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Akasha #1
Akasha
In 1880, superstitions in Nichole's small New England town are more like excerpts from the bible than cautionary tales. So, when a band of gypsies set up camp outside town the same day Nichole's mother dies, the town's people blame the death on a gypsy curse. At seventeen, Nichole is left an orphan and feared by friends. Not even the man she was betrothed to will speak for her. When one of the gypsies comes to claim her, the town hands her over with no remorse. It is only through the connection she feels for the man put in charge of helping her that she is able to accept her new life. Her trust in him turns to love, and the wounds of loss begin to heal. Until she discovers their secret...
361 pages, Paperback
First published February 17, 2011
451 people want to read
About the author
Heather Tregaskes
6 books23 followersHeather Tregaskes grew up in southwest New Mexico where she developed a love for reading books about anything outside our reality. She is currently a stay-at-home mom in Southern Arizona and enjoys reading, playing guitar and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 25, 2011
When I was reading it it seemed vaguely familiar, until I realized it was simply a retelling of Avatar the Last Airbender without the humor. Absolutely LOVED the show, but this seemed too similar and since it came out a few years after the show, it seemed like a carbon copy that failed to replicate the heart of the original.
October 15, 2011
I did like the story, however, I never felt attached to any of the characters. For that reason I wasn't as entertained as I was hoping.
March 10, 2011
Nicole is a seventeen year old girl whose life is going just as planned, she has a wonderful fiancé who will be her husband in a couple of days, a mother who loves her and a best friend she could never live without. But her small town secluded from cities gets unwanted visitors near the woods. The town’s people call them "gypsies" and fear their magical ways. Nicole’s life is changed forever when her mother comes home in a hurry to get her daughter out of town, confused she refuses to leave her life behind. Then the unspeakable happens and her mother and home are taken away from her in a sudden fire and the town’s people blame her and want to get rid of her.
This is where the "gypsies" come in and take Nicole away from the town who thinks she's evil and little does Nicole know she has more in common with these unknown people than she thinks. Learning the ways of living as an outside with them and meeting the mysterious Bryshen who’s hard to figure out and hard to stay away from. Nicole must learn to fight the evil that not only took her mother away but also is now coming after her.
Nicole’s character frustrated me a lot through out the book, but I feel it was needed so that I could understand what she was going through. Her life took a massive turn for the worst and she had to figure out how she was going to survive it.
Bryshen was my favorite character because he was a mystery through a majority of the beginning. He avoids Nicole like the plague and through the book he really grew on me and I just loved the development.
Akasha is one of those books that makes you grateful it popped out of nowhere. Beautifully written and its a plot that is original, which made me love it that much more. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about magic, love, family, and lots of exciting twist and turns.
This is where the "gypsies" come in and take Nicole away from the town who thinks she's evil and little does Nicole know she has more in common with these unknown people than she thinks. Learning the ways of living as an outside with them and meeting the mysterious Bryshen who’s hard to figure out and hard to stay away from. Nicole must learn to fight the evil that not only took her mother away but also is now coming after her.
Nicole’s character frustrated me a lot through out the book, but I feel it was needed so that I could understand what she was going through. Her life took a massive turn for the worst and she had to figure out how she was going to survive it.
Bryshen was my favorite character because he was a mystery through a majority of the beginning. He avoids Nicole like the plague and through the book he really grew on me and I just loved the development.
Akasha is one of those books that makes you grateful it popped out of nowhere. Beautifully written and its a plot that is original, which made me love it that much more. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about magic, love, family, and lots of exciting twist and turns.
July 28, 2011
This book was actually really freaking good. I loved the concept and the characters and just about all of it really. It was so much different from the other books I have read lately. The ending threw me for a loop and I really wanted to know what happened afterwards.
The take on witches in this book was great. Like I said before I have never really came across a book like this one, and was sucked into it pretty fast. Learning about how her life was going for her, so great and she was happy with it all. And within a night everything changed for her, and she didn't know what was going on. She took the changes as well as one could have I imagine.
She has to let go of her betrothed because she no longer knows where she is going on does not want to feel like he is always out there looking for her. But then, in her new home, she meets a new man. Someone who is hunky and adorable and, lets just say I fell in love with him also. [:
From the twists and turns, to the crazy magic, and the love that Heather Tregaskes has put into this book is wonderful. I get everything I want, and then some. One second I thought I wanted this, and then two pages later I completely changed my mind.
The ending, oh dear, I thought I was going to hate the book based on the ending. But thank goodness everything turned out well. I just feel like I need to know more about what happened afterward. Because the very last page gives you what you want, and when you get what you want, you still want to know what happens after.
Great book, great story line and concept and I fell in love with it all. Very much worth your time and money to read this book.
Happy Reading All.
[:
The take on witches in this book was great. Like I said before I have never really came across a book like this one, and was sucked into it pretty fast. Learning about how her life was going for her, so great and she was happy with it all. And within a night everything changed for her, and she didn't know what was going on. She took the changes as well as one could have I imagine.
She has to let go of her betrothed because she no longer knows where she is going on does not want to feel like he is always out there looking for her. But then, in her new home, she meets a new man. Someone who is hunky and adorable and, lets just say I fell in love with him also. [:
From the twists and turns, to the crazy magic, and the love that Heather Tregaskes has put into this book is wonderful. I get everything I want, and then some. One second I thought I wanted this, and then two pages later I completely changed my mind.
The ending, oh dear, I thought I was going to hate the book based on the ending. But thank goodness everything turned out well. I just feel like I need to know more about what happened afterward. Because the very last page gives you what you want, and when you get what you want, you still want to know what happens after.
Great book, great story line and concept and I fell in love with it all. Very much worth your time and money to read this book.
Happy Reading All.
[:
March 5, 2011
First of all I have to be honest, I'm close to this book (well and the author, too). Heather is my sister. I feel like I've been beside her on her publishing journey even though we don't even share the same state.
I've read many (many) versions of this book. When I first started reading it, I thought it was a good story with lots of depth and since I love the supernatural, of course this was a good fit. However, since she started writing, I, too, have delved into the world of writing and am currently taking a class to learn this incredible art. I am not good...yet (I say yet, because I still hold out hope for myself). I can say this honestly because I want anyone who reads this to know I'm not just saying "her book is awesome" because she's my sister. I've read many books and I know what good writing is. I know what a good story line involves and I KNOW that she has both.
Akasha is a story that draws you into its world with its magic, witches, and (let's not forget the all-important) love. The struggles that Nichole face are relatable, even though it takes place in a different time. Her feelings are real. Her emotion is contagious. And when you read the last page, you'll wish there was more.
I've read many (many) versions of this book. When I first started reading it, I thought it was a good story with lots of depth and since I love the supernatural, of course this was a good fit. However, since she started writing, I, too, have delved into the world of writing and am currently taking a class to learn this incredible art. I am not good...yet (I say yet, because I still hold out hope for myself). I can say this honestly because I want anyone who reads this to know I'm not just saying "her book is awesome" because she's my sister. I've read many books and I know what good writing is. I know what a good story line involves and I KNOW that she has both.
Akasha is a story that draws you into its world with its magic, witches, and (let's not forget the all-important) love. The struggles that Nichole face are relatable, even though it takes place in a different time. Her feelings are real. Her emotion is contagious. And when you read the last page, you'll wish there was more.
March 9, 2012
In an 1880's town, their superstitions are more like history lessons than simple stories. Consequently, when a band of gypsies stops in the town on the same day Nichole's mother dies, everyone in town immediately jumps to the conclusion that her death was part of a gypsies curse.
At only seventeen years of age, Nichole is now a friendless orphan. Everyone in town fears her, and not even the man she was supposed to marry will speak to her. And when the gypsies come to take her away, the townsfolk give her up without a moment’s thought. A man is put in charge of her, and at first he wants nothing to do with her, but slowly their acquaintanceship grows into something more. As Nichole’s understanding of gypsy magic grows, she unearths a secret about her family that had been held from her all her life until now.
This book is well written and has quite the enthralling storyline. There are parts of the book that drag on, though, but this does not particularly take away from the excitement. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. I was drawn in the way that you automatically want to, if not join, the world within these pages. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone under thirteen or fourteen. It was a pretty easy read but had some intense moments.
At only seventeen years of age, Nichole is now a friendless orphan. Everyone in town fears her, and not even the man she was supposed to marry will speak to her. And when the gypsies come to take her away, the townsfolk give her up without a moment’s thought. A man is put in charge of her, and at first he wants nothing to do with her, but slowly their acquaintanceship grows into something more. As Nichole’s understanding of gypsy magic grows, she unearths a secret about her family that had been held from her all her life until now.
This book is well written and has quite the enthralling storyline. There are parts of the book that drag on, though, but this does not particularly take away from the excitement. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. I was drawn in the way that you automatically want to, if not join, the world within these pages. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone under thirteen or fourteen. It was a pretty easy read but had some intense moments.
August 16, 2011
I totally loved this book! It sucked me until the end. I wanted more, I didn't want the book to end. (that's rare for me I usually want my book to be done so I can read the next one on my list). I didn't quite feel like the time (1880 I think) matched all of the scenes and the language. But this was a light read. It is a make your heart feel good story. It totally had the "AWE" factor. I Hope I can get my hands on the 2nd book soon... :) AMAZING. I don't feel like my words can give it justice. Thanks for the GREAT read!!! I will be purchasing this title for the libraries.
May 31, 2012
I read this book primarily because it was written by a friend of a friend. To be clear, this type of book generally isn't the type of thing I enjoy to read. I would classify it as a paranormal romance that definitely fall into the young adult age range. Overall, the story was interesting enough to keep me reading, but I definitely felt it lacked in depth and didn't have the intensity that I expected from something of this genre. If you are someone who enjoyed the Twilight series (definitely not me), then you will probably like this type of thing. However, for me, it wasn't my cup of tea.
May 9, 2011
I had a hard time beginning this book as it was a little rough and jerky in the writing during the first part. Once the plot got going the writing improved immensely. I re-read the first half just to see if I remembered the roughness correctly and I had. As a whole it was enjoyable and fast moving. The end makes me want to know what happens next.
July 8, 2011
The storyline in this novel is very engaging and provides a little bit of everything--love, suspense, action, magic. The writing is a little rough in places and some scenes fall into the melodrama category, but overlook those minor flaws in order to enjoy a really great story as one girl struggles to figure out who she is and how to control the power she finds within herself.
July 4, 2011
What a fantastic book! Nichole is the average 17 year old in love with a bright future. Her world takes a turn and she is involved in a world she never knew of before. I couldn't put this book down! The story leaves you wanting to know what's next all the time and isn't predictable. I was able to escape the reality of our world and enjoy hers. I can't wait until book 2 is out! :)
May 30, 2013
This was my second time reading this book....and i loved it just as much as the first time. I wasn't in the mood to read something new so i tried to think of what i could re-read. When I came across this book, i started to remember bits of it and i missed the characters. I definitely recommend this one, it is emotional, romantic, exciting and original!
September 15, 2011
I thought the book started out really slow but eventually I got into it and ended up falling in love with the story and its characters. And now that I know that their will be a second book coming out for it I can't help but feel the need to pester the author to hurry up and get published so I can finnaly read it.
August 27, 2016
Exceptional storytelling! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'll admit to figuring out a plot point before it was revealed, but I had read 75% of the book before that happened and it didn't ruin the story for me at all! I sincerely hope that Heather Tregaskes has plans of continuing to write. I would read another book by this author.
May 23, 2011
I had troubles keeping track of everyone at first, then I really got into it. Suspensful, romance, The Gypsies were intriguing. It was fun
watching a really rich young lady, go through having to learn to work, and under such conditions. I would read another.
watching a really rich young lady, go through having to learn to work, and under such conditions. I would read another.
March 9, 2011
I love this book. The characters won me over. And I look forward to the next one!
July 16, 2011
I love this book!
September 26, 2011
I came across this just looking for something new and fresh to read. I have to say it surpassed my expectations and was a fun read that I couldn't put down!
April 12, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. Everyone NEEDS to read it!!!
June 12, 2011
I loved the story--almost had a "Twilight" feel to it. A fun, quick read.
September 10, 2011
Excellent book! After reading the first chapter I did not want to put it down. Would highly recommend.
June 27, 2012
Heather I am telling you again (1,000th time) I love Akasha! This book really sucks you in and you can't put it down.
March 3, 2011
It's my book, I should give it five stars, right?
April 3, 2011
A magical story of loss and renewal by embracing a new life while in the mist of the magical.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews