Blog Tour: Whispering Hills Review and Giveaway

Whispering Hills by Taryn Browning
Release Date: March 2012
Age: YA
Genre: Supernatural, Paranormal Romance, Mystery
Format: ebook
Source: SupaGurl Tours
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

For as long as she can remember, 17-year-old Alexis Forbes can hear the thoughts of others. Most recently, she is disturbed by the dark, unfamiliar voice of a frightening killer: callous, cunning, charismatic…and dead.

She hears his every sinister thought. But she can’t tell anyone. No one would believe her. Alexis is suddenly being haunted by a terrifying past she doesn’t remember, and a ghost with a serious score to settle. Even Chance, the gorgeous new guy she’s falling for, has his own ghostly secret. He’s definitely not like any guy she’s ever met. Alexis soon discovers she has a connection to the dead and it runs much deeper than she could ever imagine. And if the sociopathic entity has his way, she’ll finally be sentenced to the fate she escaped thirteen years ago.

After reading Taryn's book, Dark Seeker, I knew that she would be an author to follow. And, lucky me, there was an upcoming blog tour for her newest novel, Whispering Hills. Whispering Hills is a paranormal romance that follows the supernatural mind reading life of Alexis, and the drama that becomes her norm. While I prefer Taryn's Janie Grey character, Alexis and her band of misfits continues, even now that I'm done with Whispering Hills, to grow on me.

It all starts with Chance, doesn't it always start with a boy? Chance is a mystery and his arrival, or is it return, to Whispering Hills ignites more than gossip in the small town. With this mysterious new boy also comes murder, but Alexis is inexplicably drawn to him. Unfortunately, Alexis' best friend Tiffany has her eye on him as well, and when Chance tells Tiffany that he has feelings for someone else it seems to cause a major rift between Alexis and Tiff; well, that partnered with some other events and people (like Summer). Ah, Summer. By far my favorite Whispering Hills resident. She is a spunky and smart tough girl who doesn't seem to need anyone. I really liked her character, and while I didn't feel very attached to Alexis I definitely understood Summer.

This book follows the YA paranormal romance pattern exactly. Misunderstood teen girl, meets mysterious and secretive teen boy, they share a connection, and supernatural events occur. It is a good story and it does have some very original plot points. One of my favorite parts of the book is the inclusion of opposites and I always love the addition of good versus evil.

This book left me with some questions, one for example is what about Tiffany? Alexis' best friend before the events that follow Chance's involvement in her life. When Alexis begins solving the mystery that is her life she just drops her, isn't that like girl rule number one? I didn't really like her anyway, but I feel like she just faded (haha inside joke) into the background. Also, why can't parents be involved more in YA books? I read so many that the parents are absent and the children make all the decisions themselves, I want to read more that have better parental relationships (I loved Grace, Summer's mom, and her involvement in the story). I feel like kids who read these books feel they shouldn't be including their parents in their lives.

I love Taryn Browning, and she's definitely a creative and fun author. Whispering Hills is a fast paced read that I recommend. And, I also recommend Dark Seeker.

Giveaway
There will be 3 winners.
e-book is International
Bookmarks US Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway



about the author

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Taryn Browning writes young adult paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels. Her debut novel, DARK SEEKER, is available on Amazon and B&N. The sequel, DARK RETURN, comes out in late, 2012. Taryn graduated with a BS in Education from Towson University and went on to earn a MS in Reading from Hood College. She lives in Virginia with her husband, two young sons and their dog. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, music, movies, and the beach. Visit her at http://www.tarynbrowning.com/, on twitter and facebook.

Also be sure to visit the tour site SupaGurl Books, for a big giveaway at the end of the tour April 12.