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Fire in the Woods by Jennifer M. Eaton

This post marks my first time participating in a blog tour. I’m thrilled to share my review of Jennifer M. Eaton’s debut novel Fire in the Woods, a Month9Books release. Don’t forget to visit the other stops on the blog tour and enter the giveaway (links at bottom of post).

Fire-in-the-Woods-CoverThe ARC (advanced review copy) came in the email on a Monday afternoon. After fighting with my Kindle to download the file ( I have to email the PDF to my Amazon account), I took my iPad outside and began reading.

I could have happily stayed in that position until I finished the book. I didn’t want to put it down. Jess Martinez crept inside my head and heart, and leaving her in the clutches of the disasters she faces felt like a betrayal. But I had to cook dinner for my family. And sleep. Life gets in the way at times!

This is the blurb provided by the publisher:

When a plane crashes in the woods near Jess’s home, the boy of her dreams falls out of the sky—literally. But David’s not here to find a girlfriend. He’s from another planet, and if Jess can’t help him get back to his ship, he’ll be stuck on Earth with nothing to look forward to but the pointy end of a dissection scalpel.

But her father runs their house like an army barracks, and with an alien on the loose, Major Dad isn’t too keen on the idea of Jess going anywhere. Ever. So how the heck is she supposed to help the sweetest, strangest, and cutest guy she’s ever met?

Hiding him in her room probably isn’t the best idea. Especially since her Dad is in charge of the squadron searching for David. That doesn’t mean she won’t do it. It just means she can’t get caught.

Helping David get home while protecting her heart—that’s gonna be the hard part. After all, she can’t really fall for a guy who’s not exactly from here.

My review

From the first page, you’re immersed in Jess’s world. Her overprotective (need I say controlling) but distant father is introduced in the natural course of events. From the opening line, you hear Jess’s quirky voice and relate to her unique – yet relatable – circumstances. Her dreams and goals are sprinkled in between the terror of the explosions rocking her home.

Aside from the break neck pace of the adventure, Eaton creates a sweet romance. It’s the type I prefer because it doesn’t focus on hot thoughts and heart palpitations. Yes, we experience Jess’s attraction and share her inner thoughts, but it’s done with a touch of innocence that fits perfectly with what we learn about the world in which Jess survives.

In addition to the teenage romance, Fire in the Woods explores deep themes: inter-species relationships, international relations, judging others, and the morality of studying another advanced species or obliterating an inferior race.

Teens will read it for the constant action, snappy dialogue and authentic characters. Adults will ponder the deeper thematic messages for days after closing the book on the final chapter.

The best news: it is the first book in a series! My ARC included the first chapter of the next installment due to be published in 2015, which isn’t soon enough for me.

I appreciated that this first book had a complete story arc with a definitive resolution. Did I want to read on? Yes, and so will you, but it isn’t such a cliffhanger that a feeling of irritation pushes aside the satisfaction of a story well told.

You’ll be tempted to stay up late to finish it. If you’re like me, you’ll agree that a five-star rating might not be high enough.

ABOUT JENNIFER M. EATON:

Jennifer M. EatonCorporate Team Leader by day, and Ranting Writer by night. Jennifer M. Eaton calls the East Coast of the USA home, where she lives with her husband, three energetic boys, and a pepped up poodle.

Jennifer hosts an informational blog “A Reference of Writing Rants for Writers (or Learn from My Mistakes)” aimed at helping all writers be the best they can be.

Beyond writing and motivating others, she also enjoys teaching her dog to jump through hoops—literally.

Jennifer’s perfect day includes long hikes in the woods, bicycling, swimming, snorkeling, and snuggling up by the fire with a great book; but her greatest joy is using her over-active imagination constructively… creating new worlds for everyone to enjoy.

Find Jennifer at these links:   Website | Twitter Facebook | Goodreads

Check out the rest of the tour here.

Add the book to your Goodreads list.

Purchase Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Chapters Indigo! | iBooks

Giveaway Information:  Winner will be drawn October 25, 2014

  •  Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of Fire in the Woods by Jennifer M. Eaton (INT)
  • One (1) custom made necklace (used as inspiration for the necklace in Fire in the Woods).  Adjustable chain from 10 to 12 inches. (US ONLY)

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