Siren’s Song by Heather McCollum

13 May 2014 2 Comments

by Amy in 5 Stars, General, Romance, Young Adult Tags: , , , , , , ,

Today I am very excited to share with you my review of the young adult paranormal/romance Siren’s Song by Heather McCollum as part of the blog tour hosted by Spencer Hill Press. Links to purchase the book and find our more information on Heather and the book are after the review.

Goodreads badgePublished: March 25th 2014
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Pages: 376
Format: ebook via Netgalley
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
★   ★   ★   ★   ★  – 5 Stars

Jule Welsh can sing. She enthralls people with her bel canto voice. But it takes more than practice to reach her level of exquisite song; it takes siren’s blood running through her veins. Jule is starting her senior year at Cougar Creek High when her relatively normal world begins to resemble a roller coaster flying through a carnival scare house. Her mother is diagnosed as insane and committed, a psycho-stalker is snapping pictures of her to put into his homemade Jule-shrine, her voice is suddenly putting people into comatose trances, oh and the gorgeous new guy in town, Luke Whitmore, is interested in her . . . but also wants to kill her.

I am going to be vague and secretive because I don’t want to give anything away because finding out is the best part of this book so you’ve been warned.

I adored this book, I simply adored it. There is no other way to explain it. The story McCollum has written is one that is filled with mystery and intrigue, and a brilliant combination of magic and reality that brings this paranormal romance to life.

From the beginning I was enthralled by the narrative and I fell in love with the characters. There is an ideal balance of secrecy and unanswered questions that tease you as you read and as we follow Jule in her experiences we learn as she does, though we are also not told everything either.

The paranormal element McCollum has in this book is excellent, the siren aspect is wonderful on its own but couple with everything else it’s marvellous. There is an excellent balance between the paranormal and the real, there is no domination of either and while the paranormal plays a large part in what is happening through the story, we are not actually given a large or overloaded exploration of it either. With first person narration by Jule this is understandable, but even when it becomes more prominent story wise, we are given exactly what we need to know in order to understand the story and the history of events, just as Jule is to understand what is happening around her.

Having only read a few paranormal romances I didn’t know what to expect but at the same time I had an expectation in mind. This, I am pleased to say, was nothing like what McCollum delivered. I have nothing against other paranormal romances, as I say I’ve really enjoyed a few, but for me the paranormal side of this young adult novel was fresh and new, certainly unexpected and brilliantly executed.

Initially I thought that Jule was not asking enough questions in the beginning when she saw strange things, I certainly thought some things required asking for an explanation, but as the story progressed I started to understand the possible reasons why. If like Jule you live your life not believing in the impossible or magical, then you may not recognise it immediately. Logic takes over and you use real world examples to explain away what you heard or saw, and while it may seem odd, your mind does not assume it is supernatural.

What I found interesting was that when Jule does discover the truth she is quite accepting. After a reasonable yet quite restrained reaction to what she finds out, she then listens quietly and doesn’t react as you expect. She asks direct questions, establishing the validity in what she is being told and doesn’t let them go unanswered or avoided. Her determination is what I love about her, she isn’t passively accepting things around her but she is willing. I think this understanding is helped by the fact there is clear evidence to substantiate the claims being made and while Jule remains wary on the surface she can’t help but believe what she sees. Though to her credit, while she seems to believe the circumstances around her, there is an underlying scepticism that rears its head every now and then as she doubts what she’s been told. This questioning is also evident regarding her connection with Luke. With all the facts behind her she does not assume that everything is as it appears and what feels real may be masked by magic and short term.

Her understanding of the magical elements in her life was not lost on her and while she goes along with these feelings for Luke she never forgets that they may not be real or everlasting. This is just another reason why Jules is a wonderful character. Her friendships and her common sense are excellent tools in this story, but she also has a sense of responsibility and she is willing to do things for the greater good.

Each of McCollum’s characters are excellent and intriguing, they pull you into their world and lives so completely you struggle to leave. Each character is their own entire person, and through their actions, their relationship with others, as well as what is said and left unsaid we are shown a great sense of who they are which only adds to the story as a whole. When the characters in a story feel complete and real, regardless of their role played, you can find yourself having pity and sympathy for characters with even the smallest part. It is truly wonderful.

I think one of the reasons I was kept up until three and four in the morning reading this book was the fact I didn’t want to stop and I needed to see where the story was headed and what was going to happen. I think if I’d had the time I definitely would have happily read it in one sitting, though having the excitement drawn out over a few days made it that little bit better.

There are some of the best sentences in the book as well. Two of my absolute favourites are “Loved with obsessive devotion, hated with barely controlled fury” and “The bravest warriors scream inside while fighting for what’s right”. The way McCollum tells this story is filled with suspense and secrets and wonderful explanations. They are unique, creative, and the ideal balance that makes then filled with tension and drama and the kind of writing that makes you gasp with excitement and your heart pound with uncertainty.

The conversations and dialogue are great through the book. There is just something about Luke’s portrayal as a character and the dialogue he delivers that is divine. Even the characters pick up on it, he is clever and funny, and he knows the right thing to say in the right moment with the touch of humour and restraint that make it so enjoyable to read.

There is humour threaded through this story which makes it fun to read. There is a humour that comes from characters that have had a long time to accept their situation and there is also a humour where the newly initiated try and make things less terrifying than they appear, a way to diffuse the tension. This is equalled beautifully by the serious moments that grab your attention so suddenly that you aren’t sure what is happening until you’re halfway through it. This is where McCollum excels, through the exquisite depiction of power and danger, magic and love, friendship and family. The kind of amazing writing and narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat, sitting upright in bed, holding your breath while still managing to squeal and gasp as you read.

The reason this book was hard to put down was the fact McCollum has created a novel that not only pulls you long by the strength of her characters, but also with a plot that will not let you walk away willingly. The desire to keep going, to find out the secrets, and see how it is resolved is powerful and one I found very hard to ignore. Siren’s Song captures the beauty, the danger, and the seemingly mundane into a story that stays with you even after that last page.

 In honour of the release of Siren’s Song, Heather is giving away two One Direction lawn tickets to the 28th September show in Charlotte, NC. You can read the Terms and Conditions and enter through Rafflecopter here

 

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Release Day Blitz! Sun Damage by Nikki Rae

28 Mar 2014 Leave a comment

by Amy in Sunshine Series Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Sun Damage Release Day Banner
Today’s the day! Sun Damage by Nikki Rae, the paranormal romance and final book in The Sunshine Series, is out in the world. Check the Bits and Pieces to see where you can grab yourself your very own copy, or if you’re patient and feeling lucky, enter the giveaway that is coming on Monday to try and snag a copy plus many more goodies!

Check out the other places on Nikki Rae’s blog tour, and if you haven’t already, my reviews of Sun Damage and the previous books in the series, Sunshine and Sun Poisoned.

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Sun Damage (Sunshine #3) by Nikki Rae

28 Mar 2014 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Romance, Sunshine Series, Young Adult Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Published: March 28th 2014
Goodreads badgePublisher: Self Published
Format: eBook
Genre: Young Adult/Paranormal/Romance
★   ★   ★   ★   ★  – 5 Stars

Note: I was asked for a review by the author

Sun Damage_ebooklgLife wasn’t what Sophie was expecting, so why should death be any different? 

She’s come back from swimming between the two, and every problem she left is still there. And then some.

There’s the human world, where she has a brother on the verge of ruins, band mates all set to go on tour, and people she thought she wouldn’t be seeing for a long time showing up.

Then there’s her new world, where she’s seeing and hearing things that should not be heard or seen. Where Myles knows more about her than she could have ever guessed. She still doesn’t know exactly why Michael is tormenting her, but somehow, everything is connected.

The monsters are closing in on all sides and the question is, will Sophie be able to defeat them before it all ends?

 

The final book of The Sunshine Series was everything I have come to expect from Nikki Rae. The storytelling was filled with emotion, excitement, and an engagement that ensured you invested everything in the characters and story you were being told.

Sun Damage follows on from where Sun Poisoned left off to in-part quell all the anticipation Rae left us with last time. But do not expect any immediate solutions, one of my favourite things Rae does is give us a realistic environment amongst this paranormal world. Illness and injury needs time to repair and life goes on. The balance and struggle between the normal and paranormal is shown through the tour Sophie and her band go on, and we also see how Sophie is coping with all that has happened to her.

The continuity and the connection this series has to its past books is part of its charm. The life and relationship of Sophie and her friends is established and we only see more of it exposed and develop through the series. A key difference from previous books is that we get to see Myles’ point of view in addition to Sophie’s, an act which adds a whole other level to the story we’re given and have been told.

Because the story is told from both Myles and Sophie’s perspective, we do get a further insight into Myles’ character, but what you realise as more is revealed throughout the book, is that Myles is keeping secrets from the reader as much as he is withholding from Sophie. We don’t gain a lot of additional information by seeing things as Myles sees them, though what we’re given is significant. While we learn some things in advance, others are hidden until it is time for Sophie to know, until a time when the story requires it.

And you could analyse it and ask questions about more information but you don’t need it, there is just enough to explain, just enough to make it work in the context, and just enough to make you ok that there are some small mysteries in the world. More is explained vaguely and without direct reference than anything else which was fantastic, it’s explained to readers, probably to Sophie as well, without the need for it to be addressed directly. Even the characters don’t try to know everything, they just do the best they can in the situations they find themselves in. That is why it works, we accept their acceptance and you really do seem to understand everything with the explanations provided and what has played out.

I have to say, Sophie in this was a joy to read, we’ve seen how Rae expresses Sophie’s confusion and emotion previously, but what Sophie goes through, what she experiences and feels through this book is fantastic and half of the enjoyment from this book I got from getting caught up in Sophie and the actions and events around her.

There are key sentences that make your ears prick up and you go, “ooo that’s interesting” while there are others that cause you to gasp and read mouth agape. From page one Rae can change everything in a single sentence that alters what you thought you knew and then when you resettle she will spark a new series of questions a few chapters later with another single line. Your heart jumps as you make assumptions, knowing there is a full chance they may come true based on past experience and books. You cannot help but gasp with excitement and wonder and you find yourself being pulled along by these characters, flying through the pages, dragged along by the interest and investment in their lives and the world around them. It’s exhilarating, even when the narrative pace is slow.

Pace is once again wonderful, properly wonderful. The mystery and the continual issues that Sophie faces are wonderful. There is no instant solution, but nor it is drawn out so far that you tire of the problem either. Everything is new, and you see new sides of many characters and watch them become confused and pained as they all try and help. And truly, we all need a Jade in our life, we really do. From the moment the book starts until the end, reading about Jade was one the real joys of this book, and has been through the whole series.

I didn’t talk much if at all about the lyrics that open each chapter in my past reviews. They suit so perfectly to each corresponding chapter, they do in all the books but I noticed it especially in this one. And as usual noticing a few familiar and favourite bands is always a bonus. The music is also a key factor in the series, not just as a plot point but as an escape for Sophie. Her piano and music convey and calm her emotions really well and we gain an understanding of the role it plays in her life.

There is so much I could rave about in this book. I got to a point when I was just enjoying the story and engaged so much with the characters and I remembered I was supposed to be reviewing it and I couldn’t just keep blindly enjoying it, I had to find some faults. So I sat there and thought about the scene, and I thought about the few that came before it and I couldn’t find any so you keep going. Then at the next moment of emotions and exhilaration I forced myself to pause and go, there must be some fault, don’t praise it for no true reason, but I couldn’t and gave up trying.

I’m not a complete fool, I understand books are not to everyone’s tastes and I think if anywhere the ending may be where there is some contention. Personally I loved it, I had a long think about it and I really do. There is a line in there from Sophie that makes you understand why it is ok. Seeing how Rae has created this series, seen where it has come from, seen how Sophie has evolved, this final book is the best ending it could have been given. I think the way Rae builds us up to it, as well as the information and experience we have had with the other books, it is understandable how it comes to the conclusion it does.

I’m sure someone will find negatives, they always do, but I enjoyed this book a lot. Throughout this book, and the whole series to be honest, you get swept up in characters and they pull you along, you get involved in the story and the untold conversations and hidden mysteries you didn’t even know were there. Filled with moments of excited gasps and stifled noises of delight and excitement Sun Damage is definitely a fitting end to the series.

Interview with Nikki Rae

26 Mar 2014 Leave a comment

by Amy in Interviews Tags: , , , , , ,

Today I am very lucky to be interviewing Nikki Rae, author of the paranormal/romance Sunshine Series. The third and final book Sun Damage comes out on Friday and I’ll be running a giveaway along with a guest post by Nikki on Monday, but before all that happens I’m asking Nikki about reading, writing, and her wonderful series.

Where did the idea for The Sunshine Series come from?
The initial idea for The Sunshine Series came out of a trip I took with my family when I was 14 or 15. I got sun poisoning on that trip, and I was stuck inside for the whole vacation. I started to wonder what would happen to someone if they got sun poisoning every time they went into the sun, and the story and characters took off from there.

What are your thoughts on writing a book series? Are you someone who plans out all the details of their stories or do you work it out as you go along and see what new things you think of on the way?
I do a little of both. I never plot out the entire thing because for me, writing a book is like watching a movie. It isn’t as exciting getting to certain parts if I already know what’s going to happen. So as you can imagine, my first drafts are really, really sloppy and I have to edit and revise a lot, but that’s when I start to really learn new things.

What was it about this genre that drew you in?
I’ve always loved vampires and I’ve always loved stories that dealt with difficult subject matter. It was a no-brainer to push the two ideas together.

Was there a certain author or book that made you want to start writing, or was it just a dream you’ve always had?
I can’t name one specific book that made me want to write because I think it’s pretty much anything I’ve ever read leading up to becoming an “official” writer. Reading for me was a means of escape and a way to not feel alone. Once I realized this in writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Ellen Hopkins, Anne Rice and Augusten Burroughs, I wanted to be that for people as well.

Is there any author now that has influenced how/what you write?
Again, I feel like every time I read something it influences how I read and how I write. I learn because I read as a writer. I find out what techniques certain authors use and I try to mimic them, or I find things I don’t like and never want to try out.

You started writing Sunshine in high school, having just finished the series and looking at where you are now you must be proud. How have the public reacted to your series?
Yes. Beyond proud of how far the story and how far I have come. The public, for the most part, seems to like the series. Most of the feedback I get is really positive and even sometimes goes deeper than “I liked this book”, which is really amazing to see.

Are you a person who scours reviews to see people’s opinions? Do you obsess over negative ones or do you take them as a chance to improve your work?
I try to read every review but I think that’s because I’m a workshop person. I like feedback. Positive or negative, it teaches me what to work on for next time. I used to get upset over bad reviews, but now they don’t really bother me. What’s important is that people are reading and thinking about what I wrote.

There is a strong music connection through the series, not only with Sophie’s band but each chapter opens with lyrics. Is this your type of music? Do you get any inspiration and motivation from music and lyrics?
Oh yes. Most of the music is what I listen to on a daily basis, but a few bands are favorites of Sophie’s, Myles’, or Jades. Music plays an extremely important role in this series and I found myself not being able to write without it, which is completely out of the ordinary for me. I found that the more music I listened to, the easier it was to slip into Sophie’s voice.

Do you have a certain process or any quirks when writing? Did you have any routines or do anything in particular when writing the series you didn’t realise you were doing?
I drink a lot of tea. Like, more than any one human being should consume in one day. When I’m writing, if my mug isn’t full, I get thrown off for some reason and I have to make more tea. It’s really weird.

What book/s are you currently reading?
Right now I’m reading Switch by Janelle Stalder and The Elephant Vanishes by Haruki Marakami.

If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
The Sandman Series. It’s such an amazing and complex idea and I love it so much.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Write! Also, make friends who like to write. They’re good to have because writing is such a solitary thing and it’s nice to be part of a community and have people to bounce ideas off of, read your work, and give you honest advice. Other than that, read a lot. Research your options as to publishing, and have fun. Try to remember when things are hard that you do it because you love it and it’s worth doing. Your ideas are special and no one can tell you different. : )

You can check out all about Nikki and her series with the links below, and don’t forget to check back for the release day blitz and my review of Sun Damage on Friday, plus Nikki’s guest post and giveaway on Monday!

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Sunshine (Book #1) on Amazon
Sun Poisoned (Book #2) on Amazon
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Sun Poisoned (Sunshine #2) by Nikki Rae

25 Jan 2014 1 Comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, General, Romance, Sunshine Series, Young Adult Tags: , , , , ,

Published: June 28, 2013
Goodreads badgePublisher: Self Published
Pages: 229
Format: Ebook
Genre: Young Adult/Paranormal/Romance
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

Note: I was asked for a review by the author

Sophie’s life has changed. She’s moved to New York, she’s playing music for new people, and she’s making new friends. Then there’s Myles, and the fact that he is now her boyfriend—and everyone knows it. There are a lot of new things to take in, but Sophie has no problem adjusting. 

She’s not exactly normal, living in a half-human, half-vampire world, but she’s finally, truly happy. But some parts of Sophie and Myles’ old life still hide in the dark, waiting for the right opportunity to strike.

Sophie’s having nightmares again, but they aren’t about her; Myles is hiding something that she’s not sure she wants to know. And one lie will change everything.

No matter how hard she tries to cover up the marks her monsters have left behind, they never truly go away, and Myles’ monsters are no different. Once again, Sophie’s caught between life and death, but this time, only she can save herself.

Rae did a wonderful job building up my affections and emotions towards her characters…and then she goes and brutally crushes them. But alas, spoilers. But honestly, my emotions were totally and brutally crushed in this book.

In the second book in the Sunshine series we see Sophie living in New York, playing at Midnight with her band, and working at the club selling merchandise. She has escaped her mother, she is doing what she loves, and she has boyfriend Myles plus her friends Boo and Trei to enjoy life with.

But Sophie is still haunted by her past and now she is also now haunted by other people’s as well. The incident with Michael has brought Sophie into Myles’ world even more and she is resisting as much as she can. With Myles’ help she tries to forget the events six months ago and tries to focus on her new exciting life, but the past is never far behind.

We learn a bit more about the supernatural world this time around, Sophie learns more from Myles and situations that she becomes involved in reveal additional rules and elements of the vampire world, though this time she tries to stay away from it, unprepared to become involved after what happened last time.

The events from the first novel are not forgotten and are revisited, and we also see Sophie become more involved with the paranormal side of her life. What was done well was that those who have not read the first book are explained a few things in fractured recaps throughout the second. While some things are explained, others are simply hinted at and require construction from various comments and references. This is good because while you are left in the dark about a lot of things that occur in the first book, especially specific details or certain characters and histories, the reminders are there, keeping the timeline in check, while also filling in a few gaps and questions at the same time. This also acts as a reminder to readers that the past events are still vivid and that they have not been forgotten. Book two is not a new adventure, it is a continuing saga that began in Sunshine and will continue in this book and through the lives of Sophie and her friends and family.

The plot style is curious, the element of mystery is not strong per se, but the drawn out nature and untold information keeps you going to try and find the answers. There is a curiosity that has been created to get you involved with these characters once again, and I did find myself getting further attached to these characters, I will say not to all of them, but it did not entirely matter. Each character is unique in their own way, all with stable development behind them that is adequate to their needs in the story and ours, even if it is revealed slowly or straight away. As with Sunshine the characters drive the story and their experiences and lives keep you wanting more and whether that is day to day life and struggles, or whether it is something phenomenal is unimportant.

As a result of this curiosity and mystery it does make you a tad suspicious as you try and work out if people have ulterior motives and where the story is possibly leading to. As we follow Sophie we again only learn as she does, and when events happen around her we only catch glimpses and must piece things together or be patient until they are revealed. There was the slightest hint in Sunshine I thought that there may be something special about Sophie, these theories were reignited and annoyingly and skilfully only hinted at again in Sun Poisoned which leaves a lot to the imagination.

There are again various incidents and events in this book that occur, some are more complicated and severe compared to those in the first book and Rae writes about these and the experience just as well as before. There are descriptions and emotions used that are excellent at helping us to see and understand them from Sophie’s perspective, even if they are not always about her specifically. This adds to the nice uncertainty because we only know what Sophie knows and what people tell her. I think, especially for the latter half of the book, this is incredible important and something that third person could not achieve with the same level of satisfaction. There needs to be an emotional connection in this story and these books because characters are the key and readers need to understand them more than a third person point of view could adequately provide.

The beginning feels a little bit slow but we get a lot of information in the first half. We learn more about Myles’ life and world, as well as a few outcomes of the events in the last book. Characters are being re-established, a few new ones are introduced, and there is development of Myles and Sophie’s relationship.

The good thing about this development we see of Sophie and Myles’ relationship is how Rae has approached it. Instead of focusing on the romance element on its own, instead it is shown through other events and the actions of others. This is a clever move because it protects the story from being purely about their romance with other things happening around them, or having moments of story, and then moments of their romance. This is where their connection shines, intertwined through life and the people around them.

There is a defining halfway point where it feels a switch is flipped, but it isn’t sudden either. It is like things have gradually been getting more intense without you realising and then all of a sudden something happens and you never come back down. I really enjoyed the story from this point, there was a lot of investment with what was happening and Rae writes drama so well, especially for characters so it was highly emotional to read.

Similarly to the first book, the language is casual on occasion; the tone Sophie uses connects with the continual descriptive nature of the story. She recounts what she does and she describes almost exactly what she sees and feels. In that sense it works together. There is a consistence in the writing style which doesn’t make anything stick out in particular as you read, but certain elements can be identified looking at the story as a whole.

Rae has again created a wonderful slow reveal story with a thread of hidden secrets, and while it may not feel gripping initially it is by the ending I assure you, the suspense and uncertainty that fills most of the last half of the book keeps you on edge as you are eager and impatient to see where it leads. And in between then you still get intrigued and involved with these characters, this is what keeps you going to the excitement and excellent ending that inevitable develops. I could easily reread this series right away. This is a strong temptation stopped only by the pile of other books I have to read. I impatiently wait for book three.

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