BLOG TOUR: Review, Character Interview, Giveaway: Rock Star Trilogy by Mercy Amare

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Review

So, this is kind of exciting – we get to review both books! Jaded is the first book in the series, followed by Faded, so that is the order I’ll post my reviews! We received ARC’s of both books in exchange for an honest review.

JADED

“I'm Scarlett Ryan.

Yes, THAT Scarlett Ryan.

I live an extraordinary life: millionaire rock star, owner of exotic cars, pictures of me in every magazine, millions of fans, and a name that is recognized world wide. It's supposed to be my dream come true. But, my life IS a fantasy, and I want real. I want exciting. I want... NORMAL. So, I moved from California to Florida, hoping to obtain some normalcy. Instead I find...

Stephan Montgomery.

He's an arrogant jerk. Seriously, I hate him. I swear if he tells me one more blonde joke, I will punch him... again... Unfortunately  I can't stop thinking about him, or his gorgeous green eyes. Trust me, I know that he's bad for me. If only my heart would listen.

I also find out that my parents have kept a LIFE CHANGING secret from me. I need to know the truth.

The harder I strive for normal, the stranger things seem to get.”

Wow. When it comes to YA, I love seeing the sweet and sappy side of romance. I love to see how fresh and raw it really is. When it comes to NA or Adult romance, it is interesting to see how they manage the baggage they carry. Jaded looked at both sides of this!

Scarlett was very easy for me to love. She was strong, opinionated, had issues, and wasn’t afraid to assert herself. Can I understand how others would get frustrated with her? Absolutely! She had issues and could seem pretty self-centered, but given her life, it is understandable. I really enjoyed how she fully devoted herself to the different aspects of the book. Her issues really shaped who she is, but didn’t hold her back in a bad way.

Stefan. Oh beautiful Stefan. Initially, I didn’t like him. I thought he was a cocky high school guy who was going to annoy me. But, he grew on me. By the end of the book, I really, really liked him! He was relatively naïve, but in a beneficial way. Where Scarlett is jaded, Stefan is optimistic and balances her out.

Mercy Amare did a great job incorporating various different story lines throughout the story. It kept the story interesting without being overwhelming or confusing. I read the entire book in one sitting. I couldn’t stop reading! The writing flows, the characters (the main ones as well as the supporting) kept your attention, and the story was great! By the end of the story, you have fallen in love with Scarlett, Brooke, Stefan, Ethan, and Alec. There IS a cliffhanger, but that is ok because the 2^nd book is out this week!

FADED

“I left Hope – the only place I’ve ever felt at home. So now what? Where do I go from here?

When I left, I didn’t just leave my home. I left my friends, my sisters, and Stephan… I just found them. I can’t lose them now.

I know that I want to do MY music. I need to remember WHY I wanted to play music in the first place. And the only way to get that is by firing my dad, but that may be harder than I thought.

On top of everything, I now have cameras following me around everywhere. Even my own home isn’t safe anymore.

I’ve come to realize that normal will never be an option for me.“

Oh man. I was pretty impatiently waiting for this book! Scarlett & Stefan start this one off with a bang! Mercy Amare did not waste any time with jumping right in to this sequel! I loved that! I loved that I didn’t have to wait forever for Scarlett to realize her decision at the end of Jaded was STUPID. (Note, I’m not saying the writing was stupid, just that Scarlett was being stupid.).

I felt like this story was about Brooke & Alec almost as much as it was about Scarlett & Stefan. The four of them together are a force to be reckoned with. They stuck together like glue, fought like siblings, and were a support for each other when they needed it.

I really enjoyed seeing the various issues that this story tackled. Scarlett’s parents are really something else. I really do not like either of them and really hope that the next book results in them getting what they deserve. Scarlett’s sister is excellent and I enjoyed her short appearances, as well as her niece’s, in this story.

Just like in Jaded, the story flowed effortlessly. At times, the story is a stretch as far as reality. I’m just fine with that. I read to escape and this story definitely enabled that. While I read, I felt connected to each of the characters and really couldn’t get away. Again, once I started I couldn’t stop! I read this one in one sitting! And trust me, when you read the end, you will be shocked and so ready for the third book!

{em}

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Character Interview

What are 3 items each of you can't leave home without?

Scarlett – Bob (my bodyguard).

Stephan – *laughs* We sneak out without him all the time. He doesn’t count.

Scarlett – does too. And I generally don’t go anywhere without my iPhone. Or Stephan.

Stephan – you do realize you called me and Bob an “item”.

Scarlett – *glares at Stephan*

Stephan – What she said.

Scarlett - How are you liking high school? Is it everything you thought it'd be?

Well, to be honest, high school isn’t as awesome as I thought it would be. I pictured High School Musical (without the singing), and instead got Mean Girls. I hate the drama. High school isn’t for me.

Stephan - I'm sure this school year isn't going as you originally thought your senior year would go! How are you adjusting to the new attention?

Well, I definitely never pictured my life the way it is right now. I recently (in Faded), found out some pretty crazy things about my life. I’m glad I know, but part of me wishes I didn’t know… The attention, however, is all on Scarlett. I couldn’t steal her spotlight if I tried. I’m just along for the ride.

Scarlett - Your parents - WOW. They are really a piece of work! Are you going to look into the adoption anymore and why they made the choices they made?

I still have my private investigator looking into the adoption, but I’m trying not to get my hopes up. Bridgett and I have both been let down a lot when it comes to the parent department. I’m not expecting to find much.

Stephan - I'm sure acquiring a new brother as a teenager has been tough. How is your relationship with Ethan going?

To be honest, he’s growing on me. Wow. I never thought I’d say that, but I’m actually glad to have him in my life.

Scarlett - How's it working out going from living alone to having 2 new 'roommates'? To top it off - 2 roommates with all kinds of romantic tension going on with each other!

I may kill Alec before this is all over. He’s so high maintenance. And he better keep his hands off Bridgett… I will not have him corrupting her!

Stephan - Enjoying your new famous neighbor? ;)

I think I enjoy my new neighbor a little bit too much, though I think it’s safe to call her “more than a neighbor” now. ;)

For both of you: How's this new "documentary" impacting your relationship?

Scarlett – Um, well, at first it was kind of awkward.

Stephan – For me it’s still awkward.

Scarlett – But we are adjusting. The camera’s following us around are an annoyance, but they will only be there a few more weeks!

Stephan – *laughs* A few weeks… Scarlett will always have cameras following her around.

Scarlett – Good thing Stephan loves me.

You guys are so cute! Stephan - I love seeing how you support Scarlett! And Scarlett - love seeing how it seems like nobody else exists when he is around!

Scarlett – Thank for having us!

Stephan – I was skeptical at first. This is my first interview.

Scarlett – I knew he’d be fine.

So my burning question - without giving away the end of Faded - do you guys really think you'll be able to keep THAT secret for very long?

Scarlett – No.

Stephan – Yes.

Scarlett – I just have a bad feeling about it. Somebody is going to find out, and when they do, EVERYBODY will find out.

Stephan – I guess we’ll see

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About the Author

I am a YA/ NA author of the books: Don’t Tell, You Got Me, and the Rock Star Trilogy: Jaded, Faded, and Hated. I have a slight addiction to the TV series Pretty Little Liars and The Vampire Diaries. I'm 23 years old, and I currently live in St Louis, with my husband of 2 years.

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