Pretty Little Indies: Kai Strand

This week's Pretty Little Indie is Kai Strand! Stick around for my reviews of her amazing YA novellas addressing homeless youth.

1. Describe Worth the Effort in one word.
Acceptance

2. What inspired you to write about a homeless youth?
The county I live in has the sixth largest homeless population in the United States (crazy, since I think I live in the boondocks.) Homelessness is often misunderstood in the first place, but I really believe most people (especially teens and young adults) aren’t even aware of the underage homeless population. I wanted to not only make readers think, “Wait…really?” but also to let people know it isn’t only drugs and poverty that sends people to the streets. Though Ayden’s situation might be rare, it isn’t unheard of, and there are so many other factors that land people on the streets, or have them couch surfing, as well.

3. How similar are you and Ella?
Not at all. I borrowed some traits from my daughters to form Ella. They are both very self-possessed and grounded. However, Ella is pretty much uniquely herself, and she’s very real to me. The fact she considers herself a coward and that continually inspires her to do more is a trait I consider hers alone.

4. Which part of Worth the Effort was your favorite to write?
The romantic spots, of course. Ella is so surprised to find appealing qualities in the boy she was originally terrified of and then to have her heart melt for him…that was super fun to develop. And Ayden! That boy makes me *le sigh*. He spends most of his time inside his own head, so he’s a really good thinker and I love what he thinks about Ella.

5. Dog-eared pages or bookmarks?
Bookmarks. In middle school I went through a phase when I thought dog-earing was super cool and I’ve been paying homage to the book gods ever since. Of course, I have a million legitimate bookmarks around the house, but usually end up sticking a receipt into my book. I’m fully convinced there is a bookmark monster under my couch.

6. What's next for you, Kai? Any new projects or releases?
I have a brand new middle grade book out this month, The Lumpy Duckling. It’s the third (standalone) book in my Weaver Tale series. This one is about friendship and I really, really love writing about friendship.

I’m putting the finishing touches on the third and final book in my Super Villain Academy series—tentatively called, Super Bad—before I send it off to my publisher. I’m so excited to get this one out there! I think this book is full of surprises and I really love the ending.

Worth the Effort: Ella's Story 

by Kai Strand

(Worth the Effort #1)

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance

[Goodreads | Amazon]

Ella Jones is a coward. There is a teen boy living in
the alley behind her work and she is terrified of him.

Desperate to leave behind the stereotypical and judgmental world she was raised in, Ella forces herself to make a true connection with seventeen-year-old Ayden Worth. As their friendship grows Ayden’s quiet, gentle ways teach her true courage.

But there’s more to Ayden’s story than Ella knows. When their worlds collide in the most unexpected place, Ella feels betrayed. Will she find the courage to learn who Ayden really is, or will she determine he’s not worth the effort?

WORTH THE EFFORT: Ella’s Story a young adult contemporary romance novella at 19,000 words.

  This is such a beautiful story that needed to be told. I'm so glad that Kai Strand decided to share Ella and Ayden's story. Homeless youth is a big problem in the US, but too often a blind eye is given to this plight. Kai Strand does a phenomenal job at capturing the raw reality of the issue.

  Though this is just a novella, I felt like Kai Strand really captured the essence of her characters. In just a short time, she was able to show the growth and development of Ella. I definitely recommend this emotional story to all fans of realistic Young Adult fiction. 

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Worth the Effort: Ayden's Story

by Kai Strand

(Worth the Effort #2)

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance

[Goodreads | Amazon]

Seventeen-year-old Ayden Worth shouldn’t have to
seek peace of mind in the streets. But as family
pressures mount, his anxieties increase, and he turns his back on comfort for a life in homeless camps and back alleys.

Then one fateful day he runs into the only person he ever wanted to know better. Ella Jones. His memories paint her as kind and undemanding, and it seems the years haven’t changed her. Her simple expectations draw him to her. Against all odds, a relationship buds and grows.

Yet, as Ayden repairs his life, Ella suggests he help others who also struggle. Will Ella turn out to be just like his dad, expecting more from him than he can give? Or will he prove that he is worth the effort?

  Wow. The emotion in this book surpasses the first, and I was blown away. This book is so much more than teen romance. It's about self-discovery and self-acceptance. It was a beautiful and encouraging story.

  At first, I was weary of reading this once since it's the same story as Ella's but told from Ayden's point of view. It didn't feel that way whenever I read Ayden's story, though. There is so much substance that you really get swept away and forget that it's a retelling. Again, I cannot recommend these two books by Kai Strand enough. They are deeply emotional, engaging, and wonderful.

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Kai Strand writes fiction for kids and teens. Her debut novel, The Weaver, was an EPIC eBook Awards finalist. Her young adult title, King of Bad, soared to the publisher's #1 spot in its second month and stayed on the Top 5 Bestsellers list for eight months. She is a (very lucky) wife and the mother of four amazing kids. The most common sound in her household is laughter. The second most common is, "Do your dishes!" She and her family hike, geocache, and canoe in beautiful Central Oregon, where they call home. Learn more about Kai and her books by visiting her website: www.kaistrand.com.

[Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Instagram]

#IndieFallFest: Bridie Hall

Today I'm hosting Bridie Hall for Indie Fall Fest!
Don't forget to drop by the kick-off post and enter our HUGE giveaway!

And stop by Kira Adams' blog where she's featuring Shane Morgan!

Interview by Tiana Warner

Describe My Summer Roommate in 140 characters or less.

A cool girl and a hot boy end up being roommates and their romance leads to a feverish summer finale.

What’s your favorite thing about My Summer Roommate?
My favorite thing are both main characters. Chloe, because she’s complex and so self-aware, and Chris because he’s so utterly sweet and charming. How could Chloe ever say no to him?

They were so much fun to write, I enjoyed every second of it.

What was the hardest part about writing it?
The hardest parts to write were the angsty scenes towards the end. Chris and Chloe breaking up right after they finally gave in to their feelings was heartbreaking to write. I felt so sorry for Chris (even though I was the one who made him suffer). Interestingly enough, the parts that were the hardest to write are also my favorite parts of the book.

Do you have a writing routine?
Not really. I improvise a lot, because I have little time to write so I try to take advantage of every free moment. This means I’ll write whenever and wherever I can, so there’s no place for a routine.

What is your favorite genre to read?
I’m a voracious reader and I love to read everything from young adult, mysteries, romance, biographies, to crime stories and horror ... I can’t choose just one favorite genre. I’ll give anything a try and if it’s well-written I’ll probably like it.

What book has had a major impact on you?
I honestly can’t choose one book; there have been so many that stayed with me. Funnily enough, it wasn’t any particular book that made me want to become a writer, it was a movie. My first writing attempts were fanfiction based on Tequila Sunrise, if you can believe it.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I’d love to be invisible to be able to spy on people. ;-)

What would you be doing with your life if you weren’t a writer?
I’d still be working in the publishing business as a translator and editor (which is actually my day job). But the time I now spend writing I’d probably dedicate to reading, cooking or sewing.

If you could spend a day with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?
I can’t decide between Zadie Smith because I think she’s a phenomenal writer, or a surfer (any surfer) because then I could spend a day on the beach and discuss the ocean and surfing and the laid-back life of beach bums ...

Are you working on another book, and if so, what is it?
I’m currently working on two young adult novels. I’m editing a story about a girl who goes off to Paris to study fashion design. She has a lot of unresolved issues with her mother but she’s going the wrong way about solving them. And I’m also finishing the first draft of a story about grief and guilt. It’s about a boy and a girl who end up in an unhealthy relationship as they try to console each other after a tragic loss of a loved one.

Chloe needs a place to crash for the summer before
college. When Chris offers, she moves in with him. It’s
just for two months, no biggie. But soon she realizes she may have made a mistake. He is too perfect; a former snowboarder, laid-back and kind to boot, and he’s smitten with her. But she’s got trust issues and a relationship feels daunting. When he keeps trying to win her over, the temptation becomes overwhelming.

Just as she gives in and decides it’s not worth fighting their feelings anymore, Chris reveals he’s made a stupid mistake which might ruin Chloe’s trust in him and tear them apart.

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble]

I will admit, one of my guilty pleasures is romance stories that I can read quickly and swoon over in the process. My Summer Roommate - written by Bridie Hall - is a sweet Young Adult contemporary romance that did just that.

My Summer Roommate is broken into two separate character viewpoints: Chloe and Chris. I loved the structure of this book because it gave me the opportunity to see the romance from both sides. The story itself flowed very well between these two character perspectives, but what amazed me most about Hall's writing is that she captivated me.

I will admit, I have a hard time reading a story in present tense, so I was hesitant when I began to read this book. However, after a few paragraphs, I became so wrapped up in the story, I didn't even notice. To me, this is the mark of a great writer because she was able to immerse me into her world within minutes.

The world is set in modern day, and there is a spark between the two main characters that is noticeable from the start. I loved how Hall let us see the romance develop. Her characters are flawed, which made them more realistic instead of the usual perfect mate scenario often found in YA fiction today.

There wasn't really anything I didn't like about this book. The story itself was realistic, the romance was sweet, and Chris was a guy any reader could find herself falling for. My Summer Roommate is a perfect read for anyone looking for a little romance, some drama, and the pleasure that comes from reading a very well written book.

Inspiration and Writer's Block

by Bridie Hall

I’m terrible when it comes to organizing things and sticking to plans. In short, I don’t do that. Right now, for example, I’m supposed to be finishing a first draft of a YA contemporary novel that should be done by the end of November. Am I doing that?

*insert a minute of crazy laughter*

You probably guessed the answer is no. I’m revising a different manuscript, thinking about writing a novel for Nanowrimo, and pondering an idea for another story.

This is mostly the result of me not being able to resist starting a new project until I finish the current one. Whenever I get a new idea, I become obsessed with it and I can’t stop thinking about it and that leads to me envisioning scenes and characters and all sorts of stuff that needs to be written down. like. right. this. second. Inevitably, it leads to a whole lot of confusion, looming-deadline panic, me pulling my hair out etc.

But this also has a positive side: if you want to be inspired, you have to write. You may think I got that backwards, but the truth is that your brain needs to get used to the act of writing. Your mind must think about writing in order to send you ideas for what to write about. So, every time I’m working on a project, I’ll get two or three new ideas. I let them develop and grow in my mind for a while (usually one sleepless night is enough). Some, I soon discard. With the promising ones, I start jotting down ideas, names, quotes, scenes … Before I know it, I’m already in the thick of it and there’s no turning back.

And sometimes, yes, I do experience a writer’s block with a story. Luckily, I don’t find it all that frustrating because I have other things to write while I let that one problematic storyline sort itself out. Because while I’m working on something else, in the background, my mind will come up with a solution for the problem. The projects can be completely unrelated stories, but it’ll do the trick nonetheless.

It is sort of a cyclical process. In order to get ideas, you need to write, and you need ideas to write about. You just need to start somewhere; it’ll be rough at first, you’ll feel uninspired and hopeless, but it just takes one spark for the flame to be born. Just watch out once it starts to blaze.

Bridie Hall sold her first story at fourteen. Since then, she has written dozens more, translated books, studied writing, and started writing novels. Her days revolve around stories and words, her sleepless nights involve plotting and inventing fascinating new characters. The only activity that takes up more of her time than writing, is reading.

[Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook]

#IndieFallFest: Sunday Brunch #1

All of the authors who are a part of Indie Fall Fest were asked to answer this question!

Here are their answers.

Which was the first Indie book that you can recall reading?

I'm sure there were others, but the first one I remember was Disintegrate by Christine Klocek-Lim.
-Bridie Hall

Fire Games by B.T. Narro
-T.A. Uner

State of Emergency by Summer Lane
-Ruth Silver

Colors Like Memories by Meradeth Houston
-Erin Albert Rhew

Conversations with the Light Bearer by Justin Villaneuva
-Cynthia Witherspoon

No clue! Seriously, I'm a long-time indie reader. Since I also write poetry, I'm also a reader of literary magazines and indie lit. I like books that are a little edgy. I like experimental. Some of my favorite indie presses include Curbside Splendor, Gold Wake Press, Black Balloon, Engine Books, Coconut Books, and Graywolf Press. They all publish incredible books.
-Tasha Cotter

Easy by Tammara Webber
-Shane Morgan

I had to go to Amazon to find this. I couldn't remember the title, and the author writes under several pen names, so I had to research that as well. It was Craig's Legacy by Terry Campbell. It's a time travel romance/mystery. I read it in 2003. I had just started writing, and Terry Campbell, aka, Bobbye Terry, formed a critique group in Lubbock, Texas, where I lived at the time. I learned a lot from her!
-Ann Everett

Colors Like Memories - Meredeth Houston.... LOVEEEEEEE!
-Heather Letto

Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines
-Stacey Mosteller

It was Inescapable by Amy Bartol.
-T.C. McKee

That's hard to say because I don't generally pay attention to indie versus traditional. I just get books thrown at me every which way and I read everything! It was probably 50 Shades :-)
-Amy Bartelloni

Oh, wow I have the worst memory ever! It was probably something by Samantha Young. I really liked her Warriors of Ankh series.
-A.G. Porter

The Bet by Rachel Van Dyken
-Sarah Darlington

Fallen by Lauren Faulter. The book came out in 2009, but I have to admit that I didn't get an e-reader until years later.
-Chess Desalls

Johnny, The Mark of Chaos by Susan D Kalior
-Sarah Buhl

The Secret of Spruce Knoll by Heather McCorkle
-Mary Waibel

Wool - Hugh Howey
-James D. Horton

Losing It
-Joy Penny

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. I loved the story but I also loved Jamie's story of how she published the book and it developed a following. I was really inspired to write my own story and connect with an audience.
-Karen Gordon

Slammed by Colleen Hoover
-Whitney Barbetti

Ummm that I knew was for sure indie... In Spades by K. Pinson
-Kristen Hope Mazzola

Jaime McGuire's Beautiful Disaster.
-J. Nathan

Falling For Sarah by Cate Beauman. I really liked it and went on to read the rest of the series. :)
-K.R. Conway

Easy by Tammara Webber
-Crystal Perkins

The first LGBTQ book I ever read was Curious Wine by Katherine V. Forrest. I finally felt represented in a story. My thoughts, feelings, dreams, and fears were shared by the two protagonists. It gave me the courage to accept who I was, come out once and for all, and live the live I wanted.
-Amy Dunne

Serial by Blake Crouch and J.A. Konrath. Also Dating My Vibrator, flash fiction by Suzanne Tyrpak.
-Zane Sachs

It would definitely have to be either Switched by Amanda Hocking or Devour by Shelly Crane. I enjoyed both of those.
-Rae Hachton

Normal is the Watchword by Jasmine Tru
-Kira Adams

Beyond Screenwriting by Sterling Anderson
-Rue

My first indie read was a science fiction novel by Kevin Bohacz called Immortality. Good question, because it triggered me to look up the author and in doing so, I discovered there was a sequel I didn’t know about!
-Katherine Over

I actually believe the book was Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. It was the original version with the weird mouth cover.
-Heather Topham Wood

Wool.
-Claudia Brevis
Susan Kaye Quinn's Open Minds. Really great series, btw!
-Kai Strand

#IndieFallFest: Kira Adams

I'm really excited to be kicking off Indie Fall Fest by featuring my co-host and friend, Kira Adams. Her books are some of my favorites because of their realistic and passionate edge! Don't forget to drop by the kick-off post and enter our HUGE giveaway!

Over on Kira Adams' blog, she's hosting Whitney Barbetti today! So go check that out, too!

1. Describe Pieces of Me in one word.
Real.

2. You often say how your own experiences in life inspire your books. How intimidating is it to put yourself out there like that for everyone to read about?
It’s intimidating, but so worthwhile when I hear people can relate. That’s what I want—to show real life problems and for people to feel like they could be the character I am portraying.

3. If you could be best friends with any author, who would you pick as your newest author BFF?
Probably Colleen Hoover. I follow her on Facebook and her posts are incredibly hilarious. Not only that, but she is an amazing woman. I’ve seen so many times how far she will go for her fans and it is really inspiring. She really doesn’t take anything for granted. I really admire her.

4. I was really drawn in to Peyton’s journey for self-acceptance in Pieces of Me. Did you know how her story would unfold whenever you started writing or did you just go with it?
Not really. I didn’t really outline for Pieces of Me. Just flew by the seat of my pants. And so much of myself is in Peyton, so it was rather easy. Her struggles with her extra skin—those are my real life struggles. And while she has Jace to help her accept herself, I had a hell of a time trying to find my identity again after losing 70 lbs.

5. Your day job involves working with a film company. How hard is it to transition between that form of art and entertainment back to writing?
It’s difficult but not impossible. I have three passions in life: writing, singing, and acting. I get to be around two of those passions every day. And while they both utilize different parts of my skills and brain, I’ve always been good at transitions. Before, I worked as a VP of Operations for an entertainment company so I had the chance to be around music and performers. I am thankful every day I have the jobs I do.

6. Do you have any strange writing rituals?
Not really. Although, I listen to music every second of my day OTHER than when I am writing. I have to have silence, otherwise I get too distracted.

7. What book has had the biggest impact on your life as a reader and a writer?
Oh my gosh. I used to have this book, hardback about this young girl who pursues being a musician. I probably read that book at least five times. I have no idea where it went or even who it was by. I have vague memories of it now. But it changed my life. It reminded me of my passion for singing and music. I read it when I was in high school, and have searched for it a ton, but the plot is difficult to remember. All I can remember is the way it made me FEEL—like I could do anything my heart desired.

8. What’s up next for you? Give us the deets on any upcoming releases!
Well, I am gearing up to release the second book in my Foundation series, The Fighter on October 28th! I am so excited to tell Jace’s story, especially for the people who loved Pieces of Me, but wanted to know more about his backstory. And then, before the end of the year I will be releasing my NA zombie novel, Into the Darkness which centers on a group of people who are just trying to maneuver through the chaos the world has become. It has a kickass female lead, Phoenix. I normally don’t write about tough female characters, but I am so excited to tell her story!

Pieces of Me by Kira Adams

(Foundation #1)

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance

Free on Amazon 10/25 & 10/26!

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble]

For sixteen year old Peyton Lane, life has never been
easy. She’s not popular, overweight, and oh yeah, her
sister is embarrassed of her. But over the course of a tumultuous year, everything changes for Peyton. Suddenly all eyes are on her and it’s not because she’s fat. From a pair of handsome twins to a couple of dangerously sexy rockers, Peyton will have to find out who she can trust with her heart. From the ups and downs to the twists and turns — this is Peyton’s story of finding one’s voice and growing into your own.

 Holy cow, y'all. Kira Adams has blown me away with Pieces of Me. I loved everything about this book. It's so real. There was an almost instantaneous connection between Peyton and myself. She struggles with so much, and I identified with her. I saw myself in Peyton. It was so easy to cheer her on and follow her story because of this.

  There are sprinklings of romance all over this book. The way that it finally comes together in the end left me with a ridiculous grin on my face. Like I said, I was totally team Peyton. My heart ached with hers, but I loved the way that Kira told her story. The romance is perfect and it's so fitting for this story. It was sweet at times and hard at times. Just like real life.

  I've been a fan of Kira Adams for awhile, but Pieces of Me took that to a whole new level. I'm so glad that she decided to tell the story of Peyton. And I cannot wait to follow Peyton's story with the rest of this series!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Phoebe Tonkin as Peyton Lane

Matt Lanter as Jace & Jax Austin

Douglas Booth as Colton Lee

Michael Trevino as Noah Leaderman

Deborah Ann Woll as Madison Thereaux

Raven Simone as Brooklyn Jones

Shailene Woodley as Harper Michaels

Crystal Reid as Kayleigh Lane

Krista Pakseresht has always been a dreamer. From the first time she opened her eyes. Creating worlds through words is one thing she is truly talented at. She specializes in Young adult/New adult romance, horror, action, fantasy, and non-fiction under the pen name Kira Adams.

She is the author of the Infinite Love series, the Foundation series, the Darkness Falls series, and the Looking Glass series.

[Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Wattpad]

Tour & Giveaway: The Collector's Society by Heather Lyons

From the author of the Fate series and The Deep End
of the Sea comes a fantastical romantic adventure
that has Alice tumbling down the strangest rabbit hole yet.

After years in Wonderland, Alice has returned to England as an adult, desperate to reclaim sanity and control over her life. An enigmatic gentleman with an intriguing job offer too tempting to resist changes her plans for a calm existence, though. Soon, she’s whisked to New York and initiated into the Collectors’ Society, a secret organization whose members confirm that famous stories are anything but straightforward and that what she knows about the world is only a fraction of the truth.

It’s there she discovers villains are afoot—ones who want to shelve the lives of countless beings. Assigned to work with the mysterious and alluring Finn, Alice and the rest of the Collectors’ Society race against a doomsday clock in order to prevent further destruction . . . but will they make it before all their endings are erased?

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes]

Holy crap.

What was that?!

  You have to know that you'll never find a book like The Collector's Society. It was unlike anything I've ever read or heard of. I had some doubts because of that, but they were quickly dismissed. Within just a few pages, I was sold. It's been awhile since I stayed up late and squeezed in reading time where ever I could find it for a single book. The Collector's Society sucked me into Alice's world and didn't let me go.

  The plot in this blew my mind. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so I'll keep things general. It's just something that you have to experience it firsthand. It's a must. All of the characters in this book are great in their own way, but Alice really stands out. She was a culmination of all things good and epic without being a Mary Sue. It was a tough feat, but Heather Lyons seriously blew my mind.

  There are so many elements to this book, and I feel like they are all so fluid in this book. Heather Lyons does an amazing job at crafting a story that just captivates you. The Collector's Society was truly brilliant and I cannot wait to read more by Heather Lyons.

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—she’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

[Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest]

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#IndieFallFest Kick-Off & Giveaway

Happy Fall, y'all!

  I am so excited to welcome everyone to Indie Fall Fest! Together with my friend and author, Kira Adams, we put together this event with the sole purpose of showing love to Indie authors! Over the next few weeks, we will be featuring over fifty authors here on my blog and over at Kira's. We hope you join us in celebrating some amazing Indie authors and hopefully discovering some new reads!

Participating Authors:

Erin Albert Rhew | A.G. Porter | Heather Letto | Cynthia Witherspoon | Tasha Cotter
Mary Waibel | Joy Penny | Karen Gordon | Zane Sachs | K.R. Conway
Sarah Buhl | T.A. Uner | Ruth Silver | Chess Desalls | Bridie Hall | Kira Adams
Heather Topham Wood | Amy Bartelloni | Tiana Warner | Rue | Scott Silver
Shay West | Whitney Barbetti | K.G. McAbee | Ann Everett | Breigh Forstner
E.J. Logan | James D. Horton | K.K. Allen | Katherine Over | Stacey Mosteller
K.B. Nelson | J.S. Little | Anna McCormally | Kai Strand | Zoe Dawson
Lauryn April | Shane Morgan | Crystal Perkins | J. Nathan | Claudia Brevis
Kristen Hope Mazzola | Sarah Darlington | I-Lanaa Twine | Rae Hachton | T.C. McKee
Amy Dunne | Ally Malinenko | Cassandra Larsen | Ashley Stoyanoff | Medeia Sharif

We are giving away over 110 books and $70 worth of Amazon gift cards.

All gift cards and ebooks are open internationally.

Print copies are US only unless otherwise indicated.

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Review: Compulsion by Martina Boone

Compulsion by Martina Boone

(Heirs of Watson Island #1)

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Southern Gothic

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo]

Three plantations. Two wishes. One ancient curse.

All her life, Barrie Watson has been a virtual prisoner in the house where she lives with her shut-in mother. When her mother dies, Barrie promises to put some mileage on her stiletto heels. But she finds a new kind of prison at her aunt’s South Carolina plantation instead--a prison guarded by an ancient spirit who long ago cursed one of the three founding families of Watson Island and gave the others magical gifts that became compulsions.

Stuck with the ghosts of a generations-old feud and hunted by forces she cannot see, Barrie must find a way to break free of the family legacy. With the help of sun-kissed Eight Beaufort, who knows what Barrie wants before she knows herself, the last Watson heir starts to unravel her family's twisted secrets. What she finds is dangerous: a love she never expected, a river that turns to fire at midnight, a gorgeous cousin who isn’t what she seems, and very real enemies who want both Eight and Barrie dead.

The Good

The setting.

The setting is what originally sold me on Compulsion. I have a long standing love affair with the Carolina coastline, especially anywhere around Charleston. Martina Boone nailed it with her portrayal of the area. Her descriptions were so beautiful that I was swept up in the story in a heartbeat. I felt like I was back in the midst of Charleston (just without the awful humidity). From the small town drama to the southern twangs, Compulsion was everything great about the lower states!

The characters.

Yes, yes, and yes. I'll talk about Barrie and Eight in a moment. Right now I want to rave about the secondary characters in Compulsion. Mark was everything perfection. The way that Martina Boone showcased his relationship with Barrie made my heartache. He was her mother, father, and confidant. I loved him. Aunt Pru was also great! The author did an excellent job at showing the adjustment she's going through with all of the changes. Martina Boone did not ignore any detail in this book and for that, I'm so thankful!

Barrie and Eight. Eight and Barrie. Beight. Errie.

Whatever we're calling them, I love them. Eight was a bucket full of swoon. Seriously. I very rarely swoon over a character in a book. I've never got behind the whole book boyfriend craze. But Eight Beaufort? Sign me right up, y'all! The way that the relationship between Barrie and Eight develops is perfect. It's a slow burn with not even a little hint of insta-love. REJOICE, y'all.

Barrie.

Jeez. I loved this girl. She was put into an impossible situation, and I admired her so much. Her curiosity and resolve really sold me on her. She isn't fainting onto a couch. But she isn't charging into battle all willy nilly either. She was so authentic. Thank you for that, Martina!

Everything.

Seriously. Compulsion was amazing. The thought and plot development in this book is incredible. Martina Boone is above all else, a story teller. And Compulsion was a story that I'm so glad that I got to read. All of the elements in this book come together in such a cohesive way. I don't know how anyone could pass up Compulsion. It's the perfect YA book for fall!

The Bad

Nothing!

The In-between

Na-da!

**I  received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Release Launch & Giveaway: The Collector's Society by Heather Lyons

 

Holy cannoli! It's here!!! We are extremely excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Heather Lyons' THE COLLECTORS' SOCIETY!! THE COLLECTORS’ SOCIETY is an Adult Romantic Fairy Tale, full of adventure and fantasy. This is Alice as you have never seen her before...  

 

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THE COLLECTORS’ SOCIETY Synopsis:

From the author of the Fate series and The Deep End of the Sea comes a
fantastical romantic adventure that has Alice tumbling down the strangest rabbit
hole yet.

After years in Wonderland, Alice has returned to England as an adult, desperate to reclaim sanity and control over her life. An enigmatic gentleman with an intriguing job offer too tempting to resist changes her plans for a calm existence, though. Soon, she’s whisked to New York and initiated into the Collectors’ Society, a secret organization whose members confirm that famous stories are anything but straightforward and that what she knows about the world is only a fraction of the truth.

It’s there she discovers villains are afoot—ones who want to shelve the lives of countless beings. Assigned to work with the mysterious and alluring Finn, Alice and the rest of the Collectors’ Society race against a doomsday clock in order to prevent further destruction . . . but will they make it before all their endings are erased?

“Do you find my ability to converse lacking, Doctor?”

He chuckles softly, no doubt remembering how I wasn’t chatty with anyone, himself included, for the first month of my stay. To be fair, it is difficult to carry on an invigorating discussion when one is shaking so hard from withdrawals they fear they might shatter into thousands of painful pieces before a single word can be uttered. Plus, there was the whole bit of how once I did open up, I raved liked a lunatic about things no normal person could imagine being true.

“Certainly not,” he says to me. “But as I must stay at the Pleasance and you must go forth into the world, it will do you good to practice on somebody new.”

“Then send in one of the orderlies. Or one of the nurses. I’ll happily chat with a staff member.”

One of his bushy, out-of-control eyebrows lifts high into his forehead.

“There are people out there who are quite content being solitary,” I point out. “Who do not need to converse with anybody but themselves and their dogs.”

He sets his pen down. “What about cats?”

Rigor mortis sets in ever so briefly at this question.

“You father said you were quite fond of cats growing up. There was one in particular that you favored. Dinah, was it not?”

“I’m—” I have to clear my throat. “Lately, I wonder if perhaps I’m more of a dog person after all.”

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

       

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