Review of Illumine Her by Sieni A.M.

** Illumine Her **

After being away for three years and graduating nursing school, Alana Vilo finally returns home to Samoa and knows nothing will ever be the same. Consumed with grief from the loss of her father, she buries herself in her work and the obligations that come with a large family. While her colleagues anticipate the arrival of a mysterious benefactor, Alana remains unimpressed, until she meets him. Chase Malek is not at all what she expects of the philanthropist that has donated so much to help her island’s hospital. Young, handsome, and strangely knowledgeable of their local customs, Alana realizes there's much more to Chase than meets the eye. After a traumatic experience with one of her patients, her suspicions are confirmed. Alana starts to resurface as she attempts to uncover all of Chase's secrets. As she starts to put the pieces together, she learns more about herself, and the walls she put up after her father's death slowly start to crumble. But now that she's opened her heart and let Chase in, will he even be able to stay? Or will his greatest secret of all keep them apart?

 My Review: A love story with a twist. For the fact that its by a Samoan author. I love it already. I love anything Samoan these days. lol. I love how more and more Polynesian authors are finding their voice and making their work of art be seen and heard. Without giving away too much, I loved how the characters were challenged with dealing with taboo issues that Samoa faces everyday and ways to overcome them. You feel the anguish and determination that the main character is going through. The author did a magnificent job on the details as the story evolves.Looking forward to more works by Mrs Sieni. Get your copy today !!!

#Teampoly link up!

With the all the RWC 2011 fever going down in New Zealand, its so great to see all the polynesian countries show their pride in one form or another. Ive been wanting to do LINK UP PARTY for the longest. Since the release of fellow friend/ Author Lani Wendt Young, Telesa: The Convenant Keeper! , (Which is a awesome read, click below to get your copy today. I promise you will not be disappointed. You will be wanting more!)

i have stalked stumbled across a lot of poly bloggers and some great one's at that. Its always great to promote poly writers since there is not that many out there. Just to mention a few of my favorites Sleepless in Samoa, Lyfes Lyrics , Fagogo mai Samoa, Rock Fob, What Goes Under the Coconut Tree, Sugar Shack Shenanigans , So go ahead link it up and add your link below. Lets spread the word of #TeamPoly

Book Rant: Where we once belong by Sia Figiel

I have been looking for a good book to read for the longest. It was until I stumbled upon Ms Lani page that inspired me to read this book. Lani Wendt Young is an samoan author that wrote the book, Pacific Tsunami Galu Afi,which she wrote about the accounts of those who were affected by the tsunami in Samoa and American Samoa. I dont know how I stumbled upon her page but I'm glad I did because she is coming out with a new book and very anxious to read her "Telesa" series. Her first fiction novel is due out any day now. While reading about her journey on how her novel was coming along it got me thinking if there were any other pacific islander or even Samoan authors out there in the world. Thank goodness for the search engine of google, I searched " Samoan Author" and popped up Ms Sia Figiel herself and all the accomplished books she wrote as well as Albert Wendt (another well known samoan novelist) Being that I am a big advocate for Samoan anything these day, I was really excited to see what her books had to offer and boy was I not let down. Just from reading the snippets that they had online I knew I was going to be hooked. The only bad part about getting her books was that they were only available online. But I needed to stack up my library so it was worth my while to spend the money. The day it came in I read it in one night. That good , you ask? yes in my opinion.I lost sleep over this book .lol.

REVIEW:

Off the back when reading the first few pages, you are submerged head on. This book does not hide a bit and is detail to the max. My kind of book that catches the readers attention right away instead of building that character. There is a lot of character in this book. This book depicts the life of a growing samoan girl in a village that dates in the mid 60-70's who tries to find herself in a world where poverty meets the growing of western ways. The book had a lot of samoan parodies and smirky quotes and sayings that only a samoan would be used to hearing. But if I had my husband (who is not samoan) read it or any of my non samoan book enthusiast, it would be hard for them to follow even considering the book had a dictionary in the back. I really enjoyed her book and cant wait to read her continuation, "those who do not greive"

Rating:5 of 5
Recommend: Yes

Kids Book Rant- "How full is your bucket.?"

This book a small life lesson for kids. A way to get kids to be nice to each other. My sister gave me this book to read to my 4 yr old, considering she is starting to learn how to read. Though this book is not on a level where she can read by herself, but its a good book for mommy to read and for her to comprehend whats being read. She fell in love with it instantly and till this day she is always trying to fill peoples bucket. How full is your bucket and what have you done to fill others? I highly recommend this book. Its a great book for kids and parents to read together.