Showing posts with label time travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label time travel. Show all posts

4/09/2012

Pure Blood by Melissa Pearl Review and Giveaway


★★★★★
Release Date: February 2012
Age: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Supernatural, Time Travel, Love, Fantasy
Format: e-book
Source: Author
It is only a matter of time before Gemma's parents find out she traveled through time to bring Harrison back into existence. The fear of being found out is a heavy weight on her shoulders, but she refuses to give up on everything she's fought for. Harrison is worth the risk.

The couple draws closer together as they battle opposing forces from all sides. They stay strong until Gemma's parents welcome an exchange student into their home. Simeon, a gorgeous Californian, is as smooth as coffee and, supposedly, a fellow time spirit. Gemma's parents expect her to take him everywhere and, of course, fall in love with him. After all, he is the boy they have chosen for her.

No longer able to sneak off alone, Gemma must watch every step as she waits for the inevitable nightmare to catch up to her. Her parents ultimate goal is to get that last necklace and open the box hidden in their safe. If they do, Gemma knows her entire world will unravel.

As the danger mounts, Gemma must decide if she has the courage to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the ones she loves and stop to her parents' destructive plans.
Wow! Melissa Pearl is a mad genius, a master at her craft, and this remarkable author has successfully left me with my jaw on the ground. Oh the twists and turns and suspenseful journey that she has led her readers on. Pure Blood is one of the most thought provoking, emotional, and epic stories I've ever had the chance to experience. The shock that I am still in from the last few events of the book have left me awestruck. I'm at a loss for how to express how much The Time Spirit Books have meant to me and how sad I am to see this trilogy end (maybe I'm lucky and she will turn it into more than a trilogy). I know you're reading this Melissa, what do you say?

Ok, I'm done gushing, not really.

In all seriousness I think Pure Blood is the best ending for the series, it was perfect, more than perfect even. The events that lead up to the conclusion left only one possible ending, as heart wrenching as it was to read (I'm sure it was hard to write as well) it was beautifully done.

As this is a book 3 in the Time Spirit books I HIGHLY recommend reading Golden Blood and Black Blood first. It's not a series that can be read out of order, the build up to this book will be completely lost on anyone who doesn't experience the story in order.

The mounting suspense that has been featured throughout books 1 and 2 is met with closure in Pure Blood. We finally learn the events from Gemma's past and how she came to be with her family. The reader is faced with shocking truths and a hard to digest ending that still has me reeling. Melissa writes stories to be absorbed in, I am mesmerized when I read her prose and it makes it very hard to put her books down (which may be why I didn't until they were done).

I love the relationship of Gemma and Harrison, they are young but mature, independent and involved. It's fun to think back to where the series, and their relationship, started and where they have all ended up. My favorite line of the book comes from a conversation between Gabe and Harrison, "It takes a special kind of man to care for a strong woman. She needs you more than you know." And, I just love that. Gemma is strong, but in so many ways I see her as equally weak. She needs Harrison more than anything, I think he keeps her grounded.

Gabe is probably my favorite character in the books. He is vulnerable yet indestructible. I love when parents have positive roles in YA books, I think it's really important. Gemma and Gabe's relationship is a great one, and the relationship between Gabe and Harrison is wonderful as well.

I won't say anything else as to not give anything more away. Besides, if you've read Golden Blood and Black Blood chances are this one is already in your hands. :)

Thank you to Melissa for this amazing opportunity to read this fun and fascinating series of yours!

Giveaway Time
To spread the Pure Blood love and hosted by Miss Melissa, I am delighted to giveaway an ebook copy of Pure Blood to one random winner. 
Be sure to enter to win book 2, Black Blood, as well!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


And if you haven't already checked them out. Make sure to read my reviews of the whole series!
   


4/08/2012

Black Blood by Melissa Pearl Review and Giveaway

Black Blood (Time Spirit #2) by Melissa Pearl
★★★★★
Release Date: December 2011
Age: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Supernatural, Time Travel, Love
Format: e-book
Source: Author
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Gemma's parents have put enough rules around her relationship with Harrison that she feels like she's living on parole. But she wins one battle—a summer job working for Harrison's step-father. It is the perfect chance to spend the steamy, hot Florida days with her boyfriend. It's also a great distraction from the cellphone hiding in her underwear drawer—her only contact with Gabe, the mystery man who's stalking her.

When she confronts Gabe, he tells her that her parents are not who she thinks they are, and Harrison has the gall to believe him. Surrounded by conflict, Gemma doesn't know what to believe, and it takes a trip back in time for her to glimpse the sickening truth.

Thanks to her parents, she returns to the present to find the love of her life no longer exists. His family line was broken and now, so is she.

This betrayal forces her to seek out Gabe. Setting aside her fear of the truth, she must trust this man and learn what he can teach her... otherwise, she'll never get her boyfriend back.
Like most reviewers, I've found sequels to be the hardest books to review. It's difficult to explain why someone should read the second book in a series (or third), if they haven't read book one (especially when I may be giving aspects of book one away). And it's hard to say what I enjoyed about it, if the reader hasn't checked out the predecessor. Therefore, as I say with each of my sequel reviews read book one, Golden Blood, before reading this review or book.

And note, I HIGHLY recommend this series!!

At the end of Golden Blood Gemma was approached by a stranger, Gabe; and in Black Blood we learn just who he is and want he wants. And, truthfully I was taken by surprise with the change in events. But, so excited for the twist in plot (which Melissa does beautifully). With Gabe's confessions comes a whirlwind of drama for Gemma and her instinct is, like most, to not believe him. But, when her world is shattered he's the only one she knows to turn to.

Gemma is strong and capable, and an amazing female lead. I absolutely adore her, and the way she stands up for herself and goes after what she wants. In Black Blood Gemma and Harrison have the chance to let their relationship grow, but they are still bound by Gemma's parents' strict rules. Rules that, understandably, seem barbaric to the young couple. I began to really not like her parents in this book, for reasons that become obvious to any reader.

When Penelope and Alistair alter the life of their daughter and attempt to prove once and for all that they have the most control in their family I cried, really cried, in utter disbelief. Their lack of love and compassion is heartbreaking. But, Gemma does everything in her power to fight back, and finally seeks out Gabe. The relationship they create is fun to watch grow.

Once again Melissa has dazzled me with her ability to create and mold this world that her characters live in using only words, and make it feel so real. I became lost in her writing, their emotions became my emotions, and with each book this story gets better and better. The build up to book 3 is phenomenal and I know others, like myself, will not stop at book 1. The adventure that began in Golden Blood continues to burn bright throughout this second installment and this is one series I have to see through to the end.

Black Blood definitely doesn't suffer from second book syndrome, in fact, I may be so bold as to say I enjoyed it more than the first, but I did love the first. If you've read Golden Blood you must continue with the story, it's one of the best!

e-book Giveaway
Thanks to Melissa Pearl I am very excited to offer a giveaway for an ebook copy of Black Blood! 
Check back soon for my review of Pure Blood and a giveaway of that one as well!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

3/29/2012

Blog Tour: Golden Blood by Melissa Pearl

Golden Blood (Time Spirit #1) by Melissa Pearl
★★★★★
Release Date: November 2011
Age: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Supernatural, Time Travel, Love
Format: e-book
Source: A Tale of Many Reviews Book Blog Tours
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Gemma Hart never knows when her father is going to whisk her back in time. Her toes start tingling and she has a few minutes to find a secret haven where she can disintegrate and appear in another time and place. While “across the line,” her training and skills are put to the test as she completes a mission that will change history for the lucky few her father has selected.

Gemma's parents are adamant that secrecy is paramount to her family’s safety. If people knew what they were capable of, they could be "used and abused", as her mother always says. Afraid she might accidentally utter the truth and break the ancient oath of her people, Gemma spends her school days as a loner. Only one thing can throw her sheltered life askew... Harrison Granger.

Harrison never expected to talk to the strange Hart girl, but after a brief encounter he can't stop thinking about her. He begins a campaign to chisel away her icy veneer and is met with unexpected consequences. As he slowly wins this girl over, he enters a surreal world that has him fighting to keep his newfound love and his life.
Melissa Pearl, you have successfully sucked me into this marvelous story of yours and compelled me to put all other books on hold to finish your series. Thank you for that, no really, thank you!

Golden Blood is a magical tale about time travel, living your life, love, family, and so much more. Trying to be a normal teenager has been hard for Gemma Hart, so she has shut everyone out and become the school freak. Until, the only boy she's noticed begins to take an interest in her as well. And from there her life changes drastically. She begins breaking rules that she never questioned before. She grows immensely in this journey.

A big part of the story is time travel, it's what the Hart family does and helps others. I really liked that the reader is introduced to the family (mainly Gemma and her life) before the details of the time travel or the change in time occurs. I was familiar with everyone before being thrown into the past, which was done in a way that flowed with the overall story. It also helps those not familiar or used to science fiction or fantasy books. Melissa Pearl eases the reader into the fantastical elements of the story, and doesn't overwhelm.

The characters Melissa has molded are nothing short of extraordinary. They are fun and lively group who surprised me throughout the story. I love this book, if that isn't already clear, and I feel completely connected and on a first name basis with not only Gemma and Harrison but their families as well.

Gemma and Harrison are my newest favorite couple. They balance each other perfectly and the fact that their romance is forbidden makes it all the more fun. Gemma is a tough girl, beating up boys and is thought to be mean. But, the reader quickly learns that that's not who she is at all and when Harrison refuses to give up on her, he finds out how much she shines when she finally opens up.

This story is full of mystery and questions, it's an excellent first book in a series in that it creates this world for the author to build on in the coming books. I haven't read many time travel books, but it's a genre I am very fascinated in, especially after reading this one.

The ending still has me speechless and I'm really glad the rest of the series has been released because I don't think I could take a long wait for book 2 (which I plan on reading as soon as I finish this review)!