BLOG TOUR: Chrysalis by Michel Prince (REVIEW OF THE BEAM)

Chrysalis

In the annals of dysfunctional families, the Chisholm’s are working their way to the top. Drug abuse, an unwed mother with multiple fathers, and the questionable cash flow for the 'pretty one'.   All this from a seemingly normal, two parent middle class family. But were the choices truly made of their free will?

Bad choices are a Chisholm family trait, one that confounds the youngest child, Ellie, who's trying to separate herself by making smart decisions. And falling for Oscar Jeffreys, the hottest guy at school, would be number one on the list of  Chisholm family disasters.  Yet the crazy part is it’s not a one sided attraction.  Somehow Ellie has caught Oscar Jeffreys’ eye.   Sure she could see the barriers between them.  Race, age, popularity.  They were at opposite ends of the spectrum.  But a demon set to destroy her family? She can't see that.  

Oscar provides security and acceptance Ellie never imagined she deserved.  As the passion of first love grows, Ellie honestly believes she has a chance to beat the odds and live a happy, normal life. Then her world collapses around her. With the help of a guardian angel, Ellie learns of a world that has unknowingly surrounded her for years.  And she'll have to find strength buried deep inside to save not only her future, but flush out and stop the demon in her midst.

And Ellie will have to learn that sometimes the hardest lesson about growing up is accepting that you're worth more. 

The Beam

When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.-Corinthians 13:11

There comes a time in everyone’s life when they must put aside their childish ways. In the past year, Ellie Chisholm has fallen into the security of her relationship with Oscar Jeffreys, emerging with a stronger sense of herself. BUt now Ellie's mother has started inserting herself into Ellie’s life, treating her as if she were a child even though Ellie has begun to make very adult decisions for her future. Having finally consummated her relationship with Oscar, Ellie learns the powers inside of her stretch further than vaporizing demons.

Maria, the demon bent on revenge, has been reigned in by God but that doesn’t stop her from disrupting and threatening those around Ellie and Oscar. Ellie becomes off balance as Maria switches strategy and attempts to destroy Ellie from the outside. Now the gauntlet has been thrown down. Ellie must help her family achieve positive change and finally break the tie between her mother and Gaap or risk losing everyone she loves.

Can Ellie maintain her sanity while walking the last steps as a child?

My Thoughts:

"You're the most important decision I've ever made. Don't ever forget that I chose to be with you. I was never forced to be with you. And you've never been forced to be with me." 

The Beam is book two in The Chrysalis series by Michel Prince. One of the things that makes this book different from book one, Chrysalis, is the level or the paranormal aspect. In book one we are introduced to it fairly late in the book but in this book it is there almost from the very start. And while it's not spoken about all the time it is present as an underlying current throughout as we wait to see what will transpire. And when we do encounter it , there is enough action to keep us going until the next time.

Oscar and Ellie's love was what I loved most about Chrysalis and in book two their love is stronger than ever, but that doesn't mean that things go smoothly for the two of them. There are outside forces trying to tear them apart. Aside from the paranormal threat there are girls after Oscar, and Ellie's mum trying to input herself into Ellie's life and force her away from Oscar. But there are also issues coming from inside the relationship. Oscar is quite strong willed and can at times seem overbearing but there are also Ellie's insecurities. She has an inner monologue going on inside her head and that forces her to question herself as well as Oscar. She begins to loose sight of the girl she was and the girl that she wants to be.

 "We're going to make it. It won't be easy, but if you trust me I promise it'll be worth it." 

Ellie and Oscar have an ease about them when they are together and things are going good. But I did feel at times that they were each at fault in causing issues in their relationship and that went to show how young they both actually are. I think that there were times that they both showed that they have some growing up to do before they can take the next step in their relationship.

There were a lot of movie references in The Beam and not being a movie buff there were times that it went over my head a bit but I did appreciate the reasons that they were included and there were some that were mentioned that I'm definitely going to check out.

Overall The Beam was a great follow on from book one and a really good read and I'm definitely a fan of Michel Prince's writing. Looking forward to the release of book three Not Even Death in May.

4 Stars!!

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Michel Prince is an author who graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science.  Michel writes young adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.

With characters yelling "It's my turn damn it!!!" She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn.  She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.

When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at a scouting event or cheering for her son in a variety of sports.  She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.

Michel is a member of RWA Pro and Midwest Fiction Writers.  She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, cat and new puppy. 

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