Blog Tour Stop : Entangled Embrace Pre-Launch - Trouble Comes Knocking by Mary Duncanson & Ruined by Jus Accardo
Hi guys!
First of all, Happy Halloween! (and it's also my birthday)! I hope you guys have fun with your Halloween parties and all!
Anyways, I'm so excited today to help Entangled Publishing launch their new New Adult line Embrace with a review from one upcoming book, Trouble Comes Knocking and interviews with authors Mary Duncanson and Jus Accardo. You guys already know how much I love NA, so I was overjoyed when I heard about Entangled's new line. They have some absolutely fabulous-looking and unique upcoming titles that I can't wait to read. Also, the generous people over at Entangled are giving away a Kindle Fire and an iPod shuffle so be sure to enter that too! Enjoy!
Summary (from Goodreads)Title : Trouble Comes Knocking
Author : Mary Duncanson
Publication Date : November 11th 2013
Publisher : Entangled Embrace
Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble
It’s hard not to answer when trouble comes knocking.
A girl who can’t forget…
Twenty-two-year-old Lucy Carver is like Sherlock Holmes in ballet flats, but her eidetic memory is more albatross than asset, and something she usually keeps hidden. When she notices that something’s amiss at her dead-end job, she jumps at the chance to finally use her ability for good. That is, until, a man is murdered, and she becomes the target of the killer.
A detective on his first case…
Detective Eli Reyes is overbearing, pompous, way too hot for Lucy’s own good, and seems as determined to ruin her relationship with her boyfriend, John, as finding the murderer. He brings Lucy in on the case, thinking she can help him get to the truth, only to cut her loose when he realizes he’s gotten far more than he ever bargained for.
A past that won’t go away…
When memories from her childhood invade her present, Lucy discovers a mystery bigger than she could have imagined. With the killer still after her, and Eli nowhere to be found, she takes things into her own hands, determined to expose the truth no matter what—before trouble comes knocking…again.
Personal Thoughts
Being a huge NA fan, I'm always looking for more unique elements in the genre. Reading about characters with troubled pasts over and over again can be excruciating. So, you can imagine my excitement when I heard about Mary Duncanson's new series.
Trouble Comes Knocking has some very interesting characters. They were not as developed as I wish they were, but they were certainly extremely likable and I personally felt like they were realistic. Lucy was a feisty character and easy to grow attached to. I wished she was a bit more fleshed out and that we got to know her a bit more in this book, but because this is going to be a series, I reckon it was Mary Duncanson's plan to only give us bits and pieces of information on Lucy's life in this first book. I did really love how devoted she was to her aunt and her best friend. Her love for them was very palpable. Lucy had a sad situation, but she did not let that rule her present. There were definitely some times when I wanted to shake Lucy, because she put her life in danger in order to help others. I just can't fathom why she would want to help out a person she only met a couple of days ago, but I suppose that's what made Lucy such an endearing character. One other thing I did not like very much about her was how she would constantly either omit the truth or refuse to the see the truth. That got a bit frustrating, but by the end of the book, she had learned a lesson. As far as the secondary characters go, I really enjoyed most of them except for John, Lucy's boyfriend, who I have doubts about. I'm hoping we get to know him and the rest of the cast better in the next books.
I think everyone who follows my blog regularly knows what a huge fan of murder mysteries I am. And I love them even better if the murder mystery is one that I can't solve. Trouble Comes Knocking offered a murder mystery that I honestly did not see coming. The murderer never even crossed my mind when we met him which is why I was taken by surprise. The plot itself was highly entertaining. Along with the murder mystery, the author also presented us with a back-story in Lucy's life. While the murder mystery itself was resolved in this book, there's a lot more to learn about Lucy's family and I'm excited at the prospect because there's a lot of sketchy things going on. The writing was decent, but I did have a few qualms about it because of my personal preferences. I thought some scenes were not descriptive enough and there were times when the plot would just suddenly either move forward or jump back to the past that would disrupt the flow. Nevertheless, once I got used to the writing style, I enjoyed reading the book.
As you can see, I have mixed feelings about Trouble Comes Knocking. However, I liked it enough to want to continue the series and see what's headed for Lucy and the rest of the characters.
Rating
Cover : 2/5 (That cover makes absolutely no sense to me. This is a fun mystery novel, but the cover becomes look like angsty YA contemporary read.)
Plot : 3/5
Characters : 3/5
Writing : 3/5
Author Interview
Hi Mary! I'm very happy to have you on the blog today to answer a few questions.
Thank you! I’m so excited to be here!
1. First of all, this is your first novel with Entangled, so congratulations! How exciting! What does it feel like now that you know your book is going to be published?
Actually, this is my first New Adult novel, but my fourth published novel. And I’m super excited! I’d written romance exclusively before now but Lucy is absolutely more my speed. She’s smart, outspoken, brave...I’m having a blast!
2. If you had to describe your book in a Tweet (140 characters), what would you say?
Lucy is Sherlock, in ballet flats. When a killer targets her, and her past becomes present, she gladly answers when Trouble Comes Knocking!
Phew! That was hard!
3. I think it's very cool that instead of going the same way as every other NA book goes, you decided to write a NA about a murder mystery. Where did the inspiration to write a murder mystery come from? Do you read a lot of crime thrillers?
I have always loved Sherlock Holmes, but wondered what he was like before he knew he was brilliant. Lucy’s basically that. Sherlock at the beginning of this amazing quest. Other than that, I’m not sure where the inspiration came from. I was sitting with my critique partners one day and had this idea of Lucy being interrogated, and then I had to figure out what she’d done. I grew up reading hard-boiled detective novels. I think some of that definitely reflects in the language of this book.
4. What book do you wish you had written and why?
Tiger Eyes, by Judy Blume. It was the first book I read that made me want to write. I’ve read it at least once a year since I was eleven and it is still one of my favorite novels. Man, if I could be half as good as that someday I’d be a happy little writer.
5. Finally, I read somewhere that your book is actually part of a series. What can readers expect from future books?
By book three things start to explode, literally! Everything Lucy thought she knew about her life is wiped clean as she finds out more about herself, her family and her past. This is definitely a longer series than most, but the ending is already written and so worth the wait. I hope readers fall in love with her journey the way I have! Plus, of course, lots of cases with Detective Reyes. If you’re going to have a good-guy on your side, might as well be an incredibly hot one.
Thank you for being here, Mary and best of luck with your future projects.
Thank you! It was so wonderful being here today!
Author Biography
Mary Duncanson, who also writes as Mary Malcolm, lives in North Texas with a menagerie of animals and feral roommates. She is currently looking to adopt a husband, preferably housebroken, preferably as silly as her. When she’s not corraling her household, she’s talking to the characters in her head and hoping they talk back. When she’s not doing all that, she can be found wandering around Central Market with a happy, drooly foodie look on her face. Do not judge her, it is her Mecca. Mary’s been writing since she was a teenager though spent quite a few years studying toward becoming a doctor before she realized she wanted to be a full-time author. Unfortunately, the people who own her student loans still want to be paid for the years they supported her medical dreams. Mary lives on a steady diet of coffee and chocolate and believes, like Eleanor Roosevelt, that people should believe in the beauty of their dreams. She also believes people should ignore the word should because really, it’s kind of a judgmental word. Mary dreams of one day living as a full-time, well paid novelist (hint, hint) and also of one day traveling to Chile to pay homage to her soul mate, Pablo Neruda.Website: http://www.marymalcolmduncanson.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/marysonofduncan
Title : Ruined
Author : Jus Accardo
Publication Date : November 11th 2013
Publisher : Entangled Embrace
Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble
Author : Jus Accardo
Publication Date : November 11th 2013
Publisher : Entangled Embrace
Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble
Hell is looking for a way to break loose…
Jax lost the genetic lottery. Descended from Cain, the world's first murderer, he's plagued by a curse that demands violence in exchange for his happiness. He left everything behind, including the girl he loved, but thriving on the pain of others is lonely… And it's killing him.
After a series of heartbreaking losses, Samantha put rubber to pavement and headed for college as fast as her clunker could carry her. But she can't outrun her problems. When an attack at school drives her back home, she's thrown into the path of a past—and a guy—she's been trying to forget.
Sam strains Jax's control over his darkness, but running isn't an option this time. Someone—or, something—followed her home from school: a ruthless monster with a twisted plan centuries in the making. Forced together to survive, and fighting an attraction that could destroy them both, Jax and Sam must stop a killer bent on revenge.
Author Interview
Hi Jus! I'm so excited to have you on the blog today.
Hey, Nick! Thank you for having me
1. Firstly, you've published two YA Paranormal series. What made you want to write a New Adult book?
I didn't exactly set out to write a NA. The idea actually started as a pitch for Entangled (then new) Covet imprint. I pitched the idea and my editor fell in love with it, but when I sent the sample chapters, she felt that the characters were too "young".
I put the book aside and moved on. It's just something you have to be prepared for in this business. But a year or so later, she came back to me, remembering the idea, and asked how I felt about turning it into a new adult. I loved the story and the characters, and am in love with New Adult in general, so I jumped at the chance.
2. What's it like being among the first authors being published for this new line?
Very exciting! I have so much faith in Entangled, and all they do, and I know this line, like their others, will be a hit. I've gotten a sneak peek at some of the books on this line, and I'm blown away to be in such awesome company!
3. New Adult is a booming genre. However, there has been a lot repetitiveness. What do you think makes Ruined unique in the NA genre?
The thing that stands out the most, to me, is that it's paranormal. There's not a lot of paranormal NA right now—which is sad because I'm, above everything, a paranormal lover.
4. If you had to choose between Kale, Lukas and Jax, who would you say was your favorite and why?
Ooooh. This is an evil question. At the moment, I'm going to answer Jax. He's totally different from what I've written and I had so much fun with him. He's dark and dangerous and full of fire.
5. Finally, what can fans expect in the future books of this series?
Loads of smexy tension, tons of snark, and some badass fight scenes ;)
Thanks for taking your time to answer these, Jus!
Thanks for letting me hang out! :D
Author Biography
Website: http://www.jusaccardo.com
Blog: http://www.jusaccardo.com/category/blog/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JusAccardo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJusAccardo
Giveaway
Prizes :
- 1 Kindle Fire
- 1 iPod Shuffle
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Are you guys as excited as I am for this new line from Entangled?
I personally like how not every book is just contemporary romances with characters with terrible pasts. You've got some chick-lit, mystery and paranormal! I can't wait to see what they come up with.
I personally like how not every book is just contemporary romances with characters with terrible pasts. You've got some chick-lit, mystery and paranormal! I can't wait to see what they come up with.
Is there anything new you would like to see in NA?
Be sure to let me know if you're interested in any title in the comments below.
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