Blog Tour: Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye by Shari A. Brady (Review & Giveaway)

I am so thrilled to be on the blog tour for Shari A. Brady's Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye. A huge thank you to Candace from Candace's Book Blog for allowing me to be a part of this tour! :) On today's stop, I am sharing my review for this novel along with a giveaway for both US and International Readers, so be sure to enter. Good Luck! 

You can check out the other tour stops HERE. 

Title: Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye 

Author: Shari A. Brady

Rating: 3 Stars

Usually, when I give a book three stars, it tends to mirror my indifference towards the novel. In fact, even when I see three stars given out to a book, I avoid it since, to me, three stars is a relatively poor rating. When it comes to Wish I Could Say Goodbye, however, I cannot stress enough that truly, I think this book has something to offer that most other books don’t and, contrary to skipping it, you really should pick it up.

When Carmella’s older sister Francesca overdoses and dies, her world crumbles around her. Carmella is filled with guilt, knowing that her sister drank and used drugs but never telling their parents or doing anything to stop it. As time wears on, she begins to turn against her parents too who seek refuse within God and their religious societies – groups that fail to bring Carmella the peace she seeks. In the midst of this, Carmella’s best friend, is intent on double dating and when the two friends meet two guys from different schools, Howie and Jeremy, she has her wish. Carmella, although opposed to the idea of dating, especially when her mind is in so much turmoil, slowly comes to enjoy Howie’s presence and unique sense of humor. If only dealing with her sister’s death were as easy, though…

Wish I Could Say Goodbye is a poignant, heart-breaking tale. Surprisingly enough, my favorite aspect of it was the romance. Generally, romance is always something that embellishes a story for me, never the main part I choose to focus on, but the romance in this novel was just too good. Howie is completely and utterly swoon-worthy. Not only is he handsome, but he’s incredibly sweet and understanding of Carmella, loving the quirks about her and never giving up on her, even when she refuses to date him. Carmella, similarly, slowly grows to find Howie as someone more than just a friend and their developing love story was a beautiful – if minor – story arc.

Of course, the leading plot in this tale is Carmella’s relationship with her sister, Francesca. Although Francesca has died, we see glimpses of her through Carmella’s memories, but, in my opinion, not enough. What was well done, however, was how Carmella’s growth and emergence from her grief was linked to that of Francesca’s boyfriend, Danny. In Danny, Carmella sees an opportunity to correct the wrongs she did and help him stay off of drugs and alcohol and become a better person. I found their volatile relationship to be surprisingly tender and their friendship to be a monumental pivot point for them both.

Unfortunately, though, I found many other little flaws with this tale that prevented me from truly falling in love with it. For one, Carmella lies to others, especially Howie, from the very beginning of the novel. At first, they are small white lies, but soon enough, she’s making up having a fake boyfriend so she can refuse to go on a date with Howie – a date she wants to go on but can’t because she thinks her parents will disapprove and give her a hard time, like they did with Francesca. As you can expect, the accumulation of these lies makes for some drama, but my issue was that Carmella’s lying was a plot device solely to add drama and did nothing for her character.

Just to add to that, I was confused why Carmella lied in the first place. Francesca was a completely different person from Carmella and she dated different people too, making her parents reactions to her sister different from their reactions to her. Yet, she refused to listen to this voice of reason or even attempt to communicate with her parents, despite the advice of her best friend. Although I will admit that Carmella’s parents had their rough moments, on the whole, I found they were a very realistic and accurate representation of parents dealing with grief. Carmella’s father, ashamed of the manner in which his daughter died, tries to hush up the issue and move on while her mother desperately seeks peace from God, devoting herself to religion. Not only is the strained relationship between these parents evident, but so is their inability to communicate with her daughter. Carmella, on the other hand, simply jumps to conclusions about her parents, refuses to make an effort to connect with them, and all-round is the type of daughter who isn’t bad, but just thinks unreasonably. It was confusing, actually, to see her reactions to her parents and I thought their relationship in general was very disjointed. Perhaps it was purposeful, but it didn’t completely feel that way.

Nevertheless, I do think Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye is a must-read for fans of contemporary or grief novels. For me, the gentle manner in which Howie and Carmella connected is more than enough to give this a shot and despite taking on a serious issue, Brady never lets the depression oppress us, as the reader. Even better, her talk of religion never becomes preachy and barely intrudes on the story line at all. Instead, it is a simple means to represent one woman’s method of coping with grief. All in all, a very touching tale. 

Shari A. Brady is a native Chicagoan and previously had so many careers she’s lost count. A graduate of Loyola University’s Business School and University of Chicago’s Creative Writing program, she’s finally a full-time writer, a dream she’s carried with her since she was twelve. She lives in suburban Chicago with two of the best kids ever and their shelter dog, Betty Queen Elizabeth. This is her first novel and her last career.

Visit Shari at: Website / Twitter / Facebook 

International Giveaway! 

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Blog Tour: Provex City by Michael Pierce (Excerpt & Giveaway)

I am so excited to be on the blog tour for Michael Pierce's latest novel, Provex City! A huge thank you to Candace from Candace's Book Blog for allowing me to be a part of this tour! :) On my stop today, I am showcasing an excerpt from this novel as well as hosting a giveaway both for US and International Readers, so be sure to enter! Good Luck! :D

You can check out the other tour stops HERE!

Title: Provex City (The Lorne Family Vault Series, #1) 

Author: Michael Pierce 

Fifteen-year-old Oliver Grain begins his school year fighting off bullies, learning about the boy who committed suicide in his room, and trying to understand why his history teacher, Mr. Gordon, has taken such a personal interest in him. Do you believe in ghosts? Do you believe you can make bullies simply disappear? Do you believe you can walk through walls? Mr. Gordon tells Oliver: "When you truly believe anything is possible, you will be able to open doors where there were only walls." And one of those doors leads Oliver to Provex City, which puts him in far greater danger than he can possibly fathom.

Excerpt:

       The bass coming from the living room rattled my stomach every time the beat hit. I slowly lurched forward, growing more apprehensive of entering the living room with each step. I didn’t want to walk out onto the makeshift dance floor. I didn’t want to make a fool of myself with my first attempt at dancing with a girl in front of all these people. Everyone was focused on their own affairs, but as soon as my awkwardness on the dance floor was noticed, all eyes would be on me. The thought was terrifying.

       I turned the corner and looked out at the sea of bodies moving rhythmically to the music bellowing from the stereo. Most of the dancers enjoying the music were girls, but there were a number of guys making their moves on the increased odds. I noticed my girl, Anna, in the middle of the crowd, swaying with all those around her and holding her drink high in the air where it seemed just as likely to spill. She didn’t seem to be dancing with anyone in particular. Girls and guys surrounded her, and she was dancing with all of them, all moving in a trance-like ecstasy.

I stood there, finishing my drink, gathering my courage, and biding my time for the appropriate moment. But what would be the appropriate moment? In between songs? For her to notice me? For a clear path to emerge? There was no path through the sea of bodies. Everyone seemed to be in some way connected, holding the outsiders at bay. Or were they just obstacles, obstacles I was meant to overcome…

I finished my safety drink and no longer had a way to just stand around without looking awkward. I had to do something. Looking back to the kitchen, I thought of refilling my cup. And then I looked toward the dance floor and thought of moving forward. Finally setting my empty cup down on a small table by the stairs, I dove headfirst into the dance floor.

I did my best to move with the music and squeeze past the entranced, oblivious dancers. I kept my eyes on Anna as I maneuvered forward, deeper into the ocean and realized I had no easy exit. I stumbled, bumped, and shoved my way to the center and no one seemed to care. The close proximity was natural here, and we were all connected. I broke through the final barrier and stood dumbfounded in the presence of Anna grooving and grinding to the music. She had one hand in the air and one hand on some guy’s shoulder, moving seductively. She gracefully twirled 180° and rubbed her body fervently against his, lost in the pulsating beat and feral rhythm of the music.

Anna finally looked ahead and released a surprising burst of excitement at the sight of me standing before her. She pounced on me in jubilation and wrapped her arms tightly around my neck, unknowingly spraying our surrounding guests with what was left of her drink. Everyone around us took a step back with caution and groans of irritation, leaving us separated, yet trapped in the middle of the sea of undulating bodies.

“There you are!” she yelled in my ear. “I’ve been looking all over for you. Are you having fun? Are you happy? Are you here to see me?” she said and stumbled backward when she let go of me. She steadied herself, extending her cup-holding hand to regain her balance. Then she brought the plastic cup up to her lips and attempted to take a thirst-quenching gulp, but got less than a drip. “Aww—it’s all gone.” She dropped the cup on the floor.

Anna got herself back into the swing of the music and moved into me. She grabbed my hands at my sides and placed them on her gyrating hips. She threw her arms around the back of my neck, and we moved to the music as one person. I had no technique and tried not to think about what I was doing, except to follow Anna’s lead into an uninhibited state of consciousness. Anna had help, and I had Anna.

“Do you want to get another drink?” she asked after a few songs. I nodded, and she grabbed my hand and led me out of the water.

Michael Pierce lives in Southern California with his wife, daughter, and two ultra-protective Chiweenies. Provex City is his debut novel and the first book in the young adult fantasy Lorne Family Vault Series.

Links: Blog/Website/Facebook/GoodReads/Twitter/Book Trailer 

International Giveaway!

• 3 winners will receive a paperback of Provex City and a $15 Amazon Gift Card (INT.)
• 5 additional winners will win a paperback copy of Provex City (INT.)

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Blog Tour: The Cadet of Tildor by Alex Lidell (Facts and Giveaway)

I am so excited to be part of the tour for The Cadet of Tildor today and welcome Alex Lidell herself to join us today and share some interesting facts about her debut! You can check out the other tour stops HERE. 

Title: The Cadet of Tildor
Author: Alex Lidell
Release Date: January 10th, 2013
Genre: Fantasy 
Age Group: Young Adult
Tour Organized By: AToMR Tours

There is a new king on the throne of Tildor. Currents of political unrest sweep the country as two warring crime families seek power, angling to exploit the young Crown's inexperience. At the Academy of Tildor, the training ground for elite soldiers, Cadet Renee de Winter struggles to keep up with her male peers. But when her mentor, a notorious commander recalled from active duty to teach at the Academy, is kidnapped to fight in illegal gladiator games, Renee and her best friend Alec find themselves thrust into a world rife with crime, sorting through a maze of political intrigue, and struggling to resolve what they want, what is legal, and what is right.

You can find The Cadet of Tildor at Amazon, GoodReads, and its Official Website.   

Alex Lidell is a YA fantasy writer and author of ABNA Finalist THE CADET OF TILDOR (Penguin, 2013). Although English is Alex’s primary language, it wasn’t her first.  Coming from Russia, Alex learned english in elementary school and fell in love with reading when the school librarian put Tamora Pierce’s ALANNA into her hands.  Years later, in college, it was another book that re-united Alex with russian, which she had shunned in adolescence. The Three Musketeers.*  Alex thanks both books, and the writers who created them. Beyond writing, Alex is also a photographer, a horseback rider, and a paramedic. The latter two go hand in hand more often than one would like.  She is trying to self-teach herself and her horse to sword-fight. Alex would love to see THE CADET OF TILDOR in the classroom and is working on developing teacher guides for the novel.  She enjoys “e-meeting” both students and educators.

You can find out more about Alex Lidell and her novel at Twitter, Facebook, GoodReads, Shelfari, and Library Thing.  

Facts About The Cadet of Tildor: 
1) Despite its problems, Tildor has the strongest and most prosperous economy of all the neighboring nations.  Commerce forms Tildor's economic backbone.

2) Cory, Savoy's younger sergeant, was a thief before joining the military.  

3) Davis, Savoy's older sergeant, used to be in charge of Savoy during Savoy's own field internship as a cadet.

4) Connor Seaborn is an awesome soccer player.

5) Tamora Pierce's SONG OF THE LIONESS and PROTECTOR OF THE SMALL inspired this book.  Tammy's wonderfully simple and visual prose is my gold standard.

6) A lot of the moves the characters use in ground fighting come from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

7) Before he become a High Constable and the Academy Headmaster, Verin was one of the best sword fighters in Tildor.

8) The next book in the series will either follow Renee's progress, or jump pack to detail Savoy's field internship as a cadet.  Both stories are in the works. 

9) When they were cadets, Seaborn did most of Savoy's homework.

10) A scene cut from the original draft included a direct, secret confrontation between Headmaster Verin and Lord Palan.

Giveaway: 

$20 Amazon Gift Card, PLUS a copy of THE CADET OF TILDOR with swag – US
$20 Book Depository Gift Card – International

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Blog Tour: Swell by Julie Reiman Duck (Review, Interview, & Giveaway)

I am so excited to be on the blog tour for Julie Rieman Duck's latest novel, Swell! A huge thank you to Candace from Candace's Book Blog for allowing me to be a part of this tour! :) On my stop today, I am showcasing my review of this phenomenal novel as well as welcoming Julie Rieman Duck to join me for a short interview today. In addition, there will be a giveaway both for US and International Readers, so be sure to enter! Good Luck! :D

You can check out the other tour stops HERE!

Title: Swell 

Author: Julie Rieman Duck 

Rating: 4 Stars 

For anyone who knows me, they’ll tell you that contemporary really isn’t my preferred genre. In fact, I can count on one hand the number of contemporary novels I can claim to have truly loved and while I can’t add Swell to that pile with rivals like Melina Marchetta, Cath Crowly, and Kristen Hubbard sitting up there, it definitely is added to my list of contemporary novels I truly enjoyed.

Swell is told in a unique manner, each chapter starting out with a few brief paragraphs of our protagonist, Beck, drunk and about to have something very, very bad happen to her. After this short glimpse of the present, we are jilted back into the past as Beck recounts her story of how she met her boyfriend, Christian, and came to become an alcoholic. While Beck’s narration of the past was slow-moving and could drag at some points, it set up a strong foundation, both of Beck’s character, the nuances of her relationship with Christian, and the slow dependency that she grew to have on alcohol. Furthermore, Duck’s writing is addictive – even if you want to put it down, the brief glimpses of the future/present make you keep flipping the pages, anxiously wondering what will happen to Beck.

Thus, I have to give Duck props for her impeccable characterization. Beck is, at first, a girl I would have instantly wanted to become friends with. With her love of art and sweet disposition, she isn’t easy to dislike, but as the novel progresses, her actions become increasingly silly and her alcoholism is horrifying. Yet, what makes Swell so remarkable is the fact that Duck makes you feel so invested in the story, in Beck’s life, that you want her to become alright and even though you don’t condone her actions, you understand them so, so well and even have to wonder, at times, if you would fall into the same traps if you were in her position.

Swell is a dark, gritty, and issue novel, which made it hard to get through because of its subject-matter in many parts, but it’s oh-so-real as well. It never felt dramaticized, cliché, or exceedingly typical and was, truly, an intensely original novel. In addition to Beck, we become close to her boyfriend, the enigmatic and “perfect” Christian. While I never fully warmed up to Christian, there were times when I could forget what a bad influence he was on Beck and simply be happy for their relationship – which is, again, a sign of Duck’s superb writing prowess. Jesse, however, was the character who truly stole my heart. Although Jesse only appeared after nearly half the novel, we get to know him as well – even better in some parts – than Christian.

What do I say about Jesse? *swoons* Well, he is kind, sweet, and an artist just like Beck, but most of all, their relationship blossoms so sweetly through conversation unlike the attraction/lust between Christian and Becca that I fell for it – hard. I will admit that I wasn’t a huge fan of the fact that these two started liking each other while Becca was still dating Christian, but their romance still drew me in.

Nevertheless, despite all these wonderful points, Swell never truly won me over until the end. It was perfect. It also had a huge plot twist which I loved and I was left feeling immensely satisfied. However, Swell definitely was a really tough novel for me to get through and I had to put it on hold for a couple days after a point because of how dark it was. Yet, it’s one of those novels that simply demands to be read, both because of its subject-matter and writing. Its characters will stick with you for pages to come but most importantly, the message Duck leaves behind is one of lasting significance. Truly, I can’t envision any other author tackling this on in a better – or more realistically moving – way. 

Born in Los Angeles and raised in San Clemente, California, Julie Rieman Duck wrote her way through school on an old-fashioned typewriter. Somewhere along the line, she was sidetracked by careers in magazine publishing and copywriting. While Julie honed her skills at writing print ads and articles, the stories that moved her heart and soul were bubbling underneath, waiting to escape. It took a medical scare and the loss of her job — on the same day and within 30 minutes of each other — to finally allow her stories to free themselves and be put to paper. Julie looks forward to writing more stories that hit where the heart beats fastest, and the soul reaches out for more.            

Visit Julie at: www.julieduck.com / www.julieduck.wordpress.com / Goodreads / YA Stands (Author Interviews) Every Other Tuesday 

Interview with Julie Rieman Duck 

My Questions for the Interview 

Julie's Responses to the Questions 

What makes Swell stand out, to me at least, is how realistic it is. What enabled you to write such a realistic portrayal of teenage alcoholism? 

While I didn't become alcoholic, I did depend on it quite a bit as a teenager because I was devastated. I was afraid. I hated who I was and I wanted to get rid of it. So I cut my hair, lined my eyes, and drank whenever and wherever I could. A few friends had similar experiences, one going to rehab... I knew this lifestyle as a teenager and it wasn't very fun, in retrospect. This enabled me to write SWELL from a realistic standpoint. It was real. It is real.

An aspect of this novel that I loved was Beck's artistic inclinations and passion for art. What made you think of making Beck an artist and how did her artistic talent shape this novel? 

Art is fun! Before I was a writer, I was an artist. So, incorporating this aspect into who Beck is was easy. Artists (and all creatives) are sensitive people. That is how we create things from our dreams and visions. Beck is an empathetic soul, and being an artist makes her doubly so.

In Swell, Beck's alcoholism is a direct cause of her relationship with Christian. What made you choose peer pressure as a cause for Beck's problem opposed to other reasons that also drive people to drink alcohol excessively? 

I think as teenagers, we are so vulnerable to peer pressure that whatever is demanded of us, we shall conform to. So we drink, we smoke pot, we sleep with our boyfriends even if we don't really want to. Peer pressure drives everything.

It would be remiss of me not to ask you about Jesse, especially as I loved him so much, so what can you tell about him, how you crafted his character, and just how big of an impact Jesse had on Beck.

Jesse is my love! I love him. He was based off a character from the movie, Keith (based on a story by Ron Carlson). Jesse is a positive person in spite of his life experiences. He is the good vibe we all need when we are down. We all should have a Jesse in our lives at some time or another.

What do you hope readers take from this dark, gritty, and coming-of-age story? 

That you can come out of the darkness. You are loved. You are not alone. And although you must go through your dark journey, just know that the other side of the fence holds a future that goes above and beyond this here-and-now experience.

Julie, I loved your thoughtful responses and took so much away from them, so really, thanks for stopping by! 

Giveaway!

This is a tour wide giveaway that ends 12/18/12.

One person (open to US only) will win:

• Paperback of Swell by Julie Rieman Duck 
• Paperback of A Place in This Life by Julie Rieman Duck 

One other winner (Open Worldwide) will win:

• 1 ebook of Swell by Julie Rieman Duck
• 1 ebook of A Place in This Life by Julie Rieman Duck 
• 1 ebook of The Joy and Torture by Joshua James
• 1 ebook of Earrings of Ixtumea by Kim Baccellia 
• 1 ebook of Cornerstone by Misty Provencher 
• 1 ebook (Kindle) of There Comes a Prophet by David Litwack

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Blog Tour: Greta and the Goblin King by Chloe Jacobs (ARC Review & Giveaway)

I am so excited to be a part of the Greta and the Goblin King Blog Tour, hosted by Shane at Itching for Books. On my stop today, I will be featuring my review of this debut novel as well as a giveaway of the book. You can see the other tour stops for the novel HERE. 

Title: Greta and the Goblin King 

Author: Chloe Jacobs 

Rating: 3 Stars 

Release Date: November 13th, 2012

Greta and the Goblin King is one of those novels that starts out with a bang, but ends, quite unfortunately, with a whimper. Nevertheless, Chloe Jacobs debut is certainly a novel to look out for and it is a start to a refreshing new series that I can already see myself eagerly following through till the end.

In the harsh, winter land of Mylena, humans are said to be the cause of a centuries-old curse. Hence, they have long been hated and the land is ruled by goblins and sprites, beings who lose themselves and turn into the most hideous versions of themselves every eclipse. Greta, a human girl, has unwillingly been thrown into this land. Upon saving her brother from an evil witch, Greta finds herself in Mylena, forced to fend for herself and survive, keeping her human lineage a secret all while searching for a way back into her own world. When Isaac, the new Goblin King, and an evil demon, Agramon, find out that Greta is, in fact, a human, she is forced to go on the run. Now, with the eclipse looming closer and closer, Greta has only days to find a way out of Mylena. Little does she know, however, that a great evil brews ahead...

Greta and the Goblin King is one of the few examples of Young Adult Fantasy done right. I was astounded by the world-building in this novel and the story of how Greta comes to be in Mylena is very slightly reminiscent of Hanzel and Gretel, which only further drew me into this tale. With its goblins, sprites, rich lore, and beliefs, Mylena is a character of its own, taking on a depth I wasn't expecting and leaving me feeling bereft when I left its land. I definitely look forward to learning more about this land shrouded in the enigma of a portal and although we are given more than enough information to satisfy us in this installment, I am certain that there is even more to this nation that we don't know.

Mylena aside, Greta was a fantastic protagonist. I enjoyed her sarcastic, witty narration and although she is an absolutely kick-ass bounty hunter, she is, at the same time, intensely vulnerable and oh-so-human. I appreciated her struggle to hold on to her humanity as her memories of her human life slowly slipped away and her uncertainty about whether or not to escape back to her own land if she could find a portal was strangely realistic. Greta is a changed woman in Mylena; the land has forced her to resort to some of her most primitive instincts, making a fighter out of her and a girl who would fail to assimilate back to the human world. Nevertheless, Greta's constant determination to let nothing deter her from her task was admirable and truly, she is a heroine that many will love.

Yet, for all its good qualities, Greta and the Goblin King unfortunately lost me when it came to the romance. While I loved the novels breathtaking landscape, intriguing protagonist, heart-pounding pace, and plot full of unexpected twists, turns, and heart-warming characters, Isaac, the Goblin King, failed to woo me as a love interest. When Isaac and Greta first meet, Isaac tricks Greta into allowing him into her dreams and as such, Greta begins to distrust him. Isaac then winds up taking the throne, even when he swore he didn't want to be king, and from there on out, Greta refuses to be taken in by his charms. At around the half-way point to this book though, something changes. Greta and Isaac suddenly begin to make-out as the attraction between them is raised higher and higher. While I definitely felt the chemistry between the two, I was left lost and confused as to why Greta suddenly began to care for Isaac. Isaac redeems himself in Greta's eyes, certainly, but never enough for the type of romance that bloomed between them. Furthermore, there is a hint of a potential love triangle in the sequel which made me cringe, especially as I so evidently love the second romantic interest, not Isaac, who is sure to win the Love Triangle Battle by the end of this series. If there is anything rewarding about the romance in this, it is that it never overpowers the plot. It doesn't make itself very known until the second-half of the novel and even then, Greta's priorities are clear and the plot never veers away from its intriguing premise.

Thus, Greta and the Goblin King is a debut I was immensely impressed by. Although I had a rather major qualm with its romance, that was easily outdone by the superb world-building, fascinatingly original plot, and kick-butt heroine. I am certain that Greta and the Goblin King is bound to make many "favorites" lists by the end of the year for this is a novel  that many will appreciate and even a romance that many will come to love, unlike I have. Now I can only sit back, kick up my feet, and wait eagerly for the sequel to this phenomenal debut to release - I can't wait!

A huge thank you to Shane at Itching For Books for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review and participation in this blog tour. 

Giveaway! 

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ARC Review: After Dark by Emi Gayle

Title: After Dark (The 19th Year, #1) 

Author: Emi Gayle 

Rating: 2 Stars 

Release Date: October 31st, 2012 

In all honesty, I don’t have much to say about After Dark. When I first heard about this new debut, I was more than a little excited and thrilled to pick it up: a paranormal novel with a protagonist who could shift shape, but only at night? In YA Fiction, shape-shifting hadn’t been explored as widely as everything else, so naturally, I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into this one. Unfortunately, I have to admit that After Dark is another classic example of a debut novel chock-full of potential that simply went wrong. Not only were its characters obscure and difficult for me to connect to, but the plot dragged on far too much as well and ultimately, I have to throw this book onto my shelf of “2012 Disappointments.” It isn’t the first debut up there and I doubt it’ll be the last this year as well – I’ve simply become too difficult to please.

Mac Thorne is a Changeling. Nope, she’s not a fey child whose life has been swapped with that of a human’s – don’t make the same mistake in assuming that as I did. Instead, she’s a being who can change her shape at will, but only at night. In the dark, she can shift into any paranormal creature she wants; but there’s a catch. When she’s nineteen, she must choose one form and stick to it, representing that race in a council and thereby making them the most powerful race – until the next Changeling comes along and chooses a different race, of course. Yet, ironically enough, Mac barely knows anything about who she is, her race of Changelings, or what her future holds. When she sees Winn, a classmate of hers, with a book about paranormal creatures, she makes it her mission to befriend him. What she doesn’t count on is falling in love. What she doesn’t count on is danger. What she doesn’t count on is a lot more than what she did count on and that just may not be so good...

After Dark starts out by immersing you into the world Emi Gayle has created, straight from Chapter 1, and while that isn’t a bad thing, you are floating around rather clueless for…awhile. Nevertheless, the world-building does kick in, and while I wasn’t a fan of the way it was introduced, it’s there. Thus, while I was rather disconcerted about the world Gayle had imagined, it didn’t bother me too much. What did bother me, however, was Mac. Mac was a character I couldn’t really connect with, no matter how hard I tried. You see, Mac is a human for the entire duration of the day, but she hates humans. Why? I don’t know. I honestly just don’t know. Mac is antisocial because she doesn’t want to talk to humans, she sticks to herself, and she generally doesn’t want friends. But, this entire book is about how Mac makes human friends and falls in love with a human and while I recognized that this was meant to be a moment for character growth, I didn’t understand why Mac hated humans or why she suddenly didn’t hate them.

Furthermore, Mac’s back story seemed too unbelievable. Much like Pia in Origin, who was brought up as a scientist but never felt curious about the world outside her “fence”, Mac never begins to wonder about her unique race or what she is and can do until she sees Winn with a book about paranormal creatures. Thus, from that moment on, Mac’s curiosity is completely insatiable. In fact, she even follows Winn into his house just to see this book because she is so desperate for answers when she didn’t even care for the past eighteen years. While reading this book, all I could feel was that it was so outlined and convenient; the only reason nothing happened before this book was because it needed to happen in this book and overall, that left me feeling more than a little detached from this novel.

Mac aside, I found the plot of After Dark to be disappointing. It isn’t boring or slow, but nothing much really happens in it. If anything, it can easily be condensed into a few short chapters and I’m sure this entire trilogy could be contained as a stand-alone novel if the author really tried. Also, plot-wise, as the romance goes, it was cute, but nothing earth-shattering. Winn was a decent love-interest, one I even liked, but I couldn’t understand why Winn grew to like Mac, especially since all they did was sit in his basement and read a book. Furthermore, there is no way that these two love each other; at least, it definitely didn’t feel that way to me. It wasn’t that the romance in this novel was bad, but it was such a clichéd and typical school-project-romance and unlike Kelly Creagh in Nevermore, Emi Gayle didn’t manage to make it meaningful, deep, or, for that matter, even work.

Overall, After Dark is a good book, but it didn't live up to my expectations or "wow" me in the least. Its MC was confusing and hard to connect with, many of the other characters were present for "comic relief" and weren't very amusing, and overall I think I expected this book to be something different from what it was. I contemplated giving it up more than once, but I did manage to finish the whole novel, even if I skimmed the last 30%. Thus, I'd recommend After Dark to the majority of people whose opinions don't correlate with mine since I tend to be that picky reviewer, but if you tend to feel the need to understand your character well, crave a more well-developed romance, or even want to read this book because the character can change into multiple paranormal creatures (not the standard 2-3 she flits between – seriously, haven’t vampires and faeries been overdone already?), then, I'm sorry to say, look elsewhere. 

I was provided with a copy of this book from the publisher, J. Taylor Publishing, on behalf of the DAC ARC Tours in exchange for a honest review. Thank You!  

ARC Review: What Happens Next by Colleen Clayton

Title: What Happens Next 

Author: Colleen Clayton 

Rating: 3.75 Stars (Nearly 4 Stars!) 

Release Date: October 9th, 2012 

What Happens Next is one of those novels that, quite honestly, you feel guilty for saying anything bad about. It’s powerful, it’s moving, it’s thought-provoking…but it also has its flaws. While this wasn’t my favorite novel that tackled on the tough topic of rape – that honor is reserved for Kirsty Eagar’s Raw Blue, - it was a story which surprised me by its unique expression of this scarring event. If anything, I am left in gaping awe of Colleen Clayton’s talent for capturing the human soul with its wrought emotions, trauma, and vulnerability so perfectly in a novel that is only her debut. I’ll be the first to admit it: What Happens Next isn’t perfect. It has its moments of weakness, its cluttered scenes, and plot threads that could have been cut out to make this novel much stronger overall, but that doesn’t detract from the provocative – and truly life-changing – story underneath.

Can one harmless school skiing trip snatch everything you loved away from you? Cassidy “Sid” Murphy didn’t think so, but when she meets the handsome Dax Windsor at a ski resort and wakes up the next morning in a strange bed, she realizes that it can. Sid has no memory of the previous night except to know that she had snuck out to meet Dax, an enigmatic guy who lavished attention upon Sid when no other guy ever would. Thus, with yawning holes in her memory and denial over what really happened to her, Sid slowly begins to spiral away from those who love – and could possibly help – her. But, as Sid will soon learn, your problems won’t go away by running away from them; you have to face them head-on.

“…the awful truth about that night, about the horrible thing that happened to me last winter, about the rape I can’t remember, and at the same time, can’t forget.”  ~ What Happens Next ARC (Page 298)

What Happens Next is one of those books which start out with a bang, the writing sucking you in from page one. Clayton takes you on the same journey Sid has been on, letting you experience her insecurities, her happiness at being noticed by a handsome guy, and eventually the horror of what really happened to her. Thus, even from the start, it is obvious that What Happens Next is both an emotional and extremely dark read. Sid, as our protagonist, is someone who is startlingly easy to understand and the drastic changes that occur with her psychological mindset after her rape are jarring. You see, Sid has a voluptuous figure that she’s always been self-conscious about, but after her rape, she begins to fear the manner in which men view her. Now, this is where the plot of this story begins to become more…complicated. Clayton introduces a variety of multiple plot threads, from Sid’s new obsession with running to her on-again-off-again eating disorder and to her conflicts at school with her best friends. While I was initially confused – and rather disappointed – by these multiple plot threads which seemed to be irrelevant, they all do come together by the end of the novel to form a bigger picture of Sid’s grief and trauma.

Nevertheless, that being said, I do believe this novel may have been stronger without, for instance, Sid’s eating disorder. It never felt fully fleshed-out to me and detracted from some of the overall message this novel gave out, but ultimately, I was glad to see some different side-effects of rape. Each rape and each victim is different and so is each rape novel and for Sid, I think this managed to work itself out. Yet, what really makes What Happens Next shine and stand out as such a compelling debut is our inside look into Sid herself. In everything she does, Sid continually sees Dax and what he took away from her. Not only did he forcefully strip her of her innocence, peace of mind, or virginity, he cut off a lock of her hair and she can’t help but constantly think of him even when she doesn’t want to. To me, this type of reaction felt so real and like a kick in the gut. We, as the reader, keep hoping Sid can be happy and find a way to move on in life despite her tragedy, but there are always small, insignificant things that make Sid go back to that terrible night. It is in these moments that we are able to experience some of the horror of this event for ourselves and Clayton’s talent as a writer shines in these areas.

“’Were you safe? Did you use protection?’ he asks, looking at me dead-on this time.                                                                                           No. I was not safe. No. I was not protected.                                    But that’s not what I say. What I say is the lie.”                                     ~ What Happens Next ARC (Page 254)

In addition to Sid, I was pleasantly surprised and moved by the rest of the cast of What Happens Next. Sid’s single-mother and her half-brother are an important part of her life and it was nice to see the lack of Missing Parent Syndrome in this story. Furthermore, Sid’s best friends were like her pillars of reason, of logic, and of love. I admired the easy manner in which Clayton managed to make them such an integral aspect of Sid’s life as well and their friendship was one that was extremely beneficial to Sid. Corey, however, was hands-down my favorite character of all. Not only was their love story slow and extremely unique, it was absolutely adorable. I loved the way in which Corey and Sid brought out the best in each other and Clayton managed to portray an extremely normal high school relationship. Contrary to what the synopsis of this book may detail, Corey wasn’t the only factor in allowing Sid to move on – so much of that came from herself which I just loved. Strong protagonists are ones I absolutely adore and Sid’s strength and independence, despite her healthy relationship with Corey, was one I truly appreciated.

In conclusion, What Happens Next is another phenomenal debut of 2012. While the ending of this book tied together everything quite nicely, I would have still liked to see more of Sid’s healing process opposed to a novel based solely on her reaction to her rape. Still, it goes without saying that What Happens Next is a novel that will make you shake with horror, laugh with joy, and sob with grief. It is beautifully written, startlingly moving, and has only made me want to further explore the effects of rape and in particular, date rape drugs. If you’re looking for a strong contemporary read that is provocative and slowly romantic, look no farther: What Happens Next is the book for you. 

*All quotes were taken from an uncorrected ARC of this novel and are subject to change in the final draft. 

I was given a copy of this book from the author, Colleen Clayton, on behalf of the DAC ARC Tours in exchange for an honest review. Thank You! 

Cover Reveal: Just For Now by Abbi Glines

Title: Just for Now (Sea Breeze, #4)

Age Group/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance 

Expected Release: October 23, 2012 

Cover Design: Mooney Designs 

Book Trailer Created By: Hellion Works 

Cover Reveal Organized By: AToMR Tours
 

The day Preston Drake figured out that wealthy women paid well for a set of tight abs and a pretty face his life turned around.  
The run down rat-infested trailer he had shared with his alcoholic mother and three younger siblings was now only a place he visited to pay the bills and stock the pantry with food.  
He no longer worried about his family starving or living without electricity. The money he made entertaining rich older women more than covered his family’s needs and his own. He had it all figured out. Except… 
There was this girl.  
She was as innocent as he was tainted. 
Amanda Hardy wished her knees didn’t get weak when Preston walked into a room. She hated the fact her heart raced when he flashed his smile in her direction. He had a different girl in his bed every night. He was the kind of boy a smart girl ran from. So, why was she coming up with ways to get close to him? Even when it was obvious he wanted to keep her at a distance.  
Maybe her heart knew something the world didn’t. Maybe Preston Drake was more than just a pretty face.

Is it just me or does Abbi Glines always get some of the hottest cover models? *fans self*
Book Trailer: 

 

  Is anyone else dying to go to the beach right now? Or was anyone else rocking out to that background music? I know I totally was! ;)

Bio: Abbi Glines can be found hanging out with rockstars, taking out her yacht on weekends for a party cruise, sky diving, or surfing in Maui. Okay maybe she needs to keep her imagination focused on her writing only. In the real world, Abbi can be found hauling kids (several who seem to show up that don’t belong to her) to all their social events, hiding under the covers with her MacBook in hopes her husband won’t catch her watching Buffy on Netflix again, and sneaking off to Barnes and Noble to spend hours lost in the yummy goodness of books. If you want to find her then check Twitter first because she has a severe addiction to tweeting @abbiglines. Facebook is also somewhere she visits a little too often. She blogs regularly but rarely about anything life changing. She also really enjoys talking about herself in third person.  

Abbi Glines| Facebook| Twitter  

Well...what do you think? I'm not a huge fan of Abbi Glines, but I love the covers of her novels and she really does know how to write captivating and addictive romance novels. I know a LOT of my friends are huge fans of this series and just looking at that gorgeous cover, scintillating synopsis, and beautiful book trailer makes me want to pick this book up as well! :) If you're interested in being part of the blog tour for this book, check out AToMR Tours. Their book blog tour is scheduled for Nov. 26-Dec.1 and tour sign-up information will be available after the cover reveal, so sign-up if you're interested! :)

Cover Reveal and Excerpt of Perception by Lee Strauss!

I am so excited to be participating in the cover feature of Lee Strauss' latest novel, Perception, the first book in a new Young Adult Science Fiction Series! So, without further ado, behold the gorgeous cover and scintillating synopsis of this new novel! :)

Title: Perception (Perception, #1)
Author: Lee Strauss
Release Date: September 12th, 2012

Seventeen year old Zoe Vanderveen is a GAP—a genetically altered person. She lives in the security of a walled city on prime water-front property along side other equally beautiful people with extended life spans. Her brother Liam is missing. Noah Brody is a natural who lives on the outside. He leads protests against the GAPs and detests the widening chasm they’ve created between those who have and those who don’t. He doesn’t like girls like Zoe and he has good reason not to like her specifically. Zoe’s carefree life takes a traumatic turn.  She’s in trouble and it turns out that Noah, the last guy on earth she should trust, is the only one who can help her.  Perception is a Science Fiction, Mystery, and Romance Young Adult Novel that takes place in the not-too-distant future in a world changed by climate extremes, natural disasters and impending wars, and where scientific breakthroughs cause class divisions - both financially and philosophically. It explores the clash between faith and science and how differences can separate us as enemies or alliance us together. And in some cases, even in the midst of betrayal and personal crisis, there’s room to fall in love. Perception is the first book in a planned three book series. 

Wow! If that cover didn't already catch your eye, then the synopsis surely must have! I love science fiction and while the idea of a genetically altered person isn't anything new, I find that Strauss' political and philosophical take on it through class divisions definitely is. Plus, I love the type of romance that starts out as hatred and progresses into something much deeper. Perception is a novel that I can't wait to see on shelves - especially with that eye-popping cover - and that I am looking forward to reading myself. Want a taste of this novel for yourself? I was lucky enough to receive an excerpt of Chapter 1 of this remarkable story and am allowed to share it with you all, so enjoy! :) 

PART ONE

ZOE

Chapter 1

      I balanced on my surfboard, right thigh burning and salt water stinging my eyes, while the best wave of the early morning carried me like a goddess on a pedestal to shore. My older brother Liam and I shared a friendly competition, and it gave me a certain, blissful satisfaction to catch the same wave and to get to shore first.

      “Beat ya!” I shouted over the noise of the crashing surf.

      Seagulls flocked and circled over us, squawking loudly, adding to the cacophony.

      The sun glistened off Liam’s damp blond curls as he shook them out. His eyes sparkled as his lips tugged up into a grin. “I let you win.”

      “Did not!” I smacked him playfully on the arm. “One more ride?”

      Liam unzipped his wetsuit letting the top half fall down past his waist. He was in fine form, and I understood why all the girls raved about him. He was responsible for a long list of broken hearts.

      “I gotta get going,” he said, lifting his board.

      I fell into stride beside him, my feet sinking into the cold, wet sand. “So soon?”

      He nodded, the glint leaving his eyes. My lips tightened into a frown “You’re taking off with Jackson again?”

      Jackson was my boyfriend but lately he’d been spending more time with my brother than he had with me. It was starting to tick me off.

      Liam stared straight ahead. “Lab stuff.”

      “What are you working on?” I rushed to keep up with my brother’s long, strong strides. He flicked his head, tossing the hair out of his eyes but didn’t answer.

      “Come on,” I knocked into him sideways. “Tell me!”

      “It’s just stuff.”

      “Just stuff? Like what? Top CIA stuff? I know you’re smart but I think the government has been doing a good job without your help.”

      I meant it as a joke, but Liam huffed. “It’s just stuff, okay? So leave it.”

      I stopped short shocked that he’d snapped at me.

      He turned around and exhaled, “Zoe, I’m sorry.”

      “Fine. If you can’t tell me, you can’t tell me.”

      We resumed our trek along the beach, and I pushed back my frustration. Liam used to include me in everything. It was always him and me against everyone else. Him and me against Alison and Paul, aka our mom and dad. Him and me against the surf. We were a team. When did we start keeping secrets from each other? Rather, when did he start keeping secrets from me?

      I re-adjusted my board under my arm. Maybe I could get Jackson to unzip his lips. Especially if I helped him. He could be easily persuaded if I poured on the charm. I hated to go behind my brother’s back for information, but something about all this--this, whatever it was that Liam was doing--made me uneasy. I couldn’t pinpoint why, it just did.

      We reached our home, a massive glass box with two floors of windows facing the Pacific Ocean. It was built after the San Andreas Fault shifted and triggered the Big Quake that, along with the subsequent tsunami, wiped out ten miles of shoreline.

      A nearby white-stucco storage shed housed all our water toys. We stopped there to hang up our wetsuits to dry.

      “Thanks for surfing with me today.” Liam said, smiling at me, back to his jovial self. “I know it was a sacrifice for you to get up so early.”

I smiled in return. “No problem. It was fun.” Surfing with Liam was one of my most favorite things to do.

      “You’re back for dinner?” I asked.

      Liam didn’t know it, but once he left, I’d be spending the rest of the day preparing for his surprise birthday party. He’d turned twenty-one yesterday and had celebrated at a bar with his friends. I couldn’t go because I was underage, and it irked me that Jackson went and that he and Liam had once again shared a significant moment without me. I took consolation in the fact that Alison and Paul gave me free reign to plan this party. My heart beat with excitement, and I couldn’t wait to see his face when he got home and found the house full of his friends.

      “Yeah, I’ll be there,” he answered.

      I bit my cheek to keep my voice even. “Good.We’ll see you, then.”

      Our property tiered twice before connecting with the sandy beach. Three glass doors slid open disappearing into the corner and creating a wall-less view of the stone patio that encased an eternity pool. Its waters slipped over the far edge into a waterfall that was collected again on the second tier.

      Liam strode into the house, through the living room and down the hall to his bedroom at the back, his wet shorts dripping on the glossy white tiles.

      I tightened the towel around my waist and climbed the open-slat staircase to my room.

      As I passed the maid, Saundra something, her brown face blanched. She stumbled slightly before grabbing the rail and catching herself.

      “Excuse me,” she said softly at my astonished look.

      The woman really didn’t look well, and I was thankful for my enhanced immunization. I was glad I didn’t have to worry about diseases brought in from the outside.

      “Are you okay?” I asked.

      She nodded weakly, and proceeded to clean the rails.

      A trill of anticipation reclaimed my thoughts. I couldn’t wait for tonight.

      The door beside my bathroom opened into a second room, a walk-in closet big enough to house another bedroom set. Racks of clothes and shoes lined the walls, a well-lit mirror station was located near the sky light and a cushioned leather bench was placed in the middle for sitting. I stood in my closet and stared at the rows of sundresses, blouses and shorts.

      What to wear?

      I settled on a lace blouse and cotton shorts, then went to take a luxurious shower, rinsing the sea water out of my long, blond hair. I leaned into the built-in seat that was designed specifically for my body height and shape. Laser lights mapped my head and twenty-eight silicon fingers reached out to massage my scalp while shampooing and conditioning my hair.      Most days I had to watch or I’d doze off, but today I was excited. I commanded the water to turn off as soon as the rinse was done.

      When I was dressed and my hair combed out and tied back, I slipped my platinum Communication Ring onto my left middle finger. I tapped it which produced a holographic image of my phone apps on my palm. I touched the clock icon and holographic digital numbers appeared in the air.

      Ten already? Where did the time go? That was the thing with summer holidays; every hour ran languidly into the next.

      I imagined the cook and her crew were busy preparing for the party in the kitchen. I’d requested fresh sea food and simulated roast, fresh fruit and vegetables, an assortment of fancy chocolates and baked items plus a three-tiered, surfer-themed birthday cake.

I skipped down the stairs to check on the progress, but in my hurry to the kitchen, I slammed into a body.

      “Sorry,” a male voice said.

      I stepped back agitated. I recognized the dark-haired boy wearing the white tunic my mother made the male staff wear. He was the maid’s son.

      He held a wet mop in his hand, and I figured he’d been cleaning up Liam’s spotty water trail.

      He stepped politely out of the way, but the expression on his face was stoic. Even though he was clearly from the outside and the help, I still expected some small sign that what he saw when he viewed me was pleasing. A twinkle in the eye, a slight upturning of the lips. These were the responses I got from all the boys. The straight ones, anyway.

      He wasn't especially attractive but I didn't see people with his appearance very often. He had eyes the color of imported coffee beans and skin like caramel candy. His nose was wide and his jaw-line sharp. I was suddenly intrigued by him and surprised myself by thinking he looked exotic.

      “Excuse me, what was your name again?” I asked.

      “Noah.”

      Right. I remembered now. I waited for him to say something, but he stayed quiet.

      Footsteps echoed from the hall above. My parents spoke together, their muffled voices floating across the high ceilings.

      “Do other maids send their sons to do their work?” Alison's voice had a brassy tone that carried through the cavernous space.

      I felt a flare of red creep up my neck when I realized Alison was talking about Noah. My eyes darted to his, but he kept his averted.

      “He does a good job,” Paul responded. “That's the main thing. Besides you know they need the money.”

      “So we're charity now?”

      “What's wrong with a little charity? Besides, they're not just anybody.”

      “I don't care. I still don't trust him.”

      I was mortified. My feet felt cemented to the floor and I didn’t know what to say. Anything would come off as trite since nothing I could say could undo what Noah had heard.

      “Did you know the Pikes have a household robot now?” Alison, again. “Apparently it’s very efficient, and at least Mary doesn’t have to worry about things going missing.”

      Noah’s jaw tightened and he turned his back to me. He attacked Liam’s dried and dusty water spots aggressively and soon had disappeared around the corner.

      “Zoe?” Alison click-clacked down the wooden stairs. She wore a pale yellow pant suit and high heels even though it was Saturday. She was in-between careers now, having spent the last fifteen years in law. She barely looked thirty years old and with lots of time ahead of her, she could do anything. Probably several things.

      “Mom! You have to keep your voice down. How many times do I have to tell you your voice travels in this glass box?

      “Oh.” She looked mildly shaken. “No matter. Is everything coming together to your satisfaction?”

      “I’m just checking in on things now.”

      “Your father and I are meeting people for lunch. What time is the party again?”

      I blew a frustrated breath. She could at least pretend she cared enough to remember details I’d told her a dozen times already.

      “Seven.”

      “Right. We’ll see you at seven.”

      Things proceeded throughout the day as planned and I was pleased with my ability to pull off an event like this on my own.

      The decorators showed up at 1:00 as promised.

      The band arrived to set up at 3:00.

      I got dressed at 4:30, having bought a thigh-length mini-dress that sparkled with tiny crystals just for the occasion.

      My hair and makeup girl arrived at 5:00.

      I tapped my ring and called Jackson at 5:30.

      “Where are you?” I said to the three-inch holographic image of him that popped up above my palm. “You said you’d help.”

      “Sorry, Zo. Got tied up at home.”

      “Are you okay? You don’t sound so good.”

      It was odd. No one in Sol City ever got really sick, but it wasn’t unheard of to get run down if you pushed yourself too hard. Jackson had been working a lot lately.

      “I didn’t sleep well last night. Uh, spent most of the day in bed.”

      I felt a little panicky. “You’re still coming, aren’t you?”

      “Of course. I’ll be there soon.”

      Alison and Paul arrived at 6:30 along with all of mine and Liam’s friends.

      I hushed everyone at 6:55, giving instructions on when to shout “Surprise!”

      It was all a wasted effort.

      Liam never showed.

What do you think? I'm quite intrigued by this story already and think the class differences between Noah and Zoe make for an interesting relationship. Plus, aren't you just dying to know about what Liam is working on and where he went?

If you're interested in this novel, be sure to add it on GoodReads here and check out Lee Strauss' Website, Facebook Page, and GoodReads for more information about her upcoming novel!