The Tragedy of Knowledge Tour

The Tragedy of Knowledge
(The Resistance Trilogy, #3)
by Rachael Wade
Publication Date: October 25, 2012
Format Reviewed: eARC (provided by author)

Synopsis:
The Battle Comes Home.

After arranging a hopeful but risky alliance during their visit to the Amaranthian realm, Camille, Gavin, and the resistance don’t have much time to recover from their failed mission. Forced to create a new strategy to achieve their goal, they embark on a different mission—one that possibly holds the missing key to their quest for victory, and their deadliest one yet.

As they attempt round two to restore peace and freedom for their kind, they must rely on help from the living, the bayous, and beyond to decipher allies from enemies, good magic from bad, and whether the source claiming to lead the way to their destiny can be trusted. Racing against the clock to solve the mystery of their fate, they find the battle has come right to their doorstep, and this time, everyone must pay a price.

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My Thoughts:

The Showdown has begun. Everything that has happened in Amaranth and The Gates is now coming to a final and epic ending. With no way known to defeat the hybrid vampires, Gavin and Camille have little time to figure out what to do in order to defeat the evil King Gerard. Despite the fact that Gerard took Gavin's and Cam's main information source, Camille starts getting weird visions. Hoping that they will lead them to another source, they have to trust that these visions are helpful. And where the visions lead? Well, that is another place entirely. Cam and Gavin have to try to let someone else help them, but can they be trusted? 

With witches now on the duo's side, they must find out what part the Book of the Ancients will play in breaking the curse. However, they did not anticipate what parts they will have to play in the finale. Now doubtful of the outcome, Camille wonders if she will be able to help with the prophecy and end the curse or will everything be all for nothing? And after seeing Gerard and being given an ultimatum, they are as unsure as ever, but they have a plan and hope that it will work.

The ending to The Tragedy of Knowledge is heartbreaking and makes the title very apropos. I wanted to see something different, but everything was brought together and the finale was exciting and overwhelming. I was very happy to see that some of the vampires got what was coming to them (I won't name names) and that there were more twists and turns, surprises, and secrets revealed. Another thing I really love is that magic played a big part throughout the series. I love the idea of hoodoo and vampires and all the possibilities that it creates. And in this book, you won't be disappointed - magic is around every corner!

Wow! I could not put the entire series down. I read all three book within two days and did not want to come up for air! Rachael Wade is a master at world-building and she has created a story that is not only a great read, but that delves deeper into faith, magic, strength and friendship. The characters are genuine and are written so well that each person you read about, a bond is created. Good or evil, each character provokes emotion and one character was so creepy he gave me actual goosebumps. I am sad that this story is ending, but I am looking forward to what Ms. Wade has for us next. She is an amazing author and her books become a part of you. I recommend The Resistance Trilogy to everyone!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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.

Excerpt from The Tragedy of Knowledge:

***SPOILER ALERT: This excerpt includes spoilers from The Gates, book 2 of the series. If you haven’t read book 2 yet, you can pick it up here.***

 “All right. Look,” he said. “I’m going to come at you again from the same angle—when you’re not expecting it—and I want you to deflect my strike this time. All it takes is one stab of this silver, and you’re instantly slowed down, do you understand? It can mean the difference between living and dying. One strike will make it easier for your attacker to land another strike, and then another. Each one making you weaker. Which means seconds until you’re completely incapacitated. Then they can do whatever the hell they want to you. Think of it as paralyzing venom.”

“Gavin. I got it. We’ve been over this.” I pulled my hair tighter in the ponytail and wrapped it with an elastic tie, positioning myself in front of him again, knees bent, arms up, stance ready.

“Then get it together. I need you focused.”

“Did I mention I really don’t like your bossy side?”

“Did I mention I really hate that you don’t do as you’re told?”

He met my stance with an amused grin, rubbing his hands over his shoulders to push up his sleeves. My gaze caught the movement, zoning in on his defined arms. I swallowed, and managed, “Do as I’m told?”

“Uh huh.” He shuffled closer with slow, easy steps. “Out here, I’m not your husband. I’m not your lover. I’m your trainer. It’s my responsibility to show you how to defend yourself. And it’s your job to listen.”

“I am listening. You just make it difficult … to stay focused.”

“Oh, yeah?” He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my forehead, letting his fingers trail slowly over my skin while he peered down at me, licking his lips. “Why do I make it difficult for you to stay focused, love? Are you having a hard time keeping up?” Pushing the hair back behind my ear, he leaned in farther, grazing his nose against my cheek, smirking when he heard me exhale a low, shaky breath.

Damn him. “You know why.”

“Do I?” His grin widened.

“You do. And I won’t give you the satisfaction of hearing it come out of my mouth.”

“Cam,” he dragged his lips across my cheekbone to the base of my ear, “I can feel it, too. You don’t have to say it, because I’m in tune with your body like never before. We’re on the same level now. All that pent-up energy, trying to claw its way out of you …” Nipping my earlobe, he let out a low chuckle and skimmed his hand underneath the hem of my shirt, tracing the waistband of my jeans with rough, teasing fingers. My entire body came alive at his touch, blood singing, knees quaking, mouth watering. His scent was divine and his lips called to me like some wicked, elemental magic.

He knew exactly what he was doing. The bastard.

More than willing to play along, I inhaled a sharp breath and reciprocated, dragging my fingers down his torso, then back up, stopping just above his navel. His mouth still near the base of my ear, his breath hitched against my skin at the contact. Encouraged, I headed south again, rubbing and teasing, feeling him grow beneath my fingers, tilting my head to the side to expose my neck. He moaned and grazed his teeth over my shoulder and down to my collarbone, dropping his blade to the ground with a loud thud.

“You make me crazy. Do you know that?” He gripped my hips and pressed me against him. “Do you feel what you do to me?”

“It’s too intense,” I whispered, my voice breathy. I was already panting when he moved to the other side of my neck, nudging my head to tilt it in the opposite direction.

“I warned you. You had a taste back in Amaranth, right after you changed.” He started on the buttons of my shirt.

“But the pull is even harder to fight now. When you touch me … I have no self-restraint. Sometimes I feel like … like I can’t handle all the extra energy. Like I’ll detonate if I don’t act.”

“That’s part of the fun.”

“Gav … we’re in an open field.”

“Hasn’t stopped you yet.” He popped two more buttons. “I know you want me. Just relax and let me make you feel good, baby. That panic lessens when you give it an outlet.”

Shutting my eyes tight, I leaned up on tiptoe and wrapped my arms around his neck to kiss him hard, then released him and slowly sashayed in the other direction, challenging him from underneath coy lashes, the need to run singing in my veins. “Fine. And I know you want me, but you’ll have to catch me first.”

His mouth fell open and his brows raised, a surprised smile pulling at the corner of his lips; he was ready to take the bait. I surged forward into a turbo-charged sprint, clear across the field toward the woods ahead, feeling him feet behind me, fast on my trail. I blew through the edge of the brush and into the thick marsh, lifting off my feet into flight, deeper and deeper into the bayou.

Other Books in The Resistance Trilogy:

About the Author:

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Rachael Wade is the Amazon #1 bestselling author of the paranormal romance series, The Resistance Trilogy, and the contemporary romance, Preservation. When she's not writing, she's busy learning French, watching too many movies, and learning how to protect wildlife and stop animal cruelty. Visit her at www.RachaelWade.com and www.LightsOnOutreach.com, or come chat with her on Twitter via @RachaelWade.

Tell Me Something Tuesday Returns!

After a month long hiatus, Tell Me Something Tuesday is back! TMST is a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous author of the Heven and Hell series, Cambria Hebert. Each week bloggers get together and answers questions about anything and everything to get to know one another. If you would like to participate, visit her blog and grab next week's question and add your link. This week's question:

What have you been reading since the meme was on haitus? If you haven’t read anything what are you looking forward to reading?

So, that would be since September right? Let's see... I have read all of the Heven and Hell series :) but most of those were rereads for the H&H week. I also read a really cool book called The Messengers about time travel.

The biggest read definitely was Hidden (House of Night)! I read it in 3 hours at Starbucks. I drank 3 double cappucinos and sat in my favorite cushy chair that I stalk and did not leave until the very end. I do love this series and will tell you more about what I thought in my upcoming review.

I also read my very first print ARC of Whispers at Moonrise by C.C. Hunter and loved that as well. I am on C.C.'s street team and was able to get an interview with her that will be posted along with my review for that. Lots of reading - not so much reviewing this month. But that will all be fixed soon.

Right now I am currently reading The Diviners by Libba Bray and Owlet by Emma Michaels.

As to what I want to read? I will keep my MEGA list down to five books that are 'read soon' for now. In no particular order - whichever arrives at the library first.

1. Bitter Blood by Rachel Caine (Morganville Vampire Series)
2. Insurgent by Veronica Roth - I can't believe I haven't read this one yet!
3. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
4. The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
5. The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling

What books have you been reading? What are you dying to read soon?
Is there a book that is coming out next year that you are completely obsessed with reading??

I know I have mine...Sever by Lauren DeStefano - the last book in the Chemical Garden Trilogy.

Charade Read Along - Week 1

Novemeber 5^th
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. 

Touching Eternity Blog Tour & Interview

Breathe In BooKs would like to welcome Airicka Phoenix to the blog today! I had the privilege of interviewing her about her books and what we will see next from her! And yet again, her image has alluded me... 

Novels

Click Here to see Official Touching Eternity Cover Release!

Anthologies

*****Interview with Airicka Phoenix*****

1.                   How did you come up with the title of your first book in the series?

The Touch Series is the story of needing something you can never touch. It is the cycle of a flame. Fallon & Amalie both want love, but for them, love is like Smoke, Fire, Embers & Ash , untouchable, uncontrollable.  For Amalie, her love will become Eternal.

2.                   What will be the last book in the series?

The last book in the series is Touching Ash.

3.                   Can you tell us what you have in store for us next? 

I have several short stories coming out, but I will also be releasing The Hunter Series. So you will meet Clara and Darius and their adventures into the world of monsters, demons and forbidden kisses.

4.                   Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

I did my own cover.  I wanted to put something of the book into the image so the cover for Touching Smoke is haloed by smoke.

5.                   If you could be a supernatural, what kind would you be and why?

I would love to be able to go invisible. I can just hole up somewhere and read and not get bothered by anyone!

6.                   How can readers contact you or find out more about your books?

Website: http://airickaphoenix.com/Author/?cat=10

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/AirickaPhoenix (@AirickaPhoenix)

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/airicka.phoenix

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Airicka-Phoenix/252135634831614?ref=hl

Goodread: http://www.goodreads.com/AirickaPhoenix

Touching Smoke:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Touching-Smoke-Touch-Series-ebook/dp/B008RB72NW

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/208503

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Touching-Smoke-Touch-Series-Book/book-rymgPnYnBEeuCLRBpaNfQw/page1.html?s=e-kxrdHzdU2kGRqX4vcWgw&r=1

AllRomanceeBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-touchingsmoketouchseriesbook1-907800-140.html

Signed Paperback: http://airickaphoenix.com/Author/?p=2117

Whispered Beginnings: A Clever Fiction Anthology:

Amazon: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/155457

Smashwords: http://www.amazon.com/Whispered-Beginnings-ebook/dp/B007X5KOHO

Signed Paperback: http://airickaphoenix.com/Author/?p=2117

Midnight Surrender Anthology:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Surrender-Paranormal-Anthology-ebook/dp/B009M9EMT0

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/242381 

Signed Paperback: http://airickaphoenix.com/Author/?p=2117

7.                   What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?

Spreading the word and sharing the links would be wonderful and so appreciated.

8.                   Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other writers trying to get published?

Never give up. It’s the worst injustice you could commit against yourself.

9.                   Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I love meeting you guys! I don’t mean just in person, I mean just online. You guys make my whole day chatting you guys up!

10.               What gave you the idea to write a Young Adult series?

I’ve always loved Young Adult, writing it just made sense. 

Thank you so much for having me join you guys today. I had so much fun being here and hope we can do it again soon! <3

Excerpt from Touching Eternity:

What would you choose?

She had everything but freedom.
He had nothing but his loyalty, his wits and his training.

She was a prisoner, a disease, not fit for the world, and she didn't know why. But she did know she wasn't allowed to die, she wasn't allowed to live and she wasn’t sane.

He was a soldier, a protector, but his foundation will be tested when he must destroy the only light in his dark world.

Thrown together, prisoner and keeper, their rebellion will splinter through time, changing the course of history and the fate of the world. Their love will challenge their greatest enemy and immortalize them forever.

Loyalty. Freedom. Love.

What would you risk?

"Let me die."
Pain darkened his eyes. "Never."

About the Author:

Airicka's Image is MIA

Airicka Phoenix is the author of TOUCHING SMOKE (Touch Book #1), TOUCHING ETERNITY (Touch 1.5), TORRID, a short story as part of the Whispered Beginnings: A Clever Fiction Anthology and WANTING & INTENTIONS, two stories as part of the Midnight Surrender Anthology. When she's not hammering away at the keyboard, she can be found banishing pirates or crawling through the attic looking for lost treasure with her kids. She loves baking, gardening and reading. She also likes to travel and take pictures of everything she comes across. When asked, Airicka describes herself as a sarcastic basket case that has an unhealthy addiction to chocolate, old movies and really bad jokes. She loves to laugh, make friends and write. If she could have one wish granted, it would be to spend one day as a fly-on-the-wall inside Stephen King's mind. If she could have two wishes granted, she would ask for a castle dedicated entirely to her overwhelming collection of books.

For more about Airicka, also on how to win giveaways, read author interviews and reviews, visit her website at: http://airickaphoenix.com/Author/?cat=10

You can add Airicka on any/all of her social networks. Making new friends is the highlight of her day!

Thank you Airicka for visiting Breathe In BooKs! I can't wait to have you back on when I get to read Touching Eternity soon!!

~Krista

Here is the book trailer while you wait!

Something Wicked Comes.... The Diviners

Happy Halloween! 

To celebrate I will be giving away a Hardcover copy of The Diviners by Libba Bray. The Diviners is a mystery mixed with the occult and serial killers - totally creepy - and totally perfect for Halloween!

Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."
When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Supernatural Travels with Libba Bray

*Check out the entire Diviners website!

Episode #1

Episode #2

Episode #3

Episode #4

About the Author:

Website      Twitter      Facebook      Tumblr

What is it about writing an author bio that gives me that deer-in-headlights feeling? It's not exactly like I'm going to say "I was born in Alabama…" and somebody's going to jump up and snarl, "Oh yeah? Prove it!" At least I hope not.

I think what gets me feeling itchy is all that emphasis on the facts of a life, while all the juicy, relevant, human oddity stuff gets left on the cutting room floor. I could tell you the facts–I lived in Texas for most of my life; I live in New York City with my husband and six-year-old son now; I have freckles and a lopsided smile; I'm allergic to penicillin.

But that doesn't really give you much insight into me. That doesn't tell you that I stuck a bead up my nose while watching TV when I was four and thought I'd have to go to the ER and have it cut out. Or that I once sang a punk version of "Que Sera Sera" onstage in New York City. Or that I made everyone call me "Bert" in ninth grade for no reason that I can think of. See what I mean?

God is in the details. So with that in mind, here is my bio. Sort of.

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"Waiting On" Wednesday: Gameboard of the Gods

"Waiting On" Wednesday (WoW) is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week's book that I am eagerly anticipating is...

Gameboard of the Gods

Age of X, #1

by Richelle Mead
Expected Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Published by Dutton Adult

In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.

Gameboard of the Gods, the first installment of Richelle Mead’s Age of X series, will have all the elements that have made her YA Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I love everything Richelle has ever written. I especially love her adult books, particularly the Succubus series. Richelle has a way of bringing myth, religion, and satyr to her works and does it flawlessly. I am excited to see what she does with the dystopian genre. Vampire Academy was really great, but I think Richelle's strength is in her adult works. She doesn't have to hold back and can really bring a story to life: the good, the bad, and the downright naughty.

What do you think, will you be adding this book to your TBR? Have you read anything by Richelle Mead? Are you a fan of her YA or Adult novels?  And what are you waiting on this week?

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?

Amazon     Barnes & Noble

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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