Book Blast: The Crescent by Jordan Deen

The Crescent by Jordan Deen
Young Adult, Paranormal
190 pages; published January 14th, 2010

Becoming a werewolf is not an option for seventeen-year-old Lacey Quinn, but death can be a strong motivator.

Lacey is so focused on her future that everyday life has passed her by. Counting down the days to her eighteenth birthday, Lacey is almost home free. But when she falls for the mysterious Alex Morris, she lands in the middle of an ancient war between two enemy wolf packs. Tempting dreams, tantalizing lies and a dangerous love triangle ensues leaving Lacey heartbroken and confused.

Lacey's fate rests in the hands of Alex and Brandon, but both are pulling her strings for their own agendas. Even as she slips further into the dark world of werewolves, Lacey struggles to find the truth and save the only family she's ever known.

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A cool breeze shook Mom’s rose bushes and the few hedges that surrounded one side of the patio. But when the wind stopped, the bushes didn’t. I froze staring into the darkness trying to see the threat that was waiting just to the side of my family home. I held my breath trying to decide whether or not to make a run for it. I couldn’t hesitate much longer. Rising slowly from the swing, I lingered again trying to judge the distance between the swings and the safety of the kitchen door.

Can I make it before it gets me? IT! Coming outside again tonight was a bad idea.

 Jordan Deen is an Award-Winning Young Adult and New Adult Author from East St. Louis, Illinois. Her debut novel, THE CRESCENT was a 2010 Reader's Favorite Award Winner. Her second novel, HALF MOON released in 2011. BREAKING LAUREN is her third novel and was a finalist in the Texas Literary Awards. The sequel, LOSING LAUREN will be released on 12/5/2013.

She can usually be found curled up in her favorite chair with a book or her laptop. She is the proud mother of one crazy little boy and an even crazier teacup Yorkie.

Jordan is Indie published, as well as traditionally published with Black Rose Writing.
'Life is about the journey...'

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Review: The Guardians by T.M. Franklin

Sometimes books just don't want to let go. You read them and enjoy them and move on to read other books, but you find yourself thinking back to characters or plotlines and not really paying attention to what you're currently reading.

Yeah, that happened.

I know I reviewed More, the first book in this series last week, and I had every intention of saving this review until a bit closer to the publication date...but well, I couldn't stop thinking about it.

It even distracted me from Candy Crush and that is SERIOUS BUSINESS.

The Guardians picks up a few months after More ends. Caleb and Ava's relationship is as solid as ever and Ava has continued to learn more about who she is and what she is capable of. But this book is not more of the first book. It takes us deeper into the world of the Guardians, members of The Race that have broken away from the Council and operate a sort of underground railroad for half-breeds. We meet Caleb's father, laugh at the interactions between Ava and Tiernan (I love this dynamic), and learn a little bit more about what devious plot The Rogues have conceived.

And it is a doozy.

But that's all you're going to get from me about that -- no spoilers here! Nope. It is no secret that I read a lot of books. A Lot. And over time, I've sort of come to expect a sort of sophomore slump with the 2nd book in a series. That did not happen for me this time. I am just as intrigued, if not more after reading The Guardians and I can NOT wait to get my hands on the next book.

Review: More by T.M. Franklin

From Goodreads:

Ava Michaels used to think she was special.

As a child, she fantasized about having magical powers . . . making things happen. But Ava grew up and eventually accepted the fact that her childish dreams were just that, and maybe a normal life wasn't so bad after all.

Now a young college student, Ava meets Caleb Foster, a brilliant and mysterious man who’s supposed to help her pass Physics, but in reality has another mission in mind. What he shows Ava challenges her view of the world, shaking it to its very core.

Because Caleb isn't quite what he seems. In fact, he's not entirely human, and he's not the only one.

Together, the duo faces a threat from an ancient race bound to protect humans, but only after protecting their own secrets—secrets they fear Ava may expose. Fighting to survive, Ava soon learns she's not actually normal . . . she's not even just special.

She's a little bit more.

This is a book that has been on my radar for months, but I go through phases when reading stories with a Paranormal element.  It is either gimme gimme gimme or I just can't get into them.  So I'll admit, it was a risky move when I requested More from Netgalley.   It was also a smart move. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  The characters were well-written, the plot was well thought out and as the first book in a new series, it laid a solid foundation for future books.  This is a huge deal for me because I am a big believer in "less is more" and I find many series openers tend to be guilty of backstory overkill.  This book found that balance.  There was just enough information to pique my interest but not enough where I felt smothered and I found myself reading at every possible opportunity, finishing this book in just over a day..  Well done, Ms. Franklin. 

Ava is a believable and realistic heroine   Though she is struggling with Physics, balancing school and a job, on top of the stress of leaving her parents and the security of home, she isn't whiny.  She is determined and isn't afraid to ask questions or ask for help.  And as we later learn, she is a bit stubborn and head-strong.  I liked her - and that's saying something because I am soooo guilty of judging heroines.  

Caleb -- he makes me smile.  Super smart and a bit dorky, I found him a pleasant change from the typical dominant male hero.  Don't get me wrong, he isn't a wimp, but he isn't bossy.  And he isn't a "greek god".  And he isn't Mr. BMOC.  He isn't perfect and I think that's what I like the most about him. 

Their adventures kept me reading and reading and reading.  I didn't get bored and I found myself trying to guess what was going to happen next or why things happened, feeling like it was happening right in front of my eyes.  And when I got to the ending, I was left satisfied.

I also immediately picked up the next in the series, but more on that in a separate review.  

Definitely put this one on your to-read list.  You won't regret it.