Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway: The Darkest Part by Trisha Wolfe

Welcome to my stop on The Darkest Part blog tour hosted by YA Bound Book Tours.  Click HERE to see the full blog tour schedule!

Title: The Darkest Part by Trisha Wolfe 

Published: August 6th, 2013

Source: Provided by author for review

Format: eBook

Group age: New adult / adult

Genre: Contemporary romance

Grade rate: B

Pressing the boundaries of both the psyche and the heart, Sam and Holden embark on a dangerous journey that will test the limits of love.
Sam Wintry’s life used to be almost perfect. She was engaged to her childhood best friend and high school sweetheart, Tyler Marks, planning an amazing cross-country honeymoon during her college break. But after a hit-and-run leaves her in ruin, she begins seeing Tyler’s fractured, ghostly presence, and her family believes she’s losing her mind. Not until she completes their journey, stopping along the way to scatter Tyler's remains, will Tyler be able cross over. Only...is Sam ready for him to leave her?
When the black sheep of the Marks' family, Holden Marks, returns to check on Tyler's case, Sam convinces him to give her his brother's ashes. Despite their shaky history, she needs him...plus, he owes it to Sam and his brother. What she doesn’t count on is Holden’s relentlessness to go on the trip.
On the road, Holden realizes just how unhinged Sam has become. Dealing with her psychosis forces him to confront his dark past, making it harder to keep secrets hidden that should remain buried. Especially from Sam, the only woman he’s ever loved. And as Sam starts to unravel the truth, she begins to question if the brother she's unwillingly falling for again is in an even darker place than her.

Find it Here: Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│Kobo│iTunes

My Review

When I read the synopsis for this book I thought I was embarking in a great ghost story.  Instead I found myself reading of love, loss, heartbreak and redemption.  It was indeed a great read.

The beginning of The Darkest Part finds Sam in very bad shape, both physically and emotionally, dealing with the aftermath of Tyler’s death months prior.  She has not find a way to more on and still hangs on to Tyler and their planned future together.  She has pushed everyone out and rejected everyone’s help, and lives hanging on with both hands to his memories.  Enter Holden, Tyler’s older brother, which shares a past with Sam and a very painful one with Tyler. 

Sam and Holden are both artists, volatile and dealing with loss in different ways. The reason that I didn’t give the book an A is due to Sam’s whining.  Yes, I know that she had been through a lot, but all the back and forth going on in her mind was aggravating.  I would have read Tyler’s diary in one sitting and get it over with.  A lot of angst could have been saved.

The plot is complicated by the Mark’s brothers past and their insistence of keeping it hidden.  I didn’t expect the ending thus it was well executed.  I always like to read about road trips and this one is momentous for Sam and Holden.  They find a lot about themselves, about the past and about each other. The characterization is well executed and the writing is flawless.

I am glad that Sam came to the realization that she needed help, that true love can be experienced more than once in a lifetime and that it was okay to let go.  I am likely glad that Holden came clean and found a way to deal with his demons and let his true self come through.

Overall, The Darkest Part is a very good addition to the New Adult genre.  I really enjoy the story and also the ending.  Please be aware that there is a lot of language, sexual references, use of substances, and explicit sex scenes; definitely for the older reader.

About the cover: I really like this cover.  I life the subtle contrast of colors, the play on the dark and light theme and how the tree (every significant throughout) is portrait in the font. 

About the Author

I’m the author of the YA Steampunk DESTINY'S FIRE (Omnific Publishing), ASTARTE'S WRATH NA Historical/Supernatural, and the upcoming YA Utopian FIREBLOOD from Spencer Hill Press, October 2013. My NA Dark Fantasy OF SILVER AND BEASTS available May 2013.

I’m the creator of YA Bound, a promotional site for the Young Adult genre. Also a member of SCWW and The Apocalypsies.

A proud business owner, I'm partnered with my partner, my husband. When I’m not busy doing all of the above, I’m a wife and the mother of a gorgeous teen boy who's the sounding board for my male characters.

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook│Tumblr│YouTube│Pinterest

Giveaway

1- $25 Gift Card to Amazon, B&N, Paypal or iTunes (INT)

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of YA Bound Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by YA Bound, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Stacking the Shelves #56

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which we feature all the book goodness that we received, borrowed or purchased during the previous week. All links are to Goodreads.

Hello gorgeous people!  This is two weeks worth of books for me (not much though).  I have an eventfull past two weeks: I had a birthday, a long holiday weekend, we are car shopping (no purchase yet), and school started for the kids.  

Purchased (or Free) for Kindle

Buried Secrets by Emme Rollins - I think this one came by to me from a Goodreads recommendation.

You Are Mine by Janeal Falor - I participated in a promotion for this book several weeks ago and it seems really interesting; I also like the cover a lot.

Purchased Books

Origin by Jennifer Armentrout - No explanation needed, right?

Flesh and Bone by Jonathan Maberry - This is book #3 of the Benny Imura series and I need to get caught up soon.

Library

The Symptoms of My Insanity by Mindy Raf - Seems like a fun read.

The Raft S.A. Bodeen - On the other hand this one looks very intense.

Review

The Darkest Part by Trisha Wolf - Received this book for a blog tour, coming soon.  I participated in the cover reveal and I can't wait to read it.

Extrated by Sherry D. Ficklin and Tyler H. Jolley - This book is about time travel and it looks really interesting. Thank you to Spencer Hill. 

My Date from Hell by Tellulah Darling - I received this book from the author, I really enjoyed the first book of the series, My Ex from Hell and this is the next book of the series. Thanks!

Gift

Just One Day by Gayle Forman - My oldest son, "A", got me this book for my BDay.  I read it already and it is one of the best books I've read so far this year.  Love it! The paperback cover is so pretty too :)

That's it for my!  What's stacking your shelves this week?

Book Blitz and Giveaway: Of Silver and Beasts by Trisha Wolfe

***Excerpt***

“What’s your rank, baby blue eyes?” the guy asks, pushing off his cot and stalking toward the prince. Everything in me screams to act, but I don’t want to declare alliances this early on. Not without understanding the dynamic of placements and bonds already formed among these people. But I’ll not let this hulk of a man harm the prince. I brace my heel against the wall, ready to push off and lunge. Prince Caben rises to his feet, slowly turning to face him. He straightens his spine, squaring his shoulders. “I don’t have one. And my name is Payne. Not ‘baby blue eyes’, meathead.” Big guy laughs, his husky voice bounces off the rock walls. “I’m Crew”—he beats his chest hard once, like a barbarian—“and I’ve won three fights. I’ll win the next two and be the one awarded the freedom ring.” He leans down toward Prince Caben, leveling their faces. “So don’t even think about you or your princess over there walking out of here. I’m ranked as a Colossal. The strongest Colossal in Bax’s league.” Princess? I nearly scoff. Then I realize what the problem with Crew is: he feels threatened by Prince Caben. That revelation almost makes me laugh out right. What does a big stack of muscles like Crew have to fear from the prince? The other prisons slowly circle around the stand-off in the center of the cell. Tension thickens the musty air. It coils around my spine, tightening my muscles. If I allow the fight to continue without interruption, will the guards stop it? They’d want their fighters in pristine shape, wouldn’t they? Prince Caben doesn’t back away from Crew. Instead, he moves into his space. I roll my eyes. Stupid, conceited man. “Freedom ring?” the prince questions. “As in, there’s a chance to leave?” He rubs his chin, and I notice the dark shadow of facial hair that has darkened his features overnight. “Is there a season that has to be won, or can someone gain five wins during their entire imprisonment?” Crew’s eyebrows pinch together. He’s clearly despondent that he hasn’t succeeded in intimidating the prince. “We’re in a season right now, you weakling. If you don’t win—you’re dead. Which by the looks of you, will happen in your first match.” Prince Caben nods, as if he’s simply piecing together a jigsaw puzzle and not being told of his demise. “What is the cuff for?” He points to the iron clamp around Crew’s wrist. “It’s our biometric monitor.” Crew shoves the cuff up close to the prince’s face. “See those three blue lights? Those are my wins. When the fifth lights up, I’m outta’ here.” “Has anyone ever won the freedom ring before?” Prince Caben asks. Crew’s massive arms tremble. “No,” he grinds out. “But I will.” He cocks his cuffed hand back, then sends a blow to Prince Caben’s chin. Hell. I’m up and racing across the cell before the prince hits the ground. Crew spots me from his peripheral. He turns and swipes the air. I duck, roll, and come up behind him. I jump on the cot and leap onto his back. “You squirrely little ...” he mumbles, trying to reach over his shoulders to get a hold on me. Tightening my arms around his thick neck, I squeeze. He gasps for air, and rams my back into the wall. I wheeze as the air whooshes from my lungs, pain splintering through my already bruised chest. But I hold tight, bearing down harder, and cut off his supply of oxygen. Finally, I feel Crew weaken beneath my hold. He drops to his knees, and I only release him once I’m sure he’s knocked out. Stepping around the now limp Crew, I glance at all the wide eyes studying me, and meet the prince’s. Fury ignites his stormy blue irises. He picks himself off the floor and heads toward one of the side chambers, throwing the tattered material aside as he stalks inside. I follow after him. When I step inside the tiny, dank room, my eyes trail Prince Caben as he paces. He reaches each side of the small chamber with three quick strides. Back and forth. On his third round, I open my mouth and get out a single syllable before he holds up a hand, halting me. He drives his hand through his dark hair. “Thank you for making me look like a spineless jerk.” He shakes his head and faces me. Taken aback, I say, “This is my duty to protect—” “No. In your country it was your duty to guard me. In my world and here”—he opens his arms wide—“a man fights his own battles. He does not depend on a woman to fight them for him. You just disgraced me.” Fire simmers in my core. “I’m still assigned as your protector no matter what realm we inhabit, Your High—” I stop myself before addressing him by title out of habit. “Your pride is polluting your reasoning.” He laughs. “Yes, well. Thanks to your show out there, I no longer have my pride to worry about.”

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Buy Of Silver and Beasts for only $2.99: 
 

***GIVEAWAY***

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Book Blitz organized by:

In My Mailbox #22

IMM is a weekly meme inspired by Alea at the Pop Culture Junkie and hosted by the wonderful Kristi at The Story Siren.  All links are to Goodreads

From the Library

The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson - I am dying to read the sequel to The Adoration of Jenna Fox as I it was a thought provoking book.


Bunheads by Sophie Flack - Isn't this a gorgeous cover?  Sound really good too.


Green Angel by Alice Hoffman - I remember seeing this book around in a few blog a while ago and I picked it up when I saw it in the library.

Kindle

Unveiled by Trisha Wolfe - I saw a review for this novelette in a blog this week (sorry I can't remember who you are!) and it sounded really good.  It is free in Amazon now.

For Review

Feyland: The Dark Realm by Anthea Sharp - I am very excited about this book.  Come back to Reading with ABC in December 19th for a guest post by Ms. Sharp and a giveaway of Feyland (eBook).

What is in your mailbox this week?