Meghan Rogers special cover reveal and giveaway!!!!

You guys, I am SO beyond excited to share this special cover!!  Meghan Rogers completely stole my reading heart with her debut novel Crossing the Line and when she asked if I would reveal the second book in The Raven Files series I just about exploded!  I have been dying to see where this story would go and what my number one favorite character Jocelyn would have to do next to keep one step ahead of her old boss!!  Well let me tell you this cover and summary has my curiosity piqued and I cannot wait to get my grabby hands on a copy!!  

Take a look and see just what I am squeeing about and don't forget to scroll to the bottom for an extra special surprise!!

  Enemy Exposure (The Raven Files, #2) by Meghan Rogers
Publisher: Philomel Books
Release Date: March 14, 2017
Pre order: Amazon

Jocelyn Steely may have escaped the clutches of KATO and won the trust of the IDA, but she isn’t out of danger yet.

Her cover is blown and KATO agents are after her, but that won’t stop Jocelyn. After all, her goal was never merely to escape KATO. She wants revenge.

Dead set on rescuing the one girl that she—and the IDA—failed to save, Jocelyn is forced to recruit other KATO agents to her side. She must hand over just enough intelligence to gain their trust, while still preventing her plans from getting back to her former tormentors. Is she out of her league in this battle? Or does she have what it takes to derail KATO once and for all?

This high-stakes spy thriller will have readers on the edge of their seats until the final mind-blowing realization.

  This cover is EVERYTHING!  I love that it's all spy like and honestly gives me the chills because I'm wondering who is tracking Jocelyn!!  If you haven't read the first book, Crossing the Line, you really need to get on that because this one looks to be EPIC!

So remember that special surprise I told you about???  Well the wonderful and truly amazing Ms. Rogers has graciously offered to send one lucky reader an advanced copy of Enemy Exposure!!!!! 

I am insanely jealous already of whoever wins!!!  

Open to US and Canada residents only

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Meghan:

Meghan Rogers has been telling stories since she could talk and writing creatively since she was first introduced to the concept in third grade. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Rosemont College. She lives in Morton, PA.

 Website / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook

Other books in The Raven Files series:

Crossing the Line

Blog Tour: Character Playlist from Meghan Rogers!

 Okay so if you saw my review yesterday you already know I am a HUGE fan of Crossing the Line!  It is a book like no other and one I can guarantee I will not forget!  It's so good that I know when the second book releases I won't even need a refresher because there's no way I am forgetting the awesomeness that was between those pages!  Yes I am fangirling HARD my friends!  Well today I get to fangirl more because I am taking part in the blog tour for the writing God Meghan Rogers!  For my stop I am sharing a character playlist for my one of my favorite characters Travie Elton!!! 

Travis Elton, codename Scorpion, is the top agent at the International Defense Agency (IDA). Or at least he was until his enemy, Jocelyn Steely, arrived. She claims she’s a double agent now, spying for the IDA, but Travis isn’t buying it. Here are some songs that best describe Travis, and Travis and Jocelyn’s dynamic.

1. “We Will Rock You” Queen

When Travis goes on a mission, he is confident in his ability to execute. He doesn’t lose often, but when he does it’s almost always to Jocelyn.

2. “Pumped Up Kicks” Foster the People

The only way Travis gets beaten is by someone who is faster than him—someone who can, essentially, outrun his gun. It’s exactly why Jocelyn has had so much success against him in the past.

3. “Enemies” Shinedown

This is very much how Travis feels about Jocelyn when she first arrives at the IDA. He’s not happy she’s there and he’s not at all sympathetic to her situation.

4. “Here It Goes” Jimmy Eat World

Travis thrives on being in control of a situation. Jocelyn’s presence threatens that control.

5. “Hall of Fame” The Script featuring will.i.am.

Before Jocelyn showed up, Travis worked really hard to be the best agent in the IDA. If the IDA had a hall of fame, he’d be in it.

6. “Come with Me Now” KONGOS

Travis is insistent that Jocelyn stick with him when she first arrives at the IDA. He doesn’t trust her to be out of his sight.

7. “Warriors” Imagine Dragons

This song is a lot about pride, and having pride in the work you’ve done. Travis has a lot of pride in his job and in what he’s done for the IDA.

8. “Alibi” The Downtown Fiction

Travis badly wants to know why Jocelyn is at the IDA and he’s sure she’s there to do damage.

9. “Citizen Soldier” 3 Doors Down

Travis takes great pride in protecting those that need it and in the work the IDA does.

10. “Hey Brother” Avicii

Travis is very loyal and he looks out for his people.

11. “I’ll Be Good” Jaymes Young

Travis is one of the IDA’s best agents, but when he makes a mistake, he takes it pretty hard. He feels like he has to work to be better.

12. “The Deepest Well” Yellowcard

This song is a little bit like Jocelyn and Travis’s dynamic, but in reverse. Jocelyn dragged Travis down for years and now they’re working together.

13. “Let’s Kill Tonight” Panic! At the Disco

Travis knows better than anyone that there’s nothing ordinary about Jocelyn.

14. “Gonzo” The All-American Rejects

By looking forward and understanding the Jocelyn that’s sitting in front of him, Travis starts to see past events with more clarity. He’s also big on talking responsibility for his actions.

15. “Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been” Relient K

Travis has a high moral code. When he realizes he’s misunderstood a situation and treated someone badly for it, he really hates a part of himself.

Spotify Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/user/meghanrogers01/playlist/0x3FjYqJ0UovngyZjJG7X0

 I won't lie I just downloaded each and every song on this list and I plan to reread the entire book with them playing in the background!  I LOVE this playlist and I can totally see where each song fits!!  
Meghan thank you so much for sharing this with us and our readers!  You are a rockstar!!


Crossing the Line (The Raven Files #1) by Meghan Rogers
Publisher: Philomel Books
Release Date: April 12th, 2016
Purchase: Amazon

If Jason Bourne were a teenaged girl…

Jocelyn Steely was kidnapped as a child and raised in North Korea as a spy. When her agency sends her to the U.S. to infiltrate the very group her parents once worked for, Jocelyn jumps at the chance to turn double agent and finish off her kidnappers once and for all. She convinces the head of the American spy agency to trust her, but it’s not quite as simple as that: Jocelyn has to fight the withdrawal symptoms from the drug that the North Koreans used to keep her in line, and her new fellow spies refuse to trust their former adversary. Worst of all, there might be some new information to uncover about her parents - if she even wants to find out.

This action-packed spy thriller is part Gallagher Girls, part Alex Rider, and part Bourne Identity.

 About Meghan

Meghan Rogers has been telling stories since she could talk and writing creatively since she was first introduced to the concept in third grade. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Rosemont College. She lives in Morton, PA.

Webiste / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

  

Review: Fell of Dark by Patrick Downes

Fell of Dark by Patrick Downes
Publisher: Philomel Books
Release Date: May 12, 2015
Purchase: Amazon

A book that challenges the word "powerful" and obliterates it

Written in searing prose, this is the story of two boys: Erik, who performs miracles, and Thorn, who hears voices. The book chronicles their lives as their minds devolve into hallucinations, and shows the way their worlds intersect, culminating in a final stand-off.

This debut novel offer a raw, insightful look at the forces that compel us to act against our will. Even more so, it captivates and dares us to look away, knowing full well we can't.

My thoughts:
Fell of Dark is a book that I will never forget.  I will say right off the bat that it is not for everybody.  The chapters at first feel like a lot of mindless rambling, but if you read deeper into the story and let the words pull you in magic happens.

This is story is told from two point of views, Eriks' and Thorns'.  Their voices couldn't be more different, but they have something huge in common.  I am not sure what type of mental issue they both have, but they both seemed to share a common mental illness that completely broke my heart.

We get to hear from Erik first and his back story and if I read correctly was horrible.  We the reader get to see into his mind a little and we get to see certain scenes that he remembers only we don't get any explanation as to what really happened.  It's not hard though to figure out what he went through and again my heart completely broke for him.  He was such an interesting character that just knowing what might have happened in that garage made me want to help him.

Thorns' part in this was very chaotic and I wasn't sure exactly what was real and what wasn't. The author did an amazing job at showing what goes on in the mind of somebody who has a mental illness. I don't want to say what I think because A I could be completely wrong and B I think everyone will have a different opinion and I don't want to ruin it for others.  I just will say that from reading his point of view I really want to delve more into this type of mind.

I think some will find this book strange, but I really hope most will find it amazing like I did. I appreciated the way the author chose to tell this story and I had goosebumps by the end.  This isn't rambling, this is a story about struggles and how hard it is to live with certain things that you can't help.  At first it was a little hard to dive in, but it didn't take me long at all to see where the author wanted to take me. 

One other thing I have to mention is the writing.  This author is completely new to me so I wasn't sure what to expect, but his prose is one of the best I have read.  It is deep, beautiful, and haunting.  I am not sure if this story would have worked without his prose and writing style.  Erik and Thorn came alive with his words and it was beautiful even with the disaster that occurred. 

4.5 snowflakes

 

Review: Still Water by Ash Parsons

Sill Waters by Ash Parsons
Publisher: Philomel Books
Release Date: April 21, 2015
Purchase: Amazon

A gritty, powerful debut that evokes The Outsiders. You won't be able to look away.

High school senior Jason knows how to take a punch. Living with an abusive father will teach a kid that. But he’s also learned how to hit back, earning a reputation at school that ensures no one will mess with him. Even so, all Jason truly wants is to survive his father long enough to turn eighteen, take his younger sister, Janie, and run away.

Then one day, the leader of the in crowd at school, Michael, offers to pay Jason to hang out with him. Jason figures Michael simply wants to be seen with someone with a tough rep and that the money will add up fast, making Jason’s escape plan a reality. Plus, there’s Michael’s girl, Cyndra, who looks at Jason as if she sees something behind his false smile. As Jason gets drawn deeper into Michael’s game, the money keeps flowing, but the stakes grow ever more dangerous. Soon, even Jason’s fists and his ability to think on his feet aren’t enough to keep his head above water.

Still Waters is an intense, gritty thriller that pulls no punches—yet leaves you rooting for the tough guy. A powerful, dynamic debut.

My Thoughts:
This book by 90% was a solid 3 star for me because it really felt like an after school special. A good after school special but one nonetheless.  That last 10% blew me away!  That ending deserved a star all itself so I have to go with 4!

Jason and his sister Janie have The Plan.  All they both want is to escape the hell they live in with their abusive father.  When Micheal the resident popular guy at Jason's high school offers Jason the chance to make money Jason thinks he can handle the situation.  Only thing is Jason doesn't know all the rules for his new job and things spiral out of control.

Like I said this felt like an after school special, but a good one.  I felt for Jason and his situation and I crossed my fingers and toes hoping that things wouldn't end bad for him.  I hated the right people and felt compassion for the right ones.  It doesn't get more cut and dry than this, but underlying all that is a great book that will grab your emotions.  At one point my heart was pounding so hard that I had to skip a few pages ahead just to see what happened.  Some times I can't take suspense and this was one of those times.  I have to give the author a lot of credit for making heart beat so fast.

I will say that I didn't like Jason's decision with Cyndra.  I can't say much because I don't want to spoil anything, but I wish he would have chosen a different path with her.  He was stronger then he thought and I think he could have known what was good for him and what wasn't by the end of the book.

That was really my only hiccup.  I thought the author did a tremendous job with each and every character and wow that ending.  I thought I knew what was going to happen but I was so wrong and what happened made so much more sense.  If I had really looked I might have been able to pick out clues throughout the story and others might be able to see the ending coming, but I loved that I didn't figure it out.  My husband came downstairs right when I hit the OMG moment and he said my face was priceless.  When reading if you have the OMG face it really doesn't get any better than that.

I have to give Clay an honorable mention.  He played the best friend very well and when Jason has to hang out with another crowd that he isn't invited to Clay doesn't get upset and start drama.  He is there for Jason when he needs them and is a strong force behind him.  I loved him to pieces.

Great story that will definitely pull readers in and pull for Jason and Janie to escape!

4 snowflakes