Book Review: The Messenger by Pamela Dumond

• Review: The Messenger
• Series: Mortal Beloved #1
• Author: Pamela Dumond
• No of Pages: 257
• Release Date: Published April 10th 2012

Synopsis:

What if you discovered that your soul mate lived three centuries before you were even born?
It’s been years since Madeline and her mama were victims of a car crash. Madeline survived but suffers wicked anxiety. Her mama simply disappeared. At age sixteen she inherits her mama’s handmade book filled with dangerous family secrets, but barely skimmed it before she’s pushed onto train tracks.

Madeline wakes in 1675, the sole survivor of a Native massacre on a colonial settlement. She has inadvertently time traveled to the War between the Wampanoag Natives and the colonists they recently welcomed to America’s shores. Rescued and taken back to a colonial garrison, Madeline learns she is a Messenger, a traveler who can slip through time’s fabric at will, bringing messages that could change one life or many. She doesn’t know the first thing about traveling let alone surviving this harsh new world. Rumors of witchcraft and spying could get her killed. But falling into a forbidden love with Samuel, a mixed blood boy, puts them both at risk.

The only way Madeline can get home and save both their lives is to train with Samuel and the Medicine Woman, confront her deepest fears and fulfill her destiny as a Messenger. But the Hunters, dark-souled predators as well as skilled time travelers, are closing in – and they will kill her if she doesn’t join them. Madeline learns that falling in love, and falling through time doesn’t have to be accidental, could be deadly, but is worth the fight of her life.

My thoughts:

First of all, that cover is literally to die for. One of my favorites! Reminds me a bit of Entwined. Gorgeous but it draws you in! Very lovely.

Now for the innards! This was a very well rounded book. That may not sound like a compliment but let me explain why I think it is. First of all the plot is really interesting. The whole soul mate thing was an added twist that I didn’t even think about while reading and was quite pleased as the relationship between Samuel and Madeline grows. It’s very well done.

Secondly, the characters are great. The Reverend had me steaming at the ears. I wanted to shake that guy! I know it sounds like I am a violent person but really I swear to you, I am not! But this guy brought any violence I may have lurking inside, out! He was such a jerk!! It doesn’t help that this plot was in 1675 and if you haven’t heard they did not have great patience with anyone or thing that was different which is highly upsetting to me. But honestly for the times, this guy was the epitome of what these scared, little colonizers were thinking and he was strong enough, powerful enough, and willful enough to voice his sordid opinion. Sadly!

There are a few other characters that shape Madeline’s life, whether for good or for bad but it did seem like there were quite a few villains. I did not trust anyone! Well, honestly that also includes people that were absolutely not villains but the times and that age just scared me so much. I really didn’t want them calling her a witch and the things she does definitely does stand out! It’s nearly horrific in a way.

The ending was very unexpected. I should have expected it but totally didn’t and I’m not kicking myself. There are clues but they are spread out and so few that I didn’t even THINK about where this would end, I just knew I hoped it would go where I wanted. Pamela Dumond does a fabulous job of tying it all together and then dropping us over a cliffhanger!

About the author:

Pamela DuMond is the writer who discovered, pitched and sold the real-life Erin Brockovich story to Hollywood. Erin Brockovich the movie was nominated for four Academy Awards.

In grade school Pamela was an A student but stuttered and was bullied. Reading became her refuge. She devoured every thriller and mystery she could get her hands on and eventually wrote her own. When she was twenty-two years old she finally started talking. Her brother swears she hasn’t shut up since.

Pamela writes comedic sexy Cupcakes mysteries: Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys (An Annie Graceland Mystery) was published by Krill Press in 2010. She published Cupcakes, Sales, and Cocktails – A Novella in 2011. Cupcakes, Pies, and Hot Guys was published in 2012. — Goodreads

Pamela also writes YA. The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book One) is the first in the series of YA romantic time-travel historical thrillers. She was inspired by The Hunger Games books by Suzanne Collins and Last of the Mohicans the movie.

Pamela is also a chiropractor and cranio-sacral therapist. Besides reading, writing, she loves the beach, yoga, movies, animals, her family and friends. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with her furballs and welcomes appropriate questions and feedback from her readers. Feel free to contact her at Pamela.DuMond@gmail.com.

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