Stopping by The LUV'NV today is the Seeing Red blog tour, organized by AToMR Tours.
We got the pleasure to read and review this fun New Adult Contemporary Romance,
and you can enter to win signed and eBook copies!
We got the pleasure to read and review this fun New Adult Contemporary Romance,
and you can enter to win signed and eBook copies!
Seeing Red
by Sidney Halston
Publication: January 31st 2013 by Sidney Halston
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Amazon B & N Goodreads
A love triangle just wouldn't suffice; Jillian Stone had the 'misfortune' of getting herself into a love square—with twins, nonetheless.
Alexander, Oliver, and Jillian were raised on a deserted island. For 12 years, all they knew were those that were marooned with them. A strong bond would link them forever. At 12 years old, they are all rescued and clairvoyant Jillian is immediately shipped off to boarding school. Ten years later, she is reunited with her twins at the funeral of Helen, the woman who “mothered” them while on the island. The innocent and childhood feelings they shared on the island...well, they aren’t so innocent anymore. Her scrawny gangly twins are now grown men. Oliver, the ever-loyal friend, and Alexander, the ultimate bad-boy, have her heart in a tug-a-war.
Enter, mysteriously sexy Professor Paul Black. He’s Jillian’s law school professor and she has caught his attention, albeit inappropriate. All the while, Jillian’s clairvoyance is wreaking havoc on her life as visions of a redheaded man are becoming all consuming. The dangerous man in her visions is searching for her and has a big secret to share with her about her time on the island as well as about her psychic abilities. Scared for her life, all three men try to protect her, but she must chose one in order to focus on the problem at hand—the redheaded man’s secret.
Seeing Red is a romance with some paranormal elements and some suspense and a lot of sexual tension.
Seeing Red was one of those books I didn't read the summary again before diving right in. My only expectation was a New Adult Contemporary Romance, so when the opening scene is of the female protagonist, Jillian, having a vision, I was absolutely giddy. Add the fact that the story revolves around a love triangle, and I was even more so.
But this isn't just any love triangle (or square) either. Jillian, Oliver, and Alexander were stranded and raised on an island after a plane crash; the latter two are twins and born on the island. For almost a decade, they've only known each other and the other survivors who raised them. As expected, they're close and have an incomparable connection, especially when they become the last three survivors. But what I love is how the author, Sidney Halston, approaches it with maturity. Not only did all three lead separate lives in different parts of the country and are at different points in their lives, but the protagonist often questioned if they were simply clinging to each other because of their past.
Although there were a few juvenile moments in the second half of the book, the interaction between all three was fun and natural. I could see why they loved each other. I was at war with who was, not a better man, but a better fit for Jillain. The author paved a great foundation for all three relationships, slowly and separately. Just when I think I've made up my mind, Jillian's needs shift ever so slightly, and I can't decide who I like better. Each man was entirely different, offered something just as vital as the opposite, and I was torn.
Near the end I did become a little impatient; Jillian needed to choose already. But when she does, I was ... satisfied. A little heartbroken, maybe, but I think I would've felt that way no matter the choice because I loved both Oliver and Alexander. I have to applaud how the author handled it, too, because any other reason than the one reached would've left me asking the big, dreaded "what if?"
The only man I didn't like was the professor. Controlling and presumptuous aren't sexy to me, and I thought his intentions were too clear for Jillian to not notice or call him out on it. But everyone else, all the other secondary characters, were great. Helen, the mother who raised them, especially, had a strong presence even though she was dead. Through her journals and wonderful adages, she made one of the best non-existent characters.
One thing I do wonder, though, is if this book is part of a series. It isn't listed under one, but the ending and mini paranormal plot sure made it seem that way. I want to know what happens next and if there are answers to Jillian's ability and family history.
If you enjoy love triangles with a small paranormal, or maybe eventually sci-fi, plot, check out Seeing Red. It's the perfect fun, light, Spring Break read.
eBook provided by Sidney Halston. Thank you!
Favorites lines (out of many):
I am the author of my life. Unfortunately, I'm writing in pen, and I can't erase my mistakes.
****
A kiss can be a comma, a question mark, or an exclamation point. That's basic grammar every woman ought to know.
Sidney Halston lives her life with one simple rule: “The secret of getting ahead is getting started" (Mark Twain), or even simpler, “Just Do It” (Nike).
And that’s exactly what she did. After working hard as an attorney, Sidney picked up a pen for the first time at thirty years old to begin her dream of writing. Having never written anything other than very exciting legal briefs, she found an outlet for her imaginative romantic side and wrote Seeing Red, among four other novels currently in the works, including the sequel to Seeing Red. That first pen stroke sealed the deal and she fell in love with writing.
Sidney lives in South Florida with her husband and children. She loves her family above all else, and reading follows a close second. When she’s not writing you can find her reading and reading and reading… She’s a reader first and a writer second.
When she’s not writing or reading her life is complete and utter chaos trying to balance family life with work, and writing (and reading). But she wouldn’t have it any other way.
And that’s exactly what she did. After working hard as an attorney, Sidney picked up a pen for the first time at thirty years old to begin her dream of writing. Having never written anything other than very exciting legal briefs, she found an outlet for her imaginative romantic side and wrote Seeing Red, among four other novels currently in the works, including the sequel to Seeing Red. That first pen stroke sealed the deal and she fell in love with writing.
Sidney lives in South Florida with her husband and children. She loves her family above all else, and reading follows a close second. When she’s not writing you can find her reading and reading and reading… She’s a reader first and a writer second.
When she’s not writing or reading her life is complete and utter chaos trying to balance family life with work, and writing (and reading). But she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Two (2) signed copies of Seeing Red
US/CAN ONLY
US/CAN ONLY
Eight (8) ebook copies of Seeing Red
Open internationally
Open internationally
I tend to be a little afraid of love triangles, but sometimes they work out for me and I love them so I know better than to dismiss a book just because of the love triangle. It sounds like it has a decent plot but if things aren't wrapped up all the way and the answers aren't all there then I'd be screaming for a sequel too. I'm glad this one worked out for you for the most part!
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