Three Chicks and Their Books: Blog Tour Review and Author Interview: Unravel by Calia Read

Six months ago, I was happy. I was simply Naomi Carradine.

One month ago, I was admitted into a psych ward.

Yesterday, Lachlan visited me. Kissed me. And told me that I’m starting to lose my mind.

Hours later, Max haunted my thoughts, reminding me I’m not crazy and that he needs my help.

A few minutes ago, I drifted further from reality, trying to unravel the past.

And now...everyone thinks I’m insane. But, I know he's real, and I know he needs me.

Do you believe me?

5 Star Review by Jen Skewes

Unravel was just WOW!! I honestly had to catch my breath after reading this one. I love Calia Read’s writing but this one is so unlike her Sloan Brothers series. I read some of the reviews and saw some posts on Facebook and kept hearing how crazy this book will make you. How it will mess with your mind and leave you wondering what just happened. Unravel does all of that but in such an amazing way. This is one of those books where you honestly just need to dive right in. You only need to know what is given to you in the blurb. Because anything else will spoil it for you.

Unravel is the story of Naomi Carradine and her journey to finding out what is wrong with her. She was involuntarily admitted into a psych ward and she has no idea as to why. Her doctors are also trying to figure out what is wrong with her as well. The only thing that Noami knows is that 6 months ago her life was good. She seemed happy. And now all she knows is that Lachlin, the boy who has had her heart since she was a kid came to visit her and left. That she needs to get out so she can help her best friend Lana and save Max, the man she met at the beginning of the summer. But in order to do that she needs to heal first. But how does one heal when you are unsure of what it is that you need healing from?

Through her therapy sessions, Naomi takes us on a journey through the last six months of her life but also takes us back in time to some of the memorable moments that she shared with Lachlin. What I loved about this book was the unknown. We heard Naomi’s story for the first time as she tells it to her doctor. And we too are trying to figure out what is wrong, what has she done that caused her to be admitted. But most of all as the reader you are trying to decipher what parts are real and what parts are imagined. It’s as if we are there as her therapist trying to solve the big mystery. And this is where the craziness comes in. And I mean that is a very good way.

I honestly thought I had this all figured out. I thought I knew what was going on but yet I questioned all of it. Everything that I thought was real I began to question. My mind honestly began playing tricks on me. I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. I needed to know the truth. I needed to understand what was going on, what was real and what wasn’t. And I came to find out that while some of what I thought was true, there was still that one missing piece of the puzzle that I didn’t get until the very end. And once I got that last piece it fit so perfectly. At that point it all began to make sense and it worked. I found myself going back over the book again and reading some of those key moments. Those moments, that after knowing the truth you want to read again and savor.

I loved Naomi and honestly felt for her. Because the truth is I felt everything that she was going through. I needed to know just as much as she did what happened. Needed to know how she can heal and move on. And that moment when it all comes together OMG just wow!! That is all I can honestly say. It will honestly break your heart, even if part of you saw it coming. Lachlin was so amazing in how much he cared and loved her and wanted to see her heal. Max was the perfect guy who helped her escape it all and Lana was the best friend who was always there for he when she needed her.

Unravel is unlike any book that I have ever read. And I applaud Calia Read for taking a chance with this one. I honestly cannot even explain what this book did to me. It is so hard to put into words. The way Ms. Read made me second guess everything I thought I knew and understood, just blows my mind. The writing was brilliant and flawless. This is a book that you will be thinking of for days, probably still trying to figure it all out. A must read!!!

THREE CHICKS INTERVIEW CALIA READ

Congratulations on the release of Unravel. We loved it. Where did the idea or inspiration for this book come from?

Naomi is my very first character. From the very beginning, I always pictured looking out a window and holding so much in. The storyline changed quiet a few times throughout the years. I knew I was missing something and that something finally occurred me last April. Out of nowhere. A lightbulb went off and I saw the ending. I started to shake with excitement and fear!

Unravel is so different from The Sloan Brothers series and honestly unlike anything we have read before. Were you nervous about releasing this book?

I was terrified. I knew it was so different from the Sloan Brothers and I wasn’t sure how the readers would take it. I felt like it was a story that you love or hate. There’s no in between.

It seemed there were hints along the way that some readers picked up on and helped them to figure out a little bit of the story. I am not sure if that was intentional or just how the story flowed. But yet you still had a way of making the reader question it all. How difficult was this story for you to write?

There were times that certain scenes and chapters were written within minutes. My hands would be shaking; I couldn’t keep up with Naomi’s voice. Quickly, Unravel stopped being my story and idea and catapulted into something a lot bigger than me. And then other times, I would be stuck on a chapter for weeks. It’s an intricate story that really pushed me to go further than I was comfortable with.

We know how much you love to read, what are some of your favorite books or authors that have either inspired you in some way or meant something to you?

It seems like my list is always changing. Right now three writers that really stick to me are: Melina Marchetta, Jennifer Donnelly, and Paullina Simons. They each have such a different writing style, yet their words are so powerful.

Right now, some of my favorite books are: On Jellicoe Road-Melina Marchetta, Between Shades of Gray-Ruta Sepetys , and Revolution-Jennifer Donnelly.

Do you have any plans to write Lachlan’s POV?

I love that everyone is desperate to get inside his head! I can definitely say he will have a story. While Unravel has an HEA, his book will be full circle.

In addition to being an author you are a wife and mother of four kids, how do you find time to write?

I wish I could be one of those writers that could block out the world and everything around me and just write. But I can’t. Most of my writing is done late, late at night when everyone is asleep. So that means I’m a walking zombie during the day. My husband is fantastic at helping me out with the kids any chance he gets, too!

We know that you are working on Mathias’ book but what else can we look forward to from you in the future?

Right now, I am working on a certain character that you were introduced to in Unravel. The patients at Fairfax have some fascinating stories, and I can’t wait to share them with you!

What is your favorite part about being an author?

I can’t think of anything better than when a reader connects with your story. The characters, their words…ALL OF IT. It’s the best feeling a writer can have!

Dream Cast (optional)

http://www.pinterest.com/ailac5/unravel-inspirations/

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