A Review for Defiance (Significance #3) by Shelly Crane

Posted by Donna
Published Date: March 8th, 2012
Finished Date: March 11th, 2012
Source: ARC, For Review
Format: Kindle
Pages: Unknown
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The Blurb from Goodreads: In the third installment of the Significance series, we begin with Maggie and Caleb in the clutches of a new enemy; the Virtuoso council. Not only do they have to deal with the consequences of taking the lives of the Watsons and the council attempting to take Maggie away to keep their precious Visionary safe, but they must deal with Marla as well. All are determined to undermine, control and use Caleb and Maggie's rare gifts for their own uses, some wish to destroy them entirely. Then Maggie's father and Bish are threatened but the council forbids the presense of humans. Peter and the family fight and stand beside them every step of the way to save Maggie's father, to keep Caleb and Maggie together when the corrupted council is so set on keeping them apart and to stop Marla and whatever she has up her sleeve. Then Maggie has the shock of her life when she discovers something about her real father. It may change everything for everyone. Stay tuned as the story continues.
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The Review: You know I absolutely adore Shelly Crane’s work, so I’m so please to say she doesn’t let us down with her third instalment in the Significance series. Her writing is as strong as ever and Defiance is a truly heart-warming story full of emotions, joy, betrayal and sacrifice and I loved every minute of it.
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This time around we see Maggie, Caleb and family in the clutches of the Virtuoso council, where they are in the presences of all the Ace families including their enemy clan; the Watson’s. Maggie has to deal with the council trying to take her away from her family, so they can control her but as strong as Maggie is, she will never allow them to do it. As she starts a battle to try and change the way the council works, she also has to fight the Watson clan as they do their best efforts to harm her. Maggie knows what must be done….the Watson clan must be stopped!

I loved, loved, and loved it! Defiance is everything I could have wanted from this book and more. Shelly Crane has a gift for creating heart-pounding, intense and exciting stories and she’s definitely becoming one of my favourite authors.

This time around we really get to see how evil the Watson clan are and really, they are pure evil. The tricks they have up their sleeve to try and harm Maggie is horrid and I’m really pleased they finally get their come up pence. What I loved about this book was watching all the other clans come together, most of them are scared of the repercussions from the council but with Maggie as the Visionary…really she’s boss! I loved seeing her come into this role and I cannot wait to see more.

There’s not much of a major cliff-hanger to Defiance but if you’re a fan of this series – like me then, you will be dying for the next book Independence because I’m dying to see how it all ends and I just know Shelly will do us proud.

A huge thank you to Shelly Crane for giving me the opportunity to review this book. 

 

A Review for Devour (the Devoured #1) by Shelly Crane

Posted by Donna
Published Date: October 31st, 2011
Finished Date: January 21st, 2012
Source: For Review
Format: Kindle
Pages: 272
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The Blurb from Goodreads: Clara has it all. A wrestling star boyfriend, popular friends, all the right school activities...pretty much a perfect life...up until her parents died. Now she lives with the Pastor and his family and though they take good care of her, she feels alone. Then her boyfriend, Tate, starts to show signs of trouble when a new guy, Eli, comes to town. Clara is fascinated with him but hides it until something happens. Eli confesses to her that she gives him something he's never had before...something he needs. Everything is about to change for this normal pretty popular girl in a supernatural way.

The Review: Shelly Crane amazes me! Honestly, as an author she definitely knows how to hit the right spots and writes another fantastic novel. Her other series Significance I thought, was completely unique but Devour seriously smashes Significance out of the water for its uniqueness.

Devour follows the life of Clara, a young girl who is living with a foster home after her parents are murdered. Clara attends the local high school where she sits with the popular crowd and has a popular boyfriend, who is a star wrestler and even though Clara is surrounded by people, she’s not really happy and mostly she feels alone. When new boy Eli starts her school, she feels an undeniable attraction to him and suddenly she’s thrown into Eli’s world…..one that is very dangerous and Clara seems to be right in the middle of it.

If you didn’t already guess, I loved this book. There is actually nothing to dislike about it because it’s pure awesomeness and the story line is thrilling, loving and fresh and once again UNIQUE! I’ve never read anything like it. I don’t want to tell you too much about the story because I don't want to ruin the surprise but the mystery surrounding Eli and what he really is,  really leaves you guessing. I even got to one point of the book and thought  “What the hell is he?” but I was completely blown away when I found out and it truly makes me think “why hasn’t this book been picked up by a publisher?” It is seriously awesome.

One of the key points of this book were the characters and I adored all of them. Even the bad guys, there’s just something about them that you like. Clara and Eli, were a fantastic couple and even with all their obstacles they overcome so much. They are bound to one other that is really touching and loving and it that makes it slightly magical. It was a real joy to read about and I want more. Now Enoch;  Eli’s brother, really reminded me of Damon from The Vampire Diaries with his snarky comments and bad boy attitude. I really enjoyed him as a character and I can not wait to see more from him.

Overall, Shelly Crane has blown me away yet again and I can not wait to dive in another one of her books. Devour is a must read!

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book for review. 

Author Interview with Shelly Crane + eBook Giveaway

Shelly Crane 
Check out her website: HERE
Find her on Facebook: HERE
Find her on Twitter: HERE
Purchase her books on Amazon US: HERE
Purchase her books on Amazon UK: HERE
View Donna's reviews: HERE
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Author Bio: Shelly is a YA author from a small town in Georgia and loves everything about the south. She is wife to a fantastical husband and stay at home mom to two boisterous and mischievous boys who keep her on her toes. They currently reside in everywhere USA as they happily travel all over with her husband's job. She loves to spend time with her family, binge on candy corn, go out to eat at new restaurants, buy paperbacks at little bookstores, site see in the new areas they travel to, listen to music everywhere and also LOVES to read. Her own books happen by accident and she revels in the writing and imagination process. She doesn't go anywhere without her notepad for fear of an idea creeping up and not being able to write it down immediately, even in the middle of the night, where her best ideas are born.

1) How long have you been writing? and who or what inspired you to write?

I've only been writing since the latter part of 2010. To be honest the only reason I started writing was because I couldn't find anything to read. I wasn't involved in book clubs or anything like that online yet and the few books that I had read on recommendations weren't the kinds of things I like to read. So, I wrote Collide, my first book, based on a dream as cliche as that is. However it turned out the finished product wasn't anything like the dream so that helps right? ;)

2) How long was the writing process?

Not long at all because I ate, drank, breathed and slept my books! Literally. I stopped watching TV, stopped reading, stopped doing anything that wasn't writing in my spare time and at night. Long nights up til 4 am. I wrote Significance in a month. At that time that I was waiting for query letters to return from Agents for my first book, Collide.

3) How did you come up with the concept 'Aces' for Significance?

Well, I don't do outlines or have brain storming sessions. I just write. When I sit down to write a book, I may have a few things that I want to happen or something that I want someone to say, and I have a massive notebook for these things, but as far as where the story goes, it just comes as I write. Some call that faulty or sporadic, it's just how I do things. So the idea for the Aces, literally just popped into the story at the right moment. All I had when I started writing Significance was that they touched, imprinted and that was pretty much it. I stop sometimes during my writing to do a little research if I need to add something like that to the story. At first, the Aces were going to be called "Charmed" but I did some background and decided Aces \ Virtuoso sounded better for my story. I remember back to high school and having to do outlines and be so formal in my writing and it felt like work, not fun. I feel like it would be the same for me now, so I don't do it because even though this is my job, I don't want this to be anything like work ;)

4) Who is your favourite character and why?

 I think my fav is probably Maggie. I want to be like her, just let things roll off your back. Have a mini-freakout and move on. She's not selfish and she questions things just enough to get stuff done but not be paranoid ;) And uh, of course because she's with Caleb. That helps.

5) What was the most challenging thing for you when writing this book?

Trying to make it exactly like I wanted it and not worrying about what people were going to think. I kept wanting to take things out thinking "People are going to think that's so cheesy or way too sappy." But I love to read things like this and could never find anything like it, so I kept it, hoping that there were others out there like me that love the LOVE ;)

6) How many books are you planning to write in the series?

 At least four. It's a wing and see how it goes process for me.

7) If the book was made into a movie, who would be your dream cast?

There's a cast pics folder on my Facebook page that fans have added to.  Robbie Ammell is in there for Caleb, and Channing Tatum for Bish. There's lots ;)

8) Is there any teasers for 'Defiance' you'd like share with us?

Well...I will tell you this. Maggie will find out who her father is without a shadow of doubt. But it may not be who you think it is...

Three Random Questions:

Favourite Animal: Definitely dogs, or monkeys

Favourite Song: Open Your Eyes by Snow Patrol (Could listen to it a million times and probably have.)

Favourite Country: I'd love to go to Italy

eBook Giveaway! 

Shelly has kindly offered THREE lucky winners a copy of Significance in eBook format. 
Want to enter? 
Fill out  the rafflecopter form below. 
Extra entries are optional.
Ends January 31st, 2012
A huge thank you to Shelly Crane for joining us today and good luck all! 

A Review for Accordance (Significance #2) by Shelly Crane

Posted by Donna
Published Date: September 15th, 2011
Finished Date: January 2nd, 2012
Source: For Review from Author
Format: Kindle
Pages: 314 
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The Blurb from Goodreads: In the sequel to Significance, Maggie learns much more about all the strange things that have happened to her and has to face many new ones. She learns something about herself, that she is something that the clans have been waiting for. She rebels against it but, ultimately must face it for her new family's sake and maybe even her life. Bish went from being her biggest supporter to her biggest pain in the butt and Kyle's intentions to attract her interest may not be so innocent. Caleb and Maggie face many new obstacles together as a couple and on their own. They fight to work through them but will one that should be a good thing be too much for Maggie to handle? Will she become who she has to be to save the ones she loves or will she crumble under the pressure as this epic love story continues.

The Review: He smiled graciously and pressed his nose and cheek to mine with a hand on my jaw. “I'm so in love with you.” 

Shelly Crane has done it again and knocked out ANOTHER fantastic novel.Significance was the first book in the series and it literally blew me away and now Accordance; the second book in the series has left me lost for words because of how awesome it was.

Accordance starts where Significance finishes and from the start you’re thrown into Maggie’s and Caleb’s wonderful but dangerous life. Their still trying to get to know on another and even though their completely in love, they are still trying to take steps that a normal couple would take. Like going to a club, going for dinner and wondering about their relationship going to the next level. They are that much stronger as a couple in this book because they finally come into their abilities and it was truly wonderful to watch them explore and test their new abilities. It’s honestly a joy to read about these two and I feel closer to them more than ever.

What I enjoyed more about this book was we had a lot more interaction from the secondary characters like Kyle & Jen. I really enjoyed finding more about them and watching their journeys develop. I was absolutely thrilled for Kyle and Lynne, it wasn’t something I expected so it was a nice surprise but what I loved most was Bish and Jen’s story. How heart-breaking! I’ll be honest I don’t really care for Bish all that much, he annoyed me through out this book, being so over protective of Maggie but boy, do I want a happy ending for him. Shelly please give this boy a happy ending!

The story its self is as dangerous as ever and with new threats popping up all over the place, Maggie and Caleb sure have their work cut out for them. I can not wait to see what happens next because talk about a cliff-hanger! May 2012 cannot come quick enough.

A huge thank you to Shelly Crane for giving me the opportunity to review this book. 

A Review for Significance (Significance #1) by Shelly Crane

Posted by Donna
Published Date: June 12th, 2011
Finished Date: December 28th, 2011
Source: For Review from Author
Format: Kindle
Pages: 330
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The Blurb from Goodreads: Maggie is a seventeen year old girl who's had a bad year. She was smart and on track but then her mom left, her dad is depressed, she's graduating, barely, and her boyfriend of almost three years dumped her for a college football scholarship. Lately she thinks life is all about hanging on by a thread and is gripping tight with everything she has. Then she meets Caleb. She saves his life and instantly knows there's something about him that's intriguing but she is supposed to be on her way to a date with his cousin. But things change when they touch, sparks ignite. Literally. They imprint with each other and she sees their future life together flash before her eyes. She learns that not only is she his soul mate, and can feel his heartbeat in her chest, but there is a whole other world of people with gifts and abilities that she never knew existed. She herself is experiencing supernatural changes unlike anything she's ever felt before and she needs the touch of his skin to survive. Now, not only has her dad come out of his depression to be a father again, and a pain as well, but Caleb's enemies know he's imprinted and are after Maggie to stop them both from gaining their abilities and take her from him. Can Caleb save her or will they be forced to live without each other after just finding one another?

The Review: "Because you are my significant, my soul mate. And I'm yours."  

Shelly Crane sure does know how to make a girl happy and boy am I a happy girl because I’ve finally read this novel. I had wanted to read it for ages but you know how review books always take priority. Thankfully though, I got it for review and started it straight away and seriously and I mean seriously,Significance is one of them novels that will take your breath away from the moment you start reading it because it’s fast paced, intense and completely touching. Butterflies will fly in your stomach and sparks will lead straight to your heart and leave you completely in love with this story.

Maggie and Caleb are such a fantastic couple, I love them. I wasn’t expected their journey to start pretty much straight away but it does and I loved every minute of it. It’s very intense and everything happens so fast but not once did I feel it felt forced or unnatural. When they shake hands, there are joined as one and become each other’s soul mate, their significant. They both see flashes of their life in the future of what’s to come and of course with Maggie being completely unaware of Aces, I think she handles everything very well and is very brave. Caleb already knows what is expected when meeting your soul mate because of his families past, but he gives Maggie the time to get to know him and take things at her pace. When becoming each other’s significant, they can get wrapped up in each other and move to fast but I loved that the author gave us enough time for them to act like a normal couple and actually try and get to know one another before all the craziness starts. Both Maggie and Caleb have the same qualities and I loved how they were and acted around each other and also had many touching scenes they had as a couple. You could really feel what they felt, the confusion, the happiness, the sadness but out of everything they were hopeful and determined to make it through the hard times that this novel bought them.

The storyline itself is exciting, dangerous and thrilling. I loved getting to explore all the Caleb’s family; the Jacobson’s gifts and how they each met their significant. And of course, I can’t forget the Watson’s. All in all they are a dangerous clan that act out because of their jealously over what the Jacobson’s have and they don’t. I really enjoyed watching their story told and I’ll look forward to watch comes next.

Overall, Shelly Crane has done an amazing job bringing soul mates and people will special gifts together in a touching and loving way. I’d highly recommend this series to fans of Joss Stirling ‘Finding Sky’ because I know you will love it just as much as me.

A huge thank you to Shelly Crane for providing me with a copy of this book for review.