Rebel Soul ~ Blog Tour & Review

TITLE: Rebel Soul

SERIES: Rebel Series Book 1

AUTHOR: J.C. Hannigan

RELEASE DATE: June 1st, 2016

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Tessa Armstrong has one more summer at home before heading off to college with her best friend. She’s been counting down the months, waiting to be free of her overbearing brothers and overprotective father — not to mention getting out of the small, suffocating town she’s grown up in.

The one thing Tessa doesn't count on is falling in love, least of all with Brock Miller. He’s the kind of boy her father has always warned her about. He’s older, mysterious, and a little dangerous. Brock has had a hard past, and the whole town not only knows it, but won’t let him forget.

Brock has come back to take care of his ailing mother and struggling younger siblings. He doesn’t have time to fall in love, especially with one of the town’s darlings, but sometimes, love comes fast and fierce.

Can Tessa and Brock find a way to each other despite their pasts and the obstacles their families present?

The clearing was shaped like a circle, with the access road on the south side. Directly across from it was an old but clean looking trailer. Before I could ask who’d brought the camper, Elle was darting off to join Braden at the fire pit in the center of the clearing. I watched as she leaned into him and whispered in his ear. He grinned, nodding at her with an affectionate smile as she ran her hand along his chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him and pressing a slow, tender kiss to her lips. For a moment, a small swell of jealousy pressed down on me. Not because it was Braden, but because I wanted that. I wanted someone to kiss me slowly; I wanted to feel strong arms around me. I wanted intimacy and tender touches. I glanced around the party, noting there wasn’t anyone even remotely interesting around. These were all guys that I’d gone to school with, or guys that were Braden’s and Tommy’s friends. None of them made my heart beat faster and my palms sweat. Hell, I got a better chemical reaction from shooting a bow and hitting my target than with any of the guys around this lame town. One reason to really wish the summer away: college meant more of a selection. Elle saw me sulking and reluctantly pulled away from Braden. “What’s up?” she asked, frowning at the sullen look on my face. “Nothing.” I sighed. “I don’t buy that,” she called me out, jutting her hip out and propping her hand on it with her certain brand of attitude. I fixed her with a serious stare. “I promise that I’m fine. Just...please tell me we’re still sharing a tent and that Braden won’t be in it?” I raised my brows, pleading with her. Elle smiled at me brightly, her white teeth flashing in the moonlight. “Don’t worry about it! Braden’s sharing a tent with Ezra. Unless you want to share a tent with him…” Elle trailed off, smirking as her hip bumped into mine. “Um, no. I’m good.” I made a face, my memories drawn to the one time when Ezra and I hooked up. It was a year before the Corbin Little incident. I was sixteen and Ezra was seventeen, his license still fresh in his hand when he asked me out to the movies. We’d mutually decided to skip the movie and drive around in his truck, and one thing led to another. Although Ezra was sweet, he wasn’t experienced and neither was I for that matter. The whole situation was awkward, painful, unpleasant, and completely overrated. Definitely not worth the black eye that Ezra got when Tommy found out. I definitely had no desire to relive that night. “So, whose camper is that?” She glanced up, looking towards the trailer. A guilty look befell her face. “That’s Braden’s brother’s trailer,” she said innocently, shrugging. She wasn’t meeting my eyes. “Braden’s brother?” I repeated, blinking slowly. “Yeah, I think that’s him now.” Elle grinned, nodding towards the headlights that were focused on us as a truck pulled up. My eyes widened as I took in the new Ford F-250 with huge, monstrous tires and floodlights. He parked carelessly with the other vehicles lining our makeshift party area and got out, leaving the lights pointed directly at our little group. “Hey, Brock! Glad you could make it.” Braden smiled, his entire demeanor changing as his older brother slowly walked up to us. Brock had a dark, grim look on his face, as if this was exactly where he didn’t want to be. He was carrying two ten gallon jugs of water effortlessly. He set them down a little ways away from the fire. “Get the rest of the water from my truck,” Brock ordered, his eyes narrowing in on Braden’s face. His voice prompted butterflies to explode in my belly. It was deep, gravelly, and full of authority. Brock had the kind of voice and rugged good looks that made girls swoon. My eyes drank him in. His dark hair was wet, as if he’d just stepped out of the shower, and bits of it fell across his forehead. He had a strong, chiseled jaw, a five o’clock shadow and the most sensual lips I’d ever seen. I had the most ridiculous urge to step towards him and run my hands through all that hair. The way his Wrangler jeans clung to his muscular thighs made my mouth water. He looked like a damn cover model for some country living magazine. He looked a thousand times better than I remembered. Not good, not good at all! I thought, desperately seeking some kind of flaw in him that I could latch on to. Even his clothes made me drool, or perhaps it was the way he wore them. He was dressed in well-worn cowboy boots and a black t-shirt that clung to the muscles in his strong arms. Arms that looked capable of hard labor; arms that I’d love to have wrapped around me. Elle elbowed me sharply, giggling. I hadn’t realized I was noticeably gawking at the man standing less than a foot away from me, but I couldn’t help it. The guys I was used to seeing around weren’t built like Brock. They didn’t even come close to being built like Brock. He glanced over, his brow furrowing as his eyes landed on me. I clamped my jaw shut and tried to force my eyes away from his, but he had some kind of pull on me. I couldn’t stop staring at him and he was staring right back. His eyes were every bit as intriguing as I remembered, but the easy dimpled smile was definitely not present. Brock Miller looked hostile and every bit as dangerous as they said he was…and still, I couldn’t stop staring. “Yeah, yeah,” Braden grumbled, effectively breaking whatever strange spell had overcome us. Brock’s eyes tore from my face and he watched as his brother stomped over to his truck. A second later, a menacing deep bark sounded from in the cab. Braden yelped and flew backwards, away from the snarling dog sitting inside. Brock smiled slowly, the dimple appearing just above the left corner of his lip. He put his fingers to his lips and whistled. The dog leapt from the open window and growled at Braden. Brock whistled once again. Obediently, the dog walked up and sat down at Brock’s feet, still watching Braden carefully. The dog was huge and beautiful, a German shepherd mix from the looks of it. Absently, Brock’s hand dropped down to pat the dog on the head. “I hope you’re going to control that fucking mutt,” Braden seethed, his face red with embarrassment. “I don’t want it barking all night.” Brock sent him a single look that had Braden clamping his mouth shut and fetching the rest of the water jugs from the back of the truck. It seemed that Brock had an undeniable power over those around him. Me, Braden, the dog, even Elle watched with wide eyes. I grabbed Elle’s arm again, dragging her further away from both Brock and Braden. I felt light headed, and I didn’t like it at all. “Why didn’t you tell me he was going to be here? If my father finds out, he’s going to flip!” “Chill out, Tessa. Your father isn’t going to find out…I promise.” Elle’s eyes were filled with sincerity. “And really, there’s nothing wrong with Brock.” “Didn’t he just get out of jail for aggravated assault?” I retorted, folding my arms across my chest. I was suddenly cold; the good mood I’d been in earlier had long since evaporated in a puff of smoke, replaced with a swirling number of complicated emotions and reactions that I couldn’t even begin to sift through. “Yes, but you don’t know the reason why,” Elle said, as if this should make all the difference in the world. Elle noticed my unimpressed are you serious stare. She smiled sadly. “Tessa, your world is always so black and white. Sometimes, things fall in the grey area. Trust me when I tell you, this is one of those things. He is one of those things.” I wrinkled my nose, resenting my friend for calling me out. “Fine, but don’t expect me to talk to him. I barely tolerate Braden.” “I know,” Elle said without humor. She pursed her lips as if she had more to say. Instead, she forced a smile. “Let’s go get a drink.”
 
 
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review Copy provided by Author

JC has done it again!
In Rebel Soul, we meet Tessa and Brock. She is the youngest (and only girl) of four and just starting her last summer before heading off to college. Her widowed father and older brothers have just a *few* issues with her growing up. Brock is several years older, he is the oldest of 3 and has returned to their small hometown because of his mother's illness.
The sparks between these two fly almost immediately! While their relationship is sweet to watch, this story is really about much more than a May -December romance. (Okay - don't yell! In the grand scheme 6 years isn't THAT much older, but she's only 18 and he has a lot more life experience than she does.)
This story is just as much about a young woman spreading her wings and the changes that brings to family relationships. Friendships, families, and even other romantic relationships come into play during Rebel Soul. There is also a lesson about judging a book by it's cover - something the community around Tessa and Brock is very guilty of doing where he's concerned.
This is well written with characters and situations that pull you in and have you wanting to know what happens next - something I expect from Ms. Hannigan. My only complaint - there are times when Tessa seems older than 18 - especially during intimate moments, there were a couple of things that seemed slightly out of character from the way she had been described in other places in the book.
Overall, Rebel Soul is a great read and a great introduction to the series. I am looking forward to seeing where we go next!


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1) I originally started writing Rebel Soul for my best friend, Jessica Dawn. Jessica loves my books, but said on more than one occasion that she wanted me to write a "Redneck Romance", just for her. This is more country than redneck ('cause when I picture rednecks, I picture the guys from Duck Dynasty or beer guts and moonshine), but the whole thing couldn't have happened without Jessica's demands for a redneck romance. 2) Tessa's father, Bill Armstrong, was mostly inspired by my own father; mainly his protective nature, traditional views, and strong family values. Bill has good intentions at heart; he just wants what's best for Tessa. 3) Growing up, I always wanted brothers. I had three sisters and we were always fighting! I wanted to give Tessa a lot of brothers, and I wanted them to annoy her in a completely different way ('cause sisters sort of ignore each other, but they don't overly get involved with your dating choices. Well, aside from telling exactly how they feel -- they won't punch someone for you though). Ben, Gordon, and Tommy are like her unwanted personal body guards, protecting her from heartbreak. They drive her crazy, but she loves them. 4) My favourite brother is a toss-up between Gordon and Tommy. They’re really involved with Tessa’s life – Tommy because he’s the closest in age to her and Gordon because they are practically inseparable. I love Ben too, but he’s very safe and he’s got his own things happening. 5) Rebel Soul takes place in the township of Parry Sound, Ontario. My husband's family hails from there, and I fell in love with that town the first time he took me up to his family lake. I loved the vibe of that small town, and the tight-knit community. 6) Brock Miller's heritage property was inspired by my husband's family's heritage property, but that's where the similarities end! Brock's family dynamics are fictional, even if they may feel very real. 7) Brock worked with a certain somebody from another series I've written...and he was actually the one to kick some sense into this person. 8) Tessa's truck is my secret dream truck. I have always loved the look of them! 9) Braden (Brock's younger brother, who is dating Tessa's best friend) is one of the most frustrating, self-destructive characters I have ever written. He could probably give Grayson from the Damaged Series a run for his money. He gets in own story in the Rebel Series, Rebel Heart. He'll probably frustrate you in Rebel Soul though. #sorrynotsorry ;) 10) Travis Channing is influenced by Thomas Rhett, because I have a massive crush on Thomas Rhett. Also because of the cover he did for When I Was Your Man. Travis Channing has his own story coming in The Rebel Series too! 11) I like to add little Easter eggs in my books for my husband to find, so Brock's dog is named after and inspired by the dog Matt had growing up. Straight down to the wolf in him! Real-life Hunter showed up on Matt's family's doorstep with a head injury caused by someone beating him, and while he wasn't the smartest dog because of it, it was loyal and very loving. I never got a chance to meet him, as he passed away a year before I met Matt. 12) I think that Brock might be one of my most favourite characters ever, mainly because of how selfless he is. He is truly unafraid to defend his family. He has sacrificed it all for them on more than one occasion; and he’s paid the ultimate price and yet he doesn’t resent his siblings in the slightest. He isn’t the kind of guy to throw it in their faces and make them feel bad for the choices he made. He always has their backs. 13) Tessa wants to become a vet so badly because I wanted to be a vet when I was a little girl. I was obsessed with reading James Herriot’s books. My granny bought me practically all of them! 14) My papa taught me how to gut a fish when I was six. I haven’t done it since I was a kid though, and I actually HATE the feeling of fish so I don’t like fishing. I find them slimy, and growing up I always wished that I didn’t mind the feeling of them so that I could fish with my papa. 15) In Rebel Soul, Tessa finds herself in a situation that all too many women have found themselves in. Tessa is a very different character than Jenna (from my Collide series), and she handled it very differently. This was intentional. Our experiences and our reactions differ so dramatically from one another, and I needed to showcase this.

J.C. Hannigan lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband, their two sons, and their dog. She writes contemporary new adult romance and suspense. Her novels focus on relationships, mental health, social issues, and other life challenges.