Review: ONE TINY SECRET by Adam Kunz {Scavenger Hunt Give@way}

Title: ONE TINY SECRET

Author: Adam Kunz

Source: eARC from author for review

AMAZON

GOODREADS

NEW ADULT READ

BACK OF THE BOOK BLURB...

**Mature Content Warning** Recommended for 17+ due to language, violence, and sexual content.

Just one tiny secret has the potential to ruin everything.

Being the daughter of the sheriff in a small town like Holden Ridge means that eighteen-year-old Danielle “Dani” Marks’ life is under constant surveillance. She’s made a habit of staying under the radar by being a floater among social circles at school, which has kept her out of trouble—until now.

After a missing persons case stirs up the entire town, Dani finds herself caught right in the middle of the scandal. When she’s labeled a possible suspect, things quickly go from bad to worse. The sudden return of her old flame, Parker Reed, manages to make her whole situation even more complicated.

When an elusive unknown person begins to blackmail Dani by threatening to reveal her deepest secrets, Dani refuses to play along. That is, until the person’s actions take a violent turn. Holden Ridge loses its sense of quaint town security, and Dani is caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Who can she trust when anyone around her could be a suspect?

One thing’s for certain though: Never underestimate the power of one tiny secret.

My take...

I cannot get over the fact that this book had me sitting on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. I mean that...literally. ONE TINY SECRET had me wound so tight I thought I would explode from the intensity of it. I am usually not a huge fan of murder/mystery books, but Kunz added in some romance and it evened the book out perfectly for me. (I have to have some romance in my reads.) In fact, the romance just added to my suspicions on who this Unknown was. Read it…you’ll see what I mean.

From the moment the old friend next door was mentioned my brain went on alert. I have watched enough movies over time to know when something is amiss and should be remembered so to help me solve the mystery that is sure to come. Ever seen PRETTY LITTLE LIARS? Yeah, A has nothing on Unknown. Unknown makes A look like a pansy when compared. Plus this book was more believable. Some of the things A does makes you roll your eyes and think 'Whatever'. And that is actually one of the reasons I quit watching the show. But not with ONE TINY SECRET. Oh no, this book was shockingly believable. So much so, I was wide awake checking doors and wondering what lurked outside. (Pssh! As if someone would stalk me.)

Another thing...I am usually not a fan of male authors who write romance and sometimes just books in general. I know, I am picky like that. But with Kunz I was blown away. I can now add him to my growing list of male authors who I adore. Yes, Kunz wrote a book that surprised me, had my interest the whole time, and definitely had me floored in the revelation of Unknown. Wow. I seriously did not see that coming. Like any of it.

Man, I am telling you the suspense will get you in this one. But it really is balanced out nicely with romance, which of course I loved! Once you start reading you will see how hard it is to put down. The one thing that irked me? Well, the dad. He drove me nuts not believing his only daughter. For a guy who is a Sheriff, he doesn’t seem all there at times. Or maybe that is just me. But everyone else was great in the book. I liked how they all seemed real and each had some weaknesses that made them that much more realistic.

Love movies like SCREAM or I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER? Well then you are going to love ONE TINY SECRET. Just think of it as a similar plot but with better actors. Get this one and you will see what I mean.

Make sure to visit each blog on the One Tiny Secret Promotion Tour schedule to grab the hidden word or words to crack the code! *Hint: the blogs are in order for a reason.

Once you’ve gathered the puzzle pieces from each blog, and arranged them to complete the hidden phrase, please send your answer directly to authoradamkunz@gmail.com  for an entry into the Grand Prize Giveaway.

And this giveaway is INT!!

One winner will be drawn for the GRAND PRIZE:

1)      A signed paperback copy of One Tiny Secret

2)      A Hello Kitty Masquerade plush doll

3)      A mini pink skull-and-crossbones clutch purse

4)      A hand crafted skull-and-crossbones flower pin

5)      A One Tiny Secret book charm necklace

6)      A hand crafted skull-and-crossbones over the shoulder bag

7)      A One Tiny Secret button

8)      A purple skull-and-crossbones lanyard with a pink skull-and-crossbones charm attached

9)      A pair of black and silver skull-and-crossbones earrings

10)   A One Tiny Secret beaded bracelet

11)   A One Tiny Secret bookplate

12)   A One Tiny Secret glitter framed front cover picture (made by Adam Kunz himself)

13)   A $10.00 gift card to Amazon

14)   A $10.00 gift card to Barnes and Noble 

Friday, May 17^th – A Reader’s Confession

- Review/Interview/Giveaway

Saturday, May 18^th – A Love Affair with Books

- Review/Back Book Blurb/Giveaway

Sunday, May 19^th – Little Read Riding Hood

- Review/Interview/Giveaway

Monday, May 20^th – I read Indie Books Blog

- Review/Back Book Blurb/Giveaway

Tuesday, May 21^st – I Love Indie Books Blog

- Review/Back Book Blurb/Giveaway

Wednesday, May 22^nd – Blog critics

- Review/Interview/Giveaway

Thursday, May 23^rd – Into the Night Book Reviews

- Review/Back Book Blurb/Giveaway

Adam Kunz is the A part of the mother and son author duo C.A. Kunz. Growing up, he always had a fondness for R.L. Stine’s Fear Street series. So, it was a no brainer when he decided to write his own novel that it’d be a thrilling mystery with a dash of horror. When he’s not busy writing, Adam enjoys his job at a theme park in Orlando, Florida as a décor consultant. This job brings him face to face with all sorts of nightmarish creatures, especially when he decorates the haunted houses for the park's annual Halloween event. It’s been said by many that his addiction to Starbucks coffee will most likely be his downfall later in life. If you would like to find out more about this author, C.A. Kunz, or  One Tiny Secret,  please visit the links below:

Author Website- http://www.cakunz.blogspot.com

Facebook Author Page- http://www.facebook.com/authoradamkunz

Review: PERPETUAL by Michaela Debelius

Title: PERPETUAL

Author: Michaela Debelius

Source: ebook from author for review

AMAZON   GOODREADS

goodreads...

“Some people say they don’t care. I actually mean it.”

Mercy Green didn’t become this way overnight. Centuries of monotonous life have left her jaded and detached. Humans weren’t meant to live forever. But then again, she isn’t human. Adam is though, and his purity baffles her. How can he remain unpolluted in a world tarnished by corruption? It doesn’t matter. Her time in Birchwood Creek is coming to an end and she must prepare to relocate. That is, until she inexplicably wakes up in a pool of her own blood. The answer seems simple enough: leave immediately. But when an attempt is made on Adam’s life, a failed murder she inadvertently caused, she feels obligated to stay and protect him.

But then she’s attacked again.

And Adam begins to ask questions.

Victim to an unseen stalker, Mercy’s forced to seek help from Nick, an immortal teenager whose sudden appearance suspiciously coincides with her plunge into chaos. With her structured life unraveling and revelation of her immortality looming, Mercy must accept the truth: she’s being hunted. But why?

…And she thought immortality was boring.

My take...

Admittedly, I wasn’t always this disagreeable. There was a time I was just as energetic and exuberant as any other girl on the cusp of adulthood. Immortality has made me this way. Maybe if I felt there was salvation, or at the very least an end to the suffering, maybe then I wouldn’t feel so hardened, so exhausted, so despondent. But as generations of people blur together, each one more selfish than the last, I no longer hold hope for…well, anything.

 ****

So here is the deal. I am reading along thinking this is just an ok book. Until I realize that is actually is pretty darn good. While reading 2 books at once (something I never do) I would find myself wondering back to this one and what the characters were doing. Will Mercy have to leave town as Adam's suspicions grow as well as the increasing interest from the police? Were they any closer to finding who is causing all their troubles?

So yeah, this book was pretty good. Not sure I could say I totally related to Mercy's character. I mean, she is after all several hundred years old and has no compassion for others of her kind or even humans. She has seen too much to know that people are only out for themselves. Throughout time she has learned to block people out and stay hidden. After all, she will eventually have to pull up and head out before anyone starts to question her unaging body.

****

After many mistakes and numerous flees in the middle of the night, I came to understand three things: my previous life was over, absolutely and completely; I had to move every year or so to avoid suspicion  and immortals are nasty, nasty individuals. 

****

I did enjoy the relationship between Mercy and Nick. They were hilarious together and their banter was that of 2 siblings squabbling. I love how she kept him at arm’s length at first but soon she slowly realized she needed him more and more as the story progressed. It is a great relationship, although there was nothing romantic at all between them. Of course, not for lack of trying on Nick's part. But even so, I think he knew there never would be and just enjoyed riling Mercy up from time to time.

No, the romance came in the form of Adam. He was the first person that Mercy has ever cared anything for since she was turned. Even though she knows she should leave town before he comes wise to her lifestyle, she can’t. She has this inner need to see he is protected, at all cost. Her feelings for him are strong and in the end it could change everything. Just wait, you’ll see then you will understand.

Great story that was full of mystery and suspense, PERPETUAL, is sure to keep you on your toes and guessing the entire time. And the fact that it is a totally different take on immortality is an added plus. Readers who love supernatural reads will sure enjoy this one and its uniqueness. I know I look forward to more of this series.

Cover Reveal: THE JOURNEY TO FOREVER by Lisa Bilbrey

Finally back in the warm embrace of his family, Travis McCoy relishes in every moment he gets to spend with his wife and son. After almost losing them due to his own selfishness, he makes the decision to never let go of his family again. With his plan is set in motion, he, Penelope, and Max start a new journey, one that leads them to forever.

Authors Bio—

Lisa Bilbrey is a mom of three and has been married to her high school sweetheart since 1996.
Finding a love in the written word, she started writing as a way to express herself. From the first word she wrote, she'd found her heart and soul. Always willing to learn, she's spends much of her time trying to improve as a storyteller.

In late 2011, Lisa opened Renaissance Romance Publishing with Michele Richard and Laura Braley.

Links—

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Renaissance Romance Publishing

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