BLOG TOUR: Release by M.R. Merrick

Title: Release (The Protector #3)

Author: M.R.Merrick

Release Date:  Dec 10/2012

Adquired: Epub copy provided by author

Goodreads: ADD

Purchase: Amazon/Indigo(Kobo)

After uniting the shifters and calling in reinforcements, Chase has to face his toughest challenge yet: learning to control his emotions. But as tensions rise and his powers grow, controlling his emotions becomes the least of his problems. 

Terrorized by a multi-shifter who is hell-bent on turning him, Chase questions just how far he’s willing to go to stop his father. Meanwhile, Tiki’s virtuous nature has placed him in the middle of Vincent’s past, leaving Chase to oppose a senate of vampires and defend a demon he hates.

Trying to balance his friends, his enemies, and his inner demons, Chase is left searching for answers about the Mark, his destiny, and where he can find the next soul piece. Stopping Riley is his top priority, but as more obstacles arise, he finds himself doubting all the decisions he’s made - especially regarding Rayna.

One thing is for certain: Chase has finally realized that he doesn’t know anything. The light doesn’t always quell the darkness, the monsters don’t always stay in the shadows, and the past doesn’t always stay in the past - sometimes, the demons inside are the hardest to fight.

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I literally JUST finished reading this. So my emotions are still pretty damn raw right now. Oh man..ok..let me try to breathe here so I can write something you can comprehend. Okay..ready..here I go..

I won't go into too much detail storyline-wise, as that could get a bit spoiler-y, very fast. This book was a continuation of SPECTACULAR (Book #1) and AMAZING (Book #2), so I didn't doubt for a second that this book would be less than either of those things-of course, it exceeded BOTH. The third installment of this series  brought SO much more to the surface, and allowed readers to step into the lives of the characters a little more intimately. Actually, a LOT more intimately in the case of our favourite (not) Vampire, Vincent Taryk.

I have the biggest love/hate relationship with this man, but was ecstatic for the chance to learn more about him in this book. He was featured in almost all of the scenes, and I especially loved that the venture back into Drakar had him tagging along as well! Oh..oh MAN..I WISH I could tell you all the greatness that was this entire section of the book. As I mentioned in my review of Exhiled, Drakar was my heart and soul, I fell in love with EVERYTHING it had to offer: characters, imagery, lifestyle ..LOVED IT!

The remainder of the book followed suit. We were introduced to 3 more worlds, in which Mr. Merrick worked his descriptive magic to it's full extent. These worlds were bursting with brilliant imagery-my mind was in a haze. I felt things, I smelled things, I YEARNED to be where the characters took their next step (um, not the scary worlds though). This author has SUCH a talent for invoking emotions that otherwise lie dormant when reading other books-especially those with a paranormal backdrop. I find that I'm not usually prone to feeling close to characters that have powers/shift into creatures etc. It's just not natural (obviously), therefore it's sometimes hard to get into a storyline of that nature. But Merrick makes it WORK, and he makes it work HARD. I am more tied to these particular characters than I have been to any others in a long, long time. Okay..I'm fan-girling..I know this..IT CAN'T BE HELPED.

It should also be noted that with each book, Merrick has exposed just enough information to keep you intrigued throughout the entire thing, and leave you biting your nails with impatience for the next installment. Not a second of this book was boring, dull, or unnecessary. Every tidbit of info was needed and justified, every line of dialogue added depth and furthered my interest in what was about to happen next. The relationship between characters grew at a pace that made sense, and did not feel at all contrived. I don't think there was one moment when I said to myself "uh..well THAT was ridiculous."

THE ENDING...oh dear GOD. I can't...there aren't words. I won't say anymore..oh man..oh man oh man oh man oh man..oh MAN.

I need to stop writing, but my fingers won't let me..I could very well be here all night..I should..I should stop. PLEASE go read this book. PLEASE go read this entire SERIES from the BEGINNING.

M.R. Merrick..you are officially one of my heroes. Thank you a MILLION times for turning such a brilliant idea into printed word, and allowing us to consume it with our minds.

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What was your main inspiration for this book/series?

I've always had a love for the demon versus hunter relationship, but nothing I had experienced did it 100% of the way I wanted to see it. When I started writing, I decided that was where I would start, and with no plan to publish originally, I wrote it almost entirely for myself.

The elemental magic inside the story was inspired by a long-running obsession I've had with the idea of controlling the elements. How amazing would it be to have such abilities? This was the perfect template for me to incorporate it into a story, and bring it to life the way I wanted to.

Which character did you enjoy writing the most?

I think in the first two books, I had the most fun with the banter between Chase and Rayna. Now, as the books progress however, I'm finding myself more drawn to Vincent. He’s snarky, classy, and moody, and I never know quite where he's going to take me.

Why did you chose to write about the paranormal?

I love the legends that come with paranormal creatures and all mythology. Any kind of lore: Greek, Roman, Chinese, Native American, Aztec, even fairy tales. I love it all. When I was infusing monsters and strange creatures into this world, I got to explore those histories with a new outlook, as well as giving myself the opportunity to create my own. Paranormal allows me to take something that truly fascinates me and explore it within my own mind. And in some cases, I get to fabricate my own lore completely.

Can you describe an interesting research moment?

Actually my most interesting moment just happened recently, and I can't talk about that yet. Tis a secret =)

What does your next literary project entail?

I'm working on two; the fourth and final book in The Protector, as well as the first book in an entirely new series. I'm not sure which will come out first, but one will be published this spring, and the other probably early summer. If all goes according to plan of course.

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M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer and author of The Protector Series, a Young Adult mash-up between Urban and Epic Fantasy. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he’s usually found at the computer between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.

Contact Links

Website | Twitter | Facebook





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A HUGE thank you to Valerie from StuckInBooks for allowing me the opportunity to read this amazing series, and participate in this tour!

Click HERE to visit the other stops.