booktourhost – Sincerely Karen Jo

ARROWHEART

Deareast Book Lovers! Happy Thursday and Welcome to my Blog Tour Stop for Arrowheart by Rebecca Sky hosted by A Rock Star Book Tour. Today, I have my review to share with you. Don’t forget to stay until the end for the giveaway.

Arrowheart Cover

Pub. Date: June 14, 2018

Publisher: Hodder

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 384

Kiss the boys and make them cry…

The gods are gone.

The people have forgotten them.

But sixteen-year-old Rachel Patel can’t forget – the gods control her life, or more specifically, her love life.

Being a Hedoness, one of a strong group of women descended from Greek God Eros, makes true love impossible for Rachel. She wields the power of that magical golden arrow, and with it, the promise to take the will of any boy she kisses. But the last thing Rachel wants is to force someone to love her . . .

When seventeen-year-old Benjamin Blake’s disappearance links back to the Hedonesses, Rachel’s world collides with his, and her biggest fear becomes a terrifying reality. She’s falling for him – a messy, magnetic, arrow-over-feet type of fall.

Rachel distances herself, struggling to resist the growing attraction, but when he gives up his dream to help her evade arrest, distance becomes an insurmountable task. With the police hot on their trail, Rachel soon realizes there are darker forces hunting them – a group of mortals recruited by the gods who will stop at nothing to preserve the power of the Hedonesses – not to mention Eros himself, who is desperate to reverse the curse . . .

Rachel must learn to do what no Hedoness has done before – to resist her gift – or she’ll turn the person she’s grown to love into a shadow of himself … for ever.

purchaselinks

AMAZON – BOOK DEPOSITORY

reviewrating

4hearts

3.75 Rounded to 4 – Lighthearted, Enjoyable, and a Ton of Fun

reviewthoughts

I requested Arrowheart by Rebecca Sky based on the really cute cover and after briefly scheming the premise which sounded quite intriguing. I didn’t have too many expectations going into this novel, but I surely didn’t imagine the story to be so strange and chaotic… but in a charmingly good way. I found myself tangled up in all the mess, surprises and twists, and had such a great time.

I thought concept was creative, witty and fun. The writing style was a bit choppy at times, but still engaging and easy to read. The plot was fast-paced and full of so much ridiculousness that I was delightfully entertained. Sure, there were some moments that had me thinking “What in the world is going on here?” but I was also very intrigued to find out what would happen next. The characters weren’t all very likable, especially in the beginning…BUT, I didn’t think they were horrible. Given that whole idea of the story is about Hedonesses, women descended from Greek God Eros, having the ability to take the will of men, I thought the characters played their parts really well. So yes, they can be overly dramatic and preposterous at times, but also so wonderfully amusing that I had a few good laughs. The story wrapped up nicely only to drop a wicked cliffhanger in the epilogue so I’m excited for the next installment.

“If women really wanted that, they would get a dog. Nobody wants to be followed blindly by a boy. They want someone to see their worst qualities and still choose to love them.”

I adored Rachel from the very beginning. She’s the odd one in her world who despised her gift and wanted nothing to do with being a Hedoness. She was constantly trying to fight for what she wanted to do so I really enjoyed her character development as she struggled to find her place and follow her heart. On the other hand, Marissa annoyed me with her unpleasant personality. She was selfish, condescending, and at times even downright cruel. However, over the course of the story, she managed to slowly thaw my heart… a little. Then there’s Benjamin… I honestly wasn’t too sure about him at first, but he slowly made me fall for him. I can say that yes, he’s most definitely book boyfriend material. And Kyle, he was a really nice surprise and fun addition to the gang. I’m really interested to see what role he’s going to play in the sequel.

Romance wise, I’m still not that crazy about it. I wasn’t a fan for most of the story. It was kind of awkward and not very believable… at least not right away. I was reading what was going on, but I just couldn’t connect with the words and feel… I didn’t feel the intense pull or the delicious swoons I love in romance books. Thank goodness Rachel and Ben had some adorable scenes that made me more invested in their love story and I’m definitey glad I kept an open mind and just went with it. So what if I didn’t swoon over and over and get those crazy butterflies… I did have some fun, and in the end I was happy… well up until the epilogue…

“Maybe it’s because I’ve spent every day since my family died looking for something more in this world. Or maybe it’s that I gave you my heart before you ever took it.”

Overall, I thought this was a unique, humorous and delightful story. I wouldn’t say Arrowheart completely struck my heart with all the feels, but it was lighthearted, enjoyable, and a ton of fun… in its own ridiculous messy kind of way. I’m definitely looking forward to reading what happens next cause that ending is just cray cray!!!

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher and Rock Star Book Tours in exchange for an honest and fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

authorbio2

Rebecca

After graduating high-school, Rebecca Sky set out on a five-year, 24 Country exploration to find herself. She slept in a hammock in the Amazon Jungle, skinny-dipped off the West African Coast, ate balut and climbed the chocolate hills in the Philippines, and fell in love in Cuba (then again in Brazil, and a final time to a Rocker from Canada). Rebecca returned home to the West Coast captivated by the world and ready for another adventure.

So she did what every wanderer does when standing still—began writing. Her work has since garnered over 20 million reads on Wattpad, and she’s had the opportunity to partner with some really great brands. She was featured in The New York Times and The Boston Globe, (check out those articles here). Her debut Arrowheart, book one in THE LOVE CURSE series is published by Hodder Children’s Books a division of Hachette Book Group.

followthetour2

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Wattpad | Goodreads

entergiveaway2

1 winner will win an Owlcrate Book Subscription Box.

Owl Crate

Rafflecopter Giveaway

followthetour2

7/16/2018- BookHounds YA– Interview

7/16/2018- Writer of Wrongs– Excerpt

7/17/2018- CoffeeCocktailsandBooks Blog– Review

7/17/2018- For the Love of KidLit– Guest Post

7/18/2018- Do You Dog-ear?– Review

7/18/2018- Fall Into Books– Excerpt

7/19/2018- Here’s to Happy Endings– Review

7/19/2018- The Cover Contessa– Interview

7/20/2018- Wonder Struck– Review

7/20/2018- The Cozy Reading Corner– Guest Post

7/23/2018- Lauren is Reading– Review

7/23/2018- Rhythmicbooktrovert– Review

7/24/2018- Nerdophiles– Review

7/24/2018- Christen Krumm– Interview

7/25/2018- The Heart of a Book Blogger– Review

7/25/2018- Book-o-Craze– Review

7/26/2018- Snark & Squee– Review

7/26/2018- To Be Read– Review

7/27/2018- Belle’s Book Blog– Review

7/27/2018- Daily Waffle– Excerpt

7/30/2018- Buttons Book Reviews– Review

7/30/2018- The Reading Corner for All– Interview

7/31/2018- Adventures in Literature– Review

7/31/2018- Confessions of a YA Reader– Excerpt

8/1/2018- The Desert Bibliophile– Review

8/1/2018- Book Dragon Lair– Review

8/2/2018- Sincerely Karen Jo– Review

8/2/2018- Don’t Judge, Read– Review

8/3/2018- Two points of interest– Review

8/3/2018- Eating Between The Lines– Review

As always, thank you for stopping by lovelies and I really hope you enjoyed reading my review. Take care and have a great day!!!

aboutthebook2

Looking for Dei
David A. Willson
Publication date: March 23rd 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Fifteen-year-old Nara Dall has never liked secrets. Yet it seems that her life has been filled with them, from the ugly scar on her back to the strange powers she possesses. Her mysterious father refuses to say anything about her origins, and soon, she and her best friend must attend the announcement ceremony, in which youths are tested for a magical gift.

A gifted youth has not been announced in the poor village of Dimmitt for decades. When Nara uncovers the reason, she uses her own powers to make things right. The decision sets her on a path of danger, discovery, and a search for the divine. In the process, she learns the truth about herself and uncovers the biggest secret of all: the power of broken people.

purchaselinks

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Smashwords

readanexcerpt2

Anne.

Weeks had passed since last hearing His voice.

They are coming.

She stood in the doorway a moment, rigid, gazing out at nothing. In her inner eye, she saw travelers in need of her guidance and protection. After a time, she recovered from the vision and closed the door. She shuffled back to the table and took a seat.

“So you finally sent them, did ya?” She spoke to an empty room.

You are ready.

“I am old! My strength is gone!”

Her shoulders slumped as she stared into the bowl of food. A hard time was coming.

“You should have sent them long ago.”

In my own time. Do as you’re told.

“Or what? You’ll let me die?” She stirred the food with her fork but didn’t take a bite. “I’ve been asking for years to rest, but you’ve left me to rot here.”

He didn’t respond. So be it. Such a long wait, but perhaps she could finish things now. It was a good thing He gave her to do, or so He had always said. She had prepared long ago with the expectation that the task would have been completed by now. She had never expected to wait so long, and resentment had long since replaced her enthusiasm. She often wondered if she had been forgotten, or if the delay had been intended as punishment for her past sins.

So, they are finally coming. She had yearned to hear those words ages ago. All the years, all her adventures, all her mistakes.

“You better help me with this. I mean it.”

Hunger pangs sprang up within. Not only would she need her own strength for what came next but all the strength He could send her as well. She hoped He would be true in this. She did not have what this task required, but of course, that had always been His way. They were coming to her in the twilight of her days, requiring her to depend all that much more on Him. It made for a scenario where He got all the credit, robbing her of any glory for the accomplishment.

She ate the bowl of stew, then served herself another. As she chewed her food, she carved an ornate design into the wood of the table with one of the tines of her fork. Light. Yes, that was it. She carved another. Earth. Harder, but still one of the easy ones. She carved a third. It was wrong, and she bit her lip in frustration. She tried again, much more slowly, deliberating with each stroke, and eventually revealed a design in the wood far more complex than the previous two. “That’s protection, isn’t it oh majestic procrastinator?” She looked up, but He didn’t respond to her irreverence.

She would remember. Then she would teach. But there would be pain.
authorbio2

David A. Willson has worked as a restauranteur, peace officer, and now, author. Taught by his mother to read at a young age, he spent his childhood exploring magic, spaceships, and other dimensions. In his writing, he strives to bring those worlds to his readers.

Much of his material is inspired by the “Great Land” of Alaska, which he has called home for over 30 years. He lives there with his wife, five children, and 2 dogs. He is passionate about technology, faith, and fiction—not necessarily in that order.

Looking for Dei is Willson’s debut novel, set in a land where many more adventures will take place. Stay up to date with his ongoing efforts through the Looking for Dei Facebook page or visiting the website at davidawillson.com.

followtheauthor2