Bend In The Binding: Summer In Salem Blog Tour!!

This month I am a blogging MACHINE! Today, Brina Courtney stopped by for a little chat, which you will see in a second. First I want to talk about Summer in Salem.

The Review: I thought this was a relatively fun and easy read. While it was serious at times, I felt the overall tone was light hearted and fun. Plus the idea of setting the book in Salem is pure genius... Salem... Salem witch trials... danger... you get the picture. Any way, when we first meet Teagan she is in this cloud of desolation because her boyfriend has up and disappeared. She overhears her parents discussing what to do with her Grandmother since she can't really move that easily anymore, and Teagan volunteers happily to go an spend the Summer in Salem with her grandmother (see what I did there). When I first started out with Teagan, I genuinely liked her. She was level headed, and was coping the way I would expect a normal person to cope if their significant other disappeared. I totally understood the idea of escaping to Salem and her grandmother's house as a way of trying to begin again and to be normal.

The person who I loved most in the book is Teagan's friend Lark who she meets upon arriving in Salem. I don't know if it is because she owns her own art studio or just has a really eclectic vibe, I definitely clicked with her the most. Overall I liked the character of Seth, and how he fits into the story. I am predicting he will be a great source of interest later on in the Electi series. The one character I wished I could have had more background on is Jason. I feel like he has so much potential and backstory that isn't being fleshed out yet. Maybe in the next book my wishes will be granted.

As far as plot, it was easy to understand. Creepy at parts, but it is choppy at parts. Certain scenes would have benefitted from just a little more explanation and detail. Overall though I got what was going on, and the concept of the story is great. I was definitely weirded out by the necklace wearing girl. I'm really excited to see where this story continues, and what we will see happen next to Teagan, Lark, Seth and everyone else. Just a warning, the ending is pretty action packed, so think of the book as a steady climb to the top, and the last few pages as a plunge to the bottom!

I award Summer in Salem Four out of Five Oh Yeahs!

Blurb:

Summer in Salem

Teagen’s summer has been turned upside down by a body, a pentagram necklace, and an old flame.

Nine months ago, Teagan Matthews' boyfriend disappeared and took her sense of stability with him. But when the opportunity to live with her aging grandmother in Salem arises, she decides it's time to get on with her life. A new home, new job and new friends are adding up to a beautiful summer...

...until a young girl's body shows up one night in town, wearing a necklace exactly like Teagan's.

Now a guy looking remarkably like her missing boyfriend has arrived in Salem along with a mysterious stranger who may have some answers that Teagan has desperately been searching for. Teagan must now decide who to trust. It's a matter of life and her death.

An Interview with Author Brina Courtney! Wooo!

Author Interview Questions:

BITB: Thanks so much for stopping by on your book blog tour Brina!! I’m so excited to get the chance to interview you and pick your brain about your awesome book, and having just had Halloween I feel like this interview is very fitting!

BITB: So first of all, how did you come up with the idea to write Summer in Salem?

BC: It’s something that’s been churning around in my head for over a year. I liked Teagan and I had to find a home for her. Or maybe she’s finding on for herself?

BITB: Did anyone in your real life inspire the character of Teagan?

BC: Nope, she’s totally original. I liked that about her.

BITB: Ok, so I love that the story was set in Salem, why did you decide to set the book in Salem, and will the setting have a major impact on any future books in the series?

BC: It will! We’re going to see more about the Electi’s past in the upcoming books. I have plans to travel there and build the series around the town and use it’s rich history to further the story.

BITB: Besides Teagan, Lark is the other character who definitely stood out most to me. How did you come up with her character?

BC: Lark is the friend I always wanted. She’s honest to a fault but she means so well. Such a strong heart and she’s following her dreams- everything I strive to be, but with her own insecurities.

BITB: What was one of the most exciting parts of the book to write for you?

BC: The beginning, I can’t wait to show people my new babies!

BITB: Do you have a comfort food that you always need on hand while you are writing?

BC: Chocolate. I love chocolate. (Hello Willy Wonka)

BITB: Can you give us any scoop for the next book?

BC: Awaiting Autumn (You’re the first to hear the title!) will give a lot more backstory as Teagan learns more about the Electi, and how her choices impact others in some good, and some not so good ways.

BITB: And finally, do you have any other books that you are working on at the moment that you are dying to tell us about?

BC: Settle, the third installment of my popular Cryptid Tales series. Hugh has a question and Shay is still searching for answers. Then there’s Elevate, Lacey’s story. That book is shaping up to be AWESOME!.

BITB: Thanks so much Brina! Seriously cannot wait for the next book in the series. I flew through the book, so needless to say I am anxious to see what happens to Teagan next!! :D

BC: Thank you for having me! I am so glad you liked it!