Thursday, May 17, 2012

Crossroads by Mary Ting ~ Tour stop + GIVEAWAY


I'm very happy to be part of the Crossroads Saga book tour.  Today, I have an excerpt, my review of Crossroads and a giveaway for you.  First up, the excerpt.




Next up, is my review.

Source:  Received eBook version from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Summary from Goodreads:

Claudia Emerson has a good friend who shares the same first name and last name. That friend unfortunately dies in a tragic accident during homecoming dance. Claudia is distraught at the loss of her friend, but is even more disturbed by her dreams, which seem to take her to another place called Crossroads. Unknown to her, Crossroads is like a second heaven, a place between heaven and earth. It is where the souls of humans in comas or near death experiences may wander. Where, Claudia meets Michael, a nephilim, a half angel, half human, whom she often meets in her dreams. It turns out that this isn’t her first visit to Crossroads, which is an enigma for no human can ever travel there until Claudia.

Now the fallen and demons are after her, suspecting she must be special and it is up to Michael and the other nephilims to protect her. Her dream becomes a nightmare as more secrets are revealed, about who she really is, and the true identities of the people she loves most. Can Michael fight his growing feelings for Claudia and protect her as a guardian angel should?


My thoughts:




3 stars - A sweet story of forbidden love

Michael has loved Claudia her whole life even though she only just met him. He has watched her from afar and perhaps that's the reason her connection to him develops quickly.  The two are hopelessly in love and yet completely out of each others reach.  This is clearly a forbidden love story but it seems more out of reach than most.  It had me wondering and hoping for ways to fix things for the two of them.

Michael was an interesting puzzle I enjoyed trying to figure out in this book.  At first, he is angry and distant. But it becomes clear as the book goes on why that's the case.  Then I just wanted to fix things for him.  I really enjoyed his lovesick personality.  Clearly, he knew he couldn't have Claudia but he also couldn't resist her.  I really wanted to help him.

I struggled more with Claudia.  Her voice just didn't sound like a teenager to me.  I've never met a teenager quite like her.  She is very grown-up in her language and her concerns.  I wanted her to be more flawed - not in a make mistakes kind of way - but not always thinking of others and what she should be doing.  I wanted her to be more of a teenager. 

I really enjoyed some of the supporting characters.  Patty is so funny.  Davin is flirty and fun.  Their interactions with the leading characters added a lot to the story and kept me reading.

The weave of hints was enough for me to guess most things coming but watching it unfold was still fun.  Sweet and satisfying, the story has some unique angel lore.  That fresh aspect of the book really appealed to me.  During those parts of the story, I was totally captivated.  It's a great read for the angel lovers out there.







Check out the Goodreads link to find a giveaway for Crossroads.


Crossroads (Crossroads Saga, #1)

The sequel to this book is Between and it came out in January. Here's the deets on that book.

Summary from Goodreads:  As the alkins head back to Crossroads, Claudia leads her normal life; but not for long. Having a special soul, Claudia attracts danger, and she soon finds out who Gamma asked to watch over her. The Twelve, known as Divine Elders on Earth, are very much involved when they find out that Aliah, one of the God’s first angels, escaped from the Abyss when the gates were opened by Aden. Needing Claudia’s soul to escape the only place Aliah can reside–a place between Heaven and Earth–he sends his demons in search of all Claudia Emersons on Earth. Taking her soul will enable him to be released from Between and cross over to Crossroads, which would give him immense power. As more secrets are revealed Claudia learns about the venators—nephilim, demon hunters. Now two opposing forces must work together in order to save Claudia and humanity from the most dangerous angel ever created. But along the way, trust becomes a big issue. Will love be enough to keep Claudia and Michael together? Who will make the ultimate sacrifice? Who will betray them all?
There is also a Goodreads giveaway for this book as well.  Check that out here.
 
 
 
Thanks to Mary, I have a signed copy of Between to give away to one of you lovely peeps!  Fill out the rafflecopter below.  This on is US and Canada only guys.
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

3 comments:

  1. This sounds pretty good. Rafflecopter is being temperamental with me, so I'll come back tomorrow.

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  2. Hmm. This doesn't sound like the sort of thing I would necessarily read, but interesting nonetheless. Right now, I'm trying to take a break from the dystopia/paranormal romance and focus more on contemporary, especially as the last few paranormal romances really bored/disappointed me and most of the angel books I've read have been deeply disappointing. But I'm glad you liked it! Great review.

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