Moonflower by Angela J. Townsend
Release Date: March 31, 2014
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing
Natasha remembers little from her Russian childhood, other than the lingering nightmares of her mother's tragic death. So when someone close to her hands her a one-way ticket to Russia, along with the deed to her family farm, and then is brutally murdered, she has little confidence about what awaits her in that distant land.
With doubt and uncertainty, Natasha has no choice but to leave her life in America for an unknown future. Once overseas, the terrifying facts as to why she was really summoned home come to light.
Fact one: Monsters do exist.
Fact two: The only thing keeping those monsters out of the world is an ancient mural hidden below her family's farm.
Fact three: The mural that keeps the evil out of the world is falling apart.
The final fact: It's up to Natasha to restore it and save the world from a horror unlike anything seen before.
Luckily, Natasha isn't alone in her mission. Three Russian Knights are tasked with protecting her from the demons as she restores the mural. And leading the Knights is the handsome and strong Anatoly, who seems to be everything Natasha could hope for in a man. Unfortunately, there is one huge problem. Her Knights are forbidden from having relationships with the artists they protect, and Anatoly is a hardcore rule follower. But rules cannot stop the way she feels.
When a horrifying demon breaches the barrier and pulls Anatoly inside the mural, Natasha can’t help but charge, once again, into the unknown—this time to save the man she secretly loves. Now on the demons’ turf, she risks her own life to free the very one who is supposed to be protecting her. Little does she realize that if she should fail, it could mean the destruction of the very last barrier shielding mankind. Will Anatoly refuse Natasha’s help? Or will he finally realize, when love is at stake, the rules will be broken.
First Sentence:
The shadows came for me at night, in my sleep, evoking demons as they crept over me, pressing down, tangling around my arms, my legs, my neck.
Last Sentence:
I would strive always to make him proud.
Art is a central part to this story, and I loved the message it gives. Art can save lives. In this story, Townsend is able to make that remark true while building a beautiful story around the idea. Nothing about it is normal, and this book holds the promise of expanding the horizons in the YA genre.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters. Even when I was appalled by their actions, I couldn't stop reading. Bambi was such a hard character to stomach, but the way she was written made me want to continue on and figure out why she was the way she was. Natasha knows hardly anything about her past. I felt it was such a privilege to be with her every step of the way as she uncovers the truth about her past and chases it down. She's a unique protagonist, and her story is one that you don't want to miss.
Angela J. Townsend has a way with writing that's poetic and pleasing. There are certain times that I looked over my shoulder because the dread that Natasha felt, I could feel too. There is no shortage of detail, description, and thought put into this book. I rarely say this, but this is one book that I'd love to see as a movie. I can easily image how it would look in my head thanks to the stunning visuals that this book drums up in my mind.
This book is a great read that highlights overcoming your past. There are no cliches or pet peeves to be found on these pages. Lover of art or not, this YA book is a must read for fans of the genre and fans of female protagonists who are real.
**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Clean Teen Publishing and Angela J. Townsend.
Interview with Angela J. Townsend
- Which book do you think
everyone should read at least once in their lifetime? There are so many
good books--but I love the classics. I would have to say anything by
Charles Dickens or Emily Bronte.
- Do you have a writing
ritual? What does it entail? I write anywhere, anytime. Distraction
doesn’t bother me. I’m always creating new stories and at all hours you
will most likely find me writing with a hot cup of Barry’s Irish tea and
Celtic mood music playing in the background.
- If you could choose any TV
show to promote your book on, which would you choose? The Bates Hotel
because things are not always what they seem in Moonflower.
- Why did you choose the genre
you write in? Because I love classic fairytales and classical mythology.
- Which was your favorite
chapter to write? Chapter one where the main character remembers her life
in Russia and the horrific murder of her mother at her father’s hands. It
was a dramatic chapter to write and one of the easiest.
- Chocolate or vanilla?
Vanilla with caramel sauce!
EXCERPT FROM MOONFLOWER:
Seattle, Washington
The shadows came for me at night, in
my sleep, evoking demons as they crept over me, pressing down, tangling around
my arms, my legs, my neck. I struggled to open my eyes. To move. To breathe.
Panic swelled. Twisting and thrashing, I battled to break free. The shadows
turned to vapor, and it was my mother who held me now, clutching me to her bloody
body as we huddled together. Her ragged, uneven breath feathered across the
back of my neck.
She whispered one last Russian
lullaby.
My father appeared in the doorway,
his heavy boots dripping snow on the oak floor. His eyes were cold, vacant, a
rifle tight in his hands. He advanced, yelling Siberian curses that fell from
his lips like hissing snakes. He snarled and aimed the weapon at my mother’s
chest. Her eyes stretched wide in horror, her lips twisted in a final scream as
she pushed me to safety.
A bullet exploded through her torso,
shattering my existence in a mixture of steel, blood and bone, colliding at the
speed of light. My father lowered the gun, grabbed my mother’s wrist and
checked for a pulse. A satisfied smile crept across his lips as he dropped her
lifeless arm.
A whimper escaped my throat. He
spotted me cowering in the corner, his eyes blazing with scalding fury. He
raised the weapon, aimed it at my forehead, and the shadows came for me again….
MORE BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR (Available Now):
ABOUT ANGELA J. TOWNSEND:
Angela Townsend was born in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Missoula, Montana. As a child, Angela grew up listening to stories told by her grandparents, ancient tales and legends of faraway places. Influenced by her Irish and Scottish heritage, Angela became an avid research historian, specializing in Celtic mythology. Her gift for storytelling finally led her to a full time career in historical research and writing. A writer in local community circulations, Angela is also a published genealogical and historical resource writer who has taught numerous research seminars. Currently, Angela divides her time between writing, playing Celtic music on her fiddle, and Irish dancing.
Angela's first novel, Amarok, was published through Spencer Hill Press in 2012. Her newest novel, Angus MacBain and The Island of Sleeping Kings, was signed for publication with Clean Teen Publishing in 2013.
Angela resides on a ranch, in rural Northwestern Montana, with her two children Levi and Grant.
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Giveaway
There are two different prizes to win during my blog tour with Clean Teen Publishing! One winner will get three ebooks of their choice from the catalog of Clean Teen Publishing and their imprints. Click here to see the books you could win. The second winner will win a $10 gift card to Amazon. Both are open to international entries. Good luck!
Nice review and awesome giveaway! :D
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