BLOG TOUR - EXCERPT & REVIEW: Flightless by Keri Neal

Available on KDP Select and Paperback

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Release date: May 30, 2013

ISBN: 1484157338

ISBN13: 9781484157336

Synopsis:

Pen was a Guardian, but one violent night took his wings. Ten years later he is given the opportunity to earn them back.

Jade is spellbound by the new student. Pen is quiet, but she is determined to learn more about him. When her terrifying past comes back to haunt her, Pen reveals there is much more to him than she could have ever imagined.

With his soul on the line, Pen cannot protect Jade if his feelings keep getting in the way. But with Jade’s soul on the line, he must protect her from unearthly forces who want her blood. Will the truth redeem them, or tear them apart?

Book Links: Goodreads / Amazon / Paperback

Excerpt

Pen and I are lounging under a big white umbrella. I am curled up with my head on his chest. His heartbeat is steady and slow, his breathing shallow. He is asleep. I pinch his arm playfully. “You’re going to miss it.”

He takes a deep breath and chuckles. “I’m awake. And I’ve seen my share of sunsets.”

I turn my head and rest my chin on his chest. His eyes are still closed. “You’re a grouch, you know that?”

He opens one eye and stares at me. “You know I’m going to find you. You don’t need to do this.”

My throat burns with emotion. “Yes, I do. You might not make it in time.”

Both his eyes open and stare blankly up at the umbrella. He is angry. His jaw clenches and his nostrils flare.

“It’s almost time.” I crawl up and lie down, straddling him. My blonde hair makes a curtain around us. He looks sad as he reaches up and holds my face.

“I don’t know how to say goodbye to you.”

I smile. The sun is glowing in the horizon. Its resting place comes alive with color. I see it all happen in the reflection in his eyes.

“Yes, you do.” I press my lips against his, urgently stealing every taste of him. I pull his lip through my teeth, and he groans loudly. The sound is erotic. Suddenly his hand is on the back of my head, pulling me roughly against him. His lips are not gentle anymore. They are rough and scaly, like a snake. He is hurting me. I push hard against his chest, only to realize my hands are bound. I start to cry as the sun descends into its salty grave.

Author Bio:

Keri Neal designs book covers. Flightless is her fourth published book. She lives near Austin, Texas with her husband, two children, two hamsters and a snake. She crochets, sews, reads, paints and loves all things artsy & craftsy.    

Author Links: Blog / Cover Artist / Twitter / Facebook

My Thoughts:

My Wings were ripped from their roots by unforgiving hands. I was left to bleed to death among the living I had sworn to protect so many eons ago.

Former guardian Penael Kelly is now a fallen angel who is about to be given an opportunity to earn back his wings. He must befriend and protect Jade Bellows.

Jade has lived with horrible nightmares about a night so long ago when she was witness to a most horrible event. An event that she can't remember but she still has the nightmares regardless. 

Jade is drawn to Pen from the moment her starts at her school. And at first it annoys her. She doesn't fantasize about guys, but when it comes to Pen she can't help it. Pen is worried that his feelings for Jade will get in the way of his ability to protect her, but once Jade learns the truth about that long ago event, will Pen's love be enough? And will he be able to protect her when the past rears it's head?

Flightless was a really quick read, broken down into three parts and told from both Pen and Jades point of view. Full of action and excitement, with a good dose of romance thrown in and you have one really awesome read!!

One of the things that I love witnessing when I read a book is the growth of the characters and Flightless did not disappoint in that regards. Jade especially went from being quite a closed off, snarky and distant person to one who was able to allow herself to experience the closeness of relationships.

I loved the way that Jade reacted and handled things once she found out what was going on. Quite often we see our protagonist accept the existence of the supernatural way too easily. Jade wasn't like that. Despite her feelings towards Pen she handled things the exact way you would expect her to under the circumstances.

These feelings terrified me. Never had I felt this close to a charge. It was as if she was living inside of me, pulling at my organs, begging me to save her from drowning in the darkness.

I adored Pen's caring and protective nature. My heart ached for the burden that he carried on his shoulders for past events and I especially loved his relationship with Agnes. And he feels so deeply, which was what I loved about him the most.

The writing of Keri Neal flowed really smoothly, was really easy to read and incredibly engaging. I'm looking forward to reading whatever she writes next!!

4/5 Stars!!