Catching SPARK + Giveaway!!

Synopsis (Goodreads): Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he’s not doing it.

More than Gabriel’s pride is at stake -- this could cost him his family, maybe his life. And no one seems to hear him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Layne understands family problems, and she understands secrets. She has a few of her own.

Gabriel can’t let her guess about his brothers, about his abilities, about the danger that’s right at his heels. But there are some risks he can’t help taking.

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Let's play a game of truth or dare, shall we? Don't worry, I'll start.

Truth! 

I [insert favorite expletive here] LOVE Brigid Kemmerer! Her milkshakes bring all the boys to the yard and this case, it's the Merrick brothers. While there's no denying that she had me at Storm, SPARK just... How can I...? Where do I even...?

I'm not one for gifs, but I'm pretty sure Jonah Hill is the only one who understands...

(via Tumblr)

This book serves to prove that there is no such thing as a sophomore slump for Brigid, who delivers SQUEE-inducing thrills and a seriously dangerous dose of steam! Just note the smoke emanating from Gabriel's man-regions on the cover. Honestly, ever since Gabriel took over my world in SPARK, the inappropriate Merrick thoughts just keep on coming!  But before I go on a Merrick funfest, I think I'll start with the character who surprised me most: Hunter.

I'll be honest, I don't know if it's the distrustful New Yorker in me, but I've been  questioning Hunter's motives and actions since Storm. There's just something about him that I have never been able to put my finger on! His character is shrouded in mystery and my Spidey senses go on high alert whenever he "Ninjappears" or pops up unexpectedly. Um...he pops up A LOT! That being said, there was something about his mysterious nature in SPARK that made him all the more magnetic. Yes, I get that it's only natural for me to be attracted to Hunter *wink*, but I really wanted to dig deeper. I wanted to uncover his past and unearth those well-kept secrets.  Then again, everyone's got a secret.

And no one knows that better than Gabriel Merrick.

Despite the carefree attitude that attracted me to him in Storm, and all fictional lust aside, I found myself peeling back layers in an effort to discover the real Gabriel Merrick.  I thought he'd just swag on with each turning page, but the more I was drawn into his world, the more I ached for the haunted boy beneath. Not to mention the self-blame and deeply rooted insecurities that eat away at him on a daily basis.

But fear not, loyal Elementalists! I promise this novel isn't as depressing as I've just made it sound. Gabriel actually grew up before my very eyes and the process, though gradual, was fascinating. I tell myself that I began the novel with a stranger, a lost and broken boy, but by the end I emerged with a hero. One who learned to rely on his value and strength to rise above the pain and hurt.

And that, that ability to create such realistically multifaceted characters, is just one the many talents that make Brigid such an amazing writer. Her storytelling lies in the ability to touch on sensitive subjects without over-simplifying or over-dramatizing them. It lies in the way she keeps me hooked and on the edge of my seat, even when I lie to myself tell myself "Just one more chapter." It's a power she wields whenever I feel a rush of butterflies after one of Gabriel's life-altering kisses. Er...not with me obviously! (A girl can only daydream)

At this point I won't even try to contain my love for SPARK! It's easily one of my favorite, most memorable novels of the year. Lucky for us we won't have to wait too long as Brigid is currently working on the third novel in the Elementals Series, SPIRIT (2013). There is no doubt in my mind that Kemmerer is here to stay and I can only imagine where she'll take us next.

But wait! Where were we? Ah yes...

DARE! 

I need you to stop what you're doing and go read this book!  I dare you not to fall victim to the elements...

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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Thanks to the lovely folks at Kensington Books, I'll be giving away a copy of SPARK to one very lucky reader!!

**flails excitedly**

To enter, just leave your name and email address in the comments section below. The giveaway ends Wednesday, September 12th at 11:59pm!!
US & Canada ONLY :(

So what are you waiting for?? ENTER NOW :D