Whisper of Memory Blog Tour

Today I am excited to be a part of the Whisper of Memory Blog Tour hosted by The Magic Attic. I will be sharing my review of The Waiting Booth book, one in the Whispering Wood Series and an excerpt of the second novel, Whisper of Memory. There will also be a chance to win some fabulous prizes at the end of this post. 

The Waiting Booth

by Brinda Berry

Series: Whispering Woods #1

A missing boy, government agents, an interdimensional portal...

Mia has one goal for her senior year at Whispering Woods High--find her missing older brother. But when her science project reveals a portal into another dimension, she learns that travelers are moving in and out of her woods in the most alarming way and government agents Regulus and Arizona are policing their immigration. Mia’s drawn to the mysterious, aloof Regulus, but its no time for a crush. She needs to find out what they know about her brother, while the agents fight to save the world from viral contamination. But when Regulus reveals that he knows Mia’s secrets, she begins to wonder if there’s more going on than she thought...and if she was wrong to trust him...(synopsis from Goodreads)

The Waiting Booth by Brinda Berry is the first in a young adult fantasy series called the Whisper Woods. series. This was an exciting read filled with portals, a secret agency sworn to protect, a missing brother and a little forbidden romance.  The Waiting Booth was a quick, delightful read and I look forward to reading book two.

In the Waiting Booth we meet protagonist Mia Taylor, a high school student working on a science project. She is contemplating schools for college and lives with her Dad on several acres in Whispering Woods. She loves it here, but there is also sadness. Her mother left years ago, and last year her brother went missing. The police think he is a runaway, but Mia and her Dad believe otherwise.  Mia has been capturing the eating habits of nocturnal creatures at night using a digital camera. She is studying the effects of the moon on these creatures for her science project. When she retrieves a disk, she is surprised to see she has captured the image of two handsome boys, well college boys and wonders what they were doing out in the middle of nowhere. She learns they are from a secret agency that wants to recruit Mia. Her brother Peter was supposed to join them because of a special genetic disorder they both carry. She and Peter have synesthesia, a neurological condition, where their sensory perception overlaps and they sees colors within sounds, smells, and written words.  Convinced they may be the key to finding Peter, she agrees to help them. They are here to stop a threat against Earth. The tale that unfolds was delightful, with romance, danger and twists, as Mia tries to figure out who the good guys are and what happen to her brother.

Berry brings us colorful and unique characters. I loved the brave and caring Mia. She has been through a lot, but she is strong and fiercely protective of those she cares about. Jason her BFF, wants to be more then friends, and his attempts at protecting her, were cute. Mia isn't ready to address his feelings and tries to ignore the elephant in the room. Her other BFF, Em is amazing on the computer and loyal to the end.  Agents Regulus and Arizona are from another dimension. Blessed with swoon worthy good looks they are sworn to protect life. They are posing as college students. Arizona was recruited and so he grew up outside of the agency. He is witty and an all around good guy. We don’t know much about Regulus, except that he follows regulations; that is until Mia. He doesn't understand slang, which at times is humorous.

The tale Berry delivers is fast paced and the world-building is unique. The more she shared the more I wanted to know.  I am anxious to see these characters and the storyline develop.  I recommend The Waiting Booth to fans of young adult fantasy and romance. Waiting Booth is currently available in eBook format where ever eBooks are sold.  I have added Brinda Berry to my authors to watch list.

I want to thank the author for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review. 

I gave this novel 3.5 coffee cups out of 5. 

Here is the second book in the Whisper Woods trilogy:  

Whisper of Memory
by Brenda Berry
Series: Whispering Woods #2

All Mia ever wanted was to fit in at Whispering Woods High. But being a portal-finder who dates a guy from another dimension sort of makes it hard. Mia's brother disappeared over a year ago, and agents from the IIA began policing people's movements through dimensions. She'd trusted Dr. Bleeker from the local university when he'd told her the IIA were the bad guys. But even a girl with an extraordinary ability to sense things can make mistakes.

Now two people are dead, and as a portal gatekeeper for the IIA, Mia needs to find Dr. Bleeker before he hurts anyone else. And her boyfriend Regulus, an Agent for the IIA, carries secrets of his own. Between learning about weaponry, finding the perfect dress for the winter formal, and catching bad guys, who has time to fit in?(synopsis from Goodreads)

Excerpt: 

"This is too sweet. It's superhero stuff, in case you didn't know. No Slip will ever mess with me again."

"This weapon is mine. I'm only showing you how to use it. It's too dangerous for you to have one in your possession." Regulus almost sounded sorry.

"That's not fair. Why tease me with it?" My shoulders slumped as I looked around for a target.

Regulus took the stunner from my hand. "You may get your own some day. For now, you can use mine in case of emergency."

"Great. I'm feeling as though I'm five years old. Want to just hand me a pointy stick and hope I can defend myself?" I glanced down. "I do get the knife, right?"

"A pointy stick might be best for you and your impulsiveness, but yes, you will use the knife." Regulus's mouth was a straight, hard line. "You will use the weapon from a distance for now. You have demonstrated very good aim in the past."

He touched my hair, then strode over to a tree some distance away and removed a sheet of paper from his pocket.

Frustrated, I watched. He vacillated between shyness and boldness, and I rarely knew where I stood with him.

When he backed up, I could see his work. The paper was attached to the tree. Staring at the bull's-eye target, I muttered, "You expect me to hit that? With the knife? You're kidding, right?"

Returning, he handed me the knife by the handle. "First you place your right foot in the back. Then your feet should be approximately two feet apart." He reached over to move my left leg into position. Then, he demonstrated how to place my feet.

"Can I throw it now?" I asked impatiently.

"Bend your knees." His voice was even, as always. He took the knife from my hand. "I will demonstrate first. I should have thought of that."

He assumed the stance he had taught me and extended both arms in front of his body. He quickly looped back his right arm, then shifted his body as he flung the knife so fast I didn't see his right hand release it. The blade whizzed through the air and struck the center of the bull's-eye, pinning the target.

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