Blog Tour & Giveaway - Spectral By. Shannon Duffy

Title: Spectral

Author: Shannon Duffy

Publisher: Tribute Books (April 4,2012)

Genre: YA, Paranormal 

Age: 14 and Up

Reviewer: Tawania

BLURB:

Convinced she’s a part of the witness protection program, sixteen-year-old Jewel Rose is shuffled around the globe with her family like a pack of traveling gypsies. After arriving at lucky home twenty-seven, she stumbles upon a mysterious boy with magical powers claiming to be her guardian . . . and warning of imminent danger. Despite the obvious sparks between them, Jewel discovers a relationship is forbidden, and the more she learns about dark, brooding Roman, she begins to question who she can even believe — the family who raised her, or the supposed sworn protector who claims they’ve been lying to her all along.

As she struggles to uncover who her family has really been running from, she is forced to hide her birthmark that reveals who she is. With new realities surfacing, unexplained powers appearing, and two tempting boys vying for her heart, Jewel battles to learn who she can trust in an ever growing sea of lies, hoping she’ll make it through her seventeenth birthday alive.  

REVIEW:

Spectral was an exciting read from the beginning to end. I was drawn in after only a few pages, and didn't put the book down until I was finished. This story really had me turning the pages. It's really hard to believe that this is the author's debut novel. I would have thought after reading this story that she has always been a writer.

Jewel Rose is your typical 16 year old teenager, but her problems sure aren't typical. She has spent her whole life on the run living as Gypsy's believing her family is in the witness protection program. All she longs for is a normal life for her, and her little brother Jayden, but she doesn't see that happening anytime soon. It's not safe for her and her family, and all of a sudden they are forced to move again.

This move is a little harder for Jewel, she had just started to make real friends at her school. Her seventeenth birthday is coming up in a month, and that's the day that all is to be revealed. Jewel wants to know what it is that her family is involved in, that has caused their life to be like it is. She never gets real answers from her parents, they are always vague. The one thing her parents always drill in her is 1. Don't forget your new name, 2. Never show your strange birthmark to anyone, it's to identifying. Jewel is tired of all the secrecy, and sets out to get answers on her own.

Upon entering her new school, Jewel meets two people right away Trish, and Chase. They are both friendly to her, and she is grateful. She is instantly attracted to the jock Chase, and he likes her too. Then she meets Roman, and she is instantly drawn to him as well. He is new to town like her, and has a air of mystery that she can't resist. Jewel is confused about her attraction to Roman, and in the beginning can't decide which one she wants more.

Roman is sweet, and protective of her. He finally admits to Jewel that he knows who she is, what she is, and that he was sent to protect her. At first it freaks her out, but the more she gets to know him, the more she trust him. This sends Jewel on a journey of discovery, about who she is , what she is, and what the consequences will be if she doesn't discover the whole truth. 

After doing a little eavesdropping, and research, Jewel discovers that she is a Spectral. A special kind of witch, and that is the reason her life is in danger. Worse she discovers Roman hasn't exactly been honest with her, and she's running out of people she can trust. Jewel realizes that she has to be strong, and her journey of discovery will take her from the warm shores of Florida, to the Kremlin in Russia, and finally the heart of Venice, Italy. Will Jewel live to see her seventeenth birthday, and the truth revealed? Read Spectral and find out.

I'm at a loss of words to explain how much I enjoyed this book. Was it wonderful? Brilliant? Exciting? All of the above? Yes, yes it was! This story drew me in completely after only a few pages, I didn't want to put it down, and finished it in one sitting. The author did an amazing job with the world building, and I loved the new take on witches. I don't really read witch stories, or YA that much,  but I have to say I'm starting to love it.

You see Jewel grow so much in this story, she grows from this naive teenage girl, to this strong confident young adult. I love the chemistry between her, and Roman. I thought they were great together, and was rooting for them the whole time. The romance was sweet, and genuine in my eyes. I liked Chase as a character, and good friend, but I just couldn't see him with Jewel. This story did take me on a emotional roller coaster though. Some of the revelations were heart stopping, and some of the twist in the story I didn't see coming at all.

I also loved the relationship between Jewel, and her little brother Jayden. It was so cute, and sweet. I felt like the love, affection, and protectiveness was completely genuine. When I finished this book, I had a big goofy grin on my face, and was very pleased with the ending, and the general outcome of the book. I had no lingering questions, and was just happy about how the events unfolded.

I would definitely recommend Spectral to anyone who wants to be swept away inside an exciting, thrilling page turner. I would even recommend it to people who don't normally read YA. That's how much I enjoyed it.

*****5STARS!

BUY LINKS: Kindle Nook Smashwords

ABOUT TH AUTHOR:

 

Shannon Duffy writes young adult and middle grade fiction. She grew up on the beautiful east coast of Canada and now lives in Ontario, Canada. She is the mom of one boy, Gabriel, her angel. She loves writing, reading, working out, soccer, and the sport of champions-shopping. She is the author of the young adult paranormal romance, Spectral. Her upcoming middle grade fantasy novel, Gabriel Stone and the Divinity of the Valta is scheduled for a January 2013 release. 

Places to find Shannon on the Web:

Shannon Duffy's Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001969007586

Shannon Duffy's Twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/ShannonDuffyLit

Shannon Duffy's Website:
http://www.shannonduffylit.com/

Shannon Duffy's Blog:
http://1fantasyfairy.blogspot.com/ing

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I loved this book so much, I'm giving away a ebook copy purchased by me. Your choice of kindle or nook. Don't you just love that cover? It really draws you in, and after you read the book you will realize the significance of the butterfly.

Just leave a comment about what you think about the cover, and don't forget to leave your email. I will pick a winner on Monday May 28, 2012. This Giveaway is international. Void where prohibited.