Review: Rapture Practice by Aaron Hartzler

RAPTURE PRACTICE
By: Aaron Hartzler
Published By: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: April 9, 2013
Series: None
Pages: 400
Genre: Memoir
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: TLA
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: Aaron Hartzler grew up gay in a home where he was taught that at any moment Jesus might come down in the twinkling of an eye, and scoop his whole family up to Heaven. As a kid, Aaron was thrilled by the idea that each day might be his last one on planet Earth. He couldn't wait to blastoff and join Jesus in the sky!

But as he turns sixteen, Aaron finds himself more and more attached to his life on Earth, and curious about all the things his family forsakes for the Lord. He begins to realize he doesn't want the Rapture to happen, just yet; not before he sees his first movie, stars in the school play, or has his first kiss. Before long, Aaron makes the plunge from conflicted do-gooder to full-fledged teen rebel.

Whether he's sneaking out, making out, or at the piano playing hymns with a hangover, Aaron learns a few lessons that can't be found in the Bible. He discovers the best friends aren't always the ones your mom and dad approve of, and the tricky part about believing is that no one can do it for you.

In this funny and heartfelt coming of age memoir, debut author Aaron Hartzler recalls his teenage journey to find the person he is without losing the family who loves him. It's a story about losing your faith, finding your place, and learning your very own truth--which is always stranger than fiction.



Rapture Practice is a memoir, though one that reads much like any other YA coming-of-age story. Ordinarily I don't read memoirs, but I was intrigued by the idea of life lived in a house that was constantly preparing for the second coming of Jesus, and I had a friend's recommendation, so I decided to give it a try.

Rapture Practice chronicles Hartzler's childhood, including some early memories but especially focusing on his time in high school. In the beginning, there's a clear picture of his family life: They are devoted, ultra-conservative Christians who are committed to being ready for the Rapture. Aaron embraces this and doesn't question it - until he does. From that point, the novel begins reading less like a memoir and more like a work of fiction, though with an unmistakeable honesty. Hartzler becomes almost two people - the person his parents expect him to be, and the person that he wants to be. Throughout the book he tries to reconcile them, but the journey is very emotional.

It's hard for me to talk about a book like this without addressing the religious aspect. I am Christian, though I don't agree with a good portion of the theology presented in the book, but that's a post for a different blog. However, because of that, it seems almost impossible that Hartzler wouldn't have "rebelled" given all of the restrictions placed on him in the name of religion. But what I appreciated was that it wasn't rebellion for rebellion's sake - though in some respects he acted from a desire to be like others around him, he also questioned what was being taught to him and, in my opinion, had some excellent points. Questioning faith can be hard, and shifting your worldview can be even harder, and this story, though at times funny or frustrating, was above all emotional and empowering. You can - and should - choose who you want to be in life, and Aaron Hartzler captures the journey quite eloquently.

At its heart, this memoir speaks to family and friendships, and how to make the most of these relationships while still embracing who you are as a person. It is moving and thought-provoking, and definitely a book worth reading.

"Waiting on" Wednesday

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.



This week's selection is:

HALF LIVES
By: Sara Grant
Published By: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: July 9, 2013
Preorder the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: I learned that surviving isn't all it's cracked up to be. If you survive, you've got to live with the guilt, and that's more difficult than looking someone in the eye and pulling the trigger. Trust me. I've done both. Killing takes a twitch of the finger. Absolution takes several lifetimes.

Seventeen-year-old Icie's parents have given her $10,000 in cash, a map of a top-secret bunker, and instructions to get there by any means necessary. They have news of an imminent viral attack and know that the bunker is Icie's only hope for survival. Along with three other teens, she lives locked away for months, not knowing what's happening in the outside world or who has survived. And are they safe in the bunker after all?

Generations in the future, a mysterious cult worships the very mountain where Icie's secret bunker was built. They never leave the mountain, they're ruled by a teenager...and they have surprising ties to Icie. This high-stakes, original, and thought-provoking adventure from Sara Grant follows two unlikely heroes, hundreds of years apart, as they fight to survive.



Why it's wanted:
This book doesn't sound like anything I've read before. It sounds like a lot of elements are at work, and I want to see how they all combine.

Teaser Tuesday (81)

I'm very excited to be one of the many blogs participating in Teaser Tuesdays! TT is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. To participate:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
(Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"When his lips touched just south of my earlobe, I thought I might pass out. 'Let's just dance,' he said. Pulling back just far enough to stare into my eyes, he drew my body against his, and my legs obeyed where his said to go."


p. 50 from EASY by Tammara Webber
Please share your teasers - post them or link to your blog!

Review: Invisibility by Andrea Cremer and David Levithan

INVISIBILITY
By: Andrea Cremer and David Levithan
Published By: Philomel
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Series: None
Pages: 358
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: ALA Midwinter
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: Stephen has been invisible for practically his whole life — because of a curse his grandfather, a powerful cursecaster, bestowed on Stephen’s mother before Stephen was born. So when Elizabeth moves to Stephen’s NYC apartment building from Minnesota, no one is more surprised than he is that she can see him. A budding romance ensues, and when Stephen confides in Elizabeth about his predicament, the two of them decide to dive headfirst into the secret world of cursecasters and spellseekers to figure out a way to break the curse. But things don’t go as planned, especially when Stephen’s grandfather arrives in town, taking his anger out on everyone he sees. In the end, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide how big of a sacrifice they’re willing to make for Stephen to become visible — because the answer could mean the difference between life and death. At least for Elizabeth.



Andrea Cremer is one of the authors on my auto-buy list, and I knew that a book co-authored by her and David Levithan would have to be good. Even those the books of these two authors are nothing alike, this collaboration works quite well. Invisibility is a great blend of a fantasy world and a contemporary story, and after the final page I couldn't help but feel sad that the book was over already.

Stephen has been invisible for his entire life. He was born that way because of a curse, but he never knows any more details than that. He's adjusted to life on his own, existing in the world without truly being part of it, but he finds ways to keep busy. Then Elizabeth moves into his apartment building, and to Stephen's immense surprise, she can see him. At first Stephen tries to keep his secret, but once Elizabeth learns the truth, she and her brother Laurie make a pact to find out more about Stephen's curse. But the curse brings them into a hidden world of magic, one that is much bigger that Stephen's individual curse. As they learn more, they come to realize how much danger Stephen faces. And when Stephen's grandfather arrives in town, Stephen knows he was an important choice to make - fight for his freedom, or live cursed forever...

"'This is the beginning of something,' she says. 'Neither of us knows what, but that's okay. What matters is that it's the beginning of something. You feel that, don't you?'

I do. And that's just as surprising as being touched, as being seen."

Even though Andrea and David alternated chapters, the story flowed seamlessly, and the authors seemed to feed off of each other to make one cohesive story. One of the things I loved about this book is how well I felt like I knew the three main characters. I enjoyed the chapters alternating points of view so that both Stephen and Elizabeth's stories were told. Their emotions were so vivid and my heart broke for them and the sense of isolation they felt. Once they met, I really enjoyed seeing their relationship progress. Even though Elizabeth was the only one who could see Stephen, they were still friends first, which was refreshing amid all the insta-love books. Even without the paranormal aspect, Stephen and Elizabeth seem made for each other, drawn together by a fragile vulnerability and a longing for someone who would simply let them be as they were. Another central character the the story is Laurie, and he is, in a word, awesome. He's also a comedian, a voice of reason, and a good friend and brother. I also liked Saul and Millie, especially the devotion they shared. I would have liked to have seen even more of them.

I liked how magic was gradually introduced into the reality of this story, and I wanted to know more about this world - all of the history of cursecasters and spellseekers. Andrea always creates rich worlds, and Invisibility was no exception. This, combined with David's knack for contemporary writing, led to some really beautiful moments in the story. Then again, with two fabulous authors writing one story, you really can't go wrong.

Even though this book is a standalone, I know that there could be more books in this world. I will secretly hope for that while continuing to read Andrea Cremer and David Levithan's other books!

Opening Lines (22)

Opening Lines is a new feature here on Portrait of a Book that showcases the first lines of recent and/or upcoming releases. If you're looking for your next read, let these first lines help you decide!



THE PROGRAM
By: Suzanne Young
Published By: Simon Pulse
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Buy the Book: Amazon

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

"The air in the room tastes sterile."


INVISBILITY
By: Andrea Cremer & David Levithan
Published By: Philomel
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Buy the Book: Amazon

Stephen has been invisible for practically his whole life — because of a curse his grandfather, a powerful cursecaster, bestowed on Stephen’s mother before Stephen was born. So when Elizabeth moves to Stephen’s NYC apartment building from Minnesota, no one is more surprised than he is that she can see him. A budding romance ensues, and when Stephen confides in Elizabeth about his predicament, the two of them decide to dive headfirst into the secret world of cursecasters and spellseekers to figure out a way to break the curse. But things don’t go as planned, especially when Stephen’s grandfather arrives in town, taking his anger out on everyone he sees. In the end, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide how big of a sacrifice they’re willing to make for Stephen to become visible — because the answer could mean the difference between life and death. At least for Elizabeth.

"I was born invisible."


NANTUCKET BLUE
By: Leila Howland
Published By: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Buy the Book: Amazon

For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.

Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t.

When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.

But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.

A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.

"Even without Holly Howard and Dori Archer, who'd been suspended for drinking on campus, we were supposed to win that game."


THORN ABBEY
By: Nancy Ohlin
Published By: Simon Pulse
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Buy the Book: Amazon

Nothing is as it seems in this darkly romantic tale of infatuation and possession, inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca.

Becca was the perfect girlfriend: smart, gorgeous, and loved by everyone at New England’s premier boarding school, Thorn Abbey. But Becca’s dead. And her boyfriend, Max, can’t get over his loss.

Then Tess transfers to Thorn Abbey. She’s shy, insecure, and ordinary—everything that Becca wasn’t. And despite her roommate’s warnings, she falls for brooding Max.

Now Max finally has a reason to move on. Except it won’t be easy. Because Becca may be gone, but she’s not quite ready to let him go…

"The dream is always the same."



Do any of these opening lines grab your attention? What are your favorite first lines that you've read lately?

Saturday Steals

Looking for a good weekend read? Check out these deals for Kindle books. Happy reading!

For $1.99

Review: The Beautiful and the Cursed by Page Morgan

THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE CURSED
By: Page Morgan
Published By: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 14, 2013
Series: The Dispossessed (#1)
Pages: 352
Genre: Historical Fiction / Paranormal
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: ALA Midwinter
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: After a bizarre accident, Ingrid Waverly is forced to leave London with her mother and younger sister, Gabby, trading a world full of fancy dresses and society events for the unfamiliar city of Paris.

In Paris there are no grand balls or glittering parties, and, disturbingly, the house Ingrid’s twin brother, Grayson, found for them isn’t a house at all. It’s an abandoned abbey, its roof lined with stone gargoyles that could almost be mistaken for living, breathing creatures.

And Grayson has gone missing.

No one seems to know of his whereabouts but Luc, a devastatingly handsome servant at their new home.

Ingrid is sure her twin isn’t dead—she can feel it deep in her soul—but she knows he’s in grave danger. It will be up to her and Gabby to navigate the twisted path to Grayson, a path that will lead Ingrid on a discovery of dark secrets and otherworldly truths. And she’ll learn that once they are uncovered, they can never again be buried.



I have to admit that I was first drawn to this book because of the beautiful cover and the sound of the title - I am a sucker for gorgeous covers. But I was hooked by the synopsis. I loved The Phantom of the Opera, and any books set around that time in Paris are books I want to read. Add in gargoyles and I knew this would be a book I would like.

After a scandal in London, Ingrid Waverly is eager to escape to Paris. She wants a fresh start, and she also wants to be reunited with her twin, Grayson. She didn't expect to be living in an abandoned abbey surrounded by gargoyles, and she certainly didn't expect to learn that Grayson was missing. Though the Paris police think Grayson is just on an adventure of his own, and though there have been mysterious disappearances, Ingrid knows that Grayson is alive and that he needs help. But her search for him will bring her into a world that she never imagined existed - one in which gargoyles are alive and assigned to protect people. However, Ingrid's own gargoyle, Luc, might end up being a little more than just a gargoyle to her. But with danger all around them, magic in the air and rules surrounding gargoyle protection, can they be anything to each other? And can they find Grayson before his time runs out?

The Beautiful and the Cursed is such a sweeping story, reading just like a beautiful, classic novel. Aside from a few POV shifts, it was easy to get caught up in the writing and feel like I was there on the historic streets of Paris with Ingrid, Luc, and Gabby. I lost myself in the world of gargoyles and magic. There was a rich history surrounding the gargoyles and quite an elaborate world that Ingrid and Gabby found themselves in, and I enjoyed learning all of this background. In some respects, things felt historically authentic - I found myself wishing they could all dispense with propriety rules a few times - but in others, the characters challenged the standards of that society. I especially enjoyed Gabby and her interactions with Nolan. Gabby was no ordinary society lady; instead, she wanted to fight and be fully involved in the new world. I also liked seeing her relationship with Nolan develop alongside the relationship between the one between Ingrid and Luc - they were both different but still interesting and sweet.

Although I did love Luc - after all, who wouldn't want a gargoyle like him protecting them - I have to admit that the "I love you, but I can't be with you" construct is becoming overdone. Still, there was so much else in the story that I was able to overlook this. A few moments were predictable, but with the world-building present it left me wanting more and eager to see where Page Morgan takes these characters next.

If you like historical fiction combined with magic and writing you can be swept away by, then The Beautiful and the Cursed is the book for you. I look forward to reading more from Page Morgan!

"Waiting on" Wednesday

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.



This week's selection is:

SOME QUIET PLACE
By: Kelsey Sutton
Published By: Flux
Release Date: July 8, 2013
Preorder the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: I can’t weep. I can’t fear. I’ve grown talented at pretending.

Elizabeth Caldwell doesn’t feel emotions . . . she sees them. Longing, Shame, and Courage materialize around her classmates. Fury and Resentment appear in her dysfunctional home. They’ve all given up on Elizabeth because she doesn’t succumb to their touch. All, that is, save one—Fear. He’s intrigued by her, as desperate to understand the accident that changed Elizabeth’s life as she is herself.

Elizabeth and Fear both sense that the key to her past is hidden in the dream paintings she hides in the family barn. But a shadowy menace has begun to stalk her, and try as she might, Elizabeth can barely avoid the brutality of her life long enough to uncover the truth about herself. When it matters most, will she be able to rely on Fear to save her?



Why it's wanted:
I'll admit that this is a case of me being drawn to a book by its cover, but I'm also intrigued by the idea of emotions being personified. I'm curious to see what direction this story takes.

Teaser Tuesday (80)

I'm very excited to be one of the many blogs participating in Teaser Tuesdays! TT is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. To participate:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
(Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"The door swung forcefully open. Gaspard stepped aside and an elderly woman wearing a pink Chanel suit, four-inch heels, and a look of pure fury walked into the room. Lord help us all, Mamie was in La Maison."


p. 50 (ARC) from IF I SHOULD DIE by Amy Plum
Please share your teasers - post them or link to your blog!

Opening Lines (21)

Opening Lines is a new feature here on Portrait of a Book that showcases the first lines of recent and/or upcoming releases. If you're looking for your next read, let these first lines help you decide!



THE WARD
By: Jordana Frankel
Published By: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Buy the Book: Amazon

Sixteen-year-old Ren is a daredevil mobile racer who will risk everything to survive in the Ward, what remains of a water-logged Manhattan. To save her sister, who is suffering from a deadly illness thought to be caused by years of pollution, Ren accepts a secret mission from the government: to search for a freshwater source in the Ward, with the hope of it leading to a cure.

However, she never expects that her search will lead to dangerous encounters with a passionate young scientist; a web of deceit and lies; and an earth-shattering mystery that’s lurking deep beneath the water’s rippling surface.

Jordana Frankel’s ambitious debut novel and the first in a two-book series, The Ward is arresting, cinematic, and thrilling—perfect for fans of Scott Westerfeld or Ann Aguirre.

"This is no ordinary flea-bitten day - not for me, it ain't."


LIFE AFTER THEFT
By: Aprilynne Pike
Published By: Harper Teen
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Buy the Book: Amazon

Moving to a new high school sucks. Especially a rich-kid private school. With uniforms. But nothing is worse than finding out the first girl you meet is dead. And a klepto.

No one can see or hear Kimberlee except Jeff, so--in hopes of bringing an end to the snarkiest haunting in history--he agrees to help her complete her "unfinished business." But when the enmity between Kimberlee and Jeff's new crush, Sera, manages to continue posthumously, Jeff wonders if he's made the right choice.

Clash meets sass in this uproarious modern-day retelling of Baroness Orczy's The Scarlet Pimpernel.

"I hate this school."


GAME. SET. MATCH.
By: Jennifer Iacopelli
Published By: Coliloquy, LLC
Release Date: May 1, 2013
Buy the Book: Amazon

Nestled along the North Carolina coast, the Outer Banks Tennis Academy is the world's most elite training facility. In this pressure-cooker environment, futures are forged in blood and sweat, and dreams are shattered in an instant.

Penny Harrison, a rising female star, is determined to win the French Open and beat her archrival, Zina Lutrova. But when her coach imports British bad boy Alex Russell as her new training partner, will Penny be able to keep her laser-like focus?

Tennis is all Jasmine Randazzo has ever known. The daughter of two Grand Slam champions, she's hell-bent on extending her family’s legacy and writing her own happily-ever-after...until her chosen Prince Charming gives her the just-friends speech right before the biggest junior tournament of the year, the Outer Banks Classic.

With a powerful serve and killer forehand, newcomer Indiana Gaffney is turning heads. She’s thrilled by all of the attention, especially from Jack Harrison, Penny’s agent and hot older brother, except he keeps backing off every time things start heating up.

With so much at stake, dreams—and hearts—are bound to break. Welcome to OBX: Where LOVE is a four-letter word, on and off the court.

"'Crap. Crap. Crap,' Indy muttered to herself."


THE BOYFRIEND APP
By: Katie Sise
Published By: Balzer & Bray
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Buy the Book: Amazon

In The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise, super-smart, somewhat geeky Audrey McCarthy can’t wait to get out of high school. Her father’s death and the transformation of her one-time BFF, Blake Dawkins, into her worst nightmare have her longing for the new start college will bring.

But college takes money. So Audrey decides she has to win the competition for the best app designed by a high schooler—and the $200,000 that comes with it. She develops something she calls the Boyfriend App, and suddenly she’s the talk of the school and getting kissed by the hottest boys around. But can the Boyfriend App bring Audrey true love?

"It was lunchtime in the social battleground known as Harrison's upperclassman cafeteria, and I was staring at Aidan Bailey."



Do any of these opening lines grab your attention? What are your favorite first lines that you've read lately?

Review: Golden by Jessi Kirby

GOLDEN
By: Jessi Kirby
Published By: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 14, 2013
Series: None
Pages: 288
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: TLA
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: Love, tragedy, and mystery converge in this compelling novel from “an author to watch” (Booklist).

Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance.

Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury.

Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference.

So much for normal.



Last year I read Jessi Kirby's novel In Honor. In Honor was one of my favorite books of 2012, so I was extremely excited for Golden, and Golden is definitely one of my favorite books of 2013. Jessi Kirby is a masterful writer, with books that make you feel the entire range of emotions within a single story.

Parker Frost is a model student and daughter, doing exactly what is expected of her, following her mother's plan for her to get into Stamford and go to medical school. But as her senior year goes by, Parker starts to think that perhaps she is missing out on something after all, just like her best friend Kat has said. Kat challenges Parker to do one thing, to take one risk, and Parker has an opportunity she never expected. As an English TA, she has to mail journals from ten years ago back to their authors. However, when one of those journals is from Julianna Farnetti - a girl who died in a horrific car crash - Parker can't help but read it. She never expected to find the story that she does within the pages. As Julianna's story unfolds, Parker realizes that there are always things that you don't know about others, and that she has to find the plan for her life that will make her happy. But what is her path?

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" This question, a quote from a poem posed by Parker's English teacher, resonates throughout the book. As the story unfolds, Parker is constantly confronted with this question, almost like a challenge - from her mother, who expects a certain answer, from her best friend Kat, who wants Parker to take a chance, from the pages of Julianna's diary, as Julianna begins to find her own path in life, and finally from herself, and she realizes that she doesn't have to have her life set in stone already. Parker is such a relatable character. Throughout the book I felt like I was reading not only about my high school self but also the person that I am now. Golden made me think in a way that few books do. I loved everything about this story, from the Frost quotes and references at the beginning of each chapter and scattered throughout the story to the diary entries from Julianna. Orion is definitely swoon-worthy, and Trevor adds some humor to an otherwise deep and poignant story.

What makes Golden so moving isn't just the story itself, but how it is written. Jessi Kirby writes scenes and interactions that are beautiful, heartbreaking, sweet, touching, and just perfect. Between her way with words and the descriptions she gives, she manages to evoke all of the feelings. Once again she's written a book that will make you think, make you want more, make you cry, but in the end make you smile. This book will be one that I recommend to everyone.

Golden is a story that will definitely stick with me for a long time and has officially made Jessi Kirby an autobuy author for me. I can't wait to see what she writes next!

Love in Bloom Giveaway Hop

Welcome to this stop of the Love in Bloom Giveaway Hop, hosted by
I am a reader, not a writer and myself.

With April showers bringing May flowers and all that, everything seems to be in bloom in springtime, and love is no exception. What better time than to read a sweet romance novel?



~GIVEAWAY~


I am very excited to offer one SIGNED copy of Lock and Key for a giveaway!

The contest is open to US residents only. Must be 13 to enter. Please see my Contest Policy for more information.

Must be a GFC follower to enter.

This contest will close on Thursday, May 23 at 12:01AM CST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Make sure to visit the all of the blogs on the hop!