Thanks to the fabulous publicity team at Bloomsbury, I have an excerpt from one of my top reads so far this year...plus a chance to win all of the books being featured on the Boldly Bookish Blog Tour this June! First, here's a bit more about the book I'm featuring:
Title: Letters to the Lost Author: Brigid Kemmerer Series: n/a Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens Publication Date: April 4, 2017 Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother's death, she leaves letters at her grave. It's the only way Juliet can cope.
Declan Murphy isn't the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he's trying to escape the demons of his past.
When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can't resist writing back. Soon, he's opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they're not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.
I legit lovedLetters to the Lost when I read it earlier this year. I loved the pen pal aspect but also the depth of the story and the characters' grief. It really was just an all-around great novel...no wonder it's on my list of favorites for 2017.
Behold, a snippet from Letters to the Lost...and yet another reason you should pick up this book ASAP:
The hallways are empty, which seems impossible. Where are the rest of the slackers? Why am I always the only late one?
Besides, it’s not like I wasn’t here. I’m physically in the building. It’s not like I’m going to turn into a model student once a teacher starts doing the Charlie Brown at the blackboard.
By the time we reach the language arts wing, we’re half running, skidding through turns. I grab hold of the corner to help propel me down the last hall.
I feel the burn before I feel the collision. Hot liquid sears my skin, and I cry out. A cup of coffee has exploded across my chest. I slam into something solid, and I’m skidding, slipping, falling.
Someone solid.
I’m on the ground, eyes level with scuffed black work boots.
In a rom-com, this would be the “meet-cute.” The boy would be movie-star hot, first-string quarterback, and class valedictorian. He’d offer me his hand, and he’d coincidentally have an extra T-shirt in his backpack. I’d change into it in the restroom, and somehow my boobs would be bigger, my hips would be smaller, and he’d walk me to class and ask me to prom.
In reality, the guy is Declan Murphy, and he’s practically snarling. His shirt and jacket are soaked with coffee, too, and he’s pulling material away from his chest.
If the rom-com guy was the star quarterback, Declan is the senior-class reject. He’s got a criminal record and a frequent seat in detention. He’s big and mean, and while reddish-brown hair and a sharp jaw might turn some girls on, the dark look in his eyes is enough to keep them away. A scar bisects one eyebrow, and it’s probably not his only one. Most people are afraid of him, and they have a reason to be. Rowan is simultaneously trying to help me up and pull me away from him.
He looks at me with absolute derision. His voice is rough and low. “What is wrong with you?”
I jerk away from Rowan. My shirt is plastered to my chest, and I can guarantee he’s getting a great view of my purple bra through my pastel-green shirt. For as hot as the coffee was, now I’m wet and freezing. This is humiliating and horrible, and I can’t decide if I want to cry or I want to yell at him.
My breath actually hitches, but I suck it up. I’m not afraid of him. “You ran into me.”
His eyes are fierce. “I wasn’t the one running.”
Then he moves forward sharply. I shrink away before I can help it.
Okay, maybe I am afraid of him.
I don’t know what I thought he was going to do. He’s just so intense. He stops short and scowls at my reaction, then finishes his motion to lean down and grab his backpack where it fell.
Oh.
There probably is something wrong with me. I want to yell at him all over again, even though all this was my fault. My jaw tightens.
Temper, Juliet.
The memory of my mother hits me so hard and fast and sudden that it’s a miracle I don’t burst into tears right here. There’s nothing holding me together, and one wrong word is going to send me straight off an edge.
Declan is straightening, and that scowl is still on his face, and I know he’s going to say something truly despicable. This, after the chastising letter, might be enough to turn me into a sopping me.
But then his eyes find mine, and something he sees there steals the dark expression from his face.
A tinny voice speaks from beside us. “Declan Murphy. Late again, I see.”
Mr. Bellicaro, my freshman year biology teacher, is standing beside Rowan. Her cheeks are flushed and she looks almost panicked. She must have sensed trouble and gone running for a teacher. It’s something she would do. I’m not sure whether I’m annoyed or relieved. A classroom door hangs open behind him, and kids are peering into the hallway.
Declan swipes at drops of coffee clinging to his jacket. “I wasn’t late. She ran into me.”
Mr. Bellicaro purses his lips. He’s short and has a round gut that’s accentuated by a pink sweater-vest. He’s not what you’d consider well-liked. “No food is allowed outside the cafeteria—”
“Coffee isn’t food,” says Declan.
“Mr. Murphy, I believe you know the way to the principal’s office.”
“Yeah, I could draw you a map.” His voice sharpens, and he leans in, glowering. “This isn’t my fault.”
Rowan flinches back from his tone. Her hands are almost wringing. I don’t blame her. For an instant, I wonder if this guy is going to hit a teacher.
Mr. Bellicaro draws himself up. “Am I going to have to call security?”
“No.” Declan puts his hands up, his voice bitter. His eyes are dark and furious. “No. I’m walking.” And he is, cursing under his breath. He crumples his paper cup and flings it at a trash can.
So many emotions ricochet around my skull that I can barely settle on one. Shame, because it really was my fault, and I’m standing here, letting him take the blame. Indignation, for the way he spoke. Fear, for the way he acted.
Intrigue, for the way the darkness fell off his face when his eyes met mine.
I wish I had a photograph of his face at precisely that moment. Or now, capturing his walk down the shadowed hallway. Light flashes on his hair and turns it gold when he passes each window, but shadows cling to his broad shoulders and dark jeans. I haven’t wanted to touch my camera since Mom died, but all of a sudden I wish I had it in my hands. My fingers itch for it.
“For you, Miss Young.”
I turn, and Mr. Bellicaro is holding out a white slip of paper.
Detention. Again.
Well, after reading that unfortunate meeting again, I kind of want need to re-read this book...like yesterday. Think I'll try out the audiobook next. ;0)
About the author:
BRIGID KEMMERER is author of LETTERS TO THE LOST (Bloomsbury; April 4, 2017), a dark, contemporary Young Adult romance; THICKER THAN WATER (Kensington, December 29, 2015), a New Adult paranormal mystery with elements of romance; and the YALSA-nominated Elemental series of five Young Adult novels and three e-novellas which Kirkus Reviews calls “refreshingly human paranormal romance” and School Library Journal describes as “a new take on the supernatural genre.” She lives in the Baltimore area with her husband and four sons.
Title: Letters to the Lost Author: Brigid Kemmerer Series: n/a Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens Publication Date: April 4, 2017 Source: ARC received from publisher Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother's death, she leaves letters at her grave. It's the only way Juliet can cope.
Declan Murphy isn't the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he's trying to escape the demons of his past.
When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can't resist writing back. Soon, he's opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they're not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.
I can't believe how long it's been since I read something new from Brigid Kemmerer. I loved her Elementals series. It was fun and romantic and action-packed. This book is nothing like that series and yet it is still just as amazing.
Wait, I lied. They are similar in that the brothers in the Elementals series have a world of hurt thrust upon them and the hits just keep coming throughout the series. The same could be said of both Juliet and Declan: they've both had something tragic occur to their families, something that seems impossible to overcome. And just when it looks like they might not be able to, they find each other.
This is the second book in as many weeks that I've read featuring the secret pen pal aspect, and I must admit, I really like this method of getting to know the characters...and them getting acquainted, as well. I'm not usually super interested in books focused on grief because I'm not very good at dealing with it myself, but the letter-writing aspect had me intrigued. Plus, I know that Brigid made even elemental powers seem realistic, so I knew she would be able to portray the characters' grief genuinely but without leaving me a sobbing mess.
I loved the connection these two characters shared, in their correspondence and outside of it, even if they weren't aware it was that same connection they were drawing on. I liked that Declan wasn't your typical bad boy, that there was more to him than just acting out. And that people finally started to see beyond that brusk exterior to the boy hurting beneath. I also like that Juliet was one of the first people to do so, even if she was one of those making assumptions about what kind of person Declan was based on rumors and heresay. Both characters showed so much growth and changed so much, just in the short span of time they'd started writing to each other, and I really appreciated that that relied more on their connection than their growing attraction, though I enjoyed that aspect, as well.
Also, the friendships in this book were life-affirming. Friendship should be about support but not being a pushover, and I liked that despite the many tragedies inflicted on these characters, they still managed to be there for each other. (I'm also very glad to see that Rev is getting his own book because there was obviously so much more to his story than what we get in this book.) It was also refreshing to see so much family involvement, especially as the story progressed.
Considering that I'm not a huge fan of this type of story normally, I could not put this book down. In fact, I found myself sneaking it in at work or any other chance I could get. I don't think you can help but be invested in these characters. That connection they share is nearly palpable, and you'll need to see how it plays out.
GIF it to me straight:
About the author:
BRIGID KEMMERER is author of LETTERS TO THE LOST (Bloomsbury; April 4, 2017), a dark, contemporary Young Adult romance; THICKER THAN WATER (Kensington, December 29, 2015), a New Adult paranormal mystery with elements of romance; and the YALSA-nominated Elemental series of five Young Adult novels and three e-novellas which Kirkus Reviews calls “refreshingly human paranormal romance” and School Library Journal describes as “a new take on the supernatural genre.” She lives in the Baltimore area with her husband and four sons.
You guys! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to help reveal the cover to the next book in Brigid Kemmerer's Elementals series! It's Nick's book, and if you read his novella earlier this year, you know shocking things are coming!!! Without further ado, behold, the cover to Secret, the fourth full-length novel set in the Elementals world:
Keep his grades sky-high or he’ll never escape his hometown.
Keep his brother’s business going or the Merricks will be out on the street.
Keep the secret of where he’s going in the evenings from his own twin—or he’ll lose his family.
Keep his mind off the hot, self-assured dancer who’s supposed to be his “girlfriend’s” partner.
Of course there’s also the homicidal freak Quinn has taken to hanging around, and the Elemental Guide counting the hours until he can try again to kill the Merrick brothers. There’s a storm coming. From all sides. And then some.
Nick Merrick, can you keep it together?
Publication Date: January 28, 2014 From Kennsington Books, ISBN: 0758294379
Brigid Kemmerer is the author of The Elemental Series, about a family of four brothers who control the elements, and their battle with those who want them dead. Storm, Spark, and Spirit are available now wherever books are sold. To read the novella introducing Nick’s story, be sure to check out Breathless available as an e-book only from major e-book retailers.
Brigid is seriously one of the nicest authors I've ever had the chance to meet and interact with. And she writes about one of the hottest group of brothers I've had the pleasure of reading about. So, whenever the opportunity arises to help her out with something, I am so there. =)
So, what do you think? Excited to see that there's a girl predominately featured on this one? I know I was! That's pretty much how I pictured Quinn. The only thing -- and this is minor -- is that it doesn't appear to be the original Nick on the cover, which makes me a little sad 'cause dude was hawt! But seriously, these books are such a good time, that there could be a monkey's butt on the cover, and I'd still buy it. I mean, I'd probably buy it in ebook form 'cause it'd be seriously awkward to read a book with a monkey's butt on the cover out in public, but you get what I'm saying. ;0)
I'm happy that even though the publisher changed the cover, they didn't change it so much that it doesn't match the other books. That tactic is really starting to peeve me and will result in me purchasing nothing but ebooks pretty soon. Which is really sad because I love having the pretties on my shelf.
Are you a fan of the series? Will you be picking up this next installment? Which brother is your favorite? Inquiring minds want to know!!!
So, I'm sure you guys have all noticed that flashing button in my sidebar tempting you with the promise of five hot guys as part of the Elementals Read Along that Steph from Cuddlebuggery and I are hosting. I'm sad that it's almost over, but I'm glad I got to experience these books for the first time with some of you!
You know what else I'm excited about? Hosting a stop on the Spirit Blog Tour hosted by The Midnight Garden! And the always delightful Gabriel Merrick is here to answer a few of my burning questions!!!
o Full Name – Gabriel Merrick
o Age – 17
o Goals – Qualify to go through Fire School for the spring semester. Stay alive.
o Likes – Layne, fire, macaroni-and-cheese, running
o Dislikes – Health food, math, when Michael is being a moron
o What constitutes your perfect woman? Have you met Layne?
Welcome
to The Starry-Eyed Revue, Gabriel. I hope you don't mind letting me pick your brain today...I know you control
fire but do you think you can you handle the heat? I guess we’ll find out…
First
things first, why don’t you like to be called Gabe? You call your twin brother Nicky but you don’t like to be called
anything but Gabriel.
Seriously, does anyone like to be called Gabe? Ugh. And I’ve called my brother
Nicky since we were little kids. If he minded, he’d tell me.
Ooookay. I actually knew a Gabe in school, but that's neither here nor there.
So,
I did a little research, and all four of you Merrick boys bear the names of
patron saints. Do you think this was
intentional? Saint Christopher was a
patron for storms. It had to be
intentional, right? That’s just too big
of a coincidence. Except that Saint
Gabriel is the patron saint of messengers, communication workers, and postal
workers. Your parents kind of missed the
mark on that one, huh? Or was I just
looking in the wrong place?
Yeah … um … we’re not really all that
religious. Some d-bag at school said that Gabriel was supposed to be a chick angel
or something. I punched him in the face.
Ha, I'll just bet you did. And deservedly so.
If
you had to pick -- and there was no chance it would cause a fight -- who’s your
favorite brother? (Oh, who am I
kidding…you’d probably do it just to
pick a fight.)
I’m closest to Nicky. That wouldn’t
start a fight. They know.
Okay...I just thought that maybe after what had happened in Spark and what's been foreshadowed with Nick, that maybe you'd have a different opinion. Glad to see you guys are as tight as ever.
I
gotta say, you were my favorite character right from the beginning. That first exchange with Becca in your
kitchen was when I knew. Sure,
you’re cruel to her later in the story, but you own up to your mistakes and
apologize, even going so far as to defend her honor. I think you are a genuinely good guy; you
just don’t know how to verbalize it or show that side of yourself to
others. Am I right?
*scoffs* It’ll probably save you time if
you just keep assuming I’m a complete tool. *hesitates* Nah. You’re right.
You’re right.
Glad to hear it. I've got a soft spot for the bad boy who has a change of heart.
You’re
kind of the black sheep of the family.
And it’s never more evident than in your book. After the events in Spark, do you think you guys might get closer? I
mean, you do realize that your brothers are only trying to protect you,
right? Even when Michael’s being a
hard-ass, it’s because he cares.
It’s funny. Sometimes I think we’re
growing apart—but sometimes I think we’re growing closer. *rolls eyes* Mike
still needs to switch to decaf, though. Or maybe spend more time with Hannah.
*wink*
Agreed. I think Hannah will prove to be very good for Michael.
While
you were avoiding your brothers, you found a friend in an unlikely place. What do you make of this Hunter kid? I really enjoyed the bromance that developed
between the two of you in Spark, but
are you sure we can trust him?
If I answer this question, can we quit
calling it a bromance? Ugh, I hate that word. It’s like we should be sharing
sloppy kisses or something. But yeah, Hunter’s all right. He’s a messed up kid,
but we all are, really. He’s been screwed over too many times. Once he figures
out that we’re not next in line to mess with him, he’ll calm down a bit.
*shakes head* Sorry...that was hawt. I was picturing...no, never mind. Ahem. Where were we? Oh, yeah...sure, sorry, I'll stop calling it a bromance.
Sure, Hunter's as messed up as any of you, but he did get you involved in a pretty risky venture. Was it the lure of the fire drawing you, or
was it saving innocent lives that made you keep doing it? Or are you just that crazy?
Sweetheart, I am just that crazy.
That's okay. I like crazy. *bats eyelashes*
You
finally shared your secret with someone outside of your family. Do you feel relieved not to have to hide it
from Layne anymore? Do you feel like
you’ve burdened her now or put her in danger, like Chris inadvertently ended up
doing to Becca?
Yeah, it’s a relief. Layne earned the
right to know. Maybe I have brought danger to her doorstep—but I can’t undo
that. And now that it’s out there, I don’t think I’d undo it, even if I could.
*wince* I know that makes me sound like a selfish bastard. See what I mean
about keeping up the assumption that I’m a complete tool?
That doesn't make you a tool; I'm glad Layne makes you that happy and that you're that comfortable with her. Speaking
of, how badly did you want to wipe that grin off Chris and Michael’s faces
whenever they compared what you had with Layne to Chris’s romantic entanglement? They really do like to antagonize you. Don’t they realize they’re playing with
fire?
*grin* Don’t worry, I can get them back.
Wait til you see what I do to Chris in Nicky’s book.
Heh. Can't wait!
I
love that the girl you fell for was the polar opposite of anyone you’ve dated
before. I think you surprised just about
everyone…including yourself. Was there
ever a moment when you tried to deny how you felt about Layne, whether to
protect her or yourself? And if so, you
knew that was never going to work, right?
I never wanted to deny what I felt for
Layne. I was too busy hoping she felt the same way back. You’re not going to
print that, right?
*swoons* But, yeah, I'm totally printing that. :0) I
assume you see a future with this girl, considering you let the cat out of the
bag and there’s no going back from that point.
But aside from that, what do you think your future holds? Think you’ll take Hannah’s advice?
Right now, I can’t see a future without
Layne. She’s helping me get my math scores up so I can go through fire school
in the spring.
*sigh* I think that's every nerdy girl's dream...a hot firefighter. Or is that just this nerdy girl?
Besides
fighting fires, I think you should consider a career dealing with special needs
kids. You were really great with
Simon. I know a lot of readers who don’t
exactly like you after reading Storm. Think your actions in Spark will redeem you in their eyes? Do you even care?
You think I give a crap if people don’t
like me? I care about protecting my brothers. I care about protecting Layne. I
care about douchebgs walking through the school hallways and beating the crap
out of some kid who can’t even hear. If that makes me a dickhead, I’m pretty
sure I’ll get over it.
Yeah, I kind of thought that might be your response. For the record, I think it makes you honorable.
Well, that about wraps it up, though I could think of a million more questions to ask you. Thank
you so much for stopping by, Gabriel. I loved you before, but I think I love you
even more now. Don’t be a stranger! ;0)
Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.
He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.
Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.
With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust…
the Elementals series
(click on the images to be taken to the book's Goodreads page)
And now's your opportunity to pick who Brigid writes about next:
About the author:
Brigid Kemmerer started writing in high school, and her first real “novel” was about four vampire brothers causing a ruckus in the suburbs. Those four brothers are the same boys living in the pages of The Elemental Series, so Brigid likes to say she’s had four teenage boys taking up space in her head for the last seventeen years!
Spirit, the latest book in the series, will be released in stores and online on May 28, 2013.
Find the full tour schedule on the main tour page over at The Midnight Garden!
Big thanks to The Midnight Garden, Brigid Kemmerer, and Kensington Teen for putting this tour together and allowing The Starry-Eyed Revue to be a part of it!
Title: Spirit Author: Brigid Kemmerer Series: Elementals, book #3 Publisher: Kensington/KTeen Publication Date: May 28, 2013 Source: ARC received from publisher Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble
With power comes enemies. Lots of them.
Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.
He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.
Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.
With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust…
Yep, that about sums it up. After reading the rest of this series the last couple of months, I was not expecting the turn Spirit took. And I liked it! It's rare that a book can truly surprise me these days, and I am impressed.
But, oh, my poor, misunderstood Hunter. He's had a rough go of it lately. Losing the only two people who really know you is difficult enough. But then he trekked to Annapolis to avenge their deaths, and it was like Daniel walking into the lions' den. Except that it didn't have to be.
Hunter's trust issues plagued him (and me!) for the majority of this book, and I'll freely admit that I was more than a little exasperated with his inability to trust anyone. His Guide training has taught him never to trust anyone and to use everyone. That first bit isn't hard for him at all, but he does have some trouble with the latter. And then he meets Kate, his perfect counterpart. This girl is even less likely to trust people, though she's not above doing what she has to in order to get what she needs or wants.
I like that despite everything that's happened, Hunter remains in the forefront. I knew he was getting his own book when I started the series, but I thought that after this, he'd fade into the background. But none of these Elementals are bit players, and I should have realized that Hunter's role as a Fifth would always be important. What's even more interesting, though, is that the Merricks won't let Hunter fade away either, even if he's hell-bent on not trusting them.
Sure, the bromance between Gabriel and Hunter has fizzled after the realizations we were left with at the end of Spark. But the awesome, sometimes over-bearing Michael really steps into his role as guardian in this book, and when everyone else is ready to write Hunter off, he takes the poor guy under his wing. I know this is Hunter's book, but man, Michael really shined in it. I sometimes forget how young he really is, that he's only five or six years older than the twins. But in Spirit, he reminded me of why I liked his character so much in Elemental and why I was willing to give this series a chance in the first place.
I feel like this is the PNR series I've been waiting my whole life for. It's not perfect, but it's so much freakin' fun that I don't care about those slight issues. I just know that I can't get enough of these boys, er, books...I only wish that I didn't have to wait so long for Nicky and Michael's books!
Rating:
***Stop by tomorrow for my stop on the Spirit Blog Tour hosted by The Midnight Garden! I'm interviewing Gabriel!!! This should be interesting! =)***
Brigid Kemmerer was born in Omaha, Nebraska, though her parents quickly moved her all over the United States, from the desert in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to the lakeside in Cleveland, Ohio, and several stops in between, eventually settling near Annapolis, Maryland. Brigid started writing in high school, and her first real “novel” was about four vampire brothers causing a ruckus in the suburbs. Those four brothers are the same boys living in the pages of The Elemental Series, so Brigid likes to say she’s had four teenage boys taking up space in her head for the last seventeen years. (Though sometimes that just makes her sound nuts.)
Brigid Kemmerer finds the time to write somewhere between caring for her family and working at her day job, but sometimes she ends up mothering her coworkers and managing her family. Storm: The Elemental Series was her first novel.
I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
Monday, June 5, 2017
Boldly Bookish Blog Tour Featuring LETTERS TO THE LOST - Excerpt & Giveaway
Thanks to the fabulous publicity team at Bloomsbury, I have an excerpt from one of my top reads so far this year...plus a chance to win all of the books being featured on the Boldly Bookish Blog Tour this June! First, here's a bit more about the book I'm featuring:
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Series: n/a
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: April 4, 2017
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
I legit loved Letters to the Lost when I read it earlier this year. I loved the pen pal aspect but also the depth of the story and the characters' grief. It really was just an all-around great novel...no wonder it's on my list of favorites for 2017.
Behold, a snippet from Letters to the Lost...and yet another reason you should pick up this book ASAP:
wantneed to re-read this book...like yesterday. Think I'll try out the audiobook next. ;0)a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Right in the Feels: LETTERS TO THE LOST by Brigid Kemmerer
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Series: n/a
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: April 4, 2017
Source: ARC received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
I can't believe how long it's been since I read something new from Brigid Kemmerer. I loved her Elementals series. It was fun and romantic and action-packed. This book is nothing like that series and yet it is still just as amazing.
Wait, I lied. They are similar in that the brothers in the Elementals series have a world of hurt thrust upon them and the hits just keep coming throughout the series. The same could be said of both Juliet and Declan: they've both had something tragic occur to their families, something that seems impossible to overcome. And just when it looks like they might not be able to, they find each other.
This is the second book in as many weeks that I've read featuring the secret pen pal aspect, and I must admit, I really like this method of getting to know the characters...and them getting acquainted, as well. I'm not usually super interested in books focused on grief because I'm not very good at dealing with it myself, but the letter-writing aspect had me intrigued. Plus, I know that Brigid made even elemental powers seem realistic, so I knew she would be able to portray the characters' grief genuinely but without leaving me a sobbing mess.
I loved the connection these two characters shared, in their correspondence and outside of it, even if they weren't aware it was that same connection they were drawing on. I liked that Declan wasn't your typical bad boy, that there was more to him than just acting out. And that people finally started to see beyond that brusk exterior to the boy hurting beneath. I also like that Juliet was one of the first people to do so, even if she was one of those making assumptions about what kind of person Declan was based on rumors and heresay. Both characters showed so much growth and changed so much, just in the short span of time they'd started writing to each other, and I really appreciated that that relied more on their connection than their growing attraction, though I enjoyed that aspect, as well.
Also, the friendships in this book were life-affirming. Friendship should be about support but not being a pushover, and I liked that despite the many tragedies inflicted on these characters, they still managed to be there for each other. (I'm also very glad to see that Rev is getting his own book because there was obviously so much more to his story than what we get in this book.) It was also refreshing to see so much family involvement, especially as the story progressed.
Considering that I'm not a huge fan of this type of story normally, I could not put this book down. In fact, I found myself sneaking it in at work or any other chance I could get. I don't think you can help but be invested in these characters. That connection they share is nearly palpable, and you'll need to see how it plays out.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Official Cover Reveal: Secret by Brigid Kemmerer
You guys! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to help reveal the cover to the next book in Brigid Kemmerer's Elementals series! It's Nick's book, and if you read his novella earlier this year, you know shocking things are coming!!! Without further ado, behold, the cover to Secret, the fourth full-length novel set in the Elementals world:
Nowhere is safe. Not even home…
Nick Merrick is stretched to the breaking point.
Keep his grades sky-high or he’ll never escape his hometown.
Keep his brother’s business going or the Merricks will be out on the street.
Keep the secret of where he’s going in the evenings from his own twin—or he’ll lose his family.
Keep his mind off the hot, self-assured dancer who’s supposed to be his “girlfriend’s” partner.
Of course there’s also the homicidal freak Quinn has taken to hanging around, and the Elemental Guide counting the hours until he can try again to kill the Merrick brothers. There’s a storm coming. From all sides. And then some.
Nick Merrick, can you keep it together?
Publication Date: January 28, 2014
From Kennsington Books, ISBN: 0758294379
Brigid Kemmerer is the author of The Elemental Series, about a family of four brothers who control the elements, and their battle with those who want them dead. Storm, Spark, and Spirit are available now wherever books are sold. To read the novella introducing Nick’s story, be sure to check out Breathless available as an e-book only from major e-book retailers.
Find Brigid:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Brigid is seriously one of the nicest authors I've ever had the chance to meet and interact with. And she writes about one of the hottest group of brothers I've had the pleasure of reading about. So, whenever the opportunity arises to help her out with something, I am so there. =)
So, what do you think? Excited to see that there's a girl predominately featured on this one? I know I was! That's pretty much how I pictured Quinn. The only thing -- and this is minor -- is that it doesn't appear to be the original Nick on the cover, which makes me a little sad 'cause dude was hawt! But seriously, these books are such a good time, that there could be a monkey's butt on the cover, and I'd still buy it. I mean, I'd probably buy it in ebook form 'cause it'd be seriously awkward to read a book with a monkey's butt on the cover out in public, but you get what I'm saying. ;0)
I'm happy that even though the publisher changed the cover, they didn't change it so much that it doesn't match the other books. That tactic is really starting to peeve me and will result in me purchasing nothing but ebooks pretty soon. Which is really sad because I love having the pretties on my shelf.
Are you a fan of the series? Will you be picking up this next installment? Which brother is your favorite? Inquiring minds want to know!!!
Friday, May 24, 2013
{Blog Tour} Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer: Character Interview + Giveaway
So, I'm sure you guys have all noticed that flashing button in my sidebar tempting you with the promise of five hot guys as part of the Elementals Read Along that Steph from Cuddlebuggery and I are hosting. I'm sad that it's almost over, but I'm glad I got to experience these books for the first time with some of you!
You know what else I'm excited about? Hosting a stop on the Spirit Blog Tour hosted by The Midnight Garden! And the always delightful Gabriel Merrick is here to answer a few of my burning questions!!!
o Full Name – Gabriel Merrick
o Age – 17
o Goals – Qualify to go through Fire School for the spring semester. Stay alive.
o Likes – Layne, fire, macaroni-and-cheese, running
o Dislikes – Health food, math, when Michael is being a moron
o What constitutes your perfect woman? Have you met Layne?
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Series: Elementals, book #3
Publisher: Kensington/KTeen
Publication Date: May 28, 2013
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.
He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.
Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.
With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust…
(click on the images to be taken to the book's Goodreads page)
And now's your opportunity to pick who Brigid writes about next:
Spirit, the latest book in the series, will be released in stores and online on May 28, 2013.
Find Brigid:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Schedule: May 20 - 31, 2013
Find the full tour schedule on the main tour page over at The Midnight Garden!
Big thanks to The Midnight Garden, Brigid Kemmerer, and Kensington Teen for putting this tour together and allowing The Starry-Eyed Revue to be a part of it!
Thursday, May 23, 2013
{Elementals Read Along} Review: Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Series: Elementals, book #3
Publisher: Kensington/KTeen
Publication Date: May 28, 2013
Source: ARC received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.
He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.
Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.
With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust…
Yep, that about sums it up. After reading the rest of this series the last couple of months, I was not expecting the turn Spirit took. And I liked it! It's rare that a book can truly surprise me these days, and I am impressed.
But, oh, my poor, misunderstood Hunter. He's had a rough go of it lately. Losing the only two people who really know you is difficult enough. But then he trekked to Annapolis to avenge their deaths, and it was like Daniel walking into the lions' den. Except that it didn't have to be.
Hunter's trust issues plagued him (and me!) for the majority of this book, and I'll freely admit that I was more than a little exasperated with his inability to trust anyone. His Guide training has taught him never to trust anyone and to use everyone. That first bit isn't hard for him at all, but he does have some trouble with the latter. And then he meets Kate, his perfect counterpart. This girl is even less likely to trust people, though she's not above doing what she has to in order to get what she needs or wants.
I like that despite everything that's happened, Hunter remains in the forefront. I knew he was getting his own book when I started the series, but I thought that after this, he'd fade into the background. But none of these Elementals are bit players, and I should have realized that Hunter's role as a Fifth would always be important. What's even more interesting, though, is that the Merricks won't let Hunter fade away either, even if he's hell-bent on not trusting them.
Sure, the bromance between Gabriel and Hunter has fizzled after the realizations we were left with at the end of Spark. But the awesome, sometimes over-bearing Michael really steps into his role as guardian in this book, and when everyone else is ready to write Hunter off, he takes the poor guy under his wing. I know this is Hunter's book, but man, Michael really shined in it. I sometimes forget how young he really is, that he's only five or six years older than the twins. But in Spirit, he reminded me of why I liked his character so much in Elemental and why I was willing to give this series a chance in the first place.
I feel like this is the PNR series I've been waiting my whole life for. It's not perfect, but it's so much freakin' fun that I don't care about those slight issues. I just know that I can't get enough of these boys, er, books...I only wish that I didn't have to wait so long for Nicky and Michael's books!
Rating:
Don't forget we're discussing this book over on Steph's GR review on Sunday as part of the Elementals Read Along. It's not to late to join!!!
Brigid Kemmerer finds the time to write somewhere between caring for her family and working at her day job, but sometimes she ends up mothering her coworkers and managing her family. Storm: The Elemental Series was her first novel.
Find Brigid:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
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starryeyedjen
- I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
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