The Best Reader:
The Last Echo

  • Dark Days: Interview & Giveaway with Kimberly Derting for The Last Echo

    Dark Days: Interview & Giveaway with Kimberly Derting for The Last Echo
    Kimberly Derting

    It's no surprise that I absolutely adore Kimberly Derting. The Body Finder was one of the first books I read as a blogger and I was instantly in love with the story. From that moment I have been a stalker… ahem… fan of Kimberly's.

    Believe it or not, it's not just Kim's writing that makes her incredible. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever had the pleasure to talk to. She is nothing but kind and considerate, and when I was just a newbie blogger who had no idea what I was doing, she was one of the first authors to be on my blog.

    For all those reasons, I was completely thrilled to be her blogger for the Dark Days tour. I've always wanted to be part of the Dark Days tour, but to have Kim as my author, makes it so much more special!

    I had the pleasure of interviewing Kim again and, trust me, you guys wanna check out her answers!

    1. What are a few of the most important lessons you've learned while writing The Body Finder series so far?

    Aside from never, EVER talk to strangers, and learning the difference between “lay” and “lie” (I’m still shaky on this one!), I think I’ve learned to be a more patient person. When I was a newbie author, I was always in a hurry-up-and-wait mode, and now, not so much. I’ve come to appreciate the downtime, even though there isn’t usually much of it.

    2. What is the most difficult part of the writing process for you?
    For me, it’s trying to set a writing schedule and actually sticking to it. I find myself constantly distracted by Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest (OMG Pinterest!), blogs, and email. Also, my family’s constant need for food and attention can be a little distracting as well!: )

    3. Can you tell us one way Violet has changed throughout the series?
    Violet has always been really (really!) private, probably stemming from a lifetime of keeping her gift a secret. She’s learning to open up—and even starting to lean on others a little. I think it’ll probably take a while to get the hang of it, though!

    4. Can you share with us a few of your favorite lines from The Last Echo?

    “Mocking me will get you nowhere.” But he [Jay] leaned down, his breath tickling the side of her neck, and a rush of warmth flooded Violet’s stomach. “There are other ways to break me, though.”

    Claire pursed her lips. “Don’t do it, Chels. They’ll spit in your food if you send it back. You don’t want them spitting in your food, do you?”

    Violet wanted to nod, but she was too afraid to. Their lips were far too close. Dangerously close.

    “I gotta say, if you’re gonna get hurt, this is the place to be. The drugs here aren’t half-bad.”

    Sara dangled the familiar surfboard keychain Jay had gotten her when he and his mom had gone to Hawaii. It said Maui on one side and Victoria on the other, the closest he could find to Violet.

    There was a thin veneer of frost that coated every surface of her skin and dusted her perfectly tweezed brows and the thick fringe of her lashes, making them look brittle but beautiful.

    BIGGEST Questions
    This is the biggest Dark Days event so far, so we are celebrating by asking each author
    some"biggest" questions.
    Biggest Celebrity Crush
    George Clooney. (Sorry, honey!)
    Biggest Pet Peeve
    People who start sentences with “Not to be rude… ” but then say something horrible about someone else.
    Biggest Guilty Pleasure
    The Kardashians, or any reality show featuring the Kardashians.
    Biggest Book-Boyfriend Crush?
    If I just say Jace, do you know who I mean??? (Hint: I mean Jace from the Mortal Instruments series.)
    Biggest Embarrassing Moment
    There was a moment when I was 19, involving an adult filmtitled “Beaverly Hills Cop” which I mistakenly thought was “Beverly Hills Cop”. They are not, I repeat NOT, in fact, the same movie!
    Biggest Fan-Girl Moment
    When I met Kim Harrison, I was so excited I told her I was a “Harper Arthur” too! Turns out I’m an “author” not an “Arthur.”
    Biggest Fear
    Anything involving spiders, sharks, vampires, being buried alive, snakes, exercise (I’m sure there’s phobia for that!), Big Foot, or having toilet paper hanging from the back of my pants when I leave the women’s room. I may be a little neurotic.
    Biggest Accomplishment
    Not ever having toilet paper hanging from my pants when I leave the women’s restroom.
    Biggest Addiction
    Online shopping. (This may fall under the column Biggest Guilt Pleasure as well!)
    Biggest Regret
    Not a fan of regrets, so yeah…

    The Last Echo

    The Last Echo is the third book in the Body Finder series.
    USE GOOGLE to add The Body Finder Desires of the Dead The Last Echo … to Goodreads

    Published by HarperCollins Date: April 17th, 2012

    Schedule for leg 4

    4/3Kimberly Derting at Confessions of a Bookaholic 4/5Jill Hathaway at Down the Rabbit Hole 4/10Kimberly Derting at Confessions of a Bookaholic 4/12Jill Hathaway at Down the Rabbit Hole 4/17Dan Wells at Bookalicious

    See the authors in person

    Kimberly Derting (THE LAST ECHO), Jill Hathaway (SLIDE), and Dan Wells (PARTIALS) April 18th @ 7pm | Books & Co | Dayton, OH | Supernatural Snark April 19th @ 7pm | Anderson’s Bookshop | Naperville, IL | Live to Read April 20th @ 7pm | Barnes & Noble | Burlington, MA | Books Complete Me

    Become a fan at facebook.com/PitchDarkBooks

    Become a fan at facebook.com/PitchDarkBooks

    Become a fan at facebook.com/PitchDarkBooks

    Follow @pitchdarkbooks and use #pitchdarkdays in your tweets
    Stay connected to all things Dark Days on the Pitch Dark Facebook page, including exclusive content features every Wednesday! Make sure you check out this amazing widget that will tell you everything you need to know about the Dark Days authors and their books.

    Prize:

    • 1 winner will receive an ARC of The Last Echo.
    • 4 winners will receive a swag pack from The Body Finder series.
    Rules:
    • You must be at least 13 (or have permission) to enter.
    • Name and email must be provided.
    • Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
    • Contest is US/CA only and ends April 24th.
    • Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
    • The form must be filled out to enter.

    Thanks for entering! Good luck!

    Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | HarperTeen

    Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

  • Dark Days Tour Review: The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

    Dark Days Tour Review: The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

    The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting
    Publisher: HarperCollins (April 17th, 2012)
    Reading Level: Young Adult
    Hardcover: 358 pages
    Source: ARC from Publisher
    Series: The Body Finder #3
    Rating: 5 of 5 stars
    In the end, all that's left is an echo…
    Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet's talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it's Violet's job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by"the girlfriend collector" she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new"relationship" and Violet may have caught his eye…

    Review:

    I have adored Kimberly Derting for years and her Body Finder series was one of my first paranormal loves. I remember finishing Desires of the Dead and desperately wanting to read the next book just to see what would be in store for Violet and her new job with the mysterious Rafe and the rest of the psychic team led by Sara Priest. Not that I would ever want Violet to forget about Jay (impossible as that would be), but it's always nice to throw something new in there and see what happens.

    We all know Violet can see imprints of the dead and it helps her to find out who committed the murder. Now Violet has found others with unique abilities as well. Finally, Violet is able to get to know others who know what she is going through. She doesn't have to keep the big secret all bottled up as she had in the past. She spends more and more time with this group and it takes her a while to feel part of it. She worries about the purpose of her ability, but soon finds her place and appreciates the fact that these individuals know what she has been going through.

    I did miss Jay a lot in this story. It seems that as the series progresses, we can really see Violet mature and notice how her situations mature as well. She is no longer a girl worried about high school issues, she has an important job to do. Her situations are much more dark and scary.

    If there is one thing I know about Kimberly, she can sure come up with some creepy characters! In The Last Echo we meet"The Girlfriend Collector" and wow, he is very sinister and disturbing. One very unique factor in this series is that we get the point-of-view of the killers. We may not know who they are exactly, but we get a glimpse into their minds and see how they pick out and treat their victims. This particular character wishes for someone to love him and when they don't, he gets rid of them.

    If I was Kimberly, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night after writing this stuff, eek! Definitely a book that kept my heart racing and my eyes darting around making sure no one is lurking in the dark. I think Kimberly must really enjoy knowing her readers are absolutely terrified and sleeping with a night light after reading her stories.

    If you have been lucky enough to get your hands on the first 2 books in this series, you will devour this one as well. Kimberly Derting never fails to rise to the occasion and bring us heart pounding action, unique plot twists, and a brilliant romance. Delightfully chilling! I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment!

    Recommended: Anyone looking for a YA that is truly terrifying! Be sure to start by reading The Body Finder and Desires of the Dead so you don't miss a second of the action!

    Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | HarperTeen

    Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

    Today is the official kick-off of the 4th leg of the Dark Days tour! Kimberly Derting will be visiting my blog next Tuesday, the 10th, with an interview and giveaway so please stop back by!


    Schedule for leg 4

    4/3Kimberly Derting at Confessions of a Bookaholic 4/5Jill Hathaway at Down the Rabbit Hole 4/10Kimberly Derting at Confessions of a Bookaholic 4/12Jill Hathaway at Down the Rabbit Hole 4/17Dan Wells at Bookalicious

    See the authors in person

    Kimberly Derting (THE LAST ECHO), Jill Hathaway (SLIDE), and Dan Wells (PARTIALS)
    April 18th @ 7pm | Books & Co | Dayton, OH | Supernatural Snark April 19th @ 7pm | Anderson’s Bookshop | Naperville, IL | Live to Read April 20th @ 7pm | Barnes & Noble | Burlington, MA | Books Complete Me

    Become a fan at facebook.com/PitchDarkBooks

    Become a fan at facebook.com/PitchDarkBooks

    Become a fan at facebook.com/PitchDarkBooks

    Follow @pitchdarkbooks and use #pitchdarkdays in your tweets
    Stay connected to all things Dark Days on the Pitch Dark Facebook page, including exclusive content features every Wednesday!
    Make sure you check out this amazing widget that will tell you everything you need to know about the Dark Days authors and their books.

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