Wistful YA~TREASURE DARKLY by Jordan Elizabeth & a GIVEAWAY!

Wistful YA is my reoccurring spotlight, giving young adult literature center stage.
My next featured young adult tale is from a sweet author, who happens to be one of my co-authors filling up the pages of GEARS OF BRASS. She writes down her nightmares to live her dreams, as quoted from her CQ bio. How cool????
Intrigued by a touch of steampunk, mystery, and romance all wound up in a western setting? Then check out this next YA release. And remember to enter for your chance to win one of two free eCopies of the book! 

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TREASURE DARKLY: Treasure Chronicles #1 by Jordan Elizabeth

Genre: YA Steampunk, Romance

Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press

Released: February 15, 2015

Pages: 289

Format: Paperback, eBook

Favorite Line/ Passage: Amethyst: Adam tossed Amethyst onto a sack of grain behind a closed barrel. Breath whooshed from her lungs as her body jerked against the hardness. The gag slipped down her lips enough for her to spit it out. 

"You idiot," she panted. The only light in the cellar came from the doors to the outside that Adam had left open. "You don't think  someone's going to find me in the bloody cellar?" (Kindle: 53%) OMGosh, I just love this character. 

I'd like to thank the author for supplying me with an eCopy in exchange for an honest review.

Description: Seventeen-year-old Clark Treasure assumes the drink he stole off the captain is absinthe… until the chemicals in the liquid give him the ability to awaken the dead. 

A great invention for creating perfect soldiers, yes, but Clark wants to live as a miner, not a slave to the army—or the deceased. On the run, Clark turns to his estranged, mining tycoon father for help. The Treasures welcome Clark with open arms, so he jumps at the chance to help them protect their ranch against Senator Horan, a man who hates anyone more powerful than he. 

Sixteen-year-old Amethyst Treasure loathes the idea of spending the summer away from her bustling city life to rot on her father’s ranch, but when a handsome young man shows up claiming to be her secret half-brother, her curiosity is piqued. He’s clever, street smart, and has no qualms jumping into the brawl between the Treasures and Horans. Caught in the middle, Horan kidnaps Amethyst, and all she gets is this lousy bullet through her heart. 

When Clark brings her back to life, however, the real action starts, and Amethyst joins him in his fight against the Horan clan—whatever the cost. Defeating the Horans may seem easy at first, but going up against men with the same fighting vengeance as Clark, and a Senator with power he’s obtained by brainwashing the masses? 
Well, Amethyst’s boring summer at home has turned into an adventure on the run, chock full of intrigue, danger, love, and a mysterious boy named Clark.

NIGHTSTAND WORTHY!

My Splats: a little bit of snark and romance mingle with steampunk elements in a western flair to bring an under-privileged boy to his true lineage. 

Raw and real is what opens the first few scenes. The reader is introduced to a dank yet busy brothel and Clark as a child, exposed to truths of life at such a young age. He tends to take most of it in stride, accepting what he can't change and seeing hope for growth in what he can. It was actually refreshing to see a younger person claim his life instead of wading through as a victim. Despite living in a less-than-appropriate establishment for a child, Clark has an obvious affection for his mother, which is so nice to see in a young adult story. 

The tale comes to life through clever use of names, titles of places, and physical mechanics which were pleasant to both eye and ear. Solid character descriptions, including distinct voices, lit up the pages. Personally, westerns are not my favorite setting. But blended with the steampunk descriptions, the numerous mysteries, and ... well, yes - romance - it really worked. So much so that at times I hardly noticed it was set in field dust, barns of hay, parlors, and on horses. It was also interesting to see this world through duel POVs - character points-of-views. Trust me. The male and female perspective showed totally different sides. :)

I was particularly intrigued by the overall premise. Being plagued with the ability to bring back the dead in exchange for another's life is quite the burden to bare. Complicate that with the accidental stealing of that gift/curse, and it makes for great tension and conflict. Speaking of conflict, the idea of a boy from nothing showing up at a wealthy home to claim he belongs to them ... I think you get the picture. And within that tension, there's loads of family member conflicts: some for Clark and some against him. Then add in a feud with a rival wealthy family, growth of commerce and dignity of different peoples, and that the government is searching for the one who stole the potion to begin with, and you'll have to agree that Clark's journey is full of action. 

Spoiler Alert: And then there's the paranormal aspects of Clark discovering his real father and communicating with his spirit... I'm such a sucker for any otherworldly trait.

I'd recommend this story for any action-packed/romance, YA enthusiast, and also anyone who appreciates the finery of the western and Victorian eras.

The giveaway runs from 05/27 to 06/10. The two winners will be drawn after that an announced the following week. Thanks so much for entering and spreading the word! 

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