ARC Review: Deception by Lee Nichols

Title: Deception (Haunting Emma #1)
Author: Lee Nichols
Release date: 6/8/2010
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Number of pages: 304
Reading Level: Young Adult

4 out of 5 Stars

ARC provided by A Book-lovers’ Review ARC Tours






Description from Goodreads:

When Emma Vaile’s parents go missing while away on a mysterious business trip, she’s left all alone in her creepy old house. But her brother’s very cute best friend, Bennett Stern—Emma’s knight in J. Crew armor—arrives unexpectedly to whisk her away to New England. There, Emma settles into his family’s museum-like mansion and enrolls at an old-fashioned private school. She quickly finds friends in the popular legacy crowd at Thatcher and spends her free time crushing on Bennett. But the eerie visions she’s been hiding from everyone have gotten worse. Emma has memories of Thatcher that she can’t explain—it’s as if she’s returning home to a place she’s never been. Finally, Emma confides in Bennett and learns she is a ghostkeeper, a person who can communicate with ghosts. Bennett brought Emma to Thatcher to protect her, but now he needs her help tracking an other-worldly murderer.

A rich New England setting filled with mystery, tradition, and prep-school intrigue make Deception the perfect choice for fans of series like Kate Brian’s Private, as well as all those paranormal fans. The shocking ending will leave readers desperate for book two.

My thoughts:

Deception is a real page turner.  I managed to read it in just a few hours.  The characters were interesting and well developed.  I found protagonist Emma easy to connect with.  After spending most of her life feeling like second best she finds herself abandoned by everyone she thought cared.  I really felt for her, and could imagine the pain she was feeling.


Deception contained an interesting ghost story that kept me reading late into the night.  It also has a romance that promises to invoke warm fuzzies, as well as a little love triangle for those that dig that type of thing.  I’m a fan of warm fuzzies and love triangles so that was a definite win-win for me.  I didn’t find anything about this story predictable.  The conclusion was a real shocker, and left my heart feeling a wee bit bruised.  It all ended with what I’d consider a cliffhanger as well as several unanswered questions.  Frustrating for me yes, but also a guarantee I’ll read the next book.  Deception is a promising start to a new young adult trilogy.

If you like ghost stories and the paranormal check this one out.  Deception does contain some adult language, and sexual predicaments.  You may want to keep that in mind when recommending it to the younger teens and tweens.

Lee Nichols on the web:

Website | Twitter | Blog

Book Blog Hop (11)

It is time for the weekly Blog Hop 

hosted by Jennifer at Crazy For Books.

Stop by Crazy For Books for all the details.

Check out my current giveaway while you're here!

Win an audiobook of The 9th Judgement by James Patterson.

Thanks for hopping by my blog!  

Audiobook Review and Giveaway: The 9th Judgement by James Patterson

**Possible spoilers for earlier books in this series below**

Details on how you can win a copy of The 9th Judgement after my review.

Title: The 9th Judgement (Audiobook)

Authors: James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Read by Carolyn McCormick

Available: Now

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Reading level: Adult

3.5 out of 5 Stars

I received a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Synopsis from Hachette Book Group:

During an intimate dinner party, a cat burglar breaks into the home of A-list actor Marcus Dowling. When his wife walks in on the thief, the situation quickly teeters out of control, leaving an empty safe and a lifeless body. 

The same night, a woman and her infant child are ruthlessly gunned down in an abandoned garage. The killer hasn't left a shred of evidence, except for a foreboding and cryptic message: WCF, the letters written in blood-red letters. 

With two elusive criminals on the loose, Detective Lindsay Boxer calls on the Women's Murder Club to help her stop them before they continue their spree. But before they can break either case, the Lipstick Killer changes his act and demands a ransom--not for a single victim, but for all of San Francisco. Lindsay puts her own life on the line--but will it be enough to save the city from this deranged killer?

My thoughts:

This is the 9th book in The Women’s Murder Club series. I have been a fan since the beginning, and enjoyed catching up with Lindsay and her pals. James Patterson has created a diverse group of female characters, and most readers will relate to at least one of the ladies that make up The Women’s Murder Club. Whether it be Detective Lindsay Boxer, reporter Cindy Thomas, medical examiner Claire Washburn, or district attorney Yuki Castellano.

The crimes that take place in The 9th Judgement are gruesome. This is definitely not a book for the faint of heart. I was actually hesitant to pick this one up because of the violent nature of the crimes. I tend to avoid books with brutality against children. I am so invested in the lives of these characters that I couldn’t skip this installment, even though I was concerned the plot might be too heavy for me. I wasn’t thrilled with the serial killer story line, but the cat burglar part was interesting. While I wouldn’t consider this the best book in the series, it also wasn’t the worst.If you’ve read the previous books you’ll most likely enjoy The 9th Judgement, but I don’t feel it would be strong enough to hold the interest of a newbie to the series. The ending was a cliffhanger, and left me wanting more.


Other books in this series:
1st to Die
2nd Chance
3rd Degree
4th of July
The 5th Horseman
The 6th Target
7th Heaven
The 8th Confession

Listen to an excerpt of the book here.

James Patterson’s Website

**This Contest Is Closed**

Want to win a copy of The 9th Judgement? Keep reading! 

Rules:

Open to residents of the U.S and Canada. Sorry international peeps :(

No P.O boxes please

Fill out the form to enter
You don’t have to be a follower, but it is always appreciated :)
Contest ends midnight CST on June 11th
There are 3 copies up for grabs!
The audiobook will ship from the publisher
Thank to Anna from Hachette for providing the audiobooks for the giveaway!

Waiting on Wednesday (11)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, 

hosted by Breaking the Spine,

that spotlights upcoming releases

we are eagerly anticipating.

This week I’m "waiting on” 

I AM NUMBER FOUR

by Pittacus Lore

Releases August 2010

I’m not sure if this is the actual synopsis. 

I found it on the I Am Number Four Fans website.

Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. Not even close. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books— but we are real.

Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running, all of us are hiding. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. We have lived among you without you knowing.

But they know.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.

Number Two in England.

And Number Three in Kenya.

They killed them all.

I am Number Four.

I am next.

What book are you “waiting on”?

Shadowfever Cover and Synopsis Revealed!

I’m sure this is all over the blogosphere, but I still had to share the news about one of my favorite series. Karen Marie Moning revealed the cover and synopsis for the final book in her Fever series. Shadowfever releases in December, and will hopefully answer all of our burning questions. I can’t wait!  


Check out Shadowfever.com to view the cover and read the synopsis. 

Warning: Synopsis does contain spoilers for earlier books in the series.

Review: Master of None by Sonya Bateman

Title: Master Of None
Author: Sonya Bateman
Available: Now
Publisher: Pocket
Number of Pages: 384
Reading Level: Adult

4.5 out of 5 Stars


My copy was received from the author.
Thanks again Sonya!






Description from Goodreads:


ONE UNLUCKY THIEF. ONE UNLIKELY GENIE. ONE VERY ODD COUPLE.

Gavyn Donatti is the world’s unluckiest thief. Just ask all the partners he’s lost over the years. And when he misplaces an irreplaceable item he was hired to steal for his ruthless employer, Trevor—well, his latest bungle just might be his last. But then his luck finally turns: right when Trevor’s thugs have him cornered, a djinn, otherwise known as a genie, appears to save him.

Unfortunately, this genie—who goes by the very non-magical name of “Ian”—is more Hellboy than dream girl. An overgrown and extremely surly man who seems to hate Donatti on the spot, he may call Donatti master, but he isn’t interested in granting three wishes. He informs Donatti that he is bound to help the thief fulfill his life’s purpose, and then he will be free. The problem is that neither Donatti nor Ian has any idea what exactly that purpose is.

At first Donatti’s too concerned with his own survival to look a gift genie in the mouth, but when his ex-girlfriend Jazz and her young son get drawn into the crossfire, the stakes skyrocket. And when Ian reveals that he has an agenda of his own—with both Donatti and the murderous Trevor at the center of it—Donatti will have to become the man he never knew he could be, or the entire world could pay the price...


My thoughts:


Master of None is the first book in a new series. It is told from the perspective of Gavyn Donatti. Reading more books with a male main character is a personal goal of mine. It’s a nice way to mix it up a bit, and prevent the dreaded reading slump. Gavyn is one of my new favorite characters. Yes, I was charmed by the quick-witted thief. He is just so much fun. Add one grumpy djinn named Ian to the equation, and you’re in for a treat. This book is the perfect blend of suspense, action, and comedy. It even has a tiny bit of romance. Not an easy combination to pull off, but the author nailed it. In a genre dominated by werewolves, vampires, and faeries a book about the djinn really stands out. If you’re a fan of Urban Fantasy I’d recommend giving this book a try. I think you’ll be glad you did.


Sonya Bateman did an excellent job of creating a fresh addition to the Urban Fantasy genre. With the combination of deft dialogue, on the edge of your seat action, and charismatic characters you have a definite book win. 

Master of None Trailer:

Sonya Bateman on the web:

Website

Stop by and read the first chapter of Master of None on her website.

Release News: Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon

"At fourteen, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is the stuff of legends. . .until the night when his best friends try to kill him.”


Infinity is the first book in the ‘Chronicles of Nick’ series 
and it releases tomorrow!

Infinity Trailer:

If you liked the song featured in the trailer 
download it for free here. 

Need a sneak peek? Read the prologue and an interview with 
Sherrilyn Kenyon here.

Thanks to Tara at Zeitghost Media for contacting me about this promo.

Off Topic: Farewell Lost!

Did you watch? What did you think? I’m not sure if I’m satisfied with the ending. I think I need to watch it again. I do know I’m so sad to see it go. Lost was good television. I admit I squealed and cried during a scene involving my favorite Lost characters and a vending machine :) Farewell Lost! We’ll miss you!

In My Mailbox (10)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

I didn’t buy any books last week.  I also didn’t make any library trips. My oldest kiddo was sick so we spent most of the week home. I did receive books I won from two blog contests, one from an ARC tour group, and one from Goodreads Book Swap. Please excuse the kind of crappy picture below. Hubby gave me a new camera for Mother’s Day, and it confuses me ;) This pic was snapped with my iPhone.

Received from Abook-lovers Review ARC Tours:

Deception by Lee Nichols

*Review coming this week!

Won from Michelle Rowen:

Claimed By The Wolf by Charlene Teglia

Thanks Michelle and Charlene!

From Goodreads Book Swap:

Ghostland by Jory Strong

~This was my first time using Goodreads Book Swap. It was so easy! I’ll definitely use it again.

Won from Steph at Steph Su Reads:

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

The Heart Is Not a Size by Beth Kephart

Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

The Gardener by S.A Bodeen

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

She’s So Dead to Us by Kieran Scott

I’ve read Shadow Hills and Inside Out. Love them both! I’m so excited to have a copy to keep. I can’t wait to read Shade! Thanks Steph!

Bloggy News:

I added a section for contest links from around the blogosphere to the left sidebar on the blog. 

I hope you all had a great weekend! What was in your mailbox?

Waiting on Wednesday (10)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, 

hosted by Breaking the Spine,

that spotlights upcoming releases

we are eagerly anticipating.

This week I’m "waiting on” 

The Sorcerer of Sainte Felice

by Ann Finnin
Coming in June 2010

I was only an apprentice. I swear it. By all the angels in Heaven. 

Fourteen-year-old Michael de Lorraine has been condemned to death by the Holy Office for sorcery. But just as the flames threaten to consume him, Michael is saved by Abbot Francis and granted refuge at the Benedictine monastery of Sainte Felice. Michael learns that this strange and wonderful place, famous for its healing wine, harbors renegade monk-sorcerers, enchanted gargoyles, and a closely guarded secret: Abbot Francis is the great Seratois, exiled Grand Master of the Fratres Illuminati.

As the church intensifies its cruel efforts at justice, Abbot Francis and the brotherhood are in grave danger. Michael will do anything to protect his mentor, but are his powers great enough to save the monastery from the merciless, bloodthirsty Inquisition?

Blending together magic, miracles, and historical details of life in fifteenth-century France, this unique fantasy offers a vibrant portrayal of one boy's journey of faith.

What book are you “Waiting On”?

Review: Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

Title: Brightly Woven
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Available: Now
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Number of pages: 368
Reading Level: Young Adult

5 out of 5 Stars

I purchased my copy from Amazon







Description from Goodreads:

Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him.

In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers.

Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry.

My thoughts:


Gratuitous fawning ahead! If that type of thing insults your senses you probably don’t want to read my review. You were warned ;)

This beautifully written book caused me to feel something that has only happened a few times during my reading adventures. As soon as I reached the last page I wanted to flip to the beginning and start again. This book was that amazing! That is the number one symptom that I have fallen into book love ♥


Brightly Woven is packed full of colorful characters, evil villains, and an amazing world for them to dwell in. Wayland North is a wizard, and the classic damaged hero. I spent half the time hating him, and the rest wanting to kiss him. Sydelle Mirabil, while naive, is also one of the most fearless female characters I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  Neither were without faults at the beginning of the story. Even by the end they weren’t perfect, but both had changed for the better because of the trials they faced. The author handled the growth of both main characters so skillfully. It was gradual, seamless, and truly perfect. I was so engrossed in Sydelle and North's adventures, that I felt a pang of grief when I came to the final page. The ending has left me with the hope we may see a sequel. Ms. Bracken if you're listening, this reader would love more adventures with Sydelle and North.


This is a book that will satisfy even the most picky fantasy fan, and lovers of epic adventures. It is one of the rare books I know I'll want to read again and again. It now claims one of the coveted spots on my shelf of keepers.

This book does contain some violence, but otherwise I’d consider Brightly Woven family friendly.

Read the first chapter of Brightly Woven here.

Alexandra Bracken on the web:

Website | LiveJournal | Twitter

Review: Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Title: Magic Under Glass
Author: Jaclyn Dolamore
Available: Now
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Number of pages: 240
Reading Level: Young Adult

4 out of 5 Stars

My copy was borrowed from my local public library







Description from Goodreads:

Nimira is a music-hall performer forced to dance for pennies to an audience of leering drunks. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to do a special act - singing accompaniment to an exquisite piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumours abound about ghosts, a mad woman roaming the halls, and of Parry's involvement in a gang of ruthless sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing young fairy gentleman is trapped inside the automaton's stiff limbs, waiting for someone to break the curse and set him free, the two fall in love. But it is a love set against a dreadful race against time to save the entire fairy realm, which is in mortal peril.

My thoughts:

Magic Under Glass is an enjoyable story of a girl with big dreams, and the challenges she faces because of the color of her skin. As the mom of biracial children, I’m thrilled to see a novel with a main character of color. I loved the author’s writing style, and felt the characters were well developed for such a short novel. I connected with Nimira instantly, and quickly grew attached. If I could change anything about this book it would be the length. Even just 50 more pages would have made for a “meatier” plot, and a possible 5 star rating from me. The ending also didn’t provide the closure I was hoping for. I understand it is setting us up for a sequel, but I wasn’t thrilled that the primary conflict was left unresolved. So both of  my complaints lean towards me wanting more. If there was ever a good complaint to receive, I think that would be it. I can’t wait for the sequel, Magic Under Stone.

I would recommend Magic Under Glass to readers that enjoy fantasy novels especially those set in a historical time period. I feel it is a safe read even for young teens.  If you like faeries and magic check this one out.

Magic Under Glass Trailer

Jaclyn Dolamore on the web:

Website | Blog

In My Mailbox (9)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren 

and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Votes are in and looks like IMM is a keeper :)I didn’t have time to do a post last weekend so this is two weeks worth of books.

Purchased by me:

Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells

Won:

Marked by Elisabeth Naughton

His Darkest Hunger by Juliana Stone

Jordan by Susan Kearney

For review:

The 9th Judgement (Audiobook) by James Patterson 

A giveaway of this title coming soon!

Knight of Passion by Margaret Mallory 

Blog tour and giveaway of this title on June 11th

Thanks to Anna from Hachette!

The Brain Finds a Leg

&

The Brain Full of Holes

by Martin Chatterton

Thanks to Erin from Peachtree Publishing!

Blog tour for The Brain Full of Holes here on June 18th. 

I also have a copy of The Brain Full of Holes to giveaway.

Mother’s Day gift from my hubby and kiddos

Twilight: The Graphic Novel by Stephenie Meyer

What was in your mailbox this week?