Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Book Review: Final Touch by Brandilyn and Amberly Collins

Final Touch (Rayne Tour, The)

Final Touch by Brandilyn Collins and Amberly Collins
Publisher: Zondervan
Publish Date: May 7, 2010
Paperback, 310 pages


My Review:
Why I read this:  I received a copy of this from the publisher (Zondervan) through FIRST Wild Card Tours.  I have read the first two books in the series and really enjoyed them and wanted to read the next one to learn more about Rayne, Shaley, Gary and others in the band.

How is the novel driven:  This one is plot-driven.  We do learn more about several of the characters, but this book is driven by the kidnapping and what goes on during it.

My thoughts:
Final touch is a quick read.  It has a good suspense plot and is executed well.  I really enjoyed the chapters switching back and forth from Shaley's point-of-view (as the one kidnapped) to her family and friends' point-of-view as they awaited news of what was going on.  This really kept the book going and gave insight into what it is like to be on both sides.  I also liked Shaley's point-of-view because it showed how strong she was.  I really enjoyed her character in this book and her determination.  Another thing I liked was the fact that at first everyone wonders why God would let something like this happen (I mean who wouldn't in that situation), but the characters all learn from this and attitudes change through the book.  It makes an interesting Christian lesson, it's not at the forefront of the book, but it's definitely a message that is there.

Final Touch is a great third book in this series that starts out about Shaley and her mom, Rayne who is the lead singer in a band.  While the first two books in the series are wonderful, I think this can be read on it's own.  The events of the first two books are briefly covered in the third and you would have a little more insight into the characters from reading the first two, but the storyline of the third book does stand on it's own.

I'm not sure if the series is over or not, if it is, it ends in a satisfactory manner.  If not, I look forward to more from Rayne, Shaley, Gary and the whole gang.


My Rating:  4.0/5.0

About the Book:
The day Shaley O'Conner has dreamed of all her life is shattered by a nightmare. On a lavish estate in California guarded from the media, Shaley's mom, rock star Rayne O'Connor, is marrying her teen sweetheart and Shaley's father, Gary Donovon. It's a dream come true for Shaley, who has always longed for the father she never knew. But minutes before the wedding, Shaley is kidnapped. Who is this man who has taken her---and why? As Rayne and Gary race against time to find their daughter, Shaley's abductor eludes the FBI at every turn. Fearing for her life, Shaley wills herself to stay strong. But as the days pass, she realizes that no one can save her but herself.
About the Author:
Brandilyn Collins, known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense, is the bestselling author of Violet Dawn, Coral Moon, Crimson Eve, Eyes of Elisha, and other novels. She and her family divide their time between the California Bay Area and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Amberly Collins is a college student in Long Beach, California majoring in marketing with a minor in fashion. She's active in her Alpha Phi sorority and dotes on her Yorkie puppy, Bear.

Brandilyn's website
Brandilyn's blog

For more information see my tour post here.

FTC Information: I received this book from the publisher through FIRST Wild Card Tours for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Book Tour: Final Touch by Brandilynn and Amberly Collins

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today's Wild Card authors are:


and the book:

Zondervan (May 7, 2010)
***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***

My review is coming later today.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:


Brandilyn and Amberly Collins are a mother/daughter team from northern California.

Brandilyn Collins, known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense, is the bestselling author of Violet Dawn, Coral Moon, Crimson Eve, Eyes of Elisha, and other novels.

Visit the Brandilyn's website.

Amberly Collins is a college student in Long Beach, California, majoring in marketing. She’s active in her Alphi Phi sorority and dotes on her Yorkie puppy, Bear.


Here's a video about the first book in the Rayne Series:



Product Details:

List Price: $9.99
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (May 7, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031071933X
ISBN-13: 978-0310719335


Press the browse button to view the first chapter:


Teaser Tuesday - August 3

teasertuesdays31

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Later, I realize that the one question that didn't even cross my mind was the most important one of all:  Will you keep my secret?
From Marked by Ally Condie (out 11/30/2010) - quote is from the ARC.

Matched

This book is so good - you just get absorbed right into the story.  I'm about 100 pages in at the moment and can't wait to see what happens next.  Think something along The Hunger Games, yet different.  That's just the type of book it reminds me of, not similarity in plot, but the way you get sucked right in.