Blog Tour: Stalked by Death by Kelly Hashway

Stalked by Death by Kelly Hashway (Touch of Death #2)
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Publication Date: August 13, 2013
Get it: Amazon | B&N

Jodi knows that any slip-ups made by the Ophi--a special group of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac--will fall on her shoulders... and that Hades is just waiting for them to screw up so he can wipe out the Ophi line.

Unfortunately, Jodi has only convinced one Ophi to join her school: A hot guy named Chase who jeopardizes her relationship with Alex. Jodi loves Alex, but Chase can enhance her powers with just a touch—making her stronger than any Ophi has ever been.

Her mixed emotions send her powers surging out of control, and the dead start rising without her conscious summoning—exactly what Hades doesn't want! If she chooses Alex over Chase, she may lose the battle to Hades, leading the Ophi race to extinction. If she chooses Chase, she might be able to stop Hades for good… but lose everything else.

Jodi needs to figure things out fast--because death is stalking her at every turn.

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REVIEW: Touch of Death by Kelly Hashway

Title: Touch of Death (Touch of Death #1)
Author: Kelly Hashway - Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Expected Publication Date: January 15, 2013
Format: ARC* 235 pages
Rating: 5/5
Get it: Amazon || B&N || The Book Depository

Jodi Marshall isn’t sure how she went from normal teenager to walking disaster. One minute she’s in her junior year of high school, spending time with her amazing boyfriend and her best friend. The next she’s being stalked by some guy no one seems to know.

After the stranger, Alex, reveals himself, Jodi learns he’s not a normal teenager and neither is she. With a kiss that kills and a touch that brings the dead back to life, Jodi discovers she’s part of a branch of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. A branch of necromancers that are descendents of Medusa. A branch of necromancers with poisoned blood writhing in their veins.

Jodi’s deadly to the living and even more deadly to the deceased. She has to leave her old, normal life behind before she hurts the people she loves. As if that isn’t difficult enough, Jodi discovers she’s the chosen one who has to save the rest of her kind from perishing at the hands of Hades. If she can’t figure out how to control her power, history will repeat itself, and her race will become extinct.

My Review

Life and death are always intertwined..

Touch of Death starts off with an ordinary girl who seemed to be accident prone, nearly killing everything and everyone she comes into contact with. This really blows for a girl like Jodi Marshall, even more so when she can’t even kiss the boy she likes. But Jodi is destined for greater things and not being able to a kiss a boy is the least of her problems. In this book, we are introduced to a whole new world full of necromancers and a twist in Greek mythology’s Medusa. Kelly Hashway creates one book that is pure excellence and will leave you with mind blown goodness. 

Jodi was a fantastic character. I loved her immediately because I felt like I could relate to her easily. She was really cool, but was a powerful girl even before everything went down. Jodi was a little clumsy and awkward, but a believable and real character. She had a strong voice in the beginning, but even more so by the end of the book. Jodi was the type of person who was brave and thought ahead. She was definitely funny too. What I admired most about Jodi was how she takes everything with a mature and graceful manner, no matter how weird or unbelievable things felt to her. Jodi had a heart of gold and was an overall good person. She had morals and beliefs and with all the power at her fingertips, she doesn’t abuse it. She uses it for good and is never tempted. I loved how Jodi took into consideration of the feelings of the living and the dead. She truly cared for everything and everyone. Jodi doesn’t brush things off, but takes responsibility for her actions. She embraced her true identity and power and made sacrifices that left me in awe. 

Even though Alex spooked Jodi out in the beginning, I knew he was going to be character I was going to fall hard for and boy was I right! Alex was a great guy. He saved Jodi from herself and taught and trained her all the things she needed to know. He helped her and he comforted her when she was feeling down. I loved how Alex continued to encourage and believe in Jodi, especially when she felt like she didn’t have confidence in herself. Alex was a charming, friendly guy and was just a total endearing sweetheart. He is not hard to love. His close relationship with Jodi was a joy to read. I loved seeing them together because they just had a deep connection and wonderful chemistry. Their romance will definitely make hearts flutter. 

Kelly Hashway wrote an amazing novel. Her writing captured me and reeled me in. Her writing style was lively and appealed to all the senses. I loved her take on the mythology with Medusa, Ophiuchus and the Ophi. Medusa is usually seen as a bad character, but in Touch of Death, we see a whole new side of Medusa that I absolutely loved. Hashway made necromancers completely fascinating and alluring, but she also made them tough, powerful and extraordinary. I loved every aspect of the storyline that Hashway created and how she explained the powers, history and origin of the Ophi very well. The pacing was just right with the information trickling and dispersing through the story to keep one enticed. Hashway did a great job of keeping things hidden until they were revealed later in a way that you never saw coming. She brought the mystery and suspense at just the right moments and she made sure to keep things entertained so you felt like thing were always happening. The best parts are the plot twists and the dangerous, ominous feel of the whole book. The very last scenes become such a rush, it leaves you with no words. 

Overall, Touch of Death was a novel that put me at the edge of my seat, made me swoon and had me itching and begging for more. Kelly Hashway is one spectacular writer and storyteller and I cannot wait to get my hands on more of her books!

*Thanks to Spencer Hill Press for providing a copy for review

Touch of Death Blog Tour: Character Interview + Giveaway

Hey guys! I'm super excited to be a part of the Touch of Death blog tour! I won't have my review up for ToD until mid-December, but don't worry. 

I have a special guest today so make sure to keep on reading..

Touch of Death by Kelly Hashway (Touch of Death#1)
Expected Publication: January 15, 2013
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Jodi Marshall isn’t sure how she went from normal teenager to walking disaster. One minute she’s in her junior year of high school, spending time with her amazing boyfriend and her best friend. The next she’s being stalked by some guy no one seems to know.

After the stranger, Alex, reveals himself, Jodi learns he’s not a normal teenager and neither is she. With a kiss that kills and a touch that brings the dead back to life, Jodi discovers she’s part of a branch of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. A branch of necromancers that are descendents of Medusa. A branch of necromancers with poisoned blood writhing in their veins.

Jodi’s deadly to the living and even more deadly to the deceased. She has to leave her old, normal life behind before she hurts the people she loves. As if that isn’t difficult enough, Jodi discovers she’s the chosen one who has to save the rest of her kind from perishing at the hands of Hades. If she can’t figure out how to control her power, history will repeat itself, and her race will become extinct.

Pre-order Touch of Death: Amazon || B&N 

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Character Interview with Jodi Marshall

Hi Jodi! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I just want to ask you a few questions so my readers know just how truly awesome I think you are! Ok, let's get started.

Describe yourself in 5 words.

Gorgon, Chosen (sometimes I really hate that one), Ophi, emotional, and I can't decide between powerful or poisonous—it depends if I'm around humans or Ophi.

You and your mom get along fairly well and you two are really close. What's your favorite childhood memory with her?

Being home schooled for most of my life, I didn't get invited to a lot of sleepovers or birthday parties. I remember one time when the girl across the street had a sleepover. I thought she'd invite me since we were neighbors, but she didn't. I was so upset. But Mom bought me a pint cookie dough ice cream and a big container of rainbow sprinkles. I ate all of it. Every single bite. Then we did each other's nails, watched movies, and stayed up all night talking. I know everyone judges Mom for having me when she was 16, but I don't care what they say. She's the best mom and friend a girl can have.

  -You're mom is totally awesome!

What's the best part about your newly developed powers?

I can bring back people who shouldn't have died, and I can save other Ophi from Hades... I hope. Oh, and of course there's Alex. ;)

   - Anything Alex is best ;)

Alex is a great guy overall, is there anything about him that surprised you?

He seemed so sure of himself at first, but it broke my heart when I found out the real reason for his mac and cheese obsession. He doesn't like to show it, but he's very sensitive.

  - And dreamy right? *sighs*

If Alex made you eat mac n cheese for a whole week, would you do it?

Ugh, I still don't know how he eats that stuff. Seriously, there should be an age limit on the box. I'd have to talk him out of making me eat it.

  - Don't hate on the mac n cheese, Jodi! lol

Can you describe what your perfect date with Alex would be? Where would go and what would you two do?

Any date with Alex is awesome—as long as it doesn't involve raising the dead.

  - I agree. alexalexalex.

If you could have dinner with any greek mythology character, who would it be and why?

Not Hades! I'm not a big fan of Zeus, either. I'd love to be able to sit down with Medusa. I know I'm lucky that I can communicate with her when no other Ophi can, but still, I'd love to be able to see her in person instead of just in my mind.

  - I don't know, I'd kind like to have dinner with Hades.. he was pretty hot. lol ;)

With everything that you've went through, do you have any regrets?

Definitely. Matt's a huge one. I wish I could make things up to him, but I know that's impossible.

  - Aw :( I know Jodi! *hugs*

This or that:

Winter or Summer? Winter (as long as I have Alex's long-sleeved shirt to curl up in)

Day or Night? Day

Pepsi or Coke? Pepsi

Skittles or M&Ms? M&Ms

Beach or forest? Beach

And that's it! Again, thanks so much Jodi for answering my questions for this interview. You rock! Say hi to Alex for me ;)

And thanks to Kelly Hashway for allowing me to chat with Jodi! It has been amazing <3 

So yep, I hope you guys liked my interview with Jodi! And don't forget to check out Touch of Death when it comes out! You don't want to miss this incredible book! 

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Giveaway

- One winner will receive a Touch of Death prize pack from Spencer Hill Press

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More About the Author:

I write for children of all ages from picture books up to young adult. I am proudly represented by Lauren Hammond of ADA Management. My debut YA, TOUCH OF DEATH, releases January 15, 2013 through Spencer Hill Press. Also look for my other upcoming YA novels: STALKED BY DEATH (Spencer Hill Press, July 23, 2013), THE MONSTER WITHIN (Spencer Hill Press, April 2014), THE DARKNESS WITHIN (Spencer Hill Press, TBA), and INTO THE FIRE (Month9Books, spring 2014). My debut MG series CURSE OF THE GRANVILLE FORTUNE releases in 2016 through Month9Books.

Connect with Kelly Hashway:

Website || Blog || Twitter || Facebook

*Thanks to Spencer Hill Press, Kelly Hashway and Kendra Saunders for allowing me to be a part of this tour!