BLOG TOUR REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Play of Light

Welcome to my stop on the PLAY OF LIGHT blog tour, organized by Xpresso Book Tours. Read on for my review, then enter the awesome tour-wide giveaway at the bottom. And, don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour for more information about Debra Doxer and this incredible book!

Play of Light, by Debra Doxer
Published December 8, 2014
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author
Genre: new adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon

Rating: 4.5 STARS

(From Goodreads) I lived in paradise, and I loved Spencer Pierce.

At fourteen, my life was perfect. The beach was my playground, and the boy who stole my heart lived just around the corner. But perfect never lasts. In one horrifying moment, I lost it all. My family was destroyed, and the boy I believed in turned his back on me. Paradise became a nightmare.

That was five years ago. Everything changed when we moved from our home by the sea. I’ve changed, and I don’t like who I’ve become. I miss the smiling, carefree beach girl who disappeared that terrible night. I want to find her again. I want to face the people we ran from so long ago. Most of all, I have to face Spencer. So I can prove that when he broke my heart, he didn’t break me.

But when I see him again, Spencer Pierce is no longer the boy from my memories. He’s now a man who could devastate me if I let him. He watches me when he thinks I’m not looking. There’s regret written on his face when he’s near. Each time I see him, my heart aches for what might have been, and I think his does too. How can I convince myself I’m over him when I suspect he never got over me? 

Can I get a HELL YEAH for a new adult novel with cool characters that I love and an intriguing storyline that is encapsulated in a SINGLE BOOK? Don't get me wrong. I love series. I love seeing characters' stories continue on through three, four and five books. But, sometimes you really would like to see things begin and end in 350 pages. You know? Debra Doxer game me just what I needed in Play of Light.

Sarah was only 12 when she fell in love with 14-year-old Spencer. Over the next two years, their friendship grew through a sharing of intense experiences, mostly on his part, as he was growing up in his abusive uncle's home. And then, tragedy strikes and Spencer lets her down. Sarah and her family move away and she spends the next five years living, but not really living. Enough is enough. Before starting class in the fall, she takes a few weeks to go back to the old neighborhood to try and find some closure. She finds that some things never change. Some things do. And, some things she had absolutely no idea about. 

Play of Light was an emotional book on so many levels. First there was Spencer's situation. He was just a young, impressionable and creative teen who got dumped on his aunt and uncle after the death of his parents. His uncle is a horrible human being. He is angry, ruthless and verbally and physically abusive. Spencer found a friend in young Sarah, and their times together were bittersweet. Gah - I just wanted to give that boy a cookie and a hug. 

Sarah was amazing, even as a little kid. She was always so patient and understanding with Spencer. He wasn't always the easiest kid to be friends with. He brooded a lot and didn't share much. But, when he did share things with Sarah, you got the impression that that was monumental, and she treated those moments with care and love. Because even at 12, she loved him in the sweet, platonic way, and she wanted only what was best for him. 

And, sure as they both got older, the type of love shifted and changed for both of them. Then, when everything came to a head one night, Sarah's only concern was helping Spencer. Unfortunately, the results of her efforts meet with devastating results, and when she wants comfort from Spencer, he deals with his guilt and sadness badly. And she leaves. For five years. 

Play of Light started in present day, and through Sarah's flashbacks, we revisit what happened between Sarah and Spencer - how they met, became friends, an weathered each of their horrible situations - before returning to the story in the present. Although the story in the past was contextually important, I found myself reading that part as fast as possible so that I could get back to the present. I couldn't wait for that first meeting between Spencer and Sarah. I knew it would be good. And it was. 

I didn't know where Spencer's head was. Did he have a girlfriend? Would he be happy to see Sarah? That first meeting was so good, and the subsequent meetings were even better. Sarah was, understandably, distant with Spencer at first, but he worked hard at rebuilding their connection, and goodness, was he good. This man was super sexy, sensitive, complicated, and completely dedicated to making things right. I loved him when he was 14. I adored him when he was 21. And, Sarah didn't make it too easy for him, which I also loved. He had to work hard to get back in her good graces. 

Play of Light was told entirely from Sarah's POV, and while I was okay with that, I would've loved SO MUCH to read that first meeting in the bar from Spencer's POV. I would've loved to know what was going through his head. 

I've read several of Debra Doxer's books, and Play of Light was the most emotional and the most sexy of them all so far. I freaking loved it. 

About the Author

Debra Doxer was born in Boston, and other than a few lost years in the California sunshine, she has always resided in the Boston area. She writes fiction, technical software documents, illegible scribbles on sticky notes, and texts that get mangled by AutoCorrect. She writes for a living, and she writes for fun. When her daughter asks when she’ll run out of words, her response always is, “When I run out of time.”

Connect with Debra. She loves hearing from readers.

Author links:

http://debradoxer.blogspot.ca/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6876249.Debra_Doxer

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDebraDoxer

https://twitter.com/DebraDoxer

Giveaway

Enter below to win a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of PLAY OF LIGHT (INT)!

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BLOG TOUR REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: To Have and to Harm (Remedy #2)

 

I'm thrilled to be a part of the blog tour for To Have and to Harm! This NA paranormal series was amazing! Read on for my review and a giveaway!

To Have and to Harm (Remedy #2), by Debra Doxer
Published June 6, 2014
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-book, provided by Inkslinger PR and the author
Genre: new adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble
 
Rating: 4.5 STARS

(From Goodreads) She kept everyone from harm, except herself…

Raielle’s life was shrouded in secrets. Her power was a secret and so was her past. When she came to Fort Upton, everything changed. She discovered her family, and she found the boy who would own her heart forever. But it couldn’t last. Knowing so little about her power nearly destroyed her. She had to leave and break both their hearts.

Now she’s back in California, and she doesn’t have to hide who she is anymore. But there is no relief in that because she’s drowning in regret. She knew it would take a miracle or a sin to save her, and there was no miracle. Her survival came at too high a price. She found her father, but she can’t go back to Lucas until she finds redemption.

She saved him. Then she left him…

She came out of nowhere and changed him forever, then she disappeared and left him reeling. Her whole life, she never had anyone who really loved her. Until him. Did she think he wouldn’t come for her? Did she believe she wasn’t worth it?

Lucas leaves everything behind to follow Raielle. When he finds her, she’s a pale shadow of the girl he remembers. Her power is betraying her and so are the people around her, but one thing hasn’t changed. She selflessly wants to save the world, and he just wants to save her.

With more secrets to uncover and dark truths to face, Raielle and Lucas must make sacrifices for each other. But in the end, will those sacrifices bring them closer together or tear them apart? When he’s forced to make the ultimate sacrifice, will she turn her back on everything she believes in to save him again?

Keep You From Harm (Remedy #1) was one of the bigger surprises for me last year. I loved it so much and the paranormal aspect to it was especially unexpected. When the opportunity came along to participate in the tour for the sequel and second part of the Remedy duology, TO HAVE AND TO HARM, it was a no-brainer. Especially given the crazy cliffhanger at the end of the first book. The best news is that, not only is the cliffhanger resolved quickly, but I was completely caught up in Raielle's and Lucas' story that I finished the book in 24 hours.

Raielle is in LA against her will being forced to live a life she doesn't want away from Lucas, the love of her life. Meanwhile, Lucas has never given up on finding her. When he finally does, he resolves to never leave her side again. He turns out to be her rock and the only one out there that she can truly trust as everyone tries to bend her to fit their own agenda. Raielle needs to reach deep down to finally take charge of her own life.

Ray is a great heroine, albeit a bit too self-deprecating at times. She has this amazing ability to heal the sick and injured and a desire to learn how to control it so she can use it to its full potential. However, she has a hard time reconciling the price that has to be paid sometimes for healing to take place. Ray harbors some serious guilt over a lot of things, and it causes her to wallow in indecision and insecurity at times.

Through it all though, Lucas is her rock. This boy never ONCE gave up on her or waffled in his devotion to Ray and their relationship. Sure, his alpha overprotective nature reared its head many, many times, and that was met by resistance from Raielle, but his heart was always in the right place.

From the first minute I saw her across the yard that night, she woke me up from a life I was sleepwalking through. I'd detached from the world so I could survive it. But, suddenly, there she was, and detatchment was the last thing I wanted. I wanted to be close to her. Just a year ago, I didn't know someone like her existed in the world, and now I don't think I could live in a world without her. Despite everything, she's still my ray of sunshine.

Ray and Lucas were amazing together. These two constantly risked their lives for one another. There was a lot of ups and downs for them; a lot of outside forces trying to wrench them apart. I can't imagine building a relationship in a situation like that.

Being with her is like going on that drop tower ride at the carnival where you slowly ascend to the top to look at the breathtaking view, and then wait in suspense for the stomach-curdling plunge back down to the bottom again.

There was potential throughout To Have And to Harm for a wicked love triangle, and I was so, SO glad that Debra Doxer never really went there. There was plenty else going on without having to worry about some other dude honing in on Ray and Lucas' happy relationship.

There was a lot more emphasis in this book on Raielle's healing abilities. In fact, the entire focus is on the people in LA with abilities like Ray's and the empire that Ray's father built around them. I loved that so much more attention was given to this aspect of the story. We learned some of the backstory and the rules surrounding the healing abilities.

There was also a lot more heat and sweet sexy times in book 2. Those scenes were so well-written. They weren't as overt as many NA books, but the chemistry and connection between the characters was perfect. To Have and to Harm is told in dual POV, and Lucas' chapters are my favorites. 

The interesting thing about To Have and to Harm is that the big showdown between Ray, Lucas and the "big bad" occurred at around 70% through the book. I was really surprised, because usually that is an event reserved for the final 10% of the book. At first I was a little taken aback by this, but the more I thought about it, the more I loved it! How often does the big event happen, then the loose ends are very quickly tied up so that the book can end, but we as the reader are always left wanting more? Even though we get some big stuff happening much earlier than expected, it gave us a good 30% to find out what happened next for Ray and Lucas. It was so incredibly satisfying.

To Have and to Harm was a fantastic new adult paranormal romance. There aren't nearly enough of those out there. Debra Doxer can feel free to continue creating them - I'll certainly continue reading them.

About the Author

Debra Doxer was born in Boston, and other than a few lost years in the California sunshine, she has always resided in the Boston area. She writes fiction, technical software documents, illegible scribbles on sticky notes, and texts that get mangled by AutoCorrect. She writes for a living, and she writes for fun. When her daughter asks when she’ll run out of words, her response always is, “When I run out of time.”

Learn more about Debra --> Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook



Giveaway

Enter below to win one of three $25 gift cards.

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COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY: To Have and To Harm (Remedy #2)

I am a self-proclaimed cover whore. I covet books with beautiful covers. I want them. I luuuuuurve them. It's even better when the book is really good! I must admit - I decided to read Keep You From Harm (Remedy #1) by Debra Doxer back in November mainly because I really, really loved the cover. Even better was the fact that it was a fantastic story too! So, it's my pleasure to bring you the cover for the next book in Debra's remedy series, To Have and to Harm. And, it's as beautiful as the first one.

 

To Have and to Harm (Remedy #2), by Debra Doxer 

To Be Published June 10, 2014
Publisher: self-published
Genre:  mature YA/new adult paranormal romance

(From Goodreads)  She kept everyone from harm, except herself…

Raielle’s life was shrouded in secrets. Her power was a secret and so was her past. When she came to Fort Upton, everything changed. She discovered her family, and she found the boy who would own her heart forever. But it couldn’t last. Knowing so little about her power nearly destroyed her. She had to leave and break both their hearts.

Now she’s back in California, and she doesn’t have to hide who she is anymore. But there is no relief in that because she’s drowning in regret. She knew it would take a miracle or a sin to save her, and there was no miracle. Her survival came at too high a price. She found her father, but she can’t go back to Lucas until she finds redemption.

She saved him. Then she left him…

She came out of nowhere and changed him forever, then she disappeared and left him reeling. Her whole life, she never had anyone who really loved her. Until him. Did she think he wouldn’t come for her? Did she believe she wasn’t worth it?

Lucas leaves everything behind to follow Raielle. When he finds her, she’s a pale shadow of the girl he remembers. Her power is betraying her and so are the people around her, but one thing hasn’t changed. She selflessly wants to save the world, and he just wants to save her.

With more secrets to uncover and dark truths to face, Raielle and Lucas must make sacrifices to be together again. But in the end, will those sacrifices bring them closer together or tear them apart? When he’s forced to make the ultimate sacrifice, will she turn her back on everything she believes in to save him again?

About the Author

Debra Doxer was born in Boston, and other than a few lost years in the California sunshine, she has always resided in the Boston area. She writes fiction, technical software documents, illegible scribbles on sticky notes, and texts that get mangled by AutoCorrect. She writes for a living, and she writes for fun. When her daughter asks when she’ll run out of words, her response always is, “When I run out of time.”

Learn more about Debra --> Facebook / Twitter

 
Giveaway

Enter below to win a signed set of Debra Doxer's Remedy series!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

REVIEW: Keep You From Harm (Remedy #1)

Keep You From Harm (Remedy #1), by Debra DoxerPublished September 25, 2013
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-copy, provided by the author and AToMR Tours in exchange for an honest review
Genre:  mature YA/new adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:  4 STARS

(From Goodreads) Secrets…

They weigh you down. I’ve kept a secret all my life. It’s my mother’s secret, too. I inherited it from her along with a unique ability that only we possess. She’s gone now, another victim of addiction. If her death isn’t enough to bring me to my knees, her betrayal flays me to the bone. Because the secret my mother and I have been keeping is just one of many she’d kept. She never told me I have an older brother. And now he’s here, eager to be my guardian.

There is no one else. So I move across the country to live with this stranger, my brother. But experience has taught me that most situations are temporary and forming attachments only leads to hurt in the end. That’s why I’m determined to keep to myself in this new place, struggling to seem aloof while I’m quietly breaking apart.

Then I meet Lucas…

His magnetism is hard to resist, and most girls at school aren’t resisting. I don’t fall so easily though, especially not for guys who use their good looks as a weapon. From the start, our interactions are tense and volatile. I know it’s because I’m denying the unwelcome desire that grips me when he’s near. I think he feels it, too. He looks at me with an intensity that threatens to unhinge my resolve. Soon he’s trying to break through the walls that past hurts have built.

But I’m not what I appear to be, and it wouldn’t be fair to get involved with him. At least that’s what I tell myself. Until a terrible act of violence reveals that Lucas has a secret, too. It’s a secret that links us together and ties us to an evil history I could never have imagined.

Before I talk about the book, can I just talk about the cover? It's so eerie and freaky and kinda beautiful. I freaking love it. 

Keep You From Harm was unexpected in many ways. I honestly didn't realize ahead of time that there was a paranormal aspect to it. I love that that took me by surprise. I also didn't realize how much I was getting all in one package. It's like a a three-fer. It's a little contemporary romance, a little paranormal and a little crime/mystery. What a fun combination. 

Raielle is sent to live with the brother she never knew she had after her mother is murdered. Not used to having anything - love, food, companionship - it's a bit of a tough transition. Luckily, she is able to make a few friends, which help. And then there's Lucas - the hottest guy in school who runs very hot and cold when they're together. To complicate matters, Raielle has a unique ability to heal injuries of all types. It's both a blessing and a curse, as she's about to find out. 

Raielle and Lucas are pretty awesome characters. Raielle doesn't trust easily, with good reason. It makes it all that more challenging for Lucas to get close to her. She is strong and resilient, and that shows through in the decisions she makes. With her healing ability, she gives of herself without thought or consequence, but if an injury is going to eventually take a life, she has to walk away. 

I really loved Lucas. He's a guy who tries to do the right thing. He's got it bad at home, which colors his views of others. Many in the town are suspicious, and even fearful, of him. And, yet, he keeps his head down, gets good grades and plays on the local baseball team. Lucas is determined and really brave. 

You put these two together, and they have some pretty amazing qualities between them. But, a relationship between them isn't easy. There's so much push and pull. Stop and start. And stop. And start. Lucas would react a certain way, and Raielle would shut him down because she didn't like his reaction and was afraid to unguard her heart. Raielle would do something, and Lucas would misinterpret it and push her away. It was a vicious and frustrating circle. The lack of communication between these two was staggering for awhile. But, once they got it together, the romance was so sweet. 

I really loved the paranormal aspect. Raielle's healing abilities were pretty cool. I like that there were limits placed on her and what she could do. Power without consequence is always so annoying. The mystery woven into the story was a good addition too. We're trying to find out who killed Raielle's mother and what that has to do with the bigger picture. The culprit wasn't too surprising, but the motives were. 

There were times in the middle where the story seemed to stall just a little. I got a little tired of all the back and forth between Raielle and Lucas. But, the beginning started off with a bang and the ending was super exciting. Keep You From Harm was a fantastic paranormal with a sweet romance and a dose of freak out.Give it a try.