Steeled for Murder by K.M. Rockwood

Title: Steeled for Murder

Author: K.M. Rockwood

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

Online Ratings: 4.3 out of 5 stars

*I RECEIVED THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*

NO SPOILERS!

Summary from Goodreads:

On parole for a murder conviction, Jesse is the first suspect when Mitch, a forklift driver at work, is killed. Will Jesse be able to figure out what happened, or be sent back to prison?

After nearly twenty years in prison on a murder conviction, Jesse Damon has been released, a home detention monitor strapped to his ankle. Determined to make it and mindful of his parole restrictions, he struggles with life outside prison. He finds a basement apartment, a job on the overnight shift at a steel fabrication plant and a few people who treat him like anybody else. Especially Kelly, a woman who works in the shipping department. He seems to be making it. Until Mitch, forklift driver on the shift, is found murdered in the warehouse. Investigating detective doesn’t want to look any further than Jesse to close the case He’s not fussy about the methods he uses to gather evidence. If Jesse isn’t going down for this, he will have to be the one to figure out who killed Mitch and why.

My Opinion:

Mystery, Suspense, Romance, Self Discovery, Respect, Family. All of these different themes can be found in K.M. Rockwood's novel, 'Steeled for Murder'. Steeled for Murder was an intense, electrifying, mysterious read that is bound to keep readers interested till the very end. Steeled for Murder by K.M. Rockwood is definitely ranked as my favourite mystery novel. The tension and curiosity this novel evoked was commendable. Steeled for Murder has risen my expectations for any mystery novel I read. K.M. Rockwood a elegant writing skills have helped shape this novel into a fantastic read. K.M. Rockwood really knows how to capture the readers attention and emotions. 

The novel revolved around young adult, Jesse Damon. Jesse had been locked in prison from an early age accused for a crime he did not commit. After twenty years spent in prison, Jesse finally was allowed his freedom but in one condition- he had to be paroled. After restarting his life and attempting to 'get back on track', things seemed to be going smooth and good for Jesse until an unexpected murder at his work place. Immediately blamed for this murder due to his previous prison records, Jesse is determined to prove himself not guilty. Through many highs and lows, readers experience Jesse's thoughts, opinions and different personalities he portrays. 

The characters introduced in this novel were multi-dimensional, making them more realistic and relatable too. The main character, Jesse Damon, was my favourite male protagonist I have read about in a mystery novel. Jesse Damon was framed for a crime which he was unaware about. I adored his character and at times, I felt really bad for him. His shy, introvert personality didn't really help give him courage to stand up for his rights. I loved how Jesse valued his education- when he was locked up in jail, he would read novels and extended on his knowledge. The main female protagonist, Kelly, was another multi-dimensional character. Completely opposite from Jesse- she was an extrovert, who spoke her feelings and never excluded anyone. She accepted Jesse, knowing all the things he had been accused for, and she still loved him. I adored learning more about her life and finding out about her mysterious past. 

The setting in the novel was very vivid and descriptive helping readers to be comfortable in the current atmosphere set in the novel. 

Something which I personally wasn't a fan of was the ending chapters. I felt the end of the novel was very rushed and slightly confusing. I really wished the ending of the novel was spread out a little more. But other than that small factor in the novel, K.M. Rockwood has written a promising novel in a new series. I am eagerly waiting to read more novels in Jesse Damon's perspective.

Thank you K.M. Rockwood for giving me the opportunity to read and review your amazing, suspenseful novel. It was definitely an honour to receive your novel and I can not wait to read more books in this new mysterious series. 

- Erisha <4 

Covet by Terri Herman-Poncé

Title: Covet

Author: Terri Herman-Poncé 

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Online Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 stars

*I RECEIVED THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*

NO SPOILERS! 

Summary from Goodreads: 

Everyone wants something.

Even if it belongs to someone else.

And some will destroy the very thing they want, just so no one else can have it.

Professional soldier David Bellotti's latest mission seems simple: steal the key card to a drug lord's compound so the empire can be infiltrated and destroyed. But when David discovers evidence of his lover Lottie’s possible infidelity, his mission turns personal. He searches for answers others would kill to keep buried and discovers a link to the past he's been trying hard to ignore.

Ancient lives, twelve thousand year old secrets, murder, and primal instincts lead David on a journey through past lives and present danger—all to save the woman he loves.

My Opinion (Spoilers from first novel): 

From what started off as business turned into a personal mission. The first novel follows a strong female named Lottie and Covet, the second novel, follows male protagonist and Lottie's lover, David, through his unexpected journey back to the past. Following David and Lottie's love story through this mysterious novel has been phenomenal. Covet, the second novel in the Past Life series, has lived up to the high expectations I set before reading this novel. This novel was definitely more action packed and mysterious than the first novel.

Poncé's unique and elegant style of writing definitely shone throughout this book. The chapters were written in three different perspectives, firstly, in David's point of view, secondly, in Lottie's point of view and thirdly, in third person. 

The small aspect which I wasn't a huge fan of was that the alternating chapters did not state whose point of view it was currently in. This led to a small amount of confusion and I really hope that the next novel states whose point of view the current chapter is following. 

Other than that, David's perspective in the novel had to be my favourite to read from. Following his opinions and thoughts on certain situations was definitely a treat. Also seeing his transformation and him reliving his past lives was quite interesting as he was quite oblivious to the fact he was reliving old times. David's reactions were 'spot on' and I could feel all his emotions and really relate to him.

Reading Lottie's 'point of view' chapters was quite amazing and refreshing as it helped relive the special bonding I created with her in the first novel, 'In This Life'. Lottie still had her strong, bold, independent personality and I felt that she also went through quite a bit of character development. 

Lottie and David's relationship definitely developed into a more mature, trust-worthy relationship. In this novel I felt the characters were more comfortable in their relationship. Although in the beginning there wasn't much trust in their relationship, by the end readers could see the an enormous difference from the beginning of the novel as David and Lottie were more honest with each other. Their relationship development was another aspect I really enjoyed reading about. 

This novel was very intriguing and had really great plot twists! With new characters introduced, this novel has many twists that never would have been expected! The novel had so many mysteries to be solved and so many answers to find that readers were always left with something to anticipate for. I adored how every event, situation and character intertwined to together. The interconnection was an intelligent idea and really made me appreciate this novel more. 'Covet' by Terri Herman-Poncé was a very mysterious novel that kept readers entertained and curious to the end. 

I definitely recommend this series to mystery readers and romance readers. This series is exceptionally good to read if you want to try reading in the Mystery genre for the first time. Thank you Terri Herman-Poncé for allowing me to read and review your excellently written novel- I am very grateful. 

- Erisha <4 

I Know Lucy by Melissa Pearl

Title: I Know Lucy

Author: Melissa Pearl

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 

Online Ratings: 4.1 out of 5 stars

*I RECEIVED THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*

NO SPOILERS! 

Summary from Goodreads:

Lucy Tate is on the run. After witnessing the brutal murder of her parents, she's spent five years in hiding -- taking on different personas and faking her way through life. The authorities can't be trusted, so she remains in the shadows, always one beat ahead of the man who is forever hunting her. That is, until she meets Zach Schultz, a senior at Monte Vista High and the one guy she can’t bear to leave. Suddenly her natural instincts to lie, steal, and run are overshadowed by something else...the desire to stay. It’s her one shot at a normal life.

Curious by nature, Zach is immediately drawn to the new girl at school. How can a person look both confident and vulnerable all in the same moment? Determined to learn more about her, he tries to get close, but is thrown into a world of lies and confusion. The only thing that becomes apparent is that discovering the truth may get him killed.

My Opinion:

'I Know Lucy' by Melissa Pearl is an adventurous and mysterious read. This novel, by far, is one of the best books I have read this year.

Melissa Pearl has written in a new, unique way which definitely helped captivate readers attention. Pearl decided to try a new style of writing which was to dedicate each chapter to the two main protagonists. With alternating perspectives we got an insight on the female protagonists' past life and also we got to follow the present story in the male protagonists' point of view. This idea was really interesting and definitely worked out well. The male protagonist's, Zach's, chapters were written in first perspective while Lucy's, the female protagonist's, chapters were written in third person. I commend Pearl for testing this new technique and I can definitely say that I am a fan of novels written like 'I Know Lucy'. Melissa Pearl has definitely risen my expectations of Author's writing styles and I can not wait to read more novels like this one. 

The characters in this novel were very relatable too and I felt as if I could feel all of the characters emotions, especially Lucy's. Lucy, the female lead, was definitely my favourite character. Her mysterious past and all the adversities she had to face were two things that I adored about her. Lucy was independent, helpful and headstrong. At first, Zach, the male lead, seemed immature to me. But that theory proved to be incorrect as I read more. Zach's character was protective and caring- he supported Lucy through her tough decisions and always had her back. Zach and Lucy's relationship was adorable. It was not fast paced and we really got to understand their feelings for each other. Character development was conveyed incredibly in this novel. We saw each character face adversities and also overcome those challenges with great strength. Some methods to overcome obstacles were taken 'to extreme' but I still enjoyed reading those certain scenes. Those scenes made me realise how humans can become so desperate in their lives that they have to 'do the unthinkable'. Overall, Melissa Pearl has written a beautiful novel with a lot of character development. The characters, plot and setting were amazing and I loved how this novel was set in different time periods. I recommend this novel to any romance and/or mystery readers- this novel is a 'must read'. Thank you Melissa Pearl for allowing me to review your fantastic novel. 

- Erisha <4 

Apple and Rain by Sarah Crossan

Title: Apple and Rain

Author: Sarah Crossan 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

Online Ratings: 4 out of 5 stars

*I RECEIVED THIS BOOK FROM BLOOMSBURY AUSTRALIA IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*

NO SPOILERS! 

Summary from Goodreads:

When Apple's mother returns after eleven years away, Apple feels whole again. But just like the stormy Christmas Eve when she left, her mother's homecoming is bittersweet. It's only when Apple meets someone more lost than she is that she begins to see things as they really are.

A story about sad endings.

A story about happy beginnings.

A story to make you realise who is special.

My Opinion: 

Apple and Rain by Sarah Crossan was a story about family, love and self discovery- this novel can truly mend a broken heart. Sarah Crossan has written a phenomenal middle-grade novel which definitely evoked a lot of emotions. Her fluent and elegant writing skills made this book easy to understand. I felt all of the emotions of the characters in the novel which made them quite relatable. The female protagonist, Apple, had suffered through a lot in her life. A lost mother, a strict grandma, a father who doesn't notice her- are just a few of the adversities Apple had to deal with in her life. I found her character headstrong and independent, I truly admired Apple's character. Reading the novel from Apple's perspective really helped readers to connect with the female protagonist. I felt all the events on going in Apple's life could be seen in our modern day world. The plot was quite intriguing and mysterious. There were a lot of unimaginable secrets revealed that readers were left speechless. The first few pages of this novel really seemed to draw me into Apple's world. The romance between Apple and her quirky, confident neighbour, Del, was not forced at all. In fact their relationship helped bring out the good in Apple. Del helped Apple deal through tough times making him the ideal fictional male protagonist. The relationships in this novel definitely left an impact on readers. With such strong emotions being evoked from each relationship, readers felt great empathy for each character. Self discovery was a reinforced issue throughout this entire novel. Throughout this novel we saw a lot of character development- which was mostly evident through Apple's character. Family, which was another strong theme in this novel, helped readers to see that just because two individuals are related through blood does not mean that those individuals are close and supportive of each other. This idea was evident through Apple and her mum's relationship. Her mum was not a supporting, female role model to Apple but instead a 'runaway'. And when things became too tough, Apple's mum ran back home. This not only shows two individuals relationship but also conveys the idea of selfishness. Overall, Sarah Crossan has written a beautiful novel and I am quite grateful for having the opportunity to read and review this novel. I recommend teenagers and readers who love middle grade novels to read this novel. 

- Erisha <4 

SNAP: The World Unfolds by Michele Drier

Title: SNAP- The World Unfolds

Author: Michele Drier 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

Online Ratings: 3.5 out if 5 stars

*I RECEIVED THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*

NO SPOILERS! 

Goodreads Summary:

SNAP, a multinational celeb TV show and magazine, is the holy grail for Maxie Gwenoch. When she snags the job as managing editor, she’s looking for fame, fortune and Jimmy Choos. What she finds is a media empire owned by Baron Kandesky and his family. A family of vampires. They’re European, urbane, wealthy and mesmerizing. And when she meets Jean-Louis, vampire and co-worker, she’s a goner.

The Kandesky vampire family rose in Hungary centuries ago. They gave up violence and killing to make a killing on the world’s commodities markets and with that beginning they built SNAP, an international celebrity multimedia empire. Now cultured…and having found food substitutes for killing…they’ve cornered the world market for celebrity and gossip journalism.

They haven’t fully left the past behind. Their Hungarian neighbors and rival vampire clan, the Huszars are starting to ramp up attacks, maybe looking to start a war to take over all the Kandeskys have built.

Maxie believes she’s found her ultimate career. She doesn’t realize that she’s found a family feud like none other, a centuries-old rivalry between vampire families, with her as the linchpin. Bells ring with Jean-Louis, but she doesn’t realize they’re alarm sirens until she learns that Jean-Louis is second in command of the Kandeskys…but by then it’s too late.

My Opinion:

SNAP- The World Unfolds by Michele Drier is a fantasy novel based on the interaction of a human and vampires. This novel was a fast pace, fun, interesting and a captivating read which definitely will appeal to readers of any age. I loved the whole idea, concept and the uniqueness of the novel. SNAP: The World Unfolds begins with an introduction to the main female protagonist, Maxie Gwenoch, who just scored one of the best jobs as a managing editor at a multinational TV show/ magazine. SNAP, the tv show/ magazine Maxie scored a job at, is run by a family of vampires known as the Kandesky's. This family of vampires are vampires with new eating traditions and culture which evolved so humans can remain unharmed but another Hungarian family of vampires, the antagonists, Huszars are trying to ruin their plans of continuing this lifestyle. 

The main female protagonist is represented as a smart, dedicated lady but at times I felt her character was a bit childish. In the following novels, I am expecting a lot of character development from Maxie. Overall this novel was a great introduction to her character and personality- I can not wait to see her grow into a mature lady in the next few novels. My favourite character would have to be her assistant, Jazz, who is an unknown to the world of vampires but is still bubbly and devoted to her job. The male protagonist, Jean-Louis, definitely made this novel an even more enjoyable read. His character was sweet, caring and protective- the ideal male fictional character. There was quite a bit of world building since this was the first novel of a new fantasy series so at times there was a lot of information thrown your way. Another negative would have to be the romance between Maxie and Jean-Louis seemed a bit rushed at times. But aside from those small faults this novel was a promising beginning novel in a new series. I recommend readers who love fantasy and vampires to read this novel. Thank you Michele Drier for allowing me to read and review your excellent novel- I can't wait to continue this series! 

- Erisha <4 

A Tine to Live, A Tine to Die by Edith Maxwell

Title: A Tine to Live, A Tine to Die

Author: Edith Maxwell

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Online Ratings: 3.5 out of 5 stars

*I RECEIVED THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*

NO SPOILERS! 

Summary from Goodreads: 

It’s harvest time in Westbury, Massachusetts, and novice farmer Cameron Flaherty hopes to make a killing selling organic produce. But when a killer strikes on her property, her first foray into the world of organic farming yields a bumper crop of locally sourced murder…

Cam’s first growing season has gotten off to a slow start, but her CSA is flourishing thanks to a colorful group of subscribers led by Lucinda DaSilva, an enthusiastic Brazilian volunteer who’s vowed to eat nothing but locally produced food for one year. When Cam fires her only employee, local handyman Mike Montgomery, because he won’t follow organic growing practices, it seems like just another day at the office—until she finds him with a pitchfork sticking out of his neck.

The police suspect Cam of Mike’s murder, but when their investigation goes nowhere, Lucinda joins Cam in the hunt for the real killer. In a small New England town full of eccentric locavores, there’s no shortage of possibilities—from a neighboring farmer who competes with Cam for customers to a Swedish chef whose romantic designs on her have recently taken a turn for the odd. And then there’s the local militia group with its decidedly nonlocal agenda…

To clear her name, Cam will have to dig up secrets buried deep beneath the soil of Produce Plus Plus Farm. And she’ll have to catch a murderer whose motto seems to be “Eat local. Kill local.”

My Opinion: 

A Tine to Live, A Tine to Die by Edith Maxwell was a suspenseful, mysterious, first novel in a new series, 'Local Foods'. The plot was quite fast-paced and there was never a dull moment while I was reading this novel. This novel had a unique setting for a mystery novel as it was set on a farm. I would have never of the combination of a mystery novel set on a farm but I really liked how both aspects of the novel contrasted each other. The overall all plot of this novel which was a mysterious murder on the farm is quite rare to find which definitely made this novel stand out. Another aspect I quite enjoyed was the resolution to the mystery of Mike's murder- it was quite unexpected and never suspected. The foreshadowing in this novel was my favourite aspect. Maxwell has definitely written a novel with a lot of suspense and many different techniques that are used in mystery novels. Something that I disliked in this novel was the characters were not relatable too. The main character, Cam, was one of my least favourite characters. Her devotion to the farm was commendable but when she found clues to help solve the mystery of Mike's murder she would never hand it into the police. I felt her character was slowing down the process of solving the mystery which I, personally didn't like. The romance aspect in this novel did not go into much detail and I am really hoping to see more in the next novel. The romance between the protagonist Cam and the chef was quite slow and I felt their relationship never went anywhere. Also Cam's background information was incomplete and I wished we learned more about her character which would help make her more relatable too. Overall Edith Maxwell has written a good, first novel in a new, promising, mystery series. I recommend this novel for mystery readers and even young adults. 

- Erisha <4 

Golden Blood by Melissa Pearl

Title: Golden Blood

Author: Melissa Pearl

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Online Ratings: 3.9 out of 5 stars

*I RECEIVED THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*

NO SPOILERS!

Summary from Goodreads:

Gemma Hart never knows when her father is going to whisk her back in time. Her toes start tingling and she has a few minutes to find a secret haven where she can disintegrate and appear in another time and place. While “across the line,” her training and skills are put to the test as she completes a mission that will change history for the lucky few her father has selected. 

Gemma's parents are adamant that secrecy is paramount to her family’s safety. If people knew what they were capable of, they could be "used and abused", as her mother always says. Afraid she might accidentally utter the truth and break the ancient oath of her people, Gemma spends her school days as a loner. Only one thing can throw her sheltered life askew... Harrison Granger.

Harrison never expected to talk to the strange Hart girl, but after a brief encounter he can't stop thinking about her. He begins a campaign to chisel away her icy veneer and is met with unexpected consequences. As he slowly wins this girl over, he enters a surreal world that has him fighting to keep his newfound love and his life.

My Opinion:

Golden Blood by Melissa Pearl is the first novel in the Time Spirit Trilogy. Golden Blood was the first 'time travel' novel I have ever read and I can happily state that this novel certainly won't be the last I read in this genre. This novel was a captivating, interesting and a fun read. I never seemed to be able to put this novel down after I started reading it. Melissa Pearl has written a beautifully structured novel with elegant writing skills which I applaud her for. Golden Blood's main female protagonist, Gemma Hart, is definitely a favourite female character of mine. Gemma can be best described as a shy girl who does anything to please her family even if that means to give up her social life. An introvert who is called the "freak" of the school  falls in love with Harrison Granger who is not a Time Traveler. Harrison Granger was one of the sweetest male protagonists I have read about. He is not judgemental as he never judged Gemma's social life and even though she is named as the "freak of the school" he still falls in love with her. The relationship is not pushed in any way and is paced quite well so both characters have a chance to learn more about each other. Gemma's family background is quite unique and different, an aspect of this novel which I enjoyed reading about. I loved learning more about Gemma and why her family does time travel. Of course I will not right the reasoning here as that is one of the mysteries to uncover while reading this novel. While reading the novel, look out for foreshadowing which I found Pearl added into this novel quite well. I would always read a paragraph and have many possibilities rushing to mind about why her family does time-traveling and why she is so unique but the truth was never revealed until the end of the novel. The setting of this novel is not only in the present day but also in different time periods hence the reason why this novel is based on time traveling. I really enjoyed this aspect of the novel and am looking forward to seeing more "time-traveling" scenes in the next few novels. The overall plot and issue of this novel was played out quite well and interesting scenes took place which I would have never imagined! This novel has gained my interest to start reading more novels based on time traveling. I can't wait to see how events unfold in the following novel.  I recommend teenagers and young adults to read this book- you will not regret it! Thank you so much Melissa Pearl for allowing me to review your phenomenal novel.

- Erisha <4 

In This Life by Terri Herman-Poncé

Title: In This Life

Author: Terri Herman-Poncé

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Online Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 stars

*I RECEIVED THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*

NO SPOILERS!

Summary from Goodreads:

When psychologist Lottie Morgan meets Galen, their encounter is as intense as it is eye-opening. Something about him is familiar. His looks. His words. His touch…

Lottie can’t resist the urge to know more about him, or the smouldering memories that surface every time he’s near. Only Galen’s keeping a dangerous secret, one linked to a life shared thousands of years ago. One that could destroy the relationship Lottie has with her current lover David.

One that is about to cost Lottie her life—again.

Take a trip to mysterious ancient Egypt, where powerful passions ignite and deadly deceptions begin. The Past Life Series starts here.

My Opinion: 

In This Life by Terri Poncé is the first novel in a new romance series known as The Past Life series. This novel was a fun read which I extremely enjoyed. In This Life was a mysterious but captivating read making it an easy "page-turner"- I found it quite difficult to put down this book once I started reading it. I adored how Poncé really built up the tension in this novel and kept all the mysteries unsolved until the end making this an interesting but at times a terrifying read. The main plot/ complication was very unique and definitely reached out to me. This novel was one of the first mystery novels I have read that I actually found easy to connect with which was also many "plus points" for this novel. The characters were relatable too and I felt all the emotions of each character which proves that Poncé is a phenomenal writer. The female protagonist, Lottie Morgan who is a psychologist, had a very strong but confused character. Lottie conveyed the idea of being multi-dimensional which made the readers connect and relate to her more. The two male protagonists, David and Galen, were two very interesting characters. David being brave as strong while Galen was mysterious and scary at times. These two different personalities contrasted well with Lottie's character and together, these three protagonists definitely made this novel more captivating to read. I have to applaud Poncé for setting up such a beautiful world- not only did she write the modern world beautifully but also the ancient Egyptian world was also written phenomenally. I felt I was actually in Ancient Egypt when Lottie experienced flashbacks to her past life. Discovering new traditions in Ancient Egypt had to be one of my favourite scenes in this novel! I recommend all teenagers and new adults to read this novel- I can assure you that you won't regret reading this beautiful novel! I am really excited to read the next novel in this series and see how the story of Lottie, David & Galen proceeds. 

- Erisha <4 

Ex-Factor by Elisa Dane

Title: Ex-Factor

Author: Elisa Dane

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 

Online Ratings: 4 out of 5 stars

*I RECEIVED THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*

NO SPOILERS!

Summary from Goodreads:

Nevaeh Evan’s life is uprooted after her father’s death, when she moves in with her aunt and cousin, Livvie. Her plan to lay low at her new high school isn’t working. Her friend’s jerky boyfriend keeps asking her out, the guy she likes treats her like garbage, and the thought of tumbling again makes her want to hurl. 

So when her aunt pushes her into joining the elite X-FACTOR cheer leading squad, Navaeh goes along with it. 

But Nev feels she doesn’t deserve to be happy. Not after what happened the night her father died. 

Bodie Scott knows about grief all too well. Critically injured in an alcohol related accident the year before, Bodie struggles with the fact that he’ll never play football again, and he’s so far behind in credits he can’t see straight. That is, until he meets Nev. Haunted by their bloody pasts and wary of a shared future, Nev and Bodie turn to one another for comfort and support, and realise they’re not so alone after all. And when the party scene at school threatens the life of a loved one, the two stop at nothing to keep the past from repeating itself.

My Opinion: 

Ex-Factor is the first novel in Elisa Dane's new series, "The Diamond Girls". Ex-Factor was a fantastic, relatable novel and this novel perfectly conveyed the dangers of drink driving. The message of, "Don't Drink and Drive" was stressed throughout this whole novel which definitely reached out to me and caught my attention. Ex-Factor follows the story of a young, confused but brave teenager, Nevaeh (Nev). Even after facing terrible adversities, her courageous character is outstanding throughout the whole novel. Bodie, the male protagonist of this novel, also just like Nev has many dark secrets of his own. He has faced many difficulties and the unique ways he overcomes those obstacles is brilliant. Nev and Bodie's relationship was not forced in any way but in fact a sweet, reliable, trustworthy relationship making the novel an enjoyable read. I adored the times Nev would 'break down her walls' for Bodie just to release her emotions and convey the idea she needs help. This does not show weakness but in fact shows a multidimensional character which makes her more realistic and easier to understand. The way both of them could help each other in their difficulties by supporting each other was phenomenal and definitely a key element in a good relationship. Elisa Dane's writing skills is quite elegant & beautiful and this was conveyed during the scenes of Nev cheer leading. I am not so familiar with the rules and techniques of cheer leading but Elisa Dane has written all the cheer leading scenes in this novel phenomenally that now even I know a few techniques. I was never confused by all the 'cheer leading references' which is what made this novel a fun, unique experience. I definitely recommend this novel  to teenagers as it is a beautiful novel with an important message of "Don't Drink & Drive". I feel in love with this novel in the first few pages and I can assure you that you will fall I love with this novel too. I can't wait to continue the series and a lot of thanks to Elisa Dane for sending me an ebook- I greatly appreciate it. 

- Erisha <4 

Tortuous Shadows by Jennifer Parr

Title: Tortuous Shadows

Author: Jennifer Parr

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Online Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars

*I RECEIVED THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*

NO SPOILERS! 

Summary from Goodreads:

Eighteen-year-old Aria Morgan, along with her mother and Dviinu brother, Aaron, are virtually nonexistent members of Avalon Valley, a remote village cupped in the hands of paradise. Outcast since birth, Aria has resigned herself to the grim reality that, without finding love and bearing a child in the next few years, she will die - the unkind result of the Darkness' unrelenting grip on humanity.

But when a harrowing ordeal brings Aria's end hauntingly near, fate intervenes in the form of Liam Trey, handsome Avalon Valley newcomer. Liam is the kind of guy Aria can see herself having a future with, but her sordid family history follows her like shadows. If she bares her secrets, Liam could reject her, but what does she have to lose?

Despite her fears, Liam has fallen for Aria and so begins their relationship, fragile at best, troubled at worst, and tested to no end. Still, Aria's future has never been brighter...until Liam is shunned for his association with her, and a warning brings Aria face to face with a decision that will cost her everything she thought she'd never have.

Ringing with dystopian undertones, Tortuous Shadows delivers a rich, old-world feel to modern-day romantics of any age, as Aria is thrust into a journey that leads her down a path to love, redemption, and eternal purpose. Aria's journey continues in Better Shade, book two of the Avalon Valley trilogy - available soon.

My Opinion: 

Tortuous Shadows by Jennifer Parr is the first novel in a romance series. This novel was based around the romance of Aria and Liam, the main protagonists of the story. Aria's character was personally my favourite as she was quite strong and brave but also faced a lot of hardships. I adored how she overcame each adversity in her relationship with Liam as she always remained strong. Aria also proved to be a multi-dimensional character as, at times I felt she was quite dependent on others but I loved how realistic her character was, making her easier to relate too. Liam's character was one of the cutest male fictional character that I have read about.  Liam and Aria's relationship is not rushed at all but I felt in the beginning they moved into this relationship quite fast, making it less realistic as 'love at first sight' doesn't really happen in reality. But apart from that, I adored their relationship as they did not force each other into anything and Liam was quite mature in the entire relationship- never taking advantage of Aria. He respected her decisions, supported her and always kept hope in her even when there were community/ family complications. Parr's novel was left in a cliff hanger having me dying to read the next novel as soon as possible. The setting of the novel was conveyed in almost a dystopian style which I loved as I am a huge dystopian fan. Jennifer Parr definitely explained the setting of the novel thoroughly through her phenomenal writing style. A negative from this novel would have to be the main issue and complication. I felt the main issue wasn't 'stressed' enough to us, the readers, and the complication wasn't such a big issue. I really wished there was another storyline apart from romance as it would've definitely given this novel a more interesting plot to read about. Since this is a series, I am eagerly waiting for the next novel to be released as I really want answers to unsolved questions from this novel. I love how Jennifer Parr kept the suspense all throughout the novel and her writing style is quite elegant and descriptive which made me really enjoy this novel more. I definitely recommend this novel to teenagers who love reading romance and dystopian novels. This novel was a fun read and it has been a great experience entering Jennifer Parr's dystopian world. 

- Erisha <4