Wildflower

Wildflower #1

by Amy Maurer Jones

Love can be tragic.

17th Century America:
A Shaman’s daughter falls in love with an Englishman,
only her hand has been promised to a warrior.

Tears fall.
Promises are broken.
Rage is unleashed.

Souls are bound or shattered.

Present Day:
Laney Stillwater dreams about a boy she has never met,
but she longs for the attention of the ever popular and gorgeous, Jordan Stone.

Time tempts change.
Destined souls awaken.
Love gets a second chance.

Souls are bound or shattered.

What will destiny offer this time?

Reconciliation or more despair?

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal

295 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 28, 2012

About the author

Amy Maurer Jones has been happily married to her own version of Edward Cullen for sixteen years. She and her soul mate, Kelly, live in Tabor City, North Carolina with their two beautiful children, Olivia and Keaton.

When Amy isn’t reading and writing, she teaches high school theater arts and dance. To say that Amy has a flare for all things creative would be an understatement, just don’t ask her to assemble anything that requires instructions or sadly, you will be out of luck!

If you would like to learn more about Amy and her projects, check out her blog:
http://amyjonesyaff.blogspot.com

Reviews

[Tee loves Kyle Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I have to say that Wildflower is a book that takes you by storm. It starts out in the 17th Century and then jumps to the present day. Amy Jones has done a great job with her descriptions of Plymouth, Mass and the Wampanoag tribe. The story starts out with Wildflower who is a shamans daughter and part of the tribe. She meets Joshua who is an English boy and falls in love with him. The only thing problem is is her father has promised her to a warrior of the tribe. As Wildflower and Joshua get closer she realizes her fathers intentions and decides to use her drawings to bind her and Joshua together in order to stay together. Wildflower draws a series of birds and when she is finished the drawing appears on her and Joshua. Joshua knows he will have to fight to keep her but will that be enough?

Jump to present day Laney Smith keeps dreaming about a boy she does not know but what she does know is that she loves him and needs to find him. That is when she meets the popular Jordan Stone. As they unravel the past and realize they have been reincarnated they must figure out how to stay together despite the return of Paco who is the warrior that wants her for himself. What is Laney and Jordan to do? Will their love end up like all the other times or will they finally be able to be together? What will Paco do when he realizes who Laney is and what she means to him?

This is such a great story with historical accuracy that it had me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it. I can't wait for book two I need it like ASAP! I need to see what happens between these three. Will life repeat itself or will Wildflower be able to find her love and keep him!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wildflower is a beautifully woven story about love and reincarnation. I love the cover, fits the book perfect!

In past time, Wildflower is a native american teenager. She is in love with an englishman named Joshua Bangs. However, her father has set her up to marry a warrior named Paco. This creates a love triangle that doesn't end well.

In modern day Laney is a native american teenage girl who is dealing with everyday teenage drama. She has been dating Jordan but things have not been going so well. Some people look at her differently because of her beliefs. They think she is some kind of freak and witch. When she draws things from her dreams the image appears on her skin as a tattoo. She has been having dreams about a former life as a girl named Wildflower. One day she meets the new guy at school, Joshua Bangs. She feels like she knows him and instantly connects with him. Their friendship turns to love when they realize that they are Wildflower and Joshua from a past life. They seem to have the same dreams about their past life. Then they come to realize who Paco is in modern day. It seems that they will have the same fate as Wildflower and Joshua or will they?

I really liked how the story flowed and I loved the characters. The song lyrics throughout the book was a nice touch. I'm not usually one for historical aspects in a book but I loved this one. The way the author wove the past and present together was great. This is my favorite book so far that I have read by this author. I can't wait to read the sequel.

This e-book was given to me by the author for review. This did not affect my review in any way.

[Ginifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was extremely excited to read this book. The premise sounds so interesting, and that cover is absolutely gorgeous! Wildflower, a member of the Wamponoag Native American tribe in the 17th Century, falls in love with an Englishman, Joshua Bangs. Their families didn't trust each other, therefore, any relationship between Wildflower and Joshua is forbidden. To make matters even more complicated, Wildflower's father betroths her to a warrior named Paco. Wildflower has a special gift - when she prays over her sketches the images float off the page and imprint onto her skin. (How cool is that?) She sketches a flock of birds and prays that her and Joshua will find one another in each new life.


Set in modern day Plymouth, Massachusetts, this story immerses us into American history, the Wamponoag culture, reincarnation, forbidden love, and even bullying. The author even includes song lyrics in the chapters - you've got the playlist right there in the book. We find out what happened to Wildflower, Joshua, and Paco through dreams and sometimes switching to narration from the 17th Century. Loved all these aspects of Wildflower.


I really enjoyed reading this novel. I couldn't rate it a full five stars because it needs a thorough edit. Wildflower has the potential to be an incredible story, just in its present form it is not quite there. I'm looking forward to the reading the rest of the series and finding out how things will turn out for Wildflower in this new life. I'm rooting for Joshua. :)

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. No incentive was offered or accepted for a favorable review.

[Belkis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happily, this one was as good a read as I'd hoped it would be. Wonderfully intriguing premise with the soulmate reincarnation lending a paranormal aspect to a young star crossed romance. This story hits the ground running right for page one it kept my interest throughout and had no lagging at all. The love triangle was very well done in this story. I'm not again of love triangles, but when they're done right, as is the case in this story, I can certainly appreciate them. The story kept me guessing as to what course the fate of the three main characters would eventually take. And the more I read the more I speculated. Absolutely thrilling. The fact that the author managed to keep me guessing and anticipating and loving it. I can't make up my mind who should be together. Even after finishing the story, I still can't choose. I can't wait to see what happens next in this story and hate that book two isn't out yet. Will definitely be stalking the author's web page for release details. Loved the story. It was fresh and intriguing and well written. The characters were wonderfully fleshed out and I really liked them all. Super excited to find out what course lies in store for the three love struck main characters Laney Stillwater/Wildflower, Joshua Bangs, Jordan Stone/Paco in the upcoming book!

[Gloria Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never been a fan of History or Social Studies. If all of my history books had been written by this author I'm sure it would have been my favorite subject This story felt a lot like Pocahontas to me, but better. And one of the coolest things about this book is that the author included lyrics to songs before some of the chapters that seem to be inspired by the story. It's a great way to share the play list for the book.
This story is about a Native American girl named Wildflower and her forbidden love for an Englishman named Joshua Bangs in the 17th century. Wildflower is the daughter of her tribes Shaman and she has been promised to one of the tribes Warriors. But the story is also about those same souls in the current day. We get to experience the feelings of the characters from both time periods as their love story is relived again and again. Who will she choose in her current life and who will she choose in the future. Will she choose forbidden love or will the warrior that loves her win the battle over her heart. I have to say I couldn't guess where this story was going go. I loved both lead guys. The story also includes a dream world where the characters can meet in secret. I've always been fascinated with tattoos and the mystical nature of the lead characters tattoos was perfect. It was a great read. I definitely look forward to the next book in the series.

[Darci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wildflower is a very sweet high-school romance story with a historical fiction paranormal twist!
I definitely enjoyed the romance. The main couple, Joshua and Laney, were very cute and it definitely brought me back to my high-school self with the i-love-you-after-a-week thing that goes on. Then there was Jordan that refuses to give up on Laney even though she loves Joshua and he wants to be her warrior...awwww!
One thing that had me hooked was the reincarnation aspect. The character's experienced many flashbacks of their old life that warned them not to make the same mistakes, or they would end up with the same horrible fate. I felt the hardships that both Laney and her former self, Wildflower, had to make. The whole Indian culture and beliefs that were in Wildflower intrigued me. I did feel like her role as shaman wasn't pronounced enough but I'm hoping to see more of that in the sequel, Fly Away.
I was a little confused of what was going on in the story but that was soon forgotten because it is a very fast paced story.
Recommended for those with a love for young love and reincarnation fiction. 3.5 Stars

[Ciara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow Wildflower was unexpected!!! I saw that a lot of the authors I followed were on Twitter about it incessantly so I figured I see what all the hype was about!! I was pleasantly surprised! Wildflower is a cute love story about the reincarnation of a love triangle between Wildflower, present day Laney, Joshua Bangs and Paco, present day Jordan. Laney is next to be her reservations Shaman and has been dreaming about her past lives of forbidden love and tragedy and two men who have been fighting for her heart. It's amazing when their past life is unraveled and the pure love story there is wonderful. I like how she uses modern day teen angst to develop the love story that has happened so long ago and keeps recurring life after life. And the two love interests are adorable! I will definitely be reading Fly Away, the next installment just so I can see how the love triangle unfolds!!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wildflower is beautifully written. I love how the syntax changes between time periods, and the problems translate beyond the past. I also really appreciate that the couples fell in love without knowledge of their past lives. They aren't together just because they were in past.

Soulmates Laney and Joshua have been reincarnated and now have the chance to love one another again after their tragic parting in the past. The flashbacks/dreams of the past are full of emotion and give enough detail to explain how the characters are feeling in the present. Tossing Jordan in the mix heightens the tension. He wants to be with Laney so badly, but his efforts are thwarted at every turn. The reader can really feel the desperation each character feels to just move past the blockades and be with their one true love. But scorned lovers and bitter jealousy just can't let that happen.

Wildflower has all the drama, angst, and romantic language every YA reader craves in a sweet love story. What I liked most was the realization at the end that everything is not as it seems. Wildflower is truly a delight.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wildflower is a unique & interesting story that manages to mix together modern high
school life, past lives, and Native American spirituality. The story focuses on a
teenage girl, Laney, who discovers through dreams that in a past life she was denied a future with her soul mate. Her past, present, and future are intertwined when the new student at school is the reincarnation of her soul mate.
I absolutely loved the way the author portrayed the characters as such typical teenagers. They are dealing with Native American spiritual beliefs but also with normal teenage issues like bullying and parents rules and dating. Laney, Joshua, and Jordan are caught in such a strange love triangle...but they still manage to be friends.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a classic love triangle. I love Joshua but I have a feeling she's meant to be with Jordan. I love the back and forth from past to present. My only problem is finding the 2nd book when does it come out????

[M.R. Polish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very different and interesting :) Will be fun to see how the story ends in next book

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first line in the synopsis is “Love can be tragic,” and Amy Maurer Jones writes a beautiful story about love and reincarnation. This is the first book in the Wildflower series. The book is set in both the past and present and is mostly told through Laney Stillwater’s perspective. Laney is your typical high school student with very few friends. She is an outcast because of her ethnic background (Native American) and most of her classmates don’t understand her family’s beliefs. I can easily relate to Laney (I’ve been in her situation many times) and no doubt several of you will too. Laney shares a connection with a previous life. In 17th century Plymouth, she’s actually Wildflower, a Native American teenager from the Wampanoag tribe (as well as in the present). As a young woman she meets an Englishman, Joshua Bangs, a member of Plymouth Colony on the day his father helps organize a trade with the Wampanoags. Both Joshua and Wildflower are smitten with each other, but because of their backgrounds, they can’t be together. Add Paco, a Wampanoag warrior, who has been promised to Wildflower you wind up with a love triangle.

In the present, Laney is a bit unsure of Jordan’s (a popular, good looking student) intentions. She immediately begins to question why he would ask her out and wonders if people were taking bets and if money was exchanged for his cooperation. I too wondered with Laney because I got a shady feeling from him and it’s not until Jones explains his role in Laney’s life do I fully come to understand Jordan. Of course since Laney is an outcast, once it is known that she believes in reincarnation (an episode involving her having to explain to her friends how she knows the new guy, Joshua, without ever having met him before) all hell breaks loose. The popular girl, Gracie, starts to make Laney’s life harder than it should be. At one point Gracie goes as far to say that Laney worships Satan. Jones does an excellent job portraying the prejudices teenagers can have regarding things they have no idea about. Your heart breaks for Laney and you’re glad she has a true friend, Carly, on her side. When Jones finally introduces us to Joshua Bangs, she does it in a way where she shows us there are no awkwardness between Laney and him. Gradually she feeds us information regarding what Joshua knows and believes. The fact he accepted it as truth and when he realizes they share a bond, it is a beautifully written moment.

Jones does a good job with the historical research. During the flashbacks to 17th century Plymouth you feel as you are part of it. One of my favorite flashback scenes is Wildflower hiding so she too can learn the English language because she wants to be able to communicate with Joshua. Of course in any love triangle there will be a losing party. In this case one can’t help but feel sorry for Jordan (Paco) knowing that history is working against him. You secretly cheer him on, but at the same time your heart breaks at the possibility of Joshua and Laney (or in their past: Joshua and Wildflower) not being together. Jones slowly feeds us information regarding the history of all three and their ties to 17th century Plymouth. While reading I kept wondering if this, present day, was their only reincarnated life or if there were others. If there were others, what were they and how did they story end? Alas we didn’t have to wait long since Jones gives us one additional life, the 20th century during World War II. All three must work together to stop history from repeating itself, primarily how the love triangle ended, and she ends book one with an intriguing cliffhanger.

I gave it a 4 due to the change in tenses in a few places. Nothing major, but a bit noticeable. Also the changes from past to present (mostly later in the book) tended to be a bit distracting especially towards the end where she fully explains Wildflower, Joshua, and Paco’s story. By no means does it affect reading, but if you’re the type to be heavily drawn into a book this might distract you a bit. The language during the flashback scenes is a bit too modern, but I let it go because at one point Laney and Joshua are talking about memories and how those memories belong to the previous lives. Everything Laney, Joshua, and Paco saw were seen through modern eyes. Other than that the book is pretty much solid. I really can’t wait to see how this ends.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

I'm a sucker for reincarnation love stories. Lives upon lives of people finding each other and falling in love every time? It's sweet, and I can't help but love it. Wildflower was really no exception. The book wasn't perfect, but I definitely did enjoy it.

We have Laney, a girl who used to be Wildflower in a past life. I kind of expected her to be somewhat wise, since she had lives before, but I think I liked how she was pretty normal. I found her annoying more than once, but I can't deny that she was very teenager-ish. Some of the things she thought/said were very cliche-teenager (which means teens don't ACTUALLY say these things, but people say we do for some reason) but most of the time it wasn't too bad. Laney was just trying to make the best out of a confusing and overwhelming situation, and I can't really fault her for that.

Joshua was the nice boy. The sweet boy. They boy that I personally was rooting for throughout most of this book. Even his past self was a sweetheart, and I totally felt for him. But then we have Jordan, who I thought was a jerk for most of the book. He was so wishy-washy about what he wanted, and he got angry when he has no right to say anything--HE was the one who messed things up. He also started out as the stereotypical pretty boy. He grew out of that, however, just like he grew out of the other things that bothered me about him. By the end of the book, I actually really like Jordan's character. He had the biggest character arc in the story, in my opinion.

The romance seemed pretty straightforward to me for most of the book. I was Team Joshua, through and through. Just hand me some pom-poms and I was THERE. But then towards the last third of the book, that started to change. I don't know if I'm specifically Team Jordan now or anything, but I know for a fact that I'm not entirely certain about Joshua anymore. I mean, he's still a good guy, but I think Jordan has a serious chance of winning me over, depending on what happens in the next book.

I loved going back to Wildflower's life in Laney's dreams. It was so interesting to see how things were for her and the guys before, compared to how thing were playing out in present time. The things that happened in the past made me question what was happening in the present more than anything else, and I thought that was so fun. Plus, loads of sweet moments took place in their past. I loved all of the past characters--Wildflower, Joshua, and Paco. If the story were to be about them, I don't think I'd really ever be able to choose between Joshua and Paco. I actually think I may have went with Paco. I like warriors.

The writing and plot of this book wasn't the best. The premise was captivating enough to keep me in the story, but the writing was kind of boring for me until about halfway through the book. There was a lot of boring high school drama that felt kind of pointless for the first half, and I pretty much would have preferred to dive into the past lives and how that connected right away. Instead, we eased into it, and I got bored from time to time. After the halfway point, though, I was completely into the story. I didn't absolutely love everything that happened--because there was still high school drama and whatnot--but there was enough of other interesting things that held my attention.

The ending of this book definitely has me wanting to read the next book. SERIOUSLY. Things were just getting better and better, and then it ended and now I need to know what happens next. I need to know more about their past life/lives, and I need to decide on a team... Though I do think I may very well choose the warrior...

Overall, Wildflower took the topic of reincarnation and added a refreshing twist, which I absolutely loved. The story is romantic and interesting, and I am definitely looking forward to reading the next when I get my hands on it. The first half of this book may not have been the greatest, but the second half certainly made up for that so it all ended up balancing out.



This review was originally posted on Bookish, and you can find more from me there!

You can also find more from me on my blog: Just a Booklover

[My Book Friend · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just didn’t really like them. There was a love triangle in this novel, and that is one thing that I don’t like because when I read, I have my mind set on one person, and the other is just a bother. The main love interest was very likable, and I enjoyed reading his perspective.

The plot was enjoyable, although it did give off a very middle school/ early high school feel to it. The content was not more or less appropriate for that age group, but the drama that occurred and how things happened made me feel like this was a light read, and was better suited for younger readers. I still would give this book four out of five stars despite these drawbacks because the book was enjoyable. It might not be something I’d read again, but when I did read it- it was great! This book is not a three-star book because the plot is very original and I enjoyed experiencing something completely new.

I would recommend this novel to those who liked The Soul Quest Novels, also by Amy Maurer Jones, because it had a very similar voice and tone.

[Mindy/fangedmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted this book by a dear friend. He sure knows his books that is for sure!

This books is amazing. The first few pages of the introduction and I was teary eyed, covered in goosebumps and TOTALLY HOOKED! I read this whole book tonight.

The world that Author Amy Maurer Jones has created is truly magical and amazing. When you take the horrors of high school, mixed with FINALLY talking to the boy of your dreams and mix it with a little Shaman magic...you get an AMAZING story! I am truly in love with this story.

I am SUCH a huge fan of historical fiction (time travel mixed with present day), Native American traditions and love. This book is just filled to the brim with all three and I was instantly hooked. The characters are amazing and so real.

I HIGHLY suggest reading this book. You will not be disappointed!

[Vesper Vesper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wildflower is a truly different type of story that is both beautiful and emotional. Taking reincarnation and throwing in past loves, makes, in my opinion, the overdone love triangle okay.

This book was a great and enjoyable read. I loved every page, held on to every word, and felt every emotion possible for the main character. When I first found this book, I was kind of iffy on it. The summary didn’t give me much to work off of, but is still intrigued me enough to try it out. Honestly, I’m glad I did... (continue this review via website)

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wildflower by Amy Maurer Jones is a great story. I love the flashes through time and the eternal connection between the three main characters. Also, kinda cool to have the lyrics from the playlist between the chapters. That really enhance that aspect of the story. Unfortunately, it could have used another once over from the editor. My edition was choppy and appeared to have full pages missing. I was still able to follow the story.

[Angi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it a lot at the beginning but then it lost its shiny newness and I had a hard time getting through it. A great idea but it just wasn't quite developed enough. It felt choppy and several reactions by character.ters throughout just didn't make sense.

[Wrathsqueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come.