Andrea Murray's Blog: Author of the Vivid Trilogy and Omni, page 14
October 8, 2013
David Estes, YA author
David Estes is a YA author and a friend of mine. He is giving away copies of one of his novels, which I have read. So go download it while you can!
Join the revolution and get The Moon Dwellers FREE on Amazon Kindle today through October 9th at midnight!
http://www.amazon.com/Moon-Dwellers-S...
Don't miss your chance to find out why the Dwellers Saga was recently listed alongside bestsellers like Divergent and Delirium on Buzzfeed as one of 15 Series to Read if you Enjoyed The Hunger Games!
Join the revolution and get The Moon Dwellers FREE on Amazon Kindle today through October 9th at midnight!
http://www.amazon.com/Moon-Dwellers-S...
Don't miss your chance to find out why the Dwellers Saga was recently listed alongside bestsellers like Divergent and Delirium on Buzzfeed as one of 15 Series to Read if you Enjoyed The Hunger Games!
October 1, 2013
VIVID FREE
My first novel, Vivid, is free through the month of October on Smashwords. You can download it in any format free through that website. I'd love for all my Goodreads friends to read it and leave a review on Smashwords, Goodreads, or Amazon. Happy Reading!
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...
September 24, 2013
Omni Blurb
Pierce only wants a shot, a real shot, and not just the excuses he’s been handed his whole life. Harmony wants to escape her future, the future she fears will be chosen for her. After their chance meeting, they might get exactly what they want.
Since taking over the US government years earlier, the Omni party has created a perfect existence. From consorts to job assignments, every choice, every facet of life is under their control. Each citizen has a specific role in one of the four strata. Seventeen-year-old Pierce is a Drudge, the lowest social stratum in society. For over two years, he’s hoped—prayed—that his upcoming aptitude test will finally free him from his virtual slavery and give him a chance at a better existence. When he rescues Harmony, an Artist and member of the most successful stratum, at a publicity event for her latest movie, his life takes an unbelievable twist. With his gallant act and good looks, he becomes a media sensation. Every stratum in society seeks his membership for their publicity, but as he becomes closer to Harmony, Pierce realizes what fame in the all-seeing eye of Omni is truly like. His choices will not only affect him but Harmony as well. The life Pierce thought he wanted may not be worth the cost to either of them.
Since taking over the US government years earlier, the Omni party has created a perfect existence. From consorts to job assignments, every choice, every facet of life is under their control. Each citizen has a specific role in one of the four strata. Seventeen-year-old Pierce is a Drudge, the lowest social stratum in society. For over two years, he’s hoped—prayed—that his upcoming aptitude test will finally free him from his virtual slavery and give him a chance at a better existence. When he rescues Harmony, an Artist and member of the most successful stratum, at a publicity event for her latest movie, his life takes an unbelievable twist. With his gallant act and good looks, he becomes a media sensation. Every stratum in society seeks his membership for their publicity, but as he becomes closer to Harmony, Pierce realizes what fame in the all-seeing eye of Omni is truly like. His choices will not only affect him but Harmony as well. The life Pierce thought he wanted may not be worth the cost to either of them.
September 23, 2013
FREE BOOKS!
Find fantastic FREE or discounted Kindle books at www.indieauthorland.com/FREEBOOKS - @indieauthorland
September 21, 2013
Omni Cover
I am so excited! I consulted with an artist last night for Omni's cover! Most of my beta readers have given feedback, and it's just a short time until I will have my fourth book out there in the world. YAY!
September 15, 2013
Review of Kiss of Fire
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Since that ultra-famous lightning bolt scar burst onto the scene, I have gravitated to all things witchy, so when I read the description of this book, it summoned me as surely as an accio spell. But when I dove in, I began to see that outsider-turned-chosen-one pattern and wondered if this one was going to be another rip off as transparent as a threadbare Hogwart’s robe, and while there are some basic similarities (the scar, the destined destroyer, the orphan), I couldn’t have been more mistaken.
The storyline is completely unique to anything I’ve read. Ethington has woven a complex world into the tapestry of the ordinary without managing to overload the reader with too much, too fast. We actually get to know the protagonist before we learn of her abilities and her would-be savior status. Nothing is more annoying than being bombarded with characters (all with freaky names) and their random abilities while still trying to figure out the main character’s emotional damage. I love that Joclyn was insecure and wanted to hide—like 90% of all teenage girls—though I wanted to strangle her on occasion with that dang ruby necklace for this exact trait. I love that she stood up to the mean girl but only because she didn’t have a choice. But the thing I love the most is that Joclyn grows; she becomes stronger and more self-assured as the novel progresses. Also, the love story between Joclyn and Ryland is distinct in that he pursues her, and she must push him away.
My only complaint is with the missing father complication. We don’t ever really “see” him, and the letter he sends Joclyn just seemed too contrived. The rest of the plot is well-constructed, but this father thing seems a little deus ex machina.
4.5 stars
Since that ultra-famous lightning bolt scar burst onto the scene, I have gravitated to all things witchy, so when I read the description of this book, it summoned me as surely as an accio spell. But when I dove in, I began to see that outsider-turned-chosen-one pattern and wondered if this one was going to be another rip off as transparent as a threadbare Hogwart’s robe, and while there are some basic similarities (the scar, the destined destroyer, the orphan), I couldn’t have been more mistaken.
The storyline is completely unique to anything I’ve read. Ethington has woven a complex world into the tapestry of the ordinary without managing to overload the reader with too much, too fast. We actually get to know the protagonist before we learn of her abilities and her would-be savior status. Nothing is more annoying than being bombarded with characters (all with freaky names) and their random abilities while still trying to figure out the main character’s emotional damage. I love that Joclyn was insecure and wanted to hide—like 90% of all teenage girls—though I wanted to strangle her on occasion with that dang ruby necklace for this exact trait. I love that she stood up to the mean girl but only because she didn’t have a choice. But the thing I love the most is that Joclyn grows; she becomes stronger and more self-assured as the novel progresses. Also, the love story between Joclyn and Ryland is distinct in that he pursues her, and she must push him away.
My only complaint is with the missing father complication. We don’t ever really “see” him, and the letter he sends Joclyn just seemed too contrived. The rest of the plot is well-constructed, but this father thing seems a little deus ex machina.
4.5 stars
September 2, 2013
Review of Render
I received this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Render left me furious but furious in that way that will make me buy the next one. A percentage point or two before the end, I began to see this was not going to end with a contented sigh of satisfaction and that ooshy-gooshy, post-reading glow.
Parts of this novel were beyond tense. Chapter upon chapter kept me intrigued and reading until my eyes were ready to lead a revolt against my hand, which was falling asleep from holding my Kindle in the same position for so long. I loved Koldan, the male lead, but found myself even more held by Raya as the novel progressed. The plot was smart, the love story tender—just as it should be. While the characters are YA, the story is far from the typical YA plot. It’s full of political backstabbing and manipulation and raises questions about family loyalty versus family obligation. AND it’s teeming with sexual tension that didn’t seem exclusive to Raya and Koldan and left me questioning who exactly she’d end up with.
While the novel was, overall, titillating, the ugly beast of frustration reared her bitchy head. I’m not a fan of extraneous description; maybe it’s my anger at being forced to read Hawthorne in eleventh grade, but I hate too much scenic (whether inside or out) hullabaloo. So, though the rising action and climax of this novel are amazing at times, I was spacing out and rereading the same paragraphs repeatedly until I finally just skipped some of the descriptions. Also, there were times the teens didn’t sound like teens. Granted, these kids aren’t your typical, holey t-shirt and scuffed Nike kids, but they still didn’t sound “normal.” Some of the events seemed a little unbelievable, like the soldiers tracking Raya via her perfume—exactly how much perfume is she wearing? Fleshman does a great job keeping you guessing; I just wish the novel were a bit shorter since I’m afraid a lot of teen readers would stop reading before reaching the good part. Kids who are reluctant readers are intimidated by books of this length and are quick to abandon a great book.
Overall 4.25 stars
Maladets, Stephanie Fleshman!
Render left me furious but furious in that way that will make me buy the next one. A percentage point or two before the end, I began to see this was not going to end with a contented sigh of satisfaction and that ooshy-gooshy, post-reading glow.
Parts of this novel were beyond tense. Chapter upon chapter kept me intrigued and reading until my eyes were ready to lead a revolt against my hand, which was falling asleep from holding my Kindle in the same position for so long. I loved Koldan, the male lead, but found myself even more held by Raya as the novel progressed. The plot was smart, the love story tender—just as it should be. While the characters are YA, the story is far from the typical YA plot. It’s full of political backstabbing and manipulation and raises questions about family loyalty versus family obligation. AND it’s teeming with sexual tension that didn’t seem exclusive to Raya and Koldan and left me questioning who exactly she’d end up with.
While the novel was, overall, titillating, the ugly beast of frustration reared her bitchy head. I’m not a fan of extraneous description; maybe it’s my anger at being forced to read Hawthorne in eleventh grade, but I hate too much scenic (whether inside or out) hullabaloo. So, though the rising action and climax of this novel are amazing at times, I was spacing out and rereading the same paragraphs repeatedly until I finally just skipped some of the descriptions. Also, there were times the teens didn’t sound like teens. Granted, these kids aren’t your typical, holey t-shirt and scuffed Nike kids, but they still didn’t sound “normal.” Some of the events seemed a little unbelievable, like the soldiers tracking Raya via her perfume—exactly how much perfume is she wearing? Fleshman does a great job keeping you guessing; I just wish the novel were a bit shorter since I’m afraid a lot of teen readers would stop reading before reaching the good part. Kids who are reluctant readers are intimidated by books of this length and are quick to abandon a great book.
Overall 4.25 stars
Maladets, Stephanie Fleshman!
August 30, 2013
August 18, 2013
Review of It's All in Your Mind
I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
It’s All in Your Mind by Ann Herrick has loads of 1950s appeal. Set on the cusp of the Vietnam Conflict and the “flower-power” movement, this novel has a sugary- sweet charm straight from a Frankie and Annette movie. I think many YA girls will find the chivalrous nature of the relationships surprising and will be wondering why their own boyfriends don’t act more like Joel and even Nolan when he’s not attention seeking. After all, there is something to be said for that pre-women’s lib time when boys still voluntarily opened doors and paid for dates. It was refreshing if not a little frustrating with Vija’s overly innocent attitude. I found myself wanting to shake her every time she believed Nolan’s shovels of . . . manure and each time she played doormat to Caprice.
There were some eye-roll moments, like when Vija (picture Sandy from Grease but with a Latvian accent) thought she was in love because Nolan won her a teddy bear at the fair, and modern girls will see the red flags of Nolan’s domineering jerkiness close to the novel’s beginning, but some of that, I’m certain, is by design. I was a little let down because there wasn’t a major blow-up moment when Vija has her epiphany about Nolan. After all, this guy has been telling her what to eat and asking her to dye her blonde hair, and I REALLY wanted Nolan and Joel to run into each other at the beach or for Vija to spot Nolan in all his philandering glory.
The novel was a bit slow-paced at times, much like the 1950s I suppose, but it’s an easy read with lots of historical references.
3.5 stars
It’s All in Your Mind by Ann Herrick has loads of 1950s appeal. Set on the cusp of the Vietnam Conflict and the “flower-power” movement, this novel has a sugary- sweet charm straight from a Frankie and Annette movie. I think many YA girls will find the chivalrous nature of the relationships surprising and will be wondering why their own boyfriends don’t act more like Joel and even Nolan when he’s not attention seeking. After all, there is something to be said for that pre-women’s lib time when boys still voluntarily opened doors and paid for dates. It was refreshing if not a little frustrating with Vija’s overly innocent attitude. I found myself wanting to shake her every time she believed Nolan’s shovels of . . . manure and each time she played doormat to Caprice.
There were some eye-roll moments, like when Vija (picture Sandy from Grease but with a Latvian accent) thought she was in love because Nolan won her a teddy bear at the fair, and modern girls will see the red flags of Nolan’s domineering jerkiness close to the novel’s beginning, but some of that, I’m certain, is by design. I was a little let down because there wasn’t a major blow-up moment when Vija has her epiphany about Nolan. After all, this guy has been telling her what to eat and asking her to dye her blonde hair, and I REALLY wanted Nolan and Joel to run into each other at the beach or for Vija to spot Nolan in all his philandering glory.
The novel was a bit slow-paced at times, much like the 1950s I suppose, but it’s an easy read with lots of historical references.
3.5 stars
