Zombie West Series Tour [Reviews + Giveaway!]

The schedule is listed at the bottom of this post

First off, I just want to congratulate Angela Scott on the release of the third book in the Zombie West series, Dead Plains! 

Today on the blog, I have a review for the first 2 books in the series and an ebook giveaway. 

Enjoy!  :D

Angela

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I hear voices. Tiny fictional people sit on my shoulders and whisper their stories in my ear. Instead of medicating myself, I decided to pick up a pen, write down everything those voices tell me, and turn it into a book. I’m not crazy. I’m an author. For the most part, I write contemporary Young Adult novels. However, through a writing exercise that spiraled out of control, I found myself writing about zombies terrorizing the Wild Wild West—and loving it. My zombies don’t sparkle, and they definitely don’t cuddle. At least, I wouldn’t suggest it.

I live on the benches of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains with two lovely children, one teenager, and a very patient husband. I graduated from Utah State University with a B.A. degree in English, not because of my love for the written word, but because it was the only major that didn’t require math. I can’t spell, and grammar is my arch nemesis. But they gave me the degree, and there are no take backs.

As a child, I never sucked on a pacifier; I chewed on a pencil. I’ve been writing that long. It has only been the past few years that I’ve pursued it professionally, forged relationships with other like-minded individuals, and determined to make a career out of it.

You can subscribe and follow me on my website, where I blog obsessively about my writing process and post updates on my current works. I’m also on Twitter and Facebook, but be forewarned, I tweet and post more than a normal person.

Book 1

Goodreads

Trace Monroe doesn’t believe in luck. He never has. But when a fiery-headed cowgirl saunters through the saloon doors, wielding shotguns and a know-how for killing the living dead, he believes he just may be the luckiest man alive. Trace wants to join "Red’s" posse, but she prefers to work alone—less messy that way. 

In order to become her traveling companion, Trace has to agree to her terms: no names, no questions, and if he gets bit, he can’t beg for mercy when she severs his brain stem. He agrees, knowing only that Red is the sharpest shooter he’s ever encountered. The fact she’s stunning hasn’t escaped his attention either. 

What he doesn’t know, is that Red has a very good reason to be on top of her game. She not only has the answer for how they can all outlive the plague taking over the wild, wild west, she is the answer

Book 2

Goodreads

Red always knew she would have to face the man who nearly destroyed her. She just didn’t figure it would happen so soon...

With the plague sweeping across the nation, destroying many and turning others into walking corpses, survivors head West in search of a chosen land, a place designed to keep the infected out, while sealing survivors inside. In theory, the idea seems the only way to keep humanity alive. In practice, it doesn’t matter whether a person is on the inside or the out—there is no humanity.

...And even though John Gatherum hunted her down and instigated their reunion, Red’s no longer the passive girl he once manipulated. This time, she has a hidden agenda of her own.

Kill him. Save her family. Save herself.

Book 3

Goodreads

...Sometimes, the ones you least suspect are the ones that should worry you the most...." 

People aren't always what they seem, as Red has experienced all too well. Strangers are feared, towns are avoided, and everyone’s intentions are scrutinized... even those closest to her. Her coveted ability has been revealed to far too many people, and now that a tiny heartbeat thumps and grows beneath her own, the risk has never been greater. 

As the group of ten searches for a safe haven, a place to finally call home, the sobering reality of it all finally settles over them: nowhere is safe, nothing is permanent, and death is everywhere. One by one, Red’s reluctant posse grows smaller, as death claims some, and circumstance claims others. 

It couldn't be a worse time to bring a newborn into the world... but the baby is coming.

Review book 1
Wanted: Dead or Undead 

Um. I think I am going to absolutely love this series. First off... zombies. Just..MEEP. Anyways, book 1 centers around Red losing her family and becoming the BADASS ZOMBIE SLAYING BEAST that I love. Then she meets Trace (hehe. LOVE) in a totally cool zombie infested WESTERN TOWN. I am sorry, but I love that combination. Western + Zombie. *nods* YES. Trace is so clueless when it comes to zombies, but I forgive because he is so adorable, sweet, but still no pushover. Him and Red are AWESOME together. They have good chemistry. I mean, it wasn't a *OH MY GODS, MY PASSION FOR YOU BURNS SO HOT, THIS BOOK MAY CATCH ON FIRE* but it was an honest to goodness slowly developed friendship turned sexy times. ;) yep, yep. love it. 

The book has a nice homey feel throughout the second half. It was different from other zombie novels I have read, because these characters really develop some great relationships and build a HOME together. 

I loved all the side characters in this book. Wen was pretty badass. Caroline was a sweetheart, though she was a more minor character. 

While the book still has the cute little homey feel, there is plenty of awful gory gut- eating action for you to gnaw on. (haha... gnaw.. anyways!) The zombies were totally scary! All... trying to eat people's innards.. and stuff. (: They served the book well. Good job, zombies. 

On that same note, I LOVE the theme behind the book. I will not tell you, because I don't want to spoil.. but.. It was pretty awesome. The main idea is not entirely original as zombie fiction goes, but the development and actual story was wicked cool. But still a little disturbing. You won't find sunshine and unicorns in this aspect of the novel. And other parts made me SO SAD as well. The author may like to give you the warm fuzzy family aspect in some parts, but she is not afraid to break your heart or make you sick in others. *grins* 

I want to point out that the book is told in alternating third person between Trace (MEEP) and RED (YAY). IT only made me that much happier to follow both of my characters. :D You guys know how crazy I am about that. So.. *thumbs up* 

This is my status update from goodreads while reading Wanted: Dead or Undead. I just wanted throw it in here somewhere :

"This book is pretty good. There is not much gore for the most part- as it focuses more on the group and Red's inner turmoil over everyone relying on her. I love how we can dig into the characters as they grow throughout and they realize things about themselves they did not know before. (: Some of them are pretty sweet and I have to keep steeling myself against the possibility the author might kill them off- lol."

Haha. Right after that update, I think a really gory part came up. lol

All in all, Book 1 is a Gory- yet homey, Heartwarming- yet disturbing, awesome read that I would recommend to anyone who loves Zombie fiction, strong female leads, sweet romances, or horror fiction in general. I feel like it is even tame enough for pure romance lovers (well, maybe not that one part..) Yeah okay.. maybe not tame enough for pure romance lovers. ;) 

ON TO BOOK 2! :D 

4.8/5

Review book 2:
Survivor Roundup

I had a serious emotional breakdown when I was around 56 percent through with this book. lol. I am going to be honest with you. I had a small problem with one of my beloved characters and almost stopped reading because they were pissing me off. O.O  But then I thought about it and a lot of it was overreaction on my part. Some of it was justified because my character just CHANGED and I was a little dumbfounded. But it was a justified change and my character was having a moment, so I decided to let it go. I put my big girl pants on and told myself to stop being a whiny brat and keep reading. It got better and I am happy to say that I still loved the book. Not nearly as much as number one, but it was still good. (: And I am working towards forgiving this character. Not quite there yet.. but working. I will say this though, I was into the book enough that when that one part presented itself, I nearly lost it. haha. You can ask Tiffany, I was venting at her. But it caught my attention and stuck with me and it earned my respect due to that. Any book that can make me attached enough to the characters that when something goes wonky with one of them, I become that upset... well, *shrug* like I said, respect. 

You guys! There are more characters in this book that I have come to love. *smiles* meep! Oh. *shrug* And a few that I absolutely HATED. whatever, I'm over it. *pouts*

I feel like in each book, a new character is added that I just want to hug so hard. lol. and in this book, that character is Kitchi. He was great. (:

Also, this book made me smile so hard it hurt in this one part. It was just so hilarious to me and I completely sympathized with Trace. haha. Smiling just thinking about it. "KAW!" *giggle*

And then BAM another part made me want to curl up in a ball. D:

There was some serious darkness in this book and at some points I was just like... O.O You are going to break my heart, you MONSTER. lol. But.. I kind of loved it. I know, I know, I'm SICK. 

Also, WHOAH, Villain alert. O.O That is one crazy B*****d. *shudders*

So.. all in all? The second book was slap full of some new and AWESOME characters with unique personalities, and plenty of dry humor. There was some crazy darkness, but there is still that fantastic underlying since of family love and devotion. Oh, right. Can't forget about those crazy zombies! :D They were all "IMA EAT CHOO" and people were all... "OMA GAWD! D:" It was great. :D 

3.9/5

Giveaway
I am going to pick one of you lovelies to win your choice of either an ebook of Book 1 or an ebook of book 2 (WANTED: Dead or Undead or SURVIVOR ROUNDUP). (: So just comment. Anything you want, really. Tell me your fave zombie fiction, what you are going to dress up as for Halloween, your favorite candy, how old you are, your favorite candy, whether or not you think the combo of Western and Zombie is awesome or weird (awesome). Just anything. Or leave a smiley  face. Heck, I don't care. lol. But you have to have a comment thingy and a way to contact you. *shrug* Go on, do your worst. I shall choose by random comment. May the random-est comment win.





Schedule

21st - Running Amok and Other Very Serious Adventures (Review & Giveaway)

21st - Dark Novella (Review & Giveaway)

21st - Mad Ramblings of a Book Junkie (Review & Giveaway)

21st - Bunny's Book Reviews (Promo & Giveaway)

21st - I am, Indeed (Promo & Giveaway)

21st - Fuonly Knew (Promo & Giveaway)

21st - A Book Addict's Delight (Promo & Giveaway)

21st - Naimless (Review & Giveaway)

21st - Anne Chacones, Writer (Promo & Giveaway)

21st, 22nd, 23rd - Library at the End of the Universe (Promo, Review & Giveaway)

22nd - Illustrious Illusions (Promo & Giveaway)

23rd - Blood, Sweat, and Books (Promo and Giveaway)

24th - 30th Coffin Hop (Promo & Giveaway)

24th - ZOctober 2013! (Promo & Giveaway) 

26th - Manga Maniac Cafe (Promo & Giveaway)

31st - Book Marks the Spot (Review & Giveaway)  <--ME! :D
31st - Angela Rae Harris (Review & Giveaway)