The Willows: Haven ARC Tour Stop

As part of The Willows: Haven ARC tour, we are hosting an excerpt. Haven by Hope Collier will release September 30, 2011 with Soul Fire Press. Julie is sharing her review and an excerpt. Don’t forget to check out the giveaway below.

ALSO, on October 6, come back here for the final stop and video interview with the author. There will be a grand prize of a signed print copy and swag.

Review by Julie

I had the pleasure to read an advanced review copy of Haven. I loved where this story was going that I finished it in one day. I only do that with books I REALLY get into. I was immediately taken by surprise when the female main character, Ash, has an altercation with her boyfriend. I knew this story was going to run the gamut of emotions from the initial scene and set up. Collier is definitely a character driven writer, which is fantastic for this character driven reader.

The story slowly unfolds from contemporary to a contemporary fantasy world tied to an ancient society. The road to get there is filled with surprises, revelations, love, betrayal, infatuation, old treaties, good friends, and yup…twists. The romance is sweet and YA worthy. The characters I very much invested in from the “good guys” to the “bad guys”. I was so invested, that one of those sneaky twists came at me out of nowhere, and my stomach literally “fell” at the raw emotion one character evoked in another.

The paranormal aspects are not over the top and actually unique for a paranormal YA. There is a nature aspect incorporated that works well for paranormal. I haven’t seen these particular skills in another book in this genre to date.

Overall I very much enjoyed the whole package of Haven and like all advanced copies, it just means even longer until I get to read the sequel. The ending of Haven isn’t a cliffhanger that drives you crazy, but it does make you yearn for more and the rest of the story. You will want to know what happens to all the characters, even the “bad guys.”

Oh, I forgot a possible important aspect…hot guys? Yes! Good hot guys and bad hot guys. You just might be torn for a preference with the character options.

EXCERPT WITH ASHTON AND GABE

“Ooh, a carnival!” I stared through the windshield at the festivities. “You want to go have some fun?” I grinned playfully.

Gabe shook his head as we climbed out, but his eager smile belied his casual attitude. I knew he wanted to play as much as I did.

“Oh, come on. Let’s go win a bunch of junk we don’t need.” I tugged on his hand.

His eyes warmed, but still, he shook his head no.

“You worried I might show you up?” I teased.

He raised his eyebrows in surprise. “All right, gracie, show me what you’ve got.”

Gabe made his way toward the makeshift game booths. We paused in front of a pierced teenager manning a game with softball and an angled basket. Gabe pulled out a crumpled wad of cash and paid the attendant.

“Ladies first.” He gestured toward the pyramid of balls.

“Thank you.” I smiled. “Watch and learn.” I picked the first and lobbed it toward the wicker container. It met the rim with a clank and shot to the side, grazing the punctured youth in the knee. He stifled a groan and took a step back.

“Sorry! Sorry!” My ears burned red.

Gabe let out a snort of laughter from behind me.

“Something funny?” I asked.

“Nope.” He battled a smile.

“Let’s see you pull it off.” I tossed him the second ball.

Gabe stepped up beside me and flicked his hand forward. The ball floated from his fingertips and settled along the inside wall of the basket.

“Show off,” I muttered. He winked on a grin, and his dimples sank in.

“It’s all in the wrist.” He moved behind me. “Here, I’ll show you. Grab that last ball.”

I squeezed it in my palm, blood rising in my cheeks as his body settled into mine.

“You have to hold it softly, like an egg,” he whispered, his breath tickling my ear. Gabe’s palm slid over the back of my hand, encouraging my grip to loosen. His body moved flat against mine, and heat flooded the places they touched. The rhythm of his heart beat against my back, drumming in my head as if it were my own. I forced a slow steady breath through my nose, hoping he didn’t notice my reaction.

“Relax.” His free hand glided down my other arm. I closed my eyes, trying not to hyperventilate.

“Now, hold the ball facing down and flick your wrist to create backspin.”

His chest flexed as he demonstrated the motion, sending me into arrhythmias. I opened my eyes in time to see the ball glide through the air and catch the inside lip. It rolled in next to the first.

GIVEAWAY

The Willows: Haven ~ Hope Collier~ (ebook once released)

This book is a Young Adult paranormal romance.

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ENDS SEPT. 14, 2011

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