By Blood by Tracy E. Banghart
Published: 18th Febraury by Tracy E Banghart
Genre: Young Adult / Paranormal
Series: By Blood #1
Page Count: 368
Format: eBook
Source: Xpresso Book Tours
Synopsis: For 17-year-old Emma Wong, spending a summer in England should be a dream come true. Gorgeous scenery? Check. Lots of hot guys with accents? Yes, please.
Genre: Young Adult / Paranormal
Series: By Blood #1
Page Count: 368
Format: eBook
Source: Xpresso Book Tours
Synopsis: For 17-year-old Emma Wong, spending a summer in England should be a dream come true. Gorgeous scenery? Check. Lots of hot guys with accents? Yes, please.
Throw in an estranged mom, annoying new stepdad, and drooling baby half-brother, and it's a disaster even her favorite cherry red leather jacket can't fix. Even worse, there's (hot) live-in research assistant Josh to contend with. The only thing more embarrassing than drunk-kissing him hours after they meet? Knowing he'll be witness to her family's dysfunction all. summer. long.
But when Emma meets a mysterious girl who happens to be a Druid, her vacation suddenly promises to be far more intriguing than she anticipated. Powerful rituals, new friends, an intoxicating sense of freedom...and Simon, the sexy foreign stranger she was hoping for. It's all a perfect distraction from dirty diapers and awkward family dinners.
Trouble is, intriguing doesn't often mean simple. And Emma is about to discover just how not simple her life really is.
Review:
4.5 / 5 stars
I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of By Blood for part of a book tour hosted by Xpresso Book Tours, this will in no way effect my opinion on the book!
By Blood follows Emma Wong on her summer vacation in London, with the half of her family she isn't too fond of lately - her Mum, Vermin (baby half-brother) and Dr Mike (the new fella). Don't broken families suck? Luckily, my parents split when I was very young so whilst it probably effected me at the time, I didn't harbour any negative feelings towards either of them. Unluckily for Emma, she was old enough to witness her family get torn apart as her Mum left her and her Dad for this new man, and also to see how badly it effected her Dad too.
By Blood follows Emma Wong on her summer vacation in London, with the half of her family she isn't too fond of lately - her Mum, Vermin (baby half-brother) and Dr Mike (the new fella). Don't broken families suck? Luckily, my parents split when I was very young so whilst it probably effected me at the time, I didn't harbour any negative feelings towards either of them. Unluckily for Emma, she was old enough to witness her family get torn apart as her Mum left her and her Dad for this new man, and also to see how badly it effected her Dad too.
I feel that was worth mentioning because I remember reading the start of the book and feeling all this anger that Emma felt towards her Mum (especially when she got the cupboard room - boo hiss that sucks) and I highly doubt I would have felt that if the writing hadn't been as great as it, it has a lovely flow to it.
As mentioned in the blurb there is also another tenant in her family house - Josh. Not only is he hot, him and Emma click from day one, whether she wants to admit that to herself is a completely different story though and whilst I would like to say its frustrating when people don't recognise their own feelings, in this case it didn't bother me.
It still didn't bother me even when another guy was introduced on the scene - Simon - even if it did mean it now had one of those YA Love Triangles going on. This one I was happy to read about.
We're introduced to Simon after Emma meets a strange girl called Ash, who is part of a Grove that practise and follows Druid beliefs, interesting huh? Yes very.
I was thrilled to read about the Druid rituals (have you read the House of Night series and they perform the ritual asking and thanking the elements for strength and such? Yeah its similar to that but it adapts over time), how they effected Emma and the others, emotionally and physically, and how they adapted over time. It was really interesting and I'm afraid I can't really expand more than that because of spoilers. You have no idea how I wish I could.
Instead, lets focus on the boys. I really enjoyed the development of friend/relationships between Emma/Simon and Emma/Josh. First up Simon, *squeals*. So ahem whilst he might be drop dead gorgeous and British (represent~) is he all that he lives up to be? Is there more to his history with one of the other Grove girls? hehe. Oh yes Simon is pleasantly surprising. I can say that much. To me however, Josh is perfect. From day one. He does what he sees as the right things to do to help Emma out with her tense family situations and isn't the geeky assistant that Emma expected him to be.
As the story comes to a close, Emma learns a lot about herself, her family and the boys. It sucks that I can't really delve into these things too much for fear of giving them away, but her vacation in London is certainly an eye-opener for many parts of her life and its great to see just how much she evolves, and learns about herself from this trip.
Moon Child by Tracy E. Banghart
Published: 16th August 2013 by Tracy E. Banghart
Genre: Young Adult / Paranormal
Series: By Blood #2
Format: eBook
Source: Xpresso Book ToursSynopsis: Before Emma's adventures in Oxford, her best friend Diana came face-to-face with a killer...
Diana Calvert is so over high school. Who cares if Olivia hates her? And David needs to forget about having a crush on her STAT. Even Emma’s crazy fashion choices can’t keep Diana entertained. All she can hope for is a dance scholarship to a college as far away as possible from too-small, too-boring, too-nothing-ever-happens New Freedom, PA.
Then Diana meets Nicholas Woodhaven. He’s pale, angry…yet weirdly charming. The more time they spend together, the more she wonders who – or what – he really is. Because he isn’t anything like the other guys she knows. Not with the whole only-going-out-at-night thing. And living with his creepy aunt. And not going to school.
Just when Diana thinks she’s got Nicholas all figured out, people in her small, nothing-ever-happens town start dying. She has to wonder – can she trust him? And even more alarming – could she be next?
Review:
5 / 5 stars
I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of By Blood for part of a book tour hosted by Xpresso Book Tours, this will in no way effect my opinion on the book!
I know now before I even start typing this review that I'm going to struggle with what to write and what not to because holy frak, I really enjoyed it - which always means I struggle with the review - but also I really don't want to give anything away! *cries internally*
First up, Moon Child is about Diana and basically her boredom with her small town, wanting to escape and to live a more exciting life.
Fortunately, she gets just that kind of life without stepping a foot outside of New Freedom.
Unfortunately, its not exactly the type of excitement she wanted.
It all starts the night she meets Nicholas Woodhaven. In the graveyard. At night.
He's pale skinned, wearing all black and cold to touch.
She continues to have chance encounters and meetings with him too, always at night.
You see where I'm going with this. Good.
Nicholas is great, apart from well, when he's not. He's a bit mysterious, not only in the way he acts but with what he's willing to share, and how he answers questions, this of course only makes him more appealing because Diana (and myself) want to know "why?"
WHY?
Heh, good question. But there are more important things going on here than this mysterious boy no one has met in such a small town.
Murders.
Yeah, that's right. People are getting brutally murdered, their necks mutilated and drained of blood.
Creepy huh?
This certainly isn't day to day happenings in a small town. You can put two and two together and get four if you want, or you can be in Diana's shoes (and mine) and honestly believe mysterious lil' Nicholas wouldn't be the cause of such things. Would he?
But ah yes, I love love love this book even though my heart was pretty much torn out and stomped on a bit (and neatly replaced and bandaged up) and I really recommend it because you'll probably end up kicking yourself a little bit for not making a few obvious connections, or maybe just not willing to believe them.
Haha this is great because if you haven't read the book and you're reading this you're totally going to think a few things and not be sure until you read it and on edge like I was. I feel evil, its a great read though and I really recommend it.
P.S. Don't worry the killer is caught and dealt with
P.P.S. Extra kudo's for Firefly reference.
P.P.P.S. I didn't say the V word.
I know now before I even start typing this review that I'm going to struggle with what to write and what not to because holy frak, I really enjoyed it - which always means I struggle with the review - but also I really don't want to give anything away! *cries internally*
First up, Moon Child is about Diana and basically her boredom with her small town, wanting to escape and to live a more exciting life.
Fortunately, she gets just that kind of life without stepping a foot outside of New Freedom.
Unfortunately, its not exactly the type of excitement she wanted.
It all starts the night she meets Nicholas Woodhaven. In the graveyard. At night.
He's pale skinned, wearing all black and cold to touch.
She continues to have chance encounters and meetings with him too, always at night.
You see where I'm going with this. Good.
Nicholas is great, apart from well, when he's not. He's a bit mysterious, not only in the way he acts but with what he's willing to share, and how he answers questions, this of course only makes him more appealing because Diana (and myself) want to know "why?"
WHY?
Heh, good question. But there are more important things going on here than this mysterious boy no one has met in such a small town.
Murders.
Yeah, that's right. People are getting brutally murdered, their necks mutilated and drained of blood.
Creepy huh?
This certainly isn't day to day happenings in a small town. You can put two and two together and get four if you want, or you can be in Diana's shoes (and mine) and honestly believe mysterious lil' Nicholas wouldn't be the cause of such things. Would he?
But ah yes, I love love love this book even though my heart was pretty much torn out and stomped on a bit (and neatly replaced and bandaged up) and I really recommend it because you'll probably end up kicking yourself a little bit for not making a few obvious connections, or maybe just not willing to believe them.
Haha this is great because if you haven't read the book and you're reading this you're totally going to think a few things and not be sure until you read it and on edge like I was. I feel evil, its a great read though and I really recommend it.
P.S. Don't worry the killer is caught and dealt with
P.P.S. Extra kudo's for Firefly reference.
P.P.P.S. I didn't say the V word.
Author Bio
Tracy E Banghart
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Tracy E. Banghart is a cheesy movie–loving, fantasy football–playing (go Ravens!), globe-trotting Army wife who began “practicing” her craft at the age of five, when she wrote her first story. She loves visiting the international friends she met while pursuing her MA in Publishing and spends a portion of every summer at her family’s cabin in Canada, where she finds inspiration and lots of time to relax on the dock. She lives with her husband, son, two lazy dogs and one ornery cat. When not writing or spending time with her family, she is on a mission to bake the perfect cupcake.
Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*When purchasing through these link, Northern Plunder will receive a small amount, once I have enough saved up I will put it towards a giveaway.
Don't forget to follow the tour by clicking this link!
Tracy E Banghart
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Tracy E. Banghart is a cheesy movie–loving, fantasy football–playing (go Ravens!), globe-trotting Army wife who began “practicing” her craft at the age of five, when she wrote her first story. She loves visiting the international friends she met while pursuing her MA in Publishing and spends a portion of every summer at her family’s cabin in Canada, where she finds inspiration and lots of time to relax on the dock. She lives with her husband, son, two lazy dogs and one ornery cat. When not writing or spending time with her family, she is on a mission to bake the perfect cupcake.Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*When purchasing through these link, Northern Plunder will receive a small amount, once I have enough saved up I will put it towards a giveaway.
Don't forget to follow the tour by clicking this link!
Thanks so much for reading BB and MC and being part of the tour! I'm so glad you enjoyed them! I LOVED seeing your reactions "live" via Twitter. Hee hee. And love love LOVE your review of MC...you're so cagey! Awesome. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAh thank you so much <3 I really can't wait to read more of your work.
DeleteYay so happy you loved it! It sounds like a series that could get better and better! But I totally get loving a book when your heart gets stomped. I find those are the most memorable reads. If my emotions aren't touched I usually don't love it as much. Great reviews! :)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more, they definitely make an impact on you! Thank you
Delete