Left Drowning ARC Review

Left Drowning by Jessica Park
★★★★★
Expected Release Date: July 16, 2013
Publisher: Amazon Children's Publishing
Age: New Adult, 17+
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Drama, Family, Friends, College, Death, Depression
Format: ebook
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
Preorder it: Amazon

What does it take to rise from life’s depths, swim against the current, and breathe?
Weighted down by the loss of her parents, Blythe McGuire struggles to keep her head above water as she trudges through her last year at Matthews College. Then a chance meeting sends Blythe crashing into something she doesn’t expect—an undeniable attraction to a dark-haired senior named Chris Shepherd, whose past may be even more complicated than her own. As their relationship deepens, Chris pulls Blythe out of the stupor she’s been in since the night a fire took half her family. She begins to heal, and even, haltingly, to love this guy who helps her find new paths to pleasure and self-discovery. But as Blythe moves into calmer waters, she realizes Chris is the one still strangled by his family’s traumatic history. As dark currents threaten to pull him under, Blythe may be the only person who can keep him from drowning.

Ever since I read Jessica's Flat-Out Love, see my review here, I've been a stalker blog and facebook follower of hers. When I was on Netgalley and saw this title up for review I jumped for joy and thanked my lucky stars that I'm auto-approved for Amazon titles because I don't think I would've survived waiting for approval!

Just a heads up, this book is an all consuming ball of fire that will light up your life, and darken it too. Throughout this story you'll want to drink, you'll want to cry, and then you will cry. You will laugh, smile, and grow to respect and appreciate the loved ones in your own life. You will become a Jessica Park obsessee like myself and you will spend so much time going over the occurrences of this story that you will know each day by heart. You will rant, rave and recommend it endlessly and then you will want to email me so that we can compare notes. I'm not joking. I'm in love with unperfected perfection, I'm in love with faults, and I see beauty in excess baggage; lucky for me this one has it all. Left Drowning is one of those books that you read and it never leaves you, and you don't want it to. It's unforgettable.

My initial reaction after closing this book was pure sorrow. Only because I seriously missed these characters after barely finishing the last page. I didn't want it to end. From the very beginning when Sabin crashes into Blythe's life I knew I was going to love him. Then when we meet Chris I knew this book was going to be an all-time favorite, and it is. It is re-read worthy and every bit as fabulous as one would expect a Jessica Park novel to be. She takes fictional families and makes the reader feel every ounce of emotion she pours into the pages, it was an extraordinary experience to be introduced to these characters and I'm having a hard time letting go.

Blythe and Chris share one of those truly epic love stories. One built up from the beginning and all consuming, that have readers grinding their teeth and blushing at the same time. I would compare it to the feelings from Tarryn Fisher's novel The Opportunist, the early Liv and Caleb when they're in college. I loved Chris, he's beautifully broken with a painful past that mirrors and shadows Blythe's own horrors. Then I found myself waning to punch Chris in the nose. Then I couldn't stop crying and I had to put the book down to compose myself before diving back in. The connection that is clearly drawn between these two reaches farther than I ever thought it would. Way to go Jessica Park, I'm a mess.

From an unforgettable slew of characters to a beautifully damaged romance to discoveries and connections that will shock and surprise anyone, this book sits on the shelf among my favorites.

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The Collector Review and Giveaway

The Collector (Dante Walker #1) by Victoria Scott
★★★★★
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Age: Mature YA
Genre: Paranormal, Demons, Hell, Soul, Death, Supernatural, Angels, Heaven, Bad Boy
Format: ebook
Source: Publisher for review
Buy it: Amazon US | B&N | Amazon UK

He makes good girls...bad.

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence have made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple: weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal-opportunity collector and doesn't want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within ten days.

Dante doesn't know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect, he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector…and uncover emotions deeply buried.

This book is brilliantly cocky. Even from the synopsis we know we're in store for some impressive moves, but Victoria Scott takes bad boy to a whole new level. I wasn't sure that I could handle Dante, but I found myself completely impressed. His attitude did annoy me at first, but eventually we break down his shell and see the real man behind the mask. Dante's ego is massive and it adds this sarcastic and witty feel to the story Victoria's overall tone and voice of the book was set perfectly. When Charlie enters the mix we see the dynamic of good versus evil in a whole new way. For paranormal fans especially those who loved Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins and Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick this book is a must read!

This story is about Dante and his swagger. No lie. Dante is hot stuff and he is the ultimate bad boy sealing souls for hell; but he meets his match in little plain and ordinary Charlie. And, this my good people is how you make a good story great. Victoria Scott introduces Charlie and Dante is all, oh pulease I'll have this soul in minutes. But oh no, there's more to Charlie than he first sees. She is this great person and her charm and love begins to rub off on our bad boy Dante. And boom. I was HOOKED. I read every single word until the very end, start to finish (no small feat) but I couldn't stop. I love this bad boy and his struggles at becoming something more. I also loved the shape the story took as their relationship grew.

My favorite part of the book is Dante and his problem with labeling things as he sees them. From the beginning he thinks nothing but mean things about those around him, even Charlie. He looks down on himself as well and while I think he wants to be better, he sees his fate as sealed as well. But, he changes a lot throughout the story. He finds it in himself to become a better person with redeeming qualities and he stops at nothing to protect those he loves. His world is flipped upside down and he sacrifices everything for something greater.

I'm a huge paranormal romance fan and Victoria Scott has created one of the best books I've ever read, over any genre actually. It really is an epic journey that I will definitely be following throughout the series. The overall story is just awesome. I honestly have no other words, nothing I say will do it justice. It's a story everyone must experience for themselves.

I've read some great books this year so far, but THE COLLECTOR took me away and I have yet to land on my feet. It is currently number 1 of 2013! It really stuck with me and shocked me with its heart warming tale of love and sacrifice, I never saw the story turning into such an emotional ride, I was surprised and elated with the turnout. Victoria's writing is excellent and this book is a new take on the afterlife, a very creative story through the end. It's emotional and fast paced, it's constantly moving and changing and evolving. I loved it. Loved it. and I love it. Check this book out and also don't miss the sequel THE LIBERATOR out in September!

GIVEAWAY

I want to pass this book onto a new reader, it is sure to be a favorite for many!
I am giving away 1 ebook copy of The Collector by Victoria Scott gifted from Amazon or BN.

Open Internationally. Must be 13 or older to enter.

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The Sea of Tranquility Review

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
★★★★★
Release Date: ebook available now!
Publisher: Atria Books
Age: Mature YA/New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Issues, Drama, High School, Death, Illness
Format: ebook
Source: Purchased
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.

Full of rage and without a purpose, former pianist Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone discovering her past and to make the boy who took everything from her pay.

All 17 year-old Josh Bennett wants is to build furniture and be left alone, and everyone allows it because it’s easier to pretend he doesn’t exist. When your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, a hot mess of a girl who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. The more he gets to know her, the more of a mystery she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he may ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a slow-building, character-driven romance about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

Please Note: This book contains mature content including profanity, drug/alcohol use, and sexual situations/language.

There are so many strong and tough issues surrounding this book. It's a compassionate story of loss and hope and one that I found very refreshing in the way it plays out. It's an incredible book and one I know a lot of people will love. While a contemporary romance at its core, this book is much deeper than most and will work its' way into your mind and heart. Filled with all the rage, hurt, passion, and mystery I've ever felt in one setting and more. Not the book to miss, it is truly a must read!

Nastya moves a few hours from home to get away from her past; she's escaping the scenery that is all too familiar and changing everything about herself in the process. Disconnected from her life and loved ones she moves in with her aunt and starts fresh. Only fresh for her is faking everything about her life. And, she doesn't talk anymore. When she moves to a new school, where no one knows her past, everything she is trying to get over still haunts her in a lot of what she does and especially in those things she can no longer do. Driven to forget but never forgive, Nastya burrows herself in and her shell is on the surface dealing day to day. Enrolled in a shop class that she has no idea the first things about, Nastya slowly lets herself make an effort to be present in her life. Late one night she runs into a boy named Josh and from then something in her shifts. He catches her with her guards and mask down.

"You don't have to trust me. I don't have any of your secrets."

Josh was by far my favorite character of the book. He's known more loss than anyone can imagine and is learning how to deal, he's a strong individual. He'd rather be left alone but Nastya feels a kinship in him and doesn't really give him any say in the matter as she wiggles herself into his heart. And, there their friendship begins. It builds slowly and gradually as she shows up at his house late at night to watch him work and in silence they begin to get to know each other.

Nastya is an extremely complex character, and I loved getting to know her and her secrets (which this book is full of). The trauma she has experienced is unimaginable and she deals with it the best she can without help. I won't give more of the story away but it's an intense plot filled with shocking revelations and twists and turns. It has all of the elements in a contemporary romance and those of a suspense. This book kept me on my toes and my eyes never left the pages.

"We're like mysteries to one another. Maybe if I can solve him and he can solve me, we can explain each other. Maybe that's what I need. Someone to explain me."

A great addition to the book are the many secondary characters. They are fully developed, well rounded, and likable. I enjoyed getting to know each and think any of them could have a spin off book as well (especially Drew!). Katja's book is flawless and I can't wait until June to purchase a physical copy!

The Sea of Tranquility is one of the most emotion filled stories out there. It's shocking and heartbreaking and Katja Millay makes the reader feel all the pain and happiness the characters are experiencing. I loved it. It's not a light read, and it's worth every tear. I can't get this book out of my mind! It has honestly invaded every piece of me!

"Everyday you save me."

So, to sum up my feelings: READ IT! Right this second. Go. Why aren't you moving? Stop reading this and go BUY this book! Oh, and buy a few copies because it's one you'll want to gift around!

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Blog Tour: Ephemeral Review

 

Ephemeral (The Countenance #1) by Addison Moore
★★★★★
Release Date: September 2012
Age: YA, Mature
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Angels, Death, Romance, Zombies, Friendship, Supernatural Abilities
Format Reviewed: ebook
Source: SupaGurl Tours
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords
Other books by Addison: Ethereal (Celestra #1), Tremble (Celestra #2), Burn (Celestra #3) and more in the series!

The last thing Laken Stewart remembers is the oncoming car, then bursting through the windshield.

Two months dissolve without her knowledge and she finds herself in unfamiliar surroundings with strangers who not only profess to know her but insist she’s someone else entirely.

Laken discovers her long dead boyfriend, Wesley, has been thrown into this alternate world as well. He is quick to inform her she suffered a horrible fall and that her memory hasn’t fully returned. According to Wesley the other life she had—her name, her family, they were simply a side effect of her brain trauma.

In her quest for answers she meets Cooper Flanders, the son of her psychiatrist who readily believes every word she says.

Laken Stewart knows she died on that hot July afternoon, but now she’s alive—or is she?

This book is just about one of the greatest things I've read! Addison Moore's ability to create a fantastical story and make it seem real is thrilling and exciting, Countenance is quickly becoming my new favorite series! Book 2 can't get here fast enough!

Laken knows she was in a car accident, she knows her parents are not really her parents, she knows her brother and exboyfriend are dead, but no one else knows these things. Spoon fed lies that she just can't believe Laken sets out to figure out exactly what's going on.

In Ephemeral, a boarding school (we all know I LOVE boarding school set books!) for some very different people, Laken is told how her life is and was but it's getting harder and harder to believe those around her. Unsure who to trust, and left wondering who is sending Spectators (ressurections gone wrong, think Zombies!) after her, Laken embarks on a journey to find the truths in this crazy place. Laken is determined to get home, but isn't this home?

Everything about this book bleeds greatness. Ok, not everything. There were only a handful of characters I liked. The rest were awful, which was definitely the point and held true to the "don't trust anyone" theme, but my goodness. Talk about catty girls and whorish boys. Laken is my favorite character in this book, she's tough and awesome. My favorite line of hers, which is really a thought was; "Like hell I'm going to run." Jen, Laken's not-so-sister was a hoot (maybe not to Laken though). Her 1950s beliefs and obsession with a boy who so obviously doesn't want her anymore, left me wondering what was up with her. Definitely something strange going on there.

Addison throws in a very complicated love story into the mix! When Laken enters Ephemeral she is saved from a creature in the woods by Cooper. sexy sweet and dependable Cooper. He's one dreamy-full-of-depth boy. After Cooper saves her she learns about her "new" life and stumbles upon Wes and Fletcher. Wes, her only love from back home in Kansas who drowned alongside her brother Fletcher shouldn't be here. But, he is. Only thing is that they're inside his mind and he doesn't remember the past life she does. This makes for a very interesting read! Addison Moore sets up one of the best love triangles, but I will say I love me some Cooper. Wes was her past and Cooper had better be her future! Hear that Addison? ;)

Apart from an excellent romance filled with frustration and heated kisses, well 2 romances, zombie like creatures, and a main character who is either crazy or completely lucid, this book has an addictive paranormal story line that is sure to weave multiple questions into any readers mind. Oh, and did I mention how hot Cooper is. Well, he's pretty great. If for that reason alone, READ THIS BOOK!

This series is going to ROCK! Addison Moore congratulations you have successfully sucked me into your books and I will definitely be beginning your Celestra series soon; which book 1, Ethereal, is free right now on Amazon folks!

Funniest line: "No spinning." Fletch digs a finger into his chest before walking away. "No freaking spinning, dude."

About the Author

Addison Moore is the author of young adult fiction and romance. She has worked as therapist on a locked psychiatric unit for almost a decade. She is the mother of four wonderful children. She resides on the West Coast with her family and two dogs where she eats too much chocolate and stays up way too late. When she's not writing, she's reading.

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Lightbringer Review and Giveaway

Lightbringer by K.D. McEntire
★★★★☆
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Publisher: Prometheus Books, Pyr
Age: YA
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Death, Paranormal Romance, Afterlife, Urban Fantasy
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher for review
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository

Wendy has the ability to see souls that have not moved on—but she does not seek them out. They seek her. They yearn for her . . . or what she can do for them. Without Wendy’s powers, the Lost, the souls that have died unnaturally young, are doomed to wander in the never forever, and Wendy knows she is the only one who can set them free by sending them into the light. Each soul costs Wendy, delivering too many souls would be deadly, and yet she is driven to patrol, dropping everyone in her life but her best friend, Eddie—who wants to be more than friends—until she meets Piotr. Piotr, the first Rider and guardian of the Lost, whose memory of his decades in the never, a world that the living never see, has faded away. With his old-fashioned charms, and haunted kindness, he understands Wendy in ways no one living ever could, yet Wendy is hiding that she can do more than exist in the never. Wendy is falling for a boy who she may have to send into the light. But there are darker forces looking for the Lost. Trying to regain the youth and power that the Lost possess, the dark ones feed on the Lost and only Wendy and Piotr can save them—but at what cost? Lightbringer is a YA urban fantasy/romance set in a world a breath away from our own. Similar in tone to Tithe and Unleashed, Lightbringer tiptoes down the line between love and horror as Wendy discovers herself and the darkest parts of the afterlife.

Lightbringer is one of those books that has a fantastic and original plot filled with great imagery and phenomenal world building. The setting that K.D. McEntire creates is filled with elements and characters that I think anyone could enjoy. The main character, Wendy, is truly a fighter. Overall this book is amazing, one I recommend!

Wendy spends her nights reaping ghosts and shades and leading them into the light. On top of that, her mother is in a coma and her father is never around. Left to take on the responsibilities at home in addition to her duties passed on from her mother, her life is pretty busy. She's an all around amazing character. And, bonus, she kicks major butt. Her sarcastic attitude makes the book enjoyable and fun to read, even with the dark nature of the story.

My favorite character is Eddie, Wendy's best friend, he's sweet and really cares about her. They have been through a lot together. Then there are Wendy's younger brother and sister, Michelle and Jon, freshman twins. The sibling relationship that K.D. shows is one that anyone with a brother or sister can relate to.

Wendy's reapings bring her into the Never. The Never is where she meets Piotr, for the second time. It's the place where souls go once a person has died, it's a limbo of sorts. Piotr is a Rider protecting the Lost children from the Walkers (a dark breed of ghost destroying the Lost). He's also Russian, way cool, reminded me of Pietr from Shannon Delany's 13 to Life series! It's an ever changing landscape and K.D. does an amazing job describing this fascinating world and not making it too complicated, as fantasy and science fiction can sometimes be.

It's a well written and very original story about love, loss, and growing up! It's an emotional ride and a journey that was well worth the ups and downs. The ending was great and definitely builds for a series. I'm looking forward to the next book featuring Wendy, Reaper, out in August! And, I also can't wait for more from this wonderful author!

GIVEAWAY

The lovely publisher sent me a hardcover copy to review and now I'd like to pass that copy onto someone new!

Must be 13 or older to enter.

US only

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