Book Review: STAINED by Cheryl Rainfield

***Blog Comments count toward extra entries in the Grand Prize Giveaway of an eReader via Cheryl Rainfield's Blog. Follow the link for more details.***


Stained by Cheryl Rainfield
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cheryl Rainfield is an amazing human being. I love her to pieces. I have read SCARS, HUNTED, PARALLEL VISIONS, and now STAINED. All four books are incredibly well written, true-to-life and realistic teen fiction. But there's an air of realism that cuts through the pages, reaches out from the book as you hold it, and grips you like no other YA books I've read. Hands down, I am in awe of Cheryl's remarkable writing, and accessibility. And with STAINED, Cheryl has raised the bar once again.

I met Cheryl online and consider her a friend. But I can separate my friendship from my abilities to read and review a novel. I have felt so welcomed by Cheryl over the years, no matter when or how I check in with her. She always replies in a friendly and compassionate manner, and emotes smiles and hugs and feelings through social media with a tenacity most writers would not be able to keep up with. Not only is this accessibility true to connecting with Cheryl online, but it is equally true in the pages of her novels. STAINED grabbed me on page one and didn't let me go until the very last page. I was frustrated I couldn't carve out enough real life time to read cover to cover all at one sitting, as I had hoped to do. I struggled to put it down at times until I could pick it up again and read at a harrowing, high-stakes pace through chapter after chapter, and page after page.

Sarah and Nick are written in first person POV, in semi-alternating chapters. I say this as a caveat. Some books written in alternating chapters religiously alternate with odd and even chapter numbers. Cheryl alternates as the story unfolds, or as needed, to give the reader the most "there" persona to put you in the center of every moment as it happens. I found this to be very realistic in reading the book and it kept me wanting to know what happens next. Since this is a thriller of a novel, there's also a day or time stamp at the top to aid the reader in knowing how much time has elapsed since the last chapter. Rainfield uses this masterfully, keeping the reader on the edge of a knife blade.

While Nick and Sarah both become central to the story, I feel Sarah is truly the MC. Sarah's port wine stain on her cheek becomes the subject of her obsession with her own outward appearance, and also emboldens others to bully her. Sarah spends her time flipping through beauty magazines, and searching for her own beauty hidden behind her hair and her large facial blemish. But not everyone sees her this way. In fact, Nick sees beyond the surface and notices how Sarah protects others who are bullied, creates her comic book character, Diamond, who later becomes a persona she inhabits in real life, and the way she must decide to rescue herself from her captor.

Cheryl takes on the issues of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), kidnapping, bullying, rape, torture, brainwashing, and predators and how they groom their victims, in this novel. It's not easy to stomach many of the scenes, since they are written as unflinchingly as Sarah, who bravely resists everything her captor throws at her. It did not surprise me to learn that the captor was someone known, as is often the case in abuse and rape. With STAINED, Cheryl has become her strongest yet, in fleshing out characters who fight hard to overcome their attackers, and even humanizing her villain.

More books like this need to be written. This issues of CSA and rape are among the most avoided in our country. Most who have dealt with it, or know someone who has, prefer to sweep such topics and discussions under the carpet of conversation. This is wrong, and empowers predators to thrive in the dark shadows they inhabit, taking advantage of the downtrodden, the bullied, the social outcasts. One in six boys and one in four girls is sexually assaulted before they turn 18. These statistics are not only horrifying, but they're getting worse. Current data proves these numbers are moving in the wrong direction (one in five for boys, one in three for girls), and leaves 40 million survivors in the U.S. alone.

I applaud Cheryl Rainfield for standing up for these victims, these survivors, and their loved ones who need books like this one to identify themselves and to empower victims to become survivors and overcomers like Sarah. Not all families have the skills necessary to equip potential victims and help them avoid becoming abused. I believe STAINED could be effectively used as a therapeutic tool to help assault victims face and deal with their trauma history.

Apart from the issues addressed in STAINED, it is an amazing, fast-paced read. Gripping all the way to the last page. Wow! Highly recommended!!



Check out my reviews of all of Cheryl's books:

Book Review: SCARS by Cheryl Rainfield

Book Review: HUNTED by Cheryl Rainfield

Book Review: PARALLEL VISIONS by Cheryl Rainfield



Check out my cover reveal(s) for STAINED:

Original Cover Reveal for STAINED

Revised Cover Reveal for STAINED



Check out my Author Interview with Cheryl Rainfield:

Author Interview: Cheryl Rainfield on SCARS and HUNTED

Author Interview (Part One): Cheryl Rainfield on STAINED and HUNTED Giveaway

Author Interview (Part Two): Cheryl Rainfield on STAINED and SCARS Giveaway

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Book Review: SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL by Trish Doller

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book in one sitting and couldn't read it fast enough. LOVE, love, LOVE this book. Trish Doller's narrative style is gorgeous, realistic, and so true to life. The characters leapt off the page and rattled my heart cage until it shattered into a million ZOMGs and holy wows. You should go get this NOW and read it NOW.

I think the thing that gripped me most about this story, and there is a list so bear with me, is voice. Not only is Travis, the male main character (YAY!! We need MORE male MCs in YA literature!!) so realistically written, but it's done in a way that is both magical and gritty, gripping and poetic. I could easily identify with him and his struggle with PTSD.

I know many young men and women who join the military and head off to war, thinking their tour will be uneventful and award them a foundation upon which they can build their lives. My nephew and niece for instance. But the harsh reality, what changes you irrevocably, is what Doller writes with such unflinching truth, it will leave you with FEELS and grasping to catch your breath.

Doller weaves a story between Travis and his brother, his ex-girlfriend and a girl from his past he had a brief encounter with. Travis's friends are also well written and developed and add depth to the story. I couldn't stop myself from turning page after page and racing to the ending, where Travis must face what he's been avoiding through PTSD. I love the relationship between Travis and Harper. She's a great character, strong and confident behind a wall of wounded girlish frailty, that makes her likeable and endearing and sweet. I adore this book, and think Doller is my new favorite YA author. I've committed to reading absolutely everything by her. You should do the same. Highly, highly recommend this book!

View all my reviews

Book Review: THE LAST STORMDANCER by Jay Kristoff (prequel to STORMDANCER)

The Last Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as layered as STORMDANCER, THE LAST STORMDANCER paints the backstory to how the Shima Isles came to grow and harvest lotus blossoms for the early guild and how the decision of which brother would become the next Shogun decides the future of the country. The impact had far greater reach than just a battle's outcome. Also, a story and a prophecy behind that battle took place, introducing the Khan (ruler) of the Arishitora, and their decision to stay in Shima, or leave before the lotus killed them off entirely.

The story centers around a blind boy of the Kitsune clan named Jun, and the arishitora, Koh, a female, he befriends on his journey to save Shima. Is destiny something the gods control? Is destiny an unstoppable force? Is it preordained? Jun's indomitable spirit shines throughout the quick, page-turning tale. The actual page count is 125 pages. Still, it will read like it's 100 pages. If you enjoyed STORMDANCER, this is a must read and can only be received as a preorder bonus for KINSLAYER, book 2 of the Lotus War Series. Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

View all my reviews

CATCHING FIRE - All Official Trailers & TV Spots in Order

FINAL TRAILER JUST ADDED!!



The Hunger Games: CATCHING FIRE - Official Teaser Trailer:

 

The Hunger Games: CATCHING FIRE - Official Trailer # 1:

 

The Hunger Games: CATCHING FIRE - Official Trailer #2:



The Hunger Games: CATCHING FIRE - TV Spot #1:

 

The Hunger Games: CATCHING FIRE - TV Spot #2 Atlas:

 

How Swiss Cheese and Connect-the-Dots Keeps Writing Interactive for Your Readers

If you write like I do, you've probably done this too: over-explained your plot point or drowned a passage of writing with heavy description down to the exact grain of wood your furniture is built with. It's great that you've joined Pinterest, but you don't want to put off your readers with overkill. Writing is like perfume, cologne, or maple syrup. Too much is a bad thing. Make a note. Okay, maybe not the syrup.

A helpful visual I use is the Swiss Cheese Narrative. Make sure to leave your reader enough holes that they can actively participate in your story without filling in every single minute detail. This is especially important early on. Beginning writers often think they need to take charge of their writing and explain why they put every single thing into their story. This makes for tedious reading at best, and at worst you've lost your reader. Overboard explanations are a sure fire way to turn your readers off and make them put your book down (shudder).

 

Does this mean your writing should be, dare I say it, cheesy? Of course not. But if you think your reader won't get something unless you've shown it five or more times, you're likely to find your reader somewhat irritated by your insinuation. Readers are not ignorant. Trust your reader to do their job and see and find connections as you lay them down. Don't beat them over the head with a cast iron skillet plot point. Ouch!

 

 

 

What you can do is make sure that the trail of breadcrumbs, or the dot to dots, or the color by numbers, or whatever version works best for you and the story you are telling keeps the reader busy with juggling all kinds of interesting parts that will eventually paint a masterpiece. If you've done it right, they'll feel like they personally helped your main character along the way, and that's how you keep your readers happy and turning pages, unable to entertain the idea of closing your book or setting it down.

 

 

 

A good writer knows that once the book is written, it's no longer about what the writer intended, rather it's what the reader finds and experiences along the way that matters. If you've done your job, you won't have pinned your reader down and forced them to see something in your character or your story in the exact way you meant it, and nothing else.

 

 

Don't limit your reader to the one view of your story you think they should see.



 

Write in such a way that the reader can draw their own conclusions, make their own connections, and peel back layers of your story you never even dreamed were there. You may know your book cover to cover, word by word (especially if you've spent any length of time editing your story), but you don't know it exactly like your reader does. You might even be surprised by your readers and learn more about your characters and the story once your book is out there and being read by readers everywhere.

 

Let your readers have a say in what they uncover in your novel.

 

So, let me ask you this: If you could choose, would you provide your readers with a rigid outline, forcing them to stay inside the lines of your story, or will you hand them the paintbrushes and paint and let them show you what they can come up with on their own?

I dare you to take the risk of trusting your readers and let them have a say in your story. You didn't write it to keep it to yourself, did you? So, why not let your readers have a part in your story as well. Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Happy writing!

Book Review: HUNTED by Cheryl Rainfield

Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was thrilled to get a chance to read Hunted, having recently read Scars (also by Cheryl), and being blown away by that story. Cheryl does it again, and drew me into the world of Caitlyn, a teen with mental telepathy (she can read minds and make suggestions that results in a potentially manipulative effect).

The tension resulting from being on the run immediately drew me into the story. I loved the role reversal in the relationship of Caitlyn and her mom. Her mother's powers are mysteriously suppressed and the why is only revealed later on in the story. It creates a strange closeness and dependance of the mother upon her daughter's powers to protect them from being caught, and a distance because of the mother's suppressed powers.

I was reminded of such stories as FIRESTARTER (by Stephen King) and other familiar dystopian novels I've read lately (DIVERGENT, THE HUNGER GAMES, UGLIES). These were positive comparisons. Cheryl does not steer clear of the tough issues presented here, and while strongly portrayed, I did not feel it overwhelmed the story. Rather, I felt the issues of acceptance, diversity, celebrating our differences added to the development of Caitlyn's plight.

Cheryl created an excellent, modern day love triangle between Caitlyn and Alex and Rachel. While Caitlyn does not mislead Rachel's interest in her as "more than a friend," Caitlyn accepts Rachel for who she is and Rachel accepts that Caitlyn is straight. In fact, Rachel encourages Caitlyn in her interest with Alex, even though it conflicts her. I liked that Alex's ethnicity was not pointed out right away, allowing the reader to identify potential prejudice in the way we judge/perceive/pigeonhole others when we meet them. Whether in the pages of a book or in real life, these are the REAL ISSUES that teens face today. I love how I identified with the message of HUNTED, and I'd recommend this as a great read to anyone.

This is the first paranormal book I've read. I love the crossover with the mystery of the Para Reaper and the surprising antagonist, a government controlled para who presents himself differently at first. I also enjoyed the dystopian world, and was pulled in by the way Cheryl incorporates the use of Caitlyn's powers in dialogue, in her relationships with others, and in various plot developments along the way. I was so captivated, I could not put the book down and rushed to read all the way to the end.

Fortunately for all of us, this is the first book in a series, perhaps a trilogy or quartet (if I get my wish). I could easily see this as a movie, and will dream of the day when that becomes a reality. I've already started casting it in my mind.

I believe you will enjoy this book, and I give it at least 5 stars. Cheryl does an amazing job of cliffhanger chapters and a pace that will keep you breathless, on the run and feeling just as HUNTED as Caitlyn. I was satisfied with the ending, but wanted more. I'm thrilled to know Cheryl is currently at work on the sequel.

Give HUNTED a read, and post your thoughts here. I hope this review helps you in your decision to give it a try.

Check out my reviews of all of Cheryl's books:

Book Review: SCARS by Cheryl Rainfield

Book Review: STAINED by Cheryl Rainfield

Book Review: PARALLEL VISIONS by Cheryl Rainfield



Check out my cover reveal(s) for STAINED:

Original Cover Reveal for STAINED

Revised Cover Reveal for STAINED



Check out my Author Interview with Cheryl Rainfield:

Author Interview: Cheryl Rainfield on SCARS and HUNTED

Author Interview (Part One): Cheryl Rainfield on STAINED and HUNTED Giveaway

Author Interview (Part Two): Cheryl Rainfield on STAINED and SCARS Giveaway

*****Giveaway and NEW Author Interview Coming Soon with Cheryl Rainfield*****

Keep Writing, Then You Get There

 

Just a quick post to let you all know I'm thinking of you and I'm working and editing like a fiend. In the meantime, the quote above made me smile and the link below is a new way you can follow me.

 

Happy Writing and Happy Editing!

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