Monday, December 22, 2014

**Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ The Darkest Part ~ Trisha Wolfe**


Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Trisha Wolfe's The Darkest Part. Below you'll find all the details for the book, my review, and because I think this book is so fabulous, I'm giving away a copy! So don't forget to enter the giveaway.


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The Darkest Part
Living Heartwood #1
by Trisha Wolfe 
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Goodreads

Synopsis
Pressing the boundaries of both the psyche and the heart, Sam and Holden embark on a dangerous journey that will test the limits of love.

Sam Wintry’s life used to be almost perfect. She was engaged to her childhood best friend and high school sweetheart, Tyler Marks, planning an amazing cross-country honeymoon during her college break. But after a hit-and-run leaves her in ruin, she begins seeing Tyler’s fractured, ghostly presence, and her family believes she’s losing her mind. Not until she completes their journey, stopping along the way to scatter Tyler's remains, will Tyler be able cross over. Only...is Sam ready for him to leave her?

When the black sheep of the Marks' family, Holden Marks, returns to check on Tyler's case, Sam convinces him to give her his brother's ashes. Despite their shaky history, she needs him...plus, he owes it to Sam and his brother. What she doesn’t count on is Holden’s relentlessness to go on the trip. 

On the road, Holden realizes just how unhinged Sam has become. Dealing with her psychosis forces him to confront his dark past, making it harder to keep secrets hidden that should remain buried. Especially from Sam, the only woman he’s ever loved. And as Sam starts to unravel the truth, she begins to question if the brother she's unwillingly falling for again is in an even darker place than her.


The Living Heartwood series 
The Darkest Part (Book 1) – Amazon / Goodreads
Losing Track (Book 2) – Amazon / Goodreads
Fading Out (Book 3) – Goodreads (Coming 2015)
Bad Road (Book 4) – Goodreads (Coming 2015)



Man! What a story! I agreed to participate in this blog tour because I'd already one-clicked the first 2 books in the series on Naomi's recommendation. (Nomi's Paranormal Palace) At 15% in, I messaged her to say I now understood what all her gushing was about. And it only got better from there.

The Darkest Part - Ms. Wolfe did a fantastic job of weaving in the actual definition of 'the darkest part', the heartwood of a tree,  and the imagery it evokes into Sam and Holden's story.
"It's the darkest part," I say, and a mock laugh tumbles from my mouth. "I can relate. It's dark, stubborn, callous, dead on the inside."..."That's only one perspective. The way I see it, the heartwood is strong, beautiful, and resilient. It can fight off any outside threat that tries to invade, and in rare cases...is alive. It may be the darkest part, but a living heartwood is a force to be reckoned with."  Sam & Holden, Loc 1713

Sam is struggling with her fiance's death. She and Tyler had been inseparable for most of their lives. She can't seem to figure out how she's going to live without him. She does devise a way to herself, and Tyler, the peace they need. 

Holden, Tyler's older brother, has always been his protector. Even after Tyler's death, Holden is protecting him. They had so many secrets between them. And now he's joining Sam in her mission to let Tyler go - and he has to keep his cool and not expose any of those secrets.

Holden and Sam have history - something Sam has kept close to her chest. And their road trip together is dredging up feelings Sam thought long buried, and forcing Holden to deal with feelings that never went away. The way things unfolded, how feelings were exposed, how they were on a physical journey but also an emotional one - Ms. Wolfe really gave me the feels. Getting both sides of the story, Sam's and Holden's POVs, kept me riveted. What each of them had gone through and suffered - it was quite the emotional journey. But one they needed to travel.  I loved the honesty between them once all the walls were brought down. I could feel Holden's fear over what Sam's reaction to the Marks' brothers' secrets might be. And I could feel Sam's love and understanding towards Holden. I also understood Sam's need to keep Tyler with her and appreciated her struggle to let him go. Holden was right about her being strong and resilient, like heartwood.

The Darkest Part was incredible. Even though I'd put some of the puzzle pieces together, it didn't take anything away from the emotional impact of the story. I know Holden and Sam's story isn't over and I'm a little anxious about what life's going to throw their way. But I'm also eager to find out.





a Rafflecopter giveaway






From an early age, Trisha Wolfe dreamed up fantasy worlds and characters and was accused of talking to herself. Today, she lives in South Carolina with her family and writes full time, using her fantasy worlds as an excuse to continue talking to herself.

For more information on Trisha Wolfe and her works, please visit: www.trishawolfe.com.

To be the first to hear about new releases and sale events, sign up for Trisha Wolfe's Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1rXTKI7.





14 comments:

  1. You and Naomi seem to exchange recommendations like there's no tomorrow. Whenever I visit her blog she's like "Brandee made me read this", and same thing goes for you. You gals are hazardous on each others TBR piles (and mine for that matter)! Loved the quote you shared too; you really know how to pick 'em. I hope you have an amazing week!

    Carmel @ Rabid Reads

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  2. LOL @ Carmel's comment... you know me, I'm intimidated by heartsy reads like this. HOnestly I just dislike that pinch in the heart and the onslaught of tears that follow regarding stories like this. I'm really a weakling pretending to be a badass chick reading disturbing dark reads. LOL

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  3. This does sound good..now you and Naomi are gaining up on me..guess I need to read them!

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  4. Yay!! I am so glad you loved The Darkest Part! I knew you would enjoy the emotional turmoil that was weaved throughout! They are both incredible characters and the tragedy bought them back together. I will be keen to see what you think od the next one! Awesome review girl!

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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  5. Thanks for the rec! ;) You know I really am worried about what comes next but at the same time, I can't wait to see what comes next! <3

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  6. It is sooo good, Kimba. Emotional but good. And yes, Naomi and I are now tag team book pushers. ;)

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  7. I know, I know, Braine. LOL I still think you're a badass chick! ;)

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  8. LOL Yes, we are dangerous when it comes to one-clicking. ;) You've been adding quite a few to my pile though, Carmel! I hope your week is moving along splendidly! <3

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  9. Great review, Brandee. I have this series on my 2015 TBR pile. I'm looking forward to reading it.

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  10. I don't read a lot of contemporary romance, occasionally though. Since I have been reading blogs, I find myself reading more and more of them. You just added another one to my tbr pile, this sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing :)

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  11. You've really made me want to get into this series

    Great review

    Me x

    http://thedayinthelifeofmexoxo.blogspot.com/

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  12. Oh, you're going to love it, Marilyn! :)

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  13. Oh, I'm glad I could add to your tbr, Lorna! :) The Darkest Part was really incredible. I hope you love it - when you get to it. :)

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  14. I'm glad to hear it! Thanks for stopping by. :)

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Now you know what I think...what are your thoughts??