All in a Book: Rachael Wade

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Monday, March 24, 2014

Blog Tour + Review: Declaration by Rachael Wade

Declaration (Preservation #3) by Rachael Wade

Release Date: October 7, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Rabbit Hole Press (Discern Publishing House)
Pages: 191
Format: eBook
Source: Review Copy for Tour
Goodreads • Amazon

Featuring characters from Love and Relativity.

Carter Montgomery spent most of his life blending in, and he liked it that way. It was always better to be seen, not heard. And while a theatric streak and friendly demeanor might have fooled most people, he knew the truth—he was the shy one. The quiet kid most people forgot about. Some might have considered that a bad thing, but those people all wanted to be in the spotlight.

The only place Carter didn’t mind attention was on stage, with The Hellions. Once content in his comfort zone in Seattle, Washington, he only knew three things: confrontation was to be avoided, keeping the peace was priority, and the moment he lost Kate Parker to Professor Ryan Campbell, he had no clue what to do with his life. Playing gigs, working at Pike Place Market, and watching BBC after the love of his life sailed off into the sunset just wasn’t going to cut it anymore.

Desperate to escape his rut, he takes a cue from Kate and chooses a random place to relocate—a small island across the country, where no one knows his name and memories of unrequited love aren’t found at every turn. Just when he thinks he’s found the perfect place to unwind and sink back into the shadows, in bursts Whitney Sinclair, a saucy firecracker who loves life and refuses to settle for second best. Full of contagious energy, she dares him to be brave, convincing him that it might finally be time to tell the world what he wants.

It might be time to make a declaration.

If you read my review of Preservation, the first book in the series, you'll see just how much I love Carter. And now he's gone from goofy and adorable best friend to leading man. Yes, please. And not only that, but it's a nerdy love story! Because, despite the tattoos and guitar-playing, that's exactly what Carter is and I love it.

Seeing him get away from Seattle after everything that went down between Ryan and Kate was relieving. The only thing that had ever bothered me about Carter was his rather obsessive, puppy-dog affections for Kate, who so didn't deserve them (okay—that might be some bitterness on my part). Moving away from that, we really get to see Carter as more than just a crutch or support system, and he shines! Still Britain-obsessed and adorably shy, you can't help but fall for this guy. How was Whitney supposed to resist?

As for his leading lady, I really preferred her to Kate. She was free-spirited and open, if a little wounded from past missteps, and she challenged Carter to come outside of himself and figure out what his dream was. It was the kind of relationship that lasts—where neither party lets the other be anything less than they're capable of.

With that said, so much of this book is just about Crater moving forward with his life and healing. And a large component of that is trying to get over Kate. I thought this element was a little over done, but I also never understood exactly why he was and remained so infatuated with Kate. To me, he always seemed more into the idea of her (something that's pointed out to him and one point and rather unjustly dismissed, if you ask me). But, in the end, it does serve to make his relationship with Whitney feel that much more solid when they're able to move past it.

There were a few unsettling moments where events started to remind me of the end of Reservation (book 2), which would've taken Carter so far out of character. Luckily, it all worked out, but it still felt like a stretch for him as a person.

Declaration was by far my favorite of the series. In fact, it wouldn't be at all ridiculous to claim that, for me, it felt like this book was the whole reason for the first two. They were just building it up for Carter to get his turn. Because, really: a good guy with a lip ring? Swoon.

Check out the other stops on the tour!

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About the Author

Rachael Wade writes edgy New Adult and Adult romance and science fiction. She is the author of the Amazon bestselling Preservation series, The Replacement, and Love and Relativity, as well as the paranormal romance series The Resistance Trilogy. When she's not writing, she's busy going to concerts, watching too many movies, and learning how to protect animals and the environment. She's an avid Brandi Carlile fan and loves all things Tim Burton. Visit her at RachaelWade.com and LightsOnLove.com, and come chat with her on Twitter @RachaelWade.

Review: Reservation by Rachael Wade

Reservation (Preservation #2) by Rachael Wade

Release Date: March 6, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Rabbit Hole Press (Discern Publishing House)
Pages: 207
Format: eBook
Source: Review Copy from Author
Goodreads • Amazon

A sequel to the Amazon bestselling romance, Preservation, told from Ryan’s point of view.

Old Habits Die Hard.

Ryan Campbell is not only leaving his title of Professor behind to move on to bigger and better things at Simon and Warden Publishing, he’s also become Seattle’s rising literary star. Sitting on the overwhelming cusp of newfound fame, he learns soon enough that being popular has its downside.

Attracted to the buzz surrounding his new career, former lovers begin to creep back into his life, and potential ones emerge with enticing advances. While he works to juggle reserved, yet stressful, wedding plans with Kate and his new public image, he has enough to manage without worrying about Carter and Dean—Kate’s loveable albeit eccentric friends—and their latest shenanigans.

Surrounded by a lifestyle that includes temptation at every turn, Ryan finds himself immersed in a world full of scandal and lies, where his oldest weaknesses thrive and his ghosts return to haunt him. Questioning whether his life with Kate is his best path, he must discover if he’s still capable of being the man he aspired to be when she first became his, or if happily ever after is only an illusion.

Just like in Preservation (Book 1), my feelings about Reservation are conflicted.Parts of this book were seriously painful. Not in a "this is bad" way, or an "I'm not enjoying this" way. But in an "for the love of everything, please just talk to each other" way. Obviously, I have a lot of feelings, even if I'm not quite sure what they are.

Kate and Ryan are back on track and engaged, but still operating long-distance since the end of the last book. Obviously, this will inevitably be difficult. Coupled with Ryan's burgeoning fame and the media fallout that corresponds and their inability to talk it out with each other (a problem that persists from the early stages of their relationship), it edges toward downright disastrous.That's where the pain comes from. Something would happen that could be eased or fixed by honest, open communication and still nothing.I wanted to rage over that more than once.

I did, however, like the fact that we got into Ryan's head. While there were times I wanted to pummel him, I felt like I gained a better understanding of his character and came to like him more. And then the end was kind of a shit-show in Ryan's case, but I digress.

Kate was actually more of a prop for a lot of the book since she was in St. Lucia and only popped up in a significant way a couple of times. I would've liked a little more of her because I still think there's more to learn about her, but I also understand that this is truly Ryan's book. even if it rubbed me the wrong way a little that Ryan's development was such a huge part of Kate's book, but hers wasn't of his.

Overall, Reservation was an enjoyable look into the head of our male lead as the relationship from book 1 progresses from the honeymoon to the real. Just...be prepared for a lot of feelings (not all good) at the end.

Review: Preservation by Rachael Wade

Preservation (Preservation #1) by Rachael Wade

Release Date: April 8, 2012
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Rabbit Hole Press (Discern Publishing House)
Pages: 272
Format: eBook
Source: Review Copy from Author
Goodreads • Amazon

Fear is sabotage's sweetest weapon.

Kate has no time for meaningless romantic charades, and definitely no time for hot college professors who are full of themselves and smitten with her. Constantly battling eviction notices, tuition she can't afford, and a sick, dependent mother, the last thing she needs is to be distracted with someone else's complicated baggage.

When she stumbles into Ryan Campbell's creative writing class, he is only "Mr. Campbell" to her, until Ryan finds himself captivated by her writing and she is forced to face their mutual attraction. His cocky know-it-all syndrome is enough to send her running in the other direction, and his posse of female admirers and playboy reputation are enough to squander any odds in her favor.

But underneath Ryan's abrasive facade is something to behold, and she can't stay away for long. Ryan and Kate must decide who they're willing to become and fight against their former selves if they want to make things work. That's if academia, vicious vixens, old skeletons, and their own mastery at self-destruction don't pummel their efforts first.

I have a hard time trying to sum up my feelings about Preservation. I enjoyed reading the book, but there were also several elements that I really didn't like for one reason or another. For starters, the complete lack of communication between Kate and Ryan. Or the fact that they both seemed determined to remain self-serving. Or, while I usually love a good professor/student romance (and this one even took care of squiggy age differences!), the idea of a professor who constantly has affairs with students, with almost zero subtlety to boot, before finding "the One" was less than endearing. There are more, but there were also enough things that kept me interested to have me pretty confused within myself by the end.

As far as the characters go, there was also a bit of a split. Kate, overall, I liked (despite the fact that she worked the commitment-phobe thing very hard and that tends to bother me more than a little). Her back story, although interesting was vague at times and I think missed out as a result. A more concrete understanding of her past could've really packed a punch, if you ask me. But still, she's confident at times, lost at others, stubborn, a little bit snarky, and loyal. These are all qualities I can get behind.

Which brings us to her male counterpart. I really wanted to like Ryan, but the fact that he doesn't seem to like himself at all made that difficult. There was so much self-loathing that the only things that kept me interested were the forbidden love element (I'm a sucker, what can I say?) and the chemistry between Ryan and Kate (which I actually did enjoy, even if I wasn't particularly fond of their characters). As we neared the end, I would say I'd definitely grown to like him more, but one of the twists at the end really tested that. In the end, I more-or-less liked him, but it certainly wasn't a clearly positive opinion.

The most entertaining characters for me, by far, were Carter and Dean, Kate's best friends. They're awesomely lovable, all-things-British-obsessed, nerdy goofballs and I adored them. I was less fond, however, of the "we're both in love with Kate!" element of their characters (less so Dean, but it was still there). I wanted to see them get over it and just be awesome, and it seemed like one of them had, but the other remained firmly entrenched. Sadness. But these guys were awesome—lovable, supportive, so freaking loyal, and sweet.

So, despite my mixed feelings, I did enjoy reading Preservation. This is the kind of book for true romance fans, where you can find enjoyment in the progression of the story almost in spite of the characters, at times.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Book Blitz: Repossession by Rachael Wade

Repossession (The Keeper's Trilogy #1) by Rachael Wade

Release Date: June 21, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Science Fiction, Romance
Goodreads
Amazon, B&N

Skylla only knows that she has been kidnapped and held prisoner by the foreign invaders and their human allies. And that the world is ending. Or so the humans think. The invaders have made it clear that their arrival is one of hostile intent, and as their takeover spreads, so does the panic across the globe. No one knows how to defeat them, or if it’s even sane to try.

Jet, Skylla’s human captor, is up for the challenge, though. A traitor in Skylla’s eyes, he is working with them. But Jet has his own agenda; one that doesn’t include babysitting Skylla or helping the enemies. And as the human race struggles to keep the invaders from achieving their goal, Jet and Skylla’s paths collide to reveal the truth behind Skylla’s abduction.

The invaders are headed for the water. Jet is headed for the water. But that’s the last place Skylla wants to be. That’s where the future of humanity lies, and where the bridge to their yesterdays was burned. On a mission to take back what is rightfully theirs, Earth’s population is determined to make sure this isn’t the end. But some endings were never theirs to begin with.

An Excerpt from Repossession

The quiet drone of a train’s chugging grew louder as it approached but was still eerily muted, a graceful ghost passing in the night. Minimal light shone from the front car as Jet stepped forward to align himself with its path.

“How do we know where it stops?” I asked, positioning myself next to him.

“We don’t.”

“So …”

“So we have to make a run for it.”

“You mean jump?”

“Yup.”

“As in … jump onto a moving train.”

“Yup.”

“This is crazy.”

“A dangerously disturbing level of crazy. No worries, baby.” He patted my shoulder with a smartass grin. “It’s just your area of expertise.” I narrowed my eyes at him, storing that one away for a future retaliation jab of my own.

Adrenaline spiked as the train grew closer, every nerve ending a live wire to the heart pounding violently in my chest. Jet grabbed my hand, glancing at my gun. “I’ll go first. Once I get a good grip, I’ll haul you up. Whatever you do, don’t stop running. And don’t let go.”

“I should go first,” I raised my voice to speak over the rumbling of the track. “You’re hurt. You’re going to need upper body strength.”

“I’m fine. Don’t fight me on this.”

Blood pounded hot in my ears, my heart rate jumping and hair blowing wildly around my cheeks as the train began to whizz by. The rush in my veins propelled me forward the moment I spotted an opportunity, and I launched into a controlled sprint. Springing upward, I lunged forward and latched on to the side of the car, the metal handle slipping beneath my sweaty grip. I shrieked and latched on harder, hearing Jet’s voice thunder behind me. The train’s vibrations rattled against my chest, sending my senses on high alert.

Clenching the handle until my knuckles hurt, I bit down on my lip to ease the tension and yanked hard to the right, feeling a heavy latch click and shift beneath my fingers. The door slid open and I hauled myself up and inside, grabbing onto the side of the frame to steady myself before flipping around to reach for Jet. He was running full speed after me, his arms pumping tight and sharp at his sides as he tore forward.

“Come on!” I yelled, extending one arm. It only took him a few seconds to catch up, his agile form sending his body off the ground and up onto the car before I could blink. With a loud shout, he clamped onto my arm, his other hand flying over his chest to cradle his gun. I was thrown onto my back with a thud before I knew what hit me, his body covering mine with a crash that left me seeing stars.

“Fucking crazy woman!” he shouted over the rail’s relentless roar, louder now that we were level with it. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” His heat pressed into me, his arms caging me in as he stared down into my eyes, his nose aligned with mine.

“Fulfilling my sole purpose to drive you mad, it seems.” I couldn’t help it. The rush sent me sky-high and an explosive laugh escaped my lungs. I shook beneath him, my breath heaving against his chest.

“Damn it, Skylla!” He dropped his head as he gasped for air. “Seriously!” he added for effect, but there was nothing serious in his voice now. He was laughing too, just as deep, just as euphorically as I was, and I decided right then that the sound of Jet’s laugh was almost as sexy as his full lips and ripped body.

“Wanna go again?”

“You’re reckless. I can’t even look at you.”

“You’re crushing me.”

His head lifted, those blue eyes settling on me as his laughter slowed. “You deserve it.”

My hand shifted and found his injured hip; my fingers brushed the bandage through his shirt. He flinched. “And you need to admit when you need help.”

Pushing himself up, he rolled off me and sat back on his heels, wincing and gripping his side, his lips pulling back and teeth visibly grinding with the motion. I sat up and scooted forward, mindful of the gaping railcar door. I reached up and slid it shut, slamming it with a loud grunt until I felt it lock into place. The loud rumble of the wheels hitting the track was muted now, but the rattling hum still thumped away from outside, filling the dimly lit car with a shaky buzz.

“I’m fine,” he said.

“Fine. Play it your way. I’m going to see if I can find you some medicine.” I helped push him backward to prop him against the wall, peeling his backpack from his shoulders first. “Try and rest, I’ll see what I can find out.”

“I’m not letting you wander around these cars alone. Not fuckin’ happening.”

“If you don’t rest and get medicine for that wound soon, I’ll be stuck wandering everywhere alone. That ointment won’t cut it. You’re going to need antibiotics. It’s starting to get infected.”

His gaze snapped up to mine and held my stare. “Finger on the trigger.”

“Fire on your mark.” I smirked.

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About the Author

Rachael Wade is the Amazon bestselling author of The Preservation Series, The Resistance Trilogy, and the upcoming sci-fi series, The Keeper's Trilogy. When she’s not writing, she’s busy learning French, watching too many movies, and learning how to protect animals and the environment. Visit her at www.RachaelWade.com and www.LightsOnOutreach.com, or come chat with her on Twitter via @RachaelWade.

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