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Keep Reading, It Only Gets Better.. or Not

May 202013

As a blogger, we have access to numerous novels not yet released. It’s like putting a kid in a candy store without a parent in sight and it is absolutely glorious. I’m so grateful for those advance reader copies because if I want to read a brand new story every day, I can do so. Even with an endless supply of advance reader copies, a continuing story in a established series draws me in even more. Why you ask? You already know the characters, the setting and the general storyline. The author can take an already developed storyline [ Read More of this Review ]

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Early Review: The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

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May 162013

Early Review: The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau Book 1 in The Testing Series Release date: June 4, 2013 Book provided by NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Synopsis from Goodreads: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same? The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and [ Read More of this Review ]

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Early Review: The Pirate’s Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke

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May 162013

Early Review: The Pirate’s Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke Book 2 in The Assassin’s Curse series Release Date: June 4, 2013 Book provided by NetGalley and Angry Robot Synopsis from Goodreads: After setting out to break the curse that binds them together, the pirate Ananna and the assassin Naji find themselves stranded on an enchanted island in the north with nothing but a sword, their wits, and the secret to breaking the curse: complete three impossible tasks. With the help of their friend Marjani and a rather unusual ally, Ananna and Naji make their way south again, seeking what seems [ Read More of this Review ]

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Early Review: The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu

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Apr 212013

Early Review: The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu

The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu Book #1 in the Lives of Tao duology Genre: Science Fiction Publication Date: 30 April 2013 ARC Provided by Netgalley and Angry Robot Synopsis from Goodreads: When out-of-shape IT technician Roen woke up and started hearing voices in his head, he naturally assumed he was losing it. He wasn’t. He now has a passenger in his brain – an ancient alien life-form called Tao, whose race crash-landed on Earth before the first fish crawled out of the oceans. Now split into two opposing factions – the peace-loving, but under-represented Prophus, and the savage, powerful [ Read More of this Review ]

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New Release Review: Against the Dark (Associates #1) by Carolyn Crane

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Apr 192013

New Release Review: Against the Dark (Associates #1) by Carolyn Crane

Against the Dark (Associates #1) by Carolyn Crane *early review copy provided by Carolyn Crane — thank you!* Book Summary: SHE’S AN EX-SAFECRACKER FORCED INTO ONE LAST HEIST Angel Ramirez left the safecracking game five years ago, and she’s worked hard to make amends and build an honest life. But when a beloved aunt is kidnapped, she must reunite with her girl gang to acquire the unique ransom: Walter Borgola’s prized diamonds. It’s a simple job that turns into a nightmare, thanks to a surprisingly clever—and searingly sexy—security guard named Cole Hawkins. HE’S AN UNDERCOVER AGENT WITH BIG PLANS FOR HIS [ Read More of this Review ]

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Review: Black Swan Rising by Lee Carroll

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Apr 182013

Review: Black Swan Rising by Lee Carroll Book provided by NetGalley and Transworld Synopsis from Goodreads: When New York City jewelry designer Garet James stumbles into a strange antiques shop in her neighborhood, her life is about to be turned upside down. John Dee, the enigmatic shopkeeper, commissions her to open a vintage silver box for a generous sum of money. Oddly, the symbol of a swan on the box exactly matches the ring given to her by her deceased mother. Garet can’t believe her luck and this eerie coincidence until she opens the box and otherworldly things start happening. [ Read More of this Review ]

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New Release Review: Ex-Heroes by Peter Clines

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Apr 112013

New Release Review: Ex-Heroes by Peter Clines

Ex-Heroes by Peter Clines Book #1 in the Ex-Heroes series Genre: Post-Apocalpytic Publication Date: 26 February 2013 ARC Provided by Netgalley and Broadway Synopsis from Goodreads: The first in a spectacularly genre-mashing adventure series that pits a small group of courageous, flawed, terrified superheroes against hordes of undead. Stealth. Gorgon. Regenerator. Cerberus. Zzzap. The Mighty Dragon. They were heroes, using their superhuman abilities to make Los Angeles a better place. Then the plague of living death spread around the globe. Now, a year later, the heroes struggle to overcome their differences and recover from their own scars as they protect the thousands [ Read More of this Review ]

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Read with Caution: Matched Series by Ally Condie

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Apr 032013

Read with Caution: Matched Series by Ally Condie

IN THE SOCIETY, OFFICIALS DECIDE. WHO YOU LOVE. WHERE YOU WORK. WHEN YOU DIE. Breaking free from its pristine confines, Cassia embarks on an epic journey to protect the power of choice and the meaning of true love. D.G.’s Series Rating: 2.5 skulls = C I struggled with the rating for each book of this young adult dystopian series. Although parts were very moving and the language is really poetic, Ms. Condie has problems with pacing and plot development. I can best describe this series as “moments of brilliance surrounded by hours of boredom.” In Matched, Cassia lives in a Society where [ Read More of this Review ]

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Series Review: Cora Oglesby by Lee Collins

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Mar 282013

Series Review: Cora Oglesby by Lee Collins

Lee Collins’ “Cora Oglesby” series has been described as True Grit meets True Blood. It’s a western that takes place during the Old West gold rush, but it includes paranormal creatures such as vampires, hellhounds, and wendigos. Cora and her husband Ben are bounty hunters that focus on the supernatural beasties. The series has a dry humor and an in your face heroine in the form of Cora. She doesn’t take lip from anyone and lives up to the reputation she has developed as a badass. She can sling guns, play cards, and drink whiskey with the best of them. [ Read More of this Review ]

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New Release Review: Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan

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Mar 182013

New Release Review: Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan

Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan Book 3 in Darkest London Series Book provided by NetGalley and the publisher Synopsis from Goodreads: Once blissfully in love . . . Poppy Lane is keeping secrets. Her powerful gift has earned her membership in the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals, but she must keep both her ability and her alliance with the Society from her husband, Winston. Yet when Winston is brutally attacked by a werewolf, Poppy’s secrets are revealed, leaving Winston’s trust in her as broken as his body. Now Poppy will do anything to win back his affections . . . [ Read More of this Review ]

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Early Review: The Wanderer (Thunder Point #1) by Robyn Carr

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Mar 112013

Early Review: The Wanderer (Thunder Point #1) by Robyn Carr

The Wanderer (Thunder Point #1) by Robyn Carr *advanced review copy received provided by Netgalley and Harlequin* Regina’s Rating: 4 stars/Grade a Release Date: March 26, 2013 Book Summary: From Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the popular Virgin River novels, comes Thunder Point-the highly anticipated new series that will make you laugh, make you sigh, and make you fall in love with a small town filled with people you’ll never forget. Nestled on the Oregon coast is a small town of rocky beaches and rugged charm. Locals love the land’s unspoiled beauty. Developers see it as a [ Read More of this Review ]

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Early YA Mini Reviews: The Holders, Wasteland, Pretty Girl-13, & The Nightmare Affair

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Feb 262013

Early YA Mini Reviews: The Holders, Wasteland, Pretty Girl-13, & The Nightmare Affair

YA releases abound in March and this month I am featuring four debut novels. The Holders by Julianna Scott is a YA urban fantasy about children with special powers. Wasteland is a YA dystopia from the writing team of Susan Kim and Lawrence Klavan. Pretty Girl-13 is a YA contemporary with mystery/thriller/crime aspects by Liz Coley. Finally, The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett is a YA fantasy set at the creepy Arkwell Academy. The Holders by Julianna Scott Book #1 in the Holders series Genre: YA Urban Fantasy Publication Date: 5 March 2013 ARC Provided by Netgalley and Strange Chemistry Synopsis [ Read More of this Review ]

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Early Review: Dreams and Shadows by C. Robert Cargill

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Feb 212013

Early Review: Dreams and Shadows by C. Robert Cargill

Dreams and Shadows by C. Robert Cargill Publication Date: 26 February 2013 ARC Provided by Edelweiss and Harper Voyager Synopsis from Goodreads: There is another world than our own, as close and intimate as a kiss, as terrifying and haunting as nightmares, a realm where fairies and djinns, changelings and angels, all the stuff of which dreams are made is real…and where magic awaits in the shadows, just a hidden step away. Between this realm and that other lies a veil, a gossamer web that muddles the vision of mortal man and keeps him from seeing what is all around [ Read More of this Review ]

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Review: Devil’s Due by Rachel Caine

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Feb 122013

Review: Devil’s Due by Rachel Caine Book 2 in Red Letter Days series Release date: February 1, 2013 (previously released in 2006) Book provided by NetGalley and Harlequin MIRA Synopsis from Goodreads: The psychic world will never be the same again… Lucia Garza is trapped in a supernatural power struggle. To save a friend she adreed to work for sinister psychic organisation The Cross Society. But after a death threat that almost succeeds, she’s starting to think they want her out of the way. Forever. Worse, as Lucia uncovers the society’s most dangerous secrets, she discovers that she’s being used [ Read More of this Review ]

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ARC Review: Dualed by Elsie Chapman

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Jan 232013

Dualed by Elsie Chapman Book #1 in the Dualed series Publication Date: 26 Feb 2013 ARC Provided by Netgalley and Random House Synopsis from Goodreads: You or your Alt? Only one will survive. The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life. Fifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one [ Read More of this Review ]

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ARC Review: The Mad Scientist’s Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke

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Jan 212013

ARC Review: The Mad Scientist's Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke

ARC/The Mad Scientist’s Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke Book Provided by NetGalley and Angry Robot Publication date: February 7, 2013 Synopsis from Goodreads: The Mad Scientist’s Daughter is the heartbreaking story of the journey from childhood to adulthood, with an intriguing science fictional twist. There’s never been anyone – or anything – quite like Finn. He looks, and acts human, though he has no desire to be. He was programmed to assist his owners, and performs his duties to perfection. A billion-dollar construct, his primary task is to tutor Cat. When the government grants rights to the ever-increasing robot population, [ Read More of this Review ]

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New Release Review: Gilded by Karina Cooper

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Jan 042013

New Release Review: Gilded by Karina Cooper

Gilded by Karina Cooper Book #2 in the St. Croix Chronicles Publication Date: 26 Dec 2012 ARC Provided by Edelweiss and Avon Synopsis from Goodreads: The second book in Karina Cooper’s stunning steampunk series featuring fearless heroine Cherry St. Croix, in which she is faced with two men after her heart—and one killer out for her blood. In the gleaming heights of Victorian London, a world of deception awaits an unconventional Society lady whose taste for adventure makes her a most formidable adversary . . . Though Society demands that I make a good marriage, I, Cherry St. Croix, have neither [ Read More of this Review ]

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ARC Review and Giveaway: Mr. Real (Code of Shadows #1) by Carolyn Crane

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Nov 032012

Mr. Real (Code of Shadows #1) by Carolyn Crane *advanced review copy provided by author — thank you!* Rating: 4.5 Stars/Grade A (I loved it!) I loved this book so much I am giving away two copies of Mr. Real! Want to win a copy of the Mr. Real e-book? Play below! Blurb: He finds the girl of his dreams…with the secret agent of his nightmares. Alix Gordon is a woman who doesn’t take life too seriously. What’s the fun in that? So when she stumbles across occult software that can bring any computer image to life, she conjures up [ Read More of this Review ]

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ARC Review: Breathe by Sarah Crossan

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Oct 042012

ARC Review: Breathe by Sarah Crossan Book 1 in Breathe Series Book provided by Edelweiss and Harper Collins Release Date: October 2, 2012 AH’s Review – 4 Skulls – A- Imagine a world where oxygen is lacking. Instead of the usual amount of oxygen in the atmosphere, the levels of oxygen plummet, resulting in the need for breathing masks and cumbersome oxygen tanks. This is the world of Breathe, a novel by Sarah Crossan. Sometime in the not so distant future, an event called The Switch caused oxygen levels to decrease. Mankind found a short term solution care of a [ Read More of this Review ]

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Release Date Review: The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

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Oct 022012

Release Date Review: The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke Book 1 of The Assassin’s Curse Book provided by NetGalley and Angry Robot Release Date: October 2, 2012 AH’s Review – 5 Skulls – A Pirates, curses, magic, and more made The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clark one of my favorite reads of 2012. The Assassin’s Curse is a book than can appeal to many readers from middle grades and up. It really didn’t feel like a kid or young adult book at all – there was plenty of action and adventure to keep the reader riveted to [ Read More of this Review ]

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