Adventures in Ink (Reviews): Music Playlist

Finding Now
True North
Book #3
Allie Juliette Mousseau

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 1, 2014

ASIN: B00MRJCYXI
Pages: 226

Goodreads Rating: 4.56
My Rating: 5.0

Book Description:

After a tragic accident that plays on an endless loop in her mind, wild child Kate Jolie died inside. She now functions only through her rigid, ironclad routine, which keeps her mind and soul in check – balancing her in a dangerously precarious position between life and death

Rocker and Master's student Sam North knows no limits and seeks out every challenge to conquer and defy. With his cocky grin, piercings, colorful tattoos, undress-you bedroom eyes and magnetic sex appeal, he has no trouble finding women to warm his bed. When he spies his new professor, the gorgeous Ms. Jolie, she’s just another summit he wants to climb in order to reach its peak. But as he begins to catch glimpses of her soul, she becomes his Everest.

Kate Jolie is the only woman who wants nothing to do with Sam North - and the only woman he can’t do without.

My Take On The Book:

Its no surprise to you guys that I find Ms. Mousseau to be an extremely talented writer. I completely and utterly adore her work. The worlds she creates are so beautiful and filled with raw emotion. They sizzle and entice. What many of you don't know is my complete and utter fascination with Sam North lol. From book 1 he wormed his way into my heart and became my favorite North of the series... tho Josh is slowly moving his way up in the ranks. What is suprising is how long it took me to actually crack open this book.

I'm a fast reader and in the past, I've devoured The True North Series in as little as 3 hours. I knew I wanted to savor this one and I wanted to give the best review I could of this book. So I read it close to my post date, the day before to be perfectly honest and dove right into the review once it was finished.

The Great (Pros):

Sam. He has always and will quite possible always be my favorite North. His attempts at being aloof and strong and unaffected are just that attempts. And pretty feeble ones if you ask me. He's still a strong man, with an iron will but he can't really hide the sweetheart he is no matter how hard he tries.

Kate/Jolie. What is not to love about this firecracker survivor. She's a shattered woman who has gone through what many haven't and should never but she makes herself keep going. The way she grows as a character is breathtaking.

The setting. I like the setting of this book more than the others. While Sam is very much a family man, and the book has a lot of family moments I felt like it was a breath of fresh air. It takes place almost completely away from said family and I feel like it help the story progress rather than hinder it.

The backstory. While we know of Sam from the previous books we don't know Sam till this book and its a very beautiful story. Kate's story is even more beautiful and full of perseverance. She's such a strong character, completely vulnerable and racked with guilt but yet so strong.

The Flu. So simple and yet a perfect description of the situation. Being love struck has very flu like symptoms so I found this to be hilarious and very accurate.

The Not So Great (Cons):

Will. I know! It absolutely kills me to write this, as he is literally Sam but on a bike. I loved him in previous stories, and I can appreciate that he will quite possibly be the hardest of the North brother to tame but he was so abrassive and rough. Omg, heaven help me for saying this but too rough I kinda wanted to shake the dude and maybe smack him upside the head.

Kate's Mom. I both loved and hated her. She wasn't a bad character but I grew to love Kate immensly so any hardships on her felt like a physical blow to me.

5 Quills

A sizzling read I could dive into over and over. This book, this story is like your favorite song, or your favorite pair of shoes. Priceless and will always hold a special place in your heart. I can't recommend this book enough. And as always, while all the books in this series are beautiful and worth reading and should be read in synchronicity, they can be read as standalone.

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About The Author

Allie Juliette Mousseau writes sexy, emotionally-charged New Adult and Adult Romance in a variety of genres and temperatures. She also creates captivating YA worlds through the magic of ink.

She can always be found writing, playing in puddles with her children, hiking with her husband, or adventuring somewhere in the world. Her favorite place to write on warm days is outdoors, but when the weather gets too cold, she'll be inside at her desk inspired by the mountain view from her home office in Montana where she lives with her loving husband, children, and golden retriever.

She loves to travel, and lived for three years in her RV with her family while visiting the national parks and forests of the U.S. and a couple Canadian provinces. Allie loves chatting to her readers through email and social media! Come visit her through any of her links below!

Connect with Allie:

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Title: TAKEN (Breaking the Darkness, #1)

Author: Felicia Starr

Expected Release Date: November 11, 2013

Genre: Fiction | YA | Paranormal

Opening her eyes to an imposing prison of complete darkness, Kasha is accused of possessing powers and abilities she had no previous knowledge of until the moment she comes face to face with herself while meditating. Haunted by memories strung together by lies and deceit, she soon discovers that maybe her beloved grandmother kept a few secrets she had not been aware of. Secrets that could be her salvation… or her undoing.As she struggles to control her newfound powers, only time will tell if they will be enough to help her decipher who has imprisoned her or what they want from her. She must search for the answers and the freedom she so desperately desires. Could a handsome guy whom vows to help her get away prove to be the man of her dreams… or perhaps her worst nightmare?

NOT KNOWING WHO TO TRUST, SHE MUST FIND A WAY TO ESCAPE BEFORE SHE PAYS THE ULTIMATE PRICE AND FINDS HERSELF TAKEN BY THE DARKNESS.

You must betray your heart and walk amongst the darkness in order to find the truest light.

My Review

First, I should admit that I almost forgot about this review and almost couldn't make this post. But I'm so happy I proved myself wrong and finished this book in time to write this review. This was such an amazing read and worthy of any and all your shelves. Felicia Starr (awesome name btw) did such an amazing job throwing you into such a devistatingly nail biting story. The characters were so captivating and the scenes so enthralling. I couldn't believe I hadn't read something like this before. Sure I've read books on astral projection and enjoyed it fully but this took all that to a new level of enjoyment.

In a quick breakdown of this. I will say that I was a bit frustrated with the begining of this story as it focuses on the darkness surrounding the main character Kasha, literal darkness I mean not the hypothetical kind. But I enjoyed the connection the author forged between the main character and her late grandmother, that I kept reading and it was so enjoyable once you get down to the meat of the story. i admit that there is alot that is predictable in this story but Ms. Starr did such a stand up job delivering those scenerios I was just a shocked as the characters. I loved Graven, he is so swoon worthy and early this year I was asked who was my book boyfriend and I had responded that this year I was unfortunately single... I recant and say Graven hands down! Kaden made me nervous as did Phalea but regardless, I enjoyed their characters individually and for Ziona is worth she is a pretty kick butt villian. I put her up there with my all time favorite villian Maleficient from Sleeping Beauty, she was just a lot more modern, what with her killer wardrobe and all. I am completely enthralled with this story and I can't wait for the next in the series.

Also. has anyone else noticed how awesome this cover is! I can't stop looking at it. I have to have it in paperback like now! Its just mystically beautiful <3 Keep reading for a sneak peak into this amazing story and see the playlist.

http://grooveshark.com/playlist/TAKEN/92820228

A Note from the Author:

I did not listen to a specific play list while I wrote Taken. Sometimes I needed to write in the dark and be with the silence or what we think of as silence. I had to really heighten my hearing and tune in to what the darkness sounded like. When I had to write or edit during the day, I would often plug in and listen to Pandora. This is a playlist of a hand full of songs that I either found myself listening to or that resinated with time and the story.

Without the sun and moon to guide my inner clock, there was really no way for me to distinguish how many nights or days had passed. The darkness was different from any I had experienced before. My eyes could not quite adjust.

Although I had a real bed and a partial bath with a toilet and small wash sink, there was no sense of comfort. What seemed to be the only entrance was sealed so tight that no light seeped in from the perimeter. There were no windows; the walls were cold and barren. My hands explored my surroundings, yet I could not even find an outlet or light switch.

I tried to escape my fears by focusing on remembering less stressful times, most of which were with Gram. I replayed the past in my head, hoping that somewhere hidden in those memories might be a clue as to what happened and how I ended up in the dark.

When my fear and confusion subsided enough, I willed myself to sleep. It was my only escape from the heaviness the darkness imposed upon me. This didn’t help my capacity to estimate the length of my imprisonment. I didn’t know how long or how often I drifted off to sleep. There were moments I lay there struggling to determine if my eyes were open or closed.

One would think the quiet would be soothing, only it amplified every little thing. I realized there was no true stillness. I could envision the flecks of dust floating through the air, crashing into the floor like pellets of hail on a summer day. The anticipation of hearing footsteps approaching my room sent continuous chills up my spine with every little noise the silence allowed.

There was something about the smell in the air and the chill of the walls and floor that led me to believe I was still somewhere in the desert. The lack of moisture in the atmosphere left my mouth sticky and dry. Being dehydrated from lack of fluids wasn’t helping. I wasn’t sure if the faucet water was safe to drink.

The pains in my stomach reminded me how much I longed for a veggie-filled pita with hummus and feta cheese. My mouth watered at the thought of a guilt-filled bag of Doritos. I should have been grateful I wasn’t completely being starved in there. I don’t know how or when, but food did appear in my room from time to time—and I use the term food loosely. A couple of crackers or a piece of jerky doesn’t really constitute food to me. I had to take what I could since I still didn’t have a clue where I was, who was keeping me, or why.

Since Gram died, while I was away at college, there really wasn’t a home to go back to. I decided to take the small amount of money she left me and put most of it in the bank. I’d just moved to Santa Fe and prepaid a year’s rent for a studio-sized house on a small side street. Santa Fe was appealing because it was close to the last place Gram lived, La Cienega, just outside the city limits. The sad thing is, without employment and friends or family in the new city, no one would miss me.

At this realization, my heart grew heavier. Although I could feel the burn in my throat, threatening the shower of tears, I choked it back. Tears wouldn’t fight off the shadows. Appearing resilient would help me keep up my strength.

I contemplated screaming out, demanding an answer as to why I was there. Trepidation brought that action to a silent halt. I didn’t want to face the potential terrors that stalked the future. I watched enough crime television shows to know how much worse this could get. I counted on my silence as my best defense.

I continued to make desperate attempts at feeling around the walls that encased me. Pressing my face against the cold surfaces, I struggled to hear a trace of someone, anyone, only my ears were denied. Could it be I was truly alone in this unwarranted exile? Perhaps this was it; in the end the darkness would consume me.

I dropped to my knees at the center of my prison. I could feel the surge of sadness and anger coursing through my body. My core heated and it felt as though my blood was on fire. I acknowledged each pore of my skin as the fine hairs stood at attention from the vibration that shook my extremities. With my teeth clenched and my eyes pressed shut, I tried to regain my breath and focus on Gram.

In a whisper, I called out to her. “Gram… Gram, I know you are out there watching over me. I just wish I could hear your voice.”

I continued to speak to her in my head. As much as I always wished something exciting would happen to me, being incarcerated in this godforsaken dark box wasn’t at all what I had in mind.

As I looked down toward the amulet resting on my chest, my fingers encased the charm. I closed my eyes, and memories of the time my grandmother draped it around my neck flocked to the forefront.

It was the summer I turned sixteen. Gram and I took a road trip to the Painted Desert, one of our favorite places to visit. I loved being surrounded by mountains made of rainbows of rock. Some people referred to this location as the “badlands.” When I was there, though, I felt filled with a unique sense of lightness that almost lifted me off my feet. Being there was effortless.

I could walk for hours, soaking in the beauty and freshness of the landscape. I felt connected, not necessarily to anything in particular; I just felt at one with nature. It was like the spirit of the earth moved through me. Even when I was alone on a trail, I never felt lonesome.

The day Gram gave me this necklace, it was as if the heavens had opened up and dumped colors all around us. The sun sank past the painted-rock walls that bordered our location. The sky swelled with layers of purple, pink, orange, and even a touch of gold at the tips of the earth. Gram always knew how to pick just the right moment and location to make a special occasion feel magical.

“Kasha, you are becoming a strong and beautiful young woman. The women in our family have always had a special bond with one another. You must always remember, even when we’re not together, we’re a part of each other, linked always.”

I knew part of what she was being at had to do with my mother. It had been many years since I saw her last, but now was neither the time nor place to start thinking about that. Squeezing the pendant in my hand, a giant, slow breath helped push her out of my head, for now.

Gazing back down at my necklace, I pretended to make out more than the silhouette in the darkness. In my mind, I could see the pentagonal piece of petrified wood encased in silver. The pie-shaped stones enhanced each point of the rounded pentacle. Beautifully etched floral designs in the metal surrounded the stones. A remnant of something engraved on the rear side was almost visible, but it had worn down long before I took possession. If only I could make out what had been there; I often fantasized about what it might have said.

I wasn’t sure if there was any significance to the markings, but they looked ancient. Maybe it once belonged to an Egyptian pharaoh or a Celtic princess. Too bad I never took the time to ask Gram if she knew the history of this piece. It would have been interesting to know to whom it had belonged.

“You have an intensity about you that is unrivaled. Keep this with you at all times. You will find it will keep you grounded and connected to what is important.”

Gram always said weird stuff like that. I’d gotten used to it and stopped trying to figure out if her comments had hidden meanings. As a kid I would get embarrassed when she talked like that in front of other people. I saw the way they looked at her, probably thinking, What a shame that beautiful woman is so crazy. It was that quirkiness I grew to love most about her when I became a young adult.

I guess Gram was at least a little bit right about this amulet. Holding it brought thoughts of her to me. It seemed to cool me down and calm my nerves. At the same time, it warmed me and gave me comfort. A brief moment of peace helped subdue the constant fear and avoid the panic that could set in at any moment.

December 9^th – Angela at I Feel the Need, the Need to Read– Review, Top 10

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December 10^th – Diana Ramsey at Offbeat Vagabond – Spotlight

December 10^th – Brianna at abookandalattee – Review

December 11^th – Jess at Jess Resides Here – GP & Playlist

December 11^th – Taneesha at A Diary Of A Book Addict – Review

December 11^th – Laurie at Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews – Top 10 List

December 11^th – Crystal at Book Worms and Couch Potatoes – Review/Interview

December 12^{th –}Kim at Little Red’s Book Reviews – Review/Playlist

December 12^{th –}Kendall at Book Crazy – Review

December 12^th - Ravenz Reviews – Review

December 12^th - alwaysjoart – Top Ten/Playlist

December 13^{th –}Tiffany at Painted Words – Review/Playlist

December 13^{th –}Adrian atAdrian J. Smith – Top Ten List/Other

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December 17^{th –} Sarah at Literary Meanderings– Interview/Top Ten List

December 17^th - I Heart Books – Guest post

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Author Felicia Starr lives five miles from her favorite Jersey Shore destination with her amazingly supportive family. She loves to spend time creating special memories with her husband and two young boys. Everyone expected her first publication to be a cookbook, but her love for writing has surpassed her love for cooking. Felicia graduated magna cum laude from Kean University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a post baccalaureate in elementary education. She is a licensed real estate sales person, a certified yoga instructor, and most importantly, a stay-at-home mom.