The Lost and the Found Review & Giveaway ~ Blog Tour

Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: September 13th, 2016
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller, Fiction
Page Count: 368

LOST. 
When six-year-old Laurel Logan was abducted, the only witness was her younger sister. Faith’s childhood was dominated by Laurel’s disappearance – from her parents’ broken marriage and the constant media attention to dealing with so-called friends who only ever wanted to talk about her sister.   FOUND.
Thirteen years later, a young woman is found in the garden of the Logans’ old house, disorientated and clutching the teddy bear Laurel was last seen with. Laurel is home at last, safe and sound. Faith always dreamed of getting her sister back, without ever truly believing it would happen. But a disturbing series of events leaves Faith increasingly isolated and paranoid, and before long she begins to wonder if everything that’s lost can be found again…

This is one of those books that has a funny way of making you feel nervous from the very beginning. Even though the events in the first few chapters seemed to be happy and touching for the better, the main character's unease sets the foreboding tone well. Clarke's writing style is very well done and descriptive which immerses you in the world and makes the effects of all her thrilling twists even bigger on the reader.

Faith was a character I very much enjoyed. Losing her sister has really dominated her whole life and molded her into the character she currently is. She honestly yearns to be normal, so it is ironic how her thoughts and ways of acting portray her like any other teen, and obviously her life gradually unravels. Somehow she makes it through and stays strong. The other characters were just as great and well developed. I was so eager to see how Laurel would cope with normal life and how she and her sister would get along. I couldn't even imagine being in that situation where Faith was meeting her long lost sister many years later. I very much appreciated how genuine all the characters felt.

If there is one thing Cat Clarke knows how to do, it is keeping you as a reader on your toes, and that is the most I will say about the book's plot. I went into the book blind and I believe the read will be just as enjoyable to those who go in blind as well. As I mentioned before, you will feel as if the events are about to take a turn throughout the beginning of the book, and when they do, it is completely gripping. Overall, I highly enjoyed this book and recommend it to those who love realistic thrillers that will definitely give them a bit of a ride.

My Rating:

Buy the Book:

 Amazon | B&N

About the Author:

Cat was born in Zambia and brought up in Edinburgh and Yorkshire, which has given her an accent that tends to confuse people.

Cat has written non-fiction books about exciting things like cowboys, sharks and pirates, and now writes YA novels. She lives in Edinburgh with a couple of cats, Jem and Scout, who spend their days plotting to spit up furballs at the most inconvenient times. She likes cheese A LOT, especially baked camembert.

Website | Twitter 

Giveaway:

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Follow the Tour:

9/12: Such A Novel Idea - Review

9/13: The Story Sanctuary - Q&A

9/14: Avid Reader - Review

9/15: Who RU Blog - Novel Secrets

9/16: Novel Ink - Review

Week 2:

9/19: Here's the Happy Endings - Guest Post

9/20: Blue Books and Butterflies - Review

9/21: Take Me Away to a Great Read - Mood Board

9/22: Quest Reviews - Review

9/23: Curling Up With A Good Book - Top 10

Author of The Summer Before Forever, Melissa Chambers Interview ~ Book Music Playlist & Giveaway

Today I have a wonderful author interview with the lovely Melissa Chambers. Thank you so much to Melissa for doing this interview your answers were perfect! Also, thank you to Entangled TEEN for giving me the opportunity to have this great content for my post. Melissa has an amazing upcoming novel called The Summer Before Forever. It is such a nice novel and I will be posting my review for it very soon!

Series: Before Forever #1
Publication Date: August 22, 2016
Publisher: Entangled TEEN
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance
Page Count: 340

Some boys break your heart. Others teach you how to heal it.
Chloe Stone’s life is a hot mess. Determined to stop being so freaking skittish, she packs up her quasi-famous best friend and heads to Florida. The goal? Complete the summer bucket list to end all bucket lists. The problem? Her hot soon-to-be stepbrother, Landon Jacobs. 
Landon’s mom will throttle him if he even looks at his future stepsister the wrong way. Problem is, Chloe is everything he didn’t know he wanted, and that’s...inconvenient. Watching her tear it up on a karaoke stage, stand up to his asshole friend, and rock her first string bikini destroys his sanity. 
But there’s more than their future family on the line. Landon is hiding something—something he knows will change how she feels about him—and she’s hiding something from him, too. And when the secrets come out, there’s a good chance neither will look at the other the same way again...

Meet the Author

Melissa Chambers writes contemporary novels for young, new, and actual adults. A Nashville native, she spends her days working in the music industry and her nights tapping away at her keyboard. While she’s slightly obsessed with alt rock, she leaves the guitar playing to her husband and kid. She never misses a chance to play a tennis match, listen to an audiobook, or eat a bowl of ice cream. (Rocky road, please!) The Summer Before Forever is her debut YA novel.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Amazon Author Page

Thank you so much for having me today, Chioma! I loved answering your questions and talking about my favorite subjects - books, writing, and movies!

Music plays a huge part in The Summer Before Forever, largely because it plays such a big part in my own life. Landon doesn’t like listening to music. That may sound odd for a teenage boy, but he has had some bad experiences that he associates with music, and so his answer has always been to avoid it. He’s a sports guy, anyway, so he listens to sports talk radio. 

Chloe is flabbergasted by the idea of someone not LOVING music. It runs deep to the core of who she is, and she treasures it with all of her being. So when asked to make Landon a playlist, she’s all on board!

While this book has a very specific playlist that is introduced throughout the story, Chloe has more tunes up her sleeve than she knows what to do with. So here’s another one she put together just for Chioma’s readers. Hope you enjoy!

Book Music Playlist

The Moth & the Flame “Red Flag”

Foals “What Went Down”

Wild Nothing “Summer Holiday”

My Goodness “Shiver + Shake”

TV on the Radio “Could You”

Young the Giant “Something to Believe In”

Viola Beach “Swings and Waterslides”

Arctic Monkeys “I Wanna Be Yours”

DMA’s “In the Moment”

The Shelters “Rebel Heart”

Editors “Sugar”

Wolfmother “Best of a Bad Situation”

You can hear this list on Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2bQSXVV

Author Interview

1.)     What would you say is the most challenging part of writing a contemporary romance novel?

Most plotting classes include a villain and danger. We don’t have those things in straight up contemporary romance, so we have to find ways to keep it interesting. We all love the scenes where the characters are connecting and falling for each other, but we writers have to work hard to find that balance between sweet and precious and, “Okay, this is getting old.”

2.)     Which character was your favorite to write about and why?

You’re asking me to pick?! As much as I love Landon and Chloe, I probably would have to say Jenna. She’s such a mess, and she’s absolutely nothing like me, which makes her so much fun to write! I love slipping into her skin for her moments and getting inside her screwy head!

3.)     Describe the main character,  Chloe, in three words

Artistic. Cautious. Modest.

4.)     Describe the love interest, Landon, in three words

Hunky. Conscientious. Smart.

5.)     Any favorite summer songs you like to jam to in the car?

I’m totally obsessed with “Swings and Waterslides” by Viola Beach! http://bit.ly/1ThC2fH This song is best when played at a robust volume with the windows down (sunroof open if you have one!).

6.)     If you could only read books by one author for the rest of your life, what author would you choose?

You’re killing me here! Man, this is tough. I’m going to have to go with Sophie Kinsella. I adore that woman and her characters. I was walking through Target a while back listening to Can You Keep A Secret, laughing like a hyena by myself. I know people thought I was nuts.

7.)     What are some of your favorite movies of all time?

These questions are great! I love super quirky movies like 500 Days of Summer, The Way, Way Back, Death to Smoochy, and 200 Cigarettes (to be watched on New Year’s Eve). And anything quotable like Raising Arizona, Napoleon Dynamite, Office Space, The Big Lebowski, or the Vacation movies.

8.)     What do you like most about being a published author?

Oh, gosh, I guess just sharing the characters and stories I love!

9.)     Sitting down and writing a novel cannot always be easy, so what are your three biggest distractions while you are writing?

1. Hunger! If I’m hungry, my belly makes me go get a snack.
2. My dogs! They’re both just so cute and precious I have to give them both big hugs and smooches all the time. 
3. Big Brother. I gave it up for years but got sucked in this season. I spend an unhealthy amount of time wondering what’s going on in the Big Brother house.

10.)    What is the one thing you would hope your readers would get out of reading your book?

I want readers to know that they deserve love...the good kind. I want them to see it’s not okay to be treated poorly by anyone, and I want them to set their bar high!

11.)    Are there any current projects you are working on that you would like to share with us?

Book two in the Before Forever series! I can’t wait to share Jenna’s story with readers! You’ll finally see what goes on in that convoluted brain of hers! :)

Once again, thank you to Melissa for all your wonderful answers. I am so happy I could have you on my blog. Luckily for those of you viewing this post, there is a giveaway Melissa is hosting that you can join in on!

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Never Never by Brianna Shrum ~ Impeccable Reviews

Publication Date: September 22, 2015
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Fairytale Retelling
Format: eARC (from Netgalley)
Page Count: 356

James Hook is a child who only wants to grow up. When he meets Peter Pan, a boy who loves to pretend and is intent on never becoming a man, James decides he could try being a child - at least briefly. James joins Peter Pan on a holiday to Neverland, a place of adventure created by children's dreams, but Neverland is not for the faint of heart. Soon James finds himself longing for home, determined that he is destined to be a man. But Peter refuses to take him back, leaving James trapped in a world just beyond the one he loves. A world where children are to never grow up. But grow up he does. And thus begins the epic adventure of a Lost Boy and a Pirate. This story isn't about Peter Pan; it's about the boy whose life he stole. It's about a man in a world that hates men. It's about the feared Captain James Hook and his passionate quest to kill the Pan, an impossible feat in a magical land where everyone loves Peter Pan. Except one.

When I tell you I almost did not read this book...I was about to stop, but then there was this voice in my head saying "No. You need to continue," so I did. Thank God I did because this book was excellent! I had some real doubts about it, especially since the first part of the book is a little slow, but the story eventually picked up speed and turned into something magical.

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson ~ Impeccable Reviews

Publication Date: May 12, 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Fantasy
Format: Hardcover (from Library)
Page Count: 266

The graphic novel debut from rising star Noelle Stevenson, based on her beloved and critically acclaimed web comic, which Slate awarded its Cartoonist Studio Prize, calling it "a deadpan epic."

Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism! All these and more await in this brilliantly subversive, sharply irreverent epic from Noelle Stevenson. Featuring an exclusive epilogue not seen in the web comic, along with bonus conceptual sketches and revised pages throughout, this gorgeous full-color graphic novel is perfect for the legions of fans of the web comic and is sure to win Noelle many new ones.

Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are.

But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.

 Now this is the graphic novel I have been waiting for! If you have read any of my previous graphic novel reviews on this blog, you might know that I usually don't enjoy them as much as I would like or as much as a normal novel, and I have been on the hunt for a graphic novel that just surprises me. One that would fill up my fanatic fiction reader glass and Nimona was finally the one. It did not only fill my fanatic fiction reader glass to the brim, but that stuff overflowed onto the table! I honestly didn't know I could enjoy graphic novels like this, but Nimona has shown me I can and I will not be giving up on graphic novels anytime soon.

Smash & Grab by Amy Christine Parker Review and Giveaway ~ Blog Tour

Smash & Grab
by Amy Christine Parker
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Release Date: July 19th, 2016

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller, Fiction

Synopsis:

Ocean’s Eleven meets the star-crossed lovers of West Side Story. Grab some popcorn and get ready for an adrenaline-filled heist!

LEXI is a rich girl who loves a good rush. Whether it’s motorcycle racing or BASE jumping off a building in downtown Los Angeles, the only times she feels alive are when she and her friends are executing one of their dares. After her father’s arrest, Lexi doesn’t think twice about going undercover at his bank to steal the evidence that might clear his name. She enlists her hacker brother and her daredevil friends to plan a clever heist.

CHRISTIAN is a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. The local gang has blackmailed him and his friends into robbing banks, and he is desperate for a way out. When the boss promises that one really big job will be the last he ever has to do, Christian jumps at the chance for freedom. In fact, he’s just met a girl at the bank who might even prove useful. . . .

Two heists. One score. The only thing standing in their way is each other.

Told in alternating points of view, this caper is full of romance and fast-paced fun. Hand to fans of Perfect Chemistry, The Conspiracy of Us, and Heist Society.

If there is one thing I look for in a book, it is a good heist executed by intelligent teens. This book takes this up to a whole new level by including two groups of teenage con artists from completely different backgrounds who collide while they are in the middle of completing their most risky crimes yet. Plus, an unlikely star-crossed romance? Sign me up! If there is one thing I can say to describe Smash & Grab overall, it is that this book was a very entertaining, easy-going read that is perfect for anyone who likes YA books with a fun, unique plot.

The Killer in Me by Margot Harrison Review, Quotes & Giveaway ~ Blog Tour

The Killer in Me
by Margot Harrison
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: July 12th 2016

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Contemporary, Fiction

Synopsis:

Hasn't he lived long enough? Why not? I could take him like a thief in the night.

This is how the Thief thinks. He serves death, the vacuum, the unknown. He’s always waiting. Always there.

Seventeen-year-old Nina Barrows knows all about the Thief. She’s intimately familiar with his hunting methods: how he stalks and kills at random, how he disposes of his victims’ bodies in an abandoned mine in the deepest, most desolate part of a desert.

Now, for the first time, Nina has the chance to do something about the serial killer that no one else knows exists. With the help of her former best friend, Warren, she tracks the Thief two thousand miles, to his home turf—the deserts of New Mexico.

But the man she meets there seems nothing like the brutal sociopath with whom she’s had a disturbing connection her whole life. To anyone else, Dylan Shadwell is exactly what he appears to be: a young veteran committed to his girlfriend and her young daughter. As Nina spends more time with him, she begins to doubt the truth she once held as certain: Dylan Shadwell is the Thief. She even starts to wonder . . . what if there is no Thief?

I seriously almost did not finish this book, but not because I disliked it or thought it was bad. On the contrary, it was performing its purpose better than I expected, and I was unsure if I could handle more. Me being me, I continued because I was hooked and dying to know more This book was scary, mysterious, and thrilling all at the same time. I honestly did not expect it to put me on a psychological roller coaster, but I was strapped in and I stayed put for the entirety of this book. 

Young Widows Club by Alexandra Coutts ~ Impeccable Reviews

Publication Date: November 10, 2015
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Format: eARC (from Netgalley)
Page Count: 304

Seventeen-year-old Tamsen Baird didn’t set out to become a teenage widow. All she did was fall in love and get married. But when her nineteen-year-old husband, Noah, dies suddenly in the middle of the night, her whole life changes. Now Tam is forced to return to the existence she thought she’d left behind—beginning with moving back home and finishing high school. But in order to overcome her loss and find her way forward, she’ll need to reinvent herself and reach out to others in ways she never imagined. She’ll need to open herself up to living—and even loving—again.

I think the synopsis of this book can possibly mislead a person into thinking it is some type of mystery, but it's definitely not, nor does it need to be. The focus of the book is not on how or when Tamsen's (the main character) husband dies, but how it affects her life and how she chooses to move forward from it. I have to say I enjoyed the direction the book took and it felt like a thoughtful contemporary.

Exciting Upcoming Young Adult Book Releases in October 2015

So I have had a poll on the right sidebar of my blog for about a month. In this poll, I asked you guys to please vote on books coming out in September that you think I should pre-order. Thank you to all of you who voted and based on the results, these are the two books I will be pre-ordering in order of most number of votes to least.

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

Another book that came close to winning that I just decided to go ahead and also pre-order is....

Zeroes by Scott Westerfeld

Now here is a list of some exciting young adult books that will be coming out in October 2015

There are some I will be for sure pre-ordering and the rest are ones you guys get to vote on again this month to see which ones I will be pre-ordering as well out of this list.

OCTOBER NEW RELEASES

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

Publication Date: October 6, 2015

Publisher: HarperTeen

Page Count: 336

What if you aren't the Chosen One? The one who's supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever the heck this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death? What if you're like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again.

Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week's end of the world, and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life.

Even if your best friend is worshipped by mountain lions.

I am Mercy by Mandi Lynn ~ Cover Reveal

So the cover for Mandi Lynn's upcoming novel, I am Mercy, was actually revealed last Thursday, but unfortunately I was not able to post it earlier. Nevertheless, I thought you guys might still want to see the cover and learn about this new book that is soon to come. If you do not already know, Mandi Lynn is a teenage, self-published author and I am Mercy will be her second published novel. Her debut novel is called Essence and is available on Kindle and Paperback from Amazon. You know I always have to support my fellow young adults when they write books.

CHECK OUT ESSENCE BY MANDI LYNN NOW

More About The Author

Mandi Lynn started writing her first novel at thirteen, and at the young age of 17 her first novel, Essence, hit the press. Since the debut of her first novel, Lynn has taught writing workshops, appeared on television,  newspapers, and most importantly, graduated high school. While attending college, Lynn works part time at a salon as a stylist and continues to write future novels. Lynn can be found online creating YouTube videos about books, publishing, and all things reading.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Goodreads

NOW TIME FOR THE REVEAL

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Synopsis

Imagine living every day, knowing your family doesn’t love you. Imagine living a life in a world that looks at you as a curse. In 14th century France Aida is accused of being a witch when the Black Death wipes through her village. Abandoned by her family she is surrounded by death and disease, but when a woman who may actually be a witch tells her how to cure the plague it may mean uncovering a dark magic. But if that means being able to save those you love, wouldn’t you do it? Even if they didn’t love you back?

Mandi Lynn's Cover Reveal Video

If you want to be notified when I am Mercy comes out

Sign Up Here

Join Mandi Lynn's Reading Group

Check It Out Here

 So tell me: What do you think of this cover? What about the book synopsis?

Bright Lights, Dark Nights by Stephen Emond ~ Impeccable Reviews

Publication Date: August 11, 2015
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance
Format: eARC (Netgalley)
Page Count: 384



A story about first love, first fights, and finding yourself in a messed up world, from the acclaimed author of Happyface.

Walter Wilcox has never been in love. That is, until he meets Naomi, and sparks, and clever jokes, fly. But when his cop dad is caught in a racial profiling scandal, Walter and Naomi, who is African American, are called out at school, home, and online. Can their bond (and mutual love of the Foo Fighters) keep them together?

With black-and-white illustrations throughout and a heartfelt, humorous voice, Bright Lights, Dark Nights authentically captures just how tough first love can be...and why it's worth fighting for.

My Review

What I expected it to be: A cute contemporary novel with a biracial Romeo and Juliet story line

What it actually was: The story of Walter and Naomi's romance and the threatening reality of racism and controversial opinions that affect our society. 

Bright Lights, Dark Nights takes place in an urban city where Walter now lives with his father ever since his mom ran off to marry someone else. Walter is Caucasian and his father is a cop who's actions one day flare a lot of controversy and backlash across the news and internet. Naomi, who is the sister of Walter's friend Jason and the daughter of strict, protective parents, happens to be African American. When Walter and Naomi begin to fall for each other, they find that extreme public opinions can cause their love story to not play out as simply as they might have wished. 

Reading about this couple was very refreshing. It is rare to find young adult books with a diverse set of white and black character without it feeling like the author is being stereotypical. I really appreciate Stephen Emond for foregoing the racial stereotypes and creating genuine characters. Walter is a very passive, yet a kind and thoughtful character. It was easy for me to relate to him and he even reminded me of myself at times. On the other hand, Naomi is passionate, brave and free spirited, but put together the two have great chemistry. Many of Walter and Naomi's scenes together (especially their first romantic scenes) were very awkward, but the imperfections in their relationship really made their love story feel realistic and not overdone. 

Walter's character developed beautifully as he had to move on from past problems at home and even come to terms with his own naivety and opinions on the events taking place. The character development for Naomi was very good as well. Even all the supporting characters and Walter's friends were well thought out and unique. When Walter had his final resolution with his peers towards the end, it did feel like it played out a little "too well," but I do have to admit that I was very relieved when it ended positively. 

I really enjoyed how the author portrayed racism and controversy in its most modern sense. The inclusion of what people were saying on social media and how the whole conflict played out made the whole book very authentic and relevant. Police racism and their abuse of power is such a current and hot discussion in our society today. It was nice that this book dove right into it. Walter's dad is accused of racial discrimination and he is very much in denial of it. This along with Walter dating a girl who is black causes a lot of attention and even threats that begin to cause chaos in Walter and Naomi's life. Even though to the public the biracial couple seemed to be an issue, Emond does a great job of making the reader feel and believe that it is really no issue at all. They are just the same as any other young couple deeply in love. On top of all of this, the book has a lot of wonderful illustrations in it and Emond has a beautiful writing style that describes city life so well!

The Conclusion: I very much enjoyed this book and it does a great job of covering current topics. It is definitely one of those diverse books you will want to read and a very unique, refreshing addition to the young adult genre.

My Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

Cover Rating:

3 out of 3 stars

Waiting on Wednesday: The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow

Hosted by: Breaking the Spine

Publication Date: September 22, 2015
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction



A world battered by climate shift and war turns to an ancient method of keeping peace: the exchange of hostages. The Children of Peace - sons and daughters of kings and presidents and generals - are raised together in small, isolated schools called Prefectures. There, they learn history and political theory, and are taught to gracefully accept what may well be their fate: to die if their countries declare war.

Greta Gustafsen Stuart, Duchess of Halifax and Crown Princess of the Pan-Polar Confederation, is the pride of the North American Prefecture. Learned and disciplined, Greta is proud of her role in keeping the global peace — even though, with her country controlling two-thirds of the world’s most war-worthy resource — water — she has little chance of reaching adulthood alive. 

Enter Elián Palnik, the Prefecture’s newest hostage and biggest problem. Greta’s world begins to tilt the moment she sees Elián dragged into the school in chains. The Prefecture’s insidious surveillance, its small punishments and rewards, can make no dent in Elián, who is not interested in dignity and tradition, and doesn’t even accept the right of the UN to keep hostages. 

What will happen to Elián and Greta as their two nations inch closer to war?

Hold on a second. Can we just take a moment to appreciate how AWESOME this synopsis sounds? I mean if that right there does not explain why I am so excited for this book to be released, I do not know what will! Mark your calendars because it comes out in a little less than 2 months from now! Wow I didn't realize how long that actually is *tear* 

Author Interview: J.D. Selmser

Today I have an interview for you guys with an author by the name of J.D. Selmser. He has written the books Stealing Destiny and Saving Destiny in the Immortal Obsession series. Here is information on both books.

Series: Immortal Obsession #1
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Publisher: J.D. Selmser
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Page Count: 324



Amazon

It took one kiss for Destiny to steal his heart and Damien lived his life for another one from the woman he loved. If he only knew that that one kiss would lead to his death and eternal damnation, would he still have kissed her? In one mere second of time, Damien loses his life because of a supernatural twist. On a stormy night in the back roads of nowhere his car careens out of control and into a field claiming his life. Suddenly, everything he ever thought about heaven, hell and angels takes on a whole new meaning as he struggles to get his life back. Falling from heaven, Zahir makes the ultimate sacrifice but who is to benefit from it? When Zahir stole Damien’s future, his destiny and his body, he decides it’s time to steal it back. But then he is offered a choice between the life he was destined to live and the one Death offers him, putting him at a crossroad. Damien wants to make the best choice he can so that he can carry out his plans to marry Destiny. However, what Damien fails to recognize is that getting his life back is going to take him into a whole new dimension of what the afterlife means. In every lovers triangle there has to be someone who loses. No romance ever truly sees the happily ever after. One fell from heaven, someone is headed for hell and Destiny is the prize. When your heart and soul hang in the balance, is there ever really any second chances?

Series: Immortal Obsession #2

Publication Date: June 17, 2015

Publisher: J.D. Selmser

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Page Count: 350

Amazon

It’s been six months since Damien Douglas’s life turned upside down. Since the night that Destiny’s guardian Angel, Zahir, decided he wanted Damien’s life and stole it from him, none of their lives have been the same. The constant fear that Death will come for the baby growing in Destiny’s belly leaves everyone on edge. Zahir, regretting his decisions, wants to redeem himself but can’t find forgiveness from anyone and he desperately wants to protect Innocence, the daughter Damien will raise. 

However, the powers that Damien inherited from Zahir’s bad choices are now becoming too much for his humanity to handle. As Angels, Death, and humans battle it out in a war between heaven, hell and earth, the saga continues as Damien tries everything in his power to protect the one thing he always wanted: his family. Will it be too much for him to handle? Will saving his family at any cost be a bigger price than he is willing to pay? Find out in the continuation of the battle between life and death as Destiny and Damien’s stories continue taking them onto a path that they may someday come to regret.

The Interview

Thank you J.D. Selmser for participating in this interview. Here are the 12 questions I asked him.

What are three words you would use to describe yourself? 

Romantic, dreamer, loyal

What is it that you value the most?

Family

What authors are your biggest influences?

Stephen King, J. R. R. Talkies, C. S. Lewis

How did the idea of writing the Immortal Obsession series come about?

      I really started out just wanting to write a simple love story. The idea that everybody has that there is one special person out there if they only have the courage to search, they will find them. Before I knew it became the idea of; What if your guardian Angel loved you so much he would actually kill to have you? I also wondered what if we truly only have one soul mate what would happen if your soul mate refused to die?

How did you decide on the titles?

       Actually the titles in this series are a play on the main female characters names. The first three are all about Destiny and the last three are all about Destiny’s child Innocence.

What would you say is the most challenging part about writing a paranormal novel?

       You have to pull from your imagination while keeping the characters relatable because there are very few tangible things to help you along.

How would you describe the books’ main character?

      Damien is fiercely loyal to the point of stupidity. He is in love with the idea of being in love and it forces him to make extreme sacrifices.

      Zahir is like a powerful toddler. He starts off with the best intentions, but when he wants something he just takes it without any thought to the consequences.

Which scene was the most fun to write about?

      Actually Damien’s car accident. It was the most complicated scene to write also because I was trying to capture the feelings through my own car accident experience, but it was also the most fun. Not the accident, but adding an experience from my life into my book then exaggerating it was a fun challenge.

If you could read only one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?

     I think it would have to be Dale Carnegie's, “How to Win Friends and Influence People”. I am a shy and rather awkward person and this book has really helped me around people.

 If you could pick any profession other than being a writer, what would it be?

      I would continue to work at my current day job. Luckily I love challenges so my current job in IT offers everything I want in life. Well except twenty free weeks to travel and see the world, but I will see it in smaller chunks.

What is the one thing you would hope your readers would get out of reading your books?

     My books are there for entertainment. I do have solid themes such as love, friendship, loyalty and hope that readers walk away with a sense of hope that everybody deserves love and true companionship.

Last but not least, are there any current projects you are working on that you would like to share with us?

      I have always got a million ideas bouncing around. Currently I am working on the third book in my Immortal Obsession series where I get to follow Damien’s journey towards madness. I am also starting a new series called Dark Origins. Surprisingly fans asked about the backstory for my character's Death and Raven and Bane.

I hope you guys enjoyed this interview. Happy Monday! Also, don't forget to help me choose what book to pre-order next month with the poll in the right sidebar ---------------------------------->>>>>>

Lost by Donnielle Tyner Review & Giveaway Promo ~ Blog Tour

Presented by: Sparkle Book Tours

Lost - The Caelian Cycle # 1

by Donnielle Tyner

 

Audience: Young Adult - Genre: SciFi, Paranormal - Format: E-book and Paperback - Publisher: Donnielle Tyner - Cover by: Kari Ayasha of Cover to Cover Designs - Editor: Jessica Nelson of Rare Bird Editing - Pages: 208 - ISBN-10: 069243299X  - ISBN-13: 978-0692432990 - ASIN: B00YFPW3N8 - Date Published: 6/19/2015

During WW1, a meteorite crashed, releasing a mist that changed the DNA of all who were exposed. One hundred years has passed and society is divided between the Norms and the Caelians, whose changed DNA awakened dormant gifts, called Talents.
Sadie is over it!
She’s an orphan, her boyfriend was murdered, and she’s the only Caelian at St. Vincent’s without a Talent. Once she turns 18, there will be no place for her in the world. That is, until a chance encounter with Kian, a Caelian boy who makes her feel uncomfortable and alive at the same time.
Secrets of her past are uncovered and Sadie’s latent, rare Talent is exposed. With great power comes the hunters, hired by an egomaniac who wants to use Sadie’s power to establish Caelian dominance. On the run with Kian and her friends, Sadie will have to decide: hide or fight.
Will Sadie accept her new reality or will she stay lost?

My Review

Lost was the story of a girl named Sadie who is a Caelian. Caelians are descendants of those who experienced a change in DNA during an event in WW1 and most of them carry a talent of some sort. Except Sadie, she cannot find her talent and has become depressed due to the loss of her boyfriend to Caelian violence. She runs into trouble while discovering the secrets of her family and her abilities. I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did, but I am definitely so glad I did!

This book's plot holds your attention and keeps you engaged. There was never a time I felt like the story was just dragging on and the plot never got boring. Donielle Tyner paced the book beautifully all the way until the end. It keeps you on your toes! I never had a clue where the plot was going and I enjoyed this aspect of my reading experience very much. The ending was no cliffhanger, but I am still eager for the next book. Thank you Donielle for sparing my heart some ache with a decent ending for a first book in the series.

Now the plot was great, but I believe the characters are what really played a key part in my enjoyment of this book. Sadie was a great protagonist who was strong yet flawed enough to be believable. Kian (the love interest) was creepy at the beginning in the way he followed Sadie around, but he had his reasoning and at least Sadie did not pretend being stalked was all fine and dandy (like some YA novels I know). All of Sadie's friends were really great supporting characters. It made me wish I had friends similar to them. Lost by Donielle Tyner really had the full package. It was a quick and satisfying read.

My Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

Amazon / Goodreads / Nook / iBooks / Kobo

I put my phone back in my back pocket. Crossing my arms, I looked up at the stars again. The night was devoid of clouds, unusual for spring. Golden stars glittered across the heavens, winking at me from the endless arch of the void and transporting me to a place of tranquillity. The peace of space poured into my soul.
“What’s a Liam moment?” Kian’s gruff voice whispered. I felt his hot breath caress my ear. His closeness both startled me and sent a shiver down my spine. I straightened my back.
“I thought I told you I wasn’t interested.” I attempted to make my voice sound forceful, but it came out soft. I felt the heat from his body as he stepped closer to me.
“What’s your name?” Kian asked. The gruffness of his voice from earlier had left. This new voice was smooth and flowed like poetry. My heart sped up and I heard the blood pulsing in my ears. I was sure he could hear it. What kind of Talent was he using to cause me to react this way?
“Quit using your Talent on me,” I hissed.
“I’m not. If I was, you’d know it,” he replied with a chuckle.
“Oh.” I didn’t understand what was happening. He placed a hand on my waist and the warmth was searing. I was sure it would leave a mark. My eyes closed and my breath deepened. Tingles flowed from his hand, spreading throughout my body and stirring something in my soul. I released a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding. “Take your hand off me and back away before I break your fingers.”
Kian snickered. “Spunky.”
“Creepy,” I replied.
Kian chuckled again, his hot breath shooting sparks right to my stomach.
“Don’t make me ask again.” I felt his hand tense. His fingers increased their pressure against my waist right before the coldness swept in as he removed his hand. I released the breath I was holding.

(no particular order)

I’m good – The Mowglis

Cough cough – Everything Everything

Don’t wanna fight – Alabama Shakes

Flaws – Bastille

End of the world – Deap Vally

Cool kid – The Eeries

Pretty girl – Stockholm Syndrome

Under stars – Aurora

Golden – Parade of Lights

Blindfold – Sleeping Wolf

Reflections – Misterwives

For you – Wolf Rider

Two hearts – The Features

Technicolour Beat – Oh Wonder

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 
Donnielle Tyner has held down many jobs, but never found satisfaction until she became a freelance writer and stay at home mom. She began writing in junior high when a teacher gave her a book of poetry. Ever since, she found a deep passion for reading and writing. Donnielle is from North Texas and enjoys her chickens, garden, and most of all her children.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon

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