LeAnn Neal Reilly

I was fascinated by the play of light and dark in this luminous novel about a young woman dealing with a personal atrocity to which she was both a witness and victim. This novel is layered and the deeper one looks into the meaning of this germinal work, the more light that is shed upon it. The protagonist, Weeble, is a runner who seeks to fortify herself through fitness training from the worst possible, recurring reinactments in her mind of an atrocity. She runs, bikes and swims in circles but the training leaves her physically stronger, helps to vent the nightmares and ultimately leads her to Tom Paul, a sculptor who works in glass and seeks to build a work of cast glass entitled the "Illuminated Soul." As Weeble is an engineer, she offers to help Tom Paul light his "Illuminated Soul." Tom Paul is a sensitive and fit man of the fine arts, a dumpster diver who seeks to rescue spare parts and discarded pieces to give new life to them. His role is no less as he struggles with Weeble -- named after a durable Playskool toy that wobbles but doesn't fall apart -- to put back together the brittle aspects of her life so that the horrific nightmares cease. Tom Paul's name itself is symbolic of a Biblical battle between doubt and deep faith. Nietzsche in "The Birth of Tragedy" attributes the battle of Appollo, the Greek God of Light and Order, against Dionysius, the God of Darkness and Chaos as the source of tragedy. So it is that in "St. Sebastian's Head" the interplay of light and darkness affords a largely tennebrous effect -- extremes of light and dark in the interplay with a narrative style that effectively switches, often abruptly, in the exposition between radiantly bright light and stark, disturbing darkness. The story line is engaging and ultimately gripping in a crescendo involving the torso of the nearly martyred St. Sebastian rescued by a caring woman from his martyrdom after being wounded from arrows. The symbolic sense in the storyline about the brittle, sensitive art of scuplting with glass and the risks associated with heat, time, talent and patience will not be lost to sensitive readers of this wonderful book. While we do not have a free will about much of the tragedy which intrudes upon everyday life, this novel closely examines how we are free to react and strive to recover from it: this novel is an important story about a heroic path to recovery from tragedy. "St. Sebastian's Head" is a keeper and will be especially valued by those who have had to deal with incredible hardship, violation and personal loss. I recommend this powerful, gripping, well crafted and enlightened novel.… (altro)

Growing up in the 80's, and still quite young in the 90's, one of my favorite fairy tale stories and movies, was The Little Mermaid. I wanted all of the beautiful, sweet Ariel's thingamabob's and whatchamajigs. Or, rather, I really enjoyed saying those "big" words. So, I though it would be neat to relive my childhood through LeAnn Neal Reilly's The Mermaid's Pendant. I must confess, though, that I never imagined it would be a book this HUGE(over 572 pages!). Upon starting this book, I came to the conclusion of why it's so big- it's a 2 volumes in 1 book and it's both a mystical romance and a lesson in true love, and filled with absolutely LOVABLE characters!

In volume 1,we meet John (though he's certainly no Prince Eric!) and Tamarind (she's really as close to Ariel as one can get!), the characters of Reilly's adult version of The Little Mermaid. This version is a bit more pronounced and lively than the story we know from Disney. Oh, don't get me wrong. There's a mystical side to the story through Tamarind, who's del mar (of the sea) and Ana(much like Ursula, the sea witch, in the movie), the "witch", but it's different than the classic fairy tale version. In volume 1, Reilly tells of how Tamarind and John must fall in love and bind themselves together in bed to seal Tamarind's transformation into a permanent human and be with John forever. Tamarind and her "Goddess" pendant that she made with a magical moonstone given to her by her dear friend Valerie, depend on John's love to have a happily ever after life. Simply put: The Little Mermaid, adult style.

In volume 2, Reilly tells of John and Tamarind's marriage. What life is like being married. It's wonderful for John and Tamarind...that is until the Goddess pendant is missing. The Wilkerson's get a lesson in what REALLY makes a marriage last and makes it a happily ever after one. The question in volume 2 is this: can they survive on their matured, true love alone? Or will they still depend on the mystical magic of the Goddess???? I am going to stop there for fear of spoiling the story for those who haven't read it :o).

I did enjoy this really HUGE book. It was, quite honestly, a little bit slow for me in the beginning, but once I pushed myself through the first few chapters, I was hooked. Yep. I was back in my childhood wishing for a fairy tale ending :o). As big as this book is, I started it on a Tuesday, and was finished with it on a Thursday. It just hooks ya that much. I didn't want to put it down. I have to see what was happening and just when I thought things would slow down again, Reilly would add another interesting twist and bam! Right back into the story again.

All in all, I recommend this story. It does have some language, but not overpoweringly so. I recommend this book with 4 stars. It will capture you and sweep you away to a fairytale mixed with the meaning of true love. Well done on your first novel, LeAnn! I can't wait for more books like this one (though I hope they aren't quite so big :oD!).… (altro)

The Mermaid’s Pendant opens with John heading to a beautiful island for a little down time. His girlfriend, Zoe, plans to join him in two weeks. While snorkeling he almost drowns, but his life is saved by a mysterious woman. When John wakes the only person present is an elderly women named Ana. John becomes obsessed with finding the woman who saved him. People start to talk about the possibility of his savior being gente del mar (people of the sea). John eventually finds his savior, Tamarind. Unbeknown to him she has stayed close by. She is drawn to John and wants to leave behind her mermaid life to be with him. Ana offers to assist Tamarind, but her motives for helping the naive mermaid are not sincere. As John and Tamarind try to build a life together they face many obstacles including the mysterious Ana, and John’s meddling ex Zoe.

I have mixed feelings about this one. While I did enjoy reading it, some parts were a little slow for my liking. I enjoyed when the dialogue and plot focused on John and Tamarind. Even when it was just Tamarind pondering the direction her life had taken I was a happy reader. I also enjoyed the glimpses of Ana’s plans to destroy their relationship. The author is very descriptive with her writing which was a huge asset when it came to describing the setting in which the story took place. Unfortunately, this was also a hinderance because some parts seemed to ramble on a little. The technical explanations of John’s career were something I wouldn’t have missed had they not been included. I appreciate knowing what he did, but when he was talking shop with his peers I was lost. It isn’t something familiar to me, and trying to maneuver those sections of the novel were a bit trying.

I enjoyed the time they were on Culebra more than other parts because I found the island lore and mermaid magic fascinating. I did like the characters, and found Ana the most intriguing. I think some will adore this book, but this is not one I’d recommend if you want a light and quick read. Parts are a little darker than I’d anticipated, and there is quite a bit of angst surrounding John and Tamarind’s story. This is not your typical warm and fuzzy feel good romance.

I’d recommend this to those who enjoy Audrey Niffenegger or Kristen Hannah’s writing, but want something with magical themes.… (altro)