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The Gift

(The Butterfly Effect #1)

Margaret McHeyzer (Goodreads Author)

3.84 · Rating details · 1,582 ratings · 226 reviews

I have something people want. I have something they cannot take or steal. I have something they'd kill for.
The something I have, isn't a possession, it's more.
Much, much more.
It's a gift.
It's part of me.

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/mMWAP6cYWUQ ...more

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ebook, 194 pages

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Average rating 3.84 ·

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· 1,582 ratings · 226 reviews

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Jul 13, 2017 Kate rated it really liked it

Shelves: arcs, kick-ass-heroine, 4-stars, bliming-hilarious, pnr-uf-fantasy-steampunk, series-not-to-be-continued

No good deed goes unpunished.

Alexa learns that the hard way. After an emergency operation, the heroine suddenly starts having visions which she can’t explain. Helping that person gets her kidnapped and used. She either stays there or helps Jude or she gets to leave and everyone she loves will be killed.

I panicked at the beginning when I thought it was YA. But rest assured it goes more to the NA direction. I had to keep reminding myself at times when the heroine was being juvenile that she is o ...more

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Aug 23, 2017 Zo rated it it was ok

this book is disgusting on a basic level.

i actually like Alexa (Lexi) for the most part but the whole "he's cute" bullshit is completely out of character for her at the time.

oh. and making a 25 yr old kidnapper have a possibly romantic / sexual relationship with a 17 yr old? disgusting.

jude isn't sexy or a bad boy or whatever, he's just nasty ...more

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Sep 01, 2017 Lady Delacour rated it did not like it

Shelves: way-too-much-foul-language, bad-story

Interesting premises but fell short.
Crude content, over usage of foul language.

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Jul 13, 2017 Charlie ✰ WLTB Blog ✰ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017, reviewed-for-we-licked-that-book

5 big stars
Let me first say I just say I love this cover it is so catching just beautiful.
Wow
Margaret has done it again is there anything she can not write this is so different from what I have ever read before. I honestly did not know what to expect going into this. I knew it was going to be very different from the authors other books. Once I started I couldn’t put it down.
Alexa has a gift that people want her for and they will kill for it .. but they cannot steal or take it from her it ...more

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Jul 20, 2017 Laura Lee rated it it was amazing

The Gift (The Butterfly Effect #1)
By: Margaret McHeyzer
5 Stars

One thing I’ve come to expect when reading a Margaret McHeyzer book is that you will be pulled in from the beginning and won’t be able to stop till the very last page!! The Gift is no exception.

Lexi is 16 almost 17 when doubled over in pain. After being rushed to the hospital and undergoing surgery for appendicitis, things have changed with her. Change in a big-time way! It starts in the hospital…yet Lexi is afraid to tell anyone.

Ju ...more

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Jul 23, 2018 Noriko rated it liked it

Shelves: ya

This book is an epitome of 'love and hate relationship' for me. To be perfectly honest, there are a lot of things that didn't sit well with me and made me feel frustrated, but I admit there's something that kept me going. Mind you, I was real close to DNFing the book, but my curiosity and hope that there must be some closures in the end, made me get through, I was literally hanging by a sliver of hope.

My first impression toward this book is "repetitive." This book has got 176 pages in a kindl This book is an epitome of 'love and hate relationship' for me. To be perfectly honest, there are a lot of things that didn't sit well with me and made me feel frustrated, but I admit there's something that kept me going. Mind you, I was real close to DNFing the book, but my curiosity and hope that there must be some closures in the end, made me get through, I was literally hanging by a sliver of hope.

My first impression toward this book is "repetitive." This book has got 176 pages in a kindle edition, and I would say a huge chunk of this book consists of the same, similar dialogues between Lexi, the protagonist who gets abducted for her 'gift,' and Jude, the kidnapper. I don't want to give away the plot, but the dialogues between them are so similar in terms of the content and came across quite repetitive, at least for me. Once or twice is all well and fine, but in this book... HOW MANY? Seriously, too much repetition makes anything get old. This was something I didn't particularly like about this book. I was really frustrated.

Next, Lexi. I know, I'm supposed to be sympathetic with her, but quite honestly, she frustrated and annoyed me so much. I don’t really know what she is like as a character.
Some may describe her emotional conflicts make her be like that, but to me, she only seems like wishy-washy and acts like a 13-year-old rather than a 17-year-old as she is described to be.
She is emotionally unstable. I know she should be given her situation, but she cries and whines too much in my opinion. This might come from my personality traits (I’m a “take it or leave it” kind of person), so her indecisiveness really got on my nerves.
One moment she resigns to do what she is told, trying to see her situation is a business relationship, but the next moment, she cries her head off pleading to Jude to let her go. Once again, this line of dialogues take place a hundred times in this book, in such a short length of time, one cannot help but feel it old and trite.

Lastly, the writing. For the most part, I think it reads well and fast, it’s decent. But there are parts that come across a bit juvenile and I did’t particularly appreciate too many crude words used by Lexi. She is 17 years old and I’m not sure this is how 17-year-olds
normally speak, but the diction she employs seemed a bit incongruent with her character arc, I have to say. I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is, but it either felt too boyish or too crass. I don’t know, it just didn’t feel right for me.

I might have made this book out to be full of things that I didn’t appreciate, but like I mentioned, there are nice things for sure. Relatively short chapters make it easier to pick up/put down, the premise is interesting, and the pacing is good. I must say I didn’t get to see much of ‘the butterfly effect’ in this book though (I was expecting more), the visions Lexi get when she touches others are intriguing enough to read, and her self-exploration of her gift, how to better maneuver her own power was quite interesting.

But the ending, my gosh, the ending. How the author could leave her readers hang in the air with such a cliff hanger?
Cliff hanger is actually a nice way to put it, it could be put as ‘abrupt’ and ‘too sudden.’
Either way, it did have an effect that made me want to pick up the sequel right after this because there are way too many unanswered questions!!

What is going to happen to Lexi and Jude?
Can we expect a romantic relationship between those two?
Will Lexi ever be free?

This is not a ‘to die for’ read, but is certainly entertaning enough. I’d say this would make a perfect summer read. So if you are interested and YA is your favorite genre, go pick it up. ...more

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Jul 12, 2017 Sandra Shipman ~ Two Book Pushers rated it it was amazing

The Gift is the first book in the Butterfly Effect series. Actually, I don't know if it's going to be a series or a duet. Either way it's the first one, right? I am going to make this short since I can't really say much about the storyline.

At the age of sixteen, Alexa's life changes. She wakes up confused and has no idea what has happened to her but she feels different. Then, it happens. Her gift is presented to her. She doesn't know what to do with it. But soon she finds out that people would ...more

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Oct 10, 2017 N.N. Light rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviews-by-mrs-n, fiction, suspense, fantasy, young-adult

Imagine if your body begins to go through changes, changes no one wouldn't believe. Suddenly, you're captured as your changes manifest into your "gift" and your captor wants your gift. Would you submit or would you fight for your very life. This is my first time reading McHeyzer (I know, I know, where have I been) and I'm pretty invested in this series. Superb suspense with intriguing characters along with an original plot. Highly recommend!

My Rating: 4.5 stars ...more

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Feb 26, 2018 Lucinda rated it liked it

Another book that ended abruptly - it is a trend that is very annoying to me! Otherwise, it wasn't too bad, though it seems as if Stockholm Syndrome is taking hold! Don't fall for a guy that kidnaps you and denies your freedom by threatening to kill your family if you leave - that is not romantic, its abuse. ...more

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Oct 07, 2017 CLiK Books rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Thoroughly intriguing reading

I’m enthralled with this story. Margaret McHeyzer has created an interesting premise and her characters are well developed and intriguing.

Alexis and Jude certainly have an interesting relationship, or you might even say a non relationship.

What strikes me the most is Lexis dedication to her family and her best friend, Dallas. For a seventeen year old girl, she’s definitely one old soul but her sassiness is refreshing, if not annoying to Jude.

Loved this story, even ...more

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Aug 11, 2017 Gloria Herrera for As You Wish Reviews rated it really liked it

Imagine waking up all of a sudden at the hospital and feeling strange. The nurse touches you to check your vitals and you are transported into a vision of what her future will be. FREAK OUT!

Alexa is a normal seventeen-year-old and these visions are making her very stressed. She avoids touching anyone, except her parents to avoid launching these visions. By accident, she touches a stranger at the mall and sees that he is about to be assassinated that evening. She is driven to warn him. It is a lo ...more

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Dec 05, 2017 Casey Carlisle rated it did not like it

Shelves: paranormal

Actual rating 1.5 stars.

I picked this up because of a few rave reviews from fellow bloggers, and the synopsis had a great hook. Plus, when I went to add it to my wish list on Amazon.com I discovered it was free. Bargain! I’ve read many books in this genre and had a lot of fun… but ‘The Gift’ was anything but for me. I think I’d rather have my teeth drilled, strapped down in a dentist chair.

The writing style felt juvenile. As well as the main character, Alexa, fell through a sequence of events an Actual rating 1.5 stars.

I picked this up because of a few rave reviews from fellow bloggers, and the synopsis had a great hook. Plus, when I went to add it to my wish list on Amazon.com I discovered it was free. Bargain! I’ve read many books in this genre and had a lot of fun… but ‘The Gift’ was anything but for me. I think I’d rather have my teeth drilled, strapped down in a dentist chair.

The writing style felt juvenile. As well as the main character, Alexa, fell through a sequence of events and felt very passive. The line 'are you okay' was repeated with such repetition I wanted to turn it into a drinking game but was in fear I'd kill my liver.

Her acceptance of her gift happens very quickly, and the plot all of a sudden becomes very intricate - but this development does not feel organic, maybe because of the writing style, and maybe because of the poorly written protagonist.

The novel takes a turn and I thought it would get better, but Alexa is just not reacting logically or realistically. I feel like its some poorly written, badly acted movie.

To add insult to injury, Alexa says asshole way too much. I really feel like slapping my forehead repeatedly. She also says and thinks ‘ugh’ a lot too. This book is exasperating. Wasn’t this even edited to get rid of so many repeated words and phrases?

And then there is the antagonist, who is almost a characture of a bond villain.

Their relationship makes me want to vomit.

Ended on a cliff-hanger which had me intrigued, but will not continue with this series. There was nothing resolved with the plot by the end of ‘The Gift.’ The writing style did not work for me. The main characters behaviour annoyed the heck out of me, she was always the victim... A whole lot of questions were posed, the mythology suggested, but never explored, the characters weren’t able to resolve any of the problems set up during the novel and then the book just ended. It felt like I was in the middle of a sentence and someone hit the pause button.

The dialogue for all the characters wasn’t all that great. Even the sassiness of Alexa came off as cheesy instead of humorous – which is what it seemed the author wanted it to be.
With ‘The Butterfly Effect’ in the series title, I was expecting something to do with time travel – but we got none of that. I felt mislead.

I could have DNF’d this book quite easily – but then I wouldn’t be able to comment on plot – which went nowhere, character development: nada, and believability was ruined by heavily stereotyped characters and cheesy dialogue.

But it has a lot of potential. I’m shocked given the award the Author has won. But I can’t see myself ever reading any more of her material after this dog’s breakfast. This has got to be the lowest rating I’ve given for 2017.
...more

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Jul 23, 2017 KFForever rated it really liked it

kfforever

Reviewed by Emma-Louise on behalf of KFF

“They say the eyes are a gateway to the soul. In this case, they certainly are.”

Alexa Murphy was a normal 17 year old girl until her appendix burst and she nearly died. When she comes too in hospital she discovers she has been left with an extra ability, the ability to touch people and see their futures. Lexi is a kind-hearted young woman and she makes a decision that ends up putting her face to face with Jude Caley. Jude knows what she kfforever

Reviewed by Emma-Louise on behalf of KFF

“They say the eyes are a gateway to the soul. In this case, they certainly are.”

Alexa Murphy was a normal 17 year old girl until her appendix burst and she nearly died. When she comes too in hospital she discovers she has been left with an extra ability, the ability to touch people and see their futures. Lexi is a kind-hearted young woman and she makes a decision that ends up putting her face to face with Jude Caley. Jude knows what she can do and takes her captive. Ostensibly he claims it is to keep her safe, but that doesn’t stop him from using her as a human lie detector.

“Then I’m not free. I’m not free to leave, I’m not free to live my life.”
“You’ll live your life here. With me.”
“I hate you.”
“I know.”

The relationship between Lexi and Jude is a highly complex one. From the start of The Gift, Jude comes across as an uncaring. I initially hated Jude and the way he acted with Lexi. I found, however, at some point, and I can’t really say when. I found myself feeling pity and sympathy for him. It’s apparent he is hiding something from Lexi, and I really hope that is solved in the sequel The Curse. I enjoyed The Gift; it was a good start to the series which is why I didn’t really take it to heart when I found the book hard going in the first 15%. I wasn’t completely hooked until I was at the halfway mark.

I don’t often read YA/NA books. I find them very hard to get into and even harder to relate to, but this was not the case when it came to The Gift. I know I stated that this wasn’t an easy one at the beginning, but this has nothing to do with it being a YA/NA. It has more to do with the character and story build up being done in a way that I found staggered at times and once or twice was very slow or mundane. The Gift is the start of a series that could go anywhere. There were so many questions left unanswered. I really am highly intrigued in where the author will take this plot. I just wish this book hadn’t ended on a cliff hanger.

...more

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Jul 25, 2017 Jess~ A Darlin' Doll and Her Books. rated it it was amazing

The Gift (The Butterfly Effect #1)
by Margaret McHeyzer

Went into this story expecting one thing but pleasantly surprised with so much more. She's able to take two aspects of a story I love that are nothing a like and bind them in nonstop page turning piece.
The story starts off with the heroine Alexa a.k.a Lexi in the hospital. After surgery she wakes to find she has gained a supernatural ability. Confused and scared of what people will think if she keeps it herself. After failing to help out so ...more

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Jul 16, 2017 Sara rated it it was amazing

WOW! Margaret McHeyzer delivers yet another truly amazing book!

At the beginning, I wasn’t too sure if I was going to get into it as the heroine is only sixteen and still in high school. But let me tell you, it didn’t matter!

Lexi is rushed into surgery for appendicitis and when she wakes up, she’s not the same girl that she was.

She now has a gift, or is it a curse?

Lexi takes a trip to the mall with her bestie Dallas, and while there she “bumps” into a man. This man is Jude and he is not your e ...more

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Jul 13, 2017 Konny rated it it was amazing

The Gift by Margaret McHeyzer is the first book in The Butterfly Effect Series.
Meet Alexa. She´sa nearly 17 year old highschool girl. She discovers that she has a special ability, a ability " normal " human beings will lie, steal or kill for.
This book blew me away. I read it in one sitting, I couldn´t put it down.
The gift is the captivating story of loss, love and emerging from a dark place.
The Gift is a brilliant read, I love the writing and I love the words.
I really can´t wait ´til the story c ...more

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Feb 21, 2019 Danielle rated it did not like it

This book was awful.

Jude is a horrible, violent, disgusting person who kidnaps a 17 year old girl and threatens to kill her family if she tries to leave and yet apparently he's attractive? Just because he's rich and powerful and good looking and doesn't physically hurt Lexi does not make the relationship at all healthy or acceptable. How about we don't sell these ideas to teenage girls? Or anyone for that matter.

Also, how many times can the characters have the same conversation in a book that is ...more

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Aug 08, 2017 Steph's Romance Book Talk rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-and-doc-books, funny, strong-female-lead, part-of-a-series-or-duology, strong-male-lead, dark-and-twisted, alpha-man-reads, read-in-2017, mystery-plot-twist, rating-4-stars

I am left a bit speechless on this one. More like 4.25 stars because of the slow start. However, once it got going I could not, did not want to put this down. Then I was left begging Margaret McHeyzer for more immediately!! Can't wait to get my hands on The Curse!!

Provided as an ARC for a honest and voluntary review.

This specific video review: https://youtu.be/Ulms3p5GhyY

For other video book reviews checkout my YouTube Channel: Steph's Rom Book Talk
https://www.youtube.com/c/stephanieun... ...more

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Jan 07, 2019 Mike Briley rated it did not like it

This book is UNFINISHED. This is not a book but an episode. There is no ending. While the story line moves along quite reasonably in spite of a rather juvenile style, the fact that it simply stops and says - to be continued - like any soap opera, is not acceptable.
A book, Ms Mcheyzer, has a beginning, a middle and ... an end. This end can contain loose ends teasing the reader to seek out a sequel but to simply leave the end hanging is unacceptable.
I therefore consider that this book is UNFINISHE ...more

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Aug 16, 2017 Angie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

OMG!! So intense

This story had me hooked from the beginning! It's full of twists and turns and I don't know whether to hate Jude or develop a major crush on him!
The second book cannot come fast enough! ...more

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Aug 18, 2017 C rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: loved-it, drama, 2017, suspense

What a page turner. Started out a little slow but then I sailed through it. Some laugh out loud really funny parts. Lexi is a pistol. I like her fire. I too, can't wait to read The Curse. So I preordered today.
I recommend this book.
Enjoy ...more

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Jul 02, 2018 Coco.V marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: freebie

💝FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (7/2/2018)!💝

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Aug 28, 2017 Patricia Hankins rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Great

So far so good. This was waiting from beginning to end. Lexi had get cut out for her. I am puzzled why there is nothing from her mom and dad since her kidnapping

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Jul 23, 2017 Kathy Rouchelle rated it it was amazing

WOW! Well written book with an intriguing storyline that will grab you from the first page right to the cliffhanger end! Yep, it's a cliffie! But that's ok because that just means that there more to read, more intrigue, more mystery and excitement and more of Mr. Hotness that is one Jude Caley.

Lexie is just sixteen years old when she after receiving emergency surgery, is given the "gift". When she touches someone, or someone touches her she can see the future, their future and that scares the h ...more

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Aug 22, 2017 Carla rated it it was amazing

Carla's Five Star Review

Okay, let me first say that I really loved this book! It is the start of what I am sure is going to be an amazing series!

I went into this one blind, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Oh, and this is also my first time reading anything written by this author. With that said, I am glad to say that this story was outstanding.

Alexa is a seventeen year old girl who was rushed into surgery with appendicitis. When she awakes post surgery, it doesn't take her long to figure out th ...more

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Oct 17, 2017 sh(e)reader rated it it was ok

Shelves: kindle-cloud, got-it-for-free, type-powers-abilities

This started off interestingly enough ... then totally went downhill. I had to force myself to finish and even with under 200 pages, it felt looong.

The premise: near death experience and now she can catch glimpses of the future by touching people. I liked that.

But once she was kidnapped by a 25-year old gangster who is going to keep her for her ability, oy! Utterly eye-rolling. The "relationship" between Jude and Lexi was so unreal. He has kidnapped her and says he'll kill her parents and best ...more

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Sep 01, 2017 Mary rated it liked it

Shelves: supernatural-paranormal-uf, ya-na, trilogies-series, mystery-suspense, romance, too-predictable, cliffhanger, eye-roll, on-to-the-next-in-the-series, couldnt-put-down

Started off pretty good, but I'm having the same trouble I always have when someone suggests a book about a girl falling in love with her captor: How can you be attracted to someone who repeatedly threatens you or your family? Not buying it. Not romantic at all. He scares her and makes her cry after ruining her life. Not swoon-worthy, sorry. I get him falling for her. I don't get her falling for him.

I did enjoy the stuff about her gift, though. I'll read the sequel, but I'm having trouble with ...more

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Nov 16, 2017 Stephanie rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Interesting premise, but goes sideways fast

The narrating style is not my preference, but the concept appealed to me. We spend a lot of time setting up the main character, but you don't know much about her by the end of the book. I only finished this book, because I kept hoping it would turn back. It did not.

*Spoilers*
Once Lexi is held captive, I started skimming. It became too Stockholm Syndrome, until she remembered she should be angry. I feel no connection to the main character. I wish the plo ...more

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Jul 17, 2019 Amber J rated it liked it

Recommends it for: Teens and up. Lovers of paranormal, young adult, twisted romance.

Shelves: 2019-reading-challenge

Rating 3.36 out of 5 stars

Something was wrong.
Or maybe somthing was right.
This is how I recieved my gift.
. . . Or maybe it's my curse. - Margaret McHeyzer, The Gift

After having to an emergency appendectomy 17 year old Alexa discovers that she can get glimpses into someone's future through touch. If this isn't hard enough to get use to. She suddenly finds herself a kidnapped victim of a handsome but dangerous man named Jude. A man she recently saved with her gift. Now he wants to

...more

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Jul 24, 2017 Terri Turner added it

This is my first book by this author and I absolutely loved it. I'm not going to lie and say the cover didn't draw me to this book because it did - it is stunning and so effective. The writing flowed effortlessly and the story was brilliant and unusual. I like anything to do with this subject so that was an added bonus for me and I was really excited to read it.

Alexa is rushed to hospital with a burst appendix and while recovering from the surgery she realises much to her horror that things have ...more

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About Margaret McHeyzer

Margaret McHeyzer

898 followers

NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING AUTHOR OF UGLY AND MISTRUST

**Write something worth reading**

I'm Margaret and I'm a self-published author.
Recently I was fortunate in obtaining New York Times best selling status on my YA/NA book - Ugly, and my YA book - Mistrust.

My last three books have been YA and I'm completely in love with the genre. I love being able to communicate with people through my words and ...more