ExtraNormal Blog Tour: Review + Author Interview

Hi everyone!!  Thanks for checking out my stop in this great tour.  Today I have a review and author interview so I hope you stick around to read them and it should be fun!  Thanks Suze Reese for asking me to be a part of this fantastic blog tour.  YOU ROCK!!

~Review~

Author: Suze Reese

Series: ExtraNormal #1

Pages: 370

Rating: 2.5/5 

Summery:

Mira Johns is pretty much like any other teenage girl. Except that she knows how to harness electro-magnetic energy to communicate without words. And she's really, really far from home. Her assignment as an emissary to Earth sounds fairly simple: blend in, observe, and stay away from the planet’s primitive males. But after she finds one mysterious boy too irresistible for stupid rules, she realizes the real reason she's supposed to keep her distance: mates from her world can die if separated. But a series of serious accidents make it clear that someone wants to force her return. Mira decides her only hope is to uncover the truth to why she, the most mediocre of candidates, was actually chosen for this assignment—before the agency discovers her secret and sends her back home.

Review:

I was super-excited to read this book.  I loved the cover and the summery made it seem like a really original, interesting book.  Sadly, it was the complete opposite.

I really wanted to like this book, I really did.  But I just couldn’t.  It was so clichéd and dramatic and…dumb.  I couldn’t stand it.  First off, I had no idea what Mira was.  Reeze didn’t explain ANYTHING.  She just assumed we already knew everything.  The writing was good, the idea was good, but the story line was horrible.  I feel like Reeze was trying a bit too hard.  I don’t watch any of the mystery shows out today like CSI or Cold Case or anything, but I’m pretty sure that if I did I would feel like I was reading this book.  There was no originality; it was just the typical mystery drama.  And speaking of drama, I hated the romance.  It was way too dramatic, and kind of creepy.  Jesse thought Mira was helpless and followed her home every night.  That’s not romantic, that’s creepy.  He’s like a stalker.  I just think it was way overdone.  Here’s a quote about the romance:

“Listen Jesse, if I do have to leave…and I promise to try to let my pattern go back to how it was…will you promise to do the same? To move on and find someone else?”

“No. I can’t even imagine…”

“Neither can I. But if I’m willing to try …”

That’s what the entire book was like: drama drama I’ll never get over you and more drama.

I really really wish I could say that I liked Jesse even a little bit, but I can’t.  He was so annoying.  He stalked her every night, thought she was weak and couldn’t take care of herself, and was just downright annoying.

Same for Mira.  Way to dependent on Jesse.

I really wish I had liked this book more, and I really tried to, but I just couldn’t.  The clichés and annoying romance was just too much to overlook.

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~About the Author~

Author of YA paranormal romance ExtraNormal. In real life I fight pirates, travel to outer space and am trained in lethal jiu jitsu. In my imagination I sit in front a computer all day writing and eating peanut m&ms. Or maybe its the other way around. I get confused. I have published in a different genre, but this one is way way more fun. I have a degree in communications. Which I guess means I know how to communicate good.

Twitter | Website | Goodreads | Facebook

~Interview~

1. Why did you start writing?

I've always been a writer, though it took years for me to decide to write fiction. I was in my twenties when I read a book (won't say which one) that I thought was really awful. I kept picking it apart until eventually I told myself I could do better. And then I accepted the challenge.

2. Who are your biggest influences?

My high school English teacher Mrs. Haws (isn't that cliche?) But it's true. As far as writing influences, there are way too many to list but I'll throw out some that come to mind. When I was really young I inhaled Judy Blume and Laura Ingalls Wilder books. Back in those high school days I loved Twain and Poe and even Chaucer (total geek, I know). Some of my favorites as I was considering becoming an author myself were Lisa Wingate, Scott Westerfield, and maybe even Orson Scott Card.

3. Where do you like to write?

I do my writing curled up on a couch. I use my netbook and sit by a window where I have a view of the valley below me. I do my editing in my office on the home computer. The room is stuffy and cluttered, but I have a giant monitor that lets me use a giant font so I can catch my mistakes.

4. Any special talents?

I play the piano really poorly. One of my favorite things in the world is leading a choir. In high school I could do Chinese splits and put my leg behind my head. Impressive I know.

5. Five random things about you?

Random. Hmm. Let's see:

1. I was born with a hole in my heart and a few adult teeth missing. My Mom was 42 when she had me, so my siblings say I was put together with spare parts.

2. I have this condition with my hands (unrelated) that causes my fingers to lock up. Sometimes that means my middle finger won't bend. I do not recommend driving that way.

3. I love both mountains and beaches. I don't know which I'd choose if I had to pick just one.

4. I hate hate hate pickles.

5. I couldn't whistle a note to save my life.

6. Favorite candy?

Chocolate. Red Vines. Peanut M&Ms. Chocolate. (Some of those might sound familiar if you've read ExtraNormal.)

7. Favorite movie?

Right now I'm really into the Avengers. And anything with Johnny Depp.

8. Are you Team Peeta or Team Gale?

Noooo!!!! Don't make me choose! Seriously, I love them both. Peeta is noble and humble and determined and fiercely loyal. Peeta is beautiful and self-less. I'd like to take them both home and comfort them and care for their wounds.

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And that's all for today.  Isn't she awesome?!  I hope you guys enjoyed reading and if you feel like saying something feel free to comment below.  Thanks again to Suze Reese for inviting me to be a part of this fab blog tour and for being such a good sport and answering my questions. <3