EXCERPT: Scorched Treachery by Rebecca L. Ethington

Scorched Treachery 

by Rebecca L. Ethington 
Series: Imdalind #3
Publication date: July 12th 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

While Joclyn is trapped in the tormenting hell of Cail’s mind, the battle around her only continues to grow and spread.

Edmund has infiltrated the underground hallways of Prague, guiding the massacre that would end the lives of the last of the great magical race. In her attempts to stop him, Wynifred has been captured and her magic restrained. Chained up in the ancient dungeons of Prague, her fate is left in the hands of her father, who has tried to kill her before.

With Ryland’s screams and Sain’s fragmented sights as her only company, Wyn must rely on something that has been hidden deep inside of her for centuries to help them break free.

Ilyan’s whole life has been building up to one purpose. Protect the Silnỳ. He knows what he must do, and he has no doubt in his ability to do so.

But when his father’s magic removes Joclyn’s mind from her body, he is left protecting the shell of the one person he loves. Desperate to find a way to break her free of her prison, he makes a choice. And that one choice changes everything.

Now, Ilyan finds himself bound to Joclyn in a way that he never knew to be possible.

They say that blood is thicker than water, but Black Water burns, and Ilyan’s heart may not be strong enough to keep it pumping through his veins and give the girl he loves back into his brother’s care.

Even if he can, it may not be safe to do so.

Scorched Treachery is the third book in The Imdalind Series

Clean Young-Adult Paranormal Romance
Language: Low
Violence: Moderate
Sexual Content: Low to None

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EXCERPT
“Run!” I screamed, when I was within distance.

Sain looked up at me, confused for only a moment before he turned and bolted down the hall, toward the large chapel.

I didn’t slow my speed for landing. I flew right into the courtyard, my hard landing exploding bricks into the air at the rough impact. I straightened myself and turned to face the courtyard just beyond the gates.

The few tourists in the courtyard looked through the rubble, for the most part, confusion covering their faces.

Edmund was right behind me. I set my jaw and raised my hand, a shimmering shield flowing from my fingers to cover the large opening of the golden gate.

My magic surged out of me as it spread in a curtain between the giant arches. I looked through the magical barrier to see Edmund change his course in order to intercept me.

Edmund was almost here, and the shield had not set yet. I pushed harder, my teeth clenching as I grunted through the pressure, yelling as the exertion hit its maximum and my magic pushed and pulled to escape from me.

My mouth opened as I screamed, the shield setting itself into the stone the moment Edmund’s body hit hard against the barrier. The impact of his collision rumbled through me, shooting me away from the shield and slamming me into the high wall behind me.

I straightened myself the same moment Edmund did, his jaw as set as mine as he turned to face me. Edmund’s eyes stared into mine, the whites blood shot with anger and power. I had never seen him this worked up. I could tell at once that this shield would only hold for a matter of minutes once he decided to come at me.

Edmund uncoiled his body as he faced me, his hand lifting to his face. A large chunk of his arm was missing, the edges blackened with ash. Even with all of my power, that was all I had been able to accomplish against him.

He smiled at me as he bit down on his finger, the one I had burned off all those centuries ago, the replacement forcibly taken from one of his many servants. He bit down on it and pulled, the flesh separating slowly, his hand dripping with blood as he ripped the finger from his hand.

“I have a present for you, Wynifred,” he sneered, his breathing shallow as some power-based insanity threatened to take over him.

“Keep it,” I spat, turning from him.

AUTHOR BIO:

Rebecca Ethington has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then on stage with years of theatrical performances. The Imdalind Series is her first stint into the world of literary writing. Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. She was born and raised in the mountains of Salt Lake City, and hasn’t found the desire to leave yet. Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her amazing family.

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GIVEAWAY: Radiant by Christina Daley

TITLE: Radiant
AUTHOR: Christina Daley
PUBLICATION DATE: February 12th 2013
GENRE: YA Paranormal Romance

Mary is part Vietnamese. Carter is a complete jerk. Normally, they don't talk much.

But when Mary's in an accident on the way to school one morning, Carter nearly dies saving her life. The doctors say his chances of living are slim, and Mary's feeling the full weight of survivor's guilt.

However, Carter's back at school in a matter of days, as if nothing had happened. Although, he is a little "glitchy," and he's developed a sudden and intense interest in Mary. She thinks he's suffering from major brain trauma from the accident. Or that he's been possessed.

As it so happens, Carter really is possessed. And the thing controlling him is having the time of its life learning to be human.

Featuring a diverse cast of characters, RADIANT is a funny "paranormal-lite" story about being human, being in love, and being healed.

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EXCERPT

A voice called to her. It seemed close, and it was getting louder as the pain got sharper. "Hey? Hey! Are you all right?" it asked.

Mary blinked several times before she could finally see again. She was in the middle of the street. The cars had stopped and people on the sidewalk were staring.

"Are you all right?" the voice asked again. It was coming from a man wearing some type of uniform.

"What…?" Mary tried to say more, but her voice suddenly stopped working.

"Careful," he said as he helped her up. "Looks like you can move all right. Here, let's get you out of the street."

He helped her over to the sidewalk. "Stay here. Someone's calling the paramedics." And then he was gone.

Mary sat there, still in a daze. She started noticing familiar stuff all over the ground—an open book bag, books, folders, unused tampons, a shoe, and an apple with one bite mark. Her eyes followed the trail of debris to a brilliant red sports car, half of which was smashed in by a city bus.

What had happened? Mary studied the whole scene, trying to puzzle together the pieces. Then it dawned on her. The car had hit her. Not intentionally. She had run in front of the bus without knowing it. It was about to hit her, but the car had gotten in the way first. It had saved her life.

Mary thought about looking in the car. Then her feet sorta moved without her meaning them to, and she made her way to the passenger door. She recognized the person inside. Carter. She knew his last name, but she couldn't think of what it was. He was slumped over the seat with blood oozing all over his face. His eyes were shut.

Mary knocked on the window. The tears in her hand stung.

No response.

She beat the window with her fist.

Still nothing.

Mary stared. She couldn't believe it. On any other day, she wouldn't exchange two words with this guy. Just yesterday, he nearly mowed down an elderly couple while driving out of the school lot. Mary had secretly wished he'd be taught a lesson. But she didn't mean this.

She tried the door handle, but it was still locked. Suddenly, Carter's eyes flickered opened. He looked straight at her.

Mary gasped and pressed her face against the window.

Carter's eyes closed.

She stared at him, waiting for him to open them again. Waiting for any sign of life. But he was still like he was before.

Hands suddenly took hold of Mary, pulling her away from the car. Her feet moved on their own again. Someone was yelling "Miss" a lot. Parts of her brain found other noises too, like sirens, voices, beeping, and other things. The hands directed her to sit on something hard and cold.

"Miss? Can you hear me? Can you tell me your name?"

Mary didn't answer. She still hadn't found her voice, and her mind was fuzzy, too.
"Is that her bag there? Does she have a driver's license?"

A different person spoke. "No license, but I found a student ID. Her name's Mary Phan. She's seventeen and a junior here at Lewis Prep."

Mary heard a third voice. "I just talked with some of the kids on the sidewalk. One of them said her mom's a nurse at the memorial hospital."

"Find out how to contact the mom. Anyone see what happened?"

"Cops are questioning witnesses right now. Looks like she ran in front of the bus. It would've nailed her if that sportster hadn't gotten in the way."

"Anything on the bus or the driver of the car?"

"Everyone on the bus looks fine. The car belongs to a kid named Carter Maxwell. Also a junior." A sigh. "I wouldn't hold my breath. He looks really bad in there."

Mary tuned out everything else. All sights. All sounds. The only thing she could see in her mind was Carter staring at her.

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AUTHOR BIO

Christina Daley made her first book with neighborhood friends when she was four years old. They "wrote" out some semblance of lettering with crayons, cut up a cardboard box for the cover, and bound it all together with clear adhesive tape. It was brilliant.

Quite a few years later, Christina is trying her hand at writing "real" books. She lives in Dallas, Texas, with a pet plant named Herb.

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COVER REVEAL: Not Pretty Enough by Jaimie Admans

Not Pretty Enough 

by Jaimie Admans 
Publication date: August 1st 2013 
Genre: YA Contemporary

 

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

“New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Lloyd Layton will know I exist. He once said three whole words to me, so this is obviously progress. If I don’t get a proper conversation out of him soon, then I’ll take my top off and streak through the cafeteria, because nobody could fail to notice these boobs.

2. I will not get expelled for streaking through the cafeteria.”

Those are the words that begin her mission.

Chessie is fourteen, not pretty enough, and very much in love. Lloyd Layton is hot, popular, and unaware of Chessie’s existence.

Her goal is clear: to get Lloyd to love her as much as she loves him, and she has exactly one year to do it.

As Chessie’s obsession with Lloyd reaches boiling point and she starts to spin a web of lies that spiral out of control, Lloyd turns out to be not quite the prince she thought he was. Can Chessie avoid the gathering storm before things go too far?

Not Pretty Enough is a contemporary young adult comedy suitable for ages thirteen and over.

Book two in the series will be released early 2014.

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COVER REVEAL: Djinn by Laura Catherine

Djinn 

by Laura Catherine 

  

Series: Djinn, #1 
Publication date: December 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Synopsis:

Kyra’s life is far from normal.

She's been on the run for as long she can remember and her father is the only stable thing in her life, but everything changes when the people pursuing them finally catch up.

Kyra is abducted by the handsome and mysterious, Will. He takes her to a secret compound where she is told the truth: She's a Djinn, a genie-like creature with super powers and a love of dogs.

Kyra has to adjust to the Djinn and their rules, but her new life is far from perfect. Everyone is hiding something and the one person Kyra  cares about most is forbidden to her.

There are secrets around every corner and more dangers than Kyra could ever imagine as she struggles to find herself and be with the one she loves.

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AUTHOR BIO

Laura Catherine is Young Adult author focusing on Paranormal Romance, Dystopia, and Fantasy.

She writes stories full of action, secrets, and magic. She loves creating worlds where anything is possible and everyone has a story to tell. She has an over-active imagination, spends a lot of her time daydreaming, and wishes pokemon were real so she would have one.

Laura Catherine lives in Melbourne, Australia.

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COVER REVEAL: Devious by Suzannah Daniels

Devious 

by Suzannah Daniels  
Series: Dangerous, #2
Publication date: August 22nd, 2013
Genre: YA contemporary romance

Stone Hamilton had never been known for being the good guy. Just ask anyone who knows him. But things have changed since he started dating the sultry goody-two-shoes that he met over the summer. Now that it’s his senior year at Quail Mountain High, can he manage to hold on to the girl who’s stolen his heart or is it only a matter of time until he screws it all up?

If someone had told Dara Golding last school year that she’d be dating an ominous, wheelie-popping, biker boy her senior year, she would’ve scoffed. But she’s learned there’s a lot more to Stone Hamilton than she originally thought. Or is there?

How far will Stone go to hold on to the girl who has changed his world?

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Details for book 1

AUTHOR BIO

Suzannah Daniels has had an affinity for words for as long as she can remember. She grew up in North Georgia with four brothers, so she learned at an early age to admire snakes and motorcycles. When she wasn't pestering her brothers, she could usually be found reading or writing.

She is the author of Viking's Embrace, a historical romance, and Ghostly Encounter, Book One of her Ghostly series (young adult paranormal romance).

Currently, she lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee with her husband and her teenage daughter. Her son lives nearby. The family pets include a Lab mix, a Basset Hound, a Shih Tzu, and a sweet, little kitty.

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COVER REVEAL: Pendomus by Carissa Andrews

Pendomus 

by Carissa Andrews
Series: Pendomus Chronicles, #1
Publication date: October 10th, 2013
Genre: YA sci-fi/fantasy dystopian (with paranormal romance)

Synopsis:

Humanity has colonized on a tidally locked planet known as Pendomus, a planet of extremes. Half eternal scorching desert and half perpetual arctic night. Surviving along the temperate band between the two, we've set up home in a complex known as the Helix. Within the Helix lies a highly sophisticated, highly technological society that seems to function solely on humans fulfilling their life's purpose. That purpose is determined and nurtured through a person's natural aptitudes, as read by their daily brain scans. Eating, sleeping, even procreation is handled by professionals. These basic concepts, no longer a part of society's every day norm.

Seventeen-year-old Runa Cophem longs to be more than part of the Helix machine. Her life inside is anything but fulfilling. She feels disconnected, and longs to be more than society dictates. Inside, no one socializes, no one interacts in a meaningful way. It's never set right with Runa. She would love nothing more than to reach out to her family, but not even her own mother can show any semblance of love for her. Instead, Runa has found solace in the ancient woods nearby, despite being strictly forbidden.

Seventeen-year-old Runa Cophem longs to be more than part of the Helix machine. Her life inside is anything but fulfilling. She feels disconnected, and longs to be more than society dictates. Inside, no one socializes, no one interacts in a meaningful way. It's never set right with Runa. She would love nothing more than to reach out to her family, but not even her own mother can show any semblance of love for her. Instead, Runa has found solace in the ancient woods nearby, despite being strictly forbidden.

Runa's life takes an unforeseen turn when she's brutally attacked, and left for dead in those woods near the Helix. Rescued by a stranger with blue hair, she's immersed into a surprising way humanity has survived. Fueled by a yearning to belong, and an attraction she didn't even know was possible, Runa wants desperately to make a new life. Yet, there's much she doesn't know about herself, about the planet and the forces controlling her from afar.

What she needs is some answers.

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AUTHOR BIO

Born and raised in central MN, Carissa Andrews has always loved books. She started her career at 15 in a bookstore, just to be able to afford her book fetish. By 19, she worked for a magazine publisher. At 22, she was working for printers to learn their trade. At 27, she went back to school for graphic design, and became an award winning designer. Little did she know all of her experiences would lead her to becoming a self-publishing power house.

At 31, a magical world on a planet far away, invaded her mind.

At 34, she's learned what she needs to make her work successful.

Pendomus (Book 1 of the Pendomus Chronicles) will be released OCTOBER 10, 2013.

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GIVEAWAY and COVER REVEAL: Reap by Christina Channelle

Reap 

by Christina Channelle 
Publication date: October 11th, 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Foreign, or rather unfamiliar, would be the word I would use to describe how I felt.

Faintly, I could hear the glimmer of voices surrounding me in this dark haze, caressing my ears like skin against silk. I felt like I was in a cocoon of sorts, protectively enveloped, quietly drifting in some far-off place. I wanted to stay that way forever.

But we all know that what you want never really seems to happen in the real world.

Something’s not right in Mia’s head.

The first thing is that her name isn’t Mia. In fact, she has no clue what her name is—who she is. All that she knows is that she’s not like the ones who found her: Dante with his kind blue eyes, Amy with her child-like demeanor, James with his questioning gaze.

And Briggs.

The one she cannot decipher no matter how hard she tries.

As Mia tries to fit in with these people, a strange occurrence is amidst outside. And as she finally remembers who she is …

Well, let’s just say that things get a little more complicated.

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AUTHOR BIO

A dreamer, Christina Channelle holds two degrees in health sciences but has always had a passion for writing. You will find her reading other young adult novels, or typing up a new story on her computer. When not writing, Christina spends her free time at the movies, listening to music, or eating sushi. She’s a reality TV junkie and has a close relationship to many characters on TV that have been a topic of many heated discussions among friends. She resides in Ontario, Canada.

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REVIEW and GIVEAWAY: Motocross Me by Cheyenne Young

Motocross Me
by Cheyanne Young
Expected Release: June 26th 2013
Publisher: 336Love  

When Hana Fisher moves to the small town of Mixon, Texas to live with her dad, she dreads having to work at the boring pile of dirt he fondly calls a motocross track. But when she gets there, she finds the rinky-dink dirt bike track from her childhood has grown into the most respected racing track in the state. 

Now popular by association, Hana endures the pain and sweat of working in the summer heat in order to fit in with a sport she’s growing to love. She gets a real family, a best friend and not just one, but two of the fastest racers trying to win her heart. 

When Hana abuses her status as the track owner’s daughter to help the gorgeous Ryan Russo cheat in the biggest race of the year, she risks more than just losing her job. Every good thing in her life is at stake now- her friends, her dad’s trust, and Ash Carter- the kind-hearted racer who may not be as alluring as Ryan, but is proof that nice guys don’t always finish last

REVIEW

I decided to review this book for the tour because I think motocross racers are pretty cute! I’m sure I’m not the only one, and I haven’t seen this setting used much at all, so this one really grabbed my interest.

Hana Fisher has just learned some disturbing news from her mother when she finds herself on the road to her dad’s house. A dad she hasn’t paid much attention to for the past couple of years, all because she’s finally had it with her irresponsible mother.

Luckily her father is not a jerk, in fact, he’s remarried to a nice woman and they have an adorable pre-teen son whom she loves. So Hana made the right move. She can do better than a mother who prefers to marry over and over again – and this new engagement was the straw that broke the camel’s back for Hana.

So she ends up at her father’s motocross track – which has also grown up while she was away and is now a well-respected and busy place. Being surrounded by a bunch of “muscular” guys almost drives poor Hana nuts, and it doesn’t help that the two best riders are both interested in the owner's daughter.

These two boys couldn’t be more different. Ryan is a confident player while Ash is a quiet and serious gentleman. Of course I prefer Ash! And so does Hana, except Hana hasn’t quite made up her mind what kind of girl she is just yet. Hana comes off as naive, innocent, and a little bit childish—or maybe just more like a stereotypical teen.

I enjoyed this story and while there was a love triangle, it helped that Ash was so down to Earth because he diffused much of the angst of these scenarios just by being so calm. Hana learns some lessons about life, but she also learns some lessons about herself and what’s important to her. It doesn’t look like this book is part of a series, so the ending was a bit abrupt for me. I’d like to have learned more about what happens after. But I enjoyed it and I loved the setting. The descriptions and information about the sport of motocross was sprinkled throughout the story. Not so much that I felt like someone was explaining the rules of the sport to me, just enough to let me in on what’s going on.

Four stars for Motocross Me by Cheyenne young.

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About this author

Cheyanne is a native Texan with a fear of cold weather and a coffee addiction that probably needs an intervention. She loves books, sarcasm, nail polish and paid holidays. She lives near the beach with her daughter, one spoiled rotten puppy and a cat who is most likely plotting to take over the world.

www.cheyanneyoung.com 

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RELEASE DAY GIVEAWAY: Losing Francesca By JA Huss

Losing Francesca 

By J. A. Huss

Expected Publication: July 1, 2013 Genre: Mature Young Adult Contemporary Romance

Francesca Sabatini came to America to take in the sights, celebrate her high school graduation, and have fun wasting time before college starts in the fall.

That’s not what happens.

Fresh off the plane and barely on American soil more than a handful of minutes, Francesca’s face is recognized by TSA scanners to be a match for a child who was kidnapped twelve years ago.

Brody Mason remembers the day Fiona Sullivan went missing during a family vacation in Italy and it’s haunted him his whole life. So when Francesca shows up at the Sullivan farm down the road, he’s compelled to figure out if this girl really is his long lost friend.

But Francesca knows she’s not Fiona Sullivan. She knows exactly who she is. At least she thinks she knows – until Brody Mason relentlessly pursues her and she begins to have feelings for him. Maybe being Fiona isn’t so bad?

Reality becomes blurred, secrets are revealed, and life will never be the same when the final questions are answered: Is she Francesca or Fiona? And where does she really belong? Losing Francesca is a YA/NA crossover contemporary romance. :)

What people are saying about Losing Francesca by J.A. Huss!

"A 'you must drop everything and read this' kind of story." - Author Alexia Purdy @ http://alexiaepurdy.blogspot.com/

"...this book is so sweet and full of emotions and I loved it. I couldn't stop reading." - Lola @ Lola's Reviews!


"This. Was. Great!!!!! It was amazing! I loved it!" - Kimberly @ Kimberly's Novel Notes!

I lie back on the beach and put my hands behind my head. "So, we're gonna spend the whole summer hanging out and I'm not allowed to get to know you even in the most basic and simple ways? Is that how this is gonna go, Fee?" 

She lies back next to me and turns on her side, her eyes searching mine. "Why do you insist that I am her? I'm not her, Brody. This fact will hurt you if you don't accept it and I don't want to hurt you. You're nice, I like you, but I'm not that girl." 

"I want you to be her." I tell her truthfully. "I so, so want you to be her, Francesca. I cannot even explain how much I want to talk to her again. How much I want to tell her about all the days we never shared, to tell her that I thought of her at the end of every single one of them and that I prayed to God for years, every night, on my fucking knees, that she'd come back. I want to give her the Fruit Roll-Up I brought to school that first day back after summer vacation. That stupid Fruit Roll-Up that I still have hidden away, because I had this faith as a kid. This unwavering faith that only a kid can have that one day my friend would be back. And when she finally showed up, I'd give her that stupid snack to show her how much I missed her. And to prove myself to her. Because that little girl was my soulmate." 

She frowns so deep it makes me hold my breath. 

"I'm sorry," I say, turning my head to stare up at the sky. "I shouldn't tell you this stuff, I'm sorry." I'm projecting, that's what I'm doing. I want Francesca to be my Fee so bad I'm starting to believe it myself, even as she sits here and tells me straight up she's not her. 

Her hand touches my cheek and I look back over. "You can ask me one question, but it can't be about my other life." 

I laugh. "What good does that do me?" 

"Well, you can ask about things, but not my family, or school, or the places I've lived." 

"Give me a for example, because I'm not seeing the difference." She sighs and turns away, biting on her thumbnail a little. 

"OK," she says, turning back. "For example, I'll ask you the first question and you answer, then I'll answer the same question for you." 

I smile. 

She chews on her bottom lip this time. Clearly she is nervous. 

"All right, tell me about the best day of your life." 

I sit up and stare down at her. "The best day of my life?" 

She nods. 

"Today, Fee. The best day of my life is today."

Get your copy today!

JA Huss is a SF and new adult romance junkie, has a love-hate relationship with the bad boys, and likes to write new adult books about people with real problems. She lives with her family on a small acreage farm in Colorado and has two donkeys named Paris and Nicole. Before writing fiction, she authored almost two hundred science workbooks and always has at least three works in progress. Losing Francesca is her first young adult romance.

Website † Facebook † Twitter † GoodReads  † Blog 

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REVIEW and GIVEAWAY: Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend by Louise Rozett

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend by Louise Rozett from Harlequin Teen.  The tour is hosted by YA Bound Book Tours.  You can visit the rest of the stops on the tour here.  My stop today features a review and giveaway, which you can enter below.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend 

(Confessions #2) 

by Louise Rozett 

Release Date: 06/18/13 

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Rose Zarelli has big plans for sophomore year—everything is going to be different. This year, she’s going to be the talented singer with the killer voice, the fabulous girl with the fashionista best friend, the brainiac who refuses to let Jamie Forta jerk her around...

...but if she’s not careful, she’s also going to be the sister who misses the signals, the daughter who can only think about her own pain, the “good girl” who finds herself in mid-scandal again (because no good deed goes unpunished) and possibly worst of all...the almost-girlfriend.

When all else fails, stop looking for love and go find yourself.

    

Confessions of an Angry Girl

(Confessions #1)

by Louise Rozett

Release Date: 08/28/12

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Paperback/e-book

288 pages

Rose Zarelli, self-proclaimed word geek and angry girl, has some confessions to make…

1. I'm livid all the time. Why? My dad died. My mom barely talks. My brother abandoned us. I think I'm allowed to be irate, don't you?

2. I make people furious regularly. Want an example? I kissed Jamie Forta, a badass guy who might be dating a cheerleader. She is nowenraged and out for blood. Mine.

3. High school might as well be Mars. My best friend has been replaced by an alien, and I see red all the time. (Mars is red and "seeing red" means being angry—get it?)

Here are some other vocab words that describe my life: Inadequate. Insufferable. Intolerable.

(Don't know what they mean? Look them up yourself.)

(Sorry. That was rude.)

    

REVIEW: Confessions of an Angry Girl

 
First of all, this was probably the first totally YA book I’ve read in a VERY long time.  Like, maybe since I was a teenager, and I’m frickin old.  But, these two books came in on a weekend where I was just burnt out on NA really – like really bad.  I was just frustrated with a bunch of books that I had committed to review, and all I really wanted as a book where the writing flowed and would allow me to just enjoy the story.

 
I read these two books in one day.  They were so fun.  Rose’s voice was just fabulous, I loved her.  Normally I’m not into the fourteen year old’s perspective.  It’s been a long time since I was fourteen, I was wild when I was fourteen, so pretty much nothing these fourteen year olds are doing in any of these books can hold a candle to my real life.  But that Jamie… yup.  He was sorta hot for a highschooler!  :)

 
I thoroughly enjoyed Confessions of  an Angry Girl.. I totally got it.  Rose lost her dad, she was really, really struggling with that and to top it all off, she was a freshman in high school.  It’s a lot for a kid.

 
And in walks this older guy who sorta pays attention to her, but is just aloof enough to keep her hanging.  I had a few these guys at her age, but I wanted to believe Jamie was a good guy.  And I did, for this entire book… all the way to the end.  And then… yeah. I’ve been there too.  

 
I was pretty much done with Jamie. He was a total screw-up.

 
I did very much enjoy how Rose worked through her grief with her online “friends” at the blog she made for her father. I thought that was touching.  I hate the thought of kids losing their parents because they are serving their country.  It’s just so tragic and sad, I hate it, but that was a nice touch and I think it really helped Rose work through her anger.

I think Rose is an incredibly strong character in this book even though she has a lot of self-doubt.  I like how she stood up to her mom about her blog and the way she chooses to cope with her sadness and honor her father at the same time.  That was strength, even if she didn't realize it at the time.  I also think Rose starts off stronger than she ends up and I think Jamie is the reason she grows weaker.  She trusts him and I'm just not convinced he deserves it. But love is love.  That's not something that can be turned off easily, and not amount of good advice will change someone's mind.  That's a life lesson that has to be learned first hand.

 
 

REVIEW: Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend

 
So book two – Jamie is still being a douchebag, but now Rose is presented with two more very grown-up issues. Hate and domestic violence.  I’m just gonna go on record and say I agree with her decision. I get why Jaime was angry, he feels responsible for this family, but he was way out of line.  This girl is only sixteen and Jamie is as unpredictable as they come.  How is she supposed to know what the right thing to do is? Did she stay silent because she was jealous of Regina and Jamie?  Maybe. Did she stay silent because she was told to?  Maybe.  Did she stay silent because she feared for what Jamie would do? Probably.

I’m totally over this Jamie guy and I got over him way before that final incident because Jamie threatened someone with a gun.  OK. A gun.  I’m a second Amendment Rights Advocate, I actually carry a gun at all times, I have no problem with guns, my son learned to shoot when he was ten.  But that incident when he took that gun out and threatened someone, I was done with him.  I cannot even explain how not cool that is and if Rose was my daughter, I’d hope she had the sense to figure out just how unstable that move really was and toss this guy out.

With that said, I can’t really make a decision on Rose until I read the last book because, of course, book two is right in the middle of her character arc.  It's impossible to determine if she's strong and self-confident or weak and timid until this plays out.  I think everything hinges on her making a decision to move on or get stuck in this pattern of abuse.  Because that’s what Jamie’s doing to her.  He’s mentally abusing her – he’s keeping her secret, he’s messing with her head, he’s not able to commit. But yet he wants all the perks, right? He’s playing with her. And he most definitely does NOT respect her.

One boy I did very much enjoy was Angelo!  I loved his character and I loved that he's going to be a bigger part of Rose's life, even if it is off "camera" so to speak, becasue of how the book ends. I'm officially Team Angelo. 

So, basically the one character that got me totally hooked on this series is a total jerk and I can’t stand him!  :) But that might be the author’s intent, I’m not sure yet.  Maybe he redeems himself next time around. With that said, I enjoyed the books, I enjoyed Rose, and I’ll definitely be tuning in for the next one.

***GIVEAWAY*** One lucky winner will get a signed copy of ANGRY GIRL, a signed copy of ALMOST-GIRLFRIEND, and a $25 iTunes gift card! (US only) a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Louise Rozett is an author, a playwright, and a recovering performer. She made her YA debut with Confessions of an Angry Girl, published by Harlequin Teen. The next book in the series, Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend, is due out June 2013. She lives with her 120-pound Bernese Mountain dog Lester (named after Lester Freamon from THE WIRE, of course) in one of the world's greatest literary meccas, Brooklyn...and also in sunny Los Angeles. (Being bi-coastal is fun!) Visit www.Louiserozett.com for more info.

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