Showing posts with label Antoinette van Heugten. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Antoinette van Heugten. Show all posts

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Saving Max and Dewey's Nine Lives Winners


The winner of my ARC copy of Saving Max is:

(claimed =D)


The winner of Dewey's Nine Lives is:

Julie Laws
(claimed =D)


 
Please contact me back before the end of Saturday, November 13th. Thanks so much to everyone who entered the giveaways!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Giveaway: Saving Max


GIVEAWAY CLOSED


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!

Monday, October 18, 2010

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:

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.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Book Arrivals



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From Paperbackswap.com:

An Offer From a Gentleman :: Julia Quinn
(Book three in the Bridgerton series)

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball—or that "Prince Charming" would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid's garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

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From Contests/Giveaways & Misc:

Saving Max :: Antoinette van Heugten
(Recieved ARC for review)

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.

Lumby on the Air :: Gail Fraser
(Book five in the Lumby series)
(Received uncorrected proof for review)

Fifth in the acclaimed series set in the enchantingly offbeat town of Lumby. Pam and Mark Walker are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary with a week-long family reunion and a ceremony renewing their vows. But when Mark's brother-in-law starts broadcasting his radio talk show from Montis Inn, his disparaging remarks about small-town life cause immediate rifts that only widen when he sides with a real estate developer who wants to turn Lumby into an asphalt Aspen. As the controversy pits family against family, and neighbor against neighbor, will the spirit that defines Lumby triumph once again?

Never Let You Go :: Erin Healy
(Recieved for review)

Losing everything has made Lexi hold those she loves tightly. Hell is determined to loosen her grip.

Lexi lives in the shadow of choices her husband made. Especially Grant's choice to leave seven years ago, without a word. Her relationship with their daughter, Molly, is now the most important thing in her life. Lexi will do anything-work grueling hours, attend church on her only day off, sacrifice financially-just to see Molly smile.


When Grant shows up declaring his intent to re-enter their daughter's life, Lexi is skeptical of his motives. She soon determines not to let him near Molly. Then a drug dealer named Warden arrives on Lexi's doorstep, demanding payment of Grant's old debts.


But that's just the earthly perspective. Staggering supernatural events are spilling into her world in real and shocking ways. Hell's fury is great, but Heaven's power is greater still. In a novel that defies easy categorization, this has all the early buzz of the breakthrough read of 2010.

Spirit :: Andrew Feder
(Recieved for review)

Randall Lender was a Wanted Man. He was wanted by the Clergy of the Major Organized Religions, the Governments and the New World Order, but that was the least of his problems. After going out of body (astral projection) Randall Lender suddenly found himself in such a paradox where the surrealism meets dilemma. Within this phenomenon of Looking Through the Hour Glass he unfortunately after leaving his physical body ended up into another's. This was his paradox. This was his dilemma. This was his surrealism. And regrettably for Lender this was the real quantum problem. Randall Lender found himself on an unexpected journey with its twists and turns until he realizes that he must die to live for his return to his former body. And now the elixir of questions remains: What? How? And Why? Then you'll ask why me? Why him? And What If?
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