Review: The Broken Lake

The Broken Lake (ARC) by Shelena Shorts
Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing, LLC
Release Date: August 19th, 2010
Pages: 304
Age Level: YA
Series: Book #2 in The Pace series

Synopsis via GoodReads
In the aftermath of Sophie's ordeal, Weston will make some uncharacteristic decisions to distance himself from the past in an attempt to change the future.

But, while venturing into the improbable, the present sneaks up in a chilling way that will lead to Wes' unexpected submission. Suddenly, Sophie will find herself watching as both his immortal secret and his own existence are threatened.

Continuously intriguing, The Broken Lake takes readers to a place where eternal bonds confront a division that is sure to leave everyone wondering whom they can trust.

Review (Completely Spoiler Free)
Shelena Shorts captivates my mind and soul once again with her second book in The Pace series, The Broken Lake. It was easily just as awesome, if not better than, it's predecessor. This is a riveting, keenly crafted series that just seems to keep getting better.

Shorts really created a great heroine in Sophie; I felt she not only continued to grow as a character but also that my connection with her grew as well. The same goes for Wes whom I just fell even more in love with than before and his personality really seemed to develop more. And as far as the pairing of Sophie and Wes as a couple goes, I think they are perfect together. What I love so much about the two of them is how they both need and look after each other instead of one always being the hero; both of them are strong and vulnerable in their own ways and I feel they compliment each other very well. They are easily one of my, if not my number one, favorite couples in young adult literature.

The Broken Lake starts out at a casual pace and then gradually quickens, building up suspense until it reaches it's ultimate and satisfying climax towards the end. That's one thing I really love about Shorts' books, they are brilliantly plotted. When I would be reading this book I would tell myself I'd finish the chapter I was on and then stop but I never did. I was always compelled to move on to the next chapter and then the next. I was glad to see the continuation of both the scientific and spiritual elements that make this series so unique and the writing continued to be beautifully done.

Can I just say that Shorts has got to be the queen of awesome cliffhanger endings! Seriously, this woman knows how to leave me with my eye twitching like a loony waiting for the next book to come out.

All I can say now is that Shelena Shorts sure has done it again with The Broken Lake and I give her two thumbs way, way up. This series is just so refreshing, gripping, and expertly crafted; if you haven't tried The Pace yet then I highly suggest you get to it soon. This is a series that should not be missed. I just can't believe I'm going to have to wait so long for The Iron Quill to come out.

Grade
Characters: A-
Writing: B+
Plot: A
Ending: A
#2 in Series: A
Enjoyment/Likability: A
Recommendable: A+

Overall: A

Cover: B+

Curious what I thought about The Pace? Read my review HERE.

Author Interview: Emma Michaels

Long time no interview, eh? I know, I know. I'm sorry it has been so long since I posted an author interview. Luckily I had the chance to interview author Emma Michaels recently. Her debut YA novel, The Thirteenth Chime, will be releasing on August 13th.

~~~~~~~~
The Book Pixie: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Emma Michaels: Well, as everyone as heard about by now "The Thirteenth Chime" is my debut novel. I'm twenty years old, I adore nature yet I'm still a city girl at heart. I grew up in California, but I moved to Washington State a little over two years ago. I adore my Chihuahua, love my fiance, and I'm very open to a good piece of chocolate or literature. I enjoy doing Yoga, anything involving boats and I'm very excited about the opportunity of getting to see more of the US while on my book tour (I will keep hoping!).

TBP: Please give us a brief description of your book.

EM: "The Thirteenth Chime" is about the bond between two people, Destiny and David, who were once romantically involved but have since gone their separate ways. Destiny has a fiance now, and during a spring break vacation with her friend Stephanie, her friend is attacked and sent along with her friend's mother to the hospital. With little to no help from the police, the only person Destiny can turn to is David. However, a madman filled with darkness created a trap almost fifty years ago, and Destiny and David are about to unwittingly walk into the nightmare of "The Thirteenth Chime". Resolving their differences and finding strength in the renewed bond between them will be the only thing standing between them and the darkness that is waiting to swallow them whole.

TBP: What inspired the idea for the story behind The Thirteenth Chime?

EM: The story was born from an experience I had late one night on the island where I live. We had a terrible storm that was hitting our area and it had knocked out the power. We went to our neighbors and we were sharing a few candles for light. The lightning flashed outside and thunder shook the house. A moment later, the old grandfather clock within the house began to chime. The sound echoed throughout the house and it made me jump. I unconsciously reached out for someone's hand, desiring a bond in that moment. It was then within my heart and mind that the idea for "The Thirteenth Chime" was born.

TBP: What does it feel like to be published at such a young age, 20?

EM: Wonderful! Now the hard part begins - getting up on the "New York Times Bestseller's List", working hard on my career, and continuing to give my readers the kind of literature they want to read. But I promise all potential fans that if they enjoy my writing, I will continue to write for as long as they want me to write. They are also going to LOVE what I have planned in the future, not just within the novels but overall.

TBP: What are your aspirations as an author?

EM: My aspirations are to continue to write for as long as my fans ask for more. I want to be on the "New York Times Bestseller's List" and to get to the top and stay there. I really love writing and I am hoping that my books will help others the way that both reading and writing have helped me!

TBP: What are three of your favorite YA books?

EM: I am a definite Tamora Pierce fan so basically any three of her novels but this year there have been a lot of new novels I have loved that just might change my favorites list in the future.

TBP: You murdered a celebrity. Who was it and why?

EM: Well, if I had done it, you would never know ;-)

TBP: If you could turn into any animal, which animal would it be and why?

EM: An owl. I love owls and it would be so amazing to fly. Plus, then I would have an excuse to be sleepy during the daytime! *laughs* I would choose a Wolf but I would be too scared that I might end up being hunted. So Owl it is.

TBP: So I hear your engaged. Who's the lucky guy? Care to share some of the wedding plans?

EM: His name is Michael and he has been really supportive of me in pursuing my literary career. He and I are still working out the details. He has been really great and willing to put our plans on hold for a bit while I pursue my career. Best of all, he is a really great cook and we compliment each others' strengths and shortcomings, so it's been really great getting to share all of this with him. I don't know how public I'll make the wedding plans, but he shared an interesting and very sweet idea a few days ago that fans might think is really cool, so keep an eye out on my blog and website in the future!

TBP: Is there anything else you'd like to say before you go?

EM: Simply that I appreciate the amazing support I have received and truly hope that you all will love The Thirteenth Chime! Reading has meant so much to me in my life and it helped me in so many ways. I want to be able to help others in those ways too. I truly hope that you enjoy The Thirteenth Chime and together we can do anything, even achieve my goal of being a blogger who makes it to the New York Times Best Sellers List! I can't do it without you!

~~~~~~~

I would first like to thank Emma for letting me interview her. Secondly, I'd like to thank all of you for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the interview and will leave any comments you may have in the comments section. :D

In My Mailbox (45)

In My Mailbox
IMM is a weekly meme hosted and created by Kristie at The Story Siren and was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie

Won from Strange and Random Happenstance
~The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

So that's all I got in the mail folks. I hope you all managed to come away with some great books and are enjoying your weekend.

Noteworthy Passages: And Then Everything Unraveled

And Then Everything Unraveled by Jennifer Sturman
Publisher: Point
Pub. Date: July 1st, 2009
Pages: 244
Age Level: YA

Synopsis from GoodReads
Delia Truesdale has no idea her life's about to change forever. She's too busy enjoying the California summer. Her internet tycoon mother, T.K. Truesdale, is out of town, and that means Delia can spend all her time at the beach, surfing. That is, until everything unravels.

Her mother suddenly goes missing, and everyone thinks she's dead - except Delia, who knows T.K.'s way too organized to simply disappear. But Delia's still sent to New York to live with her two aunts - a downtown bohemian and an uptown ice queen.

And in case that's not bad enough, she also has to deal with a snooty new school and trying not to fall for the wrong guy. Oh, and finding her mother.

As she delves deeper into the tangle of conspiracies and lies surrounding T.K.'s disappearance, Delia begins to suspect that the wrong guy may be the right guy...and that some secrets - especially the dangerous ones - were never meant to be unraveled.

Noteworthy Passages

Delia & Charley; pg. 33-34
"Who's the Wicked Witch of the Upper East Side? And who're the Flying Monkeys?
"Your other aunt and her kids," said Charley. "Patty's twins, Gwyneth and Grey. That's Grey with an E -- they went for the British spelling, just in case the name itself wasn't pretentious enough. But don't worry. We're safe for now. I never give out my home phone number, and especially not to family."
The words were no sooner out of her mouth than the land-line phone on a side table started to ring. Charley jumped, startled, then she snatched up the receiver and checked the screen. "How?" she cried. "How does she do it? Nobody has this number. It's unlisted. I'm not even sure I know what it is."

Delia & Charley; pg 131
You'll have to skip your last class, but I'm guessing you won't mind," she said.
"No, that's okay. It's drama, but we meet every day so it's not a big deal."
"Drama? Are you sure? Why don't I reschedule it for when you can miss something better? What time is physics? Or what about gym? When's gym?"

~~~~~~~~

And Then Everything Unraveled was a very charming read and I hope you enjoyed the passages I chose. Don't forget to check out my Review if you haven't already. :D









PLEASE NOTE: This is a feature hosted here at my blog in which I present you with selected passages or quotes that I deem Noteworthy from a book I've just reviewed. My hopes are of course, that these passages will make you want to pick the book up and read it. This feature was started and created by me in January in hopes of making my blog more unique. That being said, I would like to kindly request that you do not use this feature as it was intended to be for my blog only and is not a meme. If you see some one else using it, please know it is without my permission. Thank you.