Reviews

Books I’ve read and reviewed

CLAN is Phenomenal–Review and Giveaway

Clan-tour banner copy

Hi there and welcome to my stop on the CLAN blog tour sponsored by YA Bound Book Tours. For other stops on the tour click here. This dystopian YA novel by newcomer Realm Lovejoy blends sci-fi and adventure with a surprising hint of romance.

clan-1Summary from Goodreads:
Clans are Unity.
No variation. No deviation.
On Clades, to be a Clan is to be an exact copy. 

A perfect society cloning themselves to survive, even as the zombielike Frags threaten to overrun them on an unforgiving planet.
Clan 1672 (privately known as Twain) was never supposed to survive the Incubation Tank. 

But he did. Illegally. 

He is different from the other Clans.
A secret that could destroy him.

Kirkus Reviews: “In this fast-paced novel, Lovejoy uses economical prose while developing the story’s characters and setting in detail. She also meets the challenge of creating memorable characters in a world of identical people…”

My Review:

An entire civilization of human men cloned from one single being living on a distant planet? From the start I was hooked. These clones of Father Krume are designed to be identical. Same appearance, same ideas, identical desires. And, that’s just plain impossible folks. I don’t care if you were raised in a petri dish or a human uterus–every human WANTS. Something, anything…and that desire is what separates each of us–even if we happen to be an identical genetic match to another.

In CLAN, we get the viewpoint of three nearly eighteen year-old males. They have very different experiences, despite the call to Unity (conformity).

Clone 1672, also called Twain, tells most of the story. He was never meant to live. A genetic “experiment” by his sponsor Twigg–the second clone from Krume–Twain is raised in Twigg’s home completely separate from the other clan. Twain longs to join his brethren, but can’t. Because he’s different. More so than he even realizes from seeing his white eyes gaze back at him from the mirror. See all clan have brown eyes, and being differnt targets Twain for destruction.

Clone 1249, called Buster, is a rebel. In fact, 1249 isn’t even his real clone number. He’s on the outskirts of Clan society providing illegal comfort to other clan in order to have a private life raising a defective clan child he saved. He recognizes Twain’s plight and strives to teach Twain how to act within clan society–and how to escape it when the executioners come knocking.

Clone 1348, also called Chad, is sponsored by a second generation clone he despises. How can he not? Clan are about Unity, and perfection. And there is nothing perfect about witnessing your “father” commit an act of indecency. Chad will not ever succumb to the Narcissism lingering on the fringe of Clan society, yet his world is shifted by his interactions with Twain. If nothing else, being near this clan makes Chad realize there is more than Unity to respect.

When Father Krume dies and his successor is assassinated, the chaos of the Clan society forces these three unlikely compatriots into a journey none of them want to make–outside the safety of the city walls. There they develop the skill and knowledge to overcome their prejudices and their Frag enemies. Of course, alliances bring them home–but what awaits is a society in even more disarray.

And the secret reason the Clan clones was developed? It’s stone-cold.

I don’t care that they were ‘identical’ they were indomitable. The action is fast-paced and the characters leap off the page. Twain learning his genetic anomaly goes far beyond his different colored eyes? Wow. And Chad coming to terms with his fear of the unknown, fear of connection? I was so glad to see. it. But Buster goes the extra mile in every way. Just when you think he’s going to take the easy way out–he freaking saves the day. I highly recommend CLAN to all YA readers and anyone who likes dystopian fiction.

Interested? You can find CLAN at Goodreads and Amazon.

Right now the eBook is priced at $.99, but you can get it FREE!!! if you download it December 19-20!  Mark your calendars people!

Book Trailer link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-59si3YVQBw

realm lovejoyAbout the Author
Realm Lovejoy is a writer and an artist. She was raised in Washington State and the alps of Nagano, Japan. Her father is a Japanese ex-monk and her mother an English teacher from Rhode Island. Her art is influenced by both the East and the West.

Realm aspires to tell stories through her writing and art.
She is agented by Jessica Regel. You can find Realm hanging on her website, Goodreads, twitter, Facebook, or Tumblr.

***GIVEAWAY***
Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win:
1 Signed Paperback + CLAN Button + Signed Illustration from Paperback (US only)
1 of 6 Paperbacks (US only) or
1 of 10 eBooks (international shipping)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, and as always, keep reading my friends!

b5526-yabounktourbutton

Swooning for THIRD DAUGHTER!!–A Review and Giveaway

ThirdDaughterBlitzBanner copyIf you had to marry for love or marry for peace, what would you choose?

That’s the question facing Princess Aniri, Third Daughter to the Queen of Dharia.

TD-coverIt’s two weeks until Aniri turns eighteen and can choose to marry her beau–Devesh, a courtesan and emissary from Samir. Her two older sisters have already married men that complement their station, even when love is not present, and Aniri is determined to follow her heart, not her duty.

Especially when her duty involves marrying Prince Malik, heir to the throne of the barbarous northern Jungali provinces. No. No! NO!

Except, Aniri knows she can’t decline outright–and rumors of a Jungali airship weapon are serious indeed. If Aniri accepts the prince’s proposal she can get close enough to find out if the airship is real–and maybe she can help her homeland and her mother’s Queendom figure out how to avoid a war.

Prince Malik makes it easy on Aniri–he tells her their marriage would be one of business. That she could (discreetly) take a lover if she wished. Hmm… And her mother, the Queen, assures her that the choice is hers.

Aniri does what she must–becomes a spy. I loved her reactions to the “barbarians” she encounters on her journey north! Oh, how sweet to have her realize, “Hey, they’re pretty awesome in their own way!” Then Devesh shows up and tells her the airship is a ruse–a trick to get her to marry Malik. After which she will be killed and her beloved country Dharia overrun by Samir and Jungali. Aniri doesn’t know who to believe, and espionage is not her strong suit. The political intrigue is high and Aniri barely escapes an attempt on her life.

The tension is fierce throughout. Each new chapter brings Aniri closer to either love, or death. We get a fantastic steampunk world, with an East Indian flair, and a strong female main character who picks up the ball and runs her hardest. Even when she fumbles, Aniri is worthy of cheers because she learns from her mistakes and never quits.

What I hadn’t expected, and thoroughly adored, was Malik’s assistance. He realizes his only shot at peace is this marriage, and he’s willing to trust a confessed spy with the biggest military secret of his country. Aniri could never have learned what was necessary to save her people without Malik earning her forever trust. And Devesh? Well, perhaps an on-the-side lover isn’t the best place for him in the Jungali court. In the end, Aniri does choose her own husband. And she chooses very well indeed.

Three words to describe this Third Daughter? Indomitable. Passionate. Resourceful. She’s my kind of heroine.

And, can I say the cover is exquisite? The internal art (chapter headings and section breaks) is just as lovely, and speaks volumes about the care that went into making this book.

So, a bit of disclosure: I have known the delightful Susan Kaye Quinn for going on four years. We are longtime critique partners and I’ve read everything she’s published (except the INDIE GUIDE TO SELF PUBLISHING). THIRD DAUGHTER is, in fact, the first book I received from Sue as a freebie for the purpose of review. I absolutely LOVED it, and would recommend it to any YA reader. Its smidgeon of passion–some swoony kisses–won’t make you blush, but will get your heart beating.

Interested?  You can find THIRD DAUGHTER at Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and kobo. It comes out today, so HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY, THIRD DAUGHTER!
*tosses confetti* *releases balloons to the sky*

About the Fantastic Susan Kaye Quinn:

Susan Kaye Quinn grew up in California, where she wrote snippets of stories and passed them to her friends during class. Her teachers pretended not to notice and only confiscated her stories a couple times. Susan left writing behind to pursue a bunch of engineering degrees, but she was drawn back to writing by an irresistible urge to share her stories with her niece, her kids, and all the wonderful friends she’s met along the way. She doesn’t have to sneak her notes anymore, which is too bad.Susan writes from the Chicago suburbs with her three boys, two cats, and one husband. Which, it turns out, is exactly as a much as she can handle. You can find Sue actively engaged in writing and mentoring on her website, Goodreads, Facebook and Twitter.
***GIVEAWAY***
Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win any of these cool prizes!
–20x “Third Daughter” mini M&M packs  (US only)
–A steampunk key necklace (INTL)
–“Third Daughter” East-Indian style bridal jewelry (INT)
Best of luck, and as always, keep reading my friends!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XpressoBannerTours copy

They are HOLDING ON FOREVER–Review and Giveaway

Holding On ForeverHi there and welcome to my stop on the HOLDING ON FOREVER blog tour sponsored by YA Bound Book Tours. For other stops on the tour click here. Today’s book is a New Adult romance by Cecilia Robert.

HoldingOnForever.v3 - Final (1)Book Summary:
Liese is finally moving on with Frey by her side. But sometimes letting go is the hardest part, and trusting is a risk one has to take. In between her practicum and spending time with Frey whenever he is town, she fights her insecurities, and wins. Then something happens and Frey’s priorities momentarily shift, making her second guess their relationship. Suddenly, going back to their former best friends status has never looked so appealing.

Frey’s life has never shined so bright now that Liese is his. But there is a part of him that is shrouded by memories he’d rather have them buried where no one can touch them.  Not even him. But even buried memories and people can’t stay hidden for forever. What Liese doesn’t know is that Frey isn’t about to let go so easily, and he will throw in everything he’s got to stop her from leaving him. He has waited an eternity for her. Giving her up is not an option.

My Review:

This short novel is the sequel to TRULY MADLY DEEPLY YOU, which I have not read. Still, it can be read alone. It picks up with Liese and Frey already in serious with each other. This may not sound odd, but Liese and Frey are childhood friends. They are young (about 24 each I’d say) yet have suffered deep personal losses. Liese had a miscarriage and lost her husband after a terrible car wreck two years prior. She has tremendous abandonment issues, as a result.

Frey’s parents died in a Christmas Day fire ten years ago and his only brother died in duty five years ago–so they’ve suffered. Unfortunately, I didn’t really sense this in the book.

Here’s Why:  At first I thought the pacing was off. That everything happened too slowly for me to really agonize about the characters, but as I read on I realized that the tension was the problem.

As soon as anything remotely dangerous or upsetting occurred, it got dealt with. When Frey went MIA for a few weeks Liese barely got anxious. She didn’t go alcoholic, or turn her house into a Monument of OCD behavior; she spent some nights at her parent’s house and talked to her therapist about her feelings. Then, when he called she tried to break up with him. The rapid transition was very superficial–it never gave me a chance to really get into Liese’s head and feel her pain, so I couldn’t connect with her abandonment, or her worry, or her…anything.

Likewise with Frey–he thinks his brother’s dead for FIVE YEARS. Then one night he gets a call from his brother’s cell number. First, I’m sure people update their cell phones more often than that. If he’d gotten a new phone, I’d imagine he’d have deleted his bro’s contact info…amiright? But, that aside, his brother shows up–alive–and after a brief confrontation they go to Frey’s house. End of chapter.

So, my biggest complaint of the story was a complete lack of emotional resonance. There was no pitch and roll, no “Will they, or Won’t they?” heartstring tug that made me stay up too, too late and show up to work the next day groggy with a book hangover.

My second biggest issue was with setting. I didn’t learn where this story happened until page 50. The book is clearly written by a “Queens English” speaker–meaning the grammar and diction is that of a subject of the Crown, not a gal from Queens, NY–and I’ve read an unGodly amount of British authors who apply their familiar speech and colloquialisms to characters in, say, Texas. Or, New York. Or, some other distinctive US locale wherein persons would never, for example, “have a row” or discuss how “smartly” a woman dresses. Those Brit-isms are rampant throughout the manuscript, so I kept waiting for the London references and crossing my fingers were weren’t going to take a ride up the Empire State Building. Turns out the setting was Vienna, Austria. I’d not known anything about Vienna–and have learned little more than areas within the city are called “Districts”. I’d have loved a bit more immersion into this destination.

Interested in HOLDING ON FOREVER? You can find it at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

About the Author

Cecilia Robert  writes YA, NA and Adult. Her motto: Passion rules. She enjoys writing stories about people finding love in the most unexpected of places, and also about people finding their true purpose in life coupled with adventurous journeys, whether it’s urban, fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary or paranormal romance. There’s always a happy ever after, no matter how long it takes for the characters to get there. When she’s not working in her full time job, she dons her supermom cape, or in most cases find herself trapped between the pages of a book in search for a hero who’ll make her swoon with just a look or a word. Her favourite form of therapy is knitting. Best. Therapy. Ever.

You can find Cecilia on her blog, Goodreads, twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.

***GIVEAWAY***
Click the link below for your chance to win
one of 3 ebook copies of Holding On Forever (INT)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

642fa-yabounktourbutton

Wrecked by CRASHING INTO YOU–Review

Alcohol and adolescents make a dangerous cocktail.

That’s the premise behind B. D. Rowe’s newly released New Adult romance CRASHING INTO YOU.

Crashing Into YouSummary from Goodreads:

Bookish college sophomore Sydney Baker wants Evan Taylor with every ounce of her being. The hottest stud on campus, Evan is six foot four, ripped, stacked with muscles. He’s even easy to talk to.

There’s just one problem: he’s her roommate Melanie’s boyfriend.

But when Melanie tragically dies after a night of wild partying, Sydney and Evan turn to each other in a time of intense grief. And it doesn’t take long for their close friendship to blossom into something more.

Unfortunately for Sydney, secrets from the past soon put her relationship with Evan to the test. Especially when a sexy blonde freshman makes her way into Evan’s life, and tries to rip away everything Sydney holds close to her heart.

My Review:

This book is currently on a blog tour, of which I am not a participant; I got a free reviewer’s copy through NetGalley. The premise sounded interesting, and I’m always down for a New Adult romance, but the story here didn’t grab me. ***This review contains some spoilers***

Background: Sydney’s a survivor of a car accident that killed three people–her drunk, at-fault boyfriend, and a mother and her young child. Sydney hardly drinks and acts as the DD for her friends now. Oh, and she’s still underage for alcohol.

While at school, Sydney struggles with the binge drinking she witnesses around her. She seeks to intervene to help kids not over-indulge–with mixed results. Secretly she pines for Evan, her roommate Melanie’s boyfriend.

It’s not so clear that Evan and Melanie are in trouble, romance-wise. And Sydney does nothing overt to damage their relationship. She and Evan are friends. They do some friend-type stuff: hanging out, studying for a mutual class. It is Evan who makes a move on Sydney. And she shuts him down, because Friend Code, and all that. Good girl. I don’t want to hate you.

The same night Evan puts the move on, Melanie dies from alcohol poisoning. Now Evan is free, but grieving, and Sydney blames herself for not stepping in the path of Melanie’s self-destructive alcohol issues. I can buy that.

Later that summer Sydney and Evan reunite. They behave as friends though Sydney wants more. And she eventually gets the whole Evan-chilada. The smexytimes are a bit overdone to me. Here’s why: throughout this story I felt Sydney read very teen-angsty and immature. She’s kinda petty, and jealous, and well, apart from the “DD-Be-Alcohol-Responsible” stuff she felt rather juvenile. Some people are adult-y in grade school. Sydney felt kiddie, despite being twenty y/o, thus the graphic sex gave me an awkward vibe.

Then school starts again. That this tale was swimming into dark waters wasn’t subtle–more fore-bludgeoning than foreshadowing–and we have Melanie’s Doppleganger appear on campus. Why is Sydney worried? She’s got her man. And the Look-a-like is Melanie’s younger sister. Do guys really want to date their dead ex-girfriend’s younger sister? I struggled with the logic. But it reinforced my feeling that Sydney is too immature to move forward with an adult relationship.

Sydney’s BIGGEST problem isn’t a boyfriend’s potentially-wandering eye, it’s how to develop the skills to cope with disappointment–sans alcohol. The very second she catches Evan in a lie what does Sydney do? Pound two cocktails and vomit in the bushes. Yeah. Great job being a mature adult, Syd.

The ending consists of a melodramatic twist that does a disservice to the story.  A fatality occurs and the plot value of it was nil, IMHO. It felt so unnecessary. What lesson did Sydney learn anyway? Don’t drive while consumed by jealousy? Meh. Not big enough to justify the death–and if it was designed to create plot problems for a sequel, well, I don’t like the characters nearly enough to hitch along for that ride.

I want to recommend the book to younger readers so they can learn how absolutely stupid it is to binge on alcohol–but I can’t because the smexytimes are icky-sticky for younger readers. Some New Adult-ers might relate with Sydney, but mostly I shook my head.

You can find CRASHING INTO YOU at Goodreads, Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

If nothing else, reading stinkers helps me to appreciate the awesome books that much more. The book  wasn’t awful, but the plot didn’t catch me like I thought it would, and the ending was a total downer.

As always, keep reading my friends!

Swooning over MR. 365–Review and Giveaway!

Hi there and welcome to the MR. 365 Blog Tour sponsored by AToMR Book Tours. For other stops on the tour click here. Today’s book is a contemporary adult romance from Ruth Clampett–author of a personal fave:  ANIMATE ME.

mr-365-cover-finalBook description
When reality show producer Sophia is assigned to convince Christmas fanatic Will to be on their holiday special, she imagines him to be an oddball momma’s boy wearing a reindeer Christmas sweater. What she doesn’t expect is the handsome, mysterious man who captures her attention, and seems determined to win her heart.

Their attraction is undeniable, and as charming Sophia convinces Will to work with her, she slowly unwraps the secrets in his past that make this determined and soulful man still yearn for the childhood he never had.

When the chaos of production starts, will Sophia be able to keep her promises to protect Will from being exploited, or will the bitter truth of reality television be a runaway train of disaster for both of them?

Join Sophia, Will and his dog Romeo to enter the world of his enchanting holiday house where stars shine indoors and snow is always falling…365 days of the year.

My Review:

Will is a man’s man. He’s big, burly and…decorates his house like it’s Christmas everyday. Of course, he ramps it up for the holidays–much to his neighbors’ chagrin–but his mission is to simply give back. He had a lousy childhood, spent time in juvie and on the streets, but he made it out. Grew up and realized his good fortune is a blessing he should spread around.

Sophia is a film producer new to ‘reality’ TV. Her first big show is to showcase Will and his “Christmas obsession” but she recognizes the emotional frailty that resides within Will and wants to show him in a favorable light–in fact she promises to. He never wanted to do the show and only agrees when Sophia tells him how a positive piece–highlighting Will’s charity work, might ease the heat he gets from his neighbors over his lawn decorations.

And then they fall in love. Sigh. Okay, okay–it’s deep, deep like anyway. It’s adorable how they try to keep their attraction on the down-low, what with the production staff (female and male) swooning over Will! They do try to maintain a professional attitude in front of others. Mostly.

Then the shoot wraps and Will and Sophia are finally able to indulge in their passion for each other. Briefly. Add one Insane Neighbor Vendetta and you got yourselves an old-fashioned front yard brawl, complete with serious injuries, fire department call-outs, and overnight jail stays.

Sophia heads on to her next assignment and the powers that be, well, let’s say their “creative” take on Will’s Christmas house would earn them coal-filled stockings…It’s not going to win over Will’s neighbors, in any case. Sophia can’t bear the part she played in Will’s show–and their budding relationship…well…

*stage whisper* IT’S A ROMANCE, SILLIES! SOMEHOW IT ALL WORKS OUT!

Yes, HEA indeed. And it’s a great ride. The steam is subtle, and the tension is high, and I’d love me a little bit of Mr. 365–if Ms. Clampett has any to spare. Fact is, I love Ruth Clampett’s characters. Will is damaged goods, but achingly vulnerable and entirely loveable. Sophia is career-minded and driven, but she takes time to listen and learn. The book will surely appeal to contemporary romance fans.

About the Author

Ruth Clampett, daughter of legendary animation director, Bob Clampett, has spent a lifetime surrounded by art and animation. A graduate of Art Center College of Design, her careers have included graphic design, photography, VP of Design for WB Stores and teaching photography at UCLA. She now runs her own studio as the fine art publisher for Warner Bros. where she’s had the opportunity to know and work with many of the greatest artists in the world of animation and comics.

Mr. 365 is Ruth’s second novel and is inspired by her varied experiences in the television world from winning big on a game show, to guest hosting on the QVC shopping network, to sharing a studio with a production team that produced early reality television. Her first novel, Animate Me, is a contemporary romance set in the animation world. (Can I mention again how much I loved ANIMATE ME? Because–I so did! V:) ) She lives in Los Angeles and is heavily supervised by her teenage daughter, lovingly referred to as Snarky, who helps her plan and execute their yearly Christmas extravaganza.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

***Giveaway***

One Grand prize consisting of:Mr.365 Grand Prize pic 2

(1)  Signed print copy of Mr. 365,
(1) metal Mr. 365 ornament,
(1) embellished Studio Coffee tumbler,
(1) studio keychain – US Only

Also up for grabs:

(3)  Signed print copies of Mr. 365  – International
(5) eBook copies of Mr. 365 – International

Just click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, and as always: Keep reading, my friends!

AToMRTours_mdm

Finally Got My BACKSTAGE PASS–A review

Now I’ve been extolling the prowess of Olivia Cunning’s e-ROCK-tica since July.

That’s when I met her One Night With Sole Regret novella series–and I have loved each one of them (in order: TRY ME, TEMPT ME, TAKE ME, SHARE ME, TOUCH ME, TIE ME and TELL ME) but–for some UNKNOWN reason (I’m going to blame solar flares for this one)–I never read the Sinners on Tour novels that came first.

Oh, what a goof am I.

Backstage Pass (Sinners on Tour, #1)BACKSTAGE PASS (Sinners #1) has the tagline: Sex, Love and Rock-n-Roll. It so delivers.

Myrna Evans is a sociology professor who specializes in human sensuality/sexual attraction research. Most of her findings involve the use of rock music as an aphrodisiac. While at a conference in my beloved Chi-town, Dr. Myrna comes into contact with a group of musicians–and not any musicians–Sinners, the band she has followed for years. Brian “Master” Sinclair’s lead guitar riffs have formed many of the test material to which her research subjects have responded. She approaches the band in awe, and soon realizes the object of her interest is, in fact, 3/4 wasted, nursing a busted heart with tequila…

The Sinners find sexy-sexologist Myrna a hoot and compete for her attention, but it’s Brian who gets her room number. Too bad he’s too plastered to do more than pass out on her bed. No worries–he makes up for it the next morning.

The chemistry between them is so intense Brian’s creative (and other) juices flow unabated. He’s half-mating/half-writing, new guitar licks spout forth whenever they get the heat on. And so they fire that burner right on up–for a weekend.

Then it’s back to ‘real life’, but the pull between them is strong. Brian’s distracted on tour and won’t take any of the groupies who throw themselves at his rock-god feet. He wants more of Myrna–the forever-kind of more. Meanwhile Myrna fears commitment, her ex-husband was controlling and abusive, and is sure that Brian can’t give her what she needs–a true love. Plus, she’s not willing to give up her career for a man–even if he is Master Sinclair.

Reuniting for a holiday, Myrna rides along with the band. Witnessing the groupies’ unconventional sexual behavior, Myrna’s struck by the research potential.  She gets a grant and tours with the band for the summer while conducting interviews of the lusty ladies at each tour stop. It’s maddening for her to see so many women after the man she desires, but this demonstrates the level of commitment Brian is willing to set for them; he never glances at the groupies.

And when Myrna needs him? He drops everything to get to her.

I loved the passion and the intimacy. One thing I can clearly count on with Olivia is a baseline of respect layered with a melody of smoking hot sex. Her characters talk to each other. They get to know one another, on at least a cursory level, before they plunge ahead. Growing up in the Motley Crue “Girls, GIrls, Girls”-era, I love seeing these tattooed rockers with a heart and a soul–one that is reachable by a strong woman.

Thanks Olivia for the BACKSTAGE PASS into a vibrant world of love, sex and music!

You can find BACKSTAGE PASS at some libraries (mine had an eBook for loan) or at Goodreads, Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Print editions can be ordered at your local bookstore.

Let me know if you’ve read any of Olivia’s work–or have a Rock Romance to recommend–in the comments. And, as always, keep reading my friends!  🙂

Caught up in THE SUBURBAN STRANGE–A Review

What would you do if your life depended upon you losing your virginity before your 16th birthday?

A freaking mind-bender of a question for many out there–I’m sure.

13322609I recently finished Nathan Kotecki‘s THE SUBURBAN STRANGE, a YA paranormal romance and that was one of the many intriguing plot questions the characters struggled to answer.

Here’s what happens:

Fifteen year old Celia Balaustine is new to Suburban High. She’s still saddened by the loss of her father a year ago and is reticent to make friends. Instead she draws. Her skill as an artist makes her a friend in a summer drawing class–Regine, an upperclassman at her new school.

Regine and her friends make up a small clique of “sophisicates” who call themselves the Rosary. They dress in tailored clothing, favoring the darker hues in the spectrum, and alternative music. It’s not Goth, and it’s not emo, but it’s different and the Rosary enjoys being set apart.

Celia buys into this group wholeheartedly as it gives her confidence of friendship and lends an air of mystery that suits her shyness. In addition to her Rosary friends, Celia befriends her lab partner Mariette, who she soon discovers has supernatural powers. In short Mariette is a witch of the Kind, meaning she performs good magic to help people. Those of the Unkind–or dark magic practicioners–are Mariette’s mortal enemy.

It’s handy to have a Kind witch at Suburban High because it soon becomes apparent that an Unkind is working evil on the younger girls at school. A rash of girls are having dangerous, near-fatal accidents on the day before their 16th birthday. These incidents seem to plague only the girls who aren’t sexually active.

As rumors–and deflowering offers–fly through the school, Celia is faced with the choice: Should she? She’s never even kissed a boy. And while she’s interested in one, Tomasi, she’s not sure she’s ready for that at all.

In the end Celia’s decision seems less important than the hunt for the Unkind. Because one girl finally does die, granting that dark witch exceptional power. And Celia’s innate strength is the only thing protecting her from certain death. It’s a fantastic book with layers of art and musical references.

It’s lyrical and fantastical and an intriguing read. While the sex question is prominent, there are thoughtful and conscientious arguments made that (I believe) any teenager faces regarding sexual activity. In this scenario the peer pressure is astounding, and it seems few girls cave. Is it because everyone will assume she ‘did it’ if she isn’t maimed? The promiscuity double-standard all girls experience is laid in plain sight, so the discussions are unencumbered by the usual mores.  I enjoyed the sensitivity with which this was handled, but wonder why only the girls were targeted.

The world of SUBURBAN STRANGE is a pretty cool one, no doubt. I half-wished to be one of the Rosary, and ached with Celia as one after another roadblock was erected between her and Tomasi.

Interested? You can fine THE SUBURBAN STRANGE at your local library (that’s where I got it), Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I already have the sequel, PULL DOWN THE NIGHT, on my actual (not virtual) shelf waiting to be read. You’ll probably hear about it soon…

If you pick up THE SUBURBAN STRANGE, don’t forget to let me know what you thought of it in the comments. I’d also love to hear your take on the Sex-Before-Sixteen premise.  If you were Celia, would you have done the deed to protect yourself from harm?

And, as always, keep reading my friends!

Battling with CRYSTAL FIRE–Review and Giveaway

crystal fire banner copy

Hi there, and welcome to my stop on the CRYSTAL FIRE Blog Tour sponsored by YA Bound Blog Tours. For other stops on the tour click here. Today’s book is best-selling novelist Jordan Dane’s sequel to the YA paranormal adventure INDIGO AWAKENING.

crystal fireSummary from Goodreads:
Because of what you are, the Believers will hunt you down.

A storm is brewing on the streets of LA, one that has intensified since a tragic and deadly confrontation claimed an innocent life.

While Gabriel Stewart trains his army of teen psychics to stop Alexander Reese–the obsessed leader of the Believers–the fanatical church becomes more bent on the annihilation of all Indigo and Crystal children. They’re silencing the voices of the telepathic hive, one soul at a time, with frightening experiments cruelly executed on vulnerable minds.

When the Believers torture a mysterious homeless boy, Oliver Blue, they brainwash him into betraying his own. The boy becomes a deadly pawn to take Gabriel down. As the fires of chaos burn around him, Gabe is running out of time. He’ll need to confront his past–and the man who made him–before the hope of peace for the future is silenced forever.

My Review:
Wow. This book is intense. So many themes. So many controversial themes, I should say.

First, a bit of world-building. The setting is contemporary L.A., but this society is heavily influenced by the Church of Spiritual Freedom–an international religious congregation that not only believes psychics aren’t human, and are sure these psychic, or Indigo, children are too dangerous to be allowed to survive. Unfortunately there are a lot of Indigo kids, and they are being rounded up–either for extermination or experimentation.

We open with Caila enlisting the help of Oliver–a powerful but reclusive Indigo–to find their mutual friend Zack. He’s been taken by the Church, and Caila feels responsible. She and Oliver are themselves kidnapped and subjected to horrors at the hands of Church physician-scientist Dr. Fiona. While there Oliver’s powers grow. So much so that he’s able to remotely mind-link with Gabriel Stewart.

Gabe’s so powerful he’s passed into Crystal status and can utilize other Indigo’s powers. As the son of the director of the Church, Gabe is appalled by his father’s edict to hunt down the Indigos. It’s nothing new for that callous man–he did have Gabe’s mother murdered, after all. Gabe cobbles together as many Indigos as he can to build an army against the Church’s henchmen.

When his friend Rafael is taken by the Church, Gabe’s Indigo army seeks to set him free. Aided by Oliver and Caila, Gabe and his fellow psychics discover even more horrific happenings in the Church’s top-secret Zone 8 laboratory. The risks are high, but the payoff is higher. Especially when the showdown pits Gabe against his father.

The world of CRYSTAL FIRE is fantastic without being unrealistic. The kids are compassionate and make good heroes. While I always object to a “Mad Scientist” trope–because, um, I’m a scientist–the story is compelling and will appeal to fans of YA dystopian fiction. There are some hints of romance, but nothing to blush over, so it’s safe for the kiddos… A great read. It’s all wrapped up neatly, but there are certainly elements that can be used to build a third book in this series.

Interested? You can can find CRYSTAL FIRE at Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository and Kobo.

jordan daneAbout this Author:
Bestselling, critically-acclaimed author Jordan Dane’s gritty romantic thrillers are ripped from the headlines with vivid settings, intrigue, and dark humor. Publishers Weekly compared her intense novels to Lisa Jackson, Lisa Gardner, and Tami Hoag, naming her debut novel NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM as Best Books of 2008. She also pens young-adult novels for Harlequin Teen. Formerly an energy sales manager, she now writes full time. Jordan and her husband share their Texas residence with two lucky rescue dogs.

You can find Jordan on her website, Facebook, twitter, Pinterest, blogging at ADR3NALIN3 or her personal blog, or eavesdropping on teen conversations at her local mall so she can get the right flava for her dialogue.

***GIVEAWAY***
Click the Rafflecopter link below to win
one of 10 print copies of CRYSTAL FIRE (US/CAN only)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Best of luck, and as always–keep reading my friends.

266ec-yabounktourbutton

Looking for MEN AND MARTINIS? Got them! Review and Giveaway

Men and Martinis-tour banner copy

Hi there and welcome to my stop on the MEN AND MARTINIS blog tour sponsored by YA Bound Blog Tours. For other stops on the tour click here. Today’s book is a sassy New Adult romance by Delancey Stewart.

men and martinisSummary from Goodreads:
Candace Kanie wins at every game she plays. From the boardroom to the bar, she’s confident, clever, perhaps just a tad overbearing. It’s not easy for a girl like Candace to admit that love may be the one game she can’t win…at least not until she’s willing to change her strategy. In Men and Martinis, Candace Kanie will learn that sometimes to be at the top of your game, you have to hit rock bottom.

Men and Martinis is the first release in Delancey Stewart’s series “Girlfriends of Gotham” – a voyeuristic voyage through the lives of a group of twenty-something girls who dance, date, and drink their way through Manhattan during the days of the dot com boom. During an era when the up-and-comers in New York were partying like Studio 54 had never died, this group of friends discovers that the city is theirs for the taking; and they find their often-hilarious way through the forces that work to redefine the way they know themselves and each other.

My review:
This New Adult adventure follows the lives of two young gals tackling New York’s business landscape in their own way. Natalie is befuddled. She only knows she needs to get away from the watchful eyes of her family in San Diego. So she drives herself across the country and shares an apartment with a complete stranger. She lucks into a fantastic marketing job that she has no knowledge or skill to actually do, yet she gives it her all.

At a business party she crosses paths with the brash, take-no-prisoners, chic Candace “Don’t call me Candy” Kanie and they hit it off. Candace is a investment manager–and she will accept nothing less than her exact ideal job, mate, or life.

This dual-viewpoint tale is endearing. We see the internal vulnerabilities of two competent women both swimming for the surface in shark-infested seas. Despite all effort, Candace can’t seem to land the man she wants–nor seal the crucial investment her firm needs to get it’s financial footing. Lacking experience, Natalie is mired in too much work she cannot possibly handle–and a relationship that is going nowhere. Her attraction to a co-worker causes too much friction, and a new executive hired to train her is not helping matters.

Ultimately, we get a great look at the world of fledgling adults attempting to make a “success” of themselves. I really enjoyed the pacing and felt the characters were well-drawn and admirable. For those who clamor about too sexy New Adult, they have nothing to flinch at here. All the smexytimes takes place behind closed doors.

 Interested? You can find MEN AND MARTINIS at Goodreads, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.

delancey stewartAbout the Author
I’m not big on labels, but there are a few that fit me (not necessarily in this order. Or maybe in this order):
– wine drinker (and wine geek)
– mother of small boys
– military spouse
– writer
– chocolate eater

I’ve written the Wine Country Romance Series, which ties my love of wine to my love of falling in love… and the Girlfriends of Gotham series, which begins publishing with Swoon Romance in December 2013.

I also love short stories, and my themed collection (all set in the same NYC brownstone across the span of a century) published in 2012. You can catch ups with Delancey on her blog, Goodreads, Facebook and twitter.

***GIVEAWAY***
Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win:
4 – ebooks of Men and Martinis + $10 iTunes gift card (INT)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck! And, as always, keep reading my friends!

266ec-yabounktourbutton

Could Love FIX YOU? Review and Giveaway

Fix-You-Banner

Hi there, and welcome to my stop on the FIX YOU blog tour sponsored by AToMR Book Tours. For other stops on the tour click here. Today’s book is an adult contemporary romance from Beck Anderson.

FixYou_CoverBook Description:
When Kelly Reynolds’s husband died, he left her—the awkward, cautious one—to raise their two young boys. She’s pieced herself back together, barely. Now she takes refuge in her routine: running her kids around and running the trails near her Idaho home.

Two years after her husband’s death, a chance encounter on a run brings Andrew into her life. But Andrew is Andy Pettigrew, the Andy Pettigrew, famous actor. Kelly hates risk, and a love affair with Andrew is certainly tempting fate. She doesn’t fit into his Hollywood world. She doesn’t own a pair of Louboutins, and she couldn’t walk five paces in them if she did. Andrew oozes cool. She reeks of dork.

But despite this, they click. It may be inexplicable, but it works. However, it’s also becoming clear that Andrew struggles with the pressures of his fame. Kelly’s hold on a so-called normal life is already tenuous, and as much as she might want to indulge the fantasy, she doesn’t know how either of them is supposed to cope with stalkerazzi and tweet-happy fans with camera phones. She and Andrew both have secrets that seem impossible to keep.

Beck Anderson’s witty, engaging writing yields an emotional tale of love, loss, and all the little things that make up a life. In the end, what is it that really holds us together? Kelly must decide if love can fix two people who might be broken beyond repair.

My Review:

Sometimes we live life; sometimes we just survive it–and Kelly Reynolds is surviving her life. Losing her husband was a nightmare she can’t escape–and her dreams are often tortured by her guilt for moving on–or not moving on enough. See, Kelly was always cautious. Her life has been played by the rules and she figures she lost the game already. Kelly can only pull herself out of bed to take care of her two boys, Hunter and Beau. But even they know she’s dead inside.

Cue the intervention. A quick trip to Indio has Kelly moving. Or, at least running. She’s taking her daily jog when realization strikes: today is the second anniversary of her husband’s death.  Overcome, she nearly collapses in tears and is assisted by a tall stranger. He dashes off so quickly he leaves behind his jacket. Kelly’s attempt to return it opens the next chapter of her life.

The stranger is movie star Andrew Pettigrew, another lonely soul surviving life. Meeting Kelly–a grounded, caring mother–is somewhat of an epiphany for him. He meets her the next day and they chat. Then they go for a run and chat some more. Kelly keeps all of this so down low it’s practically down under–a trait Andrew seems to like. He takes her number in the event he ever stops in Boise.

What do you know. A couple months later he does stop. Pops in unexpectedly. Kelly and her sons put him up for the weekend. A weekend filled with discovery. And a bit of guilt. But mostly there is something Kelly hasn’t felt in good long time: hope.

Their strange romance is kept super-down-under-low in order to foster the image of a fake romance between Andrew and his newest co-star, a Hollywood device that seems to increase ticket sales. It’s nerve-wracking for both Andrew and Kelly bringing along some unexpected baggage–Andrew’s alcoholism.

Though Kelly and Andrew share a strong love, Kelly knows she’s broken, and can’t imagine how she can help Andrew through his disease. She’d kicked her husband out years ago for alcoholism and they’d reconciled shortly before he died. This new facet with Andrew is deja vu of the Worst Kind. But maybe together they can find a way…

This book hit me hard. Maybe it’s because I’ve recently lost my father and an uncle, but a story about moving on after losing a loved one is always going to touch its readers. The romance is so super-down-low we only get Fade To Black scenes–no super steamy interludes, but that’s okay here, I think. Keeping the focus on working through grief and learning to trust in another love is amenable to a quiet love affair. At times I wanted to shake Kelly and give her a Cher-Snap-Out-Of-It smack, but she manages to right the ship and find the best course in time.

Interested? You can find FIX YOU at Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

beck anderson press releaseAbout this author:
Beck Anderson believes in the power of perfectly imperfect women and in the healing power of love. Her new novel, Fix You, grew out of those beliefs and the time to write afforded by the worst Thanksgiving blizzard she’s ever witnessed in West Yellowstone.

For Beck, the path to published novelist has taken lots of twists and turns, including a degree in anthropology, a stint as a ticket seller at a ski resort, a much-loved career as a high school English teacher, and a long tenure as a member of the best writing group ever, hands down.

Beck balances (clumsily at best) writing novels and screenplays, working full-time as an educator, mothering two pre-teen males, loving one post-40 husband, and making time to walk the foothills of Boise, Idaho, with Stefano DiMera Delfino Anderson, the suavest Chihuahua north of the border. You can find Beck on her website, Facebook and twitter.

****GIVEAWAY****
Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance at winning
(7) eBook copies of Fix You provided by Omnific Publishing – International
(1) $25 USD Gift Card to Omnific Publishing (to purchase any of their titles) – International
a Rafflecopter giveaway

AToMRTours_mdm