Welcome to my stop on the Watercolor blog tour hosted by InkSlingerPR!

Today I am so excited to share my review, a character interview, and a giveaway with you all!

Watercolor (Dragonfly #3)
   by: Leigh T. Moore

Publication Date: Oct. 3, 2013
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by InkSlingerPR and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 274 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Love is stronger than distance...

Finishing senior year is supposed to be the best time in a person’s life.
Finishing senior year as Julian’s girlfriend should’ve been the icing on the cake.
Knowing the secret that could change everything for him is the only thing threatening to spoil it all.
Until Jack returns.

Anna and Julian are together at last, and it’s as hot and happy as they knew it would be. The only problem is The Secret.

And Jack.

But while Anna is determined to fight for the guy she loves, she could still lose Julian when he discovers the truth she’s been helping to hide.

 

My Review:

Holy macaroni! This is my favorite book of the Dragonfly series yet! Why? Oh, that's easy. Anna+Julian= LOTS of kissing. And we all know how much I like kissing. :D

Ok, in all seriousness. I love how much Anna has matured and transformed from the first book. She is no longer obsessing over Jack Kyser (the rich bad boy who kept jerking her back and forth) and she is starting a new relationship with Julian. All sounds perfect, yes? Not exactly. Anna has knowledge of a powerful secret that could change a lot of lives- Julian's included. This book really shows just how much she is tormented by this fact and she tries to convince Julian's mom and dad to tell him the truth. While his dad is all for it, his mom is less than willing. She doesn't want Julian to have this information because she doesn't want it to change him. Yet, she doesn't see the insecurities Anna does. Julian has a right to know the secret, as the not knowing is inadvertently hurting him more.

I adored Julian for pretty much the whole book. He is a great guy and is very patient with Anna, even after he finds out she is keeping things from him. There is one scene where I was quite irate with him, as what he does is completely out of character for him. Luckily, he redeemed himself, but I was still a little peeved about it. Boys. Sheesh. The big secret does come out in this book and I was really grateful for how Leigh handled it. Anna was in a difficult position and never wanted to keep it from Julian, but it wasn't her secret to tell either.

The one thing that drove me crazy about Anna is her communication skills with Julian. Sure, she had to keep the big secret from him, but she is not upfront with him about other things and they could have avoided some of their problems had she just talked to him more! (Less kissing Anna- more talking!)

While Anna has matured, she isn't perfect. She still struggles with lingering feelings for Jack, even though they are fleeting. Julian is becoming much more important to her than Jack ever could be and the pivotal moment she realizes that, she is hurting deeply. I definitely don't wish heartbreak on Anna, but sometimes in order to realize what you truly had, you have to see what it's like without.

I am nervous about what the final book will bring, as Anna and Julian are going to be heading their separate ways for college. Anna will be attending school in New Orleans, while Julian will be in Savannah. Only time will tell if the two's relationship can withstand the distance between them or if outside forces will tear them apart. Both Anna and Julian are driven and quite stubborn, but I for one am holding out for their HEA.

~Character Interview with Anna and Julian~

 

(Disclaimer: This interview does contain spoilers from Books 1 and 2 in the series.)

 

Hey Anna! I'm glad you and Julian could stop by today! I hope you don't mind me pulling you in first!

 

Thanks so much for having us here!

 

Ok! To get us started, can you tell us one thing about yourself we might not know?

 

Umm... well since I'm telling the story, I don't know if there's anything you don't know about me now. That's kind of weird now that I think about it. And a lot embarrassing!

 

 

(chuckles) Meeting the Kyser's has been a life changing event for you, wouldn't you say? How has meeting them both positively and negatively impacted you?

 

Yes- more than I ever imagined it would. I guess it's positive because I really appreciate now being honest with the ones you love and fighting for you feelings. As far as negatives, well, being with Jack was a hard learning experience. And I guess knowing what I knew put a lot of pressure on me and Julian...

 

You carry a heavy secret. How do you deal with that? Especially since you're keeping it from someone very important to you?

 

I hate it! I absolutely hate it not being able to talk about this, and I do my best not to think about it. That way I won't accidentally say something. But it pops up at the most unexpected times. (I think you know what I mean if you've read Watercolor.)

 

How does it make you feel knowing this secret could potentially change a lot of lives?

 

It's frustrating, and sometimes it scares me because I don't want to slip up and have everyone mad at me. It's a lot of pressure, and I wish Julian's parents would just tell him already.

 

Speaking of important people- how would you define you and Julian's relationship as of right now? Most of my readers haven't read Watercolor, so I'm sure they're wondering where you two stand!

 

I'm at the end of Watercolor, so we are completely 100 percent together. Like, all the way together. And it is fantastic. But it's scary, and knowing we'll be apart next year makes me miserable. Still, we've got all summer together, and we've agreed not to ruin the present thinking about the future. It's so great.

 

How would you describe Julian in 5 words? How do you think he would describe you?

 

Julian is funny, sexy, romantic, amazing... but he's also stubborn and a little volatile like his dad. How would he describe me?? I don't know. I hope that I'm funny, sexy, romantic, amazing... LOL!

 

You're a senior now! What are your future plans looking like?

 

College. Heading to Loyola in the fall, hoping to focus on school and see Julian as much as possible.

 

Shall we bring Julian on in? Hey Julian! Thanks for letting Anna and I have some girl time!

 

Hey, no problem. Thanks for having me here.

 

I asked Anna to tell us something about herself we might not know- but what about you? What's something you can tell us about yourself?

 

I have a pink unicorn tattoo on my ass. HA! Just kidding. I don't know. I'm better at Math than Anna, the tutor?

 

We know you're an artist, like your mom once was. While you're painting, or just creating art in general- how do you feel?

 

It depends on what I'm doing. I started painting this year, and it's interesting how that works. I actually see the scenes in my head, almost like I'm there. It's a little like flying or time travel. When I'm working on metal sculptures, it feels hot. And heavy. But in a good way. Cathartic or something.

 

Tell us about your mom, Julian. You two are close, right? Now that you're older, is it difficult to see her without a significant other?

 

Yeah, we're close, I guess. We've always looked out for each other, and she treats me like an adult. I always expected her to start dating once I moved out...Actually she's been seeing somebody. I can't say who it is- you'll have to read the book to find out about that.

 

We asked Anna to describe you earlier. How would you describe her?

 

Oh, man. Anna is something else. She's beautiful and smart and funny and she doesn't put up with any of my shit, and I love her. That's it.

 

Is there a song that makes you think of her?

 

It's stupid, but my mom plays this old classic rock song a lot, "Baby I Love Your Way", and it always makes me think of Anna. I know. I need to find something more modern.

 

What one character trait do you value the most?

 

Honesty.

 

Ok guys! A little crazy fun before we go.

You're stranded on a desert island for the rest of your life:

 

What one possession do you have with you?

 

I guess we can't bring laptops. Oh! My journal! And a pen, I guess... can I bring a pen?

Here- I'll bring the pens, you bring the paper. Then I can sketch while you write.

 

If you could only have one type of food to eat there what would it be?

 

Pizza!

Onion Rings.

 

What one thing do you wish you could tell your friends and family?

 

Things are not always how they appear.

Just relax and enjoy life. Have fun!

 

Thanks again for having us! I hope readers enjoy our story. <3

 

 

 

About Leigh T. Moore:

 

Leigh Talbert Moore is the author of the popular young adult romantic comedy The Truth About Faking, its companion, The Truth About Letting Go, which is a Top 5 Finalist in the 2013 “Best Indie Book Awards,” sponsored by The Kindle Book Review; the romantic-suspense novel Rouge, which was a Quarter Finalist in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards; and the Dragonfly series, a new contemporary YA to new adult romantic saga.

A southern expat and beach bum (and ex-journalist and editor), Leigh lives with her husband and two young children in a landlocked location. To compensate, she conjures new worlds, characters, and situations while playing chauffeur, chaperon, group activity leader, and referee.

Sign up for Leigh’s newsletter, and be the first to know about sales or new releases!

 

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Giveaway:  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In Dragonfly, they were friends who shared a growing attraction... In Undertow, her heart was broken and he was waiting to pick up the pieces... In Watercolor, Anna & Julian say Yes. But the past and its secrets are creeping closer...

Book #3 in the Dragonfly series: Watercolor, coming Oct. 3!  Need to catch up? Get Dragonfly for only #99CENTS, Aug. 21-25!

Add it on Goodreads today!

Watercolor by Leigh Talbert Moore

Finishing senior year is supposed to be the best time in a person’s life.

Finishing senior year as Julian’s girlfriend should’ve been the icing on the cake.

Knowing the secret that could change everything for him is the only thing threatening to spoil it all. 

Until Jack returns.

Anna and Julian are together at last, and it’s as hot and happy as they knew it would be. The only problem is The Secret. And Jack. But while Anna is determined to fight for the guy she loves, she could still lose Julian when he discovers the truth she’s been helping to hide.

Exclusive excerpt: “I just want you to touch me.”  I took his hand and put it at my waist, under my shirt. I pressed my mouth to his and chills followed as his fingers slid lightly over my skin. I was drowning again and I reached over to find the edge of his jeans. I pulled up the soft fabric and lightly touched his bare stomach.  Suddenly he was gone. My lips were still in a pucker, and he was down at the water away from me. I watched as he stripped off his t-shirt and slipped out of his jeans before diving into the dark Gulf waters.  I fell forward, laying my head on my forearm in the sand. “I’m going to kill your parents,” I sighed.

* * *

Readers are swooning for Dragonfly (#1):

On Amazon

"I was so thrilled with the way Leigh T. Moore wrote this! I actually threw up my hands and said YES!" --Asheley Tart, Into the Hall of Books

"I truly enjoyed this one! I thought the characters were intriguing, the mystery and story were interesting and definitely have ME WANTING MORE!!!!!!!" --Mandy, The Romance Bookie

"Angst, longing, jealousy, mystery, secrets, love triangles, sexy scenes! Could you even ask for more? Well you can because it is also very well written and fast paced. ...I STRONGLY suggest you invest in some sunscreen as well as a copy of Dragonfly." --Nichole, Book Addicts Not So Anonymous

Now only 99 cents, 8/21-25!  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo
 

Raving about Undertow (#2):

On Amazon

"An incredibly powerful sequel to Dragonfly. I found myself riveted to the last page by the depth of feeling, loss, tragedy, and love in this gorgeously woven story. This is a definite must-read." --Jolene Perry, author of Out of Play

"Undertow pulled me under and left me gasping for air and wanting so much more. I couldn’t stop thinking about these characters, and now I’ll never be able to get a shirtless Bill Kyser out of my head."  --Magan Vernon, bestselling author of The Only Exception

"My heart shattered into a million tiny pieces, rebuilt itself and then melted over and over again with each flip of the page." --Roxy Kade Reviews

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo
 

Pick up your copy today and get swept away~
 

 

Dragonfly (Dragonfly #1)
   by: Leigh T. Moore

Release Date: June 6, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC received from NetGalley and author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 198 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3/5 stars

Three bad things I learned this year:
-People you trust lie, even parents.
-That hot guy, the one who’s totally into you, he might not be the one.
-Things are not always how they appear.

Three good things I learned this year:
-Best friends are always there for you, even when they’re far away.
-That other hot guy, the one who remembers your birthday, he just might be the one.
-Oh, and things are not always how they appear.

Anna Sanders expected an anonymous (and uneventful) senior year until she crossed paths with rich-and-sexy Jack Kyser and his twin sister Lucy.

Pulling Anna into their extravagant lifestyle on the Gulf Coast, Lucy pushed Anna outside her comfort zone, and Jack showed her feelings she’d never experienced... Until he mysteriously withdrew.

Anna turned to her internship at the city paper and to her old attraction for Julian, a handsome local artist and rising star, for distraction. But both led to her discovery of a decades-old secret closely guarded by the twins’ distant, single father.

A secret that could permanently change all their lives.

Be watching for Undertow, Book 2 in the Dragonfly series, coming July 18!

My Review:

This was a light, summer read and also the beginning of Leigh's new series. It has a bit of everything: teen angst, drama, romance (a bit of a love triangle), and intrigue. I found myself really drawn to the family backgrounds in this story, more so than the romance.

Anna is our main character, and from what I have gathered- she is pretty shy and hasn't really come out of her shell. She has an innocence about her that I liked, but found she could be pretty naive and immature at times too. Her best friend has moved away and now Anna has to fend for herself and really come into her own. She meets Jack and Lucy Kyser, who are your typical rich kids from the other side of town. Color Anna surprised when Lucy takes a liking to her and wants to hang out with her. Of course, Lucy's twin brother Jack, has not escaped Anna's notice either. He is hot, but no way would he be into someone like her.... or would he?

I couldn't find it in me to like Jack. I felt like he used Anna way too many times. Granted, shame on Anna for letting herself be played like a fiddle. Sure, he had moments of compassion, but his feelings for Anna never seemed realistic in my opinion. I did feel bad that every time Anna was finally ready to get him out of her system and push forward, he came sweeping back in and taking her away like the tide. Girl! How many times are you going to let him do you that way?!

Lucy on the other hand, while we didn't get a whole lot of storyline with her in, she did cause some waves. Personally, I think she's just looking for attention. We find out from Jack that he and his Dad spend time together, but I don't think Lucy does. Having lost their mother at a young age, their father is the only parental figure in their life and from Anna's first meeting with him, he doesn't seem all that involved in his kids' lives.

The last big character in the story is Julian. He is an artist and is very sweet and playful with Anna. He calls her Anna Sunshine and is just a very sweet guy. He is kind of aloof and flirty though, which drove me a little crazy. The back and forth between these two... gah! Anna likes Julian, but because of her conflicting feelings for Jack, doesn't really allow herself to be with him. I did admire her decision later on in the book to steer clear of him, because she knew it wouldn't be fair to him when she still had lingering feelings for someone else.

Like I said, the mystery behind the Kyser family and then Julian's mom is what really intrigued me. We find out a pretty big secret towards the end of the novel, but why it's being kept secret... well, it's a secret! I think Leigh will probably expand more on that in the next book. Or so I'm hoping!

Overall, this was a pretty good start to the series, but I do feel that Anna has some maturing and growing up to do. Her naivety is a bit much and she needs to outgrow her juvenile actions, especially since she just turned 18.

She has for the moment at the end of the book made her decision concerning her boy drama, so we'll see how that pans out.

ABOUT LEIGH T. MOORE:

Leigh Talbert Moore is the author of the popular young adult romantic comedy The Truth About Faking, its companion The Truth About Letting Go, and the mature YA/new adult romantic suspense novel Rouge, a Quarter Finalist in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.

She is an award-winning journalist and editor, who has also worked in marketing and public relations for many years. Her writing has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the southeast and Midwest U.S., and she runs the popular writing-craft blog That’s Write.

A southern ex-pat and beach bum, she currently lives with her husband, two young children, and one grumpy cat in the Midwest.

 

LINKS:

Facebook | Amazon Author page | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads

 

Read excerpts of her books on Wattpad and Figment!

 

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Today I am so excited to share with you an excerpt and a giveaway in honor of Dragonfly's release day launch!  Be sure to stop back tomorrow (June 7th) for my stop on the tour to check out my review!

 

Dragonfly (Dragonfly #1)

By: Leigh T. Moore

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: June 6, 2013

 

Three bad things I learned this year:
-People you trust lie, even parents.
-That hot guy, the one who’s totally into you, he might not be the one.
-Things are not always how they appear.

Three good things I learned this year:
-Best friends are always there for you, even when they’re far away.
-That other hot guy, the one who remembers your birthday, he just might be the one.
-Oh, and things are not always how they appear.

Anna Sanders expected an anonymous (and uneventful) senior year until she crossed paths with rich-and-sexy Jack Kyser and his twin sister Lucy.

Pulling Anna into their extravagant lifestyle on the Gulf Coast, Lucy pushed Anna outside her comfort zone, and Jack showed her feelings she’d never experienced... Until he mysteriously withdrew.

Anna turned to her internship at the city paper and to her old attraction for Julian, a handsome local artist and rising star, for distraction. But both led to her discovery of a decades-old secret closely guarded by the twins’ distant, single father.

A secret that could permanently change all their lives.
 

 

 

~Excerpt~

 

Falling in Love Changes Everything…

 

“C’mon,” Julian said, helping me stand. “Let’s blow off this party and catch a movie or go to Scoops. This isn’t our scene.”

I shook my head. “I just really want to go home.” The tears were trying to start again. “Can I just go home now?”

“Sure,” he said, holding my cheek. I took a limping step, and he stopped. “Does it hurt to walk?” 

My leg was throbbing. I nodded, looking down, and before I realized what was happening, he was lifting me in his arms. 

“Julian, wait,” I held his shoulders. “I’m too heavy!” 

“It’s okay,” he said, walking on. I sighed and leaned my head against his shoulder. I didn’t feel like fighting. Gentle pressure against my temple, and he’d kissed me. “You’ll get over this,” I heard him say under his breath.

 

ABOUT LEIGH T. MOORE:

Leigh Talbert Moore is the author of the popular young adult romantic comedy The Truth About Faking, its companion The Truth About Letting Go, and the mature YA/new adult romantic suspense novel Rouge, a Quarter Finalist in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.

 

She is an award-winning journalist and editor, who has also worked in marketing and public relations for many years. Her writing has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the southeast and Midwest U.S., and she runs the popular writing-craft blog That’s Write.

 

A southern ex-pat and beach bum, she currently lives with her husband, two young children, and one grumpy cat in the Midwest.

 

LINKS:

Facebook | Amazon Author page | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads

 

Read excerpts of her books on Wattpad and Figment!

 

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY:

Enter to #WIN a Kindle Touch loaded with all FOUR of Leigh's books AND an exclusive eARC of Undertow; A signed, print set of Dragonfly and Undertow, or ebook sets of both!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My blog tour stop is June 7th! Make sure you stop by for my review and a cool feature!

 

 

Dragonfly (Dragonfly #1)

By: Leigh T. Moore

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Release Date: June 6, 2013

 

Summary: (from GR)

 

Three bad things I learned this year:
-People you trust lie, even parents.
-That hot guy, the one who’s totally into you, he might not be the one.
-Things are not always how they appear.

Three good things I learned this year:
-Best friends are always there for you, even when they’re far away.
-That other hot guy, the one who remembers your birthday, he just might be the one.
-Oh, and things are not always how they appear.

Anna Sanders expected an anonymous (and uneventful) senior year until she crossed paths with rich-and-sexy Jack Kyser and his twin sister Lucy.

Pulling Anna into their extravagant lifestyle on the Gulf Coast, Lucy pushed Anna outside her comfort zone, and Jack showed her feelings she’d never experienced... Until he mysteriously withdrew.

Anna turned to her internship at the city paper and to her old attraction for Julian, a handsome local artist and rising star, for distraction. But both led to her discovery of a decades-old secret closely guarded by the twins’ distant, single father.

A secret that could permanently change all their lives.