REVIEW: Sparrow by Sara Mack

Purchase Link:  AMAZON

Book Summary

When Kyle Dayton was seventeen, he lost his heart to Addison Parks.

It was easy to do. After spending countless summers of boredom with his grandmother at Buhl Lake, Kyle’s world turned upside down the minute Addison appeared. She was unlike any girl he had ever met; she was confident, out-going, and honest. She was beautiful inside and out, and she accepted Kyle for who he was ~ a young man without direction. They shared an amazing summer and, despite living miles apart, Kyle felt sure they had a future.

Until she vanished without a trace.

Where did she go? How could she disappear without saying a word? Was everything between them a lie? Unable to answer his own questions, Kyle had no choice other than to bury his memories and move on with his life. Eight years later, his hard work to forget is threatened when he is forced to return to Buhl Lake. Faced with reminders of Addison, Kyle wonders if he will ever discover the truth.

Little does he know it is about to be revealed.

Sparrow is the story of finding love, losing it, and the uncertain journey to reclaiming it again.

*Due to language and suggestive scenes, Sparrow is recommended for ages 17+

First thank you to Sara Mack for providing an ARC of sparrow to read and review.

Sparrow tells the love story of Kyle and Addison. After meeting at the lake when they were sixteen both feel a connection that transcends time. But after a lovely summer together everything ends abruptly. Kyle's world is turned upside down and he lives his life wondering what happened with Addison. 

Years later when Kyle and Addison are brought together by certain circumstances, Kyle is adamant to get the answers to the questions he has had for a long time. When those questions are answered and a friendship is formed the story takes a turn. What starts as a friendship turns into so much more and eventually they must face reality. As adults they have to face the reality of the screwed up situation they are in and the fire they are playing with. 

As an avid fan of Sara, I wish I could rate this higher and say that I obsessed over Kyle and Addison's story. Sadly, I cannot. I thought their story was sweet. They fell in love and never fell out of it. They had a few "bumps" in the road but those were solved pretty neatly. My issue wasn't with the story itself but with the disconnect with the characters. I didn't feel any connection to Kyle or Addison and wasn't immersed in their story like I wish I could have been. 

Surprisingly,  I found myself more interested in the secondary characters lives, then in the protags. I think Sara did a wonderful job of providing a little background for her secondary characters in the book. I was particularly interested in Jen and look forward to maybe reading more about her.

Overall,  Sparrow was a good read. Although I'm rating this 3 stars,  I would recommend this book to anyone that wants a sweet and light read.

Also, if you haven't checked out Sara's Guardian series, I recommend you do.  

HAPPY READING!

~REVIEW~ Reborn by Sara Mack

Synopsis

You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.


When Emma Donohue wakes to find her world turned upside down, she wants nothing more than to return to the life she knew. To a life filled with a loving family, close friends, and college classes. To a normal life that didn’t involve the supernatural, odd bracelets, or three strangers who refuse to leave her side.

Unsure of what truly happened during The Allegiant’s attack, Emma tries to reconcile her past with her growing feelings for James, Garrett, and Dane. They remain steadfast in her protection, awaiting the arrival of the only people who hold the answers.

The Larvatus.

When Madeline and Ash appear, the revelations they bring not only rock Emma’s world, but everyone she touches. Her mind is twisted, caught up in new abilities and new desires. Her old self forgotten, she has never been more scared. She has never been more confused.

She has never been more empowered.

You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.
But, sometimes, the absence leaves space for something better.

ADD TO GOODREADS

~MY REVIEW~

Reborn is the third and final installment in the Guardian Trilogy!

In this installment we pick up right where we left off. Emma is now trying to get back to the life she left behind and come to terms with her new "gift". But with most of her memories gone things aren't so easy. Especially when two boys are in love with you and you can't remember anything about them.

First there is Dane that hasn't left her side since being on the island. He takes care of her and makes her laugh. His attention drives her crazy but his kisses and his personality engulfs her with happiness. But she can't remember loving him. 

There is also James. Who everyone tells her was the love of her life. And although she doesn't remember Emma knows that he is someone very spcial to her. 

And if that isn't enough Emma must now face the next step in her life. She is Charmed and part of The Lavartus. The moment someone close to her is taken away she must learn to harness her knew "gifts" and fight to rescue and protect her loved ones.

Reborn is filled with wonderful moments as well as those that will make you tear up. The plus being that for a "Team Dane" fan this book gives us what we have always wanted. MORE DANE. The scenes between Emma and he are so cute and made me smile throughout. Since the beginning he has been patient with her and has given her the choice. His devotion and love for Emma is what made me adore his character.

For you "Team James" fans do not worry because they also have their moments as well. James and Emma learn to become comfortable around each other and to work together to bring back their friends.

We also meet new characters in Reborn and old ones turn up again! One being Garrett, who I as well as many others have come to adore. He was still his wonderful self and I will definitely miss reading about him the most.

And of course Emma choses her side. I wont go into that much but will say that things all work out.

So I hope you pick this up and enjoy it!

HAPPY READING!

~COVER REVEAL~ Reborn (Guardian #3) by Sara Mack

Title: Reborn (Guardian #3)

Author: Sara Mack

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: February 1, 2014

Synopsis

You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.

When Emma Donohue wakes to find her world turned upside down, she wants nothing more than to return to the life she knew.  To a life filled with a loving family, close friends, and college classes.  To a normal life that didn’t involve the supernatural, odd bracelets, or three strangers who refuse to leave her side.

Unsure of what truly happened during The Allegiant’s attack, Emma tries to reconcile her past with her growing feelings for James, Garrett, and Dane.  They remain steadfast in her protection, awaiting the arrival of the only people who hold the answers.

The Larvatus.

When Madeline and Ash appear, the revelations they bring not only rock Emma’s world, but everyone she touches.  Her mind is twisted, caught up in new abilities and new desires.  Her old self forgotten, she has never been more scared.  She has never been more confused.

She has never been more empowered.

You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.
 But, sometimes, the absence leaves space for something better.

ADD TO GOODREADS

~ BUY THE BOOKS~

Guardian (Book 1): Amazon~ Barnes and Noble

Allegiant (Book 2): Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

MESSAGE FROM SARA:

Happy Holidays Readers!  This year has been crazy-good in ways I've never imagined, mostly thanks to all of you, your support, and your love for James, Emma, and Dane.  I can't wait to share this chapter of their story with you (and neither can they!); February 1st can't get here fast enough!

As a special gift to you, here's an early look at the cover and synopsis of Reborn.  I hope you love it just as much as I do; Emma finally has a face, and she's perfect.  Of course, I'll be sharing more of Reborn in January; keep your eyes open for teasers and giveaways ;)  Until then, here's wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

~About the Author~
Sara Mack is a Michigan native who grew up with her nose in books. She is a wife and a hockey mom on top of being trapped in a windowless office forty hours a week. Her spare time is spent one-clicking on Amazon and devouring books on her Kindle, cleaning up after her kids and two elderly cats, attempting to keep her flower garden alive, and, of course, writing. She has an unnatural affinity for dark chocolate, iced tea, and bacon. Guardian is her debut novel.

Connect with Sara: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

~GIVEAWAY~GUARDIAN TRILOGY HALLOWEEN CONTEST!!

CALLING ALL CREATIVE READERS!!

Sara Mack needs your help!

The Guardian Trilogy needs an awesome book trailer and a catchy FB Page Banner!

Guardian is a ghost story. It's almost Halloween. 

Are you up to the challenge?

YES?

Enter the Guardian Halloween Contest!

Here's how:

#1 
Design your masterpiece by Friday, November 8th.  You may create a book trailer, page banner, OR both!

#2 
Email your entry to Sara at smackwrites@gmail.com.  (Let her know where you heard about the contest, too.)

#3
Sara and her beta readers will determine one book trailer winner and one FB banner winner.  If you design both items, you could win both prizes!

These prizes are so good, they're scary!

The winning book trailer creator will receive:

A signed paperback of Guardian (or Allegiant, if they prefer)

An ebook ARC copy of Reborn, the third book in The Guardian Trilogy

A $10 Amazon gift card

All three character bookmarks

The trailer posted on Sara's blog, as well as FB,

and their name splashed across everything Sara can think of!

The winning FB Page banner creator will receive:

A signed paperback of Guardian (or Allegiant, if they prefer)

A $5 Amazon gift card

All three character bookmarks

A Guardian bumper sticker

The page banner displayed on FB for a minimum of two months,

and their name splashed across everything Sara can think of!

Sound good?  Then start gettin' creative!

*This contest is sponsored by Sara Mack only

*This contest is open internationally.  If a winner is chosen from another country and prize shipping costs exceed $20 US, Sara Mack reserves the right to replace the signed paperback with an ecopy.

~BLOG TOUR: REVIEW & GIVEAWAY~ Allegiant by Sara Mack

 Book: Allegiant (The Guardian Trilogy #2)
Author: Sara Mack
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Purchase Link:Amazon

Synopsis:

Last summer, Emma discovered that true love never dies.
It can return.
It can give you hope.
It can pull you from darkness.
Until it’s ripped from you.
Again.

As her 22nd birthday approaches, Emma Donohue finds herself back at school and utterly alone. Hours away from family and friends, her solitary days are spent contemplating what never should have been. James should never have died, but he did. He should never have been assigned as her Guardian, but he was. And she should never have allowed Dane to get too close to her heart.

But she failed.

Desperate to fill her time, Emma is intrigued by her mysterious new neighbor, Garrett. She’s never met anyone quite like him before, and, curious, she attempts to discover his past. Little does she know his presence will pull her into a world she could never imagine. A world that follows an ancient doctrine. A world built on loyalty, yet plagued by secrets and lies.

A world that will threaten everything – and everyone – she loves.

Allegiant is the second story in The Guardian Trilogy. The third novel, Reborn, is complete and due to be published in February 2014.

~About the Author~

Sara Mack is a Michigan native who grew up with her nose in books. She is a wife and a hockey mom on top of being trapped in a windowless office forty hours a week. Her spare time is spent one-clicking on Amazon and devouring books on her Kindle, cleaning up after her kids and two elderly cats, attempting to keep her flower garden alive, and, of course, writing. She has an unnatural affinity for dark chocolate, iced tea, and bacon. Guardian is her debut novel.

Connect with Sara:   Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads~ Blog

~MY REVIEW~

(THANK YOU to the wonderful Sara Mack for allowing me to read an ARC of Allegiant!)

Do you know that book that will have you going from one emotion to the next in a blink of an eye? Yeah? Well that's exactly what Allegiant does. I have never gone through so many mixed emotions while reading a book. One minute I was smiling and swooning and the other I wanted to fling my Kindle to the other side of the room. That's to say that I actually enjoyed Allegiant much more than is predecessor! If I was to say everything I wanted to in this review we would be here forever so I'm going to give you the abbreviated version. Here we go!

The story starts off a couple of days after Emma has returned back to school at WMC. She is in a slightly better mental state and is enthusiastic about starting school again. Her best friend Shel is back home and Emma finds herself sad and alone.  When Garrett, her new neighbor, stumbles into her life she starts up a friendship that allows her to have some semblance of a “social” life and also someone to talk too. But no matter how much Emma tries to get back to her normal life, the disappearance of James and the animosity between Dane and she, has her in turmoil. A turmoil that actually makes her a much better character in Allegiant. She did have moments where I wanted to strangle her but I think that she also finally starts to heal from her loss and to see that she has options and a choice. 

This leads me to Dane. *sigh* I just can’t say how much I adore Dane. He has been on my BB(book boyfriend) list since Guardian and in Allegiant rises a spot up. :D  After being spurned by Emma and asked to stay away Dane does just that. He allows her to discover her feelings for him by herself. But it doesn’t mean that he stops fighting because he never does that. He settles on being her friend and hoping that one day she realizes her feelings for him are mutual. When Emma needs him the most there is never any doubt that he would care for her. Even if caring for her puts him in danger, again, Dane comes to the rescue and saves the women he loves.  And Dane does have his “I want to strangle you” moment. Just one of course. :D But I also think that that moment was also very beneficial to him in the long run because his competition is intent on not going away. 

This brings us to James... After figuring out a way to hide from The Allegiant, James returns and is determined to stay with Emma. He refuses to think of her moving on and refuses to let go of her. So they return back to their lovey dovey romance and everything is peachy for the time being. But all isn’t great in paradise because the stronger he becomes as a Guardian the harder it is to battle through jealousy, insecurity, rising danger, and new desires. 

One thing is certain, The Guardians are divided and Emma is caught in the middle of their war.
As we continue the story of these three we learn more about The Guardians and The Allegiant and just what is going on in James new world. 

We also have the addition of great secondary characters. Shel and Matt are back and are as adorable as ever! Garrett takes precedent in this book and is surprisingly a wonderful character. More Guardians are introduced and unknown characters revealed, that will wreak havoc. 

Don’t miss out on the continuation of The Guardian Trilogy! Pick up your copy NOW!

Whoosh! Okay I think that was pretty abbreviated. No? Well I tried. :D  To make up for it scroll down and enter the GIVEAWAY!!

HAPPY READING!   

~GIVEAWAY~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~VISIT THE REST OF THE STOPS ON THE TOUR~

10/6 – Tara’s Reads

10/7 - Swooning Over Books

10/9 – Stephanie’s Book Reports

10/10 – Charlotte’s Tangled Web of Books

10/11 – Jessica’s Book Reviews

10/12 - Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock

10/12- Cajun Book Lover

10/13 - The Biblio-Files: Confessions of a Book Whore

10/13- Coupon Savvy Sarah

10/13- Book Geeks Unite 

COVER REVEAL: Allegiant (Guardian # 2) by Sara Mack

Check out the cover for book 2 of the Guardian series by Sara Mack! I LOVE it!!

Book Information:

Last summer, Emma discovered that true love never dies.

It can return.

It can give you hope.

It can pull you from darkness.

Until it’s ripped from you.

Again.

As her 22nd birthday approaches, Emma Donohue finds herself back at school and utterly alone.  Hours away from family and friends, her solitary days are spent contemplating what never should have been.  James should never have died, but he did.  He should never have been assigned as her Guardian,

but he was.  And she should never have allowed Dane to get too close to her heart.

But she failed.

Desperate to fill her time, Emma is intrigued by her mysterious new neighbor, Garrett.  She’s never met anyone quite like him before, and, curious, she attempts to discover his past.  Little does she know his presence will pull her into a world she could never imagine.  A world that follows an ancient doctrine.

A world built on loyalty, yet plagued by secrets and lies.

A world that will threaten everything – and everyone – she loves.

RELEASE DATE: October 6th

About the Author:

Sara Mack is a Michigan native who grew up with her nose in books. She is a wife and a hockey mom on top of being trapped in a windowless office forty hours a week. Her spare time is spent one-clicking on Amazon and devouring books on her Kindle, cleaning up after her kids and two elderly cats, attempting to keep her flower garden alive, and, of course, writing. She has an unnatural affinity for dark chocolate, iced tea, and bacon. Guardian is her debut novel.

ADD Guardian (Book 1) to Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18132489-guardian
BUY Guardian (Book 1): Amazon~ Barnes and Noble

AND here's a look at the paperback cover!

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Guardian by Sara Mack

 

Book Information:
True love never dies.
Emma Donohue begs to differ.

When a late night accident claims the love of her life, Emma secludes herself in memories of James. In his sandy brown hair and clear blue eyes. In their innocent first kiss and declarations of love. In their plans for a life together after college. But happy dreams can’t rid her of the guilt she carries. She can’t erase her actions the night he died. She can’t erase her reaction at his funeral. And she can’t erase the hollow void that fills her chest and consumes her heart.

The first time Emma hears James’ voice, she’s astounded. It sounds as if he’s standing right beside her, and she fears her shattered heart is trying to drive her mad. But, as she continues to hear the voice, she finds comfort in it. With the help of her best friend Shel and handsome newcomer Dane, she tries to move forward and start living again.

Until the voice in her head turns out to be more. So much more.

You know what they say.
True love never dies.

MY REVIEW

(A huge THANK YOU to Sara Mack for allowing me to read and review her book!)

Guardian is the first book in a trilogy and starts off with a tragedy. Like most stories, starting off with tragedy is what encourages readers to read on. Well at least it did to me. And I must say I wasn't disappointed. 

Emma and James have always been close. Growing up best friends and then turning into lovers, they were inseparable and madly in love. When tragedy strikes Emma is left with a hollowness that cannot be filled or replaced. She drowns in depression and is content with staying locked in her room and not living her life. But then her best friend steps in and things start to look up a little. 

Shelby refuses to let Emma drown in her grief so she concocts a plan to get her out the house and keep her busy. They get jobs and hang out with old and new friends. But Shelby still doesn't reach Emma completely. She helps her forget for a little while but when Emma is alone thoughts of James consume her. Until they become more than thoughts. 

When James turns out to be  a Guardian, a protector, Emma is ecstatic with the change of circumstances and begins to live her life again. But not really. She lives for her time alone with James in her bedroom and refuses to let him leave again. Even if she can't have him in real life she would settle for just having him near.

But in real life there is Dane. Sweet, loving and funny Dane. What starts off as a friendship between the two quickly turns into much more for Dane. He really cares for Emma but knows that she will always love James and never open up to anyone else. He settles for helping her through her grief and maybe one day being able to find a place in her heart. But he's fighting against a ghost. One that refuses to leave. 

Throw into all the fried a psycho ex friend, Guardian will have you wrapped up in its pages. 

I look forward to reading on and finding out what happens. If I had one wish for future books it would be for Emma to learn to deal with reality. I know that many who read this will be okay with what transpires but to me its unhealthy and I would like to see her get better. I adore James but let's be real, he's dead. 

Anyways, what are you waiting for? Pick this up and check out Emma, James and Dane's story! Yes Dane because if you haven't noticed I totally adore him! :D

HAPPY READING!!

**GIVEAWAY**

 ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN AN ECOPY OF GUARDIAN!!
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