Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Blog Tour ~ Review: The Architect of Song by A.G. Howard + Giveaway (INT)

Welcome to my stop of blog tour of The Architect of Song by A.G. Howard.
This book was so great, one of my favorites of the year! Don't forget to enter the amazing giveaway (open internationally!) below and to check out the other blog stops. ♥



Title: The Architect of Song
Author: A.G. Howard
Series: Haunted Hearts Legacy #1
Publication: August 15th 2016 by Golden Orb Press

Genre: New Adult ~ Historical Romance
Purchase: Amazon

Rating: 5/5

Review copy received in exchange for an honest review.

A lady imprisoned by deafness, an architect imprisoned by his past, and a ghost imprisoned within the petals of a flower - intertwine in this love story that transcends life and death.

For most of her life, nineteen-year-old Juliet Emerline has subsisted – isolated by deafness – making hats in the solitude of her home. Now, she’s at risk to lose her sanctuary to Lord Nicolas Thornton, a twenty-seven-year-old mysterious and eccentric architect with designs on her humble estate. When she secretly witnesses him raging beside a grave, Juliet investigates, finding the name “Hawk” on the headstone and an unusual flower at the base. The moment Juliet touches the petals, a young English nobleman appears in ghostly form, singing a song only her deaf ears can hear. The ghost remembers nothing of his identity or death, other than the one name that haunts his afterlife: Thornton.

To avenge her ghostly companion and save her estate, Juliet pushes aside her fear of society and travels to Lord Thornton’s secluded holiday resort, posing as a hat maker in one of his boutiques. There, she finds herself questioning who to trust: the architect of flesh and bones who can relate to her through romantic gestures, heartfelt notes, and sensual touches … or the specter who serenades her with beautiful songs and ardent words, touching her mind and soul like no other man ever can. As sinister truths behind Lord Thornton’s interest in her estate and his tie to Hawk come to light, Juliet is lured into a web of secrets. But it’s too late for escape, and the tragic love taking seed in her heart will alter her silent world forever.

International and NYT bestselling author, A.G. Howard, brings her darkly magical and visual/visceral storytelling to Victorian England. The Architect of Song is the first installment in her lush and romantic Haunted Hearts Legacy series, a four book gothic saga following the generations of one family as - haunted by both literal and figurative ghosts - they search for self-acceptance, love, and happiness.

New Adult: Recommended for ages 17+.


This book was gorgeous, simply gorgeous. I had high expectations and I'm so glad they were all met. I knew this was going to be a great read but it still took me by surprise in the best way possible. 

The heroine of this book, nineteen-year-old Juliet Emerline was really interesting and I liked her so much.  As the summary says, she is quite isolated by her deafness until she risks losing her home to Lord Thornton. A lot of mystery surround him as well as a ghost of an young English nobleman that appear when Juliet touches the petals of a unique flower she found on a headstone that has the name "Hawk" on. Together with the ghost she goes to investigate when she visits Lord Thornton's manor. 

Juliet was really a great heroine. I also liked the ghost Hawk, and Lord Thornton also, even though I wasn't totally sure he was actually a good guy. This book really made me go back and forth between these two men. I don't want to reveal how they are connected or if  both of them are indeed good guys or not but holy plot twist, this author knows how to shock me.

The romance was so amazing, so beautiful. And yes, there was a love triangle, sort of, in a complicated way but it's one written so well that I don't even care about that. Both men envoked a lot of feelings in Juliet that she always wanted to explore. Honestly, I loved them both to bits and pieces. They were just swoon-worthy. I have no other word for them.

The mystery about Hawk and Thornton was kind of driving me crazy. I wanted to know what was going on and who Juliet could actually trust. And I thought the end was a little sad but actually pretty perfect also.

Overall, The Architect of Song by A.G. Howard was the perfect gothic novel. Set in Victorian England, it had a dark atmosphere, a ghost surrounded by mystery, captivating romance and the writing was oh so beautiful. I can't wait for the next three books in the Haunted Hearts Legacy series!




       About the Author:

A.G. Howard was inspired to write SPLINTERED while working at a school library. She always wondered what would've happened had the subtle creepiness of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland taken center stage, and she hopes her darker and funkier tribute to Carroll will inspire readers to seek out the stories that won her heart as a child.

When she's not writing, A.G.'s pastimes are reading, rollerblading, gardening, and family vacations which often include impromptu side trips to 18th century graveyards or condemned schoolhouses to appease her overactive muse.

                   

Giveaway!


All tour prizes (INTL): 
 2 - signed The Architect of Song paperbacks 
 3 - The Architect of Song e-books 
 1 - heart locket necklace 
 1 - Architect of Song poster 
 1 - faux leather journal 
 1 - 5X7 musical print 
 3 - The Architect of Song swag packs 
 1 – LitCube surprise box 
 13 separate winners

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/25/2016 - Dark Faerie Tales - Guest Post-Hybrid Author
7/25/2016 - a GREAT read - Review

7/26/2016 - Lisa Loves Literature - Review
7/26/2016 - Bookfever - Review

7/27/2016 - Fiktshun - Character Interview
7/27/2016 - The Cover Contessa - Review

7/28/2016 - The Reading Café - Review
7/28/2016 - Adventures of a Book Junkie - Review

7/29/2016 - Please Feed the bookworm - Review
7/29/2016 - 21st Century Once Upon A Times - Review

Week Two:

8/1/2016 - Once Upon a Twilight - Exclusive Excerpt
8/1/2016 - Ramblings of a Daydreamer - Review

8/2/2016 - My Friends Are Fiction - Guest Post- Fashion
8/2/2016 - Sarcasm & Lemons - Review

8/3/2016 - Cornerfolds - Review 
8/3/2016 - BookHounds YA - Review

8/4/2016 - Bookiemoji - Exclusive Excerpt
8/4/2016 - Owl Always Be Reading - Review

8/5/2016 - Mundie Moms - Review
8/5/2016 - Two Chicks on Books - Guest Post- Playlist



8 comments:

  1. Thank you for the post and the giveaway!

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  2. Oooh, I should check this one out. I loved SPLINTERED, and I lovvveeee gothic fiction. Great review :D

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  3. Historical fiction is my absolute favorite so I am super excited for this one!

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  4. Thank you so much for writing amazing stories.

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  5. This sounds amazing. The review says must read.

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  6. The book description sounds intriguing. Enjoyed the review. Thanks for sharing. Love the cover too.

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  7. Fabulous review and giveaway!! This book sounds fantastic. :D

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  8. I don't usually read historical reads. But the cover has my eye. Beautiful!

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