Happy Halloween!

Happy happy Halloween everyone!

Be safe and have fun!

We decorated our wall at the office at work and these were my contributions =D Fun stuff.

Friday Finds [40]

I usually add a lot of books on my TBR list throughout the week. This is just a small glimpse into the ones that were added on recently. Maybe you'll find something you like =)

Please let me know your thoughts on a book you've read from the list. Or tell me about a good book you've found this week.

My Finds This Week:

Crossing :: Andrew Fukuda

Sweetest Little Sin :: Christine Wells

City of Dreams and Nightmare :: Aliette De Bodard

Dragon in Chains :: Daniel Fox

Kell's Legend :: Andy Remic

Heresy :: S J Parris

Slights :: Kaaron Warren

Servant of the Underworld :: Aliette De Bodard
Hello Kitty Must Die :: Angela S. Choi

The Crown of the Blood :: Gav Thorpe

Wolfsangel :: M.D. Lachlan

Zoo City :: Lauren Beukes

**Find more Friday Finds at http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com && Join in the fun!**

Review: Dismissed with Prejudice

Dismissed with Prejudice

Fletcher Cockrell

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Release Date: January 2010

Publisher: Publish America

Pages: 336

Author Bio: http://www.phenixpublicity.com/storage/author-bio-pdf/Fletcher_Cockrell_bio.pdf

My Rating: 3.25/5

Source: Received for review from Phenix & Phenix Publicity

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

Dismissed with Prejudice is a legal drama that deals with the dark side of a powerful university, major college sports and state government. At the urging of a wealthy businessman and booster with mafia ties, an assistant coach is fired under false pretenses. Landon Duhon, a small town lawyer, reads about it in the paper and becomes suspicious. It's the third assistant in the last seven years fired by the same multi-million-dollar head coach, a political schmoozer and philanderer. Duhon sends his colleague to investigate and slowly uncovers layer upon layer of fraud, corruption and backroom deals. The assistant's career is over regardless of the outcome, but he decides to sue for wrongful termination, setting in motion a legal battle that escalates into threats, violence and murder. The novel is a classic "little guy against the system" story with insight into the bureaucracy, legal environment, and corrupting influence of money in the university and political arena.

Review:

Dismissed with Prejudice is definitely not the kind of book I've read before. Money always seems to be the driving force in everything nowadays and collegiate sports is no exception. The corrupted politics of college basketball and the consequences it has on players, coaches, assistant coaches, universities, and even the cities in which the teams reside in are the key aspects of the story. Set in southeastern Louisiana at LSU, the novel portrays the state of Louisiana as the powerful, strong, and corrupt state that it is renowned for. At LSU, where the university sports are a religion unto themselves, assistant basketball coach Craig Frazier is being fired for "cooked up" NCAA violations. Being the third or fourth assisant coach fired for similar infractions in so many years, small town lawyer Landon Duhon becomes suspicious. Little does he know that when he approaches Frazier to represent him that he opens up the biggest can of worms that LSU, the NCAA, and the state of Louisiana has ever seen.

It's hard to pinpoint the main character of the novel because there are so many strong characters that are important to the plot and layout of the story. Head coach Tom Boyd is fierce and will do anything to have the best players on his team. He relies heavily on his friend Victor Banelli to get him what he needs for his team to be successful and to make the players happy. And Vic is an extremely wealthy guy with a lot of connections and he doesn't let the word illegal get in his way when he's after what he wants. Landon is definitely one of the important players to this story. He is relentless and although he may cross the legal line when it comes to gathering evidence he is basically a good guy. His drive to help out Craig is both humble and downright ruthless. Overall the remaining characters fit their profile well. Bad guys were sleazy and easily unlikeable. The women of the story were somewhat one-dimensional and remained backups to the men, which wasn't too terrible.

Even though I found the author's story telling and character descriptions somewhat different I still enjoyed it. I did feel I was being told a story rather than experience it through descriptive passages and well thought out character interactions. I admit I was tired of seeing all of the exclamation points that the author seemed to favor as well.  Minor quirks in a decently written novel didnt stop the fact that there were some really great things I enjoyed while reading. I admit I didn't feel a personal connection with any of the characters I still came to really like some of them as I got into the meat of the novel.

I'm not a huge sports fan however the blurb of this novel grabbed my attention. I'm not sorry I read Dismissed with Prejudice because I really loved the ending and most of the novel was a good read. Even though the book had some problems and even though I had to force myself through some of the parts I still recommend the novel. Sports fans (especially college basketball) will definitely enjoy it but the novel also offers up some legal drama, suspense, and interpersonal conflicts that I personally enjoy reading. I even think this would make a decent TV made movie...I know I'd probably watch it!

Q&A with DCS (+ INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY)

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

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I'm so very happy to welcome author DCS back for another visit to P.S. I Love Books! It's been such a pleasure speaking with her and reading her work. Her latest release Synarchy Book 2: The Ascension (July 3, 2010 - SVT Publishing) is an exciting continuation in a very unique and cleverly written world!

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A little background info before we go on:

DCS is the author of Synarchy Book 1: The Awakening and Synarchy Book 2: The Ascension.  When not writing you can listen to her radio show, In The Mind of DCS every Saturday evening at 7pm CST on the Paranormal Soup Network.  Currently sucking up the creative energy of New Orleans, she is attending the American Institute of Holistic Theology to earn a PhD in Metaphysical Spirituality while being hard at work at the next book in the Synarchy Series, and an upcoming webisode series called The Fallen.  Visit her websites http://www.synarchyseries.com/ or http://www.themindofdcs.com/ to learn more.

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Me: It’s so good to have you back. Thanks so much for taking the time out to answer a few questions Crystal.

DCS: Glad to be back, thanks for having me!

Me: Can you tell us a little bit about Synarchy Book 2: The Ascension?

DCS: Book 2 really picks up where I leave everyone hanging in Book 1. It continues with the story of the Terenzio’s and their fight against the Brotherhood to give mankind a choice it’s never been given before. I go a lot more in depth about the Anunnaki, the origins of the Terenzio family and other fun concepts.

Me: How did your writing experience for The Ascension differ from the first book in the series?

DCS: It went a lot faster. It took me about two years to write the first book, I had Book 2 finished in two months, and the whole process from rough draft to polished manuscript took about nine.

Me: You have to admit, the number of characters in the Synarchy world is pretty high. Add in the concept of reincarnation and you could have a potential problem with confusion. What are some things you’ve done or plan on doing to keep the characters straight for readers?

DCS: Well, there’s family tree up on book 1’s website. I also included a cast of characters at the beginning of Book 2 to help readers keep track of them all.

Me: Speaking of reincarnation, that idea and philosophy is a big part of Synarchy and its books. What are your personal thoughts on the concept?

DCS: I’m a believer in it. It’s always made a lot of sense in my brain. Whether it’s a kind of karmic lesson or just something the soul wants to do is always up for debate, but I do believe we’ve been here many times before. And probably other places as well.

Me: If you had to do it all over again would you change anything in The Ascension?

DCS: Not a thing.

Me: I know you are planning for four books in the Synarchy world with one being a graphic novel. Can you tell us in a little detail what we can look forward to from you next?

DCS: I’m actually planning for six. Next up will be Book 3: SVT. Stefano’s story. That’s the one I want to turn into a graphic novel. I also intend to release Book 4: The Black Widow around the same time and that will be co-authored. Fans can also expect an upcoming webisode series called The Fallen, based on a concept I threw out in Book 2 about the Angels and the Anunnaki. And I’ve got huge, bigger news on the horizon, but I’m staying tight lipped about it for now. Soon as a few other things come into play, you can expect a big announcement.

Me: What are some of the books you’re reading at the moment? Any good recommendations you can give us?

DCS: I’m a huge fan of Dean Kootnz and when I have time I intend to dive into his latest edition of his Frankenstein Series which I really enjoyed, Dead or Alive. I also read a lot of non-fiction esoteric type stuff and I’m currently working through a book called The Secret History of the World which is completely fascinating.

Me: Thank you again Crystal for stopping by! It’s always a pleasure to have you here.

DCS: Thanks again for having me!



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DCS has generously offered a copy of Synarchy Book 1: The Awakening (read my review) and Synarchy Book 2: The Ascension (read my review) to one lucky reader!! 

To enter simply fill out this form!

Giveaway ends November 10th and the winner will be announced November 11th. Open Internationally!

Good Luck!

Waiting on Wednesday [64] - Wither

from goodreads.com:

What if you knew exactly when you would die?
Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant she trusts, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limted time she has left.

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Reason: This sounds so different than what's out right now. I'm excited to hear more about it as the release date gets closer.

Cover Discussion: Gorgeous! Dark and intriguing! I like the colors that were used and the interesting layout of the lines/circles.

Wither will be released March 22nd!

**See more Waiting on Wednesday choices at http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/. && Join in the fun!**

Review: Synarchy Book 2: The Ascension

Synarchy Book 2: The Ascension

DCS

Series or Stand Alone: Synarchy series, book two

Release Date: July 2010

Publisher: SVT Publishing

Pages: 442

Author Site: http://www.themindofdcs.com/

My Rating: 4.25/5

Source: Received for review from author

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

“We're villains, as much as we are capable of being heroes…”

A lifetime ago, Stefano Vasco Terenzio saw one way to maneuver his family into a game of betrayal against an unbeatable enemy; walking into a bullet. A generation later, what started with one man’s ego will determine the fate of the whole word.For centuries The Brotherhood and their Gods, the Anunnaki have hidden in plain sight among us. For centuries they have lied, sacrificed man by the thousands, and manipulated humanity into their service. As the clock ticks closer to December 21st, 2012, they will stop at nothing to keep their control of planet Earth.

In the thrilling sequel to Synarchy Book 1: The Awakening, the end is only the beginning. Secrets emerge that will challenge the core of everything you think you believe. All the while a team of scientists must make sense out of the fantastical, and the tenuous link holding together the one family that can save humankind, shatters.

Review:

I'll definitely be limiting the details of my review for those who have yet to read the first book in the series. Synarchy Book 2: The Ascension continues the story of the Terenzio family fighting to save humanity. The Brotherhood have been in control of Earth since the dawn of man - under their Gods the Annunaki. Ruthless and cunning, both the Brotherhood and the Annunaki will do whatever it takes to stay in control. The time is 2012 and as the planets slowly come together for their alignment, humanity is finally given another chance to ascend. When one ascends it is like "waking up" to the truth. All will be revealed during the ascension and every puzzle piece in one's life will finally click in place and make sense.

The Terenzio family is a large and extremely powerful mafia-like organization. They have connections and ties to almost everywhere in the world including to the Annunaki themselves. Not all of the Annunaki believe it is right to enslave humanity. Just like not all of the Terenzios believe the Ascension should happen. Betrayal and loyalty are so heavily enterwined in the novel and its characters. The story leads up to the "D-day", December 21, 2012 - the day of the Ascension. The action and characters will blow you away and definitely leave you eagerly wanting Book 3 to be released!

The Synarchy books are definitely ones to be savoured. The world is complex and filled with strong characters, reincarnation concepts, and chapters that jump back and forth between time and character point of views. It's very easy to get lost with the numerous characters but equally easy to become entirely engrossed in the writing. The story can be somewhat overwhelming at times but again, I have to say that DCS has created something that is so unique and exciting that you won't have a choice but to keep turning the pages.

I enjoyed the detail given to the Annunaki. They were rarely mentioned and remained a mystery in the first book. Also introduced is the Galactic Federation. One can call them aliens but they are much more than that. Different mythical beings, including Angels, found in the novel give the reader an entirely new perspective on the idealogy and religion that has been around since...well forever. The characters are forced to question everything they have ever known and its easy for the reader to ask themselves those very same questions. That in itself creates a bond between reader and character that is very seldom seen in the recent books I've read.

I highly recommend both Synarchy novels because they are filled with so much creativity. I enjoyed Book 2 more than Book 1 because more detail and background information was able to come into play more. I also found myself really caring and connecting with the characters. DCS has much planned for her series and I look forward to continuing on with the Terenzio family and their fight to save the world!

Giveaway: Dewey's Nine Lives

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GIVEAWAY CLOSED

How much of an impact can an animal have? How many lives can one cat touch? How is it possible for an abandoned kitten to transform a small library, save a classic American town, and eventually become famous around the world? You can't even begin to answer those questions until you hear the charming story of Dewey Readmore Books, the beloved library cat of Spencer, Iowa.

Dewey's story starts in the worst possible way. Only a few weeks old, on the coldest night of the year, he was stuffed into the returned book slot at the Spencer Public Library. He was found the next morning by library director, Vicki Myron, a single mother who had survived the loss of her family farm, a breast cancer scare, and an alcoholic husband. Dewey won her heart, and the hearts of the staff, by pulling himself up and hobbling on frostbitten feet to nudge each of them in a gesture of thanks and love. For the next nineteen years, he never stopped charming the people of Spencer with his enthusiasm, warmth, humility, (for a cat) and, above all, his sixth sense about who needed him most.

As his fame grew from town to town, then state to state, and finally, amazingly, worldwide, Dewey became more than just a friend; he became a source of pride for an extraordinary Heartland farming town pulling its way slowly back from the greatest crisis in its long history.

About the author:
Vicki Myron was born on a farm fifteen miles from Spencer, Iowa. At the age of thirty-four, after a failed marriage, single motherhood, and a stint on welfare,she graduated summa cum laude from MankatoStateUniversity and has a masters degree from EmporiaStateUniversity.She worked at the Spencer Public Library for twenty-five years, the last twenty as director. She lives in Spencer, Iowa.

More information about Vicki, Dewey, and the books can be found online at: http://www.deweyreadmorebooks.com/ and http://community.penguin.com/_Dewey-the-Cat/group/122380/150186.html.


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Thanks to @uthors On The Web I have one copy of Dewey's Nine Lives to give away to one lucky reader!

To enter simply fill out this form!

Giveaway ends November 8th and the winner will be announced November 9th. US Entries only, book will be mailed straight from @uthors On The Web.

Good Luck!

From the Desk of...

...author DCS!






As most of us writers do, I’m always reading articles to improve my craft. There was one particular that has persistently stuck in the back of my mind when I think about this business called writing. Randall Silvis once said, “When was the last time you read something and thought, gee I didn’t know that about the human condition…for any reader with a few books under his belt and access to the nightly news, there is little in this world that can truly surprise us.”

While that statement may be true, as a writer with an over active imagination I feel that to take it to heart would be a sell out to my readers. How many times are we going to read the same ole story? When we pick up those books, aren’t we secretly hoping there will be something new inside those pages? Something a little different? Something that does bring back that child like wonder and make us rethink the world? Don’t we as writers owe it to our readers to raise the bar every time we put pen to paper? Stephanie Miller sucked us in not with just a love story but with a slightly different twist on the age old vampire and werewolf’s tale. We stood in line for Harry Potter because we’d never been in a world quite like that before. When I sit down to write Synarchy I want to pull back the veil on the world you think you live in and show it to you through a new set of eyes. I want to squeeze your heart, and hurt your brain, and make you ponder the real possibility of practical magic.

Fiction should engage our minds and our hearts. Sure, as readers we can be lazy. Sure, we pick up books to leave the real world behind. We read sometimes to be the hero we can’t be in the real world, to have that adventure we think we’ll never take in this lifetime. But, in all the fantastic worlds we’ve visited shouldn’t the most memorable leave us with some clue as to how to draw that very magic into our own lives?

We should never stop striving to change the world, to make it as we want to be; magical creations, beautiful reflections of our heartfelt, childlike desires. When our fiction no longer inspires us to keep dreaming, intending, creating, what are we reading it for? I say as writers, let’s keep trying to raise the bar. Our fans should expect nothing less.

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**Be sure to stop by tomorrow for my review of Synarchy Book 2: The Ascension and an interview with DCS (w/giveaway) on Wednesday!!**

ARC Review: Red Hot Fury

Red Hot Fury

Kasey MacKenzie

Series or Stand Alone: Shades of Fury series, book one

Release Date: June 2010

Publisher: Ace

Pages: 337

Author Site: http://www.kaseymackenzie.com/wp/

My Rating: 4/5

Source: Received from friend (Thanks J. Kaye!)

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

Hell hath nothing worse than a Fury scorned...

As a Fury, Marissa Holloway belongs to an Arcane race that has avenged wrongdoing since time immemorial. As Boston’s Chief Magical Investigator for the past five years, she’s doing what she was born to: solving supernatural crimes.

It’s far from business as usual when the body of one of Riss’s sister Furies washes up in Boston harbor. Riss discovers that the corpse’s identity has been magically altered, but as soon as she reports her findings, she’s immediately—and inexplicably—suspended from the her job. Then a human assassin makes an attempt on her life, and Riss starts to realize that someone may be trying to stir up strife between mortals and Arcanes.

When a Fury gets mad, she gets even, and Riss is determined to untangle this case. Without the support of the mortal PD, Riss turns to the one man she can trust to watch her back—shapeshifting Warhound Scott Murphy. But since Scott is also Riss’s ex, she’ll have to keep a tight leash on more than just the supernatural rage that feeds her power as they try to solve a murder—and stop a war…

Review:

Marissa "Riss" Holloway is part of The Sisterhood of Furies, an ancient Arcane race, who are born to protect immortals and mortals from those who would use magic to harm them. Riss has been the Chief Magical Investigator for the Boston Police Department for the last five years. But little does she know that the newest murder scene she is called to will pretty much flip her life upside down. The victim is a sister fury (and very close friend) which is already bad enough, however Riss notices that the body has been magically altered. As soon as she reports her discoveries though Riss is immediately suspended with no real explanation.

Soon after her suspension an assassination attempt goes down which only angers Riss more. Not only is she jobless but now a human has attempted to kill her, what the hell is going on in the world? Riss is determined to solve this case and figure out what's going on. However she has very limited resources, and she'll have to rely on the one (and only pretty much) man she can trust with her life... who just happens to be her ex-lover. Scott is still sexy as ever and still hurts from the break up he had with Riss. Being a shapeshifting Warhound with a fiercely loyal family that still holds a grudge against Riss certainly doesn't help her case. But things are so much bigger than the two of them and their problems. Can Scott and Riss put aside their past and their still-strong-as-ever attraction towards each other to prevent an all out battle between mortals and Arcanes?

The best thing about the novel for me were the plot twists. There might have been a little too much packed into the first book but I have to admit that by the end of the book I was hooked. I enjoyed the suspense that the author provided. I also really loved the characters. There are typical good guys and bad guys in the novel but I so enjoy when more light is shed on the villians and they sort of ride the good/evil line. I couldn't really relate to Riss in the beginning. She's a very kick-ass heroine but not really a favorite of mine. I'm hoping she'll grow on me more as the series progresses because I want to like her more.

I gotta say Red Hot Fury brings a nice, fresh, and unique twist to the urban fantasy world. The author has entertwined a lot of different (and not frequently mentioned) immortals into her story and its a great change in the vamp/werewolf/zombie scene. This first-in-series is a strong debut that definitely promises exciting and great things in the books to come. Red Hot Fury has a lot of action, a lot of characters, and is fast-paced. I found myself a little lost at times, especially at the beginning. But I definitely enjoyed the ride and I can't wait for the second book in the series.

Waiting on Wednesday [63] - Ultraviolet

from goodreads.com:

Once upon a time there was a girl who was special.

This is not her story.

Unless you count the part where I killed her.
 
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Reason: That synopsis is a such a trap! And I totally fell in it. I want this book...or at least more info about it. I've also heard great things about R.J. Anderson's Faery Rebels series which I'm planning on reading anyway =)
 
Cover Discussion: Very eerie and captivating...like that freaking blurb!!
 

Ultraviolet will be released May 5th!

**See more Waiting on Wednesday choices at http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/. && Join in the fun!**

Giveaway: Saving Max

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I'm giving away my gently read ARC copy of Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten. Please note that the cover of the ARC is different than the one featured above.

To enter simply fill out this form.

Giveaway ends November 8th and the winner will be announced November 9th. US entries only.

Good Luck!

Just One Taste Winners

The winner of the signed copy of Just One Taste + culinary swag is:

Stephanie

claimed =)

The winner of my review copy is:

donnas

claimed =)

Please contact me back before the end of Friday, October 22nd. Thanks so much to everyone who entered!

ARC Review: Saving Max

Saving Max

Antoinette van Heugten

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Release Date: October 2010

Publisher: Mira Books/Harlequin

Pages: 384

Book Site: http://www.savingmaxbook.com/

My Rating: 4.5/5

Source: Received for review from Phenix & Phenix Publicity

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

What would a loving mother not do for her child?

Lawyer Danielle Parkman is at her wits' end. Her son Max, a whip-smart teen with high-functioning autism, has always been a handful. But lately he's shutting down, using drugs and lashing out - violently.

Desperate, Danielle brings Max to a top-flight psychiatric facility for a full assessment. But rather than reassurance, Danielle receives an agonizing diagnosis describing a deeply damaged, dangerous boy - one she's never met.

Then Danielle finds Max unconscious and bloodied at the feet of a patient who has been brutally stabbed to death. A fiercely protective mother instinct rears its head - and Danielle is arrested as an accessory to the heinous crime.

In a baffling netherworld of doubt and fear, barred from contacting her son, Danielle clings to the thought of Max's innocence. But has she, too, lost touch with reality? Is her baby boy really a killer?

With the justice system bearing down on them both, Danielle steels herself to discover the truth - no matter how horrifying. It's a path well on the wrong side of the law. But only finding the true killer will absolve her from having to choose between her son and her soul.

Review:

I started reading Saving Max on one of my lunch breaks and easily sped through the first 50 pages or so within that half hour time frame. It was so intense and engrossing that I simply didn't want to go back to work! Basically it's a story about the determination, love, and devotion of one mother who's fighting to save the life of her son and herself. But don't let that cookie-cutter sentence description fool you. There's so much going on in this well-written novel. I guarantee it will suck you in from the beginning like it did me.

Danielle Parkman is a top-notch lawyer who doesn't necessarily receive the credit she deserves from her mostly chauvinistic co-workers. It doesn't matter to them that Danielle is a mother of a very bright but challenging and autistic son. It doesn't matter that she works extremely hard at her job despite the negative work environment. But she has to put those worries aside because Max is becoming more distant and, unfortunately, more dangerous everyday. Recent violence towards her and fear for Max's safety has forced Danielle to turn to Maitland Hospital for help.

One of the best psychiatric hospitals around, the doctors at Maitland may be able to diagnose and treat Max where others couldn't. Or that's what Danielle is hoping for. But shortly after he is admitted, things start to go horribly wrong. Max's seems to be more violent and Danielle's visitations with him become more and more restrained. Her son's emotional state and behavior reported by the staff at Maitland make him sound like a complete stranger... Danielle knows Max though and is convinced that the hospital is mistaken.

Soon after being told that Max needs to become a permanent residence for treatment, Danielle finds him bloodied, unconscious, and next to a brutally murdered patient. Max is quickly arrested for the crime and Danielle is taken in as an accessory after trying to protect him. The ensuing battle to prove Max's innocence is overwhelming, scary, and entirely realistic. The dramatic investigation is enough to keep you on the edge of your seat as the story introduces new characters and plot twists that are very well put together.

Being a new mom I was very empathetic with Danielle. My daughter is only 3 months but I know I would sacrifice any and everything for her and I always will. Knowing that I was very skeptical throughout most of the novel because I know the love for a child can easily blind parents. Was Max as innocent as Danielle knew he was? Or did he lose grip with reality and become a killer? I also kept thinking, "Wow, this could be a great Lifetime movie." And I only say that because of the strong personality of Danielle. Although she took way too many risks for my taste I can't say I wouldn't do the same for my child. There's nothing wrong with Lifetime movies (I've come to enjoy many Lifetime productions) and I know the audience of the network would absolutely be thrilled with a story like Saving Max.

I just had minor issues with some of the things that happened during the trial part of the story. It was kinda hard to believe some of the stuff that went on in the courtroom but it didn't keep me from enjoying it.  Overall the novel a very strong debut for author Antoinette van Heugten. It was a frighteningly realistic portrayal of a mother fighting for her child in a world filled with people that are never as sane as they seem. I am definitely going to be checking out her future books.

Book Arrivals

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For Review:

 Tales of Addiction and Inspiration for Recovery :: Dr. Barbara Sinor

(April 2010 - Loving Healing Press)

Whether addicted or not, we all have stories to tell

The stories of tragedy and redemption found within Tales of Addiction are not about the well known celebrities you find in the usual tabloids. Rather, these stories are true-grit tales told by people you will never meet but whose words will haunt you for months, years maybe. The author collected the stories for over two years through a "call for stories" she put in journals, workshops and lectures. Interwoven throughout, Barbara and her son share their own story of pain and struggle. In this book, you'll learn:

• How an addict's life begins
• Understand the difficulties in taking initial steps to uncover denial
• Intimate details of how many stay straight and sober
• Gain a new perspective about our national addiction population
• Learn why that Something More means so much to so many
• What happens when the addict or alcoholic loses their battle
• How you can help

The Dead Boys :: Royce Buckingham

(September 2010 - Putnam Juvenile)

In the desert town of Richland, Washington, there stands a giant sycamore tree. Horribly mutated by nuclear waste, it feeds on the life energy of boys that it snags with its living roots. And when Teddy Matthews moves to town, the tree trains its sights on its next victim.

From the start, Teddy knows something is very wrong with Richland- every kid he meets disappears before his eyes. A trip to the cemetery confirms that these boys are actually dead and trying to lure him to the tree. But that knowledge is no help when Teddy is swept into the tree's world, a dark version of Richland from which there is no escape . . .

 In Dreams Begin :: Skyler White

(December 2010 - Berkley Trade)

“Close your eyes tightly—tightly—and keep them closed . . .”

From a Victorian Ireland of magic, poetry and rebellion, Ida Jameson, an amateur occultist, reaches out for power, but captures Laura Armstrong, a modern-day graphic artist instead. Now, for the man or demon she loves, each woman must span a bridge through Hell and across history . . . or destroy it.

“Every passionate man is linked with another age, historical or imaginary, where alone he finds images that rouse his energy.” W. B. Yeats

Anchored in fact on both sides of history, Laura and Ida, modern rationalist and fin de siècle occultist, are linked from the moment Ida channels Laura into the body of celebrated beauty and Irish freedom-fighter Maud Gonne. When Laura falls—from an ocean and a hundred years away—passionately, Victorianly in love with the young poet W. B. Yeats, their love affair entwines with Irish history and weaves through Yeats’s poetry until Ida discovers something she wants more than magic in the subterranean spaces in between.

With her Irish past threatening her orderly present and the man she loves in it, Laura and Yeats—the practical materialist and the poet magus—must find a way to make love last over time, in changing bodies, through modern damnation, and into the mythic past to link their pilgrim souls . . . or lose them forever.

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From Paperbackswap:

To Sir Phillip, With Love :: Julia Quinn

(July 2003 - Avon)

Sir Phillip knew from his correspondence with his dead wife's distant cousin that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster, and so he'd proposed, figuring that she'd be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage. Except . . . she wasn't. The beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was kiss her...

Eloise Bridgerton couldn't marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking... and wondering... and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match. Except... he wasn't. Her perfect husband wouldn't be so moody and ill-mannered. And he certainly should have mentioned that he had two young - and decidedly unruly - children, as much in need of a mother as Phillip is in need of a wife.

Giveaway: Enchanted Ivy

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from goodreads.com:

What Lily Carter wants most in the world is to attend Princeton University just like her grandfather. When she finally visits the campus, Grandpa surprises her: She has been selected to take the top-secret Legacy Test. Passing means automatic acceptance to Princeton. Sweet!Lily's test is to find the Ivy Key. But what is she looking for? Where does she start? As she searches, Lily is joined by Tye, a cute college boy with orange and black hair who says he's her guard. That's weird. But things get seriously strange when a gargoyle talks to her. He tells her that there are two Princetons—the ordinary one and a magical one—and the Key opens the gate between them. But there are more secrets that surround Lily. Worse secrets.When Lily enters the magical Princeton, she uncovers old betrayals and new dangers, and a chance at her dream becomes a fight for her life. Soon Lily is caught in a power struggle between two worlds, with her family at its center. In a place where Knights slay monsters, boys are were-tigers, and dragons might be out for blood, Lily will need all of her ingenuity and courage—and a little magic—to unite the worlds and unlock the secrets of her past and her future.

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Thanks to Sarah Beth Durst I have one copy of Enchanted Ivy to give away to one lucky winner!

To enter simply fill out this form!

US Entrants only. Giveaway ends November 5th and the winner will be announced November 6th.

Good Luck!