Review: 13 to Life by. Shannon Delany

Title: 13 to Life                                                      Author: Shannon Delany
Age Range: 12+
Publication Date: June 22, 2010
Pages: 320
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Rating: 8/10

Synopsis from Goodreads: Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early. 


Initial Thought:  "Yes. I am definitely in need of a good werewolf book!"
End Thought: "Awww, that was so sweet. I wasn't expecting that much romance, but it sure delivered! I can't wait for the next books!!!"

Review: 13 to Life is a romantic, dramatic, and fantastic paranormal novel that sets up a great premise for what I suspect to be an amazing paranormal romance series in the future.This paranormal romance book was focused very much on the drama and romance between the characters with a few werewolf hints thrown amiss the pages. Which was unexpected, but worked just as well for me since it allowed the romance and the characters to develop greatly.

Throughout most of the book, I wasn't really sure where the paranormal aspects came in or how that would play in. Shannon Delany gives little hints of Pietr's werewolfism throughout the book, but I wasn't sure of how that was going to play into the story since the real focus to me seemed to be the love triangle. Oh yes, I wasn't expecting it either, but there is a bit of a love triangle. Even though one point on said triangle was so freaking annoying and oblivious... Anyways, the romance played a huge role in the book which I thought was great. It really gave the romance time to grow instead of feeling rushed. As the two main characters get closer, Pietr's secret becomes more of an issue, and the paranormal aspects of the book really begin to show.

The ending or specifically the last few chapters are another one of my favorite parts of this book. Everything kind of begins to make sense, and is pulled together into one awesome mystery kick butt action scene. A lot is revealed and something different about this ending that distinguishes it from a lot of other books with such a mysterious and paranormal basis is that I did not see the ending coming at all. It was completely unexpected and it explained many of the characters more thoroughly, intensified the romance, and finally gave me the action packed werewolf scene I was looking for throughout the book.

In conclusion, I thought this book was great. It was refreshing to read a paranormal romance where I could actually see the romance developing and have a plot ending that I did not see a mile away. It really sets the pace for what to expect in the rest of the series . A well developed romantic plot, the drama of high school life, and the mystery of the Rusakova family and how Jessica fits into it is summarizes what 13 to Life, and hopefully the next books in the series, are all about.

Recommendations:  All werewolf fanatics must read this book. Everyone who loves a good romance along with a lot of drama on the side will love to sink their teeth into this one. Werewolves rule!!!


Characters: 9/10 
Plot: 8/10
Originality: 8/10 
Entertainment: 10/10 
Ending: 10/10 
Writing Style: 10/10 
Cover: 10/10
  

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Posted in: paranormal romance,werewolves

13 to Life Blog Tour: Interview + Excerpt with Shannon Delany

Today Shannon Delany, the author of 13 to Life, is visiting Black and Blue Ink as the next stop on her Blog Tour.  She is here to talk about her upcoming debut YA paranormal novel 13 to Life. She has also provided a small excerpt from 13 to Life at the end of this interview so read on. Here are 10 things that will make you that much more anxious to read 13 to Life. 

 
Q: What made you decide to create a paranormal YA book for your debut?

A: I've always been fascinated with the idea that things may look absolutely normal on the surface, but below it all something else is lurking. We're a very self-absorbed species--I think it's important to shake up a seemingly normal and dull world when playing with fiction.


Q: If you could be any mythical creature, fantasy or paranormal what would it be?

A: I think a werewolf might actually be an interesting choice--but not if it comes with the strings attached to my particular werewolves. I'm not the kindest creator.

Q: Have werewolves always been your guilty pleasure when it comes to paranormal books, or was it just a successful whim?

A: Totally a successful whim. I may love wolves, but I only recently started investigating werewolves.

Q: 13 To Life is a very action packed and romantic book, but it also tackles some very deep and emotional topics, were they based on personal experiences?

A: The emotional issues Jess struggles with in 13 to Life are based on a loss I recently experienced. My mother died a couple years ago after fighting (and being told she was winning) against cancer. It was very much like what Jess sees most nights.

Q: Is there something you cannot begin writing without or something that keeps you going while writing?

A: I don't have necessities, but I do enjoy a fancy coffee from time to time. It sort of encourages and rewards me as I go.

Q: What is your favorite part of being a writer?

A: My favorite part of being a writer is discovering the story and voice of a story. It's like exploring a brand new world with an experienced guide.

Q: Did you always want to be a writer?

A: I always wanted to do something that allowed me to creatively express myself. I've enjoyed doing art, teaching, and writing. All offer different things to creative people.

Q: What are you favorite writers and/or books?

A: The people who blurbed 13 to Life are definitely among my favorite authors--that's why I asked them to read and blurb. That includes Maria V. Snyder, Ann Aguirre, Jeri Smith-Ready and Lucienne Diver. Each of them create great characters and intriguing worlds. I'm also a big fan of Mercedes Lackey, Anne Mccaffrey and Orson Scott Card.

Q: Anything else you want your readers to know about you and your book???

A: Just that I encourage readers to give 13 to Life a try and keep an open mind. It's designed to be read by different people at different levels. Some people will enjoy it for a quick and fun read and some people will read deeper into it and find the foreshadowing for the next books in the series. Either way, I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks again for including my blog in your tour!!! 
Thanks so much for hosting me, Chioma!

13 to Life: Chapter 4, part D (used with the author’s permission)

Mr. Miles laughed. “Good enough. Pietr, right?”
Pietr nodded.
“Very good. Everyone’s been talking about your family already. Not much else to do at Junction High, I guess.” Mr. Miles clapped his hands together.


Shannon Delany's first novel in her YA paranormal series can be purchased at fine retailers everywhere. Shannon asks you to buy her book from the bookstore you love best! 
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
The Book Depository 
 

Learn more about Shannon (http://ShannonDelany.com) and 13 to Life (http://13toLife.us/blog) or explore the town of Junction (http://www.13toLifeSeries.com).
 

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Posted in: Interviews,paranormal romance,werewolves

Review: The Reckoning by. Kelley Armstrong

Title: The Reckoning                                                Author: Kelley Armstrong
Age Range: 13+
Publication Date: April 6, 2010
Pages: 391
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Rating: 8/10

Synopsis from Goodreads: Only two weeks ago, life was all too predictable. But that was before I saw my first ghost. Now, along with my supernatural friends Tori, Derek, and Simon, I’m on the run from the Edison Group, which genetically altered us as part of their sinister experiment. We’re hiding in a safe house that might not be as safe as it seems. We’ll be gone soon anyway, back to rescue those we’d left behind and to take out the Edison Group . . . or so we hope.


Initial Thought:  "Nooo, why oh why must this series end. I still can't wait to read it!!!"
End Thought: "I loved it. I might just write a letter to the author so I can get at least one of my questions answered."

Review: I couldn't wait at all to read this book. Right after I finished The Awakening I knew I had to read The Reckoning immediately. I had to read it so bad that I ended up betraying my morals and reading the book on my friends e-reader. I know, shame, but it was so worth it. The plot line of the Darkest Powers series deepens and thickens so much in this book. And so many new aspects of Chloe, Derek, Simon, and Tori's past is revealed and the role they play in this book is so extensive that I am coming out of this series with a lot more questions than I went into it with. 

The plot in this book is far more intense, fast paced, and all in all more interesting than the other books. This book introduced and really developed many parts of the series I was hoping to learn more about. But as true as that was, the way the plot thickened and different parts were developing, I had no idea how it could possibly be the last book in the series and until the end of the book, I still felt the same way. Many of the secrets of the Edison group and how exactly why they are out to get the "altered supernaturals" are revealed, but not as developed as I would have liked.

The romance is amplified 100% in this third book, and I was definitely happy to see that. I really don't want to give anything away, but from the beginning of the book I could feel the attraction between these two characters even as the plot became a lot more action-packed and serious.

I so desperately wanted to give this book a perfect score. I loved it that much. But that love was fresh in my mind for about 10 minutes until my brain began registering, and the immense amount of questions built up. I can't really say without spoiling the book, but they were pretty significant, maybe not that much to the main plot, but to the bunches of mini plots going on in the story as well. The book itself did not feel rushed, but the details felt rushed and overlooked, which led to many new questions, with none of them being evaluated or answered. I definitely believe that this book could have gone on to have a fourth even fifth book, and I know I would have been more satisfied with an ending that answered my questions.

In a nutshell, I loved this book. Mainly because I loved the rest of the series and it had as much strong points as a book can have. Beware though, don't come into reading this book thinking that all the answers you have from the books before or this book will be answered, you are going to have to make your own inferences regarding those.

Recommendations: All fans of the others books cannot stop at either The Awakening or The Summoning. You must read this one, it is by a long shot the best one of the series. And to all those who are on the fence about reading the series, it is definitely worth it as it combines a great new paranormal plot line, great characters, and a subtle romance, that I'm pretty sure could carve anybody's book cravings!
 
 
Characters: 9/10 
Plot: 8/10
Originality: 8/10 
Entertainment: 10/10 
Ending: 7/10 
Writing Style: 10/10 
Cover: 10/10
  

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Posted in: Magic,paranormal romance,werewolves

Waiting On Wenesday (10)

Raised by Wolves by.  Jennifer Lynn Barnes 
Release Date: June 8th 2010 

PACK LIFE IS ABOUT ORDER, BUT BRYN IS ABOUT TO PUSH ALL THE LIMITS, WITH HAIR-RAISING RESULTS.

At the age of four, Bryn watched a rabid werewolf brutally murder her parents. Alone in the world, she was rescued and taken in by Callum, the alpha of his pack. Now fifteen, Bryn's been raised as a human among werewolves, adhering to pack rule (mostly). Little fazes her.

But the pack's been keeping a secret, and when Bryn goes exploring against Callum's orders, she finds Chase, a newly turned teen Were locked in a cage. Terrifying memories of the attack on her mom and dad come flooding back. Bryn needs answers, and she needs Chase to get them. Suddenly, all allegiances to the pack no longer matter. It's Bryn and Chase against the werewolf world, whatever the consequences.

An exciting new paranormal adventure, with a heroine who rivals Buffy theVampire Slayer, Raised By Wolves will leave you howling for more.

Wow!!! Move over vamps, werewolves are coming with a vengence. This book sounds incredible. Definately the action packed drama filled book I've been waiting for. And did you read that last line " A herorine who rivals Buffy" ... can it be true, say it ain't so!!! I'll have to read the book to find out!!!

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Posted in: Waiting On Wenesday,werewolves