Blog Tour: Revolutionary (Anomaly #3) by Krista McGee (Review + Giveaway)

 Blog Tour Schedule

Published: July 15^th, 2014 (Thomas Nelson) 

Pages: 336

Rating: 5/5

Source: NetGalley (Blog Tour)

Goodreads ~ Amazon 

All her life Thalli thought she was an anomaly. Now she must use her gifts to fulfill the role she was called to play: Revolutionary.

Back in the underground State against her will, Thalli is no longer the anomaly she was before. She has pr

oven herself to be a powerful leader aboveground and returns with information that Dr. Loudin needs to complete his plan of uniting the world under one leader: himself. But he, too, has information. A secret he has kept from Thalli her entire life. A secret that, once revealed, changes everything about the person Thalli thought she was.

Hoping to help Thalli rise up against the Scientists, both Berk and Alex join her underground, but their presence only brings more trouble for her. Now Dr. Loudin knows just the leverage to use on his captive, and she is forced to choose between the two of them. Is her first love her true love? Or does Alex ultimately claim her heart?

Unsure of everything around her, including her own identity, Thalli doesn’t know where to turn. She knows she needs the Designer, but he seems further away than ever. What she does know, though, is that if she doesn’t do something to stop Loudin, the fragile world aboveground will be lost once and for all. [Description from Goodreads]

I read Revolutionary immediately after reading Luminary (#2), and can I just say that this book series is one you just don’t tire of. I love Krista’s writing style- as stupid as this statement sounds, it’s easy to read and enjoy (trust me, some writing styles can be difficult to read!). One other “side detail” of the book that I really like is the cover. I love the covers for all the books in the trilogy, in fact, because they effectively represent the theme of the books.

Now down to the nitty gritty stuff. I loved how this book wraps it all up in such a dramatic way. Sooo many secrets are revealed! Dr. Loudin’s true self is uncovered, Thalli finds out  more about herself that she didn’t know before, and she even discovers secrets about her friends from New Hope. It was almost like every chapter was a book in itself, with drama and a climax and a cliffhanger ending.

I have to admit, in the past two books, I’d been a little disappointed in Dr. Loudin’s degree of evilness (is that a thing? I’m making it a thing). I don’t think I even realized I was disappointed until I read Revolutionary, though. Because in Revolutionary, Loudin is SO mean. He’s just a super big meanie. He’s about as mean as Loki was in the Avengers, when Loki shot Agent Coulson with that huge gun. That’s pretty mean, ya know? Granted, I didn’t invision Loudin being as gorgeous as Loki is, but that just made Loudin’s actions that much more treacherous.

But enough about villains…on to our incredible protagonist, Thalli! I loved seeing her grow over the span of the series. She’s come a long way since Anomaly. I do wish we could have seen some more changes due to her time aboveground. One thing was the fact that she still doesn’t use contractions. There aren’t many contractions used by much of anyone, in fact, and for some reason that really bugged me in all three books. It’s just the littlest detail, but for some reason it annoyed me at times.

I’m really glad that we were introduced to Alex’s character, and that he got a lot more attention in Revolutionary. Alex has definitely become one of my favorites from the trilogy…he’s just adorable. And I’m also glad that there was a significant increase in romance in this last book, as there was in Luminary (compared to Anomaly).

I found Revolutionary to be a fantastic ending to this unique and ground-breaking series! I might have said this before, but Krista McGee has done a great job in mixing more of the dystopian genre with the YA Christian genre. This hybrid is something I’m seeing more of on bookshelves today, and hopefully something I’ll continue to see. If you haven’t read Anomaly, be sure to do that this summer! Or if you have, be sure to finish the series. You won’t be disappointed…

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: None

Violence: Very Mild

Sexual: None

About the Author:

Krista writes for teens, teaches teens, and more often than not, acts like a teen. She and her family have lived and ministered in Texas, Costa Rica, and Spain. Her current hometown is Tampa, FL.

Author Links:

http://kristamcgeebooks.com/

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5015496.Krista_McGee

https://twitter.com/KristaMcGeeYA

https://www.facebook.com/krista.a.mcgee

“Standing out in a sea of Dystopia” Guest Post by Rebecca Finlayson

Today we have author Rebecca Finlayson on the blog, talking about her experience with writing YA dystopian.

When I go into a bookshop or a library in the UK it’s always satisfying to see so many books on offer for the YA market. In our fast-paced world we can access everything we want, when we want, at the touch of a button – and even get frustrated when it doesn’t pop up instantly. (First world problems or what?) 

Anyway, to see so many YA books around and to know that teenagers are reading them and devoting hours to them, is great and exciting for any lover of books, particularly.

The challenge that I had with “X&Y” was making my book stand out. There are so many great YA Dystopian books out there, after all. It was a mountain to climb.

The first thing that encouraged me, though, was that I had a story to tell that – as far as I could tell – had not been told before. Genetic engineering had been touched on in various stories but it wasn’t the main story. I thought it would be fascinating to look at it through the eyes of a teenager.

The second thing was the position of my female lead. Olivia Adonane is from a very wealthy, very powerful family, and so to have a protagonist in a position where she literally has everything to risk made for very interesting writing from my perspective!

Another important thing was setting. Most of the YA Dystopian books I’ve read and enjoyed (The Hunger Games, Divergent, and the Gone series) take place in the USA. I thought it would be really interesting to have the focus on Britain, and how it would have adapted to the ‘System’ which is in place.

Apart from the authors of the above books, one particular author who has inspired me is Joanne Harris. She does plot so well, and the stories and twists of her novels like “Gentlemen and Players”, “Holy Fools” and “Five Quarters of the Orange” are just fantastic. I’ve learned a lot from her work about timing in particular – for example, what to reveal and when to reveal it.

I really enjoyed writing “X&Y”. The subject matter made for really fascinating exploration, and putting the characters in a quietly brutal setting was equally thrilling and difficult to work through. It’s been great having people read my work and give me feedback from it, not to mention seeing the number of downloads increase, particularly on my “free promotion” days!

Below is the opening chapter of “X&Y”. You can head over to Amazon Kindle for a free seven-chapter sample.

Excerpt:

Thunder rumbles in the early hours of this morning and when I wake I think of Lily and what we’re going to do today. We’re meeting before school so we can post off our university applications together. To anyone who does not know who we are it seems such a little thing, but in this day and age it is not. My Ambition means I’m guaranteed a place at a prestigious institution, but Lily’s venture is a little more uncertain. Her portfolio, given to her parents when she was still in her mother’s womb, states that her Ambition is to be a waitress, which I’ve always thought was some kind of mix-up, as I’ve never thought she was right for the Service Industry. Very clumsy, and perpetually distracted by “higher things”, as she calls them, her different Preparation Experiences in cafes and restaurants have always ended spectacularly badly, though I will give her current boss come credit; she is unremittingly patient.

Lily is also extraordinarily clever, which is why I persuaded her to fill in a university application in the first place. Strange, I think, considering her family’s Ambitions, that her Tag gave her the chance to advance as much as she has. I know that Lily thinks this is too risky, bordering on dangerous – especially when the admissions boards find out about her humble family background. What harm is there in trying, though? Despite her reluctance, I know when she gets offered an opportunity to study Philosophy and Poetry she’ll be ecstatic and all the fear will have been worth it.

My own Ambition is very different. I will be following my father down the Designer route. First, six years of medical school followed by three more years of theoretical and practical study at the School of Human Design. I will learn how to create Tags with which to start unborn babies off on their uniquely selected paths, learn to further the research that reduces – and, hopefully, eventually eradicates – glitches in the System, and such like. My father is the most renowned Designer in the country, the head of the Triad – the Triad comprises of the country’s top three Designers – and one day I will take his place. It is a huge responsibility, but it is one for which I have specifically been Designed. I have no need to doubt myself.

“Good morning, father,” I chime, kissing him on the cheek as I bounce down to the dining room for breakfast, schoolbag and big brown envelope at the ready. I fling them down untidily on a chair and fix myself some cereal. “Where’s mother?”

“Still in bed; she’s a little under the weather this morning. Not to worry though, she’ll be up and about in no time,” he says while sipping his coffee and reading the newspaper.

“What is the news like this morning?”

“Calm, as usual,” he smiles, and my curious doubts are quieted. Why do I harbour them? Our Society is near perfect. While other nations are constantly embroiled in bitter civil struggles, slowly destroying themselves from within, our country enjoys peace and prosperity. The “Utopia”, that the old writers dreamt of, is being achieved at last. I just wonder what the other countries are doing so wrong. Father soon breaks me out of my reverie.

“Is that what I think it is?” he asks, indicating the brown envelope.

“Yes,” I say proudly. “I wonder which school will want me.”

“All of them, I expect. Look how strong your application is, after all.”

“It doesn’t hurt that I have your name on it, though,” I say slyly.

“True,” he says, winking at me. “But if your Ambition was not to follow in my footsteps, they would turn you down as any other school would turn down an applicant whose Ambition did not meet with their requirements.”

“There’s something I wanted to ask you related to that,” I say. “You know Lily, my best friend?”

“Yes?” His tone is careful. He has never met Lily and there’s something about his wariness whenever I mention her that makes me uneasy, like he doesn’t think we should be friends.

“Do you know if her Tag and her Ambition portfolio got mixed up somehow before she was born?” I ask.

“I don’t know; I wasn’t assigned to her case. You would have to find that out from her hospital. Why?”

“Well, her Ambition is for her to be a waitress, but she’s not suited to that at all.”

“Waitressing is a perfectly good and sturdy profession,” my father says, his tone reprimanding.

“I know; I’m not being high and mighty. It’s just that, Lily doesn’t seem to enjoy it at all. She seems much more interested in pursuing Academia after Mandatory Education is over. I just wondered whether her original Portfolio was along the lines of some kind of Higher Educator, and the folder got mixed up in the hospital.”

“That’s impossible,” he says, though his dark eyebrows narrow a little over his thick-rimmed black glasses. 

“Are you sure this isn’t just some Secondary Interest that she is feeling quite strongly about at the moment?”

“I don’t think so,” I say, although my instincts tell me to shut up.

“Even in between her work breaks she’s always reading a book of some poet or another. She excels at school – really, she would do much better at my school – and it crushes me to think she can’t do what she really wants.”

“She wants to be a waitress,” my father says quietly. “If her portfolio says so, then that is what her Tag has prepared her for, and that is what she will do. I think you might be seeing more in this situation than there is.”

“But-” I start to argue, about to reveal that I’ve helped her fill in university application, but something in his voice tells me that would be dangerous. His mobile phone rings and he frowns when he sees who is calling

“What is it?” he snaps into the phone. His eyes widen as the speaker on the other end rapidly relays information, though I can’t hear what he is saying. “I’ll come immediately.” He clicks off, his expression a mixture of annoyance and something else. Dismay?

“We’ll talk about this later,” he says quickly as he dons his suit jacket and picks up his briefcase and I assume he means our earlier conversation. “I have to go. I’ll see you for dinner. We’re going out to The Glade tonight.” He kisses my head and leaves. Soon I hear the car rev up and speed away, gravel flying everywhere.

“Sure,” I murmur, wondering what on earth that was about.

Find the book online:

Amazon

Goodreads

Rebecca's Blog

About the Author…

Rebecca Finlayson was born in the north of England - specifically Blackburn, Lancashire – but actually spent most of her childhood in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire (fans of Harry Potter will recognise that name!). Inspired by reading a children’s version of “The Odyssey” 20+ times while growing up, she decided to study Classical Civilisation at Warwick University and took a job as a Teaching Assistant upon graduating. After two years she decided to take a year out in order to do some charity work but, more significantly, pursue some writing projects that had been nagging at her for some time. The first of these projects to be completed, a Young Adult Dystopian novel entitled “X&Y” is now on sale on Amazon Kindle. The second – a fantasy novel entitled “The Secrets of Nethiaria: The Magician’s Book” will be out in Spring 2014.

Blog Tour: Anomaly by Krista McGee (Review + Giveaway)

Tour Schedule

Published: July 9^th, 2013 (Thomas Nelson)

Pages: 336

Rating: 5/5

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Book Depository

Thalli has fifteen minutes and twenty-three seconds left to live. The toxic gas that will complete her annihilation is invading her bloodstream. But she is not afraid.

Decades before Thalli’s birth, the world ended in a nuclear war. But life went on deep underground, thanks to a handful of scientists known as The Ten. Since then, they have genetically engineered humans to be free from emotions in the hopes that war won’t threaten their lives again.

But Thalli was born with the ability to feel emotions and a sense of curiosity she can barely contain. She has survived so far thanks to her ability to hide those differences. But Thalli’s secret is discovered when she is overwhelmed by the emotion in an ancient piece of music.

She is quickly scheduled for annihilation, but her childhood friend, Berk, convinces The Ten to postpone her death and study her instead. While in the scientists’ Pod, Thalli and Berk form a dangerous alliance, one strictly forbidden by the constant surveillance in the pods.

As her life ticks away, she hears rumors of someone called the Designer—someone even more powerful than The Ten. What’s more, the parts of her that have always been an anomaly could in fact be part of a much larger plan. And the parts of her that she has always guarded could be the answer she’s been looking for all along.

Thalli must sort out what to believe and who she can trust, before her time runs out… [Description from Amazon]

When I first started Anomaly, I thought it was pretty typical of the dystopian genre. The language, the focus on and exaltation of science over everything else (other fields, religion, love, emotion, etc), and the theme of human ignorance and dependence on a higher power (which, in turn, ends up being evil, though that’s often obvious from the start). These are reoccurring themes in dystopian literature today. Anomaly included them all, which is why I initially labeled it as “typical.” I was soon contradicted in my opinion, though, as well as pleasantly surprised.

Typical as it may have seemed, Anomaly’s fantastic plot twists is what really did it for me. It doesn’t turn out how you think it will. And don’t try and refute that statement until you’ve read the very last page. Oh yeah. It’s one of those books. The ones that change everything with the last few sentences, leaving you breathless and stunned. But that’s all I’m saying. *seals lips and throws away key*

It was really easy to connect to Thalli, obviously, since she had the “ability” to feel emotions (this made her an anomaly). An emotionless character would be pretty hard to connect with. *wink* I liked the “robotic” language that Krista used (sparse use of contractions). This can be a typical aspect of a dystopian, but it worked well in this book. As far as Berk, he was good as a love interest, but I liked Stone better. I just did. But I don’t think Thalli and Stone are going to happen, for reasons I can’t disclose. Spoilers! (oh my word, total Doctor Who reference right there, for those of you who didn’t catch it)

I’ve never read any other books by Krista McGee, though I’ve heard her YA books and her Christian romances are fantastic. But she’d never ventured into the dystopian genre before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I can honestly say I was pleasantly surprised. Definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next in this series.

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: None

Violence: None- Mild (human experimentation; not gory, no description)

Sexual: None- Mild (some kissing…or thoughts about kissing…or something like that)

About the Author…

Krista McGee’s passion to see teens excited about serving God is a driving force behind her novels. Ever since college when she spent a summer working at a youth camp, McGee knew she wanted to invest in teenagers. Since then she’s been involved in a variety of youth ministries and currently teaches at a Christian school in Tampa, FL.

McGee broke into the writing world during her time in Spain. A friend encouraged her to submit an article to a Christian girls’ magazine, and it got published. Once her family moved back to Tampa, she got the idea for her first novel, First Date, a modern take of the story of Esther. Her subsequent books, Starring Me and Right Where I Belong, are based on Rebekah and Ruth.

When Krista McGee isn’t living in fictional worlds of her own creation, she spends her days as a wife, mom, teacher and coffee snob.

Connect with Krista:

Website│Twitter│Goodreads│Facebook

***GIVEAWAY***

5 print copies of Anomaly, US only.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday #25

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Twinmaker by Sean Williams

Release date: November 5th, 2013 (Balzer + Bray)

Pages: 352

M. T. Anderson meets Cory Doctorow in this teen debut from #1 New York Times bestseller Sean Williams, who also coauthors the Troubletwisters series with Garth Nix.

When a coded note promises improvement—the chance to change your body any way you want, making it stronger, taller, more beautiful—Clair thinks it's too good to be true, but her best friend, Libby, falls into a deadly trap.

With the help of the school freak and a mysterious stranger, Clair races against the clock and around the world to save Libby, even as every step draws her deeper into a deadly world of cover-ups and conspiracies.

Action and danger fuel this near-future tale of technology, identity, and the lengths one girl will go to save her best friend. [Description from Amazon]

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? Leave a comment or link below.

Cover Reveal: Creators by Tiffany Truitt

Today Tiffany Truitt and Entangled Teen are revealing the final cover for The Lost Souls Trilogy, CREATORS, along with an exclusive excerpt and a pre-order giveaway that Tiffany has set up on her blog!

On to the reveal!

Creators by Tiffany Truitt:

Heartbroken but more determined than ever after a tense showdown in the woods, sixteen-year-old Tess once again returns to the safety of her community of Isolationists. Bolstered by new alliances and desperate to protect those she loves, this time she knows she can return stronger and more powerful than ever to take back what is hers.

As she trains in combat and grows more confident, Tess receives beautiful letters penned by her forbidden love, the chosen one James, from his prison in Templeton. He is now serving as a bodyguard to the creators—the team of scientists who created artificial life in the first place. And what he has discovered about the true origin of the illness that halted natural life could change everything.

Enemy will become ally and death will bring new hope in this stunning conclusion to Tiffany Truitt’s epic Lost Souls trilogy.

Goodreads ~Amazon

About the author:

Tiffany Truitt was born in Peoria, Illinois. A self-proclaimed Navy brat, Tiffany spent most of her childhood living in Virginia, but don’t call her a Southerner. She also spent a few years living in Cuba. Since her time on the island of one McDonalds and Banana Rats (don’t ask), she has been obsessed with traveling. Tiffany recently added China to her list of travels (hello inspiration for a new book).

Besides traveling, Tiffany has always been an avid reader. The earliest books she remembers reading belong to The Little House on the Prairie Series. First book she read in one day? Little Woman (5th grade). First author she fell in love with? Jane Austen in middle school. Tiffany spent most of her high school and college career as a literary snob. She refused to read anything considered “low brow” or outside the “classics.”

Tiffany began teaching middle school in 2006. Her students introduced her to the wide, wonderful world of Young Adult literature. Today, Tiffany embraces popular Young Adult literature and uses it in her classroom. She currently teaches the following novels: The Outsiders, Speak, Night, Dystopian Literature Circles: The Hunger Games, The Giver, The Uglies, and Matched.

Tiffany is proud to call herself an educator and Young Adult author. Her first book will be published by Entangled Publishing.

Where you can find Tiffany:

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

*Remember to check out Tiffany’s Pre-Order Contest going on over at her blog (http://tiffanytruitt.wordpress.com/). Three lucky people that pre-order CREATORS will win a signed Cassandra Clare poster!*

Excerpt:

Somewhere, James was just as trapped as I was.

            I thought of the morning when we lay with each other, curled against one another, never beginning and never ending. How we’d stayed like that till the sun began to rise.

            James had reached down and pulled me off the ground. He wore a satisfied grin on his face. “Someone is mighty proud of himself,” I teased.

            He laughed. It bounced through the forest, calling it awake. Readying it for the day. “I’m just insanely happy.”

            I stood on the tips of my toes and kissed him gently on his scar. “I’m insanely happy too,” I whispered.

            James looked down at me, and I was lost all over again. I would never tire of looking into those mismatched eyes. They didn’t make him different. They made him him. He chuckled as he reached over and pulled a leaf from my tangled hair. “They’ll know just by looking at you that we’ve been up to no good.”

            “No good?” I purred. “I thought it was very, very good.”

            James growled and lifted me into the air. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he pressed his lips hungrily against mine. I moved my hands to his hair, curling my fingers into it, attaching myself to him. I never wanted to let go. Every part of me ached to be touched by him, and every part of me ached to touch him right back.

            “Do you know how much I love you?” he breathed into the base of my neck. His lips fluttered against my skin.

            I nodded, kissing the top of his head. “As much as I love you.”

            James slowly put my feet back on the ground. He cradled my face in his hands. “That will never change. No matter what.”

            I looked deep into his eyes. “I know.” Because I did. It was one of life’s few assurances. I would always love James.

            I pressed my lips once again to his scar. “I adore this scar,” I whispered, unable to hide the smile that seemed etched on my face all morning.

            “You’re enough to drive a man crazy,” he said The tremble of his voice caused my toes to curl. I wanted him again. And again. And again.

            My fingers traced the waist of his pants. “Tonight?” I said, knowing full well it was a promise that I probably wouldn’t be able to keep.

            James grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips. “Tonight,” he echoed.

            As the sun climb higher into the sky, I knew our moment was coming to an end. James reached down and placed his hand over my heart. “Thank you,” he said.

            “For what?” I asked, my voice choked with emotion.

            “For everything.”

            As the memory slipped away, I looked back up at the night sky. Praying and hoping that James knew how much I wanted to thank him too.

            For everything.

Review: The Program by Suzanne Young

Published: April 30^th, 2013 (Simon Pulse)

Pages: 408

Rating: 4/5

Goodreads ~ Amazon

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them. [Description from Amazon]

I was very excited about The Program when I first heard about it and couldn’t wait to read it. I’ve had little interest in reading any other books by Suzanne Young, but I can honestly say I enjoyed her writing style. I was unsure about The Program when I first started it, because it seemed very dark (which it is) but the story, the characters, and the idea of a suicide epidemic really intrigued me and before long, I was hooked.

I found this book rather different from other books of the same genre. For instance, usually hatred towards the antagonist (The Program, in this case) is developed, but in this book, it was immediate. Sloane hates The Program for what it does to hurting people. This hatred had to be reignited after she went through The Program, though, because her memories (her hates and likes) were erased. Another example of it being different is that the love interest (James) is introduced immediately rather than having a relationship develop over the span of the book. More often than not, a love relationship develops over the entire book, but this obviously wouldn’t have worked in this case. We’re given brief flashbacks of the development of James’ and Sloane’s relationship, though, throughout the book. I’m really glad the author included these, because otherwise, I’m not sure I’d have been convinced of their “mad” love for each other.

I’m a dystopian nut, and memory erasing is an idea I really love to read about. It’s a core aspect in one of my NaNoWriMo novels, and something I’d really like to play around with in future novels. So the idea of The Program really interested me.

I found it ironic that in order to rebound suicidal depression, The Program took Sloane’s memories; yet in doing so, it killed her in a completely different way. Someone who’s had their memory wiped or been through The Program (called a “returner”) has to rewrite their lives. They know nothing about themselves or who they used to be. It’s like being reborn. Some things are familiar, but anything linked to their past that might have caused the initial depression is taken from their minds. Maybe not absolutely scientifically possible, but an interesting (though morbid) idea nonetheless.





Now. For the characters. Oooooh goodness. For starters, I was a little irritated with how the parents were portrayed. I felt like all of them were portrayed as ignorant, robotic, and stupid. I mean…really? So, that’s that. My second irritation was James. Now, Sloane says over and over how she loves his cocky spirit, but honestly, it got on my nerves. The guy’s an arrogant, hormonal douche bag. He seems bi-polar when he meets Sloane again after being in The Program. One minute he’s flirting with her (in his own cocky way) and the next he’s spewing insults. And then it’s explained later on that he was just “afraid of getting hurt.” Bad excuse, buddy. Bad excuse.

Anyway, there’s my rant. I liked Sloane’s character, though she was a bit clingy and desperate when it came to James. She’s snarky, though, and I liked that about her. Realm was another one of my favorites. I liked him soooo much better than James. He seems to respect (and even love) Sloane more than James did. He was mysterious, yet he had all the answers. He wanted what was best for Sloane; he wanted to protect her. I would have loved to see Sloane and Realm end up together, but that wouldn’t have worked for the book. Besides, there’s always book 2, right? (Ya hear that, Suzanne?)

I ended up really enjoying The Program. I sped through those 400 pages pretty darn fast, so that tells you how much I liked it (slow readers FTW!). There were some character issues that irked me, as well as some rather mature content (see Quick Content Review below), which results in four stars rather than five. That said, I highly recommend The Program to mature teen readers/adults.

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: Moderate (Several b-words, a few f-words, etc.)

Violence: Moderate (mention of teens committing suicide in various ways- poison, slitting wrists, drowning, etc.)

Sexual: Heavy (Characters casually sleep together; some heavy kissing).

Book Blitz: PODs by Michelle K. Pickett (Spotlight + Giveaway)

PODs

by Michelle K. Pickett

Release Date: 06/24/13

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Paperback/ebook

312 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul.

After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters.

Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.

***Excerpt***

The bus ride to the quarantine facility took more than
ten hours. I was shoved against the window by my seatmate who slept almost the
entire trip. He was a big guy, taking up most of the seat, and when he slept
his body lolled to the side, wedging me against the metal side of the bus.

 As we traveled,
the air turned hot and dry, different than the humid, sticky climate of my
coastal Texas hometown. The old school bus didn’t have air conditioning and the
small windows didn’t let much air in. My seatmate’s body heat didn’t help. I
was hot, thirsty, and had to pee in the worst way.

Wondering how much longer I’d be drooled on by the guy
next to me, I strained my face against the window, looking for anything on the
flat landscape.

That’s when I saw them.

I don’t know why I was surprised. I should’ve expected
it after what had happened at the high school, but I hadn’t. It was worse than
at the school—rioters everywhere. They waved anti-raffle signs and signs
cursing the “Chosen.”

The land around the quarantine area was flat, dry, and
dusty. The people lining the road sat under makeshift tents to keep out of the
sun. Some stood on top of their RVs waving their handmade signs; one burned an
American flag.

I watched women holding their small children toward
the bus, begging with tear-stained faces for us to take them. I wanted to reach
out and snatch them out of their mothers’ hands as we drove past. Several of
the other people on the bus reached up and pushed their windows shut.

The National Guard at the quarantine site didn’t
allow  people to get close enough to
touch the bus. They were shot with rubber bullets or Tasered if they tried to
cross the police line. Every time I heard the shot of the riot guns I jumped.
My muscles ached from tensing them—waiting for the inevitable sound.

“Why are you crying?” A boy sitting in front of me
looked at me like I’d grown another head. “They’d probably kill you and steal
your place in the PODs if given the chance.”

I shook my head, remembering what my dad had told me. “They’re
just scared,” I said. After all, they were, essentially, the walking dead.

The rioters screamed and cursed us. They threw rocks
and eggs as we drove by. An egg hit the window next to me, the slimy insides
plopping against my head, matting my hair.

“Gross,” the boy sitting next to me said.

I just looked at him and rolled my eyes.

Yeah, the egg
is gross. And the drool coming out of your mouth and dripping on my leg while
you slept, leaning on me, was glorious.

The bus stopped in a fenced area like the one at the
high school. The crowd screamed and banged the fence posts with their crude,
homemade picket signs. Some climbed on the fence, pulling at it like
chimpanzees at the zoo.

“Stay seated until your name is called,” a soldier
yelled. “When you are called, grab your belongings and wait to be escorted into
the building.”

Oh please,
call this guy’s name. He needs to move before I shove him off the seat. I’m
tired of being pinned against the side of the bus. I need some room.

Thankfully, my name was called soon after we stopped. I
stood, stretched the kinks out of my muscles, and plowed through the massive
body blocking me. Clambering over the other luggage that filled the aisle, I
grabbed my two suitcases and stood in front of the bus.

The one-story brick building was large but had no
windows, only a single green door. I couldn’t see the other sides, but I had a
feeling there’d be no windows there, either—no glass for rioters to break
through.

The soldier walked up from behind me, tapping my
suitcase with his clipboard. “Follow me.”

I shuffled into the brick building, guided by the same
guardsman who’d ripped me away from my parents hours earlier…

“I love you,”
my mom said through her tears, her voice thick and trembling.

“I want to
stay with you,” I pleaded.

“Come here,
kiddo.” My dad, his face distorted with grief, folded me in a tight hug. He
kissed the top of my head and told me he loved me and how proud he was of me.
“I know, when this is over, you are going to do great things, Eva. you’re a
fighter. I love you so much.”

A rough hand
grabbed my arm, pulling me away from my dad. “Get on the bus,” the male voice
ordered, yelling to be heard over the crying of parents and children saying
their final goodbyes.

“I’m not done
saying goodbye…” He didn’t let go, pulling me with him. My heels digging into
the dirt, I tried to pull away. I needed one more hug, to hear them tell me
they loved me and to tell them I loved them, too.

“MOM!” I
screamed. “DAD!” Tears stained my face. The man thrust me toward the steps of
the old, yellow school bus. I screamed one more time for my parents, telling
them I loved them, reaching my arms out to them.

I could see my
mom’s body rock with the force of her cries. Tears ran down my father’s face.
“We love you, Evangelina,” I heard them call just before the bus door closed.

It was the
last thing I’d hear my parents say. It was the last image I’d have of them. I
pressed my hand to the window of the bus, my head bowed as I sobbed. I didn’t
try to hide my tears. Everyone on the bus was crying for their families. We
knew what awaited them.

Death.

I shook my head, trying to erase the horrible memory.
I wanted to remember the good things about them, not saying goodbye.

Goodbyes are hard, but this one had been different.
This wasn’t a goodbye, I’ll see you in a month. It was a permanent goodbye. I’d
never see my parents again. The overwhelming sadness took over, like a black
hole sucking me in. Fat, salty tears ran down my face, and I could feel my nose
running. I wiped my arm across it. My eyes were swollen, my throat sore, and my
chest tight.

I was alone. My parents were gone. No brothers or
sisters. Just me—an orphan of the virus.

***Advanced
Praise For PODs***

“…an energetic, tumultuous roller coaster ride that me
on the edge of my seat and biting my nails…You know when Goodreads says “Meet
You Next Favourite Book?” Well this is it! This is my favourite book of 2013…In
my honest opinion Michelle Pickett is best-selling author material…overflowing
with talent…It doesn’t feel like a debut book; her writing speaks of someone
who has been writing and publishing books for years.”  ~ Keren of Gothic Angel Book Reviews

“It is very rare these days for a YA book to suck me
in so thoroughly that I lose all concept of time and place, I’m just too busy
for that.  But PODs did exactly that.  I was pulled right into Eva’s
world and stayed there until the end… All in all, I give it my rare 5 out of 5
stars with a warning: Do not pick this book up unless you’ve cleared your schedule
for several hours!”  ~ DJ of The Curvy
Writer Blog

“5
glowing, sparkling stars for this one!...I absolutely adored every character
Michelle introduces us to. This book isn't just about a romance, or two people
fighting some battle. This book allows us to get to know several, amazing,
diverse characters who all grab your heart (even a few who have attitude
issues). They all held such an important place in the story… Now for the plot.
Holy crap!... Michelle did a flippin' fantastic job giving us each piece of
this puzzle… I won't go into details about what happens after they are
removed from the POD but O-M-G! The action never stops…This book seriously
needs to be a movie. I could picture every detail and already see it playing
out on screen. PLEASE SOMEONE MAKE THIS HAPPEN!”  ~ Jessica of Total Bookaholic

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About the Author:

I'm a wife, mother, author,
reader, although not always in that order.  I write young adult urban
fantasies, science/fiction and paranormal romances and have recently started
dabbling in young adult contemporary romance. Reading was one of my earliest passions,
writing soon followed. I began writing seriously during college where I
graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting. Why I chose a career
that frowns on creativity remains a mystery.

I’m addicted to Reese’s peanut butter cups and eat way too many while I write, have an abnormal obsession with hoodies and can’t write without one, and I hate to cook, but love to watch cooking shows on television. An unabashed romantic, I
love a swoon-worthy ending that will give me butterflies for days.

I wrote my debut young adult novel, PODs, in 2011. PODs, a science/fiction, post-apocalyptic romance, will be released June 4, 2013 through the amazing Spencer Hill Press.
My second young adult title, Milayna, a paranormal romance, will release through Spencer Hill Press beginning in March 2014. Milayna is a standalone, with series potential. It’s meant to be a trilogy. The Infected, a PODs novel, will release November 2014. It is the second, and last, book in the PODs series.

I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan.  I now reside in a small community outside Houston, Texas with my incredibly supportive, not to mention gorgeous, husband, three amazing school-aged children, a 125-pound lap dog, and a snooty cat. Keep up-to-date with my current, future projects, appearances, and fun giveaways at www.michelle-pickett.com.

I always love to hear from readers, bloggers and other authors!

Find me here:

Website│Email│Blog│Facebook│Twitter│Goodreads


***GIVEAWAY***

(1)  POD's Swag Bundle including: A signed first
edition of PODs, PODs bookmarks and some of my next release Milayna, a
tote bag, stickers, and a gift card ($10) to Amazon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway