BLOGTOUR: Shackled by Angela Carling + Guest Post

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: Acacia Publishing (11 Jun 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1935089544
• After shy, quiet Lucy and her family move from their small hometown in Minnesota to Seattle, Washington, she is surprised when Ryan, the most popular boy at school asks her out. Soon, she is swept up in a whirlwind romance and her naïve and trusting nature allows her to fall head over heels in love with her too-good-to-be suitor. Suddenly, Lucy finds herself enraptured by the excitement of her new relationship, leaving her blinded to the warning signs of danger ahead. Can her fairy tale romance last, or will she find that her prince charming is more like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Cover: Simple and yet this cover manages to convey sinister undertones perfect for the story.

This was very different to what I usually read, but I'm so glad that I did.  This was an amazing book and it covers the topic of abuse in a way that is both sensitive and hard hitting at the same time.

At times it was hard to read, Lucy, a kind and normal if shy girl being made to doubt and alienate herself by her boyfriend Ryan.  While you grew to hate him, you also see why he is the way he is.  While you can't forgive his actions, you understand the root of his actions stems from his creepy, psycho father.

Oh Mason.  He was such a sweetie, and I grew to love him as much as Lucy did.  

There's only one thing I didn't like and that was after we know how much Mason cares for Lucy, and he finds out what she's going through...he goes to Prom with someone else.  Just that little thing seemed at odds with how he was supposed to feel.  My one little gripe.

I really enjoyed having multiple perspectives- Lucy, Mason and Ryan really helped give an all round, in-depth feel to the story and the characters.

Overall I give Shackled 4/5 stars!  I definitely recommend this for fans of YA contemporary, particularly for those that enjoy a darker twist.  Certainly a different YA read than a lot of other out there so worth picking up!

GUEST POST

Hi, my name is Angela Carling. I am the author of a tender love story named Unbreakable Love and a zingy little tale of love and control called Shackled. Check them out here. http://www.amazon.com/Angela-Carling/e/B006P15NOG/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1 http://www.amazon.com/Angela-Carling/e/B006P15NOG/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

First I want to thank Erin for letting me take over her blog to do this post. Just after I published my first book, I wrote a post called 10 Similarities Between Publishing a Book and Having a Baby. You can read the original here http://angelacarling.blogspot.com/2011/12/10-similarities-between-having-baby-and.html

 So now that I’ve been around the publishing block a couple of times (that makes me sound so cheap), here’s my take on the whole second childbirth vs. second publishing experience….except this time it will be Five Similarities Between Publishing a Second Book and Having a Second Baby. I’ve cut the number in half because with two books or babies, you have half the timeJ Enjoy

1.     You know what you are getting into this time, yet somehow you still dive into the creative process with fresh enthusiasm.  After all, the “creating”(wink, wink) is still the fun part.

2.       After the initial creation, instead of resting and daydreaming about the future like you did the first time around, you immediately go back to nurturing the book or baby that you’ve already created in hopes that it/they thrive despite the fact that you are spread twice as thin as before.

3.       With the second book or baby, you feel a little more confident.  You at least think you know what is coming next and then that next book or baby is born and you realize that this time around is a completely unique experience and you’re as clueless as ever. 

4.       By your second book and child, your circle of friends hasn’t only changed, it’s disappeared, mostly because your only friend is your computer and anyone willing to respond to a tweet or comment on facebook and with a baby, you’re just too tired for friends.

  

5.       As with the first, one day, you wake up and look in mirror at your neglected hair and sleep deprived eyes and realized the caring for both your little creations  is so much bigger than you bargained for. Yet, somehow, you’ve grown in capacity and even though most days you wonder if you’ll survive, you feel ownership, maybe a little proud of your little creations..and maybe even crazy enough to do it all over again. Maybe.

Thanks for stopping byJ