Blog Tour: Find Me by Romily Bernard

Hey guys! Super excited to be interviewing Romily (who's such a sweetheart!) I loved Find Me so you guys should definitely get your hands on a copy ASAP! 

Fiction Freak: On a scale of 1-10 what are the chances of you being investigated by the FBI because of Google searches? (Or for any other reason. I'd LOVE to know.)

RB: Oh geez, I worry about this one for reals because I Google the most inappropriate stuff. Things like, how many months does it take a body to decompose? Or, how do you make a bomb at home? That one was the best because I also learned how to make homemade napalm. Is this useful information to have when you’re doing spreadsheets at work? No. Is it useful to drop into casual conversations with coworkers? Absolutely. Their expressions are priceless. Anyway, where was I? Oh, yeah, I totally worry about being investigated, but, on a scale of 1-10, I’m probably a 3 on their radar.

FF: How did the idea of FIND ME come to you? Was it the plot first, was it the character, or the situation? 

RB: Man, I have the worst inspiration story ever. FIND ME was written as agent bait. In fact, I think I even titled it, Agent Bait, for a while. You see, the literary agent I wanted expressed interest in YA thrillers so I decided I would write one. Makes it sound easy, no? I probably spent a week staggering around trying to think of interesting ideas. For people who know me that mostly looks like muttering, staring into space, and eating frosting directly from the tub. Anywho, I finally got this idea for a hacker who’s trying to get some work done while a cop sits outside her house. People who read the first chapter were like, “So why’s he there?” I had no idea. Thinking I had a clue, readers would press on, “So who’s the bad guy?” I didn’t know, but I kept writing until I did.

FF: First thought when you saw the cover?

I squealed like a three-year-old hopped up on red drink.

FF: What is the worst question you've ever been asked when you said "I'm a YA writer"

RB: Haha! No one knows what a YA writer is so I usually say I write techie thrillers and, almost always, people give me the stink eye and say, “So are you, like, a hacker or something?” I am not a hacker. I will never be a hacker. I’m not even qualified to type the word “hacker” because until a year ago I thought my television was powered by hamsters running reeeeaaaalllly hard on a wheel behind the screen. Okay, that’s not true either. I know it involves electricity and the hamsters have to plug stuff in. I just like talking about hamster wheels because it makes the blood vessel on Boy Genius’s forehead pop up when I tell people we’re rodent powered.

FF: Would you freak out like me if you were in Wick's situation or would you be badass like your fabulous main character? 

RB: I’m not sure I would be bad-ass, but I’m pretty sure I would get myself killed. For someone who’s only 5’3” on a good day, I run my mouth like I’m as big as anyone. Case in point? I was hit by a car once and, technically, it was kinda sorta possibly my fault. Okay, it was totally my fault, but I was still furious as I went skidding across the guy’s hood and I loudly mentioned the driver’s mother and another rude verb…or two. He came out of that sedan like someone launched him from a cannon and, to my utter surprise, he had to be pushing 6’6”. Part of my brain thought: “Gee, you really can fit a lot in a Fiat.” The rest of me thought: “I don’t know the Spanish words I’m going to need to describe this to the paramedic.” So I ran and Big Foot ran after me. Luckily, he got tired of chasing me way before I got tired of running. You’d think I’d exercise some restraint after that. Yeah, you’d think.

FF: Whats a weird thing about Wick that isn't mentioned in FIND ME?

RB: If Wick were a real person, I don’t think she’d have any use for me. I’m not sure what that says about me as a writer if I create characters that would never, ever hang out with me on a Saturday night. Actually, I’m pretty sure I know exactly what that says about me and I’m refusing to think about it.

FF: Speaking of upcoming books, can you give us a little teaser of the sequel?

RB: Hmmm, a teaser for REMEMBER ME…how about explosions, dead bodies, more hacking, and the truth behind Wick’s mother’s suicide?

FF: If you could do a spinoff of ANY book or series, what book/series and which character?

RB: Definitely R.L. LaFevers’s HIS FAIR ASSASSIN series. Ismae was so wounded and yet so incredibly strong. She’s someone I’d love to see a great deal more of.

FF: What's one book you can't wait to get your hands on? 

RB: I can only pick one?! HER DARK CURIOSITY…wait, no, THE DREAM THIEVES…or ANTIGODDESS. Um, can I just say ‘yes?’

FF: What is your absolute favorite suspense/thriller? 

RB: Gillian Flynn’s GONE GIRL. You want to talk about an author who’s so amazing she gives me shame spirals? Flynn is just…yeah, there are no words.

Huge thank you to Nikki at Fiction Freak for having me. Hope you enjoyed the interview and I hope you enjoy FIND ME!

Find Me Blurb
"Find Me." These are the words written on Tessa Waye's diary. The diary that ends up with Wick Tate. But Tessa's just been found...dead.
Wick has the right computer-hacking skills for the job, but little interest in this perverse game of hide-and-seek. Until her sister Lily is the next target. Then Griff, trailer-park boy next door and fellow hacker, shows up, intent on helping Wick.
Is a happy ending possible with the threat of Wick's deadbeat dad returning, the detective hunting him sniffing around Wick instead, and a killer taunting her at every step?
Foster child. Daughter of a felon. Loner hacker girl. Wick has a bad attitude and sarcasm to spare.
But she's going to find this killer no matter what.
Because it just got personal.

Author Bio

I graduated from Georgia State University with a Literature degree. Since then, I’ve worked as a riding instructor, cell phone salesgirl, personal assistant, groom, exercise rider, accounting assistant, and, during a very dark time, customer service rep.So don’t let anyone tell you a BA degree will keep you unemployed.

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Mini Freak Out: Find Me by Romily Bernard

Mini Freak Out

Goodreads Blurb

“Find Me.”
These are the words written on Tessa Waye’s diary. The diary that ends up with Wick Tate. But Tessa’s just been found . . . dead.
Wick has the right computer-hacking skills for the job, but little interest in this perverse game of hide-and-seek. Until her sister Lily is the next target.
Then Griff, trailer-park boy next door and fellow hacker, shows up, intent on helping Wick. Is a happy ending possible with the threat of Wick’s deadbeat dad returning, the detective hunting him sniffing around Wick instead, and a killer taunting her at every step?
Foster child. Daughter of a felon. Loner hacker girl. Wick has a bad attitude and sarcasm to spare.
But she’s going to find this killer no matter what.
Because it just got personal.

8: I never knew a cop could be so terrifying.
14: Holy crap.
17: SHIVERS.
22: Oh my God
30: Books teach me things that a 13 year old should not know. >:)
39: My heart hurts
42: O_O
63: CRAPSTICKS
68: THIS HAS TO BE THE WORST COP IN HISTORY. WHO EVEN.
73: Do I hate or love Lily.
78: I don't know about Lily, BUT I LOVE GRIFF
80: O_______O
98: Carson. Creepiest guy on Earth
105: OH GOD. UH OH. CRAP.
124: HOLY CRAP. JUST HOLY CRAP.
134: I love Griff
140: SQUEALS
146: My squeals of joy have become squeals of terror.
150: I love Lauren!
154: SO MANY REASONABLE SUSPECTS
167: TEEHEE
171: CRAP. CRAP. CRAP.
175: EERCTFHJKLPMNXAAWFHMLITEAJJLHEEKBSO
194: Yeah I love Griff
205: AHAHAHAHAHA *wipes away tears* I LOVE THEM
206: OMG I JUST.  <3
219: Oh God. Oh God oh God oh God.
223: I AM CRYING. CRYING.
230: OH GOD WHAT IS HAPPENING
237: GRIFF I LOVE YOU
238: OH MY CRAP. CRAP
241: WHAT
242: FYI.IUMEGBFNRYIULJRMTEGNTEHIEEDDWGRYJTYETHMYTEBERGTEH
271: OH MY FUCKIN GOD I CAN'T SOMEHOW OMG I CAN'T EVEN. LOCK THE DOORS AND SHUTTER THE WINDOWS AND RUN WICK RUN
274: YOU SICK PSYCHO
275: OMG I AM SO UNBELIEVABLY FREAKED OUT. IHBOUNOMPLKJBVTXESESCGHVBINKNK
280: Oh. My. Fuck.
282: OH FUCK. FUCK. SHIT. NO. OMFG. I CAN'T EVEN. BRB DYING.
303: I just can't.
End: THERE'S A SEQUEL?! I HOPE SO.

Romily Bernard is a genius with suspense. I can't even tell you how many times my heart pounded throughout this entire thing and how many times I was nervous for Wick. (Okay maybe I can. Hint: It was all the time.) There were several twists I couldn't see coming, that just smacked me in the face, and while the major plot twist was sort of predictable...it still absolutely killed me. And, of course, shocked me so much I ended up gaping at the pages for a good bit. 
But the mystery of "Find Me", of Tessa Waye, wasn't the only plot line that catches your interest, as thrilling as it is. Wick just happens to be the daughter of a drug lord on the run, and she has to deal with that as well as trying to ward off Carson, a certain cop who can't seem to stay away. So, of course, nothing's easy for our poor characters. 

Oh, our characters. How I absolutely love them! Wick was a fierce character, broken and hardened by years under the thumb of her father and the ghost of her mother's suicide haunting her. She's independent, but has a vulnerable side, one that she rarely shows. She's a fascinating character, a realistically portrayed one, and her voice was amazing! 
We also have Lily, the little sister. I...didn't love her so much. I never felt like she understood what her sister had gone through or what her sister feels and I couldn't help but resent her. Just a little! She was still awfully adorable.

Do I get to talk about Griff now? Because oh my freaking God, I loved him! He was sweet and a little rough around the edges. And absolutely swoony. He was hilarious too and cared so much for Wick. I loved their romance which wasn't really insta-love, but you can immediately feel their chemistry. Which made me giggle happily so many times.

Thrilling and unpredictable, Find Me is possibly my favorite suspense I've read in ever and I absolutely have to recommend! It's unforgettable and gripping, not letting you go until the end.

Pages: 307

Genre: Suspense/Thriller

Series: Find Me #1

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: Sep 24, 2013

Rating: 4.5

Waiting on Wednesday

Control by Lydia Kang

When a crash kills their father and leaves them orphaned, Zel knows she needs to protect her sister, Dyl. But before Zel has a plan, Dyl is taken by strangers using bizarre sensory weapons, and Zel finds herself in a safe house for teens who aren’t like any she’s ever seen before—teens who shouldn't even exist. Using broken-down technology, her new friends’ peculiar gifts, and her own grit, Zel must find a way to get her sister back from the kidnappers who think a powerful secret is encoded in Dyl’s DNA.

A spiraling, intense, romantic story set in 2150—in a world of automatic cars, nightclubs with auditory ecstasy drugs, and guys with four arms—this is about the human genetic “mistakes” that society wants to forget, and the way that outcasts can turn out to be heroes.

ANYWAYS. The mutated genes was really the part that caught my attention sinceMUTATION. YES. MUTANT NINJA TURTLES. Ok, so not that mutated. But it definitely sounds action packed and full of fun! And I'm hoping a bad boy love interest. Or a sweet romance. I love my so-not-insta-lovey-romances, you know.And seriously, do you understand how epic this sounds? AND OMG THE COVER. THE COVER GUYS, THE COVER.

The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White

Goodreads Blurb

Isadora’s family is seriously screwed up.
Of course, as the human daughter of Egyptian gods, that pretty much comes with the territory. She’s also stuck with parents who barely notice her, and a house full of relatives who can’t be bothered to remember her name. After all, they are going to be around forever—and she’s a mere mortal.
Isadora’s sick of living a life where she’s only worthy of a passing glance, and when she has the chance to move to San Diego with her brother, she jumps on it. But Isadora’s quickly finding that a “normal” life comes with plenty of its own epic complications—and that there’s no such thing as a clean break when it comes to family. Much as she wants to leave her past behind, she can’t shake the ominous dreams that foretell destruction for her entire family. When it turns out there may be truth in her nightmares, Isadora has to decide whether she can abandon her divine heritage after all.

Let me say this now: I will read anything Kiersten White writes. Especially when it has mythology (Egyptian mythology to boot!) and the daughter of two gods. Ummm yes!

The way The Chaos of Stars was written was definitely it's selling point. In the beginning of each chapter, we get a little bit of Egyptian mythology retold by Isadora. It's brilliant and fabulous, not to mention the darker dreams that our main character had, and mentioned, in the beginning of every other chapter or so that added a scene of intrigue to the entire plot.
Not to mention we have White's humor and laugh out loud tendencies and a depth to the book I definitely didn't expect!

Isadora's not just trying to get away from her family--she's dealing with the fact of knowing that she'll be replaced, that her parents have prepared for her death, that her parents just maybe don't care for her at all. It makes her an understandable character, but Isadora...well, she still irritated me. She whined throughout the book about her family, how she didn't want to fall in love, but was falling for love interest Ry anyways, and about why she'd wanted to be her older brother's only family. And when her mother warns her of bad dreams, and she gets some, she fails to mention them as a little "rebellion" even though they could put her in serious danger. What? Not to mention she was so completely and utterly pessimistic which kicked my optimistic side in the stomach.

I loved the reluctant romance in here though! Ry was so sweet and caring and I loved his little quirks. He was a swoony love interest and was just adorable around Isadora! The relationship between them was so cute and I was just in love with the idea of them as a couple and feel free to imagine me as the Sebastian (Little Mermaid) for the two! I really hope you guys get that reference.

The plot was...well, rather slow. Nothing really happened until the last three chapters or so and it was rather dull, although I was still interested with Isadora's life and, of course, the romance! But that didn't help the fact that what we mainly saw was Isadora adjusting to regular American life and that sort of bored me. The last few chapters were definitely explosive, though, and I loved it! I did expect a certain twist about Ry that I found a bit obvious, but the plot twists? Shocked!

Kiersten White, in typical Kiersten White style, has created a hilarious, gorgeously written novel that I loved! With interesting characters, a curious plot, and a character who's trying to figure out who she is, The Chaos of Stars is one I would recommend to anyone who loved White's previous work or wants to start her books!

Pages: 288

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Standalone

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: Sep 30, 2013

Rating: Possibly the one and only 3.75 rating

The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas

Goodreads Blurb

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's being told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. A suicide task for anyone let alone a sixteen-year-old girl with no training, facing a prophecy that foretells a fiery clash to the death.
Prince Titus of Elberon has sworn to protect Iolanthe at all costs but he's also a powerful mage committed to obliterating the Bane to revenge the death of his family—even if he must sacrifice both Iolanthe and himself to achieve his goal.
But Titus makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the Bane closing in, he must choose between his mission and her life.

The Burning Sky actually took me a while to read. I'd started it in early May and put it down for about 3 months. When I picked it back up, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. So many friends loved it, but I'd hated it. Or, at least, I did at first.
I was this close to DNF'ing The Burning Sky before someone told me that it got better in the second half--and it really did. 

The first half was...pretty dull and pretty annoying. I hated Iolanthe at first. She was whiny and she grated my nerves so many times. I wanted to like her, I did! But I just couldn't bring myself to really care for her at all, even when I passed the halfway mark. She grew on me a big, but I couldn't really care what happened to her throughout the book. She was definitely a bit badass though, and I loved her snarky remarks and willpower.
And Titus. At first he seemed like a pretty flat character, but I absolutely fell in love with him by the end! He's a misunderstood character who pushes everyone away because of both his "destiny" and his royal blood. I loved how strong he was and how dedicated he was to his cause. And, eventually, how dedicated he was to keeping Iolanthe safe.

The writing is a bit off with me. I found it a bit confusing at times and had to reread several parts a few times to grasp their meaning. It was also awkward for me because sometimes I had no idea who's POV I was reading from sometimes and felt a bit estranged from the story with it's 3rd person writing.

The worldbuilding, however, was absolutely gorgeous! It's a complex world, and I always love learning about a fantasy world. How the magic works, what creatures are there, how the government works, everything. And The Burning Sky had a beautiful, developed world with elemental mages, seers, and prophecies of all kind. Magic plays an (obviously) large role, but my favorite bit had to be the Crucible. But, of course, you'd have to read the book to find out what that is!

The plot was, like I said, slow in the beginning and achingly boring. But once you hit the halfway (or 40%?) mark, things quickly speed up until you're just stuck at the edge of your seat, wondering exactly what's happening and what'll happen next. There were no giant twists, but the progression of the story was absolutely breathtaking and page turning.

The romance, while fun with their constant banter an bickering, wasn't really built on anything besides the fact that they shared secrets--and that was only because of a chance of luck. I couldn't help but cheer them on a little, if not only for Titus. I'm going to seriously love seeing their romance develop in the next two books for sure!

If you can sit through the first half, The Burning Sky will take your breath away and astonish you with it's vivid worldbuilding and heartstopping plot. I'd definitely recommend it, especially for those who love a good high fantasy that has a pinch of Tamora Pierce in it!

Pages: 464

Genre: High Fantasy

Series: Elemental Trilogy #1

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Release Date: Sep 17, 2013

Rating: 3.5

Blog Tour: Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

Hey guys! Super excited to be on this tour! I loved it so much! After my review, I have a mini interview for you! (And a giveaway of course!)

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Review
Can we just say right off the bat that Kendare Blake is a literary goddess? She has a way with words that just makes you fall in love with her novels, and Antigoddess is no exception.

Usually, as y'all know, I'm not a fan of multiple POV's, especially when it's third person, but Blake manages to pull it off with two kickbutt characters--both not (quite) human and both in dangerous situations. Athena and Cassandra are such different characters, but you can't help but fall in love with them, even as they opposed each other for a short time.

And the fun thing about dual POVs?

Dual romances.

We all know this author can write swoony romances and she does it again in Antigoddess! While Athena's story doesn't focus much on the romance, you can't deny that Odysseus (yes, that Odysseus) and Athena's dynamic isn't brilliant. Athena seems to melt whenever her hero (literally, since she's his patron goddess) is near and Odysseus is so absolutely loyal and sweet around Athena. Plus, I always did like those kind of snarky love interests! He seemed to love Athena for a while too, and it broke my heart whenever she pulled away.

As for Cassandra, well, I can't really say anything about that (spoilers, m'dears!), but let's just say that their relationship made me squeal, smile, giggle, and cry. Emphasis on cry.

Blake did a brilliant job bringing the gods and goddesses of legend to YA form and it was always amazing seeing our weary characters slip into their more powerful personas. And, as sadistic as it sounds, I did love the irony in how each god was dying...as much as it hurt my heart.

While there wasn't as much worldbuilding as I'd hoped, what was there was absolutely enchanting and her penchant for horror definitely played a role in some of the creepy crawly bumps in the night. Like most Greek mythology based books, things seem to revolve around the Trojan War and seeing the characters' flashbacks was exciting since I always did love new takes on it!

The plot was thrilling and I, honestly, got chills at times. There wasn't a slow moment and it was a never ending battle of trying to be a step ahead of someone who's already winning the game. Seeing it from Athena and Cassandra's perspective only made things all the more exciting and I couldn't help but be sucked into the story! If I have to say only one thing about this book, it's that it never let's you down!

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. Kendare Blake is a genius with her words, weaving them into an un-putdown-able novel that'll keep you anxious for ages. She raised expectations with her name alone and delivered it all in one pretty package! It's amazing how brilliant this story is and I honestly can't stop recommending it!

Recommended for fans of Anna Dress in Blood (because Kendare Blake, y'all) and Starcrossed!

Pages: 333 

Genre: Fantasy/Mythology

Series: Goddess Wars #1

Publisher: Tor Teen

Release Date: Sep 10, 2013

Rating: 5 stars

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Fiction Freak: If you were to die in some ironic, morbid way, how would it be?

Kendare Blake: Ironic? Electrocuted by my keyboard? Or perhaps if I was murdered and came back as a murderous ghost, and then Cas murdered me. Or maybe if I died by getting a feather stabbed through my eye.

FF: Suppose you were a Greek goddess--what would you be the goddess of/what existing goddess would you be?

KB: I would be Athena. Or at least I would be friends with her. She’s always seemed the coolest. But if I could invent a goddess of dairy products and hamburgers, I would be that.

FF: How was writing Antigoddess different from writing Anna Dressed in Blood--and whose situation would you rather be stuck in?

KB: I would rather live through ANTIGODDESS, I think. It’s more on the road, and big, big strong hero types. No wait. I would rather go on the road with Cas. No wait. Don’t make me choose.

Antigoddess was definitely harder to write until I figured out how to tell the story and what the story was.

FF: What did you like better--writing about ghosts and exorcism or Greek gods that died in morbid ways?

KB: I don’t know which I liked better…I love them both!

FF: If you would pick one place where the world would end, where would it be?

KB: Well, it should start inside the checkout line at WalMart. That should definitely end first.

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Antigoddess Blurb
The Goddess War begins in Antigoddess, the first installment of the new series by acclaimed author of Anna Dressed in Blood, Kendare Blake.
Old Gods never die…
Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.
Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra—an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god. 
These days, Cassandra doesn’t involve herself in the business of gods—in fact, she doesn’t even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning. 
Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with other of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these anti-gods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get, because immortals don’t just flicker out. 
Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath.
The Goddess War is about to begin.

Author Bio

Kendare Blake is an import from South Korea who was raised in the United States by caucasian parents. You know, that old chestnut. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Ithaca College and a Master’s degree in Writing from Middlesex University in London. She brakes for animals, the largest of which was a deer, which sadly didn’t make it, and the smallest of which was a mouse, which did, but it took forever. Amongst her likes are Greek Mythology, rare red meat and veganism. She also enjoys girls who can think with the boys like Ayn Rand, and boys who scare the morality into people, like Bret Easton Ellis.

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