REVIEW: BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE BY ALLIE GAIL

Rob Kensington is just your typical high school senior. Athletic, intelligent, handsome. Sees a therapist once a week. Because his parents just died in a house fire of questionable origin. And he doesn't seem to care.

Maybe he isn't so typical.

Sara Marsh had no clue when she returned to live with her divorced father that the bedroom down the hall would be occupied by a stray with a major attitude problem. The last time she saw Rob, he was a brooding goth who could have passed as Marilyn Manson's love child. But at some point during her three years away, Creepy Kensington managed to evolve into a sizzling hot star running back with smoldering hazel eyes.

The attraction is undeniable. The temptation is irresistible. And soon they're sharing more than just an address. But with another life lost in a deliberately set blaze, Sara's trust is faltering. Has she lost her heart to a serial arsonist? He's already shown her the allure of playing with fire.

And someone's about to get burned.

* This book contains strong language and sexual content and is intended for ages 17+ *

Paperback, 298 pages
Published March 10th 2014 by Createspace

Purchased: Received from author in exchange for review

Purchase this book: Goodreads | Amazon 

| This book is available via Kindle Unlimited | 

OUR REVIEW:

This was a super quick YA-ish read. It's set during the senior year of Sara and Rob's senior year and though they start as less than friendly, they make up for that..eventually. The problem is that Sara and Rob are holding on to ideas about each other that are no longer true. He's no longer a goth boy and she's not some spoiled princess. Once they get that out of the way things heat up. Truly, it's the perfect teen scenario. No parents for most of the week, hot teen couple, sexual tension out tha wazoo...you see what's happening here? Because it did; it happened.

I am still somewhat shocked about that fact, because holy crap was that one naive Dad! Just, wow! Lol. After that though, it really worked for this story. I was attracted to this story by the parts that included them in a coming of age situation, a tragedy, misconceptions on one another based on appearance and actions...all set up for a great concept that I was very intrigued by. 

But in the midst of that happening...other shenanigans ensue. There's weirdness between a girl named Jordan and ..well..just about everyone else. This weirdness spills into Sara and Rob's relationship..but to their credit, they do tend to discuss the problems as they arise. There's also Riley...a boy who insists on creating drama between Rob and Sara too..high school drama....it never leaves us, does it?

That weirdness just set up a suspenseful tone for the story. I was like, "What on Earth is going to happen here." Wild events ensure. Cryptic messages are given. Mixed messages on what is going on had me pointing fingers at people I didn't want to point them at. My heart was racing because I had no idea what in the heck was going to happen! Riley. Asshat, extraordinaire. But...is he? Hhhmmm.

Anyway.
The two main threads of this story are the romance of Sara and Rob and the mystery behind an arson; as the story builds..so do the clues. Courtney warned me that I might be a little surprised at the end..she was right...the last 10% was not what I expected at all.

I am still quite surprised by what happened. The suspense about killed me. I was ready to throw things. I almost did...because well, teenage boys are unpredictable and can be total dicks. I was expecting dickish behavior from several boys, got it from just as many as I had anticipated...but enjoyed the laughs and shenanigans at lunch on the way. 

Overall this was a quick read. Lots of high school drama and fun. Lots of steamy scenes. There were a few places I found the pacing to be a little off..but overall, it was something I think a lot of readers would enjoy. Agreed. There are a few things that happened either a tad slow, or super fast, but that is the part that knocked off a bit of my rating. The story, the characters, the premise...I enjoyed very much. I say give this one a whirl if you're looking for some young adult with a bit of a twist.

Shelley: 3.5 stars

Courtney: 4.5 stars

About Allie Gail

I was born in a charming but microscopic town in Alabama with a book in each hand. Well, maybe not literally, but you get the idea. I don't think there's an author out there who didn't start out as an avid reader, and I'm no exception.

It was only fairly recently that I decided to resurrect an old high school interest and once again began writing. There's something cathartic about breathing life into the quirky characters struggling to escape my imagination.

These days I reside in the beautiful panhandle of Florida with my own blue-eyed Prince Charming and three fat, pampered cats who are just tolerant enough to permit us to share the same house with them. As long as they're fed on time, that is.

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HAPPY RELEASE DAY: FIRE AND ASH BY ALLIE GAIL

Title: Fire and Ash

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Buy Link: Amazon

Synopsis: To the humans employed at his beachfront resort, Florida real estate developer Asher Reid is known as a narcissistic womanizer and temperamental control freak. To the secret, select group of immortals, he is the irrefutable enforcer of vampire law. Yet hidden beneath the charismatic façade lie the alpha’s true obsessions - adrenaline highs, nightshade and an enduring lust for depravity. Running from a faithless ex-fiancé who won’t stop stalking her, Samara Porter hopes to find refuge working within the posh resort. But her tropical paradise houses an even bigger threat when she becomes the prime target for Asher’s unwholesome games. Seduced by his deviant desires, Sami quickly finds herself caught up in a world where pain and pleasure coexist, testing the boundaries of how far she is willing to go to learn his corrupt secrets. And with her final test of loyalty comes a dark ultimatum - to kill for him…or face his lethal wrath. Are you ready to go someplace dark?

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Excerpt: Lightning flashed brightly, and Sami noticed for the first time that the curtains were pulled back and the balcony door open. The distant thunder had moved in closer as the second round of storms rapidly approached. A sudden breeze carried in the fresh scent of rain, blowing the white curtains inward so they billowed like ghostly arms that reached out to touch her. “It’s coming.” “What is?” “The rain.” He kissed her softly while the Beatles were replaced with something less familiar to her. Just a clean and simple guitar arrangement, something almost resembling folk music with a male vocalist whose mellow voice was warmly pastoral. “What is this song?” “Time Has Told Me.” “I’ve never heard it before. It’s beautiful.” “You like?” He continued to move dreamily with the music, his hands resting lightly against the small of her back. She allowed her own hands to roam freely over his smooth, solid chest, feeling his steady heartbeat through her fingertips. And she wanted that heart to belong only to her. He began to hum softly, and then to sing along with the lyrics in a beautiful voice that was a perfect replica of the one coming from the stereo’s surround sound. She looked up at him in amazement. “Ash! That’s not you, is it?” “Of course not. It’s Nick Drake. I’m just imitating him.” “That’s incredible…you sound just like him!” His lips curved slightly. “You might say I have a rare talent for impressions.” “Your voices are identical. I didn’t know you could sing like that…you should have gone into the music industry.” “Like Rick Radcliffe?” He raised a cynical eyebrow. Was he kidding? There could never be even the remotest of comparisons. “Rick has nothing on you.” “You’re right. He doesn’t.” The hands at her back pulled her more firmly against him. His lips grazed her ear. “No one does. So are you ready, Samara?” “Ready for what?” “To open your eyes. To see the truth.” Maybe she was and maybe she wasn’t…but her need to know all was a ravenous hunger aching to be fed. “Yes. I’m ready.” “‘Secrecy involves a tension which, at the moment of revelation, finds its release.’” “Are you quoting philosophers now?” “Oh, I’m quite the philosopher.” Releasing her, he walked out onto the balcony as the lightning lit up the sky brilliantly. A deafening crash of thunder followed on its heels. “Come and look.” Trying to ignore the concern that they both might be struck by lightning, she sidled up beside him. “What are we looking at?” “The beach. It’s completely deserted.” Well, that was no surprise. One would have to be crazy to be out there in weather like this. Another flash lit up the sky and she could clearly see the wall of heavy rain making its way toward them. “There’s no one around to see what I’m about to do." About the author: A resident of sunny Florida, Allie Gail is the author of Unconventional Scars, Winter’s Touch: Immortal Touch Book One and Fire and Ash: Immortal Touch Book Two. Allie’s had an obsession with reading ever since the day she was issued her first Sally, Dick and Jane reader. (Never mind how long ago that was!) When she isn’t busy obsessing over the lexicon of her novels, she can usually be found with her nose in a book, a cat on her lap and music impairing her hearing from headphones turned up way too high. Or sometimes roaming about Azeroth as a night elf rogue. Yep, that’s right. And yes, on occasion…at the beach http://www.facebook.com/alliegailauthor http://twitter.com/alliegailauthor

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