Welcome to my stop on the Colors Like Memories book tour. Brought to you by Bewitching Book Tours. Here you can read a synopsis of the book, my review, and Expert and a Giveaway plus the book trailer! I also have a bio of author Meradeth Houston. Don’t forget to visit the other blogs on this tour for more information and other reviews about this book and author
Colors Like Memories
Meradeth Houston
Meradeth Houston
ASIN: B0083ODXSG
Word Count: 60k
Book
Description:
Julia has a secret: she killed the guy she loved. It was an
accident—sort of.
Julia is a Sary, the soul of a child who died before taking her
first breath. Without this 'breath of life' she and others like her must help
those on the verge of suicide. It's a job Julia used to enjoy, until the
accident that claimed her boyfriend’s life—an accident she knows was her fault.
If living with the guilt weren't enough, she's now assigned to help a girl
dealing with the loss of her mother, something Julia's not exactly the best
role model for. If she can't figure out a way to help her, Julia's going to
lose her position in the Sary, something she swore to her boyfriend would never
happen.
About the Author:
Meradeth’s never been a big fan of talking about herself, but if
you really want to know, here are some random tidbits about her:
She’s a Northern California girl. This generally means she talks
too fast and use "like" a lot.
When she’s not writing, she’s sequencing dead people’s DNA. For
fun!
She’s been writing since she was 11 years old. It's her hobby,
her passion, and she’s so happy to get to share her work!
If she could have a super-power, it would totally be flying.
Which is a little strange, because she’s terrified of heights.
Short Excerpt Colors Like Memories
I greeted his tombstone the way I always
did—with a swift kick. The release of frustration was more than worth the sharp
pain in my toes. The polished marble tilted to the left because of all my
visits; a crooked tooth in the rows of pearly white graves.
I folded my legs
under me, shuddering as the chill of the damp grass seeped through my clothes.
“I keep hoping one of these days you’ll be here waiting for me.” The words were
tradition. Some small part of me still clung to the hope I’d come over the hill
to find him leaning over his grave, wearing a sly smile. He died so very long
ago, but I couldn’t stop wishing.
Leaning forward,
I rested my forehead against my knees and closed my eyes, longing for a few
minutes of rest. A few minutes to pretend it was someone else buried beneath
me. I tried to explain this to him, but tonight I didn’t have the will to
pretend it was more than starlight that listened.
It took a long
time to notice, building imperceptibly until I finally looked over my shoulder.
Someone was there, watching me. It hadn’t been a sound that alerted me so much
as the feel of their gaze, heavy in the darkness. After so many nights spent
here, I could tell the difference.
For just a
second, I thought I saw Frederick’s tall form step from the shadows. My heart
stopped, and I started to scramble to my feet before the breeze scattered my
wishful thinking. Scanning the rest of the cemetery, it was clear no one else
was around. The sprinklers were hissing their rhythmic beat in the next section
over, and it was better to leave before they started watering the grass over
his grave. It had to be just my imagination—no one was watching me. It was for
the better. If anyone saw me here, there would be problems I couldn’t face.
I kissed my
fingertips and touched the top of the smooth white stone, anxious now to leave,
alert to any movement in the cemetery. “I’ll be seeing you,” I whispered,
wishing it were true. I wound through the sea of identical marble markers,
making for the swell of ground at the far end of the cemetery where it was
easiest to catch an updraft.
The small knoll
overlooked the freeway, which was a little too close for comfort, but at this
hour there were no headlights streaking past. I stretched out my wings, their
emerald color turned inky black in the moonlight. Each feather ached to catch a
hint of breeze. Leaping from the ground, I thrust down hard and was airborne. I
circled up, straining, until I reached an altitude where no one would see me
from below.
Tilting my wings
to swing north, my thoughts wandered to my destination. A silent prayer to
whoever might be listening filled my heart, hoping the lonely girl I was
supposed to be guarding was safe in her bed. Visiting Frederick—Derek as I’d
always called him—was the only thing that kept me sane some nights, but it did
nothing to dispel the churning worry over Marcy. In the year since I was
assigned to her, it had become obvious she deserved a Sary better suited to
helping her. Instead, she was stuck with me, and somehow I was supposed to find
a way to ensure she didn’t commit suicide.
Saving Marcy was
my reward, and my price, for dying before I was born, before taking one
miserable breath of life. I still wondered if my choice to join the Sary was
worth it.
My Review
Wow, this was one of the most interesting
reads I have read in awhile. From the moment I fell in love with the beautiful
cover, until I started the first page. I was captivated right from the start.
I never read a book quite like this one
either. I never heard of the Sary, they are like guardian Angels I guess, but
mostly their assignments are to prevent troubled people from committing
suicide. I do not want to give too much away, so will keep this spoiler free as
I can.
I was really able to connect with the characters. I felt what they felt. Especially Julia, her pain and the emotions she brought were felt by me, and think they will for anyone reading this book. Even though lots of time has passed, she is still not able to let go of her guilt at the death of her companion (the man she loves) She still blames herself for his release from the Sary, and then his death (once released from the Sary, he was a normal human, in the middle of a war zone.) Her pain is so crushing, you feel it with her.
The author does an amazing job with all of the emotions and turmoil.
We jump back and forth in Julia’s long
life, to when she was with her companion Derek and the present time and her
current assignment. But this is done very well; I did not feel lost at all. It’s
like Julia thinking back to that time, a recollection. And I enjoyed being able
to learn about her and Derek.
In the modern time, we have a new possible
love interest, one who could help her move on (it’s been 150 years, its time
she moves on) and I really like him. I won’t say much about him, as I want you
to learn about him yourself.
I at first did not feel connected to Julia’s assignment Marcy, to me she was weak, the attempted suicides, and being walked all over. But she did grow on me, and I was glad Julia was there for her. I was also happy to see her stand up for herself later in the book, so that was good.
There is a bit of suspense too, I was
anxious on what would happen in a crucial part of this, a consequence to some
actions, I don’t want to say, for it would be a spoiler, but it was suspenseful
for sure.
There is only one little tiny thing I didn’t
like, and this is a totally personal preference to me. The descriptions of the
characters are pretty vague, like I never did get a clear idea on what Juila
looked like, or Marcy. But the guys were described, but I was not impressed
with the descriptions, she goes on to describe the most gorgeous brown eyes,
Brown eyes? Well, nothing great about that, it’s the most common color, so to
me it didn’t scream supernatural great looks, etc as it should of. But that’s my personal taste of course. As we
are talking about a type of angel, just expected something a little more unique
and stand out.
Overall, I loved this book a lot. I really
hope there will be more in this line of a story. The whole Sary types are
different for me, and would like to read more.
5 out of 5 stars for me.
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