The Haunted by J.A. Templeton - Review

The Haunted by J.A. Templeton

A MacKinnon Curse novel, book 2

Published January 2012

After battling a malevolent ghost that held the spirit of her friend Ian MacKinnon bound to the land for two hundred years, sixteen-year-old reluctant psychic, Riley Williams, felt as if she was finally easing into her new life in Scotland.

Or so she thought.

Laria, the spirit of the witch who had cursed Ian wants revenge for Riley's interference and she's bringing along friends--dark entities who thrive on evil.

The one bright spot in Riley's world is Ian's descendent, Kade MacKinnon, who could easily be Ian's modern day twin. The parallels between the two guys are undeniable. As Riley's relationship with Kade blossoms, she begins to realize Laria has grown in her power since their last confrontation--a power that could very well manipulate the living just as effectively as the dead.

My Review:

The Haunted picks up where The Deepest Cut ends. I'm not going to say much about The Haunted because I don't want to give any spoilers for anyone who hasn't yet read The Deepest Cut. Riley has just met Kade MacKinnon, who was away for vacation over the summer when Riley first moved to Scotland. Kade is Ian's descendent, and the resemblance to Ian is striking. Riley feels as if she already knows Kade, and she easily falls for him. However, she doesn't understand why Laria is still tormenting her since Ian has moved on.

I thought The Deepest Cut was amazing, and J.A. Templeton did not disappoint with The Haunted. The romance, mystery, and suspense are continued in this second book of the series. This one does go more into the hot scenes than the previous one and is recommend for older YA due to that and other content such as language and drugs. I, for one, have mixed feelings about how far these scenes should go with it being a YA novel; however, I still really enjoyed it. I was easily caught up in the story, and the suspense kept me turning the pages for more. I feel as if I am invested in Riley and her life, and I cannot wait for the next book of this series to find out what happens next. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who enjoys YA paranormal romance.

A copy was provided by the author for review.

About the author:

J.A. Templeton is the YA pen name for romance author Julia Templeton. THE DEEPEST CUT was her debut YA novel, and the first of The MacKinnon Curse series. THE HAUNTED is the second of The MacKinnon Curse series. Aside from writing and reading, J.A. enjoys research, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

You can find J.A. on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

  

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The Deepest Cut by J.A. Templeton-Review & Guest Post

The Deepest Cut by J.A. Templeton

A MacKinnon Curse novel, book 1

Published October 2011

Sixteen-year-old Riley Williams has been able to see ghosts since the car crash that took her mother's life and shattered her family. Guilt-ridden over the belief that she's somehow responsible for her mom's death, Riley is desperate to see her mother's elusive spirit to gain her forgiveness.

When her father moves the family to Scotland so they can all start over, Riley believes her life couldn't get worse––that is until the ghost of nineteen-year-old Ian MacKinnon catches her purposely cutting herself. An uneasy truce quickly turns into friendship, and soon Riley's falling hard for Ian.

Riley believes her gift could help Ian end the curse that has kept him tied to the land for centuries, but that would mean letting him go forever and she's not sure she is strong enough to do that. As if her life wasn't complicated enough, the spirit of the woman who killed Ian returns and she'll stop at nothing to keep Riley from helping Ian find eternal peace.

My review:

Riley is having a hard time getting over her mother's death. She was in the car with her mother at the time of the accident and feels that the accident was her fault. Now she sees and hears ghosts, even though she usually ignores them. The one ghost that she wants to see is her mother, and she can't figure out why she doesn't. After her father moves the family to Scotland, a ghost discovers the secret she has been hiding from everyone else. She becomes friends with this ghost, Ian, and soon starts falling hard for him. Riley wants to help Ian, but the ghost of the girl who killed Ian hundreds of years ago does not like Riley interfering.

The Deepest Cut is one of the best books I have read in a long time. This book had an excellent mix of just about everything. There is a definite romance between Riley and Ian, even if he is a ghost. The Scotland setting and castles provide an element of intrigue and mystery. There is a lot of teen angst and peer pressure that makes the book realistic and easy for teens to relate. The suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages for more, and it is also creepy and bone chilling.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Deepest Cut, and I think J.A. Templeton did an excellent job of bringing together all of the different elements. It was easy for me to get caught up in the story, and I like how this book had an "ending" where you thought everything was pretty much wrapped up and then suddenly a shocker comes along to open it up for the second book in the series. The only thing I didn't quite get was how the ghosts could walk through walls but at the same time they could be hugged and touched like a regular person. I would recommend this book for older YA (or adults who like YA) due to some of the content, but I would definitely say this book is a must read.

A copy was provided by the author for review.

Guest post by J.A. Templeton:

For fun, I thought I'd ask Riley some random questions. Here we go:

What’s your…

Favorite song: Wonderwall by Oasis

Favorite movie: The Notebook (I'm a hopeless romantic)

Favorite book: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Favorite comfort food: Tie between a toasted cheese sandwich and lasagna.

Favorite holiday: Halloween

Favorite attire—(Jeans or Dresses): Definitely jeans

Favorite saying: Scars remind us that the past is real.

Favorite city: Portland

Favorite day of the week: Friday

Favorite subject in school: Art

Favorite vacation spot: Disneyland

About the author:

J.A. Templeton is the YA pen name for romance author Julia Templeton. THE DEEPEST CUT is her debut YA novel, and the first of The MacKinnon Curse series. Aside from writing and reading, J.A. enjoys research, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

You can find J.A. on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

Snapped by Laura Griffin - Guest Post & Giveaway

Snapped by Laura Griffin
Tracers Series #4
Published August 2011 by Pocket Star

THERE ARE NO LIMITS TO A KILLER’S MADNESS, OR HOW FAR HE’LL GO TO FIND YOU…

On a sweltering summer afternoon, Sophie Barrett walks into a nightmare. A sniper has opened fire on a college campus. When the carnage is over, three people—plus the shooter— are dead, and dozens more injured. Sophie escapes virtually unscathed. Yet as details emerge from the investigation, she becomes convinced that this wasn’t the random, senseless act it appeared. No one wants to believe her—not the cops, not her colleagues at the Delphi Center crime lab, and definitely not Jonah Macon, the homicide detective who’s already saved her life once.

Jonah has all kinds of reasons for hoping Sophie is mistaken. Involving himself with a key witness could derail an already messy investigation, not to mention jeopardize his career. But Sophie is as determined and fearless as she is sexy. If he can’t resist her, he can at least swear to protect her. Because if Sophie is right, she’s made herself the target of a killer without a conscience. And the real terror is only just beginning. . . .

Guest Post by Laura Griffin
Romantic Suspense: Where the Heart Is

Some of the best writing advice I ever got was “write the book you want to read.” That’s why I write romantic suspense. So… what exactly is romantic suspense? I get that question a lot and I tell people that my books are basically mysteries with a love story woven in.

Romantic suspense is a natural fit for me because I got my start as a newspaper reporter by day and a voracious reader of fiction by night. Many of the news stories I covered made an impact on me and later inspired some of the mystery elements in my books.

What I love about writing romantic suspense is taking the reader on a journey where she never knows what’s around the next corner. I like to throw challenges and puzzles at my characters and watch them struggle to figure them out. I like putting them in situations in which they have to rely on their skills, their ingenuity, and even each other to make it through.

And here’s where the romance comes in. I love books that pack lots of emotional intensity. For me, that intensity builds when the story takes a hair-raising turn. The hero and heroine get closer when they’re faced with physical and moral obstacles. It’s those high-stakes choices, those life-or-death moments that add emotional fuel to the story and reveal character. For me, as both a writer and a reader, that’s what fiction is all about. I want to go on a twisty, pulse-pounding journey with my characters. I want to feel like I’m there.

Romantic suspense is the perfect genre for readers (like me!) who want an intense, emotionally rich experience with a hard-won happily ever after.

Laura is one of the many talented authors who belong to the Romance Writers of America’s Kiss of Death chapter. At Kiss of Death we believe that every great romance should include suspense. Whether a spy thriller in Regency times, a paranormal romance with a revenge-seeking zombie, or a traditional serial killer after the heroine, romance relies on suspense, leading the reader through the trials of the heroine and hero to see if they will get their happily ever after ending. If you can call your writing suspenseful, then the Kiss of Death has something for you! Find out more and join at http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org and follow us on Twitter at @RWAKissofDeath.

About the author:
New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin started her career in journalism before venturing into the world of romantic suspense. Her books have won numerous awards, including a 2010 RITA (Whisper of Warning) and a 2010 Daphne du Maurier Award (Untraceable). Laura currently lives in Austin where she is working on the next book in her Tracers series. Visit her on her site and Facebook.





Giveaway:
1 winner will receive a *signed* copy of Snapped and a *signed* ARC copy of Twisted (Tracers Series #5, expected release April 2012).

How to enter:
Leave a comment telling me your favorite thing about romantic suspense.

Giveaway details:
Giveaway is open for US only. This giveaway will run until midnight EST on February 24. Must be 13 or older to enter. Winner will be chosen using Random.org. Winner will be emailed and this blog post will be updated to include the name of the winner. Winner has 3 days to contact me or a new winner will be selected.  

Sorry! This giveaway is now closed.

Winner is comment #5 (randomly selected by random.org): 
June M. 

The One by Cheryl Robinson & Gift Card Giveaway

The One by Cheryl Robinson
Publisher: Rose Colored Books
Expected publication: February 14, 2012

10 Romantic Destinations

10 Eligible Bachelors

1 Difficult Decision

A fateful encounter with a savvy young producer lands aspiring writer Olena Day the role of America’s bachelorette on the new reality show The One. There are just two problems: Olena despises reality TV, and technically she’s not single. What could she possibly hope to gain? A book deal? But Olena’s made it clear; she won’t resort to the stereotypical antics often portrayed by women on reality TV. But ratings rule and the producers have plans of their own to assure the show’s success—even if it means exposing some of Olena’s long-held and most embarrassing secrets.

Jason Nix is a former NFL superstar turned TV sports commentator. He’s been dating Olena off and on for almost a year. Financially, he’s set for life, but he isn’t happy. When Olena’s preoccupation with reality show stardom puts their relationship on the rocks, he meets a young woman from Dallas who captivates him in ways no other woman has. There’s something about the makeup-free, Bible-toting Texan that Jason can’t seem to get enough of, and soon makes him wonder whether she’s too good to be true, or if the real problem is she’s not Olena.

Step behind the scenes of the highly competitive and unique world of reality dating shows, in this relationship-driven page-turner that keeps delivering surprises.

Read the Prologue and First Chapter. 

About the author:

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Cheryl Robinson has a Bachelor of Science degree from Wayne State University. Her passion for writing was sparked while taking a fiction writing course as a college elective. She began her literary career by self-publishing two novels before acquiring a literary agent and then a publishing deal. Remember Me was her sixth novel with New American Library, an imprint of the Penguin Group.

In January 2012, Cheryl embarked on her own new beginning with the launch of her independent publishing company Rose Colored Books. She lives in Central Florida and will release The One on February 14, 2012. She is currently writing her ninth novel, Like Mom.

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