Reaping Me Softly Tour & Giveaway!

Welcome to my stop on the Reaping Me Softly Tour! This tour is brought to you by AToMR Tours. Thank you to Kate Evangelista and Omnific Publishing for providing the book to review. There is also a tour-wide giveaway for your very own eBook! Giveaway: The author is giving away (10) eBook copies of Reaping Me Softly! The rafflecopter link is below along with the linky to see other spots on the tour.

Reaping Me Softly
Book 1
by Kate Evangelista
Published October 30, 2012
Published by Omnific Publishing
Format Reviewed: eARC from Omnific (pre-edits)


Synopsis:
Ever since a near-death-experience on the operating table, seventeen-year-old Arianne Wilson can see dead people. Just as she’s learned to accept her new-found talents, she discovers that the boy she’s had a crush on since freshman year, Niko Clark, is a Reaper.

At last they have something in common, but that doesn’t mean life is getting any easier. All while facing merciless bullying from the most powerful girl in school, Arianne’s world is turned upside down after Niko accidentally reaps the soul of someone she loves. This sends them both into a spiral that threatens to end Arianne’s life. But will Niko break his own Reaper’s code to save her? And what would the consequences be if he did?

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My Thoughts:

I love the updated take on Reapers that Kate Evangelista has created. No longer are the days where the image of the reaper is a shrouded figure pointing the way to the afterlife with its scythe. Nope, now they wear Armani, or if they are truly demented, clothing that Madonna discarded in the 80s. And their scythes? They match the reaper's personality and are unique to each. And the biggest image squashed? That reapers are skeletons or something ugly to be afraid of. They are beautiful, just as Death is beautiful; a beacon to guide souls to their true homes. 

Arianne has had it rough for the past few years. Her sister Carrie's kidneys are failing, Arianne almost died while trying to donate her kidneys and woke up able to see dead people. Not your usual seventeen year old girl problems. To add to her distress, while she was coming to terms with her sister's illness, she turned to someone who continues to plague her even though things had been over for a while. For the most part, she only has Ben, her next door neighbor and best guy friend. And a huge crush on Niko, the hottest guy in school. But Niko isn't who he seems to be, and when Arianne finds out who he really is, she must decide what is more important: life or love.

Reaping Me Softly was an extremely engaging read. Once I picked up the book, I couldn't put it down. I couldn't help but feel for Arianne. She has a life that revolves around the hospital where her sister lives and everyday is a waiting game. She is being bullied by resident mean girl Darla (who reminded me a bit of the vampire Darly via Buffy, school girl uniform and all!) And then finally after years of gazing from afar, Niko notices Arianne and the chemistry is palpable. Both of them feel a connection and if it wasn't for Arianne, Niko may have let himself fade away - suicide for reapers. But now he has something or someone to live for. Until he reaps her sister. 

Arianne is an interesting character. She puts so much on her shoulders. And when Carrie passes, she just lets go. Part of it from losing her sister and another part losing Niko. I want to feel sorry for her, but at other times I want to smack her to remind her that she is still alive and can live the life Carrie could not. Letting herself waste away is selfish for so many reasons. Niko is a sexy conundrum. Why is he just now noticing Arianne? He has been in school with her for years and it isn't like she isn't noticeable; she has bright red hair that looks like flames. And why all of a sudden does he fall instantly for her? He risks his existence for her, but why? I would have loved a little more insight into what he sees in her other than her beauty. And then Ben. He is probably the most infuriating character of all. His actions are baffling.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Reaping Me Softly. I love Kate Evangelista's writing. However, even though they are completely different, I can't help but compare this book to her first novel, Taste. While the writing is more solid in RMS, Taste was a more memorable read for me. But that is just my personal opinion.  Kate has a way with building worlds and every image is crystal clear. She is very talented at putting the reader in the story. The last thing I will say is that I NEVER pictured the ending. Um, what?? But, it does leave the story open for the next book in the trilogy: Unreap My Heart. When is that coming out again??

★ ★ ★ ★ ½

FTC Advisory: I was given a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review as part of a blog tour. No backroom deals or whispered promises were made.

About the Author:

Website     Facebook      Twitter     Goodreads     YouTube

When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing.

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October Pick & Review: Taste by Kate Evangelista

Taste
by Kate Evangelista
Publication Date: April 30, 2012
Published by Crescent Moon Press
Format Reviewed: eBook

Synopsis:
At Barinkoff Academy, there's only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans. When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesn't realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.

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My Thoughts:

Phoenix McKay attends a prestigious, super-elite boarding school in the mountains of Russia. To most of the students, this is academic paradise, but to Phoenix it is just a reminder of her mother's death and that ever since, her father has turned away from her. One night, Phoenix accidentally misses curfew and breaks the one and only rule - no students on campus after sunset - and faces expulsion. Not knowing how to get back to the dorms, she wanders the halls of Barinkoff trying to find someone who can help her. That was her first mistake. Phoenix stumbles onto the secret of Barinkoff; the Night Students. They are eerily beautiful and just as dangerous. She is saved by Demetri, a dark and sexy boy who helps her get back to safety. However, now that Phoenix knows there are secrets she makes it her mission to find out the rest of them. And boy does she... 

They are Zhamvy, or zombies, but not like the Hollywood type eating brains and decaying. They are more like the current vampire myth: strong, quick-healing, fast, and utterly breathtaking  They live in secret and no one, save few, know of their existence  They crave human flesh, but have turned to a synthetic to help them stave off the hunger. But what is keeping them from devouring humans just might be making them sick. Faced with the idea of helping a dying race, Phoenix knows that she must do it because she wished someone had done the same for her mother. 

I loved this book! The cover is stunning and makes me wish I had a physical copy. Phoenix is a great character and I love how she doesn't back down. No matter what is thrown her way, she stands up for herself and those she cares about. She is passionate and a character I cheered her on throughout the entire story. You can feel her pain and anguish over her mother's death and her exile from her father. Once inside the Zhamvy kingdom, Phoenix is forced to confront feelings that she wants to keep hidden, but instead of turning into a whiny girl, she faces everything head-on, never mind the consequences.

Now the boys...I know Demitri was her savior, but there is just something about Luka that I love. Demetri is loyal, stubborn and infuriating and while I found myself liking him, he was just too broody for me.  On the other hand is Luka, the flaxen-haired boy who has some skeletons in his closet. And those have made him the charming and fun boy I officially have a crush on. While Demitri is the one Phoenix first encounters, once I met Luka there was no coming back. Sigh. But, Demetri is good for Phoenix. He is grounded and she is not, but they both care for one another, but won't give into each other fully.

I also really liked the character of Yana, Luka's sister, the Gothic Lolita. She added depth to the story and a bit of humor. Taste is like nothing I have seen before. Zombies aren't your usual romantic leading men, so it was a complete and utter surprise to see something so different. This seems to be a burgeoning genre: Zombie Romance and I look forward for more adaptations of this theme. I know some have been put off by the idea of zombie love, but I don't see it as anything different than vampires. I am hooked and I want more! This book combines passion, duty, romance, history, and zombies. It is a must read for any fan of paranormal romance! I can't wait to read more from Ms. Evangelista. 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

FTC Advisory: I was given a copy of this book from the author for an honest review as part of an ARR program from Goodreads. No backroom deals or whispered promises were made. 

Book Trailer:

About the Author:

Website     Facebook      Twitter     Goodreads     YouTube

When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing.