Excerpt & Giveaway: Evernight by Candace Knoebel

 

Evernight by Candace Knoebel 
(Night Watchmen #2)
Publication date: October 31st 2014
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:

 

The stunning sequel to the thrilling paranormal romance novel Everlasting!

One lie will change everything.

Faye Middleton has secured the Dagger of Retribution for the High Priesthood, but in doing so, she’s opened the door to more demands set by them. She now has to break the Holy Seal, and soon. Trapped in the alluring Ethryeal City, Faye is pushed to the breaking point trying to discover just what she is truly capable of, even if it means destroying herself in the process.

With the clock ticking down to the war between both Covens, and the truth about her parent’s mysterious disappearance within her reach, Faye is faced with tough choices that will forever change her. Will Faye be able to handle the demands from the Priesthood, and still be able to continue her search for her parents?

But more importantly, can she survive the truth she finds?

Goodreads

Purchase:

Amazon

Excerpt:

 

 


PEOPLE LIE. EVERY SINGLE DAY.

In fact, most of our world was built on the foundation of lies, some with the intent to serve the greater good, and others with the intent to serve one person’s giant ambitions. But the root of every lie is exactly the same. They’re all equally deceitful, treacherous propositions spewed from the mouths of men and woman alike.

Lies have the power to sound right, yet feel wrong. They have the ability to confuse your heart and twist your mind. The problem is, sometimes these lies become easier to believe than the truth. They become a sort of safety net from reality, a way to avoid what lingers in the back of your mind. And some say that over time, if you believe them long enough, they become real.

At least, that’s what my mother had hoped would happen in my case. But just like every lie ever told, all it takes is one small crack in that foundation for the whole thing to come crashing down.

And it did.

Because everything I thought I knew about myself was a lie. A beautiful and heartrending lie. I wasn’t the Defect my parents would regretfully see off to college before turning their backs on me. I wasn’t the weak friend who didn’t have enough backbone to stand up for what’s right, nor was I the loner without a purpose or a chance at real love. And I sure as hell wasn’t the weapon Bael and the members of the Darkyn Coven intended me to be.

But I am the weapon the Primeval Coven needs me be. Or so they keep saying.

In my Coven, there are two kinds of people: The Hunters and the Witches. They used to hate each other, even though they were on the same team, back in the old days when cars didn’t exist and time was tracked on a sundial. They hated each other so much that eventually a war was brought on by one of the original Witches—a Divine named Mourdyn.

The war was known as the Great Battle of the Covens. It was meant to wipe out the existence of every Hunter, and it devastated the population of my people, the Primevals. It annihilated the population of the Darkyns—the Witches who abandoned our Coven to follow the whims of Mourdyn and his persuasive lies.

But even though a lie can be struck down—imprisoned even—it can’t ever be fully erased. The scars it leaves behind on this earth and in our hearts are eternal, and somewhere along the way, someone will pick that lie back up and breathe life into it once more. Give it the wings it needs to rise again. Only, this time, that lie will be stronger, with an even greater purpose.

And that’s the part that scares me the most.

I glance down at my leg. The burn marks left behind from Bael’s wrath still tingle with echoes of the scorching fire he sent after me after I escaped with Weldon, reminding me that I’m nowhere near ready for the fight that’s sure to come.

And that has to change.

That’s part of why I agreed to come here to Ethryeal City—to the heart of our Coven. It’s where Hunters and Witches in an affinity bond enter as Night Watchmen and leave as Elites. Where those who have broken our Coven laws go to face the High Priesthood. Where those who need refuge… those like me… come to hide.

The only thing is, I never agreed to being separated from everyone I know. They call it debriefing, but with every day that passes, I’m beginning to wonder… to question how long it actually takes.

It’s been seven days and fourteen hours since my unfortunate and unplanned encounter with Bael—the Demon King of the Underground. In these last seven days, I’ve made more promises than I can count on two hands. And in those promises, I think I’ve told more lies than I ever have in my life.

Honesty seems to have slipped out of her bedroom from inside my integrity and, in her place, deceit has crept in with the offer of survival. If I just nod along with the many blending faces all interviewing me, then maybe somehow, I’ll make it out of this phase in my life alive. I’ll make it back into Jaxen’s arms and back into the graces of the friends I’ve come to trust.

But what deceit doesn’t offer is solace, because you can’t fool deceit. It knows every trick in the book.

Every day, twice a day, for the past four days, I’ve recounted in specific order how my friends and I nearly lost our lives in hopes that we’d gain an advantage on the Darkyn Coven and intercept them from taking the Dagger of Retribution. The one that has the power to initiate the removal of the Veil that separates the Underground and all its evil from the humans. The very Dagger that only I have the power to touch.

I’ve been singularly interviewed by every member on the Priesthood, and then by every general and Elder within the hierarchy of our Coven.

And I’m so very tired.

For the past four days, since I left the safe house beneath the church owned by the Night Watchmen, when I haven’t been in a laboratory undergoing strenuous testing, I’ve spent the remaining hours kept in a holding cell stripped of all personality. Chained down by claustrophobia. Shackled to the fears given free rein to destroy my hope.

I don’t have a home anymore. I have four white walls, one white jumpsuit, a white bed, white sheets… the color was bleached from my life the moment I crossed into the legendary Ethryeal City. I keep trying to remember the last time I saw Jaxen’s face, but my soul has fed so often on the happiness of that memory, I fear it’s disappearing. And I don’t know when I’m going to see him again.

They took everything away from me just to keep me repressed. Controlled. But what they don’t know is they cannot control what they do not own, and they do not own me. I can’t trust anyone. No one but myself, because all I know is I am more of a threat to them than I thought.

And the High Priesthood doesn’t know what to do with me.

 

 

AUTHOR BIO:

 

Candace Knoebel is the award-winning author of Born in Flames-book one in a young adult fantasy trilogy. She discovered in 2009 through lunch breaks and late nights after putting her kids to bed, a world where she could escape the ever-pressing days of an eight to five Purgatory. And an outlet for all the voices residing in her head.

Published by 48fourteen in 2012, Born in Flames went on to win Turning the Pages Book of the Year award in February of 2013. In January of 2014, the last book in the trilogy, From the Embers, was released, thusly completing the trilogy. She now works on the Night Watchmen Series, while guzzling Red Bulls and pretending to be a ninja on Heelys.


Author Links:
Website: https://www.candaceknoebel.com
Blog: http://candaceknoebel.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CandaceKnoebel
Twitter: www.twitter.com/candaceknoebel
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6458922.Candace_Knoebel

 

Blitz-wide Giveaway 

• Paperback copy of Evernight signed by the characters (US only)
• e-Copy of the entire Night Watchmen Series (INTL)
• e-Copy of the entire Born in Flames trilogy (IINTL)
• Night Watchmen button swag pack (US only)
• 5 bookmark swag packs (US only)
• Bracelet with charms (US only)
• 5$ Amazon gift card (INTL)

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Review & Giveaway: Straight from the Heart by Breigh Forstner

Straight from the Heart

Book One

Breigh Forstner

Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance

ISBN: 1500525987

ASIN: B00LS7LVS4

Number of pages: 338

Word Count: 68,000

Cover Artist: Madelene Martin

Synopsis:

This is a story about a girl discovering and experiencing life for the first time.


Bryn Schaefler grew up rich. Her parents expected the best out of her, picked her boyfriend for her, and groomed her to be the next trophy wife fresh out of High School.


But when they discover she wants to pursue music instead of following in her mothers footsteps, they wanted to hear nothing about it.

That was when Bryn left for good.


By chance, she auditioned for main stream rock band Everlasting. Never in a million years did she think she would make it.


Cale Pelton knew it was his fault for the band scrambling around to find a new guitarist. Once he saw Bryn audition, he knew he had to have her. Not just in the band, but in his mind, body and soul.

Available at AmazonUS Amazon UK BN

Excerpt

The sound of heavy metal music filled my ears. I watched a guy up on the small stage pounding away at the drums, sounding like a heartbeat pulsing a mile a minute. To anyone else this would be garbage, but to me it’s fuel. I love it. The way his arms moved like lighting, hitting the symbols and feet pounding on the bass. I watched from the back wall where no one could see me. From the rhythm, I could tell it was “Beast and the Harlow” by Avenged Sevenfold, one of my favorites. I envied how Synyster Gates could shred, and play guitar so effortlessly, moving his fingers up and down the guitar as if it was child’s play. I wasn’t that good, since I didn’t have much time to practice due to hiding my passion from my parent’s eyes


I watched a couple of more people playing the drums, some played bass, and another girl came in with her electric guitar absolutely killing it. Was I in over my head? I didn’t see the band members’ faces yet, but the guy on the far right stood up and scanned the venue.


“Anyone else?” The guy cupped his hands around his mouth and announced to everyone that were still there. Now or never, I thought.


Taking a couple of steps forward I waved my hand high enough to be noticed while not seeming too childish. “Me.” I called, staggering all the way up to the side of the long table where four guys sat with pen and paper in their hands. I couldn’t tell whether they were taking notes or just doodling.


All of them eyed me up and down as I set my guitar case down to get it strapped up. It was that moment when I felt their stares burning through my back, leaving a hole.


“You play guitar at all?” The man sitting in the middle questioned me. He ran a hand through his messy dark brown hair and didn’t smile. He sounded like he just got out of bed from the way his voice slurred. My eyes were immediately drawn to the tattoo that was on his left shoulder. It looked like a bald eagle with quotation underneath it. I couldn’t open my mouth to speak. Ethan was good looking in his own way but this guy, I didn’t know his name and my skin already felt tingly just from him staring at me. “Stupid question. Obviously if you’re holding one you must play.”


“Yes.” I mouthed quietly. “Almost every day.” Which wasn’t entirely true, but I played as much as I could, whenever I could.


“Great, that’s what we’re looking for.” I swore I saw the corner of his lips tip up and smile, catching my nervousness. “I’m Cale. These are the rest of the guys in the band: Raptor, Vince and Luke.” I firmly shook all of the guy’s hands and when I grasped Cale’s hand, our fingers stayed locked for a little too long. “And you are?”


“Bryn Schaefler,” I replied, letting his hand fall. I didn’t want to let go. He must’ve played guitar too. Or did something part-time to where his hands felt rough. I could tell from the way there were calluses spread throughout his palm and how rough his fingers felt. Kind of like mine. Damn I could get used to this view of him. His amber colored eyes drew me in right away. This ‘audition’ was going to be all for him.


He cocked his head to the side. “Looks like by the way you’re gripping that damn thing you paid a lot of money for it?”


“Yeah, this is my baby. I stored away a lot of money for it.” I replied honestly, and the rest of the guys shifted their eyes to the guitar, checking it out.


“Alright. So here is how it’s going to go Miss Schaefler. You can set up your guitar up there on that stage and sit anywhere on it, as long as you face us, because I want to see if you can fit in.” Cale gestured towards the stage and the other equipment that lay in front of me. I took a deep breath. This won’t be so bad. I stuck with my original song choice “Demons” by Imagine Dragons. Walking to the stage, I scooted my butt onto a wooden stool that looked like it belonged in the bar area.


One note played and I was off and running. During the first couple of seconds into the song I was rusty, but I wasn’t going to let them know it. To them, I would be a guitar pro, an expert per say. Throwing the vocals into the mix, I was picking up on it pretty quick. Towards the last chorus, I was plucking out those notes with everything I had and singing my heart out. I never thought I was the greatest singer either, even though I had taken vocal lessons since I was eight.


By the time I was done with my audition, I felt sweat dripping on my face. I wiped the hair out of my face and set the Dreadnaught down. Standing up, I readjusted my tank top and -picked the guitar up so I could put nestle it back into its case.


Cale strolled from his seat over to me and leaned his body against the table. Behind him, the others were whispering about me. Folding his arms over his chest, he smirked again, never showing off his teeth. “That was absolutely fucking amazing Bryn. Your voice was like an angel, and I normally don’t think anyone else can sing, so take that as a compliment.” Then he gave me a card with the band’s name and apparently his phone number. “We’ll be in touch hopefully by tomorrow.”

Review - 3.5 Stars!

***Warning:  Cliffhanger Ending***

The cover and blurb both pulled me in, after all, rock band with a female guitarist?  Yeah, I was all for that.  I did finish it in one day - I was sick though, so I can't say one sitting or that it kept me up - and I did enjoy the read. 

The plot was about what you'd expect from a story like this, although it was a bit more dangerous than the normal bad boy rock band member danger.  I like that addition, though.  It kept it a bit different than just drugs, sex, and rock and roll.  I did have some issues about how the overall story played out however, but without giving away spoilers I can't say much.  Just that, I think if Bryn's parents were that well off, I think they might have a better option that what they supposedly did.

Bryn left home at 18 to pursue a dream her parents strongly disapproved of and joined a band called Everlasting.  I liked Bryn, even if she did do some amazingly dumb things at certain times, but honestly, at 18 and as sheltered as she had been, I might have done the same things.  Or been too scared to do anything.  Cale I also liked, especially because he was so moody and temperamental sometimes.  Their relationship felt a tad bit off to me, the lack of tangible heat in some places I guess?  I'm not sure, it was just... missing.  His protectiveness and anger didn't exactly show as well as I would have liked.

I did like most of the other characters of this story as well, which is nice.  Breigh Forstner did not go the usual route of making Cale's ex a screaming bitch to Bryn or anyone else.  Damon was pretty nice, although if a *I* wouldn't have been caught dead again in a situation alone with him again.

The writing was pretty decent.  I did have some issues with dialog awkwardness or characters saying things that were a bit redundant, but it wasn't anything bad enough to make me throw up my hands in despair.  It could have used a tad more work, but no real grammar errors.  So that's always nice.

The only reason I didn't give a full four stars is because the cliffhanger was seriously cliffhanger-y.  Like really?  I've done that in one of my stories once and I think I had a riot on my hands, and I got cussed out.  It was fun to do to others.  But admittedly, I do not much like it done to me.  I want to read more!  So 3.5 stars!  And I will be checking out book two!

Guest Blog - The Good and Bad of the Romance Genre

There are lots of goods and bads of the romance genre today, especially different trends that are emerging. I’ll start with the bad first! One thing I’ve noticed when reading some romance books is that the female characters are strong. Where’s the females that they don’t let a guy bring them down or they do what they want? Independant is what I’m trying to say.

But the good traits that I’ve seen in the genre is I like happy endings. Majority of the books I have read usually have a happy ending, or at least an ending and not a cliffhanger (which there is one in Straight from the Heart.) I like the feeling that the main characters will either have a happily ever after or are on the track to a happy ever after.



One trend I’ve noticed also while reviewing ARC’s and reading books is there are a lot of serial novels and BDSM. For example like The Arrangement by H.M Ward. There have been at least 16 or 17 books in the series and no end! But a lot of authors have been doing 4 or 5 small novels to tell their story. I’ve also seen a lot more dominant men in books but that’s not a bad thing!

About the Author:


Breigh Forstner currently resides in her home town in south east Michigan with her two daughters. While she works full-time during the week, at night she spends time with her kids and writes until her fingers can’t type anymore. Her goal is to make it onto a best sellers list at some point in her career, and writes any chance she can get. She is a lover of all types of music and is a sucker for rock bands and tattooed bad boys.



Twitter: @BreighForstner

Facebook: www.facebook.com/breighforstnerauthor


Website/Blog: www.breighforstnerauthor.wordpress.com


Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7450018.Breigh_Forstner

Tour Giveaway

5 Bookmarks

5 Ebook copies

5 Paperback copies open to US Shipping

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Review & Interview: Chasing the Stars by J.D. Rivera

Synopsis

Mackenzie Blanchard’s life wasn’t easy; never had been, never would be. She thought things were looking up when she started yet another new school her senior year. She made friends and was enjoying life the best she could.

One friendship turned into something more, and just when she felt safe, things were ripped apart.

Hayes Morgan had never cared about anyone but himself. He was living the life he wanted, just having fun. He never dreamed that he would fall for the new girl in school.

What started out as a sweet friendship turned into something he never thought possible, until she vanished...


Their paths collide a year after they last saw each other, but they are both harboring secrets. Will they be able to trust and love each other again, or will the secrets rip them apart forever?

BUY LINKS:

Amazon

B&N

iBooks

Review - 4 stars!

I love some YA and sometimes I just hate it.  I wasn't sure which way this one would go as the premise had the potential to be an amazing read or a disastrous cliche.  After all, I wasn't that impressed by cover or synopsis yet.   I have to say I was pleasantly amazed once I began to read!   If you want a deliciously emotional YA romance, you have to read this book!

I really empathized with Mackenzie and found that I liked her immensely.  And of course, the type of man (or boy) I like to read is the bad boy of any flavor, so Hayes was an instant hit with me.  The bond between these two was beautiful to behold and I was honestly sad when the book ended.  Part of this was due to Brad of course.  All the characters had their own personality and depth to them, each with their own issues and dramas, and it was nicely realistic.

The story itself was a bit simplistic, but there isn't anything wrong with that if the author can pull it off.  J.D. Rivera DID pull it off.  The attraction of the main characters and their emotional upheavals were enough the rest of the plot didn't need to be too involved.  It could have even detracted from the characters' issues enough that we lost some of that emotion if JD had expanded her plot when it didn't need to be.  It kept the story fast paced enough that I almost read this in one-sitting.  I had to find out what happened next!

Also, writing was nicely done for a YA novel.  Word choices and phrasing was done excellently for the age in which it was intended.  There were a few parts I was like "Huh?!" when someone said something unbelievable (to me anyway), but that's just me.  Nothing that detracted from the story and nothing I wrote a specific note for even.

Overall, it was well-paced & well-written, beautifully emotional, and excellently scripted.  I can't wait for more from this author!  4 stars!

*Received ARC in exchanged for an honest review!*

Author Interview

When did you start writing? 

I've always had stories in my head but I was an adult before I actually started writing.



Which authors inspired you? 

I have way too many to list but some of my favorite authors include Colleen Hoover, Sylvain Reynard, and Rebecca Donovan.

Which are your favorite authors at the moment? 

At the moment, I love Jessica Sorensen. I just finished one of her books and I already want to reread it!


Which genre do you generally write in? 

I like to write New Adult! For some reason, the stories flow better for me in that genre.


How many unpublished stories do you have? 

I think I have around 5 maybe. I'm not sure at this point. :)


What have you written? 

I've written and published: Trying to Get Over You, Guarded, Defensive, Always Friends, and as of October 13th, Chasing the Stars.


What are you working on at this moment? 

I'm currently writing a novel that may have some characters from Chasing the Stars and hopefully a novella after that.


What is your favorite type of hero/protagonist to write? Bad boys? Damaged men? The boy next door? The sensitive soul? 

I like them all! Ha!


What is your favorite type of heroine/protagonist to write? Feisty women? Strong women? Weak women? Flighty women? 

I would like to say the feisty or strong but I've written them all.

Do you write from an outline or just where the story and characters take you? 

I can't write from an outline. That's just a disaster. I have to let my characters take over.


Do you get the dreaded writer's block and how do you combat it? 

Oh yes I get it! I try to just take a step back for a couple of days or go hiking someplace to clear my mind. I get the best ideas when I'm exercising.


Do you have input in your covers? Who designs them? 

I have a lot of say in my covers. My amazing husband is my designer. (I don't get along with Photoshop!)


What are your thoughts on good & bad reviews? (We aren't counting bashing reviews, simply negative reviews that are respectful).

I think both are good. Of course I love great reviews, but a one star review can be a great learning tool.


How do you relax? Or activities you use to relax? 

I love to go to the beach whenever I can. It relaxes me on so many levels. If I can't get to a beach, I love to walk or hike if I can find a pretty area. I love being outside!


Is there anyone who supports you that you couldn't do without? 

Everyone! I'm not just saying that either. It takes so many people to publish a book!


How do you come up with character names? How do you come up with novel titles? 

Character names are just names I like. I try to write at least half of the novel before I title it. I always want it to be a part of the book


How do you feel once you complete a book? 

I feel relief followed by excitement! It's crazy to think that someone might read the book and characters I just created!



Coffee or Tea?

Both!!!


How do you take your coffee? 

I like to put a little Splenda in it.


Starbucks or Seattle's Best? Or what IS your favorite coffee shop?

Starbucks! I love Starbucks!


If you don't drink coffee, what the HECK do you do to stay motivated without THE best beverage known to man? 

I'm also a huge Diet Mountain Dew addict!


If you don't drink coffee, what is WRONG with you, woman/man!?! (I'm teasing, really... although if you hate coffee you might have a screw loose... *hee* I love you!!) 

I agree!!!!

PLAYLIST AND DREAMCAST

SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

J.D. Rivera lives in Oklahoma with her husband and two boys. Her life consists of school projects, homework, cartoon shows, and little league sports. She loves Diet Mountain Dew, the OKC Thunder, costume jewelry, the beach, and reading.

Website  Facebook  Twitter  Goodreads

Blog Tour: Choisie Series by Lori L. Otto

Series: Choisie
Titles included: Contessa, Olivia, Dear Jon, and Livvy
Author: Lori L. Otto
Released: Feb 2014

 
  Goodreads

 

The Choisie series is a Young Adult/New Adult story following a teenage girl as she struggles to find her footing under the scrutiny of local media and the cautious eye of her overprotective father.

Livvy Holland was adopted by a generous and wealthy couple as a child. Now sixteen, she is a burgeoning artist, encouraged by her mother and inspired by a man she was never able to meet. Feeling estranged from a loving father whose mind works much differently than her own, she questions whether or not she was paired with the right guardians. In her plight for independence, she reconnects with a fellow art student who grew up alongside Livvy.

Jon Scott has led anything but a privileged life. After his father passes away, he is left to care for his two half-brothers while his mother’s alcoholism threatens to tear his family apart. All he wants for himself and his brothers is a better life. His dreams for an Ivy League education are coming to fruition, thanks to a lifetime of hard work and ambition. This is not only important to Jon himself; he also knows that the man who will win Livvy’s heart has to be someone exceptional. Her father would accept nothing less–and Jon believes that Livvy deserves the best of everything, too.

That may be the only thing Jon and Livvy’s father agree upon.

Over the course of their courtship, these two teens will experience the bliss of true love, but their immaturity and differing lifestyles will also threaten to tear them apart. They both begin to question the other’s devotion and commitment; only time will tell if their first love is meant to last a lifetime.

This series, comprised in totality of four books, allows the reader to experience first love for a second time. The first three books–Contessa, Olivia, and Dear Jon–are available now, with the fourth book–Livvy–slated to be released December 9!

Contessa – Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes
Olivia – Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes
Dear Jon – Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes
Livvy – Coming Dec 9, 2014 – Amazon | iTunes

“I want you to make love to me.” My voice cracks when I say it.

“Why?” he challenges me. Why? What kind of a question is that?

“Because I love you.”

“You wear my ring because you love me. You devote every Saturday night to me because you love me. You answer my calls every day because you love me. Why do you want me?”

“I don’t… I don’t think I understand.”

“Here’s what I want. I want to trail my fingers down the length of your naked body and feel the excitement they leave in their wake.”

I look around quickly, grateful that he’s not speaking too loudly.

“I want to smell the perfume you wear as I nip at your earlobe and whisper things to you I’m too afraid to say when I’m not inebriated by your very presence.”

I can’t believe he’s saying these things to me right here, in the light of day, as if he’s telling me about his classes or what color shoes he decided to wear today.

“I want to hear you pronounce my name with such desperation, supplicating me for more – deeper, slower – like you can’t get enough of me even though you’re holding me so tightly you leave marks on my skin that take days to disappear and underscore the words forever inscribed on my shoulder blade–”

“I’m sorry–” He interrupts my interruption with a surprising kiss, his hand supporting my neck as his mouth moves hard and fast against mine. I gasp when he pulls away, and my eyes are enraptured by the fervency of his gaze.

“I’m not,” he whispers, then shakes his head. “I want the taste of you…” He pauses and nods just so, making sure I fully understand what he’s implying. “…on my lips.”

“Jon!” I nearly shriek, taken aback by his brazenness and indelicate suggestion. Oddly enough, though, I’ve never been more attracted to him than I am in this moment. He laughs at my response.

“And I want to make you blush, just like that.” He touches his thumb to the warm skin of my face. “To see the glow of tamarisk in your cheeks when you’re coming down. There’s not a prettier color in nature.”

I can say nothing, do nothing, except stare at him with my mouth agape.

“And do you want to know why I want these things?”

It takes me a moment to realize he’s asked me a question, that he’s waiting for my answer. “Because you want me to be happy?”

“No.” Now both of his thumbs rub my temples as he stares lustfully at me, through me. My pulse is raging, and I can hear it in my ears and feel it coursing beneath my skin. “Because I’m a selfish man, and every one of those things rouses me and makes me want to take you in ways I never have — ways your virtuous mind has probably never even imagined. You engage me and provoke me and you drive me to the brink of insanity, and just when I think I’m gone, you save me, Olivia. A brush of your hand. A kiss. A whisper.”

Contessa Review - 4.5 Stars!!

Holy freaking crap!  Seriously.  OMG.   <--- that's pretty close to all I have to say about this book.  I'm off to snatch up the rest of the series ASAP (although I may wait until the last one comes out so I can read them all  in one go).

Despite the complete and utter state of awe I am in, I had best put some effort in, no?  Firstly, I want to say, covers for this series are absolutely the best covers I have seen in such a long time.  The artistic quality to them and colors absolute capture this series.  It was a perfect match.  I have absolutely nothing negative to say about those covers.  Amazing.  Great concept and great artistry.

Secondly, the concept of this series, a YA romance that actually has some deep, important coming of age problems that teenagers might face in these situations, wow.  I mean, it was a depth I hadn't seen in YA in a long while.  As always, those concepts and the cover prompted me to do this tour and review.

Now, the characters.  What to say about the characters.  Livvy was amazingly believable - which is actually pretty rare in YA as well.  I mean, I'm a woman.  I was once a teenage girl.  And I did some seriously immature crap back then.  I had horribly immature thoughts.  I was angry, sassy and in my own world half the time.  So yeah, Livvy had her immature moments that did nothing to detract from the story because honestly, she IS a teenager.  Those moments should happen when one has issues at 16.  Livvy has issues.  Enough said.

Jon was amazingly mature for his age and I LOVE that type in my novels.  I can't help it.  Stereotypical but it's true, for me.  In any case, because of his situation, he did mature fast, and very well.  Heck, I'm too old for him and still wanted him for myself.  He was also great guidance for Olivia during a time in which she needed it.  He was perhaps my favorite character.

The supporting characters are also as well done, each with their own separate personalities and such.  The depth of the 'cast' in this novel was excellent.  Very happy with the characterization.

Plotwise, everything fit nicely together.  I mean, I can't say more than that.  The problems Olivia and Jon faced in this novel was realistic and involved, and properly placed when needed.  Well done indeed.

As for the writing, the dialog was pretty freaking fantastic.  It did not make me wince so I'm happy.  It was obviously geared for younger audiences, so I wasn't expecting to read something with a more complex writing style.  It fit the proper genre well, although yes, a little immature for me.  But it didn't detract from the story, and made it so it was easily devoured in nearly one sitting.

Again, overall, excellent start of an amazing looking series.  I am going on to the next book happily!  4.5 stars!

After graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1997 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Lori Otto worked in the billboard industry for ten years. Frustrated with trying to communicate entire messages in “seven seconds or less,” she decided to leave outdoor advertising and return to her love of creative writing.

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