Betwixt Review

Betwixt by Melissa Pearl
★★★★★
Release Date: November 2012
Age: YA
Genre: Drama, Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Ghosts
Format: ebook
Source: Author for Review
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Beautiful, wild-child Nicole Tepper is hit by a car and left for dead. But when she wakes the next morning, Nicole finds herself in bed without a scratch. Perhaps she was more intoxicated than usual, as her mother is giving her the silent treatment and her friends are ignoring her as well.

Things take a turn for the weird when Nicole soon discovers she is actually hovering between life and death. Her body is lying in the forest while her spirit is searching for anyone who can hear her. Unfortunately the only person who can is Dale Finnigan, the guy she publicly humiliated with a sharp-tongued insult that has left him branded.
Desperate, Nicole has no choice but to haunt Dale and convince the freaked-out senior to help her. Will he find her body before it's too late? Or will the guy who tried to kill her with his car, beat him there and finish her off before anyone finds out?

My favorite part of this book was the mystery element. It was the, who did it and what's going to happen-that made it an incredible journey. My second favorite part of the book is Dale. I'm pretty sure I love him, nope I'm positive.

So, Melissa Pearl is just brilliant. She weaves these fantastical tales from her very vivid imagination and her books are those that trap me and keep me up late into the night. Her Time Spirit Trilogy was awesome and Betwixt was even better. It's a book that I was dying to read through and finish but dreading the end because I hated for it to be over. I can't wait for more by Melissa!

The first thing I did when I started reading this book was look up the meaning to Betwixt, I was curious. According to the glorious dictionary I learned that Betwixt means Between. Fitting and makes sense. The premise drew me into this book well that paired with the fact that Melissa wrote it; and I'm very excited to share what I thought about it.

After a family tragedy Nicole's parents, trying to cope, have given her freedom to grieve in her way and in doing so have pretty much ignored her for the past few years. Suffering from an immense amount of guilt, Nicole loses herself and her way with the wrong crowd and begins making bad choices. Nicole has become this queen B and is really not a nice girl. She's immature and out of control; and her friends could care less that something has happened to her when she disappears (which isn't as much her fault, but it's her fault they're friends in the first place). Thinking she has just run away, everyone begins living life as normal hoping she'll come home soon (and some hoping she doesn't). When Dale finds out that-that isn't the case he's the one by her side risking everything he's worked hard for, for a girl who before everything was one of the meanest people to him.

Since no one else knows she's there, Dale can only hear and not see her, Nicole grows a lot in this time. She learns how much she's hurt her parents, she reflects on the decisions she's made and it is a very important time for her development (I mean, it is most of the book). As she uncovers the events that led up to her ghostly experience, learns Dale's past, and begins to fall in love, her life takes a new lead. Life I said, hard to put down and I never wanted it to end. The entire story is very well done and thought through. It's original and heartbreaking, soul searching and raw emotions behind a beautiful cover. It's one I recommend to contemporary romance fans that may not be paranormal fans, this one may change your mind.

Throughout the book Melissa Pearl had my emotions on overdrive. She uses these complex issues and isn't afraid to make her readers feel real pain and joy with the characters. I loved this book and the relationship between Dale and Nicole was built up perfectly, not too fast and not too slow. It is first and foremost a love story. A paranormal and out of this world love story, and it works. Overall an excellent read, one can easily get lost in.

I recommend this book to fans of:
The Time Spirit Trilogy by Melissa Pearl, Ever by Jessa Russo, Hereafter by Tara Hudson, Notes to Self by Avery Sawyer, The Dragonfly Prophecy by Jacquelyn Castle, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

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Ever by Jessa Russo Review and Giveaway

Ever (Ever #1) by Jessa Russo
★★★★☆
Release Date: October 1, 2012
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Age: YA
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Ghosts, Supernatural
Format: ebook
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Seventeen-year-old Ever’s love life has been on hold for the past two years. She’s secretly in love with her best friend Frankie, and he’s completely oblivious.
Of course, it doesn't help that he’s dead, and waking up to his ghost every day has made moving on nearly impossible.
Frustrated and desperate for something real, Ever finds herself falling for her hot new neighbor Toby. His relaxed confidence is irresistible, and not just Ever knows it. But falling for Toby comes with a price that throws Ever’s life into a whirlwind of chaos and drama. More than hearts are on the line, and more than Ever will suffer.
Some girls lose their hearts to love.
Some girls lose their minds.
Ever Van Ruysdael could lose her soul.

Ever's story took me by surprise and blew me away. The emotional entanglement captivated and held me throughout the story. I am vested in these characters and am hanging on for the next installment, because OMG Jessa Russo can write a cliffhanger. Whether you're for or against being left dangling and anticipating the return to a certain world and its characters, this book is definitely 100% worth a try.

Going into Ever I was excited, and wary. Excited for the original plot and creative story line. Wary for the word of mouth; I had heard some mixed feelings on the book but I always like to test the waters myself, and my oh my I am glad I did. It was an excellent read, one that I know a lot of Paranormal YA readers will love. Having just read Betwixt (which was also phenomenal) by Melissa Pearl I was already in the mood for some more ghostly adventures. The story is Ever's, it is her crazy life and the way she copes with the hand she is dealt. Loving a boy she can't touch and lusting after a boy she can.

Not only does this talented writer excel at story telling but Jessa Russo also knows how to make an effective and nail biting love triangle. She knows how to move her readers and make them fall in love and then add this element that I personally never saw coming. She pretty much pulled the rug out from under me, and personally I am team Frankie all the way, but I can't help but feel sad about that. Like most, it's a book you have to experience first hand to get the full effect.

The main reason I love Supernatural and Paranormal books is that ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. This book was such a glorious escape from reality, even if it was heart breaking at times, it was worth the ride. I say 4 stars (closer to 4.5) because of all the questions I still feel are unanswered, as always occurs in the first book of a series. I am definitely looking forward to book 2!

I will be on the lookout for more books by Jessa Russo but in the mean time here's a little something something to keep everyone satisfied! So share the book love!

Giveaway

The ebook of Ever is currently only $.99 (price may change)

and I am going to gift a copy to one lucky winner!

This is an international giveaway for one Kindle ebook copy

Must be 13 or older to enter

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The Raven Boys Review and Giveaway

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
★★★★★
Release Date: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Scholastic
Age: YA
Genre: Ghosts, Supernatural, Magic, Mystery
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher for Review
Buy it: Amazon

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”
It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.
Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.
His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.
But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.
For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

Maggie Stiefvater had me captivated with Shiver (and the whole Mercy Falls series). I freaking absolutely LOVE her confident writing and ability to create visually stimulating phrases. After Grace and Sam's story I just knew she was going to be an author that I followed religiously. I went out and purchased Lament and Ballad immediately after finishing the Mercy Falls books and have been all but stalking this wonderful writer since. I also happen to own a copy of The Scorpio Races and definitely am planning to get in gear and devour that one very soon! Hopefully by Thanksgiving!

Ok, so onto her newest endeavor, a well researched and beautifully written account of the supernatural variety. The Raven Boys follows an unlikely gang of misfits as they search for something that many don't know exists. Led by Gansey, these Raven Boys spend every waking second hunting down clues and information on the Ley Line, when they're not attending their posh and private feeder high school into Ivy League. The diverse make up of their group will appeal to many readers. Gansey is one of those people that everyone is friends with. He's kind of obnoxious, full of himself, and can convince pretty much anyone of anything. His vocabulary and the way he holds himself exudes confidence and he doesn't have any clue what a dollar is worth. He holds the power to the friendship of this close knit group and without him I felt like they wouldn't be as strong as they are. The other boys: Noah, Adam, and Ronan, add dimension to this story.

Blue Sargent meets these Raven Boys after a not so pleasant conversation and as chance would have it befriends them as their paths cross again. Shas grown up the daughter of a psychic, so who better to befriend a bunch of boys looking for magic. She's always been a powerful tool to her family, but left in the dark for a lot of things when it comes to her life, until she starts demanding answers. Especially when it comes to her father, or should I say Butternut. I loved Blue, from her quirkiness to her awesome clothing choices. Her relationship with her mother, Maura, is one that I love to find in YA books. She might just have the answers that the Raven Boys have been looking for.

It took me a very long time to finish The Raven Boys, not for lack of interest but for the sheer density of the book. There is a lot of information to absorb and I was afraid to do so quickly, I was savoring this one. It is a book 1 in a series and the wait for the following books will be brutal, thank goodness for the awesome people at Scholastic! hint hint.

Maggie gives it all to us. A beautiful world, amazing characters, and a story line that is unforgettable! This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Giveaway

The wonderful people at Scholastic provided me with an ARC of The Raven Boys to review and now that I've read it I'd like to pass it along!

This is a US only giveaway and it is for an Advanced Copy, the book is now available to buy and there may be changes between the final and this edition.

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The Weeping by O'Dell Hutchison Review

The Weeping by O'Dell Hutchison
★★★★☆
Release Date: March 6, 2012
Publisher: H, C, & B Publishing
Age: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal, Ghosts, Drama, Suspense, Thriller, Horror
Format: ebook
Source: publisher for review
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Twenty years ago, Catherine Whitley was the victim of a horrible crime. Betrayed by her friends, including the boy she loved, she was left to die when the Rock Harbor Opera House caught fire, taking a disturbing secret with her to her grave. Seventeen-year-old Heath Ingram was driving the night his Jeep careened off the road, killing three of his closest friends. Once a popular, outgoing athlete, Heath now suffers from severe depression and crippling anxiety. His parents decide to send him to stay with his uncle in Rock Harbor, Oregon for the summer, praying that by getting away he will be able to put this awful tragedy behind him. When Heath starts working at the newly renovated Rock Harbor Opera House, he meets Molly, a young dancer who awakens in him a desire to start over and move on. But, when he begins having visions of a half-burned girl in a white dress, he starts to think he may be slipping even further over the edge. As the apparent hauntings become more intense, Heath begins to fear for his safety. With the help of his friend Josie, Heath discovers an unsettling secret that ties the mysterious girl to both their families. When two of their friends die unexpectedly, Josie and Heath realize that something, or someone, is after the children of those who wronged Catherine, and they are next.

The Weeping is a mysterious drama set in the Northwestern United States, filled with rainy days that make this suspenseful thriller even more nail biting. It's a haunting tale of murder and paranormal elements that bring an amazing book set in an old theatre to life.

Following a devastating car accident that has left 17 year old Heath feeling depressed and suicidal; his parents move him to Rock Harbor, Oregon to live with his uncle for the summer and work at the Opera House doing odds and ends jobs. But, once there Heath starts hearing and seeing things he can't believe. Enlisting the help of his new friends and coworkers Heath is determined to solve the mystery of Catherine Whitley. He delves deeper than he probably should have and finds out things he may not have wanted to know, especially things about someone close to him.

This book had me on edge trying to solve the mysteries found throughout before the characters (and I was often way off base). O'Dell Hutchison's writing is great, the dialogue between the characters was very real but not forced or cheesy. It is an excellently built thriller, not lacking in the thrill department ;)

I haven't read many horror/ghost-type stories and those that I have read were nothing compared to this one. I really enjoyed the theatre background and intense scenes between characters, it's full of suspense.

I did find it at times a little hard to take the graphic scenes O'Dell creates, the story does feature strong issues like rape and murder (especially the shock inducing ending).

If ghosts, hauntings, murders, and revenge are your thing (and even if they're not) check out this great young adult paranormal book!

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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

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about the author

Blog | Website | Twitter | Facebook

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.

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Hereafter

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

★★★★★

Release Date: June 7, 2011

Publisher: HarperCollins

Age: Young Adult

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Ghosts

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Can there truly be love after death? Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive. Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever. Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.

It's a hauntingly good love story about a ghost and a boy. How Tara Hudson made that a plausible concept is mind boggling, but she did it. I didn't feel the book was a work of fiction, it felt real. I will admit I had low expectations going into this, just because it sounded so crazy to me (but I loved it!). It reminded me of Afterlife by Claudia Gray, I found myself thinking "Really?," but this author totally pulls it off (much like Gray). After the first chapter or so I was completely hooked, her writing had that affect on me.

The book follows Amelia, a lost ghost roaming with no idea how long she has been that way or how she died. When she meets Joshua she starts remembering things about her life and together they work to solve the puzzle that is her past. They made such a cute couple. He doesn't care that she isn't alive, and that small fact didn't stop him from trying to be close to her even when they face problems that threatened to keep them apart. He was a dreamboat. Definitely a top fictional boyfriend for me!

I love the mystery aspect of this love story. There are quite a few roads this story leads down and it adds fun mystery and thriller elements. The mental images Hudson creates of the spooky area around High Bridge are sometimes chill inducing, she does a great job of setting the scene. It's a book that once you start you cannot put down, I kept trying to find time throughout the day to sneak in a few more pages.

Overall wonderful a read, that I recommend to ghost story lovers, love story lovers, and great story lovers!

Don't you just love the cover?

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