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Member Since: Dec. 27, 2010

Kristina Marino

Smashwords book reviews by Kristina Marino

Between on May 23, 2011

Between begins with Lindsey and her somewhat boyfriend, Ravi getting into a horrible car accident, leaving Lindsey seriously injured. When Aiden MacRae comes to her side, he explains that he there to help Lindsey get to heaven, and the two of them leave the scene of the accident. Aiden died in the 1700’s and was refused entry into heaven. Instead he was told that he will be stuck between heaven and earth and he will transport souls to heaven until he meets the one that will redeem him and allow him entry into the pearly gates. Before Lindsey makes the final trip to heaven, she and Aiden spend time together, reliving memories from both of their lives, him at The Palace of Versailles and her in the present day. I really enjoyed the parts where Lindsey was trying to explain to Aiden about technology. Aiden was adorable trying to learn how to use a camera. One day, Lindsey begins to disappear right in front of Aiden’s eyes. The doctors at the hospital have been working on her, and she finally woke up. Lindsey doesn’t remember at first, but slowly her memories of Aiden come back to her. She loved Aiden, and would do anything to be able to see him again. I absolutely loved the ending! I definitely was not expecting it and I wonder where Cyndi Teff is going to take this story. My only issue with Between was I felt the relationship between Aiden and Lindsey was rushed. They just met, and a few days later they claim to be married and madly in love. Don’t get me wrong, I thought the two of them were so cute together, especially with a Scottish man that still speaks in 1700’s twang (adorable), but I just didn’t feel it was realistic enough, even for a supernatural kind of story. Overall, a wonderful and original story and I am glad to be a part of the blog tour! I can’t wait to read the second book, Hell Transporter.
Between The Land And The Sea on Sep. 04, 2011

It seems like mermaids are the new things in YA books and I’ve only read a couple, but I have to say Between the Land and the Sea has been my favorite! The characters were great and relatable, the plot was original and entertaining and the writing flowed nicely! Privileged teenager Marina, is forced to move from San Francisco to Aptos, California to live with her Aunt Abby and cousin Cruz, while her dad has to go overseas for work. Marina would rather go with her father, but as soon as she gets to Aptos, she immediately feels at home. Aunt Abby is welcoming and nurturing and Marina and Cruz pick up right where they last saw each other (which was when they were still children). She even meets a wonderful, swoon-worthy boy named Ethan. For the first time in Marina’s life she has friends and a crush and she is really happy with where she is. One day while Marina is on the beach she sees a Mermaid on the coast and immediately feels a connection to her. She begins to learn secrets about her mother (who died during childbirth) and Marina realizes who she really is. Marina plans on finding out the secrets that the sea is holding, no matter how dangerous it is, or how great the costs are. Marina was such a great character! Even though she grew up with money and got everything she ever wanted from her “Aunt” Evie (her rich and famous neighbor who loves to spoil her rotten), she was grounded and down to earth. She cared about people and was willing to sacrifice her own life for those she cared about. I loved her cousin, Cruz! He was so different from other characters in books today, and I felt he brought so much to the story. He was into fashion and truly was a very talented fashion designer. I loved that he wasn’t afraid to be who he was. The love interest, Ethan was wonderful! I have to say that he is one of my favorite male characters out there! I loved that even though he was one of the most popular guys in school, he didn’t care what people thought. He was nice to Cruz, even when no one else was, and he wasn’t arrogant or thought he could get by on his gorgeous looks. Ethan was responsible and a hard-worker, and an all-around great guy! I really have nothing bad to say about Between the Land and the Sea. It was so much more then a mermaid story. It had everything that I could want in a book, and I am so glad I got the opportunity to read it. I HIGHLY recommend everyone go and buy this book TODAY! It is completely worth the money (it’s only a $1, so you have no excuse for not buying this awesome book!!). The second book, The Moon and the Tide, is already out and I can’t wait to get started with it!