Blog Tour: Whiteout by Elyse Springer #Review #Giveaway

Author: Elyse Springer
Book: Whiteout
Series: Seasons of Love
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Publication date: January 23, 2017
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Length: 289 pages



Reviewed by Morningstar



Synopsis

Noah Landers wakes up one day with a headache and no memory of where—or who—he is. Jason, the man taking care of him, tries to fill in some of the blanks: they’re in a cabin in Colorado on vacation, and Noah slipped on ice and hit his head. But even with amnesia, Noah knows Jason is leaving out something important.

Jason O’Reilly is sexy as hell, treats Noah like he’s precious, and seems determined to make this the romantic getaway they’d apparently dreamed of together. But Noah’s more concerned that he’s trapped alone with Jason in the middle of a blizzard while his slowly returning memories bring hints of secrets and betrayal.

Noah’s not sure what’s the truth and what’s a lie.  But as he learns who he is—and who Jason is to him—he’s forced to reevaluate everything he believes about himself, about loyalty . . . and about love.

Purchase on Riptide Publishing

Review

I will say it again over and over until everyone hears me say it. Find something unique to put into your stories, write the hell out of it and you will have this reader, and many others, hooked on you for life. It doesn’t have to be huge or epic just something that makes the reader feel that special connection to the story or the characters. Elyse did that for me in this story.

When I started reading this story I was constantly thinking “Is Jason the bad guy? Was he the cause of Noah getting hurt?” Because we don’t know. There is so much suspicion on Noah’s part and little clues being dropped to lead us on a path of the Who, What, Where of the story. One word of warning: this is not your typical amnesia story. It is complex with twists and turns that will have you wracking your brain trying to see the clear picture.

The story is told from Noah’s POV and I know some people don’t like stories only told from one POV but I honestly can say that the mystery  and evolution of Noah’s memories would’ve been hurt if we had a glimpse inside Jason’s head. To me this book was more about Noah and his development and change than it was about Jason; so again, to me, his POV was the most important.

The first part of the book is about Noah and his memory loss while they are stranded in a blizzard in a Colorado cabin that Jason owns. The setting is important because it plays a big part in the story. What could make a guy who can’t even remember who he is more nervous than being stranded with someone who does all the right things but seems to have many secrets?

I always mention the secondary characters in books because in a lot of ways they are just as important. Sara, Noah best friend, played an important part but I felt Tony was more influential to Noah then she ever was. There were points where she annoyed me and she seemed to go back and forth between being super supportive and being a jerk.

Part two of the story was heart breaking and wonderful and needed. I don’t want to go into any detail since it’ll give away what happens in part one but it was really hard to see poor Noah struggle and hurt. Watching the evolution of characters is one of my favorite parts of reading. To watch them learn their lessons, or come out of their shell, or gain the strength, courage, determination, or whatever it is to move forward and reach their dreams warms me and makes me fall in love. And watching Noah was no less than wonderful. Oh, and there was also Noah being at the musical Rent and the book he made that brought me to tears and the Thai food and plastic flower! 

I read.

I sat on sat on the edge of my seat.

I failed to figure out the puzzle on the first, second, third try.

I broke for Noah.

I fell in-love.

I was put back together.

All of that made this an amazing read for me.

About Elyse Springer

Elyse is an author and world-traveler, whose unique life experiences have helped to shape the stories that she wants to tell. She writes romances with LGBTQ+ characters and relationships, and believes that every person deserves a Happily Ever After. When she’s not staring futilely at her computer screen, El spends her time adding stamps to her passport, catching up on her terrifying TBR list, and learning to be a better adult.

She’s always happy to chat with other readers, and you can find her online at:

• Website: http://elspringer.com
• Twitter: @ElyseSpringer
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elysespringerwrites

Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Whiteout, one lucky winner will receive a $20 Amazon gift card! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on January 28, 2017. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!