Girl at the Grave Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

Girl at the Grave
Author: Terri Bailey Black
Release Date: August 7, 2018
Publisher: Tor Teen

Description:

Valentine has spent years trying to outrun her mother's legacy. But small towns have long memories, and when a new string of murders occurs, all signs point to the daughter of a murderer.

Only one person believes Valentine is innocent—Rowan Blackshaw, the son of the man her mother killed all those years ago. Valentine vows to find the real killer, but when she finally uncovers the horrifying truth, she must choose to face her own dark secrets, even if it means losing Rowan in the end.  

Praise:

"With its vibrant, atmospheric setting and lush, captivating prose, Girl at the Grave is a searing Gothic story of love and murder that will burn in readers' hearts and minds long after reading." ―#1 New York Times bestselling author Kerri Maniscalco

“Girl at the Grave kept me up late at night with its non-stop secrets, twists, and scandals. An entertaining homage to classic Gothic romances that will keep readers guessing until the very last chapter.” ―Cat Winters, author of Odd & True  

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Girl at the Grave is an atmospheric historical mystery that blends in Gothic elements and romance to create a great debut novel. I'm not a big fan of historical fiction, but I love mysteries and anything Gothic, so I was excited to read this one. I didn't really have any expectations going in and I was definitely impressed by what I found inside the pages. If I hadn't known it was a debut, I never would've guessed it. The author has a natural storytelling ability that allows her talent to shine. I was hooked from the very first page and I didn't stop reading until I had finished the entire novel - a few hours later. There were lots of twists and turns you don't see coming, secrets that are uncovered, and (of course) the romance was a nice addition. I normally don't really like a big romantic presence when the book is a different genre, for example a thriller, because it tends to overshadow the main plot and takes away from it. The author managed to find a way to evenly balance the two so the reader gets the tension from the mystery along with the swoony romance at the same time. 

I liked all of the main characters, especially Valentine. I found her realistic and easy to identify with right from the start. She's followed by the guilt and shame of what her mother did years before and can't escape its shadow - even though she's kind, thoughtful, loving, smart, determined, and so many other wonderful things. People in a small town never forget the past - especially when it's scandal and murder. I loved watching Valentine and Rowan's relationship start as basically nothing and then grow and mature throughout the novel. The secondary characters were also well rounded and had unique personalities to set them each apart. The setting was perfect, in my opinion - a small New England town where everyone knows everyone else and nobody can keep secrets (for the most part). Finally, I want to mention the author's choice of writing style, which is always a huge deal for me. It can make or break a book if it's not done right, but I think the author did a fantastic job by using the first person point of view. We see the story from Valentine's perspective and get to know her on a very personal level that no other writing style allows. This is one of the main reasons I prefer this style and I think it was a perfect fit for the novel. I definitely recommend this book for fans of YA, historical fiction, Gothic literature, mysteries, and romance.

Teri Bailey Black grew up near the beach in Southern California in a large, quirky family with no television or junk food, but an abundance of books and art supplies. She’s happiest when she’s creating things, whether it’s with words, fabric, or digging in the garden. She makes an amazing chocolate cherry cake—frequently. She and her husband have four children and live in Orange County, California. Girl at the Grave is her debut novel.

Author Links:
WEBSITE: https://www.teribaileyblack.com/
TWITTER: @TeriBaileyBlack
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16172003.Teri_Bailey_Black
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/teribaileyblack/

 

(6) winners will receive a Copy of GIRL AT THE GRAVE by Teri Bailey Black.

Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

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