs and lows that Alana did, really feeling her emotions myself! One moment my heart would be pounding with excitement, the next I would literally be shedding tears. She is full of all this passion and feeling and caring, and isn't afraid to stick to her moral standards and devote herself to the service of humanity. I cared so much for her, and now that I'm done with the book I can't stop thinking about her. A wonderful, wonderful character.<br /><br />Sieni, thank you for writing such an amazing novel and not being afraid to put it out there for us to enjoy too!

This is not a book that jerks you in. This is a book that slowly leads you in with a crook of the finger and before you know it you are in the deep end and there is no return. It slowly engulfs you and then you are completely in love with it. I love both of the main characters in this book and I feel like I really got to know them deep down as the book went on. Alana lives in Samoa. As a result of the car accident that caused her fathers death, Alana feels a pull to work hard, get a scholarship, and go to school to become a nurse. She ends up going to a school in Fiji to get this accomplished. When she gets back to Samoa and starts to work for the local hospital something changes her life. Chase Malek has come to check out the hospital and donate a sizable donation to help them out. During this visit something miraculous happens and Alana realizes that Chase has a lot of secrets he's not willing to reveal. Be prepared for an emotional ride. This book brought out some strong emotions, both happy and sad, and I loved every emotion that it evoked. These emotions really help you get a connection with the characters in this book. And when you finish this book I think it will have changed your perspective on life. At least I hope it does. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend. I give this book 5 illuminating (yes, pun intended) stars!

This is a lovely, lovely, lovely read from its first page to its last. I was drawn in from the very beginning and gulped the whole novel down, barely breathing until the end. My favourite parts are definitely the descriptions of the Samoan landscape and the strong use of Samoan language and culture -- it is so thoroughly woven into the story that you fall in love with Samoa and much as you fall for Alana and Chase.

A paranormal romance by Samoan author Sieni A.M. set in contemporary Samoa. Alana Vilo returns home to Samoa having just studied nursing in Fiji. She is still trying to come to terms with the loss of her father when she meets Chase Malek, the handsome, wealthy hospital benefactor. She soon realises there is something mysterious about him, but despite this feels a strong attraction. <br /><br />I have to say paranormal romance is not really my thing and I am probably double the age of the target audience for this book, so I found myself thrown off kilter by a book that feels totally realistic then suddenly changes tack and feels like a marvel comic book. With the exception of Chase, most of the book felt like a wonderful insight into island life on Samoa. I enjoyed the family dynamics and her friendship with Manu and Sera. In fact I think I was secretly hoping she’d ditch Chase and settle with Manu. I loved the descriptions of the culture, the food, the family dynamics and I liked Alana as a character. She seemed to be trying to juggle the dichotomy of being a respectful daughter and family member, yet an adult with some freedom and independence. She did so with integrity and insight and stayed focussed on her goals. I would be keen to read something else by this author.

Every once in a while, I read a book that, when finished, leaves me content, happy and wrapped in a warm cocoon of happiness. Sieni A.M.’s debut novel, Illumine Her, was just this kind of book. Capturing me from the very first pages, it took me on a wonderful journey to Samoa, where Alana Vilo has returned to after studying abroad for three years. Armed with a brand new nursing degree, she starts working at the local hospital, the recipient of a large donation from one Chase Malek. While away for college, Alana’s beloved father passed away; she was able to tuck the pain away until Chase entered her life. Captivated by this man who is clearly hiding something, Alana has to break down the various walls her father’s death prompted her to put up.<br /> <br />Illumine Her is categorised as a paranormal romance; however, it is much more than that. Just like with another book I just finished reading (Ripley Patton’s Ghost Hand), the paranormal aspect of the story was one of the many accessories that served to convey Alana’s very human story.<br /> <br />I have never been to Samoa, nor do I know much, quite unfortunately, about this island nation; however, Sieni’s deft storytelling ensured that this lack of knowledge did in no wise impair my ability to appreciate the story. From the detailed descriptions of breathtaking vistas to the gentle pointers explaining the context within which characters were acting in certain ways, the author made sure to immerse her readers in the story. I must say that I felt like I gained a lot of weight just reading the descriptions of Samoan food!<br /> <br />The strength of the author in describing so vividly a place I have never been before is also reflected in the pace of the story and the way she immerses us in Alana’s life. Sieni takes the time to set the story from the very first pages, beginning with Alana packing up her college life to return home. It might seem like boring, unnecessary fluff; I must confess, sometimes, it is, as these scenes often make the beginning of a story long and tedious. But in the case of Illumine Her, it was so well written that the pages easily turned. Furthermore, the story is greatly enriched through the descriptions the author includes throughout, making every page well worth reading.<br /> <br />But the one thing that really made me love this book the most is the care given to developing the concepts at its core. Illumine Her is a love story, but not only one between a man and a woman. It is also a love story between a daughter and her father, between a girl and her family, both immediate and extended, and, most importantly, between a woman and her brothers and sisters around the world. Sieni deftly uses conversations between Alana and various supporting characters to delve into these topics in a way that intrigued me rather than feel like I was being lectured. These conversations stayed with me long after I finished, allowing me to reflect on the topics of love and grief, and family and community life.<br /> <br />This book was both a lovely escape into the beautiful island of Samoa, as well as a story that made me reflect on relationships, grief, family and our responsibilities towards ourselves, our families and our communities. This also contributed to making Alana and Chase’s love story not just beautifully sweet, but also satisfyingly rich. The two make a strong, beautiful couple, the kind of long-term relationship one wants to be in. That the weight of the concepts did not burden Sieni’s storytelling demonstrated the capacity of this author.<br /> <br />A deep, reflective, well-paced love story, Illumine Her is a strong beginning for debut author Sieni A.M., and I really looking forward to reading more from her.<br /> <br />(First published on Blogcritics and on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://saharsreviews.wordpress.com">http://saharsreviews.wordpress.com</a>)

<i> <b> Alana allowed her gaze to roam down the column of his neck to his masculine shoulders before resting on his forearms. They were thick and looked incredibly strong; she had a forearm fetish and admired his immediately. </b> </i><br /><br />Sometimes I need a book that is going to take me on a journey of discovery with the characters without that fast paced edge of your seat ride that a lot of paranormal books have. Illumine Her is just that!! It's about the closeness of family and friends, striving to find your place and make a difference in people's lives, falling in love and discovering that there are things in the world that you had no idea existed.<br /><br />Alana Vilo's journey starts with her graduation from nursing school. Returning to live with her family in Samoa she begins her new job as a nurse. Not long after, the buzz is all about the rich benefactor coming to visit and make a huge donation to the hospital. Alana is expecting an elderly gentleman and is quite surprised when he turns out to be not much older than her. Chase Malek is also incredibly good looking and Alana is impressed with his knowledge of Samoa. There is definitely an attraction between the two but it's when Alana witnesses an incident between Chase and one of her patients that Alana realises that he is much more than he seems. And he is not willing to let Alana in on any of his secrets. But what she witnesses doesn't sit easily with Alana and she vows to find out exactly what Chase is hiding.<br /><br /><i> <b> What in the hell just happened? What did I just witness? Who is Chase Malek? </b> </i><br /><br />One of the things that I loved most about Illumine Her was the richness of family and the Samoan culture. The author weaves it throughout the whole story. From the family get togethers to the use of Samoan words and phrases. There are beautiful descriptions of the scenery and different foods that had my mouth watering every time.<br /><br />For a big portion of the book the paranormal and romance took a back seat as Alana and Chase each dealt with things in their lives. There was also the progression of their friendship and it was refreshing to read a book where the characters put their own desires on hold. But when that romance picked up Alana and Chase were such a beautiful couple. <br /><br /><i> <b> He was drawing her in, and Alana couldn't help but feel that she would be okay if he did. </b> </i><br /><br />And while I mentioned that Illumine Her isn't an edge of your seat ride, there were definitely twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Those twists and turns along with everything that I've mentioned above and the authors wonderfully visual storytelling made Illumine Her a great read.

Illumine Her is an excellently written and stunning tribute to Samoan culture. Sieni has a talent for creating vivid imagery and vibrant strong characters. It was a very interesting reading about a culture that I knew little about and I think I gained about 15 pounds just reading about all the delicious cuisine! Check out the Pinterest link at the bottom of the post for excellent inspiration while reading.<br /><br />We follow Alana during a period of grief and self discovery to come out the other end a happy fulfilled woman. It is a sweet clean romance between two honorable characters that leaves you satisfied and smiling. There is also just a touch of "paranormal" in it to keep fans of that genre on edge wanting to know more about that mysterious Chase. I'd like to get my hands on that Chase Malek myself! <br /> <br />It is a very well prepared and edited novel. I am very impressed this is a DEBUT! There are elements that remind me of Nicole Williams' Eden Trillogy, if you are familiar with those books. The only thing that holds me back from a 5 for this book is that there is so much depth into the Samoan lifestyle, that it leave little to expand on the plot. However, it IS a beautiful book and I enthusiastically look forward to more of Sieni A.M.'s writing!<br /><br />Full review here: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://theindiebookshelf.blogspot.com/2013/03/giveaway-and-review-of-illumine-her-by.html">http://theindiebookshelf.blogspot.com...</a>

OMG this book was so good, I wasn't expecting it.<br><br>The first chapters were a little slow, for me, I had to wait until chapter thirteen to read something juicy LOL but it was worth it. Since then, I coudn't stop reading.<br><br>It portraits pretty well the culture, really good descriptions. <br><br>Of course, I love Chase and Alana - especially him. <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="46b1934b-576e-4557-853d-5640b7384b88" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="46b1934b-576e-4557-853d-5640b7384b88">At first I though: <i>oh, so he can cure people and read auras.</i> and then we discover he is something more ,much more than that. Oh and their love can't be, they can't be together. <br><br><a href="http://imgur.com/J0aBD4D" title="" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1380413094ra/812968.gif" alt="" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></a><br><br>I was devastated. They're so good together.<br><br>But the End made it up for all my suffering(I even cried when Chase had to leave Alana after she said she loved him. It was so sad.)<br><br><a href="http://imgur.com/m84nm32" title="" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1380413094ra/812969.gif" alt="" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></a><br><br><b>My Alana</b><br><br><a href="http://imgur.com/zZFV72o" title="Illumine Her by Sieni A.M." rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1380413094i/812970.jpg" alt="Illumine Her by Sieni A.M." class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></a><br><br></label></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]>