Manipulation by Jolene Perry Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway!

Manipulation by Jolene Perry Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway!

Welcome to my stop on the Manipulation blog tour by Jolene Perry hosted by YA Bound.  Click here to see the rest of the blog tour schedule!

Micah hates her ability to “see” things when she touches people. She’s terrified of relationships, holds on to guilt over the death of her classmate, Lacey, and has no idea what to do with a vision from Landon, a boy from her school. She feels him falling for her, but Micah doesn’t do friends, much less relationships.

Enter a spooky history project about a tragedy from three hundred years ago, and voodoo dolls that Micah somehow feels has to do with her gift. Suddenly she’s sure the shadows in the woods are following her every move—without Landon’s relaxed attitude about what’s happening in her life, Micah would be sure she’s going crazy.

With no ideas on timing or specifics, the visions of both herself and the people she cares about are turning dark—and it appears the shadows around her house do move on their own. But as Micah and Landon try to prevent Micah’s visions of the future, the shadows close in, and they’re now afraid they’ve become the cause…

Micah's story is the first of three girls, with unique talents, who are part of a 300 year old tragedy that follows them in the shadows.

I have heard so many great things about Jolene Perry, so I was so excited to start this book. It has such an amazing premise, and I adored the cute romance!

Micah can see into someone’s future or past just by touching them. She feels this ability is a burden and a curse, especially when she feels guilty over the death of a classmate. For this reason, she keeps people at an arm’s length and never lets anyone get close to her, save her mother. When she meets Landon, she senses him falling for her, and pushes him away until she can no more. When she finally lets Landon in, she senses she is being watched by shadows in the forest. Together, can Landon and Micah stay safe and prevent the horrific future of a close loved one?

Read the rest of the review here!

Addison Prince has almost always gotten what she wants.
Dean Courser only wants to find his brother, but it's the one thing he’s failed at... Even with his unusual ability.

Dean and Addison share the gift of Manipulation—a brief touch that forces others to do what they wish. But when they meet and realize their connection, they find more questions than answers. Suddenly Dean is seeing shadows move on their own, and Addison is learning her father’s mysterious group may know more about her abilities than he’s ever let on. 

As Dean and Addison second-guess every decision about who they are and why they're wanted, time is running out. With shadows following their every move, they're losing hope they’ll ever get to safety—if such a thing exists.

After reading Insight (see review here), I was itching for some more understanding into the Middle Men, their motives, and the reason behind the talents. Jolene definitely delivered!

Addison and Dean may come from very different parts of towns, but they have the same exact talent. They can force others to do what they want with just a single touch. Addison is from the wealthy part of NYC, while Dean is a foster kid living in a small apartment. When they are forced to meet at a court mandated life skills class, they realize they have much more in common than ever thought possible. Addison suspects that the people her father works with are collecting people with talents, Dean and Addison together must find a way to survive on the run.

At first glance, Addison is a spoiled brat who cares more about appearances than what is on the inside. But that’s not Addison at all. She cared so much for her little sister and would do anything for her. She’s very beautiful and definitely has a lot of spunk in her. She has her ways of getting exactly what she wants, and she can be very cunning. She is selfless, as evident in the great decisions she made that could have been detrimental to her.

I love Dean so much. He is gorgeous and kind and has had a hard lot in life. Ever since he was separated from his brother after they were placed into foster care, he never gave up looking for him. He also protected Addie from all the bad buys trying to get them. So adorable.

I horribly dislike Addison’s mother and father, although her father redeemed himself a bit at the end. They were pretentious and annoying. Ellie, Addison’s sister was totally cute and nice, just like Dean’s brother. Katy, Dean’s best friend, was really quirky but cool at the same time, and she definitely had Dean’s back. One of the best parts of this book was being able to see Landon and Micah again. I definitely missed his laid-back attitude and her gift!

The plot had everything that I found lacking in Insight. I was captivated and totally excited to read on and solve the mysteries. (Yes plural!) We still don’t know everything about the purpose of the Middle Men, and I am psyched to find out more! I love Jolene’s writing, especially since we got to experience both Addison and Dean’s POV, whereas we only got Micah’s side in Insight. I can’t figure out what romance I love more. Dean and Addison had some smoking chemistry, and I loved how they had the same talents. With their gifts, they can basically talk to each other, just while holding hands. I love they way they connect perfectly.

I am super excited for Seeker, the final book in the trilogy. A new girl, a new boy, the resolution to the mystery…can’t wait!

Favorite Swoon-worthy Quote: We’re so close to the same height that it’s easy. He leans toward me. I lean toward him. Our arms are still at our sides, neither of us willing to taint the moment our lips touch. His breath breezes against my face. I inhale and our lips touch – like I pulled him to me with my breath. It’s soft but sharp, like heat that shoots through me. My need and his need mix together and pull us closer, closer. I don’t know how we got here, but as much of our bodies as possible are pressed together. His hands are on my face, in my hair. My arms are so tight around him I can barely breathe within our closeness, but I love it.
Rating: 4/5 Tar Heels!

About the Author:
Jolene kissed a boy on her high school graduation night. One she’d wanted to kiss for a long time. They got married two years later, have built two homes together, survived military deployments, law school, student loan debt, and two children.

Jolene plays the guitar, takes pictures, and loves to hike. She doesn’t like rivers, but loves the ocean. She loves to fly, but gets motion sick. Her ultimate vacation would be to sail through the deserted islands in The Bahamas. Two years ago, she got that wish when her parents retired on a sailboat.

She taught high school French when she was only a few years older than her students, and then taught middle school math with her degree in political science and French.
She spends grocery money on designer fabric, shoes, and books.

Jolene cannot express how many times she wished she could write a whole novel. And now she has. Several times. Life is good.

Find Jolene at:
This is such a great and unique series, and I definitely recommend it! Enter the giveaway to win copies of both Insight and Manipulation!
I am so stoked for Seeker, the final book in the trilogy! *sniff, sniff* I will be sad to see the series end, but I know it's going to be great. Watch out for Seeker, which releases March 15th, 2013!


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