SILENTLY SCREAMING!

It's the spring semester of their senior year at Centerville High and a place away from their current situations are what Nikki and Caroline desperately want. Senior year was supposed to be filled with excitement and careless fun, instead Caroline is pregnant and Nikki's dealing with her mom's reckless drug habit plus the shady associates unfortunately attached. Throughout their lives, the two friends always stuck by one another, however the year continues to produce unforeseen problems, leaving each of them to decide what kind of paths lay ahead.

...a challenging, gripping and heroin tale of two teenage girls forced to make adult choices creating a butterfly effect catapulting their lives forward.

Author: D.L. Husted

Title: Silently Screaming

Publication Date: November 15, 2012

Links to Purchase: Amazon
Reviewer: Megan

My Review:  I Liked It!!

So, let me first start off by saying that while I read A LOT, I have read only one novella and that was by Dean Koontz and was the prequel leading into one of his newest novels. With that said, I wasn't really sure how a book dealing with such major issues was going to be able to tell a story in such a short amount of space... 67 pages to be exact. The set up of the novella was interesting; each chapter was from the point of view of either Nikki  or Caroline, but you saw the same scene from each of their viewpoints before you moved forward. 

I enjoyed D.L. Husted's "Silently Screaming" and I enjoyed the characters quite a bit, Nikki more so than anyone and this could be because I could relate to her on so many levels. I grew up in a similar environment as Nikki, and while my situation was never so blatant and in your face, it was what it was, nonetheless.  There was a part where Nikki is coming out of her room and she is fearful of what she might find, and I found myself holding my breath, knowing all too well exactly how that felt. The constant need for self preservation, the need to work rather than a desire for spending cash, and the longing to break free of a life you are determined not to live is Nikki's world and I was reminded of how far I have come from those very days in my own life.

Caroline, while not as relatable for me is a relatable character and finds herself in a situation that I am sure a lot of young girls today can identify with. Both girls have plans for their futures, but suddenly find that life has other plans as they are forced down different paths than they planned. 

Nikki's main goal throughout the novella was getting to graduation, walking across that podium and knowing she had done it... she was free. I again could relate to this feeling. It's never easy when you know people are judging you because of the kind of family and/or background you come from, and that desire to succeed, to show everyone that you are stronger and more capable than they have given you credit for, well it is a driving force that is fierce and strong and this was evident in Nikki. 

As I said above, the chapters are from each girls view and you would see the same scene twice, but first from Nikki's view and then from Caroline's. There were times throughout the novella where the author mixes up the characters within their chapters and this led to some confusion as I found myself going back a line or paragraph to double check who she was actually talking about. In addition, I feel there were areas more detail could have been included and I desperately wanted it. Sometimes she would mention something, such as  when Nikki is holding her breath as she walks through the house, but she never explains why. It is simply this one sentence and then she moves on and I longed for more... more detail, more information, something that would invoke more emotions, but they rarely came. 

While there were a few things that fell short for me, which is why I gave it a 4 stars I LIKED IT, I did really enjoy Silently Screaming. I read it in one sitting and felt a real connection to the characters and wanted to find out what was going to happen to them, and when it ended I still wanted more. I kept thinking this was just the beginning of Nikki and Caroline's story. I can only hope that the author feels the same way and that we will soon be following Nikki and Caroline as they navigate down the paths their lives have led them down. 

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. 

I recommend Silently Screaming to anyone who enjoys short stories dealing with tough choices and real life obstacles. 

THIS MORNING I WOKE UP DEAD!

Things are seemingly perfect for Hadley Christensen and Dominic Morris. They’re engaged, both of them have promising careers in the medical field, and they’re happier and more fulfilled than they have ever been. When Hadley heads off to work one morning, she realizes things aren't as they seem. While staring into the headlights of a fast approaching oncoming vehicle, life as she knows it is forever altered. Her last breath on Earth is only the beginning. 

She isn't about to die. 

She is already dead. 

No one else knows but they are all dead too. 

This powerful realization forces Hadley to leave Dominic behind and exist in another realm. Neither soul handles the painful separation well, nor can their bond be broken. Even in death. Hadley is given the rare privilege to make contact from the other side, desperately hoping to convince her beloved of his true state and ensure they be together once more. 

This Morning I Woke Up Dead takes you on a journey of discovery as two souls fight against their undeniably difficult situation of being tormented and separated by different realms of existence, proving that those who are destined to be together will not be kept apart by a beating heart.

Author: Mindy Larson

Book Title: This Morning I woke Up Dead.

Publish Date: March 14, 2013

Links to Purchase: Amazon; Barnes & Noble
Reviewer: Megan

My Review: I Liked It!!

Have you ever wondered about deja vu or why you simply feel drawn to some people, even those you've just met?

"Whenever I had a deja vu, I immediately tried to understand why and what I was remembering exactly.

When I read the synopsis for this book I was immediately intrigued. I am one of those people that likes to understand the meaning behind weird, unexplainable things. For instance, a deja vu, or why when you meet certain people, you just simply feel drawn to them. Or have you ever looked at the clock at the same time everyday and gone crazy trying to understand it's significance in your life? I have...(mine is 11:17) and that was what Mindy Larson's "This Morning I Woke Up Dead" dealt with. 

"Georgette's memories will slowly fade little by little as she begins to speak again as an infant. Learn a word. Lose a memory. As time passes, some begin to remember things with a feeling of deja vu or through dreams. Memories are forever cemented to your soul." 

I really enjoyed the concept behind the book and the author creates an interesting tier of realms that we all have the pleasure of enjoying at some point in our life cycles. "You will start a new life cycle...then you die...then earth...this realm." 

I was fascinated by her differentiation between "soul mates" and "soul twins," I was drawn to the characters, could relate to the love that they shared and felt bad that their lives were ripped apart before it even had a chance to begin. I sympathized as Dominic attempted to get on with his life, and could even relate to those feelings of guilt you feel when someone close to you dies. Moving on is never easy... but what if all you had to do to be with that person was to admit to yourself and truly believe that in your life on earth, you were already dead? Seems simple enough, except being dead but believing you are alive is still living to some degree right? After all, if you accept that you are dead, as Hadley does, you loss everything.  It really makes you think about how you live your life, how you treat others, and how you spend your time, which is why I loved Mindy's explanation for what happens to all of the  "bad" people when they begin a new life cycle. 

Throughout the whole story I continued to think, huh, I always wondered about that... what a neat spin or WOW, that's a really fascinating explanation...what if? I love books that make us take a step back and think outside the box. The spirituality that Mindy brought forth was deep and touching to say the least. I can honestly say I walked away from this book thought provoked and curious and as you can see, there were several parts where I could not help myself but to bookmark some of beautiful wording. 

The reason I rated this book as a 4-star "I liked it" was because there were too many coincidences between the character connections, which I supposed were written that way from a spiritual, soul mate (soul family) perspective. However, the loss both Dominic and Emerson experienced, followed by all of the loss Dominic suffered thereafter just felt like too much. I would have liked to see him realize his true destiny without being so pushed to the brink...Unless, maybe it is only in our most desperate moments that we are  willing to face the truth... 

A fascinating read that I recommend to anyone who believes in soul mates and the ideal that some love is boundless, even in death! 

"I am gray colored yarn. Dominic is chocolate brown. Harper is light blue. My mother us emerald. My father is sapphire. Together, we make a beautiful tapestry. Apart we are loose ends, waiting, hoping to be woven together again." 

**Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of "This Morning I Woke Up Dead" in exchange for an honest review. 

Congratulations Mindy!! I look forward to reading "Thirteen Choices" 

REASON TO BREATHE & BARELY BREATHING

"No one tried to get involved with me, and I kept to myself. This was the place where everything was supposed to be safe and easy. How could Evan Mathews unravel my constant universe in just one day?"

In the affluent town of Weslyn, Connecticut, where most people worry about what to be seen in and who to be seen with, Emma Thomas would rather not be seen at all. She’s more concerned with feigning perfection while pulling down her sleeves to conceal the bruises - not wanting anyone to know how far from perfect her life truly is. Without expecting it, she finds love. It challenges her to recognize her own worth - but at the risk of revealing the terrible secret she’s desperate to hide. 

Reason to Breathe is an electrifying page turner from start to finish, a unique tale of life-changing love, unspeakable cruelty, and one girl’s fragile grasp of hope.

___________________________________________________

Emma’s struggle with an abusive home life came to a heart pounding conclusion in the final chapters of Reason to Breathe. Now everyone in Weslyn knows Emma’s secret, but Carol can’t hurt Emma anymore. Some are still haunted by the horror of that night, and some must face the repercussions of their choices. Fans of Rebecca Donovan’s debut novel will discover there’s still much to learn about Emma’s life. 

Author: Rebecca Donovan 
Book Title: Reason to Breathe (Book #1) & Barely Breathing (Book #2)
Publish Date: May 9, 2011/April 30, 2012
Reviewer: Megan

My Review: I Absolutely Loved it!!
This was a phenomenal read that I could not put down!!!

I had this book in my nook library for months and every time I went to read it something else came up. However, over the holidays I was laid up from surgery and decided it was time to finally read this book... Once I started, I COULD NOT STOP!! My eyes couldn't read the words fast enough as I became more and more entangled in the story. The ending scared me, angered me, and left me hanging on for dear life! I was thankful when I turned the page and saw there was a second book already out, and thought maybe this was instinctively why I had waited to read this book.

I am not one for patience and to be left hanging with an ending like that, would have KILLED me. I quickly downloaded Barely Breathing and again was enthralled in the world of Emma. 

I finished both books in a day and a half, letting everything else fall away while I was immersed in Reason to Breathe and Barely Breathing. I loved how Barely breathing ended... a semi-cliffhanger, with a glimpse of Evan's anguish. Perfect!!

I think one of the things that I loved was seeing a similar story line to my own novel Harvest Moon. It was the first time I saw the protagonist keep such dangerous secrets since writing about Lexie's abuse. I finally felt like Lexie could find a place in the literary world, just like Emma had. 

I cannot wait for the third book in this series... I have been eagerly awaiting it since reading the last line of barely Breathing. 

So much to come...

In less than a week my TBR/Review has begun to grow and this excites me! I am really looking forward to bringing more reviews in the coming weeks and sharing  my love of books with you all!

Currently, I am reading Mindy Larson's "This Morning I Woke Up Dead" and I am about 35% through and loving it! What an interesting concept so far and you cannot help but feel for Hadley and Dominic. I am reading each page, anticipating Hadley's next move... I can hardly wait to see what happens next!!

Stay tuned for my complete review of Mindy Larson's "This Morning I Woke Up Dead" coming soon!!

Harvest Moon's First OFFICIAL Review Is In!!

Bookishtrish rated a book 4 of 5 stars Harvest Moon by Megan McCooey (Goodreads Author) read in April, 2013

Are you the strong, silent type? If so, I guarantee that you will identify with Lexie. She has to cope with some major tragedies in her life and her way of dealing with issues is to pretend they don’t exist.  Initially I wasn’t sure if I would like this book as it took a while to warm up. The first few chapters felt heavy on melodrama and low on engaging me as I felt inundated with facts and back-story. And there were a few typos that I found distracting and always take a bit from the book for me.  But then slowly and very surely, I started to feel for Lexie. What she has to cope with is far beyond what any teenager should ever have to deal with and her denial and secrecy started to ring bells with me. I always think you bring your own personal life and your own experiences in to a book with you. And I have to admit, I’m very like Lexie. No matter how close friends are, I find it difficult/impossible to really share hard, emotional times while I’m going through them. So what could frustrate other people about Lexie, I get. I have been there not letting people in and I’m an ostrich too with my head and neck well and truly buried in the sand when I feel unable to cope with something. Thankfully I have never had to deal with any of the issues Lexie is going through but I know how I would react so I can believe her actions or lack of them. Lexie has 3 best friends and again I believed in all of them. In fact, it was when I saw Lexie around her friends and Ben that I really warmed to the book. And once, I warmed up, I really enjoyed it and it was quickly bumped up to a 4 star rating for me. I loved her relationship with Ben and their first kiss was hotter than hot. There were two suspenseful scenes near the end of the book, that had me chewing my nails, sitting on the edge of my seat, half afraid to read on as I was so scared of what might happen. And the end of the book was really well done, not a cliffhanger but it leaves you wanting more. I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series to see what happens next. Highly recommended if you are looking for a contemporary YA/NA book with authentic characters in very challenging circumstances. Thanks to the author for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Reviews Needed!!

Hey Harvest Moon fans!!

I'm looking for several individuals who would be interested in receiving a free copy of Harvest Moon in exchange for an honest review posted to Amazon, B&N, and Goodreads.

If interested please let me know.

File formats available: PDF, ePub and possibly mobi if needed.

HAPPILY NEVER AFTER...

There's no such thing as happy endings.

Savannah, Georgia is rumored to be the most haunted place in America. Quinn Roberts knows it is. She's felt the presence of spirits her entire life, investigating and photographing them with her best friend. Only none of those encounters ever turned violent, until now. The menacing darkness feeding off her stepmother has promised she won't live to see her eighteenth birthday.

After a chance meeting Quinn reluctantly allows actor Jason Preston into her life, which has complications of its own. She's not used to letting people get close. Falling for him while fighting for her life, and her family's legacy, only complicates things more. Jason shows her exactly what she stands to lose, especially when she's being attacked by the mysterious entity. Each attack is more violent and terrifying than the last.

With Jason's help, she dives into the Roberts' family history, searching for a link between a woman who went missing a hundred and fifty years ago and what's happening now. What they find is a brutal murder and that the ghost doesn't just want to hurt Quinn, it wants revenge.

It wants her life.

Author: Missy Fleming 
Book Title: Happily Never After (Book #1 of The Savannah Shadows Series)
Publish Date: February 6, 2013
Links to Purchase: Amazon; Barnes & Noble
Reviewer: Megan

My Review: I Absolutely Loved it!!

Praise for Missy Fleming's "Happily Never After." 

I went into this book not really sure what to expect. I was initially intrigued by the paranormal Cinderella spin, but what I got was something so much better. The plot was fantastic and kept me reading page after page. 

The first thing that drew me in was Missy's historical descriptions of Savannah, GA.- As the most haunted city in the country. From the buildings, to the streets, to the people who lived within its confines for centuries, I felt like I was able to truly see Savannah and it made me want to visit. 

In addition to her wonderful portrayal of the cities history, Missy also created likable and easily relatable characters. Now we are all familiar with the story of Cinderella, and Happily Never After certainly does not disappoint when it comes to the evil stepmother and her equally evil spoiled spawns. And Quinn, the modern day-ghost hunting sensitive, does more than just live up to the reputation of Cinderella. She is cool, stand-offish, and someone you'd want on your side if you were setting out to take down some bad ass ghosts!   

I LOVED all of the paranormal twists throughout the story, and while I don't want to give anything away or create any spoilers, I will simply say Missy's creativity when it comes to paranormal abilities is creative and clever.  As I read, I was reminded of the CW show, Supernatural... I am sure anyone who is a fan of Sam and Dean, will be a fan of Quinn's as well. 

And the best part.... 

The ending!! Never saw it coming. As the climax unfolded I figured it would end as most books typically do, with the heroin defeating evil and saving the day... hmmm, what did I get? A jaw dropping, had to re-read the last page three times... OMG, that was fantastic, ending.  And what's better is that we are left ready for the next book in the series and I don't know about you, but the hairs are already standing on the back of my neck!! I can hardly wait for Book #2 of the Savannah Shadows Series. 

Goodreads Book Giveaway!!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Harvest Moon

by Megan McCooey

Giveaway ends April 17, 2013.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

    Goodreads Book Giveaway

       
Harvest Moon by Megan McCooey
Giveaway ends April 17, 2013.  See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

 Enter to win

The Day Has Finally Arrived!!!

ON SALE NOW!!!

After much work, I am proud to announce that copies of Harvest Moon are officially on sale!! This has been such an incredible process and I cannot say thank you enough to everyone who has helped, supported, and encouraged me along the way! I truly hope you enjoy the first book in the Harvest Series and will continue to follow Lexie on her journey. I look forward to hearing all of your comments and/or questions, so please feel free to email me, message me on Facebook, or leave it for me here or on Goodreads. 

Meganmccooey@aol.com or megmccooey@gmail.com

Facebook-Megan or Facebook-The Harvest Series

Goodreads-Harvest Moon

As of now, you can purchase either the Barnes & Noble Nook Edition by following this link

or by simply going to BN.com and typing: Harvest Moon [Nook Book] into the search bar. 

An amazon Amazon Kindle version is also available by following this link. 

Paperback copies are available directly through Amazon.com 

OR 

On the Createspace e-store (Amazon subsidiary) you can purchase a Paperback copy of the book by following this link. 

An E-book version will also be available through the Apple IBooks Store within the next few days and you can buy any version through the Goodreads link above. 

Thanks again for all the support!!

-Megan

The Date Has Been Set....

Harvest Moon is set to be released on March 17, 2013

I am so excited that a date has officially been set and as I head into these last two weeks before publishing, I am furiously trying to finalize the last of the changes and edits I have received from my very diligent and VERY appreciated team!  Everyone has been working so hard to help make this book what it is and I cannot thank you all enough. 

Some more exciting news... Harvest Moon will not only be available to you in E-book format through Barnes & Noble Nook and Amazon Kindle, but you will also be able to purchase it in Paperback or Hardcover through Amazon.com 

In anticipation of the release date, I thought I would share part of another chapter... this is not the chapter in its entirety.  I DO NOT want to have to include any spoiler alters or ruin any of the major drama for anyone. So instead, I am providing just a partial chapter for your curious minds.... Let me know what you think and please don't forget to join my blog to stay up to date on everything to come.

20-FINAL STRAW

I drove by my father’s house several times; looking for his truck, before deciding it was safe to go inside. I pulled into the long driveway, cutting the engine. I was already nervous about going in alone. I knew nothing would ever change that now.

I got out of my car, creeping slowly toward the back door. The house was dark. My father was most likely still at work.

I stepped into the open kitchen. It looked no different than it had a few weeks ago, but the stench of rotting garbage was gone. My stomach knotted at the thought of him here, in this house, since that night.  Did he think about it the way I did? Was he sorry at all, I wondered? I remembered the smug look on his face in the courtroom last week, how celebratory he had looked as the judge imposed sentencing. Was he ever going to feel remorse the way I desperately wanted him too? I would forgive him, without hesitation, if he were sorry – if he promised it would never happen again.  I rolled my eyes, feeling stupid for even having such a ridiculous thought. When would I learn he would never change? What would it take for me to finally get it?

I ran up the steps, two at a time. When I got to my room, I grabbed a bag from my closet, haphazardly throwing more clothes into it. I walked to the bed, knelt down and reached my hand between the mattress and box spring. I felt the file touch the tips of my fingers, pulling it out from under the mattress. I held it in my hands, staring at it like it was buried treasure, before shoving it into the bag, making sure to hide it between layers of clothes. I tossed the bag over my shoulder and made my way toward the door.

I took one final look back at the room. I scanned it into memory, praying it would never fade, knowing somehow this was the last time I’d see it.  I closed the door to Angela’s room. My heart felt heavier. I sensed the hole growing wider. What filled the empty space now? How could it feel both heavy and hollow at the same time? When would I be able to heal? This room had been my closest source of a connection to Angela and now I was being forced to walk away. I hated him for taking her from me, then and now.

I turned away from the emotions I was feeling, heading back down the stairs, intending to leave the same way I came. As I rounded the railing toward the hallway, the door to the basement opened, freezing me where I stood.

My mouth fell open, as my father stepped around the doorway, instantly making eye contact with me. I gasped, my eyelids fluttered. What was I feeling; surprise? Fear? Or both? Images of that night in October, only a couple of months ago, crept sinisterly into my unwilling mind and I flinched away from the memories. I closed my eyes tight, hoping when I opened them, he would be gone - just a figment of my overactive imagination. But he was still there; eyes wide with an expression I could not read.

He stood motionless without speaking, waiting- for what, me to say something?

I took a deep breath, trying to let my heart slow before I spoke. “Oh…ahh…I…um…I didn’t see your truck.” I forced myself to say. Every time I was around him, I fell apart. Words become tongue twisters, my thoughts jumbling together.

He frowned. “It’s in the shop.” He said calmly. “Someone trashed it the other night.”

“I’m sorry.” I told him. Had it been trashed because of me - because of what I had said in court, or was it some random act of vandalism. I didn’t believe it was vandalism, not in York. It was too coincidental. Someone had maliciously sought him out and tried to punish him. A vigilantly?

“What are you doing here Lexie?” He said, his voice growing stern. He was sober, but I still saw the hatred in his eyes.

My knees trembled. “I needed a few things.” I admitted. I held my distance, not moving from where I stood. My flight reflex told me to keep me eyes on the exit. Be ready to flee if the need arises, I thought to myself.

“You shouldn’t be here.” He said, his voice growing sterner as he met my eyes once again. I searched fervently, hoping to see an ounce of remorse, compassion…something to let me know there was a decent man deep inside. There had to be a part of him that felt sorry for the choices he had made, especially with how he’s treated me…I needed there to be. But the more I searched, the darker his eyes seemed to become, until all I saw was blackness. I remembered all the hurtful things he’d said to me, reminding me how that night in October, I knew without a doubt he hated me. I was simply searching for something I would never find.

I looked away from his gaze and started to make my way past him. I imagined how I must look to him, desperately trying to stay in control while inside I was shaking with fear. From my peripheral vision, I saw his hand stretch outward toward me. He grabbed my arm – jolting me to a stop.

“You ruined my life.” He said angrily.

I said nothing. I was frozen. No thoughts came to the surface of my comprehension. My mind as well as my body, was stunned and useless. I felt a wave of nausea wash over me and I wondered if I had it in me to fight. I wasn’t sure my mind or body had anything left. I certainly didn’t want to give up – cower like the coward I feared I might be. I needed to find the strength within myself to stand up to him – to make him see he could no longer bully me. 

He squeezed tighter. His free hand balled into a fist at his side.

“I lost everything because of you. Now I have nothing, not even my job. Twenty years flushed down the drain and this time, it is your fault.”

I met his eyes now, fearing what was coming. Maybe he didn’t care about going to prison. He believed his life was ruined, because of me, what was stopping him from finishing what he started weeks ago?  I cringed at the thought of his hands – his fists, violently against my face, my arms, and my body. I remembered the ringing in my ears as he kicked me over and over.  My stomach turned as the memory of blood – my blood, thick and metallic, flooded my mind.

He could kill me.

This was his chance for revenge. No one knew I had come here. But he didn’t know that. Or maybe he did. Was he smart enough to know no one would allow me to come here alone? Of course he was. He would have known immediately that I was alone, that no one knew I had come here. I tried not to think of how easily he could kill me and get rid of the evidence before anyone knew I was missing.

He would kill me.

If there was one thing I was sure of, this was it. If I couldn’t find the strength inside of me to stand up to him he could and he would kill me - If not today, then eventually. I could see it in his eyes and suddenly a memory from my dream washed over me. The darkness of the tunnel all around me as my father encroached upon me. How he constantly lurked, so close, but still just out of his reach…

Read the rest of this chapter and the whole story of Lexie in Harvest Moon. 
Available March 17, 2013 in e-book format through Barnes & Noble Nook and Amazon Kindle.
Available in Paperback or Hardcover through Amazon.com