Emma

by Debbie Brown

As an ER nurse, Emma knows life can change in the blink of an eye. When fate comes knocking, she finds herself far away from the city and back on the mountain ranch where she grew up -with the intention to close up and sell the house so she can move on.

But fate isn’t done with her yet, and that’s when she finds him, the one Two-Feathers calls ‘Star Brother’. Wounded and unconscious, Emma assumes he’s a military test pilot, until he opens his amethyst eyes and stares into the very essence of her being.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Young Adult

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 19, 2013

About the author

All her life, Debbie has spun stories in her mind, watching characters come to life, seemingly by themselves. After working as a nurse, teacher, martial arts instructor, artist, and CIC officer in the Canadian forces, not to mention her many hobbies from woodworking to auto mechanics and holistic medicine, her life reads like a story itself. And yet, her favorite thing is still a cozy fire, a good book, and country living with her husband JP and her youngest of four children. After graduating from the Institute of Children’s Literature’s advanced writing course, she is finally devoting herself to writing these stories down, taking us all on a ride we won’t quickly forget.

Reviews

[Arlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author: Debbie Brown
Published by: Mythos Press
Age Recommended: YA - Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 5

Review:

"Emma" by Debbie Brown was so sweet romantic fantasy read that was enjoyable. I liked the details used that this author presented to us in this wonderful novel. "Emma" moved smoothly going from the real into the fantasy and back and forth. We find Emma, a nurse and teacher had not been home for five years. Why? Her parents had been dead for five years due to a horrible flying accident. Now, Emma is back where she had been raised on a ranch. Emma had thought of selling but after arriving back at the farm, she thought again about not selling it. Was she leaving really leaving the city? Two Feathers who was a shaman, had been keeping the farm up for her over these pasted five years. Would she sell this farm? Two Feathers had said to her "In the end, it doesn't matter where you live, As long as you are truly alive" and Emma now really was feeling quite different ....she was alive with her horses, cow, chickens and dog, Bo. Emma had told her roommates (Renata and Maggie) that she would sell her place while taking a rest from her nursing and teaching. However, Emma was feeling so alive she worked a few days for the Doctor William Westerman(as a nurse) while she took care of her farm place, with some help from 'Two Feather.' But things will not stay the same for Emma...while on a ride on 'Ruby' one evening he finds a John Doe...was he a alien, 'military test pilot, a star brother (due to his coming from the sky like he had done)? He had amethyst colored eyes...only to find out out later his name was Dthau Mahsz which Emma had pronounced Thomas until he told her better. We find out Dthau Mahaz's people were from the first planet the forefathers had seeded in the galaxy. "Then I guess he had left the city too." Now we find Emma being a nurse was taking good care of this alien with amethyst eyes..was she beginning to have some feelings for him? Now, this is where I will stop and let you pick up this well written story and see where all the author will take the reader. Be prepared for many thing to come upon Emma. Will she loose her friendship for not telling all to her friends the truth about this man? Will Mdthau Mahaz have feeling for Emma? Will there be a time where Emma will have to choose to where she wants to live? This and so many other questions will be answered as you continue reading this novel that will only leave you wanting more. I found the character were all so well captivating and I love their names: Emma, Two Feathers, Dthau Mahsz, Maggie, Renta, Grey Wolf, Mathezar, Belek, Trenika, Ilya, to Tommy only making this a excellent read. What a ending!

"Emma" was a beautiful enjoyable novel that was definitely a page turner. If you are interested in a good sweet fantasy you will want to read "Emma" and YES, I would recommend this read to you.

[Lauryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so so good!!! This book saved me from insanity between crazy phone calls at work. Emma is such a great character and following her romance is so much fun and very relatable. The sci-fi bit adds a bit of thrill and spices it up so it's better than you're typical sappy romance. I highly recommend it, such a great prequel to the Amethyst Eyes series. Thank you for a great read, Debbie!!!!

[Michelle Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for Readers Favorite


For five years Emma has put off coming back here, back to the place she called home. She just couldn't bear it at first, and it was easier to put it off than to deal with it, but now she was going to have to deal with it. It still hurt, her parents were gone, killed in a plane crash on their way to her graduation, now she was left alone. Emma....to Begin Again, is the story of Emma, deciding to stay at her parents old farmhouse, to tend the few animals and grow a garden, to start anew. Author Debbie Brown throws in a twist when one day Emma sees what has to be a plane crash but she never sees a plane, as she follows the trail, she finds an injured man, that she takes home and nurses back to health. Adding him into her quiet life is another new beginning. As time goes by and we learn the heritage of her stranger, another even larger twist is in store for Emma and the readers. Take a little Native American folktale, add in a touch of romance, a little fantasy, and a bit of science fiction and you have this book.

Emma....to Begin Again, is a wonderful title, and as I started to read the book I thought it was talking about her decision to stay on the farm. Little did I know that as the book would go on Emma would be faced with a number of circumstances that would force her to begin again. Author Debbie Brown does a spectacular job of taking an old Native American folktale of the Star Brother and weaving it with a realistic modern life, adding in just enough science fiction and fantasy to make it believable. This is a perfect book for all readers. There is no sex or violence in the book at all, so it is perfect for teens, young adults as well as adult readers.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Emma" is an original romantic science fiction tale with a twist. As an emerging talent, Ms. Brown weaves a tale that I have never read before with colourful characters that are quite uniquely believable, the situations realistic and the dialogue outstanding mixed in with a big dose of mystery and intrigue really makes this an excellent choice for anyone's reading list.

Emma, a nurse and educator, is grieving the loss of her parents when she is forced to return to the farm where she grew up to prepare it for sale thus closing that chapter of her life. But a series of bizarre events and a fateful meeting with an extraordinary visitor forever changes her destiny.

I liked the pacing of this story. It was a real page-turner and quite frankly as I knew the book was coming to an end, I wanted it to continue...wondering if its author has something else planned, like a sequel? Ms. Brown did a great job here and her continuing progress as a rising talent in the literary world makes it that she is one to watch (and read) in the years to come.

[Oma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma, to Begin Again was an interesting book. It was a romance with the twist that the love interest is an alien. I found the book flowed well. Emma left her busy city life and career to return to her deceased parents' rural home with the intention of selling it but instead stayed for the slower paced life in the country. The Indian shaman, Two-Feathers, and his ability to sense things, prepared Emma for her relationship with Dthau Mahaz. It was a nice romance, but I was not happy with the ending; it seemed inconsistent with Dthau Mahaz's statement about the importance of family, and still left some questions as to how to handle her son, Thomas, and the power of his violet eyes. I suspect the author was setting the stage for a sequel, which I would be interested in reading. I received this book as an Early Reviewer. I have not been compensated in any way (other than being given a copy of this book) and my opinion on the book is entirely my own.

[Krysten Hager · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hard to put down! It's a combo of sweet romance with fantasy/paranormal/sci-fi. The main character is an ER nurse who goes back to her hometown with the intention of selling the family home, but once she's there, she begins to realize what she's missed. Out one night, she meets a man in an accident who she thinks may be a military test pilot. What I really loved about the book is how the romance slowly built up in this story. So many stories rush that and I liked that this one didn't because it was more enjoyable to see the relationship unfold. The author has a great way of building up suspense, drama, and romance that had me up late to finish the book. I was able to imagine each setting in the book easily as well. The details in the book really set the scene and you really begin to care about the characters. I look forward to reading the other books in the series to find out what happens next.

[C.M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dull as dirt. Took forever to finish.

[Gabby (What's Beyond Forks?) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full Review at: What's Beyond Forks?

Emma, to Begin Again by Debbie Brown caught my attention with the blurb. I enjoyed the story very much in the beginning. Emma and Dthau Mahaz were fun to read about. Their relationship was believable, and I found myself rooting for them. One thing that didn't add up was that Dthau Mahaz told Emma that if he was ever found by his people he would have to re-join them again. There would be no choice. He also told her that they would never find him so there was no reason to worry. As a reader, you know as soon as a character says something like that, it's bound to happen. What Dthau Mahaz didn't tell Emma was he was micro-chipped, not once, but twice. Of course his people will find him! So, that made me wonder about him. Otherwise, I really liked the story. There was something very attractive about their relationship and their interactions with one another. It made for a pleasant read until the end. Endings make or break books for me, and I wasn't happy with this ending at all. That couldn't be it. There had to be more. So, I tried to find out if there were more books. I don't know if this is part of a series per say, but I found out that there are more books out there, but what I read in the blurb of one of them really disappointed me. It seems like this was just a prequel to a story that was already going on. I wish I knew that ahead of time, as I grew attached to these characters. Emma, to Begin Again was different and creative, so I imagine I wouldn't have been quite so upset had I read Amethyst Eyes first.

Emma, to Begin Again by Debbie Brown was provided to me by GMTA Publishing for review. The opinions are my own.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a story about Emma, an ER nurse who had moved away from her rural mountain home following her parent's death. After five years, she returns to the family home to get the place ready to sell. She has every intention of returning to her fast-paced urban life until she experiences living 'at home' with friends, caring for animals and people, and the gardening that she loves. She had forgotten how satisfied this quiet life makes her feel.

When Emma finds a wounded man on the mountain, she brings him home and nurses him back to health. As his health returns, Emma learns that the man is not from this earth and he doesn't think he will be able to return to his world because his space vehicle crashed. As Emma tries to protect and heal him, they develop a friendship first, then a romantic relationship. Two Feathers, the local shaman, encourages Emma to define her own path during this time. He has always been a special friend to her. He also seems to have an undefined understanding of the alien.

This was an interesting story, though a little slow moving at times. The ending seemed a little abrupt, which lead me to believe there would be another book to follow. This series is perfect for the YA bookshelf. NOTE: I won this book from LibraryThing in exchange for a review.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a science fiction romance with a new twist. Emma, a nurse, returns to her family ranch five years after her parents died in a terrible accident. She must decide whether to sell the ranch or not. While all this is going on, she finds someone injured and begins nursing him back to health. However, this is not the downed military test pilot she originally thought, but someone from another world, who has amethyst colored eyes to boot. What should Emma do, as she finds herself drawn to this "person"? Should she share her secret? Will this "person" have feelings for her? How will it turn out? This story is well written. The characters are well developed. The plot is unusual enough to intrigue the reader yet realistic enough to capture the reader's interest. I normally do not read books such as this one but stick to the old tried and true mysteries and basic romances. However, I found myself drawn right into this book, the characters, the love story, the plot. If you enjoy romance and science fiction, this is a book for you. Finally, if you like romances and are a bit tired of the regular, sometimes humdrum plots or today's romances, this will provide a great change of pace for you. I received this book from Library Thing to read and review.

[Katiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Emma" by Debbie Brown is a must read! I love the romance and suspense with a sci-fi twist. The author really knows how to involve the reader and help one follow along. If you need a book to be glued to, this is it!

[The Hive · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heather's Review:

Once again, I found myself thrown into a world blended of reality and fantasy. Enjoyable characters, stunning settings, mixed with romance and drama. I am finding this story harder to review and not give out spoilers but at the same time, because it is pretty obviously a prequel to Amethyst Eyes, then spoilers are already in your head, if you’ve read it first.

This is still a story in itself and definitely one to read. In my opinion it would flow a little easier if it’s read prior to Amethyst Eyes but it’s not a necessity. Emma is very easy to relate to as is her friendship with Two-feathers. Her love for Dthau Mahaz and the acceptance for who or what he is, will tug at so many emotions that will leave you feeling broken hearted and completely enamored with them by the last page.

Rating:
4 honey pots

[Shirley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to give this book three stars but I will rather go with two stars because it left me wanting for more. The book had a very interesting beginning and it showed a lot of promise. The appearance of the mysterious stranger, the budding romance, the underlying tensions and all, was very engaging. I was just not ready to put it down. The turning point in the story and the truth about the mysterious stranger, did not work for me. From thence forth, I lost interest and kept hoping for the story to pick up. The end just left me feeling empty– it was not what I had hoped for. If the author has a sequel coming in soon, then the ending might make more sense.

[I received this book, as part of a giveaway, in exchange for an honest review]

[My Book Addiction and More MBA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma by Debbie Brown is an interesting Science Fiction/Fantasy. Follow ER nurse, Emma,on a journey as her life changes in the blink of an eye. Emma is faced with her past,fate,yes and her destiny. Filled with hope,drama,dreams and romance. The characters are engaging,the plot intriguing and magical. If you enjoy science fiction,fantasy,and a wonderful imagination you will enjoy "Emma". It was an unexpected read filled with enjoyment,although, Emma does have her trial and error moments. Being a nurse myself I enjoyed "Emma" and the what if scenario.
An enjoyable read! Received for an honest review from the publisher.

RATING; 4

HEAT RATING: MILD

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, (Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More)

[Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

In rating this book I bounce back and forth between 3 stars to 4 stars. If I read the book thinking it is more for YA it is four stars, reading it as an adult, I go with 3.

The story itself is original, Emma goes back to her roots to remember what is important in life. I just wish things would have been described a bit more, I felt at times tugged from a place I wanted to read more about.

I like the twist, and the YA reading it may find that reality is different for everyone. We make the best decisions we can with what we are given.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quickly fell in love with this book after the very first page. Emma is a delightful character and I found myself sympathizing with her in regards to the many different struggles she fought to overcome. I can't imagine having to choose between two things that I love so dearly, and I could tell that she had many a sleepless night as a result. I truly hope that there will be a sequel to this; I can't wait!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another fast paced but fulfilling story front Mrs. Brown. This was a wonderful story, with great characters. The author doors a great job with filling the book with many elements but not making the reader feel overloaded. This emerging writer has the perfect formula. Can't wait to read more from her.