Review: See - By Jamie Magee

Author: Jamie Magee

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Website

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Release Date: 5/5/2012

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Purchase Info: Amazon

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Forgetting who you are, your ambitions, your passions is crippling….but remembering – embracing your purpose with a new sense of determination is more than empowering….it's life altering. Charlie Myers is on a life altering path that will cause the dammed to humble in silence.

One night…just a few friends, how could it go so wrong? That was the question seventeen year old Charlie Myers was asking when she found herself in the ER. Outwardly nothing was wrong with Charlie, she was a vision of perfect heath, internally she was battling a raging headache…one the doctor told her she would overcome shortly, but Charlie knew something else was wrong …very wrong.

Part of her had been stolen…she was missing memories. Those memories were sacred. They held the key to her sanity. They told her that the sinister whispers, the shadows that came to life before her were not as ominous as she felt they were. They held the bond with her late father, a famed musician. They caused her to forget the one talent that allowed her to face the darkness that haunted her every waking hour. They also masked a much deeper bond, the face of the one that had stolen her heart, long before the age of seventeen.

Sitting in the ER with her angry mother she couldn’t figure out what she was missing, or even how. Her thoughts told her that she needed to protect Britain, a friend of hers, but that didn’t make any sense – Britain didn’t need to be protected from anyone, he was strong, young, and absurdly wealthy. Charlie also knew that even though her friend Bianca called Charlie her best friend, she didn’t trust her …she was almost sure she despised her, but she couldn’t figure out why, or understand how random thoughts were telling her that she adored both Britain and Bianca – that they were her saviors – that they brought silence to the unstoppable whispers, but the silence scared Charlie. In her mind anyone or anything that could bring silence to something that dark could not be good.

Charlie wanted to stay in NY, figure out what she was missing, why, and who was behind it all, but her mother had other plans. Against her will, Charlie was sent to Salem to live with her sister, within that small town Charlie found her memories and so much more.

Her story begins now.

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First Thought: Edge of my seat the WHOLE time!

Plunging into SEE I already had high hopes for it because of Jamie's previously published, Insight Series. There’s just something about the way that she writes that calls to my soul. It’s vivid, emotional and takes my breath away.

Forgetting who you are and everything you've know sucks. Initially I felt SO bad for Charlie, but then I kind of started to appreciate her memory loss. As she moves back home and starts remembering everything, it's like you're watching her fall in love for the first time. Though there's underlying issues, the relationship that she creates with Draven is awesome! 

 Trying to find her "way back" has her whole life turned upside down. With temptation always calling....literally....it almost seems like she'll never return to the person she once was. 

This is where I really started to get into it, Charlie has moved away from all the evil in her life, but yet it's right there at every turn. She seems so confused at times that you wonder which side of the line she's going to land on. Even though everything her heart calls to her feels right, it seems that the Darkness could have something a little interesting to offer her.


Trying to sum this up without babbling on and on and on seems difficult. I want to gush and rant, and gush and rant! Though keep in mind that I mean rant in a completely positive way. Charlie is possibly one of my favorite female leads of all time. It's not because she's quick and witty, it's because you can see how true & pure her heart is. She wants nothing more then for the ones that she loves to be safe. It's no wonder that her and Draven are meant for each other....and have a mentioned how yumm-tastic Draven is??!! This man has more patience  then I could EVER find. Knowing that the person you love can't remember you or recall your last conversation, that to me would be soul-crushing. But Draven keeps his faith in Charlie and knows that what they have can't be tainted by magic....can it??


Overall this book was fab! Number 2 should be equally amazing, but only time will tell :)




5/5

Character Interview & Giveaway: See - By Jamie Magee

Hi peeps!

I get the extreme honor of interviewing  Draven, from Jamie Magee's new series, SEE!

Let's start out easy, since there is a lot of astrological signs mentioned in See, and you're a Taurus, if you could pick to be any other sign what would it be?

*He smiles boyishly, blushing slightly, before he gently clears his throat.* Well, I’ll admit that I do not know as much about the Zodiac as my Scorpio friend Madison does. *He furrows his eyebrows*...I’m not even entirely sure that I believe that this entire world can be classified into 12 signs, groups of people. The fact that I’m a twin, that me and my brother are both Taurus, yet I have a harder time controlling my temper, that my voice is stronger than his is a testimony of that. *His emerald green eyes laced in black glance around the room searching for a clear answer.* I guess...I guess if I could be like anyone else it would be Charlie, her sign is a Libra, and from what I gather about the traits of the people born under that sign is that they have balance, they see both sides to every argument, every situation. I would want to see the world that way, to not be angry when I hear an evil echo around me, to ask why, to find understanding, then finally a resolution - the way Charlie does.....if it wasn't for her, for the way she sees the world.....I’m sure we would have all considered ourselves insane at this point....cursed by the devil himself.

Being an artist, what sparks your creativity the most?

*His grin widens, enhancing every captivating feature of his addictive image, just as he leans back and begins to move his fingers across his knee as if he’s playing a mass of chords on his guitar.* All art, whether its music, painting, writing, sculpting - anything created from the soul does one thing. *He hesitates as his eyes drift to the place his mind goes when he writes his music.* It gently embraces emotion, something that in reality cannot be seen, touched, heard - something that none of our senses can grasp. In that embrace the artist molds their work into their expression, their interpretation of that emotion, and when it is complete the emotion is not imprisoned in that work...it’s defined. Others can hear it, see it, read it and feel what the artist felt, and when they do that, they relate that emotion to something in their life. They understand that they are not alone, that every soul faces emotions that can either rip you into, or lift you to the heavens. As an artist I find inspiration by just breathing. I find it on a long drive, flight, I find it when I’m with my friends, I find it when I’m thinking of the girl I can’t seem to live without, I find it when I fight my demons. What I do create, the sound, the lyrics, can never truly express how deep my emotions run, but....it opens the door for others, just enough for them to take what is going on in their life and relate, then find the courage to embraced every emotion, both good and bad.

Knowing how your love life turned out, who would you want to pair your brother with?

*He quietly laughs under his breath at the thought of his brother falling in love.* Well, I think what I’ve been through, the roller-coaster of emotions as terrified him. *His eyes grow serious as his smile fades slightly.* I kinda feel bad for Madison and Aden....being who we are, able to do what we can do is hard to deal with, even if you know you have family and friends that are dealing with the same thing....you can’t just let anyone in, date the way people our age do...its dangerous for them, and you, because you don’t want to lose your balance with what your enduring, and you don’t want to put anyone in danger....then there is the fear that the person you fall for may have you committed once you tell them what you can do.... *He grins slightly as a random thought crosses his mind.* Even though we are twins we are like night and day. Aden is a complicated, yet simple person. He expresses his passion for music in countless ways, he can play at least five instruments at a level that would turn anyone's head....but when he plays the drums he comes alive. All his anger, frustration, even his rhythm with life comes out. When he’s not playing, his nose is in a book, usually a philosophy book, Joseph Campbell, and Carl Jung are his heroes....he thinks deeply, and wants to understand life at its core. Whoever he ends up with would have to be someone who sees music as a life form, the way he does, someone who thinks for themselves, the way he does, someone that can give him the freedom to be who he is - someone that he can hold when the darkest moments are over.....he says he’s ready to leave with Austin, our friend from Chara, because he wants peace for all of us, but I know him....I know he’s wondering that if somewhere out there, there is a girl that can understand and love him...someone that will not be afraid of who we are.

Name your top 3 things you love most about Charlie:

I don’t know how anyone cannot become addicted to Charlie. She is.....she is a light....it doesn’t matter how dark it is, what is happening....she finds balance. She listens, she lets you express every raging emotion, then finds a way to help you see the victory that lies ahead. Her soul is full of passion....she was born with a divine gift in music....when she plays I swear I can see her soul, her warm energy fill the room. When she smiles at me I feel as if God himself is telling me that life, no matter how complicated it is, is a gift....I find myself staring into her dark eyes, wondering what mystery she is trying to unravel, where her heart is leading her. I’m not sure how clearly I answered your question, basically Love is not a strong enough word to express the way I feel when I’m around Charlie, there is not a sound I could play that would mock how powerful she makes me feel by just breathing...

Now, without giving anything away, how do you foresee your future going?

The first time I performed in front of a crowd that was larger than 100 or so people I was sixteen. My father let us open for one of the major bands he was producing. Even though I love music, playing, singing from my soul....I was terrified. In my mind I’d imagined everything from the sound to forgetting the chords going wrong. I was literally sick with the thought of stepping into that spotlight. My father sat me and Aden down the morning before that show. He told us that if we weren’t afraid of that night, then that meant that we didn’t want it bad enough, that embracing who you are, and expressing it with every part of your being was part of life. He said life was not always bliss, if it was, we would all be rather bored. He coached us through how not to see the crowd, but to be a part of it. To become the music, to flow with the aggressive sound, to act like we were born to do what we were doing.....he said when that when it was over, we would become addicted to the emotions we felt as the crowd roared, that all at once we would feel everything, and nothing at the same time, that even if the world ended that night, we would die smiling, accomplished, invincible. He was right....that night did not make me and my brother musicians....it taught us how to live. In a way it prepared us for everything we have seen, witnessed, endured...playing live for that many people - facing all your fears just so you could show the world that you deserved to do what you loved, to prove that the pain that may come with your dreams was shallow in comparison to your passion. I will never forget that lesson. I hear him in my thoughts when I think of what lies ahead for myself and the ones I love. I know my heart will pound in my chest at times, that my hands may tremble, that adrenaline will become a drug for me, for all of us, but I also know that once we get through what’s before us, once we understand the purpose in our dark gifts that the world will see that there is not one soul that does not deserve forgiveness, a second chance. I won’t lie, I feel the same way I did before that first concert...I’m terrified, and furious that I don’t know what’s coming at us, or how to overcome it, but I know that one way or the other....I will not leave this world in the same way that I found it...none of us will.

Now in my eyes I envision Draven as looking like this:

Agree?? 

Now for the GIVEAWAY!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Cover Whore Reveal - Image

WIN!!

Another Cover Whore reveal!

This reveal is unique, simply because author Jamie Magee is piecing the cover together with multiple bloggers. (It's actually pretty genius if you ask me)

So, without further pain-staking anticipation, here's my piece...

If you want to follow the cover around, and see what other pieces are being revealed, just check out Jamie's Facebook Page



Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner!

Hooray for winners & Friday!

I have 2 winners to announce......

Damned (by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie) Winner: Audrey Cynthia Garcia

Jamie Magee Winner: Cathy Ward & Dawn

Congrats ladies! Happy Friday all!!!

**winners have been contact & have 48 hours to respond of new winners will be drawn**

Romancing Your Dark Side: Interview & Giveaway w/ Jamie Magee

For our second stop in the Romancing Your Dark Side Tour, I am happy to introduce Jamie Magee! Author of Insight & Embody, and all around amazing lady!

 The series obviously has a HUGE fan base, if you could, would you ever want to do an actual book tour?

Wow…  I’ve never thought of myself as having ‘fans’ to me they are friends who share a common day dream. I would love to go on a live tour, to not only meet my friends across the world, but to travel. I love feeling the energy of new places and new people.

If you could be any paranormal creature, what would you want to be?

If I could be a vampire that doesn’t drink blood that would rock! I love the beauty of their skin and the strength of their bodies and minds. Not to mention the fact that they are well traveled and deeply intriguing.

How do you deal with writing under pressure for deadlines?

I’m one of those odd people who work really well under pressure. If I have a deadline it is a focus for me and I plan out every step I need to take to reach that point. If someone tells me to ‘get to it when I can’ the project usually stays on the back burner. If I don’t have more than a few things to juggle at once I become bored and complacent. I love to be challenged and deadlines do just that.

Who would be your ideal author to co-write with?

There are so many amazing authors that take paranormal romance in various directions it would be hard to chose one or turn down the opportunity to write with them. However, today I would say that I would love to co-write with my best writing buddy Cynthia Cene’ I love to pass ideas back and forth with her and I have no doubt we could come up with a unique paranormal romance. :)

 (I LOVE Cynthia too)

Quick Shots:

Thunder Storm or Snow Storm?

Both would give me a solid reason to stay indoors and write, but I love the sound of rumbling thunder creeping over the hills – it brings out the dark side in my writing!

Conan or Thor?

Who could chose?

Paperback or Kindle?

Kindle – I love paperbacks, but Kindle allows me to carry all of my books, and I don’t have to worry about hurting my them in my totes.

Burger or Salad?

Salad – love veggies

Snickers or Starburst?

Starburst – addicted to the red ones!(Who isn't!?)

Thank you SO much Jamie for stopping by!
If you want to learn more about Jamie or her Insight Series check out her Facebook Page!

Now for some goodies!
Jamie has graciously offered not 1, but 2 e-copies
of the first 2 books in her Insight Series, Insight & Embody!

To enter to win all I want to know is Snickers or Starburst?

Make sure to leave your name and an e-mail address!

*This contest IS International & will run thru Wednesday the 31st. Winner will be announced Sept. 1st*

Interview & Guest Post - Jamie Magee

Some of us book pages have come together to celebrate the release of Embody, the sequel of Insight, by the one, the only, Jamie Magee. Part of the celebration Jamie has been kind enough to take time out to do an interview with all of us. And on with the show!

Hi Jamie! Welcome to the mad house of book pages! Thank you for taking time out of you busy life to answer some (or a lot) of our questions.

Hi everyone! This is absolutely amazing. I cannot wait to answer each of these questions. I’ve always loved how FB brings together not only friends and family, but leads us to new found friends that we would have never known otherwise!


Best Books: How did you get the idea for Insight?

I honestly feel like Insight found me. I had a craving for a unique love story that held paranormal elements that I have always found fascinating. In the beginning I only saw Willow ~ she in turn told me her story.



Peace, Love, Teen Fiction: How much research did you do for your book? Was it hard or did you enjoy it?

I completely enjoyed the research I did. The string theory is something that is truly studied – the element of alternate dimensions is just one of the many aspects the theory suggests. The ideas behind this theory are extremely fascinating and can cause anyone’s imagination to run wild. Looking into the Zodiac was almost like a personal awaking. I admit that I have barely begun to grasp the oldest science in the world, but I can’t help but find it odd how certain personality aspects are often reflected in our birth charts.



All Things Books: While writing do you require silence and to be left to your own devices or do you prefer it to be on the louder side with people around?

Silence is not really a word in my vocabulary J Even if I write in the dead of night while my family is sleeping I have my headphones in and music blaring!



Taking it One Book at a Time: Which character gave you the most trouble when writing? (i.e. changed appearances, personalities, turned into an asshole, lol)

I have to say Drake. Every good book has a villain - the one that everyone is meant to hate, but I couldn’t hate him. As Drake developed throughout the series it easy to see why I had the emotion from the very beginning. This character is very charismatic, gorgeous, and powerful – but he also has a different side that he will slowly reveal. I will tell you this – I’m glad I do not have to make the decisions that Willow Haywood does!



My Home Away From Home: Describe your book in 5 words or less.

This is such a hard question because I’m so bashful – umm lets go with this:


An addicting, compelling love-story.( at least I can say this is my goal description!)





Love Fantasy Novels: If you could be one character from your books who would you be?

I love them all, but I want to say Willow simply because the private moments between her, Landen, and Drake are the ones that seem to drive the story forward. If I were any other character I would deeply miss the emotions and insight the three of these characters bring.



Book Lover 1989: If you could write a novel with another author who would you choose and why?

J.K Rowling – I simply love her in-depth imagination.



Bookies: Was it difficult to come up with a title for your book?

In a way it was. I had called it ‘Gifted’ from the moment I began to write it, but after walking through the aisles of my local book store I discovered that title had been taken. I toyed with the idea of “Eight beyond the Sun and Moon” and countless others. I knew I wanted a one word title ( I don’t know why. I guess I was looking for simplicity) I went back and forth with my friends and family for weeks toward the publication day. One night I came home and handed my husband a list of possible titles. The expression on his face led me to believe he was not found of any of them. At that very moment the IPOD changed songs and now playing was “It ends to Tonight” by the All American Rejects. The last time I had heard that song was the night I’d written the ‘fight’ between Willow and Landen in Insight. As the course began to play my children began to sing along “Just a little Insight will make this right” my husband and I looked at each other and both said ‘Insight” at the same time. I’ve always found eerie that when you truly seek and answer you are always – even if by chance - led to the answer.



Bookaholics: How easy was it to write Embody after your experience with Insight?

I have often referred to Insight as my ‘first child’ in the realm of writing. Every part of it was a learning experience. As I wrote Insight I had to discover who each of the characters were – the world they lived in. Understanding who they were made it easier to express their emotions and reactions as the story of Embody came to life. Embody and the stories beyond the first two were far easier to master.



YA Books: If you become leader of the world, what would be the first thing that you'd do with your power?


Enforce the saying ‘pay it forward’ – is one of many steps I would take!

Book Reader Addicts: I know you have said before that with each book you are going to go more indepth with different characters. Do you have an order and how did you choose that order?

I have no order in mind lol. The main story through book four ( I’m at the mercy of the rest of the stories) focuses around three main characters Willow, Landen, and Drake. Their circumstances do bring other characters into focus and allow the reader to discover them.

Just before I begin writing any story and sometimes along the way I will write down random ideas I have – it could be anything from a phrase or a description. At the end I always look back – and invariable discover that the path the story took was not what I had in mind in the beginning. It is hard to say who will come forth in the future but I look forward to discovering them with each of you.



Best books: How do you feel when you’re writing?

Alive! It is the one thing I could do all day everyday and not expect anything in return. I love the rush of emotions – I’m sure it is quiet comical to watch me write – you will see everything from laughter to sadness– shocked expressions and anger. I’ve even been caught clapping.





Peace, Love, Teen Fiction: What is it like being a published author?

To this day I have not been able to fathom the idea. In my mind I’m simply sharing my words with a large group of friends!



All Things Books: Who is your dream cast should Insight ever be made into a movie?

I’ve been asked this before and I have yet to come up with an answer. I would hope that if this day came that the cast would be full of people who just needed one chance – that it would be their perfect ‘break’ and we would all indulge in the new found talent.



Taking it One Book at a Time: Who's the one author that can completely & utterly make you forget the outside world?

J.K Rowling – I love love love her imagination.



My Home Away From Home: What is one question that you have always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?


Ummm….what’s my favorite color???? – Purple J

Love Fantasy Novels: If you could have dinner with one famous person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

I could go really deep here and reach back and say Nostrdamus – my purpose in this dinner would be to understand what he was ‘seeing’ when he made his prophecies – to apply them to modern life and debate the path of humanity.

Or- I could just be real and say Ben Burnley – I love this musician. His lyrics have inspired scene after scene in my series – I would want to know what inspired him to write them in the first place, and of course – thank him!



Book Lover 1989: What are you top 5 favorite books/series of books?

Hard List to come up with….

Redeeming love – Francine Rivers

Charlotte’s Web – EB White (we all have to start somewhere!)

The Notebook/ Wedding - Nicholas Sparks

Harry Potter Series – J.K Rowling

Romeo & Juliet – William Shakespeare



Bookaholics: Do you write to a soundtrack and if so,what music was your inspiration whilst writing Embody?

Oh how I love music! Sometimes songs inspire writing and others simply remind me of the story. The Embody playlist I have now is:

My Never – Blue October

The Diary of Jane – Breaking Benjamin

Dear Agony – Breaking Benjamin

Point #1 - Chevelle

Bring Me to Life –Evanescence

Cold – Evans Blue

Eclipsed – Evans Blue

A Cross and a Girl Named Blessed – Evans Blue

Fair Fight – The Fray

Everything Will Be Alright – The Killers

Possibility – Lykke Li

Breathe Into Me - Red

All around Me - Fly Leaf





YA Books: If you were a superhero, what would be your superpower, what would your name be, and would you be a goodie or the baddie?

Scorpion – power: emotions – I would be good (Wait – I feel like I know someone like this?!) Sorry… I tried to be unique – but as my daughter would say ‘I got nothin’ lol


Book Reader Addicts: Since I have already read Embody I have to know….when is the third book coming out? (No, rush or anything. LOL)

I was so excited about the first reviews of Embody that I sent ‘Image’ to the editor the first week of May – I do not have a date set – but I can tell you it will be THIS year

Jamie, again thank you so much. I can not wait to read more from you. Before when end this is there anything else you would like to tell you readers?



I want to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to share this daydream with me – it means more than I could ever express in words!


If you haven’t read Insight yet I have one question for you. What are you waiting for? Go get in now. If you have read it then go pick up Embody. You can get these great books at Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and smashwords.com.

One last thing! Jamie has a surprise for you! Tell them Jamie!

I know we all love release dates and SWAG – so for Embody’s release each page will have a swag bag – complete with an ebook version of Embody! Good luck everyone and happy reading!

To enter to win Jamie's amazing SWAG bag just leave a meaningful comment, your name & email address!

Make sure to check out all the other wonderful sites who took part in this amazing interview & giveaway:

Best Books: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Best-books/188630521175193

Bookies: http://www.facebook.com/Bookiesfan

Love Fantasy Novels: http://www.facebook.com/LoveFantasySciFiNovels

My Home Away From Home: http://www.facebook.com/MHAFH

YA Books: http://www.facebook.com/pages/YA-Books/304399204427

Book Lover 1989: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Book-Lover-1989/184355894932867

Peace, Love, Teen Fiction: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peace-Love-Teen-Fiction/113906138666107

All Things Books: http://www.facebook.com/allthingsbooks

Bookaholics book club: http://www.facebook.com/BookaholicsBkCl

Book Reader Addicts: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Book-Reader-Addicts/111740428882269