Just A Touch

The Triad #1

by Brittany DeLys

"To the one that receives this letter. Protect it with all you have. In the hands of the Reformers it would mean even greater trouble for us. The Triad must be found and the Chosen brought together. The fate of our people rests on this.”

All Arianna Shae wants is to get out of Bakers Ridge and away from everyone who knows everything about her. Beginning her senior year, she sees her moment of escape getting closer and her spirits begin to rise, that is until he arrives and her life takes an unexpected turn.

As a Guardian, Chase Melina has always known what he was meant to do: protect the Chosen. Sent out on his first assignment, he’s struck with the feeling that all is not what it seems. As strange things begin to happen, he becomes even more determined to keep his protégée safe, especially after seeing what she can do.

When their worlds collide Chase and Arianna must fight for their lives. Through torture, escape, new relationships, legends, and even death they are determined to find out the answers to the questions revolving around their destiny and ultimately fulfill a prophecy that could save them all.

ebook

First published August 1, 2013

About the author

Electrical Engineer by degree. Systems Engineer by profession. Author because I want to be.

I love God, my family, my church, and my friends.

I love reading (duh), writing (of course), all things chocolate, photography, and sweet tea.

One day I will take a cruise, swim with dolphins, and travel outside the US.

Reviews

[Julie Darley (Never judge a Book by its Movie) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not too sure where to start with this review. I was sent a copy of this book from the author for an honest review. I’ve been quite good at picking which books I chose to read with the intent of putting my thoughts down because my hope is I can give a great review. Thus helping the author.

This is not so my page has shining happy stars, but because I know how hard it is out there to have your work noticed, and to have your lovingly, crafted work slated is even harder.

So, here’s my thoughts. I loved to blurb, that is what had me saying yes to reading it. I love all things mystical and the words Guardian and Chosen had me full of hope. The story starts out well, Brittany has a comfortable style of writing that is easy and pleasing to read. I started out liking the main character Arianna a lot.I also quickly liked her best friend Sarah a.k.a Sam.

The story started out well. Arianna wakes up with a major headache in the middle of the woods, with no recollection of how she got there. Calling for help brings her nothing but two mysterious figures that knock her out…again. Then we jump to 5 days earlier. At this point I’m thinking I have a goodie on my hands.

It’s the first day of school, Arianna is nervous, happy and wanting the year to pass quickly so she can get out of the small town she lives in and head to California. She also thinks she’s being watched. At school she comes face to face with Chase Melina and POW, there is a spark. Only her nemesis Charlotte warns her off, with her eyes and Arianna promptly takes up the threat and resolves to stay away from Chase. This is because of something that happened a year earlier, that never got explained despite it seemingly critical to how Arianna reacts to Chase.

What I began to struggle with was Chase was meant to be Arianna’s Guardian. Someone trained to fight against threats to the Chosen. Arianna, although she didn’t know it yet, was a Chosen. I was expecting to have all kinds of sparks between these two characters,after all the author alluded to it. There was really not much more than a flicker.

I also got slightly irritated with how perfect Arianna was. She went to school, did all her homework on time. Went to church, came home when her parents told her too. She just began to annoy me, I wanted her to have some rebel that came out. I also was not sure of Chase, he was a Guardian after all. The point that Arianna was snatched from her home, he failed massively and was also taken.

It all felt slightly one-dimensional, and barely scratching the surface of what I have to admit, could be a much greater story to tell. I felt the author was too afraid to get ‘blood’ on her hands and have these character’s hurt more, love deeper, and fight harder.

I liked Jade, the Seer. She had spark. However, the overall story left me flat. The escape was just too easy,I was expecting Chase to show us his fighting Guardian skills. Arianna to show some spunk and kick some ass but it was all slightly Disney to me.

This really wasn’t the book for me. Like I said, the story line was good and promising, I think if the author re-visited it again and put some depth, some grit and some flaws to the characters it would be an amazing story. As it stands, it’s too ‘perfect’ with an ending that is a little flat.

I’m also not a fan of the cover. I know first hand how much a cover can either kill you or save you. It’s a little cartoon for the story Brittany wants to convey.

[MyBookCushion · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Note: Received a FREE copy in exchange for an honest review

I loved simplicity of the story. How the author chooses to start the story was really good. Chapter 1 did leave a very nice impression about how this book is going to roll. It got me all intrigued that I decided on that chapter that this book is a good catch.

Characters were easy to visualize, especially Chase, Sam and Jade. They are my favorite characters here. I can relate to Chase being shadowed by his father's fame and how he tries to prove himself.

This book will pique your curiosity, cause the author did a very good job in making you want more information / more revelations. Though there were some dragging parts, the story redeemed itself by that unexpected (well, at least for me...) ending.

Read my Full Review: Just a Touch Brittany DeLys Book Review

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED the concept of this book. I loved the originality and how easy it was to fall into the story. It's action packed so you're never left wanting. Every chapter brings a new facet into the story...more characters, more depth, more history, more secrets and revelations. I liked how easy it was to love Ari and Chase. It's definitely not a book you want to pass on! It's appropriate for all readers.
More than anything I'm excited about book 2(A Fighting Chance). I know it's going to be epic!

[Katrina Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I know the author I can't be completely unbiased. Just A Touch is a unique story with vibrant characters. It's filled with action and keeps you reading just to find out what happens next. My favorite character is Chase, just because he was so easy to visualize. I can't wait for the next installment.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. It was very well written. Similar to the YA genres about teens with special gifts, etc. and coupled with a love story but still different. I'm looking forward to the next book

[Brittany DeLys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since my book has been out for 6 months now I will finally add my rating. :)

I'm the author so I'm a bit biased but I love it! The second one is even better so read up and get ready for book 2!!

[Vicki Trask · Rating 3 out of 5]

Right off the bat, I have to say that I found some of the narration to be passive and juvenile – like the author was over compensating for her high school characters by making them childish and some of her younger characters more mature. I often found myself scoffing with sarcastic abandon at how cheesy the description was. Even some of the dialogue didn’t quite feel right with its awkward phrasing and use of language. And the description, my god the description. Pages of exposition that the audience already knew. It was a bit much.

That being said; this was a great concept. Arianna is a typical girl about to turn 18: close with her family and friends while enduring the drama of being a high school student. I actually thought her part of the narrative was quite fitting. It helped us connect with her lovestruck, hormonal personality in a way we wouldn’t have been able to with a 3rd person style.

And the same goes for Chase. He’s smoking hot, loyal and charming with just a dash of naivety. He’s got the abandonment issues of a kid in private school but it’s not made into some angsty, dramatic subplot (which I was so grateful for). From his perspective we can see how much he cares for Arianna, how protective he is of those he loves, and how completely smitten he is for this girl – even if it is presented in such an eye-rolling manner.

You’ll see a lot of the same notes in my Random Notes While Reading:

· Chapter One: Trippy, dude, I like it.
· Wait, what?
· Such a random little quirk, I hope Sam’s name has meaning
· Okay, I approve of it
· Oh, you could just tell? (Note Sarcasm)
· Dun, dun, dun
· Why are there always three bitchy girls?
· It’s always a delicate balance between welcome and stalking
· Why don’t people have normal eyes in fiction?
· Or is that a love struck symptom?
· Nope. Just weird eyeballs all around
· Really? It was that big a leap to figure out her power?
· There’s a pause to describe the characters rather than the integration that keeps the narrative going
· I picture Elder Samuels with a beard, stroking it every few minutes
· Very subtle Kaleidoscope reference lol
· Oh sweetie, you’re so naïve, it’s adorable
· You’ve given no indication that this is anything but work and all of a sudden you have a feeling?
· Keep it in your pants, Chase
· Keep it in your pants, Ari
· Not. Subtle. Elder Samuels
· *cough* multiple personality disorder much, Charlotte?
· Of course you’re falling for her
· Clear Water Academy breeds hot stalkers; I’m conflicted
· “written all over her words” is an odd choice of words
· I think there was a smoother way for all this information to come out
· Surprise, surprise
· Actually purple can be a natural eye colour so…no, her eyes are not unnatural…
· But also, why are you obsessing over them?
· “Are you sure you’re human? Because your abs say otherwise.”
· Oh we all know what that vision was, you little shipper
· I like you, Jade
· The narrative very much fits with what we know of Arianna
· Chase is very honest; like he explains all the little details when he feels like sharing
· He isn’t human
· It’s official
· Oh look, Ari has the condition too
· Repeated exposition is repeated
· Okay that was pretty damn cool
· Oh Bianca, I like you already
· I’m glad the guardians aren’t machines like I pictured
· Oh come on, clueless, I know you’d never cheat (and you’re a guy) but seriously?
· Wait? A book that actually deals with daddy issues instead of letting them stew or end in a blowout?
· *hugs Brittany*
· You’re a very perceptive, very sassy little girl, Jade
· Did you just reenact that scene from Beauty and the Beast? *slow clap*
· You two are so cute I want to puke
· And that seems to be the consensus
· They’re all so happy and adorable; shit is about to hit the fan, isn’t it?
· Called it!
· Not that thing
· The other thing

There were all these little moments that made me squeal with glee: like the lack of father-son angst, despite the opportunity to do so; or the fact that it didn’t really end on a cliffhanger. The author just left all these questions on the table and walked away silently. And of course Book Two is already out so you don’t have to wait very long at all to find out what happens to the other members of the Triad.

[Chels · Rating 3 out of 5]

**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. **

Cover

Honestly, this cover makes me cry. It's pretty bad, no offence to whoever made it, but it's a little creepy. I'm a big fan of never judge a book buy its cover but that's the biggest reason why I'll pick up a book. The cover has to be decent at least for me to even look at it. The title might sound weird before reading it, but it's actually pretty clever now that I've finished the book. Props for that!

Initial Thoughts

The introduction was a little weird. It was the main character, alone in the woods and then it flashed back a couple of days to why she was in the woods. I feel like that part was a little unnecessary and could have been left out all together. Besides that, the rest of the introduction wasn't bad. It was a little creepy that Chase was following some girl around and nobody knew why, including himself.

My New BFF

Jade was pretty cool. She's only about 13 or so but she's pretty tough for her age. I love how funny she was and always said the best things. She was also really brave and could knock out a full grown man. Pretty impressive I think.

My Crush

Chase was probably the only important guy character. There were the bad guys and the parents but you didn't see a whole lot of them. Not that I'm complaining, Chase was enough for me. He was a little slow sometimes and he probably could have avoided his whole situation that he got in but he was really good at surviving out in the woods and he can really fight. I enjoyed being in his point of view more than Arianna's. He was a lot more entertaining, but he was a typical guy at some parts.

Writing Style

The writing wasn't perfect but it was still really good. The plot moved along at a good pace but it was the characters that made me only give it four stars. There was just something missing I thought. Maybe a braver heroine? Maybe the dialogue could have been a little less formal sometimes? Maybe all of the above? Who knows. All I could tell was that it just didn't get me hooked as fast as some of my favourites have.

Closing Thoughts

At the end, I really did enjoy reading this book. I'm excited to read the next one! The story was a little simple at times which could be the reason it didn't completely blow me away. They get kidnapped, they escape, all is well. Not really my kind of story. I did like the world that the author created and I liked the idea of the prophecy and how they have to find all these kids to fix the world. It was a cool idea, I just wish the author would have expanded some more. This could have easily been a much longer book and been wonderful at the same time.

I was a little upset with the romance between Chase and Arianna. There should have been a lot more spark in their relationship I think and it just wasn't there. It's almost like they're just dating for the fun of it. I was also a little disappointed with Arianna because she was a little too perfect for my liking. She did exactly everything her parents told her, she did all of her homework, she even went to church. I was hoping for a slightly more badass heroine.

[Olivia Gavilan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review and others can be found on my blog: fantasticfantasybookreviews.wordpress.com

Series status: 1st in a trilogy

Short version review:

• Characters: 3/5 – fairly well developed but none of them really stood out.

• Premise: 4/5 – straightforward teenage magic and prophecy. Fairly well developed and everything made sense in the world created.

• Plot: 4/5 – well done, well organized and developed in a sensible matter.

• Pacing: 5/5 – very good, kept my interest throughout. Was never boring or too fast. Well balanced, made
for a fun light read.

• Dialogue: 3/5 – ok, no clunkers of awkward phrasing, but nothing really stood out. Some instances of not being sufficiently vernacular.

• Imagery: 3/5 – descriptions of people were well done, I didn’t really notice one way or the other about imagery in general. Overall I was able to picture the scenes but didn’t get completely drawn into them.

• World building: 3/5 – high rating for coherency. The backstory and magic elements were well crafted in terms of making sense and not having major gaps. Lower rating for originality – this is a very standard book for the genre.

• Voice: 2/5 – the book was in the first person, switching between the points of view of the two main characters. I could tell who was who through their actions but they didn’t have a very developed voice, everything sounded the same.

• Romance:
• Amount: medium
• Explicit scenes: kissing only, low intensity
• Love triangle: none
• Notes: the romance is very young adult, but the relationship is a fairly healthy one.

• Overall comments: This book received 3/5 stars because while it is well crafted, it doesn’t really stand out. The only thing I would say is great in this book is the pacing. The next book in the series improves on several of the elements that aren’t great in Just A Touch, especially in character development. I would recommend reading Just A Touch as the first book in a steadily improving YA series, but don’t read it if you are looking for a literary book or something more than an entertaining light read.

Other books I’ve read like Just A Touch:
I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

***I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the author.***

I really, really enjoyed this book! I loved the characters. I loved the plot. I don't know why I thought this would be a "fae" type story but I'm kind of glad it's not. It's a different type of paranormal and Brittany DeLys explains the world masterfully. I can appreciate when an author describes what is happening and why, subtly enough that I don't have to question or become confused based on what's happening.

I thought Arianna was a great character (aside from the fact that she was an only child, a fact that I noticed more than once with her character throughout the story), as was Sam, Chase and Jade.

Arianna and Chase's chemistry worked just right, not jumping too quickly but having enough happen that it became swoonworthy.

I love the bond that formed between Jade and Arianna and am interested to see where it can go from here.

Also, that twist at the end....that is going to be major. I can't wait to read what happens next!

[Have Coffee Need Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arianna is special... not little bus special, more like she can pull bullets out of someone's chest special. Yeah, baby, this chick is magnetic. Well, no not really--but she is special and something about her really has been drawing Chase Melina in ever since he laid eyes on her. He doesn't know why he was sent to protect her but he does know that the feelings he has for her aren't impersonal and merely that of a Guardian and a Chosen.

Read More: Any Day That Ends In YA - Just A Touch by Brittany DeLys

[Shambhawi P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review to come.