Abithica

Intense thrill Ride!!!

Abithica has a powerful, intense storyline that had me glued to the pages. Susan Goldsmith didn't let me stop gasping until the last page. Only then did Goldsmith say, okay, now I'll let you breathe. Goldsmith took me on a heavenly sadistic thrill ride with nerve-wracking sharp turns. Abithica and Lane's rollercoaster romance had me begging Susan Goldsmith to please give these two their happily ever after. Goldsmith is a fantastic at writing intense, nail-biting suspense. She had my heart racing until the end.

Abithica, who inhabits different bodies, had just landed in Sydney, and this body is going to make her break all the rules. One of the rules: don't fall in love. Well, that one just goes right out the door when she meets Lane. Abithica has been fixing problems in the lives she inhabits, but now, she's the one who needs fixing. She longs to have her own body, and to feel love and be loved.

Lane is twenty three, and a gorgeous, sexy, fun guy. Abithica is Lane's forever love and there's no way he's going to live without her. But that's the whole problem for Abithica who is in Sydney's body. Lane is in love with Sydney. Abithica is tired of this cruel joke that she has been given and she ready to take what she could never have.

Abithica is definitely intense and intriguing, with a dark, sadistic side going on. Abithica and Lane's romance is hot and heart-breaking. I recommend Abithica as a must read. The author left an opening for a second book which I hope Susan Goldsmith will write.

A Lovely Debut Novel

Imagine finding yourself in one host body after another, not even knowing what you are, much less who you are. Is she some sort of parasite that lives in others' bodies and feeds off of their lives, their loves, their hurts? This is the dilemma facing our heroine in Susan Goldsmith's debut novel Abithica. Ms. Goldsmith's story begins with our character finding herself in a woman named Sydney's body. What is her purpose for being there? What does God have in mind for her? In her previous host, she helped patch up a man and his wife's relationship. Boy, could he kiss. You see, one of the problems our girl encounters in these bodies is feeling the emotions her host body feels yet knowing the kiss or whatever is not meant for her. What is she supposed to do for her present host, Sydney, who seems to be at odds with her mother and also is on the run from something or someone? Sound intriguing? You bet. I predict you'll not be able to put the book down as you follow the character who has no identity of her own, just the name that is her host body. You'll be pulled along with her as she feels the joy and sadness of a man she could love but who loves the body she's in. She also seems to attract children. Can they see something in her that adults cannot see. Yes, I'm asking a lot of questions because our heroine has a lot of questions. I think you'll enjoy discovering the answers along with her. The author has written a winner. I'm looking forward to more stories from Ms. Goldsmith.

A Wonderful Supernatural Love Story

Abithica is the story of a spirit/being/whatever you want to call her for right now(not giving anything away) who is thrust into people's bodies taking over their lives. She stays with her host until she has completed whatever needed to be done. She sees her predicament as a punishment from God. She sees herself as a parasite or demon.
The book opens in Arizona with Sydney collapsing into her food at a restaurant because the spirit being mentioned (in the previous paragraph) has just entered her body. As Sydney, the spirit starts trying to improve her life starting with Sydney's damaged relationship with her mother, Faith. At first "new" Sydney is having a hard time because the real Sydney is being resistant. During a trip to Faith's work (at the mall), Sydney meets Lane and his much younger sister, Shae. It's love at first sight for "new" Sydney and Lane. However, "new" Sydney is very resistant because she doesn't want to hurt him when she leaves Sydney's body. Also, she is scared of falling too hard because she knows it will all be ripped from her. Besides the romance, there is also an element of danger from the gang that Sydney belongs to, the Legnas. They are a dangerous gang that brands their members and like to kill, a lot.
Abithica takes the reader on a journey with the protagonist as she discovers who and what she is. She discovers her real name at the end. Poor girl. Every time she forced into a new body she forgets most of what happened before. However, the one thing she does know is that she wants to fall in love and stay that way. That is her greatest wish/dream. This is impossible, though. To prevent herself from getting hurt she decided that she would never get attached. Of course Lane changed that.
Lane is just * gush * amazing! He knows there's something different about Sydney as soon as he meets her (I'm talking about "new" Sydney). No matter how many times she pushes him away he comes back even stronger and more cling-y (in a good way). He loves her so much. The most beautiful aspect of their love is the fact that he loves who the "new" Sydney is-meaning he loves the spirit inhabiting Sydney. (Yes, I know, it sounds confusing on paper, but it really isn't).
The novel contains many other great characters. Among them are Shae, Lane's adorable little sister; Faith, Sydney's shoe obsessed mother; the ever helpful Father Gabe; and Marge, a saint-like doctor.
When I started Abithica, I was enjoying it. But about half-way through, OMG! I was hooked. There were moments where I was screaming at my computer screen (ebook), yelling at the characters. Then there were moments where I was on the verge of tears. The protagonist's voice easy to read. I felt a connection with her-there were moments where I could completely relate to her. Mrs. Goldsmith did an awesome job with the writing. Even when she wrote through Shae's POV, it was readable at the same time as sounding like a little girl.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to all who love a good romance. Yes, it is Christian Lit., but it's not overwhelming (which is good). Also, I seriously read the last 50 pages four times-it was just too fantastic to not reread! I can't wait until the sequel.

A Must Read!

Original and compelling until the very end.

review taken from One Book At A Time

I thought the first couple chapters of this book were really interesting. We don't know who Abithica is at first. She has no control over when she changes bodies. She also has no bodily control right after she changes. So, when she ends up in the newest body, she winds up face first in plate full of mackerel with no way to move until she regains control. To make it a little funnier, she's with a women who believe she's doing this on purpose to cause a scene. It was a great way to introduce you to the characters.

As the story progresses we learn that Abithica has no idea who or what she truly is. Everytime she changes bodies, her mission is to help the correct their life. It's often with very little clues as to what needs to happen. Her current body seems to have some serious issues with her mother and is deeply mixed up with a troubling gang. Abithica learns she must heal the relationship with her mother. Along the way she meets Lane who has a sister who witnessed her mother's death and now refuses to speak. She latches on to Abithica and believes her to be an angel. As Abithica becomes closer to Lane, she realizes she's broken one of her cardinal rules. She's fallen in love and can't bear the idea of letting Sydney have control back.

There's a darker part going on during this story. We get a little bit of a look inside the gang that Sydney was a part of. It's violent and scary, and the people running it don't seem human either. When they kidnap a girl and leave her for drugged and nearly dead in the street, something extraordinary happens. The story is more intricately woven than you could possible realize.

Ultimately, I felt this story was about love. Abithica constantly felt that they everyone loved Syndey, not realizing how much SHE had an effect on them. When the others learn the truth, they feel like they would recognize her anywhere. It was about the idea of souls connecting and not a physical connections.

There were a few things that bothered me. At times, it felt like Abithica had a revelation about something and refused to share it with us. I would wonder what was going on and a few pages later would understand. Also, I wanted to know more about that gang. I'm hoping this will be the first in a series or I will be seriously disappointed.

HIGHLY Recommend

Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. I got so engrossed at one point, I burned my dinner. Without giving anything away, the story doesn't always go in the direction you would think. Unique ideas, and personally I can't wait until her second book.

Highly Recommended! An awsome book!

A beautifully told story for teens and adults alike! I was so engrossed in these characters that I did not want it to end. Abithica's emotions are so real that you just want to jump into the stoty and help her succeed. If you liked Stephanie Myers "The Host", or Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series, you will enjoy this book!

A fantastical Fantasy journey in reading, very well fleshed out and interesting from start to finish!

Thanks to the author for contacting me and allowing me to have a review copy of this one, I am very happy to have had a chance to read it and enjoy a unique tale and some rather interesting characters as well! Abithica the debut novel from author Susan Goldsmith is a fantastical look into what if. What if tomorrow you woke up in someone else's body leaving your family, friends and the life you were living behind? What if your purpose in life was to inhabit body after body, year after year to be in the driver's seat until you were no longer needed once the person's life was back on track? What if you fell in love during one such inhabitation of another's body even though you knew it would never work? What would you do to keep from hurting the one you loved? Would you be selfish and take over permanently or would you be selfless and allow the person whose body you are "borrowing" to have it back with their soul intact? I enjoyed every minute of reading Abithica, every strange twist and turn that it took was fresh and new. The final culmination that the two intertwined plot lines lead up to was an emotional and absolutely wonderful surprise and it was very interesting to take the journey with Abithica to say the least... This book has a new spin on Angel's that is true but it is so much more than that too... It is a book about the power of one making a difference in the lives of many, about love and acceptance, a story that will uplift you and make you smile and make you very happy with how it turns out for everyone in the end.... If you are looking for a read that has mysticism, humor, quirky characters, romance, action, mystery and fascinating twists of fantasy than this is the read for you... Not only will you be as glad as I am that you gave it a shot but the messages in the book will stick with you for awhile too!

I am so glad I read this book! You must check it out!!

Sydney is a total rebel - maybe 17 years old, she left her mom for drugs, sex and as much fun as she could get -

A couple years later - Faith (Sydney's mom) fell in love, She contacted Sydney and asked her to join her at a restaurant to talk and try to work things out.

All of a sudden, Sydney was shoved in the back of her mind and we meet the NEW Sydney - A Parasite - An Angel - who knows what she is, but All she knows is that she is now taking over Sydney's body - she doesn't know anything about Sydney's Past, and she doesn't know why she's there to "help" Sydney
But she does know that once things start going good - she is going to get Yanked out of Sydney's body and thrown into another "broken" body and she'll have to start all over again.

Never getting attached, loved, or anything that can and would anchor her down.

Until she got to know Faith - and liked her. She went home with Faith (Sydney's mom) and tried to be the daughter Faith had always wanted (in Sydney's Body) . Faith agreed not to ask questions about Sydney's past (since she didn't know Sydney's past) and they could get to know each other all over again.
SO Faith brings Sydney to The Mall (where she works in Shoes - because Faith can tell a LOT about a person based on their shoes alone :)
Walking towards Dillards Shoe Department, Sydney was stopped by a few children who were drawn to her. One little girl latched on to her leg and refused to let go.
That's when Lane Riley walked up to Sydney to help pry his little sister off her leg. their eyes met . BOOM - there it is folks! One of the greatest things that could ever happy to her - err umm Sidney - or Abithica as we find out towards the end (ok I don't think that's a spoiler..)

Abithica is confused - she wants what Sydney has - she wants the look Lane gave her to be for HER and not Sydney - she is having trouble understanding what she is, and where she and Sydney are different.
She can feel Sydney in there, and knows she is not happy - But Abithica is. she is finally able to experience things she knows are against the rules, but she is determined to have a little joy in her life while she is there.

Shea (Lane's little sister) believes she is an Angel - and she know without a doubt in her little 6 year old mind that Abithica/Sydney is there for her sake as her guardian Angel.

Father Gabe is a Priest that helps with Shea at the Catholic School she attends , and when he meets Sydney - he remembers her plea for help a few years ago, and he notices right off that she is different.
Between Father Gabe and Shea - they discover the truth .

And THAT'S as far as I'm going to go into this story - it is really a WONDERFUL Story - I got goose bumps in so many different places - This book isn't a spiritual book (heavy on the Religion) but it does have a few places in there that really get you thinking.

If you believe there are Angels out there - or guardian Angels waiting to help you, if you believe that little children are innocent enough to spot an Angel in a crowded Circus even though you are wearing a different body - And even if you Don't believe in Angels , but believe in Romance, and Love that is so strong - nothing , even switching from another body to another can stop you from getting to the one you're supposed to be with - FATE, FAITH, and LOVE -

THIS book was SO GREAT in my eyes - I know it's defiantly worth MORE then 5 stars

A Rollercoaster of a Read!

For Abithica, love may prove to be either her downfall or her salvation.

Susan Goldsmith's debut novel, ABITHICA, is beautifully written and the characters are so real, they kept talking to me in my head even after I finished the book. If you like a unique twist on angels and paranormal romance, pick up ABITHICA this summer. It is one of the best paranormal romances I've read and Susan Goldsmith introduced twists and turns in the plot I never saw coming.

It was one of the few books I've read this year that I couldn't put down - it was that good. Here's hoping Ms. Goldsmith is working on the sequel!

I think I'm going to start a fan club....

Book Review: Abithica

This book had my interest in just a few pages. Abithica feels like she is parasite taking host in other peoples bodies and transfered to another without any warning or information but when living the life of Sydney she starts breaking all her rules of not getting involved everything gets complicated. The relationship between Abithica and the new family she encounters was just so well covered and developed it made me keep reading more and more to find out who she really was. There was another story going along as well a much darker side but at the end it felt like it was not completed and left me with questions. Overall this book had me guessing all the way to the end what was going to happen and it did not disappoint me. I truly enjoyed reading it.

An Emotional Journey

What if you were some kind of disembodied spirit, moving from host to host, living life through other people's bodies, but never having a life of your own? What if you didn't know what you truly are, let alone who you are? Could you find happiness or love?

A minute ago, she was Claire, who just fell back in love with her husband, Tom, but before she left, she broke her number one rule - she got attached. Now she's Sydney, a troubled young woman who got involved with a dangerous gang that won't let her leave - at least, not alive. Sydney's spirit is so broken that she takes a backseat to her body's new spirit inhabitant, offering no help or even information.

Alone in a strange body, cast adrift with only her own wits and insecurities, a nameless spirit once again breaks all her own rules. She falls in love, knowing that any second, and without warning, she may end up in another body - either part of God's plan or some cruel joke. She's pretty sure she's there to help Sydney, but why oh why can't she have a little something for herself?

Abithica's selflessness and hopeless longing stole my heart. She took me on an emotional journey through hope, despair, horror, and love.

The fantasy elements strengthened and intensified the love story, creating a magical blending of genres. I highly recommend this book to lovers of fantasy and romance.

An Emotional Journey

What if you were some kind of disembodied spirit, moving from host to host, living life through other people's bodies, but never having a life of your own? What if you didn't know what you truly are, let alone who you are? Could you find happiness or love?

A minute ago, she was Claire, who just fell back in love with her husband, Tom, but before she left, she broke her number one rule - she got attached. Now she's Sydney, a troubled young woman who got involved with a dangerous gang that won't let her leave - at least, not alive. Sydney's spirit is so broken that she takes a backseat to her body's new spirit inhabitant, offering no help or even information.

Alone in a strange body, cast adrift with only her own wits and insecurities, a nameless spirit once again breaks all her own rules. She falls in love, knowing that any second, and without warning, she may end up in another body - either part of God's plan or some cruel joke. She's pretty sure she's there to help Sydney, but why oh why can't she have a little something for herself?

Abithica's selflessness and hopeless longing stole my heart. She took me on an emotional journey through hope, despair, horror, and love.

The fantasy elements strengthened and intensified the love story, creating a magical blending of genres. I highly recommend this book to lovers of fantasy and romance.

Five Star Winner!

For Abithica, love may prove to be either her downfall or her salvation.

Susan Goldsmith's debut novel, ABITHICA, is beautifully written and the characters are so real, they kept talking to me in my head even after I finished the book. If you like a unique twist on angels and paranormal romance, pick up ABITHICA this summer. It is one of the best paranormal romances I've read and Susan Goldsmith introduced twists and turns in the plot I never saw coming.

It was one of the few books I've read this year that I couldn't put down - it was that good. Here's hoping Ms. Goldsmith is working on the sequel!

I think I'm going to start a fan club....

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.