The Row Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

The Row 

Author: J.R. Johansson
Genre: YA Mystery
Release Date: October 11, 2016
Publisher: FSG/Macmillan

Summary from Goodreads:
 
A death sentence. A family torn apart. One girl’s hunt for the truth.
 
Seventeen-year-old Riley Beckett is no stranger to prison. Her father is a convicted serial killer on death row who has always maintained that he was falsely accused. Riley has never missed a single visit with her father. She wholeheartedly believes that he is innocent.
 
Then, a month before the execution date, Riley’s world is rocked when, in an attempt to help her move on, her father secretly confesses to her that he actually did carry out the murders.
He takes it back almost immediately, but she cannot forget what he’s told her. Determined to uncover the truth for her own sake, she discovers something that will forever change everything she’s believed about the family she loves. 

The Row is an intriguing young adult mystery that takes a hard look at family and how certain situations can change you. I love mysteries, so this book sounded like a good fit for me, which it was. The story was very well written and engaging. We really get to know the main character, Riley, throughout the book - both the good and the bad. The author used the first person point of view to tell the tale, and if you read my reviews, you'll know that I'm a huge fan of that writing style. The reader forms a much deeper connection to the narrator, making it easier to identify with them. This was definitely the case with this novel, and I think it's a great fit for the story. Riley is an interesting main character and goes through a lot of really hard situations during the book. She's a very loving and devoted daughter, especially considering her father is on death row for murder. She fully believes that he's innocent - as he's said the entire time - until a rogue confession causes her entire universe to collapse around her. She can no longer completely trust her father - because now she knows for a fact that at least one thing he's told her is a lie. Riley can't get the idea out of her mind and sets out to discover the truth once and for all - for her own peace of mind. 

The mystery that follows is a bit slow at first, but picks up speed the further into the book you go. I loved the twists and turns that are thrown into the plot - they keep you guessing for a really long time. But it's not just the mystery aspect of the story that I liked. The novel gives us an up close and personal look at the lives of a daughter and wife of a convicted serial killer. We learn their hardships and struggles - both in everyday life and having to do with the trial. 

Riley's a brave and strong character, and she displays these traits multiple times. However, there was something about her character that bugged me. I can't exactly put my finger on what it was, but it stuck in my mind the entire time I read and put a bit of a damper on my experience. I think she comes across as a bit whiny and "woe is me" - even though she has every right to feel this way. It makes her sound weak, and she's continually trying to prove the opposite is true. Another thing that bothered me was the way she spoke - she sounded much more immature and younger than she was. I'm not sure if it was the vocabulary or just the way it's presented, but it bugged me. This is a great mix of mystery and contemporary fiction that fans of both genres will enjoy - definitely recommended!

J.R. Johansson's books have been published in a dozen languages and more than twenty countries worldwide. She has a B.S. degree in public relations and a background in marketing. She credits her abnormal psychology minor with inspiring many of her characters. She lives in Utah with two sons, a wonderful husband, three cats, and a hot tub named Valentino.
 
She is represented by the stellar Kathleen Rushall of Andrea Brown Literary Agency. 

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

Amazon| B&N| Kobo| Google Play| Books-a-Million| Indiebound| Indigo| Overstock| Powell’s| Target 

Also available October 11th by the author, the paperback of CUT ME FREE! 

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Cut Me Free Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for CUT ME FREE! Today I'll be sharing my review of the book and don't forget to enter the giveaway to win a copy of your own!

Cut Me Free

Author: J.R. Johansson

Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller

Release Date: January 27, 2015

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux BYR

Description:

Seventeen-year-old Charlotte barely escaped from her abusive parents. Her little brother, Sam, wasn't as lucky. Now she's trying to begin the new life she always dreamed of for them, but never thought she'd have to experience alone. She's hired a techie-genius with a knack for forgery to remove the last ties to her old life. But while she can erase her former identity, she can’t rid herself of the memories. And her troubled history won’t let her ignore the little girl she sees one day in the park. The girl with the bruises and burn marks.

That’s when Charlotte begins to receive the messages. Threatening notes left in her apartment--without a trace of entry. And they’re addressed to Piper, her old name. As the messages grow in frequency, she doesn’t just need to uncover who is leaving them; she needs to stop whoever it is before anyone else she loves ends up dead. 

Cut Me Free is a serious roller-coaster of a young adult mystery/thriller! I'm a huge fan of this genre, as many of you will already know if you read my blog/posts. I have to admit that I'm usually saying that there aren't enough really good thrillers out there in YA fiction right now, but I'm glad to say that I've been seeing more and more that kick my statement to the curb - and this book is among the best I've read. I'm going to really try not to ramble and fangirl everywhere - but no promises. It's really hard to put into words how amazing this book is and how much I love it - let alone for all the different reasons I love it. The plot is genius. When I read the description, I was excited to read the book and thought it sounded like a good story. I was not prepared for the amazing and twisted story I got instead. There are so many twists and unexpected turns throughout the story that I was reading as fast as I could to see what was going to happen next. Like with most mystery/thrillers, I try to figure out who's behind everything and what's really going on before the characters do. Well, that was next to impossible with this book. I would get a really good theory going and then BAM! - a huge twist sends me reeling back to nothing with my mouth gaping open in shock and surprise. I loved this aspect of the story the most - all the unseen turns and unexpected twists that would come from nowhere. Not once. Not twice. All through the book - it's like the author planted these little surprises for the reader that would throw them off course. That, in my opinion, is a huge indicator of an author's talent.

There's so much I can talk about with this novel, but on the other hand - I can't because I don't want to give anything away. And there are definitely some biggies that I don't want to ruin for anyone. Charlotte is an awesome main character. She's been through some incredibly tough times and is still trying to run from them. She's caught up in a world that won't let her go - one that she's dying to escape from, but can't until she can free a couple people she loves too. There's so much to her character - she's tough, broken, knows what she needs to do, and she's smart. On the other hand she's scared, alone, and still living the nightmare of her life before. I found her to be incredibly realistic and easy to empathize with right from the beginning of the book. Watching her character grow and mature as she encounters all the various obstacles in the book is something that I really enjoyed. There's honestly not much more I can say without giving anything away. Overall, this is one of the most gripping and compelling YA thrillers I've ever read - and it's definitely a new favorite. I can't encourage you enough to read this book. If you love mysteries and thrillers - you need to put this next on your TBR list. NOW. I think it'll impress and appeal to readers who enjoy other genres as well - mostly because of the masterful writing style and complex storyline that keeps you guessing until the very end. GO. READ. THIS. BOOK. - NOW!!

By far one of the best YA thrillers I've ever read & a definite new favorite!

 

J.R. Johansson is the author of Insomnia and Paranoia. In researching for this novel, she found several stories about human trafficking which fueled her conviction to join the fight against it. If you'd like information on how to help visit notforsalecampaign.org or enditmovement.com. J.R. Johansson lives on the foothills of the Utah mountains with her two young sons and a wonderful husband. Visit her online at jennjohansson.com. 

Author Links:

http://www.jrjohansson.com/

https://twitter.com/JennJohansson

http://www.facebook.com/jenn.johansson

http://jennjohansson.blogspot.com/ 

Giveaway: (1) Hardcover copy of Cut Me Free - Open to US only!


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Blog Tour Schedule:

1/13: Curling Up with a Good Book

1/14: YA Interrobang

1/15: Dana Square

1/16: My Book Muse

1/19: Fandom Monthly Magazine

1/21: Books for YA

1/22: Forever Bookish

1/23: The Life & Times of a Book Addict

1/26: A Dream Within a Dream

1/27: Fiction Freak

Insomnia Blog Tour: Excerpt & Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the Insomnia blog tour! Today I have an exclusive excerpt from the book chosen by the author! Read on to experience the awesomeness - and don't forget to pick up your own copy of Insomnia today!


Insomnia (The Night Walkers #1)
Author: J.R. Johansson
Genre: YA Fantasy/Thriller/Mystery
Release Date: June 8, 2013
Publisher: Flux

Buy Links:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Books A Million
Indiebound
The Book Depository 

Description:

It’s been four years since I slept, and I suspect it is killing me.

Instead of sleeping, Parker Chipp enters the dream of the last person he’s had eye contact with. He spends his nights crushed by other people’s fear and pain, by their disturbing secrets—and Parker can never have dreams of his own. The severe exhaustion is crippling him. If nothing changes, Parker could soon be facing psychosis and even death.

Then he meets Mia. Her dreams, calm and beautifully uncomplicated, allow him blissful rest that is utterly addictive. Parker starts going to bizarre lengths to catch Mia’s eye every day. Everyone at school thinks he’s gone over the edge, even his best friend. And when Mia is threatened by a true stalker, everyone thinks it’s Parker.

Suffering blackouts, Parker begins to wonder if he is turning into someone dangerous. What if the monster stalking Mia is him after all? 

 Quick Intro from the Author: This is the scene that happens fairly early in Insomnia. It's when Parker first meets Mia...and she lies and tells him her name is Megan. She's got her reasons, but this will give you a little piece of their characters. Hope you enjoy!

I sighed, turned off the car, and climbed out. The ends of her long, dark hair curled out from beneath the hood of her jacket and her eyes felt as dangerous as a loaded gun barrel. Dragging an umbrella out of the back seat, I held it over our heads.
“Hey, umm, that your truck?” I ran my hand through my hair, shaking away some of the water, and tried to charm her with a grin. She looked stunned for a minute, and I thought I might get away with it, but then she clenched her teeth and growled.
“A genius, huh? I half expected a stuntman from the way you were driving, but apparently you’re a rocket scientist. Why is a prodigy like you driving a piece of crap like this?”
There was a hint of southern drawl in her voice that threw me off, and it took me a minute to realize she had insulted me and my car in under ten seconds. That had to be some kind of record. She kicked my tire with the pointy toe of one black boot.
“Come on. Leave the car out of it. You didn’t even get a scratch,” I said.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “No, but in your hands I’d consider even this oversized roller skate a lethal weapon.”
I had a knack for “maneuvering” people, at least that’s what I called it. Kind of like manipulation but not. It wasn’t a separate ability, more like a side-effect from spending my nights watching people’s expressions while feeling their emotions. It made it pretty easy to read people.
Most of the time, I used it on my mom. If I could tell her mood from her movements, her minute facial expressions, it was much easier to choose a good time to ask for things. One night, when she was feeling particularly guilty for working so much after my dad left, I ended up with a car. Not a great car, but a car. Considering I was only fifteen at the time, I didn’t complain.
I tried not to maneuver people too often, but this seemed like an appropriate time. The girl’s anger was getting us nowhere. This was a residential road that didn’t see much traffic, but one motorcycle had already passed and I didn’t want to be sitting in the middle of the intersection, in the rain, when the next car showed up. I opened my free hand, palm up, rolled my shoulders back, and focused on keeping my face calm and honest.
“Listen, I’m sorry—um, what’s your name?”
After glaring at me in uncomfortable silence for a full ten seconds, she finally answered.
“Megan.”
“Okay, Megan. I’m Parker, and I’m really sorry I ran that stop sign. I had a long day. I’m really tired, and it was totally my fault. I didn’t mean to scare you.” I kept my voice soft and level to show sincerity, then extended my hand to her, hoping the little hothead would accept my apology.
She seemed slightly mollified, took a deep breath, and glanced back at her pick-up again before sticking her small hand into mine. When she finally relaxed and all the little angry lines on her forehead went away, I noticed a bruise and a few scratches near her temple.
“Oh, hey, are you okay?” A wave of guilt swept me and I reached a hand toward her face, but she flinched away from my fingertips. Her body language shifted so fast it nearly made me dizzy.
“No, that’s a few days old. I’m fine. Anyway, I’ve got to go.” Megan stumbled back around my car, but stopped when she got to her door. “Pay a little more attention, okay?”
“I will. Are you sure you’re all right?” Something in her expression made me uneasy.
With a dismissive wave, she climbed into the truck and was gone before I could even get my car started. 


Praise for INSOMNIA:

“The perfect blend of everything I love in a story. I hope a sequel comes soon!” –James Dashner, New York Times bestselling author of THE MAZE RUNNER

“Completely unputdownable. I’ve decided to nickname Johansson: Scary McScarypants, because she spooked me in all the best ways.” –Carrie Harris, author of BAD TASTE IN BOYS

“Cleverly written and dangerously dark, Insomnia will take you to the brink of insanity. A must-read for thriller and romance fans alike.”—Elana Johnson, author of POSSESSION

“A riveting story of terror and despair that will keep you up long past your bedtime.”—Jennifer Bosworth, author of STRUCK

J.R. JOHANSSON is a young adult thriller author published with Flux & FSG/Macmillan. Her debut, INSOMNIA is coming June 2013. She has a B.S. degree in public relations and a background in marketing. She credits her abnormal psychology minor with inspiring many of her characters. When she's not writing, she loves reading, playing board games, and sitting in her hot tub. Her dream is that someday she can do all three at the same time. She has two young sons and a wonderful husband. In fact, other than her cat, Cleo, she's nearly drowning in testosterone. 

Jenn’s Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JennJohansson 
Blog: http://www.jennjohansson.blogspot.com/ 
Site: http://www.jrjohansson.com 
Tumblr: http://jrjohansson.tumblr.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenn.johansson 
J.R. Johansson on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5100095.J_R_Johansson

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