artsy musings of a bibliophile

Review: Pretty In Black by Rae Hachton Blog Tour + Giveaway

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Title: Pretty In Black (Pretty In Black, #1)

Author: Rae Hachton
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Publisher: Teen Pulse
Release Date: 1 November 2011
Pages: 312 (eARC)

Synopsis
Some Things are Pretty. Some Things are Black. Love is both. 
[Ellie Piper] 
She wanted to die. He arose from the grave. He was sent to kill her. She was trained to kill those of his kind. But fate had other plans. He searched for 119 years to find her. & There’s no way in hell he’s letting her go. Dead or Alive. They’re fated. 
[Marcus Marble] 
How far would you go to be with the one you love? Would you die for her? Would you kill for her? What if the only reason you’re still alive is because of her? What if the reason you came back from the dead, was to be with her? But what if your job was to kill her, but you fell in love instead? And now you’re being hunted by your own kind? 
Destroy? Or be Destroyed?
My Rating
* * *
The Review
Pretty In Black is a dark young adult book but that is not it. It is emotional, it is raw, it is deep and most of all, it is bittersweet. Ellie likes to spend time in cemetery ever since her life turned upside down, from being the captain of the cheerleading squad and having a family to living in a trailer with a mother who doesn’t care and a stepfather who brings her down overnight.
The book starts with Ellie trying to cut her wrists and succeeding when she succumbs to the darkness enveloping her. But then someone tells her to wake up. Her first and a very intriguing encounter with Marcus Marble leaves her feeling relaxed, confused and somewhat annoyed. Ellie has abandoned her previous life the day her sister was raped and then murdered. High school and day-to-day life just became trivial and meaningless. Nobody cared. Not until Marcus.
The cover is a perfect combination of pink and black and it defines Ellie in more ways than one. Ellis has a genuine feminine side but she has lost sight of who she really wants to be and that’s when the blackness seeped in and made itself a part of her. Of Ellie.
Ellie has a couple of strange encounter with Giles who tells her that she is the chosen one. And somehow Ellie believes whatever he says. Then she spots a white raven looking at her. But ravens are black. That has Ellie intrigued. And then her so-called BFF, Madison, wants her to rejoin the cheerleading squad and her cheating boyfriend, Declan is being Declan and trying to convince her that he is sorry he cheated.
Ellie finds comfort in only those moments when she is with Marcus who is a tortured soul, he is a monster but he is genuine and he knows what he is capable of. But he is not strong when it comes to Ellie. He wants to be with her at any cost. And Ellie feels the same way.
But it is not simple as that.
Pretty In Black left me wanting more of Ellie’s and Marcus’ story. I have questions about Ellie’s life and what Marcus did in the end. I want to know what is real and what is not real in the world Rae Hachton has created. In other words, I really liked Nevermore and what Ellie and Marcus and capable of and why is their love really forbidden. The writing style is very engrossing and the words are beautiful. The words has a poetical touch to them embedded in the story. I definitely look forward to reading Black Satin, the second book in Pretty In Black series.
Best Quote:

““I have a broken heart, Marcus.”
His eyes twinkled greater than the stars above us. “I can unbreak it.”
And I believed him. I’m sure he could even make a bouquet of veins appear beautiful, though they were tragic. And I was sure I’d be just that, a bouquet of veins, if something went wrong, and this didn’t work out. I needed it to last forever, even if it really didn’t.”

About the Author

Rae Hachton [pronounced H-ton] is the nom de plume of author Desirae Hennington. She is the Indie Author of the Gothic Romance series Pretty in Black. She is twenty-three years old and lives with her Muse and her Ghost. When she is not composing new novels, she is working on her cinematography studies, and devouring YA books. Her favorite band is The Raveonettes, and she is a major fan of Edgar Allan Poe and Ravens and Crows. 

Although she is writing Gothic Fiction at the moment, her favorite genre of all time is Contemporary YA. Favorite contemporary book: tie between Forever by Judy Blume and the Summer I turned Pretty series by Jenny Han. Favorite author: David Levithan. If Rae Hachton wasn’t writing, she’d give it one last shot at being kewl, and probably start a band.

Rae Hachton can be found at 
Buy Pretty In Black (Pretty In Black, #1)
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The Giveaway

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Thanks to Rae Hachton and Supa Gurl for providing me a copy of Pretty In Black for review.

Review: When It Happens by Susane Colasanti

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Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: 1 May 2008
Pages: 336 (eBook)

Synopsis

At the start of senior year, Sara wants two things: to get into her first-choice college and to find true love. Tobey also wants two things: to win Battle of the Bands and to make Sara fall in love with him.
Dave, the boy Sara was hoping would realize she exists, moves in on Sara first. But Tobey is impossible for Sara to ignore. He gets the little things that matter to her and, most importantly, he feels like something real. Can a slacker rock star wannabe win the heart of a pretty class brain like Sara?

My Rating
* *
The Review
The synopsis of When It Happens was interesting; unfortunately, that’s not what I cay say about the book. It falls short and by a large margin as well. I was really psyched to read Susane Colasanti after Something Like Fate. Thus, I decided to read this out the three options I had: Waiting For You and Take Me There. 
My feelings about the book could be summed up by a repetitive dialog in the book, “You”re so much more than you”re letting yourself be.” That’s what I felt like saying to the author, as the seemingly interesting storyline got more and more frivolous. 
I know that Dave thought of girls in terms of sex but so did Tobey; his thoughts weren’t just as pronounced and as forceful. Plus, the whole slacker thing with Tobey didn’t work out well enough, either. Moreover, the whole Battle of the Bands aspect also lagged behind in the development area. 
The character of Sara got immature with all the self-indulgence about being in the popular world and then studying like a maniac. On the one hand, she’s proud to be a nerd and on the other, she can’t resist the high life? What high life, the popping pills in try rooms one? 
In all, I had high expectations for this book. But Maggie turned out to be not what I thought and the book’s target audience is probably 11 to 15. Granted, it did make me laugh with on all the corny jokes but, after a while, the story got way too messed up that I just rushed through it.
Best Quote:

“And there are a million possibilities. Like the possibility of going separate ways. Together.”

Review: Defy by Raine Thomas Blog Tour + Giveaway

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Title: Defy (Firstborn, #1)

Author: Raine Thomas
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Iambe Books
Release Date: 30 April 2012
Pages: 216 (eARC)

Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Tate is about to make her parents’ dreams come true. Unfortunately for her, their dreams foretell her death.

Eager to explore more of the Estilorian plane and prove her abilities, Tate goes against her parents’ wishes and leaves the area of protection surrounding her home. Her choice puts her on a deadly path…one that leaves her alone, severely injured and battling for her life.

Her possible savior arrives in the form of Zachariah, a male who has removed himself from Estilorian society for more than fifty years. Fighting an unexpected connection to Tate, he must decide whether saving her life is worth destroying his.

As Tate struggles to find a way home, she ends up drawn into a dark Mercesti plot involving multiple murders and a powerful ancient artifact. With the unpredictable Zachariah as her only source for aid, she’ll soon find out if her abilities are strong enough to help her defy her Fate.

My Rating
* * * *
The Review
Defy is the first book I read about the Estilorians and it was a very intense experience. Tate is a very likable character because of her fierceness, determination and stubbornness. Estilorians have various markings on their bodies and the ones around the eyes signify a second ability. 
Tate’s ability is that she can detect lies. This ability played a significant part in her interactions with Zachariah which I thoroughly enjoyed reading about. Her markings make her beautiful and her blue-green eyes, the beads and feathers in her hair seemed like a very interesting addition to the Estilorians. 
Tate ‘s free-spirited nature compels her to ventures off out of the protection in order to prove that she is skilled enough to fly as all Estilorians do when they turn eighteen. However, her parents shared a dream about her death and they are more than concerned about her. She intended to go after her cousin, Sophie and Quincy but things quickly went awry when a karragen grabbed her.
Defy is a fast-paced book filled with action, an evil plot and a very interesting male protagonist, Zachariah. I have become to like him a lot and I loved how he said the words ‘blasted and damn’ and ‘bloody’ in almost all of his conversations. 
In all, I really enjoyed Defy and I definitely want to read the Daughters of Saraquel series now. Plus, the second book in the Firstborn series seem to be about Sophia and Quincy and I can’t wait to read what happens between them. Bring on the Mercesti hate and the follow-up to what they seek!
Best Quote:
“Because he was bent over her and his mouth was so close to hers, the memory of her attempted kiss flashed through her head. She had the unavoidable and mortifying thought that she wished he hadn’t stopped her. 
She watched his expression change as they continued to stand there staring at each other.

“When you want to kiss someone,” he said, making her realize she had been speaking her thoughts again, “do not talk it to damn death.”“

About the Author

Raine Thomas is the author of the exciting and original series of YA fantasy/romance novels about the Estilorian plane. Her passion for writing prompted her to earn her bachelor’s degree in English with a focus in Creative Writing from Georgia State University, then her master’s degree in Humanities from Central Michigan University. She is also a proud member of Romance Writers of America.

Residing in Orlando, Florida, Raine is a hopeless romantic with a background in the fields of mental health and wedding planning…two areas that intersect far more than one would think. Her years working with children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral challenges inspired her to create young protagonists who overcome their own conflicts. When she isn’t writing or glued to e-mail or social networking sites, Raine can usually be found vacationing with her husband and daughter on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.

Raine Thomas can be found at 
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Buy Defy (Firstborn, #1)
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The Grand Prize Giveaway

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Thanks to YABound and Raine Thomas for providing me a copy of Defy for review.

Review: ExtraNormal by Suze Reese Blog Tour + Giveaway

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: ExtraNormal (ExtraNormal, #1)

Author: Suze Reese
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Publisher: Valarian Press
Release Date: 2 April 2012
Pages: 368 (eARC)
Mira Johns is pretty much like any other teenage girl. 
Except that she knows how to harness electro-magnetic energy to communicate without words. 
And she’s really, really far from home. 
Her assignment as an emissary to Earth sounds fairly simple: blend in, observe, and stay away from the planet’s primitive males. 
But after she finds one mysterious boy too irresistible for stupid rules, she realizes the real reason she’s supposed to keep her distance: mates from her world can die if separated. But a series of serious accidents make it clear that someone wants to force her return. Mira decides her only hope is to uncover the truth to why she, the most mediocre of candidates, was actually chosen for this assignment—before the agency discovers her secret and sends her back home.
THE RATING
* * *
THE REVIEW
ExtraNormal is a book that I had been waiting to read for a long time now. I finally got to read it and to say that it was awesome would be an understatement. It was infinitely better. I took my time writing this review and talking about things I really, really liked in ExtraNormal. So here I go.
ExtraNormal jumped right into the story from the first page. Mira is an alien from the planet Nreim which is exactly like Earth, the differences being in their far advanced technology and a permanent improvment in their genetics and food. She was selected out of 603 other applicants to go on a mission to observe the Alisons high school teachers and married. Mira is to report on them and to work on the doubts the Council has regarding them. 
Everything is provided for by the Council and her Mom, being a part of the government, is sent with Mira on another mission. Mira does not have any knowhow of how cell phones work and why does she find cafeteria food to be highly palatable. She makes friends in school and eight years old Becca, her neighbor, is thrust upon her quite suddenly.
Then there is Jesse, the boy who stuck in Mira’s mind on her first day in Loc Robles High School. However, Mira is prohibited to interact with any males on earth for reasons she doesn’t understand. That doesn’t really matter because she smells disgusting odor when she is around males anyway. But Jesse is different, deep and interesting. One of the things I really liked about him was how he he clearly disliked sneaking around with Mira.
Everett is a very disturbing character as much as Alisons are creepy. He is ruthless and reeks of hatred for Mira. As time progresses, Mira knows that she has something bigger on her hands than she could ever imagine. And when her Dad arrives to Earth, she just knows she has a very limited time to uncover the truth and not leave Jesse behind.
Being a story involving aliens, ExtraNormal is a little hard to understand with all the technology regarding electromagnetic fields, being able to sense the emotions of other people and Mira’s ability to stream with Geery, her BFF, back on Neirm. Their relationships work in a very different way than on Earth. The people on Neirm are linked in their 20s and then they undergo a permanent repatterning in their magnetic fields. Meaning that when her Mom is away from Dad, their Em-fields change and may be fatal if went on for a long time.
So when Mira finds herself being linked to Jesse she is beyond confused as the concept is incomprehensible. The love she feels emanating from him is unlike any other emotion she has witnessed and it makes her feel divine bliss. I really liked Jesse, he is a very sweet, under-valued and mysterious protagonist. The only thing I didn’t like was how he followed Mira from school to see that she gets home safely. But otherwise, he is a very lovable character; strong-willed yet soft.
The story of ExtraNormal is very interesting and I loved how it progressed. The pace was perfect and the world building took me on a ride and left me breathless. The concept behind ExtraNormal is extremely innovative and highly interesting to read about. Suze Reese is a genius for creating the world of Mira and Jesse. In other words, I simply adored ExtraNormal.
The Quote:

“My stomach flitted with the motion of the car as it traveled up, backwards, down, and up again. The virtual version couldn’t even compare to this—gazing out at the brilliant sunset reflected in the water below and absorbing Jesse’s intense affection. I rested my head on his shoulder and sighed. I’d replay this memory for the rest of my life.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I’m told by my pre-teen son that I’m not the Coolest Mom. (Despite the fact that I’m a young adult fiction author! Can you imagine?)

Apparently spending your days in pajamas slumped over a computer does not score you points in the Cool Mom department. But I suspect Cool Mom in my son’s world means someone who gives you everything you ask for. We Nerdy Moms are obviously the ones who know what we’re doing.

Besides, I get to play Cool Mom or Nerdy Dad or Tough Teen or Adorable Little Girl whenever I feel like it. It’s a pretty sweet life.

Favorite things? Toddler hugs. Followed closely by chocolate. Plus keeping someone up all night reading one of my stories. Yeah, that’s pretty awesome.

I’ve done all the things expected of a writer of my (a-hum) years: earned a bachelor’s degree, published in a different genre, and worked in the real world in both marketing and journalism. This is my first venture into writing young adult fiction. My imaginary friends and I are very excited.

(You’ll find all the characters listed above in my new paranormal romance Extra Normal, to be released early 2012.)

Suze Reese can be found at 
Buy ExtraNormal (ExtraNormal, #1)


The Giveaway

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Thanks to Valarian Press and Suze Reeze for providing me a copy of ExtraNormal for review.

Review: The Shapeshifter’s Secret by Heather Ostler Blog Tour

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Title: The Shapeshifter’s Secret

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Shapeshifters
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Release Date: 12 June 2012
Pages: 328 (eARC)

ABOUT THE BOOK
In Julia’s life, timing is everything. Like the time her paranoid father put bars on her window so she wouldn’t sneak out at night—even though she’s never given him a reason not to trust her. Or the time this weird new kid showed up at her school and pretty much every girl in sight instantly and inexplicably fell in love with him. What was up with that?
But as time moves on, things in Julia’s life go from strange to seriously impossible. Now it’s all she can do to keep herself and the life she’s always known from falling apart.
This fast-paced action-adventure story is packed with humor, romance, and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing to the very last page. Get lost in a world of hidden royalty, shifting alliances, and dangerous vendettas, but don’t ever forget: nothing is what it seems.
THE RATING

THE REVIEW
The Shapeshifter’s Secret promised me a world unlike anything I have ever read about and it delivered. The concept is very original and the story has a way of sucking you into it. I manage to finish it in a single sitting! Julia is a very likable character, her overprotective father and his rules have limited Julia from involving herself in normal teenage activities. 
The book begins with Julia thinking about the complex personality of Caleb, the new student. But her anger issues are more disturbing for her. Julia seems to be losing her temper whenever she isn’t satisfied with the answers she wants. She almost feels herself turning into an unknown creature when her father, Lancer, refuses to tell her much about her mother.
Then Sierra has been acting strange lately and her father decided to put bars on her windows. Seriously? The only good thing about her life seems to be the arrival of Liam, her uncle. But then she overhears a strange conversation between her father and Lance. 
Things start to get more strange for Julia when she loses her temper in class and almost attacks a student. She even shapeshifts once but Caleb saves her from trouble. Her father then finally decides to reveal what Julia really is and her lineage. 
Fast-forward into Ossai which is really Julia’s home and the subsequent enrollment in Lockham. Julia is also disappointed in Caleb but finds a love interest in Terence, one of the captains of the Soldier Union. There Julia also discovers the truth about her mother and the people who depend on her to make things right in Ossai. Is Julia ready to tackle with their sworn enemy, the Guild?
The Shapeshifter’s Secret is a fast-paced and action-packed book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is a spectacular new series from Heather Ostler. One I am sure the readers of paranormal genre wouldn’t want to miss out on. A debut author to look out for!
THE QUOTES:

‘Soon her hands began shaking harder than ever before. Her breathing seized her, and she felt her lungs might explode before she had enough air. She shook her head as her vision was obscured, and suddenly she was no longer Julia.’

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Heather Ostler grew up near the mountains with a rambunctiously entertaining family. She majored in English at Utah Valley University, and soon began composing stories about masquerades, water nymphs, and shapeshifters. She and her husband, Kellen, reside in Highland, Utah with two remarkably pleasant pugs.


Heather Ostler can be found at 

Thanks to Cedar Fort Books and NetGalley for providing me a copy of The Shapeshifter’s Secret for review.