by Elle Middaugh
Book 1, in The Essential Elements Series
"Elemental Secrets"
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy. 368 pages.
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy. 368 pages.
Price: $3.99 ebook (at time of post)
Book Link: Click Here
Valerie Moore was a beautiful, headstrong girl with below-average social skills and above-average anxiety (including a flair for over-analyzing).
With her mother long deceased, and her father recently deployed, she ends up being sent to live with her eccentric aunt in a tiny town nestled in the mountains of Pennsylvania. But, being a Navy brat had made her into a bit of a loner, and making friends certainly wasn’t her strongest suit. As if the life of a typical teen wasn’t hard enough.
But Valerie soon discovers she’s not a typical teenager. Not by a long shot.
SECRETS are revealed…
…About her family, about her newfound friends and relationships, and about her whole world… Things that have been kept from her for her entire life…
But the biggest secret of all is revealed when Valerie discovers that she has Elemental powers, and a chain of inexplicable and irrevocable events unleashes throughout the little town…
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My Rating: 
My Thoughts: Endless Elements of Surprises
This book is "Avatar: The Last Airbender" meets "X-Men" in a high school. The fact the lead girl finds herself in a world of super hot super powered high school is totally crazy (and lucky), but by the end you'll be so wrapped up in her drama looking for the next book. I know I'm excited to read more even if the girl can't pick a boy, literally to save her life!
When her naval officer father is sent out on deployment, Valerie Moore is sent to live with her aunt in a small Pennsylvania town. Valerie is used to being the new girl thanks to her dads career, but now being forced to return to Center Allegheny high as a senior is sure to put a bump in her plan to stay unnoticed. It's not long before Valerie is quickly noticed by all as the "new" gorgeous girl around and she eventually makes friends. Of course it helps that there are so many hot guys at the school three of which confuse her mind and heart. Valerie quickly notices that along with great looks there is more to her classmates and is determined to find out what is happening around them that could change the weather or start other strange occurrences in town. Now Valerie's search begins to point home when her own family history comes up and questionable truth is revealed. In the end Valerie is left with more questions and than answers, especially when a powerful stranger drops in when she needed him he most.
Overall, I really enjoyed it for the action and SciFi, but the love interest was killing my interest. Most of the book is centered around Valerie discovering herself but also figuring out her love-likes. Valerie like a boy she liked since childhood, a new charming athlete who adores her and a smoking hot college boy who's a little bad. Gotta envy the girl for 3 "problems". The drama became tiring because when I finally figured out my pick for her, then another guy got added to the suitor list, I started waiting for other men to pop up every chapter. I'm truly hoping the 'who is right for me' questioning with be resolved in the next book, because it's rather sad to be tied to three guys so deeply all at once. Now despite all the man drama, I was very excited about the powers of the elements and exploring Valerie's family history. The fight scenes were nuts, especially the Lauren vs. Valerie fight, no elements were used but I was like "Oh Dang! That had to hurt!" There is a cliff hanger ending but it will make you want to read more. So if you want to read about a girl finding out she comes from a society of elemental wielding people living amongst humans who are either fighting for dominance, secrecy, or complacency then this series is going to peak your interest.
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GIVEAWAY
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Elle Middaugh
Elle Middaugh is a newly published author, born in the sticks outside of Clearfield, Pennsylvania. After moving around the east coast a number of times, she now lives in her hometown with her husband and three children.
Reading has been a favorite past time since Elementary School and choose-your-own-adventure books. Writing has been her dream since Middle School when she first began penning her own material. Being published is the most awesome achievement in her writing career so far, but she hopes for more exciting landmarks and stepping stones in the future!
She’s a proud Navy wife; a frazzle-brained mother; a homebody who dislikes cleaning; a fan of tennis, and fitness in general; a lover of hot tea, mountain dew, and all things fiction; and she’s a bigger My Little Pony fan than her children.
Thanks for hosting today, Rae! :)
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