Book Review: WHEN WE WERE HUMAN by Kate L. Mary

Title: When We Were Human
Author: Kate L. Mary
Category/Genre: Apocalyptic Upper YA
My Star Rating: 4/5

Goodreads Blurb:

 “They came four years ago. Invaded our planet, rounded us up, decimated the human race. We fought back, and some even say we won, but they’re wrong. The invaders took everything from us. Our family. Our hope. Our humanity. We won the war, but there are no humans left. Only monsters who will do anything to survive. Some look human and some don’t, but they are all the same.”

Eighteen-year-old Eva has spent the last year punishing herself for her sister’s death and hiding from everyone she comes into contact with, human or otherwise. With the population destroyed and the Earth left in ruins, she sees little hope left for the future.

But when she crosses paths with Walker and Tara something inside her awakens. Something she thought had died along with her entire family. In these new friends Eva sees a promise of what the future could be, as well as evidence that humanity might not be extinct after all.

When a ghost from Eva’s past makes an unexpected appearance, the group sets out on a cross-country trek that will teach Eva how to love and hope again, and will remind her what it truly means to be human.

Review: 

**I received a complimentary ecopy of this book in exchange for a honest review**

So let's talk about aliens.  I LOVE them. Okay, my husband might say I have a secret obsession with them.  Ancient Aliens is pretty much permanently on my TV when he isn't around (the show freaks him out).  I don't, however, read too many fiction books about them.  I'm a romance junkie, and the idea of a human fornicating with an alien species kind of skives me out.  Why I haven't seen an alternative like WHEN WE WERE HUMAN before is anybody's guess.  But I loved it!

I got my alien fix, I got my romance fix.  The two didn't touch, but they kind of did.  Kate wove the two together seamlessly, making each was a vital part of the plot.  Too cool. 

You will immediately be sympathetic to Eva.  Kate tackled some real issues with her character.  She finds herself turning into a monster; the only way she knows how to handle the transition is to self-destruct.  In comes Walker and baby sister Lilly to save her from herself.  Two totally different kinds of love, both crucial to the survival of Eva's humanity. 

I didn't care for the ending so much, though.  It just kind of ended.  No huge climactic event...just, hey, we're all happy now.  Which is cool if there's a second book.  Maybe there's more to come?

BROKEN WORLD by Kate L. Mary: Blog Tour w/ Giveaway

Title: Broken World

Author: Kate L. Mary

Genre: New Adult post-apocalyptic/zombie

Publication Date: July 4, 2014

Tour Host: Dreams Come True Promotions

When a deadly virus sweeps the country, Vivian Thomas sets out for California in hopes of seeing the daughter she gave up for adoption. Then her car breaks down and she’s faced with a choice. Give up, or accept a ride from redneck brothers, Angus and Axl. Vivian knows the offer has more to do with her double D’s than kindness, but she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to reach her daughter.

The virus is spreading, and by the time the group makes it to California, most of the population has been wiped out. When the dead start coming back, Vivian and the others realize that no electricity or running water are the least of their concerns. Now Vivian has to figure out how to be a mother under the most frightening circumstances, cope with Angus’s aggressive mood swings, and sort out her growing attraction to his brooding younger brother, Axl.

While searching for a safe place to go, they pick up a pompous billionaire who may be the answer to all their problems. Trusting him means going into the middle of the Mojave Desert and possibly risking their lives, but with the streets overrun and nowhere else to turn, it seems he might be their only chance for survival.

Amazon US:http://amzn.to/TZl5LT

Amazon US PaperBack: http://amzn.to/TZl9eL

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1pVmLou

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1kxoMPP

Kate L. Mary is a stay-at-home mother of four and an Air Force wife. She spent most of her life in a small town just north of Dayton, Ohio where she and her husband met at the age of twelve. Since their marriage in 2002, they have lived in Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and California.

Kate’s love of books and writing has helped her survive countless husbandless nights. She enjoys any post-apocalyptic story – especially if zombies are involved – as long as there is a romantic twist to give the story hope. Kate prefers nerdy, non-traditional heroes who can make you laugh to hunky pieces of man-meat, and her love of wine and chocolate is legendary among her friends and family. She currently resides in Oklahoma with her husband and children.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateLMaryauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmary0622

Author Website: http://katelmary.com/

Author GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8185415.Kate_L_Mary

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Kate-L-Mary/e/B00K48N5EQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

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IRRADIATED by S. Elliot Brandis: Blog Tour

Title: IRRADIATED
Author: S. Elliot Brandis
Category/Genre: Sci-Fi (Post-apocalyptic/Dystopian)

Blurb:

A man thrust a baby into Jade’s hands. It trembled in her arms. The man had a message: escape from the tunnels and never return, her parents were already dead. Jade had a sister; she was irradiated.

Thirteen years later, her sister, Pearl, is coming of age. Rows of sucker-caps line her arms and hands. Her skin is coral pink. Each night, her dreams fill with visions of violence, depression, and fear.

On the surface, people have grown wild and dangerous. They scavenge, fight, and steal. Below, in the tunnels, they're controlled by a ruthless leader and an army of beings known only as Shadows. When both groups come searching for Pearl, sensing the power her dreams may hold, only Jade can stand in the way.

Excerpt:

The man thrust a baby into Jade’s hands. It was warm and wet and its cries were muffled. Thick fabric covered its face and body. It trembled in her arms.
“You have to go,” said the man. His voice was urgent and his movements were rapid. Each breath was hot and laboured.
“I don’t understand. Where’s Mum, where’s Dad?” Jade asked.
The tunnel was dark but she could place him by the sound, by the heat, by the air. His panic rushed into her, as though it was her own. He grabbed her with heavy hands and turned her around.
“There’s no time,” he said. “No time, child. They’re coming. The Shadows are coming. You need to get out of here.”
“B-But, what about my parents?” she stammered.
The man squeezed her shoulders tightly, his fingers digging into her muscles and between her bones.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “They’re dead. You have to trust us. This is your only chance. This is your sister’s only chance. You have to keep going and never turn back.”
He pushed her onward, and other hands grabbed her. They grasped her then passed her on to the next set. They all knew what was happening, all knew where she was headed—everybody but her. She clutched the squealing baby in her long, thin arms and yielded herself to their guidance.
Jade had a sister; she was irradiated. 

About The Author

S. Elliot Brandis is a Speculative Fiction writer from Brisbane, Australia. He writes about societies on the brink of collapse, and civilizations that have long since crumbled. His debut novel, Irradiated, is a dark tale about survival, love, and moral ambiguity.

When he’s not putting his characters through the wringer, he’s actually kind of a nice guy. He keeps literature on the same shelf as comic books, and mixes his beer with tobasco. He invites you to visit him at selliotbrandis.com.

Author Website † Facebook † Mailing List

BROKEN WORLD by Kate L. Mary: Release Day

Blurb:

When a deadly virus sweeps the country, Vivian Thomas sets out for California in hopes of seeing the daughter she gave up for adoption. Then her car breaks down and she’s faced with a choice. Give up, or accept a ride from redneck brothers, Angus and Axl. Vivian knows the offer has more to do with her double D’s than kindness, but she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to reach her daughter.

The virus is spreading, and by the time the group makes it to California, most of the population has been wiped out. When the dead start coming back, Vivian and the others realize that no electricity or running water are the least of their concerns. Now Vivian has to figure out how to be a mother under the most frightening circumstances, cope with Angus’s aggressive mood swings, and sort out her growing attraction to his brooding younger brother, Axl.

While searching for a safe place to go, they pick up a pompous billionaire who may be the answer to all their problems. Trusting him means going into the middle of the Mojave Desert and possibly risking their lives, but with the streets overrun and nowhere else to turn, it seems he might be their only chance for survival.

Add on Goodreads

Kindle † Paperback

About The Author

 

Kate L. Mary is a stay-at-home mother of four and an Air Force wife. She spent most of her life in a small town just north of Dayton, Ohio where she and her husband met at the age of twelve. Since their marriage in 2002, they have lived in Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and California.

Kate’s love of books and writing has helped her survive countless husbandless nights. She enjoys any post-apocalyptic story – especially if zombies are involved – as long as there is a romantic twist to give the story hope. Kate prefers nerdy, non-traditional heroes that can make you laugh to hunky pieces of man-meat, and her love of wine and chocolate is legendary among her friends and family. She currently resides in Oklahoma with her husband and children.

Author Website † Facebook † Twitter