Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Compulsion Audiobook Release Blitz

Compulsion (The Heirs of Watson Island #1)

by Martina Boone

Release Date: 10/28/14

Narrated by: Joell A. Jacob
Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Simon Pulse/Tantor Audio

448 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

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.

Buy Links:

Listen to an audiobook sample:

Praise for Compulsion:

"Skillfully blends rich magic and folklore with adventure, sweeping romance, and hidden treasure . . . An impressive start to the Heirs of Watson Island series." —Publishers Weekly

"Eight Beaufort is so swoon-worthy that it's ridiculous. Move over Four, Eight is here to stay!" —RT Book Reviews, RT Editors Best Books of 2014

"Darkly romantic and steeped in Southern Gothic charm, you'll be compelled to get lost in the Heirs of Watson Island series." —JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"A fresh twist on the Southern Gothic -- haunting, atmospheric, and absorbing." —CLAUDIA GRAY, New York Timesbestselling author of A Thousand Pieces of You and the Evernight and Spellcaster series

"A stunningly magical debut with a delicious slow burn to be savored. I want to live in this story world!" —WENDY HIGGINS, USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of the Sweet Evil trilogy

"Beautifully written, with vivid characters, a generations-old feud, and romance that leaps off the page, this Southern ghost story left me lingering over every word, and yet wanting to race to the compelling finish. Compulsion is not to be missed." —MEGAN SHEPHERD, author of The Madman's Daughter

Book Two:

PERSUASION (HEIRS OF WATSON ISLAND, BOOK 2)

Beautiful Creatures meets Gone With the Wind

As reporters chasing rumors of a stolen shipment of Civil War gold descend on Watson Island, Barrie Watson discovers more is buried at Colesworth Place than treasure. A mysterious, magical man claims the key to the Watson and Beaufort gifts and the Colesworth curse also lies beneath the mansion, and Barrie has no option but to help him find it. While she and Eight Beaufort struggle to make sense of the escalating danger and their growing feelings for each other, Barrie must decide not only whom to trust, but which gift is more reliable—Eight’s or her own. With the fate of the founding families at stake, she has to choose between what she feels deep in her heart and what will keep her loved ones safe.

Pre-Order Links:
IndieBound | Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Martina Boone was born in Prague and spoke several languages before learning English. She fell in love with words and never stopped delighting in them.

She’s the founder of AdventuresInYAPublishing.com, a Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers site, and YASeriesInsiders.com, a site devoted to encouraging literacy and all this YA Series.

From her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, children, and Auggie the wonder dog, she enjoys writing contemporary fantasy set in the kinds of magical places she’d love to visit. When she isn’t writing, she’s addicted to travel, horses, skiing, chocolate flavored tea, and anything with Nutella on it.

Author Links:

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Book Blitz Organized by:

Cora Carmack's Special Announcement!

HERE’S THE SCOOP!

**Fans of Cora Carmack’s Rusk University, we have a SUPER exciting announcement:**

ALL CLOSED OFF, Book 4 in the Rusk University Series, is coming!!!

Check out this message from Cora!

*WARNING: This letter contains spoilers for All Broke Down. If you haven't yet read that book, read at your own peril. SECOND WARNING: this letter talks about fictional characters as if they are real people. Sorry I'm not sorry. THIRD WARNING: The letter below broaches a serious topic that could be a trigger for some people*

Hello beloved readers! The first person who read one of my Rusk University books was my older sister. I gave her All Lined Up when I finished, and her first question was "Are Ryan and Stella going to be together?"

At the time, I told her no. I had plans for both of them that included their own storylines. I thought they were too much alike. They'd make great friends. They might even hook-up, but in the end... I couldn't envision anything serious for them. So I actually rewrote some of their scenes trying to make that aspect of their connection more obvious. And still, when All Lined Up released, amidst the chatter about sweet Carson and sassy Dallas, I had people asking if Stella and Ryan were next. I denied it again (and again and again).

But sometimes in writing, the stars align and a character will become bigger and more real than you could have possibly imagined. It's a wonderful experience, but in Stella's case it was also incredibly heartbreaking. While I was writing All Broke Down, the news was inundated with information about the Steubenville rape trial and other tragedies and injustices like it. Tragedies where women have been violated first by an attacker, then by judgmental and hateful people, and finally by a justice system that repeatedly fails survivors of sexual assault. Having grown up in Texas, where too often football stars are treated like gods and can get away with just about anything, it hit particularly close to home. And since All Broke Down featured a passionate activist heroine, I felt compelled to reference this chronic dark underbelly of elite sports.

I can remember vividly sitting on my couch, brainstorming how I would incorporate such an event into the book. I had thought the assault would happen to an unknown character, and maybe I would focus on the way it divided the team and the school and the town. But like I said... Sometimes a character will become bigger and more human than I anticipated. And it sounds crazy, but in my mind, I felt Stella push her way forward and say, "Mine. This is my story." I immediately began to cry. Sob, really. Because I loved her as a character. She was hilarious and strong and didn't take crap from anyone. She was everything I always hope to be. And I didn't want her to go through that. Even as I cried, my brain began to tell me that it made sense. Stella was vibrant and enjoyed a wild party. She was not afraid of her sexuality, and she had no problem with casual sex. She was the kind of girl that probably had a reputation. The kind of girl who could be heinously and violently taken advantage of, and people would STILL blame her. Because she was in the wrong place, wearing the wrong clothes, behaving in the wrong way. But just because it COULD happen to her, didn't mean I wanted it to. But once again, Stella was there in my head saying, "Someone needs to tell this story. And I'm strong enough to do it. Let me." And when Stella chose her story, she also chose the man I'd been adamant wasn't right for her. Because as it turns out... Those two characters who I thought were too alike aren't so alike anymore. And Stella needs Ryan to help her hold on to that vibrant and strong girl she was before.

So I let go of all the plans I had for her, and allowed her to tell me her story, which is about more than just sexual assault. It's about the aftermath. Depression. Shame. Guilt. Anger. Injustice. Victim-blaming. Slut-shaming. It's about the way that kind of event can change everything-- how you relate to people, how you think, how you dream, how you love. It's about the way the rest of the world moves on to the next big tragedy, and you're still left holding the broken pieces of who you used to be, with no idea how to put them together again or even if you want to. It will be the most difficult story I ever tell. And the most important. Because it’s a story that belongs not just to Stella, but to millions of people around the world. It’s a story that belongs to a new person every 107 seconds*. And that’s just in the United States. Think about that for a moment. 107 seconds. Stella’s story won’t be any easier to read than it will be to write. But I hope you’ll help me drag this story into the light.

So now I’ll step off my soapbox and just tell you about the book…

ALL CLOSED OFF:

Stella Santos is fine.

Maybe something terrible happened to her that she can’t even remember. And maybe it drives her crazy when her friends treat her like she’s on the verge of breaking because of it. Maybe it feels even worse when they do what she asks and pretend that it never happened at all. And maybe she’s been getting harassing emails and messages for months from people who don’t even know her, but hate her all the same.

But none of that matters because she’s just fine.

For Ryan Blake, Stella was always that girl. Vibrant and hilarious and beautiful. He wanted her as his best friend. His more than friends. His everything and anything that she would give him. Which these days is a whole lot of nothing. She gets angry when he’s there. Angry when he’s not there. Angry when he tries to talk and when he doesn’t.

When Stella devises an unconventional art project for one of her classes all about exploring intimacy—between both friends and strangers—Ryan finds himself stepping in as guinea pig after one of her subjects bails. What was supposed to be an objective and artistic look at emotion and secrets and sex suddenly becomes much more personal. When he hits it off with another girl from the project, Stella will have to decide if she’s willing to do more than make art about intimacy. To keep him, she’ll have to open up and let herself be the one thing she swore she’d never be again.

Vulnerable.

*****

ALL CLOSED OFF will be releasing sometime in early 2016. I don't have a date yet for several reasons. The first and most important, is that I want to do this story justice. And as such, I have no intentions of rushing the process. Secondly, I'll be returning to indie publishing for the remainder of the Rusk series. As you can probably tell, this story means a great deal to me. And by having the ultimate control over everything from timing to editing to price, I'll be able to ensure that I'm able to create exactly the story I envision. Unfortunately, that means you won't be seeing the paperback of ALL CLOSED OFF on the shelves in most stores. Nor is it currently available for pre-order. But I hope you'll add the book on goodreads, follow me on social media, and/or join my newsletter. I promise to shout it all over the place when I have a set release date or pre-order links.

Thank you for listening as I told you the evolution of Stella's story.

When it's finished, I hope you will feel as passionately about it as I do.

All my best,

Cora Carmack

*Statistic from RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network)

And an opportunity to add your voice to Stella’s…

Stella’s experience is only one story of many. She was with someone she trusted when it happened, and the only memories she has are pieced together from her own blurred recollections and the things people have told her. Not everyone’s experience with sexual assault is the same. Each person reacts, copes, and overcomes differently. And while this book is about one specific character’s journey, I would like to tell as many sides of this story as possible. As Stella grapples with her thoughts and emotions she’ll be searching for advice, for comfort, for a place where people understand her and can identify with what she’s experiencing. There will be room for truth within the fiction, and if you’d like that truth to be yours, this is your chance.

If you have a story like Stella’s, and you want your voice to be heard….

If there’s something you wish more people understood about what you’ve gone through….

If there’s something you’d like to tell people struggling with a story like yours…

I’d like to give you the opportunity to add your voice to Stella’s. Use the hashtag #WhenItHappened and let your voice be heard on your own by posting on your own social media, or if you’d rather I share your words fill out this google document and tell me your story. You can fill out this form anonymously or not. I’d like to begin this discussion now because April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. But my hope is to include as many stories as possible within the book itself.

So many have stories of #WhenItHappened. Your voice and your story deserve to be heard. I’m listening.

#WhenItHappened Google Form: http://goo.gl/forms/4VRjWgZYSW

Cora Carmack is a twenty-something New York Times bestselling author who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She now splits her time between Austin, TX and New York City and spends her days writing, traveling, and spending way too much time on the internet. In her books, you can expect to find humor, heart, and a whole lot of awkward. Because let’s face it . . . awkward people need love, too.

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(Me, Cora Carmack)
Photo taken at ApollyCon

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Interview with Kylee Carrier

Kylee Carrier is a teen-fiction writer, aspiring journalist, and young author of many articles and novels. She lives in Pennsylvania with her two terriers, and family.

Website Wattpad Google+ Goodreads

I was able to interview author Kylee Carrier about her debut novel, Shadow Zombie, and her upcoming projects. Do not miss out, for a LIMITED time, the Shadow Zombie e-book is FREE! Visit HERE for more details.

Casey Marie: How would you describe your writing style?

Kylee Carrier: I would describe my writing style as unique in the sense that I include humor, as well as realistic components to my novels. I enjoy relating to my readers in a very dark sarcastic manner, and I will always love enticing my readers with subtle foreshadowing and hysterical jokes that are secretly hidden within the novel itself. I've heard from a lot of my fans that they love the fact that they can reread a passage over and over again because of its unique content - and never get bored from rereading it!

CM: How do you come up with character names?

KC: That's such a fantastic question, and I'm so happy you asked it! I've had numerous people ask me this, and I always have a rather interesting way of answering. It's known that I'm a huge fan of music, and without music, I'd be lost. So, it's not odd to say that a lot of my characters' names come from band names. I have a gigantic canvas of bands on my wall at home, and to say the least, when I was exploring character names, I turned to my mural of my favorite bands, and picked out names. For example, Jamiro's name came from Jamiroquai, a band known for its part in Napoleon Dynamite (the band's song Canned Heat was played during the dance scene). Troggy's name came from The Troggs who sung Wild Thing. As for Eury, and Zusyl, well, their names came out of nowhere!

CM: If you had to be roommates with one of your characters, who would it be and why?

KC: Oh my, Gosh! I have no idea. I think that Simone and I are a lot alike, and we are both leaders. That might make us disagree a lot, so I would probably say no to Simmy. I think I'd like to be roommates with Troggy, just because of her spunky attitude. I feel like I'd never be bored with her, and she'd always be there in case of an emergency. You never know when you might need a shadow killer around!

CM: What do you want readers to take away from Shadow Zombie?

KC: I would like readers to take away whatever they want to! I feel like my ideas and my characters are free, therefore, I find it only fair to let my readers have the last laugh on my books. From my own experience, I can say that I take tidbits from novels, and keep them up in my brain's filing cabinets. I think that it's the little things, like certain dialogue or character traits that count, rather than the actual plot.

CM: Without too many spoilers, what can readers expect from the next book, Shadow Dream?

KC: Oh, boy! Oh, boy! Ohhhhh, boy! My fans are going to flip when they read the second book! I can say that Shadow Dream definitely tests the group's trust, as well as what it really means to survive. Simone is caught in a wave of life or death situations, and she's constantly searching for more and more answers. It's only a matter of time until her whole world falls apart, so on that cliffhanger, I'm just going to end this question now before I give too much away! If my fans are interested though, they can easily read the first three chapters of Shadow Dream for free on Wattpad anytime!

CM: What are you currently working on?

KC: I'm currently working on a novella called Fourth Person, and a two-part series called Rebel Pulse. The first book of the Rebel Pulse series is titled A Rebel's Raiment. I'm also in the middle of The Black Shadow Chronicles, and I hope to start the last book of the series within the upcoming months. My fans will be able to learn more about the upcoming novella and series on my Google + account (Kylee Carrier) in a few weeks. You can also check out these new projects on my Goodreads account (Kylee Carrier), where I will give the book summaries and plot lines very soon!

CM: Who is your dream cast for Shadow Zombie?

KC: I think that my dream cast would consist of average-looking kids (you know, like real people!). I wouldn't want the glamorous Hollywood perception for my cast. I'm searching for that special personality for all of my characters. One of the reasons why I never made my covers have people on them is because of this reason. Every time I read a book and it has a person on the front cover, my brain automatically picks that model as the character themselves. That is why I would have to search endlessly for cast members. I want ones with that special spark that ignites when you see them on stage!!!

CM: Do feel bad about killing off your characters?

KC: Yes!!! When a character dies in my novels, my heart tears to pieces. I sometimes sit at my keyboard and cry for a time or two. At the same time, however, I know that it was supposed to happen. It was fate! It completes the cycle. Without death, then there is no danger. No action. No thrill. Often times, we as readers forget that characters can die, and when the cold realization hits that they are dead, it brings the novel back into perspective. It reminds us that no one is invincible, and that death is simply a part of life. Besides, where there is faith, there is life! Even when a character does die, there is always the chance that their spirit lives on.

CM: What advice do you give to inspiring authors?

KC: I think that my biggest advice is to relax and take things with moderation. Balance is key when writing a novel. Sometimes authors need breaks. It's perfectly normal to let the story sit for a while on its own while you mull it over. If an author is worried that they'll forget something, sticky notes are available! There's also a reason why the word "synopsis" was invented! It's not about rushing out a story, and it's not about taking fifty years to write one. It's about moderation, and peace with your work. If you're stressed over the novel, then more than likely, it is not your best work! Dedication, effort, and persistence is what makes a novel whole.

CM: Describe Shadow Zombie in five words.

KC: Shadow Zombie in five words: persevering love, relentless death, hope.

Shadow Zombie (Black Shadows #1) by Kylee Carrier

Shadow Zombie (Black Shadows #1) by Kylee Carrier

Summary: Simone Evanadet is a fifteen-year-old artistic music-junkie who spends her days living in the solitary woods with her Grandpa.

But behind her life of creativity, lurks something more sinister... Shadow Zombies.

They're mutant shadows with an appetite for mortal souls and they've made it their mission to suck out her very existence. All hope is lost, until she meets Dennis - a handsome, mysterious guy who seems surprisingly interested in Simone.

Will she destroy the hideous shadows that dominate her life?

Or will she die an empty soul?

Pages: 294

Release Date: February 2nd, 2015

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Review:

For a limited time, the Shadow Zombie e-book is FREE! Visit here for more details.

Shadow Zombie is author, Kylee Carrier's, debut novel and in exchange for an honest review, she sent me a free advance e-book copy. It is surprising to learn that Kylee not only wrote, but also self-published her novel at the age of 15.

Normally I stay clear of anything zombie related because I do not like zombies, but the plot of Shadow Zombie was rather unique. Instead of using the typical undead zombies, Kylee was able to spin a tale with shadow versions of them. It gave the book a really unique edge and fans of zombies and The Mortal Instruments series will love it.

I loved that Kylee's writing was smooth. She was able to easily transition from one scene into the next. Her writing is also really descriptive and thorough, causing the readers to feel as though they are a part of the story.

Shadow Zombie was fast-paced with the perfect blend of mystery and suspense that leaves you wanting more. Thankfully, the ending was not a cliffhanger, but I can't wait to see where the next book in the Black Shadow Chronicles, Shadow Dream, takes Simone and the rest of the gang.

I am also REALLY excited to reveal the map for The Black Shadow Chronicles that Kylee created herself!

Remember that for a LIMITED time, Shadow Zombie is a FREE e-book. That is one steal you do not want to miss! You can get the free e-book HERE and you can learn more about Kylee's upcoming books and news HERE.

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Interview with Brandi Leigh Hall & GIVEAWAY (Closed)

About Brandi Leigh Hall: After nearly a decade working in NYC (Marketing & PR), Brandi moved back to central PA to be closer to her mother. Although she still works in the same field, a less chaotic life away from the city has given Brandi the freedom to fulfill her childhood dream of writing a novel. In no time at all, that single young adult book turned into an entire series—along with four additional series’ she has planned over the next few years.

Growing up in a haunted house inspired Brandi’s fascination with the paranormal, so it only made sense that she’d write Urban Fantasy for both teens and adults.

Brandi’s an active member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal (FF&P), Young Adult Romance Writers of America (YARWA) and Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

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I had the amazing opportunity to meet local indie author, Brandi Leigh Hall. During her visit to my high school, I was able to sit down with her for an interview. She was a sweetheart and answered all of my questions even though she had yet to eat lunch and the pizza laying in front of her had to be daunting.

See below to enter for a chance to win a SIGNED copy of Brandi's first novel, TETHERED.

Casey Marie: If you could have any of your characters' abilities, which one would you choose and why?

Brandi Leigh Hall: That's a tough one. It would either be the shape-shifting ability because there are days you wake up and you would do anything to be anybody other than who you are. The idea to be anything or anybody, I love. But also the time traveling ability. It would be so cool to meet people from the past or be able to go to the future. Imagine how much you would save on gas if you could teleport anywhere you wanted! I mean, those would be so cool. I would love to have most of them though.

CM: If you could be roommates with one of your characters, who would it be?

BLH: Hunter, of course!

CM: Why Hunter?

BLH: Because he's so hot!

CM: *eyebrow raise*

BLH: You don't understand, I created Hunter from my dream man. It was the actor I had the biggest crush on for years. So Hunter's my dream guy.

CM: Who is the actor?

BLH: His name is Victor Webster. You might have seen him in different things, he is someone you don't know his name.

Brandi's dream man *wink*

CM: How would you describe your writing in five words?

BLH: Fresh and breezy, organic, honest . . . This is really tough, it is not something you normally think of.

CM: What do you want readers to take away from your books?

BLH: When I was a teenager, I hated reading because it felt like homework. I can't stand when you have to read stuff once then read back over it a couple times because it does not make sense or it takes a few times to get what they are trying to say. I never want to put people in that position. I just want it to feel good and create characters that people are going to fall in love with. In all my stories, even if it's dark, there is still going to be underlining messages and they are going to be messages of something positive. So, I definitely want people to be left with, especially this series [the BirthRight Series], hope and restoring faith in people. This series was really big on that. People don't stick by that as much as they used to, it was a lot different in the olden days and I wanted to bring that back with this series. You know, like family and friends have each other's back no matter what and they'll do anything to protect the ones they love. I just want the books to feel like a friend.

CM: Hearing about your struggles with reading as a teenager, what are some book recommendations or authors you just can't get enough of?

BLH: One of my favorite authors is Darynda Jones. She uses a lot of sarcasm in her writing and I am a really sarcastic person. Reading her writing gave me the courage to actually put my personality into my writing and use my sarcasm. So, I love that about her writing. Jane Austin is also one of my all-time favorites. In anything that I write, there are going to be elements of the type of men she used to write and the type of strong women she used to write, they can be found in my main characters. I just love those old fashioned, strong, intelligent young women who may struggle with love. But, then the men may have their flaws, but have those old fashioned qualities about them. I love books that have that and you don't see that a lot these days.

Enter below to win a SIGNED copy of TETHERED, the first novel in Brandi's BIRTHRIGHT series.

Rules:

You MUST be 13 years of age or have your parents permission
You MUST live in the U.S. (Sorry, it cost too much to ship internationally)
I am NOT responsible for a lost or damaged package
The winner MUST claim their prize 48 hours after notification
The giveaway STARTS April 19th of 2015 at 12am EST and ENDS May 18th of 2015 at 12:00am EST

Good Luck!

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Book Review: Tethered (BirthRight #1) by Brandi Leigh Hall & GIVEAWAY

(Brandi Leight Hall, Me)

Book Review: Tethered (BirthRight #1) by Brandi Leigh Hall & GIVEAWAY (Closed)

Summary: FREE for a limited time on Amazon, B&N, iTunes and Kobo!

A "Sweet" Upper Young Adult / New Adult Paranormal Romance, perfect for fans of CHARMED, THE SECRET CIRCLE, and WITCHES OF EAST END.
No matter how you try to fight it—destiny has a mind of its own!

Since foreseeing the imminent death of her parents six years earlier, Chloe has lived a simple, not-so-charmed-life away from her remaining Wiccan family.

Zero magic.

No close friendships.

While struggling to bench-press more guilt than any nineteen-year-old ever should.

But fate intervenes and forces Chloe to return home. As if being an in-the-closet-Seer wasn’t bad enough, now she has to spend summer break with the snarky sister who hates her—and the magical birthright she was hell-bent on denying for all eternity.

Luckily, meeting Mr. Perfect takes the edge off her endless family drama. Hunter’s twenty-five, sometimes old-fashioned in a Jane Austen hero sort of way, and more delicious than molten-lava cake. But the more she tries to hide her family’s magical secrets from this ever-present stranger, the more quickly she realizes he’s hiding a few doozies of his own.

Will the lies and betrayal destroy their relationship before it really begins? Or will learning of their tethered future create an unbreakable bond neither can deny? Either way, their hearts will be forever entwined by destiny. (Via Goodreads.com)

Pages: 252

Release Date: October 29th, 2013

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Review:

Tethered was April's pick for my high school's book club. We chose Tethered because we hosted the author, Brandi Leigh Hall, for a Q & A session in mid-April. Brandi Leigh Hall is a local indie author and she spoke about her books, the writing process and the world of publishing/marketing. It was rather refreshing to hear her perspective on the publishing industry and extremely fascinating to get a deeper perspective on indie publishing. Brandi was a sweetheart and I was able to get a one-on-one interview with her during the day. She was also kind enough to give me an extra signed copy of Tethered to giveaway, scroll down to the bottom of this post to enter.

Lately, I have been on a New Adult Contemporary kick. So, I anticipated a drastic transition from my world of the heartbreaking Marked Men into the witch filled world of Tethered. But, that was not the case. Tethered features a cute love story and the novel is a light read full of family values. It did take a while for me to fall in love with Chloe and Hunter's relationship. I originally found the romance cheesy and forced, but, as the story progressed, their relationship grew on me.

I loved the family aspect in Tethered. There are not nearly enough Young Adult novels that feature a valuable family aspect and they should. I do not know about everyone else, but when my world is turned upside down, my family is the only constant I have and they help me to become right-side up again.

I had a love-hate relationship with the main character, Chloe. When the book first started, I loved Chloe and we had formed a connection since she had the same philosophy as me about getting a career and then finding a guy. But, our bond was quickly severed once her plane touched down in New York. Chloe fell for Hunter the first second she saw him and Chloe grew farther apart from me when she freaked out about not knowing about Caleb and Dhelia's relationship. I believed that Chloe was being over dramatic, but I am an only child, so I was unable to connect to her being an older sister. I did begin to warm up to Chloe again when she suggested breaking up with Hunter because of the unenviable "mystery" guy in her visions. I though it was a mature decision to make.

During Brandi Hall's visit to my school, she brought up her unique voice when it came to her writing. However, I thought her voice was rather standard when compared to other author's voices. The only major differences was that she uses a lot of italics, which became annoying and over used after a few chapters.

When I discussed Tethered with other people in book club, they were not a huge fan of the power aspect, but I though it was really fascinating. There are so many different abilities like teleporting, healing, shape-shifting, etc. I was so envious of the characters cool abilities because I can barely walk without running into something or someone.

Tethered was a quick read that left the readers with a fulfilling end, but room for more. Like most books, I had some problems with Tethered but I will eventually continue on with the rest of the series because this was Brandi's first novel and she has plenty of time for improvement. I would recommend Tethered to anyone looking for a quick paranormal romance that includes deep family roots.

For a limited time you can get a FREE e-book of Tethered on Amazon, B&N, iTunes and Kobo OR you can WIN a beautiful, SIGNED COPY of Tethered below.