Fragile Line: Review w/ Giveaway

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Title: Fragile Line
Author: Brooklyn Skye

Release date: April 21, 2014
Publisher: Entangled Teen

Source: NetGalley/Publisher; also, YA Bound Tours
I am reviewing an ARC of Fragile Line provided for an review. My thoughts are my own and I have not been persuaded in any way.

Cover & Summary

It can happen in a flash. One minute she’s kissing her boyfriend, the next she’s lost in the woods. Sixteen-year-old Ellie Cox is losing time. It started out small…forgetting a drive home or a conversation with a friend. But her blackouts are getting worse, more difficult to disguise as forgetfulness. When Ellie goes missing for three days, waking up in the apartment of a mysterious guy—a guy who is definitely not her boyfriend, her life starts to spiral out of control.

 Perched on the edge of insanity, with horrific memories of her childhood leaking in, Ellie struggles to put together the pieces of what she’s lost—starting with the name haunting her, Gwen. Heartbreakingly beautiful, this poignant story follows one girl’s harrowing journey to finding out who she really is.

Thoughts
Well, after reading and finishing Fragile Line, I'm glad I didn't read reviews beforehand. The topic of this book could have easily be given away, taking away much of the mystery and page turning ferocity that I had.

When I read the synopsis, I wasn't exactly sure what was going to happen or what to expect. As I read, I kind of had a guess, but I'm definitely not a psychology person...and not always perceptive. Skye's writing had me swiping eagerly at my Kindle so I could get to the next page as soon as possible. She definitely told a compelling story and created memorable characters.

A three-part book, we saw Ellie, Ellie, and then Gwen. If I were Ellie, I would have been freaking out and telling everyone what the heck was going on. I would be more concerned about waking up somewhere and not knowing what had happened and how long ago it happened than keeping it quiet. It's actually concerning that this situation probably occurs to people and they keep it to themselves. Scary.

The two Ellie sections were good. I felt like giving her [Ellie] a big hug. When we got to the third and final section, Gwen's section, I actually loved her. So much sympathy, compassion, and understanding that I felt. Like I said, I'm not really into the psyche, but Brooklyn Skye weaved a tale that was so believable. So real. So frightening.

Rating

Fragile Line is a good 3 1/2 Mickey read. I liked it and at times, really liked it!

Book Links

 

Entangled Website

About the Author

Brooklyn Skye grew up in a small town where she quickly realized writing was an escape from small town life. Really, she's just your average awkward girl who's obsessed with words. She writes young adult and new adult fiction. You can follow her on Twitter as @brooklyn__skye or visit her web site for updates, teasers, giveaways, and more. www.brooklyn-skye.com

Giveaway

Winner's Choice: $25 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

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Rook: Review (w/ Giveaway)

Blog Tour

Summary

Could you be the monster to save who you love?

Two women, separated by generations, must leave what they know to start a new life. Seventeen-year-old Kate's senior year is ruined when she's moved from the only home she's ever known. After an isolating month alone in her apartment, school starts, but neither her classmates nor her teacher are who they seem. Kali, a single mother living in the nineteenth century wilds of Montana, is stalked by a malicious past. She fights to keep her daughter safe while her freedom is threatened by her less than benevolent benefactor. Both find love, and with it hope, but that is quickly ripped away as one woman must learn the lessons of the other -- before it's too late to save either.

Purchase

Thoughts

Rook -- an interesting and good read! 

This book is about reincarnation of three people -- 1 woman and 2 men. They all three have what is talked about as the Sight. The Sight allows them to heal and see life forces of people and animals.

We have two ladies, Kate and Kali, and their dealings with escaping and saving someone they love. The two women have parallel stories. One man is good. A love and savior for our female protagonist. The other man was once good, but used his Sight in a way that made him lose his likability.

I know, I just confused you by saying there are 3 people and one of them is a woman and then turned around and said there are two women. Well, there's a reason for that! Our chapters alternate between Kate and Kali. Kate is our present day character and Kali is a late 19th century character. There are 2 men in each of their stories. Just remember -- reincarnation.

The story lines and characters were easily separable. No confusion for me in this book! 

A review copy was provided. All thoughts are my own and I have not been persuaded in any way.

Rating

Interesting story, plot and characters. I will definitely read more from Monica MacDonald.

About the Author

Monica is a married graduate student with three boys. Utah is home right now, but the need to wander has extended beyond the fantasy world of writing and into real life. She's lived all around the US and even into the Middle East. The world is really a small place, only made bigger through imagination.

   

Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dead Dreams: Review (w/ Giveaway)

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Summary

Eighteen-year-old Brie O’Mara has so much going for her: a loving family in the sidelines, an heiress for a roommate, and dreams that might just come true. Big dreams--of going to acting school, finishing college and making a name for herself.

She is about to be the envy of everyone she knew. What more could she hope for? Except her dreams are about to lead her down the road to nightmares. Nightmares that could turn into a deadly reality.

Dead Dreams, Book 1, a young adult psychological thriller and contemporary mystery.

Purchase

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Smashwords

Book Trailer

Thoughts

Dead Dreams was a very interesting book. I think it's a good thing that I'm confused and NEEDING the second book!

This first book introduces us to Brie and Sarah. Brie is an 18 year old saving for college and hoping to live out her dreams of NYC and acting. Sarah is an heiress on the run trying to make it to her 21st birthday so she can get her inheritance.

Sarah talks Brie into this plan and it is so far-fetched, I'm not sure how it's going to work. I am definitely not a criminal mastermind! Sarah seems to know a whole lot, though. Hmmm! Anyway! They begin the plan, but at the end, weird things happen. Brie finds out some things and questions what she has done.

There is a big HUGE mystery at the end and I was left scanning the next page looking for something. ANYTHING! Oh, I need answers. Please don't make me wait too long, Emma. Please!

The only major thing I wish was done a little differently would be some character development. I hope to have answers and more of a connection to Brie in the next book. I didn't feel like I really knew any of the characters in this book. They all kind of came across as just kind of surface characters without really any emotion or depth. Brie has a lot of growing up, thinking, and standing up for herself to do. 

A review copy was provided. All thoughts are my own and I have not been persuaded in any way.

Rating

I liked Dead Dreams and will be looking forward to more of the story. I need answers!

About the Author

Emma Right is a happy wife and homeschool mother of five living in the Pacific West Coast of the USA. Besides running a busy home, and looking after their five pets, which includes two cats, two bunnies and a Long-haired dachshund, she also writes stories for her children. When she doesn't have her nose in a book, she is telling her kids to get theirs in one.

Right worked as a copywriter for two major advertising agencies and won several awards, including the prestigious Clio Award for her ads, before she settled down to have children.

     

Giveaway

$15 Amazon gift card and paperback of Dead Dreamsa Rafflecopter giveaway

Resilient: Review (w/ Giveaway!)

Book Description:

Livia has never felt like she fits in. As normal as it sounds, Livia is anything but ordinary. She can feel every emotion of every single person around her, and it’s maddening. In pursuit of some psychic quiet, she moves with her family from New York City to Whidbey Island in the lush and sleepy Pacific Northwest. But when a horseback riding accident in her new home gives her a broken leg that heals in a day, she finds that another explainable ability has manifested, and her life isn’t about to get any easier.

Adam has no problem fitting in and making friends. In fact, he’s the top of the school, the boy everyone knows and loves. However, people only see what he allows them to. No one knows what Adam is truly capable of. After witnessing Livia’s accident, Adam sees something intriguing in her quick recovery, something that gives him hope that he’s not alone.

Adam is the only one whose emotions Livia can’t read. Afraid of not knowing what goes on behind his dark eyes, Livia decides to keep him at a distance. Yet the more she tries to ignore him, the more alluring he becomes, and while their personal quests for identity will inevitably bring them closer together, it is the confirmation of what they really are that threatens to tear them apart.

Resilient, told in alternating point of views, is a gripping story of survival and romance, in which two teenagers face the consequences of being anything but normal.

GoodReads | Amazon

Thoughts:
I liked Resilient. I really enjoyed the alternating point of views. It was nice to see Livia's and Adam's thoughts through the whole book.

Livia thought she was different. Actually, she knew she was different. She could empathize with people. She could run fast. She also had a photographic memory. (How awesome would that be?!?!) Then, she found out that she heals super fast. Trying to keep all of her secrets from Adam, and Adam trying to keep his from Livia, just caused problems. They did eventually find out that they're both alike and that they were in danger.

The "Agency" in which created them are trying to get them back. The story really gets exciting when they go on the run. They find out there are more kids like them and they're sent to strengthen their talents. Of course, something goes amiss and my heart broke! B-R-O-K-E! 

Then, it was the end of book and I have to wait for the sequel. Oh, Patricia, you are so evil! :P

I will definitely be looking for the sequel to this story so I can continue on with the fabulous world that was created. I love stories like this! Secrets, powers, and bad agencies on the hunt. Woooo! Up my alley!

A review copy was provided. All thoughts are my own and I have not been persuaded in any way.
Rating:

About the Author:

Patricia Vanasse was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Now she lives on Whidbey Island in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two adorable children, and two crazy dogs. She has been trough Culinary Arts, Psychology, Law School, and now has finally found her passion in creative writing. She also loves traveling, cooking, and is an avid reader. Her strength- believes that everything is possible.

Author Sites:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Giveaway:

Kindle Paperwhite (US)

Signed Resilient paperback (INT)

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