"The Willows:Haven" blog tour with an eBook giveaway

The Willows: Haven by Hope Collier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: YA Paranormal, with mythological twist
Source: Received to review as part of the book tour
Release date is September 30th

Description from Goodreads: When tragedy strikes, seventeen year-old Ashton Blake sets out on a cross-country road trip, leaving the comforts of Malibu for the mountains of Kentucky. Along the way, she encounters Gabe Willoughby—the mysterious drifter with eyes like the sea and a knowing smile. Getting to know Gabe raises questions about her past. But no secret can be buried forever, and Ashton soon finders herself in a world where water is air and myth becomes reality. 

Just as Ashton comes to accept her newfound heritage, she’s summoned to fulfill a treaty laid down centuries before — a treaty that will divide her love and test her loyalty. In the end, her future isn’t her biggest concern, her humanity is. To run may mean war, but is she strong enough to stay?


My thoughts: There are so many sharp turns in this book, my brain feels like it has whiplash. This book keeps you guessing. There were some things that I could see coming, but others took my by surprise.

Ashton leaves a party for her 18th birthday suddenly. She receives a call telling her that her father has passed away. From that point on she is chased by strange men, helped by a young man who she instantly feels a connection with, and betrayed by those who supposedly love her.

She is pulled into a world that is believed to be a myth. But to her it is very real. Too real as she finds herself a pawn in a royal match. Just when you believe that she has made a decision, she changes her mind and the book takes a turn on a whole different course.

She is undergoing a physical transformation.  She is part human and part something else, don't want to add a spoiler.  As she is physically changing, she has so much emotional trauma.  It is amazing that she keeps it all together as well as she does.  She is a tough female lead character.  She undergoes a transformation from rich spoiled girl, to compassionate and tough girl.

Hope Collier does a great job of keeping your interest and keeping the reader on the edge of the seat waiting to see what will happen to Ash next. What will happen between Gabe, Kyle, and Kevin? There are other secondary characters who play a pivotal role in this storyline.

I was a little disappointed in the romance aspect.  Her boyfriend at the beginning of the book is a jerk and I was happy to see her emotionally turn from him.  There are two others though.  One I thought for sure that I wanted her to be with, but changed my mind later.  I guess I am a sucker for the best friend.  It is never a good idea to be the best friend when it comes to romance in YA.  That's all I'm saying.

If you read it, be prepared for a roller coaster. There are some intense kissing scenes (that's just enticement to some of us) but no other content warnings. I would probably recommend it to those age 16 or older, but it I would let my 14 year old daughter read it. It is all dependent on maturity level.

Find Hope Collier on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/hopecollier
Check out her webpage at http://hopecollier.com/
You can preorder the book at Soul Fire Press:  http://soulfirepress.com/




How do you enter the eBook giveaway?  It's easy just follow these simple instructions:

Every stop on this tour is able to have an eBook giveaway on their blog.  Plus, at the end of the tour there will be a hard copy and swag given away.  Information will be on the final post, which is exciting because it will be a video interview with the author.  So...  to enter the ebook giveaway just leave your name and email in the comment section.  The blog tour runs through October 6th,  I will keep the contest open until the end of the tour. Winner will be announced on October 7th. That way if anyone stumbles upon the tour later they still will have more chances to enter.  I just put a giveaway policy in my upper right side bar.  Please read over it to know what I expect and what you can expect from a giveaway at Bookworm Lisa.  You must be 13 or older to enter.

Here are the other stops of the tour.  Stop on by and find out what everyone thinks about the book and enter to win the eBook copy at their blogs.

09/01/11 The Wormhole    

09/02/11 Me My Shelf and I   

09/03/11 Writing Crazy Me   

09/04/11 Stuck In Books   

09/05/11 Books Over Boys   

09/06/11 Mocha Latte Reads    

09/07/11 Live To Read   

09/08/11 Two Readers Review   

09/09/11 Bookworm Lisa (You are here)   

09/10/11 We Fancy Books    

09/11/11 A Tale of Many Reviews     

09/12/11 A Casual Reader's Blog     

09/13/11 Songs and Stories   

09/14/11 Fantasy Fairy     

09/15/11 Booc Looks   

09/16/11 The Light of Asteria   

09/17/11 Paper Cut Reviews   

09/18/11 Cicis Theories    

09/19/11 Literature Monsters   

09/20/11 Letters Inside Out    

09/21/11 A Written Rhapsody   

09/22/11 aoBibliophere   

09/23/11 Book By Book Review   

09/24/11 Carole     

09/25/11 YA Bound   

09/26/11 Young Readers    

09/27/11 The Ending Unplanned   

09/28/11 Meghann Daugherty    

09/30/11 Megan Curd    

10/01/11 Cup of Tea Reviews    

10/02/11 Charissa Weaks   

10/03/11 The Awesome Magic Attic   

10/04/11 Tori Scott   

10/05/11 Jessie Harrell   

10/06/11 A Tale of Many Reviews