VORTEX
by
KIMBERLY PACKARD
Genre: Women’s Fiction / Psychological
Publisher: Abalos Publishing
Publication Date: January 31, 2019
Number of Pages: 308 pages
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Constant spinning, round and round and round, temperatures rise and fall from stifling heat to chilling cold, emotions run high in anticipation of what will happen next…there’s a fine line between surviving a tornado and falling in love. A close encounter with a tornado, during the final months of her doctoral studies, jogs a lost memory to the surface. Desperate to relive the vision and find answers, storm chaser Elaina Adams continually puts her safety at risk by placing herself in the path of dangerous storms. When betrayal strikes, Elaina is forced to pair up with Robert Tucker. “Tuck” owns a storm chasing tour group and only cares about two things: chasing tornadoes and making his next buck. Seth Maddux was climbing his way to the top as the star meteorologist for the Forecast channel, but an embarrassing outburst on camera sent his career on a downward spiral. Hoping to reignite his career with a promising field assignment, he meets Elaina and a different kind of flame sparks. Family secrets surface and passions explode in this twister of a tale. VORTEX is a story of family, love, identity and determination set against the thrilling backdrop of Tornado Alley.
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I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest and thoughtful review.
“To tornadoes, may they dance across the sky but never across a man’s body.”
From the book’s evocative cover and intriguing synopsis, I was immediately captivated and had to know more. Ultimately, this was an absolute gem that BLEW me away, but thankfully not in the literal sense!
Following a talented and eclectic group of storm chasers, it was utterly fascinating to read about various aspects within the field of meteorology. Elaina and her academic partner, Heath, are doctoral candidates studying tornadogenesis, the process by which a tornado forms, and its implications towards increased response time. She has always felt a kindred tie to the weather, especially when she experiences a close encounter that awakens a memory from her past. Seth is a TV meteorologist, attempting a second chance at getting his career back on track after an on-air fallout. Tuck runs a “tour” business shuttling people to storms so they can witness the awe of Mother Nature firsthand. Each converges in unexpected and emotional ways that makes this story so much more layered and unique than the synopsis could ever ultimately convey.
“The rotation scooted back, but still churned overhead, not yet birthing a tornado, but definitely in labor.”
Nothing is ever as it appears to be and I absolutely loved the use of storms as a metaphor to communicate not just the actual weather itself, but the emotional and personal struggles facing each character. There are a lot of conflicts churning largely centered on relationship dynamics, so batten down the hatches for an amazingly graceful and touching ride.
Everything from the masterfully relatable character development to the author’s meticulous and atmospheric descriptions made this story come alive! The pacing and suspense work so well together to truly drive the high speed intensity and energy of the work involved. In much the same way that a tornado suddenly touches down and leaves an impact, I was left breathless as it all swept into my life when I opened the book and out again when the final page was read.
The story’s use of memory rewriting was one of the most compelling and interesting features I have read within the psychological genre. It was such a refreshing departure from all the amnesiacs, alcoholics, and adultering gaslighters! This concept crafts a heart-breaking, yet heartwarming tale that is deeply moving, entirely unforgettable, and hard to put down.
A completely immersive experience that should not be missed!
PRAISE FOR VORTEX:
“Set in the heart of America’s Tornado Alley, Kimberly Packard’s latest psychological fiction swirls with discovery and betrayal. VORTEX may make you question who among those closest to you are really your friends.” — Addison Brae, author of Becker Circle
“Vortex is a fast-paced story with a strong woman at its center. Readers will be in for a wild ride full of secrets, the labyrinth of memory, and the spark of romance. Definitely one to add to your reading list.” — Christine Brodersen, author of Lip Gloss, Shame and Murdered Tomatoes
“Kimberly Packard is an accomplished author who writes strong women characters. She blew me away with her Phoenix series (three books you don’t want to miss) and now in Vortex, we meet Elaina Adams, who, like all of us, struggles with her past, her career, and her family secrets. Action, and emotion-packed, this page-turner is a different kind of love story.” — Vanessa Foster, author of More than Everything
Kimberly Packard is an award-winning author of edgy women’s fiction. She began visiting her spot on the shelves at libraries and bookstores at a young age, gazing between the Os and the Qs. When she isn’t writing, she can be found running, doing a poor imitation of yoga or curled up with a book. She resides in Texas with her husband Colby, a clever cat named Oliver and a yellow lab named Charlie. Her debut novel, Phoenix, was awarded as Best General Fiction of 2013 by the Texas Association of Authors. She is also the author of a Christmas novella, The Crazy Yates, and the sequels to Phoenix, Pardon Falls and Prospera Pass.
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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
FIRST PRIZE: Signed Copy + $5 Amazon gift card + Bookmark
SECOND PRIZE: Signed Copy + Bookmark
SECOND PRIZE: Signed Copy + Bookmark
TWO WINNERS: eBook copies
FEBRUARY 19-28, 2019
(USA only)
Many thanks to Lone Star Book Blog Tours and Kimberly Packard! It was an absolute pleasure reading, reviewing, and hosting! And be sure to check out the other stops on the tour for more opinions and extras!
VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
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2/19/19
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Notable Quotable
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2/19/19
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Notable Quotable
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2/19/19
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BONUS post
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2/20/19
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Review
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2/21/19
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Review
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2/22/19
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Excerpt
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2/22/19
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Author Interview
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2/23/19
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Review
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2/24/19
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Review
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2/25/19
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Top Ten List
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2/25/19
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Deleted Scene
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2/26/19
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Review
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2/27/19
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Playlist
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2/27/19
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Scrapbook Page
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2/28/19
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Review
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2/28/19
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Review
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That's What She's Reading 
\”A completely immersive experience.\” THAT is what I'm talking about! Great review!
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