Book Review: Pillars by Claire Theriot Mestepey

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the PILLARS by Claire Theriot Mestepey Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: PILLARS (Madeline’s Magic #1)

Author: Claire Theriot Mestepey

Pub. Date: February 3, 2022

Publisher: Claire Theriot Mestepey

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages: 488

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/PILLARS

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited membership!

Madeline Jourdain is starting a new life in New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite being paralyzed from the waist down, she has always been popular and smart, recently graduating from college. She has been blessed with adoring parents and friends who saw Madeline’s true self, beyond her disability. But deep down, Madeline longed for something she never knew she missed. With a touch of a welcoming hand, Madeline’s heart opens to find true love. With an opening of a book, Madeline discovers the magic lying dormant in her, as magic is reintroduced throughout the world. This fills Madeline’s heart with more possibilities but also more danger than she could ever have imagined. With help from witches, storm giants, and a Pixie named Charlie, Madeline learns about true love, magic, and even dragons.

Why Should You Read This?

Pillars by Claire Theriot Mestepey is a heartwarming and enchanting story that takes readers on an extraordinary journey filled with love, magic, and self-discovery. Set in the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana, the novel introduces us to the resilient and determined antasprotagonist, Madeline Jourdain, who is embarking on a new chapter of her life.

Despite being paralyzed from the waist down, Madeline has always managed to defy expectations and lead a fulfilling life. Gifted with a sharp intellect and surrounded by a loving support system, she has never let her disability define her. However, a lingering feeling of something missing in her life gnaws at her, and she yearns for a deeper connection.

When fate leads her to encounter the touch of a welcoming hand, Madeline’s world is transformed. As she delves into a magical book, she discovers dormant powers within herself and becomes aware of the resurgence of magic in the world. With this newfound awareness, Madeline’s heart brims with hope and excitement, but also encounters unexpected dangers that threaten to shatter her newfound happiness.

Mestepey skillfully weaves together a tapestry of fantastical elements, combining witches, storm giants, and even dragons to create a rich and immersive world. The vivid descriptions of New Orleans and its mystical undercurrents add depth and atmosphere to the narrative, making the setting itself feel like a character within the story.

One of the most compelling aspects of Pillars is the exploration of true love. Madeline’s journey is not just about discovering her magical abilities but also about discovering herself and finding love that transcends limitations. The author beautifully portrays the blossoming romance in a way that feels authentic and tender, demonstrating that true love knows no boundaries.

The supporting characters in the story are also well-crafted and play crucial roles in Madeline’s journey. From the resourceful witches to the lovable Pixie named Charlie, each character brings their unique charm and contributes to the overall enchantment of the narrative.

However, there are moments when the pacing feels slightly uneven, with certain plot developments occurring too swiftly, while others are given more attention. Additionally, some readers might desire a deeper exploration of certain aspects of the magical world introduced in the story, as they are left wanting to know more.

Despite these minor shortcomings, Pillars remains an engaging and captivating read. Mestepey’s writing style is fluid and evocative, drawing readers into a world where magic and wonder coexist with the challenges of everyday life.

Overall, Pillars is a delightful novel that will resonate with readers who appreciate a blend of romance, adventure, and the discovery of inner strength. Claire Theriot Mestepey invites us on an imaginative journey where we witness the power of love, the allure of magic, and the indomitable spirit of the human heart.

About Claire Theriot Mestepey:

Whimsy Word Search Game Ups the Fun Level of Word Searches

Whimsy Word Search has launched a new style of game that triples the fun with its genius mix of color and word search.

Claire Theriot Mestepey’s love affair with word games and word searches has been going on for as long as she can remember. Then about a few years ago, Claire had a novel idea to create a book that combined both coloring and word searches in one game. She immediately got to work to ensure this idea came into fruition. After a lot of trials and mostly errors, Whimsy Word Search was born.

Whimsy Word Search debuted with two never-seen-before puzzle styles: normal and pictogram. The normal Whimsy Word Search is a prettier and more colorful take on the regular word search, but the difference is that it allows one to color each letter in the words they find.

As for the pictogram style, Claire has her husband to thank for the idea. “My husband suggested there might be a way to make these puzzles even more challenging. Why use simple letters when you can challenge your puzzle lovers with pictograms? So have each pictogram represent a letter and then find the connecting pictograms that form the words. Hence Whimsy Word Search, Pictogram Style was created.”

As the owner and creator of the Whimsy Word Search, Claire is in charge of the entire process. “I do everything from coming up with the ideas for different books to creating the pages to publishing the books.” It is particularly noteworthy that Claire does all this even with a severe physical disability. “What gives my story of a strong woman trying to build a business while raising a happy family a twist, is that I have cerebral palsy.”

Nonetheless, Claire shows no sign of stopping anytime soon. “Recently we have added American Sign Language too. My latest book is Shakespearean Insults, which features letters from guttersnipe to roundtable wench! These words and insults work in a pinch! It’s probably my favorite book word search that I have created to date.”

Claire also added a new feather to her cap when she and her work were featured in the Texas County Reporter. An experience she is most thankful for.

Claire also finished her first full-length novel recently, Pillars, which is about a heroine in wheelchair who uses her magic powers to combat evil. The novel is set to be part of a trilogy that chronicles the epic battles between good and evil. Claire is currently writing the second novel, while a detailed outline of the third novel is already penned down.

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Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card, International.

3 winners will receive an eBook of PILLARS, International.

Ends July 7th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway