BLOG TOUR REVIEW & GIVEAWAY - Manic (Tragic #2)

The MANIC blog tour, hosted by Xpresso Book Tours, is here! I'm so excited to kick things off for this awesome book. The entire schedule can be found here. Check out my review, then hop down for a chance to win a copy of both TRAGIC and MANIC, signed by author J.A. Huss.

Manic (Tragic #2), by J.A. Huss
Published August 1, 2013
Publisher:  Science Future Press
Format: e-copy obtained from Xpresso Book Tours and author in exchange for an honest review
Genre:  new adult contemporary romance
To Buy:  Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:  4 STARS

(From Goodreads) TRAGIC is over and Rook is ready for the future—Spencer Shrike and the STURGIS contract!

It’s three months of body art modeling! That means three months of Spencer Shrike’s paintbrush all over her body, three months in front of Antoine’s camera, and three months of twenty-four hour filming for Spencer’s Biker Channel reality show.

Wait a minute…what reality show? Maybe she should’ve read that STURGIS contract a little closer? ;)

Sure, Rook’s bank account is almost overflowing, but Ronin is angry, Clare is trying to escape rehab, Antoine is a worried mess, and Elise is just trying to hold everyone together. Her new family is about to fall apart before she even gets the chance to enjoy them.

Add in a mysterious man from her past, a road trip to the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and a final show in front of the entire world where all her good are on display, and you’ve got Manic—a new adult contemporary romance that will definitely make your summer sizzle!

I was so excited to start reading Manic (Tragic #2), I began it as soon as I got my hands on it. Rook and Ronin's relationship was a little weird when we last saw them, and I was anxious to see where things laid between them at the opening. In addition, a few new intriguing characters were introduced at the end of Tragic that I was fascinated to learn more about. 

When the book begins, Rook is regretting her decision to be Spencer's body art model. She has realized that it might ruin what she has with Ronin which is still very much in its fledgling stage. But, she's signed a contract and must go through with it. Compounding matters is project manager Ford and his terrible attitude and obvious dislike for Rook. And the icing on the cake is when Ronin is called away to - yet again - take care of Clare. Rook is doubting everything she thinks she knows about the people in her new life. 

I got the impression at the end of Tragic that things were good between Rook and Ronin, but not quite completely solid. They're a different sort of couple working in an industry that I would think would make real relationships difficult. They need a period of time to really get connected, but Ronin  is always being put in a tight spot concerning Clare and Rook needs to get naked every day for Spencer. How can a connection occur in situations like that? 

The best part about Manic is that Huss doesn't gloss over the hard parts for Rook and Ronin. Things really AREN'T easy for them, and she doesn't fashion a quick fix. Ronin makes some mistakes and so does Rook. They have some problems and the way doesn't seem clear. Rook and Ronin aren't the most poetic couple - neither has a way with words that some book characters do. Yet, every now and again, Ronin pulls something out that makes me sigh and gives me hope for these two.

"I've never dated a girl like you, Rook. You are everything I want. I love all your parts. I love the wary parts, the defiant parts, the independent parts, and your innocence and vulnerability. I want you next to me and when you're not there I feel like a part of me is missing. I'm so in love with you, Rook. So fucking in love with you it scares me."

The new characters made Manic that much more interesting. Spencer and his body painting were completely captivating. I loved reading about what scenario Spencer was painting for on the different days and how it would play in with the bikes and the scenery. As a marketing professional, I can envision the brochure in my mind, and it's frikkin' AMAZING. I loved learning more about Spencer and his past too. He's a really cool guy.

But, Ford really was the one who stole the show in Manic. It seemed like he felt one way, but in actuality, he felt exactly the opposite. He's got a complex past with Ronin and Spencer that has only barely been investigated yet. I'm hoping we see more about their past in Panic (Tragic #3). 

The explosive ending was exciting and suspenseful, and just a smidge over the top. I didn't mind it all that much. It just wasn't entirely believable. The thing is, I was so taken with all the rest of it, the over-the-top factor didn't seem so important to me. 

Definitely check out Tragic and Manic - J.A. Huss is an incredible author weaving a fantastic story!

About the Author

J. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.

Learn more about J.A. Huss here --> Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Giveaway

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