Devon Ashley's Blog, page 8
March 11, 2014
Win Signed Copies of NEARLY BROKEN and NEARLY MENDED! (INT)
Win a set of Signed Copies ofNearly Broken and Nearly Mendedplus Swag
Nearly Mended is just four weeks away from release! If you haven't had a chance to read Nearly Broken yet, you can pick up this Dark Romantic Suspense for just $0.99 during this giveaway!
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March 10, 2014
The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain (ARC)
The Shadow Prince (Into the Dark #1)
Bree Despain
Exp. Pub.: March 11, 2014 (TOMORROW!)
Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.
Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.
Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.
Being a twin in the Underworld isn't easy. Ever since the tragedy of Light and Dark, one is automatically assumed to the greater, the other the lesser. Knowing she was caring twins, Haden's mom gave birth in secrecy, refusing to ever admit which child was born first, making her husband swear to never shun one child. But as they grew older, Haden began to take on more human-like qualities like his mother, and when she died, his emotions led him to attack his own father. Bound by his promise to his late wife, he was unable to completely dismiss Haden, and he was allowed to remain where he was, though publicly demoted because they all knew of these horrible emotions he wasn't meant to feel. Flash forward ten years and it's time for a Champion to be chosen to exit through Persephone's gate and bring back a boon like no other. Daphne Raines holds the key to ending a stalemate between the occupants of the Underworld and the Skygods. And when the Oracle chooses Haden as the best choice to fulfill the mission, he sees his one chance to redeem himself in the eyes of his people. But earning her trust and convincing her to step willingly back through the gates is no easy feat, especially since he has no idea what it means to be human or how to react around them. Especially girls, because it had been forever since a female child was born to their world - hence the need for human women to be led through the gates. But Daphne would be giving up more than her family, a singing career and a decent life span. She is the descendent of the one person who came into the Underworld and stole Hade's totem, which led to his vulnerability and his death by the Skygods. Only she can retrieve the totem from its secret hiding spot. And it's no longer just the Underworld that wants her...the Skygods are looking to claim her too. This was a cute retelling of Hades and Persephone in a way. Normally the Champion would go through the gate to claim a boon, or a wife, for himself, but in Haden's case, Daphne is far too important. Her heart and soul are a required sacrifice in reinstating the Underworld with a new God. Which of course, Haden learns his father plans to claim. So it all comes down to how desperately Haden wants to fulfill his quest and redeem himself in the eyes of his people, taking his spot alongside his father. But a tiny part of him has to admit that he's falling for the rambunctious singer...
ARC provided by Egmont for honest review.
Bree Despain
Exp. Pub.: March 11, 2014 (TOMORROW!)
Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.
Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.
Being a twin in the Underworld isn't easy. Ever since the tragedy of Light and Dark, one is automatically assumed to the greater, the other the lesser. Knowing she was caring twins, Haden's mom gave birth in secrecy, refusing to ever admit which child was born first, making her husband swear to never shun one child. But as they grew older, Haden began to take on more human-like qualities like his mother, and when she died, his emotions led him to attack his own father. Bound by his promise to his late wife, he was unable to completely dismiss Haden, and he was allowed to remain where he was, though publicly demoted because they all knew of these horrible emotions he wasn't meant to feel. Flash forward ten years and it's time for a Champion to be chosen to exit through Persephone's gate and bring back a boon like no other. Daphne Raines holds the key to ending a stalemate between the occupants of the Underworld and the Skygods. And when the Oracle chooses Haden as the best choice to fulfill the mission, he sees his one chance to redeem himself in the eyes of his people. But earning her trust and convincing her to step willingly back through the gates is no easy feat, especially since he has no idea what it means to be human or how to react around them. Especially girls, because it had been forever since a female child was born to their world - hence the need for human women to be led through the gates. But Daphne would be giving up more than her family, a singing career and a decent life span. She is the descendent of the one person who came into the Underworld and stole Hade's totem, which led to his vulnerability and his death by the Skygods. Only she can retrieve the totem from its secret hiding spot. And it's no longer just the Underworld that wants her...the Skygods are looking to claim her too. This was a cute retelling of Hades and Persephone in a way. Normally the Champion would go through the gate to claim a boon, or a wife, for himself, but in Haden's case, Daphne is far too important. Her heart and soul are a required sacrifice in reinstating the Underworld with a new God. Which of course, Haden learns his father plans to claim. So it all comes down to how desperately Haden wants to fulfill his quest and redeem himself in the eyes of his people, taking his spot alongside his father. But a tiny part of him has to admit that he's falling for the rambunctious singer...
ARC provided by Egmont for honest review.
March 5, 2014
The Swan and the Jackal by J.A. Redmerski (ARC)
The Swan and the Jackal (In the Company of Killers #3)
J.A. Redmerski
Exp. Pub.: March 4, 2014 (TODAY!!!)
Fredrik Gustavsson never considered the possibility of love, or that anyone could ever understand or accept his dark and bloody lifestyle—until he met Seraphina, a woman as vicious and blood-thirsty as Fredrik himself. They spent two short but unforgettable years together, full of lust and killing and the darkest kind of love that two people can share.
And then Seraphina was gone.
It’s been six years since Fredrik’s lover and sadistic partner in crime turned his world upside-down. Seraphina went into hiding and has eluded him ever since. Now, he’s getting closer to finding her, and an innocent woman named Cassia is the key to drawing Seraphina from the shadows. But Cassia—after sustaining injuries from a fire that Seraphina ignited—suffers from amnesia and can’t give Fredrik the information he desperately seeks. Having no other choice, Fredrik has been keeping Cassia locked in his basement as he not only tries to get her to recall her past—because she and Seraphina share it—but also to protect her from Seraphina, who clearly wants her dead.
But Cassia is a light in the darkness that Fredrik never believed existed. After a year subjected to her kindness and compassion, he finds himself struggling with his love for Seraphina, and his growing feelings for Cassia—because he knows that to love one, the other must die.
Will light win out over darkness, or will something more powerful than either further destroy an already tortured soul?
A series of reactions...
0% - Aww-yeah! Guess who got her beta copy today?
4% - Da-yum. Straight into the nitty-gritty. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. Heart. Less.
45% - "But I will have my way with you—that is if you can handle it. I won’t lie to you, I’m not gentle." Is there a waiting list?!! Sign me up!
60% - Mind. F*cked. Boom. I feel icky. WTH did I just learn? Please make it go away!
81% - Huh. You know you're in a messed up family when they gift you people to torture.
90% -
Snatch it up at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.
J.A. Redmerski
Exp. Pub.: March 4, 2014 (TODAY!!!)
Fredrik Gustavsson never considered the possibility of love, or that anyone could ever understand or accept his dark and bloody lifestyle—until he met Seraphina, a woman as vicious and blood-thirsty as Fredrik himself. They spent two short but unforgettable years together, full of lust and killing and the darkest kind of love that two people can share.And then Seraphina was gone.
It’s been six years since Fredrik’s lover and sadistic partner in crime turned his world upside-down. Seraphina went into hiding and has eluded him ever since. Now, he’s getting closer to finding her, and an innocent woman named Cassia is the key to drawing Seraphina from the shadows. But Cassia—after sustaining injuries from a fire that Seraphina ignited—suffers from amnesia and can’t give Fredrik the information he desperately seeks. Having no other choice, Fredrik has been keeping Cassia locked in his basement as he not only tries to get her to recall her past—because she and Seraphina share it—but also to protect her from Seraphina, who clearly wants her dead.
But Cassia is a light in the darkness that Fredrik never believed existed. After a year subjected to her kindness and compassion, he finds himself struggling with his love for Seraphina, and his growing feelings for Cassia—because he knows that to love one, the other must die.
Will light win out over darkness, or will something more powerful than either further destroy an already tortured soul?
A series of reactions...
0% - Aww-yeah! Guess who got her beta copy today?
4% - Da-yum. Straight into the nitty-gritty. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. Heart. Less.
45% - "But I will have my way with you—that is if you can handle it. I won’t lie to you, I’m not gentle." Is there a waiting list?!! Sign me up!
60% - Mind. F*cked. Boom. I feel icky. WTH did I just learn? Please make it go away!
81% - Huh. You know you're in a messed up family when they gift you people to torture.
90% -
Snatch it up at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.
February 27, 2014
February 24, 2014
Killer Frost by Jennifer Estep (ARC)
Killer Frost (Mythos Academy #6)
Jennifer Estep
Expected Pub.: February 25th, 2014 (TOMORROW!!!)
I’ve battled the Reapers of Chaos before–and survived. But this time I have a Bad, Bad Feeling it’s going to be a fight to the death … most likely mine.
Yeah, I’ve got my psychometry magic, my talking sword, Vic–and even the most dangerous Spartan on campus at my side, in Logan freaking Quinn, but I’m no match for Loki, the evil Norse god of chaos. I may be Nike’s Champion, but at heart, I’m still just Gwen Frost, that weird Gypsy girl everyone at school loves to gossip about.
Then someone I love is put in more danger than ever before, and something inside me snaps. This time, Loki and his Reapers are going down for good … or I am.
I can't believe it's over. Sniff. Hold me...
The last installment of the Mythos Academy series was a doozy, and by far the best, in my opinion. I'm not going to say too much because it's obvious what goes down in this novel. Let's just say that all the characters are rounded up for one final showdown, even the ones you've probably forgotten about, and the way Gwen goes out is quite unexpected! In good news, the Mythos world may not be completely over. Ms. Estep may've closed the door on Gwen, but she left a window open for Gwen's cousin Rory, so it's entirely possible she may decide to revisit this world in the future. If you're a Mythos fan, you'll appreciate the finality of Killer Frost, so pick it up!
ARC provide by K-Teen for honest review.
Jennifer Estep
Expected Pub.: February 25th, 2014 (TOMORROW!!!)
I’ve battled the Reapers of Chaos before–and survived. But this time I have a Bad, Bad Feeling it’s going to be a fight to the death … most likely mine.Yeah, I’ve got my psychometry magic, my talking sword, Vic–and even the most dangerous Spartan on campus at my side, in Logan freaking Quinn, but I’m no match for Loki, the evil Norse god of chaos. I may be Nike’s Champion, but at heart, I’m still just Gwen Frost, that weird Gypsy girl everyone at school loves to gossip about.
Then someone I love is put in more danger than ever before, and something inside me snaps. This time, Loki and his Reapers are going down for good … or I am.
I can't believe it's over. Sniff. Hold me...
The last installment of the Mythos Academy series was a doozy, and by far the best, in my opinion. I'm not going to say too much because it's obvious what goes down in this novel. Let's just say that all the characters are rounded up for one final showdown, even the ones you've probably forgotten about, and the way Gwen goes out is quite unexpected! In good news, the Mythos world may not be completely over. Ms. Estep may've closed the door on Gwen, but she left a window open for Gwen's cousin Rory, so it's entirely possible she may decide to revisit this world in the future. If you're a Mythos fan, you'll appreciate the finality of Killer Frost, so pick it up!
ARC provide by K-Teen for honest review.
February 20, 2014
NEW Cover Reveal for NEARLY MENDED (NEARLY #2)
I know I debuted the cover for Nearly Mended last summer, but I've seen several covers come up the past few months with the exact same cover, and unfortunately, there's not a whole lot that can be done to make it different. This happens a lot now that authors are hitting up the stock photos to make their own covers. The same thing has happened with my Nearly Broken cover, but that cover's been out for a year now, so I'm not going to worry about changing it any time soon, even though I've spotted at least four other books using it now. Water off a duck's back. But since Nearly Mended is six weeks shy of publishing, what better time than to change it out now? So lo and behold, here's the new cover. I haven't seen this photo used yet but I'm sure someone will dig one out of the woodworks for me. :) And in case you missed the memo last week on my facebook page, the description has changed slightly, so be sure to check that out too!
Click for full size imageAdd to GoodReads
Megan Whitaker desperately wants to forget what the Malone brothers have done to her over the past two years – the haunting images and sensations still plaguing her thoughts and dreams – but she can’t. Charles may be dead, but Zander isn’t. I’ll find you and bring you back to me. She wants to believe she’s safe with Nick in their secluded new home, but it doesn’t keep her from looking over her shoulder, jumping over unexpected sounds, carrying a concealed weapon or even preparing for the worst. Because she fears the time is near.
Nick Ellis has seen a change in his long, lost love. Battered emotionally and physically, Megan spends her days at self-defense classes and researching things that’ll never allow her to let go of the past. And he feels guilty even wanting her to, because he knows that heathen will return, it’s only a matter of time. And when he does, Nick knows he will do everything possible to save her, even if it means taking another shot to the heart.
But for Megan, there is no escaping the world of sex trafficking, nor the band of men who continually aid one another to keep it thriving. And as her nightmarish world encroaches on reality, Megan soon realizes there are far worse evils to fear than the sadistic man who haunts her dreams.
Click for full size imageAdd to GoodReadsMegan Whitaker desperately wants to forget what the Malone brothers have done to her over the past two years – the haunting images and sensations still plaguing her thoughts and dreams – but she can’t. Charles may be dead, but Zander isn’t. I’ll find you and bring you back to me. She wants to believe she’s safe with Nick in their secluded new home, but it doesn’t keep her from looking over her shoulder, jumping over unexpected sounds, carrying a concealed weapon or even preparing for the worst. Because she fears the time is near.
Nick Ellis has seen a change in his long, lost love. Battered emotionally and physically, Megan spends her days at self-defense classes and researching things that’ll never allow her to let go of the past. And he feels guilty even wanting her to, because he knows that heathen will return, it’s only a matter of time. And when he does, Nick knows he will do everything possible to save her, even if it means taking another shot to the heart.
But for Megan, there is no escaping the world of sex trafficking, nor the band of men who continually aid one another to keep it thriving. And as her nightmarish world encroaches on reality, Megan soon realizes there are far worse evils to fear than the sadistic man who haunts her dreams.
February 16, 2014
Vengeance by Megan Miranda (ARC)
Vengeance (Fractured, #2)
Megan Miranda
Pub: February 13, 2004
Falcon Lake wants vengeance. And so, it seems, does someone else... An intense, heart-rending psychological thriller to accompany the chilling and seductive Fracture
When Decker drags his best friend Delaney’s lifeless body out of the frozen lake, he makes a deal: Anyone but her. Everyone but her. The lake releases her. It takes another...
All their friends blame Delaney for Carson’s death. But Decker knows the truth: Delaney is drawn to those who are dying, and she would have tried to help Carson.
Or so Decker believes until a body lies in front of him in a pool of water on his kitchen floor. Until he sees in Delaney’s eyes that she knew this would happen too – and she said nothing. Until he realizes it isn’t the lake that is looking for revenge – Delaney is part of someone else’s plan.
See my review of Fracture (#1) here. This picks up a few months after when Fractured left off and this time, we get Decker's point of view throughout. This small group of friends has had its fair share of death, and they find themselves dealing with one more - Decker's dad. Bad part is, Decker feels betrayed, because there's no way Megan didn't see it coming, nor did she warn him. Her admission solidifies their breakup and Decker's left to mourn and suffer alone. But he soon finds his house vandalized and uninhabitable, and he and his mom move in with Megan's family next door while the renovations are going on. Though they may be broken up, their friends won't allow anyone to be shunned. Their group actually kind of reminds me of Friends, and how no matter who dates who and breaks up with another, as a group, they won't allow anyone to be left behind. Though it's difficult, Decker and Megan try to move forward with as little interaction as possible, but soon Megan's house is vandalized too, leaving them to suspect that what happened at Falcon Lake had to be the connection. Forced to work together to figure out what the hell is going on, they fear they're cursed for saving Megan from the lake the day it tried to take her life, and now it's threatening to collect another in her place. Vengeance can be a little weird for some, because most people aren't going to be able to believe that a lake is cursed and finding ways to torment those who saved Megan. Decker's house gets massively flooded, the smashed windows through Megan's house resembles shards of ice, Kevin's engine gets flooded with water and Justin's lungs get flooded with lake water when forced in by a stupid alumni prank. But when Tara falls and knocks herself unconscious and is pulled all the way to the lake to let it claim her, it's clear that maybe an actual person is helping the lake to reclaim what was unrightfully taken away. Problem is, no one outside their group knows their secrets, nor their true fears of the lake, so the only possible suspects come from their very own limited pool. Is it really one of their own, or has someone infiltrated their group just to take them down for some unknown reason?
ARC provided by Bloomsbury Children's for honest review.
Megan Miranda
Pub: February 13, 2004
Falcon Lake wants vengeance. And so, it seems, does someone else... An intense, heart-rending psychological thriller to accompany the chilling and seductive FractureWhen Decker drags his best friend Delaney’s lifeless body out of the frozen lake, he makes a deal: Anyone but her. Everyone but her. The lake releases her. It takes another...
All their friends blame Delaney for Carson’s death. But Decker knows the truth: Delaney is drawn to those who are dying, and she would have tried to help Carson.
Or so Decker believes until a body lies in front of him in a pool of water on his kitchen floor. Until he sees in Delaney’s eyes that she knew this would happen too – and she said nothing. Until he realizes it isn’t the lake that is looking for revenge – Delaney is part of someone else’s plan.
See my review of Fracture (#1) here. This picks up a few months after when Fractured left off and this time, we get Decker's point of view throughout. This small group of friends has had its fair share of death, and they find themselves dealing with one more - Decker's dad. Bad part is, Decker feels betrayed, because there's no way Megan didn't see it coming, nor did she warn him. Her admission solidifies their breakup and Decker's left to mourn and suffer alone. But he soon finds his house vandalized and uninhabitable, and he and his mom move in with Megan's family next door while the renovations are going on. Though they may be broken up, their friends won't allow anyone to be shunned. Their group actually kind of reminds me of Friends, and how no matter who dates who and breaks up with another, as a group, they won't allow anyone to be left behind. Though it's difficult, Decker and Megan try to move forward with as little interaction as possible, but soon Megan's house is vandalized too, leaving them to suspect that what happened at Falcon Lake had to be the connection. Forced to work together to figure out what the hell is going on, they fear they're cursed for saving Megan from the lake the day it tried to take her life, and now it's threatening to collect another in her place. Vengeance can be a little weird for some, because most people aren't going to be able to believe that a lake is cursed and finding ways to torment those who saved Megan. Decker's house gets massively flooded, the smashed windows through Megan's house resembles shards of ice, Kevin's engine gets flooded with water and Justin's lungs get flooded with lake water when forced in by a stupid alumni prank. But when Tara falls and knocks herself unconscious and is pulled all the way to the lake to let it claim her, it's clear that maybe an actual person is helping the lake to reclaim what was unrightfully taken away. Problem is, no one outside their group knows their secrets, nor their true fears of the lake, so the only possible suspects come from their very own limited pool. Is it really one of their own, or has someone infiltrated their group just to take them down for some unknown reason?
ARC provided by Bloomsbury Children's for honest review.
February 4, 2014
Imposters by Susanne Winnacker (ARC)
Imposters (Variants #1)
Susanne Winnacker
Pub.: January 2, 2014 (UK)
Tessa is a Variant with extraordinary abilities. She could be a hero, but all she wants to do is fall in love ...
Tessa is a Variant, able to absorb the DNA of anyone she touches and mimic their appearance. Shunned by her family, she's spent the last two years with the Forces with Extraordinary Abilities, a secret branch of the FBI. There she trains with other Variants, such as long-term crush Alec, who each have their own extraordinary ability.
When a serial killer rocks a small town in Oregon, Tessa is given a mission: she must impersonate Madison, a local teen, to find the killer before he strikes again. Tessa hates everything about being an impostor - the stress, the danger, the deceit - but loves playing the role of a normal girl. As Madison, she finds friends, romance, and the kind of loving family she'd do anything to keep.
Amid action, suspense, and a ticking clock, this super-human comes to a very human conclusion: even a girl who can look like anyone struggles the most with being herself.
Tessa has the uncanny ability of being able to transform into anyone she touches - so long as they're alive - sorry Elvis lovers. It's something she doesn't mind too much, until the organization that employs and trains her tells her she needs to go to the hospital and touch a dying girl named Madison. Madison was just your typical teenage girl with secrets, trying to survive high school long enough to move on. Unfortunately, a serial killer took that all away. Being the only victim to survive, Tessa knows taking on Madison's life will be risky. But with the bad comes the good - the chance to have a real family, friends, even possible love interests. But as motives begin to surface, she realizes the serial killer could be any of these people, and suddenly Tessa doesn't feel so safe anymore. Imposters was a pretty good fish out of water story. Tessa has her own romantic issues to deal with, and becoming Madison and having to deal with hers, only escalates the ones Tessa has. Not to mention all the distractions of trying to learn everything about Madison and trying to figure out if she was just a random victim of coincidence or intentionally targeted. And when the investigation uncovers some unnatural commonalities between the deaths, the fear that maybe another Variant like Tessa was responsible for the killings becomes an issue. Because really, facing off against a human was one thing, but facing off against another Variant with unknown powers, could prove deadly if Tessa doesn't figure out the puzzle fast.
ARC provided by Hodder Children's Books.
Susanne Winnacker
Pub.: January 2, 2014 (UK)
Tessa is a Variant with extraordinary abilities. She could be a hero, but all she wants to do is fall in love ...Tessa is a Variant, able to absorb the DNA of anyone she touches and mimic their appearance. Shunned by her family, she's spent the last two years with the Forces with Extraordinary Abilities, a secret branch of the FBI. There she trains with other Variants, such as long-term crush Alec, who each have their own extraordinary ability.
When a serial killer rocks a small town in Oregon, Tessa is given a mission: she must impersonate Madison, a local teen, to find the killer before he strikes again. Tessa hates everything about being an impostor - the stress, the danger, the deceit - but loves playing the role of a normal girl. As Madison, she finds friends, romance, and the kind of loving family she'd do anything to keep.
Amid action, suspense, and a ticking clock, this super-human comes to a very human conclusion: even a girl who can look like anyone struggles the most with being herself.
Tessa has the uncanny ability of being able to transform into anyone she touches - so long as they're alive - sorry Elvis lovers. It's something she doesn't mind too much, until the organization that employs and trains her tells her she needs to go to the hospital and touch a dying girl named Madison. Madison was just your typical teenage girl with secrets, trying to survive high school long enough to move on. Unfortunately, a serial killer took that all away. Being the only victim to survive, Tessa knows taking on Madison's life will be risky. But with the bad comes the good - the chance to have a real family, friends, even possible love interests. But as motives begin to surface, she realizes the serial killer could be any of these people, and suddenly Tessa doesn't feel so safe anymore. Imposters was a pretty good fish out of water story. Tessa has her own romantic issues to deal with, and becoming Madison and having to deal with hers, only escalates the ones Tessa has. Not to mention all the distractions of trying to learn everything about Madison and trying to figure out if she was just a random victim of coincidence or intentionally targeted. And when the investigation uncovers some unnatural commonalities between the deaths, the fear that maybe another Variant like Tessa was responsible for the killings becomes an issue. Because really, facing off against a human was one thing, but facing off against another Variant with unknown powers, could prove deadly if Tessa doesn't figure out the puzzle fast.
ARC provided by Hodder Children's Books.
January 30, 2014
SPARROW 59 Cover Reveal - NA Romantic Thriller
Sparrow 59
Devon Ashley
Exp. Pub.: Fall 2014
Add to GoodReads
Members of the CIA’s specialized team Sparrow, who investigate specifically into black market deals involving stolen medical research, were mostly wiped out in a single night. Drew and Samantha, team five-nine, have been more than just partners since their academy training days. Safeguarding their secret tryst from everyone in their professional lives, they trust no one but themselves. But when Samantha finds herself left for dead and Drew missing, she won’t believe the truth until the CIA throws it in her face – proof that Drew is not only alive and has defected from their organization, but is facilitating the deaths of prominent research developers worldwide. Now the only member of Sparrow Drew hasn’t killed off, Samantha finds herself under serious investigation by association – and a prisoner within her own home.
Just when she’s on the verge of being labeled a traitor to the United States, Drew activates a beacon only she can see, taunting her from across the world. She knows he’s watching. She knows he’ll be gone forever if she discloses his location to anyone else. With nothing left to lose and everything to gain, she does the very thing he baits her to do – she deactivates her CIA tracker and goes rogue to track him down and clear her good name. But when she finally catches up to her partner of four years, he hasn’t a clue who he is or what he’s done, and bullets rain down on them both.
Frantic yet determined, Samantha is forced to protect Drew’s life as they backtrack his steps and learn why Sparrow is suddenly on someone's hit list. The truth may be just around the corner, but the unknown variables haunt her every move as she finds herself falling for this possible killer all over again. But is he really amnesiac and a victim himself in a much greater scheme, or is Drew pulling the ultimate ruse to finish off the last surviving member of Sparrow?
New Adult Romantic Thriller
Add to GoodReads
Devon Ashley
Exp. Pub.: Fall 2014
Add to GoodReads
Members of the CIA’s specialized team Sparrow, who investigate specifically into black market deals involving stolen medical research, were mostly wiped out in a single night. Drew and Samantha, team five-nine, have been more than just partners since their academy training days. Safeguarding their secret tryst from everyone in their professional lives, they trust no one but themselves. But when Samantha finds herself left for dead and Drew missing, she won’t believe the truth until the CIA throws it in her face – proof that Drew is not only alive and has defected from their organization, but is facilitating the deaths of prominent research developers worldwide. Now the only member of Sparrow Drew hasn’t killed off, Samantha finds herself under serious investigation by association – and a prisoner within her own home.
Just when she’s on the verge of being labeled a traitor to the United States, Drew activates a beacon only she can see, taunting her from across the world. She knows he’s watching. She knows he’ll be gone forever if she discloses his location to anyone else. With nothing left to lose and everything to gain, she does the very thing he baits her to do – she deactivates her CIA tracker and goes rogue to track him down and clear her good name. But when she finally catches up to her partner of four years, he hasn’t a clue who he is or what he’s done, and bullets rain down on them both.
Frantic yet determined, Samantha is forced to protect Drew’s life as they backtrack his steps and learn why Sparrow is suddenly on someone's hit list. The truth may be just around the corner, but the unknown variables haunt her every move as she finds herself falling for this possible killer all over again. But is he really amnesiac and a victim himself in a much greater scheme, or is Drew pulling the ultimate ruse to finish off the last surviving member of Sparrow?
New Adult Romantic Thriller
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January 27, 2014
The Unseemly Education of Anne Merchant by Joanna Wiebe (ARC)(Giveaway)
The Unseemly Education of Anne Merchant (The V Trilogy, #1)
Joanna Wiebe
Pub: January 14, 2014
So many secrets for such a small island. From the moment Anne Merchant arrives at Cania Christy, a boarding school for the world’s wealthiest teens, the hushed truths of this strange, unfamiliar land begin calling to her—sometimes as lulling drumbeats in the night, sometimes as piercing shrieks.
One by one, unanswered questions rise. No one will tell her why a line is painted across the island or why she is forbidden to cross it. Her every move—even her performance at the school dance—is graded as part of a competition to become valedictorian, a title that brings rewards no one will talk about. And Anne discovers that the parents of her peers surrender million-dollar possessions to enroll their kids in Cania Christy, leaving her to wonder what her lowly funeral director father could have paid to get her in and why.
As a beautiful senior struggles to help Anne make sense of this cloak-and-dagger world without breaking the rules that bind him, she must summon the courage to face the impossible truth—and change it—before she and everyone she loves is destroyed by it.
Sixth Sense meets Pretty Little Liars
Anne Merchant suddenly finds herself enrolled at one of the most hush-hush schools in the world, where everyone is vying to become the next valedictorian. Though a little weary of how her mortician father managed to pay for such a school, Anne feels obligated to fight to the be winner too, because it would ensure her a scholarship to Brown University and get her life headed a direction that didn't involve dead bodies on a daily basis. But the island is filled with mysteries that Anne just can't seem to wrap her head around. Like why she's forbidden to talk to the locals beyond the ridiculous red line, and for the love of God, why the valedictorian won't be chosen by good grades, but by her own ability to follow a personal mantra given to her by the letter. Seriously, Anne was given a guardian when she first arrived at school, and it was his job to determine what her greatest strength was. Apparently, this creepy guy who knew nothing about her thought her sexuality was her best way to become valedictorian. I'm sure you can guess why he wanted her to become a slut since it was her duty to convince him to fight for her come judgement day. Eew. She basically tells him to go screw himself and to give her a new one. The next one seems even worse, which is to look more closely at things, which Anne took as constantly snooping and eavesdropping on everything and everyone. But it's because of this new purpose that Anne becomes to understand the island and what's truly at stake for not only the winner, but for all the losers. I'm not going to lie. When I first began this novel, it took a while to really get into it. Everything seemed kind of silly, and I couldn't understand why Anne took this whole 'valedictorian' thing at face value, when the race was clearly about something entirely different. But as the story began to unfold and secrets finally unearthed, everything began to make sense. So all I can tell you is to not give up on this if you feel it's a bit too cheesy or weird for you in the beginning. I thought those things too, but now that I'm finished, I'm actually really curious to read the next installment. :)
ARC provided by BenBella Books for honest review.
If you'd like to win a copy of The Unseemly Education of Anne Merchant by Joanna Wiebe, just fill out the rafflecopter below! a Rafflecopter giveaway
Joanna Wiebe
Pub: January 14, 2014
So many secrets for such a small island. From the moment Anne Merchant arrives at Cania Christy, a boarding school for the world’s wealthiest teens, the hushed truths of this strange, unfamiliar land begin calling to her—sometimes as lulling drumbeats in the night, sometimes as piercing shrieks.One by one, unanswered questions rise. No one will tell her why a line is painted across the island or why she is forbidden to cross it. Her every move—even her performance at the school dance—is graded as part of a competition to become valedictorian, a title that brings rewards no one will talk about. And Anne discovers that the parents of her peers surrender million-dollar possessions to enroll their kids in Cania Christy, leaving her to wonder what her lowly funeral director father could have paid to get her in and why.
As a beautiful senior struggles to help Anne make sense of this cloak-and-dagger world without breaking the rules that bind him, she must summon the courage to face the impossible truth—and change it—before she and everyone she loves is destroyed by it.
Sixth Sense meets Pretty Little Liars
Anne Merchant suddenly finds herself enrolled at one of the most hush-hush schools in the world, where everyone is vying to become the next valedictorian. Though a little weary of how her mortician father managed to pay for such a school, Anne feels obligated to fight to the be winner too, because it would ensure her a scholarship to Brown University and get her life headed a direction that didn't involve dead bodies on a daily basis. But the island is filled with mysteries that Anne just can't seem to wrap her head around. Like why she's forbidden to talk to the locals beyond the ridiculous red line, and for the love of God, why the valedictorian won't be chosen by good grades, but by her own ability to follow a personal mantra given to her by the letter. Seriously, Anne was given a guardian when she first arrived at school, and it was his job to determine what her greatest strength was. Apparently, this creepy guy who knew nothing about her thought her sexuality was her best way to become valedictorian. I'm sure you can guess why he wanted her to become a slut since it was her duty to convince him to fight for her come judgement day. Eew. She basically tells him to go screw himself and to give her a new one. The next one seems even worse, which is to look more closely at things, which Anne took as constantly snooping and eavesdropping on everything and everyone. But it's because of this new purpose that Anne becomes to understand the island and what's truly at stake for not only the winner, but for all the losers. I'm not going to lie. When I first began this novel, it took a while to really get into it. Everything seemed kind of silly, and I couldn't understand why Anne took this whole 'valedictorian' thing at face value, when the race was clearly about something entirely different. But as the story began to unfold and secrets finally unearthed, everything began to make sense. So all I can tell you is to not give up on this if you feel it's a bit too cheesy or weird for you in the beginning. I thought those things too, but now that I'm finished, I'm actually really curious to read the next installment. :)
ARC provided by BenBella Books for honest review.If you'd like to win a copy of The Unseemly Education of Anne Merchant by Joanna Wiebe, just fill out the rafflecopter below! a Rafflecopter giveaway
