What Tanya Wants: May 2018
Tag Archives: Mindee Arnett
Book Review: The Nightmare Dilemma (The Arkwell Academy #2) by Mindee Arnett
Published March 4th 2014
384 Pages
Dusty Everhart thought things would get a little easier after book one. But she was terribly wrong. When one of her mermaid friends is attacked and left for dead, Dusty’s bully, Lance is accused of the crime and it is up to Dusty to prove his innocence.
But when Dusty enters Eli’s dreams for answers she only gets nightmares and not to mention her ex-boyfriend is being released from prison, which complicates things for Dusty and Eli.
Not only does Dusty have to put her own nightmares and Eli’s together to see the bigger picture, but she also needs to decide who to give her heart to.
If you haven’t read the first book look at the review here. If you also haven’t checked out the interview with Mindee Arnett check here.
Although this is the second book Dusty is doubting herself even more. It seems like she still hasn’t found her footing and I am not sure how many books need to happen for her to get it through her head not only is she the most important person at the school but she is also great at what she does. It was a bit disappointing to see that Dusty still doesn’t have any faith in herself. She was way too nervous (for a lack of better term).
However, that doesn’t mean I didn’t like her. I actually love Dusty but no person or character is perfect. Eli was a too much of a jerk and I can honestly say I didn’t like his character. He was very immature about his feelings that I really couldn’t bare reading his words. What bothered me most about their “relationship” is that Eli refused to tell Dusty why they couldn’t be together. It wasn’t as if he was being a jerk every time they were together. I would have accepted that not the I’m going to kiss you this day and ignore you all tomorrow.
Also Mindee (author), I love your creative writing skills but you seriously think these kids need another added drama in their life. *Spoiler* The fact that I am pretty sure you are going to add into book three a way for Eli and Dusty can be together and break the curse. I think that is too much going on. But hey! I trust ya!
Anyway beyond the characters the story was great. The fact that the story doesn’t take the time to bore readers with a recap is great. The mystery from the beginning to the end was great as well. I just didn’t understand why the adults didn’t believe Dusty when she said things were going on or why her best friend was keeping secrets. I really didn’t appreciate her besty either; something is very shady about her now.
None the less, the story was a great read and despite the character flaws this gets 4.5 Pickles
What Tanya Wants: March 2014
Kathy Dawson Books Published March 25th 2014 388 Pages
Tor Teen Published March 4th 2014 384 Pages
St. Martin’s Griffin Published March 4, 2014 224 Pages
The Winner’s Curse (Winner’s Trilogy #1) by Marie Rutkosi: One girl . . . two choices and a forbidden love.
Death Sworn (Death Sworn #1) by Leah Cypess: A girl who lost everything regains it back in the most dangerous place
Nearly Gone by Elle Cosimano: She is the only one that can solve the cryptic messages a serial killer leaves in newspapers . . . time is running out.
The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld: A death row inmate created an enchanted place as he await his sentence. Two people venture there looking for a truth.
The Nightmare Dilemma (Arkwell Academy #2) by Mindee Arnett: Dusty and Eli are back solving the crime of Dusty’s bully, Lance
The Haven by Carol Lynch Williams: The hospital is all they know since the disease took their memory but for two teens they remember everything.
Quick Five© with Mindee Arnett
(Goodreads)
Name: Mindee Arnett
Who is Mindee? A horse loving, former boxer who loves all things paranormal and Mumford and Sons.
Website: http://www.mindeearnett.com
Books: The Nightmare Affair (The Arkwell Academy Books 1 &2) and Avalon (Avalon #1)
Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Nobles
If you haven’t read The Nightmare Affair you need to read my review here and then go buy the book. When you speak to an author a book that you believe changes the whole game, the excitement you feel is off the charts. After having a brief fan girl moment, Tanya Pickles interviewed Mindee Arnett, cutting down the basics of her popular first book and what it took to get there.
Motif Ink is honored . . . Enjoy
———————————————————————————————————————————————
What inspired The Nightmare Affair?
Published March 5, 2013
367 Pages
The primary inspiration came from the Henry Fuseli painting The Nightmare. It depicts a woman with a “nightmare” sitting on her chest. I saw it and wondered what it would be like if the situation were reversed, if the woman were doing the sitting instead. And voilà, Dusty was born.
You state on your website that you wrote four novels, only submitted one and received dozens of rejection letters. What pushed you to keep trying?
Well, publishing was always the goal, but the drive has always been the story. Regardless of failure I never felt any desire to stop writing. And it just sort of followed that I would keep on trying to publish as well. Also, more than anything I think beginning writers need to understand that writing is a skill that takes a lot of time to develop. And the only way to develop it is to continue writing. I don’t consider those early novels as failures. They were practice novels.
How would you define your style of writing? What is it about your writing that draws people to read or continue reading your book/books?
Hmm…I’m not sure how to describe my style. I love vivid imagery and language, snappy dialogue, and a story that moves. I really don’t know what draws people to read my stuff other than the ideas themselves.
Expected Pub. March 4, 2014
384 Pages
Do you feel that you are a successful writer? What makes you successful?
I think that success isn’t something you obtain. I think it’s something you have to strive for every day. It’s always ongoing. So I guess by that logic I’m only successful because I keep at it.
Finally, what is the lasting impression you wish to leave in the literary world?
Ha! For now, all I aspire to is to keep having the opportunity to write more books. We’ll see if there’s any lasting impression later, I suppose.
Mindee loves cyber stalkers (hahaha) so follow her here
For your Quick Five© email Tania at wordpress174@gmail.com
Book Review: The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett
This is going to be a popular series.
Dusty Everhart is what is called a Nightmare. She breaks into people’s home to feed on their dreams. She is the only Nightmare at her boarding school Arkwell Academy and her mother is fairly famous from her antics in her days. So trying to have a normal seems far fetch. It officially becomes impossible when she breaks into Eli Booker’s home and begins to feed on his dreams.
Unlike the normal dreams of girls, sports etc she dreams of murder with Eli and that dream comes true. Things instantly become complicated as Dusty with the help of Eli and her best friend try to use clues from Eli’s dreams to solve a string of murders.
This was a well written book. The connection between Dusty and Eli wasn’t instant and I appreciated that. Although Dusty was attracted to him she went her own way regarding relationships as well as Eli. I thought that this was important because it shows that Dusty and Eli could build into a relationship if the author chooses to. It is expected for them to get in a relationship but it may not happen; Arnett did a good job of leaving things open.
Dusty was too weak for me and she felt she could never do anything. I’m pretty sure we (the readers) will see her grow throughout the series but I seriously never heard a girl say she can’t every other page. Eli supported a lot once he stopped being a jerk.
This book gets a 8 out of 10. I look forward to the characters growth throughout the series and secrets Dusty will be learning hopefully about her mother (who is alive and kicking in the book).
Motif by Tanya 