Tour Post: Harp's Voice

Harp's Voice

by Cassie Shine

The sequel to Cassie's debut YA novel, Harp's Voice. 

Pages: 314 

Publisher: Createspace

Publication Date: 23rd June 2014

ISBN: 1497559898
Received From:  Jen Halligan PR

Summery

Single-minded to the point of near seclusion, Harp Evans’ only goal was to move away from her abusive mother, and start a new life at college. Now a freshman at a prestigious university, Harp continues to struggle letting people in, including her ex-boyfriend—Connor Williams—who has always stood by her, especially after her mother exposed a devastating secret about Harp’s origin.
While Harp figures out how to navigate her relationships, especially with her mom, Anne, she will have to exorcize her own demons and face challenges with uncompromising courage, including reuniting her broken family—the family that was shattered by the acts of one man.
After almost twenty years, is it possible for people to change their minds and open their hearts? More importantly, is Harp strong enough to pull them all back together?

Review

There aren't many books I can sit and read in a day. I'm a little like a magpie and I get distracted way to easily! However, with Harp's Voice I sat down at 3pm and didn't put it down until I had finished reading Harp's story. It was everything I could have hoped for in a sequel and the book laid to rest any unanswered questions from Harp's Song. 

When Harp's Voice starts it's been several months since the events of Harp's Song. Her mother has completed her chemotherapy, they're working through their issues with weekly therapy sessions and Harp is well into her fest year at university. Things with Connor are still on pause as Harp tries to get herself together and the story follows her as she finds a way to trust people and open herself up to a life without the constant fear she's always known. With new friends - and old ones - at her side will Harp be able to let go of her gritty past?

It wasn't until I picked this book up that I realised just how much I'd missed these characters! Yes I had a couple of issues with them in the first book but they are flawed and honest and real so they were never going to be perfect. You wouldn't want them to be.

Harp's growth from the beginning of Harp's Song to the very last scene - oh my god it was perfect - is inspirational. She's had so many obstacles throughout these books and even though she falls apart and even though she's not perfect she finds the strength within herself and her family to put her best foot forward and continue living her life. Being able to see the struggle Harp had in book one made her accomplishments throughout Harp's Voice all the more special. I was so proud of her as a character.

Then there’s Connor. Connor is, as always, the perfect boyfriend. He puts a smile on my face every time he’s mentioned and will have you crushing like a lovesick teenager. He's still completely and utterly besotted with Harp and his loyalty to his broken girlfriend is heart-warming. 

In my review for Harp's Song I mentioned that I felt the whole cancer story line was a bit of a cop out. It felt like the writer needed a way to make all of Anne's mistakes acceptable and I just couldn't get behind that. There is no excuse for beating your child, not ever. However, Harp's Voice gives us as a reader more information into Anne's life and you get to see that she doesn't ever expect to be forgiven. Not completely. That she'll have to live with what she did for the rest of her life. What I think Cassie is saying is that no matter what you do there is a chance for redemption. It's not easy, but if the circumstances are right you can get your life back. You have to make a choice and that choice(s) is what will shape you as a human being and determine how you live your life. 

Overall this was the perfect end to Harp's story. It concluded everything, leaving no questions unanswered. It wasn't flawless but the writing was effortless and these characters made it a joy to read. 

**I received this book as an ARC from Jen Halligan PR to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

About Cassie

Cassie Shine released her debut young adult novel, Harp's Song in November 2013, finally finishing the short story she started in her college creative writing class … many, many moons ago. She has always been an avid reader and lover of music (yes, she was in the high school marching band). While she has a weak spot for all things teenybopper, especially boy bands, she also loves classical, country, rock and well, pretty much everything. 

After living in St. Louis for more than ten years, she and her husband packed up a U-Haul and headed west. They currently live in Orange County, CA with their furry kids Finnegan and Molly. 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Instagram | Goodreads

Author Interview

with Cassie

What was the inspiration behind Harp’s story?

I actually started this story in my creative writing class in college (many, many moons ago) and every so often I would think about pulling it out and working on it again. So, in February 2013 that’s what I did! At the time I originally wrote it, I was inspired by something a friend of mine was going through, and though the story has changed quite a bit, and become more personal since it was first created, the basis of it is the same.

Was if difficult to write a strong female voice?

No! I am drawn to strong female characters, but have also lived through a lot of things myself and consider myself strong, so it was easy for me to relate to Harp and her inner strength-channel that for this story.

Who was your favourite character to write and why?

Hmmm … this is a toughie! In Harp’s Song I think my favorite character to write was Connor. I mean … he’s just so darn swoon worthy <sigh>! In Harp’s Voice, my favorite character to write is a tie between Jayden and Harmony. When my sister read Harp’s Voice, she sent me a text that said, “Oh Jayden…!” and I couldn’t have said it better! But, there’s something about Harmony and the balance and awareness she brings to Harp’s life that I just love and gravitate toward.

What three books would you recommend to readers of Harp’s Voice?

Only 3… eeek!! OK… Harp’s Song because you need Harp’s Song to fully understand Harp’s journey in Harp’s Voice (but I’m gonna cheat and not really include that on this list).

• Almost by Anne Elliot
• A Different Blue by Amy Harmon
• Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Why did you choose to write for Young Adults?

I am a 14-year-old girl trapped inside the body of a 35-year-old woman.

Not really, but kinda … sorta … ok, yeah maybe just a little!

There are a few reasons why I’m drawn to write and read Young Adult-I love first loves … sigh, I love how when you are fifteen everything feels like the end of the world, and I love feeling a character’s growth in such a formative time in their lives. But ultimately, I think what I love most is remembering the feelings that surfaced from deep within me when I was a teenager reading YA, and how reading about what other teens were going through made me feel … normal-like I wasn’t alone in the universe or crazy!

What are you reading at the moment?

Aspen by Rebekah Crane

And lastly… using song titles, list five songs that tell the story of Harp’s Voice?

• The Secret for cello and piano by Adam Hurst
• Brave by Sara Bareilles
• Awake My Soul by Mumford & Sons
• Try by Pink
• A Little Bit Stronger by Sara Evans

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Review: Dream Boy

Dream Boy

by Madelyn Rosenberg & Mary Crockett

Pages: 336 - paperback

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Publication Date: July 1st 2014

ISBN: 1402295839
Received From:  NetGalley & Sourcebooks Fire

Summary 

Annabelle Manning feels like she’s doing time at her high school in Chilton, Virginia. She has her friends at her lunchtime table of nobodies. What she doesn’t have are possibilities. Or a date for Homecoming. Things get more interesting at night, when she spends time with the boy of her dreams. But the blue-eyed boy with the fairytale smile is just that—a dream. Until the Friday afternoon he walks into her chemistry class. 
One of friends suspects he’s an alien. Another is pretty sure it’s all one big case of deja vu. While Annabelle doesn’t know what to think, she’s willing to believe that the charming Martin Zirkle may just be her dream come true. But as Annabelle discovers the truth behind dreams—where they come from and what they mean—she is forced to face a dark reality she had not expected. More than just Martin has arrived in Chilton. As Annabelle learns, if dreams can come true, so can nightmares

Review

Okay, so I wasn't sure on this book going into it. I had originally liked the idea but as I sat down to read it I changed my mind. I'd just read one awful paranormal disaster I really didn't need another one. However, I'm so glad I read Dream Boy because it's a unique and captivating story that's well written and easy to read. Yes, it has some issues but it's one I'd recommend and one I'd be happy to read again. 

The story itself is about Annabelle Manning, a teenager with a rather ordinary teenage life with a kid brother, a bathrobe loving mum and an arse of a dad. All in all though life is pretty damn normal for Annabelle. That is until Martin walks into her classroom. For you see, Martin isn't what he seems. He's one of her dreams and now that he's wandering around in the real world things are about to get all kinds of complicated. Because it's not just her dream boy that's escaped...

Firstly, I adored the idea behind this book. It's really interesting and I loved the way in which the authors grab you from the very first chapter. Annabelle - even though a little clueless at times - is a loveable and relatable character that overcomes the winy teenage girl stereotype. I would have maybe liked her to have questioned what was going on around her a little more but she was stubborn and intriguing and I fell in love with her. Actually, if I'm honest I fell in love with a lot of the character's as they were all completely different, with their own voices and were very easy to picture.

There's a humour in the writing that will put a smile on your face and a book boyfriend that will break your heart. It was touch and go for a little while but Will is defiantly worth swooning over. 

Okay, so I mentioned before there were a couple of little hiccups and they all happened in the middle. Dream Boy has a gripping start and an ending that will make your heart ache. It was funny and creepy and completely mesmerising - that is if you don't read the middle of it. The middle of this book was a big old confused paranormal blob that had me re-reading more than I would have liked. It almost felt like the authors were trying to connect every single character to the paranormal aspect of the book. Which even though it did work (once I figure out what was happening) it may have been a little much of the story. Not everything needed to be linked the way it was. I think by the end Billy was the only one not connected in some way to this dream world!  

And then there was the love triangle... it wasn't over powering or even really problem. I'm just a little unsure how I feel about these thee pointed relationships at the moment. But for the recored I'm totally #TeamWill! 

Overall Dream Boy is a book that has something a lot of books don't - an original and unique concept that will draw you into it's story lines and rich, imaginative characters. It's like no book I've ever read before and I really enjoyed it. Well, the majority of it. The authors are expert scene setters and they create quite a pretty picture with this book. Worth a read for all YA paranormal lovers out there.

**I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

Don't Even Think About It

Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

About the Book

Title: Don't Even Think About It

Author: Sarah Mlynowski

Publishing Date: May 1st 2014

Publisher: Orchard Books

ISBN: 9781408331569

Provided by: Hachette Children's Books & Netgalley

Summary (via Netgalley)

Imagine if EVERYONE could here your thoughts: your best friend, your worst enemy, your secret crush...

This is the story of how we became freaks. It's how a group of I's became a we. 

When Class 10B got their flu shots, they expected some side effects. Maybe a sore arm. Maybe a headache. They definitely didn't expect to get telepathy. But suddenly they could hear what everyone was thinking. Their friend. Their teachers. Their parents. Now they all know that Tess has a crush on her best friend, Teddy. That Mackenzie cheated on Cooper. That Nurse Carmichael used to be a stripper. Some of them will thrive. Some of them will break. Non of them will ever be the same. 

Review
Don't Even Think About It... I'm trying really hard not to! I wanted so much to like this book but the further I got into it the less sense it made. I don't know about the espies having a headache but I sure as hell do!

By all means write a fantasy/sci-fi/paranormal novel, seriously go wild! But remember it's one of the hardest to get right! This is because you can go wild... you can create anything you want. For instance you can give people superpowers, but you also have to have at least some smidgen of realism in there otherwise we - the readers - aren't going to be able to connect with the characters. And that was the problem here.

The story had no real structure, nothing much of anything happened and what did didn't seem to connect. There were several serious plot flaws to this books and the main on being I can sum up what happened in 10 worlds... They got a flue shot. They got telepathy. They argued... see 10 worlds, the end.

That's not too say it was all bad... if it was, I would have marked it a lot lower. It has these odd moments where you can see that the author is genuinely funny. BJ and Tess for example... or even the incident with Mackenzie's parents. There were also a couple of character's that I began to feel something resembling empathy for, but there were just too many voices to connect with any single one.

Which of course leads me to the voices! I know, I know, it's the point of the whole book. How Is became a We, and all that but it was so confusing! And not in a good way. There were more than a couple of moments when I wanted to put this book down, but my stubbornness kept me going.

The end was... well, it was an end I guess. She's left it open for another book and I just hope that it has more of a plot line too it! I hope something actually happens! Because all in all the writing was good, it was easy to read and as I said, there were funny moments. The problem with this book was the plot.

I don't think I can recommend this... I was going to recommend it for younger YA readers but the language - especially towards the end - isn't appropriate. I don't know. This book wasn't for me, which is a shame because I really did want to like it.

These are a few notes I made while reading Tease. All notes where made on my GoodReads page.

**I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary (From Back Cover)

"Don you ever feel like you're invisible? I know I do - just call me Cammie the Chameleon. But at my school, that's seen as cool. Why? Because the Gallagher Academy might say it's for geniuses, but it's really a school for spies."

Cammie Morgan might be capable of killing a man in seven different ways, but she's about to begin her most dangerous mission yet: falling in love. 

Review

We all have out guilty pleasures, for some it might be chocolate or horror films or maybe you're into Justin Bieber (I'll try not to judge you if you fall into that last category) but for me it's The Gallagher Girls series. It's target audience is more towards the younger YA readers - 11 to 17 year olds i'd say - but, I mean, who didn't want to be a spy when growing up? Not to mention it's such an easy read, I'm pretty sure I read this book in less than two days. 

So the story, Cammie Morgan is the daughter of the Gallagher Academy's Headmistress Rachel Morgan, who also just happens to be one hell of a spy. Instead of the traditional lessons you'd expect a teenager to be taking the girls at the academy are taught covert operations, including surveillance, detecting threats and deception. 

But on one of Cammie's class assignments with her spy-in-training-classmates she's spotted by one of the townies, Josh. During the course of the book Cammie and Josh get to know each other and young love blossoms, however, being part of a secret spy school isn't exactly an advantage when dating an ordinary boy.

So my thoughts on the book are pretty black and white. It's a fun read, it's not the most intelligent of books - I mean it's not going to have to questioning they way we live our lives or what true love really means. But it is a sweet story of young love and the way a secret (or several) can affect the relationships in a young girls life. It's a amusing and enjoyable read with some exciting story plots that will make you wish you had gone to Gallagher Academy. It's the prefect book for teens and maybe the odd older reader who has always dreamed of being one of Charlie's Angles.