Review: Flecks of Gold

Flecks of Gold

Alicia Buck

Copyright 2010, Published by Bonneville Books

Mary is somewhat of a social outcast, which is ok with her. Her father left before she was born, as far as she knows he never knew his wife was even pregnant, and since then she's been keeping her mom afloat- helping schedule out bill payments and trying to be helpful. But Fiona (mom) doesn't make it very easy on her, she's a great and supportive mom but her work as an artist isn't always regular and her knack for attracting dirt bag boyfriends has put them on the move more than once.

Joe was the last straw. When the big jerk laid his hands on them Mary see's a familiar golden lacing in her minds eye as she pushes Joe - throwing him against a wall. Fiona and Mary take of for Arizona to escape. Used to being alone, Mary is surprised when attractive and popular Kelson is solely interested in her. Something's not right, there's a haze that comes over her and she finds herself compelled to do as he says when he's around. Something in her mind though, tells her it's not right and she fights with him to clear her head. When she does she finds that he's not exactly from earth and he spins a magic lacing that allows him to travel away from Mary - taking her mom with him.

When Mary tries to recreate the lacing she ends up in what she assumes is a third world country. There's not electricity, cars or even chocolate! She has to pursue a journey through magic and politics to try and rescue her mom from this madman. Along the way she meets a couple of interesting characters, one that is relentlessly trying to win her affections and the seemingly brooding and serious heir to a kingdom. These two boys travel with her, disguise her and teach her the customs of their home planet. While Mary is in a kingdom, their King is trying to find her mom and a snobby girl with a crush on Breeohan (enter brooding/serious guy) tries to make her life even more crazy.

Jen sent this book to me, suspecting I might like it. I'll confess that there are some hindering facts to reading it BUT push past them because this is a really good story to be told. The hinderance that I had came from a feeling of a bit too much detail. I think Buck was just trying to visualize the world she created and wanted us to see it as clearly as she did but it wore me down a bit. The characters make up for it though and getting to know them was entertaining! I really liked Breeohan, he was serious with the right touch of fun and wit. I confess, I'm small minded and so every time I hear of a "kingdom" I automatically imagine them to all have British accents. I'm sorry, all Princes should be British. Scratch that. All men should be British. Or Scottish. Or Russian. I like yummy accents. I digress.

I believe this is a self published book but I did some research and you can purchase it from Amazon in the least! If you're like me you'll be wanting a bit more kissing but the slowly developing love is swoon worthy and the overall story is pretty feel good! I would recommend a pick up of this book! Just remember to go all the way with Buck and really take the time to picture everything or skim past some of the detail - just don't skim over the characters! Their development and personalities are an intrigue you won't want to miss and I guarantee you won't appreciate the story like you should if you do!