Today’s theme for 1 Line Wednesday, sponsored by RWA’s Kiss of Death Chapter is family. Here is the first line from The Uprising, book 3 in The Union series.
She brushes an intimate hand across Eddie’s shoulder before throwing her arms around Bryce. “Good to see you baby brother.” What.the.hell.
You can see previous week’s themes and lines here.
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A special thank you to author, Annette Oppenlander, for today’s guest post, Making History Come Alive for Today’s Teens. To find out more about Annette and her book, Escape from the Past buy links, and details on her giveaway, please see below.
I remember sitting in history class suppressing my yawns while the teacher droned on about battle dates, treaties and politicians. I couldn’t have cared less. Not only that, it was hard to recollect anything during exam time.
So, when it comes to making history feel real, we’ve got to dig deeper, use our senses to get a feel for the place and time. For instance, when fifteen-year old Max enters the shack, Bero the pig herder occupies with his mother and sister, we get a taste for what it smelled and looked like. The place reeked of unwashed bodies and moldy straw, it was gloomy thanks to a couple of tallow lights, the air dense with smoke from the cook fire. From Max’s modern day perspective this is horrendous and we can all feel for him.
We see the world through the eyes of a typical teen who loves to play computer games. We all know guys like Max. Slightly nerdy, smart and spontaneous, sometimes awkward. He’s used to the Internet, cell phones and Facebook.
As we follow him to medieval Germany, we’re immersed into a harsh and cruel world where life isn’t worth much. Max doesn’t fit in. Everyone knows he’s an outsider before he opens his mouth. He suffers through slimy gruel and bug-infested nights. The more detail is given, the more we see and live this world along with our protagonist. We can relate because we can empathize with our guy. We could be that guy.
By throwing our modern likeable guy Max into some horrendous adventures, history is no longer boring. History becomes hiSTORY.
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Escape from the Past (The Duke’s Wrath, #1) by Annette Oppenlander
About the Book
Title: Escape from the Past
Series: The Duke’s Wrath #1
Author: Annette Oppenlander
Publisher: Lodestone Books
Release Date: July 31, 2015
Genre: Young Adult SciFi Adventure
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Synopsis
When fifteen-year-old nerd and gamer Max Anderson thinks he’s sneaking a preview of an unpublished video game, he doesn’t realize that 1) He’s been chosen as a beta, an experimental test player. 2) He’s playing the ultimate history game, transporting him into the actual past: anywhere and anytime. And 3) Survival is optional: to return home he must decipher the game’s rules and complete its missions—if he lives long enough.
To fail means to stay in the past—forever.
Now Max is trapped in medieval Germany, unprepared and clueless.
It is 1471 and he quickly learns that being an outcast may cost him his head. Especially after rescuing a beautiful peasant girl from a deadly infection and thus provoking sinister wannabe Duke Ott.
Overnight he is dragged into a hornets’ nest of feuding lords who will stop at nothing to bring down the conjuring stranger in their midst.
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Author Annette Oppenlander
About the Author
Annette Oppenlander writes historical fiction for young adults.
When she isn’t in front of her computer, she loves indulging her dog, Mocha, and traveling around the U.S. and Europe to discover amazing histories.
“Nearly every place holds some kind of secret, something that makes history come alive.
When we scrutinize people and places closely, history is no longer a number, it turns into a story.”
Where to Find Annette Oppenlander
Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter
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Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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I was nominated by Macy over at Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Books. Be sure to stop by and check out her blog! The idea behind this tag is to share my personal reading habits and compare them to those of others who’ve been tagged. So, here are mine, and I’ve tagged some unsuspecting bloggers at the end.
1) You have 20,000 books on your TBR. How in the world do you decide what to read next?
This is really tough. I have more books on my TBR than I’ll ever be able to read in my lifetime. I always start with ARCs, but I never read just one book at a time. I’m usually reading at least one ARC, plus something in my own genre, and usually something totally fun and fluffy. I’m drawn to book covers. I know they say you should never judge a book by a cover –and I’ll admit to reading some fantastic ARCs that I never would have picked up because of the cover — but I still do. I judge. Don’t judge me. A really snappy cover will get me to start reading when I don’t know what to pick next.
2) You’re half-way through a book and you’re just not loving it. Do you quit or commit?
Up until about ten years ago, I could honestly say I’d never, ever not finished a book. The one that finally did me in was Tales of the Body Thief. Just couldn’t do it. But once I gave myself permission to not finish books, I realized it’s easy to quit. It’s liberating and freeing, like taking off my shoes and running through fresh cut grass. The exception I usually make is with ARCs. But even then, if it’s really not something that’s holding my interest, I’d rather let the author know and move onto something I want to read rather than leave a mediocre or unfavorable review.
3) The end of the year is coming and you’re so close yet so far away on your Goodreads challenge. Do you quit or commit?
Dude, I commit! Because I’m nothing if not goal-oriented. If I find it tough to make the challenge, and last year I did, I choose a more attainable goal for the next year. Last year, I read 100 books. I read in On Writing by Stephen King that he reads 100 books a year, and I thought that was one way I could be like Stephen King. It was fun, and like running my one and only half marathon, I’m glad I did it, but I knew I couldn’t do it again and still write at the same pace I wanted to, so I scaled back to 75 for this year.
4) The covers of a series you love DO. NOT. MATCH. How do you cope?
Although I’m all about the covers, and I love consistency (I’m a tad OCD), because 95% of my books live on my Kindle, I can overlook non-matching covers.
5) Everyone and their mother loves a book you really don’t like. Who do you bond with over shared feelings?
I find someone. Hunt them down on Goodreads and comment on their review. Because I hate when I’m the only one who loathes a popular book. It’s like when I discovered I really don’t like Dexter. It’s disturbing and wrong, and didn’t have all that campy good stuff that made Fargo so great. I felt like the only person on the planet who just doesn’t get Dexter. Sadly, I still feel that way.
6) You’re reading a book and you’re about to start crying in public. How do you deal?
Yeah, I hate crying. Public or private. But if I must cry (Always and Forever, thankyouverymuch Karla J. Nellenbach), I do it in private. Even if it means finding something else right now on my Kindle to distract me (note the fun and fluffy thing I’m always reading in response to #1 above).
7) You don’t want ANYONE borrowing your book. How do you politely tell people “nope” when they ask?
Since most of my books are eBooks, that’s easy. No one gets their hands on my Kindle. But if it was an actual physical copy…I only have those of books I really love and I wouldn’t have any qualms about saying that.
8) You’ve picked up and put down five different books in the past month. How do you get over the reading slump?
I can honestly say this has never happened.
7) There are so many new books coming out that you’re dying to read! How many do you actually buy?
I buy as I read. So it varies depending on how many ARCs I have and what my Kindle backlog looks like. But there are definitely books in series that I pre-order and count down the days until it arrives on my Kindle, sometimes impatiently refreshing at 12:01 AM.
8) After you’ve bought a new book you want to get to, how long do they sit on your shelf before you actually read them?
Depends. If its a book in a series, I’ll often put down something else I’m reading and get right on it. Sometimes it can sit for months before I remember it’s there.
That’s it for me. I now nominate the following:
Jennifer DiGiovanni | Karole Cozzo | Stephanie’s Book Reviews | Heather at Not Everyone’s Mama
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Today’s theme for 1 Line Wednesday, sponsored by RWA’s Kiss of Death Chapter is emotions. With The Ruins publishing yesterday, this week’s line is from Found, the story of The Union from Cyrus’s point of view.
Once I’m sure she’s asleep, I whisper softly, “I love you, and I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
You can see previous week’s themes and lines here.
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Today is release day for The Ruins, Book 2 in The Union Series. It feels like it’s been forever since The Union released, but it’s only been seven months. See below for information on the book, buy links and details on the giveaway.
The Ruins (The Union Series #2) by T.H. Hernandez
About the Book
Title: The Ruins
Series: The Union Series #2
Author: T.H. Hernandez
Release Date: June 16, 2015
Genre: Young Adult Adventure
Links: Goodreads | Amazon
Synopsis
Heartbroken, grief-stricken, and wracked with guilt, seventeen-year-old Evan Taylor returned to the Union, leaving behind the boy she loved.
Now, she and her friends must find a way to do the impossible – warn the citizens of the Union about an impending rebel attack without alerting the government and risking retaliation against her friends in the Ruins.
When every move Evan makes is thwarted, it soon becomes clear she’s being watched.
Faced with a daily fight to stay one step ahead of her pursuers, she returns to the Ruins. But life in the Ruins has its own dangers, and soon she’s fighting a different battle – to stay alive long enough to discover the truth.
THE RUINS is the second book in THE UNION series, a young adult romantic adventure set in the near future.
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The Union (The Union Series #1) by T.H.Hernandez
About Book 1
Title: The Union
Series: The Union Series #1
Author: T.H. Hernandez
Release Date: November 18, 2014
Genre: Young Adult Adventure
Links: Goodreads | Amazon
Synopsis
After global warming and a second civil war devastated the former United States, two different societies rose from the ashes – the Union, a towering high-tech utopia, hugging the perimeter of the continent, and the devastated, untamed midsection known as the Ruins.
Seventeen-year-old Evan Taylor has an easy, privileged life in the Union. What she doesn’t have is any idea what to do with the rest of her life. She only knows she wants to do something meaningful, to make a difference in the lives of others.
When she’s kidnapped and taken into the Ruins as a pawn in a dispute involving her boyfriend, Bryce, her ideal world is turned upside down.
What she learns while in the Ruins shakes her faith in everything she’s ever known, from Bryce, to her family, and even the Union itself.
Now Evan must choose whether to stay with Cyrus, the sexy, resourceful survivor who believes she’s in the Ruins for a reason, or return to the only life she’s ever known.
But when she stumbles upon a dangerous plot that threatens both worlds, her decision could tear her apart.
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Author T.H. Hernandez
About the Author
When not visiting the imaginary worlds inside her head, T.H. Hernandez lives in San Diego, California, with one husband, three children, two cats, and one dog. In addition to her day job as a writer and editor, she writes young adult fiction and reads and blogs about books.
She particularly loves the young adult genre with the intensity of teen emotions and the way they’re still figuring out life.
When not writing, you can find her with her nose in a book, playing Plants Vs. Zombies on her iPad, or binge-watching Doctor Who with her kids. She’s obsessed with pumpkin spice lattes, Comic-Con, microbrewed beers, Bad Lip Reading videos, and the San Diego Chargers.
Where to Find T.H. Hernandez
Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
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Illustrator Mark Sgarbossa
About the Artist
Mark Sgarbossa is an award-winning artist from San Diego, California. A partial list of his clients include Jason Mraz, Target Stores, Tony Hawk, Franz Ferdinand, Major League Baseball, San Diego State University, Snowboarder Magazine, 3 Doors Down, and AC/DC.
In addition to art, Mark is a talented musician. He played rhythm guitar and sang vocals in the indie band The Shirlies as well as playing synth and singing in the live electro duo ROTATOR.
Where to Find Mark Sgarbossa
Website | Email |LinkedIn | Reedsy
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Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Welcome to the next stop on the blog tour for The Accidental Assassin, a new adult contemporary novel by Nichole Chase. See below for my review, information on the book, buy links, and details on her giveaway. Also, during the tour, you can pick up the eBook for just $0.99!
The Accidental Assassin by Nichole Chase
Synopsis
Ava McKenzie is a creature of habit. Life is passing her by and she has nothing to show for it. She’s had the same job since she started college, she orders the same dish every time she goes to her favorite restaurant, and only reads books from authors she knows. There is nothing new or surprising in her life… until her best friend marries a man from London.
When her newlywed friend asks her to house-sit while she honeymoons, Ava jumps at the chance. She thinks this could be the very thing she needs to shake up her life. Ava throws herself head first into her new lifestyle; she wants to try everything, go everywhere, and never get stuck in a rut again. Of course, offing a man in a car garage hadn’t been one of the things on her list to try.
Owen Walker spends every day in a new place with a new case. As one of the most renowned assassins in the world, he has his choice of marks—and he’s never failed in a mission. When a new hit takes him back to his hometown, he looks forward to spending time somewhere familiar. What he isn’t expecting is to help an attractive, confused American woman find out how she’s ended up on a hit man’s list.
As Ava and Owen dodge bullets, will they be able to escape their undeniable attraction to each other? Or will all of that chemistry blow up in a shower of hot and dangerous sparks?
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My Review
The Accidental Assassin was such a fun, unique twist on the new adult romance genre. The characters are quirky and likable and the plot weaves danger and humor, keeping me glued to the virtual pages.
Ava is an American house-sitting her honeymooning best friend. Owen is an assassin assigned to taking out one of the other inhabitants in the same building where Ava is staying. When Ava accidentally backs over the target with her car, she finds herself in the middle of a murder-for-hire plot, relying on the the hot, yet mysterious, Owen to survive.
Plot
The plot is unique in the new adult genre, at least for me. It’s a romance, nestled in danger, surrounded by nearly non-stop action. Nichole Chase pulls off a charming tale of an unlikely heroine, some intense chemistry, and a fast-moving thrill-ride, that is reminiscent of Janet Evanovich but really is all its own.
Characters
Ava is likable from the opening paragraph and even Owen makes it hard to dislike him. What with being choosy about who he’ll kill, and ensuring there is never any collateral damage and all. These two seem like an unlikely pair, and yet the attraction is palpable from the first meet. The supporting cast are all equally interesting, right down the shop store clerk and the arms dealer.
World Building
The world of spies and assassins comes alive between the pages, the settings feel authentic, with pop culture references thrown in to connect readers with the story even more.
Writing
I love Nichole Chase’s style. She tackles tough subject matter with traces of humor, but never making light of a serious topic.
Top Five Things I Loved about The Accidental Assassin:
1. Ava. She’s a fun, refreshing heroine who had me rooting for her from the first page.
2. Owen. He’s smexy, intelligent, and loyal. Hard to beat that combination.
3. The settings. Everywhere from Owen’s cottage in Oxford to the streets of Notting Hill were as alive as the characters who inhabit them.
4. The plot. A fun idea that was wonderfully executed.
5. The banter. I loved watching Ava and Owen going tit for tat, amping up the chemistry in a playful way.
Bottom Line
The Accidental Assassin is a fun, fresh take on new adult romance with a twist.
Disclaimer
I was provided a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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About the Book
Title: The Accidental Assassin
Author: Nichole Chase
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Pages: 354
Genre: New Adult Contemporary
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes
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Author Nicole Chase
About the Author
Nichole Chase is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Suddenly Royal, Flukes, The Dark Betrayal Trilogy, and several short stories.
She is also the instructor of Say What? a dialogue class at the Romance Academy.
Nichole lives in Georgia with her husband, energetic daughter, superhero dog, Sulcata tortoise, and two cats.
When not writing, you may find her reading, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.
Where to Find Nichole Chase
Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Amazon
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Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Blue Streak: A Blue Series Novella (Blue) by Jules Barnard
Synopsis
In the Blue Series, love in Lake Tahoe means looking beneath the surface.
Nessa Villanueva is tired of watching Zach Elliott go through women like water, while keeping her strictly in the friend zone. But Zach is hiding a dirty secret, and he’ll do whatever it takes to protect Nessa—even from himself. The trouble is, Zach doesn’t count on Nessa’s determination to break out of their friends-only relationship…
He’s hiding a secret. She won’t settle for less.
Nessa Villanueva is tired of watching Zach Elliott date every woman except her. What Nessa doesn’t know is that Zach secretly puts her on a pedestal.
Zach feels dirty from the long-term affair he’s been having with his mother’s rich friend. Nessa’s too good for him, so he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her at arm’s length and protect her—even from himself.
But Zach doesn’t count on Nessa’s determination to break out of their friends-only relationship and show him how right they are for each other…
Blue Streak: A Blue Series Novella is the 4rd book in the Blue Series. Each book in the Blue Series is a standalone and does not need to be read in order, but characters pop up again so it’s fun to read them sequentially.
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My Review
I’m a big fan of Jules Barnard and couldn’t wait to get my hands on Blue Streak. I love the characters, the setting, the drama-filled relationships she writes and Blue Streak is no exception. This time, we get to spend time with Nessa and Zach. Spunky little Nessa has been one of my favorite characters since the first Blue series book I picked up. It was fun to get inside her head and understand what makes her tick. And what makes her tick is Zach. Since I’ve been wanting a peek inside his head for awhile now, this made me one happy reader. Nessa is as fun-loving as ever as she pines for Zach. Zach’s got a pretty messed up past which drives his non-committal ways.
Because this is a novella, the story moves along at a rather clipped pace and that’s really my only complaint. I would have loved to have spent more time with them, watching the push and pull that Jules Barnard is famous for.
Plot
The plot is a pretty straightforward romance. The chemistry between Zach and Nessa is among the best in the series, so when they finally get together, it’s intense and satisfying. Even though it wasn’t a full-length novel, there was still a couple of subplots that worked well.
Characters
What can I say? I love Zach and Nessa and this was a fun, fast read.
The Ending
Although it came too quickly for me, it was a satisfying conclusion to Zach and Nessa’s story.
Top Five Things I Love About Blue Streak
1. Nessa. I just adore her spunky personality.
2. Zach. He’s been my favorite character for a couple of books now, and now I know why.
3. Zach’s Dad. He’s far from perfect, but the way he’s still so devoted to Zach’s mom just slays me.
4. Mira. Still love her.
5. Hot Tubs. One of the steamiest scenes I’ve read that didn’t involve sex (although it comes soon after 🙂 ).
Bottom Line
Blue Streak is a worthy addition to the Blue series. I only wish it was longer!
Disclaimer
I was provided a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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About the Book
Title: Blue Streak
Series: Blue #4
Author: Jules Barnard
Release Date: April 16, 2015
Pages: 114
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
Author Jules Barnard
About the Author
Jules Barnard is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. She attended UC Davis, whose college landscape often finds its way into her New Adult novels. She has a Master’s degree and spent many an hour running statistical analysis, until she realized her favorite part of the job was writing reports. She decided to cut out the math and add in some hot guys, and so began her career as a novelist.
Jules is a Northern California native living on the coast with her husband and two children. She has no impulse control around cupcakes and credits herself with the ability to read while running on the treadmill or burning dinner.
Where to Find Jules Barnard
Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter
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For the Win (Playing for Keeps #1) by Amber Garza
Synopsis
London Miller has one best friend.
Words.
She lives in the pages of the books she reads, preferring the safety of fictional worlds over the dark and scary reality of her own life. Books aren’t her escape…they’re her salvation.
Cooper Montgomery has one true love.
Baseball.
When he’s on the mound, throwing a pitch, the darkness of his world fades away. The game is something he can control, something he can count on.
A twist of fate brings London and Cooper together, a curve ball that forces them both outside of their comfort zones. As they spend time together, a relationship begins to blossom and both of them start to believe that there just might be something bright and beautiful in their lives.
However, the game changes when your heart is on the line. You have to play with everything you have for the win.
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My Review
This started off as a sweet story of two teens, each resistant romantic relationships because of tragedy in their pasts. Cooper, a baseball phenom, is the quintessential player, although he hates that label. The death of his parents at a young age make him afraid to get close to anyone again. London is the shy girl with journalism on her mind who has suffered such a tragic loss that she tries to hide herself from the world. But London’s ambitions throw her into Cooper’s path when she’s assigned to interview him for the school paper.
A quick interview and follow-up turns into something more when each sees something in the other they never expected to — understanding. Their individual losses allow them to relate to each other in a way no one has before, and before long, both are breaking all their own rules about relationships. Life throws them a curve ball, though and what should be the happiest time of their lives is suddenly marred by uncertainty, and they’ll have to find out if they have what it takes to win.
Plot
The main plot centers on the romance between London and Cooper, but there is a subplot I won’t spoil that is well done. I thought the romance was stronger earlier in the book. Lots of angst, but it quickly resolved when the subplot came into play. I would have liked more of that throughout the story, but all-in-all, the plot worked.
Characters
The two main characters were really well developed, as was London’s father. I didn’t get much of a sense of the other characters, though.
Writing
The author seems to have done her homework on all points. The dual first-person points of view are balanced and don’t recover the same territory from different perspectives, keeping the story flowing.
Ending
The ending was a logical conclusion to the story, but it did leave me wanting more, so it’s a good thing there’s another book in the series.
Top Five Things I enjoyed about For the Win:
1. London. She has such a sense of who she is, but still manages to come across as an authentic teen.
2. Cooper. He may be a player, but he’s not a jerk about it. He’s open and honest about what he wants and what he doesn’t want from girls.
3. London and Cooper. They are beyond adorable together.
4. Dexter. London’s dad is great as the single father trying to raise a teen daughter. There’s appropriate awkward discomfort over female stuff and just general doting-dad thing that makes him one of my favorite fictional fathers.
5. Baseball Caps. Cooper’s feelings about his caps and who he lets wear them lays the groundwork for one of the book’s sweetest moments.
Bottom Line
For the Win is a sweet teen romance starring a couple of flawed but really likable characters.
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About the Book
Title: For the Win
Series: Playing for Keeps #1
Author: Amber Garza
Release Date: November 14, 2014
Pages: 276
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Links: Goodreads | Amazon
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Author Amber Garza
About the Author
Amber Garza lives in California with her amazing husband and two hilarious children who provide her with enough material to keep her writing for years.
Where to Find Amber Garza
Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook
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Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone
Synopsis
If you could read my mind, you wouldn’t be smiling.
Samantha McAllister looks just like the rest of the popular girls in her junior class. But hidden beneath the straightened hair and expertly applied makeup is a secret that her friends would never understand: Sam has Purely-Obsessional OCD and is consumed by a stream of dark thoughts and worries that she can’t turn off.
Second-guessing every move, thought, and word makes daily life a struggle, and it doesn’t help that her lifelong friends will turn toxic at the first sign of a wrong outfit, wrong lunch, or wrong crush. Yet Sam knows she’d be truly crazy to leave the protection of the most popular girls in school. So when Sam meets Caroline, she has to keep her new friend with a refreshing sense of humor and no style a secret, right up there with Sam’s weekly visits to her psychiatrist.
Caroline introduces Sam to Poet’s Corner, a hidden room and a tight-knit group of misfits who have been ignored by the school at large. Sam is drawn to them immediately, especially a guitar-playing guy with a talent for verse, and starts to discover a whole new side of herself. Slowly, she begins to feel more “normal” than she ever has as part of the popular crowd . . . until she finds a new reason to question her sanity and all she holds dear.
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My Review
I took a few days off after finishing this book to write my review. I wanted to let it settle in and see how I was feeling, and you know what? I still love it just as much as I did the moment I finished. I discovered author, Tamara Ireland Stone, through her time-travelling young adult stories, Time Between Us and Time After Time, so I wasn’t sure if I would love a straight-up contemporary as much. It’s different, but as good, in a very different way.
The book is heavy on themes. Themes of fitting in, finding one’s place, uncertainty, being different, being accepted, finding your voice, finding your words. It’s also a story about a girl and a boy. And secrets. And trust.
Samantha McAllister is part of the Crazy Eights, the most popular girls in her junior class, but she’s hiding a secret from them — she has OCD with an emphasis on obsessive rather than compulsive, making it easier to keep her issues private. In fact, no one in school knows about it. Until she meets Caroline, a nerdy girl who promises Samantha she can change her life. Samantha is a girl with two halves, her public persona as part of the Eights, and the private Summer Sam, who doesn’t try so hard to conceal who she is. Samantha wants to be Sam all the time, and not just during the summer when she’s away from the Eights. Her friendship with Caroline sparks a journey that burns through the pages, as Samantha allows Sam out of her box for longer bits of a time.
Plot
The plot addresses so many things, but at it’s core, it’s about a girl battling OCD and her journey in finding herself. Strong subplots include a romance with the sweet, soulful AJ, her friendships with the Caroline and the other Poets, as well as her evolving relationship with the Eights. Each plot is well done, and woven seamlessly with the others. There were a few good plot twists, and one, shocking, jaw-dropping twist that I wasn’t sure about at first, but ended up loving for its brilliance.
World Building
The author has done her homework and portrays the world of mental health in a raw and realistic manner. Her creation of Poet’s Corner is detailed and vivid. I could picture the room and the kids and the tiny stage, feel the atmosphere, smell the combination of old paper and stale coffee, with a hint of teen body odor. And considering I was born without a sense of smell, that’s saying something!
Characters
Samantha is complex, troubled, and so utterly relatable, it’s impossible not to love her despite her flaws. Sam spends such an inordinate amount of time in her own head, the only other character I truly felt like I got a good sense of was Shrink Sue. It’s not that the other characters are one-dimensional, but that we see the world through Sam’s eyes and she’s just very introspective.
Writing
The pacing is good, never really dragging, the plot twists were adequately foreshadowed, and the author has an interesting voice that is both deep and youthful, fitting this story really well.
Ending
I enjoyed the ending. I thought the main plot points were wrapped up well, but in a believable way, because OCD isn’t something cured. It’s something people are taught to manage, and I think that was authentically portrayed.
Top Five Things I Loved About Every Last Word
1. The Poetry. The poems were deep and meaningful and I love how the author managed to give each poet his or her own voice in their creations.
2. Sam. She’s just so incredibly well developed, and while I have never suffered like she has, I could understand her thought spirals, and relate to how she felt out of control. I think everyone has something about themselves that feels a little beyond their ability to control at times.
3. AJ. He is sweet, thoughtful, and yet not perfect, which made him perfectly believable.
4. Shrink Sue. The way she helps Sam, maintains boundaries, and yet clearly loves her patient is heartwarming.
5. Caroline. She was exactly the friend Sam needed at the time Sam needed her.
Bottom Line
I’m glad I gave this book a try. It surprised me in the very best of ways.
Disclaimer
I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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Title: Every Last Word
Author: Tamara Ireland Stone
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: September 16, 2014
Pages: 368
Category: Teen and Young Adult, Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Links to Purchase: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
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Author Tamara Ireland Stone
About the Author
TAMARA IRELAND STONE is the author of Time After Time and Time Between Us, which has been published in over twenty countries to widespread acclaim, and hailed as “an exciting debut novel” by Booklist and “a warm, time bending romance” by Publishers Weekly. It has been optioned for film by CBS Films.
Her next novel, Every Last Word, is about a teen girl with OCD who’s hiding part of herself from the world, until she discovers a secret poetry club that changes her in unexpected ways. Every Last Word releases on June 16, 2015.
A former Silicon Valley marketing executive, Tamara enjoys skiing, hiking, and spending time with her husband and two children. She lives just outside of San Francisco
Where to Find Tamara Ireland Stone
Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram | YouTube
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Today’s theme for 1 Line Wednesday, sponsored by RWA’s Kiss of Death Chapter is environment. This is my last posting from The Ruins because it releases next Tuesday! This week’s line is from page 31 of The Ruins:
Waves crash ashore, spraying me, inching up to tease my toes before rushing back out, pulling some of the sand with it.
You can see previous week’s themes and lines here.
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Today’s teaser from The Ruins is from chapter 37, titled Lucky.
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The Ruins (The Union Series #2) by T.H. Hernandez
About the Book
Title: The Ruins
Series: The Union Series #2
Author: T.H. Hernandez
Release Date: June 16, 2015
Genre: Young Adult Adventure
Links: Goodreads | Amazon
Synopsis
Heartbroken, grief-stricken, and wracked with guilt, seventeen-year-old Evan Taylor returned to the Union, leaving behind the boy she loved.
Now, she and her friends must find a way to do the impossible – warn the citizens of the Union about an impending rebel attack without alerting the government and risking retaliation against her friends in the Ruins.
When every move Evan makes is thwarted, it soon becomes clear she’s being watched.
Faced with a daily fight to stay one step ahead of her pursuers, she returns to the Ruins. But life in the Ruins has its own dangers, and soon she’s fighting a different battle – to stay alive long enough to discover the truth.
THE RUINS is the second book in THE UNION series, a young adult romantic adventure set in the near future.
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Truth or Dare (Dare to Love #1) by Mira Lyn Kelly
Synopsis
In a deliciously sexy twist on the classic game, Mira Lyn Kelly proves that when playing truth or dare—always choose dare.
After her one attempt at commitment ends with the discovery that her fiancé already has a wife and kid, Maggie Lawson vows that the only people she’ll love ’til death do they part will be her friends. Unfortunately that means Maggie letting her bestie rope her into a year-long dating dare: score a new date each month or pay a penalty. Seems doable—until Maggie’s date stands her up, leaving only one option: the sexy stud who just moved in upstairs. The problem? He and Maggie can’t stop fighting—and that’s just the beginning.
His name is Tyler Daniels and the last thing he needs is his neighbor distracting him with her girl-next-door smile and sharp tongue. Tyler’s in Chicago for one reason: to woo back his selfish ex in order to reclaim the child he once thought was his—and that means keeping Maggie out of his bed. A tall order, since Maggie has become a bigger temptation than he ever expected to face. But before they can even consider leaving the past behind, Maggie and Tyler must accept a brand-new dare: real, forever love.
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as excerpts from other Loveswept titles.
My Review
I enjoyed Truth or Dare, but I didn’t love it and I can’t really figure out why. Part of it might be that it took me awhile to get into the story. I thought maybe it was the third-person point of view, because I had been reading a few young adult titles which are commonly first person, but I don’t think that’s it. I read plenty of third-person POV, and usually, somewhere around the second chapter, I nearly forget that’s the case, getting so involved in the story, I feel as if I’m inside the character’s heads regardless of POV. But I never really got there with Truth or Dare and I’m back to not knowing why. It’s not the writing, which is solid, nor the plot which has some unique aspects.
The story centers around the romance between Maggie and Tyler, both single by choice. They start off in an antagonistic relationship that only exists because they live in the same building. But friendship develops along with strong sexual attraction, until these two can’t deny their feelings any longer. But those reasons to not be involved in relationships still exist, so they do what any normal red-blooded American singles do — have a purely physical relationship. The sex is definitely hot, so I know it’s not that, that didn’t work for me. I think I’ll chalk it up to a mystery that will never be solved.
Plot
The story got off to a slow start, but once it picked up, it moved along well enough. The author did a good job of throwing in plot twists. In fact, there’s one at the end that caught me completely off guard. I thought the story was over and was kind of surprised the wrap-up was taking so long. Then bam, Mira Lyn Kelly hit me with something seemingly out of nowhere, but in retrospect, I realize it was the perfect way to conclude Maggie and Tyler’s story.
World Building
There isn’t a lot of world building in this contemporary romance set in Chicago, but the descriptive details are there and help bring the story to life.
Characters
The characters were my favorite part of Truth or Dare. Both Maggie and Tyler were interesting as well as a whole slew of supporting characters. The witty banter and the sexual tension were what worked best for me.
Top Five Things I Enjoyed About Truth or Dare
1. The Cookies. They’re a recurring theme that adds a sweet, homey touch.
2. Ava. Weird monthly challenge aside, she’s a good friend and tons of fun.
3. Tyler and Maggie. They are terminally cute together.
4. Tyler. His dedication to a boy who isn’t his son makes him one of the good guys, but the way he refuses to use Maggie when she was willing, makes him one of the great ones.
5. Maggie. I love how she refused to break Hot Doc’s heart even though she was convinced things with Tyler were over.
Bottom Line
I enjoyed Truth or Dare, even though I didn’t love it. It has great chemistry, fun characters, and a few good twists.
Disclaimer
I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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About the Book
Title: Truth or Dare
Series: Dare to Love #1
Author: Mira Lyn Kelly
Publisher: Loveswept
Release Date: September 16, 2014
Pages: 270
Category: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
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Author Mira Lyn Kelly
About the Author
USA TODAY bestselling author Mira Lyn Kelly grew up in the Chicago area and earned her degree in Fine Arts from Loyola University. She met the love of her life while studying abroad in Rome, Italy, only to discover he’d been living right around the corner from her back home.
Having spent her twenties working and playing in the Windy City, she’s now settled with her husband in rural Minnesota, where their four beautiful children and naughty dog provide an excess of action and entertainment. When she isn’t reading, writing, or running to keep up with the family, she loves watching movies, blabbing with the girls, and cooking with her husband and friends.
Where to Find Mira Lyn Kelly
Goodreads | Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter
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Revolution (Revelation #4) by Randi Cooley Wilson
Synopsis
A King Rises
A Fate Seals
Realms Fall
Eve Collins has set in motion a chain of events that could destroy everything she’s ever loved. Surrounded by dangerous creatures, dark worlds, and the struggle to become who she was meant to be, Eve must complete her ascension and accept her destiny.
War has begun. Losing is not an option. With dangers lurking around each corner, and everything against her, will Eve sacrifice her own happiness in order to tip the scale of balance? Which side will rise to power, and which fall to fate?
In this fourth installment in The Revelation Series, Eve must risk it all in order to prevent a centuries old war.
Everything comes with a sacrifice, even love..
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My Review
Revolution is the darkest installment in the series to date. It also covers a lot of territory. Picking up immediately after the end of Redemption, Eve is on a quest to save her mother, after mating with Asher and stabbing him in the heart, then leaving with Gage. As usual with the Revolution series, nothing is easy for Eve. Not rescuing Elizabeth, not accepting that the woman she thought was her aunt is really her mother, nor gaining Asher’s forgiveness. While it’s clear he still loves her deeply, she wounded him on such a fundamental level, she’s got her work cut out for her.
Plot
This fourth book is action-packed, moving from one exciting, dangerous adventure to the next in rapid succession. As always, the best moments come in the rare quiet times when the characters interact with witty dialogue and playful banter. There are enough of these moments to offset the darkness.
World Building
Once again, Randi Cooley Wilson paints a colorful world populated by equally colorful characters. The settings come alive through rich details that put the reader in the thick of it.
Characters
There is a little more character development taking place this time. While Eve still gets on my nerves at times, it’s nice to see the St. Michaels coming around. I’ve always loved Callan and Abby, but now we get to see another side to both Keegan and McKenna, that shows them in more depth than in the previous three books.
Top Five Things I Love About Redemption
1. Gage. He might just be my favorite gargoyle, but he needs to quit smoking.
2. The Witty Banter. Randi Cooley Wilson creates dialogue that sparkles like a Stephenie Meyer vampire.
3. Callan and Abby. They’re totes adorbs.
4. The Twists. There were several plot twists I didn’t see coming and I love when an author can do that and still foreshadow.
5. The Ending. Yeah, yeah, it’s a cliffhanger, which I’m not a fan of, but it still wrapped up the main plot lines from this story and left me wanting more.
Bottom Line
The story moves us forward, revealing a devastating secret and setting up the fifth and final book in the series in typical RCW fashion.
Disclaimer
I was provided with a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
About the Book
Title: Revolution
Series: Revelation #4
Author: Randi Cooley Wilson
Pages: 319
Release Date: May 31, 2015
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Smashwords
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Author Randi Cooley Wilson
About the Author
Randi was born and raised in Massachusetts where she attended Bridgewater State University and graduated with a degree in Communication Studies. After graduation she moved to California where she lived happily bathed in sunshine and warm weather for fifteen years.
Randi and her husband recently moved back to Massachusetts with their daughter where she was encouraged to begin writing again.
Revelation is her first novel and The Revelations Series is her first New Adult Paranormal Romance book series.
“I’ve had a love affair with books, writing and storytelling since childhood. It has been a dream of mine to introduce this world and these characters to you. I hope I’ve done them justice.”
Randi loves to hear from readers, you can reach out to her via Twitter: R_CooleyWilson and/or Facebook: authorrandicooleywilson
Where to Find Randi Cooley Wilson
Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter
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Giveaway
One Winner: Signed Apron, Revelation, Restraint, Redemption and Revolution signed paperbacks.
Five Winners: One Signed Paperback of Either: Revelation, Restraint, Redemption or Revolution
Ten Winners: One Digital Copy of Revolution
A special thank you to author, Jennifer Probst, for today’s guest post, A Real Love Story. To find out more about Jennifer and her book, Searching for Beautiful, buy links, and details on her giveaway, please see below.
As a writer, I’ve evolved into the idea that theme in my series is an important part of the reading experience. What’s so amazing about theme is the reader doesn’t usually know it’s there. Like an invisible presence that bond and connects the books together into one whole, most readers wouldn’t be able to tell you exactly if the writer has incorporated a certain theme in his or her work.
But like anything well done, it’s an element that subtle but powerful. An string as delicate and strong as a spider’s web.
When I began examining my main themes I explored in my work, I kept coming up with certain repetitive subject matters. One emerged more powerful than any other, and I realized this was the premise that excited me beyond all others. I consistently searched for answers, story after story, within the pages of each book I wrote.
In order to embrace romantic love, one must accept and love thyself.
Simple, right?
But…not. Not when life makes us a tangle of our pasts, and mistakes, and shatters our confidence at every turn. Not when pain hits. Not when we are rejected and abused by the ones we love.
Barriers begin to spring up, and it becomes harder to accept and believe in true love. I’m fascinated by this human condition of normal people fighting to believe and accept extraordinary love and passion.
In the Searching For series, I sketch out each character with the same type of issues. Whether it be hero or heroine, I strip down and explore their pain, finally allowing them to grow within the book until they are strong enough to reach for the one they love.
I never get tired of this. In Searching for Beautiful, Wolfe is damaged from his past. He has such intense demons, he believes he not worthy of anyone’s true lasting love, including himself. His journey is one that humbled me, and made me cry as I wrote it.
When you read a book you love and keep coming back to, examine its theme. What is it within the pages the story contains that you are fascinated with? What do you understand and bond with as your own issues? I think it’s an important part of being both an astute reader and writer.
Tell me some of your all time favorite books that exemplify the theme you love the most!
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Searching for Beautiful (Searching For #3) by Jennifer Probst
About the Book
Title: Searching for Beautiful
Series: Searching For #3
Author: Jennifer Probst
Publisher: Gallery Books
Release Date: May 26, 2015
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Synopsis
The highly anticipated third novel in the Searching For series from Jennifer Probst, “one of the most exciting breakout novelists” (USA Today), featuring a runaway bride and the man who wants to be more than just her best friend…
Genevieve MacKenzie has her life completely under control. About to wed the charming Chief doctor at the local hospital, she’s an up-and-coming surgeon with everything she could ever want. Until an escape through the church window on the day of her wedding sends her life into a tailspin…and flings her right into her best friend’s arms.
When Wolfe catches his best friend falling out a window on her wedding day, he doesn’t ask questions. He whisks her away, determined to watch over her and discover the truth behind her desperate escape.
But when his feelings turn more than platonic, he realizes he may risk his most important relationship in order to protect his damaged heart, and the woman he loves.
Can Genevieve and Wolfe’s friendship turn into something deeper—or is it already too late for true love?
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Author Jennifer Probst
About the Author
Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.
She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.
She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon’s Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.
Where to Find Jennifer Probst
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
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Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Today, I’m delighted to share author Jessica Peterson’s playlist for The Undercover Scoundrel, the third book in her Hope Diamond Trilogy. If the songs are any indication, this is a book I will love!
The Undercover Scoundrel (The Hope Diamond Trilogy #3) by Jessica Peterson
About the Book
Title: The Undercover Scoundrel
Series: The Hope Diamond Trilogy #3
Author: Jessica Peterson
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: June 2, 2015
Genre: Historical Romance
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BAM!
Synopsis
The author of The Millionaire Rogue returns to her dazzling series about a bygone era filled with romance, espionage, and one dangerously seductive diamond…
Mr. Henry Lake spent the past twelve years uncovering the most scandalous secrets of Europe’s wealthy and powerful, serving as one of His Majesty’s most decorated spies.
But when a mission to find the legendary French Blue diamond brings him back to London, and face to face with a beautiful noblewoman he once loved, it’s his own hidden passions that are uncovered…
Lady Caroline, dowager Duchess of Berry, knows better than to lose her head over a man. After an embarrassing romantic entanglement forced her into a loveless marriage and early widowhood, she learned to never trust in desire, especially when it comes to the man who once broke her heart.
Only, despite her good sense, she finds Henry impossible to resist—even when he once again places her in deathly danger…
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LOVE ME LATER Playlist
1. “Skyfall”, by Adele
2. “Talking Body,” by Tove Lo
3. “Hold On My Heart”, by Genesis
4. “Back From the Dead”, by Skylar Gray feat. Big Sean & Travis Barker
5. “Shirtsleeves”, by Ed Sheeran
6. “Settle Down”, The 1975
7. “I Want You”, Third Eye Blind
8. “This Love”, Taylor Swift
9. “Mine”, Beyonce feat. Drake
10. “Stay The Night”, Zedd feat. Hayley Williams
11. “Missing You”, by Betty Who
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Author Jessica Peterson
About the Author
Jessica Peterson began reading romance to escape the decidedly unromantic awkwardness of her teenage years. Having found solace in the likes of Rhett Butler and Mr. Darcy, it wasn’t long before she began creating tall, dark, and handsome heroes of her own.
A graduate of Duke University, Jessica worked at an investment bank before leaving to pursue her writerly dreams. She lives with her husband, the tall, dark, and handsome Mr. Peterson, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Where to Find Jessica Peterson
Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter
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Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Today’s theme for 1 Line Wednesday, sponsored by RWA’s Kiss of Death Chapter is to post something unexpected from my work in progress. This week’s line is from page 112 of The Ruins:
My breath stalls in my lungs, my eyes freeze open, and I lock my knees to keep from collapsing.
You can see previous week’s themes and lines here.
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Today’s teaser from The Ruins is from chapter 16, titled Two Steps Back.
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The Ruins (The Union Series #2) by T.H. Hernandez
About the Book
Title: The Ruins
Series: The Union Series #2
Author: T.H. Hernandez
Release Date: June 16, 2015
Genre: Young Adult Adventure
Links: Goodreads | Amazon
Synopsis
Heartbroken, grief-stricken, and wracked with guilt, seventeen-year-old Evan Taylor returned to the Union, leaving behind the boy she loved.
Now, she and her friends must find a way to do the impossible – warn the citizens of the Union about an impending rebel attack without alerting the government and risking retaliation against her friends in the Ruins.
When every move Evan makes is thwarted, it soon becomes clear she’s being watched.
Faced with a daily fight to stay one step ahead of her pursuers, she returns to the Ruins. But life in the Ruins has its own dangers, and soon she’s fighting a different battle – to stay alive long enough to discover the truth.
THE RUINS is the second book in THE UNION series, a young adult romantic adventure set in the near future.
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Flukes by Nichole Chase
Synopsis
Meena has a secret guarded closely by her family—a secret as dangerous as the sea and buried just as deep. When court-appointed community-service workers are assigned to Flukes, the family-owned animal sanctuary, everyone is on high alert.
It doesn’t help that Meena finds herself attracted to sexy-as-sin Blake Weathering, one of the new workers. If he wasn’t so distracting, she might be able to land Flukes a much-needed cruise-line contract.
Blake Weathering, the first in his family to attend public school, has developed a tough image. Unfortunately, it lands him in trouble. Now banned from his high school graduation ceremony, getting his diploma is dependent upon a community-service gig cleaning up fish crap.
No diploma, no trust fund fortune—and no way to escape his overbearing father. The last thing he needs is the distraction of a mysterious girl with teal eyes who pulls at his heartstrings.
When Blake discovers Meena’s secret, they are both thrown into a desperate search for information about her past. Two worlds pull them in opposite directions, and they will have to fight to hold on to all that really matters.
*** This novel is not intended for young readers. ***
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My Review
This is a fun, new adult paranormal/fantasy romance with plenty of heat and several good plot twists. Set in the Caribbean, it feels equal parts Splash the movie and the Australian teen mermaid adventure, H2O. Meena is a mermaid, adopted by two humans after her mother is killed by a fisherman’s net. Her parents own and operate a marine animal sanctuary that’s barely in the black. To help maintain the facility, they use the services of ne’re do wells fulfilling their court-ordered community service.
One of those just happens to be Blake Weathering, son of one of the wealthiest inhabitants of the island. Blake has his own secrets, like why he’s stuck doing community service the summer after his senior year instead of escaping the island and the stifling life under his father’s thumb.
Sparks fly when Meena and Blake meet, but the two bicker more than anything else. At least in the beginning. That bickering turns to playful banter, before turning into full-on flirting. But secrets, a pair of mysterious strangers, an angry guy named Devin with a chip in his shoulder, and Blake’s impending departure from the island Meena feels she can never leave, keep Meena and Blake at arm’s length.
Plot
Primarily an older teen romance, there is a fair amount of angst, which is what I love most about this genre. Add a couple of mysteries, hidden secrets, and the plot unfolds with a lot of obstacles that make it an engaging read.
Characters
Meena and Blake are interesting and well-developed. I didn’t get that same sense with Meena’s parents, although Blake’s dad has some interesting layers. There is some subtle character development, but this is definitely a plot-driven story.
Writing
While written about older teens, it’s definitely more new adult than young adult. The characters are older teens, out of high school and there are some scenes that are inappropriate for younger readers. That said, the author does a good job of creating the kind of tension and angsty drama that makes a teen romance work.
Ending
I liked the ending. It wasn’t necessarily thought-provoking or overly emotional, but it works for this story.
Top Five Things I enjoyed about Flukes:
1. Dolphins. I love Meena’s relationship with Mitch, Jallia and the gang.
2. Blake. He comes off as just another cocky, arrogant good-looking douche, but he’s got a heart of gold and the way he protects his brother makes him a hero in my book.
3. Meena. She wears her snarkiness like a protective armor and that makes her a more interesting character.
4. Mermaids. Nichole Chase’s mermaids are so different from anything else I’ve read or seen with these mythological characters and it’s a fun twist on fantasy.
5. The Caribbean. Beautiful, relaxing, exotic. It sounds like a fabulous place to visit, if only in my mind.
Bottom Line
Flukes is a new twist on the mermaid genre with fresh characters and an intriguing plot.
Disclaimer
I was provided a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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About the Book
Title: Flukes
Series: Flukes #1
Author: Nichole Chase
Release Date: October 7, 2012
Pages: 162
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
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Author Nicole Chase
About the Author
Nichole Chase is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Suddenly Royal, Flukes, The Dark Betrayal Trilogy, and several short stories.
She is also the instructor of Say What? a dialogue class at the Romance Academy.
Nichole lives in Georgia with her husband, energetic daughter, superhero dog, Sulcata tortoise, and two cats.
When not writing, you may find her reading, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.
Where to Find Nichole Chase
Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Amazon
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Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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