Friday, June 7, 2013

Blog Tour {Review & Giveaway}—Escaping Darkness by Theresa McClinton

Stopping by The LUV'NV today is the Escaping Darkess blog tour, organized by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.
We have a review of this fabulous novella for you, and you can enter to win a $25 gift card or PayPal cash!


Escaping Darkness
by Theresa McClinton
Book #1.5 of Stone Legacy  series
Publication: May 10 by Theresa McClinton
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance | Novella

Amazon B & N Kobo Goodreads

She may have spent years in an asylum, but that didn’t make her crazy–just fearless.

Dropped in Moscow with her friends on an impossible mission against underworld forces, Tara is left to her feelings of overwhelming inadequacy. Her boyfriend is a healer, her best friend is “the Guardian,” and everyone else is a powerhouse of awesome strengths. The only thing she has been able to contribute are her memories, which has left her with nightmares of her time spent at the mercy of the evil Sarian–who everyone has gone to fight.

Alone with her emotions, Tara finds herself falling into a city of depravity and corruption. And amidst all this evil is a young man with an agenda of his own, who leads her down a road that will either prove she is a hero at heart, or drag her into a world she’s always feared.

He wants revenge, she wants redemption. And in an underground rings of missing girls and bloody sacrifices, only the fearless can survive ...

Escaping Darkness  was an absolute gem. Although it's a novella, it didn't feel like one because of the thorough plot and amount of emotion involved. Neglected, physically, emotionally, and sexually abused as a child and later tortured by a demigod and the general of the Underworld, Tara is in a place of despair and dark inner turmoil. Yet despite that, or maybe in spite of that, she is one of the strongest characters in the Stone Legacy  series. She forges ahead no matter the obstacle and always thinks of others. Though her inner demons are clear and felt, never once did the story drag or become frustratingly self-deprecating. I loved her, truly felt for her, and would want her by my side as a friend.

Her relationship with Peter is lovely and made me ache. I adore that boy to death, and I wish I could hug them both. Malachi is fascinating, mysterious and emotional and a bit of a bad boy without even trying. Tara's connection with him was fantastic, too. I really, really  appreciated how the author refrained from using a love triangle, which would have diminished the depth and honest goodness of these relationships.

What's more, the plot is fast paced and multi-faceted, picking up from where book one ended and adding to it but having its own storyline. Though I would suggest reading book one like I did, it isn't necessary, either. There were quite a few twists that surprised even me, too.

You should know that human trafficking is involved, yet it's well written and not too explicit. It fit the storyline and setting; it didn't feel contrived or inserted for shock value.

Escaping Darkness  is a wonderful addition to the Stone Legacy  series. Like a Matryoshka (Babushka) doll, both the plot and characters were cracked open to reveal layers upon layers, adding great depth to already fantastic characters and world. Although book one, The Stone Guardian, is more Paranormal Romance, I'd say Escaping Darkness  is more Urban Fantasy. The sweetest of vengeances and of loves combined to deliver one great HEA for characters who deserve it, this novella is a treat for YA PNR and UF lovers alike. I look forward to the rest of the series and hope it continues along the same vein.





eBook provided by the author via blog tour host. Thank you!



Escaping Darkness  is book #1.5 from the Stone Legacy  series:


The Stone Guardian
Book #1 of Stone Legacy  series
Publication: December 14th 2012 by Etopia Press
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy | Paranormal Romance

Amazon B & N Kobo Goodreads

When myth becomes reality, reality becomes a nightmare.

Like any other teenager in America, Ashley just wants a normal life. But growing up in an orphanage for the insane is anything but normal. After endless therapy and increasing medication, her nightmares have only gotten worse.

Probably because they’re not nightmares.

When Ashley’s mysteriously abducted, she finds a reality even less normal than the orphanage. And she discovers something else—she’s no ordinary orphan. Faced with enemies thought to only exist in fairy tales, Ashley discovers she possesses a powerful Maya bloodline. She’s the daughter of an ancient Maya Guardian, whose duty is to protect the Stone of Muuk’ich, an enchanted relic blessed by the gods. But first she must get it back from Sarian, a power-hungry demigod who slaughtered the last guardian—Ashley’s mother. Without the stone, all will be lost.

When she meets Arwan, a hot Belizean time bender, his delicious olive skin and dark eyes make her feel a little less alone. But his gentle whispers and reassuring touch might not be all they seem. How can she balance love and duty when it’s up to her to prevent the rising of the underworld? Especially when the guy she loves might be its crown prince ...



Theresa McClinton

Her Website | Twitter| Facebook | Goodreads
A long time enthusiast of things that go bump in the night, Theresa started her writing career as a journalism intern—possibly the least creative writing field out there. After her first semester at a local newspaper, she washed her hands of press releases and features articles to delve into the whimsical world of young adult paranormal romance.

Since then, Theresa has gotten married, had three terrific kids, moved to central Ohio, and was repeatedly guilt tripped into adopting a menagerie of animals that are now members of the family. But don’t be fooled by her domesticated appearance. Her greatest love is travel. Having stepped foot on the soil of over a dozen countries, traveled to sixteen U.S. states—including an extended seven-year stay in Kodiak, Alaska—she is anything but settled down. But wherever life brings her, she will continue to weave tales of adventure and love with the hope her stories will bring joy and inspiration to her readers.

$25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash

Terms & Conditions:
♥ Giveaway ends June 11th, 2013.
♥ Open only to those who can legally enter, receive, and use an Amazon.com gift code or PayPal Cash. Winning entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary.
♥ You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
♥ This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter, or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
♥ Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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