This week is hosted by Christy @ Love of Books. Go to that site and link you answers to hers. She also holds the questions for week three! And most of all remember to Have Fun!!
Chapters 7-13
1. Heven’s mom has a new boyfriend that Heven doesn’t really like. Have you ever disliked a boyfriend/girlfriend of family member’s significant other? Did you tell them or just try to get along?
My parents were divorced when I was only five years old. My dad remarried fairly quickly and I was very lucky to instantly like my step-mom. My mom however, had her share of boyfriends that I loathed. There was this one in particular that was a wannabe cowboy that wore the tightest jeans known to mankind and always had a hat on. To top it off he was a douche. I am very glad he was kicked to the curb. I never told him how I felt because I was so young, around eight years old and it wasn't something I thought I could say. The area of parents dating and remarrying is a touchy subject and is very hard to deal with for anyone.
2. Kimber is acting weird… weirder than usual. Any predictions? Have you ever known anyone like Kimber?
I have already read Charade and I know what is going on so I am going to abstain from this question for fear of giving too much away :) I would say that I am like Kimber in so many ways, both the good and the bratty.
3. Heven is getting a new “supernatural” power. If you could have one which would you choose?
I would love to go back in time and change history. So I would be a Time Traveler and in my fantasy there wouldn't be any bad repercussions like we see when time is changed. Everything would end up perfect. You learn from your mistakes, but rectifying them would be awesome. If I couldn't do that, then I would like to be a vampire. Not exactly a super power, but they have abilities and are really hot and skinny!
4. In this set of chapters we find out something about Cole. Were you surprised?
I was definitely surprised. I thought that Cole had other intentions and am kinda glad that isn't the case.
5. Heven has someone invading her dreams. What is the scariest or wackiest dream you have ever had?
I have had some doosies. I hate having bad dreams and try not to remember them. My craziest dreams would be when I have been a contestant of America's Next Top Model. I have had multiple dreams where I have competed and once I even won! Too bad it was just a dream though.
Novemeber 5th This week is hosted by Jennifer @ Some like it Paranormal. Go to that site and link you answers to hers. She also holds the questions for week two! And most of all remember to Have Fun!!
Chapters 1-6 1. Charade begins with Heven cutting off a lot of the hair she used to hide behind. Her haircut turns out really good. Have you ever had a bad haircut? A bad dye job? Tell us about it. And SHOW PICTURES! LOL! I have had so many bad hair cuts I can't even count. When I was little, like second grade, I was very into having a perm. That didn't look too bad. The problem came two years later when my mom got remarried and I had a perm and a super short hair cut. I looked horrendous! I can't even bring myself to look at the pictures on the wall in my mom's house. Recently, I had my hair cut and when I got home I saw how choppy and off kilter the cut was. I had to fix it with kitchen scissors. As for color, I have naturally strawberry blond hair. I was told my entire life that people would kill to have my hair color. Well, I wanted purple, but my mom wouldn't let me. What she did let me do was use Henna. So every once in a while I get the urge to make a change and do the Henna. It usually comes out anywhere from a deep auburn to a bright orange depending on the brand of the Henna and how long I leave it in. A few years ago, I did my hair and it turned the brightest red/orange! I loved it, but my husband did not. It took almost 4 years for it to completely grow out. As it grew I had ombre hair, which was cool because that was the "in" look. Here are pics of Henna and natural so you can see just how different it was.
With Henna
Natural Color
2. What do you think about Heven and Cole’s relationship? At first I thought that there might be something romantic if Kimber ever got out of the way, especially the way Sam and Cole seemed to have some testosterone thing going on when each one was around Heven. I think that Cole is a truly nice guy and will always be there for Heven.
3. A new character is introduced in these chapters. Gemma. What are your thoughts on her? Any predictions? She is hiding something. That was my first impression. I still think that there is so much more to her, but she might be a good thing for Sam and Heven. Plus, she is kinda kick-butt and the more girl power the better! As far as predictions go, well I think that we will find out whatever it is she is hiding, but that there will always be more skeletons in her closet!
4. There are a lot of demons running around in Charade. What do you think would be the best weapon to fight them? As a Buffy protégé, I know that each demon is not the same and that each one has their own Achilles heel so to speak. In general, anything sharp or pointy should do the trick. Cut off the head, stab the heart, break the neck - all those should get the job done. But in Heven's world, I think the best weapon is to have a boyfriend/protector that is a Hellhound that could tear them limb from limb.
5. Sam is very close with his brother and feels responsible for him. Do you have any siblings? What is your relationship with them like? I have one sister who is three years younger than me, so I do feel very protective of her. When the Hunger Games came out I bought her the book and inscribed the inner cover saying that I will always be there for her and I will always volunteer to take her place.
My beautiful sister with her horse & her guitar!
Now that being said, we didn't get along very well when we were little. We would try to beat the crap out of each other whenever we got into it. I even chased her with knives (butter knives) and she would scratch my arms up so I was covered in gashes. It wasn't until my dad died when I was a freshman in high school that we became allies. We had to band together to get through the really hard times, the sadness and loss, and the new life we were thrust into. We really got close when I left for college. This is when we became friends as well as sisters. Now she is my BFF and she lives very far away and I miss her all the time.
Charade Heven & Hell Series, #2 by Cambria Hebert
First Published May 18, 2012
Format Reviewed: eBook (purchased)
Synopsis: The second novel in the Heven and Hell series.
Dying at the hands of a psycho was a shock. Having my life returned to me by an angel was incredible. Being named a Supernatural Treasure and being given Sam as my guard was pretty darn awesome. Acquiring a debt for it all—well, I should have seen it coming.
Now here we are, fighting demons from Hell, caring for a boy that I just don’t trust, and traveling to faraway places to return a treasure to its rightful place. Nothing is as it seems. Everyone wears a mask; everyone puts on a charade. It’s up to us to separate the truth from the lies and reality from fiction. A hard task when my new reality involves fallen angels, witches and dragons… and did I mention Hell?
Anchoring me down through it all is Sam. Sam, who must face tragedies of his own and is put to the test again and again.
If we fail in our task, life as we know it—life as you know it—will end. Forever.
In Masquerade we find out that everyone is hiding behind a mask; everyone has something to hide. In Charade we find out how good some of those masks were at hiding the truth, and that nothing is ever as it seems. Heven and Sam are tasked with travelling to Rome to return the scroll that China had taken, but getting there is proving to be more difficult than they imagined. Hell is literally breaking loose and demons are finding their way to Heven to stop her. Thankfully she has Sam who is able to obliterate the demons to dust. He is her guardian, her protector and he will never let anything happen to Heven as long as he is alive. Unfortunately for the duo, demons are not their only problem. Kimber blames Heven for stealing Cole and is determined to make her pay.
Charade is full of twists and revelations that kept my head spinning. Cambria is one of the few authors that have given me literary whiplash! I can usually work out the general outline of what is going to happen or get the gist of plot, but dang, Cambria has woven her work so tight that no stray thread is ever sticking out! Even Grandma is hiding something! I love that we get to see more of the supernatural world in Charade. There are new species added to the roster and many of them will surprise you. When I first started reading the series I thought that this would be mainly speculative fiction with a twist, but it is truly paranormal and it is written beautifully.
I love that Heven continues to mature from the once scarred girl to a young woman who is fully embracing her new found powers. I love the relationship between her and Sam; it is a pure, selfless love that makes my heart soar. The "breakup" of Kimber and Heven's friendship was something that I saw coming - but not for the reasons you think. Cole's true identity is a complete surprise, and I am interested in seeing how that will play out later. The new character Gemma, a fallen angel, is somewhat of an enigma. What is she really there for and why did she fall? And then there is Logan, Sam's brother. I am never sure what is going on with him and if he is going to become a real problem for Sam and Heven or if he will just be a nuisance.
Charade takes you from Portland to Rome, from Grandma's farm to the catacombs, from the halls of school to the depths of Hell in this exciting, adventure and romance filled novel. This is by far my favorite book in the series so far! The battle between good and evil, light and dark is highlighted throughout the book. The message that emanates throughout is that there are always consequences to any action and those actions will always affect someone other than yourself. Heven and Sam have to keep asking themselves when there is a choice, should you take the easy road or should you take a stand?
I can't wait for Tirade to be released! Bewitched, the next novella, will have to do to tide me over until then. Just when you think that there can't possibly be more twists Cambria goes and introduces new characters and species. And the ending...definitely a cliffhanger, but is done so that I am anxiously awaiting the next book in a somewhat patient manner. I hope that we will find out more about Heven's mother and why she acts the way she does. I am also hoping that Logan won't get in the way of Heven and Sam and that we will finally get some concrete answers! Cambria Hebert is an amazing and talented writer and has created a must read series for all ages!
I can't say too much about Cole without giving away some secrets, but what I will say is that he is a sweet and caring guy. If you want to know more about him then read Charade, his true colors are revealed and you get to see a side of him that is unexpected. Is he your favorite guy? Are you Team Cole? If you are you can visit Cambria's site and get the button I have featured below and post your allegiance proudly!
Cole:
Cole is 16. He’s popular, a star football player and dating the most stylish girl in school, Kimber. Never mind the fact that they fight every five minutes and he feels an intense need to watch out for Heven. Cole doesn’t know it yet but his life is about to be turned upside down in more ways than one. STATS:
Eye color: Blue
Drives: blue pick –up truck
Employment status: works at a grocery store
Favorite food: Pizza
Hobby: Play football
Favorite Quotes from Cole:
“I just feel like something is going on; I don’t understand it. I can’t help but feel like I need to protect you.” ~ Cole
“This was my favorite shirt,” he muttered, and in one swift movement, he pulled it up over his head and tossed it at his feet. I averted my gaze, but not before I noted how wide his shoulders were and how toned his muscles had gotten from playing football. ~Cole
*****************************
After I finished reading Masquerade I stalked Cambria's site waiting for information on when the new books were going to come out. I watched the countdown for Between and then I watched the countdown for Charade. I was completely obsessed with this series and it is a major reason as to why I got into blogging in the first place. Once I did, I found Tell Me Something Tuesdays and then became a proud member of Team Heven and Hell. Whenever a new book comes out I do a little happy dance - you should see the looks I get from my husband - and I know that I am not the only one. So I am going to share a video of Cambria doing her version of Meet the Author/Cribs/Release Day WooHoo! Now you can all be crazy stalkers like me!
