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At First Touch
Liz Hannigan has been on the run since she was twelve years old. Her mother is dead. Her father has lost his job. And thanks to an experimental procedure, Liz is now able to ‘download’ the contents of every brain around her with a simple touch. Forced to hide from both the federal government and a darkling group of morally deficient scientists known as the Coalition determined to exploit her abilities, she moves with her father to the bucolic coal town of Pound, West Virginia.
But the hunt for Liz and her abilities hasn’t ended, and her hopes for peace are shattered when she inadvertently downloads the enigmatic Carey Drake, whose unusual good looks and charm conceal a secret as shocking as her own. Stunned by the knowledge that she has found someone else who has extraordinary abilities, Liz finds herself drawn to Carey, discovering a deep attraction, and dares to hope for the first time she might find love.
But when an agent of the Coalition begins stalking her, Liz must find a way to work with the government agency she most mistrusts as she strives to build a longed-for normal life and take down the agent who has tracked her down. Caught up in a struggle to save herself and those she loves, the girl who sees all is blind to true danger until it is too late.
But the hunt for Liz and her abilities hasn’t ended, and her hopes for peace are shattered when she inadvertently downloads the enigmatic Carey Drake, whose unusual good looks and charm conceal a secret as shocking as her own. Stunned by the knowledge that she has found someone else who has extraordinary abilities, Liz finds herself drawn to Carey, discovering a deep attraction, and dares to hope for the first time she might find love.
But when an agent of the Coalition begins stalking her, Liz must find a way to work with the government agency she most mistrusts as she strives to build a longed-for normal life and take down the agent who has tracked her down. Caught up in a struggle to save herself and those she loves, the girl who sees all is blind to true danger until it is too late.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2012
12 people are currently reading
485 people want to read
About the author
Mattie Dunman
4 books53 followersMattie Dunman is a lifelong resident of "Wild & Wonderful" West Virginia, and has dreamed of being a writer since she first held a pen in hand.
Mattie has pursued several useless degrees to support this dream, and presently is lost in the stacks of her local library. She spends most of her free time writing, but also indulges in reading and traveling.
She is the proud owner of an adorably insane American Eskimo named Finn, a tyrant orange tabby named Bella, and a clever tiger tabby named Peabody who take up more of her attention than they probably should.
Mattie would love to hear from you at mattiedunman@gmail.com! or on Facebook!
Mattie has pursued several useless degrees to support this dream, and presently is lost in the stacks of her local library. She spends most of her free time writing, but also indulges in reading and traveling.
She is the proud owner of an adorably insane American Eskimo named Finn, a tyrant orange tabby named Bella, and a clever tiger tabby named Peabody who take up more of her attention than they probably should.
Mattie would love to hear from you at mattiedunman@gmail.com! or on Facebook!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
January 19, 2013
I promise to be brutally honest with my opinion, but it should not be taken as fact. Any reader should read it for themselves, before they decide if this book has any merit or not. Do not judge this book biased solely on my opinion. If you do, you might miss out on a great read. You never know. It could happen. My review may contain spoilers, but I really strive to be spoiler-free. I downloaded this book for free on Amazon.com. This book was not suggested nor “gifted” to me by the author. I have no affiliation with the author or his/her publisher.
1. Strong Main Character/ Female Heroine: Liz or should I call you Elizabeth? Anyways, Liz is the female protagonist of this story and the reader only ever reads from her perspective, which is a very strong perspective, if I do say so myself. She is cautious and weary of people. She should be, because of everything that has happened to her. She has trust issues, which are to be expected. But for some strange reason, she decided to open up to two, well make that three, people. She is starting to develop a healthy functional life for herself and her father. She is a bit saucy and very athletic. She can kick any guy’s arse any day, but she is not invincible. That is exactly what I liked about her. She is strong, but fragile like a real life person. Words and actions hurt her like they would to anyone else. And bullets? Sorry, but she is not bulletproof. She is a mind downloader, but not bulletproof. I enjoyed how human she is and how normal she acted. She processed everything so smoothly, so calmly and she was even smart about many things. She was also stupid like most teenagers can be, but that is to be expected and only served to make her more real and down to earth to me. I loved watching her life develop and how she grew throughout the story. At the end, she is not the same person that she once was and it was truly amazing to see such development executed beautifully. 5 out of 5 stars
2. Strong Main Character / Male Hero: Liz’s father plays a big role in the story and I loved that part about the book. It is nice to see a parent as a main character than as a background character or extra. Her father is not someone who is present in the story, but really does nothing to advance the plot. He takes an active role in the story by getting to know Liz’s friends and by talking to her afterschool every day. I felt his presence largely throughout the book. He made the story more real to me that these people, this family was actually surviving this way. It brought the story home to me and made the emotional parts of the story more real…more touching to my heart and senses. Carey was not just your average knight in shining armor, but your average superman. His ability allowed him to save the day most of the time, but even superman is not impervious to bullets. He is caring and feels an instant connection to Liz and feels very protective of her. He does not force her to talk about herself, but gives her privacy and her secrets, because Carey himself also has many secrets. He learns to trust her with his heart first, then his secrets. I really enjoyed how Carey could not save Liz from everything and that she had to save herself in the end. I do not like the protagonist always being a damsel in distress and relying on others. So, this aspect of Carey was more endearing than annoying, because of this fact. 5 out of 5 stars
3. Strong Main Character / Evil Antagonist: Preston is just your average sleaze ball with psychotic issues that should really be dealt with by a psychologist. He made for an interesting book, because he would pop up when you least expected him, making this book a guilty pleasure to read. He made for a thrilling read just to scare myself a little with: “OMG! He’s insane!” It was all very exciting with Preston in the book that I hope to still be reading about him in the next installment of the series. The FBI department as a whole started out as an evil branch of government enforcement, but it turns out that not everyone in the FBI are as bad as the ones that she ran into in the past. Liz discovers that there are people that she can trust in this corrupted agency. Agent Carson is not one of those agents. He recognizes Liz and wants to repeat history. That is all I can tell you about this character, in order to preserve his true evilness…Or is he….evil? The Coalition is a private little antiterrorist organization that wants to use Liz to fight off terrorists or so they claim. They seem to be the terrorists to me. Not much is told to the reader about this organization. Fitz is an average bad guy. The author could have had much more fun with him and extended his interaction with Liz, but the author did not. I would have liked to see more with Fitz, because otherwise, he was just another bad guy in the world, nothing special about him. 4 out of 5 stars
4. Strong Minor Characters: V.J. is the best friend that Liz could never have before she moved to this little nowhere town. V.J. allows Liz to be herself and a girly girl with her. V.J. never questions Liz’s clothes or her gloves, but clings to her friendship with Liz. She was always an outcast herself, because of her father’s money and she finds friendship with Liz. She is happy with Liz and even rekindles an old flame with an ex-boyfriend of hers. She is an interesting best friend. I just hope that there is no girl drama in the future with her. Agent Thrasher has a bigger role at the end of the book, when he really gets involved with Liz and her…ability. He is a trustworthy guy that wants to fight crime and leave his department free from any rogue agents. He believes in the common good of all people, even those who are as unique as Liz. There may be problems with him in the future, but who knows maybe I would be wrong. I will be reading the next book to find out if my suspicions are true. 3 out of 5 stars
5. The Plot: Liz has a fantastic psychic ability after an auto accident that occurred when she was younger, but when she arrives in a small town, her attitude towards life changes and she wants to settle down to enjoy her teenage years. But after years of hiding, being seen could be more dangerous than she ever imagined. This plot was beautifully written and crafted. It flowed very smooth to me and nothing seemed forced. All the events came naturally together by an unperceived force. It was pure literary genius. The pace of the novel in the beginning is a little slow, but it soon picks up speed and the novel soon flies by. I was sad, when it was over, because I wanted to read more. 5 out of 5 stars
6. The Setting: As all my readers know by now, I love very descriptive scenery in a book. It is the only way I can picture myself being there and the events that take place in the story becomes more real to me. The description of the setting makes the story come alive to me and the author wrote just that. The places were beautiful and I could imagine what the people looked like and what they were wearing. There were clothing details, scenery details, and the most mundane details like what foods where available in the cafeteria. I ate all of them up happily. I just wished for a little more detail in the woods scene and the second “Carey’s favorite spot” scene. It would have made those scenes really come alive more than they already did to pack a big punch of wow factor. 4 out of 5 stars
7. The Dialogue: There was really nothing special about the dialogue although I did find the speech a little too proper for teenagers in this book. I believe that Liz, Carey, Preston, and V.J. could have spoken in a more teenager-like fashion than adult like. The author could have thrown in a couple of clichés or text speech. It would have given their dialogue a teenage slant that would have seemed very natural. As is the dialogue just seemed average. There were no fancy words or phrases translated from one language into another or cute acronyms. 3 out of 5 stars
8. Engaging Surprises: There were plenty of Preston surprises in this book and revelations about people. It seemed like something was going on, on every page once the novel really got going. It just took off from there. It seemed like I was learning new things in every chapter and there was no foreshadowing, so I never got an inkling about what was coming next, which just made this book that much more suspenseful. I really enjoyed all the surprising happenings and I believe that this novel is more suspenseful or thrilling than paranormal, although it is that, too. 4 out of 5 stars
9. Climax: There is a really high climax in this book that it is really unmistakable. It is the highest, most adrenaline, heart racing part in the entire book. It defies all expectations and really packed a punch. My heart was racing, while I read this book lying down. Once I hit that high point, I could not stop reading, until the story was done. I could not put it down and NOT know what would happen next. It would have been on my mind and drive me half crazy. It was the most thrilling event in the book like a cat and mouse game in a thriller movie. Readers will be satisfied with the climax and ending of this book. It makes the book worth reading as well as the shockingly real characters. 5 out of 5 stars
10. Emotional Response: Once I connected with the main character, I began to really feel for her and what she was going through. Every high and every low become shockingly real to me and I found myself either crying or laughing about Liz’s snarky remarks. I also foolishly smiled at the cheesy parts with Liz and Carey. I felt bone chilling fear during the last few chapters of the book, when everything important went down. This book will pull at your heart strings, but not overly so. It allowed me to escape reality and live vicariously through someone else’s life. It was a joy to read. 4 out of 5 stars
11. Ending: All I have to say about the ending is that it was superb. It could have been the ending to the book and you would never know that it was a part of a series. It ends so smoothly that most of the loose ends are tied up. I like the idea of no loose ends, because it means that the characters can have a different adventure in the next book and the first one does not drag on and on. It added to my enjoyment of the book immensely. 4 out of 5 stars
12. The Writing: Characters are exceptionally well developed, which is very rare for an Indie author that is new to the public eye and quite refreshing. The writing is without any grammatical errors or misprints, which allowed me to enjoy the book without ignoring my pet peeve. The author hired a great editor that should be proud of him/herself. The author can really write up a great plot that smoothly transitions from one phrase to another. The only improvement that the author could make would be the dialogue, otherwise it is almost as great as some of the big names out there today on the market. 4 out of 5 stars
13. The Artwork: The cover of the book could be improved. It is really nothing special, but it is not ugly by any means. If the title had not caught my eye, I would not have picked up this book to read. I would have glossed right over it to something else, but I am glad that I did read it. Please, choose a different cover for this amazing book! 2 out of 5 stars
14. Genre: This novel is first of all, a paranormal romance, but it is also a thriller and suspense novel. It fits this novel, because of the darkness surrounding these corrupt agencies out to no good. I like the idea of a rogue agency out there and the genre of this novel mixes a few together for the perfect combination of romance and danger. My only suggestion of improvement would be to make the novel a little darker, like making something bad happen at the party to really strike the more dark aspect of the book. It would be a nice contrast against the normalcy that Liz craves. 4 out of 5 stars
15. Title: At First Touch fits in with the plot and the characters. It adds mystery to the book and has the reader wondering what the title means exactly. It does not fool the reader into thinking that the book is different than it is. The title stays true to what the book is about. 5 out of 5 stars
Overall, I give the book 4 stars to start the series. It is a terrific start to a new series and with a few tweaks this book could become a 5 star read with the next book. I cannot wait to read it.
1. Strong Main Character/ Female Heroine: Liz or should I call you Elizabeth? Anyways, Liz is the female protagonist of this story and the reader only ever reads from her perspective, which is a very strong perspective, if I do say so myself. She is cautious and weary of people. She should be, because of everything that has happened to her. She has trust issues, which are to be expected. But for some strange reason, she decided to open up to two, well make that three, people. She is starting to develop a healthy functional life for herself and her father. She is a bit saucy and very athletic. She can kick any guy’s arse any day, but she is not invincible. That is exactly what I liked about her. She is strong, but fragile like a real life person. Words and actions hurt her like they would to anyone else. And bullets? Sorry, but she is not bulletproof. She is a mind downloader, but not bulletproof. I enjoyed how human she is and how normal she acted. She processed everything so smoothly, so calmly and she was even smart about many things. She was also stupid like most teenagers can be, but that is to be expected and only served to make her more real and down to earth to me. I loved watching her life develop and how she grew throughout the story. At the end, she is not the same person that she once was and it was truly amazing to see such development executed beautifully. 5 out of 5 stars
2. Strong Main Character / Male Hero: Liz’s father plays a big role in the story and I loved that part about the book. It is nice to see a parent as a main character than as a background character or extra. Her father is not someone who is present in the story, but really does nothing to advance the plot. He takes an active role in the story by getting to know Liz’s friends and by talking to her afterschool every day. I felt his presence largely throughout the book. He made the story more real to me that these people, this family was actually surviving this way. It brought the story home to me and made the emotional parts of the story more real…more touching to my heart and senses. Carey was not just your average knight in shining armor, but your average superman. His ability allowed him to save the day most of the time, but even superman is not impervious to bullets. He is caring and feels an instant connection to Liz and feels very protective of her. He does not force her to talk about herself, but gives her privacy and her secrets, because Carey himself also has many secrets. He learns to trust her with his heart first, then his secrets. I really enjoyed how Carey could not save Liz from everything and that she had to save herself in the end. I do not like the protagonist always being a damsel in distress and relying on others. So, this aspect of Carey was more endearing than annoying, because of this fact. 5 out of 5 stars
3. Strong Main Character / Evil Antagonist: Preston is just your average sleaze ball with psychotic issues that should really be dealt with by a psychologist. He made for an interesting book, because he would pop up when you least expected him, making this book a guilty pleasure to read. He made for a thrilling read just to scare myself a little with: “OMG! He’s insane!” It was all very exciting with Preston in the book that I hope to still be reading about him in the next installment of the series. The FBI department as a whole started out as an evil branch of government enforcement, but it turns out that not everyone in the FBI are as bad as the ones that she ran into in the past. Liz discovers that there are people that she can trust in this corrupted agency. Agent Carson is not one of those agents. He recognizes Liz and wants to repeat history. That is all I can tell you about this character, in order to preserve his true evilness…Or is he….evil? The Coalition is a private little antiterrorist organization that wants to use Liz to fight off terrorists or so they claim. They seem to be the terrorists to me. Not much is told to the reader about this organization. Fitz is an average bad guy. The author could have had much more fun with him and extended his interaction with Liz, but the author did not. I would have liked to see more with Fitz, because otherwise, he was just another bad guy in the world, nothing special about him. 4 out of 5 stars
4. Strong Minor Characters: V.J. is the best friend that Liz could never have before she moved to this little nowhere town. V.J. allows Liz to be herself and a girly girl with her. V.J. never questions Liz’s clothes or her gloves, but clings to her friendship with Liz. She was always an outcast herself, because of her father’s money and she finds friendship with Liz. She is happy with Liz and even rekindles an old flame with an ex-boyfriend of hers. She is an interesting best friend. I just hope that there is no girl drama in the future with her. Agent Thrasher has a bigger role at the end of the book, when he really gets involved with Liz and her…ability. He is a trustworthy guy that wants to fight crime and leave his department free from any rogue agents. He believes in the common good of all people, even those who are as unique as Liz. There may be problems with him in the future, but who knows maybe I would be wrong. I will be reading the next book to find out if my suspicions are true. 3 out of 5 stars
5. The Plot: Liz has a fantastic psychic ability after an auto accident that occurred when she was younger, but when she arrives in a small town, her attitude towards life changes and she wants to settle down to enjoy her teenage years. But after years of hiding, being seen could be more dangerous than she ever imagined. This plot was beautifully written and crafted. It flowed very smooth to me and nothing seemed forced. All the events came naturally together by an unperceived force. It was pure literary genius. The pace of the novel in the beginning is a little slow, but it soon picks up speed and the novel soon flies by. I was sad, when it was over, because I wanted to read more. 5 out of 5 stars
6. The Setting: As all my readers know by now, I love very descriptive scenery in a book. It is the only way I can picture myself being there and the events that take place in the story becomes more real to me. The description of the setting makes the story come alive to me and the author wrote just that. The places were beautiful and I could imagine what the people looked like and what they were wearing. There were clothing details, scenery details, and the most mundane details like what foods where available in the cafeteria. I ate all of them up happily. I just wished for a little more detail in the woods scene and the second “Carey’s favorite spot” scene. It would have made those scenes really come alive more than they already did to pack a big punch of wow factor. 4 out of 5 stars
7. The Dialogue: There was really nothing special about the dialogue although I did find the speech a little too proper for teenagers in this book. I believe that Liz, Carey, Preston, and V.J. could have spoken in a more teenager-like fashion than adult like. The author could have thrown in a couple of clichés or text speech. It would have given their dialogue a teenage slant that would have seemed very natural. As is the dialogue just seemed average. There were no fancy words or phrases translated from one language into another or cute acronyms. 3 out of 5 stars
8. Engaging Surprises: There were plenty of Preston surprises in this book and revelations about people. It seemed like something was going on, on every page once the novel really got going. It just took off from there. It seemed like I was learning new things in every chapter and there was no foreshadowing, so I never got an inkling about what was coming next, which just made this book that much more suspenseful. I really enjoyed all the surprising happenings and I believe that this novel is more suspenseful or thrilling than paranormal, although it is that, too. 4 out of 5 stars
9. Climax: There is a really high climax in this book that it is really unmistakable. It is the highest, most adrenaline, heart racing part in the entire book. It defies all expectations and really packed a punch. My heart was racing, while I read this book lying down. Once I hit that high point, I could not stop reading, until the story was done. I could not put it down and NOT know what would happen next. It would have been on my mind and drive me half crazy. It was the most thrilling event in the book like a cat and mouse game in a thriller movie. Readers will be satisfied with the climax and ending of this book. It makes the book worth reading as well as the shockingly real characters. 5 out of 5 stars
10. Emotional Response: Once I connected with the main character, I began to really feel for her and what she was going through. Every high and every low become shockingly real to me and I found myself either crying or laughing about Liz’s snarky remarks. I also foolishly smiled at the cheesy parts with Liz and Carey. I felt bone chilling fear during the last few chapters of the book, when everything important went down. This book will pull at your heart strings, but not overly so. It allowed me to escape reality and live vicariously through someone else’s life. It was a joy to read. 4 out of 5 stars
11. Ending: All I have to say about the ending is that it was superb. It could have been the ending to the book and you would never know that it was a part of a series. It ends so smoothly that most of the loose ends are tied up. I like the idea of no loose ends, because it means that the characters can have a different adventure in the next book and the first one does not drag on and on. It added to my enjoyment of the book immensely. 4 out of 5 stars
12. The Writing: Characters are exceptionally well developed, which is very rare for an Indie author that is new to the public eye and quite refreshing. The writing is without any grammatical errors or misprints, which allowed me to enjoy the book without ignoring my pet peeve. The author hired a great editor that should be proud of him/herself. The author can really write up a great plot that smoothly transitions from one phrase to another. The only improvement that the author could make would be the dialogue, otherwise it is almost as great as some of the big names out there today on the market. 4 out of 5 stars
13. The Artwork: The cover of the book could be improved. It is really nothing special, but it is not ugly by any means. If the title had not caught my eye, I would not have picked up this book to read. I would have glossed right over it to something else, but I am glad that I did read it. Please, choose a different cover for this amazing book! 2 out of 5 stars
14. Genre: This novel is first of all, a paranormal romance, but it is also a thriller and suspense novel. It fits this novel, because of the darkness surrounding these corrupt agencies out to no good. I like the idea of a rogue agency out there and the genre of this novel mixes a few together for the perfect combination of romance and danger. My only suggestion of improvement would be to make the novel a little darker, like making something bad happen at the party to really strike the more dark aspect of the book. It would be a nice contrast against the normalcy that Liz craves. 4 out of 5 stars
15. Title: At First Touch fits in with the plot and the characters. It adds mystery to the book and has the reader wondering what the title means exactly. It does not fool the reader into thinking that the book is different than it is. The title stays true to what the book is about. 5 out of 5 stars
Overall, I give the book 4 stars to start the series. It is a terrific start to a new series and with a few tweaks this book could become a 5 star read with the next book. I cannot wait to read it.
March 7, 2013
Wow, I really liked this book, a lot!
I am so shocked at the many awesome books I have been able to review lately. This is one of them. It was really well written, and the story amazing, and can’t wait for book 2.
Think how it would be to touch someone, and “download” their entire life, and your own brain works somewhat like a computer, it files it away, to be accessed later if you want, then after that first touch, there is a connection left that can be opened at will to read the current thoughts of the person touched. Well, this is what its like for Liz, after she awoke from a coma after a year in it. They had used some experimental methods and drugs trying to wake her, and she isn’t sure if any of that caused this “gift” or the fact she had originally been electrocuted in the accident that killed her mom, and put her in the coma.
This books whole story is very original, and fascinating. We come into Liz’s life after her and her dads have been on the run from the doctors who discovered what she could do. They wanted to lock her up and experiment on her, and use her. Not only them, who happen to be a part of the Coalition, but a part of the FBI also wanted her.
I won’t say what was done to her by these people; you can read that, as I want to keep this as spoiler free as I can.
So Liz and her dad end up in Pound, West Virginia, and for the first time, she makes some friends she really likes. Makes some enemies too, and lots of stuff happens, and meeting Carey was the best part. He is more than he seems too, and its quite the discovery.
Here is a sweet part with Liz and Carey:
“Carey, I don’t know how to thank you. You saved my life. No matter what, I won’t forget what you’ve done for me,” I said, my voice suddenly sober. Carey’s shocking blue eyes were soft with adoration as he looked down at me, his skin glowing palely in the muted light.“I’d do anything for you, Liz,” he said simply, making my stomach do a flip.
I am not sure on that name, Carey, never heard it before like that for a guy, lol, but love him.
I don’t want to say much more, but to say I really loved the book. I cared so much for what was happening, and I really was able to connect with Liz, and loved how she could kick some major butt. She had been sure to “download” info from people who knew stuff that would help her, like a black belt in karate, many doctors, and lawyers, all types that could help her. So she trains hard in self-defense and I admire that about her.
I only found one negative to this book, and it’s the cover. Its not very eye catching at all, and almost passed it up to review, but decided to read about it, then decide, and I am glad I did. I am one of the guilty people who do too much judging by the covers.
I highly recommend this book to many ages, not super young or anything, there is some disturbing things that happened to her, violent types stuff.
5 out of 5 stars for me.
I was provided a copy of this book for an honest review.
March 2, 2013
At First Touch by Mattie Dunman
At First Touch written by Mattie Dunman is a well written novel, the plot and story line are a bit different from other paranormal romance books I’ve read recently. It was nice to read something different this time.
We first meet Liz and find out that she had been in a terrible car accident and lost her mother. When she awakes from a year long coma she finds out she has a very unique gift. Liz has the ability to read minds, and not only read them, but when a person touches her she sort of downloads all their memories and knowledge into her own brain. At first this is pretty scary for Liz but with time she learns to block the voices she hears in her head. When she touches people it opens up some sort of connection to them and it seems if she wants to connect with them later she could.
Liz and her father move around a lot due to the fear of scientist or government people wanting to get their hands on Liz to use her for their own purposes. Attending a new school in a new town Liz for the first time allows herself to make friends. When she meets Carey she finds out that he is different to and they form a friendship like Liz hasn’t’ had it a long time.
This story is very well written and easy to read; Mattie Dunman has written a wonderful story in the YA genre. It has some twist and turns, full of suspense and a touch of romance. What more could you ask for?
I would recommend At First Touch to anyone who enjoys YA Paranormal Romance to pick up this book. I really enjoyed the story and loved Liz and Carey. I really liked all the secondary characters throughout the story and hope we get to see them again in the future. The ending is great and I really hope we have a book two in this series. I loved that Liz and her father were close and she depended on him. Like most daughter should with their father. It was a fantastic read.
I have rated At First Touch a 4 star rating and I would definitely read anything Mattie Dunman writes. So go out and grab a copy for yourself.
At First Touch written by Mattie Dunman is a well written novel, the plot and story line are a bit different from other paranormal romance books I’ve read recently. It was nice to read something different this time.
We first meet Liz and find out that she had been in a terrible car accident and lost her mother. When she awakes from a year long coma she finds out she has a very unique gift. Liz has the ability to read minds, and not only read them, but when a person touches her she sort of downloads all their memories and knowledge into her own brain. At first this is pretty scary for Liz but with time she learns to block the voices she hears in her head. When she touches people it opens up some sort of connection to them and it seems if she wants to connect with them later she could.
Liz and her father move around a lot due to the fear of scientist or government people wanting to get their hands on Liz to use her for their own purposes. Attending a new school in a new town Liz for the first time allows herself to make friends. When she meets Carey she finds out that he is different to and they form a friendship like Liz hasn’t’ had it a long time.
This story is very well written and easy to read; Mattie Dunman has written a wonderful story in the YA genre. It has some twist and turns, full of suspense and a touch of romance. What more could you ask for?
I would recommend At First Touch to anyone who enjoys YA Paranormal Romance to pick up this book. I really enjoyed the story and loved Liz and Carey. I really liked all the secondary characters throughout the story and hope we get to see them again in the future. The ending is great and I really hope we have a book two in this series. I loved that Liz and her father were close and she depended on him. Like most daughter should with their father. It was a fantastic read.
I have rated At First Touch a 4 star rating and I would definitely read anything Mattie Dunman writes. So go out and grab a copy for yourself.
August 12, 2012
Finally, a paranormal novel which uses a different and, as far as I know, a completely unique special ability. And, instead of a plot driven by the special ability, the ability augments solid characterization and vivid description. The protagonist, a teenage girl isolated by her uncanny touch which 'downloads' an entire person's life, just wants to be able to live a normal life and fit in with her peers but is pursued by sinister forces that want to misuse her abilities. But the true conflict is one every young person faces to find their own identity; and of course to find a special person which 'Liz' finds in a young man of extraordinary strength.
This book develops not only the main characters skillfully but the minor ones as well. The narrative flows effortlessly and suspense is built to a stunning climax. The author consistently provides vibrant descriptive passages which highlight and enliven the narrative.
I recommend this book highly not only for a young adult audience but for any age that enjoys an exciting, insightful, and satisfying read.
This book develops not only the main characters skillfully but the minor ones as well. The narrative flows effortlessly and suspense is built to a stunning climax. The author consistently provides vibrant descriptive passages which highlight and enliven the narrative.
I recommend this book highly not only for a young adult audience but for any age that enjoys an exciting, insightful, and satisfying read.
March 1, 2013
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
An Overview of the Novel: Liz is tired of running, but that's all she's ever known and she doesn't anticipate being able to stop running anytime soon. She's wanted by the government and by a rogue agency. And it's all because of that stupid accident. The one that caused her to be able to download people's minds after just one touch. One touch and she can know anything about them.
And yes the FBI and the rogue agency find that particular talent very useful. But when Liz moves to a small town, she makes friends for the first time. And she meets Carey, he's a guy who is different too. She starts gaining feelings for him. But can you really fall in love when you might have to pick up and move at any given moment.
Disclaimers: I received an electronic copy of this novel as part of the Reading Addiction Blog Tour team. I am not receiving any compensation for my review nor was I obligated to write a good review.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I actually really liked this one. I thought the synopsis sounded good and so I decided to give it a shot. What I didn't expect was to fall in love with this novel. From page one to the very end, I was hooked. I loved the characters and I loved the plot too.
I have read a lot of books about telepathy, but I really really liked this one. Dunman's writing forced me to become engaged in the text and left me wanting to turn the pages faster and faster.
This novel was a brilliant start to a series that I'm definitely going to be keeping tabs on. The whole idea of being able to download somebody's mind was a different twist than the telepathy books I'm used to and I found the idea to be really intriguing. I just loved everything about this one. Definitely recommend it.
In Summary: A brilliant book that caught my attention. This book had an interesting premise, great characters, and was impeccably written. I adored it.
Warnings/Side-notes: This book was actually very clean. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to even most the sensitive readers.
The Wrap-up: I really enjoyed this novel. I'll be honest I was hoping that this book would be a fun, enjoyable read, but I really didn't have that high of expectations for it. I was blown away by how much I loved it.
An Overview of the Novel: Liz is tired of running, but that's all she's ever known and she doesn't anticipate being able to stop running anytime soon. She's wanted by the government and by a rogue agency. And it's all because of that stupid accident. The one that caused her to be able to download people's minds after just one touch. One touch and she can know anything about them.
And yes the FBI and the rogue agency find that particular talent very useful. But when Liz moves to a small town, she makes friends for the first time. And she meets Carey, he's a guy who is different too. She starts gaining feelings for him. But can you really fall in love when you might have to pick up and move at any given moment.
Disclaimers: I received an electronic copy of this novel as part of the Reading Addiction Blog Tour team. I am not receiving any compensation for my review nor was I obligated to write a good review.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I actually really liked this one. I thought the synopsis sounded good and so I decided to give it a shot. What I didn't expect was to fall in love with this novel. From page one to the very end, I was hooked. I loved the characters and I loved the plot too.
I have read a lot of books about telepathy, but I really really liked this one. Dunman's writing forced me to become engaged in the text and left me wanting to turn the pages faster and faster.
This novel was a brilliant start to a series that I'm definitely going to be keeping tabs on. The whole idea of being able to download somebody's mind was a different twist than the telepathy books I'm used to and I found the idea to be really intriguing. I just loved everything about this one. Definitely recommend it.
In Summary: A brilliant book that caught my attention. This book had an interesting premise, great characters, and was impeccably written. I adored it.
Warnings/Side-notes: This book was actually very clean. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to even most the sensitive readers.
The Wrap-up: I really enjoyed this novel. I'll be honest I was hoping that this book would be a fun, enjoyable read, but I really didn't have that high of expectations for it. I was blown away by how much I loved it.
April 8, 2013
At Firs Touch is an AMAZING read! I have to say that I have never read anything like it before. The story was great and the characters were amazing. Mattie did an excellent job crafting a story of loss, love, and making it through.
Liz Hannigan has been on the run for 12 years with her father. Liz and her mother were in a car accident and her mother died and Liz ended up in a come for a year. When Liz woke up she realized she had a gift and that special gift would cause her and her father to be on the run from the federal government and a crazy team of scientists called the Coalition.When Liz woke up from her come she realized that by touching people she could download their brain onto hers. Lord who would want this ability? This could be dangerous because you can feel and see what ever the person has.
Liz and her father are forced to run because the government and the coalition want her. They both have different agendas but they have one thing in common they want her. Liz and her father find a small town named Pound, West Virginia to move to. Liz is very excited to be starting her life over again so much so that she makes friends. One of those friends is a boy Carey Drake. Carey is gorgeous, funny, smart, and charming. So much so that he tales Liz breath away. Then she touches Carey and downloads his brain and finds out that Carey is hiding a secret to. He has abilities as well and keeps them to himself.
Liz is worried about her and Carey because she is being stalked by the coalition and a worker from the coalition has found her and is stalking her. It is time for Liz to chose what side she will be on. Will she help the coalition or will she let the government take her? What will happen to Carey? What will happen to her father? Liz will have to make some tough decisions but in the end will her love for her father and Carey be enough for her?
Liz Hannigan has been on the run for 12 years with her father. Liz and her mother were in a car accident and her mother died and Liz ended up in a come for a year. When Liz woke up she realized she had a gift and that special gift would cause her and her father to be on the run from the federal government and a crazy team of scientists called the Coalition.When Liz woke up from her come she realized that by touching people she could download their brain onto hers. Lord who would want this ability? This could be dangerous because you can feel and see what ever the person has.
Liz and her father are forced to run because the government and the coalition want her. They both have different agendas but they have one thing in common they want her. Liz and her father find a small town named Pound, West Virginia to move to. Liz is very excited to be starting her life over again so much so that she makes friends. One of those friends is a boy Carey Drake. Carey is gorgeous, funny, smart, and charming. So much so that he tales Liz breath away. Then she touches Carey and downloads his brain and finds out that Carey is hiding a secret to. He has abilities as well and keeps them to himself.
Liz is worried about her and Carey because she is being stalked by the coalition and a worker from the coalition has found her and is stalking her. It is time for Liz to chose what side she will be on. Will she help the coalition or will she let the government take her? What will happen to Carey? What will happen to her father? Liz will have to make some tough decisions but in the end will her love for her father and Carey be enough for her?
August 20, 2012
This story is amazing. I've read other "mind reading" focused books before, but this one is different (though admittedly I haven't read that many). Instead of being driven by her ability, Liz does her best to leave it dormant; the story is instead about what happens to her because of that.
When I first starting reading this book I thought that Liz was very judgmental and harsh. Then I found out what she's been through, along with everything she knows, and her perception is completely understandable (and accurate). I really liked the dynamics of the different characters, and the speed of the book.
The overall plot stays the same, but wrenches keep getting thrown in. Although Liz is way ahead of her classmates emotionally, she is still able to grow as a character and it is really heart-warming to see her experience things "normal" teenagers get to. I really like that the end of the book reveals more about a minor character that puts things in perspective.
Relationships between characters is nice - Liz runs the entire gambit: father/daughter, boyfriend/girlfriend, and simply, friend. For the most part her relationships are VERY loving, which is unusual. That being said, since she really only has her dad to rely on, it only works that they're super close.
My only two concerns are: 1) that the characters are kind of all the same: the "good" characters are very good looking, and the "bad" characters...hhmmm aren't described that much beyond their personalities and external actions; and 2) a few mistakes/typos:
p177 missing period last sentence on page
p288 extra space between quotation mark and word
I would recommend this book for SURE! Mostly to YA fans, but to any one who enjoys a well-written story. Bit of romance, and lots of mind-reading this is a great read.
When I first starting reading this book I thought that Liz was very judgmental and harsh. Then I found out what she's been through, along with everything she knows, and her perception is completely understandable (and accurate). I really liked the dynamics of the different characters, and the speed of the book.
The overall plot stays the same, but wrenches keep getting thrown in. Although Liz is way ahead of her classmates emotionally, she is still able to grow as a character and it is really heart-warming to see her experience things "normal" teenagers get to. I really like that the end of the book reveals more about a minor character that puts things in perspective.
Relationships between characters is nice - Liz runs the entire gambit: father/daughter, boyfriend/girlfriend, and simply, friend. For the most part her relationships are VERY loving, which is unusual. That being said, since she really only has her dad to rely on, it only works that they're super close.
My only two concerns are: 1) that the characters are kind of all the same: the "good" characters are very good looking, and the "bad" characters...hhmmm aren't described that much beyond their personalities and external actions; and 2) a few mistakes/typos:
p177 missing period last sentence on page
p288 extra space between quotation mark and word
I would recommend this book for SURE! Mostly to YA fans, but to any one who enjoys a well-written story. Bit of romance, and lots of mind-reading this is a great read.
October 26, 2012
While the idea of this story isn't unique, a girl with the ability to read minds, the idea and actual storyline is.
A girl that not only reads minds, but downloads all their life history, thoughts memories, desires, you name it, she gets it. And not only does she have this ability by simply touching someone, she doesn't want it and refuses to use it.
I have to say, I really liked Liz. She was a pretty terrific character. She was strong and stood up for what was right and she was even a little kick butt. She had some truly horrific things happen to her because of her ability and she didn't let them rule her. She didn't let those things change who she was. She still managed to be caring and kind and loving.
Carey was a good match for her. Not only was he not what he seemed to be too, but he cared for Liz and helped her and was there for her when it really mattered. They were both a little lost and lonely until they meet each other.
V.J., Liz's dad and Nurse Nora were all great secondary characters that helped make this book the fun action packed read it was.
I love that we got all the details about Liz, her life before her abilities, how she got them and about her life on the run. Nothing really was left out and all my questions were answered. It seems like lately I can't say that about all the books I read so I really appreciated not being left in the dark for once and having everything out there in the open.
If you are looking for something a little bit different and not your typical mind reading action packed story, then this is a read that you really should give a try to. It was very well written and the ending wasn't a cliffhanger yet it did leave it open for a sequel, something that I am hoping there will be.
A girl that not only reads minds, but downloads all their life history, thoughts memories, desires, you name it, she gets it. And not only does she have this ability by simply touching someone, she doesn't want it and refuses to use it.
I have to say, I really liked Liz. She was a pretty terrific character. She was strong and stood up for what was right and she was even a little kick butt. She had some truly horrific things happen to her because of her ability and she didn't let them rule her. She didn't let those things change who she was. She still managed to be caring and kind and loving.
Carey was a good match for her. Not only was he not what he seemed to be too, but he cared for Liz and helped her and was there for her when it really mattered. They were both a little lost and lonely until they meet each other.
V.J., Liz's dad and Nurse Nora were all great secondary characters that helped make this book the fun action packed read it was.
I love that we got all the details about Liz, her life before her abilities, how she got them and about her life on the run. Nothing really was left out and all my questions were answered. It seems like lately I can't say that about all the books I read so I really appreciated not being left in the dark for once and having everything out there in the open.
If you are looking for something a little bit different and not your typical mind reading action packed story, then this is a read that you really should give a try to. It was very well written and the ending wasn't a cliffhanger yet it did leave it open for a sequel, something that I am hoping there will be.
March 4, 2013
Ooh, ooh, ooh. I really liked this book. :)
That's always a good start to a review, right?
The plot in this book was forward moving at all times. I never felt stagnant or bored. It had an excellent build up and I felt just like I was watching a movie. You know the movie where the characters are walking right into trouble and you are yelling at them, "NO! Don't do it!"? That was this book for me. Well, at least the ending of this book was that sentence. I just love reading a book where somewhere along the lines I become invested in the story and I care about what is happening.
I loved the characters. I love Liz and I love her dad. Liz has moved around a lot and it's hard to fit in when you are different. The gloves she has to wear so she doesn't "download" people causes her to stand out as different. Her struggles and abilities make her both vulnerable and strong. It was both of those things that really made me love Liz.
When Liz meets Carey, the slow sizzle begins. Carey is everything hero-ish. Honest to goodness hero. Think knight in shining armor, Captain America hero. You just can't go wrong with Carey. Liz accidentally downloads Carey but I love how she doesn't access all his thoughts and memories because she wants to learn about him from him.
This was an easy to read book. It had all the elements that make me love reading. A great plot that moves forward, characters that I love to love (and hate) a paranormal aspect and romance too. I'm glad I was able to read and review this book as part of this blog tour.
Content: There was some swearing, teenage drinking and some violence.
That's always a good start to a review, right?
The plot in this book was forward moving at all times. I never felt stagnant or bored. It had an excellent build up and I felt just like I was watching a movie. You know the movie where the characters are walking right into trouble and you are yelling at them, "NO! Don't do it!"? That was this book for me. Well, at least the ending of this book was that sentence. I just love reading a book where somewhere along the lines I become invested in the story and I care about what is happening.
I loved the characters. I love Liz and I love her dad. Liz has moved around a lot and it's hard to fit in when you are different. The gloves she has to wear so she doesn't "download" people causes her to stand out as different. Her struggles and abilities make her both vulnerable and strong. It was both of those things that really made me love Liz.
When Liz meets Carey, the slow sizzle begins. Carey is everything hero-ish. Honest to goodness hero. Think knight in shining armor, Captain America hero. You just can't go wrong with Carey. Liz accidentally downloads Carey but I love how she doesn't access all his thoughts and memories because she wants to learn about him from him.
This was an easy to read book. It had all the elements that make me love reading. A great plot that moves forward, characters that I love to love (and hate) a paranormal aspect and romance too. I'm glad I was able to read and review this book as part of this blog tour.
Content: There was some swearing, teenage drinking and some violence.
January 26, 2013
I found this book on a list of free e-books and thought it sounded promising - luckily, I was not disappointed!
Liz Hannigan is a sixteen year old girl with a powerful secret, one that a top secret government agency would kill for. After waking up from a year-long coma caused by a horrific car wreck that killed her mother, Liz discovered she was now able to read people's minds. In addition, when she touched someone she could hear all of their thoughts AND everything they had ever seen, touched, heard, etc. This particular ability was discovered by the bad guys, and they vowed to stop at nothing to make Liz a government tool to do their dastardly bidding. But what young girl doesn't want to eventually try to be normal? Make friends, go to parties, *gasp* have a boyfriend? Trying to be 'normal' could cost Liz her freedom, her new friends, and her life.
Highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys YA paranormal romances.
Liz Hannigan is a sixteen year old girl with a powerful secret, one that a top secret government agency would kill for. After waking up from a year-long coma caused by a horrific car wreck that killed her mother, Liz discovered she was now able to read people's minds. In addition, when she touched someone she could hear all of their thoughts AND everything they had ever seen, touched, heard, etc. This particular ability was discovered by the bad guys, and they vowed to stop at nothing to make Liz a government tool to do their dastardly bidding. But what young girl doesn't want to eventually try to be normal? Make friends, go to parties, *gasp* have a boyfriend? Trying to be 'normal' could cost Liz her freedom, her new friends, and her life.
Highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys YA paranormal romances.
February 26, 2013
Mattie pens "At First Touch", a YA paranormal romance in an exciting plot with well developed and realistic characters. This is not your normal "mind reading" psychic story line, but much different, the main character Liz "downloads" people. This tale it will grab you from the start. I read this is one afternoon and wanted more. Highly recommended for all readers whether your YA or adult that love the paranormal romance genre.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author which was provided for an honest review.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author which was provided for an honest review.
May 6, 2013
I downloaded for free on amazon. It is hard to believe that it is a self published book, it is good. Goes to show that publishing houses don't always go for talent. I wonder how many slush piles that is in? I would recommend this for ya audiences, it is ok for adult fiction, but I would say outstanding for ya.
March 15, 2013
I really enjoyed reading this book. It has a good story. A lot of great characters. Well written in my opinion. I liked the story of 16 year old Liz who has a power to know everything about a person just by one touch. A definite must read. Recommended
May 14, 2013
A great story that kept my interest most of the time. I can just look back 50 years ago and see how easy it is for teenagers to get themselves into difficult situations by accident. Just enough romance and adventure to keep the book interesting. Easy read.
May 19, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the premise was unique, and I absolutely loved the characters. The whole "touch" thing was interesting, and the love story was super sweet.
I will definitely read more from this author.
I will definitely read more from this author.
June 17, 2013
This book was so amazing!!!!! Is there a six star option? Because this book totally deserves it!
August 6, 2015
Blegh. It was a struggle to read this book, so much of the dialogue was either unrealistic or tragically cheesy that I found myself rolling my eyes and wanting to be done already.
April 13, 2013
Can you imagine what it would be like if you could read others minds? I remember as a child, playing games with friends, trying to figure out what the other was thinking. How we thought it would be really cool to be able to do that. As we all got older, the game stopped but you still wondered at times what others were thinking. Now imagine, with one touch, you could know not only what they were thinking, but their entire life story…the good, the bad and the ugly bits. That’s what life is like for the main character, Liz, and as we learn from her, it’s more than any person bargains for and comes with a hefty price.
As I was reading this book, I shared the premise with my coworkers. It led to a healthy discussion of what others would think if they could know what we were thinking at any given time. Some of us wondered what our husbands would think when we got the naughty thoughts about particular actors, for me Ian Somerhalder comes to mind, and we weren’t sure how our other half would react. We joked about it, but we all knew that we would never want anyone to know everything about us. We all have some kind of skeleton in our closet that we just want to keep there.
This story is a well thought out one with the author painting a vivid picture through her descriptive details. As you read, you find yourself in your own little movie and you are Liz with everything happening to an around you. In some books, you feel like you’re there but on the sidelines, with this one you are living through Liz’s eyes. Written in first person POV, you learn the life of Liz, her struggles, her triumphs, her heartaches, disappointments, tragedies, happiness and feeling of just wanting to be like everyone else…normal.
As the story plays out, you meet the hot headed Preston, the hottie with the secrets Carey, the new bestie V.J., a mercenary, FBI agents, The Coalition and more. You learn what happened to Liz to turn her from a normal kid to a walking, talking database. I say database, because along with learning everything about the people she comes in skin on skin contact with, she also is given the knowledge they have. Give her any subject and she can tell you more about it than a college professor who teaches it day in and day out. Physical combat, she can pull up the info on how to perform defensive and offensive moves at the drop of a hat. The thing is, other than her father and a group looking for her, nobody knows what she can do. People are led to believe that it’s OCD that has her wearing gloves all day.
You are drawn into the story after Liz and her father have yet moved to another town and she’s endearing yet another day as the new kid in school. She goes through a hell of a first day of school but through this finds herself wanting to finally plant some roots. She’s 16 and hasn’t had true friends in over 4 years and there are people at that school who she really wants to get to know better. And even though she dresses fully covered, even wearing pants and a long sleeve shirt with gloves to PE class, she finds that there are many people at this school that are truly excepting of the way she portrays herself than she’s ever experienced before. She finds herself in the fight of her life to be left alone by others to be able to live without the intrusions of those who want to just experiment on her. And this girl can fight!
What I liked? I liked feeling that I was Liz while the story played out. I wasn’t someone on the sidelines watching what was going on. The characters that the author brings to the table are ones you will find yourself loathing, repulsed, and rooting on along with Liz. You don’t feel like you’re in a guessing game with how she’s reacting to everything.
What didn’t I like? I found it interesting in just how quick she let people into her life this time around. Maybe the author did it to just get the story moving. I also found that there were many areas that were just way to drawn out. I guess you would say some fluff that could have just been shortened or left out altogether.
Do I recommend this book? Yes I do. I recommend this to anyone looking for a good paranormal read without all the clichés. For those looking for some suspense mixed with action. For anyone who just wants to think a bit outside of the box. I look forward to the second book in the First Touch series, which the author Mattie Dunman is currently working on.
As I was reading this book, I shared the premise with my coworkers. It led to a healthy discussion of what others would think if they could know what we were thinking at any given time. Some of us wondered what our husbands would think when we got the naughty thoughts about particular actors, for me Ian Somerhalder comes to mind, and we weren’t sure how our other half would react. We joked about it, but we all knew that we would never want anyone to know everything about us. We all have some kind of skeleton in our closet that we just want to keep there.
This story is a well thought out one with the author painting a vivid picture through her descriptive details. As you read, you find yourself in your own little movie and you are Liz with everything happening to an around you. In some books, you feel like you’re there but on the sidelines, with this one you are living through Liz’s eyes. Written in first person POV, you learn the life of Liz, her struggles, her triumphs, her heartaches, disappointments, tragedies, happiness and feeling of just wanting to be like everyone else…normal.
As the story plays out, you meet the hot headed Preston, the hottie with the secrets Carey, the new bestie V.J., a mercenary, FBI agents, The Coalition and more. You learn what happened to Liz to turn her from a normal kid to a walking, talking database. I say database, because along with learning everything about the people she comes in skin on skin contact with, she also is given the knowledge they have. Give her any subject and she can tell you more about it than a college professor who teaches it day in and day out. Physical combat, she can pull up the info on how to perform defensive and offensive moves at the drop of a hat. The thing is, other than her father and a group looking for her, nobody knows what she can do. People are led to believe that it’s OCD that has her wearing gloves all day.
You are drawn into the story after Liz and her father have yet moved to another town and she’s endearing yet another day as the new kid in school. She goes through a hell of a first day of school but through this finds herself wanting to finally plant some roots. She’s 16 and hasn’t had true friends in over 4 years and there are people at that school who she really wants to get to know better. And even though she dresses fully covered, even wearing pants and a long sleeve shirt with gloves to PE class, she finds that there are many people at this school that are truly excepting of the way she portrays herself than she’s ever experienced before. She finds herself in the fight of her life to be left alone by others to be able to live without the intrusions of those who want to just experiment on her. And this girl can fight!
What I liked? I liked feeling that I was Liz while the story played out. I wasn’t someone on the sidelines watching what was going on. The characters that the author brings to the table are ones you will find yourself loathing, repulsed, and rooting on along with Liz. You don’t feel like you’re in a guessing game with how she’s reacting to everything.
What didn’t I like? I found it interesting in just how quick she let people into her life this time around. Maybe the author did it to just get the story moving. I also found that there were many areas that were just way to drawn out. I guess you would say some fluff that could have just been shortened or left out altogether.
Do I recommend this book? Yes I do. I recommend this to anyone looking for a good paranormal read without all the clichés. For those looking for some suspense mixed with action. For anyone who just wants to think a bit outside of the box. I look forward to the second book in the First Touch series, which the author Mattie Dunman is currently working on.
May 22, 2013
"At First Touch" is an original and imaginative story about sixteen year old, Liz Hannigan, who after a near fatal accident and some medical tinkering develops the unusual ability to download a person's thoughts with a touch of her hand. Pursued for years by the FBI and a nefarious organization called the Coalition that wants to exploit her abilities, Liz and her father finally settle in the small town of Pound, West Virginia where her life becomes somewhat normal. It is in this town that Liz begins to make new friends like VJ and the mysterious Carey Drake with his striking good looks and athletic physique. Only when Liz is attacked by a Coalition agent and stalked by a sinister FBI officer does her life begin to unravel and she has to decide to flee or fight to stay in her new home.
Liz and her father are realistic and likeable characters; both struggle emotionally, wanting to protect each other, trust others and feel secure in a world filled with evil men that want to exploit Liz's gift. Thrasher is believable as the enigmatic FBI agent whose moral ethics, honesty and sense of justice wins the Hannigan's trust. Even though Preston Deene's characterized as arrogant and abusive I couldn't relate to him. His vengeful hatred of Liz is too sudden and too intense, bordering on psychotic.
VJ's personality is a contradiction, She's too down-to-earth and jovial for someone from a dysfunctional and unloving family.
Like Liz, Carey's a loner who has always stayed clear of emotional entanglements because of his secret. But,unlike Liz who continually questions her strong feelings and sudden connection to Carey, he's quickly obsessed by his infatuation for her. There seems to be no explanation in the story as to how Carey obtained his power, his connection to the police force and why, if he's a local hero, others in town haven't discovered his secret. Nonetheless this is an interesting story that's worth reading.
Liz and her father are realistic and likeable characters; both struggle emotionally, wanting to protect each other, trust others and feel secure in a world filled with evil men that want to exploit Liz's gift. Thrasher is believable as the enigmatic FBI agent whose moral ethics, honesty and sense of justice wins the Hannigan's trust. Even though Preston Deene's characterized as arrogant and abusive I couldn't relate to him. His vengeful hatred of Liz is too sudden and too intense, bordering on psychotic.
VJ's personality is a contradiction, She's too down-to-earth and jovial for someone from a dysfunctional and unloving family.
Like Liz, Carey's a loner who has always stayed clear of emotional entanglements because of his secret. But,unlike Liz who continually questions her strong feelings and sudden connection to Carey, he's quickly obsessed by his infatuation for her. There seems to be no explanation in the story as to how Carey obtained his power, his connection to the police force and why, if he's a local hero, others in town haven't discovered his secret. Nonetheless this is an interesting story that's worth reading.
January 4, 2015
4.5 Stars _ an enjoyable, light, teen read
I always start w a content rating:
Safely YA but not so neutered that the story is toothless. Some kissing and cuddling but very reserved and not edgy. The father in the story was a very good dad which is refreshing to see. Usually dad's are villains and moms are worse. No overt drug use and even the teen parties in the book were ,dotted, w parental observers to keep things in check. That scored high in my book for reality intruding on cliche. Was nice to see. In spite of all the good there were kids in the story w bad homes and distant parents but it wasn't overdone. Was some violence and some tense harassment type situations but all in all safe for younger YA readers.
The story:
Our nicely fleshed out, likeable and believable main character has (through an accident and medical Tom foolery by doctors) developed the ability to read people's minds. Before you sigh and say - not AGAIN! - let me say that this is a different angle and different take on the over played condition. Even the over done super duper special guy she meets at school was endurance and didn't make me want to hurl - though I did grumble as the cliche was just too prevalent for a pass. You have to go into this knowing it's a light teen read and - if you give it room to breathe I'm sure you'll enjoy the book. I did. It's not 5 stars but to be fair it's a hair over 4, well written and fun so I rounded up.
Good - light -fun book.
I always start w a content rating:
Safely YA but not so neutered that the story is toothless. Some kissing and cuddling but very reserved and not edgy. The father in the story was a very good dad which is refreshing to see. Usually dad's are villains and moms are worse. No overt drug use and even the teen parties in the book were ,dotted, w parental observers to keep things in check. That scored high in my book for reality intruding on cliche. Was nice to see. In spite of all the good there were kids in the story w bad homes and distant parents but it wasn't overdone. Was some violence and some tense harassment type situations but all in all safe for younger YA readers.
The story:
Our nicely fleshed out, likeable and believable main character has (through an accident and medical Tom foolery by doctors) developed the ability to read people's minds. Before you sigh and say - not AGAIN! - let me say that this is a different angle and different take on the over played condition. Even the over done super duper special guy she meets at school was endurance and didn't make me want to hurl - though I did grumble as the cliche was just too prevalent for a pass. You have to go into this knowing it's a light teen read and - if you give it room to breathe I'm sure you'll enjoy the book. I did. It's not 5 stars but to be fair it's a hair over 4, well written and fun so I rounded up.
Good - light -fun book.
February 4, 2013
At first, I was hesitant to read this book. I thought there would be no romance and not much young adult stuff like school and popularity. But boy, was I wrong! Just the first page blew me off.
The book kind of started off at Liz's new school. Awesome book man! I love this book. And Carey is just so hot. I just don't think the name is that appealing though.
This book have just the right romance, the right suspense. The right mysterious moments. The right everything. Omg. So, yes, I definitely recommend this book to suspense and romance lovers.
This book reminds me a bit of Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi because of the whole touch thing going on. If you touch someone, they die. If you touch someone, you can download all there memories. Both main characters are girls with about the same age and both are 'special' The only big difference is that Shatter Me is dystopian young adult and At First Touch is more of a contemporary young adult filled suspense.
Kind of also like Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris which is also a contemporary young adult filled with suspense.
At First Touch is also like Shatter Me because of the hot, sexy guy the girl meets and starts dating. *squeals* Both Carey and Adam is so sexy though. ;))))))
Anyways, I had a really wonderful time reading this book and zoomed through it in no time. ;D
I rate this book a 9!
The book kind of started off at Liz's new school. Awesome book man! I love this book. And Carey is just so hot. I just don't think the name is that appealing though.
This book have just the right romance, the right suspense. The right mysterious moments. The right everything. Omg. So, yes, I definitely recommend this book to suspense and romance lovers.
This book reminds me a bit of Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi because of the whole touch thing going on. If you touch someone, they die. If you touch someone, you can download all there memories. Both main characters are girls with about the same age and both are 'special' The only big difference is that Shatter Me is dystopian young adult and At First Touch is more of a contemporary young adult filled suspense.
Kind of also like Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris which is also a contemporary young adult filled with suspense.
At First Touch is also like Shatter Me because of the hot, sexy guy the girl meets and starts dating. *squeals* Both Carey and Adam is so sexy though. ;))))))
Anyways, I had a really wonderful time reading this book and zoomed through it in no time. ;D
I rate this book a 9!
May 5, 2013
I nabbed this book for free on Amazon, and was intrigued by the synopsis. It was an engaging read, I really enjoyed it and even though the flow of events at the climax was fairly predictable, it wasn't cliched or annoying. I do wish Liz had gone into more detail about her time in the Coalition's custody...it could have been a bit more dark while still staying completely appropriate for a YA novel.
My only quibble was at times I felt like I was reading Twilight...I'm fine with Carey being all , but with lines like this:
Are we sure the Cullens didn't settle in Pound?
Anyway, I'll stop with the snark. I truly did enjoy this book and would absolutely recommend it to YA and adult readers alike. I definitely look forward to seeing what the author does with the next book in the series!
My only quibble was at times I felt like I was reading Twilight...I'm fine with Carey being all , but with lines like this:
He looked fantastic, dark and dangerous. Carey was dressed in faded jeans that hugged him in an enthralling manner and a tight black button down with the top three buttons undone, exposing a healthy amount of smooth, beautifully sculpted chest.
Are we sure the Cullens didn't settle in Pound?
Anyway, I'll stop with the snark. I truly did enjoy this book and would absolutely recommend it to YA and adult readers alike. I definitely look forward to seeing what the author does with the next book in the series!
April 4, 2016
Wanting to read the next book in this series. Interesting character with a unique twist.
The character is an unusual female lead who has had to grow up in a hurry....while on the run. After a tragic accident, Liz Hannigan wakes up to a new life with powers that enable her to truly know everything about anyone who she touches. This may sound useful but it, in fact, leads to many complications with those who learn about the skill wanting to use Liz for their own purposes.
Finally Liz finds herself in a small town in West Virginia in her senior year with friends and a possible boyfriend. She would love nothing more than to stay and enjoy a normal life with her wonderfully supportive father.
Unfortunately for Liz, several sinister forces are threatening to destroy her newfound happiness.
This is an engrossing, exciting read with intriguing layers of action and personalities that make a reader have a hard time putting it down. I'm hoping to see more about this character.
The character is an unusual female lead who has had to grow up in a hurry....while on the run. After a tragic accident, Liz Hannigan wakes up to a new life with powers that enable her to truly know everything about anyone who she touches. This may sound useful but it, in fact, leads to many complications with those who learn about the skill wanting to use Liz for their own purposes.
Finally Liz finds herself in a small town in West Virginia in her senior year with friends and a possible boyfriend. She would love nothing more than to stay and enjoy a normal life with her wonderfully supportive father.
Unfortunately for Liz, several sinister forces are threatening to destroy her newfound happiness.
This is an engrossing, exciting read with intriguing layers of action and personalities that make a reader have a hard time putting it down. I'm hoping to see more about this character.
May 14, 2013
The premise of this book pulled me in and did not let go till I was finished. Liz wakes up after being in a coma for a year with abilities, she can download every fact, memory from somebody with only a touch.
After being abducted she and her dad are living a life on the run. The Coalition wants her back, they can use a girl like her.
Liz and her father end up in a small town called Pound. Here at school she meets Carey, and he to is special.
This was a nice read the plot was not new but worked out o.k.
After being abducted she and her dad are living a life on the run. The Coalition wants her back, they can use a girl like her.
Liz and her father end up in a small town called Pound. Here at school she meets Carey, and he to is special.
This was a nice read the plot was not new but worked out o.k.
April 25, 2016
The premise of the book is good, the idea original ish (what IS original now though, show me an idea that hasn't been thought a million times) but it was a simple cut and dry clean read for me. Not very complex but decently written enough that I didn't get pulled out of the story wondering 'wtf?'
The protagonist has a good voice I think is what I'm saying.
But it wasn't the kind of book that I have to put down for a few minutes to quell my anxiety, I wasn't that invested. But still, it was good.
The protagonist has a good voice I think is what I'm saying.
But it wasn't the kind of book that I have to put down for a few minutes to quell my anxiety, I wasn't that invested. But still, it was good.
May 7, 2013
I like the idea of this book a lot, but I did find myself thinking how the main character wasn't being very smart a lot of the time. I mean she has been on the run for years, but just doesn't think sometimes. Though it wasn't as bad as some authors would have made it, it also wasn't really great either. I think there was a lot of potential, but the story just wasn't as good as I had hoped.
May 17, 2013
It was a very nice read, the story was good, well put together and the characters were likeable. It played out like a movie. I loved that although the "para normal" was the cause of the problems, the focus was not only on that. The problems were also worked out on a relatable fashion imo.
I would recommend
I would recommend
August 17, 2018
Different
I quite like this book, the concept is new-to me anyway. I really wanted this to be part of a series to see the characters develop and find out what happens next but haven't found anything that says there will be more books.
This is an easy read. Yes the relationship is a little but cringy but it's a young adult book so I don't mind it.
I quite like this book, the concept is new-to me anyway. I really wanted this to be part of a series to see the characters develop and find out what happens next but haven't found anything that says there will be more books.
This is an easy read. Yes the relationship is a little but cringy but it's a young adult book so I don't mind it.
June 14, 2013
I didn't want to put this book down. I loved the story, the great attention to details, and the unique special ability. I say this is a must read for young adults and adults alike. It's hard to believe this is self published. It is so good. I can't wait to read more from this author.
May 6, 2015
Interesting
As I read it was as though this is a real possibility of happening. The author used his talent of imagination and realism to keep you glued to his storyline. Ages from teenagers to adult females would enjoy this and keeping you wanting to turn the page. Very good read.
As I read it was as though this is a real possibility of happening. The author used his talent of imagination and realism to keep you glued to his storyline. Ages from teenagers to adult females would enjoy this and keeping you wanting to turn the page. Very good read.
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