Wednesday, 5 February 2014

Blog Tour: Run To You by Clara Kensie Review & Giveaway


Welcome to my stop of Run To You by Clara Kensie! I would like to thank for YA Bound Book Tours for letting participate me in the blog tour. I'm super excited to introduce to you to an addictive serial series published by Harlequin Teen! Don't forget to check out the full blog tour!



Run To You Part One: First Sight
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: February 1, 2014


Part One in the riveting romantic thriller about a family on the run from a deadly past and a first love that will transcend secrets, lies and danger…

Sarah Spencer has a secret: her real name is Tessa Carson, and to stay alive, she can tell no one the truth about her psychically gifted family and the danger they are running from. As the new girl in the latest of countless schools, she also runs from her attraction to Tristan Walker—after all, she can’t even tell him her real name. But Tristan won’t be put off by a few secrets. Not even dangerous ones that might rip Tessa from his arms before they even kiss…




Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: February 8, 2014


Part Two in the riveting romantic thriller about a family on the run from a deadly past and a first love that will transcend secrets, lies and danger…

Tessa Carson has unlocked her heart and her secrets to Tristan Walker—but Tristan has secrets of his own, and his might just mean the end of Tessa’s family. Unaware, Tessa embraces falling in love and being herself for the first time since she was attacked when she was only eight years old. But secrets can’t be run from forever, and sometimes love is too good to be true…





Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: February 15, 2014


Part Three in the riveting romantic thriller about a family on the run from a deadly past and a first love that will transcend secrets, lies and danger…

Betrayed, heartbroken, and determined to save her family, Tessa Carson refuses to give in to Tristan Walker’s pleas for forgiveness. But her own awakening psychic gift won’t let her rest until she uncovers the truth about her family and her past. And Tristan is the only one who can help her sift through the secrets to find the truth hidden in all the lies…


Where To Buy:




Review:

*I received an ARC for the blog tour*

If you don't know, but Harlequin Teen is my favourite publisher ever. Mainly, because Julie Kagawa's  and Katie McGarry's books are published through that company. When I was browsing the teen section, I came across Run To You. Originally, I thought it was just one book, not split into serials. At first I was unsure where I liked that idea since I prefer the full book, but the way Harlequin Teen set up made it exciting. Run To You makes you eager to jump onto the next serial. It's sort of like a tv show -  you're anticipating for the next one to come out.

Rather than having mini reviews for each one of the serials, I'm going to review it as a whole. It starts off with our protagonist, Tessa and her family running away from their current home to Chicago. Ever since Tessa's incident with Dennis Connelly, her family has been under thirteen different disguises. When her father has a vision that Dennis is nearby, Tessa's family pack up and leave immediately. Moving into Twelve Lakes, Tessa takes on a new name, Sarah Spencer.

Before I started reading this, I only skimmed the synopsis, not quite catching that Tessa's family is physically gifted. You had no idea how surprised I was when I found out they had powers. Her dad has the ability to to see through a person's eyes or hear through their ears only if he has touched them. Tessa's mom can move items with her mind. Her siblings, Jillian and Logan also has powers, but unfortunately, Tessa has none. The fact that the author added in a paranormal element was intriguing. It left me begging for more. I don't know about you guys, but it would literally kill me if I didn't have the serials all at once.  

Once you finish the part one, you'll be ordering the next one in no time.

I really have to hand it to Kensie for actually surprising me. I literally thought I had the plot twist figured out. But nope, there was a lot more to it.


This GIF describes my reaction completely.  Mind blown. 

The romance between Tessa and Tristian were just the cutest. I found that the nickname "Clockwise" that Tristian gave Tessa was just adorable. It's nice to see other names being used for couples rather than the typical babe or baby. And also, Clockwise isn't cheesy at all. There are tons of feels for this couple in the second and third part. Looking back on it, I think I'll have to do a re-read. I just can't get enough of these two, particularly Tristian. 

With a paranormal element added into this thrilling contemporary novel, you will find Run To You difficult to put down.







About the Author:

Clara Kensie grew up near Chicago, reading every book she could find and using her diary to write stories about a girl with psychic powers who solved mysteries. She purposely did not hide her diary, hoping someone would read it and assume she was writing about herself. Since then, she's swapped her diary for a computer and admits her characters are fictional, but otherwise she hasn't changed one bit.





Giveaway:

3 winners will receive a package of Harlequin TEEN books which includes: 
PUSHING THE LIMITS by Katie McGarry (print)
INDIGO AWAKENING by Jordan Dane (print)
a SOUL SCREAMERS volume by Rachel Vincent (print)
All three parts of RUN TO YOU Book One (ebooks)
Part One: First Sight
Part Two: Second Glance
Part Three: Third Charm 



Rules & Regulations: 
Contest is void where prohibited. Entrants must be 18 or else have parent or guardian’s permission to enter. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond  or another winner’s name will be selected. Winning entries will be verified for authenticity.

Tuesday, 4 February 2014

Top Ten Books That Will Make You Cry

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by Broke and the Bookish

I don't normally cry over books. If I come across an emotional book, it will be for sure that I will shed a few tears, but never will I cry like a baby. There's only been a select few that managed to strike me deeply and make me cry an endless of amount of tears. To see which ones, you should definitely check out the list below.




1. Making Faces by Amy Harmon

I just read this year and I already declared this as a favourite of 2014. Making Faces is filled with broken characters that it's nearly impossible to not cry. I dare you to read this and tell me you didn't cry. If I hadn't such a tight schedule, I would've re-read it. Even though the print copy is $20, (that's expensive for a paperback!)  I will still buy it. 

It's worth the money. 



2. Twisted by Amity Hope

Though I wasn't a fan of the ending, I really loved the love interest, Ben. He struggles through high school and is completely shunned out by everyone. Alone and hurt, Ben is worth the tears. Not only is he a character to sympathize for, he works at the library and is an avid reader. 

*sighs* I love boys who read.



3. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

I'm sure that others will have this on their list. Eleanor's experience with bully connected to me so well that I couldn't help but shed a tear.





4. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

This book grew on me. In my review, I mentioned that I would never re-read this book, but thinking about this book, I kind of want to re-read it. When I was reading Crash Into You, I couldn't stop thinking about Noah and Echo. Their story is something I couldn't forget. If I was to rate the book again, I would give it five stars.



5. If I Stay (If I Stay #1) by Gayle Forman

Just beautiful. I can't wait for the movie to come out.





6. Where She Went (If I Stay #2) by Gayle Forman

Heart-broken rockstar. Yes, totally worth the tears.



7. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

The ending to this <3



8. Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay

Okay, okay, this book isn't most likely going to make you cry, but this one did for me. I CRIED SO MUCH. Never have I read a male's POV that was so honest and raw. This literally tugged on my heart strings. I sobbed literally. In fact, I was reading this while I was on my bed and I had to change my pillow sheets because they were so wet. Yes, I know I'm such a baby.



9. Stolen: A Letter to My Captor by Lucy Christopher

Although there were some things I didn't like about this book, it had its moments where you just wanted to pour your heart out.



10. The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta

I haven't finished this one yet, but the main character, Tom has so much family problems that you just want to give him squish him and tell him that it's going to be okay. 

Monday, 3 February 2014

January Monthly Wrap Up


1. Twisted by Amity Hope - (3.5 stars) I adored the love interest however the ending of the book was too predictable. [Check out my review]

2. Forever (Temptation #3) by Karen Ann Hopkins - (4 stars) A rocky start with the trilogy, but Hopkins manages to convince that this series is worth the read. [Check out my review & an epic giveaway]

3. Run To You Part 1: First Sight by Clara Kensie - (4 stars) I really enjoyed this one. Very different from what I thought it would be.

4. Run To You Part 2: Second Glance by Clara Kensie - (4 stars) Very addictive!

5. Run To You Part 3: Third Charm by Clara Kensie - (3.5 stars) I quite of saw the plot twist coming, but I still liked it. I can't wait for the sequel.

6. The Bane (The Eden Trilogy #1) by Keary Taylor - (3 stars) I liked it, but I didn't like it as much of her other novel, What I Didn't Say.

7. Making Faces by Amy Harmon - (5 stars) An amazing New Adult novel. If I could recommend a New Adult novel to read, it would have to be this one. So touching and beautiful.

8. Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu - (4 stars) I enjoyed this one better than Legend. Fast paced and a surprising twist in the end!

9.Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller - (3 stars) I had high hopes for this one, but unfortunately, it did not reach my expectations. I didn't like the love interest. 

10. Champion (Legend #3) by Marie Lu - (4 stars) I absolutely adored the ending to this one. Officially my favorite dystopian series ever!

11. Evertrue (Everneath #3) by Brodi Ashton - (2 stars) I just can't believe it. Such a huge disappointment. Poor Cole. 

12. The Madman's Daughter ( The Madman's Daughter #1) by Megan Shepherd - (4 stars) I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Super dark and creepy.