Wake the Hollow by Gaby Triana…Blog Tour & Review

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wake the hollowWake the Hollow by Gaby Triana

Published by Entangled Teen

Published on August 2nd, 2016

Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26114202-wake-the-hollow?ac=1&from_search=true

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Wake-Hollow-Gaby-Triana/dp/1633753514

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wake-the-hollow-gaby-triana/1122537705;jsessionid=F6351BD4AD3F7E943D40755521F0E640.prodny_store02-atgap07?ean=9781633753518

Entangled: http://entangledpublishing.com/wake-the-hollow/

Forget the ghosts, Mica. It’s real, live people you should fear.

Tragedy has brought Micaela Burgos back to her hometown of Sleepy Hollow. It’s been six years since she chose to live with her father in Miami instead of her eccentric mother. And now her mother is dead.

This town will suck you in and not let go.

Sleepy Hollow may be famous for its fabled headless horseman, but the town is real. So are its prejudices and hatred, targeting Mica’s family as outsiders. But ghostly voices carry on the wind, whispering that her mother’s death was based on hate…not an accident at all. With the help of two very different guys—who pull at her heart in very different ways—Micaela must awaken the hidden secret of Sleepy Hollow…before she meets her mother’s fate.

Find the answers.

Unless, of course, the answers find you first.

my-review

Wake the Hollow is a great YA suspense novel with a touch of romance involved.  I loved Triana’s take on this legendary work – The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

I can’t say enough about this book.  First off, Trianadoes a fabulous job of giving you details about Irving, all his works plus his personal details to give more depth to this story.  Even if you aren’t a fan of Irving, this book will have you wanting to look things up on google and wanting to learn more about everything that is Irving related.

Back to the book – I loved how Triana wove in her own modern ideas into this tale and make it more intriguing to read about these tales.  Mica has returned home only to discover as she stays there longer, she is starting to act like her mother did.  She hears voices, sees apparitions and can’t seem to explain why it’s all happening to her. 

“Forget the ghosts, Mica. It’s real, live people you should fear.”

Triana does a great job of keeping you in suspense throughout this book.  There are many people involved and you only have hunches as to who could be behind what.  Triana does a great job of retelling the Sleepy Holly story wit her own twists to it along with the added mystery of Mica’s mother and their family history. It’s a very crafty story line. 

“All these, however, were mere terrors of the night, phantoms of the mind that walk in darkness.”

I would really recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a good YA suspense story or anyone that enjoys The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.  Readers will find themselves engrossed in the story quickly and enjoying the modern twist on this legendary tale.

 C signature

5LovesRLB

Trailer:

About the Author:

Gaby Triana

GABY TRIANA is the award-winning author of six YA novels—Wake the Hollow (Aug. 2016, Entangled), Summer of Yesterday, Riding the Universe, The Temptress Four, Cubanita, and Backstage Pass, as well as thirteen ghostwritten novels for best-selling authors. Originally a 4th grade teacher with a Master of Science in Elementary Education and ten years teaching experience, Gaby earned Teacher of the Year in 2000, wrote her first novel, Freddie and the Biltmore Ghost, then left teaching to launch a full-time writing career. She went on to publish young adult novels with HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster, win an IRA Teen Choice Award, ALA Best Paperback Award, and Hispanic Magazine’s Good Reads of 2008. She spends her time obsessing about Halloween, Christmas, and Disney World, as well as hosting parties, designing mugs, making whimsical cakes, and winning costume contests. When she’s not writing, she might also be watching Jurassic Park movies with her boys, posting excessive food pics on social media, or helping run the Florida region of the SCBWI. Gaby lives in Miami with her three sons, Michael, Noah, and Murphy. She has one dog, Chloe, and two cats—Miss Daisy, and the reformed thug, shooting survivor, Bowie.

Visit her at www.gabytriana.com and @GabyTriana on Twitter.

Read Below for an excerpt from the book:

Chapter One

“A drowsy, dreamy influence seems to hang over the land, and to pervade the very atmosphere…” — Washington Irving, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”

Follow me, please. The woman’s smoky silhouette hovers over me again.

Leave me alone. I cover my eyes, though I can still see her swirling shape through my fingers.

She floats closer, wringing her misty hands. You mustn’t ignore me, Micaela. You must come with me.

Stop, I won’t go with you! I hate that I can never see her face clearly. Why won’t she leave me alone? Wake up!

A long screech rips me from the hazy dream. My eyes fly open, and my hands grip the first thing ahead of me for balance. Seats. Plastic. Brakes hiss to a stop. A drunk old man asleep in a window seat opposite mine stirs. Where am I? The Metro-North train…that’s right. We’ve pulled into Tarrytown station. 11:28 p.m. I almost slept through my stop.

Hurrying, I stand to gather my bags, try to shake off the haunting image of the faceless woman. But her voice rings through my brain fog one last time…need to face the inevitable

She got that right.

As difficult as this is for me, I have to do it. For my mom. And my sanity.

The train doors slide open, and I stumble through them onto the platform. The sweet smell of the river mingled with cold, fresh air hits me. I’m transported six years back, waiting for my southbound train to the city, for my plane out of this forsaken place to go live with Dad in Miami. Don’t think about it, I remind myself. Just do what you came to do, then get back home.

The valley hasn’t changed much in six years. The station is still the same old cabin from when I was twelve. Boxy, old houses still sit across the street, and behind me, power lines still ruin the view of the Hudson’s palisades.

Lumbering into the station with all my stuff, I see the building is empty except for a woman using the ticket machine, in a hurry so she won’t miss the train. Her little girl has a teddy bear in the crook of one arm and a jacket in the other, all while trying to play a video game on her handheld. “Let’s go, baby.” The mother tugs her child by the elbow clutching the teddy bear. The bear drops to the ground without the girl noticing, and the two move on.

I reach down to grab it, my bags slipping off my shoulders and hitting the ground. “Ma’am.” I run over and hand the mother the little girl’s bear.

“Oh, thank you so much! She would’ve freaked.” The mom smiles at me.

The little girl takes her bear, gives me a shy glance with big brown eyes, and together, they hurry across the platform, jumping onto the train just in time.

The doors slide closed. The train slips into the night.

She almost left her bear.

The very memory I told myself to avoid at all costs comes barreling in—my last day here six years ago. The station’s honey wood paneling, the lines on my mother’s face, how she looked so worn. She’d held a tissue to her stiff lips.

Then the worst part—I’d pushed Sofia, the doll she’d made me when I was little, into her hands. “Take care of her for me,” I’d said, though I knew she wouldn’t. Just like she hadn’t taken care of me.

Her gaze had gripped me, hazel eyes welling up, burning through pain. “Selfish, like your father,” she’d said. “Go. You two deserve each other.” Then she’d turned and left.

I remember standing there shaking, not knowing what to do, what to think, whether I was making a mistake by leaving. But I needed to go. I needed a parent. Sorrow crushing me, I stepped onto the train, and when I reached my father’s arms three thousand miles later, I cried for days.

Yet, despite it all, I’m here. Because she asked me to come. Because I want to make things right with her.

Because I need closure before I can move on with my life.

I wipe my eyes with my sleeve and head outside to find Abraham Derant, my best friend from Sleepy Hollow Past. He’ll probably be the only person happy to see me back. We reconnected online recently, where I had the chance to browse through his selfies and discover that everyone now calls him “Bram,” which makes me laugh, because he always hated his name. But it suits him, too. He’s changed a lot since we were twelve—now he’s big and brawny and athletic—a fact that knots my stomach. I can’t start anything romantic with him, though. One, he’ll always be just Abraham—the boy who grew up with me at Sunnyside, the historic home in town where both our moms worked. He did always try too hard, joke too much…plus he didn’t bathe every day. So, yeah.

And two, I won’t be staying long anyway.

Get in, get out, go home.

All around me, trees rustle in the feisty October breeze. I close my eyes and take in the sounds, breathing deeply. When I reopen them, I spot headlights coming down the hill, then a car turns out of my view and heads into the adjacent parking lot. Nerves flutter in my stomach. In a minute, Abraham—Bram—will be live in front of me again after all these years.

Around the corner of the station, a car door slams shut, and heavy boots step onto the wooden walkway leading to the building. I get my friendliest smile ready. “Hey, you.”

The sound stops. No one appears. But I heard someone. I know I did. “Hello?”

With my bags, I trudge to the other side of the station where the parking lot is. There’s an old blue Eclipse, ticking as its engine cools off in the chilly night, but no Bram. Maybe I should’ve asked what car he’d be driving. I call him, but it goes straight to voicemail—Greetings, I’m being held captive by an army of Amazons. Don’t try to find me. Beep…

“Hey. I’m at the station. Call me.” I hang up, about to text him, when another text comes in from Nina, my dad’s assistant, telling me the townhouse key won’t be available until tomorrow, so I should check into a Days Inn instead.

“Ugh.” Hell no. I’ll ask Bram if I can stay with him before I stay in some cheap motel by myself.

I’m a few letters into my reply when I hear it— “Lela.” A whisper.

Nobody calls me that anymore. Only Mami—my mom. Sometimes Bram did, a long time ago. To everyone else, I’ve always been Micaela or Mica. The chill in the air deepens. I pocket my phone and hug my bags tightly to fight off the cold. Suddenly, I hear something even weirder than the whisper—the clop of a horse’s hoof.

But why would… I smirk. Sleepy Hollow, boots, horseman. Okay, I get it.

“Cut it out, I know it’s you,” I tell the emptiness. It’s a small town. In small towns, people make up their own entertainment. And Bram Derant has always been king of entertainment around here. “Where are you?”

I head to the shadowy recesses behind the station, bracing for his surprise attack, but I don’t see him. Then, in on the breeze comes mumbling near my ear. I can’t understand what it’s saying. I swallow softly. The voices are back, torturing me again. Jesus, I’ve been here less than five minutes, and already, this town is haunting me.

“Bram?” I call out, even though I know it wasn’t him.

Nothing. Just wind, crickets, and tinkling chimes from somewhere nearby.

“Fine, I’m leaving, then.” I spin and hurry across the road toward Route 9. I still know my way around and will walk to Bram’s apartment if I have to, I don’t care. I think I hear soft footsteps behind me, but when I glance over my shoulder at the army of shadows I’m leaving behind, there’s no one.

Faster up the hill, away from the riverbank, I walk in the middle of the street. Visibility is higher here, away from stalkers in bushes and other hiding places. Wow. I’m really thinking like the city girl I’ve become. No one ever gets attacked in Sleepy Hollow in real life.

The smell of lavender, my mother’s favorite, fills my senses. I stop in my tracks. Mami? My ears strain to hear. On the street, a crumpled gum wrapper rocks in the wind. Moths dance beneath the dim street lamp, and assorted pumpkins sit on front porches like families gathered in the dark, telling ghost stories.

“Come out already!” I cry aloud.

In the distance, a dog howls a sad reply.

Then, from a side street, a low voice emerges. “Micaela Burgos, as bossy as ever.”

Even in the dark, I make out his wide smile, as mischievous as the day he sat in the corner of Ms. Sanstet’s Pre-K class for putting sand in my shoes. His hair has darkened since I last saw him, short on the sides, long on top. “God, you scared me.” My hand presses against my chest. Because he startled me, or because I’m seeing him again after six years? Not sure.

“Sorry. But finally, you’re here!” He pumps his fist in the air and emerges from the shadows into the cone of light cast from a nearby lamppost. I’m hit with the full picture I can’t quite get from his pics online. Wearing jeans and a black sweater, keys in hand, Bram makes his way down the street. He’s super gorgeous with wide shoulders, over six feet tall, and sigh, this will be tough.

“Thank you, thank you. My flight got in late, then I had to wait to take the next train, and…”

His dark brown eyes soak me in underneath heavy brows. He shakes his head.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask.

“Nothing, you just…” He blinks a few times. That rascal smile.

I cock my head. “I just what?”

“You don’t look twelve anymore.” He laughs, letting out a low whistle. “Holy shit, Mica. You are one fine woman.”

I grin in spite of myself. Apparently, someone learned to flirt while I was away. “Uh, thanks.”

“You’re so welcome. And what’s this?” He gestures to my clothes and purse. His eyes land on the tag hanging from it. “MK? Code for Micaela?”

“Wow, really?” I shake my head. “Michael Kors?”

“Forgive me, Miss Burgos. I keep forgetting you’re a Miami girl now.” He glances down at his clothes. “And me in my Gap jeans and ten-dollar sweater.”

“Stop, you look fine.” Way more than fine. Hot. Pick-me-up-and-carry-me-straight-into-hell hot. But no. God, no. I can’t tell him that. I shouldn’t even think that. He’s good ol’ Abraham from back in the day, nothing more, nothing less. “You look…uh…great!” I say instead. “Just like your thousands of selfies.”

“Oh? I post too many, do I?” He clucks his tongue and makes silly duck lips. “As if you don’t post pics every day from your gleaming white mansion.”

Is that all I’m going to be while I’m here? The holes-in-her-Payless-shoes-turned-rich-girl? “Not a mansion. Just a house.”

“It’s nicer than where I live.” He raises an eyebrow, the funny-faced kid I remember poking through.

Ugh,I should’ve left the bag at home. Then again, it feels strangely satisfying being able to show that we’ve come such a long way. “Anyway…” I try not to feel his resentful jab. “Come help me with these bags already.”

His eyes chastise me.

“Please?”

“Hmm, I was waiting for the magic word.” Bram grabs my bags out of my tired hands, but instead of carrying them off to his car, he places them at his feet. Suddenly, his arms are enveloping me, my cheek against his broad chest. Bone-crushing, heartbeat-skipping, a nice…really nice hug. And hey, how about that? He bathes now.

God, he smells good. Like the woods by my old house after an autumn storm.

Still, it takes me a moment to melt into him. I’ve pushed this corner of the world out of my mind for so long, tried forgetting the pain, that I almost can’t give in. But some things are worth remembering. I allow my arms to wrap around him and lean into his solid body.

“There you go,” he whispers. Do not cry, I tell myself. Do not. “Sorry, Mica.”

“No, don’t. I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Okay.” His clean scent is laced with underlying familiarity. Another memory—us at Kingsland Point Park, by the lighthouse, the day I left. He’d told me he loved me, a pretty bold move for a twelve-year-old. It shocked me at the time. I’d pushed him away gently, not ready to feel that way, but now…

I pull back, reeling, pressing my sleeve against my eyes. “Were you the one sneaking around back there, scaring the crap out of me?”

“Me? I sneak not.” He lifts my bags again and hoists them onto his new muscle-man shoulders.

“Over there?” I point toward the station. “You weren’t going, Lellaaaa?”

“Nope, I just got here. They close the pickup/drop-off area after eleven, so I parked over there.” He points down a street. “Voices still torturing you, Mica?”

He always loved teasing me about my peculiar “talent.” I guess he still doesn’t believe I can hear them, whoever they belong to. “You’re in a blue Eclipse?”

“Black Accord. Mom’s old car. Everything okay?”

Black Accord? But then…who was walking around? I could’ve sworn… I rub my eyes and suck in a deep breath. After the sleepless nights I’ve had over the last month, it’s not hard to believe I might’ve imagined it all. “Fine. I’m just exhausted. Hey, is it okay if I stay with you tonight? Change of plans. My townhouse key isn’t ready for pickup.”

“Of course, Princess, you know you can. You’ll get to see our amazing palace. Let’s get thee off to bed! Your chariot awaits.” He struts off toward his car.

Princess. I say nothing about his new nickname for me, but he knows he’s hit a nerve.

He cocks an eyebrow back at me. “It was just a joke, Mica. I know you can take the girl out of Sleepy Hollow but not Sleepy Hollow out of the girl. Face it. This town is, and always will be, your home.” He pops the trunk and tosses my heavy bags inside like they’re filled with nothing but feathers. Then he rounds the car to open the passenger door for me. Before I have the chance to sit down, he kisses my cheek. “So welcome home.”

I give him a half smile then stare out at the quiet, sleeping town. Home. I don’t have the heart to tell him I stopped thinking of this place as home a long time ago. But if anyone can make me think of Sleepy Hollow that way again, it’d be Bram.

Especially now that Mami is dead.

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The Tour:

August 29th

PBC – Promo Post

Never Too Many To Read – Review

August 30th

Kimber Leigh Writes – Guest Post

Book Wish – Review

August 31st

A Literary Potion – Review

YaReads – Author Interview

September 1st

A Leisure Moment – Character Interview

Books,Dreams,Life – Promo Post

September 2nd

The Book Beacon – Review

The Hermit Librarian – Review

September 3rd

Literary Meanderings – Promo Post

Ginger Night Owl – Review

September 4th

Bookish Escapes – Review

Pandora’s Books – Promo Post

September 5th

Daydreaming Books – Review

Roxy’s Book Reviews – Promo Post

September 6th

Smart Girls in the YA Stacks – Review

Reader Girls – Review

The Book Cellar – Promo Post

September 7th

The Phantom Paragrapher – Review

Just One More Chapter – Promo Post

Book Lovers Life – Promo Post

September 8th

RoloPoloBookBlog – Promo Post

Bookish Wanderlove – Review

September 9th

With Love For Books – Review

Elizabeth Delana Rosa – Promo Post

Read Love Blog – Review

Folded Corners and Smudged Screens

September 10th

The Broke Book Bank – Review

Angel Erin’s Book Obsession – Review

September 11th

books are love – Review

Dana’s YA Bookpile – Guest Post

Interview Rewind….King of Darkness by Elisabeth Staab

Some of you may know this already, but I wrote reviews and other fun things on a different blog before Read-Love-Blog.  After a great run of things, my blog partners and I decided to pursue different interests, and that led me here, on my very own site.

So, I have some old posts that I haven’t posted here yet. Today I have my fun interview with the characters from the King of Darkness by Elisabeth Staab….enjoy!

king of darkness cover

Book links:

Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble   ~  Goodreads

My mini review:

What a great book!!

I loved that the characters strayed from the traits that have become the norm these days.

Thad wasn’t the typical over-confident alpha male. He was vulnerable and admitted his short comings and I liked to see that he didn’t always have the answers.

Isabel also wasn’t the typical instantly smitten heroine. She was reluctant and used her head at times and questioned what she really wanted.

I really appreciated a different type of enemy, wizards, and am eagerly awaiting the next installment of the series. This was a great beginning to a series that I hope to see for years to come!

Thank you, Ms. Staab, for a fantastic read!!

 

Interview:

I recently had the honor of sitting down with my friends, and newly mated royal couple, Thad and Isabel Morgan.  I spent a wonderful evening visiting them at their home in Virginia.  They were kind enough to indulge me in answering a few questions….enjoy!!

Gah, where to begin!? I have to say, I was so nervous for you two toward the end of the story…I didn’t know which one of you to scream at! Please tell me that you make sure never to leave things left unsaid ever again.

*Thad leans forward, taking hold of Isabel’s hand.* You know, Jillian–may I call you Jillian? It’s been a real trial by fire, if you’ll pardon the phrase. Isabel and I, we’re still learning to fit into new roles. Still, the one thing we’re promised each other is open and honest communication. So much went wrong because we each tried to decide what was best for the other. We hope we’ve learned from that.

All right, let’s get down to the nitty gritty, shall we?

*Isabel rubs her hands together.* Oh, I do love the nitty gritty stuff! *Thad elbows her gently, and she laughs and shakes her head. A glint of light makes her good eye sparkle with mishief.* Poor guy. He doesn’t know what to do with me sometimes, I think.

*Thad laughs and pulls Isabel in for a quick kiss.* No comment, he murmurs.

Isabel, how are you feeling? Have you picked out any names yet? Jillian is a fabulous girl’s name….just sayin’

Oh, it’s lovely! I’ll have to remember that. You know I have to be honest, it’s so early still that every time I think about all the little decisions, it’s like I have bats flying around in my chest or something. Do you know what I mean? I just…gosh, you know one minute life’s rolling along and you think you’ve got a handle on things, next thing you know a sexy king sweeps you off you’re feet and he’s gone and knocked you up and you’ve taken up KNITTING for crying out loud. It’s all totally insane.

Thad, how are you settling in to your new role as King?

Speaking of insane… *Thad shakes his head.* I’m kidding of course. I wouldn’t trade it, but I feel an awesome pressure to be the kind of king of my father was. We’re facing threats today that are even greater than before. Some I can’t even speak about yet. I hope to serve our race well.

*Isabel bumps her forehead against Thad’s* Of course you will.

*Thad smiles slightly.* I’ve got you now. How can I fail?

*She rolls her eyes at him.* You’re so sappy sometimes. But I love it. *They kiss again, and a little steam rises from the place where their hands touch.*

I must say, you have one hell of an amazing Queen at your side…speaking of which, Isabel, are you still helping settle all of those “important issues”? I loved how you handled the “puppy scandal” 😉

Oh Lord, speaking of trial by fire! I was so out of my element! I just knew Thad shouldn’t have to deal with those problems, you know? It turned out some of them were so easy to fix, so yeah, that’s what I do now. It frees up Thad to deal with some of the bigger issues and gives me a chance to meet folks so I’m not sitting around being pregnant all the time. *She leans forward to whisper* Now that I’m not sick anymore, you wouldn’t believe how fast I can suck down a bag of Goldfish crackers. It’s embarrassing!

Did you two come up with any cool parlor tricks you can do when you mingle your powers?  Just think, if the whole ruling thing doesn’t work out, you can open up a spa with special steam treatments!

*Thad gets a little squirmy and starts cracking his neck.* *Isabel laughs.* It’s uh, mostly when we make love that our powers mingle. Which is whenever Thad’s not busy with meetings or the soldiers or whatever, because right now my pregnancy hormones are off the hook if you know what I mean. The closet doors in our bedroom are all starting to stick from the steam!

How is Alexia doing? Is she ready to be an “aunt”?

*Isabel nods, gaze trained on the ceiling like she’s thinking hard about something.* She’s good. She’s… Let’s just say it’s an adjustment for all of us, moving to the estate. Alexia’s gone from living in the human world with just me, to being the only human in a vampire world. She’s excited though, about the baby. We all are.

I know it’s probably top secret but have you heard anything from Lee or Tyra? I know you both must be worried.

*They both shake their heads sadly, but it’s Thad who answers.* Every night, I’ve got guys out looking. It’s killing me not to be out there too. My place is with Isabel, but it’s real fucking hard, the waiting. Having to sit on my hands. We really hope there’s word soon.

Ok, now some fun for you both… The first word that pops in your head when you read these names/words:

*Thad seems reserved after the last question, so it’s Isabel who takes the “Lightning Round”*

Alexiafun!

Krispy Kreme – yum!  

Siddohbig! stacked! hot! *Thad shoots her a look.* What? I’m mated, not dead. *Siddoh, who’s been standing guard by the door, smiles quietly and buffs his nails against his jacket.*

BeaujolaisOh, my favorite. I don’t get to drink anymore while I’m pregnant. *She rubs a palm against Thad’s cheek.* Gotta find other ways to fill my time…

Baby*Suddenly, Isabel seems weirdly panicked.* Holy shit, Thad! We don’t have a crib yet. We need a place for the baby to sleep! *Thad runs a hand through her hair, whispering quietly with a resigned look like this has happened before.* Seven months, he says. Remember? We have plenty of time. *Isabel jumps up, looking anxious.* Wal-Mart’s still open, right? We could go get one right now. And a soft pretzel. I love those things. *Suddenly she’s tugging him toward the door. *Thad looks apologetically at Jillian.* I’m sorry, she keeps doing this. Midwife says it’s normal. *This time his wide grin shows a charming hint of fang.* Truthfully, it keeps things interesting. *He smiles at Isabel, already waiting with Siddoh by the door.* Okay, Izzy. Wal-mart. *He turns to Jillian.*  

Pecans –  *And by the way, I rather enjoy Pecans, but make my tongue swell.*

 Thank you both for taking the time to sit and chat! I hope to keep on touch and I’ll be sure to let you know of any wizard sightings…..

Your loyalty is appreciated, Thad calls over his shoulder. *Siddoh winks and smiles at Jillian before escorting the royal couple out.*

 

About the author:

esElisabeth Staab still lives with her nose in a book and at least one foot in an imaginary world. She believes that all kinds of safe and sane love should be celebrated but she adores the fantasy-filled realm of paranormal romance the best. She lives in the Washington DC area

with her family and one big scaredy cat, where she loves to spend time with good friends, go dancing, collect wacky coffee mugs from which to drink her favorite beverage, and sing off-key in her kitchen (when she isn’t making characters fall in love, that is).

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads 

 

Review Rewind….Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia

So….some of you may know this already, but I wrote reviews on a different blog before Read-Love-Blog.  After a great run of things, my blog partners and I decided to pursue different interests, and that led me here, on my very own site.

Well, I have some old reviews that I haven’t posted here yet.  Tonight, on the eve of some very exciting things from Debra Anastasia, I am reposting my review of her book, Poughkeepsie.  I loved this book so very much….so much, I have the tattoo.  (I will post a pic for you guys at the bottoms of the review)  Anyway, enough of my blabbing…enjoy my review and stay tuned for the fun from Debra tomorrow!

Poughkeepsie cover

Book links:

Amazon  ~  Goodreads  ~  Barnes & Noble 

Synopsis:

He counts her smiles every day and night at the train station. And morning and evening, the beautiful commuter acknowledges him—just like she does everyone else on the platform. But Blake Hartt is not like the others . . . he’s homeless. Memories of a broken childhood have robbed him of peace and twisted delusions into his soul. He stays secluded from the sun, sure the world would run from him in the harsh light of day.

Each day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as nothing special, just like her. She’s the same as a million other girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture as if it were air to breathe.

When the moment comes that Livia must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to defend the homeless man. And she’s surprised to discover an inexplicable connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens something in each of them. But it’s not long before their bond must prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their love and their lives.

Blake’s heart beats for Livia’s, even if her hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love never fails, right?

In an interwoven tale of unlikely loves and relationships forged by fire, Debra Anastasia takes readers into the darkest corners of human existence, only to show them the radiant power of pure adoration and true sacrifice. Complicated families and confused souls find their way to light in this novel, which manages to be racy, profane, funny, and reverent all at once.

 

My Review:

There are very few times that I stray from my favorite genre of paranormal romance. I read different reviews from different sites and blogs and have come across stories that I have high hopes for only to be, let’s say, underwhelmed by. This is NOT one of those stories……

I started this book and was hooked by the third page. No, not hooked…more like obsessed, in love, heartbroken, well, you get the picture.

We begin by meeting Blake and Livia. Blake is a young man who sits every day at the Poughkeepsie train station and waits to see Livia, a grad student and train passenger, who gives Blake his daily dose of sunshine in life…..her smile. Blake is a kind, soft-spoken, extremely polite and well-mannered and is also homeless. Livia is sweet and caring and feisty when she is backed up against a wall….and she will certainly be put to the test during this book.

They begin a friendship that introduces us to their lives and families where each character is developed so well that I feel as if I can go down the street and have a cup of coffee with them.

Blake has two foster brothers, Beckett and Cole. The three boys have endured so many awful hardships in life and your heart will break a million times over before the end of this book. Beckett is a real tough ass with a heart of gold. He lives his life completely on the wrong side of the law but loves his brothers so purely and unconditionally that you can’t help but love him, no matter how terrible his faults are. Cole is working to be a priest and has a hard time overlooking Beckett’s “line of work” but again, you just can’t help but love Beckett! Each brother’s story is told throughout the book and each brother’s story will rip your heart out. But in the end, they will all have their own turn at a happy ending….you will just have to trust me! I am so not going to give any of it away.

We also meet Kyle, Livia sister. Three words…I LOVE KYLE. She is hilarious and fun and fiercely loyal to her sister and totally someone you’d love to be friends with. She is also a complete emotional mess. Her story is one of personal loss and overcoming the loss to learn to live….and love.

There is also Eve, Mouse and Livia and Kyle’s dad who are also amazing characters. Perfectly flawed in their own ways.

I will also tell you we meet some, let’s say “unsavory”, people who you will loathe as the story unfolds……but luckily karma always wins in the end.

I loved every minute of this book. For every tear I shed, there was a total laugh out loud moment that followed. This book was everything I love about books. I felt every emotion the characters felt and I pictured every scene in my mind so completely that I felt as if I was there with them. I texted all my reading friends and MADE them get this book and start reading it….and I wasn’t even halfway into the book myself! I thank you, Debra, for writing this book.

My only complaint? There should be a warning label on the cover: You will need a box of tissues, anti-puffy eye cream and a babysitter for your kids….. because they will be on their own till you’re finished reading!!

5LovesRLBFive Loves

 

My Poughkeepsie tattoo:

PoughkeepsieTatt

 

 

 

 

About the author:

Debra Anastasia is busy, just like every other mom. There’s dinner, the dogs, the kids, and their homework. The laundry pile turns into a big, heaping monster. When the clothes finally make it into the washer, it gets unbalanced and puts on an elaborate show before it cuts out. This crazy job that never ends is her first love and her crowning achievement.

Her writing started a decent handful of years ago when along with the dogs, cat, kids, and husband, the voices of characters started whispering stories in Debra’s ear. Insomnia was the gateway for the plots that wouldn’t give up, wouldn’t let go. In the shower, a twist would take hold and–dripping and frenzied–she’d find somewhere, anywhere to write it down.

Debra grew up in New York and got a bachelor’s degree in political science at SUNY New Paltz. At the start of her marriage, she moved to southern Maryland with her husband. She still doesn’t trust crabs and all their legs, though everyone else in her family thinks they’re delicious. Her favorite hobbies include knitting, painting furniture and wall murals, and slapping clowns.

Omnific Publishing published her debut novel, Crushed Seraphim, and the sequel to angel Emma’s adventures,Bittersweet Seraphim. She’s working on Return to Poughkeepsie right now to be released in late 2013. You can visit her website at DebraAnastasia.com and find her on twitter @Debra_Anastasia.