Blog Tour: Reaping Me Softly by Kate Evangelista: Review and Giveaway

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Title: Reaping Me Softy
Author: Kate Evangelista
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Publishing Date: October 30th 2012
Pages: 220
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Series: Reaping me Softly #1

Source: Kindle ARC

 

Ever since a near-death-experience on the operating table, seventeen-year-old Arianne Wilson can see dead people. Just as she’s learned to accept her new-found talents, she discovers that the boy she’s had a crush on since freshman year, Niko Clark, is a Reaper.

At last they have something in common, but that doesn’t mean life is getting any easier. All while facing merciless bullying from the most powerful girl in school, Arianne’s world is turned upside down after Niko accidentally reaps the soul of someone she loves. This sends them both into a spiral that threatens to end Arianne’s life. But will Niko break his own Reaper’s code to save her? And what would the consequences be if he did?

I want to start off this review with my thoughts on the cover. I love this cover. I fell in love with the cover. I know you are not supposed to judge the book by its cover, but I wanted to read this book before I read the blurb because of the cover. It is so soft, beautiful, and magical, I had to have it. 

I got it, I read it, I loved it! An Amazing story of love, sacrifice, loyalty, friendship, and the line that lies between good and evil where something exists that is only what it is.  There are lots of awesome character and very witty and emotional writing. All the ingredients needed for a great read.  

Niko is a reaper who lives many lifetimes… he seems to start as a teenager and grows to an old man than does it again, all the while enforcing death certificates that his master (death) gives him.  Arianne (love the name) is a high school girl that has had a crush on the school superstar (Niko) since he arrived at her school freshman year. Arianne has a best friend Ben, a loving and very close sister Carrie, and Darla, a very evil enemy at a school. Oh and she can see souls after the body dies. Niko and Arianne and are brought together, fall for each, and everything goes downhill from there. 

So wonderful! I loved it from the first page to the last page. It is a fast paced, capturing, one sitting read. I was a little upset at the end… it kind of left me going “I need the next book like now” I love that feeling but only when the next book is available. The story was filled with love, a little mystery and intrigue, some action, sexy men, good friendship, lots of funny lines, sadness, death, sacrifice, it pretty much had it all, including things I didn’t see coming. 

The writing was very entertaining. Kate has a way of making everything intense but also at the same time fun. I found myself snickering and giggling throughout the book.  I was taken away by this book and found myself completely thrown into the book. The story did have some cliché things, like unpopular girl and the school hotty, insta-love, mystery surrounding the boy, a high school bully, and some family drama… but I didn’t care. The plot itself was refreshing and different for me and the writing so wonderful; I didn’t really notice the clichés.  I have only read one reaper book and it was completely different. So I was happily entertained in my own little world.

The characters were all just crazy great. I loved the good and hated the bad and pretty enjoyed everyone in between. 

Niko is just swoon worthy. Handsome, caring, loyal, witty, and clueless about humans while trying to fit in. His love for Arianne was pretty instantaneous and intense but it was his first love in all his many lifetimes. He was drawn in by it and amazed by it. Arianne is a very likeable character. She has her teeny girl moments where she becomes the whiny get over it girl, but for the most part she has a good head on her shoulders and seems to be pretty mature. She is going through a lot a home and meeting Niko seems to bring her a little joy during a very hard time. She learns he is not human and handles it pretty well and decides to figure out what he is on her own. She loves the research.  Her love for Niko comes a little bit slower but still pretty fast and intense. Insta-love in YA does not bother me. They are teenagers and I feel the intensity is a little more realistic. What does bother me is love triangles and yay no triangle!  

The secondary characters in this book are great too. Tomas the reaper is a loving mentor. Travis, another reaper, is just hilarious and from Texas…which is just hot. Love me some Texas Boys! Death is mysterious and dark but still seems to be personable. Darla is just plain nuts and mean girl doesn’t seem to do her justice. Ben is the loyal, understanding best friend. Carrie is the sister that everyone dreams of having. Janika, the not so nice reaper, is just plain evil and sadistic. A well rounded cast! 

I loved it; my only complaint is that it was a little too short. I would have liked a little more. It didn’t feel like anything was missing or lacking. It was all there but I just wanted more. So… I will be getting the next book when available and be sad until it is.

About the Author: 

When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing. Social Media links: Facebook/Website/Twitter: @KateEvangelista

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