BOOK REVIEW: This Lie Will Kill You by Chelsea Pitcher

This Lie Will Kill You

Author: Chelsea Pitcher

Genre: YA Thriller / Crime / Mystery
Publication Date: 11 December 2018

Book Description:

“Will keep readers on edge from start to finish.” —Kirkus Reviews

Tell the truth. Or face the consequences.

Clue meets Riverdale in this page-turning thriller that exposes the lies five teens tell about a deadly night one year ago.

One year ago, there was a party.
At the party, someone died.
Five teens each played a part and up until now, no one has told the truth.

But tonight, the five survivors arrive at an isolated mansion in the hills, expecting to compete in a contest with a $50,000 grand prize. Of course…some things are too good to be true.

Now, they realize they’ve been lured together by a person bent on revenge, a person who will stop at nothing to uncover what actually happened on that deadly night, one year ago.

Five arrived, but not all can leave. Will the truth set them free?

Or will their lies destroy them all? 

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

I had never heard of this book prior to it being brought to my attention by Riveted by Simon Teen as one of the free reads for the month. After reading the blurb and seeing the Riverdale reference, I was tempted to give it a miss, but it sounded intriguing enough that I was convinced to give it a try.

Five teenagers who attend the same school receive an invitation to compete in a contest in a bid to win a $50,000 Burning Embers Scholarship. Although skeptical about the event, they attend and it's not long before they realise they've been set up by someone hell bent on finding out the truth about the death of fellow student, Shane Ferrick, who died at a party a year ago. To survive, all they have to do is tell the truth: Who killed Shane?

The book started off well with a lot of mystery and intrigue. The characters all had different personalities and their dynamic was interesting. They're close enough to care what happens to each other but not close enough to call themselves friends. At least, that's the situation between Juniper and Ruby, who were best friends until Juniper reported Ruby's dad to the police for physically assaulting his daughter, after which point, Ruby's dad up and left. Juniper's relationship with Ruby hasn't been the same since then. Juniper's and Ruby's friendship isn't the only dysfunctional relationship among the group as it appears everyone in one way or other is hiding their true feelings for another person among the group. Not being able to see these characters in their natural habitat made it a little hard to establish a deep connection with them or establish whether or not the communication or relationship between them is based on affection or deception. They just didn't feel fully developed in order for me to make an evaluation on their character, so it was hard to connect with them or care enough about their motives.

You get a real "I Know What You Did Last Summer" vibe from the get-go, and if I recall correctly, the film was referenced in the book, so it seemed the teen slasher, mystery atmosphere is what the author was aiming for. However, there wasn't much in the way of terror, as it appeared a lot of the focus was on the sexual tension between the characters and the emotional connection they had for one another. Considering the theme and the topic, I wanted to feel the element of threat that was promised. There was a menacing presence in the opening chapters, but it quickly fizzled out, so I never felt as if the characters' lives were actually in danger, which is what I was expecting to feel. Honestly, I wasn't very fond of the characters or their connection to Shane. I was more interested in discovering more about the incident that took place surrounding Ruby and her dad than I was with finding out what actually happened with Shane.

It was just an okay read for me.

VERDICT:

Rating: 2 Star

Source: Riveted by Simon Teen

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Combustible by Al Riske

Combustible

Author: Al Riske

Publication Date: May 16th, 2021

Genre: Coming of Age

Book Description:

It’s that summer between the end of high school and the start of something else. Dean Stockton and Curt Hutton are best friends, and more often than not you can find them rowing on the Rogue River at dawn.

Together they experience something they will never be able to describe adequately. But then they won’t really need to. Not to each other. It’s that moment of swing when rowers find the rhythm and everything falls into place. The shell seems to lift right out of the water.

Enter Isabelle Smiley. She’s beautiful yet insecure, knowing yet innocent, and crazy about Curt in a way that no girl has ever been crazy about Dean. She wants Curt to choose a college closer to home than the one he and Dean have selected—and she can be persuasive.

“I’d never be able to hold out against a girl like Smiley,” Dean admits.

“Don’t say that,” Curt replies. “I told her she’d have to convince you, too.”

Everyone is conflicted in this story of friendship, lust, and life-changing choices. Only one thing seems certain to all of them: If Smiley strikes a match, Dean will catch fire.

Buy Links:

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Of the Lilin by Paulette Hampton

Of the Lilin

(The Sage Chronicles, #1)

Author: Paulette Hampton

Publication Date: September 1st, 2021

Genre: YA Paranormal

Book Description:

While dealing with depression, Sage attempts to pull herself into the light. What she finds is better left in the dark.

After the loss of her mother and her stepfather’s mental breakdown, Sage Frankle agrees to move in with her aunt and cousin at the Englewood Inn. Soon, her aunt arranges for Sage to begin working through her trauma with a psychologist. As time passes, Sage finds that she is far from healing and begins to slip from reality into a realm of darkness she is unable to escape. After the arrival of her cousin’s intriguing acquaintance, Sage is forced to realize she is indeed trapped, not by her mind, but by her bloodline.

Buy Links:

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Vic Vaughn is Vicious by J.A. Huss

Vic Vaughn is Vicious

Author: J.A. Huss

Publication Date: August 31st, 2021

Genre: Adult Comedy / Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

My name is Vicious. God-given name, I cross my heart.

And it fits.

I’m a hot-as-f, inked-up tattoo artist at the trendiest shop in the Rocky Mountains.

I have the looks, I have the bike, I have the reputation.

That means I get the ladies.

Sure. There are lots of women out there who hate tattoos. Wouldn’t be caught dead with guys like me. And that’s fine. I’m not looking for girls like that.

I’m looking for that other kind of girl.

The wild one, the bad one, the crazy one.

Funny thing is… the one I fell for isn’t that girl.

She’s the Good Girl.

And maybe back when she was nineteen I came off as a ‘maybe’, but after seven years of distance I am now the definition of ‘not a keeper’.

But I can be a keeper.

I can make the good girl swoon.

I can be the dream guy she never saw coming.

If she would just… not press charges… I’m pretty sure I can turn this whole relationship around.

Vic Vaughn is Vicious is a bad-boy-trying-his best-to-win-her-back romantic comedy about a misunderstood tattoo-artist-biker called Vicious and a good girl named Daisy who ghosted him seven years ago after she came to her senses. It’s filled with funny twists, dreams of grandeur, and all seven members of the most inappropriate family in all of Colorado.

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BOOK REVIEW: The Kilwade Tragedy by Terry Keys

The Kilwade Tragey

Author: Terry Keys

Genre: YA Coming of Age
Publication Date: 6 August 2019

Book Description:

Terry Keys, USA Today bestselling author of Lie No More and The Missing pens his most captivating book to date. This is the heart-breaking story about a small-town boy who’d taken everything from everyone until he could take no more.

Seventeen-year-old Blaze Planter is a Jr. at Kilwade, High School. 

His parents have recently divorced. 

His grades are slipping. 

His anger is growing with each day. 

Relationships with his closest friends are failing. 

Secrets about his life are being uncovered. 

No one understands what he is going through. 

And everyone who has betrayed him needs to be taught a lesson. 

So now he stands with the one friend that has never betrayed him. 

The one friend that does what he asks every time he squeezes the trigger. 

The only friend that he can depend on. 

Tragedies don’t just happen. The signs are simply overlooked every day until it’s too late. 

After the read be sure to review the author’s note where resources for additional help are listed. There are also discussion questions to generate conversation & get adults and student’s talking. 

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

This was a very interesting story that centres on the deteriorating mind of 17-year-old Blaze Planter, who feels as though the world is caving in on him and no matter how much he tries to fit in, he just can't seem to find a place for himself in the world. The only person he confides in is his best friend, Mark, who might be the only one that can stop him from unleashing catastrophe on fellow students at his school.

I liked the fact that the protagonist of the story is also the culprit of the story. It's a bold move, and while I thought the author handled the subject matter well and with care, I found the characters could have been developed a little more to add more substance to the reasoning behind Blaze's ultimate breakdown. I liked the characters and their portrayal to a certain extent, I just didn't connect with them as I would have liked to because there wasn't enough depth to them for me to analyse their behaviours and interactions to get a more rounded depiction of them. I did not enjoy the head-hopping. It made the story feel disjointed and made me feel disconnected from certain characters.

I thought the pacing of the story was good to begin with, but as we got three-quarters of the way, the events that unfolded started to feel so rushed. It just started to feel underdeveloped and did not have the desired effect it should have. The topic was always going to be a tricky one, but I have to say, I thought the author's approach was delicate and well handled. Keys chose to focus on the deterioration of a young man's mind, and I believe there are some lessons to learn here about paying closer attention to the people close to us and learning to speak up when you feel something isn't quite right.

Overall, it was a good read. It didn't have me jumping out of my seat, but it grabbed my attention enough to keep me reading until the end.

VERDICT:

Rating: 3 Star

Source: Author

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Crimson Soul by Lyra Winters

Crimson Soul

(The Crimson Demon, #3)

Author: Lyra Winters

Publication Date: August 26th, 2021

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance / Reverse Harem

Book Description:

Lilith Whitlock was destined for a Hell of a lot more than she bargained for. Her being The Crimson Demon entailed immense power, and the longer it took her to figure out exactly what that meant, the more danger she was in.

The enemies she’d faced until now were pawns. With a puppet master pulling the strings, a malicious threat loomed over her, and there was nothing her four supernatural men could do to stop it.

Once her true nature was exposed, she was taken to Heaven and locked away. Lilith was a weapon stronger than anything in all the realms, but with her magic sealed, she was at the mercy of the angel that ended her life a millennium and a half ago.

What they didn’t realize was that Lilith was no one’s weapon. She was her own being, and she would slaughter anyone standing in between her and the men she loved.

As soon as she gained access to her powers again.

Crimson Soul is book three of three in the Crimson Demon Trilogy. It is a paranormal why-choose romance centered around three vampires and one demon. It contains mature subject matter that might not be suitable for all readers and ends in a happily ever after.

Buy Links:

Amazon | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Seventeen Butterflies by Anna Katmore

Seventeen Butterflies

Author: Anna Katmore

Publication Date: August 23rd, 2021

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

The embarrassment of being the only unkissed girl in high school is something Sandy Cardington refuses to accept. The first kiss project is her foolproof plan to finally get rid of the status at her 17th birthday party, while her parents are out of town.

With several kissable boys on her guest list, this should be a walk in the park. But she didn’t count on her older brother returning from college and throwing a wrench into her plans. To make matters even more complicated, he has a friend in tow, and the cute hockey player stirs unexpected butterflies in her stomach every time their paths cross.

While Sandy moves heaven and earth to make her party and project come true, it looks as if Thane Griffyn has his own plans to teach her the real meaning of a first kiss…

A compelling, sweet high school romance, perfect for fans of Kelly Oram, L A Cotton, Cassie Mae, and Erin Watt.

Buy Links:

Amazon | UK

BOOK REVIEW: The Search for Synergy by Brett Salter

The Search for Synergy

Series: The Talisman

Author: Brett Salter

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy / Adventure
Publication Date: 31  May 2017

Book Description:

"The Search For Synergy" is the first book in The Talisman Series by author Brett Salter. It follows the exploits of two middle-school boys, Rome Lockheed and Julian Rider, as they transition from normal kids into epic warriors fighting for the existence of the Earth realm. Rome is secretly a fire dragon from the Den of Volcana placed under a spell which hides his true form. Julian is an oddball, up-and-coming knight with a case of the "try-hards". Together, they perform an ancient pact which bonds their lives and souls forever. Under the tutelage and guidance of an eccentric, local librarian, Mr. Jones, the two learn of an impending invasion from an archaic evil desperate to invade from the other side of The Void.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

This story centres around 13-year-old Rome Lockheed who isn't quite what he appears to be. After accidentally setting fire to his neighbour's tree and being spotted by Julian Rider, a fellow pupil from his school, Rome discovers that he's a fire dragon, placed under a spell to appear human, and Julian is his knight. After learning of an ancient dark force trying to break through The Void and invade Earth, Rome and Julian have to figure out how to achieve Synergy, a ritual that will bond them together to awaken their full power, enabling them to fight the dark forces.

This book was full of adventure and mystery. The story was straightforward and the characters likeable enough to leave an impression. I especially liked the relationship that developed between Rome and Julian. I enjoyed the banter between them. Right from their first interaction, you could tell that their bond would be strong, one of loyalty and admiration on both sides. I think it was the heart of the story for me, seeing how these two different characters complemented each other and worked together to overcome their adversaries. The dialogue and the characters' actions sometimes made them appear younger than they actually are, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, it was just very noticeable. I would have liked other characters to stand out more as it's only Rome and Julian that captured my attention and kept me engaged.

I'm a sucker for Arthurian legend, so the connection to this story was fun to read. The battles were decent, I must say. The story went by rather quickly. I loved the action, but I would have liked a little more in the way of backstory of how certain things came to be rather than having something mentioned momentarily. I believed it would have helped more with character development.

Overall, an enjoyable story with a lot of action. With a good edit, I think it would do well among middle schoolers.

VERDICT:

Rating: 3 Star

Source: Author

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Now I Found You by Mila Oliver

Now I Found You

Author: Mila Oliver

Publication Date: July 20th, 2021

Genre: Adult Suspense / Thriller

Book Description:

Seven years ago, Kate Hartfield’s little sister disappeared.

An ordinary summer day of fun at the lake turned into a nightmare when young Emily Hartfield suddenly could not be found. When badly battered body parts were discovered three days later, the investigation concluded that they were Emily’s and the case was closed as an accidental drowning.

Now Kate has returned to her hometown in the Catskills for the first time since her sister’s death, for a work retreat. While at her boss’s lake house, she briefly spies a familiar face.

It’s Emily.

She’s all grown up, but Kate knows her sister’s face better than anyone. The sighting reignites the doubts Kate has always had, and forces her to revisit all the mysterious circumstances that surrounded that day. As she desperately tries to track down the girl she saw at the lake house, Kate discovers shocking secrets from the past, confronts her own guilt from that day, and becomes obsessed with uncovering the answer to one question.

What really happened to Emily?

Buy Links:

Amazon | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Tempest by C.J. Campbell

Tempest

(The Veil Chronicles, #1)

Author: C.J. Campbell

Publication Date: August 31st, 2021

Genre: YA Fantasy / Romance

Book Description:

To unearth the truth, she must embrace the legend within.

For eighteen-year-old Lexi, freedom is a luxury. She’s spent her life evading capture for a genetic gift that feels more like a curse. Her bulletproof immunity and monstrous disfigurement is of great interest to a secret organization, but they aren’t the only ones. A cryptic tip alerts Lexi that something else hunts her–something darker.

Desperate to enjoy her life before it’s too late, Lexi leaves the protective cocoon her parents created for her and signs up for art classes at her local college. There she meets Conner, who is confined to a wheelchair, and they become friends who are willing to share each other’s secrets. But a chance encounter with Connor’s foster brother Killian changes everything.

Killian shares the same mysterious secret within his blood as Lexi. Their fateful meeting sets off a chain reaction of catastrophic events that exposes the terrifying truth–Lexi is a celestial queen of a bygone race. Connor is their last royal heir, and Killian is a half-breed abomination hated for his very existence. With Connor kidnapped by an ancient god determined to rid the world of the stain of humanity, Lexi and Killian find themselves under the protection of the secretive Order of Kings.

Lexi believes she’s been thrown into a world of myths and legends, but things are not as they seem. Lexi becomes convinced the Order is keeping dangerous secrets that threaten not just her but all of mankind.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Elite Starfighter by Grace Goodwin

Elite Starfighter

(Starfighter Training Academy, #3)

Author: Grace Goodwin

Publication Date: August 17th, 2021

Genre: Adult Romance / Science Fiction

Book Description:

Two friends have disappeared playing Starfighter Training Academy. No one cares because it’s just a game. Right?

I know something is wrong. Messed up. Completely off. And no one is paying attention.

My BFFs went missing after beating the hottest new multi-player game on the planet, Starfighter Training Academy. They won. They celebrated. They vanished. So what’s the girl left behind supposed to do?

Beat the damn game, that’s what. Find out the truth, even if that includes being recruited to fight in an alien war, lusting after the hottest alien I’ve ever seen, and marching into a battle there’s little chance of winning.

I will find my friends. I will learn what the heck is going on. And I will kiss the alien hunk I’ve been staring at for weeks.

Watch me.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo / Google Play

Cover Reveal & Giveaway - Angelbound by Christina Bauer

Angelbound: German, Russian, Spanish and Chinese issues

(Angelbound Origins, #1)

Author: Christina Bauer

Genre: YA Fantasy / Paranormal

Book Description:

“Like Shadowhunters…A binge-read book series!” – DesiRae, Goodreads

Eighteen-year-old Myla Lewis is a girl who loves two things: kicking ass and kicking ass. She’s not your every day quasi-demon, part-demon and part-human, girl.

For the past five years, Myla has lived for the days she gets to fight in Purgatory’s arena. When souls want a trial by combat for their right to enter Heaven or Hell, they go up against her, and she hasn’t lost a battle yet. But as she starts her senior year at Purgatory High, the arena fights aren’t enough to keep her spirits up anymore. When the demons start to act weird, even for demons, and the King of the Demons, Armageddon, shows up at Myla’s school, she knows that things are changing and it’s not looking good for the quasi-demons.

Myla starts to question everything, and doesn’t like the answers she finds.

What happened seventeen years ago that turned the quasi-demons into slave labor? Why was her mom always so sad? And why won’t anyone tell her who her father is? Things heat up when Myla meets Lincoln, the High Prince of the Thrax, a super sexy part-human and part-angel demon hunter. But what’s a quasi-demon girl to do when she falls for a demon hunter? It’s a good thing that Myla’s not afraid of breaking a few rules. With a love worth fighting for, Myla’s going to shake up Purgatory.

“This book is so wonderful. It’s filled with action, mystery, and a forbidden romance. Who doesn’t love that?” – Angelic Book Reviews

Angelbound Origins

In which Myla Lewis kicks ass and takes names

1. Angelbound

2. Scala

3. Acca

4. Thrax

5. The Dark Lands

6. The Brutal Time

7. Armageddon

8. Quasi Redux

9. Clockwork Igni

Perfect for teen and young adult readers who want their book series to deliver: badass world building, angels, demons, paranormal romance, fresh themes from contemporary fiction, LOL romantic comedy, gods and goddesses, dark fantasy, strong girls and women as heroines, themes about loners and outcasts, the best laughs in humorous literature, general coming of age whackery, and (most importantly) truly unusual epic fantasy.

Buy Links:

Books2Read

About the Author

Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too.

Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.

Be the first to know about new releases from Christina by signing up for her newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/CBupdates

Author Links:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Blog | Twitter

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Living Sword 3 by Pemry Janes

The Living Sword 3 – The Burden of Legacy

(The Living Sword, #3)

Author: Pemry Janes

Publication Date: August 6th, 2021

Genre: YA Fantasy

Book Description:

Leraine has finally returned home, but the welcome is not as she imagined it. Tension is rising within the Mochedan Federation as many advocate for an end to the long peace and a return to the glory of war.

She sets off to the most important festival of the Mochedan, hoping to preserve the peace for at least a little while longer. Eurik joins her, to help his friend and to finally find the answers about his parents he’s been chasing since he left the island.

What they find is theft, murder, and a conspiracy to end their world.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK