Cover Designer: M. Joseph Murphy
The Highlight Tour with Prism Book Tours
Shudder
348 pages
Published June 15, 2013
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It’s only been three days, and already everything is different.
Paragon is behind her, but somehow Alessa’s life may actually have gotten worse. In a wrenching twist of fate, she traded the safety and companionship of her sister for that of her true love, losing a vital partner she’d counted on for the ordeal ahead. Her comfortable university life is but a distant memory, as she faces the prospect of surviving a bleak winter on the meager remains of a ravaged world. And if she’d thought she’d tasted fear upon seeing a ghost, she was wrong; now she’s discovering new depths of terror while being hunted by a deadly virus and a terrifying pack of superhuman creatures thirsting for blood.
And then there are the visions.
The memory-altering “stitch” unlocked something in Alessa’s mind, and now she can’t shake the constant flood of alien feelings ransacking her emotions. Haunting memories of an old flame are driving a deep and painful rift into her once-secure relationship. And a series of staggering revelations about the treacherous Engineers – and the bone-chilling deceit shrouding her world’s sorry history – will soon leave Alessa reeling…
24 – The Reading Diaries – The Mystery!
Why does Alessa keep feeling something following them through the woods? – Review at Here’s the Story
Shudder is filled with surprises around every corner, keeping me guessing till the very end.
– The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl – Raving Fans!
Can I just freaking say how much I LOVE this series?! Stitch was good. Shudder? AMAZINGLY AMAZING!!! I can’t even express how much I just LOVE LOVE LOVED this book. Everything about it was perfection. – Review at Literary Meanderings
– Rose & Beps Blog – Crushing on Side Characters!
Lizzie: I’ll support whoever can deliver that future, whether it’s the rebels or even the leaders of Paragon, if they were willing to change. I do believe in second chances. – Character Interview at Mousehead & Tales
25 – Chapter Break – Vile Villainy!
Samantha: …the Engineers(the bad guys) are based on a variety of people I’ve met and disliked over the years for their general arrogance and lack of ability to connect with people (though I’m not naming names, haha). – Interview at Joanna In the Sky With Books:
Review:
I enjoyed the merging of genre and thought it was a unique twist on sci-fi and dystopia, with a little paranormal aspect until we learn otherwise.
– Wonderings of One Person – Review
Shudder by Samantha Durante is a deeply touching and sensational story of discovery and freedom laden with heavy doubts and uncomfortable choices. I was swept away…
– Mortal Moments – Crushing on Characters!
Do YOU have any favourite fiction crushes or book boyfriends? Care to share them… so we can all swoon together! 🙂
Issac is one to add to the list of “book boyfriends”. – Review at A Thousand Lives
26 – A Tiffyfit’s Reading Corner – Review
…what an ENDING! This story is keeping my head bent to my kindle. Ms Durante has IT, ladies and gentlemen. That thing that some authors have that just keep you turning the pages…
27 – Kindred Dreamhart – Catch some STYLE!
– The Bookish Daydreamer – OMG Endings!
Samantha: My favorite scene to write in Shudder was definitely the big revelation in the very last chapter. Heart-wrenching. – Interview at Lovely Reads
– Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf – Developing Deep Characters
Things get even more complicated when Alessa discovers something new about herself, a twist that I sure never saw coming. Again kudos Samantha for a great job well done. ~Review at Total Book Nerds
28 – YA Book Addict – Review
The one constant thought that kept coming at me while I was reading Shudder was the originality of it. I remember feeling the exact same way while I was reading Stitch. Personally, I have never read anything like it before and I have to give huge applause to an author who can create such a fantastically original, well written, engaging piece of writing.
– Library of a Book Witch – POV Perfection!
…the transitions between character to character are smooth and never feel unnatural or jarring, each character’s situation has a different aura to it, I could immediately tell which character I was currently reading about… Review at Book Adoration.
– Mommasez… – Writerly Wisdom
Do what you love. – Guest Post “Celebrating the Stitch 1 Year Anniversary” at Head Stuck in a Book
Imagine the world ended tomorrow. – Guest Post “Family & Relationships in a Dying World” at My World in Words and Pages
Review
Samantha teases us with two girls, one stoned by an angry mob, the other in a prison cell. We don’t know who is who. And it’s deliciously mysterious!!
29 – Mel’s Shelves – Praise for Pacing!
Fast paced with not a single dull moment, this book will have you turning pages until the end. – Review at Little Hyuts
Review
Oh, my! Dystopia at its finest! A quick word on Stitch (book 1): It had been a while since I’d read what it was about so I just started reading. It seemed like a nice time travel romance with a hint of something else and then BAM!, in came the dystopia element. At that point, I couldn’t put it down…
– Fundinmental – Painstakingly Plotted World
The complexity of the plot and the dynamics have you wondering what exactly Samantha has in her mind to be able to imagine this complex world. I never one time imagined that what happens in the book could actually happen but now the idea is planted firmly in my mind. It is a little freaky. – Review at Cynthia Shepp Book Reviews & Editing
Review:
Shudder… has so many things going on that, at times, I was torn about where I wanted the story to go.
30 – Literary Meanderings – Top Ten Raving Fan Moments!
Shudder is one of the best dystopians I’ve read so far! It’s so intense, so captivating. There’s a lot in it, and it’s so well written. The action, the suspense, the thrill… All of it will leave you begging for more. I know I am! Samantha, you’ve really set the bar with this one. I enjoyed every second of it. ~ Review at City of Books
31 – My Devotional Thoughts – More Crushing On Characters!
Interview with Isaac at Always YA at Heart
– Green Mountain Couple – More Vile Villainy!
“The memory alteration research mentioned some, well, unfortunate side effects…” – Guest Post at Crys Book Reviews
Review
I absolutely LOVE LOVED this book. It was one of those books that I picked up and didn’t want to set back down even after it was finished.
Sept. 1 – The Book Rogue – Review
Some things were not that unusual for a Dystopian, but there were also some shocking aspects — in the regard that I don’t find them too absurd to actually happen, like right now. Genius and insanity are utterly and truly a very fine line that tends to blur a lot.
Quote:
“What we haven’t told you yet–“
He paused, searching her eyes before he dropped his bombshell.
“– is that the outbreak wasn’t exactly a mistake.”
See what you’re missing… read Stitch & Shudder now!!
Also available in the iTunes store, Kobo, and wherever e-books are sold!
Samantha Durante
Tour-Wide Giveaway:
5 Winners. August 24 – September 16, 2013
* Signed print copy of Stitch & Shudder for you and two friends (USA only)
* Signed (via Authorgraph) e-book copies of Stitch & Shudder for you and two friends (Int’l)
* Signed Stitch & Shudder bookmarks + e-book copies of Stitch & Shudder (Int’l)
* $10 Amazon Gift Card (Int’l)
* $5 Amazon Gift Card (Int’l)
I am beyond thrilled to be a part of the tour for Shudder, Book 2 of the Stitch Trilogy
I have an exciting sneak peek for you, along with my review!
And, a giveaway! Don’t forget to enter.
Shudder Synopsis
It’s only been three days, and already everything is different.
Paragon is behind her, but somehow Alessa’s life may actually have gotten worse. In a wrenching twist of fate, she traded the safety and companionship of her sister for that of her true love, losing a vital partner she’d counted on for the ordeal ahead. Her comfortable university life is but a distant memory, as she faces the prospect of surviving a bleak winter on the meager remains of a ravaged world. And if she’d thought she’d tasted fear upon seeing a ghost, she was wrong; now she’s discovering new depths of terror while being hunted by a deadly virus and a terrifying pack of superhuman creatures thirsting for blood.
And then there are the visions.
The memory-altering “stitch” unlocked something in Alessa’s mind, and now she can’t shake the constant flood of alien feelings ransacking her emotions. Haunting memories of an old flame are driving a deep and painful rift into her once-secure relationship. And a series of staggering revelations about the treacherous Engineers – and the bone-chilling deceit shrouding her world’s sorry history – will soon leave Alessa reeling…
The second installment in the electrifying Stitch Trilogy, Shudder follows Samantha Durante’s shocking and innovative debut with a heart-pounding, paranormal-dusted dystopian adventure sure to keep the pages turning.
Shudder Purchase Links
Amazon (Kindle $2.99, print $8.99)
Barnes & Noble (Nook $2.99)
Smashwords (multiple e-book formats $2.99) Also available ($2.99 e-book) in the iTunes store, Kobo, and wherever e-books are sold
EXCERPT
Alessa looked back to Isaac, who was crouched and picking among the broken glass. She watched him slip something into his pocket, but before she could ask what he’d found, a loud bang echoed from down the hall ahead of them.
Isaac looked up at her at once and they both froze, waiting. The tension of the silence clotted in the air as Alessa held her breath in suspense.
When no other sound came, Isaac stood tentatively and inched over to Alessa, placing a gentle hand on the small of her back and motioning ahead with a nod.
She pointed the flashlight in the direction of the sound and they set off with quiet footsteps in search of its source.
As they reached the department store at the far end of the hallway, they paused, staring into the blackness beyond the threshold. Alessa gripped the flashlight and felt Isaac’s hand slide on top of hers, the pressure of his fingers pointing the torch downward and flicking off the light with a click.
They were plunged into night.
They stepped tentatively into the dark room and gave their eyes another moment to adjust. From what Alessa could tell, it seemed the clothing racks had all been pushed to the sides, leaving a big open space in the center of the room.
She took another few steps to get a better look.
And that’s when it hit her – an abrupt slam in the face as if she’d pivoted into a wall of brick, and the full-body crash of a tidal wave of pain.
Alessa sunk to her knees, a soul-crushing rush of sorrow and terror flooding her consciousness and draining every ounce of strength from her body.
Like a blow to the gut, the air raced from her lungs and she crumpled over, her face smacking against the cool linoleum of the floor.
A thousand images flashed before her eyes, people and places she didn’t recognize jumbled with thoughts and feelings that she knew were not her own. Alessa squeezed her eyes shut, her mind pressing outward against the onslaught barraging her senses, but it was no use.
The torrent pounded through her, raging. Helpless against it, Alessa poured her concentration into the only thing she could think to do – the simple act of breathing.
In, out.
In, out.
In, out.
She drank each shallow breath and waited in agony for the deluge to end.
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My Review
Alessa and Isaac set off to find a secure base for all of those wanting out of Paragon.
They worry that the virus may still be out there, but soon discover they are being stalked by creatures, swift moving things that remain in the shadows of the forest, shrieking their rage.
As they escape an attack, something happens to Alessa. She is frozen in place as her mind is overpowered with fear, frustration and fury. She doesn’t know how it’s happening, but she’s experiencing these creatures feelings and it terrifies her.
They have to hurry. People are waiting for them to return with a location for their safe haven and Alessa has to get her sister, Janie, out of the clutches of the Ruling Class.
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I finished reading Shudder in one sitting, never taking a break.
I could feel it in the authors writing, I was nearing the end of the book. No, not yet!
I needed to know why Joe featured so strongly in Alessa’s mind, what happened to her sister, and where the virus came from.
Samantha started to wrap up the ending while subtly layering in leads to the finale, Stuck. the last book in this trilogy. I liked that. Sure, I didn’t get all of the answers I wanted, but I did get a lot of insight into what the ‘stitch’ was and why and how it was used.
I also learned about the Ruling Class and their reasoning behind the stitch, even though I suspect some, if not most, of them were lying.
It’s no surprise that humanity didn’t learn its lesson. You’d think after all that has been written and studied, all of the wealth of info there is, they would know better. But no, the Ruling Class do the same things as before, believing they know what’s good for all. They buy into their own lies and block out the moral compass screaming stop, and do whatever is necessary to benefit the greater good. And we wonder why we don’t trust our government. Too many chiefs.
I felt twinges of The Matrix and Aeon Flux while reading this. Shudder reads like a dystopian, post-apocalyptic science fiction story. The author did an amazing job of blending these genre into an exciting, addictive series.
It makes me wonder. If Stitch and Shudder are so great, what is Stuck going to be like? I’m sure it’ll be thrilling.
5 Stars
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Haven’t read the first book in the series? Check out my review here.
Just $0.99 at Amazon!
Blurb
Her heart races, her muscles coil, and every impulse in Alessa’s body screams at her to run… but yet she’s powerless to move.
Still struggling to find her footing after the sudden death of her parents, the last thing college freshman Alessa has the strength to deal with is the inexplicable visceral pull drawing her to a handsome ghostly presence. In between grappling with exams and sorority soirees – and disturbing recurring dreams of being captive in a futuristic prison hell – Alessa is determined to unravel the mystery of the apparition who leaves her breathless. But the terrifying secret she uncovers will find her groping desperately through her nightmares for answers.
Because what Alessa hasn’t figured out yet is that she’s not really a student, the object of her obsession is no ghost, and her sneaking suspicions that something sinister is lurking behind the walls of her university’s idyllic campus are only just scratching the surface…
The opening installment in a twist-laden trilogy, Stitch spans the genres of paranormal romance and dystopian sci-fi to explore the challenges of a society in transition, where morality, vision, and pragmatism collide leaving the average citizen to suffer the results.
Stitch Purchase Links.
Amazon (Kindle $0.99, print $8.99)
Barnes & Noble (Nook $0.99)
Smashwords (multiple e-book formats $0.99) Also available ($0.99 e-book) in the iTunes store, Kobo, and wherever e-books are sold!
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A little birdie told me the third book, will be releasing in 2014!
Book 3 in the Stitch Trilogy. Expected Publication: Summer 2014. More information coming soon!
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I have an e-book copy of Shudder to give away!
To enter, click on the rafflecopter link below.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
— Social Media Links —
Facebook: Stitch Trilogy | Author Samantha Durante
Goodreads: Stitch | Shudder | Author Samantha Durante
Twitter: @SamanthaDurante | Hashtag suggestions: #Stitch, #StitchTrilogy, #Shudder
LibraryThing: Stitch | Shudder | Author Samantha Durante
Shelfari: Stitch | Shudder | Author Samantha Durante
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!
For all of my giveaways go HERE.
Welcome to my stop on the Book Blast Giveaway for H.J. Daly’s PULSE
A Young Adult Fantasy
Esa is a street girl living in a post apocalyptic world. A world that left her with nothing except the physical and mental scars that drive her to the person she is becoming.
Whilst searching for shelter, she encounters a creature known as a spinner who pulls her onto a perilous path. Now with a horde of goblins close on their heels, they must work together and enter the magical realm in search of answers. Why can she sense magic and why is a powerful sorcerer determined to end her life?
A GWR Publicity promotional event paid for by Anchor Group Publishing. Giveaway is sponsored by the author.
About the author
HJ has always loved books and read at every opportunity. At first reading with her own children and then at schools in a hope of capturing the hearts and minds of the young. Writing became a natural progression for her when her children attended full time education and she had a little free time. It wasn’t always about writing though, during her teens, HJ stepped up her Latin American dancing and travelled Europe competing.
Links:- http://redribbonwrites.blogspot.co.uk/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/HJ-Daly-Author/297742513610942?ref=hl http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17210738-pulse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIFYM5L6MUE http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pulse-ebook/dp/B00B9J7X0G/ref=sr_1_11?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1359996973&sr=1-11