The Masks Series by Melissa Pearl Review Blitz

True Colors & Two Faced by Melissa Pearl

REVIEW BLITZ

October 20^th to October 24^th, 2014

Caitlyn Davis always cruised through life, not being the type to ruffle feathers or involve herself in high school drama. That is, until a chance encounter with a strange, homeless man changes everything.

Suddenly, Caitlyn has the ability to see behind people's masks. She discovers that her life isn’t as simple as she imagined and high school is filled with secrets...some very sinister ones.

Unable to ignore her new gift, Caitlyn embarks on a mission to learn why one of her friends suddenly appears terrified, but masks her fear with a bright, smiling veneer. Will Caitlyn's new ability lead her into hot water? Or is her new found vision a blessing that will expose her friends' true colors?

Her quest will lead Caitlyn to lose friends, stand up for those in need, and even find love.

At Palisades High School every face tells a story...

BUY IT AT:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/TCAmazon

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/TCBnN

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/TCSmash

Kobo: http://bit.ly/TCKobo

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

I was pleasantly surprised by this book and thoroughly enjoyed the refreshing premise of the story.  I usually struggle with YA and the drama associated with them but this one wowed me.  We all wear a mask in public to hide our true emotions but what happens if you're able to strip this mask away and see what the person is truly feeling?  And if this happens in a high school then it becomes all the more revealing. 

Caitlyn is what I would describe as your typical high school student, just trying to find her way through and beginning to question the friendships that she has.  A night out with her best friend Stella has surprising consequences.  It not only shows her friend up for the selfish and uncaring girl that she is, but shows Caitlyn's caring nature when she helps a homeless man.  It is through this act of kindness that the homeless man passes on his gift of seeing people's true emotions onto Caitlyn. 
  
It is with this gift that she can see that everything in high school is not as it seems.  Equally it gives her an opportunity to get to know her sexy next door neighbour better and things start to hot up.  Caitlyn's gift tests their fledgling relationship, particularly as she insists on putting a stop to what's going on at school.  If it goes wrong Caitlyn could end up paying with her life. 

Caitlyn has been cruising through high school but without a clue as to what's going on around her.  She has a naivety about her that when combined with her caring nature is endearing and commendable.  There is an uncertainty within herself as to who she is and as she becomes more confident in that and knows who she is, she begins to capture the interest of Eric, her hot next door neighbour.  He has been patiently waiting for this to happen as he could already see the person she is.  He is her rock, her support and her strength to be herself. 


I loved this book.  Seeing all the characters worst and best traits enhanced through Caitlyn's gift added to the enjoyment of reading it.  It was action packed but full of emotion as well.   

Caitlyn Davis has an unusual gift. She knows exactly how people feel. Everyone wears a mask, but she sees the hidden truth. This ability has changed her life, both for the better and worse. She can choose to ignore what she sees...but what happens when it involves the guy she loves?

Eric Shore knew getting involved with a girl who could read people was risky, but he couldn't help himself. Caitlyn is gorgeous and he loves being with her. Their relationship is going great...until she tells him that his step-brother and star basketball player, Connor, is doing drugs. Having looked up to the guy for years, Eric just can't buy it. Things only get worse when Caitlyn questions the true nature of Eric's favorite teacher.

The first year at college is supposed to be amazing, but theirs is off to a rocky start. As masks are peeled away, secrets will be exposed, dangers will be revealed, and both must decide out of the people closest to them, who is telling the truth...and who is being two-faced.

BUY IT AT:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/2FAmazon

Smashwords: http://ow.ly/CCjAw

iBooks: http://bit.ly/2FITunes

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

The gift of seeing people's true emotions is a powerful one and is a power that Caitlyn doesn't take lightly even after the events of True Colors.  She has a determination to make things right where she sees a wrong.  Her nature of wanting the best for people means that she can't ignore the things that she sees.  Her boyfriend, Eric, is usually so supportive of her gift but when it reveals something that he doesn't want to believe in two people he admires and looks up to, he begins to question her gift and her ability. 

Caitlyn struggles with this rejection from Eric and it drives a wedge between them both.  Caitlyn's determination to find the truth leads her into danger as the plot is far bigger than anyone could have imagined.  I love the courage that Caitlyn shows in following her gift to right a wrong even though it could result in her losing Eric or even her life. 

Eric's reluctance to believe Caitlyn is down to fear than an actual disbelief in her gift.  His past is catching up with him and forcing him to confront it head on.  It is only as he starts to open his own eyes and recognise that there are things going on around him that he starts to find his faith in Caitlyn again. 

I love Melissa Pearl's writing in this series.  Teenage angst and problems amplified by Caitlyn's ability to see people's true faces and seeing that so many people are two faced and have two faces.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what is next for Caitlyn and Eric. 

~*~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~*~

Melissa Pearl was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but has spent much of her life abroad, living in countries such as Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan... not to mention a nine month road trip around North America with her husband. "Best. Year. Ever!!" She now lives in China with her husband and two sons. She is a trained elementary teacher, but writing is her passion. Since becoming a full time mother she has had the opportunity to pursue this dream and her debut novel hit the internet in November 2011. Since then she has continued to produce a steady stream of books. Recently she signed with Evatopia Press and her first Evatopia book was released in February 2014 - True Colors, The Masks Series #1. She is very excited to be trying out new things this year while continuing to publish under her own name as well. She has six books releasing in 2014 and is excited about writing each and every one of them.

"I am passionate about writing. It stirs a fire in my soul that I never knew I had. I want to be the best writer I can possibly be and transport my readers into another world where they can laugh, cry and fall in love."