Blog Tour: Excerpt, Review, and Giveaway for If by N.G. Jones

All it took for me to want to read this book was the premise.  In case you need more persuasion, there's a review, excerpt, and more!

Title: If

Author: N.G. Jones

Genre: New Adult

Release Date: March 16, 2015

Synopsis

If… Someone hadn't scarred my face. I hadn’t followed my dreams to LA. That tweaker hadn't attacked that homeless guy. I hadn't invited a stranger over for Thanksgiving. I hadn’t fallen in love.

If I hadn’t lost him.

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If… I hadn’t gone for that drive. I saw the world like everyone else. My “genius” wasn’t slowly destroying me. I had just walked away before I could ever know her. She hadn’t ignited the spark.

If the spark didn’t ignite the madness.

Buy The Book

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1G7V8fy

Barnes And Noble: http://bit.ly/1FiwoCY

iTunes: http://apple.co/1IXMK3E

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1OsqXEK

Excerpt

Her cries looked like shards of glass, a sour flavor assaulted my taste buds, my fingertips felt like they were being pricked with needles. They would not snuff her light, they would not dull her laughter. She was the only thing in this world that connected me to my old self. Suddenly I cared again, if only for that moment. Those sick fucks would not hurt her.  My numbness was mangled from the inside with a fury that detonated like a bomb. I didn’t even feel the knife as it dug into my flesh. That girl, for some reason, I couldn’t shut it off with her. I saw her just as vividly as I used to see everything.  She made me want to create again. That was dangerous. Far more dangerous than anything these stupid muggers could have done. I had to keep the desire at bay or else I would lose control. Because my art destroys the people I care about. It turns me into a monster.  Up until that point, the redheaded girl who shined like a beacon in the mist was an empty threat. There was an invisible barrier, where girls like her didn’t see guys who lurked in alleyways. I was safe from her ability to break through to the parts of my brain that had been made dormant through copious amounts of medication.  Yet, somehow, there she was, seeing me. Glimmering in the dark alleyway like some sort of guardian angel that I didn’t want.  I tried so hard not to exist, but she was forcing me to. She was forcing me to partake in life.  I wanted to die, but she forced me to live.   And I wasn’t happy about it.

Review

★★★★★ stars

I've never read a book by Nina G. Jones (N.G. Jones) before.  After finishing this book, I'm wondering what other amazing stories I've missed out on and I'm so glad I finally found out. If is a beautiful tale of two people who find the connection they need in one another to be the best versions of themselves, but it's not that simple. 

I have to say If captured my attention from the very first page and held it through the last one.  I wasn't sure what the story was about but it quickly became clear this it was going to be outstanding.  My first introduction to Ash raised some questions but his initial interaction with Bird cleared up any misunderstanding I had. What a first meeting!  It was thrilling, terrifying, and exciting in a way.  Bird's audacity and bravery really impressed me. She stepped up to save Ash and when the tables turned Ash saved Bird. 

I loved Ash and Bird. Bird was so beautiful, both inside and out.  I could feel her pain at her struggle to make it in a superficial place like L.A.  She poured her soul into her dancing and to be let down because of physical imperfections rather than her talent was disheartening.  I loved how she never gave up. She kept trying to achieve her dream.  I loved Ash because even though he was hurting and filled with self loathing from his past, his capacity to love was greater than he ever imagined.  It was greater than even I could imagine. These two beautiful souls together were such a treat to read about. I felt like I was reading an epic love story with high highs and the low lows, but it was a journey the two had to take. 

My emotions were fully engaged while I read this book.  I laughed and cried and was angry and every where in between.  There's something about this book that pulls you in, and I do mean all the way in. You can't but feel everything the characters are feeling. Part of this was because the story was told from both their view points.  Another was due to the set up of the story itself. The writing was descriptive and a treat to read. I could easily visualize Ash's paintings and Bird's steps.  It added another layer of depth to the story. Then there were the plot twists. Some of them I saw coming and others I didn't.  Even knowing what was around the corner somehow faded away as I read and immersed myself in the story. I  loved how Bird had friends to provide with love and support.  Jordan and Trevor loved her and she knew it. They knew she loved them too. I loved how Ash's family cared for him, even when he felt like he didn't deserve it.  

N.G. Jones really did her research while writing this book and it shows in the depth of detail she has included in the book.  I somehow feel like I've given too much away while not saying enough.  I've really struggled to write this review, not because of the content of the book, but because finding the right words to describe and match the feelings and emotions it evoked in me is difficult.  If you're like me and love a story that uplifts and inspires while engaging you mentally and emotionally, If should be the next book you read. 

*Thank you to the publicist for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for them in any manner.*

About The Author

Nina G. Jones is the author of the bestselling novel DEBT, the Strapped Series and the erotic romance, Gorgeous Rotten Scoundrel. She wants to say something clever here, but all her good material goes into her characters. Nina currently resides in Milwaukee, WI with her husband and two crazy Boxers. Her first new adult romance, If, releases on March 16th, 2015 under the moniker N.G. Jones. Nina LOVES connecting with readers. You can connect with her via Facebook, Twitter, or email her through her website, NinaGJones.com.

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