Blog Tour Review + Guest Post + Giveaway: A Matter Of Truth by HeatherLyons

I'm not sure I've ever been more excited to have a tour on my blog than I am today to have A Matter of Truth by Heather Lyons, hosted by Inkslinger PR. I am head over heels for this series and I am so happy I get to share my review along with a guest post from Heather today.

A Matter of Truth

(Fate Series #3)

Author: Heather Lyons

Publisher: Cerulean Books

Publication Date: November 5, 2013

Genre: New Adult/Fantasy

Source: eARC via Inkslinger PR

~Synopsis~

Not long ago, Chloe Lilywhite seemingly had it all: a prized spot on the Magicals’ Council as lead Creator, a loving fiancé and Connection, and a wealth of good friends. But the poised young woman she projected was nothing more than a façade. Her parents all but disowned her. Power plays and accusations of murder within the Council rocked her confidence. And most difficult of all, her secret, a secondary Connection to Jonah’s twin brother, Kellan, became painfully impossible to resist. Desperate to gain control over her rapidly unraveling existence, Chloe did the unthinkable: she ran away.

Now living and working in Alaska under an alias, Chloe is slowly discovering who she is and, more importantly, who she wants to be. But the more she tries to leave the Magical world behind, the harder it becomes to stay hidden. The Elders are back with a vengeance, and the stakes have never been higher. Chloe finally has to make a choice: embrace her pre-ordained Fate or pave her own way in the worlds. One thing’s for sure, though—she’s finally up for the challenge.

*This is a New Adult title, suitable for readers 18+

~Review~

Sometimes you read a book or series that you become so wrapped up in, you forget what reality is when you're finished. This is what the Fate Series does to me. It is such a progressive story and A Matter of Truth is all about the journey. More specifically, Chloe's journey as she finally comes into her own and says "F U" to fate. This book was an incredible third installment to the series and it spent the first half ripping me to pieces and the second half piecing them back together. My emotions during this book were THAT intense.

Chloe is a highly emotional girl and her emotions generally control her life and her decisions. She truly has a big heart and every choice and decision she has ever made was with good intentions, no matter how bad the decision was. A Matter of Truth starts off with her currently living with the biggest decision she's ever made. If you've read A Matter of Heart, you know what I'm talking about and you are probably still reeling from the anguish of what happened. While she's accumulated a fantastic group of friends and become a part of Will and Cameron's family, it's obvious she is still very torn by everything that has happened. Fate has been a real bitch to Chloe and I hurt for the pain she suffers daily from the life she has to live. She wants to stop hurting the boys she loves and she wants to be normal just once. I don't blame her one bit, she is so young to have to face the life expected of her in Annar and she has never really had the option to choose. Choose who she wants to be, choose what she wants to do, choose who she loves.

“I wish I could smile more often. Real smiles are so hard to come about anymore. I’d give my left foot to be able to feel pleasure without it being extraordinary or alcohol-induced.”

My favorite moment in this book is when Chloe realizes that she can't change who she is or what she was born to do but she can take control and decide how she handles it herself. She finally decides not to let fate control her anymore and that shows her growth and strength. I've never been prouder of Chloe than I was in that moment. She also made a decision regarding Jonah and Kellan and she held her ground and didn't waver. I could see how hard it was for her to stand behind her decision and not revert back to her old ways but this just proved that she has grown into a stronger and more confident woman. She finally knows what and who SHE wants, fate be damned. I felt like Chloe has finally found herself in a good place for the first time since Jonah and Kellan walked into her life but there are definitely people and forces out there that threaten the life she is finally able to build. The Elders are back and they have plans for Chloe. The ending was heart stopping and I may die of anticipation for the final book.

“I’ll never be able to let go of him. Fate won’t let me. But I can choose right now to do everything I can to begin the long road home toward hope.”

There are new characters including Will, Cameron, Frieda, Paul and Ginny. These are the friends that Chloe meets and they help make her life just a little easier while she is dealing with the changes she has made. Will and Cameron are especially important and they become the family she never had. Cameron is more of a father to her then her own ever was and I was so glad she met him and Will. Will is like a brother and he is instrumental in helping Chloe grow and strengthen. I was nervous that I wouldn't like Will after the end of A Matter of Heart but he was nothing like I was expecting and I did a complete 360 when it came to him. I may be in love with him now. There is a spark between him and Callie and I am excited to see where Heather will take that. Sophie the psycho is also back and she is more bitter than ever. I definitely think she is going to play an important role in the final book and there will be some strife caused by her. I have some speculations that I hope to God are wrong but only time will tell. 

This series has wrapped itself around my heart and I will forever be grateful to Jessica @ Lovin Los Libros for telling me to read it and Heather Lyons for writing it. As much as I read, it requires a lot for a book or series to capture me the way the Fate series has done. It just keeps getting better with each book and A Matter of Truth was no exception. This book held moments of extreme heartache as well as moments of pure joy. It's a roller-coaster ride that I never want to get off of.

~IPOD Picks~

"Photographs & Memories" by Jason Reeves

"Wake Me Up" by Avicii

"Just Give Me a Reason" by Pink

~Guest Post by Heather Lyons~

The Brother’s Secrets

Growing up, there were very few things that Jonah and Kellan Whitecomb kept from each other as they’re twins and best friends and they’re always in each other’s heads. That said, there are a few that they’ve kept to themselves over the years . . .

* The biggest one, of course, was Jonah keeping Chloe’s existence and the feelings he had toward her. The reason being? Jonah felt like he needed one thing that was his and not theirs. This totally backfired on him, though.

* Jonah never shared with Kellan the true extent of what Hannah went through when Joey died. Kellan felt a lot of it, but Jonah was the one to get her under control afterwards. He never wanted his brother to feel that agony.

* Kellan refuses to let his brother know about the time he and Callie kissed. This happened after Jonah and Callie broke up. His reasons? For one, it was a mistake, two, he and Cal were drunk, and three, he doesn’t want Jonah to throw back all of the words he said over the years about how it was a bad idea to get involved with Callie in his face.

* Certain mission specifics. Depending on the mission, sometimes they have to keep certain details a secret, even from each other.

* Kellan kept a lot of secrets about what happened between him and Chloe from Jonah, partially because he didn’t want to share those details (because they were his) and partially because he knew they would devastate his brother. 

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

Links:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook 

Check out the rest of the books in the Fate series!

Graphic created by Christine's Book Reviews

A Matter of Fate Purchase Links:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

A Matter of Heart Purchase Links:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

Beyond Fate Purchase Links:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the schedule below to follow the rest of the tour!

November 4^th

Vilma’s Book Blog-Excerpt

Romance Addict-Review Only
The Phantom Paragrapher-Review Only

November 5^th

The Book HookUp-Review Only
The Book Trollup-Review Only

November 6^th

TSK TSK What To Read-Guest Post
Reading Rainblog-Review Only

November 7^th

Reading the Alphabet-Review Only
2 Bookaholics-Excerpt

November 8^th

Lovin Los Libros-Dream Cast
Living in a Bookworld-Author Interview

November 9^th

Rumpled Sheets Blog-Guest Post
Confessions from Romaholics-Review Only

November 10^th

Simply Sarah’s Corner-Review Only

November 11^th

Paperbook Princess-Excerpt
Book Labyrinth-Review Only

November 12^th

Starbucks N Books Obsession-Guest Post
If the Book Fits-Review Only

November 13^th

Bound by Books-Excerpt
Shawna’s Survey-Top 10 List
Christie Palmer-Interview

November 14^th

Once Upon A Twilight-Review Only
A Bookish Escape-Review Only

November 15^th

The Road is You-Character Interview
The Last Chapter-Author Interview
Just Julie Blogging Books-Excerpt

November 16^th

Deal Sharing Aunt-Playlist
Kaidan’s Seduction-Excerpt

November 17^th

Natasha is a Book Junkie-Excerpt

*An eARC was provided to me in exchange for a fair and hones review. All opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.*