Jen's Guest Review ~ Reality by Dani Hart

Title: Reality (The Life of Arie #1)

Author: Dani Hart

Genre: Paranormal Urban Fantasy YA

Release Date: September 23, 2013

I am Arie Belle and up until my mother’s unexpected and mysterious death my life had been pretty simple, but then things became dark and, at times, hopeless. Even my uncanny ability to communicate with nature had turned its back on me. My only saving grace is my lifetime friendship with the boy next door, River, whom I had always thought of as my soul mate up until my eighteenth birthday when everything seemed to change. My body tingles with heightened sensations and my emotions veer out of control. They are further tested when Ashe, a beautiful stranger with a powerful draw, enters my life and challenges my heart and soul. Amidst the rush of feelings after years of numbness, my true destiny slowly unravels and my journey to find out what I am, to find my mother’s killer, and stop my own death becomes a frantic rush before the next full moon. 

This powerful story encaptures the true meaning of love and the dark corners of life that can either suck you in or save you.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17938428-reality?from_search=true

I'm going to start with what I found difficult about this book first. It took me a bit to get into the book. To me, it felt like it kind of dragged on and at time is was difficult to keep reading. There was A LOT of build up, but the main thing that kept me turning to the next page was that I had to find out what Arie WAS. That being said, the author did an amazing job describing the different realities, and overall capturing the essence of the animals and nature. It was beautiful.

Poor Arie has lost her mom at the age of 16. Her mom was her rock, everything to her. When she passes, Arie is lost and feels alone. She has River,  her best friend and the boy that she has been in love with since she was 7 years old, but after her moms death, Arie begins to push him away. She doesn't know why or how and this bothers her deeply.

Once Arie turns 18, strange things, stranger than normal anyway, begin to happen more frequently. It's very hard to describe this book, without giving away too much. There's no oh, I'm an angel, that's a demon, there's a werewolf, etc. moment, but you know that Arie is super important and very special. But she is an essence, a spirit of sorts. She begins a hunt to find out what really happened to her mother and what is happening to her now. Arie has a lot of feeling so hurt and anger that her mother did not let her know what she is, and she has to come to terms with how the things that are happening to her now are affecting her friends and the ones that she loves now.

She is torn over the feelings of her long term friend, River, and the new mysterious guy, Ashe. She feels a connection to both and doesn't know what to make of it.

There really is a lot going on in this book, too much to go into more detail without giving it all away. This book is truly one of a kind, and even though it was difficult to get through at times, I really did enjoy it and would encourage you to keep with it because it will be worth it in the end.

Jen gives Reality 4 Stars!

“I saw River staring at me as I watched the butterflies. I turned to him and got caught within the depths of his eyes. His stare bore deep into my soul. We sat like that for what seemed an eternity. My body burned from the inside out. My heart raced. My ind was anticipating what my body wanted. I couldn't think. All I could do was stare into his eyes, begging for him to feel the same way. The butterflies continued to circle around us, but they seemed to be fluttering faster as if they were anticipating the
moment too. Right at the moment I thought my body was going to explode if something didn't happen, he took his hand and grazed the side of my face. His touch sent electric shocks through my cheek and down my body. His hand followed my jaw line and his thumb outlined my lips on its way to my neck. He gripped the back of my neck gently and leaned into me as he pulled my face toward his. He paused and looked into my eyes as if waiting for me to say no. I didn't think I could wait any longer for this moment to happen. My heart was pounding so hard I felt like I could barely breathe. The eternal pause ended and his lips brushed mine. I thought I was going to pass out as I inhaled him. How could one moment be so intense! He brushed his lips against mine for a few moments as if, again, waiting for me to protest. I couldn't handle it anymore. I pressed my lips against his and he responded back. I felt like that kissed lasted for hours. It was so soft and slow and perfect.” ~Reality

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My passion for writing started at a very young age. It started with a multitude of diaries as soon as I could write well, then poetry, then short stories. I received my BA at USC in Theatre with an unofficial minor in writing. While at USC I wrote my first screenplay and post-graduation I was hired to write another screenplay, which I did successfully. I have since started several books, but have never had the courage or time to finish them. I missed it, but I was discouraged from my years in the industry and I was scared to go back, so I had convinced myself I was too busy and it would be a waste of time. Then I started reading again which reignited my passion for writing. I started writing a story that had been brewing inside of me over the years. The characters were slowly developing and itching to break out onto paper, so in the summer of 2011 I wrote the first two chapters. Life got busy again and my passion was pushed aside, but then I met an amazing person who loved my story and encouraged me to start writing again. With that said, I am in a happier place now. I am fulfilling my inner desire and passion to write while raising a family and living life. Thank you so much for your support! And I hope to keep the stories coming!!!

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