Review: 103. Die for Me by Amy Plum...

Die for Me's cover caught my eye, and it was finally my turn to bring it home from the library...

Title: Die for Me
Author: Amy Plum
ISBN-13: 9780062004017
Hardcover: 341 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Waukesha Public Library

drey's thoughts:
This is the second YA novel I've read this year that's set in Paris. I love Paris! Ok, enough about me. On to the book.

Amy Plum's Die for Me is a romantic story about a girl who's lost her parents, and the boy she meets and falls in love with. Only thing is, he's not quite exactly a boy... What is he, you ask? Well, that's part of the fun of reading the book, so I'm not going to spill. Instead, I'm going to tell you that I really like Kate. So she's not the strongest girl out there, but what do you expect from someone who's lost her parents and so suddenly at that? She's still smart and kinda sassy, and she's definitely not whiny or angsty.

She's slowly coming out of her self-imposed shell when she sees Vincent, and wonders about him--his mysterious appearances, his friends, his everything... Then she actually meets him. And finds that sometimes a boy is so worth the trouble--especially this one, who comes with buckets of it.

The storyline runs smoothly, the plot has no hiccups, and you'll enjoy Amy Plum's take on  good-vs-bad. The characters are well-drawn, the conflicts explained... And the love story is so sweet--even with the slightly cheesy parts--that it'll take you back to when you were a teenager dreaming of romance and boys. Pick this up if you like romantic YA urban fantasy.

drey's rating: Excellent!

Have you read Die for Me? What did you think?

Review: 102. Red's Hot Cowboy by Carolyn Brown...

I heart Carolyn Brown. And I heart her sexy cowboys and sassy cowgirls. Do I really need to say more?

Title: Red's Hot Cowboy (Spikes & Spurs #2)
Author: Carolyn Brown
ISBN-13: 9781402253614
ARC: 357 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc., 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Sourcebooks

drey's thoughts:
Carolyn Brown totally owns the cowboy-romance segment of the market. Seriously. Her heroes are hunky and sexy, and completely droolworthy. Her heroines are beautiful and strong, and total smart-alecks. And her stories will make even the most cynical misty-eyed and wistful. What's not to love?

Red and Wil continue to fit the mold of Carolyn's hero and heroine. There are sparks, fights, and fireworks. There are best friends and gossip and good-natured ribbing. There's always the uncertainty, the "what-if", before the happily-ever-after. And there are families who stick together through thick and thin, and all that good food to go with it.  If I weren't already happily married, I'd sign up for one of Carolyn's cowboys, lickety-split!

drey's rating: Excellent!  Make room in your summer reading pile for this sassy love story that'll put a smile on your face when you're done.

Have you read Carolyn Brown's Spikes and Spurs series? Start with Love Drunk Cowboy!

Review: 99. Justice by Karen Robards...

Justice was supposed to post last Thursday for a blog tour, but I was out of town and didn't get the book in time... Hopefully I'm not too late with this, as it's definitely one for the to-read pile!

About the author:
Karen Robards is the author of thirty-four novels and one novella. A regular on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists, among others, she is the mother of three boys, ages 12, 17, and 23, and lives in Louisville, Kentucky. Find her online at www.karenrobards.com.

About the book:

Feisty criminal attorney Jessica Ford has done her best to comply with the orders of the Secret Service’s unofficial witness protection program ever since she became the lone witness to the First Lady’s murder. She changed her name, dyed her dark hair blonde, and traded her sturdy black-rimmed glasses for contact lenses. Unfortunately, winning her first high-profile case for prestigious Washington, D.C., law firm Ellis Hayes, and subsequently landing her face all over the news, is not exactly “keeping a low profile.” Or so says hunky Secret Service agent Mark Ryan, whose newest assignment—despite Jess’s stubborn protests—is keeping her safe at all costs. It just so happens he’s also her ex-boyfriend.

The trial earns Jess a permanent spot on the firm’s elite legal defense team, replacing an associate who eloped suddenly and never came back. It’s the chance of a lifetime. But Jess’s mind has raced with questions from the moment the prosecution’s star witness shocked the courtroom with an electrifying revelation involving the handsome son of a powerful U.S. senator. Was the pretty, young mother intimidated into changing her story on the stand? Why will she not return Jess’s calls? Did Jess’s ambitious predecessor on the case really just abandon her successful career? Or did both women mysteriously disappear?

After Mark rescues Jess from an attacker outside her apartment, she begins to consider the possibility that she is a target. Maybe it’s not so bad to have her irresistibly charming and hard-bodied former lover around for protection. Maybe. The question is, which of the many inadvertent enemies Jess has made recently is he protecting her from? The investigation leads her to some startling coincidences—and to a teenage runaway who may just hold the missing link . . . if Jess can find her.

As Jess hurtles closer to the truth—and the sexual tension between her and Mark grows hotter than ever—she finds herself in a race against the clock to find the answers before what she doesn’t know gets them both killed.

Title: Justice
Author: Karen Robards
ISBN-13: 9781439183700
Hardcover: 342 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Pocket

drey's thoughts:
Karen Robards' Justice is a gripping read that you will not be able to put down. It starts off with a woman getting killed while two teenagers are hiding under her bed. And moves to a courtroom scene where Jess is surprised by the outcome because, well, she's absolutely certain her client is actually guilty.

Then danger shows up on her doorstep. Literally. And Jess has to figure out who's trying to kill her, and why. Luckily she has Mark to watch out for her, and luckily he has skillz. However, she hasn't quite figured out if she can (or wants to) put up with him, skillz notwithstanding.

The story moves quickly and flows nicely. When the action picks up, it doesn't quit until everything's over and the bad guys are done for. You'll definitely want to add this to your reading pile.

drey's rating: Excellent!

Have you read Justice? What did you think?

Kylie Brant and (98.) Deadly Sins, a lil' good-bye, and a giveaway!

Kylie Brant visits us today to share a lil' something with us. Deadly Sins--the sixth and final book of her Mindhunters series--comes out next week, so she's here posting about goodbyes. Not only that, she has a giveaway for you too!

Sayin’ Goodbye to Characters

Deadly Sins is released on August 2. It’s book six in The Mindhunters series and will likely be the last in the series, although I never say never. And it still hasn’t quite hit me that my current project doesn’t have Adam Raiker whispering insistently in my ear. Doesn’t have one of his compelling employees trying to get me to throw the man a curve ball. I’ve been writing Mindhunter books for three years. That’s longer than I’ve spent on any series I’ve ever created. That’s longer than I stuck with yoga and it was supposed to be life changing. (Perhaps it would have been if classes hadn’t met at 5:30 AM.)

Goodbyes are hard. And forever (?) goodbyes are the hardest. It doesn’t make it easier that the people I’m saying so long to are fictional story people who I created. That should—if anything—make it harder. They were borne solely from my imagination, developed in the corners of my mind. There were days I had more conversations with these people--albeit silent ones-- than I did with members of my family, especially during deadline times. And I know them as well as I do family. If you ask me which of them eats the most pizza, which is likeliest to show a little thigh to get her way or which malecharacter exudes the most charm, and which is the most annoying… I can name them off just like I could with personal friends. And the fun part is that readers probably can, too. That’s what makes this so special. To have created something that I can share with others.

Prior to The Mindhunters the longest series I had ever written was four books. That particular experience taught me just how very short my attention span is. :) I learned after it that three connected books were all I could do before boredom set in. So three books was what I’d planned for this series. I hadn’t counted on the reader mail I received demanding to learn more about Adam Raiker, the head of The Mindhunters. And I certainly hadn’t expected my editor to request the same. I realize now it would have been a waste of one of my most compelling characters had Raiker not gotten his own story. His backstory, his very personality demands it.

Prior to beginning Raiker Forensics (The Mindhunters) Adam Raiker was a legendary profiler for the FBI. His last case for them ended spectacularly when he was captured, tortured and nearly killed by the child killer he was tracking. That case not only ended his career with the bureau, it ended his relationship with FBI agent Jaid Marlowe, the only woman he had ever allowed close.

It’s eight years later and a DC killer is targeting high profile targets for execution. Jaid and Adam are brought together on the same task force tracking the offender. But the deeper they look the more this case seems all wrapped up in the one eight years earlier. And when suspicion falls on Adam, Jaid has to decide whether to play it safe and risk everything for the one man she’s never forgotten…or stopped loving.

Title: Deadly Sins (Mindhunters #6)
Author: Kylie Brant
ISBN-13: 9780425242704
ARC: 339 pages
Publisher: Penguin, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Kylie Brant

An unknown assassin has appointed himself judge, jury, and executioner, brutally taking out high-level human targets citywide. And the list of suspects is a sensitive one: an Iranian diplomat, a U.S. senator, and a vengeful priest. It's just the kind of case to test the resolve of tough FBI agent, Jaid Marlowe. Especially when her new partner is Adam Raiker, Jaid's former colleague and ex-lover. But that's history—and it left scars.

Determined to leave it behind them, Jaid and Adam dive into the most shocking investigation of their careers. But when Adam himself becomes a suspect, Jaid must choose between past and present. Her choice plunges them into a far-reaching, high-level conspiracy of shadows—and on the run not only from secrets and lies, but for their lives. Now, despite their history, they have only each other, and the desperate hope that love can keep them alive.

drey's thoughts:
I can't decide if my favorite romance sub-genre is historical romance, contemporary romance, or romantic suspense.  Right now romantic suspense is winning, because Deadly Sins is so engrossing and its characters captivating.  

The hero and heroine have a history, both professionally and personally. Which means that working together on this case isn't the easiest thing ever, but then again this is Adam Raiker we're talking about.  Indestructible super-profiler with the heart of stone (or so everyone thinks).  While I liked Jaid, Adam carried this book for me...

I thoroughly enjoyed this final installment of Kylie Brant's Mindhunters series.  The plot has twists and turns to rival that famous street in San Francisco, yet every road meets up at the end.  I can't wait to see what else she has up her sleeves for us.

drey's rating: Excellent!

Have you read Deadly Sins? What did you think? And if you haven't, well... Read on!

Giveaway!
Kylie has one copy of Deadly Sins for you, and this one has NO geographic limitations!! To enter, fill out the form below before 6pm CST August 18th. Duplicate entries will be deleted--leave a comment so you know you've filled this out. *wink* Good luck!

96. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White...

The first thing I noticed about Kiersten White's Paranormalcy was the cover.  So I added it to my library hold list.

Title: Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy #1)
Author: Kiersten White
ISBN-13: 9780061985843
Hardcover: 335 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Waukesha Public Library

drey's thoughts:
Evie is a typical sixteen-year-old.  She's sassy and snarky, carries a pink Taser around, and works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency tackling and tagging paranormals.  She's also the only one who can see past the glamour that paranormals wear.  Makes her pretty handy to have around, especially if you're ICAP...

One day, someone breaks into the ICAP facility where Evie lives.  He's captured, but won't say why he's there.  Evie's intrigued, naturally.  And then she starts dreaming of words, words from a prophecy unknown to her.  Then something starts killing the paranormals, and next thing you know Evie's on the run for her life.  Who can she turn to?  Where can she go?  What can she do?  She's not going to just roll over and die--she just met a boy for crying out loud!

Paranormalcy is cute and fun, because Evie is cute and fun.  Never mind that there's actually a plot and tension and action, everything flies quickly and flows nicely because the characters and their interactions are smooth and interesting.  You'll enjoy hanging out with Evie as she figures out that special is totally overrated, real-life boys are much more fun than TV characters, and siblings can be a total drain.

drey's rating: Excellent!  I can't believe this is a debut, but hey book #2, Supernaturally, is out soon!

Have you read Paranormalcy?  What did you think?

95. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins...

This one's been on my TBR for a while, and I finally picked it up from the library.

Title: Anna and the French Kiss
Author: Stephanie Perkins
ISBN-13: 9780525423270
Hardcover: 372 pages
Publisher: Penguin, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Waukesha Public Library

drey's thoughts:
Anna and the French Kiss is a lovely story about a girl who meets a boy and how their friendship evolves into something more.  Of course, this being set in a high school (even if it is in Paris), there's the requisite angst and my-friend-also-likes-the-same-boy drama.  Not that it's drowning in angst and drama, because if that were the case I wouldn't have liked it as much as I did.

I liked the cast of characters in Anna and the French Kiss, especially Anna.  She's bright, funny, and nice.  Etienne is witty and charming, and such a romantic.  The two make a lovely couple, if only they could just get to the point where they were a couple.  Then again, if it was that easy, this would be a novella instead of a heartwarming romantic read.

drey's rating: Excellent!  Add it to your summer reading if you like a good boy-meets-girl story.

Have you read Anna and the French Kiss? What did you think?

Review: 94. Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton...

I'd wanted to pick this up since I saw the cover, and it's been waiting patiently on my shelf since it came from the library... I'm glad I got to it before it had to go back.

Title: Darkness Becomes Her
Author: Kelly Keaton
ISBN-13: 9781442409248
Hardcover: 273 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Waukesha Public Library

drey's thoughts:
I really enjoyed the combination of mythology, paranormal, and post-apocalyptic New Orleans in Kelly Keaton's (aka Kelly Gay) first YA urban fantasy. The heroine, Ari, is a seventeen-year-old orphan looking for answers--who's her birth mother? Why did she give Ari up? And what exactly is it that makes her so weird?

What she finds takes her to "New 2", the now privately-owned former city of vampires and magic where misfits gather and an ancient Goddess lurks. And Ari discovers there's a curse on her line that is passed from mother to daughter, from forever and a day ago. Determined to be the one who beats the curse, Ari makes a stand.  Only, is she strong enough to win?  Especially when she doesn't know what she is, and her opponent is a very very strong Goddess?

If you're a fan of the genre, you'll love Darkness Becomes Her.  Ari is stubborn and headstrong, and refuses to budge on her principles.  The band of misfits she finds in New 2 are basically background, except for Sebastian (the boy--there's always a boy) and Violet, a little girl with fangs and a pet alligator.  Or was it a crocodile?  I forget.  But I love Violet.

The action starts at the beginning, and doesn't stop till the end, when Ari once again stands up for herself--and makes enough sense to sway the adults to her way of looking at things.  Along the way she learns a bit about trust, and a bit about love.  I will definitely pick up the sequel--A Beautiful Evil comes out in February 2012.

drey's rating:  Excellent!  But what else would you expect from the author of the Charlie Madigan series?  *wink*

Have you read Darkness Becomes Her?  What did you think?

More stuff:
Kelly Keaton's website

TLC Book Tours: 92. Keith Donohue and Centuries of June...

Today's TLC tour is for Keith Donohue's Centuries of June...

About Keith Donohue:
Keith Donohue is the Director of Communications for the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the grant-making arm of the National Archives in Washington, DC. Until 1998 he worked at the National Endowment for the Arts and wrote hundreds of speeches for chairmen John Frohnmayer and Jane Alexander. He has written articles for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other newspapers. Donohue holds a Ph.D. in English from The Catholic University of America. His dissertation on Irish writer Flann O’Brien was published as The Irish Anatomist: A Study of Flann O’Brien (Maunsel Press, 2003).

Connect with Keith on his website www.keithdonohue.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

About the book:

Keith Donohue has been praised for his vivid imagination and for evoking “the otherworldly with humor and the ordinary with wonder” (Audrey Niffenegger). His first novel, The Stolen Child, was a national bestseller, and his second novel, Angels of Destruction, was hailed as “a magical tale of love and redemption that is as wonderfully written as it is captivating” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). Centuries of June is a bold departure, a work of dazzling breadth and technical virtuosity.

Set in the bathroom of an old house just before dawn on a night in June, Centuries of June is a black comedy about a man who is attempting to tell the story of how he ended up on the floor with a hole in his head. But he keeps getting interrupted by a series of suspects—eight women lying in the bedroom just down the hall. Each woman tells a story drawn from five centuries of American myth and legend in a wild medley of styles and voices.

Centuries of June is a romp through history, a madcap murder mystery, an existential ghost story, and a stunning tour de force at once ingenious, sexy, inspiring, and ultimately deeply moving.

Read an excerpt.

Title: Centuries of June
Author: Keith Donohue
ISBN-13: 9780307450289
Hardcover:
Publisher: Crown Publishing Group, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Crown

drey's thoughts:
Keith Donohue is a new-to-me author, though I have The Stolen Child sitting on my shelves (and it's been sitting there for a while now).  But I couldn't turn down the opportunity to check out his latest, Centuries of June.  I mean, the blurb had me at "black comedy about a man who is attempting to tell the story of how he ended up on the floor with a hole in his head"...  How do you turn down something like that?

I will admit to reading this slowly at first.  Really slowly...  In fact, it probably took me a good 3-4 days to get through the first two stories, which is unheard of in my reading. And here I will state that while I thought those two stories were entertaining, I didn't quite get the whole picture then. In fact, I didn't even get a glimpse of what might be the whole picture.  The parts involving the guy-with-the-hole-in-the-head were hazy and confusing enough, and then all these other characters showed up.

Then I picked it up again--because, hey, I had to read it and review it--and started really getting into the stories.  Which is where Donohue shines, because the women and their stories were something I really enjoyed.  Each character was interesting, each story had a different style about it, and it all wrapped up nicely at the end...  And now that it's done, I think reading each story and savoring it slowly is the way to go here.  But don't take my word for it, enter the giveaway to win your own copy.  *grin*

drey's rating: Excellent!

Giveaway!
There's one copy of Centuries of June up for grabs, US/Canada only (no PO Boxes, please). To enter, fill out the form below before 6pm CST August 1st. Good luck!

Review: 91. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick...

It took me a long time to get to this, but I had to--Silence is coming out soon! *grin*

Title: Crescendo (Hush, Hush #2)
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
ISBN-13: 9781416989431
Hardcover: 427 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Waukesha Public Library

drey's thoughts:
Nora Grey is not having a good summer.  Sure, her boyfriend Patch is pretty awesome (even if her mom or her bff don't think so), but not only does she have to go to school, she's paired up with her arch-enemy Marcie Millar in class.  Then her mom tries to set her up with her childhood friend who's moved back into town.  And she's seeing her father around town.  Definitely weird--he's dead, after all.

When Patch starts distancing himself from Nora, she can't figure out if it's because of the archangels' threat, or because he's dumping her for Marcie.  Not that she knows why Marcie hates her guts anyway.  Confused and emotional, Nora decides to break off with Patch and starts hanging out with Scott (the childhood friend), only to find out that there's a gang of Nephilim who're up to no good...  And Scott's one of them.  Not only that, but she also finds out that her father's not who she thought he was.

There are a lot of twists and turns in this follow-up to Hush, Hush.  And quite a few revelations as well.  Along with the cliffhanger ending, I'm sure you'll be waiting to pick up Silence with me if you read this (or have read it)...

drey's rating:  Excellent!

Have you read Crescendo?  What did you think?

Review: 79. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher...

I've wanted to pick up Catherine Fisher's Incarceron since I saw the cover.  Well, I know I'm slow, but I finally got to it!

Title: Incarceron (Incarceron #1)
Author: Catherine Fisher
ISBN-13: 9780803733961
Hardcover: 442 pages
Publisher: Penguin, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Waukesha Public Library

drey's thoughts:
Incarceron is a story of a boy stuck in a prison and knows he came from outside (even if nobody believes him).  It is also a story of a girl whose whole life has been for one purpose and one purpose only--to further her father's ambitions.

Finn doesn't fit in with the rest of the Comitatus.  The only reason they keep him around (i.e. alive) is because he's believed to be a seer, and he definitely has the expected fits.  Then Finn finds a key, and has flashes of life outside Incarceron--his life outside Incarceron.  So off he goes to find the way out.  Accompanying him are his oathbrother Keiro, the "medicine man" Gildas, and former slave-girl Attia.  And then Finn "meets" Claudia.

Daughter of the Warden of Incarceron and betrothed to the heir to the Realm, Claudia has lived a pampered life yet she lives it in fear of displeasing her father.  So how can she tell him she doesn't want this marriage? Then Claudia makes a few important discoveries--Finn among them--and decides to take matters into her own hands. 

Incarceron's storyline is engaging and captivating.  Finn is likable (he's the hero, after all), and his companions provide an excellent foil for his character.  Claudia I really liked.  Brought up to do as she's told, she still manages to do her own thing while playing obedient daughter.  And when push comes to shove, she stands on the side of right and is willing to prove it.  Huzzah for the girl with chutzpah!

drey's rating: Excellent!  I will be reading the sequel, Sapphique, in the not-too-distant future. I hope!

Review: 68. The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge...

I picked this out because the cover called to me. There's such a haunting look to the cover girl that I had to find out what she's all about...

Title: The Iron Thorn (Iron Codex #1)
Author: Caitlin Kittredge
ISBN-13: 9780385738293
Hardcover: 492 pages
Publisher: Random House, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Waukesha Public Library

drey's thoughts:
Caitlin Kittredge's The Iron Thorn is a YA steampunk/horror/fantasy set in the city of Lovecraft, where the Engine grinds all to dust and the necrovirus is blamed for the rampant madness and fantastical creatures that roam the nights. Aoife Grayson is about to turn sixteen, and everyone's watching to see if she'll succumb to the madness as her mother and brother did. Even her best friend Cal.

Then Aoife receives a letter from her brother Conrad, telling her to go to their father's estate in Arkham. So she sets off--Cal in tow--to find her brother.

I really enjoyed this first in Kittredge's Iron Codex series. There are airships and clockworks; faeries, elves, and ghouls; hideously scary monsters; and adventure galore along with the requisite time constraint. The world is fascinating, the storytelling crisp and descriptive. And of course, the numerous references to Lovecraft and Arkham tickled my fancy. Not because I've read his works (shame on me!), but because I've played Arkham Horror so many times that the monsters that show up remind me of the game. Yes, I'm a geek...

In addition to the above, I like Aoife. She's brave (going off to find her brother) yet scared (of succumbing to the madness, or failing in her quest), honorable (stands by her friends), and honest. And when she finds out she might've made a mistake, she sets off to set things right. What's not to like?

I am looking forward to the sequel--there is a sequel, right?

drey's rating: Excellent!

Review: 66. Divergent by Veronica Roth...

I said I was on a roll, right? Well, I was not wrong! If you liked Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games, you'll love Divergent!

Title: Divergent (#1 of a trilogy-to-be)
Author: Veronica Roth
ISBN-13: 9780062024022
Hardcover: 487 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Waukesha Public Library

drey's thoughts:
Beatrice Prior is about to turn sixteen, and has to make a choice--one that will define her life, her friends and family, her future. Growing up in the Abnegation faction means the first part of her life was spent being selfless and serving others. Not that she's great at it, but still. The other four factions are now open to recruits, as it is. And Beatrice has to decide whether to stay in her faction with her family and friends, or find a faction that is a better fit for her.

She chooses. And the next part of her life becomes extremely complicated--nobody's ever told that there's an initiation process to survive. Yes, survive. Because initiation is really just a nice label covering a dangerously competitive hazing ritual.

Renaming herself Tris, Beatrice now has to figure out who's friend or foe--which isn't too hard to do, actually--and remember to hide her true nature. As initiation progresses, Tris finds out that her faction isn't all it's cracked up to be and that some of the faction leaders are planning to stage a coup against Abnegation. By the time all the pieces fall into place, it's almost too late to do anything. But she's Tris, she loves her family, and she'll do anything she can to save them.

Tris reminds me a lot of Katniss Aberdeen. They grow up in a future society where your faction/district determines your whole life. Here, you at least have the option to switch factions, but most don't. The government isn't covered much here, but it seems to be more benevolent than the Capitol. And while she's not fighting for her life à la the gladiators, there are still those who'd kill her, just for being her.

There's no triangle here (sorry guys, no team buttons). Just a girl and a boy figuring out who they are, who they want, in the midst of all the chaos and danger. You'll be shocked to see where the danger leads, and what losses Tris must face, before you get to the end of this story. And if you're like me, you're anxiously waiting for the next book, and hoping it's every bit as good as this one.

drey's rating: Excellent!

Review: 65. The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook...

I have to admit I was slightly hesitant to pick up The Iron Duke even though I'd heard it was good. But I don't normally associate steampunk with half-naked men like this has one on the cover... I'm glad I finally read it though, it's fabulous!

Title: The Iron Duke (The Iron Seas)
Author: Meljean Brook
ISBN-13: 9780425236673
Paperback: 378 pages
Publisher: Penguin Group, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Waukesha Public Library

drey's thoughts:
I must be on a roll with my reading, or maybe I'm just plumb lucky! But I'm not complaining, oh no... *grin*

The Iron Duke of the title, Rhys Trahearn is a hero--the hero actually, who freed England from the Horde. I never quite got what the Horde were or where they came from, only that they controlled the population by implanting nanoagents that they could then control with frequencies emitted by short-range towers. All emotions are controlled by the Horde... I guess you're effectively an android then, or something like it.

The world is completely interesting--there are bounders (those who've returned to England from the New World, and aren't infected), buggers, bugs, zombies, airships, and clockwork devices, all populating this Victorian England setting. I am amazed at how Meljean Brook makes everything work together, and so well at that.

Mina Wentworth was born during the Horde occupation, and while she's the daughter of a Peer, she's still frowned upon and spat on, all because of the Horde blood in her. She's a detective, which puts food on the table, and her work puts her and the Iron Duke together when a body's found on his lawn. Trying to identify the victim eventually takes them to the Admiralty, where their source is murdered. Next thing you know, Mina and Rhys are chasing down rumors of a doomsday weapon across the Channel, and racing against time to take it down before it reaches England's shores.

I like Mina and Rhys. She's stubborn, opinionated and sarcastic. Having dealt with a lifetime of hatred, she's got a pretty thick skin. And she cannot believe that Rhys would--no, could--want her. She doesn't let the crap get to her, and she doesn't let anyone off the hook, whether they're peasant or titled. Scum is scum, after all.

The Iron Duke is a captivating story that just works. The romance & mystery, the technology & history--they all play a part without one element overshadowing another. And all the parts make up a whole that you'll need to check out.

drey's rating: Excellent!

Review: 63. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness...

This is another book I've been meaning to pick up for quite a while, and now that I've read it, I wonder what was I waiting for??

Title: A Discovery of Witches
Author: Deborah Harkness
ISBN-13: 9780670022410
Hardcover: 579 pages
Publisher: Penguin Group, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Penguin

drey's thoughts:
Witches, Vampires, and Daemons, oh my!! Diana Bishop has been fighting her family's lineage for her entire life. Who wants to be known as being related to that Bishop? So she turns her energies to science, and focuses on research instead of spells. When one of the manuscripts she pulls from the depth of Oxford's Bodleian Library sparks with magical energy she quickly takes her notes and sends it back, not knowing that she's been the only one who's been able to unlock its magical bonds.

Next thing you know, Diana is surrounded by the supernatural--including the irrepressibly charming Matthew Clairmont. All of them want her to recall the manuscript, all of them want to possess it. But Diana can't. And that inability puts her life in jeopardy, because nobody believes it. When Matthew offers his help, she refuses (of course!). But eventually she has to accept, even as she's questioning his motives--what does he want with Ashmole 782?

A Discovery of Witches has something for everybody... Do you like mysteries? Well, come along as Diana tries to unravel the mystery behind Ashmole 782--what secrets is it hiding, why the magical binding? If you like history then there's a lot of that covered here too. After all, Diana is a professor of history, and when another major character is a centuries-old vampire, you get quite a bit of history-telling... Of course, paranormal fans will enjoy the detail of magic and the backstory of why the vampires, witches, and daemons aren't allowed to interact. Romantics at heart will love watching Diana fall in love. Let's see, have I left anyone out?

I really enjoyed Diana and Matthew, and even Matthew's assistant Miriam, and his very-scary mother Ysabeau. Deborah's writing makes you care for her characters, and she surrounds them with lush landscapes and detailed histories. I loved this book, and cannot wait for more.

drey's rating: Outstanding! A Discovery of Witches is an engrossing story that will have you hooked 'till the very last word.

Review: 61. The Violets of March by Sarah Jio...

Update (5/15): Blogger maintenance has lost my original post, and I've had to re-do this review. I apologize for this being off-air while I regathered my thoughts.

I want to say "thank you" to Sarah Jio for visiting us this month, and for my copy of her lovely debut novel The Violets of March...

Title: The Violets of March
Author: Sarah Jio
ISBN-13: 9780452297036
Paperback: 293 pages
Publisher: Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Sarah Jio

drey's thoughts:
Sarah Jio's The Violets of March is a touching story of heartbreak and hope entwined with a long-buried family secret.

When Emily Wilson's marriage crumbles, she heads out to her great-aunt Bee's to get some time to think and heal. It doesn't take long before she meets a gorgeous artist, and reconnects with an old summer fling. Then she finds a diary in her room, and is engrossed in the owner's tale of loss and regret. As she reads Esther's tale, Emily can't help but wonder who she is and why that diary was in her room.

The Violets of March is a story of two women's hopes and dreams, and heartaches. About the choices you make and the actions you take when you love so deeply that when something threatens that love, you either fight like heck for it, or run like hell to save your heart. One chose to run, and the ramifications reach to the present day. The other has a choice to make--what will it be?

This book will tow you under its spell and barely let go even when you've turned the last page. And as Sarah Jio brings it to a close, you'll find yourself wanting the characters to hang around for just a bit longer--if only to reassure yourselves that they're doing alright.  

drey's rating: Excellent! Add this poignant tale to your summer reading, and don't forget the tissues...

Have you read The Violets of March? What did you think?

Blog Tour: 60. The Guardian by Margaret Mallory...

Today's first tour is for a historical highland romance from Margaret Mallory, The Guardian, the first in her new Return of the Highlanders series. Thanks go out to Hachette Book Group for organizing!

About Margaret Mallory:
MARGARET MALLORY surprised her friends and family by abandoning her legal career--and her steady job--to write tales of romance and adventure. At long last, she can satisfy her passion for justice by punishing the bad and rewarding the worthy-in the pages of her novels, of course. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, a silly dog and an ornery cat.

With her two children off to college, Margaret spends most of her time working on her new Scottish historical series, The Return of the Highlanders. She loves to hear from readers.

Find Margaret online at her website, www.margaretmallory.com, on facebook, twitter, and Goodreads!

About The Guardian:

Four fearless warriors return to the Highlands to claim their lands and legacies. But all their trials on the battlefield can't prepare them for their greatest challenge yet: winning the hearts of four willful Scottish beauties.

PASSION IGNITED
After years of fighting abroad, Ian MacDonald comes home to find his clan in peril. To save his kin, he must right the wrongs from his past . . . and claim the bride he's long resisted.

As a young lass, Sìleas depended on Ian to play her knight in shining armor. But when his rescue attempt compromised her virtue, Ian was forced to marry against his wishes. Five years later, Sìleas has grown from an awkward girl into an independent beauty who knows she deserves better than the reluctant husband who preferred war to his wife. Now this devilishly handsome Highlander is finally falling in love. He wants a second chance with Sìleas - and he won't take no for an answer.

Title: The Guardian (Return of the Highlanders #1)
ARC: 354 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Hachette Book Group

drey's thoughts:
I haven't picked up a good ol' highlander romance in a while, and am very happy that I decided to sign up for this blog tour! Why, you ask? Well, because it's so dang romantic! Well, duh, you say. Of course it's romantic, it's a romance novel... To which I say that there are different kinds of romance novels. Regardless of genre, there are the mushy romances, the sweet awwwww ones, the hot and sexy burn-up-the-sheets type, etc. You know what I mean.

Anyway. Ian and his best friends Connor, Duncan, and Alexander have been a group since they were children. Sileas is his little shadow then, five years younger and totally in awe of her protector and playmate. Clan politics turn ugly, and Ian is forced to marry Sileas when she is just thirteen years old to save her from her stepfather's plotting. Resentful of his duty, Ian takes off to France with his posse.

Five years later, and Ian is returning home, possibly to start a clan war for Connor's rightful place. Five years later, and Sileas is wondering if she should give up on waiting for the husband who didn't want her.

I love Sileas. She grows into a young woman very sure of her place--except for the husband bit, that is. She's aware of her worth, and is determined that this time, Ian will earn her love. What was once freely given has faded from neglect. And if he doesn't earn it back or if he still doesn't want her, well, she has options. As for Ian, he's what I'd imagine a twenty-three year old 1800s highlander warrior to be--brash, cocky, and bossy. He knows men and warring. Women, not so much. And it shows in his actions and his conversations...

In The Guardian, Margaret Mallory deftly weaves a tale of two childhood friends who have to get past the hurt and the humiliation and learn to reconnect with each other. Will they find their way to each other before second chances are buried in politics and intrigue? Will the heart forgive and the head forget?

drey's rating: Excellent! Historical romance fans should add this to their summer reading... Want more? Read an excerpt, then sign up for the giveaway!

The room fell away as Ian stared at the young woman who stood in the glow of the firelight. Her hair was the most beautiful shade of red he had ever seen. It fell in gleaming waves and framed a face so lovely it squeezed his heart to look at her.

When she lifted her gaze and met his, the air went out of him. There was something very familiar about this lovely, green-eyed lass, but Ian could not place her.

"Ian." Alex jabbed him in the ribs.

Ian knew he should stop staring at her, but he couldn't help himself.

"Hmmph," Alex grunted as he pushed past Ian. He strode across the room and greeted the young woman with a kiss on her cheek, as if he knew her well. "Ach, you are a sight to behold," Alex said. "If I were your husband, Sìleas, ye can be sure I wouldn't have kept ye waiting a single day."

Sìleas? Ian shook his head. Nay, this could not be...

The young woman was nothing like the scrawny thirteen-year-old he remembered. Instead of gawky limbs and pointed elbows, she had graceful lines and rounded curves that made his throat go dry.

"Welcome home," the young woman said to Alex in the kind of throaty voice a man wanted to hear in the dark.

"Ye two must be hungry after your travels. Come, Sìleas, let us get these men fed," his mother said, taking the lass by the arm. His mother gave him a wide-eyed look over her shoulder, the kind she used to give him when he was a lad and had committed some grievous error in front of company.

When Ian started to follow the two women to the table, Alex hauled him back. "Are ye an idiot?" Alex hissed in his face. "Ye didn't even greet Sìleas. What's the matter with ye?"

"Are ye sure that's Sìleas?" Ian said, leaning to the side so he could see past Alex to the red-haired lass.

"Of course it is, ye fool," Alex said. "Did ye no hear your mam just say her name?"

From the corner of his eye, Ian saw the back of Sìleas's skirt disappearing up the stairs. It occurred to him he had the right to follow her up and take her to bed. Tonight. Right now. Before supper, if he wanted. And again, after. The part of him between his legs was giving him an emphatic "Aye!"

His reaction startled him. For five long years, he had planned to end the marriage as soon as he returned. He'd harbored not a single doubt.

But he made that plan before she turned into this enchanting lass with curves that would have him dreaming of her naked as soon as he closed his eyes.

Aye, he most definitely wanted to take Sìleas to bed. Any man would. The question, however, was whether he wanted her to be the last woman he ever took to his bed.

Giveaway!
Thanks to Hachette Book Group, I have three copies of The Guardian for you, if you live in the US or Canada (no PO Boxes please!). One winner per household. To enter, just fill out the form below before 6pm CST May 23rd. One entry per person, multiples will be disqualified (you may want to comment after filling out the form so you know you've already entered)... Good luck!



Now that you're done with that, here's MORE fun stuff for you: We Love Scotland: The True Tales Behind Our Hottest Scottish Historicals, from Sue-Ellen Welfonder, Kira Morgan, and Margaret Mallory.

Review: 55. Dreadnought by Cherie Priest...

I really enjoyed reading Cherie Priest's Boneshaker about a month ago, and remembered to check for Dreadnought at the library...

Title: Dreadnought (Clockwork Century series)
Author: Cherie Priest
ISBN-13: 9780765325785
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Tor, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Waukesha Public Library

drey's thoughts:
Dreadnought is another Cherie Priest steampunk novel with a strong woman protagonist. Mercy Lynch is a nurse at the Robertson Hospital in Richmond, Virginia in 1867. She's just found out that her husband is dead when her father summons her out to Seattle. With nothing left for her in Virginia, Mercy packs her meager belongings and heads out to see him before he dies.

The adventure starts pretty much as soon as Mercy leaves. She's in the frontline of the war, and has to try to stay ahead of the fighting--or at least survive any firefights she's caught in.

I really liked Mercy. She's strong and brave--you'd have to be to head from Virginia to Washington all by yourself in the middle of the Civil War! She doesn't take flak from anyone, and she tries to not let anything faze her. She's also willing to lend a hand to those in need, regardless of whether they're in gray or blue.

The storyline moves from one situation to the next pretty smoothly, and you won't believe the shenanigans that Mercy gets involved in. When the only way out West is on the train fronted by the dreaded engine Dreadnought, she finds that there is definitely more than meets the eye--in the soldiers, the passengers, and the lone Ranger who gets on the train.

Will Mercy make it to Seattle? You'll have to read Dreadnought and find out...

drey's rating: Excellent! This steampunk tale is full of mystery and adventure!

Have you read Cherie Priest's Dreadnought? What did you think?

Review: 53. Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead...

I had to wait a while before getting around to reading Last Sacrifice, but there's no way I would've missed finding out what happens!

Title: Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6)
Author: Richelle Mead
ISBN-13: 9781595143068
Hardcover: 594 pages
Publisher: Penguin, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Waukesha Public Library


drey's thoughts:
Framed for a murder she didn't commit, Last Sacrifice opens with Rose in a cell awaiting justice. How is she going to find the true killer before her judgement is passed and executed? Especially from behind bars?

Don't worry, there's a plan--there's always a plan. This one makes unlikely partners of Abe, Lissa, Adrian, and Dimitri. Yes, Dimitri. Which complicates things quite a bit, for Rose and Adrian both. Because the plan involves Dimitri spiriting Rose away and hiding her so that she can't be executed. And while she's in hiding, her friends are going to find the real killer. Of course, Rose being Rose, she can't just sit around doing nothing, so she uses a clue to hunt someone down.

Keeping busy does have its advantages, of course. It keeps her from having to talk to Dimitri, much less look at him or be around him. Yes, Rose is pulling her disappearing tricks again... The thing I like about Rose? She's so logical about her decisions if not her motives. I thought there were sections of Rose's journey that were unnecessary, but for the most part the plot flowed smoothly and quickly so I'm not complaining. There's a lot of seeing-through-Lissa via their bond, there's a lot of dream-sharing with Adrian, and there's a lot of Dimitri-and-Rose tension. Never fear, this being the last of the series, you'll find out if everyone gets their happily-ever-after. 

drey's rating: 4/5 Excellent! A fitting send-off to Mead's Vampire Academy series!

Have you read Last Sacrifice? What did you think?

Vampire Academy reading order:
1. Vampire Academy
2. Frostbite
3. Shadow Kiss
4. Blood Promise
5. Spirit Bound
6. Last Sacrifice

Review: 50. Tangled Threads by Jennifer Estep...

I love Jennifer Estep's Elemental Assassin series, and couldn't wait to get my mitts on the latest offering, Tangled Threads! *squeal*

Title: Tangled Threads (Elemental Assassin #4)
Author: Jennifer Estep
ISBN-13: 9781439192634
e-ARC
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Jennifer Estep

drey's thoughts:
Well. Gin's declared war on Mab Monroe, and Mab's bringing out the big guns. This one's in the form of another assassin set on Gin's trail, Elektra LaFleur. Gin's all set to let LaFleur hunt and peck around Ashland looking for her, because she has more fun things she'd rather do, like a certain yummy dude. Then she finds out a little girl's been kidnapped. On her way to rescue the little girl, she learns that Mab's next target for LaFleur--after the Spider, of course--is Bria.

Ah, Mab. You don't mess with an assassin's baby sister. Then again, Mab doesn't know who Gin really is... I almost feel sorry for her. Ok, I'm over that now.

Gin fights a lot in this installment--from giants and vamps to elementals who'll fry you with lightning and laugh while you twitch. Luckily for her, she's not hurt quite as badly here as she was in Venom. And while she's fending off the twitches, she also learns more about how some of her powers work, which is never a bad thing.

Of course, this deadly killer isn't all work and no play. Her budding romance brings up a few insecurities, but the guy comes through for her--this one's a keeper! Her sarcastic wit shows up in rare form. And the strength of her magical abilities continues to astound.

The action starts off just about right away, albeit a little slower in the beginning (you really can't call a stake-out "fast-paced") before running on all cylinders for the rest of the book. There's only one downside to this--you'll be anxiously waiting for Spider's Revenge to come out so you can find out what happens next.

drey's rating: 4/5 Excellent! Gin is amazing in this fourth installment of Jennifer Estep's Elemental Assassin series. Go pick this up if you like hard-hitting urban fantasy with a lil' romance to soften it up a bit...

Have you read Jennifer's Elemental Assassin series or Tangled Webs? What did you think? If you haven't, check out Jennifer's Extras page for excerpts and short stories: www.jenniferestep.com/excerpts-short-stories.

Elemental Assassin reading order:
1. Spider's Bite
2. Web of Lies
3. Venom
4. Tangled Threads

Review & Giveaway: 43. The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly...

If you've read Michael Connelly's The Lincoln Lawyer, then you've been introduced to Mickey Haller. And if you've seen the movie, then you will not be able to picture anyone other than Matthew McConaughey as Mickey. Or if you're like me, you haven't seen it yet, but still pictured Matthew as Mickey throughout the entirety of The Fifth Witness, drawl and all...

Title: The Fifth Witness (Mickey Haller #4)
Author: Michael Connelly
ISBN-13: 9780316069359
ARC: 421 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Hachette Book Group

drey's thoughts:
I didn't know that The Fifth Witness was the fourth Mickey Haller novel--where've I been? And just in case you didn't know either, The Brass Verdict (2008) and The Reversal (2010) featured both Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch. I'm going to add them to my to-read list...

Anyway, back to Mickey. He's branched out into foreclosures, and has more clients than he knows what to do with, so there's a new face in the firm--fresh out of law school. When one of his foreclosure clients is arrested on charges of murdering a bank executive, Mickey agrees to defend her. Then, because you just know that things can't quite be that easy, he uncovers a trail that to mob ties that could have set her on the path to being framed.

I still like Mickey. He's trying to juggle the demands of the trial with mending fences with his ex-wife & daughter, and he's not doing too badly at it either. And no, picturing Matthew as Mickey didn't hurt that in the least. *wink* But back to the book. The storyline flows quickly, as does the plot. There are a few twists, but nothing crazy or far out in left field, just the usual legal-thriller innocent-or-guilty stuff... And I finally figured out what the title refers to. *grin*

drey's rating: 4/5 Excellent: Loved this legal thriller (and no, it wasn't all 'cuz of Matthew!)--pick it up if that's your thing. It's fit equally well as a beach read as a curl-up-in-blankets read...

Have you read The Fifth Witness? What did you think? And if you haven't, here's your chance...

Giveaway!
Thanks to Hachette Book Group, I have one copy of The Fifth Witness for you, if you live in the US or Canada (no PO Boxes, please)! To enter, comment with your email address and tell us if you've read any of Michael Connelly's Mickey Haller books (or any of Michael Connelly's books). That's it. Do it before 6pm CST April 14th. Good luck!