COVER REVEAL: Secret by Brigid Kemmerer!

Hey, awesome people!

Today, I am stoked to bring you one awesome cover reveal! I'm a big fan of the Elementals series by Brigid Kemmerer, so when I saw on Twitter she was looking for bloggers to help with the reveal from Secret, the fourth book in the series, I jumped at the chance. Now, you don't want to hear me (read me?) talking when there's a pretty cover it behold so, without further ado....





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Nowhere is safe. Not even home...

Nick Merrick is stretched to the breaking point. Keep his grades sky-high or he'll never escape his hometown. Keep his brother's business going or the Merricks will be out on the street. Keep the secret of where he's going in the evenings from his own twin - or he'll lose his family. Keep his mind off the hot, self-assured dancer who's supposed to be his "girlfriend's" partner. 

Of course there's also the homicidal freak Quinn has taken to hanging around, and the Elemental Guide counting the hours until he can try again to kill the Merrick brothers. There's a storm coming. From all sides. And then some.

Nick Merrick, can you keep it together?

Brigid Kemmerer is the author of The Elemental Series, about a family of four brothers who control the elements, and their battle with those who want them dead. Storm, Spark, and Spirit are available now wherever books are sold. To read the novella introducing Nick's story, be sure to check out Breathless available as an e-book only from major e-book retailers. You can learn more about Brigid and the Elemental boys at www.brigidkemmerer.com 

 What do you guys think of the cover? It's a bit different from the other ones, but I like that it keeps within the same theme! And I adore the background color! What I'm most excited for though, is the story behind this pretty cover!

If you haven't read any of the Elementals books, you should definitely check them out! They are tons of fun, and those Merrick boys are majorly swoon-worthy! My reviews of the first two books Storm and Spark are here if you need a bit of convincing.

Secret is out JANUARY 28th, 2014 from Kensington Books!

Find This Book:

Amazon

Goodreads

The Book Depository

Brigid Kemmerer's Website

Tell me what you think of the cover!

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)

Waiting On Wednesday (44): Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, in which bloggers talk about the books they are most eager for!

This Week's Pick: Spirit (Elementals #3) by Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher: Kensington Teen

Release Date: May 28th 2013

With power comes enemies. Lots of them.

Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.

He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.

Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.

With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust…

My friend and fellow Ottawa Blogger Emilie was the first to mention the Elementals series to me. It sounded right up my alley, and the kind of series I would love. And I do. The Merrick brothers are such awesome guys and I have loved getting to know them over the last two books. I really like the concept of these books as well, and think Brigid Kemmerer has created a fantastic series. Spirit looks like it's going to be a bit different from the other two because it's about Hunter, not one of the Merricks. I am really interested to see how his story plays out!

This books are pure addicting fun and I'm so excited for May when I get to dive right back in!

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)

Review: Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: Spark (Elementals #2)

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher: Kensington Teen

Release Date: August 28th, 2012

Source: Purchased

My Rating: 3.5/5

Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally. Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can't. 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. And no one seems to believe him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Because Layne has a few secrets of her own...

If you read my review of Storm, you'll know I absolutely loved it. It was addicting, intriguing, and had some seriously hot boys in it. The idea was something I'd always been interested in, and it was really well done. Spark, I sadly have to say, I just didn't enjoy as much as Storm. I really really wanted to love it, and parts of it I did adore. But, there were lots of things I had issues with, and I just couldn't give it five stars.

The concept was still brilliant. Seriously, I have always said the most amazing super power would be being able to control the elements. And Brigid Kemmerer really does well exploring the concept. In Spark, the focus was less on the brothers and being Elementals and more on Gabriel's control and the romance between him and Layne. And I think that's where I found faults.

Oddly enough, the thing I liked least about Spark was the romance. When it started, all I could think about was how cliche it was. I mean, the hot jock guy falls for the shy nerdy girl? It's in countless stories. Sometimes, it works. Other times, it feels a bit forced and I felt like this fell into the "forced" category. I didn't really care for Layne that much. She just made no impression on me whatsoever. The only time I really though "Yes, good job Layne!" was when she threw out a witty one-liner at her bullies (which, seriously rocked). Otherwise, I just simply didn't feel invested in her as a character. I think one of the issues was Becca. I loved Becca. She was so fierce, funny, and such a great and interesting character. I loved her narration and her romance with Chris. In comparison, Layne just felt flat. 

Gabriel, on the other hand, was anything but dull. I have adored all of the Merrick brothers and Gabriel always had me intriguied. What was behind all that anger? How much had his parent's death affected him? I wanted to dive right into this head and Spark did not disappoint there. It was fascinating watching him come into his own, to watch him control such a wild element. There was so much to his character, I just kept wanting to know more. The best part for me (although it wasn't a huge part) was the interactions between the Merrick brothers. In this book, we got to see a lot more of Michael than the previous novel. I loved getting a new outlook on the oldest brother, and watching him open up to Gabriel. All the brothers have gone through so much, and even though they fight (a lot) they're always there for each other. As an only child, I love to see what sibling relationships are like, and I think Brigid Kemmerer really captures the ups and downs of family life.

I feel like this book was setting up for something big. Some epic battle or plot line to come in future books. I hope said books contain lots more brotherly bonding, elemental shenanigans and more character exploration. 

Although I wasn't a fan of Spark, I'm still a lover of the series. It's got so much going for it and I can't wait until Spirit is in my hands! If you haven't read them, I give the series I giant thumbs-up. It's a series to get addicted to, and you will as soon as you read page one!

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight) 

Find This Book: Amazon | Chapters | Goodreads | Brigid Kemmerer's Website

Review: Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: Storm (Elementals #1)

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher: Kensington Publishing

Release Date: April 24th, 2012

Source: Purchased

My Rating: 4.5/5

Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys all the ones she doesn't want. Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They're powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life's at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who's hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming. (Summary from Goodreads)

I picked up this book on the extremely high recommendations of basically half the Bloggers I know. EVERYONE was talking about this book, and it looked like just the book I was in the mood for. Hot boys, fast-paced plot, and an intriguing storyline? Yeah, that sounds like an awesome combination. And it most definitely lived up to my every expectation!

I think I want to marry one of the Merrick brothers, because not only are they gorgeous they are a ton of fun. Chris, who alternately narrates the story, is so sweet. He wants to fit in with his brothers, instead of just being the youngest. There was definitely some swoon worthy moments between him and Becca, and I loved his passion and courage. Speaking of Becca, she was just fantastic. I was livid over what she had been subjected to at the hands of her ex and how the people at her high school treated her. It was absolutely awful, but Becca handled it with admirable strength. She was very fierce and loveable and a great protagonist. Jumping back to the Merrick brothers, the dynamic between the brothers evolved throughout the novel which was great to read about. There was lots of tension, power struggles but also complete love for one another. I adore those guys. I just want more of them! I had mixed feelings about Hunter, the third party in the love triangle. At first, I was such a fan! But as the story progressed I started getting annoyed and frustrated with him. By the end, I liked him, but I was definitely on Team Chris!

I think, even though I love the characters in this novel, my favourite part of the book was the concept. I have always said if I could have a super power I would either want to control energy itself or the elements. Seriously, those are the most EPIC super powers to have! I have read stories that feature the elements (not necessarily with people that actually control them), but I loved that Brigid Kemmerer put a new spin on it. The idea that everyone is connected to the elements to an extent but that some fall on the exact “point” of the element was really interesting! I don’t think I’ve heard anything like it. I enjoyed seeing the different things the boys could do with their powers, and seeing how connected they are with their element. I loved reading from Chris’ perspective but it’ll be interesting to see how each of the brothers deals with their gift.

This book captured me from the start. It is a fantastic example of urban fantasy in the YA genre, and I just want MORE of it! Storm was a kick-butt story, with fantastic characters, and just the right amount of suspense. I actually think everyone can enjoy this story. It is a great, great novel.

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)

Find This Book: Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads | Brigid Kemmerer's Website