Strangely Beautiful

The language felt right for the time with well defined characters. The time is 1888. The place is London, England. Percy, an orphan brought up in a convent, has come to Athens Academy to further her education. Her albino coloring gives her the appearance of the one of the ghosts she sees, hears, and can talk to. While she is our main character, there are plenty of interesting others. There is the Guard made up of Rebecca, the head mistress of the Academy. Alexi, the mathematics professor. Elijah, a Lord with great wealth, Josephine, of French extraction, owner of the establishment where the Guard meet. Michael, a man of the cloth. Jane, an Irish lass, who is a bit of a loner. What do they guard? And Why? There is Marianna, a fellow student from Germany who becomes Percy's best live friend. Lucille, a beautiful, raven haired woman who seems to been in need to protection. There is the Ripper. Is he man or something else? Who is theSeventh? Why is the Seventh so important? London (The Smoke) is also a character, with her well known ghosts and dark atmosphere, and darker alleys. If you are well versed in mythology, you will love how it is woven into the story as are the Shakespherian references. Leanna Renee Hieber, who is also a working actress, has wrapped this tale up with great dramatic effect. While she has two more books in store for the me based on these characters, I am pleased to report this one can be read as a stand alone. (I do so hate to be left dangling with floppy, sloppy ending.) I do hope you have as much fun reading this as i! UPDATE!!! I just found out the next book will be out in May, 2010.

Percy Parker, quiet, timid, strange Percy Parker is accepted at Athens Academy to further her studies after spending her first eighteen years at a convent as an orphan when her mother died shortly after her birth. Normally at her age she would move on with her life, but Percy's looks and the oddities that surround her has held her back, as society shuns her, so too does she shun them. That is until she meets the mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman. The only man who has ever turned her insides upside down, and made her feel comfortable with her strange appearance, for Percy has pale-white skin, white hair and opal colored eyes. Often she's mistaken for a ghost due to her pale coloring. Alexi Rychman is the leader of The Guard. Six men and women chosen 20 years ago to protect London from the supernatural forces that haunt it. Their Grand Work is to maintain the balance between this world and beyond. A prophecy was given them on that fateful night 20 years ago. A seventh would enter their group, completing them, allowing them to fight the Darkness that would seek to break the barriers between the two worlds. But they must be cautious, for impatience could prove to be their enemy if they do not heed the signs showing them who the true Prophecy is. Oh my, I loved this book. I loved the characters, the sweet, thrilling romance between Alexi and Percy. The beautiful prose that sweep across every single page. Be prepared to be taken away to a London as you've not seen before, and characters so vivid they meld within your heart. Percy is one of the best heroines I've read in a long time. Her innocence and shyness were so refreshing. Yet underneath it all, there is still a strength inside Percy. The plot unfolded at a pace that never felt slow or rushed and built the series arc to leave you hungry for the next book as the war that was prophesized looms. A unique and fascinating story arc it is too. It has a nice Gothic feel, and the Ghosts that wander here and there, and the spin on the Ripper! That was very cool. Not a major part of the story. The book focuses mainly on the Guard and Percy Parker, and the Prophecy, but I liked how that part of history was explained according to the rules of this world. You know what one of the strangely beautiful things I loved about this book was? There were no sex scenes. But the longing that Alexi and Percy express and feel within themselves toward the other was just as good. It was potent and powerful and truly all that was needed in this strangely beautiful tale. With just the touch of a hand, or a smile, or the long gazes into one anothers eyes held so much power. For the two of them have always been so lonely those simple gestures felt like the earth moved. I wonder what characters the next book is going to focus on? I'm thinking maybe Rebecca and Michael? Both are members of the Guard and there is something there, at least something within Michael that I would love to see explored! And Miss Rebecca could use s

Because I can't write a Summary that will do this Victorian Gothic tale justice this is from Leanna Renee Hieber's website: What fortune awaited sweet, timid Percy Parker at Athens Academy? Considering how few of Queen Victoria's Londoners knew of it, the great Romanesque fortress was dreadfully imposing, and little could Percy guess what lay inside. She had never met the powerful and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, knew nothing of the growing shadow, the Ripper and other supernatural terrors against which his coterie stood guard. She knew simply that she was different, haunted, with her snow-white hair, pearlescent skin and uncanny gifts. But this arched stone doorway offered a portal to a new life, an education far from the convent--and an invitation to an intimate yet dangerous dance at the threshold of life and death.... My take: The Guard is a group of six who were given special powers so they could protect London from the supernatural, or at least evil spirits that lurk about causing trouble. When they were given these powers there was also a prophecy about a seventh member that would be added to their group. There were many clues that would lead them to this seventh member, and it just so happens there are two women that almost fit the prophecy. The group must chose, and if they chose incorrectly, well, very bad things will happen. Miss Percy Parker is a lovely tale. Whenever I try to describe this book I always go back to the words "lovely" or "beautiful". Beautiful is quite fitting as it's in the title of the book, right? Percy Parker is a great heroine to follow. She knows nothing of the prophecy, and nothing about her past or the powers she holds. She only knows that she's odd, in that she sees ghosts and that she somewhat resembles them with her pale skin, hair, and eyes. When I say she is a great heroine to follow, I mean that she grows through the whole story - with the help of her Professor - and it's very nice to see this shy young lady grow stronger and into more of a woman. Professor Alexi Rychman is a very mysterious man to those on the outside, but on the inside he's lonely, and desperate to find this seventh member. One who he believes he is supposed to be in love with. He has tough choices to make in this book, and the whole time I'm screaming to myself, "Come on Alexi! You know what to do!" It was hard to sit on the "outside" of this book. I just wanted to jump in and help these characters out. I guess wanting to be involved in the story is a good thing right? There are more characters than Percy and Alexi, and all have their separate quirks and personalities. While reading, you can get a good feel for each one, and their likes/dislikes, desires, and powers. Another aspect of the story was that of The Ripper. I love this twist, I've always been interested in Jack the Ripper, and had the privilege of learning more about him in a class over the summer. That's besides the point though. This part was a great addition

The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker is refreshing, adorable, romantic and an exciting story. This book is a paranormal, historical romance, but it is written in such a way you forget about classifications. You forget spirits don't really exist, and you really are not walking around 19th century London. The story completely absorbs you and pulls you into the world and you don't want to leave. Percy starts as such a shy creature, but that is the only way she knows to keep hidden. Leanna Renee Hieber does an amazing job writing Percy - you can feel her yearning, and embarrassment and conflicting feelings. I can't remember being on such an intimate level with another heroine. It is not until Alexi makes her show her true self, and she gains strength in that courage, that she truly shines. Although most of their courtship she is timid, and unsure of how to handle her romantic emotions, when her relationship to Alexi is threatened, she stands up for herself and fights for him. The romance is sweet, and endearing and builds ever so slowly. The other members of The Guard were great characters as well. I hope we get more from Elijah, the smart-alec of the group - he had some of the best lines in the book and I adored his relationship with Josephine. Towards the end, when Elijah says, "Oh...that door," I couldn't stop laughing! (Out of context, not so funny) And Rebecca, Alexi's confidant, she needs someone. She has a bit of a crush on Alexi, and yet, like the others, she has to push her feelings to the side for the greater good. I believe Michael is waiting in the wings and she will find him. I am very intrigued to see what the next book brings. I will not be able to think of Alan Rickman without Alexi Rychman coming to mind now. I could hear Alan Rickman's voice throughout the book. His brooding sidelong glances, sharp features, and the sweeping of his black coat - oh yes, Alan Rickman will play him just lovely in the movie ;) The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker will haunt me with happiness, smiles, and visions of Alan Rickman for a long time to come.

Leanna Hieber's tale of romance and supernatural adventure weaves a fascinating tapestry against its setting of Victorian London. When the heroine, Percy Parker first comes to attend Athens Academy both she and sexy, enigmatic Professor Alexi Rychman know that she is different. Just how different, they are about to discover. Could she be the one to fulfill the prophecy? The chosen one the guard has been waiting for? Time is running out as the Ripper terrorizes the city, bringing the need for balance between dark and light more than ever. The book is amazingly written, captivating its audience from the first page. I love the mix of well constructed original characters and their interactions with the stolen ghosts of history. My favorite kind of novel! Will be waiting anxiously for the second installment!